From left: Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison, Aaron Watts, and Lindsey Watts, Bourbon County E-Community loan recipients, Bill Michaud, Geoff Southwell and Darcy Smith, Chamber members.
Aaron and Lindsey Watts, who own Smallville Crossfit, are the recipients of the first Bourbon County E-Community loan in the amount of $40,000.
The loan is a locally controlled loan fund for business entrepreneurs.
“What’s good about the loan is it’s working capital,” Lindsey Watts said. The Watts will be using the money for new equipment for the fitness business, and new services, she said.
Workers work on the air-conditioned room and rentable office space, which are very close to being finished, Lindsey Watts aid. Submitted photos.
Additionally, they are doing some updates to the new facility they purchased, the former Fort Scott Lumber, 1905 S. Judson.
New air conditioning, flooring, and heating will be part of the remodel of the former warehouse space, which they hope to have complete in November, she said.
The second workday at the new facility, shelves are being torn down in the middle room. Photos submitted by Lindsey Watts.
One of the new services offered at the new facility will be dance fitness, Watts said.
In addition, the Watts are working with Kansas Works to hire an intern in the future, Watts said.
Smallville Crossfit is currently located at 15 S. National and can be reached at 620.644.5124.
Uniontown High School King Gavin Miller and Queen Lindsay Nietfeld, 2016. Courtesy photos, UHS English teacher, Karen Massa.
The Uniontown High School Student Council is asking that all former UHS Fall Homecoming Kings and Queens join the school for Homecoming 2019 on October 11.
The band teacher is also asking all former band members to join them with instruments in hand that evening as well.
UHS Queen Shanda Shepard and King Jeff Daly, 1988. Courtesy photo from UHS.
UHS Student Council has 14 members and Rebecca Sutterby is the advisor.
“It’s always the goal of homecoming to have many alumni and community members attend in support of the current generation of Eagles,” Sutterby said. ” StuCo voted as a group to make an effort to specifically invite all of our past football homecoming royalty this year. We were super excited to learn that our very first homecoming queen from 1957 is planning to attend.”
Megan Mann and Mitch Spainhoward 2003. Courtesy photo from UHS.
“Please gather at the football stadium by 6:00 p.m.,” she said. “We will have a short ceremony to honor our past UHS Royalty right before we crown the new 2019 Homecoming King and Queen. The history of UHS Fall Royalty dates back to 1957 and we would like to have as many of the 124 previous winners as possible attend.”
Jeff Marlow and Lori George, 1990. Courtesy photo of UHS.
Former UHS Alumni Band Members Invited to Join As Well
UHS Band in 1987. Courtesy photo from UHS.
The high school band has also invited former members to play in the UHSPep Band that night.
Some UHS band alumni are guest musicians for ball games on a regular basis, but they are encouraging more to participate in homecoming activities.
UHS Band Alumni Crystal Johnson, 1992. Courtesy photo from UHS.
“A quick meet and greet, and brief warmup and rehearsal with current members of the UHS Band will begin at 4 p.m. in the band room,” UHS Band Director Neva Rowland said.
Kirk Camac, Gage McKennis, Jesse Johnston, UHS Band members in 2003. Courtesy photo.
“If you are unable to make it at 4:00 p.m., then join us whenever you can!” said Rowland. “I would love to have a large group of people come and play with us. If you are someone who hasn’t played in years, you can still come! It will come back to you, and the UHS Band students will be sitting alongside you, so you don’t need to worry about getting lost.”
Anna Jefferis and Amy Dillow, 2016. Courtesy photo.
Student Council is one of many organizations on the campus.
StuCo’s purposes: To develop positive attitudes and practice in good citizenship, promote harmonious relations throughout the school, improve school morale, assist in the management of the school, provide a forum for student expression, provide orderly direction of school activities, and promote the general welfare of the school.
American Legion Fort Scott Thompson-Harkey Post 25 now leads 2nd District in membership. Today’s numbers have Post at 60 members or 78.96%.
Our 2020 membership goal is 76. We are currently 16 members short of 100%. Help Post 25 reach 100% by renewing your membership or recruiting a new member.
You can easily renew online at www.legion.org. It’s safe and secure and takes less than five minutes
You can also mail in your $40.00 renewal to the Post 25 Finance Officer.
Darrell Spencer
1183 185TH ST
Fort Scott, Ks, 66701.
I can also arrange to meet with you to pick up your renewal. I’m retired so I can easily work around your schedule to meet you, but no 3 AM meetings please!
You can also pay your 2020 dues at our next general membership meeting on October 7th.
LEGION Act
Any Veteran who has served one day on active duty since December 7, 1941 and was honorably discharged can join the Legion. This is due to the LEGION Act recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. If you know of a local Veteran who meets this new, expanded membership requirement, invite them to a Post 25 meeting or contact me about a membership form. There are probably several hundred Bourbon County Veterans who are not aware of the LEGION Act and are now eligible for American Legion membership.
If you know of one, invite them to join the American Legions. We are a community of Veterans “Still Serving.
Upcoming Events
October 5. Post 25 Community Awareness at the Fort Scott Wal-Mart from 9 am – 12 pm. Stop by and visit other Post 25 Legionnaires or bring a new member to join Post 25.
October 7. American Legion Post 25 meet and greet at Memorial Hall starts at 6:30 pm.
October 7. American Legion Post 25 general membership meeting at Memorial Hall starts at 7:00 pm.
October 10. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 general membership meeting at Memorial Hall starts at 6:00 pm.
October 10. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at Memorial Hall starts at 7:00 pm.
October 12, 2019. EISENHOWER PILGRIMAGE in Abilene starts at 9:30 am. Department Vice Commanders Homecoming … immediately following the Eisenhower Pilgrimage.
November 2, 2019. Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Vintage Toy/Comic Books/Sports Cards Show from 9 am – 3 pm. See attached flyer for more information.
January 31 – February 2, 2020. Department of Kansas Midwinter Forum at Fort Scott.
Informational Items
Additional shuttle drivers are needed. The VA-provided shuttle now transports dialysis patients to Pittsburg on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays plus area Veterans for VA hospital appointments on Mondays and Thursdays. Call or email me for more information on becoming a shuttle driver.
Auxiliary Unit 25’s first outreach program is to provide support to Veteran mothers of newborn babies at the Topeka VA Medical Center. They are currently collecting needed items for newborns and all donations are greatly appreciated. Diapers, body wash and shampoos, blankets and clothing are among the items requested. Call Unit 25 Vice President Marilyn Gilmore at 785.214.5618 for more information or to donate items. A copy of the flyer is attached.
Our Taurus G2C raffle is sold out. The drawing for the winning ticket will be at our October 7th membership meeting. The winner will be contacted, and information provided on picking up their new pistol.
The Post 25 fundraising collectibles show on November 2 is taking shape. We have 10 tables sold now.
If you know of someone with cases of Hot Wheels, storage totes of Barbies or sports cards or boxes of comic books, encourage them to rent a table at the toy show. All proceeds will go towards our scholarships for Boys and Girls State, Cadet Law and other Post sponsored programs.
Volunteers will be sought to contribute a few hours to make this 1st ever collectibles show a success.
The Gordon Parks Celebration began its annual event, Oct. 3 with the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee.
Winners of the Gordon Parks annual photo contest were given their awards during the coffee.
First, second, and third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively and all finalists received a set of prints of Gordon Parks photos.
There were five honorable mention awards given: “In Death Lies The Erosion of Truth.” by Alexis Michalski (La Cygne, KS ); “Finding Joy in your Friends.” by Alexis Marchiano (Fort Scott); “The Master and the Apprentice.” by Jezeriah Simpson (Fort Scott); “Escape.” by Lawson Hall (Fort Scott); and “Lots of Trust.” by Julia Allen (Fort Scott).
The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by a quote by the Gordon Parks-directed film The Learning Tree.
“We received a lot of great entries this year and the judges were very impressed by the skill level of the photographers. It was very difficult for the judges to determine the winner with all of the great entries,” said museum director Kirk Sharp.
The photo exhibit is on display in the Lunt Lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College through October 14. The building is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Ashton Nolan, a student at Fort Scott Community College won first place with a photo entitled: Always Choose FamilyAshton Nolan, first place winning photo.Elli Milburn, Fort Scott High School student won second place with a photo entitled: No Quit.Elli Milburn’s second-place winning photograph.Ashton Nolan also received third place with her photo entitled: Cherish ChildhoodAshton Nolan’s third-place winning photograph.
The Merle Humphrey Photography sponsored the photo contest.
There were 65 entries in the contest that was themed: “My Learning Tree, Life Lessons Learned.” Judges for the contest were Kassie Feugate-Cate, Tammy Helm and Merl Humphrey.
Also on display were some of Park’s photos and poems and in addition a section of behind-the-scenes photos of the film “The Learning Tree”, which was filmed in Fort Scott in 1969.
Artists recognized for their entries to the Gordon Parks Photography Contest, from left: Lexi Marchiano honorable mention; Elli Milburn, second place; Ashton Nolan, first place; Lawson Hall, honorable mention and Julia Allen, honorable mention. Nolan is a Fort Scott Community College student, the other artists were from area high schools. Not pictured: Alexis Michalski and Jezeriah Simpson.From left: FSCC Development Administrative Assistant Tabitha Stultz and Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director Kirk Sharp, look over donated photos of the film “The Learning Tree” with Chamber coffee attendees Thursday morning.
Below are scenes from the morning coffee:
To view the events of this weekend’s celebration events, click below:
Fresenius Medical Care, 2526 S. Main, Fort Scott was the county’s only local dialysis center. It closed its doors on September 30, 2019.
Fresenius Medical Care, a kidney dialysis center, closed the Fort Scott center on September 30, 2019.
Patients have made arrangements to either drive to Pittsburg, 30 miles away, or Chanute, 50 miles away, to get this specialized treatment or do home dialysis.
Fresenius was renting the building from Phoenix Realty Management, Southbury, CT. Plans are indefinite for the building at this time. The building was built in 2014 and is over 7,000 square feet.
“We…own the property with Fresenius being our tenant,” said Mike Panek, President of Phoenix Realty Management. “We are just as disappointed as the community is to see this happen. As a commercial property owner, you never want to see a building go dark. At this time we will be working with Fresenius to see what their plans are for the site as there is a lease in place for that location. My ultimate hope is the building can be transformed into another viable community business in the near future.”
Fresenius spokespeople did not give a reason for closing the kidney health care facility.
The staff of St. Martin’s Academy, front, from left: Patrick Whelan, headmaster; Joshua Gieger, housefather; Danielle Bauer, secretary; Ginger McElwee, teacher. Second row: Roger McAffrey, housefather; Ken Klassen, academic dean; Ryan Bauer, teacher; Michael Taylor, farming instructor. Third row: Robert McElwee, chaplain; Sebastian Macik, chef; Giorgio Navarin, housefather. Not pictured are Joshua Mincio, housefather and Dan Kerr, president of St. Martin’s Academy.
Phase I of a multi-year building project, Theokotos Hall, is completed at St. Martin’s Academy school and opened in September 2019 to 29 students.
The Catholic boys boarding school started in 2018 and was housed temporarily in a large Victorian home on National Avenue in Fort Scott.
The completed Theotokos Hall contains dormitories in the basement; an office, kitchen and dining hall on the first floor; and classrooms and the chapel in its loft, according to the school’s recent newsletter.
The dining room of Theokotos Hall also doubles as classroom space. The view is from the loft looking down. A student sweeps the floor after lunch was served on Monday afternoon.The chapel at Theokotos Hall. The ornate furniture and altar came from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in downtown Fort Scott.
Freshman through junior class young men are enrolled this year, the school started last year with freshmen and sophomores.
Currently, 10 of those students are spending a trimester in Europe and the other 19 are receiving liberal arts lessons in literature, history, math, science, religion, Latin and also music-both folk and sacred, in Theokotos Hall on Indian Road, southwest of Fort Scott.
The 11th-grade students are now three weeks into their 10-week study abroad program in Europe.
“Highlights thus far include Le Louvre in Paris, venerating the bones of St. Martin in Tours, and crawling amongst the mortar scarred landscape above Pointe du Hoc at Normandy Beach,” according to the school newsletter. The school was hosted by Chavagne International School who organized a trip to Puy du Fou, an authentically Catholic and medieval theme park in the Vendee.
The students and a housefather, Josh Mincio, are stationed at the Abbey of Fontgombault in central France, a Benedictine monastery. The next leg of the journey is a future pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain and then to Rome.
The ninth-grade students spent several days in the Wind River Mountain Range, Wyoming.
“Operating at a base altitude of 10,000 ft, the boys logged over 20 miles of hiking through a rough and rugged backcountry, carrying their own provisions on their back and preparing their own meals,” according to the school newsletter.
The next phase of construction at the school is building three bunkhouses, housing 20 students each.
Currently, the students have bunk beds in the lower level of Theokotos Hall. Two adults, called house fathers, are housed at the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The academic building, including a formal library, is next, followed by the construction of the stone chapel which will be the final phase, Patrick Whelan, the headmaster at the school, said.
All are hoped to be completed in five years, Whelan said.
Luke Halsey, left, and Bryan Pitts are account executives for Key for Business, a new embellishment division of Key Industries.
Luke Halsey and Bryan Pitts are the new account executives for Key for Business, a newly created division of Key Industries, Inc.
The division was started this summer and has the ability to embroider or screen print clothing and other items.
“Key for Business is focused on working directly with businesses to provide quality workwear for the company and their employees,” Halsey said. ” We can provide work uniforms with the company logo on it, which, we do here in-house in our new embellishment center.”
The new embellishment machine produces a Fort Scott logo.
The advantage of being produced locally is the turn-around-time, Halsey said.
“We can do a project in a few days and (for a business) to send it off it would take about two weeks,” he said.
Pictured is a shirt and caps that Key For Business has produced.
The division employees have the ability to embellish almost all of Key Industry garment items with either direct-to-garment printing or embroidery services, he said.
Key for Business employee Bud Moore begins an embroidery project on the machine.
“We are offering company discount programs with no contract necessary, as we believe enough in our quality and services we won’t need to lock customers in,” Halsey said.
The company believes this feature will keep customers coming back, he said.
Although Halsey has been working at Key Industries for only a short time, Key has been in business for over 110 years and is known for making “The Nations Finest” workwear for the American worker. Halsey said.
The following is a list of what Key produces:
Regular workwear: work shorts, jeans/dungarees, work pants, T-shirts, polo shirts, and button-down work shirts.
The foyer of Key Industries displays some of the workwear the company is known for.
Outerwear: premium work coats/jackets, vests, sweatshirts, overalls/coveralls.
Specialty: High visibility items and fire-resistant apparel
Luke Halsey holds a high visibility sweatshirt that can be embellished to suit a client.
Employees of Diehl, Banwart and Bolton, CPA’s: front from left Donna Banwart CPA, Monica Mullins, Kelli Bryant, Karla Cox, Carol Hill CPA, Amanda Lancaster CPA, 2nd Row, Allison Ramsey, Grace Sweat, Tawny Pool, Kelly Burrows, Mark Bolton CPA, Jim Regan, 3rd Row, Randall Phillips CPA, Leon Chesnut, Vicky Mueller, Jamie Pollmeier, Matthew Keys, Daryl Eagon CPA, Jim Banwart Jr CPA, and Terry Sercer CPA. Submitted photo.
Not many businesses can claim to be still providing services in their community after 70 years.
But Diehl, Banwart, Bolton CPA’s PA has been serving southeast Kansas since 1949.
Through the years the certified public accountant firm has seen many changes in business, Jim Banwart Jr. said.
Banwart is a partner in the business.
John Diehl. Submitted photo.
When Jim, Sr. applied to work for John Diehl in 1963, “John was excited to show him their new copier—a dry paper copier, a great improvement over what had been available previously,” Banwart said.
Jim Banwart, Sr. Submitted photo.
“In 1966, the firm became the first accounting firm in Southeast Kansas to install what was in those days a room-sized, punch card computer to be able to offer computing services,” Banwart said.
“Larry Dixon was the first programmer at the firm, and in 1971, James Regan arrived to become the IT officer at the firm. He was joined by Don Casida, Allen Ward and numerous other programmers over the years,” he said.
“In 2000, the firm became one of the first accounting firms to post compilations to the web for client viewing. In 2017, we converted from our own inhouse general ledger software to a cloud-based software. The firm continues to stay on the cutting edge of technology,” Banwart said.
John Diehl Starts Is All
“In 1948, following his service as a United States Marine pilot in World War II, John E. Diehl came to Fort Scott to work for the Winchell Manufacturing Company, bringing with him his young wife, Ina Mae,” he said.
Diehl then opened an accounting office for Senderson, Little and LaChelle, a Kansas City firm.
In 1949, Diehl purchased the business and renamed it John E. Diehl and Company.
Maurice Fletcher joined the firm and it became Diehl and Fletcher.
“The company was located in several buildings in what is now the downtown historic district,” Banwart said. “In 1974, the shareholders purchased the Milrose Block at Wall and National where they continue today.”
In the fall of 1963, James L. Banwart joined Diehl and Fletcher. followed by Mark Bolton joining the firm in 1973. Jim Banwart Jr. joined in 1991, according to the firm’s website.
In 1976, the firm became Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPA’s.
“Mr. Diehl died in 2017 at age 99, having retired some years earlier,” Banwart said. “He was a much-involved member of the community and a much loved and respected employer and partner.”
Currently, there are nine Certified Public Accountants at the firm- Jim Banwart Sr, Mark Bolton, Randall Phillips, Daryl Eagon, Donna Banwart, Jim Banwart Jr, Terry Sercer, Carol Hill and Amanda Lancaster.
There are two IT people, Jim Regan and Tawny Pool.
“James Regan, the long-time information technology officer, joined the firm in 1971,” Banwart said.
In addition, there are ten more experienced accountants and a number of support staff, he said.
The business started in Fort Scott, then branched out to Pittsburg and Girard.
Services offered at the business:
-Business design and development
– Municipal and commercial auditing
– Preparation of monthly compilation reports
– Payroll processing
– Estate planning and estate tax services
– Income tax planning and income tax services
-Retirement and succession planning
– Software training and support
Future
“The future is bright,” Banwart said. “As talented young people stay and return to Southeast Kansas, Diehl Banwart Bolton will continue to support entrepreneurs in their business endeavors.”
The firm currently has business clients in virtually every state in the country, he said.
“Technology has made it possible to communicate and advise people regardless of where they are located and our expertise continues to help them succeed in their businesses,” he said.
Diehl Banwart Bolton CPA, 7 1/2 East Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS
Minority and women-owned businesses are important to the Kansas economy, said David Toland, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Because of this, the department is recognizing businesses across the state, with two from Bourbon County being honored.
“We greatly value the contributions these businesses and advocates provide to our state, from the jobs they create to the way they enrich communities and lives,” Toland said. “On behalf of Governor Kelly, the Department of Commerce and citizens across the state, thank you for keeping our economy strong and vibrant.”
Lindsey Watts, submitted photo.
Lindsey Watts will be honored as Young Enrepreneur by the department.
Watts and her husband own Smallville Crossfit Center in Fort Scott.
To qualify for the Young Entrepreneur, nominees must:
Must be under the age of 30
Must be a minority- or woman-owned business
Must be a small business located in Kansas
Must be in business for at least six months
Thaddeus and Kelly Perry, submitted photos.
Thaddeus and Kelly Perry, owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds, Bronson are honored in the Supplier/Distributor Firm category.
Criteria for this award is they must be a small business located in Kansas, must be a minority or woman women owned business and must be in business for at least one year.
“In the judging process we have a committee that rates the nominations we receive,” said Rhonda Harris, Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, at the Ks. Dept. of Commerce. “The ratings are based on the impact the businesses have made in the community i.e. revenues brought to the community and jobs created. We also look at their growth and development, as well obstacles they have overcome. Their community involvement is also important in the judging process.”
The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Minority and Women Business Development will host its 35th Annual Minority and Women Business Awards Luncheon at Capitol Plaza Hotel’s Emerald Ballroom in Topeka on October 10, 2019, with doors opening at 11:20 am.
The event will take place during Kansas Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week and will recognize 12 minority- and women-owned companies, three individuals and one corporation from across the state for their support and efforts to create new opportunities.
Registration for the luncheon is $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight.
This event is open to the public, but registration is required and must be submitted by October 1.
Please visit KansasCommerce.gov/MEDWeek to register or contact Rhonda Harris, Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, at (785) 296-3425 or [email protected].
Companies being recognized include:
Women-Owned Businesses:
Construction Firm
CJ Industries, LLC
Kansas City, KS
Manufacturing Firm
Safely Delicious, LLC
Overland Park, KS
Professional Service Firm
Century Business Technologies, Inc.
Topeka, KS
Retail Firm
Monroe 816
Garnett, KS
Service Industry Firm
Rosewood Services
Great Bend, KS
Supplier Distributor Firm
Technology Group Solutions, LLC
Lenexa, KS
Minority-Owned Businesses:
Construction Firm
CJR Construction Group, LLC
Overland Park, KS
R2 Construction is building the water feature in the Unsung Heroes Park on Main Street.
A new park is in construction near Wall and Main Street.
The Unsung Heroes Park is located south of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes at 1 S. Main.
The grassy area has been vacant since 2005 when the building sitting on it, burned down.
R2 Construction is currently is doing the excavation and concrete work on the grassy site, and the water-fall will be constructed by DreamScape Innovations, Inc from Mound City, Nuss said
A stage is being planned for the northside of the old Kress building on the south side of the park, and the Rotary Club is donating benches and trash receptacles.
A frontal view of the water feature in an artist’s rendition. This will be a part of the new Unsung Heroes Park. Elaine Buerge is the artist. Submitted photo.
The idea began in 2017 when a small group began planning a park for the green space on the vacant lot in historic Fort Scott.
The group is currently comprised of Elaine Buerge, Bernita Hill, Beth Nuss, and Carolyn Sinn.
After the original research and planning took place, bids were let.
“The bids were not financially feasible,” Nuss said. “So we needed to revisit the plan.”
“All the money we had was donated,” she said.
Then the Timken Company stepped in with a grant of $25,000, “which got us to the top,” Nuss said.
There will be a small fenced area for dogs in the park.
“The area for dogs will try to accommodate pets of people living downtown,” she said.
The Gordon Parks Museum is celebrating the production of the movie The Learning Tree, fifty years ago, during its annual Gordon Parks Celebration Oct. 3-5 in the museum located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton.
The movie had Fort Scott residents as “extras” and featured scenes from the town, where Parks lived in his youth.
Some of the movie film’s characters will be highlighted at the annual celebration.
Karole Graham, Stephen Perry and S. Pearl Sharp were cast members in the movie produced by Gordon Parks 50 years ago and are the recipients of the “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” for 2019.
The “extras” are being asked to come to a reunion of cast members on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The annual event is in honor Parks- noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker.
This year’s celebration will feature several events to include: presentations, special events, tours, reunions, music performances, picnic cookout and a celebration tribute dinner.
Ticket registration is at the bottom of this story.
All events open to the public.
Please reserve tickets early by Wed, Oct 2, 2019 for all the reserved events.
“We are very excited to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Learning Tree film during The 16th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration this year with a wide range of great events and activities for all to enjoy,” Sharp said. “The celebration is for everyone to attend. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the life and work of Gordon Parks.”
The Celebration kicks off on Thursday, Oct 3 with a Fort Scott Chamber Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum and ends with a Tribute Celebration Dinner at The River Room, 3 West Oak, Fort Scott on Saturday, Oct 5, 2019.
2019 GORDON PARKS CELEBRATION
(50th Anniversary of the film The Learning Tree) Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 3
PHOTO EXHIBIT in the Lunt Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The Merl Humphrey Photography-sponsored photo contest will be on display with the theme of “My Learning Tree, Life Lessons Learned.” Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee.
PHOTO EXHIBIT in the Gordon Parks Museum and Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The Gordon Parks Mercy Foundation Collection with some of Gordon’s photos and poems will be on display.
PHOTO EXHIBIT in the Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. Some behind the scenes photographs of the film The Learning Tree will be on display.
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Registration open outside of Gordon Parks museum.
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. — Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum.
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — Showing of the film The Learning Tree in the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $7.
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. — Showing of the film The Learning Tree in the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
7:30 p.m. – “Looking Through the Lens at the Historical Greenwood District in Tulsa”
Photographer, Painter, Author and Photo Journalist; Don Thompson will show through photographs and short stories the demise and rise of the Greenwood District during the 1960s and ’70s and the recovery that is now taking place in the 21st century through the faces and spaces he captured with over 50 years of photographic experience. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
Friday, October 4
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Registration open outside of the museum.
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. — Showing of the film The Learning Tree in the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. — “Masters Class of Jazz and Blues” Queen Bey, Kansas City’s Ambassador of Jazz will make a presentation on music and the history of jazz and blues. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Auditorium. This presentation was supported in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. FREE.
10:05 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — “A Conversation with Choice of Weapon Honorees.” The 2019 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees Karole Graham, Stephen Perry and S. Pearl Sharp. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
11:30 a.m. —“Remembrance Service of Gordon Parks.” Come and gather at the gravesite of Gordon Parks for a memorial service. Evergreen Cemetery. (If inclement weather, the location will be in the Ellis Fine Arts Center). Buses are not allowed in the cemetery.
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Grab a sack lunch from the lobby ($8-purchase that day) and join us in the museum.
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — “Gordon Parks Projects Presentation” Students from the Gordon Parks High School in St. Paul, MN will share some of their latest work and projects about Gordon Parks. FREE.
2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. — “Sarah, Ella, and Bessie: The Mothers of Gordon Parks” John Mason, Associate Professor, Associate Chair, and University of Virginia Department of History. Three women, all of them mothers, played crucial roles in Gordon Parks’ life. His own mother, Sarah Parks, profoundly shaped his character. Ella Watson, who resembled Sarah in many ways, was the subject of his first great photograph. Bessie Fontanelle, like Sarah and Ella, was the glue which held her family together and was the center around which one of his finest photo-essays revolved. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. — “From The Czar of Black Hollywood to the Oscars: Fiction and Filmmaking from Kansas”. Shayna Israel, Project on the History of Black Writing/Department of English, the University of Kansas and Danyelle M. Greene, Film and Media Studies, University of Kansas. The presentation will focus on three major Kansas filmmakers: Oscar Micheaux (Great Bend) Gordon Parks (Ft. Scott), and Kevin Wilmott (Junction City), comparing and contrasting the contributions of three groundbreaking authors and filmmakers in three different eras of American cultural history. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
5:30 p.m. – 6:30p.m. Guided Trolley Tour Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $7.
7:00 p.m. – “A Night of Jazz” (Social Hour starts at 6:00 p.m.) Featuring, Queen Bey (Kansas City’s Ambassador of Jazz) along with heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar available. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. Fee: $25.00 which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and tea or water. Reserve Tickets by Wed, Oct.2. This performance was supported in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Queen Bey
Saturday, October 5
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. — Showing of the film The Learning Tree in the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Registration open outside of the museum.
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – “Behind The Learning Tree” Reunion with some of The Learning Tree cast members: Karole Graham, Stephen Perry and S. Pearl Sharp, along with David Parks, photographer, film director and author, film crew and extras along with panel discussion and presentations. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.— “Picnic at the Park” Come and enjoy a cook-out lunch at Gunn Park, a scene location in the film The Learning Tree. Shelter House #1. (In case of inclement weather, the location will be in the Ellis Fine Arts Center). Please Reserve Tickets by Friday, Oct 4. Fee $8.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott and The Learning Tree movie scene locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $7
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. — Showing of the film The Learning Tree in the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
7:00 p.m. – “Celebration Tribute Dinner.” (Social Hour starts at 6:00 p.m.) Dinner and evening of tribute; 50th-year anniversary retrospective of the release of the film The Learning Tree and presentation of the 2019 “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” to Karole Graham, Stephen Perry and S. Pearl Sharp, cast members of the film The Learning Tree. The River Room, 3 W. Oak. This tribute dinner is supported in part by Peerless Products, Inc. in Fort Scott, KS. All seats reserved. Fee: $30.00. (Reserve by Wed, Oct.2)
Sunday, October 6
10:00 a.m. — Breakfast at Nate’s Place. Enjoy breakfast at one of Fort Scott’s finest! Located on the corner of National & 8th Street, you’re sure to find something on the menu to please. Check it out at lyonstwinmansions.com/nates-place-restaurant. (No ticket required-everyone pays for their own)
TICKET PURCHASE FOR THE 2019 CELEBRATION:
Friday, October 4th Night of Jazz -Reservation Only (all other tickets may be purchased on-site). Please reserve by Wednesday, October 2, please!
Saturday, October 5th Picnic at the Park -Reservation Only (all other tickets may be purchased on-site).
Please reserve by Friday, October 4, please!
Saturday, October 5th Tribute Dinner-Reservation Only (all other tickets may be purchased on-site).
Please reserve by Wednesday, October 2, please!
A Night of Jazz: I would like to purchase _______ tickets at $25 each for a total of $ ________.
Picnic at the Park: I would like to purchase _______ tickets at $8 each for a total of $ ________.
Celebration Tribute Dinner: I would like to purchase _______ tickets at $30 each for a total of $ ________.
Total Registration Cost………………………………………………………………..$________.
Name, Address: __________________________________________________________________________
Phone # & Email: _________________________________________________________________________
__________CHECK ENCLOSED payable to the Gordon Parks Museum or
__________Bill to my _________VISA or ________ MasterCard. Card #______________________________
Exp. Date______________ 3-digit Security Code ______________
Questions? Call us at 620-223-2700, ext. 5850 or email: [email protected]
This 16th annual celebration was supported in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Thank you to Peerless Products, Inc. for their generous support to our Celebration Dinner at the River Room.
###
Amy Bockerstette from Phoenix Arizona is a golfer and a Special Olympian, who will be the special guest this weekend of the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Submitted photo.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run to fundraise for Special Olympics of Kansas.
Special Olympics Of Kansas has a mission statement of providing individuals with intellectual disabilities opportunities to thrive in sports, health, and leadership, according to its’ Facebook page.
“Torch Run leaves it up to the agency as to what (that agency) wants to do to help,” Cole said. “It was my decision to put on a golf tournament with the help of Steve Anthony. With ALL funds going to Special Olympics Kansas.”
“The special guest for this year’s tournament is Amy Bockerstette, from Phoenix, Arizona,” Ben Cole, Bourbon County’s Undersheriff, said. “Amy is 20 years old with Downs Syndrome. She is the first special needs athlete to receive a full-ride scholarship to a junior college to play golf.”
The tournament is September 28, 2019, and
Sheriff Bill Martin, Cole and several of the other staff members volunteer their time for the event.
“We encourage the community to come out and meet Amy, enjoy the day with us, maybe eat lunch and participate in the raffle items,” Cole said.
The opening ceremony starts at 8 a.m. with Sheriff Martin deputizing Amy as an honorary BBSO deputy.
Tee off begins approximately 9 a.m.
“The event is open to the public we have several items up for raffle,” Cole said. “We are selling chances for a golf cart that will be given away, selling chances for a gun that will be given away, as well as we are having a live auction for approximately 6-10 items.”
