All posts by Loretta George

Want Enchiladas? YPL Fundraiser

YPL members making enchiladas in 2017. From left: Chris Petty, Jamie Armstrong, Bailey Lyons and Melissa Wise.

The Young Professional League annual fundraiser benefit for the Beacon is underway.

The Beacon is a non-profit religious organization that has food, clothing, and household goods that it distributes to the community, among other services.

YPL chooses to have a yearly fundraiser to help the Beacon.

“Many people in our community are generous with donating supplies, such as clothing and food to the Beacon,” Jessica Schenkel, president of YPL said. “However, cash donations are needed to purchase the supplies they may not receive or for other reasons.”

Enchiladas are the fundraiser food the group makes.

“We are selling a ready-to-bake pan of homemade enchiladas,” Schenkel said. ” We are offering beef, chicken or cheese, or a combination. There are a dozen enchiladas per pan. They will come with instructions and can be chilled in the fridge if they are being baked soon, or they can be frozen for later. We prepare the meat the evening before the pick-up date, and ensemble all the orders the morning of pick-up.”

The cost is $20 per dozen.

“People can order from any YPL member in person or they can order online,” Schenkel said.” We are accepting orders right now and our deadline to order is January 25.”

Here is the link for online orders:    https://www.ypl-bbco.org/enchiladas

Or to order by phone 785.817.8877, leave a voicemail if no answer.

This year the food will be cooked, assembled and picked-up at Fort Scott High School.

Pick-up will be at the Fort Scott High School cafeteria on Saturday, February 3  between 2 and 5  p.m., according to the website set up for the fundraiser. Enchiladas that are not picked up by 5 p.m. will be given to the Beacon Food Pantry or re-sold. The payment will be considered a donation to YPL.

“YPL used to host a soup feed fundraiser and worked with the local churches, ” she said. “However, we have moved to a different facility and the churches have been graciously donating funds to cover the necessary expenses to make the enchiladas. This way, every bit of our profits are donated to the Beacon.”

“YPL is an organization made of professionals who are adaptive advocates of a better community through progressive partnerships and networking,”  Schenkel said. ” “Most of our members enjoy the social aspect of meeting other young professionals throughout the community and utilize our meetings as a way of networking.”

Schenkel is president for 2018.

Laura Agee is vice president and secretary;  Tiffiny Durham is treasurer; board members are Amanda Bourassa, Devin Tally, Chris Petty,  and Holly Baker.

YPL  recently held its strategic planning meeting for 2018.

“We will be rolling out a few exciting changes for this year,” she said. “Stay tuned!”

 

 

Obituary Of David Richard McArthur

 
David Richard McArthur, age 72, a resident of Fort Scott passed away Monday, January 15, 2018, at his home.
He was born February 16, 1945, in Pratt, Kansas, the son of Kenneth McArthur and Crystal Colby McArthur. David was in the Navy and served his county during Vietnam. He married Janice Vaughn in Manteca, California on February 16, 1985.
He was an avid stamp collector and loved to read, watch movies, and play video games. He enjoyed doing cross stitch, working with his hands, telling jokes and tease. David loved spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Janice, of the home; son Matthew McArthur, and wife Holly, of Reno, Nevada; two step-daughters, Darlene Hallford, and husband Dennis, of Eldorado Springs, Missouri, and Melissa Smith, and husband Paul, of Nevada, Missouri; a sister Cindy Spink, and husband Russell, of Norman, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a step-daughter, Lisa Vaughn.
 
There was cremation. Pastor Ben Heffernan will conduct memorial services at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, January 18, 2018, at the Bethel Community Church. Burial will be held later at the U. S. National Cemetery. Memorial are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary Of Jake Underwood

Jacob H. “Jake” Underwood, age 98, a former resident of Uniontown, KS, and more recently of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, January 15, 2018, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.  He was born on July 6, 1919, on the family farm in Uniontown to Jay and Hazel McKinnis Underwood.

Mr. Underwood graduated from Uniontown High School in 1936 and Fort Scott Community College two years later.

In July of 1941, he was called to serve in the military.  For three years he was stationed at Camp Polk in Louisiana with the 7th Armored Division.  Before leaving to fight the war in Europe, he married Doris Patterson on May 9, 1944.  They were married until her death in 2002.

He was shipped to Belgium in 1944 with the 106th Infantry and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge.  He was a prisoner of war in Bad Orb Prison Camp in Germany from December 1944 and was liberated in April of 1945.

After returning to civilian life, he began his career as the County Clerk and later became the business manager for the Fort Scott School District where he faithfully served for 35 years.

Mr. Underwood was an active community member both in Fort Scott and Uniontown.  At the time of his death, he belonged to the Uniontown United Methodist Church and Ruritan.  Jake was proud to be a lifelong Democrat.  He was truly an example of the “Greatest Generation” – proud veteran, devoted family man, and dedicated civic leader.

He is survived by two daughters: Susan Karleskint, Uniontown, and Mary Gregory and husband Brad, Bolivar, MO; sister-in-law’s Janice Patterson of Fort Scott, and Erma Patterson of Atlanta; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and a niece in Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Doris Underwood, daughter, Ruth Ann Burleson, brother, Gilbert Underwood; and brother-in-law’s, John and Byron Patterson.

Rev. Connie McKee will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 20, at Uniontown United Methodist Church.  Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.  Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W.  Memorial are suggested to the Uniontown United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S Main, Fort Scott, KS.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Obituary Of Oka Clinesmith

 

Oka Ola Hare Clinesmith, age 98, of Fort Scott, passed away on January 13, 2018, in Columbia, MO.

Oka was born to Andrew Jackson Hare and Mae Johnston Hare in 1919 on a Bourbon County farm south of Fort Scott. She attended Katt School and Fort Scott Junior High before moving with her family to Tribune, Kansas. She graduated from Tribune Senior High School and married Carl Benjamin Clinesmith. They moved to Emporia, Kansas, where she attended Emporia State for one year while Carl taught music in Pretty Prairie. When Carl was called to duty in the Army Air Force Oka moved to Wichita and worked for Boeing. After the war, they returned to Fort Scott where she lived for over 70 years. Here they raised two children, Carl Benjamin Clinesmith, Jr. and Kaye Adele Clinesmith Miller.

Oka worked as the secretary and was assistant to the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, from 1951 – 1985 while Carl taught band, choir and orchestra for Fort Scott Public Schools and Junior College. Oka served as a deacon and elder of the church, sang in the choir and was a member of the United Presbyterian Women. She was a private clarinet teacher and later enjoyed playing clarinet in the Fort Scott Civic Orchestra. She was a member of P.E.O.

Oka was a textile artist creating remarkable treasurers including braided rugs, English smocked music boxes, eggs and bells, and elegant petit point angels and Santas. And anyone who knew Oka will miss her practical and indispensable scrubbies.

Oka is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Carl, and her three sisters Eda Ruth Hare, Leta Mary Hare and Georgia Anne Hare Chesney. She is survived by her children Carl Benjamin, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of New York, NY; Kaye Adele Clinesmith Miller and her husband Bill of Columbia, MO; and their families including grandchildren Ellen Clinesmith (Jon Carr) of Uncasville, CT; Sarah Miller Coats (Kourtney Coats) of Enid, OK; Karen Miller Lutgen (Keith Lutgen) of Minneapolis, MN; and great-grandchildren Ryan Clinesmith, Wesley Coats, Wyatt Coats, Lucy Lutgen and Greta Lutgen.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service following at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, Kansas, on Saturday, January 20, 2018, with Rev. Dr. Jared Witt officiating.

Interment will be at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, Kansas, or the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Good Samaritan Fund. Donations may be sent to or 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.

 

Chanute to Host Regional Farmers’ Market Vendor Workshop

The Fort Scott Farmers Market is located on Skubitz Plaza from spring until fall.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will host a regional workshop in Chanute on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018. This is one of five regional workshops which are being held this year to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers.

Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source but also stimulate the local economy. In 2017, 85 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.

“Farmers’ markets provide growers a chance to tell their farm’s story, with face-to-face interaction with consumers, but there are also legal, safety and financial parameters that farmers need to understand before choosing to sell at a farmers’ market,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.

Workshop topics will include:

Marketing and Pricing Tips
Growing in High Tunnels 101
Regulations on Selling Meat, Eggs and Poultry Direct to Consumer
Double Up Food Bucks and Sales Tax for Vendors
Vendor Marketing and Communications
Morel Mushroom Identification Certification
Kansas Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Certified Farmer Training

KDA’s weights and measures program will also offer free scale testing and certification at the workshop for attendees.

The workshop will be held at Mid-West Fertilizer at the Chanute Agronomy Center, 3030 W. Santa Fe Ave. in Chanute. Onsite registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m.

Registration for this workshop is now open and is $20 per participant. Registration includes lunch; however, lunch will only be guaranteed to those participants who register by February 1.

Registration forms can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMWorkshop or at your local extension offices.

For more information, please contact Kathy McEwan, Southwind Extension, at 620-365-2242 or [email protected], or Krista Harding at 620-244-3826 or [email protected].

KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. These workshops will provide support and assistance to help make Kansas businesses more successful.

Kathy S. McEwan, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Foods & Nutrition, SNAP-Ed Coordinator, Southwind Extension District – Iola Office, P.O. Box 845, Iola KS 66749,  telephone 620-365-2242 or email: [email protected].

 

Downtown Uniontown To Change With Condemnation Of Buildings

These two connected buildings located on Uniontown’s city square are to be demolished by July 21. They are located on the south side of the square at 112A Second Street.

The face of Uniontown is about to be changed with two buildings on the city’s square being condemned.

At a Uniontown City Council meeting on January 8, the city held a public hearing for the structures owned by Mary Beerbower and Hartman J. Kite respectively.

Following the meeting, legal notices were published in the Fort Scott Tribune stating that the owners have until July 21, 2018, to remove the buildings and make the premises safe and secure.

The owners are cooperating with the council, Mayor Larry Jurgensen said.

“They both are in agreement they should come down,” Jurgensen said. “And they are getting it taken down themselves.”

Mary Beerbower had a business located in her building, the easternmost one, called Mary’s Cafe. The other building was vacant and the ceiling had caved in.

The structures are located on the south side of the square at 112A Second Street.

Hartman J. Kite’s building shared a wall with Mary Beerbower’s business.

Nate’s Place Named In Kansas Top Three Eateries

Nate’s Place is an eatery located in the southern mansion of Lyon’s Twin Mansions.
Shawn O’Brien, left, is the general manager, while Nate Lyons is the owner of Nate’s Place.

 In the Winter 2017 issue of Kansas Magazine, Fort Scott’s own Nate’s Place is third out of twenty Kansas favorite local eateries.

The restaurant located at the corner of Eighth Street and National Avenue was notified of the statewide contest in the fall.

“It was an online platform,” Nate Lyons, owner of the eatery, said. “We were told you could vote online and encouraged our customers to do it.”

Lyons didn’t know about the win until the publication of the magazine November 2017.

The restaurant is located in the southern mansion that is part of the Lyon’s Twin Mansions. Nate Lyons has been the owner since 2009.

General Manager Shawn O’Brien has been at Nate’s Place since August 2016.

Currently, soups are special lunch items at the restaurant.

“We make fresh soups every couple of days,” O’Brien said. “Homemade potato, vegetable beef, tortellini, fresh tomato soup… Facebook inspires me.”

“They are trying to get me to do dill pickle soup, but I’m not doing it for personal reasons,” he said with a smile.

“We are the only restaurant in town that serves breakfast all day,” O’Brien said.

The restaurant can provide fine dining experiences with reservations to groups from five to 60 people, O’Brien said.

“Groups come in to play bunco,” he said. “The Magazine Club meets here. It’s great during the summer to have a cocktail on the front porch.”

The restaurant also does murder mystery parties.

“The game is free and involves eight characters,” Lyon’s said. “They pay for the dinner, we provide the three-course meal.”

“For less than $50 per person you get entertainment and a three-course meal,” Lyon said. “There is special pricing for overnight stays.”

The Lyon’s Twin Mansions are a well-known local bed and breakfast.

The eatery is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is closed on Monday.

The Lounge at Nate’s Place is open Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., with happy hour from 5-6 p.m.

“We offer a heavy appetizer menu,” O’Brien said. “And liquor and wine for $5 each and beer $1 off.”

Carol and Marvin Creager, rural Fort Scott wait for their lunch Friday at Nate’s Place.

On Friday, lunch customer Carol Creager said “I like breakfast here. It’s such a nice atmosphere and the waitress Mary Ann is very friendly and accommodating.”

 

Fort Scott Debate Team Brings Home Another State Trophy

The Fort Scott High School Debate Team. Front row from left: Sara Al-Shawish, Tayton Majors, Zoe Self, Elizabeth Ngatia, Brooklyn Lyons, Madi Toth, Mark Adams, Joe Adams.  Back row from left:t Dalton Womeldorff, Kaden Kiwan, Darby Toth, Rebekah Sweyko, Isabella Provence, Ashtyn Dowell.
This weekend the Fort Scott High School Debate team traveled to Coffeyville, Kansas for Kansas State Debate contest. The regional championship team is comprised of Darby Toth, Rebekah Sweyko, Joe Adams, and Isabella Provence.
The alternates on the team were Kaden Kiwan and Ashtyn Dowell. This team took fourth place following KC Piper High School which took first place, Bishop Meige H.S. took second, and Louisburg H.S. third. In the four-speaker division, one half of the team goes affirmative the entire tournament and the other half goes negative. Then the records of both teams are combined.
In the two-speaker division, FSHS took the maximum amount of teams allowed for a school, four.  In order to qualify for two-speaker state, the team must have a 50 percent win-loss record over four tournaments above the novice level.
The teams attending were Madison Toth/Mark Adams, Zoe  Self/Elizabeth Ngatia, Brooklyn Lyons/Dalton Womeldorff, and Tayton Majors/Sara Al-Shawish. There were 60 teams in the tournament. All four teams broke to Double Octofinals. Madison and Mark dropped to Nickerson in Double Octofinals. Brooklyn And Dalton drop to Louisburg. Tayton and Sarah make it to Quarter Finals and end up fourth, after dropping to Topeka Hayden.
And finally, novice, Zoe Self and 2nd-year debater, Elizabeth Ngatia,   drop in finals to Wichita Collegiate and bring home the 2nd place trophy. Fort Scott Debate has been state champions or state runner-ups four of the last five years.

Fort Scott High School will be hosting the state debate event next year.

 

Drake-Abati Engagement Announced

Drake-Abati Engagement Announced

Amy and Dusty Drake, Fort Scott, along with Sandra and Willey Abati, Redfield, announce the engagement of Sarah Delynn Drake to Antonio Joseph Abati.

The marriage will take place June 9, 2018, at Community Christian Church.

The bride is a 2011 Fort Scott High School graduate, attended Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Mo. and graduated from Regency Beauty Institute, Olathe. She is a cosmetologist at The Courtland Spa Salon, Fort Scott.

The groom graduated from Girard High School in 2005, Fort Scott Community College in 2007 and Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tenn. in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication. He is currently news director at Double K Country Radio, Nevada, Mo.