The 117th Old Settlers Picnic continues today with a kid’s carnival, lunch, games, and car show.
Here are some moments caught before the parade:
Uniontown’s Old Settlers Picnic Is Today
All posts by Loretta George
Undersheriff Cole Is Leaving Law Enforcement
Ben Cole has been the Undersheriff for Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years.
Before that, he worked at the Fort Scott Police Department for five years.
He is leaving law enforcement on September 8.
As undersheriff, Cole was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the department, reviewing all criminal reports, assisting with investigations, and supervising 16 personnel including deputies and support staff.
His colleagues are the best part of the job for Cole.
“The people that worked for me,” he said. “They have always been so supportive, easy to work with, and ALWAYS willing to go above and beyond to help grow this department. I will for sure miss them all. I have had the pleasure of meeting several great sheriffs across the state at different conferences and so not seeing them or being able to pick their brains, or being involved in the law enforcement activities, I will miss that as well.”
“Law enforcement has changed so much in the last 15 years and the challenge has always been keeping up with new laws and new ways to solve crimes that take place within our community,” he said. “And keeping staff, as no one wants to get into law enforcement because of the way society is and what they see on TV. And sometimes the pay is not worth the risk that we all take in law enforcement.”
Cole will continue coaching golf.
“I am going to continue to be the assistant golf coach at Fort Scott Community College,” he said. “I will find something else to do to keep me busy, but for now just going to relax and play more golf.”
Cole’s official last day will be September 15.
“My last day in the office will be September 8th but will still be available to the newly appointed undersheriff for questions up and until the 15th,” he said.
Kevin Davidson was promoted from detective to undersheriff, he said.
Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening of Maker Space: A Place to Enhance Artistic Talents
The Bowman family of eight live in the Museum of Creativity at 102 S. National.
Jonathon and Lorina Bowman moved to Fort Scott with their six kids and started a venture called the Museum of Creativity which offers games, crafts, Barbie exhibits, legos, model trains, and more for youth and all ages. They live on the top floor of the multi-story building.
There is also a retail store on-site with ready-to-make craft kits and all kinds of “fun items,” Lorina said.
Today, August 31, there will be a grand opening and ribbon cutting for a Maker Space in the museum at 5:30 p.m.
“One of our main goals has always been to provide more opportunities for all ages to get creative by learning new skills and enhancing each individual’s talents,” Lorinda said.
“We know how frustrating it can be to take over the dining room table to get crafty,” she said. “Using our space minimizes that need and allows the table to be used for its intended purpose.”
Cost for using the Maker Space will be included in the museum entrance fee which is $2/child and $1/adult.
Parents are asked to please stay in the space with their children.
“The main wall will have a large array of craft supplies and tools ready to be put to good use,” she said. “To assist in future purchases of materials so we can keep everything stocked up, we will have a donation jar for anyone who wants to contribute to that cause.”
“For your convenience, we will also have a wall with a variety of preassembled craft kits (in all different skill levels) for sale,” she said. “After purchasing a kit, you can choose to use our room to create it or if you have what you need to complete it at home, you can grab it to go.”
“Please join us in our ribbon cutting where we will finally open this space up for all to use,” she said. “All guests will get a tour of the possibilities this room can provide. This event will be free but please let us know if you are planning to attend!”
“We will have refreshments available,” she said. “The Chamber of Commerce will begin the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
Our featured projects for the evening will be to make bracelets and sensory bottles.”
For more info:
[email protected]
Or text – 209-204-9743Ribon Or follow them on their Facebook page.
Or text – 209-204-9743Ribon Or follow them on their Facebook page.
View their Facebook page for a lemonade fundraiser for children with cancer and another event called September Service Stretch.
Maker Space Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Museum of Creativity
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the evening ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the grand opening of the new Maker Space, according to a press release from the chamber.
Remarks and the cutting of the ribbon will take place at 5:30 p.m. while guests are welcome to come and go from 5 to 8 p.m., according to the press release.
Refreshments will be available along with craft kits to purchase. Featured projects for the evening will be bracelets and sensory bottles to assemble for those interested.
HBCAT Grant: Tiny Greens and Herbs
This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The Heathly Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Tiny Greens and Herbs, LLC, is a new microgreens business
which will open in September.
Tiny Greens and Herbs will provide Bourbon County families and
community members with convenient, year-round access to locally grown, nutrient packed greens and herbs, according to owner Cherri Walrod.
“This start-up business produces sustainably-grown microgreens which are tiny, immature vegetable and herb plants that are packed with up to 40 times more nutrients than their full-grown counterparts,” she said.
Phytonutrients, also called phytochemicals or antioxidants, are compounds produced by plants that provide health benefits to the body. Along with phytonutrients (antioxidants), microgreens are loaded with vitamins, minerals, flavorful, easy to prepare and
fun to eat, according to Walrod.
Walrod moved to Fort Scott in July 2023 from Eudora, KS.
Or connect on the Facebook page Tiny Greens and Herbs LLC.
HBCAT Grant: Bee Better Health Club
This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The Heathly Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The BEE Better Health Club owner, Wesley DeHaven started his business on June 19, 2023.
“I started a health club because I recognized how much diet and exercise can benefit one’s life in a positive manner,” DeHaven said.
“I provide group fitness classes for all ranging from 1st graders all the way up to seniors within the community, nutrition coaching, and affordable personal training services.”
He is currently in the process of getting multiple certificates from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
He currently has the club at 2542 Hackberry Rd. Fort Scott, with plans to build closer to town in the future.
“The grant money will used to install electrical, plumbing, and bracing in the walls for various types of equipment,” he said.
Contact info:
Facebook: @The BEE Better Health Club Instagram: @beebetter.hc
Email: [email protected]
Phone #: (620) 644-8150
HBCAT Grant: Brickstreet Barbecue
This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
The Heathly Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Brickstreet Barbecue, owned by Carissa and Alex Bowman, has received a grant from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
The Bowmans opened Brickstreet in May 2023.
“We wanted an opportunity to bring barbecue food to the community,” Carissa said. “We provide great barbecue. We employ about 40 people.”
The restaurant is located at 3 W. Oak St. Fort Scott just off North National Avenue. Contact info 620-224-2425.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday except Friday and Saturday, when they are open until 9 p.m.
“We will be using this grant money to help cover a portion of the cost of our smoker and kitchen equipment,” she said.
Agenda for the Bo Co Commission On August 28
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
August 28, 2023 5:30 p.m.
Attachments:
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute followed by Prayer
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 8/21/23 and 8/24/23
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $336,998.21
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $401,487.67
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
New in Riverfront Park: Labyrinth In Memory of Allen Warren
The Belltown Trail in Riverfront Park continues to be popular, even though Fort Scott is under a heat advisory, according to Jerry Witt. “Many exercise enthusiasts continue to walk the trail under the shade of the tree lined path.”
“A lot of people use the park,” he said.
Witt is chairman of a board called the Riverfront Authority that has been improving the park on North National Avenue in Fort Scott since 2005.
There is a new addition to the park added this summer.
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation awarded a $1,500 grant to construct a labyrinth path, according to Witt. A labyrinth concrete pad has been completed next to the west side of the half-mile Belltown Trail. A labyrinth is a complex and circuitous path that leads from a beginning point to a center.
“It was Allen Warren’s idea to construct a labyrinth path in Riverfront Park,” he said. “He met with his Methodist minister, Christopher Eshelman, and Riverfront staff to talk about the possibilities of this being placed in Riverfront Park. But before the final plans were in place, Allen passed away.”
For the many hours of volunteer labor and use of his tractor equipment donated to the park construction, Witt decided to go ahead with the project and dedicate the labyrinth to Allen’s memory.
“The 24 ft. by 24 ft. concrete pad structure can be used by citizens to walk it’s path for meditation or just as a playful path for exercise,” Witt said. ” A plaque to honor Allen will be placed by the structure.”
History of Riverfront Park
The park began as an outshoot of a town wide visioning event in 2005, when citizens wanted to develop the Marmaton River as an asset to the community.
“Dean Mann saw the vision of a riverfront park and he was the original chairman, until he retired several years ago,” Witt said.
The Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority was formed in April 2007, with approval from then Kansas Governor Sebelius.
Their mission was to purchase and develop land along the river to create a park and they also created a master plan.
“We had to have property owners buy in to the vision of the park,” Witt said. “Most donated land to the Riverfront Park.” That process took years.
Since then the following has been put in the park: a lighted walkway, parking spaces, an observation deck at rivers edge, a pavilion and a loop drive on the south side of the river which goes under Hwy. 69.
Local artist Stephan Toal has beautified the inside of the underpass with historical murals.
The Fort Scott Garden Club has planted and maintained a flower garden on the south side, with the Fort Scott Fire Department watering it. The City of Fort Scott put in a facility in the southwest part of the trail for people to fill their water bottles.
“The city has plans to build a walkway from the north side of the bridge to the Bell Town Trail, probably this fall,” Witt said.
Paul Ballou, who works for the city helps maintain the park and does “a great job,” Witt said.
The park has been used for weddings, business meetings on nice days, car shows and many other events..
“There will be a festival in the park on Sept. 30,” Witt said. “It will be all day and feature Bluegass music and a car show.”
To reserve the pavilion, one must call the city offices at 223-0550.
Current members of the Riverfront Authority board: Penny Barnes, Dan Magee, Bob Love, Arnold Schofield, Jeff Sweetser and Witt. Mann remains an ex-officio member, and Kate Sweetser is a part of the group as well, Witt said.
New FS Educators: Self and Forkner
This is part of a series featuring the new teachers at Fort Scott’s School District.
There are 20 new teachers this year.
Karen Self, 56, is a new English teacher at Fort Scott High School.
“As a child we had a basement that had a chalkboard and desks that we purchased from the three-room grade school that had closed its doors in our rural neighborhood,” she said. “Mrs. Green…. my 5th grade teacher, let me choose anything I wanted from the pile of going-to-be-thrown-away textbooks. I took those books home and devoured them. I played teacher…for hours at a time, reading and exploring these old textbooks and trying to get my siblings to play along. Today, I am taking that next step into my childhood dream.
Creating an atmosphere of safety and peace when chaos abounds, like so many incredible educators did for me throughout my school years, is a passion for me.”
“I have substituted in USD 234 in the last few years, but most of my experience comes from raising, nurturing and advocating for my children,” Self said. “I also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care for 6 years.”
For her education she attended Missouri Southern State University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Butler County Community College, and finished her secondary education degree taking night classes at Newman University, Wichita.
She has 10 children ranging from 16-35 years of age and 6 grandchildren, 6 months to 13 years of age.
In her spare time she loves to read and write, among other interests.
“I am fascinated by British TV, British accents and London,” she said. “For the last decade I have explored writing and hope to one day write a book about the beautiful life lived by my lovely daughter, P.J., who succumbed to the ravages of muscular dystrophy and left this earth in 2011. My favorite pastime of all time is spending time with my children and grandchildren.”
“I love that moment when the look of confusion or frustration on a student’s face is replaced with the ‘aha’ delight of catching the inspiration of learning something for the first time,” she said.
Julie Forkner, is a new Fort Scott Preschool Interventionist.
She earned a BS in Elementary Education and Early Childhood and has taught for 38 years.
“I enjoy small children and building relationships with families and helping shape the future and making a positive difference in kid’s life’s!” she said. She also enjoys getting to know other teachers, too.
A challenge for her will be starting in a new district and a new environment and learning how things work, she said.
She has two children: a daughter, Mandy married to Steven, is a Kindergarten teacher in Exeter, MO. She has two grandchildren: Kaylor, 5-years-old and Kruz, 1 1/2. Her son Austin is a professional motocross racer in Murrieta CA. and will get married in October to Rylee.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her grandkids, traveling, watching her son race.
Her hometown is Moundville, MO.
Gordon Parks Museum Receives Arts and Culture Grant by the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas
Fort Scott, Kan. Aug.24, 2023 – An Arts and Culture grant through the Community Foundation of
Southeast Kansas helped support the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration. The annual celebration
will be held October 5 -7, 2023 in Fort Scott, Kansas.
“We are very thankful to be part of this grant. This is our 20th year of the Annual Gordon Parks
Celebration and we are excited to celebrate the upcoming three days full of wonderful events
with everyone. The celebration is a great way to honor Gordon Parks legacy.” said Kirk Sharp,
Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Museum. “
The celebration is in honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and
filmmaker. The celebration will feature several events to include presentations, special events, tours,
music performance, barbeque and a celebration tribute dinner for the presentation of The Choice of
Weapons Award established in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the celebration. The schedule of
events is available at the Gordon Parks Museum or online at gordonparkscenter.org and on our
facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fsccGPmuseum/. This event is for everyone and open to
the public.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas hosts individual charitable funds created by donors
who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people
throughout Southeast Kansas and beyond. Call the Foundation at 620-231-8897 with questions about
the Community Foundation. www.southeastkansas.org.
###
Contact Name: Kirk Sharp FOR IMMEDIATE
Phone: 620-223-2700, ext. 5850 RELEASE
Email: [email protected]
Website: gordonparkscenter.org
Transportation Service Is An Option For All Bourbon County Starting August 28
In recent months, a coalition headquartered in Fort Scott has been working to address transportation needs for all Bourbon County, including rural residents.
A service to meet these needs will start August 28 and is called BB-Go Transportation.
“BB-Go Transportation is an affordable option, $1 donation is suggested, but not required,” Rachel Carpenter, the lead in the Local Health Equity Team (LHEAT), said. That entity is under the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team umbrella, whose office is at 104 N. National Avenue.
“There is no restrictions on riders,” Scott Christiansen, Transportation Director at Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, said. “This is tax payer funded so there are no age or income restrictions.”
“The donations offsets what KDOT reimburses us for the service,” Christiansen said.
BB-GO Transportation will service anyone in Bourbon County on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the operation hours of 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The LHEAT partnered with Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, Inc. to expand their transportation program to Bourbon County.
To schedule a ride, call 620-724-6350.
The rides are are a first come, first served basis.
To have the best selection of times, schedule 1 to 7 days in advance.
Same-day rides given are based on availability.
BB-GO Transportation will be wheelchair accessible.
Drivers will be certified with the Kansas Department of Transportation and will meet all training and safety requirements.
The funding is through federal, state and local funds.
“The Federal Transit Administration and Kansas Department of Transportation 5311 Grant supplies 70% of the operating costs, and 30% comes from local matching funds from the Local Healthy Equity Action Team (LHEAT) grant through Kansas University Medical Center’s Communities Organizing to Promote Equity program, Peerless Products, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, and Community Christian Church,” she said.
Jody Hoener is the Southeast Kansas Regional Community Lead for LHEAT.
“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s coalition Local Health Equity Action Team has been developing both upstream and downstream approaches to address the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in Bourbon County,” Carpenter said.
This service adds options for those without a car.
“Currently, there is only one option for public transportation in the county that services the City of Fort Scott,” Carpenter said.
The cost of this transportation service can hinder people from social activities, medical appointments, jobs, dining and education, she said.
New WBE Principal: Tracy Smith
After 38 years in the Uniontown School District, Tracy Smith, will serve as part-time West Bourbon Elementary School principal for this school year.
“I have been in education for 44 years and retired twice, but now one more year,” he said.
Smith is teaming with Anita Lightcup in principal duty-sharing.
“I’ll be on duty Monday, Tuesday and alternating Wednesdays,” he said. “Anita will be alternating Wednesday, Thursday and, Friday.”
Smith earned a Bachelor of Science from Ottawa University and a
Masters in Administration, from Pittsburg State University.
For him the greatest part of the job “is mentoring, helping and developing kids, teens, children in general to become good, productive members of our communities.”
“In comparison to ‘what it was like’ when I was a kid, or even a beginning teacher…it is a much different society….It is imperative that we create a loving, supportive environment where positive growth can happen. So, being aware of every child’s needs as they come into my building is my #1 priority, and then, I problem solve.”
Vance Eden is the Superintendent of the school district. Robert Onelio is the new principal at Uniontown Jr/Sr High School.
There are 10 new teachers in the district.