All posts by Loretta George

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fall Fun At Fort Wise

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Fort Wise Pumpkin Patch will be a hub of activity, this weekend.

Two races and a Fort Scott organization’s social gathering are on the agenda.

The seasonal business has been in operation since 2015 and is owned by Chad and Melissa Wise.

Since the couple opened Fort Wise Pumpkin Company, they have geared up for each weekend in October when they open their property to the public for family fall activities.

Activities such as pumpkin chunking, a corn maze, a corn pit, an obstacle course, a slide, and a hayride on an army truck are available at this fort. Food, pumpkins and Stewart’s Mums can be purchased as well. The large mums are $10 until sold out.

The entry fee to Fort Wise is $5 person, with kids under two-years-old, free.

Fort Wise is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sundays in October.

Patriotic 5K/1 mile fun run

This weekend, there will be a 5k/1 mile competition to benefit Wreaths Across America,  a non-profit organization that puts live wreaths on the graves of military veterans in December each year, to honor those who served in the military.

This is of interest to the couple because Chad Wise just retired from military service in May 2017.

The local group of this organization is hosting a Wreath Ride Patriot Pumpkin 5K/1 Mile Fun Run at Fort Wise for Saturday, October 21. Registration is at 8 a.m. Costumes are requested. The 5K run starts at 9 a.m. with the one-mile fun run starting at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded at 10:30 a.m. Preregistration for the event is $20 for the fun run and $30 for the 5K. The day of the race, each race registration fee will increase $5.

The runners/walkers will be traversing the 40 acres of the Wise property, which has some hills.

December 16 is the National Wreaths Across America Day, with Fort Scott National Cemetary as the local site for the ceremony to honor military service men and women.

For more information: 620-224-8933, 620-215-2174 or http://www.fortscottwreathride.com

Young Professional Social

In addition, Fort Wise is hosting a Young Professional League Social  Sunday.

“This is for YPL members and their families,” Melissa Wise said.

From 4-5 p.m. the families will enjoy the activities at Fort Wise. From 5-6 p.m., after Fort Wise closes to the public, there will be a safety briefing on firearms, then a competition on shooting targets.

During both Saturday and Sunday activities at Fort Wise, it is open to the public from 11 a. m. to 5 p.m.

The gate to Fort Wise Pumpkin Company, six miles west of Fort Scott on Maple Road.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Gunn Park To Expand

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Fort Scott Parks and Buildings Supervisor Todd Farrell works to subdue the overgrown vegetation on the newly purchased seven-acre property at the entrance to Gunn Park.

Fort Scottian Frank Halsey is a trailblazer.

He has worked in the last decade to mark and prepare trails through Gunn Park so he can mountain bike.

His passion for this sport has led to over eight miles of bike trails for public use.

He has spearheaded construction of trails that meander around the edge of the park and most recently helped the City of Fort Scott purchase more land for public use trails.

The acreage addition to the park began about two years ago when Halsey noticed a “for sale” sign near the entrance to the park.

“I inquired about the property about one-and-a-half years ago,” Halsey said. “Over the last two years, the price has become doable.”

Halsey learned of  Timken Industries grants to communities. The business has a plant in Fort Scott’s industrial park.

“Where they have plants, they have grants to help the community,” he said.

“Gunn Park Trails was able to acquire the grant to help pay for the land,” Halsey said. “We were able to get awarded $10,000 to buy property.”

The City of Fort Scott got on board.

At a recent Fort Scott Commission meeting, the city agreed to allocate $10,000, which along with the grant of $10,000 allowed the purchase of the seven-acres from the owner, Jerry Jackman, Iola.

“The corner lot (of the property) is an ideal location for pump tracks,” Halsey said. “Pump tracks are like a skate park for bikes.”

The six acres behind the corner lot is ideal for more trails, he said.

Halsey will begin work soon.

“Winter is a good time to build trails,” he said. “There is not so much vegetation. We hope to have it completed by the spring of 2018.”

For more information see the website www.gunnparktrails.comhttp://www.gunnparktrails.com

Fort Scott Parks and Building Supervisor Todd Farrell mows the newly acquired acreage Monday.
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

City/School 2017 Election Forum Oct. 26

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Fort Scott Livestock Market is where the candidate forum will be located Oct. 26.

New council and board members are a possibility in the towns and schools in Bourbon County.

A candidate forum for the November 7 election is slated from 6-8 p.m., October 26, at Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Road. This forum is to let voters learn about the people who are running in the election for town and school positions.

The names of the candidates and the position for which they are candidates are as follows:

USD #234 School Board Positions: Geoff Southwell and David Stewart will vie for position four; Gary Billionis is unchallenged for position five; Jamie Armstrong is unchallenged for position six.

USD #235 School Board Positions: Brian Stewart for position four, Mike Mason for position five, and Tyler Martin for position six are all unchallenged.

Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees: John Bartlesmeyer, Elizabeth Meyer, Tina Rockhold and Kevin Wagner are on the ballot. The three persons receiving the highest number of votes will be elected.

For the City Commission of Fort Scott, the two candidates receiving the most votes will receive a four-year term. The candidate receiving the third greatest number of votes will receive a two-year term. Those competing for the position are Cheryl  Adamson,  Carol MacArthur, JoLynne Mitchell, and Robert Nichols.

In the City of Bronson, the mayor and the two candidates for council that receives the most votes will receive a four-year term, the next three candidates for council that receives the most votes will receive a two-year term. Those running are Clearsia Botts, Geraldine Reeder, Charlotte Stewart, Kathaleen Stewart and Michael Stewart.

Alan Stewart and Lee Roy Whitcomb are running for mayor of Bronson.

For the mayor and council members of Fulton, Mapleton, and Uniontown, no candidates have filed for these positions.

When no candidates file for a position “it will be a write-in,” Bourbon County Clerk Kendall Mason said. “The most votes will win.”

In the City of Redfield, Clarence “Ed” Guss is running unopposed for mayor, while Michael Beerbower, Wilma Graham, Clarence “Ed” Guss, Kirby Martin, and Richard Smith have filed to run for council.

For the Southwind Extension District Board, Ethan Holly and Terri Williams have filed.

Business, Fort Scott

New Window Dressing

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Eric Atwood, Jennifer LaRoche, and Loren Readinger lay out the cover for the windows of LaRoche’s building at 9 S. National Monday afternoon. The plastic cover is to make the building’s windows more attractive until renovations of the historic building can take place in the future. LaRoche said she will be able to reuse the cover once renovations begin.

Fort Scott

Duffy Completes One Year

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Dillon Duffy enjoys helping people and following a suggestion from a friend, he started a new career as an insurance agent on November 1, 2016 in Fort Scott.

A year ago Duffy, 26,  was a para-educator at Fort Scott Middle School.

The friend, Danny Brown, told him of an opportunity to try insurance as a career at H & H Insurance. Brown teaches at the middle school and is another agent with H & H Insurance.

“He said, Lyle Adcock wants to retire,” Duffy said. “I started coming in here (the office) and enjoyed helping people with personal service.”

Duffy learned ” the ropes” from Adcock, he said.

“He (Adcock) retired in December after turning it all over to me.”

“We are an independent agency,” Duffy said. “We sell All-State, Progressive, Bremen Farmers Mutual, Travelers, Cornerstone and a few others.”

His insurance office is under the auspices of H & H Agency.

Ron and Barbara Albright own H & H Agency, which also provides real estate and property management.

Ron Albright is the real estate broker/ agent, while  Barb Albright and Crystal Mason are real estate agents.  Kaitlyn Jessip is the office manager. Diana Endicott is the accountant for the group.

Duffy is engaged and will marry Abigail Keating next June.

He can be contacted at his office at 2 Old Fort Boulevard or 620-223-5293. Duffy’s cell phone number is 417-214-4282

Fort Scott

Essence of Fort Scott

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Fort Scott High School Photography and Advanced Placement Studio Art class students who entered the “What Makes Fort Scott Special To Me” photography contest are from left, front row: Addi Labbe, Berkley Chavis, Grace Keating, Aubry Terry and Ashton Nolan; second row: Ethan Burrell, Darby Toth, Chloe Studyvin, Kayley Reyes, Gabi Griffin, Lindsay Lundberg, Daryn Wiley, Hallie Grillot, and Montana LaRoche; back row: Lizzie Thurston, Mia Perry, Dalton Womeldorf, and FSHS Art Teacher Ellen Kendrick.
The poster in the lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College Thursday, including the list of all who participated in the contest at the bottom of the poster. The contest winners were announced during the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum.
Darby Toth stands in front of her first place winning  photo “Liberty and Justice For All.”
Grace Keating stands beneath her second place photo “Friday Night Lights.”
Daryn Wiley is photographed by Fort Scott High School Teacher Ellen Kendrick in front of her photo submission. Wiley was third place winner of the photography contest with “A Local Diner.”

The “What Makes Fort Scott Special To Me” photography contest was featured with a gallery of the contest submissions Thursday morning during the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee.

Contestants were to capture the essence of Fort Scott in their photograph submission.

First place winner was Fort Scott High School student, Darby Toth, with her submission of “Liberty and Justice For All.”

Second place winner was FSHS student Grace Keating with her “Friday Night Lights.”

Third place winner was FSHS student Daryn Wiley with her “A Local Diner.”

The venue for the contest was the lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

Following the gallery showing, the chamber coffee attendees moved into the Gordon Parks Museum, located in the center.

Chamber members each week may tell of events in the community for $1 per event, with proceeds going to the Dolly the Trolley fund.

Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin tells about the city’s recent purchase of seven acres adjacent to Gunn Park.
Penny Pollack Barnes tells about the TriYakAthon this Saturday at Gunn Park, starting at 8 a.m.
Craig Campbell tells about the DEA drug take-back event at the Convenient Care Center on National Avenue Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
First place photo contest winner Darby Toth, receives her prizes during the weekly coffee.
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New Coordinator For TriYakAthon

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Penny Pollack Barnes with daughter, Caroline, at Gunn Park last year. Pollack is taking over coordination duties from Frank Halsey, founder of the annual TriYakAthon, a multi-sport contest. Submitted photo.

Penny Pollack Barnes commented to Frank Halsey, organizer of the annual TriYakAthon at Gunn Park, that he ought to think about getting someone to help organize the event. This comment was in July at the annual bike race that Halsey initiated, called the Marmaton Masacre.

Halsey took her up on the offer.

Since August, Pollack has been helping to get sponsors for the event and getting t-shirts orders, she said.

“Frank does so much for the trails,” Pollack said. “He’s doing the dirty work. I’m doing logistics.”

Currently, Halsey is getting the trails marked for the event that starts at 8 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 14.

Over the last several years, Halsey mapped out, then built the trails and continually maintains them. He is an avid mountain biker.

Pollack is a runner and has been involved with some of the events that Halsey has organized on the trails.

“I like the multi-sport aspect of the TriYakAthon,” Pollack said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Registration starts at 8 a.m. for the 5th Annual TriYakAthon and the contest start time is 10 a.m.

There are 4 miles of running, 2.5 miles of Marmaton River kayaking, and 6.5 miles of cross-country mountain biking in the TriYakAthon.

Competitors can go solo for $35 or be part of a relay team for $60. Online registration deadline is Thursday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. To register, check out their Facebook page.

This year the proceeds from the event will go to a multi-sensory playground at Ellis Park, 1182 E. 12th Street, south of the middle school.

“It will be a special park that kids with disabilities will be able to use,” Pollack said.

The multi-sport event for the TriYakAthon involves running, kayaking and mountain biking. Photo taken from the event Facebook page.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Local Author, Local Story

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Recently, Joyce Love has published a novella about life in the Fort Scott area at the turn of the last century.  But writing is nothing new to her.

In her years as the librarian at Eugene Ware Elementary School,  Love wrote skits and short stories for the library students, using puppets to act the stories out, she said.

She also wrote articles for the Fort Scott Tribune magazines “She” and “Ageless” and for her church denomination (Church of God) magazine, “The Gem.”

This summer, Love finished her first historical fiction novella, “A Kansas Sunset,” and will have a book signing from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13 at Fort Scott Public Library.

The book is the story of a 17-year-old girl, circa 1901, who comes from Chicago and stays in Fort Scott before heading to Pawnee Station, southwest of Fort Scott. Scenes for the story were taken from newspaper articles she found during her research in the Genealogical Society library in the basement of Memorial Hall.

Some photos in the book were loaned to her by local historian Don Miller.

The book cover is a photo of a Kansas sunset she took and features her granddaughter, Adriana Love, daughter of Jason and Kelly Love.

Love and her husband, Bob, live on a farm near the site of the fictional story.

Love is also the author of a children’s  book completed this year, “The Three Little Pigs, Retold by Joyce Love.” That book will be featured in a children’s story time at the Fort Scott Public Library in the future.

Publishing books

Many aspiring book writers wonder about publishing their work.

Love chose to publish her books through Create Space, owned by Amazon.

“They print on demand,” she said. “I had an editor who formatted the book and I submitted it through Create Space. It’s available on Amazon and Kindle.”

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Stutesman’s Action Realty Opens Office in Fort Scott

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Amanda Bourassa, broker, and Scott Theis, associate broker, of Stutesman’s Action Realty Fort Scott.

Stutesman’s Action Realty, Nevada, Mo., opened an office on Fort Scott’s Main Street in August.

“This is an opportunity to get back and work with people I have known for years,” Amanda Mahlock Bourassa, broker, said.

She is a 1997  Fort Scott High School graduate, and a 1999 graduate of Fort Scott Community College.

“I love Fort Scott and this is an opportunity to help grow our town and community,” Bourassa said.

Theis is excited to be in Fort Scott because he sees the city as a community moving forward, he said.

“It’s exciting for me to be able to provide service to help with that agenda by helping individuals and families achieve their real estate goals,” Theis said.

Their agency provides residential and commercial property real estate service, provides property management (handling maintenance and rent duties), and provides relocation services.

The business is located at 119 S. Main, Suite A, between Fort Scott City Hall and Crooner’s Lounge. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and after hours and weekends by appointment.

Bourassa can be reached at 417-684-5681 or [email protected].

Theis can be reached at 417-321-0929 or [email protected]

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Mary Eastwood Back After “Catch-Up” Month

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Mary Eastwood reclines on a chaise lounge in her shop that she recently custom upholstered.

Mary Eastwood, owner of Here We Go Again, a custom upholstery shop in historic downtown Fort Scott,  reopened  Oct. 3 following a month of “catching up,” she said.

“I didn’t get caught up, but I finished 13 chairs and a whole bunch of pillows,” Eastwood laughed.

A child’s recliner chair that Mary Eastwood recently upholstered.

Eastwood’s workspace is in the back of her showroom at 9 N. Main.

In addition to custom upholstery furniture and decorative items, Eastwood has consignments from area artists.

“I have unique gifts for sale,” she said.

Mary Eastwood shows customer Colleen Murrin the new consignment aprons she received from area artist, Allison Day.

Eastwood started upholstering furniture in 1976 and continues to use her original machine, she said.  Her business first started from her home and she has been at her current storefront for several years.

Store hours are 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Custom pillows.
Here We Go Again upholstery shop at 9 N. Main.
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Bourbon County Jail Public Viewing

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The public was allowed a viewing of the new Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Thursday.  The project took one year to complete and will house 74 inmates.
Residents, employees, and dignitaries mill around prior to the ribbon cutting at the new Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Thursday afternoon.
The project summary of the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center was on display at the public viewing.
A pod for inmates at the new correctional center. Inmates should be at the new facility by the second week of November, according to Sheriff Bill Martin.
Sheriff Bill Martin shows the command center at the new law enforcement center during a tour Thursday afternoon.
Corrections officers get a look at the inmate recreation area at the new center. Daylight and fresh air must be provided inmates daily. The huge fan at the top, center, will provide the air intake for the room.
The sallyport area where inmates are brought by vehicle into the center is shown by Sheriff Bill Martin.
At right, Steve Smith visits with Sheriff Bill Martin. Smith is the president of Universal Construction, the general contractor for the project.
Sheriff Bill Martin shows a handicapped accessible pod with special safety features.
Sheriff Martin shows an honor pod, for model inmates who are allowed to work in the community with supervision. Model inmates will also prepare meals for the center with supervision, something not feasible at the old jail.
An interview room at the center for inmates and attorneys.
Employees, interested Bourbon County residents and dignitaries line the sidewalk in front of the center to prepare for the opening ceremony. The area surrounding the center is being seeded with grass, therefore there was no standing off the sides of the sidewalk.
The address sign on the outside of the center at 293 E. 20th Street. It is located on the south side of Fort Scott.
Signs upon entering the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center.

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

G & W Is Changing Things Up

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G & W Foods Manager Will Rayburn works on paperwork Wednesday in preparation for changes coming to the grocery store.

G & W Foods is adding to their store name, re-shelving and moving products around preparing for a change in the way they do business.

The change for the grocery store is starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 through Oct. 17. The store will reopen at 7 a.m. on Oct. 18.

Following this brief time of closing, the store, at 911 E. Sixth, is taking a different direction, and will then be known as G & W Cash Saver.

The big change will be that the public will pay the cost price to the store of each item, plus ten percent added to the register receipt, plus the required tax Rayburn said.

“This will be a more cost-effective option to our customers,” he said. “It will be noticeable.”

The staff will remain the same, said store manager Will Rayburn.

Currently, there are 45 employees.

“It’s the same people, just changing direction,” Rayburn said.

Sometime in the near future, there will be a grand opening, Rayburn said.

Also in the future are new user-friendly gas pumps.

“I know a lot of people will be interested in that,” Rayburn said.