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What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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Monthly Archives: June 2023
Death Notice of Andre Willard
Andre Juaquin Willard, age 47, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Ft. Scott. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, July 3rd at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ft. Scott. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Agenda for the Bo Co Commission Special Meeting on July 3
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
July 3, 2023 9:00 a.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Discussion of CARES Provider Relief Fund Invoice
- Public Comments
- Commission Comments
- Meeting Adjourn
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Obituary of Saundra Carlson
Saundra Nell Carlson, age 85, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Ft. Scott. She was born December 19, 1937, in Stotesbury, Missouri, the daughter of Ora Lynell Stuart and Rama Alexander Stuart.
Saundra graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1955. She married Ralph Carlson on December 18, 1955, one day shy of her 18th birthday.
Saundra faithfully supported Ralph throughout his career with the United States Navy. During his military service, they made their home in California, Washington State, Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, and Guam. Saundra diligently made a home wherever they were stationed. Following Ralph’s retirement from the Navy in 1975, they returned to Ft. Scott.
Saundra had an eye for detail and worked hard to restore several Ft. Scott homes.
She was also an accomplished seamstress and made numerous dresses, Halloween costumes, draperies and baby bedding.
Other hobbies included painting, pottery and decorating cakes. She attended the First Presbyterian Church and the Diamond Community Church.
Saundra will be remembered for her fierce personality and her ability to take on and complete any project she desired.
Survivors include her husband, Ralph, of the home; and two children, Tammie Oas (David) of Parsons, Kansas and Scott Carlson (Paula) of Kansas City, Missouri; three grandchildren, Noah Carlson (Jenny), Gabriel Carlson (Nina) and Leif Oas (Monica) and four great-grandchildren, Dalton, Delaney, Vincent and Avalene Carlson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Saundra was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Patricia Burton.
Pastor Joan Koller will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 3rd at the First Presbyterian Church.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Taco Azul Food Truck Moves to The Twin Mansions
The Taco Azul Food Truck has moved to a new site with more seating and shade for their customers.
“We’re excited about this move because there’s more seating, more shade, more room for kids to move around, and altogether a great atmosphere,” Erin Macik said. “Seb set up a really neat outside dining area, and it will be a lovely gathering place for the folks of Fort Scott.”
“Our only regret is that everyone at the Washateria was very accommodating and pleasant to work with, and we’re sad to leave them,” she said.
The reason for the move: technical reasons.
“The generator for the trailer has a carbon monoxide detector and automatically shuts off when levels get high,” she said. “Unfortunately, it was shutting off about every 20 minutes, so we needed to find a place with a plug-in. We were able to install one easily at the mansions, and Seb is starting there today!”
“After a year of planning and setting up, we opened at the Good Ol’ Days festival this year,” Erin said.
Seb Macik spent some time teaching in Mexico City before he and Erin were married, and discovered Mexican street tacos during that time.
“Ever since then, he’s been working to make the perfect street taco, and the result is Taco Azul: real-deal Mexico City tacos in Fort Scott, KS,” she said.
The Twin Mansions are located at 742 National Ave., Fort Scott, they are in the parking lot behind
.
Regular hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
“We post the week’s schedule on Facebook every week, and there are slight changes occasionally, but in general, those are the hours we’ll be open,” Erin said.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 30
A Conductor Concocter by Patty LaRoche
My husband’s mother, Phyllis, worked for decades as the office manager of a car dealership. Buyers dealt with her when they purchased a vehicle. One day, a man sat down at Phyllis’s desk to finalize the details of his purchase. Phyllis noted that his last name was “LaRoche.”
“LaRoche? Seems like I’ve heard that name before,” she chuckled.
“Do you follow baseball?” he answered.
“I do.”
“Well then, that’s probably it. My brother Dave is a pitcher for the Angels.”
Dave’s mom started laughing. “You could have fooled me. I’m Phyllis LaRoche. I’m Dave’s mother.”
Some people will do anything to be recognized or valued, a theme repeated in my upcoming book. If you’ve ever stretched the truth to appear qualified, needed, or superior, you know what this is like.
In the New Testament, we read that Barnabas had sold his property and presented the disciples with the money he made from the sale. We can imagine the accolades and high-fives given to Barnabas for his generosity.
The married couple Ananias and Sapphira wanted in on the praise. They too sold their land but kept back some of the profit for themselves. There’s nothing wrong with that, except they lied to the disciples and said that they gave it all, a lie that cost them their lives.
God doesn’t want big-shots; He wants people of humility. In The Best of Lee Strobel’s “Investigating Faith,” he writes this: “Humility involves an appropriate acknowledgment and realistic assessment of oneself. If you’re a skilled piano player, you don’t say, ‘I’m no good on the piano.’ That’s being out of touch with reality. On the other hand, the pianist should recognize that this talent is a gift he’s received from God.”
“John,” an American atheist who owned at our condominium complex in Mexico, showed up one year with long hair and a story about how he, in a few months, would lead an orchestra in his hometown in the United States. Impressive, right? Everyone was talking about his conductor opportunity. I ran into John one day and congratulated him on being selected for his upcoming debut. He began demonstrating his “a-one-and-a-two-and-a” pretend-baton movement while shaking his long hair from side to side. He definitely was into his new role.
A few days later, his wife and I were chatting. I asked if she was impressed that her husband had been chosen to conduct an orchestra. She seemed surprised. “He wasn’t chosen. He won it in an auction. He just outbid the other bidders.” A small detail John failed to share.
One of my favorite quotes on humility comes from Pastor Rick Warren. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less…” No one knew this better than Jesus. After Jesus fasted for 40 days, Satan appeared to him and gave him three chances to exalt himself: change stones into bread so he could eat; throw himself down from a high building and be saved by his angels; or worship him (Satan) and be given all the world’s kingdoms.
Jesus wasn’t about to do any of those things. His purpose was to show others the way to Heaven, not to call attention to himself. One demonstrates humility, the other, pride.
Dear Lord, let me remember that in everything I say and do.
Obituary of F. Cedric McCurley
F. Cedric McCurley, 88, a beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away on June 28, 2023, in Springfield, MO. Cedric, known affectionately as Ced, was born in Chanute, KS to Hubert and Louise Anderson McCurley. Ced spent his formative years in Fort Scott, KS. In 1961, Cedric married Elizabeth Jane Higgins, daughter of Ed and Margaret Gorman Higgins, in a ceremony held in Mound City, Kansas.
Ced is survived by his devoted spouse and their loving children: Eric (Karen), Scott; Kent (Linda), Mason, Chloe; Greg (Patti), Catherine, Michael, Daniel; Heather Trinca (Peter), Olivia, Spencer, Caroline. He also leaves behind his sisters: Bernie Simmons, Ann Johnston (Charles); sister-in-law, Kathy McCurley (Doug); and brother-in-law, Doug Ropp (Patty), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Lucille Langdon and Elaine Ropp, his brother Doug McCurley, and brothers-in-law Joe Langdon and Ronnie Simmons.
A private inurnment will be held at the Fort Scott National Cemetery to honor Cedric’s memory. The family kindly requests no memorials or gifts, but appreciates the support and condolences received during this difficult period.
FSCC President Interviews and Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The FSCC Board of Trustees will be holding a special board meeting at 6:00 pm on each of the dates below. The special board meetings are being held to conduct interviews with finalists for the president
position. Although a public meeting will be called to order, the board will adjourn to executive session each time for the purposes of conducting each interview. No action is expected to follow any of the executive sessions.
July 5, 2023 Jason Kegler
July 6, 2023 Vincent Loffredo
July 10, 2023 Tiffany Evans
Each candidate’s on-campus interview will follow the schedule below:
10:00 Tour of campus
11:30 Lunch with Executive Council
Dick Hedges Administrative Building (closed meeting)
1:30 Community Forum (will be streamed – check for link on our webpage)
Bailey Hall Round Room (south side)
3:00 Employee and Student Forum (will be zoomed for employees – watch email for link)
Bailey Hall Round Room (south side)
5:30 Dinner with Trustees
6:00 Interview with Trustees
Kobach statement regarding Governor’s decision not to enforce SB 180
In response to the Governor announcing she will not comply with the changes commanded by SB 180, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach released the following statement:
“The Governor has stated that SB 180 changes nothing with respect to drivers licenses and birth certificates. That is nonsense. The Legislature passed SB 180 and overrode Governor Kelly’s veto specifically to ensure that those documents reflect biological sex at birth. The Governor doesn’t get to veto a bill and then ignore the Legislature’s override. She is violating her oath of office to uphold Kansas law. We will see her in court.”
Wayward Bettys At Crooners June 30
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Spectacular Display and Other Fun Is Planned for July 3 in Fort Scott
The annual community fireworks display will be July 3 at Fort Scott Community College, 2108 Horton Street. Cars will be lined up on Horton for viewing the display.
Shaunn Pytlowany, lead pyrotechnician with Premier Pyrotechnics will be once again be orchestrating the fireworks display for Fort Scott.
“This is our second year of a multi-year contract,” Pytlowany said.
The display will be shorter this year, but more spectacular.
“We have been asked to provide a 15 minute show, to shorten it, so there will be more going off at any one time,” Pytlowany said. “Which will make it more spectacular.”
KMDO, KOMB, 103.9 radio station will be broadcasting music to listen to while watching the display.
There will be 512 aerials exploded with display heights of between 275 to 600 feet, depending on wind speed and humidity, he said.
Pytlowany and his crew will start setting up the display at 7 a.m. on July 3 and under normal circumstances set up will be complete between 8:30 and 9 p.m.
He has provided displays for local football and soccer games, cities, weddings, family reunions, and at the LaRoche Baseball Complex for the Wounded Warrior Project. The Premier Pyrotechnics company has provided displays for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, he said.
He has worked at Premier Pyrotechnics, based in Richland, MO for nine years, but has been fascinated by them for 40 years, he said.
“I was always interested in the design, manufacturing process and of course the explosion,” he said.
Sponsors
Advance Bourbon County, a local non-profit, took over the organizing and paying for the display from the Elks Club this year.
This year the cost of the event is $12,000.
Helping to sponsor the fireworks event is Fort Scott Gun and Pawn Shop, the City of Fort Scott, Tall Grass Building System, the American Legion, the Elks Club, Brian Bowman Construction, Engstrom Construction, the Kiwanis Club and A-1 Towing.
Prelude Fun and Food
There will be local vendors selling food and drinks: Juan Some Grub, Fort Scott High School Swim Team-lemonade tent, Valley Flavor, Tiger Ice Sno Cones, Doggone Dogs, and Los Tres Pollitos, Aaron Judy, one of the organizers said.
Additionally, there will be corn hole and other yard games for people to use, he said.
These will be set up in the area between the FSCC John Deere Department (the old armory) and the 4-H Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
Fort Scott’s Rules For Fireworks
During the event, there can be no fireworks discharged from 18th Street and Horton Street to 23rd and Horton, according to Fort Scott Police Department Chief Jason Pickert.
“They cannot be discharged on the community college campus or on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds,” he said.
Fireworks can be purchased until July 4.
Until July 2 they can be discharged from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. On July 3 and July 4 they can be discharged from 7 a.m. until midnight.