Monthly Archives: May 2024
Honor, Respect, and Freedom by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Those who served their Country and died in the battle for freedom deserve every ounce of honor and respect we can give them. Audie Murphy’s classic war memoir, “To Hell and Back,” graphically paints the grim picture of war. In the book’s foreward, Tom Brokaw states that he had researched many WWII combat veterans and had never learned of anyone involved in so much up close and personal fighting as Audie Murphy. He was a courageous Texan warrior of valor who deeply cared about his fellow soldiers, their safety, and their united mission.
I’m embarrassed to confess that I didn’t know who Audie Murphy was until 2013. He was the most-decorated soldier of WWII. I didn’t know that — according to my heart, I thought it was my dad. And that’s the way every daughter should feel about her father’s exploits of military service.
Dad was in the thick of things (Battle of the Bulge cleanup, etc.) in Germany from 1944-46, so I’ve studied some of the famous campaigns in the European Theater. General George S. Patton wasn’t particularly loved by every soldier, nevertheless, he was gifted with a brilliant military mind. “Blood and Guts Patton” did the planning and his fighting men determined to bravely carry it out. He did what others said couldn’t be done.
It appears that Memorial Day is lost on the majority of Americans who are pursuing their dreams and enjoying their freedom. It’s not just a sunny holiday to celebrate the beginning of summer. It was no picnic to sleep in a foxhole in freezing weather and snow. Dad told me that there were no athiests in foxholes because everybody prayed and called on God. Some veterans survived the war and some didn’t. Civilians have no idea how bad it was — and I fear that many Americans don’t care. That makes me extremely sad.
I’m reminded of an old hymn entitled, “Lead Me to Calvary” with lyrics by Jennie Evelyn Hussey. “Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine Agony. Lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.” If we don’t remember on purpose the important highlights in life, the memory sadly fades through the years. Memorial Day is an annual opportunity to contemplate and honor our military loved ones and strangers for their ultimate sacrifice. Why do we, as a Nation, have to stand for what’s right and fight? Because that’s what Jesus did when He died on the cruel cross of Calvary. He willingly died and rose triumphantly so others could have an abundant life now and then live eternally with Him.
“Then He [God] will judge disputes between nations and settle arguments between many people. They will hammer their swords into plow blades and their spears into pruning shears. Nations will never fight against each other, and they will never train for war again” (Isaiah 2:4 GW). One day, firepower and military strategies won’t be needed. But until then, we owe a great debt to our military heroes who left behind a great Nation under God. What shall we do with our freedom? Let’s not take it for granted, squander it foolishly, nor live carelessly. Let‘s honor and respect the brave men and women who selflessly gave their lives for the benefit of others. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NLT).
The Key: Enjoy your freedom and give honor and respect to those who made it possible.
The Artificers June Events
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County Courthouse and Landfill Closed on Memorial Day
The Bourbon County Courthouse and Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in observance of Memorial Day.
No Bo Co Commission Meeting on May 27
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
May 27, 2024
There will not be a Bourbon County Commission meeting held on Monday, May 27, 2024, due to the Courthouse being closed in observance of Memorial Day.
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.
Death Notice of David Troutman
David Troutman, age 75, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Friday, May 24, 2024, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, MO. Services for David Troutman will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.
Death Notice of Joanna Woodyl
Joanna Woody, age 96, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Friday, May 24, 2024, at Guest Home Estates Fort Scott. Services for Joanna Woody will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201
National History Day State Champions from Fort Scott Set to Present at the Empress Events Center
Southeast Kansas will send one project to the National History Day Championship in College Park, Maryland June 9-13. Two groups from the Bourbon County community attended the State National History Day Championships in Topeka in April.
The Fort Scott State Champion group who will compete at Nationals in June will present their performance project at 6 PM on May 28th at the Empress Event Center, 7 N Main, Fort Scott. A second group will also present their documentary that received third place at the state competition in June. This presentation will allow the students to practice sharing their projects and raise funds for their trip to College Park, MD. The community is invited to attend and support these students.
The following students are the State Champions and will be sharing their projects on June 1st:
Kenlee Eden, Blair Felt, and Kodie Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center will participate in the Junior Group Performance category, coached by Megan Felt and Rachel Wells. Their project is entitled Tillie Anderson and Her Bicycle: the Picture of Free, Untrammeled Womanhood. Their project is a performance based on Tillie Anderson, one of the first professional female athletes. As the world champion cyclist from 1895-1902 Tillie Anderson was a turning point for women’s athletics, fashion, exercise, and freedom.
Charlee Wells and Hadley Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center participated in the Junior Group Documentary category at the State National History Day competition, coached by Rachel Wells. Their project is titled Etching Voices: A Turning Point in the Recording and Music Industry. The documentary is based on the inventions of Emile Berliner specifically the impact of the gramophone. Due to the invention of the gramophone, recordings and music were made more accessible to all people which would revolutionize the mass production of music.
History Day encourages students to express their knowledge of and interest in history through creative and original dramatic performances, media presentations, historical papers, website design, or three-dimensional exhibit projects. The research and study for district, state, and national competitions take place throughout the entire school year.
The national competition involves the top 2,800 students from across the nation, chosen from over 800,000 who compete in order to advance from local to state to national competition. All 50 states and several countries will be represented at the National competition. The theme this year is “Turning Points in History.”
The Lowell Milken Center provides critiques and helps with research for National History Day Unsung Hero projects from Kansas and throughout the United States.
Davis recognized as Governor’s Scholars Awards recipient
At the invitation of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Nickelson Lee Davis of Fort Scott High School, son of Jason and Nicole Davis, was selected to attend the 41st Annual Governor’s Scholars Awards Program on May 5, 2024, in Topeka.
The recognition ceremony honors the top academic one-percent of Kansas high school seniors. Scholars are selected from accredited public and private schools in the state.
“These high school seniors have shown dedication in their studies and a commitment to learning. They’ve earned this honor, and I want to congratulate them on this achievement,” Kelly said. “We also should recognize their families, teachers and mentors for helping these outstanding students achieve their academic goals.”
This program is coordinated for the governor by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force, which was formed 41 years ago to strengthen confidence in public education. The following organizations are members of the task force: American Association of University Women, Kansas State Board of Education, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers, Kansas State Department of Education, Kansas State High School Activities Association, Kansas National Education Association, Kansas League of Women Voters and United School Administrators of Kansas.
As a distinguished Kansas Governor’s Scholar, Davis was given the opportunity to recognize an exceptional educator in his life with a Teacher of Influence certificate. Davis chose to recognize FSHS math teacher, Morgan Felt.
Davis is a 2024 graduate at FSHS and is attending the University of Kansas, School of Engineering in August of 2024.
Spoiled Brat Moves To New Location
Spoiled Brat Beauty Salon has moved shop.
“We moved in on May 21,” co-owner Stephanie Anthony said. “We had been at 19 S. Main for ten years. Before that at Scott and Wall Avenue for 11 years.
“We wanted a facility that will see us into retirement,” she said. “The location is more visible, with all new equipment and we are not fighting for parking,” she said. “Although we will miss our downtown.”
Stephanie and her sister Heather Engrstom are the owners of Spoiled Brat and are one of several stylists/nail technicians in the salon.
Alesha Martin and Pennie Burton are also stylists/nail technicians, and Brooklyn Meech will be added to the shop when she completes cosmetology school in a few weeks, Anthony said.
Jay Felix is a stylist and barber.
All of these women can be reached at 620- 223-2155 for appointments.
Delynn Abati is a nail technician and can be reached at 620-704-1315.
Avery Dorsey is an esthetician who offers facials, full body waxing, eyebrow tint and laminations, and eyelash lifts and tints and can be reached at 620-215-3037.
Hours of operation are by appointment.
“Everybody worked the hours they want,” Anthony said. “Generally there is someone here Monday through Saturday. When we can, we do take walk-ins.”
Bo Co Coalition Agenda for June 5
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda for June 5.
1:00 p.m. in the conference room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott.
Travis Wilcoxsen will be chairing the meeting. Remember, that there is no meeting in July.
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Tara Solomon Smith, QPR Suicide Prevention
August 7 program will be an update on the COPE program by HBCAT.
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be August 7, 2024.
FSCC Trustees Select Sara Sutton as Interim President
The FSCC Board of Trustees met in a special meeting, Thursday morning, May 23. Sara Sutton, current Vice President of Career and Technical and Workforce Development was named as Interim President effective immediately for the 2024-25 school year.
Mrs. Sutton, earned an Associate of Science degree from
Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, both from Pittsburg State University.
In 2002, she arrived on FSCC’s campus as part of the College Rodeo Team. She credits the experiences, opportunities and the “family feel” she received during her time as a student to be the driving force for her to return to the college. After teaching high school biology and agriculture in both Crawford and Bourbon
Counties, she returned to FSCC to teach in the Agriculture Department and coach the meats judging team. During her tenure at FSCC, she developed and implemented programs and course offerings which enhance the college’s career and technical education programs, collaborated with various campus departments
and organizations within the community and region, and has served as a mentor to new faculty.