All posts by Loretta George

Opinion, Submitted

Obesity – America’s Arch Enemy Number One

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The Uniontown School District just won a $100K Fitness Center from Jake Steinfeld’s National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, the following is an editorial submitted by Steinfeld.

 

Obesity – America’s Arch Enemy Number One 

By Jake Steinfeld

 

Opioid abuse is a hot political topic this year.  The opioid epidemic has become a public health emergency.  Opioids killed more than 42,000 people in 2016 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  This number is terrible and need to be eradicated.  But let me give you one more number that is mind blowing – 2.8 million.  That’s the number of people who die  annually from obesity related diseases.

 

Obesity accounts for more than 1 in 5 American deaths alone. In fact, today, more than 70 percent of adults are considered overweight or obese.  More than one in three American kids and teens are considered overweight or obese, making them five times more likely to become obese or overweight adults.  Ramping up the severity of obesity is the fact that it’s linked to 60 chronic diseases including cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease and the estimated healthcare costs in the United States is between $147 billion to $210 billion annually.

 

There is no disputing the growing dangers of opioid deaths and the fact that stricter laws are needed to fight this issue. There is also no disputing the need to fight obesity as well.  However, there is a difference –  obesity is preventable by making a few simple changes including diet and exercise. Exercise serves as an anti-depressant and when you exercise you feel better about yourself, you build your confidence as well as your self-esteem. And when you feel good about you, you are less likely to abuse your body.

 

I wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of exercise. I know from personal experience how important it can be in turning a life around. As a kid, I was overweight with a bad stutter and zero confidence.   At 13, my dad bought me a set of weights, and it changed my life forever.   Not only did the weights build my body, but it boosted my confidence and self-esteem. It made me a firm believer in its power. By adding physical activity into your daily life, you’ll find that it positively changes your perspective on everything. It gets your blood flowing, which helps you concentrate, improves your performance at school, and keeps you both mentally and physically fit.

 

I’ve been helping people get fit for more than 40 years but realized I needed to do more. To make a real difference, we need to focus on our children.  So, to help motivate kids across the country to get fit and to inspire them to move each day, I created the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC).  Since its inception, NFGFC has delivered DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers to elementary and middle schools to 24 states and this year we’ll be delivering fitness centers to Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and Tennessee. Our fitness centers is financed through public/private partnerships. In short, they don’t rely on a single taxpayer dollar or government funding.

 

Since we began dedicating these fitness centers to schools throughout the US, the response from students, teachers and the communities we’ve visited has been unbelievable.  Kids are excited about working out and being physically active. The benefits gained through exercise are undeniable.  I’ve always said that when you give the schools the tools, amazing things will happen…and they are happening!

 

There is no reason that obesity levels in this country should be at an all-time high.  By introducing kids to physical exercise, we can reduce childhood obesity numbers significantly while helping fight a host of other issues including drug addiction.

 

Our children are our most precious resource, and when our kids are strong, the future of our country will be strong!

 

 

Jake Steinfeld serves as the Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, which supports state councils by providing fitness centers to schools across our nation. Visit www.natgovfit.org for more information.

 

 

PO Box 340692

Sacramento, CA 95835

916-213-5230

 

 

 

 

 

Area News

St. Martin’s Academy Open House

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The main building of St. Martin’s Academy, Theokotos Hall,  is currently under construction.

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St. Martin’s Academy, a  newly developed boys Catholic boarding school,  hosted an open house  Saturday on the campus at 1950 Indian Road, rural Fort Scott.
The campus is currently under construction.
“Our goal was to introduce the academy, its campus, and some of its staff both to local residents interested in the new project, potential supporters of our academic and cultural vision, and the families of prospective students,” Patrick Whelan, the academy’s headmaster said.
The torrential downpour on Saturday did not deter interested people.
Attendees of St. Martin’s Academy Open House, braved rain and mud while attending the event. Here the last attendees of the open house leave the main hall of the school which is still under construction.
“Despite the terrible weather in the morning, at its busiest, we had about 80 people present with some coming from as far away as Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, and Texas,” Whelan said. ” Many of the folks who attended were from local areas including Fort Scott, Pittsburg, and Kansas City, and many of those in attendance were families interested in sending a son to St. Martin’s Academy. “
The open house program began with Catholic Mass celebrated by the school’s chaplain, Fr. Bob McElwee, followed by a welcome and introduction from Daniel Kerr, the academy’s president, and Whalen.
Courtesy photo. Father McElwee speaks to attendees of the open house during Mass.
  Visitors participated in a round-robin of presentations from the faculty and staff of St. Martin’s Academy, including presentations on academics, residential life, farming, faith, and campus development.
“After lunch those interested participated in a hike through the campus that included feeding the animals, walking the woodland obstacle course, and visiting our ‘base camp’ in the woods,” Whelan said.
Following a break, visitors and local interested residents met in the lobby of the Courtland Hotel, downtown Fort Scott,  for the third, public St. Martin’s Academy Faculty Lecture, he said.
 “In a warm setting, with food and drink provided by the academy, Ron ‘Magister’ Klassen delivered a talk entitled The Joy of Learning Latin,” Whelan said.
For more information, click here to view a prior story:
Fort Scott

Sirens Today

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The sirens that went off about 12:45 p.m.today (May 21) were because city crews were working on some equipment, accidentally setting them off, said a city employee.

Karen Gazaway, a clerk with the City of Fort Scott, said she spoke with Fire Chief Paul Ballou, who said there was “nothing for anyone to be worried about.”

Ballou said some city employees were working on equipment when the siren went off.

Bourbon County, Schools

FSCC Graduation Commencement 2018

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Family and friends of Associate of General Studies and Associate of Science degree graduates wait patiently for the noon ceremony to begin Friday. An overflow crowd watched from the lobby area.

Fort Scott Community College held two graduations  May 18, with approximately 200 students receiving associates degrees.

Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, and Certificate students had a commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. and Associate of General Studies and Associate of Science students at noon in the Ellis Fine Arts building.

Three outstanding individuals were recognized for their work over the years.

FSCC recognized John M. Laflen, class of 1956, Dawn M. Reed, class of 2002, and Shelbie Hutchinson, class of 2018.

Laflen and  Reed were recognized as this year’s Outstanding Alumni and Hutchinson was recognized as this year’s Outstanding Sophomore.

Dawn Reed, the 2018 FSCC Outstanding Young Alumna. Courtesy photo.
John Laflen, Ph.D., the 2018 Outstanding Alumnus. Courtesy photo.

The banquet for Outstanding Alumni was held between graduations at 10:30 a.m. at the center.

Outstanding FSCC Sophomore Shelby Hutchison visits with a former Christian Learning Center teacher, Deanne Bloesser, prior to commencement in the lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center.
Students chat as they are lined up prior to entering the Ellis Fine Arts Center auditorium for commencement.
Faculty of FSCC prepare to line up to enter the auditorium at the Ellis Fine Arts Center Friday.
FSCC students enter the auditorium of the Ellis Fine Arts Center for commencement ceremonies.
Shelby Hutchison, FSCC 2018 Outstanding Sophomore gives her commencement speech.
Jerry Laflen, filling in for his brother John Laflen, Ph.D., gives a commencement speech during the noon graduation ceremony. John Laflen was unable to attend because of health issues. Laflen is the 2018 Outstanding Alumnus.
Some students decorated their graduation hats for the commencement ceremony.
Bourbon County

Circus!

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The big top structure is set up by workers Thursday morning in preparation for the Carson and Barnes Circus this evening (May 18).

The Carson and Barnes Circus will show its last performance this evening, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton.

Tickets at the door are $20 for adults and $12 for children under 12 years old.

The show is sponsored by The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

One llama watches his pen mate get a haircut, Thursday morning in preparation for the circus.
Trisa Bolden and her granddaughter Adrianna Garcia talk to the horse at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds Thursday morning.
Ashley Roozbahan holds daughter Lydia, while daughter Madelyn watches the elephants at the circus grounds Thursday morning. Also watching the elephants is Adrianna Garcia, held by her grandmother Trisa Bolden.
Bourbon County, Kansas, Schools

Uniontown School District Receives $100,000 Grant For Fitness Center

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USD 235 staff and students who worked on the grant application for the fitness equipment for the district: front, from left: Betty Dennis, school nurse; Rhonda Hoener, school counselor; and Tara Gorman, teacher. Back row, from left: Vance Eden, teacher; Kolby Martinez, Zach Franklin and Cade Goodridge, students; Bret Howard, superintendent; Mark Calvin, high school principal and Tyler Jackman, elementary school principal. They are in the proposed room for the community fitness center, the junior high/high school library.

West Bourbon Elementary School Principal Tyler Jackman received an email from the Kansas Department of Education in late winter about an opportunity to provide a fitness center in the school district.

He got the green light from Superintendent Bret Howard to apply for the grant and enlisted the help of other district employees.

“The application process was simple,” Jackman said. “They wanted to know what equipment we had, what condition it was in.”

Teacher Vance Eden created a video of the need in the district and interviewed several employees.  Click below to view the video:

The grant application was due April 6, and on May 16 they received notice that the district received a $100,000 grant.

Governor Jeff Colyer and Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, announced three Kansas schools that were selected to each receive a DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center.

The multi-million-dollar physical fitness campaign named Lincoln Elementary School in Fredonia, Jardine Middle School in Topeka and Uniontown USD 235 in Uniontown as the state’s most outstanding schools for demonstrating leadership in getting and keeping their students fit.

“We are excited, this will be a great asset to our community,” Jackman said. “The community will have access.”

Tyler Jackman stands in the access door to the proposed community fitness room. The room is the former library of the junior high/high school, that is currently housing the USD 235 Board of Education. The outside access door is near the southeast corner of the room, which leads to the south parking lot of the school.

 The proposed site for the fitness center is the former school library at the junior high school, which is being underutilized, Jackman said.

Installation begins this summer and a public ribbon cutting will take place in early September, Howard said.

School starts in the district on August 30 this year, he said.

National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils State of Kansas DON’T QUIT! Campaign initial requirements:

  • The school must be a public or public charter school.
  • The majority of students must be between the ages of 8-13 years old.
  • The school must have a preexisting room on the school’s property that is available for equipment installation during the summer of 2018.
  • The room must be approximately 900-1500 square feet.

  • The proposed fitness center will be in the junior high wing of USD 235 campus.
Area News, Submitted

Adin and Wilma Leach 60th Anniversary

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Adin and Wilma Leach celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary April 28, 2018, at Barto’s in Frontenac with family and friends.

They were married April 26, 1958, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, Kansas.

Pictured are the five daughters of the couple. Their son, Alan, died three years ago of brain cancer.

From left: Mimi Turner, Ottawa, KS; Alison Leach, Fort Scott; Angie Plaisance, Peachtree City, GA; Wilma, Adin; Amy Stephens, Independence; and DeeDee O’Malley, Independence.

Bourbon County

Let The Fun Begin

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Riverfront Park Pavilion is open to the public.

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee attendees joined in the ribbon cutting Thursday morning.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees were part of the ribbon cutting celebration at Riverfront Park Thursday morning.

The ribbon cutting was to officially open the new pavilion for public use.

The park is slowly but surely being improved under the leadership of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board.

Beginning in 2005, the board became official in 2007 when Governor Sebelius created the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board to oversee the revitalization of the park.

Since then several trails have been created in the park with help from the Kansas Wildlife and Parks along with the city and county.

The trails are well used because of all the shade provided by the established trees in the park, Jerry Witt, president of the board, said.

Now the covered pavilion has been built for public use.

The pavilion has electricity and is already scheduled for a wedding in September, Jerry Witt, president of the board said.

The next improvement to the park is a lookout structure to be built at the confluence of the Marmaton River and Mill Creek, which should be completed this year, Witt said.

The Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board Members from left: Allen Warren, Arnold Schofield, Danny Magee, Jerry Witt, Dean Mann and Betty Boyko. Not pictured are Penny Barnes, Bob Love and Jeff Sweetser.

Free meal and entertainment this evening (May 17)

Tonight the Riverfront Authority Board is hosting a free hot dog dinner to the public at 6 p.m.

“Price Chopper donated the hot dogs, buns and chips and everything to go along with that,” Allen Warren, a board member said.

At 6:30 p.m. local musicians Jason Richison and Kinley Rice, along with a country western band will perform at the pavilion.

Residents are asked to bring lawn chairs.

Parking will be at the  Twister Trailer  parking lot across the street from the park on North National Avenue, just past the red bridge.

Handicapped individuals may park in Riverfront Park.

For more information, click here:

Riverfront Park Pavillion Coming Spring 2018

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Munitions Gives Customer Appreciation Day June 2

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Good Ol’ Days weekend, May 31 -June 2 Fort Scott Munitions is celebrating BIG.

“We are involved in Good Ol’ Days, plus we have our Customer Appreciation Day,” Robbie Forrester, president of Fort Scott Munitions said.

A car show, free hamburgers, raffles, giveaways and in addition the whole store will have discounted items ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent off the regular price.

Fort Scott Munitions is a United States distributor of lead-free rifle and handgun ammunition and the store is located at 523 E. Wall, just off the Hwy. 69 ramp.

The Second Annual Car and  Bike Show will be June 2 at 9 a.m., with the doors opening at 8 a.m.  It is a family-friendly, alcohol-free environment, according to Forrester. Registration is free.
There is a limit of 200 bikes and 200 cars for the show.
Preregistration is available in store and online at www.fortscottmunitions.com
There will be Best of Show cash prizes for both car and bike categories. The prizes are: 1st place $500, 2nd $250, 3rd $100. Winners will be announced at 2:30 p.m.
There will be 1000 Platinum Beef Burgers cooked for customer appreciation day, provided by KW Beef, a local Registered Angus Ranch. The hamburgers will be cooked by representatives of Traeger’s Grills.
A charity 50/50 Raffle for Jordan Karleskint and Carter Collier will be available with the winner announced following the car and bike show winners announcement.
The items in the store are discounted between 10%-50%.
“Everything in the store will be at least 10 percent off,” Forrester said. “There will be a special on Springfield Guns that day.”
“New items we are just coming out with, 357 sig rounds, will be discounted in the store that day,” Dustin Doherty, marketing manager for Fort Scott Munitions said. Also 9 mm nickel-plated and 9 mm TPD plated ammunitions are for sale that day.
There will be giveaways throughout the day, as well.
Special Guests include:
Sheriff David Clarke  (ret.), President of David A. Clarke Enterprises and Spokesman for America First Action;
Kris “Tanto” Pronto and Dave “Boon” Benton, two of the survivor soldiers of Benghazi;
Blue Line Bears (non-profit) – Megan O’Grady;
Got Your Six Coffee Company – Eric Hadley;
Thin Red Line K-9 – Amy and Ted Donaldson.
In the Good Ol’ Days parade on Thursday evening, there will be Hummers, a  race car, and trucks provided by Fort Scott Munitions, and will also include some of their special guests.
Store hours change
As of May 1, store hours have changed at Fort Scott Munitions.
“Most gun stores are closed Monday and Tuesday,” Forrester said. “We’ve expanded hours Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If customers need something Monday and Tuesday, they can call us.”
To contact the store call 620-223-1277.
From left: Dustin Doherty, marketing manager of Fort Scott Munitions; Caleb Osborn, loading manager and Robbie Forrester, president, stand in front of a new display in the store, a mountain lion being brought down by a pair of dogs.
Uncategorized

Educational Tour of Circus Grounds Offered To Local Schools

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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Carson and Barnes Circus would like to announce a special educational opportunity for children of all ages to experience the magic of the circus May 18 and to meet our special animal friends up close and personal. All participating schools are in for a unique circus day adventure.
Participating classes’ (students) will engage in an enchanting tour of our menagerie; plus, an educational program about our Asian Elephants. This is available to all students even if they do not have the opportunity to attend one of our performances. We believe that this is a chance to expose children to a unique culture in a world of wonder.
Your group will be greeted on the circus grounds by one of our staff members and led through our animal menagerie. What an incredible opportunity to learn about magnificent endangered creatures! We also have a special treat in store for the children; a surprise visit from some of our young entertainers who will perform a short skit. We will reveal our newest creatures at the show to all the kids who come back!
This exciting opportunity is available for all students and staff with absolutely no cost to anyone. You provide the transportation to the grounds and we provide the activities. The activities will start at 11:00 a.m. the morning the show arrives. This experience has been a huge success in the past and is always a very exciting and fun adventure for the adults and children. Schools have even brought sack lunches and had a picnic after the tour. Our portion of the event will last about 30 minutes but you are welcome to stay as long as you like and gaze upon the magnificent set up of the circus tent.
If you wish for your school (classroom) to participate in this once in a lifetime event, please provide the requested information below and fax to (580)-326-7466 or email to [email protected]. Once we receive your information we will contact you to confirm your reservation. If you have any question or concerns please feel free to contact our Advance Promotions Coordinator, Kelsey Winship @ 580 326-2233.
NOTE: THIS FORM MUST BE FAXED OR EMAILED IN FOR US TO BE PREPARED FOR YOUR GROUP FIELD TRIP.
REGISTRATION REQUEST:
School Name: ______________________________________________________
Contact Person: ______________________________________________________
Contact Phone Number: ______________________________________________________
Approximate # of Children Attending: ______________________________________________________
Approximate # of Adults Attending: _____________________________________________________________
The City your School Resides In:

Bourbon County

New Pathway

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David Goodyear points to the acres of corn recently planted as part of the AgPath ministry. Goodyear is the coordinator of the project.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing;  does not it spring forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a pathway in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”             Isaiah 43:18-19 from the Holy Bible.

This is the key verse that members of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene (FSCN) chose to begin a new ministry.

The ministry is called Pathways and it is a partnership with other churches and individuals within Bourbon County to reach those who want out of self-destructive life choices.

It started when FSCN members Mike Watson and Jimmie Jones were conversing about the Celebrate Recovery, a group that meets at the church.

“We get these folks in jail, some are ready for something else,” David Goodyear, coordinator of Pathways said. “We’ve tried to help them but they get out unannounced and go back to where they came from. We felt like we were letting them go through the gaps.”

That’s when Pathways was birthed.

“We started last fall…with a vision statement,” Goodyear said. “The church board endorsed it. I became the coordinator.”

The Pathways ministry collaborates with Next Steps, a Local Connections to Success Program that is facilitated weekly by community volunteers, that meets on Monday evenings at the First United Methodist Church.

One of the strategies of Pathways is a work program called AgPath. AgPath is an agricultural project where participants will plant, grow, harvest and market vegetables. It is being developed to help hone teamwork skills and provide some earnings for participants.

They had the vision, they needed the means.

Then God stepped in.

“I went to Jody (Hoener) to ask her to help us write a grant for the program,” Goodyear said. “She said there was a grant out there waiting for an idea. She had us apply. (Then) I went to the committee meeting of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.”

The Pathways AgPath group received $20,000 to help the program get started.

David Goodyear received a grant from Pathways AgPath May 3 from Blue Cross/Blue Shield Pathway to A Healthier Bourbon County.  In the center is Virginia Barnes of BCBS and Jody Hoener of Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.

“We got a new All Terrain Vehicle, planter, tiller, spreader, fertilizer, seed, irrigation equipment and still got a few more (items)to get,” Goodyear said.

“The profit will be shared with others,” Goodyear said. “The Beacon and Feeding Families In His Name.”

Goodyear has started the planting of the acreage, located just off Hwy. 54 near the KOA Campground, with the help of a part-time employee, Malachi Schmidt, Deerfield, Mo.

Malachi Schmidt takes a break while putting up wire in preparation for the tomato planting.

Corn has been planted on the donated acreage on Hwy. 54. Next will be tomatoes, peppers, green beans and squash, he said.

Two to four people from the Next Steps program will help in the process along with volunteers from the community comprised of William James and Francy Schafer, Kevin and Kerry Wunderly,  and Gretchen and David Goodyear.

“We want to work into their lives, to develop kinship,” Goodyear said. “The whole point is to build community.”