All posts by Loretta George

FSCC Summer Theater Camp: Beauty IS A Beast

August 1, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

Fairy Morgan Eaton kept the audience apprised of what was going on in the story.

Culminating four weeks of a children’s summer theater camp, 17 local children under the direction of Allen Twitchell presented Beauty IS A Beast, Wednesday evening.

The story is a twist of an age-old story of what constitutes real beauty.

The play is a parable in six scenes set in the kingdom of Callentine and will be presented again Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College.

Camp participants received instruction in theater basics and engaging in theater exercises.

The play was presented in a workshop style, with minimal set, costumes, and props.

The crew consisted of Twitchell as director, Jared Oshel at production assistant and well as set design and construction, Ivy Bailey also helped with set design and construction. Publicity was by Kassie Fugate-Cate.

The cast, in order of appearance: Fairy-Morgan Eaton, Beauty-Kaitlyn Hanks, Sarah/Molly/Jo-Analeise Rupprecht, Tutor/ Janie- Jordyn McGhee, Guard/John-Vladimir Clark, Guard/Sam/Joe-Matthew Eaton, Scribe-Cadence Tuck, Honor-Wendy Monahan, Andres/Nick-Jakob Slinkard, Meg/Patty-Alyssa Shelton, Kelly/Sally-Madalyn Willet, Queen-Natalie Eaton, Mayor/Peter-Raj Gugnani, Jill-Ivy Bailey, Bill/Jimmy-Micah Hunt, Mandy-Alyssa Hunt. Aubrie McGhee was ill Wednesday evening but had practiced as Mary/Cindy in the play.

Business, Fort Scott

18th and National Avenue Building Being Repurposed

August 1, 2018 Loretta George 4 Comments

A blighted building is being repurposed, located at 1801-1805 S. National Avenue.

A new business partnership has been formed between Kale Nelson and Justin Meeks: JK Hold’Em LLC.

Nelson and Meeks have recently purchased the building at the junction of Hwy. 69 and National Avenue for repurposing into offices for themselves.

Nelson will be moving his State Farm Insurance office staff into 1805 S. National and Meeks will be moving his private law practice into 1801 S. National.

The building is about 3,200 square feet.

“My office will be around 1800 square feet,” Nelson said. “Currently I have around 1,200 square feet.”

“Kale and I are committed to this community,” Meeks said. “We are working on a very blighted building. This building needed to be rehabbed. This was a perfect opportunity to take a building and make it better.”

Citizens National Bank ” saw the vision and loaned the money for the rehab,” Meeks said. “Kale presented to BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council), who made a commitment.

The Fort Scott city staff have been instrumental also.

“(Economic Director)Rachel Pruitt, (Tourism Director) Larry Gazaway, (City Manager) Dave Martin and (Community Development Director)Rhonda Dunn have helped. Especially Rachel,” Meeks said.

“It’s been a team effort,” Meeks said.

“There are a lot of exciting things happening in Fort Scott,” Meeks said. “We are excited to be a part.”

Nelson and Meeks are doing the demolition of the building in the evenings and on weekends, after their other jobs.

“We are putting in quite a bit of sweat equity,” Meeks said.

Nelson is a State Farm Insurance Agent and Meeks is the Bourbon County Counselor and in addition, has a private practice.

Meeks has been doing private practice out of his home and also has an office on the square in Girard.

“My plan is to do private practice two to three days a week,” Meeks said. “Estate planning and business transactions. I will do depending on what comes in at Girard, in Crawford County. I’ve had a five-year hiatus. I really enjoy being a county counselor, but I want to keep irons in the fire.”

The general contractor for the project is Nate Lyons, and they will be using local contractors, Meeks said.

The building was constructed in 1925 and had many additions through the years with different uses: a steakhouse, bar, pet store, liquor store, antique store and vapor shop.

“People are stopping by and telling us stories” about the history, Meeks said.

The two businesses hope to be in the building after the first of the year, Meeks said.

Fort Scott, Government

City’s Land Bank Positioned To Put Unproductive Properties to Use

July 31, 2018 Loretta George 3 Comments

Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director with the city.

Rhonda Dunn, Fort Scott’s Community Development Director, has initiated the development of a land bank.

So, what is a Land Bank? Land banks are not financial institutions, according to http://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/LandBankingBasics.pdf

They are public or community-owned entities created for a single purpose: to acquire, manage, maintain, and repurpose vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed properties –the worst abandoned houses, forgotten buildings, and empty lots. There are approximately 75 communities now operating formal land bank programs across the country. And while land banks are most often associated with communities with large-scale blight and abandonment, many communities now see the benefit of implementing land banking as a means of preventing the contagious blight that can sweep across urban neighborhoods like a plague, infecting house after house until whole blocks – even neighborhoods – become empty and abandoned shadows of their former selves.

In early July 2018, the city commission approved the adoption of Ordinance No. 3535 creating a Land Bank for the City of Fort Scott, approving the Land Bank Manager as Rhonda Dunn, and approving the Land Bank Board of Trustees as the five City Commissioners along with a representation of the Bourbon County Board of Commissioners and a representative from Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc.(BCEDI) The expiration terms of the City Commissioners will run consecutively with their term of office. The Bourbon County Commissioner will follow the same term of office.

Following an organizational meeting for the city’s land bank held July 25 at city hall, City Commissioners Jolynne Mitchell was appointed the chairperson, Randy Nichols as vice-chairperson, Cindy Bartlesmeyer as secretary; County Commissioner was appointed Jeff Fischer as treasurer. Steve Buerge is the President of BCEDI and is the member on the board currently but their board can vote and send a different representative if desired, according to city minutes.

The Fort Scott Land Bank Board will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at city hall, before the regularly scheduled city commission meeting, starting in September.

Dunn asked the board to set a budget recommendation of $30,000 to take to the City Commission. Steve Buerge is matching this amount. Her recommendation of $30,000 is for the demolition of three houses, any mowing assessments, and any legal work needed to be completed on deeds, according to the city minutes.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Wine Stroll/Art Walk: A Perfect Evening For Outside Activities

July 30, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

A mild evening provided a backdrop for the Mercy Wine Stroll/Bourbon County Arts Council Art Walk Friday evening on Main Street. Also downtown was the Friday night free concert series, the Lowell Milken Center Poland Reunion and a concert by Blane Howard at the Liberty Theater. Temperatures were in the low 80s, with a pleasant breeze

The Gary Thompson Trio performed Friday evening as part of the art walk and wine stroll.

Carsen Felt leads the community orchestra Friday evening during the wine stroll/art walk in downtown Fort Scott.

A local jewelry artist displays her creations.

Bobbie Kemna, local pottery artist chats with Dave McCord at her booth Friday evening.

Local artist, Jacey Bowen, displays her art at the art stroll.

Bre Martin, a member of the Bourbon County Arts Council, watches Carter Campeau, Ballwin, Mo. color a paage set up for budding artists. The BCAC provides children activities at the art walks they organize.

Vendors line Main Street from 1st to 2nd streets Friday night

The following overview of alcohol vendors who were part of the evening was provided by Mercy Hospital:

.2018 Hit the Bricks Winery, Brewery and Microdistillery Profiles
Aubrey Vineyards (2), 7932 Santa Fe, Overland Park – Karine Hellwig
Aubrey Vineyards™ is a native Kansan family owned and operated winery & vineyard. From south Overland Park, diligent work is helping to revive the wine industry that once flourished here in the 19th century. The small batches of premium, hand-crafted wine capture this native, pioneering spirit. Aubrey Vineyards now invites local wine drinkers to meet modern Midwestern winemaking at its best. The tasting room and store is open daily (Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6 and Sun 12-5) and is located in downtown Overland Park, inside the Vinyl Renaissance & Audio record store. (913) 579-5004.
The Boiler Room Brewhaus (9), 2 S. National Ave., Fort Scott – Barbara Ritter
Fort Scott has a rich history of brewing great beer and has been for many years. At the Boiler Room Brewhaus, we believe that it’s about more than great craft beer, it’s about providing an atmosphere where people can grow closer and strengthen our community. Your local brewery is located in the historic Downtowner Motor Lodge on the corner of Wall St. and National Ave. The building was built in the 1950’s and looks brand new. We have several beers that rotate through the tap room, most are named after our farm animals or tractors. We would love for you to visit our microbrewery and become a part of our community. The Boiler Room Brewhaus is owned and operated by the Ritter’s who live on a little farm in Garland, Kansas.
Flustered Blonde Vineyard and Winery (5), 17064 Ness Road, Parsons – Kim Bogner
Flustered Blonde Vineyard and Winery is an established farm winery owned and operated by Kim & Tim Bogner, located in Parsons Kansas, a small rural southeast Kansas community. Our premium wines are blended to capture the distinctive flavors of the grapes to produce a pleasurable wine tasting experience. The tasting room is open to the public Saturdays from noon – 6 p.m. and Monday through Friday by appointment. For a private appointment, call (620) 605-8485 or (620) 820-1704.
Fossil Springs Winery (1), 20171 W. 327th St., Paola – Mark and Christina Allison
Fossil Springs is located atop giant limestone, on a farm in Miami County, Kansas. Through the years, underground springs have carved their paths into these stones, exposing fossils that were deposited centuries ago. One of the things the owners Mark and Christina Allison do on their farm is raising elderberries for their wine. The Elderberry wine is made with 100 percent elderberries, no other fruit is added. The wine is uniquely rich in flavor, aroma, and color.
Haven Pointe Winery (6), 961 E 1600 Rd, Baldwin City – Tom Holland
Located in southeast Douglas County, Haven Pointe Winery reflects the spirit of the Kaw River Valley – rustic, natural and bold. Our mission is to provide a truly unique experience that brings together great wine, good folks, and hands-on viticultural and enological knowledge. Haven Pointe Winery produces both red and white French-American hybrid varietal wines. Our estate-grown varietals include Chambourcin and Traminette. We also make fruit wine as well as a variety of meads. Each of our wines features Kansas-grown grapes, fruits and/or honey.
Ornery Brother Distilling and Milo Vodka (8), Kinsley – Tim Kyle
Ornery Brother Distilling was born out of Tim Kyle’s passion to develop a unique product from white sorghum grain. Over the past two years, he has done just that! The business model is simple: There is one guy and this solid grassroots Kansas product: Milo Vodka! Distilled, bottled, boxed, and out of his door to yours with pride & humility! He believes in using and reusing what is available and simplifying production, with integrity given to the “process”. It is Gluten Free & no sugar added!
Smoky Hill Vineyard and Winery (3), 2771 Centennial Road, Salina – Ken Mayfield
We capture originality for that one-of-a-kind, unique blend crafted to please every palette. We have 5 award winning wines in our collection: Sweet Lady, River Valley Red, Pink Catawba, Christmas Wine and Red Raspberry. We’ve been producing world-class wines indicative of our region of central Kansas since 1991. (785) 825-8466.
TJ’s Brew Microdistillery (7), 17064 Ness Road, Parsons – Tim Bogner
TJ’s Brew is a handcrafted spirit fashioned by a Southeast Kansas farmer. You can trace TJ’s brewing ancestry back through the moonshine swappers in the prohibition, all the way to his great-great-grandfather who sailed from Germany to America with grapevines in hand. Today TJ aims to make his mark on the industry with a collection of fine spirits. The tasting room is open to the public Saturdays from noon – 6 p.m. and Monday through Friday by appointment. For a private appointment, call (620) 605-8485 or (620) 820-1704.
Wine Drizzle (13), Higginsville, MO – Brandy Wisdom, Sales Consultant
Wine Drizzle is a unique wine topping for a variety of food from pancakes and crepes to cream cheese, sponge or vanilla cake, ice cream, oatmeal or your finger. They can be used as flavorful toppings, glazes, and dips too. There are both sweet and savory varieties! All of getting Drizzled’s Custom Wine Drizzles are true wine reduction sauces which means they are non-alcoholic due to the cooking process so anyone can enjoy them straight out of the bottle.

Uncategorized

Bourbon County Commission Agenda July 31

July 30, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

2^nd Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: July 31st, 2018

1^st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2^nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3^rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

10:00-Clint Anderson

10:30-11:30-Justin Meeks-Executive Session- Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with representatives of the body or agency

11:30-11:40-2^nd floor of the Courthouse future use

11:40-12:00-Executive Session-Privileged in the attorney-client relationship

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

2:00-3:00-Sheriff and Corrections 2019 Budget

Justifications for Executive Session:

 Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

 Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

 Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

 Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

 Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

 Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Unpaid Interns Sought At FortScott.Biz

July 30, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

FortScott.Biz is searching for students interested in journalism to do online reporting internships. The focus of the reporting will be school related. The positions are unpaid and for a semester.

Students in Bourbon County who have that interest, a computer from which to work from home, love to take photos and have a digital camera, may apply.

Hours are students choice.

Please send a resume to news@ fortscott.biz by August 27.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Pickleball: Ping Pong on a Tennis Court

July 30, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

The outside pickleball courts are located up the stairs, just north of the water tower at 9th and Burke streets.

It is a cross between tennis and ping pong and was invented in Seattle in 1965.

It’s pickleball.

Played with a short wooden paddle and a whiffle ball, in Fort Scott there are two places to enjoy the sport.

One is indoors at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue, and the other is an outside court at 9th and Burke street, near the water tower. Paddles and balls are available at Buck Run.

The outdoor courts are a first-come, first served basis.

“We are lucky we have two places to play,” Janice Allen, a local player said.

Pickleball is taught as part of the physical education curriculum at Fort Scott Middle School, “And all kinds of kids show up at the water tower to play,” Allen said.

Teams can be found playing at the outside court at 6:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and also at 6 p.m.

At Buck Run, 9 a.m. Monday through Friday people play and also Saturday morning at 8 a.m., she said.

There are four courts at the water tower site.

“You can go and watch,” Allen said. “We have a good time.”

“I’m 77 years old,” Allen said. “It’s an excellent exercise and social game. And I’ve lost 25 pounds since I started playing a year-and-a-half ago.” The outside court opened in 2017.

The pickleball court is two-thirds the size of a tennis court, scoring is like for ping pong, serving is underhanded and a person can only score while serving. There are four courts at the water tower location.

Submitted photo. Pickleball can be played outside at night as well because of lights at the court.

“You don’t have to go with people,” Allen said. “We’ll rotate you in and out of the game. Someone will help you get started.”

“You need to wear shoes with tread, cross-training shoes, not running or walking shoes,” she said.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Life In A Jar July 28 Downtown Fort Scott

July 28, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is hosting the award-winning Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project author Jack Mayer on Saturday, July 28 in the Liberty Theatre at 10 AM for a presentation followed by a performance of Life in a Jar at 2 PM.

These events happen in conjunction with the 2018 Poland Reunion and are free to the public.

The Liberty Theater Patio was the scene of a reunion for the Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Friday evening.

Bourbon County, Business

Farmer’s Market Tomato Festival July 28 At Skubitz Plaza

July 27, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

Taste the glossy red fruit tomorrow at the farmers market to see which is your favorite!

Tomatoes for sale at Fort Scott Farmers Market.

The annual Fort Scott Farmers Market Tomato Festival is Saturday, July 28 at Skubitz Plaza, starting at 8 a.m.

The public is welcome to bring in their tomatoes for the contest as well, Stacey Atkins, president of the FSFM said.

“People can sample tomatoes and vote for their favorite,” Atkins said. “It’s always fun to sample the produce.”

Vendor Stacey Atkins chats with a customer July 21 at her booth. Atkins sells eggs, baked goods, and lemonade.

Chet and Linda Bower sell produce from their farm.

Linda Murrow changes the billboard of what she sells as she runs out of produce. Murrow sells produce, baked goods, and lemonade.

Mary Yoder sells baked goods, homemade jellies, relishes and cherry tomatoes.

Roman Shetler sells produce, honey, maple syrup, relish and produce.

Ronnie Brown sells nuts, jellies, fruit, produce and baked goods.

Micki Kraft sells homemade sewn products.

Chet Bower shows some of his carrots he grew on his farm.

Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Civil Rights Investigation

July 26, 2018 Loretta George 1 Comment

Fisher Park, located at Main and 7th streets.

An anonymous complaint against USD 234 was filed on June 14, 2016, with the U.S. Department of Education, according to the government education website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/investigations/open-investigations/tix.html?queries%5Bstate%5D=KS.

“There has been a Title IX complaint against the school district,” USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong, said. “There is an investigation currently and the school district is unable to comment more specifically at this time.”

The investigation pending is regarding Title IX Athletics, according to the website.

The Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education works to ensure equal access to education and resolve complaints of discrimination, according to its’ website https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html

In June 2018, City Attorney Bob Farmer was asked by the Fort Scott City Commission to send USD 234 a letter to be sent with the school district’s paperwork on the case to the Office of Civil Rights, according to the city commission minutes of June 19, 2018.

In the letter Farmer sent, the city stated it had no plans to build a clubhouse or dressing room at Fisher Park because there is no funding at this time to do so, according to the minutes.

The city owns Fisher Park and allows the USD 234 to use the facilities there for the FSHS girls softball program, Hessong said.

“The OCR wanted a letter from the city stating that the city has no intention of building at Fisher Park,” City Manager Dave Martin said.

“We have been unable to find out who filed the complaint,” Martin said. “The state will not tell the person who turned them in.”

Hewitt Field at Fisher Park. The FSHS girls softball program uses the facilities in the spring.

Don Hewitt Field at Fisher Park. The ballpark is three blocks north of Fort Scott High School.

Bourbon County, Government

New Gas Line For Uniontown

July 25, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

The city of Uniontown’s Council received a grant to replace the natural gas pipeline in the town.

The Uniontown City Council has been active in recent years to improve the town’s infrastructure.

A project to widen and deepen the town’s ditches to keep water going where it should, a water line replacement project and this year a natural gas line replacement project has been initiated by the council. Uniontown’s population is 272.

The city of Uniontown was awarded $201,000 in 2017 with Community Development Block Grant funds to replace a natural gas transmission line, according to kansascommerce.gov/CivicAlerts.

The city will contribute $201,000 in matching funds for this project.

NPL Foreman Pat Wier, Parker, left, tells USIC employee Mason Adams, Sugar Valley, right, where the pipeline project is, on Tuesday morning. USIC locates electric meters for entities.

The Uniontown project started June 12.

“We are trying to get it done by September 1,” NPL(Northern Pipe Line) Foreman Pat Wier, said. “So far, we are up to date, but we have a lot of work to be done.”

The two-man crew is replacing PVC pipe with PE pipe. The crew is comprised of Wier and Edmundo Rodriguez, Lenexa.

“PE is a federal requirement,” Wier said. “PVC is not recognized anymore. We are laying new pipe in portions of the city where the PVC is.”

The crew worked late into the night on Thursday to get resident Bill Griffith hooked back on to gas after a day spent laying pipe on the town’s southeast side.

“Once started, we couldn’t quit,” Wier said. “There are a few late nights.”

The usual hours for the crew is 7 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Wier said.

Edmundo Rodriguez, left, an NPL employee, chats with Mason Adams, USIC employee during work on the pipeline just south of Nita Campbell’s property Tuesday morning.

Next for the crew is replacing 3,700 feet of two-inch steel pipe south of town.

“That is exposed,” Wier said. “We’ll be replacing and putting pipe underground for safety.”

Recently, a brush mower in this area ran over the steel riser and “caused a pretty good (gas)leak,” Wier said. “That’s why we are doing all this.”

During the FortScott.Biz interview a Kansas Corporation Commission Inspector, Jon Bolinder, turned up at the work site.

Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Pipeline Safety Inspector Jon Bolinder of Topeka stopped by the Uniontown gas line project Tuesday morning.

Bolinder is with the Office of Pipeline Safety for the KCC, he said.

Bolinder said all projects submit a construction notice to KCC. He was on his way to the Coffeyville area and made a stop in Uniontown to view the project.

“We come out and make sure they are following code when installing,” Bolinder said. He also said it helps him “in my head, when I am doing the paperwork on the project.”

The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program allows the Kansas Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community.

To receive CDBG funds, a project must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria, according to the website:

The project benefits low- and moderate-income individuals.
The project removes or prevents slum or blight condition.
The project eliminates an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailable.