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Monthly Archives: November 2024
Obituary of Ruth Maxine Larsen Burchett
Ruth Maxine Larsen Burchett passed away peacefully on her 89th birthday on Friday, November 8, 2024, surrounded by loved ones! She was born November 8, 1935, in Richards, Missouri, the daughter of George Christian and Myrtle Elizabeth (Schnedler) Larsen.
Ruth was first a mother, but she did have several jobs in the business field. Most notably, she worked at Western Insurance in Fort Scott and State Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
Ruth had a hunger for knowledge and bettering herself as a person. One of her accomplishments in life includes earning an associate degree at Fort Scott Community College while raising six daughters. She may be the only person that has read the Webster’s Dictionary more than once. This pastime came in handy as she did crossword puzzles in her spare time.
Ruth was an avid Chiefs and Royals fan getting to attend a winning World Series game in 2015. Ruth did not let her shy personality hold her back – she learned how to swim and tried water skiing as an adult. She also learned how to snow ski as a 50+ grandma! But that may have been more about getting the good-looking ski patrol to help her down the mountain!
She loved to travel to the many places her children lived because she absolutely loved spending time with family.
For exercise, Ruth loved walking and loved taking care of her many flowers. She was a woman that loved the outdoors! Ruth loved the Lord and encouraged all her daughters to be women of faith.
Ruth will be lovingly missed by her children, Vicki (Robert) Kerley of Ozark, Missouri; Sherry (Roger) Kellogg of Springfield, Missouri; Regina (Cameron) McAllister of Fort Scott, Kansas; Donna (Jim Jr) Banwart of Fort Scott, Kansas; Tonia (Mike) West of Norman, Oklahoma; and Trina (Kirk) Whitson of Clarksville, Tennessee; and 16 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren; her sister, Geraldine Neth and brother Charles “Buck” Larsen, both of Fort Scott. She was preceded in death by brothers Leonard Larsen and Raymond Larsen, and three sisters, Ruby O’Dell, Alice Gilkey, and Helen Larsen.
The family will hold private family services under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. A private burial will be in White Cemetery, Richards, Missouri. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association and may be left in the care of Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
AD: Townhall Meeting
Paid Advertisement: Townhall Meeting. New Bourbon County Leadership. Join other censored citizens to discuss recent decisions made at Commissioner meetings. Monday November 11th 6pm. Ellis Fine Arts Center. 2108 Horton St. 
Family Meal Time
As parents, educators, researchers, social service organizations, and government programs search for answers about the well-being of the American family, it is apparent that family meals tell us a lot about how those families become and stay connected.
Family meals provide a great amount of good, in a variety of ways, for the entire family. Young children show improved literary skills, children and adolescents gain improved food habits, and older adults not only eat better, but increase socialization. Intergenerational family meals help preserve and pass along family culture, traditions, and values.
Despite all the directions families are pulled today, parents are still the biggest influence on the food and meal habits of their children. It is important to realize that meals don’t need to be home-cooked masterpieces in order to serve the purpose. Focus on familiar foods that fit the time, skills, and favor of your family. The meals don’t necessarily have to take place at home around the dinner table either. Based on the scheduling barriers, dinner could be a picnic at the park between practices or meetings. If dinners are impossible due to busy schedules, give family breakfasts a try.
If family meals are not common for your family, it might seem difficult to know how to get started. So, sit down as a family and have a discussion. Allowing family members to contribute to this new venture will make them feel even more connected and responsibility in seeing it through. It is important to be realistic and consistent with expectations. As well as being flexible. Dr. Sandy Procter, Specialist in Maternal and Child Nutrition for Kansas State University shares some tips to help:
- Turn off the television. Remember, it is not a member of the family. Let phone calls wait until later. Make sharing the meal the priority.
- Share the effort of meal planning and putting a meal on the table. You will find the benefits are also shared!
- Avoid making too many rules for mealtime. Instead, try to model the actions and behavior you would like children to exhibit.
- Use “conversation starters,” if needed, to keep a discussion going. Other families may need to practice taking turns to let everyone have a chance to speak uninterrupted.
- Keep the meal pleasant. Try to make mealtimes together a positive time.
There is no single environment when it comes to family meals – and those numerous environments mean every family, every schedule, every mealtime is unique. But even though there may be barriers, it is possible to work through them and make successful family meals happen for you and your family.
For information, contact Jennifer Terrell, District 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at 620-223-3720 or [email protected].
What’s Happening in Fort Scott! November 8th Weekly Newsletter
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City of Fort Scott Agenda For Special Meeting on Nov. 12
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR SPECIAL
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
November 12, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
Tim VanHoecke, Matthew Wells, Dyllon Olson, Kathryn Salsbury, Tracy Dancer
III. Pledge of Allegiance
- Invocation
- Approval of Agenda
- 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.
VII. Unfinished Business
- Request to Pay – Project No. 24-414 – Horton St. & 6th Street Improvements – Heck & Wicker, Inc. – Application for Payment No. 4 – $402,686.80 – Tabled from Nov. 5, 2024.
- Consideration of Bids for WWTP Maintenance and Installation Services – S. Flater Removed from November 5, 2024, agenda.
VIII. Reports and Comments
- Adjourn
The Artificers 8th Annual Christmas Show
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Key Warehouse Sale is Nov. 23-30
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Claude Franklin “Frank” Durossette Obituary
Claude Franklin (Frank) Durossette, age 73, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at his home on Thursday, November 7, 2024. He was born to Grover William Durossette and Maxine Lavon (Gibson) Durossette on December 17, 1950, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He married his best friend and the love of his life Ethel Mary (Michalek) Durossette on July 20, 1968.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Charles Franklin (Frankie) Durossette. Survivors include his wife Mary of the home; and children, William and Christi, Kevin and Autumn, and Melissa Durossette; 12 grandchildren, Josh (Tabatha), Jake (Kinsley), Cody (Kim), Wyatt, Sophie, Kasen, Cash, and Ellie Durossette, and Caleb Briggs; 5 great-grandchildren, Kinley, Kane, Kaizley, and Wilder Durossette, and Cutler Briggs; one brother Billy Gene (Shiela) Durossette, and sisters, Bonita (Ron) Jones, and Carolyn Lotterer, all of Fort Scott. And numerous nieces and nephews.
Frank loved to hunt and fish. He especially enjoyed weekend camping trips and get-togethers with his wife and family. He was a very caring person and always ready to help. He worked at Tower Metal Products for 27 years and at age 50 opened 3D Alternator and Starter Repair. He later added a mechanic shop with the help of his son, Frankie. He retired this year and spent most of his time working around the home, helping his wife babysit for the grandkids, and going on camping trips with the family. He loved spending time talking with his sons, Billy and Kevin and spending time with his wife.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday, November 12th 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.co
Food Drive to Help Local Limited Resource Families Has Started
It’s that time of year that people begin thinking about Thanksgiving holiday celebrations, and for many, having enough food to feed their families is an ongoing issue.
Three local organizations have started a food drive, the Bourbon County-Wide Gratitude Challenge, that will help contribute to limited-resource residents’ food availability. The food drive will continue until November 25.
Canned goods, boxed meals, and dry goods, as well as essential personal hygiene products, will be collected. The items will be distributed to local food pantries and other organizations working to support those in need during the holiday season and beyond.
“During this season of gratitude, we have an opportunity to give back to our neighbors in a meaningful way,” said Lisa Robertson, Community Health Worker with The Local Health Equity Action Team. “Food insecurity is a real challenge for many in our community, and by coming together, we can make sure that no one has to go without the basic necessities of life.”
Tomorrow: A Drive-up, Drop-off Event
Saturday, November 9, Lisa Robertson, LHEAT Community Health Worker, and Lea Kay Karsleskint, with K-State Extension SNAP-ED, will be outside at Brick Street BBQ Restaurant on North National Avenue from 10 a.m. to noon for the convenience of drive-up and drop-off contributions.
There are several options for those who want to help the cause.
- Monetary Donations: HBCAT will accept monetary donations to purchase essential food pantry items.
- Drop Off Non-Perishable Items: Take non-perishable food items to any of the participating drop-off sites below. Several partner organizations are offering drawing entries for gift cards and more, to those who donate at their business establishment.
- 5 Corners Mini Mart
- Bourbon County Courthouse
- Bourbon County EMS
- Buck Run Community Center
- Citizens Bank
- City Hall
- City State Bank
- Community Health Center of Fort Scott
- Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
- Fort Scott Christian Heights
- Fort Scott Fire Station #2 – 23 S. Franklin
- Fort Scott Police Department
- Guest Home Estates
- Guild Mortgage – 1 E Wall
- Kansas Renewal Institute
- HBCAT – 104 N. National
- The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative
- Landmark National Bank – Downtown location
- Papa Don’s
- Peerless Products
- Perry’s Pork Rinds
- SEK-Mental Health
- The Artificers
- Union State Bank
- Uniontown Spark Wheel
- Ward-Kraft
- Order from Walmart: Place an online order for delivery directly to the HBCAT office at 104 N. National.
- Drive-Up and Drop-Off: On Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 AM to 12 PM, drive up and drop off your donations in front of Brick Street BBQ. Volunteers will be on hand to unload your donations.
- Get Your Church or Organization Involved: If you have not yet been contacted and would like your church or organization to participate in making this food drive a success, please reach out to HBCAT.
- Contact for More Information: Call the HBCAT office at 620-224-2563 for additional details or questions.
The drive, spearheaded by the Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT), The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT), and K-State Research and Extension SNAP-ED, has set in motion area partners who are collecting non-perishable food items, according to a press release from Kansas State.
“The Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) coalition is taking proactive steps to address pressing health disparities in our community,” Karleskint said. “Meeting bi-monthly, this diverse group of local leaders, health professionals, and community members collaborates on identifying and tackling the most urgent public health challenges affecting residents.”
“One of the critical issues that the LHEAT has identified and is actively working to address is food insecurity,” she said. “With many individuals and families in our community struggling to access healthy and nutritious food, the coalition is committed to finding sustainable solutions that will help alleviate hunger and improve overall health outcomes.”
“We know that food insecurity is not just a matter of access—it’s a health issue that impacts individuals across all ages and backgrounds,” said Karleskint. “By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, we’re not only raising awareness about the issue but also working collaboratively to implement real, lasting change.”
“The coalition’s efforts are part of a larger initiative to reduce health disparities and improve well-being for all community members, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Through these ongoing discussions and partnerships, the Local Health Equity Action Team is paving the way for a healthier, more equitable community.”
How It Started
“At a recent LHEAT meeting, Lisa Robertson, our LHEAT lead, proposed organizing a food drive to address the ongoing food insecurity in Bourbon County,” Karleskint said. “Having seen firsthand the struggles faced by many in her role as a Community Health Worker, Lisa is deeply committed to supporting underserved community members. After she introduced the idea, the LHEAT team came together to brainstorm ways to make it a meaningful event. A few weeks later, Lisa reached out to several local food pantries, churches, and The Beacon, inviting them to meet with she and I. As an LHEAT member and the KSRE SNAP-Ed nutrition educator for Bourbon County, I was eager to partner on this project. Together, we held a productive brainstorming session, generating ideas that would inspire community involvement and ensure the food drive’s success. With the weather getting colder and the holidays approaching, we thought now would be the perfect time to implement our project.”
Here’s a summary of the food assistance resources in Bourbon County they plan to assist:
- The Beacon Food Pantry provides essential services for those in need Monday – Friday
- Fort Scott High School Pantry and Fort Scott Community College Pantry offer students access to essential food items.
- Uniontown Spark Wheel and Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church Pantry serve Uniontown residents, supporting families and individuals facing food insecurity.
- Blessing Boxes are small, community-based outdoor pantries stocked with essentials for immediate access.
- Bethesda Church Food Pantry and First Baptist Church Food Pantry provide ongoing support for local families in need.
- Fulton Community Pantry will assist local households in need, and Bronson Library Food Pantry extends support to residents in the Bronson area.
These organizations are part of a collaborative network dedicated to combating hunger in Bourbon County.
“We encourage any additional food pantries in Bourbon County that we may not yet be aware of to reach out to us,” Karleskint said. “Connecting with these resources allows us to strengthen our community network and better support residents facing food insecurity.
Agenda for the USD234 Board of Education on November 11
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
November 11, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
4.1 Board Minutes
- 10/14/2024
- 4:00 PM
- 5:30 PM
4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – October 18, 2024 – $1,693,306.83
4.5 Activity Funds Accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 Zero Reasons Why Fundraising
4.8 Orchestra Fundraising
5.0 Employee Recognitions
6.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
6.1 Superintendent’s Report
6.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
6.3 Special Education Director’s Report
6.4 FSHS Update & Report
7.0 Old Business
7.1 District Values & Goals (Action Item)
8.0 New Business
8.1 Pre-Employment Drug Screening (Discussion)
8.2 Winfield Scott Chilled Water Line Insulation Project (Action)
8.3 Middle School Boiler Retubing Project (Action)
8.2 District Health Insurance Recommendation (Action)
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business –
10.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
10.2 Exit Executive Session – _______ (Time)
10.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
11.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
Obituary of Marilyn Nuzum
Marilyn Fay Nuzum, age 91, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Horton House, Fort Scott. She was born May 16, 1933, in Vernon County, MO the daughter of William Dewey Ferguson and Leona Myra Dugan Ferguson. Marilyn graduated from Arcadia High School with the class of 1951 as Valedictorian.
She worked and retired from the Western Insurance Company as an assistant supervisor of key punch. She married Paul Nuzum on December 20, 1986, in Fort Scott. He preceded her in death on December 19, 2009.
In her spare time, Marilyn enjoyed baking, tending her flowers, and her cat Laura. She attended Parkway Church of God (Holiness).
Survivors include her sister, Jo Ann Goans, Fort Scott; a stepdaughter, Nancy Sivcovich (Ken), CA; and 3 step grandsons.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
Private family graveside services with burial will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Parkway Church of God (Holiness) and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.