All posts by Loretta George
Bigfoot Is Coming To Town
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bigfoot-Cast-20231.jpg)
“I love the anticipation of Christmas,” AllenTwitchell, Fort Scott Community College’s Theatre Director said in a press release. “Tis indeed the season for memories, for family, for giving, for the promise of snow and a new year, and it is my pleasure to celebrate it with the community on Nov. 16 this year.”
“The gift we present at 7 p.m. that day in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is called “Santa ‘Claws’ Is Coming to Town,” the second installment of a three-part trilogy featuring Bigfoot as a central character and written by me because at my previous academic place of employment, the costume closet contained an idle Bigfoot costume,” he said.
“And, for the fifth year, Walmart of Fort Scott is graciously supplying Christmas candy to be distributed by the cast in the lobby following the show,” he said.
“In part one of the trilogy, “A Very Hairy Christmas,” Bigfoot is pursued by the dreaded Darth Hunter and his henchmen, Dim and Dimmer, but with the aid of three youngsters (Ben, Jordan and Grace) and an ace reporter (Ben’s dad), he escapes the clutches of the evil villain and learns the story of Christmas and then everybody sings.”
“In this year’s offering, Darth Hunter’s demented brother, Doctor Virus, plots to kill Christmas by addicting Santa Claus to a video game and forcing him to miss the midnight deadline for delivering the first present to a select family in Fort Scott, thereby activating the “Santa Clause” and canceling Christmas…as negotiated by the reindeer union during its most-recent contract talks,” he said. “Again, Bigfoot and the kids endeavor to come to the rescue and chaos ensues…along with more singing.”
“Part three, All I Want for Christmas is Bigfoot’s Teeth, performed at FSCC on two prior occasions, unites the two previous “bad guys” with their even-more-sinister sister, Noella DeVile, intent on capturing Bigfoot and extracting his teeth for their magical properties, which include keeping her young and beautiful,” Twitchel said. “Spoiler alert: She is unsuccessful and everybody sings.”
The cast: Clint LaFollette, Will Holliday, Braxton Ferrell, Gia Dickey, Heidi Clevenger, Josh Smith, Nick Shelton, Isaiah Subbert, Ivy Swearingen and Christina King. The singing director is Chris Goddard. Joshua Ramsey and Zach Loper provide tech support. “And, of course, Santa makes an appearance,” he said.
“If this doesn’t sound like fun to you, just come for the candy,” he said.
“In any event, let us be the first to wish you, “Merry Christmas – and a Happy Thanksgiving,” he said.
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Allen-Twitchell.-Submitted-2023-225x300.jpg)
FSCC cheer and dance squad is sponsoring a Little Greyhounds Cheer Clinic for youngsters in kindergarten -eighth grade from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 19 in Arnold Arena. The cost for the clinic is $25. Contact Allee Morillo, head cheer and dance coach, at (913) 230-8869 to register or for answers to questions.
The FSCC Library Book Club meets next Wednesday (Nov. 15) in the library commons area. The featured topic is Women in Science and Diversity and the select book is “Lessons in Chemistry.” Contact Susie Arvidson at [email protected] for more information.
Spring and summer enrollment is open at FSCC.
KISS is Coming to Fort Scott, Almost
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/almost-KISS-submitted-photo.jpg)
For those who love American Hard Rock Music, there is a show for you this weekend in Fort Scott.
KISS, the original group formed in the 1970s is known for such hits as “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Black Diamond,” according to its website.
A group considered talented enough to be endorsed by Gene Simmons, one of the original KISS members, Almost KISS will be performing this Saturday, November 18, at 7 p.m. at Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall, Third Street and National Avenue.
To order tickets: https://advanceboco.ticketspice.com/almost-kiss-tribute-band
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DSCN0063-2-1.jpg)
Almost KISS are four devoted KISS fans and they choose to pay homage to the famous band in their shows, according to their website.
This entertainment event and others throughout the year have been organized by Advance Bourbon County.
Cory Bryars, Brad Matkin, and Josh Jones were having a conversation earlier in the year.
“Brad mentioned this tribute band, Almost Kiss,” Jones, spokesman for the Advance Bourbon County group, said. “Then he started reminiscing about his old rock and roll days. I have even talked Brad into having full Kiss makeup on during this event. So that itself is worth the admission fee.”
“With ABC, I have no set agenda on acts or events that I prefer,” he said. “Our main thing early on is to try as many different types of events as possible and see which ones gather the most attention. Then as we move into 2024 we will be more selective on which events we bring in. It’s just a way of giving back to a community that we love being part of. We have a beautiful venue and the most wonderful people around and it’s our hope we can now start drawing in outside people to our community to see what we can offer.”
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/josh-jones-225x300.jpg)
Advance Bourbon County is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation whose purpose is to make Bourbon County a better place through events and fundraising opportunities, according to its website.
“We will be announcing our upcoming events for 2024. We plan on doing about 6-8 events in 2024,” Josh Jones said.
The ABC recently organized a renovation of the waiting room in Memorial Hall, which is used by entertainers when they are offstage.
Deadline to Enter the Christmas Parade: November 27 at 1 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
2023 Fall Extravaganza is November 20: Shopping To Support the Swim Team
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSCN0279-2-2.jpg)
The annual 2023 Fall Extravaganza is Monday, November 20 from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School. The event began in 2009.
“Fort Scott High School Swimming is sponsoring the event,” said Madeline Martin, the swim coach for both boys and girls teams.
“The purpose of the event is to help our swimmers raise money to attend the 2024 Summer Olympic Swim Trials as well as bring an opportunity to town to support local businesses.”
“We have 56 booth spaces this year, a few more than last year in addition to several new vendors,” Martin said.
On Facebook: https://fb.me/e/
Below is a list of vendors for the event:
About FSHS Swim Teams
“We have 11 boys coming out this year through our cooperative agreement with Frontenac and Pittsburg (school districts),” Martin said. “This girl’s season I am planning on 15+ girls from our COOP with Pittsburg, Frontenac, Arma, Colgan, and Humboldt ( school districts).”
The swim team practices from Monday-Friday in Pittsburg at the YMCA.
“Boys swimming has been active in Fort Scott since the winter of 2019 and then girl’s season began the spring of ’20 but was cut short due to COVID,” she said. “Angie Kemmerer began coaching the team and this will be my third year as swim coach.”
The money raised from booths at the Fall Extravaganza will allow the student-athletes to go to the Summer Olympics in Indianapolis, Indiana in June 2024.
“We are going to be spectators at the Summer Olympics,” she said. “The kids are excited to go watch some of their favorite athletes in person and watch a high-level competition in person.”
Annual Holiday Shopping Open House Begins This Evening
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/DSC_0151.jpg)
If people haven’t been out and about in Fort Scott lately, they might be pleasantly surprised at the number of quality boutiques, art galleries, and other storefronts that the city has to offer, according to Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
“Nearly every building is occupied and we are so grateful for the investment that building and business owners have made in our community,” she said.
The chamber recently announced the Annual Holiday Open House Shopping event, Downtown & Around in Fort Scott.
The main event will take place this evening, Thursday, November 9 from 5-8 p.m. with refreshments, drawings, and deals to enjoy and get you in the holiday spirit!
On Thursday the trolley will be going from store to store from 5-8 p.m. for shoppers to ride to each site.
The multi-day event will continue on Friday and Saturday, November 10-11.
Nearly 20 participating retailers are involved, including 110 South Main, Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses, Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, Better in Bourbon, Be the Light Boutique, Bids & Dibs, Flint + Fray, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Long Creek Outfitters, Papa Don’s Vendors, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, The Artificers, and The Beauty Lounge.
One can enter their name at each store for a chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks.
Visit fortscott.com or the Chamber’s Facebook page for more details.
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/12-7-Parade-14.jpg)
History of the Event:
“Iron Star Antiques & Such initially started the Holiday Open House concept 20 years ago this month when Barbara Trimbur and Cindy Bowman, who were both booth vendors in the store at the time, came up with the idea,” said Madison. “Then Barbara took over ownership of the store that following January. I started leading the Chamber as President and CEO in the Fall of 2010 and that may have been the first year all of the businesses formally came together for an organized event.”
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Lindsay-Madison-229x300.jpg)
“I feel the Chamber and the retailers together have a strong relationship and communicate and work well together to plan these types of events and promotions throughout the year such as Spring Fling, Sidewalk Sales, Fall Fest, Holiday Open House, and more,” she said.
Veterans to Be Honored in Bourbon County
Fort Scott and Uniontown’s School Districts and other entities have planned several events to honor local vets.
Winfield Scott is having a Veterans Day assembly at 7:45 a.m. on November 10, Eugene Ware is having one at 2:30 p.m., and Middle School is having theirs at 2:45 p.m., according to USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown.
On Friday night November 10, the Pizza Republic Restaurant, 17 S. Main, will celebrate the U. S. Marine Corps’ birthday. They will host an official cake-cutting ceremony starting at 7 PM. The Marines present will sing the Marine hymn and raise their glasses for a traditional toast to The Corps.
There will be flags put around the perimeter of the parade ground at Fort Scott National Historic Site, in commemoration of Veteran’s Day.
On November 11, a Veterans Day Program at the Fort Scott National Cemetery will be at 11 a.m., organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
On November 11, from 8 to 10 p.m. Outlaw Jim and The Whiskey Benders will be at Pizza Republic Restaurant, 17 S. Main, with a concert to celebrate veterans and their sacrifices made for freedom. There is a $5 cover charge.
From November 10-12, there is a Veterans Day Appreciation Special at Kansas Rocks Recreation Park,2051 130th, Mapleton. All military personnel/active or veteran/first responders can come out and ride the trails at NO CHARGE with an ID card.
Bourbon County Unofficial Election Results: Slight Increase in Voter Participation
“As of the final unofficial report with all precincts reporting we had a total of 2,382 ballots cast out of 12,309 registered voters with a turnout of 19.35% which is better than the last city/school election where there was only 14.54% of turnout,” Jennifer Hawkins, the Bourbon County Clerk said. “We had 28 workers spread throughout the seven polling sites this year.”
“The official results will not be available until after the provisional ballots are determined at canvass next week,” she said.
The following are the unofficial Bourbon County Election Results,taken from the county’s Facebook page.
World Famous Vienna Boys Choir Coming to Fort Scott on Nov. 10
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/VBC_MOZ2023cLukasBeck-11.jpg)
The Vienna Boys Choir is coming to Fort Scott Community College on Friday, Nov. 10. The performance will be at 7 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/DSC_0666-1.jpg)
“FSCC was excited to partner with the Vienna Boys Choir to highlight our wonderful facility and offer the community of Fort Scott a performance from this famous choir,” Tom Havron, FSCC Vice President of Student Affairs said. “All excess revenue generated from the performance will go to student scholarships from the FSCC Foundation.”
“The Vienna Boys Choir is one of the most famous choirs in the world, and one of its oldest,” according to a press release. “In 1498, Emperor Maximilian I moved his court to Vienna to establish the Chapel Imperial there, along with the Vienna Boys Choir. Over the centuries, the court attracted musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Anton Bruckner. Joseph Haydn, Michael Haydn, and Franz Schubert were themselves choirboys.
“The 100 boy choristers between the ages of nine and fourteen are divided into four choirs. Between them, the choirs give around 300 concerts each year, attended by almost half a million spectators around the world. Since 1924, the boys have sung over 1000 tours in 100 different countries, which has resulted in a staggering 29,000 performances. At the Sunday services in Vienna’s Imperial Chapel, they perform with members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Opera Chorus. The Choir frequently appears with major orchestras, conducted by Joana Mallwitz, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Christian Thielemann, and Simone Young. Recent highlights include appearances at the Salzburg Festival and the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert.
“The Vienna Boys Choir’s singing tradition is listed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as an intangible cultural heritage in Austria. Professor Gerald Wirth, himself a former choirboy, is the Artistic Director of the entire Campus.”
“Today the Vienna Boys Choir is a private, non-profit organization, which relies on sponsorship and donations. The Choir maintains a primary school, a junior, and a senior high school. 300 boys and girls between the ages of six and 19 attend the Choir’s Schools in Vienna’s Augarten Park. All receive individual voice lessons and sing in one of the choirs. The Choir’s education is open to all, regardless of their origin, nationality, or religion. About a third of the students go on to become music professionals.
Enjoy Some Chili on Election Day and Support a Good Cause
This meal is a drive-through only. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy on the National Avenue side of the church. Please do not block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image_50442497-e1699278052774.jpg)
Uniontown’s First Christmas in the Park Event is November 25
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/uniontown-park-2-2023.jpg)
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CCI_0000062.jpg)
A family fun event on November 25 is planned in Uniontown in preparation for the Christmas season.
When Ashley Endicott and Mary Pemberton learned that Sally and Frank Johnson, who’ve been decorating Uniontown Park at Christmas for several years, are no longer able to continue, they decided to do it.
“We thought this would be a great time and opportunity to create a new community event and get more people involved,” Pemberton said.
Their purpose for continuing and expanding the event is ” To spread the Christmas spirit,” Mary said. “To create a fun, festive environment and involve more people in decorating so the job doesn’t fall on just a couple of volunteers. In addition, to light up the park, add more decorations, and continue to have a beautifully decorated public area for Christmas.”
A lighted Christmas Tree Decorating Contest is the centerpiece of the event. The decorated, lighted trees will line the park.
“We just started putting the word… so we are still looking for teams to enter the tree decorating contest,” she said. “Everyone we’ve talked with has been very enthusiastic and excited about it.”
Don and Mary Pemberton, owners of Bandera Stone Inc., are donating live Christmas trees for the decorating contest this year.
“For future years, we hope for donations of artificial trees as people replace theirs or will fundraise and buy during after-Christmas clearance sales,” she said. “The larger the tree, the better!”
“We are encouraging tree decorating teams of four people and expect most to start around 3 p.m. on November 25,” she said. “Decorating must be finished by 5:30 p.m. for judging. Anyone not on a team for the tree decorating contest can help decorate the remainder of the park – putting lights on the shelters, etc.”
” Due to the limited time we have to plan this year, we will have a disc jockey playing recorded music,” she said. “Plans are to expand everything next year, including live music.”
In addition, hay rides and hot chocolate will be available that evening.
Please call 620.223.3920 to reserve a tree to decorate for this event.
All decorations will be provided by each team of four, with cash prizes given for first and second-place tree decorating teams.
Extension cords will be needed for hooking the trees up to electrical outlets, she said.
All persons present in the park at judging time 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote for their favorite tree.
If people have decorations to donate please leave them on November 25 at 3 p.m. or leave them at the Bandera Stone office on the north side of Uniontown Park.
“We are also planning ahead and would like to form a park committee to next year expand the activities and decorations,” she said. “Some ideas include inviting Santa Claus to come visit with children, fire pits for keeping warm and making s’mores, chili dinner, coat/toy drive, and many, many more lights and decorations. So, anyone who might have extra outdoor lights or heavy outdoor decorations (not blow-up style) or if you are replacing your artificial tree, please consider donating these items to the park event.”
Uniontown School Bond Proposals: Compiled Through Facilities Audit and Community Feedback
- “New WBE Preschool- This would include programs for 3-year-old and 4-year-old students. This would also be a storm shelter all West Bourbon Elementary students and staff could use if needed.
- Student Support Offices- We would add offices on both sides of the street for the (student support) providers who are working with students.
- WBE Entrance- The aluminum doors are original to the building and are at the end of their life. This would also address some ADA compliance issues with the entrance.
- Music Room- We would move around a couple of classes and make a music room that better fits the needs acoustically. This would also allow us to better address/ provide special education services in the prior music room.
- Junior High, and High School Fire Alarm- A new fire alarm would include smoke detection and automatic calling of emergency services when triggered. Our current system does not do this.
- HS Multipurpose Room- We would add a multi-purpose room at the HS that will also serve as the storm shelter for JH/HS students and staff. This will be a valuable space for all kinds of needs, including a room for wrestling practice.
- New Agriculture Classroom, Metals Shop, and Construction Trades Shop- This building is at the end of its life and needs replacement for Ag and Metals to continue to be a part of our programming. We would also take the opportunity to add a construction trades program to this building to increase student programs.
6th Grade- 6th grade students would move across the street to become a part of the JH. This was the most efficient use of space and programming. It will increase opportunities for these students while creating the needed space at WBE to address their needs there without having to add on with additional new construction.”
‘The proposed USD 235 Bond Issue qualifies for State-Aide,” according to the district’s Facebook page on Nov.1. “If our bond is approved, the State will pay for 32% of the overall cost. If approved, the district will also apply for FEMA funding related to the storm shelters. If awarded, it would cover 50% of the cost of those storm shelters at WBE and UJH/HS.”
Other District Improvements, Not on the Bond Issue-The Community Walking Trail
Eden also provided an update on the walking trail around the school that is used by the community as well.
![](https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif)