All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County, Business

Arby’s Is Coming In September

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A new Arby’s Restaurant will be located at 2101 S. Main Street, the site of the former Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant.

“I’m told by our construction and development team that we are on track to open our new restaurant there in September of this year,” said Fred Fleischner, Corporate Communications Vice President for United States Beef Corporation, doing business as Arby’s, Tulsa, Oklahoma. ” And we can’t wait.”

‘This restaurant will feature Arby’s Inspire design,” Fleischner said.  “The Inspire design increases energy efficiency and delivers an upgraded guest experience. The design also includes authentic features such as wood tones, white brick, subway tiles,  stainless steel finishes, and upgraded lighting and landscaping. We are converting our new restaurant from what was a former KFC/A&W combo restaurant.”

Fleischner said Arby’s can’t share the exact rendering of what the restaurant will look like but the Fort Scott site will be very similar to the Monett, Missouri site, which is featured at the top of the story.

For employment opportunities at US Beef and in Ft. Scott,  go to www.work4arbys.com for more information.

About United States Beef Corporation

United States Beef Corporation, dba Arby’s, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the largest franchisee of Atlanta-based Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., now operating more than 365 restaurants serving Arby’s famous slow roasted beef sandwiches and unique menu items to hungry guests in nine states throughout the Midwest and the Western United States. It is a family-owned and operated business that opened its first Arby’s restaurant in 1969 and has now grown to over 8,000 employees. US Beef also owns six Taco Bueno restaurants in Northwest Arkansas. To learn more about United States Beef Corporation, visit www.usbeefcorp.com.

About Arby’s®

Arby’s, founded in 1964, is the second-largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world with more than 3,400 restaurants in seven countries. The brand is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit Arbys.com

 

 

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

New Keyhole Director

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Bethany Hartford, the new Keyhole director.

Youth Ministries of Bourbon County Inc, known as the Keyhole, has a new director.

Bethany Hartford, 24,  became the director in March 2018.

Hartford has lived in Fort Scott for 14 years and has worked with the youth group at her church, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, for about three years, she said.

She formerly worked at the Common Grounds Coffee Shop and saw a flyer on the bulletin at the shop of the position and applied.

The Keyhole is located at 1002 S. Main, across from Fort Scott High School and targets middle school through high school youth.

“The Keyhole is a place to hang out with friends,” Hartford said.

The Keyhole offers gaming systems, board games, ping pong, pool and an outside basketball hoop, in addition to a concession stand.

But most of all, the ministry hopes to be an encouragement to the youth to be “good members of society and love Jesus,” Director Bethany Hartford said. “I want to lead by example and show you can be a positive person in working with others.”

Caring, adult volunteers are always needed at the Keyhole, Hartford said. The phone number is 620-223-4700.

This month through July 29 from noon to 1 p.m. free sack lunches are available at the site as well.

Thursday the Keyhole hosted the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, with Keyhole board members present.

Board member Ben Workman said the goal of the ministry is to instill Godly principals in the lives of the youth.

The Keyhole Board of Directors listens as Ben Workman, member, shares about the ministry. From left, president Tim Harper, Judy Hood, Workman, Hartford and Dona Bauer. Not pictured are Marge Madison, Kenny Felt, and Ryan Goodbody.
Summer hours of the Keyhole.
The Keyhole is a youth activity center located across from Fort Scott High School.

 

 

Bourbon County, Sheriff's Office

Bourbon County Law Enforcement Now Open

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The new Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, 293 E 20th, Fort Scott.

The Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center has moved to 293 E.  20th Street, Fort Scott from its downtown location adjacent to the courthouse.

The move took place Friday, June 8, according to a press release from Sheriff Bill Martin.

As of Saturday evening, June 9, there were 46 inmates currently housed at the new center, according to Correctional Officer Wynn.

“Inmates that have been housed or assigned in other counties are in the process of being moved to the new facility,” according to the press release from Martin.

All business of the center is now handled at the new facility.

The phone numbers remain the same: for the Sheriff’s Office it is 620-223-1440, for the law enforcement center is it 620-223-2380.

 

Area News

Conard To Be Honored by Polish Government June 10-11

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Norm Conard, the director of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott,  will receive an award in a special ceremony in honor of the 10th anniversary of Irena Sendler’s death.

The recognition is for Conard’s work with Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, which brought Irena Sendler’s name onto the global stage, according to a press release.

The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in Poland along with Taube Philanthropies will present a special award to Conard at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland, on June 11.

The award is presented in the name of Irena Sendler to Polish citizens who ‘preserve Jewish heritage and help renew Jewish culture in Poland.’

Conard is the first non-Polish citizen to receive the award.

“This is about emphasizing the history of the Jewish people in Poland,” Conard said in an interview with fortscott.biz. “Before the war there were 3,000,000 Jews after the war there were 30,000.”

Conard said he would be attending  a dinner Sunday evening with two former presidents of Poland, in addition to the award ceremony.

Following is excerpts from Conards intended speech:

“There are many people who have impacted history, in extraordinary ways. Irena Sendler stands out because of her incredible courage and undying love for children. ‘People caring about others’ was her mantra, understanding the need to ‘repair the world,’ was her motto.

“I salute the Taube Philanthropies and the Ministry of Culture for the Country of Poland, for their wonderful desire to ‘preserve Jewish heritage and to help renew Jewish culture in Poland.’

“Many years ago there was a thriving Jewish life in this country. May that again be the case, as awards like this bring out heritage and history. The two entities involved with this ceremony both believe in the future of the Jewish people in Poland.

“Almost 20 years ago, a project began in Kansas, which would change many lives. It would also lead to a close personal relationship for my students and myself, with Irena Sendler. It was our privilege to travel to Poland and be with Irena on five occasions.

“These times with her would be filled with laughter, with tears, and with a transparency from Irena that would transform everyone in the room. She also would share many, many rich thoughts and wishes. Until her death in 2008, she constantly spoke out for those people who were downtrodden and would say again and again, that we must respect all people, regardless of race, religion or creed.

“As stated many times by Irena, her one regret in life was not being able to rescue more children. She also would want me to say, that these rescues were done by her network of over 25 people, always being humble and giving credit to them. She would always give the names of those in this brave, powerful, and passionate network, who assisted her in the rescue, hiding, and care of these children and adults from the Warsaw Ghetto and the streets of Warsaw.

“… I also stand here representing three high school students in Kansas and many other students and adults who have shared her story with the world.

“For Megan, Liz and Sabrina, I say, ‘Job well done,’ but there is much more in the process of repairing the world. To Bieta, Renata and other child survivors, I say, ‘Your love of sharing Irena’s story has made a tremendous impact on Poland and the world.’ To those presenting this award, I say, ‘Your honoring of courage and valor is so appropriate in our day and time. Her story is needed as much today, as ever before.’

“In the performance of Life in a Jar, there is a line that says, “Irena Sendler was a light, a spiritual light in the darkness. She repaired the world, one child at a time, and made a difference.”

Fort Scott, Schools

Red Ram Motel Gets Repurposed

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The Red Ram Motel on North National Avenue near U.S. Hwy. 54.

Fort Scott Community College closed on the purchase of the Red Ram Motel, 701 N. National Avenue, on May 30, 2018, for $90,000.

“The Patel’s (the former owners of the motel) donated $20,000 to the  FSCC Endowment Fund,”  FSCC President Alysia Johnston said.

The FSCC plan is to repurpose and clean up the property to be used for student housing for the college, according to Johnston. The property will become a part of the campus and therefore tax exempt.

When complete, the new student housing will be called the Greyhound Lodge.

“We are getting a code footprint on it by Ag Engineering (Uniontown), when that is done we will send it to the state and the city,” Johnston said.

Currently, the college is taking bids for cleaning the property of trees and other unwanted items, she said.

“We had at least three people interested in the Red Ram Motel sign,” Johnston said. “Rhonda Dunn (Fort Scott’s Community Development Director) suggested using it for a fundraiser.

There are 21 units at the lodge, with the possibility of 42 students.

Each room will have a small refrigerator and microwave oven.

Students can still purchase a modified meal plan if they will be eating on campus, which is across town to the south of the lodge property.

A two-bedroom apartment on the property will be remodeled for an assistant coach to live in for security and supervision duties, she said.

The current lobby area will be turned into a computer lab.

Behind the lab will be a student laundry facility and behind that will be a student lounge with adjacent student kitchen.

The old swimming pool area will be converted into an outdoor eating area complete with grills, a gazebo, and picnic tables, Johnston said.

“The cost to students will be $300 per month,  which includes everything except food,” Johnston said.

The lodge is expected to be ready for students in mid-August, Johnston said.

“It’s been fun to start the transformation,” Johnston said. “We hope to have a ribbon cutting at some point.”

Uncategorized

Chamber Coffee at The Keyhold Thursday at 8 a.m.

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
coffee_vectors.jpg
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee!

Hosted By
Keyhole Youth Center
 
at Keyhole Youth Center, 1002 S. Main St.
Thursday June 7, 2018
Click here for the Keyhole Youth Center’s Facebook page.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
June 14th – The Lavender Patch Farm
June 21st – BEACON Food Pantry
June 28th – Skitch’s Inc.
July 5th  – No Coffee
Fort Scott

Cornerstone Bible Church Purchases New Property

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Pastor Ben Workman and family stand in front of the newly purchased property of Cornerstone Bible Church, at Lowman and 6th streets in Fort Scott.

Since March 2018 there has been new activity at the long-vacant building at 6th and Lowman streets.

The old medical office building is being transformed into a house of worship by a Southern Baptist Church Plant, Cornerstone Bible Church.

The church is a Southern Baptist Cooperating Church, a part of the Southern Baptist Convention.

“From what I gather, it was a church plant to reach those without a church,” Pastor Ben Workman said.

The church plant was started about eight years ago.

Workman has been the pastor for five years.

“I came here as a single man, got married and have two kids now,” Workman said.

“They took a chance with a young seminary guy.”

The people met in a home for a period, then rented the Old Congregational Church at 502 National Avenue for a few years, he said.

“We loved working with the HPA (Historial Preservation Association) but couldn’t do anything in the building (to modify it) and we had to work around the events they have,” Pastor Workman said.

Presently the church has 16  adult members, average attendance is 25, Workman said.

The church body is in the process of renovating the former office building at 524 S. Lowman into a worship center with the help of the Oklahoma Baptist Association.

“They are doing a mission trip to come here providing labor and some materials for the renovation,” Workman said.

Members of the church will provide meals, hospitality and provide some labor for the reno project, he said.

The project will be June 18-22 at the church site.

The church is having a garage sale Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 to help raise funds for materials for the renovation.

On Saturday, the church will be selling biscuits and gravy for breakfast and a hot dog and chili lunch to help raise funds as well.

The church is having a garage sale to help with renovations to the property on June 8 and 9. They will also be providing a  breakfast and lunch on June 9 as a fundraiser.

 

Bourbon County

Get Rid of Unwanted Meds, Safely, at Walgreens

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Walgreens,  2229 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Bourbon County residents now have access to disposing of unwanted medications in Fort Scott during the local Walgreen Store hours.

This is thanks to a new partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Walgreens.

“Having access to this kiosk (in Walgreen) is a great way for those living in Fort Scott to safely dispose of their unwanted, unused or expired medications — prescription or over-the-counter,” Mary Beth Chamber, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas Corporate Communications Manager said in a press release. ” Properly disposing of medications can lower the incidence of misuse, abuse and accidental poisonings. This is especially important as we face a growing opioid epidemic in Kansas.”

There is no cost for the disposal.

The kiosk in Walgreens Fort Scott is located in the northeast section of the store, near the pharmacy window.

Walgreens Manager Vincent Ratliff shows how to deposit unwanted medicines in the recently installed kiosk at the store.

Accepted items for the kiosk: prescriptions, inhalers, liquids, lotions, pet medications, prescription patches, over-the-counter ointments, creams, aerosol cans, medications, and vitamins.

Instructions on what can be deposited in the unwanted medicine kiosk at Walgreens.

Not accepted are hydrogen peroxide, illicit drugs, needles, and thermometers.

The store hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Hours of the Fort Scott Walgreen’s store on U.S. Hwy. 69.

In addition to Fort Scott Walgreen, the kiosks are available in  Walgreen stores in the following communities: Derby, Dodge City, Hays, Hutchinson, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, and Ottawa.

Since 2016 more than 270 tons of unwanted medications have been collected in the program, according to the press release.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Scenes From Good Ol’ Days June 2

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A street fair view of North Main Saturday morning during the Good Ol’Days, the annual festival for Fort Scott.

A rain overnight cooled things down a little for Saturday’s Good Ol’Days events. The event is in its 37th year.

A street fair stretched from Third Street to Skubitz Plaza, a petting zoo, pony rides, motorcycle, tractor and automobile displays, a baby contest,  the Red Garter Show, a carnival, a turkey calling contest, and lots of other entertainment was offered for the public’s enjoyment.

Boys ages 19 to 24 months strut their stuff in their age division at the annual baby contest held at Memorial Hall Saturday morning.
Maddox and his dad, Matt Glades, enjoy the pony rides.
Even grown-ups enjoyed the petting zoo.
A broad ax demonstration at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
A family enjoys the birds of prey demonstration at the Fort.
Ticks were the subject of a station at the Fort.
Storyteller Steve Otto entertains a group at the Fort Saturday morning.
Two young archers get lessons from the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism employees at the Fort Saturday morning.
Fort Scott Munitions had a marketplace of its own on East Wall at the store location.
A long line waited to enter Fort Scott Munitions store Saturday morning.
A car show was held at the Fort Scott Munitions location Saturday morning.

 

Fort Scott

Scenes From Good Ol’Days June 1

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The Good Ol’Days kicked off Thursday evening with the talent competition and was in full-swing Friday evening.

With temperatures in the 90s and humidity high, the weather did not keep people from the annual event.

Following are photos from theTom Davis Dragoon Run, the parade, the Red Garter Saloon, the marketplace on North Main, the carnival, chicken dinner, and entertainment on Skubitz Plaza.

Have a look to see if you know anyone!

Children get paint tattoos from a vendor on North Main.
Vendors line North Main street Friday from 5-10 p.m.
Chicken Mary’s Chicken was enjoyed by people who had purchased tickets.
Two runners in the Tom Davis Dragoon Run with kids in tow.

The Good Ol’Days parade had over 90 entrants.

The Red Garter Saloon show at the Liberty Theater was a place to cool off and relax following the parade.
Cyrus Barr enjoys a carnival ride at Good Ol’Days Friday evening.
Shades of Blue, a Kansas City band, entertain at Skubitz Plaza Friday evening.

Good Ol’Days continues Saturday with a full day starting at 8 a.m. with the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market at Wall and State streets and continues until the Brent Giddens Band entertains Saturday evening at Skubitz Plaza.