All posts by Loretta George

Business, Fort Scott

Lavender Patch Fest II June 15

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Devin and Betsy Reichard, owners of the Lavender Patch. Submitted photo.
This year,  Lavender Fest II is this Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $5, with children five-years-old and under free.
Activities include live music from Bob Pavey Lovett and Red Letter Edition, a bluegrass/gospel band that has played at Silver Dollar City.
They are back by popular demand, Betsy said.
There will be a demonstration from Martha Scott on making lavender wands/bottles and little lavender baskets.
Betsy Reichard and Martha Scott, right, discuss the lavender bottles that Scott will be making for the festival.
“You also have the opportunity to make your own or buy one from her,” Betsy said.
Betsy Reichard will be giving demonstrations on making lavender wreaths and present “I have lavender, now what do I do?” she said.
Tours of the lavender fields, as well as info on how to plant lavender, will also be given.
“In addition, we will have lavender plants available to plant,” Reichard said.  “For those who would like to take a bundle home, we will once again have you-pick lavender bundles for $5.”
There will be outdoor games, picture taking opportunities, and the chance to sit, relax, and enjoy time with friends and family. she said.
Lavender plants.
A sign welcomes to the Lavender Patch, 2376 Locust Rd.
What is the Lavender Patch?
“The Lavender Patch is a small family owned lavender farm located just east of Ft. Scott city limits on Locust Rd,” Reichard said. ” We have over a thousand lavender plants and 20 varieties. Our farm is a Kansas agritourism farm and we welcome visitors to walk through the fields, take pictures, pick a lavender bundle and visit our gift shop our hours of operation which is 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday in June and in July it will change to 9  to noon. Thursday through Saturday, people may also call and an appointment can be made for other days and times.”
The Lavender Patch gift shop sells all things lavender.
When did it start?
“We decided to start our lavender farm in 2009 and spent the year researching, connecting with other lavender farms, and making plans. In 2010 we planted our first few plants to see if this is what we wanted to do. In 2011 we moved so did not do anything addition with the lavender but in 2012 we started planting in mass with lots of help from family and friends. Through the years we have had our struggles and just to get plants to live was our goal! However, in 2016 we switched to a new area on our farm and are having much more success!”
Why a lavender farm?
“We bought this property in 2008 since we had always wanted to live in the country. In 2009 we went to California to see Davin’s brother Daryl, his wife Erlinda and their family.  Erlinda had visited a lavender farm in California and thought it would be a neat thing to do. Knowing that we had bought this property and that they (Daryl and Erlinda) planned to move back to Kansas, Erlinda had the idea this was something we could do together as a family. While in California, we all visited the same lavender farm Erlinda had gone to previously. We talked to the owners, toured their farm, and then started our research. While on that trip, we decided on the name The Lavender Patch although Erlinda was the one who originally came up with it. “
 
New this season? 
“We have added more plants and replaced many that died this winter from winter kill. Lavender doesn’t like to have ‘wet feet’ so this rain we have had has been a challenge. We have had some of our plants that have struggled and others didn’t make it. We do have some new products in our gift shop, including some lavender scone, bread, and cookie mixes.”
 

Betsy Reichard can be reached at620-223-1364

Business, Fort Scott

Ultra High Speed Internet Now Available Through Craw-Kan

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A map of the Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative coverage ability for the Fort Scott area. Submitted photo.
Craw-KanTelephone Cooperative, Girard,  is offering ultra high-speed internet, high definition television and unlimited telephone service over 100% buried fiber optic FTTH network to residences and businesses inside the city limits of Fort Scott, mostly on the west side of town.
“Our first customers inside the city limits of Fort Scott we installed in early 2018,” Zach Adams,  Craw-Kan Marketing Manager said.  “We will attempt to complete the rest of the city limits of Fort Scott in 2020.”
Craw-Kan conducted a  business  study prior to coming to Fort Scott.
“After extensive study, it was determined that the demand for a new Internet Service Provider in the City of Fort Scott was adequate to make a successful business model,” Adams said.   “Partnership’s with Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott proved helpful in making it easier for Craw-Kan to expand into Fort Scott. “
A landline purchase is not required.
“Customer’s in Fort Scott are not members of the cooperative and thus are not required to have landline telephone service and do not receive the benefits of cooperative membership,” Adams said. “It is required however that a customer subscribes to the internet if they wish to subscribe to our cable tv or telephone line.”
What are the costs involved?
“No installation for internet, cable tv (up to 3 TVs), no equipment rental fees and we provide remote management of our gateway router free of charge,” Adams said. ” Customer only pays for monthly service charges.  All internet and telephone is unlimited usage – we do not bill overages or long distance.”
Residential internet service ranges from approximately $50 to $70 per month, cable TV service approximately $40 – $100 per month, plus extra for movie packages, according to the Craw-Kan website:
Call 620-724-4542 for more information or to place an order.
Bourbon County, Business

Dawson Minor: Young Entrepreneur

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Dawson Minor. Submitted photos.

This is part of a series featuring young people who found a need and are seeking to fill it with a business venture.

To nominate local young entrepreneurs, send name, phone number/email and the name of who is nominating and why, to [email protected].

Dawson Minor, 20, of Fulton is the owner of 4 Clover Mowing business.
The business began as a dream when he was a small boy.
“From the time I was very small, I have had a fondness for any kind of self-propelled equipment, no matter the size,” Minor said.
“Even before I had the concept of mowing grass, lawn mowers were the first machines that I could actually drive,” he said.
In second grade, when he could barely reach the pedals, he began mowing the family yard and farm lot.
” I loved mowing,” Minor said.  “I often dreamed of mowing for other people and having my own business.”
In early March 2013, after “a lot of thinking and discussing with my parents” Minor decided to start a small mowing business since he enjoyed mowing lawns and being outdoors.
“I started with a John Deere LA120 riding lawn tractor,” he said.
“My first year in the mowing business turned out to be a great learning experience, ” Minor said. “It helped me to understand that having the ability and chance to do something that I truly enjoy is not only measured by money.”
 “Within the second year in business, I soon realized that my role of being the kid who mows the yard was rapidly changing to the responsibility of a young businessman,” he said.
 “My number one responsibility in grounds-keeping has always been customer service,” Minor said. ” I never intend to give up quality for quantity in order to increase profits.”
” I have been blessed with the growth of my business and great customers.”
“I  currently employ two very hard working and dependable individuals, Drew Wright and Garrett Thompson, which I value and trust impeccably,”  he said.
His service area includes Bourbon, Linn, and Vernon counties.
“I have learned customer satisfaction is not only the success of a business, but it is also truly the reward of a business,” Minor said.
Minor can be reached at 620-238-9613 or  [email protected]
Bourbon County, Business

New Union Station Owners Welcomed by Ruritan

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Uniontown Ruritan sponsored a ribbon cutting for Union Station Convenience Store on May 11. From left: Ruritan member Joe George, Ruriteen member Luke George, Ruritan members Lawrence and Raymond George, owners Ronni and Dane Clayton, Ruritan members Henry Homan and Mark Warren and community member Linda Wilson.

Uniontown Ruritan sponsored a ribbon cutting to welcome the new convenience store owners, Ronni and Dane Clayton.

The Clayton’s took over ownership of Union Station Convenience Store from Ron and Susan Eldridge in April 2019.

The store sells gasoline, food, and beer and is located on Hwy. 3, one mile south of the Hwy. 54 junction.

The store is a gathering place for locals in the morning, unofficially called “The Liars Club.”

Hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information: 620-756-4884.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Housing

Lyle Brittain: Fort Scott’s New Codes Officer

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Lyle Brittain, Fort Scott Codes Enforcement Officer.

Living in cities and towns has both benefits and responsibilities.

A property owner is responsible for keeping his/her property in a habitable condition, grass at a reasonable height and free of debris, among city codes.

The Fort Scott Codes Department provides information and assistance regarding permits, zoning, and Fort Scott codes and regulations, according to the city’s website.

Lyle Brittain, 25, was introduced at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee on May 30 as a new codes officer for the city.

Brittain earned an associates degree in business from Fort Scott Community College in 2014, and has owned a landscape business for 12 years he said.

His duties in the codes officer position are to inspect properties for compliance of grass height, proper electrical and gas systems, and additionally, issuing building permits, he said.

“We drive up and down streets,” Brittain said. “We will take complaints (about properties) and they will be addressed as soon as we can.”

The codes department can be reached by calling the city office at 223-0550. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We are allowed on private property unless the owner tells us to leave,” Brittain said.

“We don’t want to make people mad,” he said. “We introduce ourselves and let them know if they don’t get the codes violation done, there will be a legal letter coming.”

“The letter will give a certain amount of days to get the issue resolved, say for instance grass getting too high (on a property),” Brittain said. “If the city  has to use its’ resources of manpower and machine to resolve the issue, it’s $300.”

A code the public may not know about concerns properties that are deemed uninhabitable.

“You can’t live in a house without electricity or water or sewer services,” Brittain said. “That’s considered an uninhabitable condition.”

The Fort Scott Codes Department is located in the basement of Memorial Hall at 1 E. Third.
The door the City of Fort Scott Codes Department at Memorial Hall, 1 E. Third.

Rhonda Dunn is the Fort Scott Director of Finance and Codes, and Adam Harrison is the newly created codes supervisor.

Lyle is married to Liz Brittain and the son of Bill and Michelle Brittain.

Bourbon County, Business

Rosie’s Cabin: Open For Business

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Rosie’s Cabin and Event Center is located at 563 Maple Road, Uniontown, Kansas. Submitted photo.

Kelsey and Kaley Blythe have been busy renovating Rosie’s Cabin-Wedding and Event Center, an event venue just west of Uniontown.

Kelsey and Kaley Blythe sit on the porch of the lodge of Rosie’s Cabin Wedding and Event Center. Submitted photo.
The event center is open for business, Kelsey Blythe said.

 

There have been updates to the large event center and also the accompanying cabin that is available.

 

In the large event center, with a large front porch overlooking the pond, walls have been painted, lights hung from the rafters, drapes hung and the bathroom updated,  Kelsey said.

 

Rosie’s Cabin Lodge inside, 2019. Submitted photo.

The cabin on the property will be used for guests and has seen a more extensive remodel.

 

“The cabin will be posted on Airbnb and will be available for hunters during hunting season,” she said. ” When there are weddings it will be used for a dressing cabin and a honeymoon suite for the couple. Our first wedding will be at the end of July. We had the Uniontown (High School) Prom on April 13th this year.”

The cabin has one bedroom and a  finished attic with a futon, and in addition, the main floor has a reclining couch

 

The cabin price is still to be determined, she said.

 

 

“The only thing left in the cabin was the bathroom sink,” Kelsey said of the cabin remodel.
“Jeremy Hoover Construction is doing all the remodeling for Rosie’s and is in the final phase of putting it all together. Original hardwood floors were redone this month and the floor is now dry and beautiful. Light fixtures are hung and bathroom is complete with a tiled walk-in shower with a rain-style showerhead.”

 

“Everything from plumbing and electric to cabinets and walls are all new,” she said.

 

A back door was added to provide two exits.

 

“Up next is applying all of our beautiful walnut and cedar wood accents,” she said. ” We will have a bar in the cabin made of walnut, a countertop made of cedar and an awesome accent wall made of wood as well as the trim all of walnut. All of the wood used is from trees cut by my husband on this property and made into boards by the Amish.”

 

Then doors will be hung, cabinets installed, and new appliances added.

 

“It is very modern, minimalistic and functional,” Kelsey said.

 

“The usage of this venue is ultimately limitless. We are only limited by our creativity and how we wish to market the place. To start, we want to appeal to all the young ladies and gentlemen in this area that are planning for their big wedding day.”

 

The Blythe’s are marketing the venue in the Kansas City and Springfield, MO areas, as well as locally.

 

Rosie’s Cabin Event Center, 2019. A porch on the south overlooks a gazebo and pond. Submitted photo.

 

 

“Our weekend wedding price is $3,250 and that gives you everything Rosie’s has to offer for the entire weekend. The place is yours from Friday to Sunday at noon,” Kelsey said.

 

Graduation parties, family reunions, class reunions, anniversaries, bridal showers, baby showers are welcomed to Rosie’s Cabin, she said.

 

 

“At this time we are offering half-day events for 2019 at $200 and full day events at $400,” Kelsey said.

 

 

“We are gladly opening our doors to those events and believe we have priced them accordingly,” Kelsey said.  “We are new to this type of business and have a learning curb ahead. So our pricing is subject to change.”

 

 

“We are going to host a big open house bash sometime late in the summer, with a date to be announced,” she said.  “We joined the (Fort Scott)Chamber of Commerce so we are excited to have them out and do an official ribbon cutting at that time. Snacks and drinks will be served. Come-and-go-as-you-please type of party that may turn into an all evening affair with music and dancing!”

 

A view of the large facility with the coved porch that overlooks a gazebo and pond. In the background is the cabin that can be rented also. Submitted photo.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

CHC/SEK Update by Krista Postai

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Krista Postai, President & CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas headquartered at 3011 N. Michigan, Pittsburg, KS 66762.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is considering its options looking to the future of the Fort Scott center. They currently have a two-year lease with Mercy Hospital.

 

“We did formally request land from Mercy behind the existing hospital facing Horton Street and they have tentatively agreed to provide us space for a new 25,000 sq. ft. building,” Postai said.  “Nothing formal has been signed but I understand the Mercy attorneys are working on it. This news has been shared with staff and we’ll start working on the design late in June.”

 

“We hope to fund it with a USDA low-interest loan they make available for rural communities like Ft. Scott,” she said. “It will have space for medical, dental, behavioral health services and a pharmacy. We hope to have it completed by January 2021.”

 

Recruitment is ongoing for the health center, she said.

 

“We do continue to work on staff recruitment for another physician and a psychologist or LSCSW, so if anyone has a relative that wants to move home we have a good opportunity for them,” Postai said.

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

StoryWalk

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K-State Research and Extension Southwind District Family and Consumer Science Agent, Joy Miller, 620-223-3720 or [email protected]

 

Be an Active Family with StoryWalk®

Physical activity is important for children and adults of all ages. Being active as a family can benefit everyone. Add StoryWalk® to your family summer activity list this year. StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT. Her idea was to laminate the pages from a children’s story book and place them on stakes along a walking path for children and adults to read together. As you stroll down the path reading, you and your family can get multiple benefits from this activity.

Reading out loud. Whether you read to your child, your child reads to you, or you take turns, it expands a child’s interest in books. It also increases vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and attention span. Communication and listening skills are also developed when discussing pictures in the book, what is going on in the story, and predicting what might happen next.

Relationship building. Besides being educational, reading books together can strengthen the bond between the child and parent, grandparent, or caregiver. Spending frequent, brief amounts of time involved in child-preferred activities is one of the most powerful things parents can do to connect with their children.

Spending time outdoors in nature. Studies have shown cognitive function and mood improvement occurs when children and adults spend time in nature. Time in nature increases creativity and imagination, stimulates to your 5 senses, gets you up and moving, helps you think better, improves your attention span, and reduces stress and fatigue.

Built in movement. Adults need 30 minutes of physical activity each day while children need 60 minutes. Beyond the number of minutes of physical activity needed, we all need more movement throughout our day. One of Anne Ferguson’s goals was to create an activity where parents had to be as active as the children and not sit on the sidelines. Children are more likely to be physically active if their parents are.

Storyline of the Book. The last benefit is expanding on the storyline for learning, experiences, and application. Some of the StoryWalk® books in our Extension Office promote financial literacy, helping children learn about the many sides of money management.

Families have busy schedules, StoryWalk® ‘s are accessible when you are ready and take as much or as little time as you want. K-State Research and Extension is partnering with libraries, schools, and recreation centers to bring StoryWalk to your community this summer. For dates and locations, visit southwind.ksu.edu.

1 minute Radio Spot

Be an active family this summer. Being active as a family can benefit everyone. Physical activity is important for children and adults of all ages. I’m Joy Miller, Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent with K-State Research and Extension Southwind District. Adults need two and a half hours a week of physical activity and children need sixty minutes a day. K-State is partnering with agencies to bring Storywalk to your community. StoryWalk® is a program for families to read and be active together. Pages from children’s story books are laminated, attached to a board, and placed along a path children and adults can walk. As you stroll down the path reading, families also build reading skills and p strengthen family relationships. Add StoryWalk to your summer activity list. For storywalk locations, story books, or parent discussion guides, contact me at 620-223-3720 or visit our website at www.southwind.ksu.edu.

Humboldt Union Newspaper

Be an active family this year. Physical activity is important for children and adults of all ages. Adults need two and a half hours a week of physical activity and children need 60 minutes a day. K-State Research and Extension Southwind District and Humboldt Library are partnering to bring StoryWalk to Humboldt this summer. StoryWalk® is a program for families to read and be active together. Pages from children’s story books are laminated, attached to a board, and placed along a path children and adults can walk. In Humboldt, many of the story boards will be located in business windows around the downtown square. The first page of StoryWalk® will begin at the Humboldt library, then to the Humboldt Union, page 3 will begin on the east side of the square and flow clockwise around the square. Add StoryWalk® to your family summer activity list this year. StoryWalk® will begin Wednesday, June 12th and stories will change every two weeks. Discussion guides are available at the Humboldt Library or at southwind.ksu.edu.

Bourbon County, Elections, Fort Scott, Government

2019 City/School Election: Increase in Candidates

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The Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue.

The following have filed for the 2019 City/School Election, according to information provided by Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk. The clerk’s office is located at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.

Candidates were to file by noon June 3 for the desired positions, with August 6 the primary election and November 5 the general election.

In the Fort Scott City Commission contest, 14 people have filed to run for three possible seats. Three incumbants will run for re-election.

” In 2017 we had four file, in 2015 we had three file and in 2013 we had four file,” for the Fort Scott City Commission election, Mason said, when asked to compare the 2019 numbers.

Another highly contested race is for USD 234 Board of Education with 11 people who filed.

The clerk can be reached at (620)223-3800 ext. 191.

 

CANDIDATES THAT HAVE FILED FOR THE 2019 BOURBON COUNTY ELECTION

 

CITY OF BRONSON-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

JAMES E. OLSON

DANIELLE MINOR

MICHAEL STEWART

 

CITY OF FORT SCOTT-CITY COMMISSION (3 COMMISSION POSITIONS)

CHERYL L. ADAMSON

HAROLD (PETE) ALLEN

KEVIN “SKITCH” ALLEN

CYNTHIA BARTELSMEYER

CASEY BOLDEN

TRACY DANCER

BOBBY DUNCAN

BOB FARMER

JOSH JONES

DEB MCCOY

DIANA MORRISS

JEANIE PARKER

LINDSEY WATTS

MATTHEW WELLS

 

CITY OF FULTON (1 MAYOR & 5 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

NO CANDIDATES FILED

 

CITY OF MAPLETON (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

NO CANDIDATES FILED

 

CITY OF REDFIELD-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

WILMA K. GRAHAM

JIMMIE JACKSON

L.D. MORRISON

ANGELA HIXON

 

CITY OF UNIONTOWN-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)

DANEA D. ESSLINGER

DAVE WEHRY

USD 234

JAMES WOOD

DANNY BROWN

MICHELLE HUDIBURG

KELLYE BARROWS

JOE FOULK SR

MICHAEL J. HOYT

JOSH JONES

AARON JUDY

SHAWN GOANS

LYNETTE JACKSON

Bill Michaud

 

 

USD 235

TROY GOODRIDGE

JASON SUTTERBY

JOSHUA HARTMAN

KOLBY STOCK

SALLY JOHNSON

 

FSCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES (3 POSITIONS)

DAVID ELLIOTT

KIRK HART

MICHAEL J. HOYT

CURTIS LEAR

ROBERT NELSON

SOUTHWIND EXTENSION DISTRICT (2 POSITIONS)

DIANE BRILLHART

PETE WILEY

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Opinion

Special Moment in Good Ol’ Days: Carl Jowers

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Editors note: readers were asked to submit their best moment of Good Ol’ Days to fortscott.biz
My special moment in the Good Old Days Parade was the appearance of the American Legion Fort Scott Post 25  Color Guard.
Jim Streeter, a 73 year member of Post 25, does not remember the last time an American Legion Color Guard participated in Fort Scott parades.
The Color Guard members marching are (L-R) Skipper Brown, Darrell Spencer, Faye Brown and Leslie Montee.
Marvin Taylor is riding in the van and was available as a Color Guard backup should one of the Color Guard members be unable to complete the parade route.
I’m very proud as Post 25 Commander of these Legionnaires who stepped up and formed our American Legion Color Guard.
Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.
Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Good Ol’ Days 2019: What Was Your Special Moment?

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The Good Ol’ Days is the annual town-wide gathering, which includes a parade, vendors on Main Street, comedy and music entertainment, a carnival, a fun run/walk and activites at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. It has grown to include the Fort Scott Munitions Customer Appreciation Day Car Show and events.

Check the following photos to see if your special moment is caught.

If not, submit yours in the comments section.

This is a segment of the parade highlights:

 

Parade goers line the streets of Main at Wall Street to view the Good Ol’ Days Parade.

 

 

Several drones were seen overhead during the parade. This drone, at Wall and National Avenue, got caught in some electric wires and fell to the ground barely missing these three small children a few minutes after this photo was taken.

A drone overhead at National Avenue and Main Street that got caught in electric wire and fell to the ground, nearly missing the three young children below.

Vendors selling food, goods and services lined North Main Street:

Maci Brock, Fort Scott, gets her face painted by Gaisa Westervelt, Columbus on Friday evening on North Main Street. Vendors selling food, goods and services lined the street Friday evening and Saturday.

The carnival, Red Garter Saloon and shows in Memorial Hall drew parade goers, following the Good Ol’ Days Parade Friday night.

An annual tradition, the Red Garter Saloon was located this year on Skubitz Plaza, just north of Main Street in downtown Fort Scott.

The Jared Daniels Band played Friday evening at Memorial Hall.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Effective Leadership Seminar June 4

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REMINDER:
TEAM 2.0
Effective Leadership for First Line Managers and Supervisors
How to Build Engagement,
Reduce Conflict,
and Increase Cooperation
A Bill Drury Seminar, hosted by the
Chamber of Commerce
TOMORROW, June 4, 2019
8am to noon
“EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP FOR FIRST LINE MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS”
This workshop will help your business go to the next level of teamwork and cooperation.
To register for this seminar, click HERE.
After 5/28, $169/person
Discount for 5 or more $149/person
Empress Event Center
7 N. Main St., Fort Scott
Tuesday, June 4th,2019
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(parking in front and back entrances)
The speaker, Bill Drury, has received rave reviews from over 400 of the Fortune 500 companies. He has delivered over 2,000 presentations in the last 20 years.
This half-day workshop is a continuation of last year’s seminar hosted by the Chamber,
“A Passion For Service”.
Don’t miss this opportunity
to rev up your company’s sales/growth engine!