All posts by Loretta George

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Town-Wide Garage Sale Benefits Many

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The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce organizes a town-wide garage sale annually, this year it is May 10-11.
“It’s to bring people to town and provide a fun event for the community,” Lindsay Madison, executive director said. “When people visit Fort Scott for the sale they typically also eat lunch here, get gas and patronize other businesses. The event allows those who have a sale to make money, then go out and purchase more from local retailers and restaurants.”
Lindsay Madison is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
 “People are just beginning to sign up.  We hope to have at least 30 sales participating so we encourage people to register!  It is a quick and easy way to clean out your closets, garage or storage shed and make some extra cash.
Maps will be available starting Thursday, May 9th at 10 am at the following locations: Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, 5 Corners, and all Pete’s  Convenience Store locations.
 The $10 registration to list each garage sale contributes to the budget for the Chamber to advertise the sale across the region and to print hundreds of copies of the listing and map for the distribution locations.
  Advertising includes radio, newspaper, and paid social media. 
The more sales that are listed the more budget there is to advertise to make the overall sale more successful. 
The Chamber also sells blocks of advertising to businesses and organizations for $25 each which also funds marketing of the sale. 
Businesses and organizations are invited to place an ad along with a coupon if desired.”
The Spring Town-wide Garage Sale is usually planned in conjunction with the Pioneer Harvest Swap Meet at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds which is typically the second weekend in May.

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Swap Meet

 is May 10-11 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, west off Hwy. 69 on 23rd St.

Click below for its website:

“The Pioneer Harvest committee mails out several thousand postcards advertising both the swap meet and the town-wide garage sale, so it is a good partnership between the Chamber and that organization,” Madison said.
“The Swap Meet gates will open at 8 a.m. both Friday and Saturday the 10th and 11th and will have something for everyone including antique gas engines, antique auto parts, farm tractors and parts, farm equipment and accessories, and general garage sale items.”
Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

Female Self Defense: Awareness, Boundary Setting and Combat

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Jill Leiker, Kansas City, center facing the camera, gives combat strategies to females of all ages Saturday at the T.A.K.E. Class at Fort Scott Middle School.
From left: Roger Kemp, initiator of the T.A.K.E. Self Defence Class, Bourbon County Undersheriff Ben Cole, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, and Kim Schwab, administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center show a facsimile of the check that was given to the T.A.K.E. Program before the class began on April 27. The sheriff’s office donated $3,000 to the T.A.K.E. Foundation.

Awareness, boundary setting, and combat strategies were given to  The Ally Kemp Education (T.A.K.E.)class participants on Saturday, April 27 at Fort Scott Middle School.

Ninety-eight females from 12 years old and up participated in the first female self-defense class in Fort Scott by the T.A.K.E. Foundation, Leawood.

Jill Leiker, from Kansas City, was the class instructor,

If someone makes you uncomfortable, “look at them, take a step ahead and look again at their face,” she said.

This is the first step to deter would-be assailants, Leiker said.

Then she showed the class some combat strategies.

The class participants practiced the strategies with a partner.

Leiker said women often have an inner voice that tells of impending danger.

“Don’t ever feel silly about telling Law Enforcement, if you have that gut feeling that something isn’t right,” Leiker said. “Listen to that voice, that gut feeling is most of the time correct.”

“An average predator watches you six to 12 times,” she said.

Before the class, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin presented T.A.K.E. Foundation Founder Roger Kemp with a check for $3,000.

“A portion of VIN (auto) inspection fees are paid directly to the Sheriff’s office and by statute can be used at the discretion of the sheriff,” said Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin.

“The TAKE program charges a $12 fee for each person who participates,” he said. “Briggs Auto paid the registration fees for anyone stopped by and signed up to attend. Other businesses gave donations to offset any woman having to pay to attend. The amount given to the Kemp  Foundation was $4,787, which included the donation from the sheriff’s office.”

Entertainment, Fort Scott

May The Fourth Be With You: Fort Scott Public Library

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Join Fort Scott Public Library’s Miss Val and fellow Star Wars® fans for a May the 4th be With You® celebration on May 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library events room.

Make pool noodle light sabers or light saber popsicle holders or craft stick puzzles; bowl stormtroopers over with giant marshmallows; snack on chocolate Darth Vaders and Luke Skywalkers; enjoy a cup of C3P0pcorn while watching a Star Wars DVD, or try your hand at trivia to win a mask. Puzzles, block building challenges, electronic and card games, and other activities will also be provided.

Win prizes, borrow books, and have a great time celebrating the franchise during this special year of closing out the film series with a final movie.

Feel free to dress up in your favorite costume! This event is for all ages and is completely free. Visit the library you must, and May the 4th be With You®!

Bourbon County, Business, Exercise, Health Care, Housing, K-State Extension

Aging With Attitude

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Expo attendees moved around to the vendor’s tables before the first whole group educational panel discussion on the opioid crisis.

Aging with Attitude Regional Expo filled the gym of Community Christian Church on Friday to hear breakout speakers on the opioid crisis, scams against senior citizens, life with partial sight, veteran’s benefits, gardening, farm families in tough times, and getting beyond superficial conversations.

Aaron and Lindsay Watts, Smallville Crossfit owners, facing the camera, lead the group in exercises.

Aaron and Lindsay Watts, owners of Smallville Crossfit, Fort Scott, demonstrated exercises that can even be done from a chair.

Patty LaRoche gave an inspirational speech on “What Matters Most.”

There are four components of aging to find contentment, she said, which include physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues. She listed humorous and contemplative examples of each component.

Patty LaRoche

And door prizes galore were handed to attendees by vendors, businesses and organizations.

Resource fair vendors were Girard Medical Center, K-State Extension, Hometown Health Care, Moore-Few Care Center, Arrowood Lane Residential Care, Kansas Agricultural Medication Services, Heritage Health Care, Medicalodges Fort Scott, Southeast Kansas Library System, Integrity Home Care and Hospice, Presbyterian Village, Resource Center for Independent Living, State Farm Insurance, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Angels Care Home Health, Ascension Via Christi, SKIL Resource Center and Kansas AgrAbility.

A panel session on the opioid crisis was composed of,  from left facing camera: Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Pharmacist Craig Campbell, Community Health Center Peer Mentor Heather Burns, Community Health Center Addiction Treatment Amy Phillips, and Fort Scott Police Department Chief Travis Shelton. Moderator is K-State Extension Agent Joy Miller at right.
Ginger Nance and Becky Kellum, Presbyterian Village personnel, visit with a person at their booth.
State Farm Insurance Agent Kale Nelson visits with an attendee.
Denise Groene, director of Wichita Better Business Bureau, leads the session entitled “Scams Against Seniors.”
LaShawn Noel, a social worker with Integrity Home Care and Hospice, leads a session on “Getting Beyond ‘I’m Fine'”.
“Helping You and Your Family Through a Tough Farm Economy,” was a session led by Char Henton, Forrest Buhler and Gary Kepka from Kansas Agricultural Medication Services.
Veteran Services Representative Ryon Knop leads the session “Veteran’s Benefits for Spouse and Dependents.”
“Living a Full Life with Partial Sight” was a session led by Southeast Kansas Library Special Needs Consultant Melissa Frantz and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Amanda Smith.
K-State Horticulture Agent Krista Harding leads the session “Garden At Any Age.”
Pharmacist Craig Campbell leads an expanded session on the opioid crisis.

Additional support for the expo was provided by Community Christian Church, Dale and Betty Johnson, Cheney Witt Funeral Home.

Helping with introducing the speakers were 15 Fort Scott Community College Ambassadors, with help serving the meal provided by Fort Scott Community College Volleyball Students.

A grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas helped support this expo event.

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown Spruces Up

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Uniontown is located 17 miles west of Fort Scott.

Spring cleaning is the time to clean up your yards, attics, garage and closets.

Next weekend, a small town in the area will be renting huge trash hauling bins to helps its citizens to do just that.

Uniontown City Council helps provide the town’s citizens a way to get rid of unwanted, unsightly items.

The city council rents huge trash hauling bins twice a year,  once before Uniontown High School graduation in May and again before Old Settlers Picnic weekend, in August, this year May 3-5 and August 23-25.

The bins are located on city property near the corner of First and Clay Streets.

The city property where the trash bins will be located for the clean up day.

“This assists our residents with the clean up of their property and to keep our town clean and appealing to visitors,” Sally Johnson, Uniontown City Clerk, said.

Absolutely no tires, batteries, or freon are allowed in the city’s trash hauling bins.

The city will recycle metal.

“There will be an area to the side (of the bins) for metal objects that are then taken for recycling,” Johnson said.

 

The town-wide clean up is for Uniontown residents only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Get Your BBQ On: April 26 at the Fairgrounds

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Anyone interested in grilling and barbecuing can learn more during BBQ 101, lead by K-State Research and Extension Agent’s Kathy McEwan and Chris Petty, along with Mayco Ace hardware store owner Chris Maycumber on Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Yeager Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
 “There will be some taste testing, but it’s mostly classroom style education,” Petty said.  “We will have cuts of meat, and grills on display.”
The class is free but limited to 25 people,  and pre-registration is required by calling 620-223-3720.
“Spots are filling up fast,” Petty said.
Bourbon County

Fort Scott’s Women Self Defense Class This Saturday

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Kim Schwab, left, Roger Kemp, and Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin talk with Bourbon County Attorney Jacqui Spradling at the March 29 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee. Schwab, Kemp, and Martin talked about the upcoming self-defense class initiated by the Sheriff’s Office to coffee attendees.

The Ali Kemp Education Foundation, T.A.K.E.,  will present a class on female self-defense, this Saturday, April 27 at Fort Scott Middle School.

The class is from 10 a.m. to noon.
“The first part of the class is a lecture on safety awareness,” said Kim Schwab, administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center who is handling the registration for the event.  “The second part is combat training, hands-on techniques done with a partner.”
Schwab has taken the class in another town and highly recommends women take personal responsibility for their own safety.
“We are offering the class because we live in dangerous times and every women’s personal safety is her personal responsibility,” Schwab said. “It is a survival skill that women of every age should know.”
A $12 donation is requested, but it is not required, she said.
“It actually costs more than $12 per person to bring the class to town,” Schwab said.
To register, contact Schwab at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center at 620-223-1440, extension 270.
Local sponsors of the event are Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance, Stewart-Tucker Realty, The City of Fort Scott, Briggs Auto Dealership, City State Bank, McDonalds Restuarant, Kenny Felt Photography, Martin Rental Properties (Alisha Martin), Liberty Bank, Iron Star Antiques, Fort Scott Inn and Liberty Theater/Crooner’s.
“Seventy-nine have registered so far and you can register clear up until the class on Saturday,” Schwab said.  “Just show up and you can register then. Women under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them.”
“Women should wear comfortable clothes and shoes (sneakers) so they can move easily,” Schwab said.
“Roger Kemp will be coming and speaking at the beginning of the class about his foundation, The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation, and the reason his family is doing this for women all across the country,” Schwab said.
Kemp’s daughter was raped and murdered in Leawood, a suburb of Kansas City. Following the tragedy, the Kemp family initiated the foundation to provide self-defense classes to females.
Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Dance To the Music of The 1800s April 27

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Submitted photo.

THE ANNUAL CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT ON THE GROUNDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE WILL BE HELD SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SEVENTH AND TWENTY EIGHTH.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS EVENT, THE  FRIENDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE WILL BE HOSTING THE SECOND ANNUAL CIVIL WAR CAMP DANCE.

Submitted photo.

 

LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN FORT SCOTT, HISTORIC MEMORIAL HALL WILL BE FILLED WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC FROM THE EIGHTEEN HUNDREDS ALONG WITH WHOOPING AND HOLLERING AND DANCING FEET AT THE CIVIL WAR CAMP DANCE THE EVENING OF SATURDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SEVENTH.

PERIOD DANCES AND MUSIC ARE SURE TO ENTERTAIN PARTICIPANTS AS THEY BRING HISTORY TO LIFE.

 

THE CAMP DANCE IS HELD TO COINCIDE WITH THE CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT WEEKEND AT FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

IT GIVES THE VOLUNTEERS ATTENDING THE ENCAMPMENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TOGETHER, HAVE A GOOD TIME, AND BRING HISTORY ALIVE IN A SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO COME AND JOIN IN THE DANCING OR JUST TO WATCH.

WE ENCOURAGE, BUT DON’T REQUIRE, THOSE WHO ATTEND TO COME DRESSED IN 1860S CIVIL WAR ATTIRE, OR DRESSED AS1800S WESTERN PIONEERS. IT SETS THE TONE FOR THE EVENING.

Submitted photo.

ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. COME JOIN US AS WE LEARN 1800S DANCES TO 1800S MUSIC.

 

THE DOORS OPEN AT SIX-THIRTY AND DANCING BEGINS AT 7:00 PM.

THE COST OF FIVE DOLLARS PER PERSON COLLECTED AT THE DOOR GOES TO THE FRIENDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO FACEBOOK AT FORT SCOTT KANSAS EIGHTEEN HUNDREDS DANCING.

Submitted by Dee Young who can be contacted at 913.557.1632 or

[email protected]

 

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Aging With Attitude April 26

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Barbara Stockebrand, Adult Development and Aging, Southwind Extension District, Aging With Attitude Regional Expo, Chairperson.

Inspiration and education are the themes of an event aimed at older adults this Friday.

The Aging With Attitude Expo is a one-day event for aging adults and their family members, according to Barbara Stockebrand, chairperson of the event.

There is a resource fair, breakout sessions, and a keynote speaker with lunch for those who attend.

K-State Research and Extension along with area community partners are bringing the Aging With Attitude Regional Expo to the venue of Community Christian Church in Fort Scott,  on April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The church is located at 1919 S. Horton, across from Fort Scott Community College.

Registration fee is $25.

Current registrations of 134 are nearing  the capacity set for the expo, Stockebrand said.

Registration information can be found on the Facebook page below.

Click below for the Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1662924420474738/

Click here to register online:

https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Ltvajv5Wc5qiPz

 

Community partners for the event include the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Medicalodges Inc., Southeast Kansas Library System, Angels Care Home Health, Integrity Home Care + Hospice, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and Fort Scott Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.

The goal of the expo is to empower older adults to make more confident and proactive decisions that influence how they age by sharing information and education throughout the day.

Educational topics promote positive attitudes about aging and educate participants on issues supporting physical, mental, and financial health.

Key note presenter, Patty LaRoche will speak on “What Matters Most – Learning Contentment in Life.”

Patty LaRoche

Participants will also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of breakout session topics that address issues facing older adults.

 

A grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas has provided support for this expo.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott

Riverfront Park: Lighting Is Coming

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Riverfront Park, North National Avenue past the orange bridge over the Marmaton River.

The east side of the Belltown Walking Trail in Riverfront Park is a shady place to enjoy a walk, but at times it is too dark.

“We’ve had some ladies that said at dusk, it gets pretty dark,” Jerry Witt, president of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board, said. “So we purchased 14 poles and downlights and bases.”

The tall deciduous trees give shade to walkers on the Belltown Trail in Riverfront Park.

“The lighting will be installed in the next few weeks on the east side of the walking trail, where it is darker, it’s close to the lookout,” Witt said. “We would like for (the lighting) to go over to the Mercy Hospice Memorial part. We will add more lights later, this is what we can afford now.”

The lights will be LED downlights, he said, “that will shine on the trail.”

An electrician will install them, with the City of Fort Scott providing the concrete bases for the lights.

There was grant money left following the building of the pavilion and the overlook boardwalk which were completed last year, Witt said. This leftover grant money will fund the lighting segment.

2018 Was a Busy Year For Improvements in Riverfront Park

Two projects in the park were completed last year.

The pavilion was built near the park entrance and has electricity, with a parking lot nearby.

For more information, click below:

Riverfront Park Pavilion Nearly Ready For The Public

The wooden overlook boardwalk was built near the confluence of the Marmaton River and Mill Creek and has seating along the perimeter.

For more information, click below:

Overlook of the Marmaton River in Place at Riverfront Park

The long-range plan is a walking bridge across the river and trails south of the Marmaton River on River Road, he said.

Additionally, signage was installed in the park and other parts throughout Bourbon County. Click below for more information.

Signs, Signs Everywhere Signs

The Belltown Trail information kiosk at Riverfront Park.

“When we can receive money to do it, we will do it,”  Witt said.

The Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board meets whenever Witt calls a meeting, “Once a month or every six weeks.” he said.

On the board in addition to Witt are Betty Boyko, Penny Pollack Barnes,  Bob Love, Danny McGee,  Arnold Scholfield, Jeff Sweetser and Allen Warren.

The Belltown Trail is part of the City of Fort Scott walking trail system.

 

 

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Some Changes for Good Ol’ Days 2019

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Good Ol’ Days, the annual Fort Scott town-wide event, begins on Thursday, May 30 and runs through Saturday, June 1, this year.

There have been a few changes in venue for some of the events.

Rhonda Dunn, a member of the Good Ol’ Days Steering Committee, answered the following questions posed to her from fortscott.biz.

Why change of venue for the dances, from outside to inside?

“The committee wanted to move away from the street dance format because they haven’t been well attended in recent years.  We did a survey after last year’s festival and people wanted it to stay downtown so we were looking for a solution.  The cost of a concert quality stage was very expensive so we opted to utilize Memorial Hall so we can  have great concerts without the worry of rain.”

Why the change of venue for the carnival?

“The carnival is a very popular part of the Good Old Days but has been limited by the space we can provide.  By moving them to the parking lot at 3rd and Main, we can give them more space which we hope results in more rides and bigger rides.”

 

Anything else new?

“We are collaborating with Velocity’s Customer Appreciation event and the trolley will shuttle people between the two events making it one great festival.  They are planning a BIG car show and motorcycle show and are even giving away a Harley Davidson motorcycle!

The Friday and Saturday night concerts are a big change for the festival and we hope it becomes a fixture of the festival for years to come.  Friday night’s concert is the 90’s country band, Restless Heart.  Saturday night will be a Beach Party in Memorial Hall with the #1 Beach Boys Tribute Band in the US, Still Surfin.”

The annual baby contest is always well attended.

Who is on the committee?

“The (Good Ol’ Days) Steering Committee is Shawn Obrien, Charlotte Thompson, Janet Braun, Leah Bowman, Carl Brenner, Melissa Wise, Allyson Turvey.  Many other people work with the committee to make all these events happen.  We are looking for volunteers to help not only with this year’s festival but work throughout the year to plan for the next year too.  Volunteers can contact me by text or call at 620-224-1186.

How many vendors are expected? 

“The target of booths is 150.”

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Friday night concert season begins

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Cherry Jammers from Cherry Grove Baptist Church, rural Fort Scott, performed during a Friday Night Concert in 2018 at First United Methodist Church.

 

The Friday Night Concert in the Park series will kick off Friday, April 26 with piano students performing from the Tucker Music Studio.

Due to unpredictable spring weather, the concert will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main Street. The concerts normally take place at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main Streets.

“I am really pleased to present this fine group of young ladies and gentlemen and their teacher, Carolyn Tucker, to the good people of Bourbon County and the surrounding area,” Ralph Carlson, event coordinator said.

The students scheduled to perform are Benjamin, Josiah, and Noelle Banwart, Abbigail Collins, Abigail DeLoera, Hannah Peck, Austin Sinn, and Garren and Gregg Tucker.

In addition, former students Kelcie Bailey and Breisen Keller will perform as guest pianists. 

Carlson said the students range from elementary to high school in USD 234, USD 235, Fort Scott Christian Heights, and those that are homeschooled.

The concert will consist of a variety of music including classical, pop, gospel, patriotic, and folk. The evening will conclude with an instrumental wrap-up featuring Carolyn Tucker on piano and Ralph Carlson on guitar.

The concerts, which are free and open to the public, are sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.