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All posts by Loretta George
“New Faces, New Neighbors” Textile Art Display
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Do you like art and history?
Come to Fort Scott National Historic Site (NHS) and learn the history of the site as told by art that was created by youth from across the United States and throughout the world.
The art exhibit, titled “New Faces, New Neighbors”, will consist of 60 different pieces of textiles.
The exhibit will be on display from Thursday, February 1 through Saturday, March 31, 2018. It will be located on the second floor of the Infantry Barracks Museum in the hallway next to the theater.
“New Faces, New Neighbors” is a theme that has resonated throughout the history of Fort Scott. Soldiers and American Indians found themselves as new neighbors and had to face many challenges and adaptions along the way. During the Bleeding Kansas era, conflict evolved among neighbors, as the topic of slavery became an issue that divided the town of Fort Scott and Kansas Territory. During the Civil War, Fort Scott saw new faces as American Indians and African Americans enlisted to fight for the Union Army. In addition, Fort Scott became a place of refuge for many people of diverse backgrounds. Caring for these refugees provided an opportunity for the town’s residents to work together for a common cause. After the Civil War, more new neighbors came to Fort Scott with the railroads as the town transformed into a regional trade center. This story of settlement and resettlement, promises made and broken, dreams built and shattered, and facing challenges with new neighbors can all be seen through the creative minds of youth in the “New Faces, New Neighbors” art exhibit. We welcome you to come join us and explore this amazing story of Fort Scott.
In order to create this wonderful art exhibit, Fort Scott NHS has collaborated with the International Fiber Collaborative (IFC), INC. based out of Topeka, KS. The IFC is a nonprofit organization that works to create deeper learning experiences through art and cross-curricular themed-based programs. The IFC also promotes programs designed to link arts to science, math, engineering, and the humanities. For information, a schedule of events and other projects associated with the IFC can be found at https://ifcprojects.com.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 National Park Service areas and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
GNAT Seeking Volunteers To Benefit Multi-Sensory Playground
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Craig Campbell, with the Good Neighbor Action Team, is seeking volunteers to clean up a property.
The house, at 1311 S. Main, is a being totally rehabilitated, then it will be sold as a fundraiser to help provide a multi-sensory playground for the community, Campbell said.
“Groups are invited to bring shovels, buckets, gloves, hard-soled shoes and protective eyewear to pick up the debris and put it in the dumpster,” he said. “It’s loosely organized, you don’t have to schedule to put up the debris and put it in the dumpster.”
“Be careful of the roofing debris,” Campbell said.
Campbell spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee attendees during the announcement portion.
The dumpster is provided by Kevin “Skitch” Allen, Campbell said.
Allen purchased the Hester Rolloff business including the dumpsters being used, Allen said in a later interview.
Currently, the house is being stabilized and the roof being replaced, according to Chris Yoder, Devon, who along with his three sons have been working on the house the last week.
Diana Mitchell is spearheading this Youth Activities Team project, the rehabilitation of the house. The GNAT is helping with the volunteer clean-up of the project.
Obituary Of Deborah Hawkins
Deborah Lee Hawkins, age 66, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Thursday, January 25, 2018, at her home.
She was born January 7, 1952, in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Roy Cameron and Dorothy Tilton Cameron. She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1970. She married Gene Hawkins on June 9, 1979, at Ft. Scott.
In earlier years, she worked in the printing and insurance business. She later attended Ft. Scott Community College School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She was then employed by the Nevada Regional Medical Center for several years. She loved gardening and tending to her flowers. She also enjoyed watching the wildlife around her rural home.
Survivors include her husband, Gene, of the home and two daughters, Amanda Hawkins (Steve Copsey), of Nevada, Missouri and Jennifer Hawkins, of Ft. Scott and two grandchildren, Ethan and Kinley. Also, surviving are two brothers, Mark Cameron of Kansas City, Missouri and Garry Cameron of Great Falls, Montana. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Joan Higgins and Ann Greenway and a brother, Charles Cameron.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 30 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Chapel Grove Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in the 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.
Design Of Airport Runway Expansion In The Works
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Fort Scott Airport is in the design stage of expanding its runway.
The FS Airport Advisory Board met Jan. 24 for an update from Kenny Howard, the airport manager.
“We signed a contract for the design of the (runway expansion) project,” Howard told the board. “That part of the project should be done in April.”
The runway expansion designer is Olsson Associates, Lincoln, Nebraska.
“It will be paid for by the city and private donations,” Howard told fortscott.biz.
The design plan will estimate the cost of the runway expansion project, he said.
Once the cost is projected, grants will be sought to fund the expansion project, Howard said.
The current length of the airport runway is 4,400 feet, the proposed runway expansion would increase that to 6,150 feet, according to Howard.
In addition, the city has applied for a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to rehabilitate the runway lights, Howard said. The estimated cost of that project is $290,000.
Howard said approximately 600 aircraft took off and landed at the facility last year.
Pilots file and cancel their flights using their cell phones, he said.
Most air traffic at the facility is between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
A property owner near the airport, Kenneth Merriman, told the board “the noise decibel is pretty bad over my house.”
Merriman lives one mile south of the airport.
Howard said a noise analysis done on the airport shows the noise is staying on the airport property.
“People that have concerns can come out and talk to me,” Howard told Merriman. He said 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the best time to reach him at the airport.
Governor Sam Brownback Announces Plans To Stop KanCare 2.0
Governor Sam Brownback and Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer on Wednesday announced plans to stop KanCare 2.0 and address concerns raised by legislators and other stakeholders regarding increased costs and the State’s ability to absorb those costs in future budgets.
As a result, they will be seeking to make improvements to the current KanCare program by either extending the contracts of the current three managed care companies for a period of three years or evaluating proposals received in response to the current bid solicitation without the cost increase drivers which have raised these concerns. The Administration will work with the Kansas Legislature to determine the best path forward and provide certainty and improvements to the current program.
In either scenario, the State will seek to implement budget neutral improvements to KanCare such as work requirements, an IMD exclusion waiver, foster care pilots, behavioral health and primary care integration and improved work opportunities.
Additionally, the new Secretary of KDHE, Jeff Andersen will renew the agency’s focus on addressing problems with the program’s eligibility process. A backlog of applications had slowed down the approval process for participants and reimbursement for providers. The state is in the process of issuing a letter of noncompliance to the contractor in charge of the eligibility clearinghouse where applications are processed.
The plan would call for continued meetings and involvement by the KanCare Process Improvement Working Group. The group will hold quarterly meetings with KDHE where participants and providers can discuss improvements and provide feedback.
“Keeping Kansans healthy continues to be a top priority,” said Governor Brownback, “We’re going to continue to work hard to make sure we have a program that works for Kansas.”
“With improvements to the current system of KanCare I feel we can continue serving Kansans by helping improve their health and well-being. We will continue to listen to participants and providers and work with the legislature to ensure we are increasing the quality of care and outcomes under KanCare,” said Lt. Governor Colyer.
Order Enchiladas By Jan. 25 To Benefit The Beacon
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Bourbon County’s YPL
(Young Professionals League) will be making
HOMEMADE ENCHILADAS.
Deadline to order is Thursday, January 25th
~ All orders must be prepaid.
Order by calling Jessica Schenkel at 785-817-8877
or Click HERE to order online.
Drive-thru pickup is Saturday, February 3th from 2-5pm
at Kennedy Gym (behind St. Mary’s School)
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Obituary Of Willa Ellis
Willa Jean Ellis, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, January 22, 2018, at her home. She was born March 25, 1930, in Rich Hill, Missouri, the daughter of Howard and Gertie (Williams) Marlin.
She married her childhood sweetheart Danny Ellis February 8, 1948, in Nevada, Missouri.
Willa was a beloved mother and grandmother; a devoted wife and trusted friend to many.
Together she and her husband were strong supporters of the Fort Scott community including The Beacon, Ellis Family Performing Arts Center, and Ellis Park.
In the early 1960’s Willa and Danny started Midwestern Distribution with just three trucks. It eventually grew to 1,000 trucks and employed over 2,000 people. They sold the company to Leaseway Transportation in 1981 and started Multi Service Corp., a trucking and aviation credit card which is currently the largest aviation credit card in the world.
In 1998 Willa and Danny started the Ellis Foundation after the death of their daughter, Kathy Ellis-Adriance, The foundation has awarded over 4,000 scholarships and currently supports 738 students in college.
The Ellis Foundation will celebrate twenty years this June 2018 and has awarded over twenty-million dollars.
In addition to her husband Danny, Willa is survived by her son, Chris Daniel Ellis and wife Cathy, of Louisburg, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Daniel Marlin Ellis, Joshua James Shaffer, Christopher Charles Ellis, Nathan Cole Ellis, Sarah Freeman Spray, Sybil Claire Ramstad, Brooke Adriance Cade, and Erin Blaire Adriance; and ten great-grandchildren, Olive Madison Ellis, Emory Parker Ellis, Freeman Andrew Spray, Ellis Nicole Spray, Gabriel Rose Spray, Bennett John Ramstad, Davis Matthew Ramstad, Vivian Faye Shaffer, Leo Henry Cade, and Finlay George Cade.
Willa was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Wanda June Taylor, and her daughter, Kathy Lyn Ellis-Adriance.
Following cremation, Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct funeral services 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial following in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday evening, January 26, 2018, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ellis Foundation for Memorial Scholarships and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Planning Commission Business: Zoning
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The Fort Scott Planning Commission met Jan. 22 at city hall to recommend a new member and review the five-year comprehension plan they have been working on.
Members of the commission are Geoff Clark, Mark McCoy, Diana Endicott, Carol MacArthur, Pam Hightower, Jared Leek, Mitch Quick, Mark Lewis and Darcy Smith.
The group reviewed three chapters of the plan and made arrangements to finalize it and present it to the Fort Scott City Council in early March.
The group also discussed letters of interest to serve on Planning Commission from two interested residents, Josh Jones and Frank Adamson.
In the end, Jones was selected to serve.
“Tell Frank it’s nothing against him,” Diana Endicott, chairman of the group, said. The group decided since his wife is on the city council it might cause issues.
The group will meet February 1 to discuss zoning the old trailer park property, Endicott said.
KANSAS DAY PROMOTION Monday, January 29, 2018
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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Kansas Day promotion.
Kansas entered the Union as the 34th state on January 29 in 1861. On this 157th anniversary of Kansas Day, the Fort Scott Area Chamber would like to promote both our state’s history as well as local businesses.
Any person shopping a participating Chamber member retailer this Monday wearing a Sunflower or the word Kansas on their apparel will receive 10% off of your purchase.
The participating businesses will have a sunflower placed in the front of their store.
Participating stores include Bids & Dibs, Common Ground Coffee Co., Country Cupboard, Courtland Hotel & Spa, Iron Star Antiques & Such, J&W Sports Shop, Main Street Gallery & Gifts, Papa Don’s Pizza, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Shirt Shack, and Sunshine Boutique.
Celebrate Kansas Day and thank a local owner for doing business in our wonderful state!
Obituary Of Lula Mae Piotrowski
Lula Mae “Lou” Piotrowski, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, January 22, 2018, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.
She was born February 18, 1937, in St. Paul, KS, the daughter of Chares “Bud” and Vera Mudd Groner. She graduated from St. Paul high school. Lou married Robert “Pete” Piotrowski on June 6, 1959, in St. Paul.
She worked as a seamstress for Key Work Clothes. She then worked for many years as the bookkeeper for the family business, Sunflower Supply.
She enjoyed collecting dolls, sewing, crafts, refinishing furniture, making miniature furniture, and flower gardening.
She loved spending time with her grandchildren.
She was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, St. Anne’s Altar Society, and participated in the Adoration Chapel for many years.
Survivors include her husband Pete; three children, Patty West and husband Terry, Redfield, KS; Robert “Bob” Piotrowski and wife Julie, Ft. Scott; and Mary Younggren and husband Mike, Ft. Scott; a brother, Warren Groner, Pittsburg, KS; seven grandchildren: Chrystal Cowan and husband Josh, Ashlee Piotrowski and fiancé Taylor, Gregg Piotrowski, Kayla Collins and husband J.D., Heather Chavis and husband Josh, Emilee Piotrowski and Zach, Casey Proctor and husband Travis; seven great grandchildren, “the grandkids who made her great”, Raylee, Laramee, Jace, Cheyann, Caroline, Hayes, Jackson, and one more on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Groner; three sisters, Mary Ann Groner, Ruth Read, and Virginia Payne; and her parents.
Father Robert Wachter will conduct the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am Monday, January 29, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 pm Sunday, January 28, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Visitation will follow from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.
Memorials are suggested to either St. Mary’s Catholic School or Mercy Hospice and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Kansas Creative Arts Accepting Grant Applications
Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission now accepting applications for grant programs
TOPEKA — The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission is now accepting applications for its two main grant categories, The Strategic Investment Program and The Arts Integration Program.
The Strategic Investment Program recognizes the important role creative organizations play in building and sustaining cultural and economic vibrancy in Kansas. By funding a variety of professional and organizational development opportunities that impact cultural programming, these grants support initiatives that use the arts to enhance community vitality, revitalize neighborhoods, generate local business, create and preserve job opportunities and impact tourism.
The Arts Integration Programs support the role the arts play in all levels of education, community service, and workforce development. This program provides funding for educational institutions, arts organizations, and community service non-profits to use the arts to increase student success, foster creative thinking, develop critical job skills, and enhance community development.
The deadline for application submission is March 30, 2018, with review dates in early-mid April 2018. The main grant period is from May 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, however, projects with an end date prior to June 30, 2018 may have a start date of Jan. 1, 2018. This will be the final round of the fiscal year.
STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Strategic Investment Program grants are awarded in three categories:
- Organizational Development:This category provides funding for professional development opportunities for Kansas based arts organizations that help strengthen business practices, increase organizational viability and promote long-term sustainability.
- New and Expanded Works:This program provides funding for new or significantly expanded productions, exhibitions, programs or events by Kansas-based nonprofit arts organizations. Projects should either be an entirely new type of program for the organization designed to diversify its services or an expansion of an existing program designed to significantly enhance the quality of current offerings.
- Equipment and Technology: This program provides funding to purchase equipment, materials, and/or technology upgrades to expand or improve an applicant’s organization.
Applicants for a grant under the Strategic Investment Program must make a compelling case as to why this particular self-identified activity or opportunity was selected, how it will have a substantial impact on their work and community, and how it will enhance the national reputation of Kansas.
Guidelines and additional information can be found here:
http://kansascommerce.gov/707/Strategic-Investment-Program
ARTS INTEGRATION PROGRAM
Arts Integration Programs are awarded in three categories:
- Visiting Artists:This category provides funding for eligible organizations to engage and deepen the impact of arts programming on local and underserved audiences through exposure to and interaction with professional visiting arts. Presenters may book artists in any discipline, not just in performing arts. Projects should strive to integrate an arts discipline into non-arts content areas; help interpret an exhibition, performance, or presentation; and support community development goals and objectives. Booking artists on the Kansas Touring Roster allow for a $1,000 credit for the applicant organization: http://www.kansascommerce.gov/705/KS-Roster
- Note: KCAIC will review applications for roster inclusion in early March. Please check the website at that time for an expanded list and encourage qualified artists to apply. In addition, Visiting Artists grants featuring roster artists will be accepted and reviewed year round up to 30 days prior to proposed activities.
- Integrated Arts Education:This category supports new or expanded educational programming that integrates arts learning into the non-arts curriculum and content areas to address emerging technologies, areas of skills shortages, STEM curricula, workforce readiness, and increase student performance.
- Innovative Partnerships:This category supports innovative programming between arts organizations and non-arts organizations to impact a variety of community and/or economic development goals. Arts organizations are encouraged to partner with other community entities (hospitals, prisons, etc.) to develop arts-centered programs that address community needs such as public health, transportation, tourism, unemployment, aging, corrections, etc.
Guidelines and additional information can be found at http://kansascommerce.gov/666/Arts-Integration-Program
To review the application process, as well as program and category specific policies and guidelines visit KansasCommerce.gov/CAIC. Applications can be submitted online at https://kansascaic.submittable.com .
Grants will be reviewed by peer panel and awarded at the quarterly commission meeting in April.
All grants are made possible through a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and are subject to KCAIC and NEA standards and regulations.
For more on the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission go to KansasCommerce.gov/caic.
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Contact:
Peter Jasso