Robert Coon with A1 Towing and Recovery unloads the new ice skating rink materials at the Gathering Place Pavilion on North National Avenue on the afternoon of November 15.
The ice skating rink will be open during the Christmas On The Bricks festival Dec. 5-8, and will cost $5 per person to skate.
Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!
BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall. (Taking the month of August off for BINGO & will start again in September)
11/15-16 ~ Garage Sale – Striler’s
Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday 9am – 3pm
1612 S. Crawford St.
11/16 ~ The Wayward Bettys at the
Green Lantern Speakeasy – 110 S. Main St.
Doors Open at 7pm Music Starts at 7:30pm
$25 | Cash Bar | Dessert included with ticket
11/16 ~ FREE MOVIE paid for by First Presbyterian Church members
Saturday 1pm | Sunday 2pm
Fort Scott Cinema 224 W. 18th St.
11/17 ~ First Presbyterian celebrates 165 of ministry in Fort Scott, KS
10:30am
*A celebration worship and fellowship to commemorate
11/1-18 ~ Fort Scott Presbyterian Village & Local Businesses Christmas Tree Decorating Contest
The current First Presbyterian Church building is at 308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.
The First Presbyterian Church is celebrating 165 years in the Fort Scott community.
“A special worship service will be held Sunday, November 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the church, with a celebration fellowship in the parlor afterward,” said Pastor Sarah Gengler.
Pastor Sarah Gengler. Submitted photo.
“Through the years, First Presbyterian has been blessed with 11 installed pastors, as well as two installed associate pastors,” Gengler said.
The current congregation members were deeply committed to continuing worship and ministry outreach while searching for a new pastor recently, according to information provided by Gengler. Twenty-three different members volunteered at least once, to preach a sermon during their Sunday morning worship. On February 1, 2024, the congregation gratefully welcomed their newest pastor, Rev. Sarah Gengler. Rev. Gengler has been in ministry for 10 years and moved here from Minnesota.
Currently, there are 134 members and worship service is 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
Pastor Gengler provided some of the outreaches of the church:
“First Presbyterian Church volunteers to cook and serve a meal for the Feeding Families Program at the Methodist church on the 4th Wednesday of every month.
There are two different adult Faith Formation classes beginning at 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. As well as “Waffles and Jesus” in the Zimmerman Hall dining room at 9:15 a.m., where a hot breakfast is prepared by church volunteers, and then class is held for children grades Kindergarten through 9th.
“The church co-hosts Vacation Bible School each summer with First United Methodist Church
“We hold a friendly competition between us and First United Methodist Church each year to see who can raise the most pounds of food for the Beacon Food Pantry.
“The Presbyterian Women’s organization directs a long-ago gift known as the Hack Memorial Fund, which helps those with the greatest need in Fort Scott. Included in the scope of this ministry are assistance with utilities, rent, and some medical and dental needs, all requests are received and recommended through the Beacon, Bourbon County’s food pantry.”
“The church remains active in the community,” she said. “Members are hosting two special showings of The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever at Fort Scott Cinema. Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tell them First Presbyterian sent you!”
“The church will be holding a community-wide service of remembrance called Blue Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 8,” she said. “People are invited to join us at 2 p.m. for a time devoted to remembering those we love, and whose loss is felt more deeply this time of year.”
History of the church, provided by Pastor Gengler:
In the summer of 1859, a church-planting Presbyterian missionary, the Reverend Alexander Taylor Rankin of Buffalo, New York, was sent to Kansas by the Presbyterian General Assembly, according to information provided by Gengler. He officially organized the First Presbyterian Church on November 17th, 1859, with three members. In the first few years after its inception members met in each other’s homes for worship. Reverend George C. Irvin became the first installed pastor in 1865. The foundation for the first church was laid in 1864, where the present-day Cheney-Witt Carriage House now stands at the southeast corner of Third and Main. The church building was completed in 1865.
The first building of the First Presbyterian Church was at Third and Main Street. Submitted photo.
In 1888 the second church was constructed on the current property at 308 S. Crawford St., to accommodate the growing congregation.
By early 1920’s the congregation again recognized that it needed more space. The 1888 building was razed and the third church was built, laying its corner stone in 1924. The 100-year-old building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
The second building of the First Presbyterian Church was located at the current site, 308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.
The First Presbyterian Church has participated in many different ministries over the years, including youth groups, sewing groups, Presbyterian Women, the Methodists’ Feeding Families program, the Beacon Food Pantry, Sunday Serve events where congregation members completed service projects in the community, and Vacation Bible School, according to information provided by Gengler.
Betty Jean Tucker, age 92, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, met Jesus face to face on November 13, 2024, after battling Parkinson’s Disease the last several years. She was born August 18, 1932, in Splitlog, Missouri, the first child of Arzy “Lee” and Elsie Chandler Bergen. She was joined by brothers Richard Lee, Gerald, and Dennis. She grew up in the Splitlog community with her loving family, then moved to Gravette, Arkansas, to attend high school at Gravette Holiness Bible School. It was there that she met James “David” Tucker, and they were married on June 27, 1951, in Neosho, Missouri. Together, they raised their 6 children while pastoring churches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, and Missouri.
Betty’s family always came first. She was a loving mother, and worked hard to care for her children while David was away as a traveling evangelist. Despite being a busy pastor’s wife, and having several small children, she began taking college courses at Fort Scott Community College. She went on to graduate from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Education. One of Betty’s favorite titles was “Teacher.” Her teaching career spanned 39 years and several schools, primarily Fort Scott Christian Heights and El Dorado Christian School. She was a gifted educator and influenced countless students through the years.
Betty had a green thumb, and loved to work outside with her flowers and vegetable garden. She maintained this hobby into her late-80’s. She loved to can and preserve the bounty of her labor.
Betty was always busy. She worked hard in everything she did. She shared the love of Jesus with everyone she met, both in her words and in her actions. She and David had a special love, and were often found holding hands. She has missed him desperately since his passing in 2021, and we find comfort in knowing that they are together again, worshiping at the feet of Jesus, Whom they loved so well.
Betty will be lovingly remembered by her family, including sons Roger (Genie) Tucker of Independence, Missouri, Mark (Brenda) Tucker, Joe (Belinda) Tucker, daughter-in-law Carolyn Tucker, all of Fort Scott, and daughter Kerri (Kirk) Bland of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; her grandchildren: Jonathan, Jessica, Johanna, Jennifer, Whitney, Bethany, Mariam, Aaron, Landon, Jayce, Dakota, TJ, Kasi, Alyson, Joely, Monica, and Miles, and numerous great-grandchildren, that she loved so much. She is also survived by her brother, Dennis (Charlene) Bergen of Splitlog, Missouri, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Awaiting her arrival in Heaven were her husband David, son, Jimmy, and daughter, Carma; her parents, Lee and Elsie, and brothers Richard Lee and Gerald, along with a host of family and friends. Betty lived her life prepared for eternity. She finished her race well.
Rev. Dennis Bergen and Rev. Kyle Rogers will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Following services, a graveside service will be held at 3:30 PM at the Banner Nazarene Church in Splitlog, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Fort Scott Christian Heights School or El Dorado Christian School, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main Street or PO Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
When God nudges, obey. The blessing will bring a smile to your face and peace to your heart, and who doesn’t need that?
In a Walmart store here in Las Vegas, two days after Veterans’ Day, I stood in line behind an elderly man who wore a Navy Seals’ shirt and a Purple Heart hat. “Thank you for your service,” I said. He answered, “You’re welcome.” He placed five frozen T.V. dinners and four packets of hangers on the conveyor belt.
Typical for my line-choosing for a cashier, the woman ahead of him had some issues with her purchases. This time, I didn’t mind. It gave me a perfect opportunity to ask him about his military experience. He was a member of the original Frogmen, a precursor to the Navy Seals. He, like Dave and my Mazatlán friend, Howard, had been part of the underwater demolition team, planting recording devices in the ocean around Russia.
I told the gentleman about how Howard had an explosive device go off near his head on one of his similar operations, causing his eardrum to burst. This man said that the Russians had detonated those devices when he was on a mission. His hearing didn’t suffer, but he had spent a lifetime with severe migraines.
This veteran later served in Vietnam, returned to America where he taught self defense to teachers and got his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He had to retire when “there was an accident on a bus.” He did not seem to want to tell me what that incident was.
That’s when I felt God’s nudging. “Pay his bill.” Stepping ahead of the elderly man, I told the cashier what I was going to do. My new friend shared that he had plenty of money; he had no family and lived alone. I said that it was my blessing and that it was one small way I could thank him for his service. He continued to tell me that I didn’t need to pay for his things.
Good grief, I thought, I’m going to have to tackle this guy so that I can be obedient to God. The cashier spoke up. “I think this is an angel experience. Paying it forward.” I had to laugh and assured her that I had no idea if angels were involved but that I was sure this was something God wanted me to do. The veteran asked if he could shake my hand. I told him that this small gift was my privilege and definitely my blessing. We shook hands, he thanked me, took his bags and shuffled out of the store, clearly disbelieving what had just happened.
When I paid my bill and the cashier spun the carousel around and handed me my plastic bags, she gave me two extra bags filled with hangers I had not bought. Apparently, the veteran had been so shocked by what had happened, he left the store without two of his bags.
Lovely. My attempt to bless this poor old guy now turned into him having to make another trip to Walmart to retrieve his purchases. I hurried out of the store and looked for him in the parking lot, to no avail.
I sure hope he was blessed with his frozen dinners. The cashier sure seemed to be blessed. And I know I certainly was…even though I was missing the smile on my face and peace in my heart.
The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners met in open session with Commissioners Harris and Whisenhunt and the County Clerk present.
Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Casey Brown with SEKCAP, Jamey M. Whitney with SEKCAP, Anne Dare, Jean Tucker, Marla Heckman, Jason Silvers, Brent Smith, Mike Wunderly, Tim Emerson, Mary Pemberton, Debbi Shepard, Deb Martin, Scott Christensen with SEKCAP, Samuel Tran, and Kay Tran were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim opened the meeting and led the flag salute.
Brandon made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 10/31/2024, approval of accounts payable totaling $442,955.86, and approval of payroll totaling $306,687.17. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Casey Brown, Community Engagement Coordinator with SEKCAP, distributed a handout to the Commissioners that outlined the transportation services they offer within Bourbon County. General public transportation services are offered in all towns throughout the entire county with riders in Fort Scott totaling 81% of the rides. Mr. Brown stated they are applying for a Kansas Department of Transportation grant and asked Bourbon County to submit a letter of support for their transportation services that they could submit with the grant application. Jim made a motion to approve the support letter for SEKCAP. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Mr. Brown stated Bourbon County previously contributed $3,000 to SEKCAP to help with the transportation costs and he asked that we match the City of Fort Scott’s $5,000 contribution. Brandon asked if the CFO should be consulted before we approve any type of contribution. Jim stated the Commissioners have $70,000 in a discretionary fund. Susan Walker, CFO, stated there are funds in the discretionary fund, however; she is concerned where we may end up at the end of the year. Mr. Brown said they only need a letter to submit to the state with the amount we would contribute next year, and do not need the cash in hand until their fiscal year of 7-1-2025 to 6-30-2026. Susan asked if they are associated with the Area Agency on Aging and suggested tabling the discussion until next week so they can determine who all they contribute to for transportation services. Brandon agreed to wait until next week to agree to a dollar amount for the SEKCAP transportation services.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, stated FEMA was here Tuesday to review roads that haven’t been completed and they will be back today to drive roads north of 54 Highway. Eric said that the core drilling at Elm Creek has been completed and he will have a representative from the company do a presentation next week. Eric asked for a 7-minute executive session for acquisition of real estate to include the Commissioners, Justin Meeks, and himself. Brandon made a motion to go into a 7-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property to include both Commissioners, Justin Meeks, and Eric Bailey and will return at 9:16. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Jim made a motion to resume normal session at 9:16 with action. Brandon stated a low water crossing at 60th Street and Grand Road needs to be replaced and he made a motion to allow Public Works to spend up to $2,200 to purchase land to complete the project. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, presented a form for KWORCC to nominate a voting delegate for the upcoming Kansas Association of Counties conference. Jim made a motion to nominate Jennifer Hawkins as Bourbon County’s voting delegate for KWORCC. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Jennifer said they had a total of 6508 voters during the General Election which equals a 51.04% turnout. Jennifer stated they have 163 provisional ballots that were cast. Jennifer said they have had questions about the election results reports where invalid is listed by write-in. Jennifer explained that for federal, state, and county offices an affidavit of write-in candidacy had to be filed in order for the write-in votes to count, so anybody who did not file an affidavit is listed under the invalid section. Jim said he would like Eric to be his canvassing delegate.
Susan handed out a report to the Commission for next week that she said was emailed that shows if every department spends all their budget the contingency will not be available.
Brandon said he has a statement that he would like to make and to not be interrupted until he is finished saying what he has to say. Brandon said he “is extremely concerned with the behavior of the two of you and County Counselor Meeks. Last week’s meeting is an embarrassment to the democratic process. When you do not allow the citizens of our county to participate and actually listened to during important decisions like what you pass last week with solar agreements, without discussion I might add, makes many people question your motives. It is very clear that you moved the meetings to a day and time to make it difficult for me to participate. I was outnumbered in the vote so I’m stuck with this until January. I do not buy it that Harris and Meeks had conflicts on Monday evenings and Meeks does not need to attend the meetings anyway. If we have legal questions, we can call him or get answers for the next meeting time. I spoke with the County Clerk and we have always had the meetings in the Commission room during early voting week. Moving the meeting to the commons area was an attempt to not have the meeting recorded. The County Clerk and I were set up to fail last week. Mr. Meeks you are to blame. Counselor Meeks the lack of professionalism and courtesy to alert us with a phone call about the addition to the agenda is par for the course with you. A call would have been an appropriate gesture knowing I work evenings and Jennifer was in the middle of an election. I find it interesting that we receive agreements hours before our meeting on Thursday, but the schools agreed to donation agreements at their meetings before ours and the representatives from Advance Power had booked flights 10 days prior to our meeting. Leaves me to believe this was all part of the plan, the underhanded tactics you use to literally screw the taxpayers of our county, and not as you stated Mr. Harris in the paper that you are looking out for all taxpayers. You were only looking out for those families that will benefit millions of dollars each year. Commissioner Beth, Harris, and Counselor Meeks obviously had all met prior to this meeting as they discussed nothing during the Commission meeting and had no questions about the agreements. This is why you were voted out in August and it is clear since the two of you lost in the primary you are making sure those who follow are left to clean up the mess of poor decisions you have made over the past three to four years.” Jim said he was going to respond to everything Brandon said. Jim said “I don’t know who told you what I do on Monday nights but it’s really none of your business if I don’t want to be there on Monday nights. I did have a conflict of interest, I met with Counselor Meeks and it was in his best interest also on Thursday mornings. I don’t know what you do on Monday night, I don’t care what you do on Monday nights, it’s none of my business what you do on your personal time so to insult me like this is ridiculous you have no idea what I do on Monday nights with my family. I really take offense to your comments what I do in my personal time. You can tell it pissed me off I haven’t been pissed off here before this year but you just pissed me off. Furthermore before moving the meeting my understanding the County Clerk asked us if she could use this room and we can move it to the foyer, she asked us that and you can check the minutes and I said yes and everybody else said yes so that is why it was moved. I’m hiding nothing I sent the updates to the agenda to the County Clerk at 3:40 and she said she had some personal things going on nothing in hiding. Me and Commissioner Beth had no meetings I talked to Justin Meeks, Counselor, and the counselor for the solar panel people several times that week trying to get better agreements for the people. Where you’re wrong Brandon is my job and your job, that you seem to forget, you haven’t protected all property rights of the people that’s taken those solar panels have just as many rights as the people that don’t like them and you’ve forgot that. You said I didn’t represent all the people and I do represent all the people and that’s why I got in trouble because I represent all the people every one of these people have rights by the Constitution and you have failed to notice that. What did you do to help protect the people that’s getting the solar panels? Nothing.” Brandon said he has talked to them several times and that he got cut out of the entire conversation. Jim said that Brandon has talked to the solar companies on the phone because they told him they did and that you had supper with them. Brandon said ”I he did I didn’t hide that fact to anybody but all of a sudden we’re voting on it without discussion on the council, we didn’t even have an executive session about it, Jim, you guys decided to pass these damn things and let these things come in without a discussion with the Commissioners.” Jim said, “that is right, we discussed it a little bit that morning, and we’ve been talking about it for a year how much longer do we need to talk about it?” Brandon said, “you just cut the county out.” Jim said, “that was interesting for the donation agreements, I don’t know what you mean, but God bless us for not helping the kids in Bourbon County.” Brandon said, “no, I’m not mad that the schools are getting some money but yet they’re getting all of it you could have helped the entire county out. We could have got that money and lowered property taxes the next two or three years and still gave the school money.” Jim said, “it would have been dangerous to lower very much because in 10 years you’d have a problem because the depreciation might come in at zero and the Commissioners in 10 years might have to raise it up.” Brandon said, “maybe we couldn’t have lowered property taxes but we could have maybe taken care of some business.” Jim said, “I appreciate your comments, that’s why we’re here today. I disagree with 99% of what you said and again what I do on Monday nights is nobody’s business in this room including yours so keep that in mind if you stick your nose in Jim Harris’ business cause it ain’t none of your business what I do and you need to remember that.” Brandon said, “ I don’t care what you do Jim on your spare time.” Jim said, “you brought it up, you said you knew what I did I had no reason not to come to any meetings. How in the world do you know my personal business?” Brandon said, “I just think it’s funny that we had these meetings on Monday night at 5:30 for four years now.” Jim said, “No, we changed it we had I think Monday morning for a long, long time and we decided we’d open it up to evenings for public comments and we didn’t get many comments we just kept getting the same people. The public didn’t really attend. I’ve got like four more meetings and I can’t resign because if you want to know my business is because my life insurance won’t carry over if I leave early so that’s everybody else’s business.” Brandon said, “that’s fine.” Jim said, “well you stuck your nose in my business let’s just go all the way here.” Brandon said, “I didn’t ask you to resign, did I ask you to resign in what I read?” Jim said, “no, I want to let you know why I’m not but you stuck your nose in my business when you said I have no right to change my meeting on Monday to Thursday. That’s my business. I made the motion and it was seconded. When you’re sitting here the next guy can make what motions you want but until then you keep your nose of out of my person business and furthermore, my turn if you’re done. We need to remove the burn ban someone said last week it didn’t have any validity in it anyway as far as the Sheriff couldn’t do anything so I’ll make a motion to remove the burn ban.” Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Jim said all the hospital equipment has had the repairs needed and are up and running and that Freeman is very happy. Freeman said they’ll be putting up some nice signs hopefully this week saying welcome to Bourbon County and I think they posted some jobs for the Fort Scott facility.
Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:29. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.
Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church is once again hosting a non-denominational event to help those grieving the loss of a loved one this holiday season.
The Surviving the Holidays Grief Share event is Tuesday, December 3 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the church at 705 S. Holbrook St.
The architect’s rendition of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church is nearing rebuild completion following a devastating fire two years ago. Submitted graphic.
A book is provided, as well as lunch for each one attending. There is no cost.
Laura Meeks is the facilitator.
“What I have experienced through GriefShare is the comfort of a journey with others,” she said. “The root meaning of comfort is to call alongside, to speak tenderly, to speak to the heart, to give encouragement. This program is a blessing to us.”
“The purpose of attending the December 5, two-hour Surviving the Holidays is to connect with a small group of others who are grieving the loss of a loved one, who may be facing this holiday season feeling hurt and sad,” Meeks said. “They face social gatherings, holiday cheer, and traditions enjoyed with their loved ones. This loss may be recent or years ago, but the holiday season is a painful reminder that a loved one is missing.”
“GriefShare Surviving the Holidays is a professionally developed path to help provide a comforting place with others who are also on this path of grieving during Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she said. “This nationally recognized program contains three components including a 35-minute video, small group discussion, and a personal reflection guided through a workbook.”
GriefShare is facilitated by area leaders who follow structured training to help bring reassurance, practical advice from national professionals, and guidance to find a way forward through the season. Information about content is easily found through griefshare.org
Past participants in GriefShare ‘s 13 sessions are also encouraged to attend this focused session.
“My involvement began two years ago when I was encouraged to receive training by Father Yancey Burgess who had GriefShare at his former Kansas parish,” Meeks said. “His suggestion was to host a non-denominational group. Since then, our community has hosted GriefShare with two of the offerings being held at Mary Queen of Angels. One last year was a 13-week session on Tuesday mornings and the other session is being held now as a 13-week program over this year meeting the last Monday of each month.”
“The one evening each month Grief Share is going well now with twelve participants,” she said.
On January 7, 2025, the third 13-week session at Mary Queen of Angels will be held each Tuesday morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Kent Eugene Mitchell, age 91, resident of Zionsville, IN passed away Sunday, Nov 10, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. He was born and raised in Ft Scott, KS graduating from Ft Scott High School in 1952.
Kent did AF ROTC and belonged to the Delta Tau Delta house at Kansas University graduating in 1956. Kent joined the Air Force and flew the F-86 fighter and T-33 Shooting Star. Kent married in 1961 and was a proud father 5 short years later of 3. In 1966 he relocated the family to the highlight of his career at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Here he would enjoy 4 years of tropical paradise. Kent chose Richards-Gabauer AFB in Belton, MO as his last duty assignment. This brought him back to his beloved home state of Kansas.
He would raise his family here, get a job as a Commerce Bank investment banker, and stay in Kansas City for the next 53 years.
Kent had really three all-consuming passions:
Running. He ran 79 marathons, starting at the age of 57, including at least one in every state and all seven continents, including Antarctica. On his 60th birthday, he went to the track at JUCO and ran 60 miles to “celebrate.”
Sports, He was absolutely obsessed with the Kansas Jayhawks, Chiefs and Royals. He played a plethora of sports and LOVED to compete.
And lastly family. His last and most important passion was his love and complete devotion to 10 people in his life, his mother Mary Sue, his three children, Sue, Matt and David and six grandchildren Julie, Hannah, Morgan, Audrey, Trevor and Griffin.
Kent was the only child of Ralph (went by Mitch) and Mary Sue Mitchell. Kent was a devout Christian. He is now in heaven with Jesus and His Angels.
He will be terribly and sorely missed by us all.
Rev. Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 12:30 PM Friday, November 15th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
