Monthly Archives: May 2024

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Agenda for June 4

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

June 4, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.     Call to Order
  2.     Roll Call

Tim VanHoecke,   Matthew Wells,    Dyllon Olson,     Tracy Dancer

III.       Pledge of Allegiance

  1. Invocation
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Consent Agenda

 

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1361-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates – May 15, 2024 – May 28, 2024 – $521,016.52
  2. Approval of Minutes for May 21, 2024
  3. Request to Pay – Hofer, Hofer & Associates – Application No. 2 – Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom – Amount Due – $20,561.40
  4. Request to Pay – Hofer, Hofer & Associates – Application No. 3 – Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom –Amount Due – $10,125.00
  5. Request to Pay – Earle’s Engineering & Inspection – Project No. 06 KA-6898-01 – Design Contracts – $25,947.45
  6. Request to Pay – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. – Invoice #7615 – Demolition of 10 S. National Ave. – $94,396.00

 

VII.      New Business

            Action Items:

  1. Consideration of Letters of Interest for City Commissioner
  2. Oath of Office for new Commissioner
  3. Selection of President of Commission
  4. Consideration to purchase mower for the airport – Coffman
  5. Consideration to Purchase Jet-Foamer System – Wastewater Collections – Key Equipment & Supply Co. – $45,363.13 – Lemke
  6. Consideration to Purchase 2022 Ford F350 Service Truck – Water Distribution – Olathe Ford Commercial Sales Center – $65,350.00 – Lemke
  7. Consideration of bids for 2024 Hay Rights at Fort Scott Municipal Airport
  8. Certificate of Appropriateness for 124 E. Wall Street – Hole in the Wall Liquor
  9. Certificate of Appropriateness for 110 South Main LLC – 110 S. Main Street 
  10. Consideration of Request for a New City License to Serve Alcoholic Liquor and Cereal Malt Beverages for Consumption On The Premises – Mi Ranchito – 17 S. Main Street

 

VIII.    Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.

 

  1.      Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting             

              you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.

 

  1. Amanda Lancaster/Diehl, Banwart & Bolton – Audit expectations and Single Audit vs. Regular Audit.
  2. Robert Harrington/Bourbon County REDI

– RHID – Denny Davis land

– RHID- Downtown

 

 

  1. Reports and Comments
  2. City Manager Comments – Equipment Auction
  3.  Engineering Comments
  4.   Commissioners Comments
  5.  City Attorney Comments

 

 

  1. Executive Session

 

XII.     Adjourn

Business, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Good Ol Days Schedule for This Weekend

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GOOD OL’ DAYS THIS WEEKEND!

Get out and enjoy the

43rd Annual Good Ol’ Days Festival

THIS WEEKEND, Friday & Saturday, May 31st & June 1st in Downtown Fort Scott!

Click here for a printable schedule,

or see schedule below.

Visit the Good Ol’ Days website for information.

Follow the Good Ol’ Days Facebook or the Chamber Facebook for updates!

The PARADE IS ON for Friday night, 6pm as planned!

If you are in the parade, the numbers that were marked on the street for the line-up have washed off from the rain, but check in at the Fisher Park concession stand at 7th & Main St. if you need assistance lining up.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND IN HISTORIC FORT SCOTT!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the June 3 Bo Co Commission

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

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

 

June 3, 2024 5:30 p.m.

Accounts Payable 5-31-2024

Payroll 5-31-2024

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 5/20/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $238,157.83
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $406,658.57
  1. Public Comments
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  3. Eric Bailey-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
  • Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
    1. Office 365 Renewal
    2. KDHE Public Notice
  • 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.

 

Fort Scott, Government

Unapproved Minutes of FS City Commission Meeting of May 21

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

 

Minutes of May 21, 2024                                                                      Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held May 21, 2024, at 6:00PM (Time stamp: 0:09) in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. (Time stamps according to YouTube recording of meeting).

 

Roll Call

Meeting called to order at 6:00PM (Time stamp: 0:22). Commissioners Matthew Wells, Tim VanHoecke, Melissa Guns, and Dyllon Olson were present with Mayor Tracy Dancer.

 

Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

  1. Dancer led the Pledge of Allegiance and T. VanHoecke said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

 

Audience in Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Chief of Police, Leroy Kruger/Codes Inspector, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Robert Harrington/REDI, Tayton Majors/REDI, Mark McCoy/REDI, Michael Hoyt, Robert Coon, Kim Coon, and Jose Montanez.

 

Approval of Agenda (Time stamp 2:17)

  1. Olson requested that (2) items be added to the agenda: 1) Consideration to accept the resignation of Robert Coon from the Land Bank Board of Trustees/New Business/Action Items; and 2) Discussion of the barber shop on Wall Street/Appearances.

 

MOTION: D. Olson moved to approve the agenda with the requested amendments. T. VanHoecke seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consent Agenda (Time stamp 3:22)

– Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1360-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates – May 1, 2024 – May 14, 2024 – $488,204.78

– Approval of Minutes for May 7, 2024

– April Financials

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Public Comment – No public comment.

 

 

 

 

Appearances

 

Shawn O’Brien (Time stamp – 4:40) – addressed the Commission for consideration of a request Temporary Street Closures for Good Ol’ Days.

 

MOTION:  M. Guns moved to approve the temporary closures as submitted and discussed for the Good Ol’ Days.  M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Shawn O’Brien (Time stamp – 8:37) – addressed the Commission regarding the request for a parade permit from the Chamber of Commerce for Good Ol’ Days.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the parade permit as submitted.  M. Guns seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Patrick Wood (Time stamp – 10:22) – addressed the Commission regarding his development Broken Oak Housing Community, 1920 Huntington, by Patrick J. Wood Properties, LLC requesting that it be considered for an RHID. This current project is for 6 duplexes.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to proceed with for the “Horton Street project.”  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Robert Harrington (Time stamp 15:06) – addressed the Commission with a quarterly report of the activities of Bourbon County REDI.  T. Dancer requested a written report be submitted summarizing that was presented.   R. Harrington agreed to create a document.

 

Brad Matkin (Time stamp 23:42) – updated the Commission with graphic handouts on the WWTP in the absence of Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director.

 

Jose Montanez (Time stamp 28:43) – addressed the Commission regarding the condition of his business on Wall Street that was condemned for structural issues.

Robert Coon (Time stamp 37:49) answered questions asked of him by the Commission regarding his building which was condemned as well due to the safety issues of the adjoining barber shop.  Jason Dickman/City Engineer (Time stamp 45:00) was requested to comment on his observations of the building.  B. Farmer/City Attorney (Time stamp 47:50) stated that everything discussed is a private matter and there is no obligation to the City other than public safety which has already been addressed.  Leroy Kruger/Codes Inspector (Time stamp 50:54) was asked to comment.

 

 

 

Public Hearings:

 

314 S. Eddy – Consideration to Repair or Remove Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure

 

MOTION: (Time stamp 1:17:06) T. VanHoecke moved to open the Public Hearing at 7:17PM.  M. Guns seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 16-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE(S) AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE(S) PARCEL #006-119-30-0-30-25-010-00-0 LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS FORT SCOTT, LOT 8 BLK 132 IN BOURBON COUNTY, IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS  [314 S. EDDY],  FORT SCOTT, KS 66701

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Farmer left the meeting at (Time stamp 1:17:49)

 

  1. Guns returned to the meeting at (Time stamp 1:18:03)

 

  1. Kruger/Codes Inspector spoke about the history the Codes Department had with the structures. No one was present to speak for the hearing.

 

  1. Farmer returned to the meeting at (Time stamp 1:19:30)

 

ACTION: (Time stamp 1:19:44) – B. Matkin requested that L. Kruger submit a statement in writing from the living relative regarding the status of the ownership of 314 S. Eddy and the statement he made for no interest to repair.

 

MOTION: (Time stamp 1:22:53) T. VanHoecke moved to close the Public Hearing at 7:22PM.  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

MOTION:  M. Guns moved to remove the structure and accessory structure at 314 S. Eddy.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

306 S. Lowman – Consideration to Repair or Remove Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure

 

MOTION: (Time stamp 1:24:04) – T. VanHoecke moved to open the Public Hearing at 7:24PM.  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 17-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE(S) AND ACCESSORY

 

STRUCTURE(S) PARCEL #006-119-30-0-30-27-002-00-0 LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS FORT SCOTT, S 25’ LOT 4 BLK 130 IN BOURBON COUNTY, IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS [306 S. LOWMAN], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Kruger/Codes Inspector spoke about the history the Codes Department had with the structures. No one was present to speak for the hearing.

 

MOTION: (Time stamp 1:25:29) T. VanHoecke moved to close the Public Hearing at 7:25PM.  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION:  M. Guns moved to remove the structure and accessory structure at 306 S. Lowman.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion.  T. VanHoecke, M. Guns and T. Dancer voted yes.  D. Olson and M. Wells voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.

 

Action Items

 

Consideration of Letters of Interest for Fort Scott Public Library Board (Time stamp 1:27:45) – M. Wells stated that (2) letters of interest were received for the open position.  The library board met and agreed to recommend candidate Aaron Judy.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to appoint Aaron Judy to the Library Board. M. Guns seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

ACTION:  M. Wells stated that the Library Director Jennifer Gum-Fowler is creating a list of Board Members and their terms to be emailed to the City Clerk.

 

Consideration to Accept the Letter of Resignation from Robert Coon and of Letters of Interest for the Land Bank Board

 

MOTION: (Time stamp 1:30:13) T. VanHoecke moved to accept the resignation of Robert Coon from the Land Bank board.  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

The City Clerk clarified that the resignation of Robert Coon creates another vacancy on the Land Bank Board of Trustees.  The Letter of Interest to be considered is to fill an existing vacancy.

 

MOTION: (Time stamp 1:31:07) T. VanHoecke moved to accept the recommendation of the Land Bank for Judy Earp to be appointed to the Fort Scott Land Bank.

 

  1. Olson asked that the motion be amended to include the language of “for a 3-year term” if the ordinance is amended. T. VanHoecke agreed to the amendment. M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Acceptance of Letter of Resignation from Commissioner/President M. Guns – M. Guns read her Letter of Resignation to the Commission. Her departure is due to a job relocation for her husband out of state.

 

  1. Matkin left the meeting at (Time stamp 1:36:12)

 

Discussion was had about the date of May 31, 2024.  M. Guns agreed to amend her resignation date to May 22, 2024.

 

MOTION: (Time stamp 1:27:35) – T. VanHoecke moved to accept the resignation of Commissioner Melissa Guns from the Fort Scott City Commission effective as of May 22, 2024.  D. Olson seconded the motion.

 

  1. Matkin returned to the meeting at (Time stamp 1:38:02)

 

  1. Guns, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson and T. Dancer voted yes. M. Wells voted no.

 

  1. Wells left the meeting at (Time stamp 1:38:28)

 

MOTION APPROVED BY 4-1 VOTE.

 

  1. Wells returned to the meeting at (Time stamp 1:39:38)

 

Reports and Comments

 

  1. City Manager Comments (Time stamp 1:38:57)

–  Solar Traffic Systems – signed by CM – only half payment required

–  Diehl, Banwart and Bolton on next agenda (audit)

–  Meeting with all Directors and BakerTilly for budget

–  Wind storm damage – Brush Dump will remain open

–  Working on FEMA paperwork for previous storm/flood damage

– Luau for the Splash Pad opening was a success, very well attended.                    Thank you to all City Staff who helped bring it together.

 

  1. Engineering Comments (Time stamp 1:43:36)

–  Comments back from KDHE regarding the water plant that will                                                  go to S. Flater to be completed.

–  Pre-Construction meeting with Heck & Wicker for Horton & 6th                                           Street Project – start date is July 8, 2024. Advanced warning signs                                     may go up prior for public.

 

 

  1. Commissioners Comments

     –  M. Guns (Time stamp 1:44:42)

     –  M. Wells (Time stamp 1:46:13)

     –  T. VanHoecke (Time stamp 1:47:49)

     –  D. Olson (Time stamp 1:49:19)

     –  T. Dancer (Time stamp 1:53:07)

 

ACTION:  City Clerk directed to set up a stand-alone Work Session for the discussion of Lake Lots including a site visit by the Commissioners.

 

  1. City Attorney Comments (Time stamp 1:54:10)

 

MOTION: (Time stamp 1:54:43) – M. Guns moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:54PM.       T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MAY 21, 2024, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:54PM

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________

Respectfully submitted by:

Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

Area News, Art, Church news, Fort Scott

Catholic Church Reno Update: Help Needed To Fund Artifacts Restoration

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Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. May 22, 2024.

The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church has risen from the ashes of the devasting fire that destroyed the church in August 2022.

To view the story of the fire: Fire at Fort Scott’s Catholic Church Causes Extensive Damage

People are working on the inside and the outside of the building at 705 S. Holbrook, with a target date for the church dedication of November 23, 2024, a week before Thanksgiving.

“The bricks are completed on the east (front) side,” Mark McCoy,  a building committee member, said.

“It’s a lot of intricate work, not just plain bricks,” he said. “The circle in the front will be where the stained glass window from the former church will be.”

“Over the next few weeks, subcontractors will be working inside placing drywall, and completing HVAC runs,” McCoy said. “Masonry will continue brickwork on the west side then move to the north and south.”

 

Work is being done on the exterior and interior of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. On the construction fence is an artist’s rendition of what the new church will look like.

 

The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church priest’s residence is on Holbrook Street on the backside of the church.
“Father Yancy’s house is completed,” McCoy said.
Meanwhile in Wichita, the restoration of the religious artifacts that were damaged is continuing.

The Restoration of the Artifacts

When Robert Elliot, a Catholic from Wichita, heard of the fire at Mary Queen of Angels Church in Fort Scott, he contacted Fr. Yansey Bergis to offer help and assistance in any way he could.

Elliot is a seasoned restorer with over two decades of experience, he said.

“It was apparent that I would be of the most help in rebuilding, restoring, and refurbishing all of the damaged and destroyed Stations of the Cross and all of the Statuary of the church,” Elliott said. “The fire, water, and smoke damage was enormous. I knew this would be a long and arduous process estimating at least one year to complete.”

Some of the artifacts of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, following the fire, provided by Elliot.

“Four stations were damaged beyond repair (so one might think) as they lay in pieces on the ground,” Elliot said. “The rest were out of view and we had no idea as to their condition. The insurance company needed a price to do the repairs. Without seeing all of the stations, I provided a modest calculation of what the cost would be. It was my desire to assist the church in its time of need.”

“He wasn’t able to analyze all the depth of restoration or the artifacts at that time,” McCoy said. “We are so appreciative of the work he has taken on.”

When all of the stations and statues arrived at his studio, they were able to assess their condition and begin to comprehend the immense task they had undertaken, Elliot said.

“Over the year we used all of the money allocated to the project to cover the cost of labor, materials, studio rent, insurance, and labor,” he said.

Some of the workmen on the artifacts at Elliot’s workshop in Wichita, were provided by Elliot.

“I have been using funds from my personal retirement account to pay the workers and the expenses for this project since the first of the year,” he said. “We have made great progress on the project since we started a year ago, but we have a long way to go. At the very least, four to six months more.”

“It is impossible to illustrate the amount of time and detailed labor involved in bringing each of the twenty-one religious artifacts back to life so to speak. At present we have generated a little over $6,000 of the $65,000 we need. The deficit, I will have to bear alone,” Elliott said.

A GoFundMe account is set up: https://gofund.me/15feea23

“Our goal is to generate the additional monies needed to complete this important work to a high degree of excellence and craftsmanship it deserves,” Elliot said.

Here are the artisans currently working on the project:

Mary Francis Skinner, Kathy Faulkner, Dan Ochs, Michael and Hector Ibarra, Gabe and Matan Umbarger, John Suffield, Jane Clark, Ian Snyder and Eliot who is the coordinator, logistics, art director, restoration and repair, quality control, recasting the destroyed frames, and painting the statues and stations.

 
“We are always interested in finding skilled persons willing to offer their services,” he said.
Area News, Bourbon County

ARCADIA, KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI BANQUET

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ARCADIA, KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI BANQUET

“HUGE SUCCESS”

Submitted by Marilyn Flagg

 

Even though Arcadia High School closed its doors at the end of the  “1965” school year, the annual alumni banquet is still being held on memorial week-end every year in Pittsburg, Kansas.  The membership also includes the Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Class of 1965.  The banquet was held at the Lamplighter Inn on Saturday afternoon, May 25th and was catered by Gebhardts and served by the Stansbury

brothers of Arcadia, Ks. Open Door Mission Church Youth.

 

Enclosed with the invitation to the banquet this year was the 2023  Financial Report prepared by Shirley Landon, Treasurer.  The 2023

Minutes were enclosed also prepared by Virginia Smith, Secretary.

These were included in the mailing to provide more time for visiting.

 

Social hour was 1:00-3:00 p.m. followed by lunch and business meeting. President Pat Morris of Arcadia welcomed the 42 Alumni and 25 guests.  The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag was led by Merle Engle.   The invocation was by Larry Shead

 

At the opening of the business meeting, Pat introduced alumni officers  Vice President, Tom Watt; Secretary, Virginia Smith;  Treasurer, Shirley Landon; and Marilyn Flagg, Historian.

 

There were no objections or corrections to the 2023 Minutes or the 2023 Treasurer’s report.  They stand approved as presented.

 

Larry Shead made a motion to move next year’s banquet to the Community Center in Arcadia. Helen Nichols and Merle Engle

seconded and motion passed. This action was taken because our attendance is getting smaller every year, cost involved, and other reasons.

Michael Sheffield led the nominations and election of officers.  There were no nominations from the floor and the following officers will remain for 2025: Pat Morris, President; Tom Watt, Vice President; Shirley Landon, Treasurer; Virginia Smith, Secretary; and Marilyn Flagg as Historian.

 

Special recognition was given to members of the 60th  (1964);

70th (1954); and 80th (1944) this year.

 

Those attending from the 60th class were the following: Virginia

Harris Smith; Ronnie Kellogg and guest Barbara Kellogg; Terry

Kunstel; Steve Morris and guest Raymond Kalm; Peggy O’Dell Worsley

and guest Paul Worsley; Ronnie Portwood and guest Mary Portwood; Pat Smith Morris; and Sherry Swafford Page.

 

Attending from the 70th.   were as follows:  Esther (Engle) Cousins

and guest Janice Crooks; Yvonne (Garrett) Beck and guest Susie

Arvidson; Gary Peterson and guest Patricia Peterson.

 

Marilyn Flagg spoke in behalf of her Aunt Mary Coonrod Bournonville who resides in Hurst, Texas with her daughter and husband. If

Mary had been able to attend, it would have been her 80th.

 

Fred Dixon was recognized as being a teacher in the Arcadia Grade School. Jan Steele was recognized as being the daughter of former Arcadia High School music teacher, Dick Steele.

 

All 25 guests were asked to stand and be recognized.

 

Pat Morris, chairman of the Scholarship Committee, announced the winner of the 2024  A.F. Bowlus/Betty Kirksey Scholarships as Trenton

Siemens. Trenton and his father attended and Trenton gave a speech expressing his appreciation for the scholarship.  He is the grandson of Tom Watt. Trenton received $1,000.  Andrew Bossung was awarded an additional “AHS” scholarship in the amount of $500.  Andrew is the youngest grandson of William and Louise (Opitz) Hughes. Because this day was Andrew’s graduation, Andrew was unable to attend.  His Uncle David Hughes spoke in Andrew’s behalf. David talked of Andrew’s accomplishments and how worthy that he was to receive a scholarship from Arcadia High School.  David also talked of his late mother’s passing, Louise Opitz Hughes, and how the Arcadia alumni banquet was her greatest event to attend every year.  Louise’s 80th was last year and she was so looking forward to the 2024 banquet.

 

Pat Morris introduced the officers who served on the scholarship committee.  They were Shirley Landon, Marilyn Flagg, Virginia Smith and herself. There was also help from 3 other individuals from outside of our alumni. One is  presently a teacher, another was a retired teacher, and the third one was a highly respected individual.

 

Any child, grandchild, or great grandchild of Arcadia High School Alumni may apply for a scholarship.

 

Marilyn Flagg led the memorial service for alumni deceased since the last meeting.  Those remembered were: Lorraine (Bean) Starks; Louise (Opitz) Hughes; Marie (Hoover) Marshall; Robert W. Hamilton; Lavon (O’Dell) Rons; Joe Morris; Dr. Retha (Hoover) (Kilpatrick) (Gries); Richard Coonrod; John A. Swezey; Pauline (Coonrod) Hart; Mary (Panizzi) Granon; Gary Cambers; Carol (Morris) Davis; Merle Mayfield; Melvin Nichols; Orville Allen Darnaby; Mary Lou (Davidson) Peace; Charles Morris; and Lynda Lou DeNeve (Teacher).

 

Jerry Skidmore  (Class of 1949)  was given an award for being the “Oldest” alumni.  Esther (Engle) Cousins (Class of 1954) was awarded for traveling the “Most Distance”.

 

The school song was led by Mary Lee Payne.

 

The Benediction was led by Ralph Shead.

 

The roll call which consisted of the following and the 1944, 1954, and 1964  classes listed above was done by Tom Watt.

 

1949 –  Jerry Skidmore

1950 –  Betty (Clarkson) Skidmore

1951 –  Bertha (McClendon) Hencey and guest Dickie Hadley

1952 –  Don Kauble and guest Cynthia Kauble Kreisel

1953 –  Bobby Harris and guest Alisha Harris

1955 –  Mary Lee (Eggen) Payne

1956 –  Shirley (McKinstry) Landon

1957 –  Merle Engle

Francis M. Jones and guest Karen Kay Tripp

Lilly (Turner) Sheffield

1958 –  Fred Dixon

Sandra Sue Stelle

1959 –  William Page

Michael Sheffield

Beverly (Swafford) Silvers and guest Vern Silvers

1960 –  Hilda Cockman Page

Jerry Coonrod and guest Jan Steele

Joyce (Page) Wilson and guest Sheila (Page) Hale

1962 –   Marilyn (Coonrod) Flagg

Barbara (Dawson) Swearingen

Joyce (Elliott) Maycumber

Helen (Morris) Nichols

Ronnie Smith

1963 –  Richard Page

1965 –  Betty (Jack) DeLoach

1966 –  Jerry Morris

Larry Smith

1968 – Don Schaub

Larry Shead and guest Ralph Shead

Sherry Sisney

Tom Watt and guest Phyllis Watt

 

Other guests were David Hughes and Ardis Jefferies; Trenton Siemens;

and Austin Siemens.

 

The servers were the

Stansbury Brothers (Camryn, Sammy, Wyatt, and Timothy), of Arcadia, Kansas Open Door Mission Church Youth and Judy Stansbury.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obituary

The Obituary of Delbert Sinn

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Delbert Lee Sinn, age 83, resident of Independence, MO passed from this life on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Centerpoint Medical Center, Independence, MO.  Delbert was born August 6, 1940, in Fort Scott, KS, the son of George Alfred Sinn and Sophia Muriel Cordill Sinn.  He is survived by one sister, Joyce Ann Sinn, Mapleton, KS.  His long-time companion, Harriet Tindle of Independence, MO kept their pact to outlive him.  After being told of Delbert’s death, Harriet passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, under hospice care in Independence, MO.

 

Delbert was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers George Donald Sinn, Richard Leo (Dick) Sinn, and Kenneth Eugene Sinn; and one sister Carol Jean Sinn Carter.

 

Delbert graduated from Fort Scott High School and began his career at Mid-Continental Waterproofing Company.  Later he formed his own company, Delbert L. Sinn Ceramic and Floorcovering, working well into his 70’s on remodeling projects.  He also repaired all kinds of appliances and lawn equipment that family and friends dropped off at his home in Independence.

 

Delbert is also survived by his three daughters, Kimberlee (Paul) Mitchell, Stephenville, TX, Kristina (Mark) Deason, Fort Worth, TX, and Katricia (Tim) Bradbury, Fort Scott, KS.  Delbert has 7 grandchildren, Ryan, Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell (Courtney), Jacob Bradbury, Cooper Bradbury, Luke Bradbury, and Samantha Bradbury.

 

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 8th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice or Faith Church Building Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Faith Church is the home church of Katricia, who has been our father’s compassionate and consistent caregiver for many years.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Opinion

Rest, A Necessary Blessing by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

Jesus wants us to rest.  His kind of rest. “Come to me, all of you who are weary, and I will give you rest,” he says.  The Christian life should not be a burden, yet choices we make to stay in a perpetual state of busy-ness force it to become just that.

Dave and I are in Las Vegas, and this past week we rode e-bikes to Boulder City, about 10 miles away, for breakfast. If you’re not familiar with e-bikes, they are amazing.  You pedal but choose a gear (0-Race mode).  Some of our crazier relatives ride only in Race-mode, but I stay in the lower gears unless there is a hill, and then I press “2” and let the bike do most of the work.  I still pedal, just to pretend that I’m doing something.

On our ride, we passed legitimate bikers who had no battery pack to assist them.  They struggled to pedal up the steep hills as we passed them with ease.  Of course, they were getting a work out that we weren’t, but our ride was relaxing and fun and stressless.  Only one time did I accidentally hit the throttle and propel myself forward, narrowly missing Dave’s bike, but other than that, our excursion was easy-breezy.

Not so with the regular bikers.

The Christian journey should be more akin to the restful, e-bike experience.  At least, that’s the way Jesus would desire it to be, for Jesus-rest allows us to find solace and renewal that only he can offer.  Sometimes, he even permits an injury or sickness to slow us down. In Psalm 23:2, David, the shepherd boy-turned king, wrote this about God: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”  Get that?  He “makes me.”  Jesus knows that we require rest, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

Still, we choose to stubbornly dig in our heels to the point of exhaustion in order to meet the goals we have set for ourselves.  In that, we miss God-goals.  Yesterday in our Bible study, one woman spoke about her judgmentalism towards homeless people and how God stopped her from rushing past them on the street last week when one said to her, “Love God.”  She paused and asked him to repeat what he had just said.  “Love God,” he restated, as if a directive from the Lord Himself.

She shared with us that sometimes we encounter angels in human clothing and instead of dismissing them because we are rushing to check something off of our to-do list, we need to recognize that God might have other plans.  The woman admitted that she (pedaling through life as fast as she could?) has never stopped a stranger with those words, yet a homeless man (allowing God to do all the work?) had shared them with her.

In the article “Scripture Savvy,” Jamie Wilson writes that being still doesn’t just refer to physical stillness but also to a quieting of our hearts and minds. “It is an invitation to trust in God’s wisdom and plans, knowing that He is in control and will be exalted in every situation…Resting in God is not passive; it requires an active surrender of our lives and a recognition of His saving work in our hearts. It is a conscious decision to find our security and peace in Him alone.”

Say what you want, but in life, especially in this spiritual journey, I will take all the help I can get.

Food, Fort Scott, Schools

Summer School and Free Food Start in June at USD 234

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USD 234 School District halls are quiet right now, but in June some students will be back for more learning.
Destry Brown. Submitted photo.
“Summer school will be held during the month of June for students from preschool through high school,” said Superintendent Destry Brown. “Part of the summer school activities is for students with Individualized Educational Programs. We call this the Extended School Year. The other part for Kindergarten through 8th grade is an enrichment summer school for any student who wants to come. The high school kids will be working on credit recovery during summer school.”
“The elementary students and all the Extended School Year students will be at Winfield Scott. Elementary School,” Brown said.  “The preschool students will be at the preschool. The middle and high school students will be at the middle school.”
Winfield Scott Elementary School, 316 W. 10th Street, Fort Scott.
“Breakfast and lunch will be served daily at Winfield Scott and the Middle School and is free to all students and any other children from birth to 18. We will also be sending food home for the weekends for any student who wants or needs it.”
“Students not attending summer school may come to Winfield Scott or the Middle School at 11 a.m.”
Winfield Scott Elementary School is located  at 316 W. 10th and Fort Scott Middle School is located at 1105 E. 12th.
Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.

 

Area News, Entertainment

Southeast Kansas Library System May Newsletter

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The SEKnFind Newsletter
May 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

How to end a love story : a novel
by Yulin Kuang

A best-selling author with writer’s block heads to L.A. for the film adaptation of her book where she must collaborate with a screenwriter who was involved in the tragic accident that bound them together 13 years prior. Original.

The hunter’s daughter
by Nicola Solvinic

A decorated sheriff’s lieutenant serving a rural county, Anna Koray, who is secretly the daughter of a notorious serial killer, finds her suppressed memories returning when a new serial killer emerges, copying her father, and must use her father’s tricks to stop him before everything she’s built for herself is destroyed.

The last murder at the end of the world : a novel
by Stuart Turton

On an isolated island where 122 villagers and three scientists live in peaceful harmony, one of the scientists is found brutally murdered, which triggers a security system, giving the islanders only 107 hours to solve the murder or be smothered by the fog that destroyed the planet.

April May June July
by Alison B. Hart

Four estranged siblings meet up at a family wedding and are shocked to discover the presence of their father, who went missing while serving overseas, leaving the family members to each confront their complicated pasts. 40,000 first printing.

The husbands : a novel
by Holly Gramazio

“A novel about a woman who one day comes home to find her attic is magic and producing an endless supply of interchangeable husbands”

Love, lies, and cherry pie : a novel
by Jackie Lau

Forced to work together for her sister’s wedding, writer Emily Hung and sweater-vest-wearing engineer Mark Chan fake a relationship to put an end to her marriage-minded mom’s meddling, but soon their fake dates become all too real, making her realize an argyle sweater isn’t so ugly after all. Original.

The gathering : a novel
by C. J. Tudor

When a boy is found with all the blood drained from his body, Detective Barbara Atkins must determine if a member of the Colony, an ostracized community of vampyrs, is responsible, or if she’s dealing with a twisted psychopath as she uncovers secrets darker than she ever could’ve imagined.

The Honey Witch
by Sydney J. Shields

On the tiny isle of Innisfree, 21-year-old Honey Witch Marigold Claude, who is cursed never to find true love, is determined to prove to Lottie, a notorious skeptic, that magic is real but soon begins to care for her in unexpected ways, placing her home, her magic and her heart in danger.

Floating hotel
by Grace Curtis

Tells a story of misfits, rebels, found family—and a mystery that spans the stars.

Rednecks
by Taylor Brown

Dramatizing the 1920 to 1921 events of the West Virginia Mine Wars, this powerful story of rebellion against oppression follows a Black WWI veteran and coal miner as he leads a miners’ revolt and a Lebanese American doctor who risks his life and career to treat the sick and wounded miners.

The year of the locust : a thriller
by Terry Hayes

A Denied Access Area spy for the CIA, Kane journeys to the borders of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, where violence is the only way to survive, to exfiltrate a man with vital information, but instead meets an adversary who will take the world to the brink of extinction.

Beans, bourbon, and blood
by William W Johnstone

In a new series, Western legend Luke Jensen teams up with chuckwagon cook Dewey “Mac” McKenzie to dish out a plate of hot-blooded justice.

New Audiobooks

You Like It Darker
by Stephen King

Delving into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal, the legendary storyteller and expert in short fiction presents this exhilarating collection of 12 tales, many never-before-published, about fate, mortality, luck and the folds in reality where anything can happen.

Table for two : fictions
by Amor Towles

“The millions of readers of Amor Towles are in for a treat as he shares some of his shorter fiction: six stories set in New York City and a novella in Los Angeles. The New York stories, most of which are set around the turn of the millennium, take up everything from the death-defying acrobatics of the male ego, to the fateful consequences of brief encounters, and the delicate mechanics of comprise which operate at the heart of modern marriages. In Towles’s novel, Rules of Civility, the indomitable Evelyn Ross leaves New York City in September, 1938, with the intention of returning home to Indiana. But as her train pulls into Chicago, where her parents are waiting, she instead extends her ticket to Los Angeles. Told from seven points of view, “Eve in Hollywood” describes how Eve crafts a new future for herself-and others-in the midst of Hollywood’s golden age. Throughout the stories, two characters often find themselves sitting across a table for two where the direction of their futures may hinge upon what they say to each other next. Written with his signature wit, humor, and sophistication, Table for Two is another glittering addition to Towles’s canon of stylish and transporting historical fiction”

The demon of unrest : a saga of hubris, heartbreak, and heroism at the dawn of the Civil War
by Erik Larson

“On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln became the fluky victor in a tight race for president. The country was bitterly at odds; Southern extremists were moving ever closer to destroying the Union, with one state after another seceding and Lincoln powerless to stop them. Slavery fueled the conflict, but somehow the passions of North and South came to focus on a lonely federal fortress in Charleston Harbor: Fort Sumter. Master storyteller Erik Larson offers a gripping account of the chaotic months between Lincoln’s election and the Confederacy’s shelling of Sumter-a period marked by tragic errors and miscommunications, enflamed egos and craven ambitions, personal tragedies and betrayals.”

New Nonfiction

Co-intelligence : living and working with AI
by Ethan Mollick

“From Wharton professor and author of the popular One Useful Thing Substack newsletter Ethan Mollick comes the definitive playbook for working, learning, and living in the new age of AI The release of generative AI-from LLMs like ChatGPT to image generators like DALL-E-marks a new era. We have invented technologies that boost our physical capabilities and others that automate complex tasks, but never, until now, have we created a technology that can boost our intelligence-with an impact on work and life that researchers project will be greater than that of steam power or the internet. Mollick urges us not to turn away from AI, and instead to invite AI tools to the table.”

The cure for burnout : how to find balance and reclaim your life
by Emily Ballesteros

Combining scientific and cultural research, a burnout management coach and TikTok influencer shares the tried-and-true strategies she successfully implemented with clients around the globe to demystify burnout for our post-pandemic world—and set us on a path toward a life of personal and professional balance. Illustrations.

Beyond getting by : the financial diet’s guide to abundant and intentional living
by Holly Trantham

The team behind The Financial Diet website presents a guide for women who want to transition to a life where money is a tool for achieving what they want and not just a reflection of their worth. Illustrations.

Amphibious soul : finding the wild in a tame world
by Craig Foster

One of the world’s leading natural history filmmakers shows how we can reinvigorate our lives by developing a deep connection to the Earth, nurture our individual wildness and deepen our love for all living things. 200,000 first printing.

ADHD Is awesome : a guide to (mostly) thriving with ADHD
by Penn Holderness

The couple behind the massively popular Holderness family videos share their story of living with ADHD by rejecting traditional views and embracing creative and life-affirming solutions that focus on how ADHD can often be beneficial.

Hello tiny world : an enchanting journey into the world of creating terrariums
by Ben Newell

“Hello Tiny World will inspire a wide readership to discover the tiny wonder of a different kind of container gardening in their own homes–no outdoor space needed. How can terrariums teach us about the environment? Can working with plants improve our mental health and well-being? How do we learn to express ourselves and our creativity through these wondrous mini ecosystems? Hello Tiny World is Ben Newell’s exploration of these questions as he weaves in his own personal experiences, alongside practical projects with photographed step-by-steps allowing readers to delve into the detail of how to make various terrariums–from beginner terrariums and terrariums on a budget, to more creative and ambitious projects. Those curious to learn about ecology and living sustainably as well as those interested in how plants can help our well-being, mindfulness, and creativity will all be served by this book, alongside horticulturalists who have yet to discover terrariums”

Open wide : a cookbook for friends
by Benny Blanco

The pop music super-producer, artist and actor who’s obsessed with food and cooking for friends teaches you everything you need to know, from kitchen basics to throwing the greatest dinner party of all time, through a crazy collection of recipes that will make cooking your new addiction. Illustrations.

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