FortFest 25 Is September 26-27 at Riverfront Park

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Care to Share

Cancer Support Group

Care to Share invites you to their
FortFest 25

September 26-27th, 2025

at Riverfront Park

FortFest 25 is happening September 26–27th at Riverfront Park in Fort Scott, KS! This fun-filled weekend offers free admission, live music, and exciting activities for all ages—all in support of the Care to Share Cancer Support Group.

🌟 Admission is FREE, and all donations go directly to support the Care to Share Cancer Support Group. Help us celebrate community, music, and giving back at this special 25th anniversary event.

🎶 Friday Night – Sept 26

Kick off the weekend with amazing live blues music:

  • 6 PM– Brigett & Her Bandoliers (Kansas City)
  • 8 PM– The Spooklights (SWMO)

Bring your chairs, blankets, and your best dance moves!

🚗 Saturday – Sept 27: Packed with Events!

Morning:

  • 9 AM – HUGE Nostalgia Car Show
  • Noon – Motorcycle Show (Awards at 2:30 PM)

All Day Fun (Noon–5 PM):

  • Kids Fall Festival – Bouncy houses, petting zoo, face painting, giant Jenga, train rides, and more!
  • SEK Princesses & Superheroes – Meet them from 12–3 PM
  • Care to Share Games – Duck pond, boat races, etc.
  • Wristbands just $5 – covers all games

Live Music on Saturday:

  • 1 PM– Meaza Joy (teen phenom)
  • 3 PM– Martin & The Dead Guys
  • 5 PM– Amanda Fish (Nashville)
  • 7 PM– Randy McAllister (Texas Blues)

There will also be arts & crafts booths, delicious food & drinks, and plenty of shade with free parking & shuttles available.

What to Bring:

  • Family & friends
  • Chairs, blankets, bug spray
  • Small coolers welcome
  • A donation to Care to Share (optional but appreciated!)

🐶🚫Please note: No pets are allowed at the event.

For more info, visit: facebook.com/FortScottFortFest

We hope to see you there!

Click HERE to follow Care to Share’s Facebook Page!

Click HERE to follow Fort Scott FortFest’s

Facebook Event Page for details!

Kids Fall Festival Info

FortFest Bike Show Info

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US

Sept. 15 Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda

The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission Meeting, September 15, 2025

9.15.25 Agenda

Location: Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.

  • Call Meeting to Order
  • Roll Call
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Prayer
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Minutes 09/08/25
  • Consent Agenda
    • Approval of 09.12.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $380,626.82
    • Approval of Culverts as of 08.31.25
    • Tax corrections
  • Budget Hearing 5:35 PM
  • Mapleton City Council – Redfield Road
  • Misty Adams – Fulton City Council
  • Lynne Oharah – Road Concern
  • Executive Session: To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy with Lora Holdridge & Witness.
  • Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
  • Old Business
    • Budget Discussion & Approval of Final Budget – Tran
    • Liaison Procedures & Assignments – Beerbower & Milburn
    • Planning Commission Selection – Beerbower
    • Resolution Review – Beerbower
      • Commission Meetings & Commissioner Conduct
    • 108 W 2nd Street – Beerbower
    • Mid-Year Valuation with Appraiser – Milburn
    • Credit Card Discussion – Milburn
  • New Business
    • Application for Road Closure 140th between Cavalry Road & Birch Rd
    • Network Real Estate, LLC – Approval of Letter
    • Claim for Windshield Damage $381.57
  • Department Updates
    • Sheriff
      • TUSA- Radios
      • Crawkan – Phone & Internet
      • Vehicles
    • County Clerk
      • CIC Payroll Conversion & Pay Entry
      • Road Records
  • Build Agenda for following meeting
  • Commission Comments
  • Adjournment

Detailed Summary of Information Packet

  • Executive Session Information: The document provides a form for motions to enter into an executive session, detailing the Kansas statutes (KSA 75-4319) that allow for discussions on personnel matters, attorney consultations, employer/employee negotiations, financial affairs, real estate acquisition, and security measures. The form includes spaces to specify the subject, attendees, and time of resumption of open session (page 2).
  • Open Invoices by Department Summary: The packet includes a detailed breakdown of invoices paid by various departments, with a total of $304,970.17 for non-departmental invoices (page 3-9).
    • Appraisers: Total invoices of $2,464.94, including items like an appraiser laptop, mechanical pencils, and blinds (page 3).
    • County Treasurer Motor Fund: Total invoices of $387.87, including computer supplies and a ‘for deposit only’ stamp (page 3).
    • Diversion Application Fee Fund: Total invoices of $306.74 for an office luncheon and snacks for witnesses (page 3).
    • Election: Total invoices of $286.09 for postage (page 4).
    • Landfill: Total invoices of $4,901.04, including charges for waste, drug and alcohol tests, and equipment maintenance (page 4).
    • County Sheriff/Correctional: Total invoices of $9,765.24, covering various expenses like vehicle repairs, fuel, uniforms, and security services (pages 4-6).
    • Road and Bridge: Total invoices of $10,724.58 for a variety of items and services, including auto parts, equipment repairs, and septic tank cleaning (pages 6-8).
    • Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund: Total invoices of $54,672.71, with a large portion going towards asphalt products and equipment repairs (pages 8-9).
    • Addiction Settlement Fund: Total invoices of $279.75 for mileage reimbursement (page 9).
    • Offender Registration: Total invoices of $245.02 for waffle shirts, zip pullover, and a jacket (page 9).
    • Emergency Services Sales Tax: A single invoice of $120,936.19 for the August 2025 allocation to Freeman Fort Scott Hospital Inc. (page 9).
    • County Commission: Total invoices of $827.07 for publications and copies (page 10).
    • County Clerk: Total invoices of $1,755.75, including a phone recording retrieval and tax document corrections (page 11).
    • County Treasurer: Total invoices of $16.26 for copies (page 12).
    • County Attorney: Total invoices of $1,483.78 for services like computer/printer labor, information retrieval, and a transcript (page 13).
    • County Register of Deeds: Total invoices of $745.06 for death cards, tape, and pen refills (page 13).
    • Courthouse Maintenance: Total invoices of $404.71 for cleaning supplies (page 13).
    • District Court: Total invoices of $33.86 for Adobe subscriptions and additional storage on a judge’s iPad (page 14).
    • Emergency Preparedness: Total invoices of $108.21 for a receptacle, and a meal (page 15).
    • IT: Total invoices of $84.88 for replacement batteries (page 15).
    • Dispatch: A single invoice of $50,000 for dispatching services for 2025 (page 17).
  • TUSA Presentation/Proposal: The packet includes a presentation and proposal from TUSA, a company that designs radio systems.
    • Experience: TUSA has been in the industry for over 30 years and has worked on projects in various locations, including Kansas City and Georgia. They claim their systems are designed to withstand major weather events like hurricanes and tornados (page 4, 5, 14, 15).
    • Core Principles: TUSA emphasizes coverage, cost, and reliability as the most important aspects of a new radio system (page 5).
    • Scope of Work: Their proposed scope of work includes investigating neighboring radio systems, conducting interviews with project staff and departments, inspecting current infrastructure, and delivering a comprehensive needs assessment report (pages 7-8). The report would include an analysis of current needs, coverage, and system condition, as well as proposed solutions and cost estimates (page 8).
    • Procurement Support: TUSA also offers to assist with the procurement process by developing technical specifications and statements of work (page 9).
    • Timeline and Pricing: The needs assessment would be completed within 90 days of a notice to proceed. Their hourly rate is $165, and they invoice all expenses at cost with no markup (page 9, 16).

I Wanna Talk About Me by Carolyn Tucker

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
“I Wanna Talk About Me”

In 2001, country music artist Toby Keith released a comical music video perfectly illustrating selfishness. The song, “I Wanna Talk About Me,” is about a man’s huge frustration in his inability to pleasantly converse with his girlfriend/wife who only wants to talk about herself. Being selfish is natural — just watch a two-year-old pitch a fit to try and get his/her way. Little people learn this all on their own; no one has to teach them how to throw a tantrum. With both of my kids, I discovered what the parenting books called the “terrible twos.” My son was probably the best worst example of the “TT” simply because his fits were thrown in public and my daughter’s were hurled at home. Aaron wasn’t too bad to shop with until we got to the checkout counter where the candy was displayed. Of course he wanted all of it, and of course he couldn’t have any of it. So the selfish fit began and all I could do was pretend to be deaf while he continued on and on even as we exited the building. However, his life took a different direction once we got home. He finally learned that he didn’t like what happened when we got home.

Selfishness is a real problem in our culture today. Many people seem to have little regard for other individual’s feelings. The entire push in the world today is “self.” But being selfish is not all it’s cracked up to be! Jesus was a lot of things and selfishness was never anything He exemplified. Christ followers say we want to be like Jesus, walk like Jesus, love like Jesus, and think like Jesus. And that’s exactly right — He’s our example. So can we put our money where our mouth is?

To be a follower of Jesus, we have to dethrone ourselves and enthrone Christ. God can’t do all He desires with us if we’re still calling the shots. If we’re still pitching fits and wanting our own way, we really need to grow up spiritually. One day Jesus called the crowd to join His disciples and said, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34 NLT). Jesus made it plain that we must follow Him, smash selfishness to smithereens, shoulder our own cross, and humbly follow His leading.

Those who live a life of self-indulgence are basically wasting their life away. “Don’t think only of yourself. Try to think of the other fellow, too, and what is best for him” (1 Corinthians 10:24 TLB). It’s simply not possible to have yourself on your mind all the time and be happy. Happiness comes from being good to others — it’s a ricochet effect.

“Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another” (Romans 12:10 TPT). Competition often brings the worst out in people, but this scripture would be an exception to that thought. Getting caught red-handed in doing loving acts of kindness would be something to celebrate!

Selfishness has been a huge problem since Adam and Eve. God warned them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they disobeyed and ate it anyway. Their selfishness brought sin into the world, introduced suffering and death, and severed their close and beautiful relationship with God.

The Key: It’s time for believers to pitch a final fit and smash selfishness once and for all.

Naturalization Ceremony at FSNHS on Sept. 17, Constitution/Citizenship Day

NPS Photo of the 2024 Naturalization Ceremony.

Fort Scott National Historic Site to Host Special Naturalization Ceremony on Constitution/Citizenship Day Sept. 17

Fort Scott, Kan. – Media outlets and the general public are invited to Fort Scott National Historic Site on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, for a Special Naturalization Ceremony at the parade ground here.

 

Check-in for ceremony participants begins at 9 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. The Honorable Holly L. Teeter, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, is scheduled to preside.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott Mayor Tim Van Hoecke plan to provide opening remarks. John K. Burchill, Emeriti Professor of Criminal Justice, is scheduled to provide the keynote address. The Fort Scott High School Orchestra is scheduled to perform.

 

Seating will be provided for ceremony participants. Friends, family, guests, and the public are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. In case of rain or inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.

 

Media attending the ceremony are requested to RSVP and be in place by 10 a.m. at Fort Scott National Historic Site, 1 Old Fort Blvd., Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site’s exhibit areas and visitor center are open Friday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. Fort Scott National Historic Site is a free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation. A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, as well as the Civil War and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc, on Facebook www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS and Instagram www.instagram.com/fortscottnps

 

-NPS-

 

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Sept. 12 Edition

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! September 12th Weekly Newsletter

Fort Scott Town-Wide Garage Sale

Click HERE to register your sale!

Want to advertise your business on the map?! For ONLY $35!!

Contact us at 620-223-3566 or [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffees

Every Thursday at 8am

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Visit your National Park! Visitor Center and historic buildings are open Friday through Tuesday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The grounds continue to be open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset

** Guided tours Saturday & Sunday 10am & 1pm! **

Click HERE to visit the website.

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!

Fort Scott Farmers Market

Saturdays | 8am-noon & Tuesdays | 4-6pm

Gathering Square Pavilion, 111 N. National

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)

KANSASWORKS in Fort Scott

Every Tuesday 9am-4pm

Office located at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National Ave.

620-231-4250

FS Public Library

*Wednesday Writers every Wed. @ 1:30-3pm

201 S. National Ave.

Kansas Small Business Development Center

at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St.

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 9am-4pm.

Dolly Trolley Historic 50-min narrated tours!

Adults $6 | Children 12&under $4

Call 620-223-3566 or stop in the Chamber at

231 E. Wall St. to book your ride!

$3 Tuesdays at Fort Cinema!

Follow their Facebook Page HERE for updates!

UPCOMING EVENTS

9/12 ~ NO FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT

IN THE PARK

9/12 ~ 6-9 | FSHS Tiger Varisty Football Kick-Off Pulled Pork Nacho Fundraiser

by the Butcher Block – Available at the concession stand for ONLY $10!

Proceeds benefit the FSHS Football Team!

9/12-13 ~ Craft Fair at First Southern

Baptist Church

Friday 8am-5pm | Saturday 8am-3pm

1818 South Main St.

9/13 ~ | Ride 4 Kids Benefiting

Kansas Renewal Institute

Registration: 9:30-10:30am

Kick Stands up at 11am

$20/Singles $25/Doubles

Meet at 5corners Mini Mart

Last Stop Sharky’s Pub & Grub with LIVE Music and Burn-Out Contest

9/13 ~ 8am-2pm | Friends of Tri-Valley

Fall Golf Classic

@Woodland Hills Golf Course

8am: Registration 9am: Shotgun Start

9/13 ~ 8am-12pm | Fall Plant & Bulb Sale at the Farmers Market

by Bourbon County Garden Club

9/13 ~ | Mapleton Homecoming Celebration

9/13 ~ Butch Hall Memorial Fishing Tournament

Registration starts at 6am @ Mapleton Park

9/13 ~ 10:30am-12pm | Fort Scott Stamp Club

Meeting at FS Public Library

Lower Floor Conference

9/13 ~ 6-8pm | Jesse Jack and the Electric String Band hosted by Common Ground Coffee Co.

@ Common Ground Coffee

12 E. Wall St.

Stay tuned for additional upcoming Fall Music Series Events

9/14 ~ 12-2pm | Buddy Roufs Memorial Car Show in Mapleton, KS

Registration 12pm | Parade 1pm |Trophies 2pm

9/16 ~ 11:45am-1pm | HR Roundtable hosted by the Chamber

@ Labconco, 2500 Liberty Bell Rd.

Topic: Retention

Lunch available for $10

RSVP HERE!

9/16 ~ 5-8pm | Brickstreet BBQ

Family Game Night – Kids Eat for $2!

Every Tuesday in September!

9/17 ~ 10:30am | Fort Scott National Historic Site hosts Special Naturalization Ceremony on Constitution/Citizenship Day

Check-in: 9am | Media attending RSVP & in place by 10am | Ceremony begins at 10:30am

9/17 ~ 4:30pm & 7:30pm | Halloween Circus

@ Bourbon County Fairgrounds in the

Cloverleaf Event Center (formerly 4H Building)

9/18 ~ 8am | Chamber Coffee

hosted by The Kitchen C+C

9/18 ~ 5-8pm | Fall Fest

in Downtown Fort Scott

Participating stores

  • 110 South Main Mercantile
  • Angie Dawn’s Boutique
  • Barbed Wire & Roses Vintage Market
  • Be the Light Boutique
  • Bids & Dibs
  • Common Ground Coffee Co.
  • Hedgehog.INK! Book Store
  • Main Street Vintage & Co.
  • Shirt Shack
  • Sunshine Boutique ~ will have Cash & Carry $10 bouquets & apple cider samples!
  • The Artificers

Stores open late for Shopping Deals, Discounts & Drawings!

Shop Fall home decor, candles, apparel & more!

Additional Activities:

  • Perry’s Bounce House (@the Depot parking lot, Wall & Scott), $5 for a wristband
  • Perry’s Pork Rinds & Caramel Apples
  • Kettle Corn by Parkway Church Kettle Corn
  • Pumpkins by Perry’s Pork Rinds
  • Hop & Shop free rides on the trolley from store to store!
  • Face Painting and Cotton Candy by Impressions by Angela
  • Mums by Red Bud Farms & Nursery
  • More details to come!

9/19-20 ~| Fall Town-Wide Garage Sale in Fort Scott

Maps will be out the day of the sale!

9/19 ~ 9-8pm | Make & Take Doormat Workshop

at Papa Don’s Pizza

$45

9/20 ~ 8am | 6th Annual KDVS 4-person

Golf Scramble

@ Woodland Hills Golf Scramble

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Facebook

Homestead: A Buzzword with Roots—and a Future

Lonnie Mengarelli. Submitted photo.

Homestead: A Buzzword with Roots—and a Future
By Lonnie Mengarelli- Extension Agent

I have been the Crops and Natural Resources agent now for going on 16 months, and I have been to 15 plus farms where families are leaving the “city life” behind to try to live the self-sustainable farm life. As most of you have probably heard the term “homestead” or “homesteading” in American vocabulary—not as a dusty relic of pioneer days, but as a modern buzzword symbolizing a movement toward self-sufficiency, sustainability, and reconnection with the land.

What was once a necessity for survival on the frontier is now a lifestyle choice for many who crave something simpler, something real. From urban backyard chicken coops to rural mini-farms, people are planting, preserving, and planning in ways that echo their ancestors—albeit with a little more Wi-Fi.

The idea of homesteading is no longer just about acreage and off-grid living. It’s about intentional living, understanding where your food comes from, and having the skills to provide for yourself, even in small ways. And that’s where programs like Back to the Land: Traditions & Innovations in Small-Scale Farming step in to help.

Offered by the Southwind Extension District in partnership with Kansas State University, this free educational series is more than a class—it’s a call to cultivate resilience, knowledge, and community. Starting October 1st through December 10th at the Fort Scott Community College Ag Building, the 7 stand-alone programs all about farming basics covers a wide range of hands-on, practical topics designed to help anyone—regardless of experience—get back to the basics.

Want to plan a more productive garden? There’s a session for that. Thinking about raising chickens or goats? We’ve got you covered. Curious about preserving your harvest, or even processing your own deer? They’re diving into it all—with experienced agents and specialists leading the way.

What makes this series special is its accessibility. It’s not just for the already-committed homesteader with a five-acre spread and a root cellar, the 1,000-acre farmer, or the backyard garden enthusiast.  It’s for the curious, the cautious, the DIY dreamers who want to dip their toe into self-reliant living. It’s for the family who wants to teach their kids where eggs come from, the retiree eyeing a new backyard project, or the young couple trying to stretch their grocery budget with a fall garden.

There’s a reason homesteading has made its way back into the headlines and hashtags. In uncertain times, people are rediscovering the value of real skills, real food, and real community. The Back to the Land series embraces both the tradition and the innovation that make modern homesteading possible—and rewarding.

  • October 1 – Plot Perfect: Garden Planning for Abundant Harvests
  • October 8 – Pest, Predators, and Protection
  • October 15- Backyard to Barnyard: Small Farm Poultry Essentials
  • October 29 – Deep Roots: Soil and Forage Strategies for Resilient Farms
  • November 5 – Homestead Herds: Practical Livestock for Everyday Farmers
  • November 12 – Pantry Power: Food Preservation for Self-Reliant Living
  • December 10 – Harvest and Butcher: A Whitetail Processing Program

Sessions start at 6:00 p.m. each Wednesday, and the final program on December 10th will be held at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. You can attend one or all—no cost, just a willingness to learn.

To register (or RSVP for the meal count), call 620-223-3720.

The modern homestead may look different than it did a hundred years ago—but the heart of it hasn’t changed. It’s still about making something meaningful from the land, however big or small your patch may be.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720

Healthy and Easy Family Meal Preparation by Sandy Haggard

Sandy Haggard. Submitted photo.

Healthy and Easy Family Meal Preparation

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to prepare and enjoy home-cooked meals can be challenging. Hectic schedules and after-school activities can lead to families scrambling to find something to eat. However, having some meals prepared ahead of time or cooking at home offers numerous benefits. It promotes better nutrition, saves money, reduces stress, and strengthens family bonds. With a little planning, practice, and strategy, preparing healthy meals at home can become a manageable and enjoyable experience.

Research shows that eating at home results in increased intake of fruits and vegetables and a decreased rate of depression and violence in adolescents. Overall, there is an increase in well-
being for adolescents.

Planning healthy meals doesn’t have to be overwhelming; taking small steps can lead to manageable changes that improve the health and well-being of family members. Creating a meal plan for the week can assist in this process. Slow cooker meals, healthy grab-and-go options (such as homemade freezer burritos), or planning a night for leftovers can significantly reduce cooking time each night.

Keeping a well-stocked pantry increases the likelihood of cooking as the items will already be on hand. Consider keeping these foods stocked: fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned), protein like canned salmon, chicken, fresh or frozen meat, and grains such as brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

Grocery shopping with a plan can save time and money. Creating a meal plan based on the store sales that week and writing a shopping list in order of the store layout can prove helpful.

Meal prepping: Consider cooking a large batch of protein such as chicken, beef or fish or other staples like rice or beans. Preparing the main meal ingredients ahead of time to utilize throughout the week will save time each night. Also, chopping vegetables and fruit ahead of time to store in the refrigerator and freezer to utilize throughout the week can reduce time prepping evening meals.

One pot and sheet pan meals are an excellent way to reduce time and the number of dishes to wash. Many families use slow cookers, rice cookers or electric pressure cookers to save time in the kitchen.

Being able to share a warm, healthy meal with family members and sit down at the table together can help strengthen relationships. Parents might want to ask open-ended questions such as “What
made you happy at school today?” or “Did you notice anyone helping someone today?” instead of “How was school”?

For those interested in more tips, K-State Extension has a new program entitled “Healthy Connections: Family Meals in a Snap” that can be presented to groups in the Southwind Extension District (Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, Woodson Counties) by Sandy Haggard, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health Agent. Contact her at [email protected] or 620.365.2242.

U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt’s Weekly Newsletter

Rep. Derek Schmidt's header image

Friends,

 

It has been a sad week in America. A young father and husband’s life was taken by an assassin’s bullet while he was engaging in a dialogue with those he disagreed with — exercising the God-given rights enshrined by our Founding Fathers in the Constitution. Charlie Kirk’s voice will live on in the organization he founded and the many young people who have been inspired by his example to participate in the political process.

This week also marked the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In the days ahead, I hope we can recapture some of the spirit of unity that pervaded our country in the days and weeks following 9/11. The rise in political violence in recent years is antithetical to the principles of self-government on which the United States of America was founded.

Let us resolve to honor Charlie’s memory by recommitting to those principles that he held and practiced — having thoughtful conversations with those with different beliefs and resolving our disagreements not with violence, but by informed participation in the democratic process.

Ensuring Peace Through Strength

This week, the House passed the annual legislative package to authorize funding for every aspect of our military for the upcoming year. This year’s bill focuses on overhauling the Department of Defense’s (DoD) acquisition process, allowing our Armed Forces to quickly and effectively adapt to a constantly shifting global battlefield.

As part of that acquisition reform, I was able to secure a provision in the bill that makes it easier for small companies to become suppliers for the Pentagon. My amendment requires the Pentagon to establish a single application process that minimizes paperwork and bureaucracy for small businesses interested in competing for Pentagon contracts.

In addition, the bill contains huge wins for our servicemembers and their families, including a 3.8% pay increase for military personnel, extension of in-home child care programs for military families, and expansion of TRICARE dental insurance to reservists.

The bill passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 231-196. It now must be reconciled with a different version under consideration by the Senate. Watch my speech on the House floor in support of the bill below.

Video

Making Border Security Permanent

There can be no doubt by now that President Trump’s efforts to secure the border have been successful, with illegal crossings now at historic lows. But, only Congress can enact new border laws that will ensure a future administration cannot turn back the clock and force Americans to relive the disastrous policies of the last four years.

To that end, this week the House passed legislation that will stiffen penalties for those who enter the country illegally — and in particular those who have committed a crime, been deported once (or even multiple times) and then illegally reentered the country. I was proud to cosponsor this bill, H.R.3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025.

In my floor remarks in support of the bill, I spoke about a tragic 2016 case in Wyandotte County where an illegal immigrant, who had been previously deported and encountered law enforcement multiple times after reentering the country, killed four individuals in Kansas and one in Missouri. The perpetrator was not deterred by the current, weak penalties for illegal reentry, and federal officials in the Obama administration failed to enforce them. We must continue our work to codify strong border security measures to protect our communities.

Video

Working Families Tax Cuts — Cutting Taxes for Seniors

As we continue to highlight the big wins for Kansas in the Working Families Tax Cut bill signed into law earlier this summer, I was pleased that the bill contained a new “bonus deduction” for our senior citizens. I have cosponsored a standalone bill that would fully eliminate income taxes on Social Security benefits — but due to procedural rules in Congress, a full repeal was not possible though the budget reconciliation process. Instead, the provision that was included will allow seniors to deduct up to an additional $6,000 (or $12,000 for married couples), which will fully offset the tax on Social Security benefits for the vast majority of the nearly 140,000 seniors in our Second District.

Washington Visitors

Thanks to the many Kansans who visited Washington this week, including the Kansas Auto Dealers Association, Kansas Pork Association and Kansas Chamber!

Rep. Schmidt speaks to the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association.
Rep. Schmidt at the Topeka Mars facility

Emergency Declaration Approved

Last night, President Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Kansas, in response to the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred June 3-7, 2025. My fellow members of the Kansas delegation joined last month in a letter to the President supporting the declaration. The disaster declaration will result in $5.7 million in federal funds to help communities recovering from these storms.

The 15 Kansas counties included in the disaster declaration include five counties in the Second District: Chase, Coffey, Lyon, Morris and Osage.

Obituary of Roy Gene Colum

Roy Gene Colum, Sr., age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. He was born August 6, 1934, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Elbert Alexander Colum, Sr. and Melinda Amanda Mae Smith Pigford. Roy graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and then went on to serve with the United States Navy from 1952-1956.

Roy was united in marriage to Kathleen Young on December 12, 1952. He was stationed in San Diego and upon completing his military service, he decided to remain in that area. He took a job with the City of San Diego where he worked for the City of San Diego Park and Recreation and Street Division. After many years, he retired from the City and began working for both Avis and Hertz rental car companies.

Roy enjoyed watching the news, keeping up with current events. Following retirement, he took a “part-time” position with the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, a San Diego newspaper. In earlier years, he enjoyed bowling and playing softball. He enjoyed sports of all kinds and was a great fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Roy and Kathleen later returned to Ft. Scott where they have made their home for the last several years. While living in Ft. Scott, Roy took an active role in sharing studying Ft. Scott history and family genealogy. In preparation for the annual Gordon Parks Celebration, he was often called upon to identify people and places surrounding Ft. Scott’s African American community. Roy loved life and his family. He worked hard to provide for his family and faithfully cared for his wife as their health declined. Roy has left a legacy of hard work and perseverance and a strong family who will carry on in the days ahead.

Survivors include his wife, Kathleen, of the home in Ft. Scott and five children, Roy Gene Colum, Jr., Kimberly Joyce Colum-Wright, Byron Arthur Colum, Larren Scott Colum and April G. Davis. Also surviving are a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Elbert A. Colum, Sr., his mother, Melinda Amanda Mae Pigford and his brother, Elbert A. Colum, Jr.

There was cremation, and he will eventually be laid to rest at the Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

USD234 Board of Ed News Release 9/12/25

Dusty Hood, Jennifer Durkin, Tracy Homan, Todd Magee. Submitted photo.

Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

 
 

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Thursday, September 11, 2025

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.

 

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

Board Minutes

08-11-25

Financials – Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – August 20, 2025 – $1,556,743.36

Activity Funds Accounts

USD 234 Gifts

Orchestra Extended Trip

HS Powerlifting Fundraising

 

The Revenue Neutral Hearing was held at 5:30 PM, none were present during public forum.

The Budget Hearing was held at 5:45 PM, one public was present for clarification on Mill Levy.

The Board approved –

Resolution 25-10 – Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate

Resolution 24-11 – Make a local option percentage in an amount of 33% for the 25-26 school year.

The Board Approved the 2025-26 Budget with consideration of the Needs Assessment.

Superintendent Destry Brown gave an update on current enrollment as we are approaching the September 20th count day. The district has received the Patterson grant. At the High School the Hydroponic Farm is growing and the students are starting to harvest from their efforts.

Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided information on the Special Education Audit that has been finalized and the district did a wonderful job completing. The district financial audit will be starting September 22. Also, he updated the Board on each of the departments and the startup of the new school year. He also attended a Bus Safety training held with the district Bus Drivers.

Assistant Superintendent Zach Johnson updated the Board on iReady testing and the growing data that we have received and soon should be able to share with parents. State has said there will be changes to some requirements for graduation starting next year and he will be collaborating with High School Principals as more information becomes available. He is also working with a few in the community with students walking to and from school and how to improve the safety and encouragement for students.

Special Education Director Tonya Barnes provided a shared an update on the CatAid payment and information that she has been working on. We should receive our first payment next month.

 

Tracy Homan was recognized by Principal DJ Brown “Tracy Homan from FSMS goes above and beyond for kids. She has been instrumental in developing the student council program and is often seen at after-hours programs and events supporting students.”

Maintenance recognized Dusty Hood – “Dusty covered nearly 50 extra shifts at the end of last school year covering for absent staff. Dusty cleaned up for nearly all volleyball and basketball games/tournaments both after hours and on weekends last year. He is still covering his normal daytime shift at the Middle School this year plus 3 hours per night at the High School and another 1.5 hours per night at the Middle School and anywhere else we need him. He maintains an awesome relationship with his students and staff members. He helps lead the summer crew and he helps train any and all new custodial crew. Dusty is one of our most trusted and respected employees because of his hard work and dedication to the district. His positive attitude and “can do” mentality truly raised the bar in an exemplary manner. I wish we could find more than a piece of paper to distinguish what Dusty means to us staff members behind the scenes. We are forever indebted and grateful.”

Jennifer Durkin, Paraprofessional at Kansas Renewal Institute was recognized for her hard work and always being willing to jump in and help wherever needed. She loves the kids and is present for them every day.

Eugene Ware Principal, Mina Query, recognized Todd Magee, “Todd is a wonderful employee.  He serves on Guiding Coalition, PBIS, and Team Tiger.  He has such a positive attitude and never minds being silly for the kids.  There are plenty of pictures out there from last year’s PBIS assemblies that show just how silly he is willing to be. Just check out his Maui photos on Facebook. He is a creative teacher who works hard to make learning seem like a game.  I know a few students who got through their third-grade year because he was their teacher.”

 

The Board Approved the following items:

  • Adult Meal Prices for 2025-26
    • Adult Breakfast – $3.00
    • Adult Lunch – $5.05
  • MOU with FSCC for shared use of facilities
  • Partnership agreement with Head Start
  • One Year Lease agreement with Head Start

 

There were none present for public forum.

 

The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED

September 11, 2025

 See Attached Corrected Personnel Info:

2025-26 News Release 081125 (1).docx(1)

 

 

The Thief of Busyness by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

Busyness is a thief.  It is. For too many of us, we allow it to dictate our schedules, proudly taking on more than we should, loving the bragging rights we have when we can share just how crazy our lives are.  We fancy the praise when others tell us they don’t know “how” we do it.  Crazy, isn’t it?

Crazy enough to die for our efforts.  After all, our value is based on how fast we pace ourselves, right?  Researchers estimate that long, working hours contribute to 745,000 global deaths from stroke and heart disease annually.  The real thief is that we cannot get back the hours we spend keeping busy.

We must learn the power of the word “No!” when pressed to dig deeper, answer the imperative, fulfill the obligations placed on us by others (and ourselves).  Researchers call it the “mere urgency effect.” We’re biologically wired to prioritize urgent over important.  In studies, people consistently chose time-sensitive tasks with small rewards over important tasks with bigger payoffs. Our brains literally sabotage our priorities.

The important stuff gets lost in our busyness.  The important—our health, our relationships, our long-term goals, our personal growth—sits quietly in the corner, patiently waiting for us to find time to prioritize our lives.  But do we pay any attention to it?  Do we care what really matters enough to give our time our “first fruits”?

Until we put down our cellphones (let’s say, all day Sunday, every meal, morning and nighttime, whenever we have quality time with our family) and heed our loved ones’ needs to be heard, we are risking them resenting our lack of attention and importance.  Yesterday, I was talking on a Facetime call with my daughter-in-law Kristen.  I asked her what she and her girls were doing all day, and she said they would start by “cleaning the house.”

Tatum, the three-year-old, was listening.  I asked her if she was going to help.  She was.  When I asked “how” she was going to help, she said “I’m going to play.”  She meant it, even though her mother had something different in mind.  Tatum ran to her dad’s office and came out with her play broom to show me how cooperative she could be.

I loved watching her “sweep,” until Paige, her five-year-old sister, found the toy mop.  What started out as cleaning, quickly turned into a sword fight…broom vs. mop. Not unlike how I work.  I start off on one task (like writing this article) and get side-tracked.  Don’t I need to clean out my refrigerator?  Is that a cobweb I see?  How about that thank-you note I forgot to write?

The most successful people aren’t the ones doing the most.  They are the ones doing the right (i.e., meaningful) things successfully. The world won’t slow down for you or me. If anything, it speeds up. Every day brings more notifications, more demands, more opportunities to say yes to things that don’t matter.

Colossians 4:5 simplifies what our goal should be: Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. I mean, seriously…what’s a cobweb or two between friends?