All posts by Loretta George

Visage Spa Moves Shop

Nancy Johnson,  a licensed esthetician, moved her office uptown to 5 E. Wall.

Nancy Johnson, a licensed esthetician, has moved shop.

“I wanted to be downtown,” Johnson said.

Formerly on the south end of Fort Scott, she has moved her business, Visage Skin Care Spa, to 5 E. Wall.

The move took place in November 2019, but then Johnson and her husband took an extended vacation.

Johnson has been in the business for 13 years and received her training at the Euro Institute of Holistic Skin Care in Renton, Washington.

The services she provides are facials, waxing, lash and brow tinting,  sugaring, body and foot treatments and she sells Niko Organic Skin Care products.

She can put together a gift basket for a loved one for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.

Johnson is hosting the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee on Feb. 13 at 8 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting for the business to follow the coffee at 8:30 a.m.

Johnson works by appointment and can be reached at 620.224.6455.

 

The lobby of Visage has been transformed into a modern waiting space.
Johnson’s facial spa area.

Moe’s Breads Grand Opening

Moe’s Breads Bakery is having a grand opening on Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We will have drawings for merchandise and coupons,” said owner Melissa McCurry. “Seventy-five cents coffee, $1 single biscuits and gravy and are giving away 100 mini-muffins for a door prize.”

“We are doing a raffle for the 3rd-grade boys’ basketball to go to state, tickets are $1,” McCurry said.  “We will draw at the grand opening for a full pan of cinnamon rolls.”

Hours of the bakery are from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Saturday and Sunday hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To place an order, call 620-768-8009.

Every morning McCurry makes homemade biscuits and homemade gravy and starts selling it and other breads, cookies, muffins along with hot and cold drinks at 5 a.m.

There is a lounge area in the bakery with a couch, table, and chairs in an adjacent room.

The list of food items sold:

The fruit loaves include banana, pumpkin, blueberry, and zucchini. They sell for $6. Apple cinnamon and caramel pecan swirl loaves are $7.

Cookies include banana chocolate chip, peanut butter, chocolate cream for $4 a dozen, no-bake cookies sell for $6.

Yeast bread orders must be placed 24-hours prior and start at $5: white, wheat, French, challah, jalapeno cheese, ciabatta, cinnamon rolls, and sourdough.

Coffee can be purchased for $1.25 and tea for75 cents. Soda, milk, orange juice, and energy drinks are also sold.

 

My1Stop:Online Printing Services

My1Stop employees, from left: Kevin Collins, Sioux City, Iowa, national sales representative; Rozemma Perry, Fort Scott, inside sales; Tina Wilson, Cato, inside sales; Brice Leonard, Nevada, MO, sales representative.

Local business, My1Stop, is an online print company that makes promotional items for other businesses.

The business creates plastic cards, key tags, forms, envelopes, shipping labels, gift card carriers, medical ID forms and wristbands, industrial labels, among other items.

“We started in 2005 when we saw the need to sell print online and also to sell nationally and internationally,” according to Tina Wilson, who works inside sales and customer service.

“We want to make businesses in Fort Scott grow,” she said.

The business has been family owned and operated all those years.

“In 2020, we decided we needed to be involved more in the community,” Wilson said.

The staff: Kevins Collins, national sales; Rozemma Perry, inside sales; Wilson, and Brice Leonard, sales representative, are taking part in the community through involvement in the  Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Young Professional League,  mentoring and local youth and church organizations. Other staff are marketing, graphic design and accounting.

They recently hosted a Chamber Coffee to tell their story.

To contact, call 1.800.MY1STOP.

They are located at 3200 Liberty Bell Road, Suite 300.

The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.

Orders can be placed online 24 hours a day online.

http://www.my1stop.com/

 

Bolton Law Office Moves Dowtown

Attorney Andrew Bolton, left, Christian Cox, office manager, right.

Attorney Andrew Bolton moved his office to a downtown location in November 2019.

 

He specializes in family law.

 

“Divorce, custody, adoptions,” Bolton said. “I also do estate planning and other help.  A general practice, like small-town lawyers do.”

 

Bolton said he enjoys helping people and the profession allows him to do that. He often works with people at a low point in their life.

” It’s nice that in a small town I usually know the person,” he said.

 

He can be reached at 620-644-9210.

 

Bolton said he is usually at his Fort Scott office on Thursdays and Fridays.

 

 

Bolton graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1999,  went to Pittsburg  State University and then earned his law degree from Notre Dame University in 2006. He worked for with a firm in Lawrence until 2012 when he started his own firm.

 

In 2015 he opened an office in Fort Scott and Louisburg, and just recently moved his office downtown, 14 S. Main.

 

Modern Woodmen Financial and Bolton Law Firm are housed in offices at 14 S. Main.

Obituary of Jerry Eugene Nafgzer

Jerry Eugene Nafgzer, 83, of Fort Scott, Kansas, formerly of Lancaster, Ohio, went to be with his Lord peacefully, Monday afternoon, February 3, 2020 at the Guest Home Estates of Fort Scott.

He was born November 23, 1936, in Obetz, Ohio, the son of Burl Monroe and Hazel (Dewey) Nafzger. He married Judy Arlene Kilbarger on March 6, 1959 in Sugar Grove, Ohio, she survives of the home.

Jerry was a man who loved the Lord and was loved by all who knew him. He and his wife, Judy, moved here from Lancaster, Ohio, five and a half years ago to be near their son and his family.

In addition to his wife, Judy, he is survived by a son and wife, Jerry and Debbie Nafzger, of Fort Scott, daughter and husband, Victoria and Mark Alten of Lancaster, Ohio, a grandson and wife, Matthew and Stefanie Alten, and 3 granddaughters, Sarah Beth Alten, MacKenzie and husband, Ricky Salgado and Shelby and husband, Kenny Shaw and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Tom Nafzger.

Pastor Adam Reynolds will officiate graveside services for Jerry Nafzger at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 7, 2020 at the Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street.

Condolences may be emailed to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Jessica Allison: Domestic Mediation Counseling

Jessica Allison. Submitted photo.

Jessica Allison, a professional counselor, has started a  new service in the community, at Compass Counseling Services, Inc.

 

This service is domestic mediation.

 

“This is an alternative to court action for people seeking resolution in parenting/custody disputes,” Allison said.

 

“I am a Certified Domestic Mediator in the State of Kansas,” she said. “This certification is through the Kansas Supreme Court.”

 

She also provides individual counseling, couple’s counseling, anger assessments, and substance abuse assessments.

 

“I have lived in Bourbon County for over 40 years,” Allison said.

 

Allison earned a master’s degree in community counseling from Pittsburg State University in 2008.

 

“I have been licensed since 2011 and have been operating a part-time private practice since 2013,” she said.

 

She is a Kansas Licensed Clinician Professional Counselor,  and Kansas Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor.

 

The address of her counseling practice is 120 South National Avenue Suite 203B (2nd Floor of the Post Office Building).

Allison can be contacted at 620-223-1555  or email:

[email protected] or website:

www.ccskansas.com

 

 

 

In the community, Allison is a member of Post #25 American Legion of Fort Scott, and is also the director of the Post #25 American Legion Riders.

 

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

January 31, 2020

Kansas Property Taxes have increased 164% from 1997 to 2018, while inflation was 49.5%. during the same time-frame.  And we have some whose property taxes have increased 15% or more just in the last year.

 

Senate Bill (SB) 294 and SB 295 were introduced to promote transparency and fairness in our property tax system.  SB 294 would require a vote of local government to increase your property taxes.  Taxpayers deserve to know why their taxes are increasing.  SB 295 would stop your property tax from increasing for normal maintenance.  When you need to paint your house or need a new roof it shouldn’t increase your property tax.  Especially when the person who doesn’t take care of their property receives a lower tax bill.

 

There is an effort by some who are funded with property taxpayer dollars to try and kill or weaken the bills.  It appears they want business as usual.

 

Value Them Both (mother and child) Constitutional amendment, Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1613, passed the Senate on a vote of 28 Yes to 12 No.  The SCR would allow Kansas voters the opportunity to amend our State Constitution and clarify the authority to enact laws on abortion is with the legislature and not the courts.  The next step is for the House to debate and vote on the SCR.  It must pass the House with 2/3 majority before it can be on a ballot for Kansas voters.  If the amendment passes the House and goes on a ballot, a yes vote would keep Kansas abortion laws already in place.  This is required because the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that our founding fathers allowed for abortion in our state constitution.

 

The amendment would help in stopping the courts from legislating abortion laws from the bench.  The Court opinion is posted online at:

www.kscourts.org/Cases-and-Opinions/Opinions/SupCt/2019/20190426/114153.pdf.

 

Legislating from the bench needs to be stopped.  Last year a Kansas Supreme Court decision blocks the state from prosecuting illegal immigrants who use a fake Social Security Number (SSN).  The majority of justices ruled Kansas has no right to prosecute an “alien” for using a stolen SSN.  Two justices dissented and understood how disastrous it is to not be able to prosecute whomever breaks Kansas laws.

www.kscourts.org/Cases-and-Opinions/opinions/SupCt/2017/20170908/112502.pdf

 

A loud and clear message must be sent to the justices that we will not tolerate judges rulings based on personal opinions rather than on law.  SCR 1613 will help send that message.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

 

Modern Woodmen Moves Uptown

Scott Gander and Jolynne Mitchell in front of the new office of Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, 14 S. Main.

Another business has moved uptown.

 

Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial employees rented an office space at 14 S. Main in December 2019.

Modern Woodmen Financial and Bolton Law Firm are located at 14 S. Main.

 

“It’s a better location,”  Scott Gander, managing partner for the business said. “It’s more exposure.”

 

“The business helps people with all financial planning,” Gander said. “Anything with protecting money and making money grow.”

 

“Scott and I both feel the best part of our job is helping families and their loved ones achieve their financial security through all stages of their lives,” Jolynne Mitchell, financial representative, said.

 

 

“The fraternal side is giving back to the community,” Gander said.

 

“We do $2,500 in matching funds every year, and
$1,000 in three service projects each year,” she said. “We plant trees, do Hometown Hero and provide educational events for our members.”

 

“As a Premier Chapter, we are awarded additional funds to participate in additional activities in the community to show our Modern Woodmen support,” she said.

 

 

Business hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

Phone: 620-223-3000 for more information.

 

Running Scared by Pastor Jimmy Tucker

The Bottom Line

When I was a kid in 1968, Dolly Parton released the song, “Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark.” I thought it was a cool song and when we went to visit family in Southwest Missouri, I asked Uncle Dennis if he’d heard, “Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark.“ The next time we visited, we asked the same question and it became a family joke. After that, sometimes when we’d get together someone would ask, “Have you heard the song, Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark?” We had a lot of laughs out of that question.

However, fear is no laughing matter and it can destroy our faith if we allow it. We all have opportunities to be afraid. The words “afraid” and “fear” are used 593 times in the KJV Bible. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” A lot of people are running scared because of the deadly Coronavirus. However, there is protection from this virus and it’s faith in the Word of God. Psalm 91 is known as the soldier’s psalm for protection. But it’s God’s Word and it applies to anyone who believes and trusts in His promises. Let’s read some of His promises:

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. The Lord says, ’I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer. I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation‘“ (select portions of Psalm 91 NLT).

This scriptural promise of protection is only for those who live (remain) in Christ as their Savior, healer, and protector. It’s for those who choose to trust in His name. A godly man once said: “Either the Bible is true, or it isn’t. If it isn’t, let’s throw the whole thing out. If it is, let’s begin to act like it is.”

In Mark 5:36, Jesus said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid. Only believe.” Jesus knows that our first response to bad news is to be afraid. But He tells us to treat the symptom of fear with a healthy dose of faith — faith that God’s Word is the truth and we can depend on it.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 56:3,4 NLT).

The Bottom Line: Refuse to run scared. Claim the promises of Psalm 91 and trust in God.

Pastor Jimmy Tucker

(620) 223-1483

Diamond Community Church

Worship 10:45 a.m.

2020 Census: Numbers Matter

This is a photo of  Kansas Department of Transportation employees working on 69 Hwy. as seen from Eagle Road in November 2017. The census affects funding to roads, highways, schools and other community needs.

 

The next nation-wide census begins April 1, 2020.

 

The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790, according to https://2020census.gov/en

 

This fact may affect funding for needed community services, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said, at the recent Jan. 28  downtown meeting.

 

Roads, highways, schools, health clinics,  and fire departments: the census can shape many aspects of a community.

Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year, according to the census website.

The results also determine how many seats in Congress each state gets, according to the website.

 

It’s important to promote the census, Madison said at the recent meeting.

 

“Starting in mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census,” according to the census website. “The best way to avoid a visit from a census taker is to fill out the 2020 Census questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail as soon as you receive your invitation to participate.”

 

“It will be online first, then postcards sent, then individual home visit,” Madison said.

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting to fill hundreds of thousands of temporary positions across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count, according to the census website.

To apply to be a census worker click below:

https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html

 

 Governor  Encourages Participation in the Census

Governor Laura Kelly appointed Dr. James E. Williams to the Kansas Complete Count Committee, according to a Kelly press release.

 

“The committee was established through an executive order issued by Governor Kelly and serves to coordinate efforts to promote the 2020 Census and encourage a high rate of participation.

 

 

“’Getting the 2020 Census count right is a major priority,’” Kelly said. ‘“James’ addition to the committee is an essential step to getting this count as accurate as possible.’”

 

 

Williams, Emporia, is the vice president for student affairs at Emporia State University. He will replace Reggie Robinson as the Kansas Board of Regents representative on the committee,” quoting from the press release.

 

New Businesses Downtown

Lindsay Madison, executive director of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, speaks to the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet attendees on Jan. 28 at Papa Don’s Restaurant on Main Street.

There is much happening in downtown Fort Scott.

New businesses that have opened up downtown were highlighted at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on Jan. 28. The meeting took place at Papa Don’s Restaurant.

Luther’s BBQ Restaurant, Moe’s Bread bakery, Ascension Via Christi’s medical office, Modern Woodmen of America office, the Bolton Law Firm, Visage Skin Care Spa-were mentioned by Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison to the group.

 

Up Dog Yoga, a fitness center, opened up at 12B North Main in September.

 

Common Grounds Coffee Shop, 10 E. Wall, is tentatively slated to be completed in April, Madison said. They will move from their current site on Main Street to a larger building.

 

Additionally, Structure by Margo, a beauty salon, will open next month at 19 S. National Ave.

 

And the Unsung Heroes Park, between Wall and First Street on Main Street is slated for completion this year.

 

Mayco Ace Hardware was recently approved for a loan for rehabilitating it’s building, Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt told the meet and greet attendees.

 

The historic building at First and Main Street, is back on track to be made into apartments as well.

 

“We are moving forward,” Tony Krsnich, CEO of Flint Hills Holdings Group, told FortScott.Biz. “A new contractor, Rau Construction, Overland Park, will be starting in the next few weeks.”

“It will be made into 25 apartments, rents that accommodate a wide range of rents, from $300 up,” Krsnich said. “They will be one and two-bedroom units.

On the Main Street first floor there will be a commons area and some apartments also, he said.

The tentative date for completion is Sept. 1, Krsnich said.

 

Madison stated January is the start of a new year for grants for businesses and that Fort Scott is an eCommunity which strives to encourage entrepreneurship.

 

 

Unsung Heroes Park Is Progressing

Dreamscape Innovations, Inc., Mound City,  employees work on the Unsung Heroes Park in downtown Fort Scott on Jan. 28. Jerry Harrelson, Pleasanton, and Justin Robertson, Mound City work on plumbing pipes and putting mulch down on the water feature in the park.

A green space amid the concrete sidewalks and streets of downtown Fort Scott will soon be ready for public enjoyment.

 

Work on the Unsung Heroes Park, just south of the Lowell Milken Center at 1 S. Main, is progressing.

 

“It would be nice to have it done by the all-school reunion (in late June),” Beth Nuss, one of the organizers of the park told the Downtown Meet and Greet on Jan. 28. “But you know how that goes with weather.”

 

On January 28,  some employees of DreamScape Innovations, Inc., of  Mound City, were installing plumbing pipes, planting trees and laying down mulch.

 

Employee Justin Robertson said weather permitting, that the water feature project will be completed in a few weeks.

 

A frontal view of the water feature in an artist’s rendition.  Elaine Buerge is the artist. Submitted artwork.

R2 Construction did the excavation and concrete work on the site.

 

 

Future Work

A stage area is being planned for the wall of the old Kress building which is on the south side of the park.

The north side of the old Kress Building on Main Street will be the location of the stage area.

 

The Rotary Club is donating benches and trash receptacles for the park.

 

A bench is also being donated by Niece Of Kansas, Inc. in honor of employee Pat Flanagan who died in September 2019.

 

There will be a small fenced area for dogs in the park.

 

“The area for dogs will try to accommodate pets of people living downtown,” she said in a prior interview.

 

History

 

The area has been vacant since 2005 when the building sitting on it, burned down.

 

The idea of green space in downtown Fort Scott began in 2017.

 

The planning group is currently comprised of Elaine Buerge, Bernita Hill, Beth Nuss, and Carolyn Sinn.

 

After the original research and planning took place, bids were let.

 

“The bids were not financially feasible,” Nuss said in a previous interview. “So we needed to revisit the plan.”

 

“All the money we had was donated,” she said.

 

Then the Timken Company stepped in with a grant of $25,000, “which got us to the top,” Nuss said.

 

Since it is a privately funded project, organizations and individuals who would like to contribute may contact group members, said committee member Bernita Hill.

 

 

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