Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue, is the site for a baby shower Oct. 30 for new mothers.
New and/or expectant mothers are invited to the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department baby shower from noon to 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 at Buck Run Community Center’s gym.
Food, gifts, and prizes will be given out to the mothers attending the event.
Prizes to give away are a breast pump, a pack and play crib, and car seats, according to Alice Maffett, public nurse in the Bourbon County Health Department.
Gift bags for each participant and free health care resource materials will also be available.
In addition, healthy snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Kayla Tinsley, Mercy RN will speak about the hospital’s High 5 Program and the benefits of breastfeeding. Sergeant Tim Harper with the Fort Scott Police Department will speak on child passenger safety, and Accent Dental Clinic will present valuable information on the importance of oral hygiene during pregnancy during the event, said Angie Reinking, Outreach Specialist with United Healthcare Community Plan.
For more information contact the health department at 620-223-4464.
The event is provided by the SEK Multi-County Health Department, United Health Care Community Plan, and Mercy Hospital.
The view from Second Street looking northwest into Bridal Veil Park.
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin is seeking input from the community on what to do with Bridal Veil Park.
The park is located just west of the Marmaton River on Second Street on the west side of town.
It is a low-lying area encompassed by an attractive, low rock fence on the south.
History of the park
Three concrete picnic tables, a pavilion, and numerous large tree stumps, with a meandering dirt road, are all that’s left of an area that was at first two community swimming pools, one for girls, one for boys.
“It began as Napp’s Park in the 1880s,” Fred Campbell, a local historian said. “It had a large artesian water well in the southeast corner of the park, 40 yards from the entrance. It flowed mineral water. As the water shot up about 20-30 feet from the spring, it looked like a bridal veil.”
Three concrete picnic tables that have survived since the 1930s at Bridal Veil Park.
In 1936, the Works Progress Administration of the federal government built a new community swimming pool at the current site on Main Street, said Don Miller, a local Fort Scott historian.
“At that point, the (Bridal Veil Park) swimming pools were turned over to the African-American community,” Miller said. “Segregation was the law until 1954.”
After desegregation became law the swimming pools were filled in, Miller said.
In 1986, a flood swept away the brick shelter house at the site, he said.
The current pavilion at Bridal Veil Park. The original brick one was destroyed during the flood of 1986.
“After that, it was used for a hang-out place,” Miller said. “There was a lot of illegal activities going on.”
Keep or sell the property?
Fast forward to 2017.
Martin said there is still “suspicious activity” for the Fort Scott Police Department to investigate at that location and it floods easily because of its location near the Marmaton River.
The cost of maintaining the park is approximately $5,000 to $10,000 a year, Martin said.
“Taking care of that park, is it a vision for the future of our city?,” Martin asked in an interview with FortScott.biz.
“There is a vision to have a hookup between Gunn Park and Riverfront Park in the long-term,” Martin said. “We will try to keep an easement for that,” Martin said.
The vegetation overgrowth prevents a view of the Marmaton River, on the east edge of Bridal Veil Park.
Input requested by November 21
“I’m wanting input from the community between now and November 21,” Martin said. “I talked to people who feel it would not be a good idea to sell the land.”
At the November 21 city commission meeting, a decision will likely be made, he said.
Emails can be sent to [email protected] or call Martin on his cell phone at 620-644-2498.
“I think it will be good for the city to sell the property,” Miller said. “But save the picnic tables. Those were built by the WPA, they have historical value.”
North Main Street in downtown Fort Scott Thursday afternoon. October 21 is the 3rd Saturday Downtown Market Place when this street will be lined with vendors.
Last month a collaboration of Fort Scott Farmer’s Market, Chamber of Commerce, city personnel and downtown merchants led to the first ever 3rd Saturday Fort Scott Marketplace.
The September event went well, according to Lindsay Madison, executive director of the chamber.
Tomorrow the North Main section of the downtown area will once again be cordoned off for vendors. This will be the last marketplace this year.
“This is the second one,” Madison said. “The plan is to set it up for May to October next year. Which is when Fort Scott Farmer’s Market is open.”
Fresh produce vendors, downtown merchants, and other organizations will take advantage of the warm weather to sell their wares from 8 a.m. to noon.
Papa Don’s Pizza, 10 N. Main will take its turn doing “Breakfast on the Bricks,” which is the breakfast offering each farmer’s market day. On the menu are breakfast pizza, cinnamon rolls, coffee, and juice.
Breakfast on the Bricks gets its name from the brick Main Street in Fort Scott.
Downtown merchants The Iron Star and J & W Sportshop will be open early for the event.
A free spinal screening will be offered by Hartman Spine and Joint.
Other vendors will be Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries, and Gold Canyon Decor, to name a few.
Continuing from last month, city golf carts will be available to transport people or purchases to their cars, say, for instance, produce vendor Ronnie Brown’s pumpkins.
One of the goals of the chamber is to boost the benefit of the downtown stores and farmer’s market, Madison said.
October 28 will be the last Fort Scott Farmer’s Market for 2017.
Fort Wise Pumpkin Patch will be a hub of activity, this weekend.
Two races and a Fort Scott organization’s social gathering are on the agenda.
The seasonal business has been in operation since 2015 and is owned by Chad and Melissa Wise.
Since the couple opened Fort Wise Pumpkin Company, they have geared up for each weekend in October when they open their property to the public for family fall activities.
Activities such as pumpkin chunking, a corn maze, a corn pit, an obstacle course, a slide, and a hayride on an army truck are available at this fort. Food, pumpkins and Stewart’s Mums can be purchased as well. The large mums are $10 until sold out.
The entry fee to Fort Wise is $5 person, with kids under two-years-old, free.
Fort Wise is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sundays in October.
Patriotic 5K/1 mile fun run
This weekend, there will be a 5k/1 mile competition to benefit Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization that puts live wreaths on the graves of military veterans in December each year, to honor those who served in the military.
This is of interest to the couple because Chad Wise just retired from military service in May 2017.
The local group of this organization is hosting a Wreath Ride Patriot Pumpkin 5K/1 Mile Fun Run at Fort Wise for Saturday, October 21. Registration is at 8 a.m. Costumes are requested. The 5K run starts at 9 a.m. with the one-mile fun run starting at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded at 10:30 a.m. Preregistration for the event is $20 for the fun run and $30 for the 5K. The day of the race, each race registration fee will increase $5.
The runners/walkers will be traversing the 40 acres of the Wise property, which has some hills.
December 16 is the National Wreaths Across America Day, with Fort Scott National Cemetary as the local site for the ceremony to honor military service men and women.
For more information: 620-224-8933, 620-215-2174 or http://www.fortscottwreathride.com
Young Professional Social
In addition, Fort Wise is hosting a Young Professional League Social Sunday.
“This is for YPL members and their families,” Melissa Wise said.
From 4-5 p.m. the families will enjoy the activities at Fort Wise. From 5-6 p.m., after Fort Wise closes to the public, there will be a safety briefing on firearms, then a competition on shooting targets.
During both Saturday and Sunday activities at Fort Wise, it is open to the public from 11 a. m. to 5 p.m.
The gate to Fort Wise Pumpkin Company, six miles west of Fort Scott on Maple Road.
Fort Scott Parks and Buildings Supervisor Todd Farrell works to subdue the overgrown vegetation on the newly purchased seven-acre property at the entrance to Gunn Park.
Fort Scottian Frank Halsey is a trailblazer.
He has worked in the last decade to mark and prepare trails through Gunn Park so he can mountain bike.
His passion for this sport has led to over eight miles of bike trails for public use.
He has spearheaded construction of trails that meander around the edge of the park and most recently helped the City of Fort Scott purchase more land for public use trails.
The acreage addition to the park began about two years ago when Halsey noticed a “for sale” sign near the entrance to the park.
“I inquired about the property about one-and-a-half years ago,” Halsey said. “Over the last two years, the price has become doable.”
Halsey learned of Timken Industries grants to communities. The business has a plant in Fort Scott’s industrial park.
“Where they have plants, they have grants to help the community,” he said.
“Gunn Park Trails was able to acquire the grant to help pay for the land,” Halsey said. “We were able to get awarded $10,000 to buy property.”
The City of Fort Scott got on board.
At a recent Fort Scott Commission meeting, the city agreed to allocate $10,000, which along with the grant of $10,000 allowed the purchase of the seven-acres from the owner, Jerry Jackman, Iola.
“The corner lot (of the property) is an ideal location for pump tracks,” Halsey said. “Pump tracks are like a skate park for bikes.”
The six acres behind the corner lot is ideal for more trails, he said.
Halsey will begin work soon.
“Winter is a good time to build trails,” he said. “There is not so much vegetation. We hope to have it completed by the spring of 2018.”
For more information see the website www.gunnparktrails.comhttp://www.gunnparktrails.com
Fort Scott Parks and Building Supervisor Todd Farrell mows the newly acquired acreage Monday.
Fort Scott Livestock Market is where the candidate forum will be located Oct. 26.
New council and board members are a possibility in the towns and schools in Bourbon County.
A candidate forum for the November 7 election is slated from 6-8 p.m., October 26, at Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Road. This forum is to let voters learn about the people who are running in the election for town and school positions.
The names of the candidates and the position for which they are candidates are as follows:
USD #234 School Board Positions: Geoff Southwell and David Stewart will vie for position four; Gary Billionis is unchallenged for position five; Jamie Armstrong is unchallenged for position six.
USD #235 School Board Positions: Brian Stewart for position four, Mike Mason for position five, and Tyler Martin for position six are all unchallenged.
Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees: John Bartlesmeyer, Elizabeth Meyer, Tina Rockhold and Kevin Wagner are on the ballot. The three persons receiving the highest number of votes will be elected.
For the City Commission of Fort Scott, the two candidates receiving the most votes will receive a four-year term. The candidate receiving the third greatest number of votes will receive a two-year term. Those competing for the position are Cheryl Adamson, Carol MacArthur, JoLynne Mitchell, and Robert Nichols.
In the City of Bronson, the mayor and the two candidates for council that receives the most votes will receive a four-year term, the next three candidates for council that receives the most votes will receive a two-year term. Those running are Clearsia Botts, Geraldine Reeder, Charlotte Stewart, Kathaleen Stewart and Michael Stewart.
Alan Stewart and Lee Roy Whitcomb are running for mayor of Bronson.
For the mayor and council members of Fulton, Mapleton, and Uniontown, no candidates have filed for these positions.
When no candidates file for a position “it will be a write-in,” Bourbon County Clerk Kendall Mason said. “The most votes will win.”
In the City of Redfield, Clarence “Ed” Guss is running unopposed for mayor, while Michael Beerbower, Wilma Graham, Clarence “Ed” Guss, Kirby Martin, and Richard Smith have filed to run for council.
For the Southwind Extension District Board, Ethan Holly and Terri Williams have filed.
Eric Atwood, Jennifer LaRoche, and Loren Readinger lay out the cover for the windows of LaRoche’s building at 9 S. National Monday afternoon. The plastic cover is to make the building’s windows more attractive until renovations of the historic building can take place in the future. LaRoche said she will be able to reuse the cover once renovations begin.
Dillon Duffy enjoys helping people and following a suggestion from a friend, he started a new career as an insurance agent on November 1, 2016 in Fort Scott.
A year ago Duffy, 26, was a para-educator at Fort Scott Middle School.
The friend, Danny Brown, told him of an opportunity to try insurance as a career at H & H Insurance. Brown teaches at the middle school and is another agent with H & H Insurance.
“He said, Lyle Adcock wants to retire,” Duffy said. “I started coming in here (the office) and enjoyed helping people with personal service.”
Duffy learned ” the ropes” from Adcock, he said.
“He (Adcock) retired in December after turning it all over to me.”
“We are an independent agency,” Duffy said. “We sell All-State, Progressive, Bremen Farmers Mutual, Travelers, Cornerstone and a few others.”
His insurance office is under the auspices of H & H Agency.
Ron and Barbara Albright own H & H Agency, which also provides real estate and property management.
Ron Albright is the real estate broker/ agent, while Barb Albright and Crystal Mason are real estate agents. Kaitlyn Jessip is the office manager. Diana Endicott is the accountant for the group.
Duffy is engaged and will marry Abigail Keating next June.
He can be contacted at his office at 2 Old Fort Boulevard or 620-223-5293. Duffy’s cell phone number is 417-214-4282
Fort Scott High School Photography and Advanced Placement Studio Art class students who entered the “What Makes Fort Scott Special To Me” photography contest are from left, front row: Addi Labbe, Berkley Chavis, Grace Keating, Aubry Terry and Ashton Nolan; second row: Ethan Burrell, Darby Toth, Chloe Studyvin, Kayley Reyes, Gabi Griffin, Lindsay Lundberg, Daryn Wiley, Hallie Grillot, and Montana LaRoche; back row: Lizzie Thurston, Mia Perry, Dalton Womeldorf, and FSHS Art Teacher Ellen Kendrick.The poster in the lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College Thursday, including the list of all who participated in the contest at the bottom of the poster. The contest winners were announced during the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum.Darby Toth stands in front of her first place winning photo “Liberty and Justice For All.”Grace Keating stands beneath her second place photo “Friday Night Lights.”Daryn Wiley is photographed by Fort Scott High School Teacher Ellen Kendrick in front of her photo submission. Wiley was third place winner of the photography contest with “A Local Diner.”
The “What Makes Fort Scott Special To Me” photography contest was featured with a gallery of the contest submissions Thursday morning during the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee.
Contestants were to capture the essence of Fort Scott in their photograph submission.
First place winner was Fort Scott High School student, Darby Toth, with her submission of “Liberty and Justice For All.”
Second place winner was FSHS student Grace Keating with her “Friday Night Lights.”
Third place winner was FSHS student Daryn Wiley with her “A Local Diner.”
The venue for the contest was the lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
Following the gallery showing, the chamber coffee attendees moved into the Gordon Parks Museum, located in the center.
Chamber members each week may tell of events in the community for $1 per event, with proceeds going to the Dolly the Trolley fund.
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin tells about the city’s recent purchase of seven acres adjacent to Gunn Park.Penny Pollack Barnes tells about the TriYakAthon this Saturday at Gunn Park, starting at 8 a.m.Craig Campbell tells about the DEA drug take-back event at the Convenient Care Center on National Avenue Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.First place photo contest winner Darby Toth, receives her prizes during the weekly coffee.
Penny Pollack Barnes with daughter, Caroline, at Gunn Park last year. Pollack is taking over coordination duties from Frank Halsey, founder of the annual TriYakAthon, a multi-sport contest. Submitted photo.
Penny Pollack Barnes commented to Frank Halsey, organizer of the annual TriYakAthon at Gunn Park, that he ought to think about getting someone to help organize the event. This comment was in July at the annual bike race that Halsey initiated, called the Marmaton Masacre.
Halsey took her up on the offer.
Since August, Pollack has been helping to get sponsors for the event and getting t-shirts orders, she said.
“Frank does so much for the trails,” Pollack said. “He’s doing the dirty work. I’m doing logistics.”
Currently, Halsey is getting the trails marked for the event that starts at 8 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 14.
Over the last several years, Halsey mapped out, then built the trails and continually maintains them. He is an avid mountain biker.
Pollack is a runner and has been involved with some of the events that Halsey has organized on the trails.
“I like the multi-sport aspect of the TriYakAthon,” Pollack said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Registration starts at 8 a.m. for the 5th Annual TriYakAthon and the contest start time is 10 a.m.
There are 4 miles of running, 2.5 miles of Marmaton River kayaking, and 6.5 miles of cross-country mountain biking in the TriYakAthon.
Competitors can go solo for $35 or be part of a relay team for $60. Online registration deadline is Thursday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. To register, check out their Facebook page.
This year the proceeds from the event will go to a multi-sensory playground at Ellis Park, 1182 E. 12th Street, south of the middle school.
“It will be a special park that kids with disabilities will be able to use,” Pollack said.
The multi-sport event for the TriYakAthon involves running, kayaking and mountain biking. Photo taken from the event Facebook page.
Recently, Joyce Love has published a novella about life in the Fort Scott area at the turn of the last century. But writing is nothing new to her.
In her years as the librarian at Eugene Ware Elementary School, Love wrote skits and short stories for the library students, using puppets to act the stories out, she said.
She also wrote articles for the Fort Scott Tribune magazines “She” and “Ageless” and for her church denomination (Church of God) magazine, “The Gem.”
This summer, Love finished her first historical fiction novella, “A Kansas Sunset,” and will have a book signing from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13 at Fort Scott Public Library.
The book is the story of a 17-year-old girl, circa 1901, who comes from Chicago and stays in Fort Scott before heading to Pawnee Station, southwest of Fort Scott. Scenes for the story were taken from newspaper articles she found during her research in the Genealogical Society library in the basement of Memorial Hall.
Some photos in the book were loaned to her by local historian Don Miller.
The book cover is a photo of a Kansas sunset she took and features her granddaughter, Adriana Love, daughter of Jason and Kelly Love.
Love and her husband, Bob, live on a farm near the site of the fictional story.
Love is also the author of a children’s book completed this year, “The Three Little Pigs, Retold by Joyce Love.” That book will be featured in a children’s story time at the Fort Scott Public Library in the future.
Publishing books
Many aspiring book writers wonder about publishing their work.
Love chose to publish her books through Create Space, owned by Amazon.
“They print on demand,” she said. “I had an editor who formatted the book and I submitted it through Create Space. It’s available on Amazon and Kindle.”
Amanda Bourassa, broker, and Scott Theis, associate broker, of Stutesman’s Action Realty Fort Scott.
Stutesman’s Action Realty, Nevada, Mo., opened an office on Fort Scott’s Main Street in August.
“This is an opportunity to get back and work with people I have known for years,” Amanda Mahlock Bourassa, broker, said.
She is a 1997 Fort Scott High School graduate, and a 1999 graduate of Fort Scott Community College.
“I love Fort Scott and this is an opportunity to help grow our town and community,” Bourassa said.
Theis is excited to be in Fort Scott because he sees the city as a community moving forward, he said.
“It’s exciting for me to be able to provide service to help with that agenda by helping individuals and families achieve their real estate goals,” Theis said.
Their agency provides residential and commercial property real estate service, provides property management (handling maintenance and rent duties), and provides relocation services.
The business is located at 119 S. Main, Suite A, between Fort Scott City Hall and Crooner’s Lounge. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and after hours and weekends by appointment.
