Fort Scott, Kansas – Fort Scott Community College will be hosting the annual Winter Concert on Sunday, November 23^rd at 3 p.m.  The band, orchestra, choir and Fortté will be performing.

The FSCC choir and orchestra are under the direction of Dr. Greg Turner.  The orchestra plans an arrangement of holiday film music with “Christmas at the Movies” followed by “It’s Christmastime,” “O Holy Night,” “An Old World Christmas” and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

The choir will be singing holiday numbers “Christmas on Broadway;” Harry Simeone’s “Do You Hear What I Hear;” and “Look Into the Christmas Sky.”  The latter part of the show will feature the Spanish Renaissance with Thomás de Luis Victoria’s “Magi Viderunt Stellam;” then an arrangement of Nathaniel Dett’s African-American spiritual “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow;” and end with Mendelssohn’s “There Shall a Star from Jacob Come Forth.”

Fresh off the fall’s marching band season, the band will play a compilation of holiday favorites with “Swing the Songs ofChristmas.”  A sing-along is also planned with other pieces still to be determined.

Band Director and Fortté advsior, Michael Dzbenski, said, “Fortté is our new a cappella group.  The Winter Concert isn’t our first concert, but it will be a fine debut for folks in the community that haven’t gotten to hear us sing.”

Fortté will sing classic carols including God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Silent Night.  Other selections are still in the works, but a favorite 50’s holiday standard was much discussed.

The concert is free to the public.

Fort Scott, KS – Earlier this year, FortScott.biz ran an article highlighting the outreach and mission of The Beacon. The Beacon is a non-profit that serves those in Fort Scott, or surrounding areas, who need a little boost with food, shelter, clothing or other necessities during difficult times.

The Beacon is a non-profit, and primarily rely on the generosity of others to fund the outreach. During the holiday season, you may be wondering how you can play a part in assisting those who are experiencing hard times.

You will have an opportunity to get a good meal AND help The Beacon this Friday, November 21^st. The Young Professional League of Bourbon County and area churches are sponsoring a Soup, Drink and Dessert meal for $5 (of course, you can give more if you wish). The proceeds will be used to fund activities for the Beacon.

Meals will be available 11am – 7pm on Friday at St. Mary’s Kennedy Gym (702 S. Eddy).

Fort Scott, KS – If you are a skateboarder or know someone who is, something very exciting is happening to the James B. Tedesco Memorial Skate Park, located at 4^th and Scott St. The Tedesco Skate Park has plans to expand and the Fort Scott City Commission approved those plans at their November 4^th commissioner’s meeting.

Expansion has been in the works for a while, but would not have been possible without another generous donation of Steve Tedesco. Tedesco’s $50,000 donation will cover the next phase construction costs and may also include lights. Mr. Tedesco is a business man from Colorado that has business connections in the Fort Scott area. The park is named after Steve Tedesco’s late brother, James B. Tedesco. The park was first opened in April 2012.

Construction for the expansion should begin soon, depending on weather and be completed by the end of year. Of course, there are many costs associated with building and maintenance. Any one interested can donate funds through an account at the city, who owns the skate park. You can check out the skatepark’s Facebook page here.

If you have an event coming up or something you think we maybe interested in covering, please email us!! [email protected]

Fort Scott High School Performs the Comedy Musical “Anything Goes” Tickets are now on sale to the comedy musical “Anything Goes” at Fort Scott High School.  Show dates are Nov. 11, 13, and 15 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 16 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children and are available at the FSHS office and Country Cupboard.  Get tickets soon as seating is limited and shows tend to sell out.

Publisher Tams Witmark describes the 1962 version of “Anything Goes” as, “The age-old tale of Boy-Meets-Girl and the complications which ensue….  Terrific Cole Porter songs…include It’s De-Lovely, Friendship, I Get A Kick Out Of You, All Through The Night, Anything Goes, You’re The Top and Blow, Gabriel, Blow.  In addition the 1962 version includes Take Me Back To Manhattan and Let’s Misbehave.”

Nearly fifty Fort Scott High School students are involved the creative process for the show from singing, acting, and dancing to operating the lights and working as backstage hands.  The show features several lead roles including seniors Maddy Martin as Reno Sweeney, Tyler Parker as Billy Crocker, Emily Martin as Hope Harcourt, Tim Higgins as Sir Evelyn Oakley, Stephanie Rice as Bonnie, Jon Carpenter as Moonface Martin, and Makenna Robinson as Mrs. Harcourt.  The show also has many tap routines featuring dancers: senior Peyton O. Quick, and juniors Jensen Nielson, Karleigh Arndt, and Emmah Reeves, and choreography by FSCC Band Director Michael Dzbenski.

The show is directed by FSHS Drama Director Angie Bin, Music Director Meredith Reid, Assistant Director Don Parsons and Orchestra Director Carson Felt.  The orchestra features local musicians Jara Martin on piano, Steve Harry on trumpet, Jane Williams on bass, Sandy Hemphill on sax, Michael Dzbenski on trombone, and David Lee with percussion.

Fort Scott, KS Last Saturday morning, over 300 participants gathered for a fun color run / walk. The event was targeted toward any student (and parents) within USD 234. It was organized primarily by PE teachers looking to provide active events for students outside of normal school activities.

Also, the Beacon Food Pantry benefited from the event. The entry fee was a canned good and add $5 if you wanted the t-shirt. Along the way, there were 6 ‘color’ stations that represented the 5 levels on the food pyramid plus water.

The event lasted about an hour and a half and the kids were having a great time. If this event becomes and annual event, make sure you are able to come out and participate (or volunteer). The teachers all did a great job and make sure you let them know if you see them.

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It’s time for another give a way here at FortScott.biz. In appreciation to our readers, we have partnered with Sleep Inn & Suites to offer one free night stay (valid only in Fort Scott).

FortScott.biz is always looking for more readers to tell about the news and events going on in Fort Scott and the surrounding areas! So…….   we are giving away another prize to one subscriber!  To sign up, all you have to do is to subscribe!  <– Click there or you can click to the “subscribe” button on the right  –>

The contest begins today and we will choose a random winner on Monday, November 24th. Just in time for family coming into town for Thanksgiving. Here are the rules:

• You have to be subscribed to the list to enter. That means you’ll need to type in your email address and then confirm the subscription.
• You can enter from this link or using the form on the right hand side of the page.
• You’ll need to come to Fort Scott to claim the prize. If you live in Alaska, this might not be cost effective for you.
• The winner will be announced and have their picture posted to the site. This probably isn’t a good contest for people in the witness protection program.
• If you are under 18, you’ll need a guardian to accept it on your behalf.