The Fun Time Show, Doniphan, MO is located at Third and Main Street this year. The ticket booth is on Third Street.
This evening begins the 39th Annual Good Ol’ Days Festival in downtown Fort Scott.
The Fort Scott Talent Show begins at 6 p.m. at Memorial Hall, Third and National Street, with admission $5, kids five and under are free.
There are 13 contestants that have entered the show, Rhonda Dunn, president of the Good Ol’ Days Committee said at today’s Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee at Skubitz Plaza.
The carnival is located at the corner of Third and Main Street and offers nine rides. The cost of an armband that covers all rides for that session is $25.
Hours for the carnival are 7 to 11 p.m., tonight, Thursday, May 30. Fridays and Saturday hours are 6 to 11 p.m.
Memorial Hall is where the talent show will be held at 6 p.m. May 30.
The Good Ol’ Days Festival is put together by a committee of volunteers: Rhonda Dunn, Melissa Wise, Kayla Hall, Ally Turvey, Shawn O’Brien, Carl Brenner, Charlotte Thompson, Leah Bowman, Tim Van Hoeke, and Janet Braun.
The committee takes a month off following the festival, then meets together to plan for the next year’s festival in the following months.
The Good Ol’ Days Committee: front from left are Kayla Hall, Melissa Wise, Charlotte Thompson, Leah Bowman; back row from left are Carl Brenner, Shawn O’Brien, Rhonda Dunn, and Ally Turvey. The committee works all year long to bring the town’s annual gathering to fruition.
Holmtown Pub has many exciting things happening in June. We will be unveiling our new menu, which will feature the favorites of old and some new healthier choices for kids and adults alike.
Holmtown Pub is located at 206 N National Ave and can be reached at 620-223-1477.
We have your traditional bar menu; burgers, steaks, salads, wraps and the best porkchop in town.
We will continue our community friendly hours of operation throughout the summer.
Our kitchen hours are Monday – Saturday, 11 am-10 pm and Sunday 4 pm-10 pm. We welcome everyone during our kitchen hours. Our bar hours extend later into the evening and could be as late as 2 am, and patrons must be over the age of 21 after 10 pm.
Exciting upcoming events:
Friday May 31st – We welcome a local favorite “Shades of Blue” from 9pm-1am, they play of mix of Blues and Classic rock favorites.
Saturday June 1st – We welcome another local favorite “The Barnstormers, featuring BJ Pruitt”, from 9pm-1am. They are a Red Dirt band with a mix of classic country and rock hits.
Saturday June 8th – We will be the final stop for our local Fort Scott Fire Department annual Ride. All riders are welcome and Registration is noon at Fire Station 1, with kickstands up at 1pm. They will go on a 100 mile ride and finish at Holmtown Pub. There will be live music at 5pm from “Royce Hyer”, with the “Dirty Bourbon Band” playing at 6pm. They are supporting a local family, Jack and Stephanie Lockwood, with Stephanie’s fight with cancer. There will be a gun raffle between bands.
Saturday June 15th – The 5th Annual TATA Ride will finish at Holmtown Pub. Registration will be at 5 Corners gas station from 9am-10:30am, with kickstands up at 11am. They will ride throughout Southeast Kansas and finish at the Pub around 5pm. There will be a large number of silent and live auction items as well as some amazing raffle items. The auctions will begin when they arrive at Holmtown Pub. They will have some live entertainment from 7pm-11pm “Pickleback” a local group from Girard, will be playing some great music. The TATA ride supports Care to Share, the Sharing Bucket, a local organization that helps all families fight cancer with a variety of services.
Ol Boys Tire and Auto owners, Jody and Loretta Chaplin cut the ribbon during a ceremony May 11 to welcome them to the community by Uniontown Ruritan. From left: Ruriteen Luke George, Joe, Lawrence, Raymond George-Ruritan members, Caleb Chaplin-employee, Loretta and Jody Chaplin-owners, Henry Homan and Mark Warren, Ruritan members.
Uniontown has an auto shop called Ol’Boys Tire and Auto, which opened last year.
Uniontown’s Ruritan recently welcomed the business to the community with a ribbon cutting.
“We do auto repair,” Jody Chaplin, the owner said. “Welding, tires, brakes, exhaust, oil changes, tires, windshield wipers, pretty much anything auto product related.”
The shop is located just off Hwy. 3 on the west side of Uniontown, population approximately 300, not counting the dogs.
The hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to think about keeping children eating healthy while school is out, according to a press release from USD 235.
USD 235 at Uniontown will once again provide free meals to children during the summer.
The cafeteria at West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown.
“In the two years before this we also had sites in Bronson and Redfield, but sadly we just do not have the staff to operate all three sites so this year it will only be at the WBE school (in Uniontown),” said Michelle DeMott, USD 235 Food Service Director.
“This is a USDA funded program to help provide meals for children 0-18 years of age who may not have access to meals while school is not in session,” DeMott said. “The program is free to any child 0-18 years of age regardless of financial status.”
This summer, meals will be served at West Bourbon Elementary Monday through Friday, June 3 through June 28, 2019.
Breakfast will be served from 8:30 am – 9:00 am.
Lunch will be served from noon – 12:30 pm.
There are no income requirements or registration.
Any child 18 years of age and under may come to eat.
For more information, contact USD 235 UNIONTOWN (Michelle DeMott, (620) 756-4302, [email protected], uniontown235.org).
Each year, the United States Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like USD 235 UNIONTOWN to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer.
For more information about the Summer Food Service Program in Kansas, visit www.kn-eat.org, Summer Food Service Program.
The June menu is as follows:
June 3 – WG CEREAL STRING CHEESE PEACHES PORK CHOP MASHED POTATOES BISCUIT PINEAPPLE
4- PANCAKE PEARS CHICKEN NUGGETS WG CHIPS CORN BANANA
5 BISCUITS AND GRAVY ORANGE RIBLET ON BUN BAKED BEANS PEARS
6 EGG TACO FRUIT COCKTAIL MEATBALL SUB CARROTS GRAPES
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
