All posts by Loretta George

Fort Scott, Schools

New Playground Equipment At Winfield Scott Elementary

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Jayton Johnson, 2 years old, and his sister, Joci Johnson, 6, play on the new musical instrument equipment at the Winfield Scott Elementary School east playground on Monday.

New playground equipment was installed at the school last week with a $10,000 grant from a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant.

Two handicapped accessible swings, musical instruments, soccer goals and a comet spinner were added to the school’s playgrounds.

Most of the additions were to the east playground.

In addition, a smaller grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield was awarded for stencils, paint and some playground games, according to information provided by the school.

This evening, August 21, is the school’s open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Fort Scott, Schools

Ryan Metcalf: New Winfield Scott Focus Room Teacher

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This is a series of features on new teachers in our community.
Ryan Metcalf is the new Focus Room Teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.
Name: Ryan Metcalf
Title of position: Focus Room Teacher
Education: BS Physical Education and Recreation, Masters in Health and Human Performance from Pittsburg State University.
Experience: Six years teaching Physical Education, Recreation, Exercise Science, and General Education Courses at the college level with Pittsburg State University, Fort Scott Community College, and Crowder Colleg; K-8 Physical Education, 5-8 Science, and 5-6 Health last year for Westphalia Elementary.
Age: 32
Family: His wife, Courtney and he have two kids Emma, 3, and Mason, 1.
Affiliations:
Kansas Recreation and Parks Association, Kansas Association for Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
Why did you choose education as a career?
“Kids! Elementary students are the best group of people to work with! These kids are ready to learn and seeing them understand new material because of you is a great feeling. “
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?
“Get to know the kids.  Find out what their struggles are and how I can help them improve.”
Fort Scott, Schools

Dane Cummings: New Ag Teacher/FFA Sponsor At FSHS

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This is a series featuring new teachers in our community.

Dane Cummings is the new Fort Scott High School Agriculture Teacher and FFA Sponsor.

Name: Dane Cummings

Position: Agriculture Teacher/FFA sponsor
Experience: First Year
Age: 24
Family:  Roy Cummings and DeAnn Cambers
Affiliations: KAAE, KNEA, ACTE.
Why did you choose education as a career?
” Wanting to share my passion for agriculture with young people and being involved with the community and giving back to this community.”
What is the first priority in this new position?
“To familiarize  myself with the students and the curriculum to make sure that my students are having success and getting the most from each class.”
Fort Scott, Schools

Curtis Horton: New Fort Scott Scott High School Social Studies Teacher

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This is part of a series of new teachers in our community.

Curtis Horton is the new social studies teacher at Fort Scott High School.

Name: Curtis Horton

Title:  High school social studies teacher
Education: Masters of Education
Experience 27 years
Age 48
Family: Wife, Cetra,  a son C.J., and daughter, Carley.

Affiliations Coaching football, basketball, and track.

Fort Scott, Schools

Ken Hudiburg: New Fort Scott High School Science Teacher

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This is part of a series of features of new teachers in our community.

Kenny Hudiburg is the new science teacher at Fort Scott High School.

Name: Kenny Hudiburg

Title: High School Science Instructor

Education: Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Science in Biology

In Science Education for the past 25 years, as Middle School and High School Science for 11 years, the Lead Biology Instructor at Fort Scott Community College for the last 14 years.

Family: Married to Dr. Michelle Hudiburg, a professor in the Department of Education at Pittsburg State University. They have three children: Josh, the oldest is a Junior at Pittsburg State University; twin daughters, Dawna and Katherine, sophomores at FSHS.

Why did you choose an education career?

“I chose to go into education because I love teaching and working with students.”

Fort Scott, Schools

Amber Malone: New Third-Grade Teacher At Eugene Ware Elementary

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This is a part of a series featuring the new teachers in our community.

Amber Malone is a new third-grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.

Name:   Amber Malone
Title of position: Third-grade teacher
Education: Graduated from Pittsburg State University.
Experience:  Taught ten years in Missouri, but this is her first year in Kansas.
Age:   35
Family:   Married with three sons.
Why did you choose education as a career?
 ” I was one of those people who always knew what they wanted to be when they grew up.  My mom was a teacher and I wanted to fill that role as well.   As I went through the school system, I had several teachers that made a huge impact on my learning and helped mold me to whom I am now.   I want to be that same positive person that shows children they are worth every drop of blood, sweat, and tears.  “
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?
 ” My first priority is to smile at each child that comes into my classroom.  Building a relationship with each of them will make this year more successful!  My goal is to let them know I care about them and how hard I’m going to work to make each day, the best day yet!”
Fort Scott, Schools

Haley Troutman: New Third-Grade Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary

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This is part of a series of new teachers in the community.

Haley Troutman is a new third-grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.

Name: Haley Troutman

Title of Position: 3rd Grade Teacher

Education: Graduated Uniontown High School, 2010, earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Science (psychology) from K-State, 2014 and is currently earning a Master of Arts in teaching K-6 at K-State, anticipated graduation is May 2019.

Age: 26

Family: Married to Stuart Troutman, three children: Molly (6), Sadie (3), and Jett (4 months).

Why did you choose education as a career:

“I chose education to impact the lives of children, encouraging them to be well-rounded, productive members of society. It is my hope to help them become the best individuals and students that they possibly can be. I love children and want my students to know that they always have a safe place in our classroom – an environment where they will be loved, nurtured, and encouraged.”

What is the first on your list of priorities for this position :

“I am looking forward to meeting all of my students and their families. Although I have already met my 3rd-grade team, I am excited to connect on a deeper level, building relationships with each of them. A priority I have for my classroom this year is implementing goal setting, both personal and academic. I anticipate an exciting year!”

Fort Scott, Schools

New FSHS Forensic/Debate Teacher: Angella Curran

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This is part of a series featuring new teachers in our community.

Angella Curran is the new Fort Scott High School Speech and Debate/Forensics teacher.

Name: Angella Curran

Title of position: High School Speech and Debate/Forensics

Education: BA Communications, MA Teaching, both from Pitt State

Experience: Six  years in Lamar, MO, four years in Frontenac, KS

Age: 35

Family: Son, age 13, attends PCMS

Affiliations: National Speech and Debate Association, Women Helping Women of Pittsburg, KS.

Why did you choose education as a career?

“I worked for AmeriCorps in 2004 and was placed as a tutor in an inner-city Baltimore school.  I immediately connected with the students and decided that was the path I wanted to take once I returned to college.”

 

What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?

“My first priority is to build relationships with students and continue building the already amazing Debate and Forensics team.”

Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Memorabilia At A Microbrewery Inspires A Beer

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Fort Scott Indian Maiden created circa 1869.

Memorabilia is coming out of storage and at least one piece has inspired a new beer.

“We will be unveiling the Fort Scott Indian Princess, Friday, August 24 at 4 p.m.,” according to an email from Barbara Ritter, owner of The Boiler Room Brewhaus.  “We will also be featuring a namesake beer that has locally sourced peaches.”

“It’s a cream ale, conditioned with peaches beer,” said Bryan Ritter, the brewer.

The wooden Indian is on loan from the Historic Preservation Association, along with other memorabilia, such as old Fort Scott High School and railroad items, for the public to view.

The microbrewery is located at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street, at 10 S. National.

According to information provided to the Brewhaus from the HPA below, the Indian maiden was in front of a tobacco store on North Main Street in Fort Scott, circa 1869. The store was owned by Frank Boyle, who was the city’s mayor from 1871-72.

A photograph of the piece written by Jane Rodewald in 1990 on the Indian Maiden, that was at one time displayed in the Ralph Richards Museum. The statute is now displayed at the Boiler Room Brewhaus.
The brewer of Boiler Room Brewhaus, Bryan Ritter, has produced a special ale in honor of the wooden Indian, called Fort Princess Cream Ale.
The Boiler Room Brewhaus is located at 10 S. National.

Hours for the microbrewery are Thursday-Friday from 4-10 p.m.

Saturdays from 2 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m.

Contact them at 620-644-5032.

For additional information on the business, click on the links below:

Boiler Room Brewhaus Expands Into Historic Downtowner Hotel

Liquor By The Drink: On The November Ballot in Bourbon County

 

Bourbon County

The Beacon Has A New Director

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Gary Murrell. Submitted photo by Carol MacArthur.

Gary Murrell has pastored churches for 38 years in Kansas, Missouri, and Louisiana through the Church of God, headquartered in Anderson, Indiana.

As of August 7, he is now the director of the Beacon, a helping agency in Fort Scott.

“Through ministry, you help people in various ways,” Murrell said. “I feel comfortable in that….this is an opportunity to help people.”

“This is a  great opportunity to grow myself and the Beacon,” he said.

“The Beacon serves Bourbon County with food and clothes, to help those that qualify. The community is welcome to come by and get to know the Beacon.”

The agency is located at 525 E. Sixth St. on the city’s east side and is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To donate food, clothing or money, contact the agency at 223-6869.

The Murrell’s are Bourbon County transplants.

In 2014, Gary and wife, Fannie, purchased the Perry property, near Redfield.

They have two daughters, Hanna Malveaux, Fort Scott, and Rachael Woosley, Chandler, Arizona, and six grandchildren.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Sara Jackman: New FSHS Social Studies Teacher

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This is part of a series of profiles about the new teachers in our community.
Sara Jackman is the new Fort Scott High School Social Studies Teacher.
Name: Sara Jackman
Title of position: High School Social Studies Teacher
Education: BSE from Emporia State University
Experience: 15 years
Age: 37
Family: Husband Jay
Affiliations: Kansas National Education Association
Why did you choose education as a career?
“I enjoy working with students and seeing them grow.”
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?
“Get to know my students and coworkers.”
Bourbon County, Business

Boer Goats: Good For 4-H and FFA Kids

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The Boer Goats are coming! The Boer Goats are coming!

And due to a happenstance, they have been coming annually to Fort Scott for three years.

“This will be the third year ( the Heartland Showcase Boer Goat Sale)  will be held in Fort Scott as we are in the middle of the area of people raising Boer Goats,” Allen Warren, with the Bourbon County Fairgrounds Board, said.

What is a Boer Goat?

“The development of the Boer goat in the early 1900’s can be traced to the Dutch farmers of South Africa. Boer is a Dutch word meaning farmer.  With meat production setting the selection criteria, the Dutch farmers developed the Boer goat as a unique breed of livestock. The Boer goat has a rapid growth rate, excellent carcass qualities and is highly adapted to different environments,” according to  http://abga.org/about-abga/history/“

“They (the Heartland Showcase Boer Goat Sale organizers) originally held their first sale in Columbus,” Warren said.

There was a lack of hotels and restaurants in Columbus, according to Warren.

“As some of the officers were on their way home to Nebraska, they drove through Fort Scott  and decided to see what kind of a Fairground  and facility we had to offer,” Warren said. “The next day they called the K-State Extension Office and got my telephone number.  This developed into the relationship we have today.  They feel our facilities and our community has a lot of what they were looking for.”

“We heard that they were a good location, centrally located. Fort Scott seemed to be the perfect fit,” Lisa Stripe, co-owner of the sale, said. “We generally have 12 different farms bringing their goats into the sale. Usually the crowd draws 100-150 people.”

The Stripes are from Humeston, Iowa.

“We personally got started because as a kid Ithought it would be fun to have some. Later, I bought some behind my husband’s back.”

“They are good animals  for kids in 4-H or FFA because they are gentle, the kids are less likely to get hurt versus a cow or calf.”

“I  would like to thank the businesses , the motels the fairgrounds,” Stripe said. “We couldn’t ask for a better place to have the sale.”

 

Viewing of the animals is from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, August 18 and again Sunday August 19. The sale will be Sunday at noon at the fairgrounds.
You may contact Lisa Stripe at 402-759-5497 or Jill Lanham at 402-984-8344 for more information about this event