50-year math instructor Alan Shinn addresses the crowd who came to wish him well at his retirement reception on May 26.
Members of the Uniontown community came to West Bourbon Elementary School on a Sunday afternoon to honor Alan Shinn for 50 years teaching math in the school district.
Uniontown Ruritan facilitated the afternoon events which included awards and speakers from the 50-year tenure of Shinn. There was also a reception prior to the ceremony.
Ruritan District Governor Mark Warren, standing right, and the row of former students who spoke of Shinn’s 50 years in the Uniontown School District. From left: Nikki Bolinger, Ty Covey, Meaghan Jackson Russell, Kevin Gleason, Brett Howard, Dr. Randy Watson, Jim Porter, Jayci Williams Cozens, Brock Shelton, Mike Coyan, Dan George, David Clayton, Jan Dare Tate, Deanne Anderson Bloesser, Carl Otto.Community members filed into seats in the gymnasium of West Bourbon Elementary School for recognition of teacher Alan Shinn’s 50 years in the district.Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education, left; Shinn and Jim Porter, Kansas Board of Education District 9, right, as Shinn was recognized for his 50 years service.The program included 18 speakers: former students, his first principal at Uniontown High School, colleagues, Kansas government officials and a community member.USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard speaks to the crowd at Shinn’s retirement ceremony. The district presented him with a retirement gift.Alan Shinn’s family following the ceremony. Shinn taught both his children and grandchildren in his tenure at Uniontown High School. Front row from left: Diana Shinn, Lauren Shinn, Thora Shinn, Alan Shinn, Becky Shinn, back row from left: Kevin Shinn, Brock Gage, Emily Shinn, Holly Shinn, Dylan Richwine, Melissa Shinn Gage, Brayden Gage, Bryce Gage, Jason Gage.Bernadette and Dan George left, put together this quilt for Shinn, center, as a token of the family’s esteem. Shinn also taught George’s sons, Luke and Ben, right.
Fortscott.biz would like to feature local, young entrepreneurs under 20 years old, who have seen a need and have started a business to meet it.
To nominate a young entrepreneur, email [email protected] with the name, age, email address and phone number of the person, with the business they are doing. Please include who is nominating the person and why.
Meals funded by the United State Dept. of Agriculture will be served from noon to 1 p.m. starting May 28 at the Keyhole Youth Activity Center, 1002 S. Main. The program runs Mondays through Fridays and ends July 26.
“Congress controls money through the program for child nutrition,” Debbie Kreutzman, Kansas Food Bank Community Relations Manager, said. Kansas Food Bank provides the meals.
The meals are sack lunches are provided for those under 18 years of age.
In May 2018, volunteer servers Diana Spencer and Joyce Gobl helped serve the free sack lunches at the Keyhole.
“Kids will come in, check in, no need to give names, and then pick up a lunch of shelf-stable meals,” Kreutzman said.
“It is open to all kids, regardless of income and regardless of whether they live in Fort Scott,” Kreutzman said. “For example, if visiting a grandparent from New Mexico, say, they can come and eat.”
A look at what is inside the free sack lunch from May 2018. This year chocolate milk will be offered and an additional grain item.
Nutritional Requirements
“This provides an alternative where kids have an option to get a meal,” she said.
All meals served will have the following nutritional requirements met:
2 ounces of meat or meat alternative
A whole grain -bread, crackers, etc.
2 serves of fruit and/or vegetable
8 ounces of milk
Fresh fruits donations are being sought for the summer free food program.
Options Added To Give Children What They Like Best
“We have set meals served throughout the summer,” Kreutzman said. “In the past, we have had 30 sites across the state.”
After reviewing the past four years of serving the shelf-stable meals, Kreutzman said it was noted that children liked being offered an extra grain to their meal and preferred chocolate milk.
So those are being added to the meal options.
Community Organizations Asked To Provide Fresh Fruit
“I talked to Judy Hood (the Keyhole Site Manager) about community organizations providing fresh fruit or granola bars or fruit juice,” Kreutzman said. “There is a possibility of having fresh fruit: bananas, Cutie oranges, apples. We have to think in terms of what kids can pick up and eat. Cutting fruits or vegetables requires cutting and sanitation which requires a commercial kitchen.”
To donate contact Hood or call the Keyhole Youth Activity Center at 620-223-4700.
“Some sites across the state, Farmers Markets donate fresh fruits and vegetables to send home with kids,” Kreutzman said.
Next week chicken salad in a can, cheddar cheese sticks, applesauce, Gold Fish crackers, pretzels, fruit and grain bar, a box of juice and chocolate milk will be offered on Tuesday, the first day, Kreutzman said.
Children of all ages came to the Keyhole for the free sack lunch. Photo from May 2018.
USD 235, Uniontown, will also be offering a children’s summer food program. That school district will utilize its’ facility and offer cafeteria style food. That program starts June 3 and will be featured next week in fortscott.biz.
Southwind Extension District is sponsoring FREE cooking classes for youth to learn more about kitchen self-care skills. The classes are for youth that have completed the second through eighth grade. Younger or older children will not be allowed.
Since this is a ‘hands-on’ experience, we limit the size of each class depending on the size of the facility. If you have questions please call Kathy McEwan at 620-365-2242 or email [email protected].
Instructors for the classes will be Nutrition Assistants Malynda Payne and Mary Daniels.
* Required
Email address *
Child’s Full Name *
Child’s Mailing Address *
Grade Just Completed *
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
Child’s Age *
Child’s Gender
Male
Female
Primary Emergency Contact Number *
Secondary Emergency Contact Number *
Health Information (any known allergies) *
Parent’s Name *
Parent’s Email *
Parent’s Home/Cell Number/Work *
Name of Child’s Doctor *
Parent/Guardian Permission Agreement
By electronically submitting this registration form, I (parent/guardian) understand participants will be supervised and that if a serious illness or injury develops, medical and/or hospital care will be given. I hereby give permission to the attending physician to hospitalize and/or secure proper treatment for my child. I hear-by release K-State Research & Extension, the State of Kansas and their agents, officers and employees, from all claims, demands and causes of action of any kind, including claims of negligence, which may arise from participation of my minor child in “Kids In the Kitchen” classes. I also authorize K-State Research & Extension or their assignees to record and photograph my child’s image and/or voice for use in research, educational and promotional programs.
Mike Durnell, 51, will be teaching mathematics at Uniontown Middle School (grades 7-9) for the next school year.
In the vacancy that 50-year math teacher Alan Shinn left, the subjects are being reassigned to two current math teachers and then Durnell was hired as a new math teacher to take the junior high classes, USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard said.
“I have been a Missouri educator for 28 years,” Durnell said. “In my career, I have taught math at the middle school and high school level.”
He and his wife, Suzan have been married 28 years.
“We have been at El Dorado Springs (Missouri) for the last 19 years,” he said. ” I taught 8th-grade math for 14 years before becoming the activities director for the last five.”
” I retired after 28 years but really wanted to get back into the classroom,” Durnell said. “If I stay in Missouri, I am limited to part-time ( 550 hours) or going to a private school. Teaching in Kansas allows me to teach full time. It is a financial decision.”
“Suzan has another two or three years before she can retire,” he said. “I plan on commuting until she retires. It will be a longer drive than my current 10-minute commute, but that has spoiled me.”
Suzan is the elementary librarian for El Dorado Springs.
Durnell earned his bachelors degree from College of the Ozarks, his masters in educational administration from Missouri State University, and his specialist in educational administration from William Woods University.
His hometown is Moundville, Missouri and he attended Bronaugh schools.
In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and fishing, he said.
How did you become an educator?
“I was fortunate enough to have some great teachers and had a positive experience with school. I decided I wanted to be a part of that. I found that I love working with students and helping them understand difficult concepts.”
Is there someone who inspired you to teach?
“Coach Randy Roberston, my high school coach, and teacher under whom I student taught.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“I like interacting with the students and realizing that I have the ability to make a difference in their lives just like Coach Robertson did in mine.”
What are the greatest challenges in teaching for you?
“It can be frustrating when you have students who are not working up to their potential abilities. However, I love a good challenge in teaching.”
The Durnells have two daughters:
Jenna Vickers and her husband, Quade, live in Springfield, Missouri. Jenna is an accountant and Quade is an emergency room nurse, he said.
Tessa is finishing her Junior year at Ft. Hays State University and is a speech pathology major. “She runs track and cross country for the FHSU Tigers,” Durnell said.
Arial photo of Gunn Park in Fort Scott on May 22 by Yue Han. Taken from the City of Fort Scott Facebook page.
National Weather Service detailed forecast through the Memorial Day weekend. From the National Weather Service website.
There is a flood warning in effect.
Bourbon County
Today
Mostly cloudy. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms in the morning then scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall in the morning. Highs around 80. East winds around 10 mph in the morning shifting to the southeast in the afternoon. Chance of rain 60 percent.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Friday
Breezy. Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Saturday
Breezy. Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Saturday Night And Sunday
Showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid-60s. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Memorial Day And Monday Night
Windy. Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid-80s. Lows in the upper 60s.
Uniontown Ruritan welcomes Paint Creek Realty Owner Linda Wilson, during a ribbon cutting May 11. From left: Luke George, Ruriteen; Joe, Lawrence and Raymond George, Ruritan, Linda Wilson, Paint Creek Realty; Henry Homan and Mark Warren, Ruritan.
Paint Creek Realty owner Linda Wilson was welcomed to the community by Uniontown Ruritan on May 11.
Wilson specializes in agricultural listings and offers client support, financial assistance, market analysis, drone aerial photos, and has been in the business since 2005.
“The market is very strong at the present time,” she said. “We have a demand for sellers with a home on a small acreage outside city limits.”
Linda Wilson, Paint Creek Realty.Linda Wilson’s business card.
“My goal is helping dreams become reality,” Wilson said. “I want to give a very special thank you to all sellers and buyers for their support.”
Some of her properties for sale:
Imagination Station – 678 Maple Rd Uniontown – 40 Child Care Capacity.
Uniontown Car Wash & Storage – 111 3rd Street – 2 Bay Car Wash – 20 Unit Storage
Horseman Dream Property – 1000 N Main St. Mapleton – Home, Barn/6 Stalls. Arena, Acreage
Nice Large Victorian Home on 40 M/L Acres – Uniontown Area
Very Well Maintained 160 Acre Pasture/Ponds/Corral/Work Chute/Water Meter
142 Acre Ag Property, Possible 80 Ac to be Tilled/Balance Pasture
Totally Renovated Home in Uniontown – 2 Bed/1Bath
Nice Brick Home in Ft. Scott – Great Location. Updated Recently, 3 Bed/1 Bath
Awesome Ranch Home in Ft. Scott – Very Large Yard
14 Ac Home, Extra Large Shop, Several smaller buildings, On Pavement. Uniontown
Well Established Restaurant in Garnett, Tastefully Renovated – 5,880 Sq. Ft. Bldg in 2009 – Turn Key Operation, 125 Capacity Venue Facility, Area Catering in Place, Living Quarters
A wall inside Brian Griffin’s bike repair facility, Brian’s Backyard Bike Shop, located on Judson Street. Submitted photo.
This is the first in a series featuring young people who found a need and are seeking to fill it with a business venture.
To nominate local young entrepreneurs, send name, phone number/email to [email protected].
Brian Griffin: Bike Fixer
Fort Scott High School Student Brian Griffin, 16, loves all things bicycles.
Brian Griffin works on repairing a bike at his shop. Submitted photo.
” I began fixing bikes because I love bikes, I love to ride, build trails, tinker with bikes, ” Griffin said. “I’ve even built three bikes from the frame up! It helps me relax in such a stressful world.”
“My training/ experience started at a young age of around eight, fixing chains, airing up tires and other basic stuff,” he said. “I didn’t really get into the hard depths of the hundreds of small parts and how to fix, replace, and maintain them until late 2017, thanks to the help of Frank Halsey and other bicycle enthusiasts!”
A business idea came from Halsey.
“The idea first came to mind by a good friend and mentor Frank Halsey,” Griffin said. “He and I were talking back in the summer of 2017, about an operation to get small kid’s bikes going to make sure kids are on their bikes having fun, instead of finding trouble. I started to buy tools and extra parts and advertising that I’ll fix kid’s bikes for free, which is still in effect.”
Brian Griffin works on a repair with a youth. Submitted photo.
“Last year I came up with the name,” Griffin said. “Brian’s Back yard Bike shop or the Triple B. I chose this name because I started in my back yard. I have since upgraded to my own section of the building.”
Brian’s Backyard Bike Shop
“There are several ways that people can get in contact with me if they wish to do so,” Brian said. “My phone number is (620)215-2247. Or my Facebook page Brian’s Backyard Bike Shop. I’ll also have an Instagram for the shop soon!”
“Thankfully I’m conveniently placed only a few blocks (on Judson Street) away from some of the finest mountain bike trails in Kansas, at Gunn Park,” he said. “So if any anyone has trouble, I could even bring some of my bike shop to them!”
Editor’s note: I recently needed my bike repaired and Brian Griffin did an excellent job-Loretta George
The newly remodeled facility that was donated to Bourbon County EMS by Mercy Hospital, located northeast of Community Health Center at 405 Woodland Hills on May 13, 2019.
The new Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services Station at Woodland Hills is nearly complete.
“A new sign will be coming,” EMS Director Robert Leisure, “It will be seen from the street out front, Woodland Hills.”
“Mercy Hospital donated the building,” Leisure said. “The city runs the day-to-day operations. The trucks and facility are owned by the county.”
Inside the station is housed four EMS vehicles.
“Two duty and two transfer trucks,” Leisure said. “Two ambulances are at the Fort Scott Fire Department (on National Avenue).”
Paramedic Mike Kreiger consults with Bourbon County EMS Director Robert Leisure in the new facilities day room.
There is a dayroom to “relax and get off our feet in between calls,” Paramedic Mike Krieger said.
EMT Katelyn Harper works at the reporting station in the new EMS facility, it is adjacent to the kitchen area.
There is one large room that the main office, day room and kitchen are located in.
The kitchen area of the Bourbon County EMS Station at 405 Woodland Hills. In the background is the hallway to the laundry, sleep rooms, bathrooms and the director’s office.There are separate bathroom facilities for male and female employees, complete with lockers and shower.Paramedic Mike Kreiger and EMT Aide Chris Reed in the EMS station dayroom in between calls.Each shift employee has a sleeping room at the EMS station.
There are four separate sleeping rooms for shift employees.
“The EMS schedule varies on which days are worked,” Leisure said. “But the goal is two 24 hour’s (shifts) per week or 48 hours per week.”
Laundry room facilities, with the dayroom/work station/kitchen area in the background.Three of the four EMS vehicles located at the Woodland Hills Station.
EMS Director Robert Leisure indicated the new ambulance service is doing well.
For an earlier feature on the service, click below:
Robert Leisure, Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services Director, 2019.
Robert Leisure was chosen as the new Bourbon County Emergency Services Director, with an official starting date of April 29.
“Robert has been a Paramedic/RN with the service for the past 23 years. Christi Keating had decided that she was no longer going to serve in the capacity of EMS Director earlier in the year,” Dave Bruner said.
EMT Katlyn Harper works at the reporting station at the new Bourbon County EMS facility at 405 Woodland Hills, northeast of the Community Health Center. Bourbon County EMS Director Robert Leisure fields a call in the background.
Bruner is a representative of the City of Fort Scott on a task force that was given the job of transitioning the services from Mercy Hospital. Keating was a representative of Mercy Hospital and there were also representatives from Bourbon County on the task force that was formed following the announcement of the closure of the hospital in October 2018.
“We opened the position up and Robert expressed interest as well as three other candidates,” Bruner said. “Robert was chosen to fill the EMS director position.”
“I was already a Mercy employee and transitioned over to county with the rest of the staff,” Leisure said. “I was asked and encouraged to step up and fill a void left by the late Danny Hall.”
Robert Leisure, Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services Director, 2019.
He has several decades experience in emergency services.
“I’ve been a Kansas paramedic for 23 years or since 1996,” he said. “Most of my EMS career was spent in this general area and mostly with Mercy.”
Leisure is a registered nurse with 16 years of experience with Mercy Hospital.
“Nearly all (nursing experiences)have come in the ER setting with the exception of a brief stint of flight nursing with Eagle Med,” he said.
Leisure believes he has a good mix of employees.
“I’m currently fully staffed with 10 full time and 15 part-time employees” Leisure said. “It’s a good mix of paramedic and EMT’s. Some with vast experience and some just getting started.”
Leisure is learning the director job with help and has been challenged and motivated by this new position in a good way, he said.
“My duties are very fluid to me right now as I’m learning the position which is a new position, with no predecessor to really follow,” he said. “I’m being helped greatly by both Christie Keating and Dave Bruner in this transition. Christie has an extensive background in management mostly inter-hospital. And Dave is very knowledgeable about the inner workings of governmental processes.”
His duties include: “ordering and maintaining medical supplies and medications, ensuring billing of the runs we do is done accurately and on time, ensuring compliance with all state policies and procedures for ambulance operations, configuring a schedule of work for staff that see’s all shifts are covered with two crews on a 24/7 basis,” he said.
In addition, “duties include quality assurance where run reports are reviewed to assure a certain level of care is maintained, hiring and maintaining a full staff, facilitating regular maintenance of the six ambulances, meeting with the medical director and reporting to both county and city commissions since the service is run by the city and owned by the county,” he said.
The partnership between the City of Fort Scott and the Bourbon County administration has worked well.
” I have nothing but great things to say about both commissions as they’ve worked together exceptionally,” Leisure said.
Bourbon County Ambulance Service has a station at 405 Woodland Hills, northeast of the Community Health Center building, and one at the Fort Scott Fire Department on National Avenue.
To view earlier stories on the Bourbon County Ambulance:
Fort Scott’s Community Development Director Robert Uhler listens as Woodland Hills Clubhouse Manager Shannon O’Neil tells of upcoming events during the weekly Chamber of Commerce Coffee May 9.
Fort Scott’s publicly owned golf course is one of the best in Kansas.
“It’s one of the top ten in the state,” Fort Scott’s Community Development Director Robert Uhler told the weekly Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees on May 9 at Woodland Hills Golf Course.
To view others on the list of top ten golf courses in Kansas, click below.
Golf carts are lined up in front of the Woodland Hills Golf Course, ready for rental. There are 30 carts for public rental, Clubhouse Manager Shannon O’Neil said.
Woodland Hills Golf Course is busy with community events.
“The next Saturday’s are busy,” Clubhouse Manager Shannon O’Neil told the coffee attendees, “The Kiwanis Golf Tournament is May 18, there is a three-person scramble on Memorial Day weekend May 25 and a Tiger Baseball Fundraiser on June 1.” The Kiwanis fundraiser is for student scholarships and the Tiger baseball fundraiser benefits the local baseball team, he said.
O’Neil is also the head golf professional at the course.
An introductory course for beginning golfers ages 8-13 begins Tuesday, June 11, for six weeks of one-hour group lessons.
Coffee attendee, Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston said the college has a great partnership with the golf course. This partnership has allowed two girls to hone their skills to excel at the sport.
“In our first year with a golf team, two girls have qualified for nationals,” she said.
City Manager Dave Martin commended Golf Course Superintendent Jon Kindlesparger for his work on upgrading and maintaining the picturesque course.
“We hired him when the course was in disrepair,” Martin said. “Jon, with his experience has done a lot of great work out here.”
Jon Kindlesparger, Woodland Hills Golf Course Superintendent.The board at the Woodland Hills Clubhouse lists all the fees.
Kansas Department of Transportation work on 69 Hwy. as seen from Eagle Road earlier in the expansion project.
The U.S.Hwy 69 expansion in Bourbon County is nearing completion.
“The four lanes should be completed within the next two to three weeks,” Priscilla Peterson, Public Affairs Manager, Southeast Kansas Department of Transportation said. “Although both north- and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane to allow the contractor to finish work on the median and shoulders.”
It is projected that the four-lane section will be open to unrestricted traffic by mid to late June, she said.
“A ribbon cutting is in the works for late June, although we don’t yet have an exact date,” Peterson said.
