All posts by Loretta George

Business, Fort Scott

National Avenue Christmas Lights Contest

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Businesses and homes along National Avenue are encouraged to decorate for the holidays with a lighting contest. Pictured is Eclectica at National Avenue and Wall Street.

A Christmas lighting contest for businesses and homes along Fort Scott’s National Avenue is on.

“It’s open to anyone with a National Avenue address, both commercial and residential,” said Rhonda Dunn, an organizer of the contest.

“No rules,” she said. “The group I got together wanted it to be fun and about the community, not winning the prize. We are looking forward to seeing what we get.”

The contest will be judged by Al Niece on Friday, December 8.  His business, Niece Products,  will supply a monetary prize for the winner, Dunn said.

“They can contact me with any questions or just do it,” Dunn said.

She can be reached at 620-224-1186.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Christmas In The Park Dec. 2

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Christmas In The Park is an event that will entertain your family with beautiful lights, a chili feed, a visit with Santa,  craft-making for the children, and gift card giveaways, ALL FOR FREE, according to Diana Mitchell, a member of the organizing committee.

Gunn Park will be closed November 30 through December 3 because of the community event.

Thursday, November 30 will be set up and decorate day for the weekend event.

Friday, December 1 will be a private showing of the park for Moonlight and Mistletoe participants of the Homes for the Holidays Tour. Tickets can be purchased from the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center 231 E. Wall Street for $35 including the weekend homes tours.

The public event will start at 5 p.m. Saturday, December 2.  December 3 is the takedown and clean up day.

Mitchell, Todd Farrell, and Tom Robertson are the committee that is spearheading the event. For more information about the event, contact Robertson at Buck Run Community Center, 620-223-0386.

All the picnic shelter houses in the park will be lighted, and the road lined with 1500 luminaries. Because of the luminaries, there will be no walk-in or drive-through visitors allowed that evening. Transportation is provided in buses and vans picked up at nearby designated parking lots.

Shelter No. 3 will be a place for families come for photograph opportunities. The stone shelter will be warmed with fireplaces, trees, and lights for use as a background in photos. Families supply their own cameras.

Also at Shelter No. 3, there will be a gift card giveaway signup.

“Only one winner per household, but everyone can sign up,” Mitchell said. The downtown Fort Scott merchant gift cards range from $30 to $150, and one need not be present to win.

Shelter No. 5 will be a chili supper cooked up by the Fort Scott Fire Department.

Between Shelter No. 3 and No. 5 Bethel Community Church will be performing a live nativity scene.

At Shelter No. 6, children can visit with Santa Claus.

Shelter No. 7 will be a place for children to decorate cookies and make other take-home crafts.

Parking for the event will be located at the Mercy Clinic on Horton Street, the Fort Scott Community College Nursing Department on Burke Street and the Professional Building at Burke and 8th Street.

All vehicles must park in the designated parking lots, for safety reasons.

“Please don’t park in front of peoples houses, use these parking lots,” Mitchell said. “At those lots, people will be picked up in buses and vans.”

“We can drop off people at different shelters. We will transfer you around to see all the park for your fun and enjoyment,” she said.

Mitchell encourages everyone to be patient.

“It could be a little wait, but be patient,” Mitchell said. “Enjoy a free, fun family evening.”

The event is run by volunteers from the FS Fire Department and Police Department, Fort Scott Community College athletes, and Fort Scott Kiwanis. Larry Gazaway is providing the music throughout the park and Rhonda Dunn is organizing the transportation piece.

Two businesses are decorating shelters, Todd and I are decorating the others,” Mitchell said.

“If you haven’t been to Christmas In The Park, it’s amazing,” Mitchell said. “It’s a beautiful park, but when it’s decorated, it’s spectacular.”

“Enjoy a wonderful time of year, without a penny in your pocket,” she said.

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Price Chopper To Open Soon

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Wednesday afternoon the Price Chopper Fort Scott has an empty parking lot, but soon the lot will be full of shoppers cars.

December 6 is the date for the opening of  Price Chopper Fort Scott, the city’s newest grocery store as 2322 S. Main.

“December 6 is their goal,”  Rhonda Dunn, Fort Scott’s Community Development Director, said.

“It’s a beautiful place,” Dunn said. “They are putting groceries on the shelves. They are making a plan for a grand opening.”

Barry Queen is the owner/operator of Price Chopper Fort Scott.

To view more about Price Chopper Fort Scott, click below:

Price Chopper to open for the holidays

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Eclectica Opens At National And Wall

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Becky Cowlishaw opened her store Eclectica on Oct.1 at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street. The shops hours can be seen on her entry door.

Becky Cowlishaw loves to buy and sell items, and she like auctions.

“Years ago I managed the Kress Tea Room and Pie Pantry from 2007-2008  and then the Village Shops,” she said.

“I’ve collected for a long time.”

On Oct. 1, Cowlishaw opened her shop she calls Eclectica by Rebecca Kaye at 2 S. National Avenue.

In this shop can be found antiques, home decor, jewelry, collectibles and some $1 items, she said.

Johnny Walker, John Cowlishaw, Josh Jones, Linda Wilson, Matt Lybarger, Vonda Ngigi, and John Walters also bring items to sell on consignment in her store.

“I don’t operate by booth space and I’m not looking for more consigners,” she said.

Cowlishaw believes her specialty is staging merchandise or decorative design.

“I really like making the colors come together, using odds and ends and making it work,” she said.

Cowlishaw has another passion.

In addition to Eclectica, Cowlishaw purchased the old First Christian Church, at 101 S. Judson, and renamed it Bethesda Christian House of Mercy.

She is the senior pastor at the church, while her son Jerrod Cowlishaw is the associate pastor.

“I live at Bethesda and soon will open a women’s ministry,” she said.

Cowlishaw can be reached by phone at 620-215-3158.

Pictured are some current items in Electica.

Submitted, Uncategorized

Think Safety as Christmas Lights Help Keep Holidays Bright

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Submitted story

As Thanksgiving leftovers are packed into the refrigerator, talk of Christmas decorating starts to fill the air. Awareness can help ensure that holiday lights and decorations are installed and operated safely. Westar Energy offers the following tips.

Lighting safety

Before using strands of lights or other decorations, check them for signs of damage, paying special attention to electrical cords. Signs of wear or fraying cords mean that lights may be unsafe and should be replaced.

Consider replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs. New LED bulbs use less energy and produce less heat than their older counterparts.

Avoid overload

Don’t overload power outlets by stringing together too many strands of lights or plugging too many into a single outlet. Lighting packages may say how many strands can be safely combined. Using surge strips with built-in circuit breakers can also protect against overload.

Outdoor decoration safety

Before raising a ladder, climbing a tree or securing an inflatable, look up for nearby powerlines. If climbing onto tree limbs, make sure the extra weight will not cause limbs to contact power lines. Contact with overhead power lines can severely injure or kill someone.

Be sure that lights, decorations and extension cords used outdoors are designed for outside use, which may include exposure to wet weather. Cords with surge protectors are recommended.

Ensure that lights are fastened securely. Avoid stringing lights on metal decorations or fences that could become charged, creating the risk of electric shock.

As Kansas’ largest electric utility, Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) provides customers the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes. We have 7,800 MW of electric generation capacity that includes renewables and traditional power sources with half the electricity supplied to our more than 700,000 customers from emissions-free sources: nuclear, wind and solar, with a third coming from renewables. We are a leader in electric transmission in Kansas coordinating a network of lines and substations that supports one of the largest consolidations of wind energy in the nation. Our employees live, volunteer and work in the communities we serve. 

For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.WestarEnergy.com. Westar Energy is on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/westarenergy and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/WestarEnergy.

 

Fort Scott

Fall Extravaganza Photos

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Shoppers descended on Fort Scott Middle School November 20 for the VIP Fall Extravaganza annual fundraising event which benefits students.

“Our 9th annual Fall Extravaganza went very well,” said Stephanie George, VIP president. ” We made $1,400 (in vendor booth rental). Overall, vendors seemed pleased with the turnout. I saw lots of customers with shopping bags and baked goods, so hopefully they were able to get a lot of their holiday gifts and treats taken care of at our event.”

Shoppers visit booths at the VIP Fall Extravaganza at Fort Scott Middle School Monday evening.
Betsy Reichard, The Lavender Patch.
Sue Reinecke, Locust Hill Lamanchas, visits with a customer about her goat’s milk products.
Serious shopping.
Unique homemade gifts.
Stacey Atkins tells about her assortment of jellies, jams, and marmalades.
Local authors Joyce Love and Carol Russell display their books.
Jason Tourtillott shows one of his Tourtillot Creations.
Redbud Nursery’s fresh pine trees and wreaths created a Christmas smell and ambiance to the event.
Georgia Brown of Sunshine Boutique visits with customers during Fall Extravaganza.
Rochelle Casner tells customers about SeneGence products.
Area News, Bourbon County

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Nov. 21

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The Bourbon County Commission meets on the second floor of the courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue at 9 a.m. Tuesdays.

1st District is Lynne Oharah, 2nd District-Jeff Fischer,  3rd District-Nick Ruhl, County Clerk-Kendell Mason.

Here is the agenda for the meeting November 21, 2017

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

9:45-10:15-Commissioners consider and take action on any and all questions or issues which may arise regarding the law enforcement project.

10:30-Solid Waste Resolution

11:00-Justin Meeks

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

1:45-Carla Nemecek-Extension Update

2:00-Clint Anderson-Counter and Flooring

2:30-Employee Handbook

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

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Free Dance Lessons

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Submitted photo and story.

Free 1800s dance lessons will be taught on Saturday, December 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Grand Hall on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

“The city of Fort Scott is hosting a number of holiday events this day as well as the  Candlelight Tour on Friday and Saturday evening at Fort Scott National Historic Site so come spend the day in Fort Scott,” said Dee Young, organizer of the dance lessons, and volunteer at the fort.

“Come join us for some fun and exercise while we learn some new dances and practice some old ones. For the beginner as well as anyone who just loves dancing 1800s period dances. Street clothes are fine. No partner is needed. If you care not to dance just come and enjoy watching. See you on December 2!”

The lessons are taught by volunteers at the fort.

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Robotic Milking Comes To Foster Dairy

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Braving the dropping temperatures, around 250 visitors took advantage of the Foster Dairy Farm Open House Saturday.

The Foster family was showcasing their transition from milking their cows in a 12-cow parlor to milking them robotically.  Since September 2016 their cows have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week access to being voluntarily milked.

“An interesting fact is the Kansas Department of Agriculture gave me statistics adjusted for 2017 about our farm,” David Foster said.

“The Bourbon County dairy industry has a direct economic benefit effect to our county of $11.5 million and provides 25 jobs,” Foster said. “The dairy industry provides 1.2 percent of the gross revenues for the county. We are doing quite a bit from our little farm.”

Lynda and Gary Foster and their eldest son David and his wife, Addi Foster are the owners of the dairy farm located southwest of Fort Scott at 1037 Hwy. 39.

In addition to tours of the facility, a meal was provided tour attendees, along with door prizes. Sponsors helping with the tour were Producer’s Cooperative of Girard who cooked the burgers, brats and hot dogs that were served, DFA/Midwest Dairy, UMB Bank, Seneca Dairy Supply, Uniontown FFA, Fort Scott FFA  and Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.

A sign on the wall in the robot milking room tells of the productivity of Foster Dairy for one day and one cow. The majority of their milk goes to a Hiland Dairy processing plant.
The robot arm cleans the teat cups with heated steam, followed by a short rinse with water. The milk is suctioned off to a nearby container, where it is analyzed for milk production and quality, cow health and cow activity.
David Foster tells about the robots that feed, milk the cows and analyze the milk product. Foster is the fourth generation on this family farm, southwest of Fort Scott in the Hiattville area.
David Foster speaks to a tour group in the robotics room at Foster Dairy Saturday during its open house. The robots that store and analyze the milk are behind Foster. In between these robots, the cattle come in voluntarily and are milked by a robotic arm.
Some of the Foster Dairy cows lie down in a sand-bedded stall in a barn, while others come to greet the people who came to the open house at the Foster Farm Saturday.
David Foster, a dairyman along with his wife, Addi, and his parents, Lynda and Gary Foster, gave  tours  Saturday during the Foster Dairy Farm Open House.
David Foster tells about the different feeds given to his herd of dairy cattle, during one of the tours. Whole cottonseed is the commodity in this barn.
Farm visitor Gabby George has a handful of the whole cottonseed that is part of a mix of ingredients available to the cattle  24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Each calf has its own shelter to protect from the elements.
Farm tour visitors Gunner and Gabby George enjoy getting the attention of a calf.

See more about the Foster Dairy on its Facebook page.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Walking/Biking Benefits Presented Along With Plans For Sidewalks/Trails

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The Fort Scott sidewalk plan.

Walking or biking instead of driving a vehicle is a quality of life issue, according to information from representatives of the PedNet Coalition, Columbia, Mo. and the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.

The two cited benefits in a non-motorized transportation plan report presented to the Fort Scott City Commission and then the Uniontown City Council Tuesday evening.

Other benefits cited by Abby St. George, PedNet technical assistant officer, are improved health and health care costs, reduced transportation costs and boosting economic development.

  St. George and Jody Hoener, Mercy Clinic Quality and Community Benefit Liaison, presented the report.
Half of the children who live within one-half mile, a 10-minute walk or less from school, are driven, according to Safe Routes to School
National Partnership, and presented in the report to the City of Fort Scott.
Here is an excerpt from the report:
“Many adult residents are also making trips in their automobiles that could be made by foot or bicycle. For example, of trips that are less than one mile, over two-thirds are taken by private automobile (League of American Bicyclists, 2010). The automobile is a wonderful device that allows us to travel to destinations our great-grandparents may have never thought possible, but its overuse, especially for short distances, is leading to severe health consequences.
Obesity truly has become an epidemic in the United States,” according to the report.
Summarizing the Fort Scott  Non-Motorized Transportation Plan improvement costs: sidewalk priority projects are estimated to be $1,731,842; U.S. Hwy 69 Trail Priority Project -$1,964,444; on-street priority projects -$330,300; with total costs estimated to be  $4,026,586.
Uniontown’s Non-Motorized Transportation Plan is basically one sidewalk that leads from the two schools to the convenience store.
Costs for an ADA accessible sidewalk from the schools on the east side of Uniontown to Union Station convenience store on the west side of town are estimated to be just over $50,000.
Crosswalk improvements for the sidewalk are estimated to be $44,000, with a total cost of the recommendations-$97,420.
A grant through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas allowed The City of Fort Scott and The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team to develop a Fort Scott Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s goal is to, “engage key stakeholders in areas where our community members spend most of their time–where they eat, work and play. The focus on physical activity, healthy eating, and tobacco cessation directly affect outcomes of our identified community health needs, ”according to the report.
The governing bodies will now need to find funding avenues for the recommended non-motorized transportation projects, but PedNet provided them with four and one-half pages of federal, state,  local, non-profit and private funding opportunities.
St. George noted that with the plans completed, it could add points to a grant application.
To see the breakdown and details of the recommendations:

Fort Scott Costs