All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott McDonald’s: McCoy Retires

Leave a comment
Photo of McDonald’s Restaurant, 2224 S. Main, Fort Scott, following the renovation in December 2018 of the business site.

After 46 years with McDonald’s Restaurant, 19 of those here in Fort Scott, owner Mark McCoy is retiring.

As of May 1, Glen Nichols, Pittsburg, is the new owner.

“He is a great gentleman,” McCoy said of Nichols. “He owns restaurants in Pittsburg, Chanute, Parsons, Independence, Coffeyville, Baxter Springs and Columbus.”

Facebook photo.

“I am an active person, retiring is not in my vocabulary,” McCoy said. “Mo (his wife) and I will continue to be active in the community.”

Because of his job at McDonald’s, McCoy moved here from Kansas City 19 years ago, he said.

“We have enjoyed living here and will continue to do so,” McCoy said.

The quick-service industry has changed over the decades, he said.

“When I started with McDonald’s 46 years ago, we didn’t have a breakfast menu,” he said.  “The restaurant I started with didn’t have indoor seating….the majority of people employed there was 20ish and under.”

More recently McDonald’s has opened self-serve kiosks, mobile order and pay and Uber Eats, a delivery service, he said.

“We don’t have an Uber Eats in Fort Scott, we don’t have an Uber service,” McCoy said.

Currently, at Fort Scott McDonald’s Restaurant there are 55 employees, he said.

Many are older employees.

“The majority of the quick-serve industry are older, more mature folks (employees),” McCoy said. “That has evolved over the years in the U.S.”

McCoy plans to travel and visit family in California.

“I have two brothers and a daughter in California,” he said. “We hope to be able to travel.”

 

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Customer Appreciation Days At Fort Scott Munitions

Leave a comment
Merchandise specials and giveaways are part of the Fort Scott Munitions Customer Appreciation Days, which is in conjunction with Fort Scott’s Good Ol’ Days, May 31-June 1.
The business is located at 523 E. Wall, near the intersection of Hwy. 69 and 54.
“We’ll have store deals and giveaways going on all day,” Dustin Doherty, Fort Scott Munitions Marketing Director said.
“Everyone is invited, it is free to attend as a spectator,” Doherty said. “There is a registration fee for the car show entries.”
Free lunch is provided for everyone, he said. “We are having 1,500 hamburgers and once we run out, then lunch is over.”

“We will have tons of in-store specials, we are even giving away a gun in store with appropriate registration and all that fun stuff,” Doherty said.

 

“We are having this annual event for several reasons, first and foremost it’s for our customers,” Doherty said. “It’s something that we do for them and their families. We want to give them good deals in our shop and feed them lunch and provide a family friendly event for them, which is where the car show comes in. It’s been very successful in the last couple of years and it keeps growing. We’ve added several new things this year such as bringing  Tanto in a day early to host a defensive shooting course, which we are selling tickets for at the shop. And we are doing a burnout contest as well, which should be a lot of fun.”
“We’ve had more businesses in town support the event as well as meeting with the city of Fort Scott to work in conjunction with Good Ol’ Days and the committee that runs that event”, he said.
“We are hoping to grow our car show and customer appreciation day alongside with Good Ol’ Days, maximizing exposure and bringing as many people to town as we can to ‘cross-pollinate’ and gain exposure for not only the events going on that day but to all participating businesses and organizations.”
These people will be at the Customer Appreciation Days:
The “American Rebel” group and Corvette;
The 2nd Amendment muscle car, designed by Danny “The Count” Koker of the TV show Counting Cars, and owned by Andy Ross, musician, and host of “Maximum Archery” on the Sportsman Channel, will be on display.
“Blue Line Bears will be here again,” Doherty said. “Megan, a young woman from Florida who hand sews teddy bears from fallen officers uniforms and presents them to the children of those officers, to help them with closure and the grieving process. It’s a very emotional and pure non-profit. And now, not only we have worked with them but Landmark National Bank in Fort Scott has also helped with raising money for this organization.”
“Landmark is doing a fundraiser for them on May 15th for Kansas’ National Law enforcement day being declared for the 15th,” he said.
“Hank Strange will be attending,” Doherty said. “Hank is a podcast, content creator and YouTube personality that promotes the second amendment (of the U.S. Constitution) while providing enjoyable/engaging content for gun enthusiasts alike.”
“It will be a great day and we hope everyone in the area will be able to attend all events going on that day,” Doherty said.
Saturday, June 1, the scheduled events:
8 am – Car show registration begins
9 am – Car Show Voting begins
10 am – Kris “Tanto” Paronto (ammo
tin and book signing); Car show Pre-Registration Check-in Cutoff
11 am – Kris “Tanto” Paronto (ammo tin and book signing); Car show Registration Ends
12 pm – Kris “Tanto” Paronto (ammo tin and book signing); Free Lunch Begins The lunch ends when there are no more hamburgers.
1 pm –
2 pm – Car Show voting ends
2:30 pm – Car Show Awards presented, Charity Motorcycle Raffle Winner announced
2:30 pm – Burnout Contest on Clarke Street
Customers line up to enter Fort Scott Munitions during customer appreciation days June 2018.
Tickets for the charity motorcycle raffle will be sold all day leading up to the drawing/winner announcement.
Cars are lined up for the Fort Scott Munitions Customer Appreciation Days 2018.
Fort Scott, Schools

Josh Regan: New St. Mary’s Principal

Leave a comment
Josh Regan. Submitted photo.
Josh Regan, 39, is the new principal of St. Mary’s Catholic School.
A  Fort Scottian, Regan comes with 11 years in education as a teacher, this will be his first administration job.
He received his  BSEd from the University of Kansas,  and Masters in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University
Regan starts July 1 in the new position.
St. Mary’s Catholic School
 
What will be the first priority to you as principal?
“St. Mary’s already has a great reputation as an excellent school with an awesome staff,” Regan said.  “Krista Gorman has done an incredible job as principal.  My first priority is to learn as much as possible from her, and she has been great about offering to teach me.  I also want to learn from the staff and faculty in terms of what works and what I can do to help them.  Beyond that, my priority is to form disciples of Jesus Christ.  There are many levels to that mission, especially in an educational setting.  I plan to model and practice my faith both in front of and with the kids, and again this is something that I know Krista has done for a long time as well. I am incredibly excited especially about that part of the job.”
 
 
How did you become an educator?
“I decided to become an educator after my father, David Regan, passed away fifteen years ago,” he said. ” In the days surrounding his accident, hospitalization, death, and funeral my brothers and I were flooded with stories from students and athletes that he had, about how he had inspired them in countless ways.  I started to realize how powerful that was, and I wanted to have the same impact on young people.  In all honesty, I suppose I can also admit that deep down, I wanted to make my Dad proud- as any son does. So at that point, I went back to school and started this journey in education.  I am so glad that I did.  There is no better job in the world.”
 
Is there someone who inspired you to teach?
“Besides my father- Ken Klassen and Ron Klassen, Chad McKinnis and Bob Campbell.”
 
What is the best part of education for you?
“Relationships that are formed with the young people that I teach and coach,” Regan said.  “What we teach in the classroom as far as content is important and certainly has its place, but it’s really secondary to being a positive force in a young person’s life. That is what I live for.  The greatest teachers in my life showed me how to be a man as much as they taught me chemistry or Latin.  I can only pray and hope that the things I do every day push my students and athletes in a positive direction, and pray for forgiveness for those moments when I have fallen short.”
Regan is married to Nikki and has three children- Elliana (9), Myla (7), David (5).

 
Ascension Via Christi, Health Care, Mercy Hospital

Mercy Donates to Via Christi

Leave a comment
Holding the check facsimile – Former President and CEO of Mercy Reta Baker and  President and CEO of Ascension Via Christi-Pittsburg Randy Cason;  second row-Kayla Stewart, Via Christi-Bryan Holt, Mercy Foundation-Bill Michaud, Foundation; third row-Nicole Brown, Via Christi-Brooke Newell, Via Christi-Barb Dunlap, Via Christi- Holly Ryan, Via Christi; fourth row- Becky Tourtillott, Foundation-Alysia Johnston, Foundation. Submitted photo, dated April 22, 2019.

Mercy Health Foundation Donates $200,000 to Ascension/Via Christi for Continuation of Emergency Services in Fort Scott

Access to numerous health care services has remained intact following the closure of Mercy Hospital in December 2018, due in part to substantial donations from Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott, according to a press release from Mercy Hospital Foundation.

In their continued support of healthcare in the community, the foundation board agreed to donate $200,000 to the Ascension/Via Christi Emergency Department, Ft. Scott to ensure the continuation of essential health care services for residents of Fort Scott and Bourbon County.

Natalie Snyder, RN; Kristi Harbit, RN and Cheryl Koppa, RN, all of Fort Scott are members of the Ascension Via Christi staff in Fort Scott. This photo was taken the day of the grand opening of the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, Feb. 28.

Emergency care, lab, and radiology services are currently available at the prior Mercy location, 403 Woodlands Blvd., south of Fort Scott, just off 69 Hwy. and are being provided by Ascension/Via Christi. The funds are intended to facilitate technology and equipment for the emergency services.

Funds donated by Mercy Health Foundation will assist Ascension/Via Christi with costs associated to support a lab interface with the electronic health record and documentation system, a Lucas chest compression system, space lab patient monitors, iStat lab equipment, EKG TC 70 wireless, and a CT power injector, according to the Mercy Foundation press release.

Earlier this year, Mercy Health Foundation donated $300,000 to Community Health Center, who now provides clinical services in the former Mercy Hospital Clinic. That CHC clinic includes a primary care physicians office area, laboratory, x-ray and mammogram services. In addition, it provides convenient care at the location at 1624 S. National Avenue.

Click below for that story:

Mercy Health Foundation Donates $300,000 To Community Health Center

 

Mercy Health Foundation—Fort Scott, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and the following are members: Jared Leek, chair; Chris Petty, vice chair; Bryan Holt, treasurer; Becky Tourtillott, secretary; Alysia Johnston, Mark McCoy, Bill Michaud, Jolynne Mitchell, Pat Neff, Colleen Quick and Darcy Smith, according to the website:

http://mercyhealthfoundation.net/communities/fort-scott/fort-scott-staff-board-directors/

Ascension Via Christi leases approximately 16,000 square feet of space from Mercy, according to the Ascension Via Christi website:

https://www.viachristi.org/blog/ascension-via-christi-will-operate-fort-scott-emergency-room#sthash.zJjptOms.S1N5irsx.dpbs

This follows the closure of Mercy Hospital Fort Scott in December 2018.

Under the agreement between Mercy Hospital and Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, the latter now manages emergency and outpatient services at the Fort Scott hospital location.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Clean Up Days

Leave a comment

See the source image

The Bourbon County Commission approved two days when county residents can take their unwanted trash to the county dump for free, including old tires.

If one has, say, old mattresses, unwanted garage sale leftovers, etc. this day will cost nothing but the drive to the dump to rid oneself of the items.

Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 residents may take their trash to the Bourbon Transfer and Recycle Center, 2286 Noble Road, northeast of the city limits.

Normally, the cost of landfill services are $40 a ton for solid waste materials- garbage, County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said.

“For construction and demolition materials it’s $35 a ton,” Oharah said. “It’s all on a graduated scale.”

The free dump day is not for businesses but for residents only, he said.

The landfill can be reached by going north on Hwy. 69 to Native Road, then turning east until 225th, then north to Noble Road, then east to the landfill.

Noxious Weeds Department Moves

The county government also provides noxious weed killer products to clean up weeds on farm properties.

This month the Bourbon County Commission approved the moving of the Noxious Weed Department from Uniontown to the Bourbon County Barn on 215th Street. north of Hwy. 54.

“We’ve increased the hours,” Oharah said.  Hours are Monday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m. and Fridays, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Products to kill noxious weeds can be purchased from county personnel at that time, he said.

“One landowner can purchase for up to 160 acres,” Oharah said.

Josh Lawrence is the noxious weed director and can be reached at 620.215.1569.

Notice on the door of the old Noxious Weed Department in Uniontown.

The old noxious weed building in Uniontown, located just south of the fire department is still being discussed by the commissioners for future use.

Old Bourbon County Noxious Weed Department building in Uniontown.

 

 

Airport, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

KDOT Awards Fort Scott Airport $152,000

5 Comments
Seth Simpson, Fort Scott City Airport Manager, as of Dec. 2018.

The Kansas Department of Transportation awarded Fort Scott Airport a grant in the amount of $152,000, with notification being given on April 30.

The grant money is for an Airport Geographic Information System and runway expansion, according to the KDOT announcement.

“We don’t have the contract with details,” Seth Simpson, Fort Scott Airport Manager said Tuesday.

“We will use it for any design, such as the layout of runway extension, possible land acquisition, that type of thing,” he said.

The future impact on this local airport is “huge”, Simpson said.

The airport expansion will allow bigger jets to use the Fort Scott Airport and “it will be better to bring more companies in (Bourbon County),” he said.

“Length of the runway and strengthening for weight purposes will be part of the runway expansion,” Simpson said. “We are coming due for a resurfacing, that will cost less money if we can do it all at once.”

Currently, the runway is 4,400 feet and is to be expanded to 5,500 feet.

Fuel sales increases and medical flights will also be positively impacted by the runway expansion, Simpson said.

During the preliminary phases of the expansion, a Native American archeological dig was held on the northwest section of the airport property on Indian Road, southwest of Fort Scott.

“One tribe said they would like to do more archeological digging,” Simpson said. “To find things pertinent to their tribe.”

“This phase is part of the process,” he said. “We have a series of boxes we have to check off.”

“The City of Fort Scott works closely with KDOT Aviation to improve the runway in Fort Scott,” Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt said. “I am encouraged to see continued funding towards our project.  The overall improvement project will take ongoing collaboration at the state and federal levels.  There are still several steps to complete.”
Rachel Pruitt

Upcoming events at the airport:

  • The Fort Scott Airport is the beginning of the Combat Warrior convoy on May 1, with city officials and first responders invited to the airport to welcome the military veterans to town, on their way to the E3 Ranch. The public is invited to welcome the veterans by lining the streets on National Avenue and Wall Streets and waving.
  • The Fort Scott Airport will be hosting the Kansas 2019 Association of Airports Conference on June 25-27.

 

 

 

Airport, Government, Kansas

KDOT announces Kansas airport improvement projects

Leave a comment

 

Topeka – Forty-one projects totaling a combined award of $5 million have been granted for the Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for planning, constructing or rehabilitating public use general aviation airports.

The aviation industry represents $20.6 billion economic impact and employs more than 92,000 Kansans. In addition, 94 percent of the state’s population is within 30 minutes of air ambulance operations.

“We are proud of the collaboration between our department and airport sponsors to increase safety, enhance economic development and support the transportation needs of Kansans,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz.

The KAIP program requires airport sponsors to share in project costs by paying a portion of the total project. The KDOT Division of Aviation, which manages the program, considered 119 project applications this year with a combined total value of more than $29 million.

“KAIP has not only funded key improvements at local airports, it has helped create a statewide aviation network that enhances both the health and economic wellbeing of the entire state,” said Bob Brock, KDOT Director of Aviation.

Communities selected for funding and the amount requested include:

Anthony – Airports Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) survey and flight check – $52,250

Atchison – Surface seal of runway – $56,925

Atwood – Update fuel card reader – $17,000

Augusta – Reconstruct apron access to community hangar – $76,500

Beloit – Airfield maintenance equipment – $16,250

Benton – 17/35 runway preservation – $321,867

Elkhart – Airports Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) Study – $76,000

Emporia – 1/19 runway sealcoat and preservation –$411,500

Fort Scott – Airports Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) updates and runway extension design – $152,000

Gardner – 8/26 runway/apron/taxilane pavement preservation – $90,000

Garnett – 1/19 runway seal and repair high severity cracks – $40,500

Hiawatha – 10/28 runway edge lighting design – $19,000; 17/35 runway edge lighting design – $19,000; taxilane renovation design and construction – $61,890

Hoxie – Phase II: runway rehab – $303,440

Independence – South apron runup area renovation – $721,500; fuel systems – $36,335

Kingman – Precision approach path indicator (PAPI) replacement – $182,963

Kinsley – construct tiedowns – $10,949

La Crosse – Operations support equipment – $45,000

Lakin – Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) III – $176,250; 14/32 runway mill and overlay design and construction – $303,250

Liberal – Runway marking removal and replacement – $248,500

Oberlin – Height and hazard survey – $38,000

Ottawa – Pavement preservation on parallel and connection taxiway system – $173,250

Pittsburg –Replace Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) ceilometer –$43,200; remove obstructing trees – $18,000

Quinter – Install Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) III – $135,000

Rose Hill – Crack seal– $16,200; upgrade fuel credit card terminal – $14,875; mill and overlay runway 17/35 – $174,600

Salina – Phase II: ramp reconstruction – $720,000

St. Francis – Extend SE taxiway – $133,200

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Town-Wide Garage Sale Benefits Many

Leave a comment
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce organizes a town-wide garage sale annually, this year it is May 10-11.
“It’s to bring people to town and provide a fun event for the community,” Lindsay Madison, executive director said. “When people visit Fort Scott for the sale they typically also eat lunch here, get gas and patronize other businesses. The event allows those who have a sale to make money, then go out and purchase more from local retailers and restaurants.”
Lindsay Madison is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
 “People are just beginning to sign up.  We hope to have at least 30 sales participating so we encourage people to register!  It is a quick and easy way to clean out your closets, garage or storage shed and make some extra cash.
Maps will be available starting Thursday, May 9th at 10 am at the following locations: Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, 5 Corners, and all Pete’s  Convenience Store locations.
 The $10 registration to list each garage sale contributes to the budget for the Chamber to advertise the sale across the region and to print hundreds of copies of the listing and map for the distribution locations.
  Advertising includes radio, newspaper, and paid social media. 
The more sales that are listed the more budget there is to advertise to make the overall sale more successful. 
The Chamber also sells blocks of advertising to businesses and organizations for $25 each which also funds marketing of the sale. 
Businesses and organizations are invited to place an ad along with a coupon if desired.”
The Spring Town-wide Garage Sale is usually planned in conjunction with the Pioneer Harvest Swap Meet at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds which is typically the second weekend in May.

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Swap Meet

 is May 10-11 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, west off Hwy. 69 on 23rd St.

Click below for its website:

“The Pioneer Harvest committee mails out several thousand postcards advertising both the swap meet and the town-wide garage sale, so it is a good partnership between the Chamber and that organization,” Madison said.
“The Swap Meet gates will open at 8 a.m. both Friday and Saturday the 10th and 11th and will have something for everyone including antique gas engines, antique auto parts, farm tractors and parts, farm equipment and accessories, and general garage sale items.”
Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

Female Self Defense: Awareness, Boundary Setting and Combat

Leave a comment
Jill Leiker, Kansas City, center facing the camera, gives combat strategies to females of all ages Saturday at the T.A.K.E. Class at Fort Scott Middle School.
From left: Roger Kemp, initiator of the T.A.K.E. Self Defence Class, Bourbon County Undersheriff Ben Cole, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, and Kim Schwab, administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center show a facsimile of the check that was given to the T.A.K.E. Program before the class began on April 27. The sheriff’s office donated $3,000 to the T.A.K.E. Foundation.

Awareness, boundary setting, and combat strategies were given to  The Ally Kemp Education (T.A.K.E.)class participants on Saturday, April 27 at Fort Scott Middle School.

Ninety-eight females from 12 years old and up participated in the first female self-defense class in Fort Scott by the T.A.K.E. Foundation, Leawood.

Jill Leiker, from Kansas City, was the class instructor,

If someone makes you uncomfortable, “look at them, take a step ahead and look again at their face,” she said.

This is the first step to deter would-be assailants, Leiker said.

Then she showed the class some combat strategies.

The class participants practiced the strategies with a partner.

Leiker said women often have an inner voice that tells of impending danger.

“Don’t ever feel silly about telling Law Enforcement, if you have that gut feeling that something isn’t right,” Leiker said. “Listen to that voice, that gut feeling is most of the time correct.”

“An average predator watches you six to 12 times,” she said.

Before the class, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin presented T.A.K.E. Foundation Founder Roger Kemp with a check for $3,000.

“A portion of VIN (auto) inspection fees are paid directly to the Sheriff’s office and by statute can be used at the discretion of the sheriff,” said Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin.

“The TAKE program charges a $12 fee for each person who participates,” he said. “Briggs Auto paid the registration fees for anyone stopped by and signed up to attend. Other businesses gave donations to offset any woman having to pay to attend. The amount given to the Kemp  Foundation was $4,787, which included the donation from the sheriff’s office.”

Entertainment, Fort Scott

May The Fourth Be With You: Fort Scott Public Library

Leave a comment

Join Fort Scott Public Library’s Miss Val and fellow Star Wars® fans for a May the 4th be With You® celebration on May 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library events room.

Make pool noodle light sabers or light saber popsicle holders or craft stick puzzles; bowl stormtroopers over with giant marshmallows; snack on chocolate Darth Vaders and Luke Skywalkers; enjoy a cup of C3P0pcorn while watching a Star Wars DVD, or try your hand at trivia to win a mask. Puzzles, block building challenges, electronic and card games, and other activities will also be provided.

Win prizes, borrow books, and have a great time celebrating the franchise during this special year of closing out the film series with a final movie.

Feel free to dress up in your favorite costume! This event is for all ages and is completely free. Visit the library you must, and May the 4th be With You®!

Bourbon County, Business, Exercise, Health Care, Housing, K-State Extension

Aging With Attitude

1 Comment
Expo attendees moved around to the vendor’s tables before the first whole group educational panel discussion on the opioid crisis.

Aging with Attitude Regional Expo filled the gym of Community Christian Church on Friday to hear breakout speakers on the opioid crisis, scams against senior citizens, life with partial sight, veteran’s benefits, gardening, farm families in tough times, and getting beyond superficial conversations.

Aaron and Lindsay Watts, Smallville Crossfit owners, facing the camera, lead the group in exercises.

Aaron and Lindsay Watts, owners of Smallville Crossfit, Fort Scott, demonstrated exercises that can even be done from a chair.

Patty LaRoche gave an inspirational speech on “What Matters Most.”

There are four components of aging to find contentment, she said, which include physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues. She listed humorous and contemplative examples of each component.

Patty LaRoche

And door prizes galore were handed to attendees by vendors, businesses and organizations.

Resource fair vendors were Girard Medical Center, K-State Extension, Hometown Health Care, Moore-Few Care Center, Arrowood Lane Residential Care, Kansas Agricultural Medication Services, Heritage Health Care, Medicalodges Fort Scott, Southeast Kansas Library System, Integrity Home Care and Hospice, Presbyterian Village, Resource Center for Independent Living, State Farm Insurance, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Angels Care Home Health, Ascension Via Christi, SKIL Resource Center and Kansas AgrAbility.

A panel session on the opioid crisis was composed of,  from left facing camera: Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Pharmacist Craig Campbell, Community Health Center Peer Mentor Heather Burns, Community Health Center Addiction Treatment Amy Phillips, and Fort Scott Police Department Chief Travis Shelton. Moderator is K-State Extension Agent Joy Miller at right.
Ginger Nance and Becky Kellum, Presbyterian Village personnel, visit with a person at their booth.
State Farm Insurance Agent Kale Nelson visits with an attendee.
Denise Groene, director of Wichita Better Business Bureau, leads the session entitled “Scams Against Seniors.”
LaShawn Noel, a social worker with Integrity Home Care and Hospice, leads a session on “Getting Beyond ‘I’m Fine'”.
“Helping You and Your Family Through a Tough Farm Economy,” was a session led by Char Henton, Forrest Buhler and Gary Kepka from Kansas Agricultural Medication Services.
Veteran Services Representative Ryon Knop leads the session “Veteran’s Benefits for Spouse and Dependents.”
“Living a Full Life with Partial Sight” was a session led by Southeast Kansas Library Special Needs Consultant Melissa Frantz and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Amanda Smith.
K-State Horticulture Agent Krista Harding leads the session “Garden At Any Age.”
Pharmacist Craig Campbell leads an expanded session on the opioid crisis.

Additional support for the expo was provided by Community Christian Church, Dale and Betty Johnson, Cheney Witt Funeral Home.

Helping with introducing the speakers were 15 Fort Scott Community College Ambassadors, with help serving the meal provided by Fort Scott Community College Volleyball Students.

A grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas helped support this expo event.