All posts by Loretta George

The building for the medical clinic is south of the Uniontown High School Football Field.

Uniontown will soon have a health clinic.

The small town in western Bourbon County, population approximately 300, is 20 miles away from health care in Fort Scott and 25 miles from Iola, the two largest towns with clinics nearby.

Spearheaded by Uniontown Ruritan, and the vision of several members of the community, the Uniontown health clinic is a collaboration of Ruritan, USD 235 School District, the Bourbon County Commission, the City of Uniontown and Girard Medical Center.

To see a prior fortscott.biz story on the clinic, click below:

Uniontown Collaboration: New Health Clinic Coming

Girard Medical Clinic, Girard, Ks. Photo from its’ website.

“We at GMC want to partner with the local community there in Uniontown to offer primary care services for an area where it is difficult to access those services currently,” Ruth Duling, Girard Medical Center CEO said.

The project is moving forward quicker since receiving U.S. coronavirus emergency funds which is distributed locally through the Bourbon County SPARK program. That program is to spur on the Kansas economy following the devastating effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) grant was applied for by Uniontown’s school district, which owns the property for the health clinic. The building is the former superintendent’s office.

Mark Warren, Uniontown Ruritan member, opens the door of the medical clinic building just south of the Uniontown High School football field.

“The school district applied for SPARK funding because the property to be renovated for use as the clinic, belongs to the school,” Duling said.

“Completion will be after the first of the year,” Duling said. ” I don’t have any idea yet on a date when the clinic will be fully operational. Since the renovation stage is being completed by mostly volunteer work and the availability of that workforce, it’s just difficult to say until we get further in the process…the renovation is in the very early stages.”

Uniontown Ruritan MemberJoe George has taken the lead on the renovation project with input from Girard Medical Center Engineering staff Judd Pride and Pat Holt and its’ Director of Clinic Operations Candi Adams, Duling said.

History The Clinic

Uniontown Mayor Larry Jurgensen explored a health clinic in the town with Fort Scott Mercy Hospital, Mark Warren said.

“At the time the Marathon Valley Nursing Home shut down,” he said.

” Mercy told him they didn’t want to explore a clinic out here because we were close enough to go to Ft. Scott, but instead put clinics in Arma and Pleasanton which were approximately the same distance from Ft. Scott ,” Warren said. “This irritated people out here. The matter was then dropped for a period of years.”

Warren then visited with Holly Koch, Chief Financial Officer of Girard Medical Center and a resident of Uniontown.

He shared with Koch about the possibility of a Girard Medical Center satellite clinic.

After Koch spoke with Duling, meetings were organized which included the City of Uniontown, Ruritan, Girard Medical Center, Senator Jerry Moran’s office, Uniontown citizens, a Pittsburg doctor, Bourbon County Commissioner Lynn O’Harah, and Bourbon County Economic Director Jodi Hoener.

When Mercy Hospital closed in Dec. 2018 things began to progress, Warren said.

“We had residents here now (who were) a longer distance from health services,” Warren said. “Girard went to work then. Ruth asked me and I asked Larry and Judy Jurgensen both to come with me to a Girard Hospital board meeting. Larry gave the historical timeline of his interaction with Mercy to them of which we left that meeting feeling we had their support. The only thing left was funding.”

“The Uniontown Ruritan Club offered to help fundraise but as federal SPARK money became available and Jayhawk Wind ( a wind energy company) heard about it, we found we could still fundraise but possibly not have to work so hard at it. Jayhawk and SPARK money was the final piece of the puzzle to get this project finally started and going and to make a Uniontown clinic a reality.”

Jayhawk Wind contributed a $20,000 grant to help fund the Uniontown Clinic, which will also serve the towns in nearby communities, according to its’ website: http://www.jayhawkwind.com/

The SPARK Grant was for $88,000, according to Warren.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Pioneer Kiwanis Initiates Collaboration For Community Friendship Swing

October 22, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis, a service organization helping the children of Bourbon County, has started a project in memory of a longtime member.

A Pioneer Kiwanis meeting, taken from its’ Facebook page.

The Joyce True Memorial Project for children began following the passing of True in July 2019, according to a press release sent by Gayle Sackett and Kelley Collins, spokespeople for the group.

Collins is secretary for the organization, Sackett is a board member.

“The club began looking for a suitable project to honor her that would benefit children of the community. The Friendship Swing seemed to meet the criteria.”

“The multi-user, one size fits all swing offers a unique opportunity for area children and families to engage in healthy outdoor play together and help youth to develop and a variety of physical and social skills,” according to the press release.

Funding for the project was multi-faceted.

“To supplement the memorial, the club decided to contribute money that had been raised previously for playground equipment. They applied for and received a grant from the Kiwanis Kansas District Foundation. Lastly, they partnered with the City of Fort Scott and jointly applied for a Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant.”

That FSACF grant, awarding of a generous $2,000, allowed the project to be on track for a completion date in spring 2021.

The project is truly a community collaboration.

The group will also need hands-on volunteer involvement when the installation begins.

The swing will be located in an agreed-upon location in a Fort Scott park.

To learn more about the company that makes the chair:

Search Results

Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Special Meeting on Dave Martin’s Retirement

October 22, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

Click below for the City of Fort Scott’s youtube meeting of City Manager Dave Martin’s retirement announcement and severance contract.

https://youtu.be/AkG5Tgt2hnk

Fort Scott, Government

Dave Martin Retires As City Manager, Effective Oct. 30, 2020

October 21, 2020 Loretta George 1 Comment

Dave Martin, Fort Scott City’s Manager retired today, with an effective date of Oct. 30, 2020. He was hired as city manager in August 2010.

According to the retirement/severance contract provided by the City of Fort Scott, Martin through the remainder of 2020 will receive his full rate of salary, $4,133.60 bi-weekly.

Martin will remain on the city health plan until Dec. 2021, also according to the document, which can be viewed below:

DOC102120-10212020134903

To see a prior story on Martin, click below:

City Commission Approves Raise For Martin

Bourbon County, Elections, Government

Advance Voting Up in Kansas and in Bourbon County

October 21, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

The number of advance voting ballots mailed out for the Kansas 2020 General Election has sharply increased, according to The Kansas City Star newspaper dated Oct. 15.

“The state said it was shipping 456,148 advance ballots this year, way beyond the 133,822 in 2016 and 128,220 in 2018.

“Democrats so far have had the highest mail-in ballot turnout. Officials reported that among ballots received, 1,261 were from those affiliated as Democrats, followed by Republicans (556), unaffiliated voters (549) and Libertarians (17).”

“On Day 1 of early voting Wednesday, (Oct. 15) Kansans returned more than triple the number of mail-in ballots sent in 2016, according to the Secretary of State’s office.”

“Officials reported 2,383 ballots sent back as of Wednesday. That’s three times the 771 after the first day of mail-in voting in 2016 and 423 in 2018.”

“The Secretary of State’s office explained in a subsequent Tweet that the ballots returned thus far are from military personnel and overseas citizens, who are sent ballots beginning 45 days prior to the election.”

To see the entire story, click below:

https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article246473700.html

In Bourbon County to date, there have been 432 advance in-person voters with two weeks left until the Nov. 3 election, according to Clerk Kendell Mason.

“We have mailed 970 ballots and 376 have been returned,” Mason said.

In the 2019 general election, there were 493 total in-person advance voters, she said.

“Advance voters put their voted ballots in a machine that counts their votes, but we will not know the results of those votes until we close down the machine on November 3^rd,” Mason said.

Voters took advantage of advance voting at the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office.

Art, Business, Fort Scott

Family of Eight Moves Into the Beaux-Arts Centre

October 20, 2020 Loretta George 2 Comments

The Bowman Family moved into the Beaux-Arts Centre. Submitted photo.

Before March 2020, the Bowman family was quite content living in North Kansas City in a wonderful neighborhood, Lorina Bowman said. “I accidentally came across the Beaux-Arts Centre on Zillow ( a real estate website) and saw a lot of potential. “

The Beaux-Arts Centre, 102 S. National Ave, is next door to the post office.

“When my husband saw it, he was also excited,” she said.

They set up several appointments with the owners to view the property.

” We tried to talk ourselves out of it because the building needs to be updated quite a bit, but every con was able to be twisted into a pro,” she said. They prayed and feel God led them to purchase the property.

The family plans to open a museum with interactive components and call it Exploratorium.

“It’s always been a dream of ours to open a business that would incorporate all of my family’s hobbies and talents,” Lorina said. “The fact that my family is able to live on the top floor while we build the museum is the only way our vision is possible.”

“We will have fun, unique exhibits that all ages will enjoy, such as; Barbie, Model Trains, Lego, and more,” Lorina said. “We will have play structures and other hands-on activities. The building will also include a gift shop and eventually a snack bar. We are most excited about our classroom which is where we will host workshops and clubs to really get the community involved in teaching, learning and exploring new hobbies and talents.”

The Bowman Family is comprised of Johnathan, a computer programmer who works from home since leaving California in June 2017. “He is excited to learn new handyman skills as he tackles different projects in the building,” Lorina said.

Lorina is a stay-at-home mom but loves to make crafts to sell at fairs and is excited to have a full-time gift shop to sell all the creations she’s made over the years, she said.

She’s also happy she can put on events to “appease her overzealous party planning passion,” she said.

Marshall is 15 years old and enjoys creating Electonic Dance Music on the computer and building weapons out of polyvinyl chloride pipe.

Vivian is 13 and loves Harry Potter, Legos, and reading.

Theodore is almost 11 and a master at creating obstacle courses and unique games for his siblings to play, Lorina said.

Lawrence is 9 and can fold origami for hours and keep his family laughing with his humor, she said.

Adelaide is 4 and does her best to keep up with the rest of the family, she said.

The youngest is Harriet, 2, who has the cutest smile and curls, Lorina said.

The timeline for the project is undetermined.

“The timeline really depends on the community,” Lorina said. ” My husband and my dad have been doing a lot of the projects tackled so far. If left to our own devices we could eventually open our doors to the public but it would be years in the making. Why wait that long? “

“With enough community support through funding and volunteer labor we could open as early as next spring and then ALL generations could come together to enjoy our Exploratorium,” she said.

Follow the project on Facebook @ Fort Scott Exploratorium to find out how you can help and see what they have accomplished and what currently working on.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Special Meeting Agenda For Oct. 21

October 20, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Date: October 21, 2020

1^st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2^nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3^rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BUILDING. PUBLIC MAY VIEW MEETING ON YOUTUBE.

7:00AM EMS (Lynne Oharah, Jeff Fischer, Clifton Beth, Justin Meeks, Will Wallis, Shane

Walker, Dave Bruner, Kayla Stewart, other hospital personnel, Rebecca Johnston, Susan Bancroft)

Bourbon County, Elections, Government

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

October 20, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

COUNTY CLERK’S NOTICE OF CANDIDATES TO BE VOTED ON

AT THE GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020

State of Kansas County of Bourbon

In compliance with K.S.A. 25-105, and the General Election Laws of the State of Kansas, I submit herewith the list of National, State and District Candidates certified to me by the Secretary of State, and the list of those filed as candidates in Bourbon County in the forthcoming General Election to be held, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

And, I hereby give further notice that the election will be held in the voting places listed below in Bourbon County, Kansas, and that the polls will be opened and closed at the regular time specified by law for the conduct of elections. All precincts in the county will open at 7:00 am and will close at 7:00 pm.

Sales Tax Question on the ballot:

To vote in favor of any question

submitted upon the ballot, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“YES”;

to vote against it, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“NO”.

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Bourbon County, Kansas,

levy (renew) a one percent

countywide retailers’ sales tax to

take effect on July 1, 2021, and

expire on June 30, 2031, with the

allocated shares pursuant to

K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be

used as follows: (1) to Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

maintenance and construction of

hard surface roads, and (2) to

each city located in Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

providing funding for public

services?

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1^st Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

2^nd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

3^rd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

4^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

5^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

6^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

7^th Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Residents living out in the county vote at the following locations:

Drywood Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Franklin Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Freedom Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

East Marion Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

West Marion Bronson Community Building – 504 Clay Street, Bronson, KS

Marmaton Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Millcreek Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Osage Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

Pawnee Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

North Scott Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

South Scott Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Timberhill Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Walnut Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICES

For President and Vice-President of the United States
		Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris	1209 Barley Mill Road Wilmington, DE 19807	Democratic
		Donald J. Trump / Michael R. Pence 1100 S. Ocean Blvd. Palm Beach, FL 33480		Republican
		Jo Jorgensen / Jeremy “Spike” Cohen	Greenville, SC	Libertarian
For United States Senate
	Barbara Bollier		6910 Overhill Road Mission Hills, KS 66208	Democratic
	Roger Marshall		PO Box 1588 Great Bend, KS 67530	Republican
	Jason Buckley		8828 Marty Ln Overland Park, KS 66212	Libertarian
For US House of Representatives – District 2
		Michelle De La Isla	3250 SW Briarwood Dr Topeka, KS 66611	Democratic
		Jake LaTurner	2329 SW Ashworth Pl Topeka, KS 66614	Republican
		Robert Garrard	2287 N 300 Rd Edgerton, KS 66021	Libertarian
Kansas Senate, District 12
		Mike Bruner	1002 Pecan St. Humboldt, KS 66748	Democratic
		Caryn Tyson	PO Box 191 Parker, KS 66072	Republican
Kansas Senate, District 13
		Nancy J. Ingle	511 E. 21^st Pittsburg, KS 66762	Democratic
		Richard Hilderbrand	240 Cleveland Ave Baxter Springs, KS 66713	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 2
		Lynn D. Grant	202 S. Appleton Frontenac, KS 66763	Democratic
		Kenneth Collins	102 E First Street Mulberry, KS 66756	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 4
		Bill Meyer	14 Golfview Drive Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Trevor Jacobs	1927 Locust Road Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 2
		Jim Harris	2302 Jayhawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 3
		Clifton Beth	2236 215^th, Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
		Phillip G. Hoyt	2422 242^nd Terrace Fulton, KS 66738	Democratic
For County Clerk
		Kendell Dawn Mason	2 S Eddy Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Treasurer
		Patty Love	901 Shepherd St Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For Register of Deeds
		Lora Holdridge	1814 Richards Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Attorney
		Jacqie Spradling	PO Box 576 Spring Hill, KS 66083	Republican
For County Sheriff
		Mike Feagins	1964 Justice Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Bill Martin	502 Meadow Ln Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Drywood		Richard Cullison, Jr.	506 260^th Garland, KS 66741	Republican
Franklin		Tony Bradbury	631 Soldier Rd. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Freedom		Janice Seested	2330 215^th St. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Marion		Steve Geiger	1121 Hwy 3 Uniontown, KS 66779	Republican
Marmaton		David Duffey	1201 Locust Rd Redfield, KS 66769	Republican
Millcreek		Yvonne Beck	1821 159^th Street Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Osage		Brian Wade	2618 Soldier Rd. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Pawnee		Karen A. Endicott-Coyan	1635 Fern Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Scott		Jim Sackett	2019 Maple Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		Dan Laughlin	2275 105^th St. Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

TOWNSHIP TREASURER
Drywood		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Franklin		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Freedom		Karen A. Paddock	608 W Cedar St. Fulton, KS 66738	Republican
Marion		Rex Wilson	905 Clay St. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Marmaton		Wilma K. Graham	102 W 4^th Redfield, KS 66769	Democratic
Millcreek		Betty L. Graham	1458 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Osage		Kathleen Valentine	2638 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Pawnee		Sharon Middleton	1374 Eagle Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Scott		Harold Rogers	2189 Ironwood Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		David Scharenberg	1045 Yale Rd Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

STATE OF KANSAS OFFICIAL JUDICIAL BALLOT
Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judges, District Court Judges and District Magistrate Judge
Question #1,		Shall the following Supreme Court Justice be retained in office?
		Eric S. Rosen	1928 S.W. Indian Woods Ln. Topeka, KS 66611	Position 4

Question #2,		Shall the following Court of Appeals Judges be retained in office?
		Sarah E. Warner	Kansas Judicial Center 301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 4
		David E. Bruns	Olathe	Position 6
		G. Gordon Atcheson	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 8
		Karen M. Arnold-Burger	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 9
		Kathryn Gardner	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 14

Question #3,		Shall the following Judges of the District Court be retained in office?
		Terri L Johnson	PO Box 311 Pleasanton, KS 66075	District 6, Division 2
		Mark A. Ward	829 190^th St Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6, Division 3
		Steven C. Montgomery	22404 S. Roosevelt St. Spring Hill, KS 66083	District 6, Division 4

Question #4,		Shall the following Judge of the District Magistrate be retained in office?
		Valorie R. Leblanc	210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6
Shall the following be adopted? Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon county, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon county, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?

Kendell Mason, County Clerk &

(SEAL) Bourbon County Election Officer

Fort Scott Police Department

The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Oct. 19

October 20, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

Click below:

10-19-2020

Fort Scott Community College

FSCC Nursing Program Seeks Community Input

October 19, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

Wednesday, October 21, the Fort Scott Community College Nursing Program will have its accreditation visit with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

“Accreditation in nursing education is voluntary, but we remain accredited to ensure quality education in nursing,” Jordan Howard, the FSCC Director of Nursing, said. “This is verified by the peer-reviewed process that happens every eight years. We maintain our accreditation so agencies that hire our graduates know they have employed a student that graduated from a program that has consistently graduated competent nurses. In addition, we continue to be accredited for our students, as they are able to further their education if they so choose. Being accredited shows a higher level of nursing education, that we are an institution of quality education.”

“During this (accreditation) time they want to visit with community members,” he said. ” I am trying to reach as many community members as we can. I have written a write up on our nursing Facebook page.”

“We’re looking for anyone that wants to join(the meeting),” Howard said. “The site team will ask them questions about our program them will allow them to give their concern if they have any.”

“They will ask several questions and give the opportunity to have your voice heard,” Howard said.

The meeting is Wednesday, October 21 at 2:40 p.m.

“You can remote in from home or call in from your phone,” Howard said. “We will also have rooms available in Fort Scott at 810 Burke Street. If you decide to come to our campus please enter the northeast door and bring a mask if you have one. For additional information on ACEN, you can visit acenursing.org. Below is the information you will need to attend this meeting.”

ROOM LINK:

MEETING ROOM 35- JS at 810 Burke Street

Access Information for the Program:

https://www.gotomeet.me/acen035

Dial-in Information:

United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679

United States: +1 (571) 317-3116

Access Code: 551-390-933

About the Nursing Program

The Fort Scott Community College Nursing Department offers students an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing for students who have completed prerequisite courses and four semesters of nursing courses, according to information on the school’s webpage. Graduates are eligible to take the national licensing exam for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) and to apply for state licensure as a registered nurse. Our program prepares students for beginning staff nursing positions and delivering nursing care to individuals and groups as members of a healthcare team to promote health and wellness.

FSCC’s Nursing Department participates in the Kansas Academic Progression Model, which allows LPNs who hold a Kansas license to continue their studies at FSCC to obtain an associate’s degree in nursing. FSCC nursing graduates can continue their studies at any of the state’s 12 colleges and universities to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

The FSCC nursing program is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN). The nursing curriculum reflects the Kansas ADN Alignment project and is current with nursing theory and practice using Quality and Safety for Nursing Education (QSEN) as its framework.

Educational facilities include four lecture classrooms, a skills lab, human simulation lab, computer lab, IV skills lab, conference/library, and audio/visual viewing room. Students may also take advantage of the student commons area for study and informal gatherings.

FSCC main campus resources are available for all students. Clinical settings include healthcare agencies in Fort Scott, Paola, Girard, Osawatomie, and Pittsburg in Kansas and Nevada in Missouri. Instruction at the Miami County Campus is provided through Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) with the instructor present at the Burke Street Campus. All campus nursing lab experiences are provided at the Burke Street Campus.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, K-State Extension

Keeping Halloween Fun and Safe During a Pandemic

October 17, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

Cassidy Lutz
Southwind Extension District
4-H Program Assistant

As October 31st approaches, many families are thinking about Halloween plans and wondering how to celebrate safely this year. In the times of COVID-19, one could argue that Halloween is the most pandemic friendly holiday. Whether you choose to be a ghost, goblin, or ghoul, many creative and fun costumes include masks or one can be incorporated easily.

Many traditions practiced on this holiday are perfectly acceptable and safe to do during the time of a pandemic. Pumpkin carving and scary movie marathons are both activities that can be done from the comfort of your own home with those in your household. If you have loved ones over the age of 65 or at high risk for getting sick, consider setting up virtual options such, such as Zoom, so your loved ones don’t miss out on the celebration.

Just like any other year, there are things to keep in mind when planning for a safe trick-or-treating experience:

Add reflective tape to costumes, have kids carry glow sticks, or encourage them to carry a flashlight after dark so they are visible to cars
Address the importance of staying on sidewalks and looking both ways before crossing streets
Encourage kids to eat healthy meals as normal before the trick-or-treating fun begins, this will help reduce the urge to gorge out on those tasty sweet treats
Never let a child go door to door alone
Remind them to visit houses with exterior lights on, stay at the doorway to accept treats, and never enter the house unless it is a family member or family friend they are visiting

This time of year should be enjoyable for all ages of people. Be sure to follow your community guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19. By preparing yourself and your youth for what to expect, you can create a more enjoyable time for yourself and your loved ones. Enjoy this opportunity to rewind back to a “more normal” holiday with your family and friends! Happy Halloween, 2020 style!

Fort Scott, Schools

After School Choir Started at FSHS and FSMS

October 16, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Fort Scott High School Choral Club pause for a photo during practice on Thursday. Submitted photo.

A Fort Scott Middle/High School Choral Music Teacher vacancy was not replaced by the USD 234 Board of Education this summer.

“Abby Helt, the choir teacher that was hired to replace Emily Elliott, withdrew in July, and there was not another teacher hired,” said Mary Jo Harper, Eugene Ware Elementary School’s Music Teacher. “They opened a position up for an after-school choir at the high school that I applied for.”

Mary Jo Harper. Submitted photo.

“I got the green light to begin rehearsals in October and we started on Tuesday,” Harper said. “Students in 9-12th grade are welcome to participate. We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 PM-4:15 PM in the Choir Room at FSHS.”

“Our goal is to aid students interested in auditioning for district and state choir (virtual this year) to have that opportunity and to prepare students for the spring musical.”

“We are also striving to continue to cultivate a passion for choral music, preparing for community performances and other events that may be able to happen in the future.,” Harper said.

” During the pandemic, the science is continuously updating,” Harper said. “Our goal is to continue to follow the COVID guidelines put out by the National Association for Music Education and Kansas State High School Activities Association, meaning masked singing during rehearsals whether indoors or outdoors, limited to about 30 minutes at a time in any space, temperatures recorded, and symptom scanning.”

“Our first rehearsal was filled with folk songs to warm up and prepare for this adventure,” Harper said. “While we wait for the clearance to sing in the elementary classroom, this has been one way I get to feed my musical soul. It’s been lovely to be able to see our students continue to love singing in high school. I’m glad I get to be a part of their continued choral education!”

Fort Scott Middle School After School Choir

Jannah Farrington at Fort Scott Middle School is doing an after school choir with interested students, Harper said.

Jannah Farrington, Fort Scott Middle School Special Education Teacher and Choral Club Teacher. Submitted photo.

“When I was asked if I would be interested I was over the moon excited.,” Farrington said. “Special Education is my passion but music was my first love. I am a singer and began my college career as a vocal music major. I am excited to be on this journey as it lights a fire deep in my soul.”

She started with four interested students and now has up to seven.

“That number is growing as the word gets out to more and more students,” Farrington said.

“Our purpose together is to create music,” she said. “To use our musical instrument that was given to us.”

“We meet three days a week after school,” Farrington said. “That is adjusted to two days a week if we have a short week.”

“I am teaching basic skills on how to read music,” she said. ” I am also teaching them how to improve their tone, pitch ability and we are working on two-part harmony.”

They are working on a traditional and a contemporary piece of music.

“I am working on them listening to one another and singing together, building confidence, practicing hard and improving their singing skills,” she said.

She is striving to have fun in the club, during these uncertain and different times, she said.

“We are following the (pandemic) guidelines we need to and my students have adjusted well to that,” she said. ” We are not preparing for competition currently but are preparing and will host a zoom concert for their parents.”

Fort Scott Biz

All posts by Loretta George

Uniontown Health Clinic Moving Forward To Open in 2021

Pioneer Kiwanis Initiates Collaboration For Community Friendship Swing

FS Commission Special Meeting on Dave Martin’s Retirement

Dave Martin Retires As City Manager, Effective Oct. 30, 2020

Advance Voting Up in Kansas and in Bourbon County

Family of Eight Moves Into the Beaux-Arts Centre

Bourbon County Special Meeting Agenda For Oct. 21

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Oct. 19

FSCC Nursing Program Seeks Community Input

About the Nursing Program

Keeping Halloween Fun and Safe During a Pandemic

After School Choir Started at FSHS and FSMS

Bourbon County Local News