Monthly Archives: June 2024

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BRICKSTREET BBQ TO BE FEATURED ON AMERICA’S BEST RESTAURANTS

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FORT SCOTT:  – Local restaurant Brickstreet BBQ will be hosting a visit from America’s Best Restaurants (ABR) in early July 2024.

 

America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently-owned restaurants, will bring its ABR Roadshow to the restaurant on July 1st.  Popular dishes will be highlighted, along with an extensive on-camera interview with owners Alex and Carissa Bowman about the restaurant’s special place in the community. The episode will be aired extensively on social media channels at a later date.

The Bowmans opened Brickstreet BBQ in 2023, offering hickory-smoked meats, sides, salads and sandwiches in a welcoming, unique environment.

 

The idea for offering barbecue to the Fort Scott community stemmed not only from a lack of that particular cuisine in the area, but also a desire to “do something” with the historic building it is located in.

 

Known as the H.L. Stout building and built in 1911, the brick building with a two-story vestibule has been the home of everything from a patent medicine manufacturer to car dealerships to a cafeteria, with a skating rink on the second floor and a bowling alley in the basement, according to a 2009 article in the Fort Scott Tribune.

“It was kind of like  – we need to do something with that building,” Carissa says.  “It really was just kind of a gut feeling. We didn’t even know we wanted to do barbecue at that time. We just knew something needed to happen here.”

Popular menu items that may be featured on the episode include the burnt ends (“They are to die for” notes Carissa), ribs, and  the Brickstreet tacos, a choice of meat topped with fiesta corn, pico di gallo and apple slaw.

“They’re a good one that everybody loves because it’s just a lot of different flavors that are very unique but work together,” explains Carissa.

 

One aspect of running the business that the Bowmans are most proud of is the family that they’ve created within the four walls.

“We’ve been really working hard, coaching our staff and employees on just encouraging them to be their best selves,” Alex notes, adding that they want their employees to network, gain skills, and connect with customers. “This isn’t just a job. This is an opportunity to grow.”

America’s Best Restaurants will be filming on location on Monday July 1st from 9 am to noon CST. The press is invited to attend. The restaurant’s finished episode premiere date will be announced on their Facebook page and will be featured on America’s Best Restaurants’ website.

 

Restaurants featured on the ABR Roadshow are selected based on their customer reviews, menu items, social media presence, and level of involvement with their community. They are found through customer nominations, internal vetting or by a restaurant applying to be featured at www.americasbestrestaurants.com.

 

About Brickstreet BBQ: Open Tuesday through Sunday, Brickstreet BBQ is located at 3 W Oak St, Fort Scott KS 66701. Telephone is (620) 224-2425.  For more information visit ‘Brickstreet BBQ’ on Facebook.

 

About ABR: With offices in Florence, KY and Las Vegas, America’s Best Restaurants is a national media and restaurant marketing company that travels the country telling the stories and highlighting the unique food of locally owned independent restaurants as part of their ABR Roadshow. Restaurants are featured not only on ABR’s Restaurant Network of social media channels and website, but also each individual establishment’s Facebook page. With over 1300 episodes filmed, America’s Best Restaurants is the premier marketing agency for restaurant owners and operators to have their story broadcast coast-to-coast. Visit AmericasBestRestaurants.com to learn more and to view the episodes and profiles of hundreds of America’s Best Restaurants!

Fort Scott, Government

Kathryn Salsbury Is The New Fort Scott City Commissioner

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Kathryn Salsbury. Submitted photo.
Kathryn Salsbury, 54, is the new Fort Scott City Commissioner selected to fill Melissa Guns spot.
“I think that this town that I love so much, our town, is at a crossroads,” she said. “We need to find a path forward that honors our history, makes the best use of our resources, fosters economic stability, and secures necessary resources such as healthcare.
Strategic adaptation and purposeful preservation. There are a lot of moving parts and variables to most decisions, with a degree of impact to many of us.”
“We have a lot of great people in place now,” Salsbury said. “I hope that my education and work experience prove helpful in ensuring Fort Scott thrives.”
Salsbury attended Washburn School of Law and earned a Juris Doctorate, a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Justice Studies from Pittsburg State University, an associate degree and CNA certificate from Fort Scott Community College, became a certified paralegal from Johnson County Community College and studied business at Missouri Baptist University.
Her career has been in the following areas: Director of Risk Management, Multi-line claims manager, Licensed Casualty Adjuster, retail management, stockbroker, ordinance interpretation and tracking for California municipalities.
She has been involved in the Rotary Club, Mt. Carmel Fund Board of Directors, and various USD234 events,  she said.

“My family has been in Fort Scott since the early 1950s,” she said. “My grandparents, and their parents, moved here from Wisconsin. My grandparents owned Floyd’s Donuts for around 40 years. I returned to Fort Scott after earning my law degree to continue raising my four boys.”
Downtown Fort Scott, looking north on Main Street. City Hall is on the right.
Opinion

Dad’s Hammer by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

When I moved out of the house, right before I turned 19, Dad gave me a hammer. This was not just any ordinary hammer; it was one of his that had broken off five inches below the eye. Rather than discard it, he had kept it around. Forty-seven years later, I still have and use this hammer every time I hang a piece of décor. I love this special tool because it perfectly fits in my hand and doesn’t weigh as much as a normal one, enabling me to use it easier. I like to share the story of the weird short hammer to those who see me use it.

 

Dad believed in me and I, in turn, believed in him. The Saturday in 1967, when my folks took me to Springfield to shop music stores, changed my life forever. I’d been begging for a piano but I couldn’t play a lick. Dad bought a new piano for me and I was the happiest girl in the whole USA! In talking about the purchase of my piano, in his later years, Dad told me, “That was the best investment I ever made.”

 

Dad loved me, taught me life lessons, and instilled a love for God in my heart. He taught me how to fill the washer fluid, check the oil, and radiator level. He told me to drive with the traffic. If the temp light came on, pull over and stop. If the engine light came on, I should be able to get to a short destination. He taught me how to ride a horse, carry plenty of cash, be on time, and shine my shoes. By spending time with him, I knew him like the back of my hand.

 

Was he a perfect man? No. Was he the perfect dad? Maybe not — but he was perfect to me. Because of his devotion to God and faithfulness to my brother and I, he nailed the definition of a great father. “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them” (Proverbs 20:7 NLT).

 

It’s no surprise that fathers have a profound influence on their children. In the Old Testament, we see that some sons walked in their father’s footsteps. “Uzziah…began to rule over Judah. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah had done” (2 Kings 15:1,3 NLT). “Jotham son of Uzziah began to rule over Judah…. Jotham did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done” (2 Kings 15:32,34 NLT).

 

To all the great and godly fathers with wayward children, don’t despair. As long as there’s breath, there’s prayer and hope for change. And please don’t take unwarranted blame — God gave humans a free will on purpose. Remember Adam (the first father)? In the beginning he had two sons, Cain and Able. One chose poorly and one chose righteously and both had the same father.

 

On April 11, 2012, I was preparing to leave, so I kissed Dad on the cheek. He immediately pulled out his billfold and handed me a ten-dollar bill and said, “Here, take this. I might need you to get me something.“ He died two days later and I still have that $10 in my billfold. The last thing he did was give.

 

Happy Father’s Day to all the hero dads who provide the wind beneath your children’s wings. You are essential, valued, honored, and loved as a very special blessing.

 

The Key: I don‘t have Dad, but I have his hammer. And that will do for now.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Annual Lowell Milken Fellows (Round One) Are In Town

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The Lowell Milken Center is located at the corner of First and Wall Streets.

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowships to selected educators who will arrive in Fort Scott on June 16th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

 

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

The following are the fellows at the Center this week:

Aaron Kruger

Aaron Kruger, a history teacher from Cheyenne, WY, was recognized in 2021 as a Wyoming Milken Educator. History is a popular subject at Cheyenne Central High School, as Aaron empowers his students to succeed and excel by fostering open discussion and critical thinking skills. His students consistently surpass state and global pass rates on the AP History exams.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Aaron brings history to life for his students through primary source documentation and roleplaying exercises. His leadership skills and expertise in collaborative decision-making will be positive assets to share with our 2024 team of Fellows. We look forward to great Unsung Hero projects from Aaron’s students.”

 

Erica Quale, an 8th-grade social studies teacher from Bismarck, ND, received the 2021 Milken Educator Award for North Dakota. She works to make U.S. history relevant to her students’ lives through project-based learning, using historical resources and knowledge to establish those connections. From student-led history lessons shared with elementary students to interactive classroom discussions on civic responsibilities, her students become involved and engaged learners. Their high scores on North Dakota’s Eighth Grade Civics exam validate the positive learning experiences in her classroom.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Erica’s use of project-based learning makes history relevant for her students. Her students become so knowledgeable about their projects they can then share the content with elementary students. Erica’s use of such unique learning experiences makes her a valuable asset to our 2024 team of Fellows.”

John Rosenbaum

John Rosenbaum, a middle school social studies teacher from Central Falls, RI, was honored as the 2021 Rhode Island Milken Educator. Through many hands-on learning experiences, John has made history come alive for his students. His relatable approach to learning has met with great success, as eighth-graders from his school outperform state averages in literacy and enter high school well-prepared for higher-level work.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “As an outstanding and innovative middle school teacher, John collaborates with colleagues to design hands-on learning experiences that impart knowledge and create memories for his students. His strong background in project-based learning and social studies will be an important motivator for project development within our 2024 team of Fellows.”

Michael Sandstrom

Michael Sandstrom, a high school civics and history teacher in Chadron, NE, was honored as the 2019 Gilder Lehrman Nebraska History Teacher of the Year, just one of the many prestigious awards he has received. His strong belief in the importance of civic competence and historical knowledge has guided his teaching style, leading to many positive outcomes for his students. Using local historical resources, students can connect their past to the national issues facing them today.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Michael has a strong belief in the power of history to make the past relevant for his students and to provide a connection to their future. His adept use of primary and secondary sources will provide a valuable resource for the team of 2024 Fellows.”

Kelly Sheridan

Kelly Sheridan, a 2023 Idaho Milken Educator, is the Assistant Principal and Dean of Students at Idaho Falls’ Compass Academy, a project-based 9-12 magnet school. As the school’s former art teacher, Kelly has positively impacted the campus climate by incorporating art into the core curriculum and serving as an instructional leader. Having both classroom and leadership experience has made Kelly a valuable role model for students and teachers.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Kelly has had a profound effect on her school climate, developing trusted relationships and implementing professional development focused on research-based instructional strategies. Her collaborative efforts and expertise with project-based learning will be a perfect fit for the mission of the Center and its work with the 2024 Fellows.”

 

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

K-State Extension

Time Management and Where to Start

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

 

 

Tara Solomon-Smith

Family and Community Wellness Agent, Southwind Extension District

[email protected], 620-244-3826

 

 

Time Management and Where to Start

  • We all have the same amount of time in a day, it’s limited, and we can’t do everything! Are you like me, trying several things, buying all the planners and organizing tools for better time management? I am getting closer and have found a method that works for me, though it continually needs tweaked.
  • But today, I want us to remember that the purpose of improving time management skills is to make time for the most important things in our lives. It’s healthy to look for balance among responsibilities at home and work, and fun time for yourself and others. Learning to use your time more effectively should increase life satisfaction, not just a longer list of tasks to finish. So, let’s focus on simple ways to start making the most of your time and living life!

 

  • Track Your Time
  • Just like with money, before you figure out your budget, you first have to see where it all actually goes. The same can be applied for time. You may be surprised to learn how much time you spend doing things that you do not consider a priority.

Record what you do in 15-minute intervals for at least a week. Evaluate the results by asking: Did everything I needed to do get done?   Which tasks require the most time?  What time of day was I most productive?  Where do you devote most of your time (i.e. job, family, personal, recreation)?

 

Having a good sense of the time required for routine tasks can help you be more realistic in planning and estimating how much time is available for other activities.

Now you can apply what you learned on your next week’s calendar.  Plan your most challenging tasks for when you have the most energy. Block out time for your high priority activities first and protect that time from interruptions.

 

Manage Your Time Wasters

We all have them, those items that are important but not urgent and can interrupt our focus.  Try these tips for some common time wasters so you can lead with your priorities!

 

Handheld Devices

  • Take advantage of voice-to-text features such as transcribed voicemails or to make notes or draft emails and text messages when you are on the go.
  • Take any necessary action immediately following a call.
  • Impose screen time limits and regularly monitor your digital wellness
  • Schedule breaks from your devices.

Email

  • Set aside a specific time to view and respond to email
  • Turn off notifications for email.
  • Handle each item only once when possible.
  • Immediately delete or unsubscribe from junk emails.
  • Keep address books up-to-date and organized.
  • Utilize built-in shortcuts to sort email.

Unexpected Visitors

  • Schedule time for face-to-face visits.
  • Inform colleagues of your work agenda and set a mutually agreeable time to visit or for new tasks
  • When someone comes to the door, stand up and have your meeting standing.

 

Get Help from Others

Delegating means assigning responsibility for a task to someone else, freeing up your time for tasks that require your expertise. Identify tasks others can do and select the appropriate person to do them. Also consider building support in many areas of life such as enlisting your kids’ help with getting dinner on the table, prepare extended family to be back up when the unexpected happens, ask a co-worker with help talking through a tough task.

 

Take breaks

A key to staying motivated is allowing time for breaks. Be sure to add short, five to ten minute breaks to help you recharge and refocus.

 

 

Here’s to more time for what’s most important to you!  Today’s information is adapted from University of Georgia and K-State Research and Extension’s time management publication.  For more information contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or call 620-244-3826.

 

# # #

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

 

 

 

Government

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda For June 17

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Bourbon County Courthouse

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

Fax: 620-223-5832

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

Accounts Payable 6-14-2024

Payroll 6-14-2024

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

June 17, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 6/10/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $238,157.83
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $361,343.72
  1. Public Comments
  2. Bourbon County Senior Citizens 2025 Budget Request
  3. Rob Harrington-Healthcare
  • Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
    1. Disaster Relief Application
    2. Committee Letters
    3. Ambulance Title
    4. Lease Agreement Signatures and Resolution
  • 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.

 

Business, Fort Scott

Tri-Valley Holds Award Ceremony

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Austin Bolinger, Horticultural Therapist, Barbara McCord, recipient of the Winfred Jent Award, and Richard Longfellow.

 

On May Day, Friday, May 1st, Tri-Valley Developmental Services held their 2024 Award Ceremony celebrating achievements from individuals and community support in Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson Counties.  The ceremony took place at 1 pm at the Central Park Pavilion in Chanute.  Awards were presented to the following:

 

Employer of the Year – Sonic Drive-In of Chanute and Niece Products of Fort Scott

Achievement Award – Ben Lewis, Matt Ornstein, and Gay Purdy

Ed Bideau Advocacy Award – Nikki Jacobs

Masterson Family Award – James Hogan

Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Visionary Award – Max McReynolds

Winfred Jent Award – Barbara McCord

Lifetime Achievement Award – Knights of Columbus Council 1046 – Chanute

Employee of the Year Award – Roxann Maloney

 

Refreshments were served following the ceremony.

Obituary

Obituary of Mary Ann Jamison

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Mary Ann Jamison, age 90, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, died Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at her home. She was born October 15, 1933 the daughter of Delbert and Jessie Brown Bruce. She was a 1947 graduate of Mound City High School.

Mary Ann married Gene Jamison on April 14, 1955 at the home of her parents in Mound City. They moved to Fort Scott in 1964, where she was a stay at home mom until 1970. At that time she went to work for H-Way Heating and Air, now known as Stoughtons Plumbing Electric Heating and Air were she was employed for 45 years. Mary Ann was a member and treasure for the St. Johns United Methodist Church in Fort Scott.

Survivors include two daughters, Sharon Daly (friend Pete), Karen Brumback (Steve); 11 grandchildren, Jami Morgan (Tim), Jerry Morgan (Kori), Tori Kafer (Chris), Kolby Brumback (Mickah), Karlee Shoopman (Michael), Jessi Marsh (Zack), Amber Kelly (Matt), Aaron Daly (Jes), Justin Daly (Allison), Kodie Gillen (Ashley), Jake Gillen (Bailey); and A LOT of great-grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her husband Gene; parents; and infant daughter, Jana Louise Jamison, a daughter Jenni Kovacic; two grandsons, Hunter Kovacic, Joel Daly, an infant great-grandson, Kynden Gillen; a brother Bob Bruce; son-in-law, Jeff Daly, and a grandson-in-law, Justin Schulze.

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday June 18, 2024 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Fort Scott Community College, Government

Agenda for the FSCC Trustees For June 17

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June 17, 2024
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701

6.17.24 Consent Agenda
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday, June
17, 2024. The meeting will be held in the meeting rooms of the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott
Community College.
5:30 p.m. Regular monthly Board meeting
THE AGENDA
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on May 20, 2024,
and Special Board Meetings conducted on May 23, 2024, and June 10, 2024, 6
C. Approval of Bills and Claims, 12
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 6
ACTION ITEMS, 40
A. Resolution 2024 – 28: Consideration of Annual Camp Grant Laptop Purchase, 41
B. Resolution 2024 – 29: Consideration of KASB Worker’s Compensation Member
Participation Premium Agreement, 49
C. Resolution 2024 – 30: Consideration of 2024-25 Meeting Dates and Time, 49
D. Resolution 2024 – 31: Consideration of Property and Liability Insurance Quotes, 56
E. Resolution 2024 – 32: Consideration of Educational Assessments Corporation License
Renewal, 60
F. Resolution 2024 – 33: Consideration of Kone Elevator Repair Proposal, 62
REPORTS, 68
A. Administration
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 70
ADJOURNMENT, 711

A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on May 20, 2024, and
Special Board Meetings conducted on May 23, 2024, and June 10, 2024.
C. APPROVAL OF BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Bills and Claims Report.
D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Additions
a) Christopher Wheeler, Maintenance Technician, effective June 18, 2024
b) Jhawan Horton, Assistant Track and Field Coach, effective June 18, 2024
c) Toni Summers, Nursing Instructor, effective July 31, 2024
2) Separations
a) Kent Aikin, John Deere Technology Instructor, effective July 31, 2024
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.ailey
_____ John Bartelsmeyer
_____ Jim Fewins
_____ Bryan Holt
_____ Chad McKinnis
_____ Doug Ropp3
CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC4