Ben Workman is the new interim director at the Keyhole.
The Keyhole is the first in a series of interviews about the 2018 United Way of Bourbon County grant recipients.
Donations to United Way stay local, according to its brochure, and the organization focusus on education, income and health.
The community is asked to be a part by contributing to employee campaigns at their place of employment, make a one-time donation via email, or donate on-line at http://bit.ly/bourboncountyuw.
Ben Workman is the interim director of the Keyhole, since December 5, 2017.
Workman said the Keyhole is a place to provide Christian-oriented recreation, social and education opportunities for area youth.
“The Keyhole (board) wants the kids in our area to be productive members of society, through Christian values,” Workman said.
“The entertainment side is a draw to the kids,” he said.
“We have goals of youth to respect authority, love each other and love their parents,” Workman said. “That’s the pastor side of me.”
Workman is pastor of Cornerstone Bible Church and also is a current board member of the Keyhole.
Other board members are Dona Bauer, Tim Harper, Judy Hood, Marge Madison, Kenny Felt.
The facility is located across from Fort Scott High School at 1002 S. Main. Phone number is 620-223-4700.
The Keyhole, 1002 S. Main focuses on youth.Hours of the Keyhole.Rental policy of the Keyhole.What the Keyhole offers youth at the facility.
Rental policy of the Keyhole.Hours of the Keyhole.What the Keyhole offers youth at the facility.
More Bourbon County families are getting the food and resources they need to be healthy due to a new collaboration between Mercy Hospital Fort Scott and the Crawford County Health Department, which provides Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to Bourbon County.
In October, the Crawford County Health Department partnered with Mercy to bring WIC counseling services for pregnant women and new mothers to the hospital. Personnel from the health department meet with new and ongoing clients the last Wednesday of every month at the hospital.
Additional clinics are held at Buck Run Community Center the first Tuesday and second and third Thursday of each month.
“Since starting the clinic at Mercy, we have seen the number of participants jump from three in October to 23 in December,” said Linda Timme, MS, RDN, LD, CBE, nutrition services coordinator at Crawford County Health Department. “This validates the significant need for continuing WIC services and other services for families in the Bourbon County area.”
The goal of the partnership between Mercy and the WIC clinic is to ensure families have access to supplemental food, nutritional education and other vital health care and social services.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website, WIC serves 53 percent of all infants born in the United States.
Statistics for Bourbon County demonstrate the importance of offering WIC services to the area residents. For example, the number of babies born at a low-birth-weight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces) is on the upswing, despite the national numbers declining.
Additional research by County Health Ranking and Roadmaps show families in Bourbon County are more likely to have limited access to healthy foods and lack a steady and reliable source for food than families in other areas of the country.
The idea of merging WIC with Mercy originated from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Healthcare Pathways Subcommittee.
“Our focus is to take care of the whole person—including the social determinants of health, said Jody Hoener, LBSW, MBA, Mercy Clinic quality and community benefit liaison. “Before offering the WIC clinic at Mercy, pregnant women at Mercy’s Maternal and Infant Clinic found it difficult to make it to both their prenatal appointment and their WIC appointment due to work schedules and limited time off or finding transportation. We didn’t want these mothers to have to choose between eating healthy food or receiving prenatal care.”
Mercy dietician Sherise Beckham, MS, RD, LD, hopes the collaboration will help moms by connecting them to services in one location.
“We’re hoping Mercy can provide a one-stop-shop for mothers to access great obstetric care, prenatal/postnatal education and all the resources WIC has to offer them,” Beckham said. “Many of the mothers we see in the maternal and infant clinic also participate in WIC so it seemed a natural fit to begin a working relationship between WIC and Mercy. As a dietitian, I hope this will help eliminate barriers for these mothers to access nutrition education. I hope this collaboration will reinforce the importance a healthy diet and lifestyle is for them and their children.”
WIC’s target population is low-income, nutritionally at-risk pregnant women, breastfeeding women, non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants, and children up to their 5th birthday.
For more information about the monthly WIC clinic at Mercy, contact Jody Hoener at 620-223-7029.
Gina Shelton, president of United Way of Bourbon County speaks to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Thursday during its weekly coffee.
The United Way of Bourbon County kicked off its campaign at the Jan. 25 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, which was hosted by Mercy Hospital.
Gina Shelton, president of the local United Way Board, said the best way to help in the fundraising is a payroll deduction.
She said the cost of a purchased soft drink, $1 if it was payroll deducted by many people, would help the agency meet its 2018 Campaign goal of $50,000.
The agency helps these entities in the county:
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition Board provides rental and utility payment assistance and provides family season passes to the Fort Scott Aquatic Center. Telephone: 620-223-5946
Bourbon County Senior Citizens provides Meals On Wheels to the elderly, general transportation and distributes commodities. 620-223-0750
Bourbon County 4-H Fair provides the annual fair and collaborates with the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce on special events, as well as partners with Fort Scott Community College for parking during the annual rodeo. 620-547-2571
Kansas Legal Services provides legal representation to obtain restraining orders, provides advice on custody and child support and coordinates services with Safehouse and others. 620-232-1330
Keyhole Youth Center provides youth with games, TV, pool tables, ping pong and regular parties and get-togethers. The facility is located across from the Fort Scott High School. 620-223-4700
Mother to Mother Ministries helps women build friendships across economic barriers as well as self-esteem and parenting skills. Diapers, baby supplies, and food to mothers in need are also provided. 620-224-0809 or 620-215-0924.
Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance Hospitality Fund assists transients in their travel through the area by providing gas, food, bus transportation, rooms and auto repairs, as well as meet other physical needs of Bourbon County residents. 620-223-3862
Southeast Kansas Respite Service provides people to come into the home to give caregivers a break. Also provided are cleaning services, errands, and transportation services. 620-421-6550 Ext. 1642
Tri-Valley Developmental Services provides employment and retirement services, residential services and horticultural Therapy Programs. 620-431-7401
The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas provides financial aid with assistive technology and medical equipment and assistance with selecting the technology, along with specialized seating systems for wheelchair users. 316-688-1888
Members of the United Way Board of Directors are Shelton, president; Dee Anne Miller, vice-president; Alene Jolly/Jodi Johnson, secretary; Devin Tally, treasurer; Jessica Werner; Vickie Chaplin; Amanda Lancaster; Mitzi Davis; Mert Barrows: Cindy Bowman; and Charli Bolinger.
New Vegetables to Try in 2018 by Krista Harding, District Agriculture Extension Agent, Southwind District. Call 620-244-3826, cell: 620-496-8786
Each year, the All-America Selections (AAS) tests and introduces new flowers and vegetables to home gardeners. These plants have proven themselves to do well in trials across North America. The AAS winner label is like a stamp of approval.
The vegetable descriptions were taken from All-American Selections material.
Corn, Sweet American Dream – with its excellent germination, very tender, super sweet kernels, this newbie will make a great addition to the home garden. American Dream matures slightly earlier than the comparisons and produces vigorous, healthy plants with cobs that have good tip fill of bi-colored kernels. Plants grow 6-7 feet tall and mature in 77 days after planting the seeds. It is perfect fresh, roasted, grilled, canned or frozen.
Pak Choi, Asian Delight F1 – Asian Delight F1 Pak Choi (or Bok Choy) is a Chinese Cabbage that outperformed the comparisons by leaps and bounds. This Pak Choi did not bolt like the comparisons, even weeks after other varieties went to seed. That means the yield from this AAS winner can be double or even higher than that of other Pak Choi on the market. Asian Delight forms small to mid-size heads that have a tasty, tender white rib and dark green, textured leaves.
Pepper cayenne, Red Ember F1 – this pepper winner won judges over by being earlier to mature than the comparison varieties. Red Ember produces a large number of rounded end fruits on durable, medium-sized plants. Judges described the thick-walled fruits as spicy, but tastier than the traditional cayenne, with just enough pungency for interest.
Pepper habanero, Roulette F1 – Routlette F1 resembles a traditional habanero pepper in every way (fruit shape, size and color, and plant type) with one exception – NO HEAT! The fruits are red with thick walls at maturity and have a nice citrusy (no heat) habanero flavor. This pepper is an early producer of large, uniform fruit and a very high yield.
Tomato, cocktail Red Racer F1 – this cocktail size tomato produces small, uniform fruits with a great taste. Cocktail tomatoes have a good sweet/acid balance and are a smaller variety tomato (although larger than cherry or grape tomatoes). These tomatoes are uniform in size and mature as a cluster of fruit. The compact determinate plants produced a huge yield 7-10 earlier than the comparisons. They are ideal for small spaces and container gardens. It is available in both organic and conventional seeds.
Tomato, Valentine F1 – hands down, the judges agreed this was the most appealing grape tomato they trialed. It has a deep red color and a very sweet taste. It held on the vine longer without cracking or losing the excellent eating quality. This tomato was quite prolific and matured earlier than the comparisons used for this entry. Valentine F1 is an indeterminate vine so it should be staked for best results. Tomato lovers will appreciate the sweet, firm flesh that is meaty enough to resemble a Roma tomato but in a smaller, grape-type fruit.
I will cover the 2018 AAS flowers in my next column. For a complete description of the 2018 All America Selections, visit www.all-americaselections.org.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at 620-244-3826 or kharding@ksu.edu.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, February 1st, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider a zoning change for the property more commonly known as 1907 S. Horton and 1920 S. Huntington. After the zoning part of the meeting, the Planning Commission will review the proposed Comprehensive Plan. This meeting is open to the public.
Stay Strong, Stay Health Strength Training Class for Older Adults at Buck Run Community Center 8:30 am620-223-3720.
26-27
Livestock Sale, Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., 10 am
26
FSHS FR/JV/V Basketball VS Girard (Homecoming) 4:30pm -9:30pm
27
FSHS JV Wrestling Tournament at FS High School Gym 9:00am – 3:30pm
27
Jack & Jill Scottish Doubles Pool Tournament at Holmtown Pub 11am – 4pm. Proceeds o Care to Share
27
FSCC Hounds Women’s Basketball VS Labette 2:00 pm
27
FSCC Hounds Men’s Basketball VS Labette 4:00 pm
29
Celebrate Kansas Day with your Local Kansas owned Businesses! Visit a participating Chamber member retailer wearing a Sunflower or the word Kansas on your apparel to receive 10% off of your purchase.
**Participating businesses will have a
sunflower placed in the front of their store and include: Bids & Dibs, Common Ground Coffee Co., Country Cupboard, Courtland Hotel & Spa, Iron Star Antiques & Such, J&W Sports Shop, Main Street Gallery & Gifts, Papa Don’s Pizza, Shirt Shack, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Sunshine Boutique and Trader Dave’s.
30
SEK Day on the Hill. A breakfast with legislators from 7:30 am to 9:30 am in Topeka.
30
Westar will be at the Fort Scott Area Chamber LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program)Application Assistance 9am-3pm
*Please bring utility account numbers, proof of income & SS# for all members of the household.
30
Kiwanis Meeting- FSCC Heritage Room- 12 pm
30
Story Time: Snow -Featuring the ever-popular cotton ball “snowball” fight – 10 am – 11:00 am – Fort Scott Public Library – Enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and snacks -Downstairs event room.
31
Story Time: Snow – Featuring the popular cotton ball “snowball” fight. 10 am – 11:00 am – Fort Scott Public Library – Enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and snacks -Downstairs event room.
31
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church – 12:00pm -1:00pm
Feb 1
Chamber Coffee hosted by Liberty Theatre /Crooner’s Lounge, 117 S. Main St.
2/1 -3/31
New Face, New Neighbors – Fort Scott National Historic Site Art Exhibit.
Kids will create textile works of art that encompass the change of Fort Scott NHS throughout its history.
1
Kiwanis Pioneer Club – FSCC Heritage Room -12pm- 12:00pm -1:00pm
1
Gordon Parks Museum presents “When Freedom Changed America”
Guest speaker: John Edgar Tidwell, Professor at KU and a member of the Kansas Humanities Council’s Speaker’s Series. 12 pm – 1 pm at the Gordon Parks Museum on FSCC campus. (This is the MLK Day program that was previously scheduled for January and rescheduled due to weather)
1
Thursday Card Players, Buck Run Community Center, 6-9pm
Fort Scott National Historic Site located off North Main Street, downtown.
Do you like art and history?
Come to Fort Scott National Historic Site (NHS) and learn the history of the site as told by art that was created by youth from across the United States and throughout the world.
The art exhibit, titled “New Faces, New Neighbors”, will consist of 60 different pieces of textiles.
The exhibit will be on display from Thursday, February 1 through Saturday, March 31, 2018. It will be located on the second floor of the Infantry Barracks Museum in the hallway next to the theater.
“New Faces, New Neighbors” is a theme that has resonated throughout the history of Fort Scott. Soldiers and American Indians found themselves as new neighbors and had to face many challenges and adaptions along the way. During the Bleeding Kansas era, conflict evolved among neighbors, as the topic of slavery became an issue that divided the town of Fort Scott and Kansas Territory. During the Civil War, Fort Scott saw new faces as American Indians and African Americans enlisted to fight for the Union Army. In addition, Fort Scott became a place of refuge for many people of diverse backgrounds. Caring for these refugees provided an opportunity for the town’s residents to work together for a common cause. After the Civil War, more new neighbors came to Fort Scott with the railroads as the town transformed into a regional trade center. This story of settlement and resettlement, promises made and broken, dreams built and shattered, and facing challenges with new neighbors can all be seen through the creative minds of youth in the “New Faces, New Neighbors” art exhibit. We welcome you to come join us and explore this amazing story of Fort Scott.
In order to create this wonderful art exhibit, Fort Scott NHS has collaborated with the International Fiber Collaborative (IFC), INC. based out of Topeka, KS. The IFC is a nonprofit organization that works to create deeper learning experiences through art and cross-curricular themed-based programs. The IFC also promotes programs designed to link arts to science, math, engineering, and the humanities. For information, a schedule of events and other projects associated with the IFC can be found at https://ifcprojects.com.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 National Park Service areas and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
Thursday morning Chris Yoder and sons Melvin, Willard, and Joseph work on the roof of the house at 1311 S. National. The Yoder family was hired by Diana Mitchell to stabilize the structure which is being rehabilitated as a fundraiser for a multi-sensory playground.
Craig Campbell, with the Good Neighbor Action Team, is seeking volunteers to clean up a property.
The house, at 1311 S. Main, is a being totally rehabilitated, then it will be sold as a fundraiser to help provide a multi-sensory playground for the community, Campbell said.
“Groups are invited to bring shovels, buckets, gloves, hard-soled shoes and protective eyewear to pick up the debris and put it in the dumpster,” he said. “It’s loosely organized, you don’t have to schedule to put up the debris and put it in the dumpster.”
“Be careful of the roofing debris,” Campbell said.
Campbell spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee attendees during the announcement portion.
The dumpster is provided by Kevin “Skitch” Allen, Campbell said.
Allen purchased the Hester Rolloff business including the dumpsters being used, Allen said in a later interview.
Currently, the house is being stabilized and the roof being replaced, according to Chris Yoder, Devon, who along with his three sons have been working on the house the last week.
Diana Mitchell is spearheading this Youth Activities Team project, the rehabilitation of the house. The GNAT is helping with the volunteer clean-up of the project.
Deborah Lee Hawkins, age 66, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Thursday, January 25, 2018, at her home.
She was born January 7, 1952, in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Roy Cameron and Dorothy Tilton Cameron. She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1970. She married Gene Hawkins on June 9, 1979, at Ft. Scott.
In earlier years, she worked in the printing and insurance business. She later attended Ft. Scott Community College School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She was then employed by the Nevada Regional Medical Center for several years. She loved gardening and tending to her flowers. She also enjoyed watching the wildlife around her rural home.
Survivors include her husband, Gene, of the home and two daughters, Amanda Hawkins (Steve Copsey), of Nevada, Missouri and Jennifer Hawkins, of Ft. Scott and two grandchildren, Ethan and Kinley. Also, surviving are two brothers, Mark Cameron of Kansas City, Missouri and Garry Cameron of Great Falls, Montana. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Joan Higgins and Ann Greenway and a brother, Charles Cameron.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 30 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Chapel Grove Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
