Monthly Archives: October 2024
Be a Super Reader with BARD
Kansas Talking Books Launches NovemBARD:
Be a Super Reader with BARD
TOPEKA – This November, Kansas Talking Books invites all eligible Kansans to discover BARD, the free Braille and Audio Reading Download service, and “Be Super Readers.” “NovemBARD” introduces Kansans who cannot read standard print due to visual, physical or reading disabilities to the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled’s (NLS) collection where they will find a variety of books, magazines and music scores, all instantly available with BARD.
With BARD, patrons select from over 150,000 titles in audio and braille formats, allowing them to read or listen anytime and anywhere. BARD can be accessed in multiple ways by Kansans with print disabilities: through the BARD mobile app, BARD Express program for Windows-based computers, or with a web browser to use materials on a digital player provided by Kansas Talking Books.
“The NovemBARD campaign is about empowering our patrons and ensuring they have the tools to explore the limitless world of books,” said Michael Lang, Director of Kansas Talking Books. “BARD provides the freedom to download and access thousands of titles, opening doors to new stories, adventures, and learning. It’s your reading superpower.”
If you are eligible for Kansas Talking Books and want to learn more about BARD, visit library.ks.gov/talking-books/
Join us for NovemBARD and discover how BARD can make you a Super Reader!
Kansas Talking Books, a division of the State Library of Kansas, is a free, statewide library service providing books in accessible formats to eligible persons. Kansas Talking Books is a Regional Network Library of NLS, which is part of the Library of Congress. Learn more about Kansas Talking Books at library.ks.gov/talking-books.
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CHC/SEK family resource specialist recognized for home visits
FORT SCOTT –– When little Rowdy was four months old, his mother connected with a Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas family resource specialist to help her navigate through the early days of parenthood.
That specialist is Rene Hibdon, and she was recently selected as the Universal Home Visitor of the Year award by the Kansas Maternal and Child Health. Hibdon makes home visits and has helped over 200 parents and babies get a good start.
The CHC/SEK utilizes the Universal Home Visiting program which is a product of the Kansas Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program, through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The primary goals of the program are to support healthy pregnancies, improve birth outcomes, and promote healthy infant development.
MCH Home Visiting is available to all without eligibility requirements. According to MCH the program follows a strengths-based approach which concentrates on the inherent strengths of individuals, families, and groups to aid recovery and empowerment. Services are intended to positively impact behaviors by increasing the number of people accessing early and comprehensive health care and services before, during, and after pregnancy.
In addition to providing education on health, safety, parenting, and infant development, MCH Home Visitors screen for risk factors, link families to other community resources, and help them navigate systems of care. A critical responsibility of the home visitor is to have a broad knowledge of available local services.
“Rene makes an impact in the lives of parents and their children,” CHC/SEK Patient Education and Support Manager Julie Laverack said. “We are proud to have her on our team of family resource specialists.”
Rowdy’s mother, Brooke, started working with Hibdon when she was in addiction recovery. With a compassionate approach, she supported the new mother with advice, connecting her to resources, and helped her set goals.
One goal they worked on was working independently on scheduling appointments and follow through with connections for resources. Hibdon showed her how and also went to appointments with her.
“Now she has the confidence to attend appointments without support,” she says, adding she has now set a new goal focusing on saving and using money to provide transportation and housing for her family. “Mom has shown great growth in all aspects of her life. She has stayed in her recovery program, she has great self-confidence, and she is thriving to be a better person and mother each day. She is not only accomplishing these goals for her family, but she is also accomplishing these goals for herself.”
Hibdon and the home visiting program has made an undeniable impact on families.
“When I need you, you’re there for me and my family,” the Brooke shared with Hibdon. “It doesn’t matter what the situation is, you are always willing to assist me. If I need help getting resources, you always look into it and point me in the right direction. If I need to get some things off my chest, you’re a great listener and if I need advice, you give it.”
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Core Fall Fest This Saturday Oct. 19: Fall Fun For the Family
Fall Farm Fest is days away to raise funds for Core Community.
“It is all coming together,” said Deana Betts, the community liaison with Core Community, a local helping organization that has a mission to engage the community to lift families out of poverty.
“We have had a great response from the community! We have Camren Lamb performing (guitar and singing) at noon, the Fort Scott High School Orchestra playing from 1-2 p.m. and Michael Lundine will play from 2 -5 p.m.,” Betts said.
“We will have face painting, horse rides, a corn pit, lots of animals and games to play, a food court, a pumpkin patch, paint a pumpkin, pumpkin art, and lots of vendors will be set up throughout the day,” she said.
Larry and Vickie Shead agreed to open the Shead Farm on Saturday, October 19 for a fundraiser for the Core Community organization. The farm has an annual community spring festival that has grown larger each year.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the farm located at 2468 Calvalry Road, Garland, south of Fort Scott.
The cost is $5 per person, for families with over five members it’s $25 and there will be food, vendors, games, and raffles to entertain the family.
To learn more about Core Community or the Fall Fest, contact Betts at [email protected] or 785.488. 8411.
To learn more: Core Fall Farm Fest Facebook page
2025 Student Competition: Arteffect
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 16
Kansas Shows Growth in Economic Health and Labor Market
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Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Outpost 13 West Today at 5:15 p.m.
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Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below… |
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Ernie Couch and Revival at 1st Methodist Church on Oct. 26
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Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below… |
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Fall Festival November 10 at the Catholic Church Gym
Letter to the Editor: Michael Hoyt
The actions of this tax abatement under the pretense of providing “updates and upgrades to the former Mercy Hospital” will greatly impact the budgets of each taxing entity for years 2023, 2024, & 2025. Also leaves many unanswered questions such as when will the property be subject to tax again?
Submitted by Michael J Hoyt
To view the document he submitted:
New FSNHS Park Guide: Natalie Peitsmeyer
Natalie Peitsmeyer is a new Park Guide at Fort Scott National Historic Site. She began employment in this month.
She is a 30-year retired science teacher.
“During that time, I taught life and physical science classes (grades 8-12). Prior to teaching, I was a lifeguard, swim instructor, and summer day camp counselor,” she said.
She attended the University of Colorado at Denver and completed a bachelor’s degree in biology, a Master’s in Secondary Science Education, and a Doctorate in Leadership for Equity in Education.
With the new Park Ranger title, comes a variety of duties.
“I open the buildings and exhibits for visitor access. In the visitor center, I provide information about navigating around the National Park site, as well as history significant to the National Park site.”
“I have always loved National Parks,” she said. ” I grew up in an Air Force family and was fortunate to have lived in a variety of places such as Florida, Okinawa and Colorado. I love the outdoors and appreciate uncovering history. The history of Fort Scott National Historic Site is unique to no other National Park. I look forward to sharing its stories, researching its history, visiting with visitors, developing lessons and tours.”
Filling Vacant Positions Has Been Ongoing
“We had an advertisement to fill our two vacant Park Ranger positions that closed last Friday,” said Carl Brenner. Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc)
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc)
“We are hoping to have them onboarded before Rob (Holmes New FSNHS Ranger: Robert Holmes) leaves in January. Our goal with Natalie and Rob here is that we will be able to have the buildings open seven days a week once she is trained in the next week or so.”