All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County, Schools

St. Martin’s Academy Quarterly Public Faculty Lectures

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Patrick Whelan
St. Martin’s Academy will present a quarterly public faculty lecture on Friday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, located at National and Wall Street.
“We’re planning the lecture on Friday the 9th to kick off Veterans Day weekend and the feast of St. Martin of Tours on the 11th, our patron saint,” Patrick Whelan, headmaster at the boy’s Catholic school, said. ” I will be the one giving the lecture, and the title of the talk is ‘Warfare in Epic Poetry.'”
“I’m a Marine veteran and still serve as an officer in the Marine Reserves in addition to pursuing my Ph.D. in combat trauma in literature,” he said.
The event will start with a mixer /cocktail hour at 7:30 p.m.  The presentation will begin at 8:30 p.m. and with time for questions, will run until 9:30 p.m.
“Then folks are free to hangout and talk until the pub closes (at 10 p.m.),” Whelan said.  “This is open to anyone who is interested in hearing the talk.  Our students will be present so we ask that folks be respectful.”
 ” St. Martin’s Academy does these in order to share the intellectual work and interests of the Academy with the local community, family, and friends,” he said.
Business, Fort Scott

New Bookstore Grand Opening Today, Oct. 30

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Jan and Dick Hedges, owners of Hedgehog.INK.

Hedgehog.INK, a bookstore featuring new and gently used books has its’ grand opening today at 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.

The ribbon cutting is at 5:45 p.m.

The store is located at 16 S. Main and owned by Jan and Dick Hedges.

Hedgehog.INK, located at 16 S. Main, in historic downtown Fort Scott.

The store accepts paperbacks and hardback books for all age levels, according to information provided.

Most of the books traded for store credit will receive up to 20 percent of the price charged for the book at Hedgehog.INK.

Book pricing depends on book quality, age, demand, current stock, and condition.

Trade credit can be redeemed at the rate of 1/2 credit and 1/2 cash for books only. For example, if a book is purchased for $4, one can apply $2 of credit, and the customer will pay the remaining$2 in cash.

New or used books can be special ordered through Hedgehog.INK.

Jan Hedges stands in front of her display of a new children’s series of books, called Barefoot Books.

The Hedges will sell a series of new children’s books, called Barefoot Books.

“They are colorful, high-quality books for children,” Jan said.

The children’s area of the Hedgehog.INK bookstore.

In addition to a children’s area, there is a writers area in the store, where customers can read or write.

Sheryl Bloomfield is the assistant manager and Addison Guilfoyle is an employee.

Sheryl Bloomfield logs in books Monday afternoon at Hedgehog.INK.

In addition to books, local products will be for sale.

Goat milk products, lavender products, and homemade cards are among the items provided by local producers to Hedgehog.INK, that are for sale.

The Lavender Patch owner, Betsy Reichard, has a sales area in Hedgehog.INK. She sells lavender products that she produces on her farm: soaps, sprays, dried lavender, etc.
Homemade cards by Jean Solomon will be for sale in the store.

“Dick and I have been amazed at how people have come to volunteer and help us,” Jan Hedges said.

Dick Hedges, left, works on processing books Monday afternoon, while volunteer Sharon Campbell works on books on the shelves.

“Our motto is a community of books for the community,” Jan said.

Bourbon County

Learn Why KanCare Matters Nov. 1

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Join us in Fort Scott

On November 1st, the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas will be hosting a community conversation in Fort Scott about why expanding KanCare matters.

Access to health care is vital to the health of our neighbors and family – and to our community ‘s economic future. There are many questions about how we’ll move forward as a community, and what we will do as Kansans to ensure everybody in our state can get the health care they need.

That’s why our work continues.

We want policymakers and community leaders to know we won’t give up. Will you join us on Thursday, November 1st at 6:30 pm?

When:
November 1, 2018
6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where:
Empress Event Center
7 North Main Street

Let us know you’ll be attending, and we’ll look forward to seeing you there!

To register on Facebook, click here.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Health Insurance Help Through K-State

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Joy Miller AttachmentsSat, Oct 27, 12:16 PM (2 days ago) to Joy Attached is my news column for next week. Thank you for publishing it. Joy Joy Miller, RD, LD Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent Adult Development and Aging Family Resource Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 Office: 620-223-3720 Fax: 620-223-0332 [email protected]

Need Health Insurance? I’m Here to Help.

Fall is the season for health insurance plan enrollment or re-enrollment. You may be like most people—confused and uncomfortable when it comes to understanding or making decisions about health insurance coverage. Help is available.

The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service that helps people shop for and enroll in health insurance. It provides health plan shopping and enrollment services through healthcare.gov, call centers, and in-person assistance.

Navigators, such as myself, are trained, unbiased assisters that can help you compare health insurance plans, assist you with online application process, and help provide answers to your Marketplace questions. Navigators are available year-round to answer questions or complete Special Enrollment applications for those affected by a life changing event.

When you buy health insurance through the Marketplace, you may qualify for financial assistance to help pay your monthly premiums and cost sharing. You will qualify for financial assistance if you meet the following:

  • You can’t get health insurance that covers your basic needs through your job (or a family member’s); Medicaid; Medicare; the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); or the Department of Veterans affairs (VA)
  • The amount of money your family expects to make in the year you apply for assistance falls within certain income ranges.

Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins November 1 and ends December 15. You can preview 2019 plans and prices. Now is the time to explore your health coverage options. You can go to healthcare.gov to A benefit in working with a Navigator is help in determining if qualifications are met for financial assistance to lower the cost of premiums.

Each year, health insurance options change along with coverage and costs. I am here to assist you in the process and help you understand the system, rules, and options. To assist people in these programs, it is required to go through training and certification on a yearly basis to become a Navigator for the Marketplace or a Senior Health Insurance Counselor for Kansans (SHICK) to provide unbiased assistance.

  • Help you apply and enroll in a health plan with savings or apply for Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Required to provide fair, impartial, and accurate information
  • Statewide assistance may also be available

Find free, in-person enrollment assistance from a Navigator serving your community

They can assist you with the online application and help compare plans to find the best one for you. During open Enrollment, Kansans need to evaluate whether to enroll in coverage, stay on their current policies, if available, or enroll in different policies. It is also important for consumers to understand the network requirements of the various plans and to check that their providers of medical services are in the plan’s network.

 

Consumer Assistance Hotline is 1-800-432-2484 or www.ksinsurance.org

Fort Scott Community College

High Senior Day At FSCC This Friday

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Fort Scott Community College invites all high school seniors to its Fall Senior Day on Thursday, November 1. The event will begin with registration at 9:30 am and will end the early afternoon.

 

This is a great opportunity for students to visit and experience FSCC. College faculty, staff, and students will be on hand to show potential students what it’s like to be a Greyhound. The event will include a campus tour, expo showcasing academic and activity programs, activities, and drawings. Activities will include minute-to-win-it games, a rollerball challenge, and a half-court-shot challenge. Additionally, all attendees will receive a free lunch.

 

Preregistration is now open! Visit our preregistration page now to get started.

Preregistration will be closed at noon on October 31st. Preregistration is not required-however, those who do will be entered into a drawing to win prizes. This is an event you won’t want to miss! Go Greyhounds!

 

Location: Danny and Willa Ellis Fine Arts Center

2108 South Horton, Fort Scott, Kansas

Date: November 1

Registration: 9:30 am – 10 am

Event”   10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Fort Scott

Allyson Turvey: Kansas Destination Specialist Award

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Photo left to right: TIAK President Jan Stevens, Allyson Turvey, Sally Fuller, KDS Program Director.

Congratulations to Allyson Turvey, Administrative Assistant to Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau, for being awarded the title of “Kansas Destination Specialist” by the Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK).

Turvey was in attendance at the recent TIAK Annual Conference held in Junction City, KS where she received her certification. She was one of only six individuals from across Kansas to receive the certification.

TIAK offers the Kansas Destination Specialist certification program to familiarize and further one’s knowledge of the State of Kansas tourism marketing and leadership. To qualify, one must earn points by attending education conferences, seminars, webinars, or trainings, read and complete three book reports within the categories of Kansas, marketing, and leadership as well as visit one Kansas attraction 50 or more miles away from home.

This certification is a great way to establish and promote interest in Kansas’ tourism. Turvey has worked with the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau, Economic Development amd Community Development since April 2017.

 

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Area News, Government

Hwy. 69 Expansion Pushed Into December

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These signs mark the closed Eagle Road, Oct. 25. Workers were busy all along Hwy. 69 on the expansion project.

The 69 Hwy. expansion project from Fort Scott to Arma doesn’t have a November completion date anymore, according to Priscilla Petersen, with the Kansas Department of Transportation.

In an interview, Petersen said the November completion date of the U.S. 69 expansion has been pushed back.

“We plan to have this project open to four-lane unrestricted traffic by Dec. 21, 2018,” she said.

All work on the active U.S. 69 expansion in Bourbon County will be completed in April 2019. ”

“The active Bourbon County expansion project is approximately six miles long, starting south of Fort Scott and ending at the Bourbon-Crawford county line,” Peterson said.

“The Crawford County expansion project has not been let. The tentative letting date is the fall of 2020.”
 

It seems KDOT ran into more extensive excavation of the stretch of highway than originally thought.

“During the grading phase of the expansion our contractor encountered a lengthy section of the old highway that had not been previously removed,” Petersen said. “The removal of the old mainline and bridges required extensive excavation. In addition, the discovery of the old roadway greatly reduced the amount of dirt available for the earthwork. We found it necessary to add a second borrow-waste area to supply the material.”

A KDOT crew work on a section of Hwy. 69 Thursday morning near the Garland exit.

“Current project activity includes concrete paving on the mainline and guardrail installation on the bridges,” Petersen said.

Area News

Bark at Landmark Bank

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Friday, October 26, from noon to 4 p.m. Landmark Bank will be doing a fundraiser for Lee’s Paws and Claws Shelter.

Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be sold for $1 per item.

Adoptable animals will be special guests of the event.

They will also be accepting donations of:

dog and cat food

stainless steel bowls

creamy peanut butter

collars and leashes

pet carriers

dog bones and cat treats

cat toys

bleach, paper towels, Clorox wipes, laundry detergent, and trash bags

 

Bourbon County

Beacon Annual Sign-Up for Food and Christmas Presents

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Gary Murrell is the director of The Beacon, a helping agency.

November 5-8 is the annual sign-up for a Beacon Card, the Adopt a Family program and the Elks Christmas Basket.

The sign-up event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 5-8 at Community Christian Church 1919 S. Horton, Fort Scott,  in Robinson Hall.

In addition, there will be evening hours on November 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The following must be provided during the sign-up:

  • Must have ID’s for all adults,
  • Social Security Card for all in the household,
  • Proof of Income
  • Proof of Address (utility bill or rent receipt)

The Beacon Card provides free food products two times a month at the Beacon, a helping agency located at 525 E. 6th.

The Adopt a Child program allows area children to receive Christmas presents from community families, organizations and other entities.

The Elks Christmas Basket is provided by the local Elk’s Lodge and is “all the fixings for a Christmas dinner,” said Gary Murrell, director of the Beacon.

People may sign-up for all three on Nov. 5-8.

Distribution will be in December.

The Beacon still has clothes and household goods to distribute until Oct. 31, Murrell said. Following this date, the agency will no longer be distributing these items.

Bourbon County, Schools

Uniontown Fitness Center Open

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The Uniontown School District Don’t Quit Fitness Center is open to the community, with stipulations.

“To be able to use the fitness center, you would need to be a resident of our school district or have students that are attending,” West Bourbon Elementary School Principal Vance Eden said.

The fitness center is located in the junior high wing of the school. Pictured here, it is the area with the light, to the right. Entrance is a door on the east of the fitness center.

Eden is the contact person to get a key-card.

School district patrons must pay a  for a card.

“There is a $10 fee that applies when the account is activated and the card is programmed for use at the fitness center,” Eden said. “The only other time there would be a fee is if the card is lost or destroyed.”

The hours are from 5-7 a.m. and 5:30-9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Students in the district are using the center during school hours for physical education classes.

A family leaves the fitness center on Tuesday evening. They are leaving through the acess door, which is located on the east side of the fitness center.

Those who are granted access to the center may find their key-card temporarily disabled as the rules and regulations change.

Users will need to sign a new form in order to be able to use the facility.

If the key-card isn’t working, email Eden at [email protected].

The problem will be worked on the next business day, according to a sign on the fitness center door.

 

 

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of Paul Leon Moore

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Paul Leon Moore, age 77, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott.
He was born June 8, 1941, in Humboldt, Kansas, the son of Paul Moore and Mary Leona Doyle Moore.
Paul graduated from the Humboldt High School with the Class of 1959.  Paul had served for several years with the Kansas Army National Guard.
He married Vivian Allen Sowder on April 2, 1977, at Emporia, Kansas.  Paul spent his life working in sales.  He was last employed by Shepherd Team Auto Plaza where he worked until ill health forced his retirement.
He loved his dogs and watching the Kansas City Chiefs and taking care of his yard as well as watching the wildlife around his home.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian, of the home; three sons, Scott Moore, of Iola, Kansas, Jeff Moore, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Eric Moore, of Guthrie, Oklahoma and a daughter, Joy Taylor, of Salt Lake City, Utah; ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.; and great-nieces and nephews.  Also surviving are three sisters, Mary Wilbanks, of Paola, Kansas, Evelyn Udeen, of Chanute, Kansas and Carol Blackwell, of Sarasota, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Leona Moore and a grandson.
Rev. Jimmy Tucker and Rev. Joan Koller will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 27th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Turkey Creek Cemetery north of Uniontown, Kansas.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the CrossPower Agape Ministry and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County Local News