After 43 years at a downtown Fort Scott business, Ann Stark has retired.
“My last day was May 27,” Stark said. “The co-workers had a retirement party for me on August 19.”
Ann Stark and Patty West from Facebook.
Stark has worked at Atkins Insurance Agency since 1979.
“I was hired by Ron Dodson in February 1979,” she said. “My first position was clerical, customer service.”
“I liked the small office and meeting clients one-on-one,” Stark said.
She then earned a license in property, casualty, life and health insurance in 1980.
After Ron Dodson died she and Patty West purchased the business from his widow.
“We kept the same phone number and same customer service,” she said. “It was working, why change it?”
Through the years she took classes to improve her service to the customers.
“The laws and policies change and you are required to take continuing education classes every two years,” she said.
And this year marked her 43rd year with the business.
Stark says she does miss the interaction with her clients, since her retirement.
“You know their kids and grand kids,” she said. “I also miss working with Patty West and Chrystal Cowan, they are mother and daughter.”
But Stark said she is enjoying spending more time outside and being able to go see her grand kids more frequently, with her husband, who is also retired.
Joel Crippen, 61, began serving the congregation of First Southern Baptist Church in Fort Scott in July as pastor.
Crippen earned a degree from Southern Indiana Baptist College and a general Bible diploma from Bethany Bible College, Dothan, Alabama. “I’ve also attended lots of conferences and seminars,” he said.
He started preaching with six years of youth ministry at Osage City Baptist Church (Kansas), then pastored the same church for 15 years. He also helped plant a church in Linden, KS, called Mercy Baptist Church.
He and his wife, Donna, have four daughers and 17 grandchildren. They have one daughter at home who is a freshman at Fort Scott High School.
Donna and Joel Crippen. Submitted photo.
The Crippens have fostered 100 children in 10 years, he said.
“That was a big part of our ministry,” he said.
Donna has been a postal worker for 27 years and is stationed in Waverly, KS. “She has put in for a transfer to a local post office, and has been driving back and forth on the weekends,” Crippen said.
For Crippen, he most enjoys helping people spiritually.
“Jesus reached out,” he said. “I like getting to know people and talking about Jesus. I’m a people person.”
A challenge for him is coming into a new community and getting to know people, he said. “It’s a huge undertaking.”
His personal vision is “reaching the next generation for Christ,” he said.
The church is located at 1818 Main Street and can be reached at 620.223.2986.
Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. followed by worship at 10:50 a.m.
There are about 60 people in Sunday morning services, he said.
There is also an evening Bible Study at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
In addition there is a women’s Bible study at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and a Trail Blazers Youth Program at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday for ages 3 years through 12th grade.
From the Facebook page of Montgomery County Chronicle:
CANEY CITY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION OFFERED TO FORT SCOTT OFFICIAL
CANEY — In a special meeting Wednesday night, the Caney City Council voted to offer a two-year contract to Kelley R. Zellner as city administrator.
Zellner is currently serving as city manager in Fort Scott, and held previous municipal posts in Fredonia as city administrator; Valley Center where he was public works director; and served as police chief in Conway Springs.
To view the rest of the story on the Montgomery County Chronicle:
John Metcalf, a Fort Scott Middle School Physical Education teacher and student support employee, has received the Middle School Coach of the Year award from the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.
He will be receiving the award on October 8 in Salina.
“I have coached middle school wrestling for five years,” he said.
“We have around 50 kids come out each year for middle school wrestling.”
“I enjoy coaching the sport of wrestling because wrestling is a one on one sport,” he said. “So the happiness on a kids face when they know they are the only reason that they won is amazing!”
“I kind of always coached wrestling,” he said. “Since I was in high school, I would show up and help out with the kids club practices whenever I could make it. While I was at Fort Scott Community College I was offered to help start the wrestling program as an assistant wrestling coach at Uniontown. I coached there for one year before I went to Pitt State for college.”
“I didn’t get back into the coaching side of wrestling until I graduated in 2018,” he said. “I then got a job at Fort Scott Middle School as a para and also got hired as an assistant middle school wrestling coach with my dad who was the head coach at the time.”
“This past year my dad retired and I was then hired to replace him as the middle school head wrestling coach,” he said.
Kathi Hall, taken from the USD234 website.
Kathi Hall is a 6th Grade Language Arts, Reading, and Social Studies Teacher at Fort Scott Middle School and she helps coach wrestling.
“This is my fourth year coaching wrestling,” she said. “I did become an assistant coach because of the increase in girl athletes in wrestling. The count of female athletes in the program varies but you can be sure that they increase each year.”
“I have always been around wrestling for the last 28 years, since my three adult boys wrestled from the time they were 5, 7, and 9 in kids club and then in high school,” she said.
Inside structure damage from the fire. Courtesy of Shane Walker.
The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church fire took place Monday August 29 about 9:10 p.m. and destroyed the roof, the majority of the pews, the floor and all heating, ventilation and air-conditioning in the church, according to spokesman Mark McCoy.
“Some of the stained-glass windows were damaged,” he said.
The pipe organ was destroyed.”
However the statutes, the main crucifix and the altar used for saying Mass, were saved, he said.
Church is being held in Kennedy Gym until the building is rebuilt.
“We are consulting with construction experts to evaluate our options, no decision either way has been made yet,” McCoy said.
Parishioners have begun fundraisers to help with the rebuild/reconstruction of the church.
Fundraisers
Spaghetti Dinner by Knights of Columbus
“We encourage the people of our parish family and the community to come enjoy food prepared by our brother Knights and at the same time support our fundraiser,” Calvin Barr said on his Facebook page.
A spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, garlic bread, dessert and drink meal will be offered for a free-will donation this Friday, Sept. 16 from 5-7 p.m. in Kennedy Gym, 604 S. Holbrook.
Hand Made Rosary To Be Auctioned for Fire Rebuild
Jana Walker is putting up for auction a rosary that she made. It can be viewed on her Facebook page.
Jana Walker is having a fundraiser for the church building fund. Submitted.
“I made the rosary,” Walker said. “People are welcome to share the Facebook post, although, they must click on my original post. I circled the example in red. Once they are on the original post they can comment with their bid.”
Submitted photo.
Mary Queen of Angels Church fire on August 29. Submitted by Stephen Toal.
Craig Whitmire and his son Caleb Whitmire are the new owners of Safe Valley Outfitters, Uniontown.
Craig Whitmire and his son, Caleb, have been coming to Safe Valley Outfitters, Uniontown, since 2015 to hunt.
Safe Valley Outfitters is located off the Uniontown Square.
Craig is a businessman and farmer from Strawberry, Arkansas.
He and his son liked it so much they came every year since, Craig said.
The Whitmire’s purchased the business from Ron Eldridge and Terry Kirby in January 2022.
“We feel fortunate to purchase it,” Craig said.
For those who don’t know, a hunter outfitting business provides equipment, supplies and guides for hunting trips, according to Webster Merriam Dictionary.
Caleb takes the hunters to the sites on the approximately 8,200 acres they have leased from local landowners for hunting.
“I show them where they (the wild game) are and let them have at it,” he said.
“The landowners and farmers are a vital part of the success of this business,” Caleb said.
Caleb gets help from his brothers-in-law, Will Smith and Tyler Murphy to prepare the land for hunting.
The Whitmore family, from left to right: Tyler Murphy, Caitlin Murphy, Baylor Murphy, Will Smith, Madalyn Smith, Craig Whitmire, Josie Whitmire, Rena Whitmire, Caleb Whitmire and Kortni Whitmire. Submitted photo.
Craig has three daughters ranging in age from 25 to six years old.
“Caleb and the boys (son’s-in law) do scouting, they put up blinds, tree stands and cameras and put out corn (for the deer),” Craig said.
Whitmire said the family business is contributing to the local economy.
“We buy corn from local guys,” Craig said
They also have a bank account in town, eat in local eateries in Bronson and Fort Scott, which also adds to the local economy, he said. They will also pay taxes on the several buildings on the property site, on Uniontown’s square.
The Whitmires are farmers, and Strawberry, Arkansas is about the size of Uniontown, both with a population 300 people Craig said.
Whitmire has several other businesses.
“We run 1.2 million broiler chickens through the year,” Craig said. “We are contract growers through Poultry Egg Company.”
He also has a commercial hay business and a chicken litter business and in addition, a fabrication shop.
But the father and son enjoy hunting and are looking forward to having a successful outfitters business in Kansas.
First Hunt This Season
They had their first Youth Hunt starting on Labor Day.
A Kansas Youth Hunt is for 17 year olds and younger, who possess a valid deer permit and may hunt while under the immediate supervision of an adult 18 or older, according to Kansas Wildlife and Parks online information.
“We had seven hunters with their dads,” Craig said. “From our hometown area in Arkansas.”
They will have hunts until December, then turkey hunting season starts in April-May, he said.
They have packages for archery, muzzle loader, and rifle hunts that include lodging, meals and the guide service.
The lodge with the processing building to the right in the photo.
The lodge has six recently-remodeled bedrooms and an on-site processing building for hanging up the deer for butchering, Craig said.
A bedroom in the lodge of Safe Valley Outfitters.The processing building for cutting up the deer.The commons area of the lodge was recently remodeled and includes a fireplace, TV, eating area, lounging area and snack area.
The Whitmires purchased the building just north of the lodge for a home while they are here running the business.
The Whitmire home is located north of the Safe Valley Outfitters buildings.
Craig and wife, Reina, along with Caleb’s wife, Kortni are the cooks for the groups. Caleb and Kortni were married this last March.
Parts of the family will live on-site during the hunting seasons.
Upcoming hunters are coming from Alabama, New Jersey, Mississppi, Louisiana and Georgia, Craig said.
Most of their clientele have heard of the business through their Facebook page and some are repeat clientele.
“This area is a premier hunting location,” Craig said. “The area has a potential for trophy white tail deer. The ratio between bucks and does is really good.”
A disc golf tournament is scheduled at Gunn Park on Sept. 17.
For those not familiar with the sport, disc golf is played much like golf, but instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc or Frisbee® to aim at a basket on a pole, according the website https://www.pdga.com/introduction. The sport was formalized in the 1970s and the object of the game is to complete each hole with, fewest throws.
Local disc golfer Danny Craig is organizing the Gunn Park tourney, which is a Professional Disc Golf Association event.
Danny Craig is the local organizer of the Professional Disc Golf Association Tournament at Gunn Park on Fort Scott’s west side. Submitted photo.
“This is a professional tournament, the professionals will be playing for money,” he said. “Last year there were 75 players that showed up, from states that surround Kansas. I’m not sure of the economic impact, but they buy gas and meals (in Fort Scott) and maybe even stay in the hotels.”
“Disc golf was started in Fort Scott in 1999,” he said. “The Fort Scott Kiwanis provided nine baskets.” It now has 18 holes.
Craig enjoys the game because it is good exercise, he said. “And watching others play. I started playing when I moved next door to a disc golf course and fell in love with the game.”
Disc golf participants watch the game in a prior tournament in Gunn Park. Submitted photo.
“There is something about throwing that perfect shot,” he said. “It doesn’t happen every time, but when it does, it’s magic.”
The cost for this tournament for professional disc golfers is $63, in the amateur division, $58; the intermediate and entertainment division, $53 and the junior division, which is 18 years old and younger, $53.
“There is a payout for the winners in the professional division, it’s $600 added cash above the entry fee,” Craig said. “Amateurs get prizes. Entry fees goes towards the players packets.”
A trailer with disc golf supplies will allow amateur winners to choose their prize. Submitted photo.
There will be a trailer with disc golf supplies, he said. “The amateurs can choose from this.”
Rain or shine the event will happen, he said. “Lightening delays the event one hour, if is continues, the event discontinues.”
The first round starts at 9 a.m., the other at 1 p.m.
“Hole number one is by the small rock shelter house, near the lower pond,” Craig said. “It tees off here.”
Gunn Park is a very picturesque course, with gently rolling hills and trees.
“It is one of Kansas’s hidden treasures,” Craig said.
“I want to thank our sponsors Hammer Insurance, 5 Corners Gas Station and the City of Fort Scott,” Craig said.
Disc golf players walk to another hole in Gunn Park at a prior tournament. Submitted photo.
About The Game
“A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target, which is the hole,” according to the website. “The hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive throw from the spot where the previous throw landed. The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the putt lands in the basket and the hole is completed.”
Audry Eberhard in her music studio. Submitted photo.
Audry Eberhard is the sole owner and employee of Discovery Music Studio, located in the basement of her home at 410 Sunset Drive.
“I have been giving lessons for over 20 years, eight of which have been in this area,” she said. “I am just now starting to give lessons and classes in my home studio.”
She gives both individual and group piano lessons.
Some of the instruments she teaches music concepts with. Submitted photo.
“I have 3 pianos in my studio, so I can do a group of three students,” Eberhard said. “I have a curriculum that I am going to use that includes ensemble pieces. Playing in a group affords students the chance to develop accuracy while playing, because you need to get the rhythm correct as well as play correct notes.”
“Students are more motivated to practice as well because they want to sound like their friends and not make any mistakes,” she said. “It also gives students the chance to learn from each other as well as the teacher. I teach music theory in the form of a game to make the learning time more fun and games are more fun when you play them with friends.”
The cost of an individual lesson is $50 a month with more details on her website. The cost of the group classes is $30 a month.
“I have several different group classes: Group Piano, Preschool Group, and a beginning music group for 5-8 year olds,” she said.” I presently have openings for the Preschool Group on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. My Beginning Music Class presently has 3 openings and meets Thursday’s at 4:15 p.m.”
“If people are interested in other group times I do have openings in my schedule, they would just need to contact me via my website for other available time frames,” she said. “My schedule and openings are constantly changing as more people contact me.”
Eberhard said she “wanted to figure out a way to bring in a little more income and yet do something that I loved to do. I have always enjoyed lessons in the over 20 years that I have given them.”
“I needed to build up my client base and as part of that I thought it would be better if I could have an area dedicated to my lessons rather than just a piano in my living room,” she said. “In researching, I came across the idea of group lessons for piano teaching. I have taught groups of kids other kinds of music in previous job settings so it was an intriguing idea to use this in piano teaching.”
“God blessed me with two more pianos at very reasonable costs so now I have the means of doing group piano” Eberhard said. “I am excited to see how the students respond in the group setting. There is an energy and excitement when students are learning and discovering things in a group setting.”
More of the instruments Eberhard teaches music concepts with. Submitted photo.
“I use various instruments, games and hands on activities to teach musical ideas and concepts,” she said.
The Marmaton Massacre Festival, a mountain bike race held annually in Fort Scott’s Gunn Park is September 17 th and 18th.
The Marmaton Massacre Festival is a full weekend of mountain bike racing, free camping, food, and live music, with the Marathon Race on Saturday, followed by live entertainment, free camping, and then category races on Sunday, according to https://www.singletracks.com/bike-races/the-marmaton-massacre-festival/ .
“This is a real grass roots event, on hand-built single-track trails,” according to the website.
Gunn Park is located on Fort Scott’s west side on Park Avenue.
The first bike race trails were built by Frank Halsey, an avid mountain bike rider, who than established a group called Gunn Park Trails. The group maintains the trails throughout the year and organizes local rides. See their Facebook page for updates on the trail conditions. https://www.facebook.com/GunnParkTrails
Athletes from the region participate in the annual event, with last year’s winner from Oklahoma City and the previous year, from Wisconsin.
Even though the mountain bike race is not really a spectator sport, the public is encouraged to attend the Saturday evening entertainment, because local musicians D.J. Brown and the Bourbon County Revival will be playing at 7 p.m., Frank Halsey, event coordinator said.
Frank Halsey, event organizer, hugs his grandson following a first place win in the kids’ race in July 2018.
Also performing will be the Fort Scott High School Select Music Ensemble in the late afternoon, Halsey said.
Races occur on Saturday, the 17th, from noon till 4 p.m.
All activities are staged at Shelter House #6.
Volunteers are welcome and needed, Halsey said. He can be contacted at 620-704-2730.
A food truck, “Bogan’s Bites”, will be onsite for refreshments.
On Saturday, events begin with packet pickup at noon, and a four-hour marathon race will begin at 1 p.m.
“The little kid’s race is at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday,” Halsey said. “Kids must wear a helmet, and parents must sign a liability waiver. Eric’s Bike & Board from Overland Park will have their event van onsite and be repairing bikes.”
Kids 10 and under, race for free, and compete in a one-mile race.
At 6 p.m. there will be a dinner for participants.
Uniontown had a cool, cloudy day on Labor Day for their annual Old Settler’s Picnic, which has been going on since 1905.
The weekend was full, with a fishing derby, community church service and games preceding the day of the picnic, along with Uniontown High School all-school reunion.
On Labor Day a parade, picnic, games and the traditional recognition of Old Settlers took place along with a large car show in memory of Dale Jackson, a long-time business owner.
Girls race in a contest during the Old Settler’s Picnic.
The following results of some of the contests were provided by Becky Shinn, treasurer/secretary of the Old Settler’s Picnic Committee.
On Sunday night, the corn hole contest was won by Tyler Walker and Chase Ermel, with second place going to Corey Chandra and Dillion Weddle.
“The Sunday Family Fun night was well attended,” Shinn said.
“The activities went very well and everyone had a chance to see old friends.”
The children’s parade always preceeds the bigger parade and the following kids won prizes for:
Best Theme: Harper and Holden Bunnell,
Best Costume: Josie Miller and Bennett Miller, and
Best Battery Operated Child’s Vehicle: Jett Troutman with Sadie and Molly Troutman.
The following groups won prizes in the parade:
Best Church Float: Bethel Community Baptist Church
Bethel Community Baptist Church in the Old Settler’s Parade.
Best Theme Float: The Class of ‘62
Best School Floats:
1. UHS Sophomore Class and UHS Football players.
The Uniontown High School football team in the parade.
Second place: Fort Scott Community Cheer and Dance Team.
The traditional recognition for oldest woman at the park – Natalie Comstock, oldest gentleman at the park – Glen Post;
the couple married the longest -Jerry and Betty O’Harah at 62 years and the former Uniontown resident that traveled the farthest- Dean and Shirly Meyers.
Special recognition was given to Suzie Franklin for all the help she has given the Old Settlers Picnic through the years.
The Uniontown High School Cheerleaders.
The winners of the drawing for cash prizes were:
$100 – Jessica Hagon; $75 – Zach Franklin and
$50 – Michael Ireland.
The Old Settler’s Picnic Committee members were Shayla Knight, Rhonda DeWitt, Nancy Holt and Becky Shinn.
The Uniontown High School Band marches in the parade.Horses are always a part of the Uniontown Old Settler’s Picnic Parade.The Uniontown City Park was full of people enjoying food, friends and family for the annual picnic.The turtle race is a kid favorite at Old Settler’s Picnic.
Volunteers post a flag at a Fly the Flag subscriber’s business. Submitted photo.
A local group of Fort Scottians work together to help the Fort Scott National Historic Site personnel tell the story of the its’ history.
The Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, INC was formed in 2009 to work in cooperation with Fort Scott National Historic Site, according to a press release.
Members primary purpose is to support, advocate, and promote the importance of the Fort and its history through education, fundraising, volunteerism, and preservation.
The group is having its annual meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the Presbyterian Church at 3rd and Crawford Street, south entrance.
This event is free and open to the public.
“Anyone that would like to help the Friends of FSNHS with our mission to support Fort Scott National Historic Site is welcome to join,” said Friends of the Fort spokesperson Kelley Collins, herself a former park ranger for 23 years at the site.
“The community and all members of the Friends are encouraged to attend,” said President Reed Hartford said. “We will elect new officers, begin planning for next year’s activities, and enjoy a program presented by a ranger from Fort Scott NHS.”
The current leadership is Hartford, president; Matthew Wells, vice-president; Ronda Hassig, secretary and Marlene Braker, treasurer.
There are monthly board meetings, an annual meeting, and gatherings for various projects and fundraisers throughout the year.
What are those projects?
“We help the Fort with various events like the U. S. Naturalization Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, and 4th of July ( activities that are held at the fort),” Collins said.
Reed Hartford and Marlene Braker serve ice cream during an event at the site. Submitted photo.
“Our major fundraiser is the Fly the Flag project where we post an American flag outside subscribers homes and businesses on five flag holidays throughout the year,” she said.
Another community offering is in the works by the group.
“We are currently working with the National Park Service to bring a performance of Wahzhazhe: The story of the Osage people in dance and music to Fort Scott in July 2023,” Collins said.
There are various membership levels for the organization ranging from $35 to $1,000.
“Memberships help our organization support and promote Fort Scott National Historic Site in ways that the National Park Service cannot,” she said.
The organization lost two long-time members, Martha and Jim Scott, recently. Martha died and Jim moved away.
“Martha served as secretary for the organization since its inception and was a driving force in its establishment and success,” Collins said.
Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.
This week’s Friday Night Concert will be a family-style open-mic show for local talent. All ages are welcome to present one song and, should time permit, be prepared to perform a total of two songs. Performances may be instrumental and/or vocal. Upon request, local musicians will be available to accompany anyone who asks. Accompaniment tracks can also be accommodated.
“This week’s show will be a treasure trove of local talent and we’re hopeful to have several show up and shake things up a bit,” concert series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “For those who aren’t interested in performing, help us out and encourage some musicians or vocalists you know to share their talent in a comfortable setting. Come out and join us for an interesting evening and enjoy the music with friends.”
For more information, or to be scheduled in the show, please call 620-224-1150. The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
