All posts by Loretta George

Fort Scott, Government

Audit of City of Fort Scott: Future Savings

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Brandon Russell, a plant operator, does testing on Fort Scott’s water in the water treatment plant in a file photo.

Last week the City of Fort Scott announced a city-wide infrastructure project to look at energy savings, growth in facilities, building, parks, and downtown redevelopment, through a multi-national company called Schneider Electric.

Swimming lessons at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center in a file photo.

FortScott.Biz contacted the company to get a clearer view of the project.

“Schneider Electric’s team of engineers and construction experts audited every facility, park, and infrastructure owned or operated by the City of Fort Scott, “Brian Puffer, Regional Marketing Manager of
Energy and Sustainability Services for Schneider Electric said.

Puffer’s office is in Franklin, TN but the headquarters are located near Paris, France.

Memorial Hall at Third and National Avenue.

Reducing energy consumption and future operation and capital burdens

“The goal was to identify opportunities to help reduce energy, operational and future capital burdens facing the city,” he said. “Our team worked with city administration to focus the scope of the project on those items that create the biggest impact and will be funded through the reduction of energy and operational expenses.”

Buck Run Community Center

The following facilities will be impacted:

  • Airport
  • Aquatic Center
  • Buck Run Community Center
  • City Hall
  • Davis Life Station
  • Animal Shelter
  • Fire Station #2
  • Golf Course
  • Gunn Park
  • LaRoche Stadium
  • Memorial Hall
  • Public Safety (Fire/Police)
  • Public Works
  • Water Distribution
  • Water Production Plant
  • Wastewater Treatment
The City of Fort Scott’s Public Safety Facility.

“Our team creates detailed energy models based on the current equipment and operational parameters of each facility,” Puffer said. “This allows us to determine what changes and impact a specific scope item (lights, HVAC, envelope, etc.) will have across a specific building or the entire city as a whole.”

Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton, Fort Scott.

Creating New Revenue

“The goal is to take what was generally viewed as an expense in energy and maintenance costs and redirect those dollars into capital investments,” he said.  “So, when referring to a new revenue stream, we are really tapping into what is lost to a utility from an operational expense and reinvesting those dollars into a capital need.”

 

LaRoche Baseball Stadium.

 

For the original Schneider Electric press release, click below:

City-Wide Infrastructure Project Begins

Fort Scott Airport.
Gunn Park entrance.
Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Government

History Comes Alive at The Fort

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The Grand Ballroom is festooned with greenery in preparation for the candlelight tour on Friday and Saturday. Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site will serve refreshments here after the tour.

Our history is a part of our culture.

And one of the gems of Fort Scott is the national historic site at the end of Main Street that tells of the beginning of the city as an army outpost.

This weekend the 38th Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Candlelight Tour will help participants understand the life of military life in the 1840s.

Tours start at dusk Friday and Saturday night Dec. 6 and 7 and last approximately 45 minutes. Tickets must be purchased prior to the tour.

Call the Fort at 620-223-0310 (with a major credit card) or stop by the Visitor Center on Old  Fort Blvd.

Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and the terrain, as they will be outside and on sidewalks.

“It’s a way to share and celebrate the holiday with the community,” Carl Brenner, Cheif of Interpretation and Resource Management said.

“The public (tour-goers) will be a dragoon soldier and get an enlistment card, each will be a different soldier,” Brenner told the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees Thursday morning.

“The persona of each soldier will be giving tours of each scene,” he said.

There are six different scenes.

Approximately 100 volunteers help with the annual Candlelight Tour, Brenner said.

 

Every year the tour is different.

“We want people to learn and have new experiences telling different stories,” Brenner said.

The Fort Scott High School Drama Department will be a part of the storytelling.

“They do such a great job, we wanted to get them involved,” he said. “They will be showing a scene of what payday was like (for a dragoon.)”

Fort Scott High School Drama Teacher Angie Bin’s advanced theatre students, in their third or fourth year of taking drama class, were given guidelines and information from the FSNHS to guide them in writing a scene that takes place in the 1840s on a payday.

“I had two classes that each wrote a script and then Barak Geertsen, at the fort, consolidated the two scripts into one final draft. We have five students who are acting in that scene. We also have a student acting as a sergeant in another scene.”

Many other students will act as tour followers during the tour, she said.

Most of the tours are filled so an 8:30 p.m. tour was added.

The cost of the tour is $8 for those 6 years of age and up.

“We are asking that people show up 10 minutes early to find a parking spot and make their way to the visitors center, Brenner said.

The Friends of FSNHS will provide refreshments at the end of the tour, one of their many supportive rolls for the fort.

Reed Hartford, president of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, tells the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce attendees of the support services the group supplies the fort.
Church news, Fort Scott

Fellowship and Fun for Missions Fundraiser Dec. 8

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These are the local students and their sponsors who have committed to misson trips in the near future. Front  row, from left: Maia Martin—Honduras,   Bailey Cliffman—Africa,  Alaina Allen—Italy,  Katherine Hudiburg—Ireland. The back row is the students’ sponsors:  Kenny Hudiburg—Ireland,  Noah Martin—Honduras, Kiran Bailey—Honduras,  Dawna Hudiburg—Africa,  Alexander Krebs—Honduras,  Michelle Hudiburg—Africa. Submitted photo.

 

Christian summer camps have impacted several local youths to serve on mission trips.

“Some of these students are from the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and some from Community Christian Church partnering together,” Tonya Cliffman, mom to one of the students, said. “The same group that traveled together for Denver Christ In Youth, last summer.”

Community Christian Church, across from Fort Scott Community College on Horton Street.

The youth will be having a combined fundraiser for their mission trips Sunday, Dec. 8 at Community Christian Church.

The meal begins on Sunday at noon and there will be a pie auction at 12:45 p.m., followed by bingo at 1 pm.

Bingo cards can be purchased for $10 and this packet will cover all of the games played.

“This group, while hosting individual fundraisers, have teamed together for the fundraising event planned for December 8th at Community Christian Church,” Tonya Cliffman said.  “The travelers are hosting ‘Missions Meal’.  A meal of baked potato and soup for a free-will donation.”

” Some of these soups will be provided by the Ladle Wars competition—a competition of local people interested in entering the contest of whom has the best crock pot of soup…. the winner will receive a Golden Ladle,” Tonya Cliffman said.

“This will be a  day of food, fellowship, and fun,” Tonya Cliffman said.

The students have been fundraising individually as well.

“Each student is actively fundraising for their trip in various ways, selling salsa, pies, M & M’s, blankets, dog treats and more,” Tonya Cliffman said. “Each student has an adult chaperone partnering with them for these trips.”

One of the students, Bailey Cliffman,  has also started a local compassion ministry.

“This young lady that goes to my church is making backpacks for children in foster care,” Malinda Bailey said. ” I think it’s pretty amazing.”

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-0/p480x480/72636365_564093967680276_7914822581255929856_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ohc=KEYCWG1JqXYAQksdkltK-5epC_-hjauHKHi9ow62SrDboE-JZ76DYTCgQ&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=567610cb1d553b0ad1b0f564079573b6&oe=5E88880A
Bailey Cliffman. Courtesy photo.

“Last summer Bailey attended CIY  in Denver,  where the idea of B Bags formed (her local compassion ministry),” Tonya Cliffman said.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Health Care

Angels Care Home Health Sees New Assistance Need

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Billie Jo Drake opens the Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition monthly meeting Dec. 4.

Gary Miller, account executive with Angels Care Home Health company, spoke to the Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition members Wednesday about the company’s offerings.

Gary Miller speaks on behalf of Angels Care Home Health company.

 

One request is different than in years past, Miller said.

“Seniors are now coming to us for assistance with rent,” he said.

Miller has reasons to believe this is because of their casino spending.

An additional new situation, several generations are living under one roof.

“We are seeing three-generational homes,” he said. This is where grandparents, parents and children are all living in one home for financial and/or personal care reasons.

Angels Care Home Health helps with these situations and many others.

The services they provide are skilled nursing, wound care, falls prevention, medication management with education, disease management with education, therapy for neuropathy with pain, blood glucose monitoring education, pre-palliative care, behavioral health, hospital transition care for CHF, pneumonia, heart attack and physical, speech and occupational therapies.

Angels Care Home Health is officed in Pittsburg and serves the surrounding area.

For more information contact 620-232-2922.

There will be no January coalition meeting.

The Feb. 5 meeting will feature Meaghan Russell from USD 235 who will present about the Team Mates Program.

The coalition meets the first Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church at 123 Scott.

 

Area News, Ascension Via Christi, Business, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, Health Care

CHCSEK Health Care Update From Krista Postai

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Krista Postai

Since taking over operations of the medical clinic from Mercy Hospital earlier this year, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has been working to add more doctors’ services.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.

Added Doctors

The following doctors have recently been added or added more days available in the Fort Scott clinic.

Dr. Alicia Pino, D. O. is a board-certified pediatrician and holds medical privileges from Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg.

 

Dr. Holly Gault, M.D. is a board-certified family physician with obstetrics and has medical privileges at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg.

 

“They aren’t really new,” Krista Postai, CEO and president of CHCSEK said of the two doctors. “Dr. Gault, a family physician, has been with us for more than three years in Pittsburg and lives near Arcadia so is actually closer to Ft. Scott. She has been seeing patients there one day a week and is increasing to two.”

 

“Dr. Pino joined us this summer; she is a board-certified pediatrician and is currently seeing patients one day a week in Fort Scott. She also sees newborns at Via Christi Ascension and patients in Pittsburg three days a week.”

 

“We thought it would be more convenient for those Bourbon County women delivering in Pittsburg to have both these doctors more available for follow up visits,” she said.

 

Dr.  Grant Hartman, a Fort Scott Chiropractor officially joins CHCSEK this month and, beginning in January, will provide chiropractic services at their clinics in both Pittsburg and Fort Scott, Postai said.

 

Dr. Bashar Marji is the latest addition of specialists added, Postai said. Marji is a cardiology specialist who will come to Fort Scott one Friday each month.

 

The following are the specialists currently in Fort Scott, with their frequency:

  • Cardiology – Dr. Markham (HCA) – the first, third and fourth Thursday of each month;
  • Urology – Dr. Tawil – every Thursday;
  • Orthopedics – Greg King, APRN (Freeman) – every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday;
  • Surgery – Dr. Hall (Allen County Regional Hospital) – Thursday afternoons, Friday all-day of every week;
  • Cardiology – Renae Bateman, APRN (Mercy) – every Monday;
  • Cardiovascular Surgery – the combination of Dr. Meyer/Dr. Brown/Pam Darnell, APRN/Amanda Lumpkins, APRN/Paige Palmer, APRN (all Mercy) – First and Third Friday of every month;
  • Cardiology – Dr. Marji – one Friday each month

 

New Clinic Building In Process

CHC/SEK will be building a facility on Horton, just west of the former Mercy Hospital building.

 

The move to build a new clinic on the Horton Street side of the former Mercy Hospital in on-going, Postai said.

 

Currently, CHCSEK is finalizing the donation of land from Mercy Hospital, she said. Additionally, they are working on the design of the new building.

 

“We are looking at eight acres including the helipad,” Postai said.  “We expect to have that done very shortly and are looking at a groundbreaking in the spring.”

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Christmas Parade Today Dec. 3

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Parkway Church of God’s float in a past Fort Scott Christmas parade.

The Fort Scott Downtown Christmas Parade is today, Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 6:00 p.m.

The theme this year is  Christmas Through the Years.

The parade will celebrate the culmination of the 100th anniversary of Fort Scott Community College with the Class of 1941 graduate Esther Anne Sewell as Grand Marshal.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st($75), 2nd($50), and 3rd($25). There are not prizes for each category.

Parade order pick up is today, Dec. 3 at the Fort Scott  Chamber of Commerce office until 5 p.m.

The parade order number should be displayed on the right-hand (passenger) side of your entry for the judges viewing.

After 5 pm, numbers may be picked up at the Carriage House at 3rd and Main Streets.

The parade line-up will start at 3rd and Main Streets in front of the Carriage House, entries should be lined up no later than 5:50 pm.

The parade will go north on Main Street ending at Skubitz Plaza for the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree.

After the parade, Santa will be at the backroom of Papa Don’s to meet with children about their Christmas list and Walgreens will be taking photos.

 

Business, Exercise, Fort Scott

Smallville Crossfit Reopens Today, Dec. 2

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Aaron Watts works on the flooring in one of the large classrooms at Smallville Crossfit  on Nov. 29

 

After a hiatus finishing up the new facility at 1905 Judson, Smallville Crossfit opens today for classes.

“Our first classes will be held here Monday,” owner Aaron Watts said on Nov. 29. His wife, Lindsey is his partner in the fitness business.

The reconfigured facility, once Fort Scott Lumber, is just off West 19th Street in the southern part of the city. They were formerly in a downtown location but outgrew the space.

Smallville Crossfit has 130 members, Aaron said.

Some of the Smallville Crossfit members, from the business Facebook page.

They now have about 60 percent more space to accommodate those members, Aaron said.

“We now have three large heated rooms for classes, as opposed to two large and an auxiliary room,” he said.

Smallville Crossfit provides regular Crossfit classes, a “sweat class” and a pre-teen class for kids eight to 12 years old, Aaron said.

The Watts are going to add some new classes, a dance fitness class and strength and conditioning classes, in the future.

“We are going to get through a couple of months to determine new equipment that might be needed,” Aaron said.

New showers and bathrooms have been added to the building and Aaron was putting the mat floor down on Friday, while Lindsey was cleaning the walls in one of the new classrooms, with a little help from family and friends.

Lindsay Watts cleans the wall of one of the new classrooms at Smallville Crossfit on Nov. 29.

 

Smallville Crossfit classes are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8 a.m. 11:15 a.m., the 4 p.m. pre-teen class to the last class at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday classes are at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Saturday there is an open gym which starts at 9 a.m.

For more information contact Lindsey at 620-619-9602 or Aaron at 620-719-7554.

A grand opening at the new facility will be after the first of the year.

Aaron Watts stands in front of the newly remodeled Smallville Crossfit, 1905 Judson.

 

Opinion

Black Friday by Pastor James Collins

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 “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”                  

         1 Chronicles 16:34

            

    Years ago, my wife, Amanda, talked me into going shopping with her. Shopping with Amanda is dangerous and stressful enough, but, we went shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We went shopping on Black Friday.

The name “Black Friday” sounds awful. It brings to mind being blackmailed, the black plague, and the black death. It sounds bad.

Black Friday has always puzzled me. Why is it that on Black Friday Americans are willing to kill over materialistic items just one day after celebrating what they are already thankful for?

I have heard that the term “Black Friday” refers to the pattern of pedestrian and vehicle traffic that hits large cities. However, that is not true. Retailers actually coined the term to describe the day of the year when their shops go from being in the red to going into profit or into the black.

Black Friday has become the largest day of shopping both on the internet and in retail stores. Last year on Black Friday, Americans spent an average of $938.58 per shopper, and Americans spent $655.8 billion overall.

Anyway, years ago, before our children were born, Amanda talked me into going shopping with her on Black Friday. And I went shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving for the first and last time in my life.

At first, I thought it would be fun. I thought it might become a family tradition. I thought we might do a little shopping. Then we would hang out and have breakfast. I thought it would be a nice way to spend time with my wife, but I was wrong.

The day started out okay. We got up early before dawn. We had coffee. Then we went to Walmart at 5 in the morning. I have never seen anything like what I saw that morning. Three-hundred people lined up waiting for Walmart to open. I can’t get three hundred people to get up that early and come see a new believer get baptized. Man! I can’t even get thirty people to get up that early and come see a new believer get baptized. To tell the truth, I can’t even get three people to get up that early and come see a new believer get baptized.

When they opened the doors, I was almost trampled by a wild pack of shoppers. Inside the store wasn’t any better. I made the mistake of standing in front of a door-buster sign. People pushed me out of the way to get to a video game that was on sale.

They wheeled out a blue flashing light. Grown men and women ran from all over the store to the blue light to get a Tickle Me Elmo Toy.

Two women almost got in a fistfight. They were both going after the last coat on a 50% off rack. All over the store people were running, pushing, shoving, fighting, and cussing. I’m telling you, those people were crazy.

The point is: We have lost our way. On that Black Friday, I realized America has become a nation which has slipped away from worshipping God to a nation that worships material things. One day after giving thanks to God for all their blessings, Americans fight over TVs and toasters. On the day that kicks off the Christmas season, Americans act anything but Christ-like.

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday this week, let us pause and give thanks to almighty God for all His blessings. Let us reflect on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as we decorate for Christmas. Let us spend quality time with family and friends. It is okay to go shopping, but don’t let shopping come between you and your relationship with God.

Besides, I have discovered that Black Friday equals Broke Saturday.

James Collins is the pastor of Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. His latest book, “The Nativity” is available on Amazon or by calling (620) 223-2986. 

Business, Fort Scott, Housing

Historic Redo Back On Track

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The residential development at 1st and Main Street is now on track for a summer 2020 opening. This is a 2018 photo.

Though there has been no activity for months on the building at First and Main Street, that will change soon, said the developer.

“As happens from time to time, we are in the process of switching general contractors,” Tony Krsnich, president and CEO of Flint Hills Holding, 2315 W. 65th, Mission Hills, KS. said.

“We are getting ready to start construction back up in 30 days,” He said.

The three-story building is being converted into 25 “high-end” apartments, he said. “They are for the general public and rent will be based on income.”

“It will be historically preserved,” Krsnich said. “It will pretty much look like it did when built.”

What was known as the Stout Building, adjacent to the west at First and National Avenue was torn down.

“The old Stout Building was endangered and needed to be razed,” he said. “It will be used as green space and a parking area for downtown.”

“The project is fully financed and construction is expected to resume within the next few weeks,” Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott Economic Director said. “The City looks forward to seeing the construction restarting and is thankful for the additional investment from Flint Hills Holdings. ”

The First and Main building as seen from National Avenue on Nov. 4. The Stout Building was razed on this space and will be made into a green space and parking lot for downtown Fort Scott.

 

Fort Scott

Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner By the Schwalms and Friends

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For over 20 years, Marjorie Schwalm has been serving meals on Thanksgiving for people in the community.

“I originated it and run it with my friends and family,” Schwalm said. “I buy the food, take the orders for deliveries.”

There is no cost to the recipient.

“All are welcome to come or we will deliver,” Schwalm said.  “We deliver to Meals on Wheels people, Cavalry Crossing Crossing and High-Rise apartments. Those that don’t have a way of comming to the lodge. We deliver. A lot of people help deliver. The most we’ve delivered is 300 people.”

Delivery starts at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving day, then the focus is on those who come to the Elks Lodge, 111 W. 19th to eat the dinner.

 

 

She said helpers show up on Thanksgiving morning and ask what they can do to help.

 

The Elks Lodge members smoke the turkeys and allow her to take over the lodge, to cook and serve the meal to those attending, she said.

 

Dinner is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 

And they serve between 600-700 people every Thanksgiving.

 

Community Christian Church makes all the desserts for the dinner, Cthe hurch of God Holiness pays for all the rolls.

“It is truly a community effort,” she said.

For more information or to order a meal contact Schwalm at 620.223.1521.

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment

Rosie’s Cabin Hosts Vendors Dec. 7: Buy Local

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Rosie’s Cabin and Event Center, 563 Maple Rd., Uniontown
Rosie’s Cabin Event Center Manager Kelsey Blythe was approached by a local entrepreneur to host a vendor show.
“Kelly Perry from Perry’s Pork Rinds is a very motivated entrepreneur with great ideas,” Blythe said.  “She came to me with an idea to have a local vendor show. Since we have space, we were delighted to host.”
The Backwoods Holiday Mart is scheduled for December 7 at Rosie’s Cabin – 563 Maple Road Uniontown, just 20 minutes from downtown Fort Scott.
“Everyone is invited,” Blythe said.  “The more support our local vendors get, the better for all of the community in Bourbon County.”
The event is from 9 am – 4 pm on Saturday, Dec. 7.
There will be giveaways, prizes, and samples.
Santa Claus will be available for family photos by Erica George Photography.
“Loads of people will be setting up a booth to sell and advertise their products,” Blythe said.  “There are so many different kinds of vendors coming, it’s going to be so fun to look around.”
  “There will be hand made jewelry, wines, nuts, knives, Perry’s Pork Rinds, homemade baked goods, homemade dog treats, leather goods,  woodworking, Tupperware, homemade Christmas wreaths and many many more. Come support your local business people!! Most of these vendors travel to vendor shows and put their heart into their products.”

Blythe is considering this an annual event and possibly bi-annual
“to give hard-working people a good chance to sell LOCALLY! What would be better than to have one of your best shows be here in Bourbon County,” Blythe said.