USD 235 has a fitness center for its students and patrons.
A new shower, restroom and water container replenisher have been added to the USD 235 Fitness Center located at the Uniontown Junior/High School.
In May 2018 then Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer and Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, announced three Kansas schools that were selected to each receive a $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center.
Uniontown was one of those schools.
The USD 235 fitness center opened in October 2018 and is not only for use by students during the day, but evening and weekend, patrons of USD235 may use the center.
A bathroom and shower room were added to the center from an unused storage area nearby.
In July of this year, work began on the additions to the fitness center, with help from a Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Grant, funded by Pathways to a Healthy Kansas (A Blue Cross/Blue Shield iniative).
The grant covered nearly two-thirds of the total cost of the additions- $12,500, with the total cost once completed-$17,000.
The center is for patrons of the school district only, which serves the western rural part of Bourbon County.
The shower with changing room was added to the fitness center with a grant from Healthy Bourbon County.A storage area was converted to a restroom in the facility.
The doors leading from the fitness center to the school will be locked. To gain entrance to the center from the outside door, a key must be purchased from West Bourbon Elementary School Principal Vance Eden, for $10.
Eden said community members will need to come to the office of WBE to pay and get their card for the fitness center from him.
Fitness center users now have access to a water fountain with which to fill a water container to use while working out.
The fitness center will have the following hours for the 2019-20 school year: Monday – Friday: 5:00-7:00 AM and 5:30-9:30 PM. Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
Some rules for use.The junior high section of the school is where the location of the fitness center is, in the former library. Seen here is the door that patrons must use during fitness center hours.
Students in Sara Jackman’s Bourbon County History Class work on are researching Zebulon Pike’s expedition using links posted in Google Classroom and are completing a map and graphic organizer. Submitted photo.
Fort Scott High School has some teachers who wanted to bring to life for their students the stories of places/events where they live, where they have first-hand experience.
Brian Allen, an auto shop teachers-aide at Fort Scott High School, began a FSHS History Club several years ago to educate students about local history.
Brian Allen. Submitted photo.
“It has grown in membership and students have shown a genuine interest in knowing about where they live,” said FSHS History Teacher Sara Jackman. “Last year, I approached the (USD234) administration about teaching a local history class and they were on board. After teaching a Bourbon County unit to junior high students at Uniontown for several years, I knew that it would be an elective I would enjoy teaching.”
Sara Jackman. Submitted photo.
“There is an interest from our students about the town and the county,” Jackman said. “They love to learn information about the places they see every day. The (FSHS)History Club’s membership numbers have been proof of that. Additionally….we are trying to build pride for our hometown and county and respect for all of those who have made our community a good place to live.”
“I teach two sections of the class with approximately 53 students enrolled,” Jackman said. “Mr. Allen helps me a great deal with content and guest speakers etc.”
A project at the end of the class will be for students to interview 80-90-year-olds in the community for future generations.
“The list of names for this year’s projects were selected by the HPA (Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association) board members,” Allen said. “The idea for the project came from them. We hope to interview people from all over the county. Arnold Scofield and some others on the board are working on the questions. We will mostly focus on their memories and their contributions to the area. As you know, we have some great people who have come before us.”
“Our students will also be adding in questions of their own so that we can do the interview from multiple perspectives,” Jackman said. “We are always looking for volunteers.”
“I may in the future need to ask for volunteers for the interviews,” Allen said. “But for now have enough for the 2019-2020 school year. If someone has a person they would like to have us consider in the future, they could contact me through Facebook. I hope to house the interviews in the HPA archives as well as with the genealogy society.”
“If they would like to participate they can contact either of us at the school 620-223-0600,” Jackman said.
“We are hoping to include the video production classes and have them filmed,” Jackman said.
The purpose of the new Bourbon County History class is to educate students about the history of the place in which they live, “Where we came from as a community,” Allen said.
“Our hope is that it gives them civic pride knowing about the rich history of Bourbon County,” Jackman said.
The first class in Bourbon County history began at FSHS on the first day of school, August 22. It is an 18-week, one-semester course, that will be taught both semesters.
Curriculum for the course is from local authors and historical societies.
“Curriculum sources vary widely,” Jackman said. “The textbook purchased for students is the Historic Reflections of Bourbon County Kansas by Fred Campbell, Jr. and Don Miller. We also use many other locally written books, resources from the Kansas State Historical Society, the Bourbon County Historic Preservation Society, and lots of others.”
Pictured are the Bourbon County history resources that are being used for the new class at Fort Scott High School. Submitted photo.
These books are also available to the public through the Fort Scott Public Library.
The class is going well, Jackman said.
“We have started off learning about the Native Americans who would have lived in the area and some of the explorers who came to Kansas,” Jackman said. “On August 30, Mr. Reed Harford (came) in to speak to the class about the expedition of Zebulon Pike and his time in Bourbon County.”
“I am so impressed with Mrs. Jackman,” Allen said of the teacher and the class curriculum that she constructed.
Brian Allen is also the president of the Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association.
To see a recent KOAM News story on the subject, click below:
A banner at the Uniontown Park Gazebo welcomes the public to the picnic.The Uniontown High School Class of 1959 wait to board their float for the Old Settlers Picnic Parade on Labor Day, 2019.
Sunshine prevailed for the 114th Annual Old Settlers Picnic activities in Uniontown on Sept. 2, 2019.
Vendors lined the city’s park, along with organizations and onlookers trying to find a spot in the shade for the parade mid-morning.
The Uniontown High School Class of 1964 wait to board their float for the Old Settlers Picnic Parade.
This year’s grand marshalls are Alicia Jackson and Alan Shinn, both longtime educators in the Uniontown School District.
Alicia Jackson and Alan Shinn were honored as Grand Marshalls in the Old Settlers Picnic Parade.Jackson and Shinn are long-time educators in the Uniontown High School District.
Jackson has taught English and Spanish at UHS for 44 years. She and her late husband, Dale, raised three daughters in Uniontown-Gretchen, Meaghan and Caitlin. Jackson is in the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame and has been a runner-up for Kansas Teacher of the Year.
Shinn retired from teaching math in the district after 50 years, in May 2019. He and wife Becky have raised a son, Kevin and daughter, Melissa in Uniontown. Shinn has been recognized as Outstanding Young Educator by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Secondary Educators of America, Central MO. State University Dept. of Math Certificate of Merit, and Distinguished Alumnus of Allen Community College.
The theme of the parade was “Learning From The Best At UHS”.
Uniontown High School Cheerleaders board their float for the Old Settlers Picnic Parade.
New this year was the baby parade at 9 a.m. and the Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show.
The baby parade: from left Bexley Shelton from Uniontown, Daxton Weaver from Girard, Holdin Bunnell from Uniontown, Quinn Hawkins from Fort Scott and Logan Ramsey from Overland Park.The Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show was in honor of Dale Jackson, who passed away in 2017. Jackson was a long-time vehicle mechanic in Uniontown. Pictured are cars awaiting line up for the parade. Winners of the show will be announced at 1 p.m. Sept. 2
Cash drawings, a picnic in the park, kids and not-kids games were played and recognition of “Old Settlers”, were some of the traditions that have been continued through the years.
The Boy Scout Pack and Troup 114 and Girl Scout Troup 71650 lead the children’s parade in the Uniontown Old Settlers Picnic festivities.
Also as in years past, one could purchase smoked port dinners from the FFA, chicken dinners from the Methodists, pies from the Baptists, homemade ice cream from Marmaton Community Church, along with soft drinks from the cheerleaders.
Uniontown High School Band lines up for the parade on Labor Day.Uniontown Youth Football team members board their float for the parade.
The Old Settlers Picnic Parade 2019.
Sara Roufs, Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show organizer, and son, stand in the line of 40 cars that participated in the show.The Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show drew 40 participants. The cars were parked on the town square following the parade.Community games took place following the parade. Here youngsters line up for an egg toss contest.
Fresenius Medical Center, 2526 S. Main, Fort Scott.
Fresenius Medical Care of Fort Scott, the only dialysis clinic in the community, is closing September 30.
Shirley Irvin, a representative of Fresenius, did verify that the center will close on September 30. A formal statement from the company was not available at publishing time.
“I have talked to Fresenius,” Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin, said. “They haven’t made money to the point of, they can’t stay open.”
“We are reaching out to see where we are able to help,” Martin said. “CHC (Community Health Center, who has a medical clinic in Fort Scott) and Via Christi ( who has an emergency department in Fort Scott) can’t provide the service, but they are helping me look at options.”
The closing will impact patients and their families that have been served at the center in Fort Scott.
Several family members were waiting on their loved ones at the center on Friday afternoon.
One young lady helped her father-in-law in a wheelchair into their car.
She stated that the family lives in Moran and now will have to drive to Chanute, Pittsburg or Nevada, MO for dialysis.
Another woman was waiting in the waiting room for her husband, whom she said just started dialysis last week.
She stated that her husband will, hopefully, be finished with his dialysis by the end of the month. His treatment was in response to an infection. They live in Missouri.
The following is a quote from a KOAM News segment on July 24, 2019:
“An executive order from President Trump gives the secretary of health and human services a number of deadlines to deal with kidney disease patients.
“In thirty days after July 10th, 2019, he is to pick payment models for kidney care providers to increase treatments for at-risk patients, home dialysis, and transplants.
“In ninety days to propose regulation to enhance procurement and utilization of organs; revise rules for procuring and using organs and to remove financial barriers to donation.
“And in 120 days to start an awareness initiative.
“Then in 180 days to expedite kidney matching and reduce the organ discard rate.”
Click below the recent KOAM News story on the subject:
“Kidney disease was the ninth-leading cause of death in the United States in 2017. Approximately 37 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and more than 726,000 have ESRD. More than 100,000 Americans begin dialysis each year to treat ESRD. Twenty percent die within a year; fifty percent die within 5 years. Currently, nearly 100,000 Americans are on the waiting list to receive a kidney transplant.”
Bo Graham, 36, is the new Fort Scott High School Student Success Center Teacher.
“I became an educator because I had coaches and teachers that made a huge impact on my life,” he said. “I hope to do the same for the students and athletes I come in contact with! Bob Campbell was the main person who inspired me to teach. But I also had many others who played a role in that.”
Graham has been in education for 15 years, having graduated from Pittsburg State University with a masters of arts degree in education.
“The best part of teaching for me has been having students or athletes come back seven, eight or nine years later letting me know the impact I had on them. It makes every second worth it,” he said.
For Graham one of the challenges in education is technology.
“The greatest challenge I see in education is probably technology, and that being good and bad,” he said. “The technology you use to run school changes yearly. And with the use of computers, tablets, and cell phones good and not-so-good things can happen.”
Fort Scott is Graham’s hometown.
He has been married to Jamie for six years and has a 3-year-old daughter named Blakely.
In his spare time, Graham likes spending time with family, golfing, and watching Duke basketball.
From left: Carol Oakleaf, owner and Lori Lovelace, manager of Fort Scott Washateria, stand in front of the alterations/starch and press building still being completed.
Carol Oakleaf and Lori Lovelace are gearing up for the grand opening Sept. 7 of the Fort Scott Washateria, 501 S. National Avenue.
From Sept. 7 to 14, Lovelace said free washing and drying will be offered at the laundry mat with the signing up for a loyalty card.
“It’s free promotion of the business,” Lovelace said. “You have to provide your own detergent and drying sheets or buy them from us.”
Oakleaf and Lovelace give a tour of the Washateria to Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Director and Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Director on Wednesday morning.
The promotional first week of business will be to help customers get used to the highly technical washing and drying machines, Carol Oakleaf said.
Lovelace is the manager, Oakleaf is the owner and they have hired D.J. White as the manager-in-training, and Christina Walker as a part-time employee.
“It will be all hands on deck that week,” Lovelace said.
The hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. On Sunday mornings no assistant will be available, Oakleaf said.
In addition to the laundry mat, the business is offering a variety of other clothes cleaning services, which will begin at a later date, once the first week is over, she said.
Services such as pick up and delivery of laundry for both residential and commercial, alterations, starch and press, and wash-dry-fold of clothing.
The alteration building, separate from the main facility will also house the starch and press equipment for clothing.Work is not yet completed in the shed.
Community Clothes Closet
The Community Clothes Closet shed is adjacent from the laundry mat, north.
The Community Clothes Closet had an organizational meeting on Aug. 15, with about ten people attending, Oakleaf said.
Lovelace will be the director and Oakleaf the president of the philanthropic group that will sort, stack and distribute donated clothing to those in need.
The inside of the CCC shed is nearing completion.
Another meeting will put into place others needed on the board: secretary, treasurer and five directors, plus members.
“They will plan how to operate and chart the course for the clothes closet,” Lovelace said.
“A lot of people on the Beacon board were at the meeting,” Lovelace said. The Beacon is another helping agency that recently stopped accepting clothes donations.
The closet is “expensive and time-consuming,” Lovelace said. “We already have a set up (to launder and store the clothing). We are going to work with as many service organizations as we can,” to get it up and running.
Lovelace said they are already accepting clothing donations, even though the Community Clothes Closet building is not complete yet.
“We won’t be distributing until at least Oct. 1,” she said. “My sheds need to be finished.”
Contact Lovelace at 620.215.1314 for more information.
Emily Elliott, 37, is the new Fort Scott Middle and High School Vocal Music Director.
Fort Scott Middle School.
She is passionate about sharing music with people of all ages and has 18 years of experience equipping individuals, choirs and ensembles with the skills needed for music excellence, she said.
Elliott received her BME from Baker University in 2019, specializing in vocal music with percussion as her secondary instrument.
Elliott and her blended family are originally from Lawrence but are “excited to be a part of the Fort Scott community”, she said.
Her partner in life is Brad Kirk, who works as a master welder and maintenance technician. Her son, Oliver, will attend Eugene Ware Elementary as a 5th-Grader and her daughter, Madeline, will be an 8th-grader at the middle school.
In her spare time, Elliott enjoys reading, hanging out with family and friends, kayaking, watching movies, adding stamps to her passport, and attending live music and comedy shows.
As a music educator, Elliott looks forward to sharing with her students the world of music and giving them the tools for deeper understanding and discovery, and will work to create a positive inclusive classroom environment and rely on differentiated instruction that nurtures and enriches all students in their music-making.
Kelsey and Kaley Blythe, managers of Rosie’s Cabin and Wedding- Event Venue, just west of Uniontown, stand on the porch of the newly renovated cabin.
Rosie’s Cabin and Wedding-Event Venue had its’ open house on August 24.
The property is comprised of a small cabin that can sleep five and a lodge that can accommodate a wedding or other large group gathering.
The backside of Rosie’s Cabin shows the staircase that leads to the second-floor space that has a futon and area for a groom to get ready for the wedding. The first floor would accommodate the bridal party.
In the past, the cabin has been used for the bridal party to get dressed in and then walk to the lodge.
Kelsey and Kaley Blythe show off the renovations of Rosie’s Cabin during the open house event August 24. Pictured is the kitchen/living room areas.The living room of Rosie’s Cabin.The spacious bedroom in the cabin.The bathroom in Rosie’s Cabin.The upstairs space that has a futon, desk and hanging space for clothes.
There are two ponds on the property and a deck that extends from the large porch to one of the ponds. Many couples have exchanged their vows on the deck.
The cabin can be rented separately from the lodge, for $150 per night, two-night minimum. The large lodge can be rented for $200 for four hours or $800 for eight hours for an event.
Both can be rented for an entire weekend for a wedding rehearsal dinner, wedding, wedding reception and following the wedding, the bride and groom can stay in the cabin. The cost of renting the whole venue from Friday morning to Sunday noon for a wedding is $3,250.
The walkway from the cabin to the lodge. During the grand opening, guests enjoyed a meal on the front porch of the lodge.The food set up for the grand opening meal.One end of the lodge was set up to showcase the venue. There is a fireplace at the southeast end of the lodge.The deck extension has a pergola with a view of the pond, which many have used as a backdrop for reciting their wedding vows.Paige Blythe, a niece of the couple, seems to be enjoying the open house.
The property is located west of Uniontown in western Bourbon County at 563 Maple Road.
Contact Kelsey Blythe at 620-644-2874 or [email protected] for weddings, events or accommodations.
This Friday Night Free Concert at the Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st, and Main Street features the Miller Family.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. and is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
The Leta and Mike Miller Family perform hymns, gospel, classic country, and classic popular music.
“The Millers are regular supporters of the music at the Pavilion and have performed for several years,” Ralph Carlson, event coordinator said. “Leta sings and plays the upright bass. Mike on vocals and guitar. Our crowds love the Millers music and they are one of the most popular of the groups in the pavilion.”
In the event of bad weather, the program will be moved to the Common Grounds Coffee Shop just down the street.
Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.
The 114th Old Settler Picnic is the annual Uniontown festival in the park, located in western Bourbon County.
The city sees a large increase in population during the festivities, whose highlight for many is the parade.
The baby parade is at 9 a.m. at the gazebo in the town’s central park, the children’s parade starts with registration at 9:50 a.m. and the main parade is at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 2
In addition, there are family activities in the days leading up to the picnic day.
Vendors will arrive at the shaded city park around 7 a.m. and a food truck will be available to purchase breakfast. There are electrical sites available for $25, $15 for no electricity and there is no charge for non-profit organizations. No weapons allowed to be sold. No alchohol allowed at any event of the whole weekend.
To register for a spot in the park, call Hope Workman, 224-8196
New this year is a baby parade, instead of a baby contest, which begins at 9 a.m. at the gazebo in the park.
“Instead of a contest, parents and grandparents can introduce the new babies to the public,” Becky Shinn, one of the organizers, said.
Teresa Martin is the contact for both the baby parade and the children’s parade and can be reached at 224-8388.
Also at 9 a.m., the parade entries will begin the line-up at the parking lot west of the football field. Ashley Travis (contact: 224-6671) and the Uniontown High School Cheerleaders will help with this task.
A new event, the Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show, will be organized and lined-up at 9:30 a.m. at the Uniontown High School parking lot adjacent to and on the west side of the school.
“Since Dale passed away, Sara Roufs (a committee member) wanted to honor his memory,” Shinn said. “And visited with the daughters, and they agreed to it.” To show off your car contact Roufs at 756-4513.
The children’s parade will begin organizing at 9:50 a.m. on the cement slab at the northeast corner of the town square.
At 10:15 a.m. the children’s parade begins with the scouts leading in the flag salute. Cindy Goebel is the scoutmaster.
At 10:30 a.m. the parade will start with the National Anthem sung by Dave Wehry.
Horses, always a feature in the parade, will organize at the arena west of Uniontown on Hwy. 3 and be the last entries in the parade.
The theme of the parade this year is “Learning From The Best at UHS.” Grand marshals will be Alicia Jackson and Alan Shinn, two long-time educators at the school. Briggs Auto, Fort Scott, will supply the grand marshal vehicle.
There will be prizes for best church float, themed float, school float, All Terrain Vehicle (MUST BE CLEANED AND DECORATED), antique car and tractor.
Food will be for sale from the following: chicken dinner from the Methodist Church, smoked pork dinner from the UHS FFA, softdrinks from the school cheerleaders, pie sale from the Baptist Church and ice cream from the Marmaton Community Church, The Knight family’s Sunshine Shack food truck with tacos and hamburgers, Laura Ripper’s Lazy RJ Concessions with corn dogs and chicken fried steak and Hiram Raby/Austin Honaker’s Red Beard BBQ with nachos and burnt ends, snow cones from the Girard Volleyball team.
Following the parade will be games for all ages.
Throughout the event, there will be a cash drawing, and tickets can be purchased for a $1 from Ruritan Members under the canopy on the east side of the park.
“You have to be present to win for the $25 drawing,” Shinn said. “But not for the last drawing for $100, $75 and $50.”
Old Settler’s has other fun activities during the weekend leading up to Labor Day:
Friday event at 7 p.m. there will be a team roping competition at the rodeo arena west of town off Hwy 3. Wayne Hall is the contact at 363-4206.
Saturday at 9 a.m. there is a kids fishing derby at the city pond at Uniontown High School (contact Marty Dewitt at 224-7438. A slow-pitch tournament scheduled will not happen due to not enough teams signing up. In the evening, a co-ed ranch rodeo at the arena.
Sunday morning there will be coffee and donuts at 10 a.m. followed by a community church service at the city park. Please bring lawn chairs. New this year: Sunday at 5 p.m. there will be a family game evening at the city park featuring corn hole and other games. At 6 p.m. will be the Old Settlers Youth Rodeo, with registration from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Lori Ferguson, 44, will be the new K-6 Inclusion/Resource instructor at West Bourbon Elementary School in Uniontown.
She has 21 years experience in education, 20 in special education, and one year in physical education.
Ferguson graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University and in 2005 with a masters in education from Washburn University.
She grew up in Hesston and currently lives in Girard, KS.
Ferguson and her husband (Todd) have five children: Brett-19, Jordanne-18, Justin-14, Emily-12, Aric-4.
In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with family, cooking, yard work and puzzles, she said.
How did you become an educator?
I love a challenge and competition, so teaching and coaching was a natural choice.
Is there someone who inspired you to teach?
Looking back…. my high school volleyball coach’s compassion and competitive personality really influenced my career path.
What is the best part of teaching for you?
The best part of teaching is celebrating the “little things” with the kids. In addition, an added bonus is continually growing as a person and educator.
What are the greatest challenges in teaching for you?
One of the greatest challenges with teaching is not having all the answers, immediately.
Caleb Kasper works on a cell phone for a customer. Submitted photos.
A little over a year ago, Caleb Kasper, 15, created a business to meet a need.
He repairs damaged and broken Apple cellular products, such as iPhones and tablets.
“I started to repair iPhones because a couple of years ago I broke a brand new iPhone I had just received,” Kasper said. “I started to look around for a non-expensive way to repair it. After looking for several days, I realized there should be an easier and more affordable way to simply get your phone in good working condition again.”
He is the son of Natalie Taylor and Teddy Kasper.
” With help from my dad, and some specialized training, I taught myself to repair many aspects of an iPhone,” he said.
His mom helps with marketing.
“My mom has helped me with advertising using Facebook and other social media apps,” he said.
“Now, that I’ve repaired iPhones for several people, who have been pleased with my work, they have recommended me throughout the community,” Kasper said.
Rhonda Pinkerton was one of his recent customers and nominated Kasper for the feature.
“I feel like it is a good service that is not offered here in town and could benefit a lot of people,” Pinkerton said. “He fixed a broken phone screen for me… He was great to work with and made it quick and easy.”
Kasper is self-taught and able to repair broken cell phone screens. Submitted photos.
He can be reached to set up an appointment and get a quote by phone/text at 620-215-4706 or
