Southeast Kansas Library System Newsletter

The SEKnFind Newsletter
January 2024

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

First lie wins : a novel
by Ashley Elston

A woman with many faces and identities, Evie Porter, covertly moves from job to job for her unknown employer until her latest mark, Ryan Summer gets under her skin and makes her envision a different sort of life.

No one can know
by Kate Alice Marshall

Returning to the house where her parents were murdered, mother-to-be Emma Palmer who has never told anyone what she saw the night her parents died, even when she became the prime suspect, is reunited with her estranged sisters who will do anything to keep the past buried.

The fury
by Alex Michaelides

Spending Easter with Lana Farrar, a reclusive ex-movie star and one of the most famous women in the world, on her idyllic private Greek island, her guests, concealing hatred and desire for revenge, become trapped when the night ends in violence and murder.

True north : a novel
by Andrew J. Graff

A heartfelt novel of marriage and whitewater rafting follows one couple as they navigate the changing currents of family, community and the river itself.

The waters : a novel
by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Spending the days searching for truths on an island in the Great Massasauga Swamp, 11-year-old Dorothy Zook, the granddaughter of an herbalist and eccentric healer, finds her childhood upended by family secrets, passionate love and violent men where the only bridge across the water is her wayward mother.

Hedging your bets : a novel
by Jayne Denker

Happily divorced Gillian prefers her garden to the dating scene but is intrigued by her new neighbor until they’re pitted against each other in gardening contest, in the new novel from the author of the“Welcome to Marsden” series. Original.

The house of last resort : a novel
by Christopher Golden

Buying an abandoned house in the remote Italian town of Becchina, American couple Tommy and Kate Puglisi are drawn into a nightmare when they discover the home was owned by the Church—and learn the truth about what the priests were doing in this house for all those long years.

Sanctuary of the shadow
by Aurora Ascher

Hidden within an unusual circus run by a centuries-old Enchanter, Harrow, keeping her true identity and magical ability a secret, finds her destiny in an elemental with no recollection of who he is, forcing her to reveal the secrets from her own dark past to save this dangerous creature.

Mislaid in parts half-known
by Seanan McGuire

When Eleanor West’s School for Wayward Children’s mean girl discovers her talent for finding absolutely anything, new student Antsy searches for a way back to the Shop Where Lost Things Go to be sure Vineta and Hudson are keeping their promise.

The curse of Pietro Houdini : a novel
by Derek B. Miller

In 1943, 14-year-old Massimo, rescued by a mysterious man called Pietro Houdini who preserves the treasures within the Benedictine abbey’s wall, accompanies him on a World War II art-heist adventure where they lie, cheat, steal, fight, kill and sin to survive, while smuggling Renaissance masterpieces they’ve rescued from the“safe keeping” of the Germans.

The caretaker : a novel
by Ron Rash

In 1951, Blackburn Gant, the sole caretaker of a hilltop cemetery in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is charged with caring for his best friend’s wife, Naomi, when he is drafted to serve overseas, and as Blackburn and Naomi grow closer and closer, a shocking revelation upends numerous lives.

On the Oregon Trail
by Robert Vaughan

When sixteen-year-old Matt Logan and his friend Danny Dugan ran away from an orphanage, they went west. There, they met Jim Bridger, among other mountain men, and became fur trappers. But the market for beaver plews died out, and the two friends took on jobs as wagon train guides. They eventually separated, hoping to meet again. One of the trains Matt picks up in Independence began its journey in St. Louis, led by widower Cody McNair. Cody was a well experienced leader, having once been the captain of an ocean-going sailing ship. His adult son and daughter, Jared and Ellen, make the trip with him. Also a part of the wagon company is Lon Baker, his wife Norma, and their eight-year-old daughter, Precious. Lon had been a slave on the McNair farm. When Cody’s father died, Cody had sold the farm and granted Lon his freedom. Lon, in turn, followed Cody to serve as a crewman on his ship. The two were now best friends and were embarking on this new adventure together. On the journey west, tension develops with some of the members of the train, and Cody and Matt are tasked with keeping things in check as the train endures the rigors of travel on their way to Oregon City, Oregon.

New Audiobooks

The Guests
by Margot Hunt

When a Category 5 hurricane is poised to hit their coastal Florida town, the Davies family takes refuge in their waterfront manse. Marlowe, Lee, and their teenage twins invite their close friends to wait out the storm in comfort and style. Uninvited are the three strangers who dock on the family’s shore right before the storm descends. Brothers Jason and Bo―and Bo’s girlfriend, Darcy―are a charming, helpful trio in need of a safe haven that the Davies are only too happy to provide. But as the storm outside grows more threatening, so does the tension in the house. Soon, the lines between family, friends, and strangers blur. Danger mounts with every pointed finger and broken confidence, and long-held secrets are revealed one after another until only one truth remains: not everyone is going to make it out alive.

The Heiress
by Rachel Hawkins

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, her adopted son, Camden, rejects his inheritance, settling into a normal life as an English teacher in Colorado and marrying Jules, a woman just as eager to escape her own messy past. Ten years later, his uncle’s death pulls Cam and Jules back into the family fold and questions about the infamous heiress come to light. What really happened to those four husbands, who all died under mysterious circumstances? And why did she adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam realize that an inheritance can entail far more than what’s written in a will–and that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave

Birdie & Harlow : Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn’t Want Kids… Until I Did
by Taylor Wolfe

Taylor Wolfe tells the story of her wonderfully codependent relationship with her dog, and what he taught her about chosen family and the rewards of motherhood.

New Nonfiction

Your pocket therapist : break free from old patterns and transform your life
by Annie Zimmerman

“Every day, psychotherapist Dr. Annie Zimmerman meets clients in her private London practice who are struggling with their lives. They’re committed to achieving personal growth, making changes-but they’re struck at the question stage. They ask her: Why can’t I sleep? Why do I keep going back to a bad relationship? Why did I lose my temper? What is wrong with me? Here’s the thing: nothing is wrong with them. It’s just that they’re asking themselves the wrong questions. In Your Pocket Therapist, Dr. Zimmerman helps readers delve into their past to identify old, unhelpful patterns and teach them how to unlock the present. The book combines practical tools with anecdotes gleaned from the therapy room, distilling complex psychological concepts with her signature warmth and empathy. Her belief-galvanized by her hundreds of thousands of followers-is that if we learn to understand the roots of our suffering, we can bring about meaningful-and permanent-change in our lives. It comes down to learning how to ask the right questions. A brilliant, necessary toolkit for those who want to break free from past patterns and embrace a life of abundant self-awareness and connection, Your Pocket Therapist is an absolute must-read in the field of psychology”

Njuta : (enjoy, delight in) : the Swedish art of savoring the moment
by Niki Brantmark

Introducing the Swedish concept of njuta, which is about simplicity and intent in every aspect of life, this empowering and engaging guide offers advice for incorporating njuta into any lifestyle, showing you how to relax and consciously seize the moment to enrich and deepen your life. Illustrations.

I survived capitalism and all I got was this lousy t-shirt : everything I wish I never had to learn about money
by Madeline Pendleton

The TikTok superstar and founder of Tunnel Vision, a progressive and employee-centric clothing company, discusses her days living paycheck to paycheck while offering no-nonsense advice on taking control of your own financial life and building wealth.

Your journey to financial freedom : a step-by-step guide to achieving wealth and happiness
by Jamila Souffrant

The founder of Journey to Launch and the host of an award-nominated podcast of the same name offers her seasoned expertise, providing readers with the resources they need for spending and saving responsibly as they embark on a journey to financial freedom and independence.

The allure of the multiverse : extra dimensions, other worlds, and parallel universes
by Paul Halpern

Drawing on centuries of disputation and deep vision from luminaries like Nietzsche, Einstein and the creators of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a physicist reveals the multiplicity of multiverses that scientists have imagined to make sense of our reality. Illustrations.

Break the cycle : a guide to healing intergenerational trauma
by Mariel Buquâe

A trauma psychologist, professor and sound bath meditation healer offers scientific research and practical exercises to help the pain of unhealed emotions and inherited trauma and transform that pain into intergenerational abundance.

Come hungry : salads, meals, and sweets for people who live to eat
by Melissa Ben-Ishay

“In Come Hungry, Melissa shares her favorite everyday recipes and tips for creating nourishing, delicious meals the whole family will love. With flavorful ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, Melissa encourages home cooks of all levels to cook outside of their comfort zones and reveals her go-to techniques for creating the perfect bite”

110 South Main Cafe and Store Will Reopen February 6: New Distillery on the Horizon

 

Terry and Kathy Dancer. Stock photo.

The owners of Cohn’s Cafe and 110 South  Main Mercantile & Market closed for January 2024 to work on the south half of the building.

The former Scottish Rite Temple at 110 S. Main was repurposed by Tracy and Kathy Dancer. August 2023 photo. The south half of the building is on the left in this photo.
“We painted the old banquet hall, removed the old carpet, and we will also replace the ceiling tiles and update the light fixtures,” said Kathy Dancer, owner.
Submitted photo. This is the former Scottish Rite Banquet Hall.

The banquet hall, which was used by the Scottish Rite, is just on the other side of the cafe and is an area that has been closed off to customers in the past.

“The carpet has been removed, the walls have been repainted, and the ceiling has been removed and will be replaced this week,” she said. “The space will not be complete for the February 6th reopening, but it should be complete in early spring once we finish adding heating and air conditioning and complete some plumbing work in that portion of the building. Once HVAC is done, the retail store will move to that area.”

Submitted photo. This photo is of the upstairs theater lobby which is slated to open up to the public in the spring. It will be available for private events once complete.
Cohn’s Cafe and the retail store will reopen on Feb 6, with new hours and days.
The businesses will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with the kitchen closing at 2 p.m. each day. They have 11 employees
“We have added about a dozen new product lines to the retail store including Zum, Mountain Goat Soap Company, and Miners + Monroe Grooming,” Dancer said.  “These are all Kansas-produced items.  We are also restocking and expanding customer favorites such as Rural Pearl Art, Simply Delightful Popcorns, Frontier Soups, Two Southern Ladies, and Bath House Trading.”
Kansas products are offered in the mercantile. Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.
“In the cafe, we have added several breakfast items including a breakfast sandwich, a breakfast croissant, and French toast, ” she said. “We will also be serving a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich, a specialty burger with a Bourbon maple glaze, and several new desserts including a skillet cookie and chess pies, made from Kress Tea Room recipes.  We will still have quiche, crepes, and sandwiches from last year’s menu.”
The menu. Submitted photo.
The Kress Tea Room was a downtown Fort Scott staple for several years.
They are working on a third business in the building.
“We will continue working on the southern half of the building in the evenings and hope to have the micro-distillery licensed and operating by summer,” Dancer said.
Her husband, Tracy will operate the distillery. Tracy Dancer was newly elected to the Fort Scott City Commission.
Two of their children help out with the businesses.
“They work wherever needed in the kitchen, cafe, and store,” she said. “Katelyn, who is a senior at Fort Scott High School, does most of the baking. Her specialty is a scratch-made cheesecake. Andrew helps process new inventory.”
Contact info: phone number: 620-418-6209 or
Facebook: Cohn’s Cafe on Main

Joseph Rash Obituary

Joseph Wayne Rash, age 43, a resident of Garland, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at his home. He was born June 26, 1980, in Kansas City, the son of Wayne Cecil Rash and Donna Mae Cole Rash.

Joseph enjoyed reading about history, collecting comic books and movies, and spending time on the computer. He attended the Hannon Freewill Baptist Church in Liberal, Missouri. Joseph loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and had read the entire Bible.

Survivors include his mother, Donna Rash; three sisters, Rosemary Harris of Ft. Scott, Kay Wallace of Pittsburg, Kansas and Donna Hassan of Cady, Texas and three brothers, Glenn Rash of Ft. Scott, Cecil Rash of Topeka, Kansas and Roy Rash of Independence, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his father, two brothers, Wesley Wallace and Henry Rash and a sister, Sherry Palmer.

There was cremation. A memorial service with burial in the Dayton Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Joseph Rash Memorial Fund 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.

KS Marketing Campaign Launched

Kansas Tourism celebrates Kansas Day by Launching 2024 Marketing Campaign

TOPEKA — To commemorate Kansas Day, Kansas Tourism has released a new video inviting audiences to reclaim their vacation in Kansas. The video kicks off Kansas Tourism’s 2024 marketing campaign that focuses on the true meaning of a vacation and how Kansas is the perfect vacation destination.

To watch the video, click here. Kansans and non-Kansans alike are encouraged to join the movement by sharing the video on social media and making their plans to vacation in Kansas at the Tourism website here.

“Too many trips leave us drained instead of refreshed, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Instead of counting vacation days, we want visitors to make their vacation days count in Kansas.”

The concept of a vacation was first popularized in the 1860s and was intended to encourage people to “vacate their homes” to experience the wilderness and reconnect through rest and relaxation, essential to living a healthy life. But nowadays, vacations are often stress-inducing, jam-packed and expensive.

“Let’s get back to the heart of what a vacation is meant to be,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “We know that you can find it in Kansas.”

Kansas Tourism provides valuable free resources to help plan a Kansas trip, including a free travel guide available to be mailed or immediately downloaded. The TravelKS.com website features an entire Plan Your Trip section.

“Visitors worldwide should plan a Kansas vacation in 2024 because Kansas is filled with outdoor adventure, inspirational history, world-class attractions, and exceptional arts and entertainment,” Jobe said.

Kansas Day, January 29, provides the perfect opportunity for Kansans to come together and honor the unique history that has shaped the Sunflower State and to kick-off the 2024 tourism marketing campaign. On this day in 1861, Kansas officially entered the Union as the 34th state, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. This celebration provides the opportunity to acknowledge contributions of Kansans throughout the years, from the pioneers who settled the prairies to the modern-day innovators driving the state’s progress.

Follow Kansas Tourism on:

Facebook – / travelks 

Instagram – / kansastourism 

#VacationinKansas

#ToTheStarsKS

About Kansas Tourism:

The mission of Kansas Tourism is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities. Kansas Tourism works hand in hand with other Commerce community programs to elevate and promote Kansas as a tourist destination. Kansas Tourism oversees all tourism marketing and PR for the state, produces travel publications and advertising, manages state Travel Information Centers, manages both the Kansas By-ways program and the Kansas Agritourism program, approves tourist signage applications, produces the KANSAS! Magazine, and provides financial and educational support to the tourism industry in Kansas through grants, education, and support.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

###

Ground(hog) Pancake Feed on February 3 at the First Southern Baptist Church

Fort Scott First Southern Baptist Church

FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH OF FORT SCOTT

 

JOIN US FOR OUR 5TH ANNUAL

ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES

WITH A SERVING OF GROUND(HOG)

DINE IN OR CARRY OUT

ALSO SILENT AUCTION,

 VALENTINE GIFTS & BAKE SALE

February 3, 2024, 8 A.M.- 2 P.M.

at First Southern Baptist Church

1818 South Main, Fort Scott, KS

Children 7 and under FREE

8 to Adult $5.00 in advance

or

$6.00 at the door

for advanced tickets Contact

Ida Ford 417-262-3948,

Terri Williams 620-215-3202

 

 

 

Refuse the Cues by Carolyn Tucker

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

Through the years, I’ve always appreciated the cue for when to stop playing the prelude for funeral services. After seating the family and the minister, the funeral director would walk past the piano and quietly say, “Finish this verse and we’ll be ready,” or “Play the chorus again and we‘ll start.“ His cue to me was very important for ensuring a smooth start of the service. Since I was unable to see what was happening out front, I relied on his cue. Cues are important, but we need to be careful who we take our cues from. Not just anybody will do.

 

The Passion Translation has the chapter heading, “Characteristics of the Last Days.” Apostle Paul is writing to young Pastor Timothy and boldly lays it on the line: “But you need to be aware that in the final days the culture of society will become extremely fierce. People will be self-centered lovers of themselves and obsessed with money. They will boast of great things as they strut around in their arrogant pride and mock all that is right. They will ignore their own families. They will be ungrateful and ungodly. They will become addicted to hateful and malicious slander. Slaves to their desires, they will be ferocious, belligerent haters of what is good and right” (2 Timothy 3:1-3 TPT). I could be wrong, but it appears these scriptures have become a reality in today’s culture.

 

I refuse to take my cues from today’s culture because it usually stands in the opposite direction of  God‘s Spirit. Believers are called to be God lovers, people lovers, humbly gracious, reverent to God, and forgiving of others. I believe our American culture is actively practicing what Jesus talked about in Matthew 12:25 TEV: “Any country that divides itself into groups which fight each other will not last very long. And any town or family that divides itself into groups which fight each other will fall apart.”

 

Apostle Paul later admonishes the Romans on how to live as Christ followers in a pagan culture: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT). Believers need to be brazen enough to wisely decide for ourselves by allowing God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to lead us. Let’s leave the crowd behind and stop allowing society to influence us to do stupid stuff. I recently heard a message about how important it is for a shepherd to keep all the sheep safely together. Because if one wanders away from the flock, others will follow it and fall off the cliff just like the first one. Surely humans are smarter than sheep and won‘t do something silly or ungodly just because someone of influence does it.

 

As believers, let’s not become so well-adjusted to our culture that we fit into it without even thinking. Let’s continue to fix our focus on God and what He wants. If we’re asleep at the wheel, today’s influencers can drag us down to their level of disrespect for God. Many in our culture are faithless, twisted in their thinking, and defy general truth and the truth of God’s Word. They’re far from being trustworthy influencers from whom we should take our cues. I could be wrong, but it appears that some of them have lost their minds.

 

The Key: Let’s continue to conform to God’s standards and not today’s culture.

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for January 29

Attachments:

Accounts Payable 1-26-2024

Payroll 1-26-2024

 

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

 

January 29, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 1/22/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $288,272.48
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $526,700.78
  1. Public Comments
  2. Vance Eden-USD 235 Walking Trail
  3. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  • Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-17 County Meeting
  • Commission Comments
  1. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

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.

 

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! January 26th Weekly Newsletter

Photograph by L. Wright on July 28th, 2013. Click here to purchase!

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Guided Tours: 10am & 1pm

Currently closed Wednesdays & Thursdays

until futher notice.

Visit your National Park!

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.

1/27 ~ Care to Share “The Sharing Bucket” Pool Tournament at Holmtown Pub, $40/per team, lots of great raffles and auction items, 10am-3pm, click here for more information!

1/27 ~ Bracelet Bar Extravaganza: Taylor Swift Tribute Concert Edition at Better in Bourbon, 1-3pm, click here for more information.

1/27 ~ Paint & Pizza at Papa Don’s, “Winter Friends”, $5 to reserve your spot and $20 due at class, 11am-2pm, click here for more information and to sign up!

1/27 ~ RED – Taylor Swift Tribute LIVE at Memorial Hall, 7pm, click here for tickets!

1/31 ~ Bourbon County Conservation District 78th Annual Meeting at Clover Leaf 4-H Building on the Bourbon County Fair Grounds, 5:30pm, see flyer below for more information.

1/31 ~ STOP! Sex Trafficking Project sponsored by E3 Ranch Foundation and Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office at FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 Horton, no children please, for questions or concerns contact 620.215.2681.

1/31 ~ Bourbon County Community Outlook Event at Bourbon County REDI, gain valuable insights on the economic future of Bourbon County from speak Jeremy Hill, 8am-10am, click here for more information and to register.

2/1 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Chamber Champion member Riggs Chiropractic, 304 E. 23rd, 8am

2/1 ~ Rep. Jake LaTurner’s mobile office hours at the Chamber, 11:30am-12:30pm, open to the public, click here for info.

2/1 ~ CRP Land Management Workshop in Bronson, 6:30pm, call the Bourbon County Conservation District at 620.223.1880 to reserve your spot.

2/2 ~ Artist Reception at The Artificers featuring Sally Brandon and Kate Freeman, refreshments/artist talks/new art, 6-9pm, click here for more information!

2/3 ~ 2024 Coyote Calling Contest (Care to Share Benefit), three man team, $75 per team, pre-registration required by Jan. 31st, click here for more information and to register.

2/3 ~ Cooking Tips and Tricks at Healthy Bourbon County Action Team with Twigs and Berries, cooking on a budget/eliminating food waste and using leftovers/meal planning made easy/including kids in the kitchen, free event to the public, 10am-12pm, click here for more info!

2/3 ~ Fort Scott Youth Basketball Tournament, 3 games, boys and girls 3rd-6th grades, click here for more information.

2/4 ~ Botox and Brows at Blissful Aesthetics & Wellness with The Beauty Lounge Girls, special event pricing, deposit required, contact 620.215.0305 to register, 12-3pm, click here for more information.

2/6 ~ Southeast Kansas Day on the Hill in Topeka, breakfast and networking with Chambers across SEK, State Legislators, SEK businesses, and State Officials, 7:30am.

2/7 ~ Community Connection Panelist Event sponsored by Fort Scott Chamber, free event but registration is requested in order to plan seating, box lunches are available for $10 and need pre-ordered by 2/5, 11:45am-1:00pm, click here for more information and to register.

2/8 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by SparkWheel at Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th St., 8am

2/8 ~ Dustin Treiber LIVE at Brickstreet BBQ, 6-8pm, click here for more information.

2/9-10 ~ Prairie Troubadour Catholic Symposium, click here for more information and a full schedule of events.

2/10 ~ Cupid’s Corner Holiday Craft at Buck Run Community Center, ages pre-k – 5th grade, $1/per person, 9-10:30am.

2/10 ~ Timber Hills Lake Ranch Valentine’s Day Special, overnight stay including cabin AND food for two for only $175, visit www.timberhillslakeranch.com to view more or see flyer below!

2/10 ~ Legislative Update/Outlook from our legislators hosted by the Chamber, 10am, location TBA.

2/10 ~ Love Local Chocolate Crawl Shopping event hosted by Fort Scott Chamber, enjoy sweet deals and yummy treats, downtown and around.

SAVE THE DATE!

2/12-17 ~ Valentine’s Day “Ghost” Class at The Artificers, 2 hours of wheel throwing as a couple/heavy appetizers catered by Crooners/guaranteed laughs & entertainment, $175 per couple, 6-9pm, see flyer below for more information!

2/17 ~ Care to Share – Evening with Elvis at River Room Events, happy hour and a silent auction at 5:30pm followed with a fantastic dinner and desserts with Twigs and Berries, $25/per person/$50 per couple/and $200 for a table of 8, click here for more information.

2/17 ~ Scouts Pinewood Derby at Memorial Hall, 6pm, click here for more details.

2/22 ~ Bourbon County Job Fair hosted by KansasWorks, 2:30pm-5:30pm at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., see flyer below for more information.

_________________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Care to Share “The Sharing Bucket” – Pool Tournament, January 27th!

Cooking Tips and Tricks at HBCAT featuring

Twigs and Berries!

Botox and Brows at Blissful Aesthetics with

The Beauty Lounge!

Timber Hills Lake Valentine’s Day

Sweetheart Special!

Care to Share hosts Evening with Elvis at

The River Room! Tickets on sale @ the Chamber!

Bourbon County Job Fair at Woodland Hills. Businesses are able to scan the QR below to sign up!

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

Know Your Numbers for a Healthy You

 

Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.

I recently completed my annual wellness checkup, including the essential step of having my blood drawn. While I tend to procrastinate on this particular task, I am well aware of its vital importance. Now, let me share some valuable insights on the significance of knowing your numbers:

Cholesterol

  • A waxy substance found in the fats (lipids) in your blood crucial for building and maintaining healthy cells and hormones. It has no symptoms so many people may not be aware of their risk.
  • The recommended target cholesterol level is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood.
  • About 25% of cholesterol comes from food (meat, fish, dairy), and the rest is produced by the body.
  • There are two forms of cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) — also known as the “bad” cholesterol much can form plaque, clogging arteries and leading to heart disease and stroke.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) — the “good” cholesterol, helps clean the artery walls and removes excess bad cholesterol.

 

Triglycerides

  • A type of fat in the bloodstream that provides energy for body tissues to function
  • Like cholesterol, high triglyceride levels (over 200 mg/dL) increase the risk of heart disease.
  • Dietary and lifestyle changes help lower triglyceride levels:
    • Avoid fatty foods and foods high in cholesterol such as processed meat, fried food, and whole-fat dairy products
    • Choose to eat fruits, vegetables, and nonfat or low-fat dairy
    • Opt for foods high in good, unsaturated fats.

Blood Pressure

  • Is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries and can vary due to many factors
  • Normal blood pressure is usually less than 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury)
  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Facts

Factors like age, diet (too much sodium, too little potassium, calcium, magnesium), excess alcohol, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, stress, and insulin resistance can contribute.  It often has no obvious symptoms but can damage the heart, brain, eyes, and kidneys.

  • Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure) Facts

Happens when blood flow is lower than normal and can be caused by dehydration and nutrient deficiency.  Signs can include dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, thirst, lack of concentration, blurred vision, nausea, and fatigue.

 

Blood Sugar

  • Blood sugar, or glucose, is a type of sugar in the blood and is a primary fuel for the body. It comes from carbohydrates including sugars, starches, and fiber.
  • The Mayo Clinic emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet with healthy carbohydrates including: Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables without added sugar, whole grains, Low-fat dairy, beans and legumes, and limited sugar
  • Fasting blood sugar, which is measured six to eight hours after a meal provides an accurate measure in non-diabetic individuals.
  • The normal range of blood sugar is approximately 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter. After a meal, blood sugar will rise but not usually above 135 to 140 milligrams per deciliter, leaving a fairly narrow range of blood sugar throughout the entire day.

 

Track Your Heart Health Stats, Together

Keeping a log of your blood pressure, weight goals, physical activity, and if you have diabetes, your blood sugars, will help you stay on a heart-healthy track. Ask your friends or family to join you in the effort. Check out NHLBI’s my health tracker here:  https://bit.ly/3OfjjEF.

 

Today’s information comes from Keys to Embracing Aging:  Know Your Health Numbers Fact Sheet.  More information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or call 620-244-3826.

# # #

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

Letter To The Editor: Pete Allen

I read on another post, a description of events in Lindsborg, Ks. and the following is my reply: Their are a lot of differences between Lindsborg and Fort Scott.

Lindsborg is pushing and highlighting what they have, building on their history and entertaining 30,000 people at their 2-day festival. Quite obviously they like what they have and are proud of their heritage. It is a place geared to tourism, and it sounds like they have learned to live within their means.

Quite the opposite for our town. We are being naive about our history and what the future of our town is. Our past leaders have quite simply ignored what makes a town a place where people want to come to visit, play, shop, and stay. Who wants to come to FS with our overflowing sewers, pollution of our waterways, suspect water in our water supply, sewers backing up into homeowners basements, kitchens and bathrooms, restrooms in our parks that takes 2 years to get a water line fixed to a toilet, streets one can barely navigate and a community college in danger of closing, due to lack of funding.

The character of our town, and what brought me back to town, is defined by the old fort, and more importantly, the character of the people who live here. Our citizens are our most important asset, and yet our leaders are more interested in the glitzy, pie-in-the-sky projects that mean nothing to the citizens now, and never will.

Our town is crumbling, and we need to fix it, not build some $300M project south of town that is completely out of character with our heritage.

Where in our comprehensive plan does it suggest such a plan?

FS needs to stop the nonsense perpetrated by BB Co. REDI. and get our town back to the basics of fixing what we have and making it a great place to live.

Overland Park is 90 miles north, we don’t need another one south of FS! I like it like it is, or like it used to be.

My vision of FS is a clean, well maintained, friendly, formerly frontier city, with clean water to drink, sewers that do not pollute, and streets we are proud to own. We need neighborhoods cleaned up and kept that way and available jobs with pay that will sustain a family and make them want to stay in FS.

We have come a long way toward this vision in the past four years and we have a marvelous base, let’s be like Lindsborg and build on it! Our roots are not in commercialization!

Bowman Purchases Geneva and Son Monument

The Bowman family. Submitted. Left to right: Miles Bowman, Dan Bowman Leah Bowman holding Blair Selvey, Emily Selvey and Colten Selvey.

Dan Bowman purchased the Geneva and Son Monument business in August 2023, from Kenny and RoAnn Blake, who owned the business for 24 years.

The new business is now called Bowman Monument Co. and Bowman has two employees, Emily Selvey, his daughter, and Colten Selvey, his son-in-law.

These monuments are just a small selection that the business offers. Submitted photo.

The products provided by this business are urns (for funeral cremation) memorials (headstones), grave markers,  monuments, and benches. The services offered are installation, resetting, and cleaning of headstones.

They recently created a bronze plaque that will be placed on the First Colored Infantry  Memorial Mural in downtown Fort Scott.

The bronze plaque will be placed on the historic mural in downtown Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

The location remains the same at 111 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott.  The phone number is 620.223.3350, the email address is [email protected].

Business hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday by appointment.

The business site of Bowman Monuments and also D and J Glass Company at 111 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

 

They are currently putting the final touches on a website, Bowman Monuments.com.

 

D and J Glass Company

These windows are custom to needs for housing, the door is a commercial storefront door. Submitted photo.

In addition, Bowman has housed his other business, D and J Glass at the 111 Scott Avenue site. Formerly the business was on State Street. He has been in the glass business for about eight years, he said.

“I sell new windows and do glass replacement for home and auto, and commercial,” Bowman said.

D and J Glass Company’s phone number is 620.223.1220.

 

KS Broadband Grants Available

Broadband Acceleration Grant Makes $10M Available

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $10 million is available to enhance broadband infrastructure statewide through the Broadband Acceleration Grant program. Grants funded through this program are designed to offset the capital expenses needed to deploy in unserved areas.

In its fourth year through the bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), the Broadband Acceleration Grant program aims to provide high-quality, reliable broadband access throughout the state, prioritizing unserved areas, economically distressed communities, and areas of compelling need.

“Empowering communities through broadband infrastructure buildout allows Kansas to lean into our innovative spirit as we grow businesses, keep talent here, and pursue new opportunities,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The IKE program is a great example of how state agencies, local communities and the private sector provide high speed internet to all Kansans.”

During the first three years of this program, high-speed internet has been delivered to 8,000 homes and businesses in 25 counties. The cumulative $15 million generated another $17.5 million in matching funds.

“The IKE Program is founded on strong partnerships to leverage investments in critical infrastructure sectors, like broadband,” Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation Calvin Reed said. “I’m proud KDOT investments support Kansas communities to meet the needs of businesses and citizens now and in the future.”

The Broadband Acceleration Grant program is action-oriented to connect all Kansans. Through this ongoing infrastructure investment, Kansas aspires to be a top 10 state for broadband, improving the lives of Kansans and fostering economic growth for all.

“It is important to focus taxpayer resources on projects that provide sustainable economic benefits that help to grow our state and will encourage people to live and do business in Kansas,” Senate President Ty Masterson said. “The IKE program and the Broadband Acceleration Grant accomplishes that by providing high-quality, reliable broadband access throughout the state, prioritizing the areas that need it the most.”

“Expanding access to quality broadband services not only helps to develop our Kansas workforce but provides more tools for small businesses as well, which is why we included it in the IKE Transportation program,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins said. “After four years of this program, I’m looking forward to seeing the difference these grants make in our underserved communities.”

Key highlights for the fourth round of the Broadband Acceleration Grant program include:

  • Maximum grant funding request of $1 million
  • Qualifying program speed of 100/20 Megabits Per Second (Mbps)
  • Requirement of 50% matching funds for the project, including the possibility of an in-kind match of up to 50% of the required match
  • Co-investment required by sources other than the applicant

“Building digital infrastructure enables KOBD to serve underserved and unserved Kansans, supporting buildout in previously neglected areas,” Office of Broadband Development Director Jade Piros de Carvalho said. “The Broadband Acceleration Program allows KOBD to strategically align with our Five-Year Action Plan, working towards the goal of bringing affordable broadband to every corner of the state.”

The application period runs from January 29 to March 11. The Office of Broadband Development will have a kickoff webinar from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, January 29. For more information about the program, register for the webinar, or to apply for the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program, click here.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.