All posts by Loretta George

Fort Scott, Government

Robert Uhler: Fort Scott’s New Community Development Director

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Robert Uhler Community Development Director. Submitted photo.

A shifting in personnel and a new face have been added to the City of Fort Scott.

Robert Uhler has been hired as Community Development Director.

Uhler will be helping with housing development, grant writing and representing the city in Topeka and Washington D.C. with elected officials, City Manager Dave Martin said in an interview.

Dave Martin. Submitted photo.

“Robert will be bringing outside money in to help us accomplish what’s needed in the community,” Martin said.

According to the city’s minutes dated Sept. 4, 2018, Rhonda Dunn will move from Community Development Director to Finance Director/Codes Director.

Rhonda Dunn

“Rhonda was doing two big jobs (Community Development and Codes Director),” Martin said in an interview. “With Jon Garrison retiring (this month), I was able to move some resources around.”

Community Development will be partnering with Economic Development to move the city forward, Martin said.

Other changes:

“Marlene Braker had the title of assistant to the finance director,” according to the minutes. “This position is not needed so her title will change to the financial analyst.”

Marlene Braker. Submitted photo.

“Paul Ballou has been promoted to Fort Scott’s Assistant City Manager/Fire Chief. He will be the second in command when the City Manager is unavailable,” according to the minutes.

Paul Ballou. Submitted photo.

Airport Director Kenny Howard is retiring effective December 31 and this position is posted on the city’s website. The new airport director will now report to Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, according to the minutes.

Retiring Airport Director Kenny Howard with Rachel Pruitt, Economic Director for the city.

Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, will begin overseeing the Information Technology position and taking over the city’s liability insurance which Kenny Howard has overseen, according to the minutes.

Deb Needleman. Submitted photo.

Dave Martin will supervise Larry Gazaway now and the new Community Development Director, according to the city’s minutes.

Larry Gazaway

Government

U.S. Naturalization Ceremony Sept. 21 At The Fort

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New citizens take an oath of allegiance to the United States in September 2017 at Fort Scott National Historic Site.

On a typically bright and sunny September day, U.S. immigrants from near and far come annually to Fort Scott for the final step in becoming citizens.

In 2018, the naturalization ceremony is at 10:30 a.m this Friday, Sept. 21 on the grounds of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, according to a press release provided by FSNHS.

The Fort is located just off North Main Street in downtown Fort Scott.

In case of rain or other inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at Fort Scott Memorial Hall, according to the press release.

The ceremony is one of listening to patriotic music, listening to both local and government dignitaries, newly naturalized citizens being introduced one-by-one to those attending the event, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States, and receiving a certificate of citizenship.

Fort Scottian Jane Njeri Lifer smiles following the naturalization ceremony in September 2017. In her hand is the certificate of naturalization.

The United States District Court for the District of Kansas will hold the special naturalization ceremony, with the Honorable Teresa J. James, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas,  presiding, according to the press release.

The ceremony will feature musical performances from the Fort Scott High School orchestra and choir, and an address from Robert L. Farmer, Attorney at Law, according to the information provided.

The Fort Scott High School orchestra and choir performed “America” at last year’s naturalization ceremony.

The Pittsburg State University Army ROTC will present the colors.

The new citizens will be invited to register to vote and enjoy a lunch provided by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, following the ceremony.

Also following the ceremony, there are usually small groups of people taking photos to commemorate the event.

Approximately 100 applicants will be naturalized at the ceremony, which is open to the public.

“We encourage the people to learn more about Fort Scott, the Fort and their American culture,” Carl Brenner, chief of interpretation and resource management at the Fort, said.

The Fort can be reached at 620- 223-0310.

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Housing

Downtown Store To Be Converted To A Residence

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9 North Main, Fort Scott

Long-time Fort Scottians Jerry Witt and his wife, Judy are trading in suburbia for living downtown.

“Judy and I used to live in the Carriage House, at Third and Main, that Cheney Witt (Funeral) Chapel owns, while our house was being built…We loved living downtown,” Witt said.

“My great-grandfather owned the Witt’s Chili Parlor downtown. I played on the old fort grounds as a kid,” he said.

This summer he has been working with the Fort Scott Planning Commission and also the Codes Department to get plans finalized for the renovation of the downtown building. Recently he got approval from the city to proceed with the project.

“I’m currently working with contractors,” Witts said. “I’ve got to get the interior demolished. The architect is Zingre and Associates. Dave Irwin helped on the project.”

Currently, there is no projected timeline for the renovation, Witt said.

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment

A Beautiful Day For Art In The Yard

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Tents and booths were set up in the shade of trees on the Kemna property Saturday for the public to view and buy the wares of artists.

The weather cooperated and the beautiful September day was enjoyed by attendees of the Art in the Yard festival at local artist Bobbi Kemna’s property northwest of Fort Scott on Saturday.

Local and area artists of all styles set up booths and tents in the shade to sell their wares.

Pottery, woodwork, fabric, painting, metal, photography, furniture, food, theater, music, jewelry and lavender artists were placed around the acreage for the public to visit with and buy their wares.

The City of Fort Scott provided a  free trolley from downtown to the site, located on 215th Street, rural Fort Scott.

There was no official headcount, Kemna said, but approximately 200 people is her estimate.

She said she welcomes feedback from attendees.

For more information click below:

Something New: Art In The Yard Sept. 15

Following are photos that were taken during the morning of the event.

The public is free to add their photos in comments.

Festival creator and host Bobbi Kemna, left, visits with Arnold and Clara Schofield and granddaughter on Saturday morning at the Art in the Yard Festival.
Barb McCord visits with an attendee while demonstrating how to weave in the nature tapestry she bought to the Art in the Yard Festival. The natural material was provided and the attendees were invited to weave the material through a giant loom, with the intent of a finished tapestry by days end.
Carol George admires Paul Milk’s Hardanger embroidery. Milk also sold photography and cross stitch articles at the Art in the Yard Festival Saturday.
The Fort Scott Community Orchestra, under the direction of Carson Felt, entertained the art festival attendees.
Sydney and Hannah Ramsey added final touches to Nick Magee’s artwork Saturday at Art in the Yard. Their mother, Emily Ramsey, right, supervises. Magee, in the background, had his paintings for sale at the Art in the Yard Festival.
The Fort Scott High School Thespians entertained the attendees with improv comedy Saturday. The group also sold soft drinks to further their cause of attending an international theater event in Scotland next summer.
Bobbi Kemna, event organizer and host, visits with attendees on the porch of her pottery workshop Saturday at  Art in the Yard.
Area News, Bourbon County, Mercy Hospital

Northeast Scott 4-H Club Makes Hand-Made Blankets for Mercy

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Back Row: Ella Maher, Dalayni Foulk, Jasper Allison, Reegan McDaniel, Joe Foulk (tall in the very back), Lily Westoff, Alisa Popp, Sierra Wright, Brennon Popp, Brody Wright. Front Row: Landon McDaniel, Korbyn Allison, Rydale Hereford, Avery McDaniel, Ana Christy, Maverick Wright and Karlee Hereford.

Mercy Home Health and Hospice Receives Gift

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (Sept. 17, 2018) – Members of the Northeast Scott 4-H Club donated hand-made lap blankets to Mercy Home Health and Hospice to be given to patients.

“I was so excited to receive the call about the donation,” said Tabitha Stults, Mercy Home Health and Hospice community relations coordinator. “The blankets are beautiful and so soft. Our team look forward to sharing the blankets with our hospice patients.”

The blankets were made during a crafts class under the direction of the craft leader Destiny Foulk.

 

 

Airport, Fort Scott

Howard To Retire As Airport Director

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Retiring Fort Scott Airport Director Kenny Howard, left, and Economic Director Rachel Pruitt, at the Chamber of Commerce Coffee Thursday morning at the airport.

Kenny Howard, Fort Scott’s Airport Director for the last 18 years, is retiring.

“I can’t say enough about Kenny’s leadership,” City Manager Dave Martin said at the Chamber of Commerce Coffee Thursday at the airport. “We’re definitely going to miss him.”

Howard will retire December 31 and the city is currently interviewing for the position, Martin said.

Howard told about some of the planned events in his tenure which included clinics and fly-in breakfasts.

There have been increased fuel sales at the airport, since changing fuel vendors, he said.

Last year approximately 77,000 gallons of fuel were sold there, and as of August 2018, approximately 92,000 have been sold thus far, he said.

Fort Scott Airport has two onsite fuel tanks: a 10,000 gallon Jet A gas tank and a 9,000 gallon AV gas tank.

Agricultural flying operations, corporate flights, medical emergency flights and more recently a request from the parents of some St. Martin’s Academy students for charter flights, are a part of the job.

His additional duties are overseeing the mowing of 190 acres of grass and overseeing the insurance piece for the airport.

He said he was able to drop the premium for the insurance coverage in the last few years.

Two recent grants for improvement were received: a grant that will upgrade the Automated Weather Observation Station, and one for improved runway lights.

Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said there is currently a Federal Aviation Administration opportunity for rural airports.

“I submitted an application in August…there is no matching grant required…to expand the runway,” Pruitt said.

“The last six years, the airport has seen 60 percent growth,” she said.

The Fort Scott Airport entrance at 187th and Indian Road.

 

For more information click below:

Airport Receives Two Grants To Update

Bourbon County, Schools

USD 235 Fitness Center: Students-Yes…Community Use In Question

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Uniontown High School 2018. The fitness center windows are the far right in this photo.

The great news is USD 235 students will soon get to use their new fitness equipment provided by a recent grant.

When the grant was first received, the school administration thought the community could also make use of the school’s new equipment.

But insurance liability issues are putting a stumbling block in community use, USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard said.

Until the insurance issues are resolved, the community won’t be using the equipment, Howard said.

Howard hopes to hear back from the insurance company by the next school board meeting, Oct. 8, he said.

The board meets the second Monday of each month.

Governor Jeff Colyer and Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, in May 2018, announced three Kansas schools were selected to receive a DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center, each valued at $100.000.

USD 235 was one of the three schools.

Howard said it is his understanding that the other Kansas schools that received the fitness equipment from this grant program are not making it available to the community.

 The site for the fitness center is the former school library at the junior high school.

Installation was Labor Day weekend and a  ribbon cutting will take place Oct. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at West Bourbon Elementary School,  Howard said.

For more information see the previous story:

Uniontown School District Receives $100,000 Grant For Fitness Center

 

 

Fort Scott

Lavender Soap Making

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Betsy Reichard demonstrates soap making.

Presbyterian Village, an assisted living facility, hosted a make-it-and-take-it soap making class Tuesday evening.

The class was led by Betsy Reichard, who with husband Davin, owns the Lavender Patch Farm, 2376 Locust Road.

Reichard demonstrated the art and science of soapmaking that included a step-by-step guide through the basics of cold press soap making.

She also makes lotions, sprays, and other products from the lavender grown on their farm, as well as lavender bunches, which are sold outright.

The class was open to the public and free.

Participants visit and work on their soap project, while Reichard gives instructions.
Government, Kansas

Governor Updates Drought Declarations in Kansas Counties

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The Governor’s Drought Team examines recent rains and drought conditions

 

Topeka – Recent rains for many areas of the state have led to evaluating current drought conditions and today Governor Jeff Colyer updated the Drought Declaration for Kansas counties with Executive Order 18-17. The update downgrades 55 counties.

 

“Kansas has been blessed with much-needed rains recently and we are able to declare many areas of the state now drought free,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “We are still experiencing drought in the eastern portion of the state and continue to appreciate our federal partners at the Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts for the producer assistance they are able to provide.”

 

With improvements in drought conditions the updated drought declaration now has 50 counties in emergency status, and five in watch status. This action was recommended by Tracy Streeter, Director of the Kansas Water Office (KWO) and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

 

“Recent moisture has eased some of the drought conditions but we are still experiencing livestock water shortages, and forage production were less than half for most producers in eastern Kansas,” said Tracy Streeter. “Some areas of northeast Kansas are still behind more than 10 inches of moisture for the year.”

 

Counties in the emergency stage are eligible for emergency use of water from certain state fishing lakes due to the KWO Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kansas Department of Wildlife (KDWPT). They also become eligible for water in some Federal reservoirs. For more information about this availability contact KWO.

 

This Executive Order and any authorized upgrade shall remain in effect for those counties so identified until rescinded by Executive Order or superseded by a subsequent Executive Order revising the drought stage status of the affected counties. Effective immediately:

 

  • Declare a Drought Emergency, Warning or Drought Watch for the counties identified below;
  • Authorize and direct all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch or warning or emergency level-drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the effects the drought has on Kansans.

 

For more detailed information about current conditions, see the Kansas Climate Summary and Drought Report on the Kansas Water Office website at www.kwo.ks.gov.

 

County Drought Stage Declarations:

 

Drought Emergency: Anderson, Atchison, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Cherokee, Clay, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellsworth,  Franklin, Geary, Greenwood,  Harper, Harvey, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Kingman, Labette,  Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Miami, Montgomery, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Reno, Rice, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Sumner, Wabaunsee, Washington, Wyandotte

 

Drought Watch: Allen, Chautauqua, Elk, Wilson, Woodson

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Overlook of the Marmaton River in Place at Riverfront Park

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Editors note: The original feature did not have photos added, due to technical difficulties.

The boardwalk invites trail users to come to the seating area of the overlook in Riverfront Park.

Two years of planning have come to fruition in the form of a boardwalk structure with seating in Riverside Park, the latest park improvement.

“It’s an overlook for educational purposes,” Jerry Witt, Chairman of the Fort Scott Riverfront Authority, which oversees the development of the park.

The structure has been built near the meeting place of the Marmaton River and Mill Creek, in the northeast section of the park.

The Hexagon shaped overlook has seating on both sides. The vegetation in front will be cleared for better viewing of the Marmaton River and Mill Creek.

In the future the structure will be used to “Teach kids about nature and our heritage,” Witt said. “About Belltown that was there. It was a residential area in years past. Named after Dr. Bell, a prominent doctor.”

Several people and entities have helped put this project in the park.

The structure was designed by Brian Leaders, an architect at the National Park Service.

Lumber was provided by the Westar Green Team.

“The Green Team provided old telephone poles that were milled at the Jeffery Power Plant, St. Mary’s, and from Garnett,” Witt said.

Witt and Allen Warren, another member of the Riverfront Authority board,  drove to St. Mary’s to bring back one-half the lumber, then Warren and his wife, Jackie, went to Garnett to pick up the rest of the lumber.

The City of Fort Scott unloaded the lumber off the trailer and also will provide a concrete walk from the trail to the structure.

The City of Fort Scott will build a concrete walkway to the edge of the overlook boardwalk, pictured, to the walking trail in Riverfront Park. In the back right, Allen Warren and Jerry Witt visit with a trail walker Tuesday morning.

“Chad Brown (Fort Scott Public Works Director) thought they would pour the concrete this week,” Witt said.

West and Karleskint Construction, Fort Scott,  built the structure.

Jerry Witt and Allen Warren sort the leftover wood from the overlook boardwalk at Riverfront Park Tuesday morning. The wood will be used for other projects.

Next for the park:

  • A grant has been submitted to Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for a playground for children, with notification this fall of whether it was awarded the $62,000 asked for.
  • A grant to Kansas Department of Transportation to move the historic 1902 ornate Long Shoals Bridge, currently located in northeast Bourbon County, to the park. The grant has been submitted with a request of $1, 364,000. Announcement of awards will be this fall.
  • The Mercy Hospice Memorial  is nearing completion on the south side of the park. Benches will be built and future memorial services will be held there.

Already completed in Riverside Park is a walking trail, pavilion, and River Loop Road.

 

 

Area News, Business, Entertainment

Something New: Art In The Yard Sept. 15

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Local artist Bobbi Kemna has created something new.

Bobbi Kemna on the front porch of her pottery studio facility.

Turning from pottery, for which she is locally known, Bobbi Kemna has been working for several months to create a one-day festival event for artists to display and sell their wares.

The day will be full of art of all kinds: pottery, fabric, paintings, metal, jewelry, furniture, music, theater, and food.

“This is for artists and art enthusiasts,” Kemna said.

She is hosting the event called Art In The Yard 2018 at her home on  Saturday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Kemna home.

Kemna lives at 1366  215th Street, which is north of Hwy. 54, just west of the Hwy. 69-54 junction.

There will be a free trolley ride to pick up attendees at the Boiler Room Brewhaus parking lot, 10 S. National, starting at 10 a.m.

Additionally, there will be a designated vehicle parking just north of the festival site.

The event will feature artists from the area and also Wichita, Kansas City, and Joplin, MO, Kemna said.

“It will be a fun day with artful stuff to purchase,” Kemna said. “No fee is charged to come.”

The Fort Scott Bus Depot building was moved to the Kemna property years ago. Kemna has decorated the outside with art.

“I’m excited about it,” she said. “I want it to be a launching pad for artists. Some don’t know how to market.”

About 25 artists have said they will be there with metal, fabric, wood, pottery, jewelry, furniture, music art as well as food vendors.

“The musicians will be playing for tips, please be generous,” Kemna said.

BBQ food, homemade cookies and cupcakes, and soft drinks will be sold.

Local artists Barbara Ritter, Mary Eastwood, Paul Milks, Barbara Gibson, Lucy Gladbach, Jean Strader, David and Barb McCord, Diana Stoughton, Tonya Miller, Jeff Tinsley, Nick McGee, Susan Porter, Danny Hereford, Jeremy Rider,Jeremiah Richards, Patrick Kerr, Betsy Reichard, Dylan Renfro and Dee Davis will show and sell their artwork.

Friends and family are giving their support and helping out during the festival, she said.

Fort Scott High School theater teacher Angie Bin and her thespian students will perform and sell drinks as a fundraiser for the group.

Musicians will be playing in different spots in the yard.

Carsen Felt, director of the Fort Scott High School orchestra will be bringing 30 students to perform.

Students from St. Martin’s Academy will perform.

“One plays the bagpipe,” Kemna said.

Kemna inside her pottery studio facility on her property. It is where she creates and showcases her work.

For Kemna, the festival is a fulfillment of a vision she had when she moved into the 1895 circa property called “Anatomy Hill,  20 years ago, with her husband, Harry.

Kemna has the story of her property history on display in her pottery studio facility.

It is a vision she shared with her husband, now deceased.

“Of tents, arts and people, the whole yard full,” Kemna said. “It’s been 20 years to get here.”

For more information about some of the artists, look on Kemna’s Facebook page: Art in the Yard 2018.

Kemna can be reached at 620-223-4583 or [email protected]

Kemna wants to acknowledge Sammie Emery’s part in encouraging her as an artist, she said.

Emery had a pottery class that Kemna attended. At first, Kemna didn’t think pottery was for her.

But with Emery’s encouragement, she kept attending the class, until one day Kemna found “Clay had wrapped itself around my heart.”

 

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Overseed Now To Improve Lawn Quality

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Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826

 

 

Did you have unsightly bare spots in your lawn this year? If so, you may want to consider renovating your lawn. Renovating doesn’t have to be done by plowing under the current turf and starting from scratch. Instead, lawns can be thickened up by overseeding during September.

 

To start the overseeding process, mow the grass short (1-1.5 inches) and remove the clippings. This will make it easier to get good seed-soil contact and increase the amount of light that will reach the young seedlings. The success of overseeding is dependant on good seed-soil contact. Thatch can prevent the seed from reaching the soil and germinating. If the thatch layer is ¾ inch or more, use a sod cutter to remove it. A power rake can also be used to reduce a thatch layer.

 

Next, the soil should be prepared for the seed. Holes must be made into the soil for the seeds to fall into. A verticut machine can be used. It has solid vertical blades that can be set to cut furrows into the soil. Another option is to use a core aerator. This machine will punch holes into the soil and deposit the cores on the surface of the ground. Each hole will produce an excellent environment for seed germination and growth.

 

Fertilizer should then be applied at the rate suggested by a soil test or a starter fertilizer should be used at the rate suggested on the bag.

 

Seeding is the next step. For overseeding, use half the amount needed compared to seeding bare ground. For tall fescue, the normal rate for bare seeding is 6 to 8 pounds per 1000 square feet so the overseeding rate would be 3 to 4 pounds per 1000 square feet. You don’t necessarily have to overseed with the same variety you planted before. The quality of a lawn by can be raised by overseeding with a fescue with better characteristics. Many stores carry blends of several newer high-quality tall fescues.

 

Finally, water everything in and then keep the seedbed constantly moist to ensure rapid germination. Frequent light waterings are better than deeper, infrequent watering as the seedlings become established.

 

Fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer again 4 to 6 weeks after seeding to keep plants growing well and to build up food reserves.

 

On a side note, many homeowners often want to overseed bare spots under trees but have minimal luck. The turf will sprout as fall progresses and will get well established by winter.  It continues to look good going into spring. However, the next summer it begins to die out again – despite any care it is given.

 

In many cases, this is due to too much shade or the type of turf planted isn’t a good fit for the location. Tall fescue is the only widely used lawn turf in Kansas that can survive some shade. All other cool and warm season turfs need more sunlight.

 

Instead of establishing grass under trees, consider underplanting the tree with shade tolerant ornamental plants. Examples include ground covers such as vinca minor vines, Boston ivy or liriope, or plants such as hostas or hardy ferns.

 

 

 

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