All posts by Loretta George

Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott, Youth

Construction of Downtown Splash Pad Is Moving Forward

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Submitted photo of work on the splash pad.

The splash pad project is moving ahead with plans for a summer opening, according to Bailey Lyons, one of the committee members spearheading the project.

The project is located on North National Avenue, across from Brick Street BBQ Restaurant on Skubitz Plaza.

“You may have noticed there has been a lot of recent action at the site of the Splashpad and Sensory Park,” according to a press release from Lyons. “With Playscapes Recreation leading the charge, and the Splashpad and Sensory Park committee heavily involved, much progress has been made in the last few weeks.”
Looking west towards National Avenue, one can see the recent work at the splash pad site. Submitted photo.
The Splashpad and Sensory Park Committee is comprised of Kelly Barr, Katie Hueston, Josh Jones, Lyons, and Meredith Tucker.
They have been actively working on this project for the past year, and have raised over $300,000 in funds and in-kind donations.
From the Fort Scott Splash Pad and Sensory Park Facebook page.

The committee’s mission is to build the first all-inclusive, fully accessible park in Fort Scott, according to the press release.

The full press release is as follows:

“This sensory playground and splash pad will offer children and their families a fun, safe, barrier-free space to play, laugh, interact, and feel like they belong – regardless of their abilities. This project is about community, education, engagement, advocacy, and inclusion.”

“This playground has been intentionally designed with sensory stimulation in mind to maximize play and support the development of all children. The park will include a variety of equipment and activities made to engage as many senses as possible, and appeal to a broad range of ages and ability levels.”

“While the Splashpad and Sensory Park will provide a new, unique, and fun option for able-bodied children to play, it will be the first and only option for many kids in our community who have disabilities and cannot enjoy our other parks. These special kids and their families will no longer be left out or displaced when it comes to enjoying recreational amenities, something that many take for granted.”

The committee has plans to open the splash pad this summer and “is almost to the finish line….through grants, monetary donations and in-kind donations,” according to the press release. “As work quickly progresses towards a grand opening (date to be announced), there are notable changes occuring at the site regularly.”

Here is a list of what has been done:
  •  the pad has been leveled and brought up to grade,
  • elevations have been set,
  • water and electric have been laid to the site,
  • drain lines have been laid,
  • feature footings have been set,
  • piping from the features has been laid,
  • and the vault has been set to house the manifold which will soon be placed.
“Once all of this is wrapped up, concrete will be poured, and the features will be installed after the pads have cured. The committee is still actively working to complete the park with the final piece – an ADA accessible restroom – which they hope will be added in the very near future.”
A portion of the concrete for the splash pad is being poured today, June 27. Submitted photo.
The committee is planning two work days and is  inviting the public to help on-site with the project
In the coming weeks, clean up and landscaping will take place on  Sunday July 9, and/or Saturday July 15.
Those who would like to help, please contact Lyons at (620)224-7795 so that jobs and tools/materials can be coordinated for the work.
Robert Coon, A-1 Towing, donated his company’s personnel and truck to put a concrete vault in place on June 22 for the upcoming splash pad project. The concrete will house the plumbing for the splash pad. Submitted photo.
“The Splashpad and Sensory Park Committee would like to sincerely thank all of the generous donors who have contributed thus far, both monetary and in-kind donations,” according to the press release. “Donors who have given $500 and above are listed below, and will be featured on permanent signage at the park:
FOUNDERS
Timken Foundation of Canton
Walmart
BENEFACTORS ($10,000+)
Contributors to YAT/Parks Advisory Board
Alta Davis
Evergy
No Limits Rehabilitation/Brad & Meredith Tucker
City of Fort Scott
ADVOCATES ($5,000-9,999)
Advanced Bourbon County
Aetna – Better Health of Kansas
Bourbon County REDI
Bourbon County, KS
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
Forrest & Julia Sewell
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team
Key Charitable Trust
Lyons Realty Group
Niece Products of Kansas
Steven & Jessica Tucker
SPONSORS ($2,500-4,999)
Bloomfield Foundation In Memory of Tim Bloomfield & His Grandaughter Olivia Bloomfield
Hammerson Ready Mix
Jayhawk Wind
In Honor & Memory of Lillian Rose Kraft
Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial
O’Brien Ready Mix
Joshua & Terra Tecchio-Baseley
Sheridan Nash
Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation
DONORS ($1,000-2,499)
A1 Towing & Recovery
Advantage Metals Recycling
Big Sugar Lumber
Bourbon County Cars
Bourbon County Garden Club
Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel
DelBrenna Jewelry by Megan Neil & Sebastian Ghezzi
Dreamscape Innovations, Inc.
Fort Scott Recreation Department
Highway 3
In Loving Memory of Marsha Lancaster, Longtime Owner of Marsha’s Deli
In Memory of Angelo-Sondra Dellantonia
Janet Braun
Jeff Allen Electric
Landmark National Bank
Lee Sewell-Painter
Legacy Health
Mid-Continental Restoration
Mitch Welch
Pearson Towing
Pete’s of Erie, Inc.
RII Concrete Construction
Sleep Inn
Sonic
Thomas Concrete & Construction
Valu Merchandisers Co.
W/K Holdings
FRIENDS ($500-999)
Bowman’s NuGrille
Budgetel Inn & Suites – Aaradhya Piyush Mistry
Clifton Chiropractic
Davis & Associates Tax + Consulting
FSHS FFA & Construction Trades
Greyhound Football Legacy Center
The Gugnani Family
The Horton House
John Crain – In Memory of Don & Connie Crain
JW & Diana Endicott
Konantz – Cheney Funeral Home
Labconco
Liberty Savings Association, FSA
Lyons & Lyons
The Meeks Family
Scott and Melissa Meyers
Museum of Creativity
{Re:freshed} Spa
The Reynolds Law Firm
Riggs Chiropractic of Fort Scott
Stewart Realty
Union State Bank

The donors listed above have contributed $500+, according to Lyons. “In addition to these, there have been numerous donors below the $500 level, and their generosity and support is also much appreciated!”

 

An artist’s rendition of the splash pad from the Fort Scott Splash Pad and Sensory Facebook page.

The City of Fort Scott is supplying the water to the splash pad.

“The city’s part is to get the splash pad the water supply,” Fort Scott’s Water Distribution Supervisor Bill Lemke said.

Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Young Entrepreneur: Rinley Holly

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This is part of a series highlighting young entrepreneurs in our community.

If you would like to nominate a young entrepreneur, please submit their contact info to [email protected].

Rinley Holly sells to a customer, while her brother Stetson looks on.

Rinley Holly, rural Fort Scott,  is five years old and likes to bake.

Katie, her mom, said she would bake everyday if she could.

Her parents, Katie and Ethan, own Still Waters Farm and sell beef and pork at the farmers market on Saturdays. She is with her family on Saturday mornings, along with her brother, Stetson, 3.

“Last year, she kept asking me to let her sell cookies,” Katie said.

So, Rinley baked and sold her product once last year at her family’s booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market.

This year when Katie heard that other entrepreneurs were going to be selling products at the farmers market on June 3, “We asked her if she wanted to make some cookies.”

She did, and she has a helper.

“Stetson likes to taste test for her,” Katie said.

Rinley tells the process of making her cookies:

“You make dough, roll it in a ball, and flatten them with a cup, then put them in the oven on a rack,” she said. “Snickerdoodles are my favorite.” She also makes chocolate chip cookies.

Rinley likes to bake, “Cause it’s fun,” she said.

She is planning on attending the Acton Children’s Business Fair, later this year, her mother said, to learn more about the business side.

“Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace,” according to https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/fortscott-ks

“We will host children’s business booths at the 2nd annual event that will be held at the Farmer’s Market located at Skubitz Plaza near the Historic Fort on September 30th, 2023 from 8 a.m. to noon.”

The Fort Scott Farmers Market is at Skubitz Plaza, directly in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Food

Uniontown Independence Day Celebration: July 3

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Fireworks from the Independence Day Celebration in Uniontown 2022. Submitted by Amy Holt.

The Independence Day Bash will be held on Monday, July 3rd in the Uniontown City Park.

“We love celebrating our nation’s independence with our friends and neighbors and hope to see YOU there,” according to Amy Holt, Vice President – Loan Administration at Union State Bank.

The bank has funded the annual event for 18 years.

Events start at 6:30 p.m. with a free hot dog and chips meal, that the bank provides.

Uniontown’s Baptist Church will be selling soft drinks for a camp fundraiser, the Uniontown High School Cheerleaders will have a bake sale and sell glow sticks, and the Old Settlers Day Committee will have a bake sale to raise funds for the annual event in Uniontown on Labor Day.

There will also be inflatables (bounce houses, etc. )for the kids and kids at heart, she said.

There will be live entertainment by Trevor Holman and the Haymakers.

This band is a Red Dirt and Classic Country Band from Southeast Kansas, according to its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HAYMKRZ/

 

The fireworks begin at dusk, this time of year around 9:30 or 10 p.m.

 

Church news, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Historic Church Property Donated to the Gordon Parks Museum

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The former site of the church at Third and Lowman Street, the Learning Tree Sign is seen in center, left.

Fort Scottian Josh Jones purchased the property at 301 Lowman for a philanthropic purpose.

“I purchased it from the owner with the intent to transfer it to the Gordon Parks Museum,” Jones said. “I knew of the historic meaning of the property and wanted to get it to them.”


Left to right): Josh Jones, along with Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Director  and Sarah Smith, member of the Fort Scott Community College Foundation. Submitted photo.

On the property once stood the historic African-American Methodist Episcopal Church.

Now it’s the property of the Gordon Parks Museum, thanks to Jones and the Fort Scott Community College Foundation, according to a press release from the museum director, Kirk Sharp.

“The FSCC Foundation Department helped with getting it deeded into their name, the museum is under its umbrella,” Sharp said.

“Jones donated the site on the southeast corner of Third and Lowman streets where the church, attended regularly by Gordon Parks and his family, was located,” according to the press release. “The church was also used in a scene from Parks’ acclaimed film, The Learning Tree.”

AME Church
Gordon Parks, 1950.
Photo Courtesy of and Copyright by The Gordon Parks Foundation

“We are very excited about this donation and can’t thank Josh and the Foundation enough,” said Sharp. “This donation creates this wonderful opportunity to keep this incredible history alive in Fort Scott. This is also the same location that is located on our Learning Tree Film Sign Trail.”

The sign that explains this site is part of the Gordon Parks Sign Trail.

The tentative plans, Sharp said, are to develop the property as a commemorative, low-maintenance park neighborhood-type park with signs, photos, benches and short walls with a history of the church as a tribute.

“The museum will look for possible grants and donations to help fund this project,” he said. “There is currently no timeline as of now for the completion of the tribute project.”

In its heyday, the church, established in 1866, was the hub of Fort Scott’s black community, according to the press release. The church moved from its original location in 1885, occupying a new brick building on the corner of Third and Lowman, where it stood at 301 S. Lowman with a viable congregation for more than 115 years.

A reduction in members and unsafe conditions eventually led to its condemnation and razing in the early 2000s, Sharp said. One of the stained-glass windows and two of the pews are on exhibit at the Gordon Parks Museum.

“The largest congregation was believed to have been in 1888,” he said. “The city directory for that year indicates the membership was 260 and the Sunday school membership was 100.”

The AME church was Fort Scott’s first and oldest black church with Shiloh Baptist being the second.

Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott, Pool, Youth

Change For Fort Scott Aquatic Center on July 1

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Swimming lessons at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center  July 2018.

Currently the Fort Scott Aquatic Center has a family swim time designated Monday through Friday for 5:30-6:15 p.m. but that is changing.

“We have noticed a rise in families coming to take advantage of that time and are very pleased to see this,” said Kathi Hall the pool manger.

“Effective July 1, 2023, we are changing the time span of family swim to be 5:30 to 7 p.m. ,” she said.  “The change just affects the unsupervised patrons who are 17 and under. These patrons can go ahead and exit the facility for the day.”

The pool hours are Monday through Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m., Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. On Monday through Friday the change is the family swim will be  from 5:30 to 7 p.m. starting July 1.

Pool parties are from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. when scheduled. Cost is $150 per hour.

Pool rates are:

2 years and younger are free.

3-14 years: $2

15 to 62 years: $3

63+years: $2

A single season pool pass is $65, a family of four season pass is $200 and a $25 per person fee for over four family members. Members must reside in the same household.

Children 10 years old and younger must be supervised by someone 14 years and older, at all times..

Assistant pool managers are Brayden Moore, Kayla Hall, Billie Jo Shoemaker, and Dakota Hall.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Scott’s Independence Day Celebration is July 3

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Horton Street will be lined with spectators for the fireworks display on July 3.

Americans traditionally celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and the fireworks season in Fort Scott starts on Tuesday, June 27.

The Fort Scott community fireworks display will be July 3 at dusk from the Fort Scott Community College softball fields, with spectators lining Horton Street for viewing.

There are new organizers this year.

In April, Josh Jones and Aaron Judy, two local businessmen,  found out that the Elks Club was no longer going to provide the fireworks for the annual event.

“They did a good job through the years, but didn’t want to take it on anymore,” Josh Jones said.

Josh Jones.Th

Judy and Jones are the coordinators of the event, through the Advance Bourbon County 501c3 organization.

Helping to sponsor the fireworks event is Fort Scott Gun and Pawn Shop, the City of Fort Scott, Tall Grass Building System, the American Legion, the Elks Club, Brian Bowman Construction, Engstrom Construction, the Kiwanis Club and A-1 Towing.

“Last year it cost about $11,000 for the fireworks show,” Jones said.

Enjoy Some Food While Waiting

There will be local vendors selling food and drinks: Juan Some Grub, Fort Scott High School Swim Team-lemonade tent, Valley Flavor, Tiger Ice Sno Cones, Doggone Dogs, and Los Tres Pollitos, Judy said.

Additionally, there will be corn hole and other yard games for people to use, he said.

These will be set up in the area between the FSCC John Deere Department (the old armory) and the 4-H Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, Judy said.

 

Aaron Judy from his Facebook page.

 

For other upcoming community events that Advance Bourbon County sponsors go to:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/359218265090451

 

Fort Scott’s Rules For Fireworks

During the event, there can be no fireworks discharged from 18th Street and Horton Street to 23rd and Horton, according to Fort Scott Police Department  Chief Jason Pickert.

“They cannot be discharged on the community college campus or on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds,” he said.

Fireworks can be purchased from June 27 to July 4.

From June 27 to July 2 they can be discharged from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. On July 3 and July 4 they can be discharged from 7 a.m. until midnight.

 

 

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

A Long-Standing Tradition: 41st Annual Burke Street Fourth of July Parade and Social

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Dusty Drake waves to bystanders of the parade in 2022. Submitted photos,

 “Come One, Come All, Let Freedom Ring!  It is once again time to celebrate U.S.A.’s 247th Independence Day with a neighborhood parade on Fort Scott’s Tower Hill better known as Burke Street on the Fourth of July,” according to a press release from Barb Albright.

The  Annual Burke Street Parade kicks-off at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4, with The Pledge of Allegiance led by Louie Dunkeson,  and kids’  singing patriotic songs. The singing became a tradition  following the September 11 attack on America, in 2001, she said.

But the parade dates back over four decades, 41 years ago.

“The parade began as a neighborhood event,” Albright said. “Today the general public is more than welcome to participate,  bring a lawn chair and sit along the parade route , and partake in the post-parade social.”

Matt Karleskint and daughters, Alli, Lilli and Gracie Jo. Submitted photos.

Following patriotic songs by “Kids on Burke” led by two of the parade founders:  Susan Foster and Jill Gorman; the parade will depart at 10 a.m. from Tenth and Burke Street going south around the Marblecrest Street Triangle and returning north to the point of origin, according to the press release.  Traditionally, cheering spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for comfortable seating and dress in red, white, and blue. Spectators line the parade route with family and friends.

“Post-parade refreshments will be served and ALL ARE WELCOME to the front yard of “Lady Liberty” and  “Uncle Sam” also known as Margaret and Merl Humphrey, 1024 Burke,” Albright said.  “Margaret is another founder of the event.  Neighbors and friends-of-the-parade donate the cookies, and drinks are provided by this year’s hosts Bryan and Julie Buchta.”

Maya Brown, grand-daughter of Jingles and Diana Endicott. Submitted photos.

A severe storm or lightning strikes cancels the parade and there are no large vehicles allowed due to the many children participating in the festivities.

Parade questions can be answered by Margaret Humphrey 620-223-0388 or Theresa Bahr 620-215-2889.

Parade spectators: Sheryl Bloomfield and Martha Jane Gentry. Submitted photos.

 

History of the Burke Street Parade

This history information was gathered by Barb Albright from the following sources:   Fort Scott Tribune articles, online Fort Scott.Biz articles, and a co-founder Margaret Humphrey interview.

“Over 40-years ago local Fort Scott resident Susan Stapleton Foster was visiting her brother Dr. Burder Stapleton’s family in Memphis, TN, over the Fourth of July.  She was fascinated with the neighborhood parades celebrating Independence Day, and returned home to share the idea of a patriotic parade with her Burke Street neighbors Margaret Humphrey and Jill Gorman. 

“According to Margaret Humphrey, the first parades were small going north on Burke past Mercy Hospital and turning back to the south.  A few spectators would come out to see the parade pass and send encouraging cheers to the participants.  After the parade there would be neighbors gathering for cookies and conversations.

“Today the Burke Street Parade remains a patriotic tradition thanks to kids on their bicycles, parents pushing baby strollers, men riding lawn mowers, owners walking their costumed pets, folks marching, and last… but not least, the flag-waving spectators along the parade route in their red, white, and blue attire.

As the crowd has grown, so has the refreshment table with many contributors dropping off cookies prior to the parade.  This year’s hosts are 1002 Burke newcomers to Fort Scott, Bryan and Julie Buchta who will be serving post-parade cookies and drinks in the Humphrey’s front yard at 1024 Burke.”

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Youth

Young Enterpreneurs: The Whitson Brothers

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A Farmers Market customer gets help from from left: Malachi, Asher, Maria and Judah Whitson.

This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.

To recommend a young entrepreneur, send contact information to [email protected]

The Whitson brothers, sons of Maria and Clayton Whitson, are entrepreneurs. The family lives on a farm in rural Garland.

Malachi, age 10, Asher, age 7 and Judah, age 5, all create items to sell, but each has a different product.

The boys, along with their parents, had a booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3.

“The boys had… sold at my parents festival  (Shead Family Festival, an annual event) the year before but they really enjoyed the opportunity to sell with other kids and actually learn a little more about how businesses work,” said Maria.

The Whitsons launched a family business called The Journey Home which is an umbrella for their whole family’s creations, including their three young sons, according to their mother, Maria. They have two younger daughters.

Book publishing, art, jewelry, cast iron accessories, homeschooling, foraging, homesteading, disaster prep, herbal remedies, are some of the interests of the family business.

Malachi and Asher went to the Acton Children’s Business Fair in April 2022 and developed a business plan and selected a name for their respective businesses.

Malachi Whitson sells his jewelry at the June 3 Fort Scott Farmers Market with his other brothers.

Malachi, owner of Made by Malachi, creates jewelry.

“I can sell personalized bacelets, keychains, but mostly make earrings,” he said. “I like creating. I think up ideas then try them out. If they don’t work out, it’s fine, I can use my mistakes to create something else. ”

Business has been good, he said. He has been selling his jewelry at markets, fairs, festivals and at Root Coffee Shop in Pittsburg.

“I started selling three years ago at the Shead Farm Festival, and now sell at different events, he said. ” Larry and Vickie Shead, who open their farm annually in May to visitors, are the brothers’ grandparents.

Asher Whitson shows his framed art for sale at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3.

Asher is an artist.

“I started my business when I was five,” he said. “I get ideas on Facebook, and use an Apple Pencil I Pad (to create on).”

“Mom asked me if I wanted to do a business and I just started drawing,” Asher said.

He also has sold his artwork at the Shead Farm Festival, the Acton Business Fair, Fort Scott Farmers Market and Root Coffee Shop.

He likes what he’s doing.

“It’s easy and fun to draw and I get money,” he said.

Judah Whitson gets help with selling his mini-donut product at the Farmers Market from his mother, Maria Whitson.

Judah received a mini-donut maker for Christmas.

His first selling of his product was at his grandparents Shead Farm Festival last month

At the June 3, 2023 Fort Scott Farmers Market, he was manning his family’s booth at the cash register, with help, and was all smiles.

 

Judah Whitson at the cash register at Fort Scott Farmers Market.
Judah Whitson mans the cash register at his family’s booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market.

Second Children’s Business Workshop Coming In September

The  boys attended the children’s business workshop in April 2022.

Dacia Clark, with the Small Business Development Center, taught the children about developing a business plan, and other marketing basics, Rachel Carpenter with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team said. The SBDC is housed in the HBCAT office at 104 N. National Avenue.

“Acton Children’s Business Fair provided the curriculum, and HBCAT helped coordinate the efforts,” Carpenter said.

Acton Children’s Business Fair is a culmination of ideas and hard work from great young minds. Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at a one-day marketplace, according to its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/childrensbusinessfairfortscottks?mibextid=LQQJ4d
The kids will have 3-4 meetings discussing the above ideas, culminating in a business fair. In 2022, the group of children totaled  13, and the hope is that will grown for the fall 2023 workshop, according to the Facebook page.
For registration for the fair which is scheduled for September 30 from 8 a.m. to noon: https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/fortscott-ks
The logo of Acton Children’s Business Fair from its website.
Bourbon County, Business, Youth

Young Entrepreneur Series: Chloe Couchman

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This is part of a series on young entrepreneurs in this community.

To nominate a young entrepreneur, send contact information to [email protected]

Chloe Couchman sells homemade potholders and cookies at her booth at the June 3 Fort Scott Farmers Market.

Chloe Couchman, 9, from Bronson, started her business after her grandma, Diana Cooper,  visited her some months back, she said.

“She gave me a pot holder kit and taught me how to do it,” Chloe said.

Since then Chloe has been selling her product by word of mouth.

“She has been at Bronson Ruritan,” said her mother Melanie Couchman. “She and her brother goes with her dad (Tony Couchman) and I to the Ruritan Club. She passed out some free ones and let them know she was selling them.”

“She also let her Grandpa Couchman and her bus driver know,” Melanie said.

Chloe said she likes the creative side of “making her own patterns” of potholders.

In addition, her business booth contains chocolate no-bake cookies to sell, made by Chloe.

“They are my favorite kind,” she said.

Chloe said she had a good day at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3, selling 10 potholders and 11 bags of cookies. Her Mom is pondering a booth herself to sell her baked goods that she creates, and if that happens, Chloe will be selling more of her creations there as well.

It is $5 to set up a booth at Fort Scott Farmers Market, which meets every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. at Skutbitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

For more information on the market:

https://www.facebook.com/fsfma

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Sports

Race Across America Stops at Fort Scott From June 18-22

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Left to right: Martin Hudecek-Ashwill, Martin Ashwill II (rear), Adam Ashwill, Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill  in this 2017 submitted photo.
The 42nd annual bicycle “Race Across America” will pass through Fort Scott this week, according to a press release.
The bicyclists will cross the length of the American continent, over 3000 miles from Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean, stopping to sleep only when necessary. The average sleep time for a solo is 2-3 hours per day.
Along the route, they pass 54 time stations, spaced approximately 50 miles apart, where their crew must call RAAM headquarters to report the rider’s or team’s arrival time and any other important news.
The Fort Scott Time Station 30 is the 1,778.6 Mile mark.
“Our family runs the time station (Time Station 30) for Race Across America,” said Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill. “We’ve been doing it since 2015 and have entertained hundreds of cyclists and crews from all over the world.”
The family runs the time station from their house at 21 N. Caldwell, Fort Scott.
“We provide a place for the racers and crews to rest, get some food and water, use the bathroom, and we provide escort service to any stores they might want to go to and to Buck Run (Community Center)for showers,” Kristi said. We also fly their nation’s flag on Wall Street and cheer for them as they approach. It is a festive atmosphere and many racers and crew members have said this is the best time station on the route.”
The community provides for the visitors as well.
“Walgreens provides water, Fort Cinema provides popcorn, Taco Bell provides tacos, Dominos provides pizza, and the refrigerator is provided by Rent-A-Center, 4-States Sanitation provides trash bins,” she said. “In addition, Buck Run lets racers and crew members take showers there.”
“Martin also has a small repair shop here where he fixes their bicycles if they need him to,” she said. “He’s a bike mechanic and has an array of tools that the bike mechanic on the team may not have.”
Pictured is the kitchen of the Ashwill family. The family  gets food donations from area businesses for the racers.
“Race Across America is an annual international 3000+ mile bicycle race that starts in Oceanside, California and ends in Annapolis, Maryland and runs right through Fort Scott,” she said. “The solos have to make it in 12 days while the teams have to make it in 9 days. There are various times for women and older riders and teams, but the finish times are all around the numbers given.”
This year their are 31 solos and 16 teams.
“One of the teams is a four-man team from Germany in the age category of 80-84,” she said. “They have  nine days, 12 hours provided they leave with the solos.”
“The race starts on June 13 and we expect the first rider to arrive on June 18 or 19, depending on how things go in the desert.”
By June 22, all riders should be through the area.
“It gets so hot out there (in the desert) that sometimes the riders succumb to the heat and end up not finishing the race. The forecast for this year is that it’s supposed to be cooler and, if that’s the case, there won’t be as many DNF’s and this time station will be very busy. We are every year, but this will make it even more so.”
“DNF means Did Not Finish,” she said. “Nobody wants that, but it does happen often during this race.”
Martin Hudecek-Ashwill with Christoph Strasser from Austria.

The time station in Fort Scott will be staffed with enthusiastic volunteers and provide a festival-like atmosphere for spectators of all ages and the traveling group of racers and crews as they pass through the community, according to the press release from Ashwill.
The manned time station is located at 21 N. Caldwell and is an open house to all racers and crew, she said.
“Race officials are invited to take their sleep at the Time Station 30 house instead of spending money at a hotel or sleeping in their cars, which is the majority case,” Ashwill said. “In 2015 we opened our house for the event and the racers and crew loved it. It is the first time that the Race Across America actually had a house opened up to them.”
May-Brit Christiansen from Norway, Adam Ashwill, Johnny Stausholm, from Norway, Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill, Martin Hudecek-Ashwill holding the flag of Norway  in this 2017 submitted photo. “Johnny was the rider and had to DNF in Arizona, but still drove to Fort Scott to see the time station and brought gifts for Adam,” Kristi said.

“This is the only time station that has been in RAAM movies, one of which was shown at the AMC Theater in Olathe,” Kristi said. “The movies have been on airlines and have been shown all over the world.”

To learn more:

Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/raamtimestation30
You can track the racers LIVE by going to: https://www.raamrace.org/live-tracking
The time station members with Stefan Schlegel and his crew from Germany in 2017. Schlegel had to quit the race at this time station for health reasons and threw a barbecue for the family  and anyone who happened to walk by,
Art, Bourbon County, Business

Young Entrepreneur Series: Camren Lamb

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Camren Lamb plays guitar to draw people in to his booth to view his artwork at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3, 2023.

This is first in a series of young entrepreneurs in the community. The series aims to highlight youth who are venturing out in their own businesses.

Please submit names of other recommended young entrepreneurs to be featured to [email protected]

Camren Lamb, 9, heard about entrepreneurship in January 2022, at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Dare to Dream program, an adult entrepreneurship event.

Camren is the son of Melanie and Larry Lamb, rural Fort Scott.

Melanie attended the event and Camren came also.

“I asked if I could make a picture, so I sold my first art,” Camren said.

He sells artwork and plays a newly purchased guitar as part of his business.

Dacia Clark, with the Small Business Development Center, taught him and others in a April 2022 childrens workshop about developing a business plan, and other marketing basics, Rachel Carpenter with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team said. The SBDC is housed in the HBCAT office at 104 N. National Avenue.

“Acton Children’s Business Fair provided the curriculum, and HBCAT helped coordinate the efforts,” Carpenter said.

In addition to selling his artwork, he plays music requests on his guitar for passersby.

“I played ukelele first, then guitar,” he said. The guitar was purchased from money he earned at the Children’s Business Fair in April 2022.

He doesn’t charge for for playing, he said.

“I use it to draw people (in to look at his artwork),” he said. “I take requests  and tell them songs are free but I had a basket for artwork sales and people started putting money in for the music.”

He was selling at the Fort Scott Farmers Market for the first time on June 3. “This is my second time selling, the first time was at Buck Run Community Center at the Children’s Business Fair.”

 

Most recently he played guitar at the Shead Farm Festival, the Fort Scott Christian Heights Country Store and at the Friday Night Free Concert at the gazebo downtown.

He took ukelele lessons from Bob Solomonson and guitar lessons from Stephen Moses, he said.

Camren said this year his earnings will go to help the Show Me Christian Youth Home and he  is also saving money for church camp.

 

 

 

Exercise, Fort Scott, Youth

Lucas Kelley: New Buck Run Recreation Director as of July 1

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Lucas Kelley is the new Buck Run Community Center Recreation Director. Submitted photo.

Lucas Kelley will assume the position of recreation director at Buck Run Community Center on July 1, with the retirement of Tom Robertson. Robertson served for 23 years in the position.

Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.

“He has been here since May 1, and will take over on July 1,” Robertson said.

“I feel so fortunate,” Kelley said. “Tom has done wonders with the rec. department, he has made it (the transition) easy on me.”

Kelley, 24, graduated from Houston, MO. high school and attended Fort Scott Community College on a basketball scholarship, where he earned an associate of science degree. He then went to Pittsburg State University where he earned a bachelors degree in exercise science in December 2021.

“All through high school I worked at the rec. department, then at FSCC I was assistant coach for one year and also refereed for some of the rec. programs here,” Kelley said. “I then moved to northwest Arkansas and worked in cardiac rehabilitation for a year, before moving to Fort Scott to take this job.”

He is married to Makayla Kelley.

For Kelley, the best part of this new job is “service, and getting to help people and get them involved through recreations.”

Kelley is working on making sign-up for leagues and payment of fees online, “So they won’t have to come to the building every time they want to sign up for something,” he said. “I’m in the process upgrading the system we have now.”

His community involvement so far has been with the Healthy Bourbon County’s Local Health Equity Team and also enjoys Bingo Nights at Memorial Hall to help support Veterans, he said.