Kathy Dancer stands in front of the Scottish Rite Temple. 110 S. Main, Fort Scott.
Kathy and Tracy Dancer are working to restore the former Scottish Rite Temple building in historic downtown Fort Scott.
“We bought it at the Bourbon County Tax sale in January 2022 for $20,000,” Kathy said. “That’s when we saw the opportunity to purchase it at the sale. We had been trying for years to contact the former owner, who purchased it from the Mason’s.”
The 12,000 square foot building that has been vacant for about 10 years is getting a electric update, Kathy said.
“Kudos to the Masons,” she said. “They took took good care of the building…the water and most of the electric were taken care of.”
The Dancers have plans for a cafe in the area that people might remember as where the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs prepared and served their meals they sold the public as fundraisers.
Even before that recent use, there was a cafe there.
“The Cohen Cafe, before 1948, had a cafe in the space,” she said.
The Dancers plan to have the cafe open for breakfast and lunch service in that same space, possibly in spring 2023. “We are waiting for state approval for construction to begin.”
“We want to focus on locally produced in the region fruits, veggies and meat as much as possible,” she said.
Kathy Dancer stands in front of the current main entrance of the Scottish Rite Temple. After renovation of the building, there will be other entrances and restored large windows.
They are also planning on having a retail incubator.
“We also hope to put a micro-retail space for 6 to 8 businesses in one large section,” she said. “Handcrafted goods: jewelry, popcorn, custom home decor, furniture (for example). With a central check-out. People won’t have to man their space.”
“I need more approvals for this project,” she said. “It will focus on locally produced goods as much as possible.”
She said her husband is working through the process of getting a distillers license. “To have bourbon crafted and aged in Bourbon County,” she said.
“We are starting with the ground floor first, it will take time,” Kathy said. “I’m guestimating five years to complete.”
The beautiful theater in the building is a question mark.
“We don’t know what we are going to do with the theater,” she said.
Ronda and Rob Hassig with one of their adopted sons, Harvey Crowder in the room with the Mark Twain fireplace .
The Thomas and Anna Herbert House, now owned by Rob and Ronda Hassig, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The house is located at 512 South Judson St.
Fort Scott.
The heavy plaque noting the registration sits inside the Hassig home, waiting for a pole to be built to attach it to, since it is very heavy.
“Having the house on the National Register of Historic places means the Herbert House gets the recognition it so richly deserves,” Ronda Hassig said. “Rob and I both feel strongly that this designation will also keep our beautiful home safe even after we are gone. We love the Herbert House and are hoping that the Heritage Trust Fund Grant from the state of Kansas will come through and we can do some much-needed repairs on the exterior of the house!”
“The reason the Herbert House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places is because of the Queen Anne architecture and style,” Ronda said. “When the historical architect first visited us to help with the National Register application, she literally walked through the front door and said ‘This is a slam dunk!’ The Queen Anne style was based on the premise of ‘decorative excess” and that is exactly what the Herberts did!”
About Thomas Herbert
Thomas Herbert. Submitted photo.
“Thomas Herbert worked for the government and happened through Fort Scott on one of his business trips after the Civil War and fell in love with the town,” she said. “He bought the lots on Judson in the early 1870s but didn’t build until 1887/88. He married his wife Anna in 1873 at the Episcopalian church.”
“Mr. Herbert owned a store at Second and Wall Street that had paint, wallpaper, and home decor items from all over the world, kind of a mini-Home Depot,” she said. “He was from Canada and learned painting as an apprentice in Buffalo, NY.”
“He…decorated some of the most beautiful houses in Fort Scott so he was quite the artist,” Ronda said. “When the town renovated the Opera House, Mr. Herbert painted all of the Egyptian figures on the walls and ceiling of the theatre! He would definitely be considered one of the founding fathers of Fort Scott.”
Anna Herbert. Submitted photo.
Herbert was a Mason of the 33rd Degree, so he spent time at the Scottish Rites Temple, she said.
Description of the Herbert House
“We have lived in the house for almost four years and we still find little decorations inside and out that we haven’t noticed before,” she said. “The hand carved woodwork would have been done back East, and then would have been shipped by train. A builder would have built the house to suit the Herberts. We don’t know who the builder was but whoever it was they did a really nice job!”
The house is 6000 square feet including a full attic, dry basement and coal shoot, and 4000 square feet of living space with 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, music room, living room, dining room, modern kitchen and library/den.
“My favorite room is probably the dining room because of the Czechoslovakian chandelier and the Mark Twain fireplace,” Ronda said. “Mark Twain liked to watch the snow fall and the fire blaze at the same time so there are two flues and a window above the fire box!”
“The library/den, half bath, and 5th bedroom were added to the house in 1930 by Dr. Wilkening who lived in the house longer than anyone else,” she said. “The music room was actually his office.”
A photo of Dr. William Wilkening’s medical class. Hassig is unsure which one is Dr. Wilkening. Submitted photo.
Renown photographer Gordon Parks was friends with one of the more recent owners of the house, Ken and Charlotte Lunt.
“Gordon Parks was very good friends with the Lunts and he visited the house often in his later years,” she said. “He held court in the front burgundy velvet antique chairs by the round window whenever he visited. We’ve hosted the Gordon Parks Celebration VIPS that last two years so that David Parks (Gordon’s son) can see the house again every year.”
“The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.”
Bourbon County is set for a tax sale on October 13, 2022 at 10 a.m. in the lobby of the Bourbon County Courthouse at 210 S National Avenue, Fort Scott, Kansas.
“The purpose of the tax sales is to get the properties into the hands of taxpayers that will pay the (property) taxes,” Bourbon County Treasurer Patty Love, said.
Patty Love. Submitted photo.
“There are a total of 68 properties on the list at this time,” she said.
There is a process to hold the tax sale.
“The Bourbon County Counselor, Justin Meeks, files the tax sale in court, Love said “Justin works with the County Appraiser, Matt Quick, to provide the maps and pictures the day of the tax sale to show property for sale. The treasurer collects the revenue from the tax sale and applies it to the property taxes. The Register of Deeds Lora Holdridge’s office, will type the new deeds.”
Justin Meeks, Bourbon County Counselor. Submitted photo.Matt Quick. Taken from LinkedIn. Quick is the county appraiser.Lora Holdridge, register of deeds.
“At the prior tax sale held in January 2022, there were 50 properties that sold for a total of $129,408.40,” Love said. “The 14 properties that didn’t sell were properties inside the city of Fort Scott that had a minimum bid which was a total of the Special Assessment levied against the property by the City for mowing and demolition. Those properties that didn’t sell have now been transferred to the Fort Scott City Land Bank.”
The following is a description of the Fort Scott Land Bank from a prior news release:
“The Fort Scott Land Bank focuses on the conversion of vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, or otherwise underused properties into productive use.
Vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, or otherwise underused properties are often grouped together as “problem properties” because they destabilize neighborhoods, create fire and safety hazards, drive down property values, and drain local tax dollars.
The Fort Scott Land Bank was created to strategically acquire problem properties, eliminate the liabilities, and transfer the properties to new, responsible owners in a transparent manner that results in outcomes consistent with community-based plans.
These opportunities are a collection of parcels owned by the Fort Scott Land Bank.
Every transfer of property from the Fort Scott Land Bank will be accompanied by a development agreement, outlining the final use of the property as well as accompanying timelines. The purchase price for Land Bank properties will be negotiated based on the cost to acquire the property as well as the details in the development agreement. The Fort Scott Land Bank Board of Trustees will approve the final agreement and purchase offer.”
“The money from the Land Bank is distributed to the various taxing entities at the time of the next distribution,” she said. “County Distributions take place in January, March, June, September and October.”
Here is a list of the properties and their owners that will be sold at the tax sale:
Lindsay Madison, standing right, leads discussion at the Fort Scott Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet event on Oct. 4
Downtown Fort Scott has experienced much improvements in the last few years.
Historic buildings have been and are being brought back to life, some for business storefronts and some for residences. There has hardly been a month where there wasn’t a dumpster in front of buildings downtown where construction going on.
All the new businesses and residences create problems that local city, businesses and organizations are working to solve.
At the quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on Oct. 4, hosted by City State Bank, there was discussion of the downtown parking situation.
The need is real: more available and easily accessed parking for downtown businesses and residents.
The two recently renovated buildings, Union Lofts at 20 S. Main and Fort Scott Lofts at 8 E. First, need approximately 120 parking spaces for residents. In addition there are a growing number of other downtown apartments.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division has been having conversations to come up with solutions, Lindsay Madison, executive director of the Chamber said.
“No solution will make everyone happy,” Bailey Lyons, chair of the the division told the attendees. We are looking at the most cost effective ways.”
There is a small unpaved parking lot in back of the Union Lofts, at First and National Avenue that has not been developed, “but funding is not available, is my understanding,” Madison said.
There are currently public parking lots behind Moe’s Breads on National Avenue, south of Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel, 201 S. Main and on Skubitz Plaza at the north end of downtown.
Some solutions for the parking situation on Main Street, from information provided by Madison are:
Enforcement of the 2-hour parking that is already in place. The ticket amount is being discussed by the city.
Reinstall parking meters. This is not a popular choice, based on feedback.
Have no parking allowed between the hours of midnight to 6 a.m.
Give designated spots, with car stickers, in downtown area public parking lots for the downtown residents.
Build parking garages large enough to hold all the apartment resident’s cars, business employees cars and overflow parking.
“No solution will make everyone happy,” Bailey Lyons, chair of the the division told the attendees. We are looking at the most cost effective ways.”
For Lyons, the possible solutions are “Divert and assign spots for residents and business employees, and have better signage to identify public parking lots.”
Also on the Downtown Meet and Greet Agenda:
The Fort Scott National Historic Site annual candlelight tour is the first weekend in December, with tickets set to go on sale on November 1.
The annual Downtown Halloween Parade is Oct. 29, with festivities starting at 10 a.m. and the parade at 11 a.m. Hot dogs will be provided after the parade for participants.
Downtown Holiday Open House is Nov. 10-12, with the kick-off event from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 10.
Small Business Saturday Bonanza in November 26.
Cocoa and Caroling Night Shopping is Friday, December 9 from 5-8 p.m.
Madison listed several business resources available in Fort Scott:
The Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Event, today from 5-7 p.m. at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Office, north of Luther’s BBQ on North National. There will be tips to affording health insurance.
Also at this location is the Small Business Development Center, with Dacia Clark as the contact.
Bourbon County Regional Economic Development offers business entrepreneurship mentoring with Mark McCoy, by appointment.
E-Community Loans are available at 4% for 10 years, minimum loan is $5,000 maximum is $45,000. Contact the Chamber.
Governor Laura Kelly announced that small businesses can now apply to receive COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief. In June, Governor Kelly signed bipartisan House Bill 2136, investing $50 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two downtown building construction updates
Lyons gave an update on the building on the west side of downtown Main Street that she and her husband are renovating.
She said they are working with the state on the historic building which is a slow process, and have addressed structural issues.
“We are going to tackle the first floor first,” she said. “It is a possible build-to-suit for interested businesses.”
Kathy Dancer gave an update on the Scottish Temple that she and her husband have purchased.
She envisions a cafe and retail spaces in the building.
“I am guesstimating 18 months until we get the cafe going,” she said.
There will be a future story on this project on fortscott.biz.
About the host
City State Bank President John Hill told attendees that the bank was chartered in 1920, and in 2018 the downtown branch location was remodeled. They have two locations: 1012 Highway 69 or 202 Scott Avenue Fort Scott. and can be reached at 620-223-1600.
“We are a $55 million dollar institution, with 97% in Bourbon County,” he told the attendees.
The Bourbon County Townships, taken from the Bourbon County, KS website.The Bourbon County Townships, taken from the Bourbon County, KS website.
No hot dog roasts allowed until a significant amount of rain falls across Bourbon County, and no burning trash. However, outside cooking in covered barbeque grills is allowed.
“It’s unfortunate,” said Delwin Mumbower, Bourbon County Fire District #3 Chief said. “My grandkids would like to have a weinee roast. But the conditions are not right.”
Mumbower asked for and received authorization by the Bourbon County Commission last week to ban all open burning in the county, until a significant amount of rain falls to make conditions less a threat to fires getting out of control.
The City of Fort Scott has already implemented fire restrictions in the city.
The rural fire districts must haul their own water to sites of fires.
“We have to haul water, there are very few fire hydrants in the rural areas,” he said. “There is a concern for the fire districts in the area that once a fire is started, in these extreme dry conditions, a fire is difficult to control.”
The biggest pumper truck they have holds 2,300 gallons, he said.
“Road ditch fires, unexplained fires, are rare except in exceptionally dry times,” Mumbower said. “The last two weeks there have been five unexplained fires.”
There is a concern, for the fire districts in the area, that once a fire is started in these extreme dry conditions, of their ability to control the fire.
There has been little rain since June and the last two months have had above normal temperatures, which has brought the conditions the county faces.
The willful violation of this burn ban, is a misdemeanor and punishable by law, according to the ban the commissioners put in place.
Lisa Lewis is the new Fort Scott City Clerk, as of Oct. 1, 2022.
Lisa A. Lewis, 56, is the new Fort Scott City and Municipal Court Clerk, as of Oct. 1, when Diane Clay retired.
Lewis and husband, Tony, are new to Fort Scott. The Lewis’s came in 2021, having lived in Chicago and raised their four children there.
From 2019 to 2021 they lived in Queen Creek, AZ but decided they liked Midwest living better than the desert, so decided to move to Kansas, she said.
She started working at the city of Fort Scott as administrative support in January of 2022 working with Jackson Tough and Tourism as well as City Hall.
“My son in Spring Hill, KS was the one responsible for us all moving to Kansas,” she said. “We wanted to come back Midwest, where our heart is, but never back to Illinois. He played baseball for Wichita State University and then minor league for the Chicago White Sox. My husband also played minor league for the San Diego Padres and was sold on Fort Scott because of the LaRoche Stadium, where he currently works, so he is enjoying life here too and hoping to make more opportunities for the city with that aspect.”
“We wanted to move to a small town, from the big cities of previous years, and start to slow down,” she said. “I began working at City Hall but opportunities came fast and furious that changed all of that. Diane Clay took me under her wing and brought me along. She truly is amazing and someone I look up to. I hope to make her proud. I most certainly have a lot to learn in order to represent like she did, but I will get there. I believe I bring a lot of life experiences, I have dabbled in many of the pertinent professional areas over the years. I also have the passion and mindset to be an integral part of a team to help this charming little town be all it can be and more.”
“I come from big towns, and I know how to live ‘big town’, however, I have quickly come to love the charm and pace of small town living; but it is a definite learning curve,” she said. “I hope the residents will afford me that necessary grace period to learn all about Fort Scott and its needs, because my intentions are nothing but good. I am enjoying getting to know everyone. People are friendly here even though I am an outsider. Residents and my co-workers have been extremely gracious, welcoming and patient to date. I am used to being surrounded by shopping and services galore. Now I realize that if Wal-Mart doesn’t have it, we may not really need it anymore…that’s a good thing.”
With her husband of 33 years, Tony, they raised four children.
“My daughter (32) is married with one child and one on the way,” she said. “She lives in Shawnee, KS and her husband works for Johnson County Corrections. Our son (30) lives in Chicago, IL and is a general manager for Menards. He plans to move to Kansas in the near future. Our son (26) is married with one child on the way and lives in Spring Hill, where he is a deputy sheriff for Johnson Co. Sheriff’s Office. Our daughter (16) is a junior at Fort Scott High School and found her passion in the theater there.”
Her work experience includes: Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Graphic Designer (20 years), Illinois DCFS Case Aide /Court Liaison (9 years), worked in healthcare as a CNA, Phlebotomist and Lab Clinical/Clerical Assistant (7 years).
Fort Cinema,224 W 18th St, Fort Scott is the Family Life Assembly of God Church distribution site for free food.
Family Life Assembly of God, Fort Scott Campus, is hosting a free food distribution for the community from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fort Cinema parking lot, 224 W. 18th Street, on Saturday Oct. 1st.
Participants will have to be in a vehicle and come through the Fort Cinema parking lot, according to Pastor Grady Proffitt.
FLAG workers help distribute food in an earlier distribution. Submitted photos.
“We have resources to supply food and essential household items to 75 family units,” Proffitt said. “There will be a fruit and vegetable box, along with bread, and other foods and essential household items.”
Workers hand out food in a prior food distribution.
Convoy of Hope, Springfield, MO, is the sponsor source of this distribution.
Workers in a prior distribution. Submitted photos.
“Our mission is to help with essential needs of families in our community,” Proffitt said. “We are blessed to have many partnerships within our church, and we want to use those to the best of our abilities. Our church mission is to help people love God and love others. We choose to use what God gives us so others may be blessed.”
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God Church meets in Fort Cinema. Submitted photos.
The church has been established in Fort Scott for about one month, meeting in the Fort Cinema movie theater.
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God in worship. Submitted photos.
” We had 91 people attend our launch Sunday, and have been blessed since,” he said. “FLAG Church has been commissioned to plant a campus in Fort Scott. We aim to not steal or take away from other churches here in town, but add to the Church by reaching those who do not have a church home. We want to encourage others that already have a church home to keep going. There are many great churches in Fort Scott! We are excited to be a part of what God is already doing here in this community.”
The church mission is led by four core beliefs: Salvation, Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Jesus, Pastor Proffitt said. To learn more about their beliefs: https://www.flagchurch.com/about.
“Within the pursuit of our mission, God has done many miraculous works throughout our gatherings,” Proffitt said. “Since the beginning of August, on Thursday nights, we have seen five physical healings on those in attendance. We seek to gather, connect, and pray for more of God’s miraculous signs and wonders just as He did in Acts 2. God is truly doing something amazing!”
The sermon is broadcast from the Pittsburg Family Life Assembly of God Church. Submitted photos.
Sunday morning service is from 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. and includes live worship, corporate prayer, kids services, and a Gospel centered message.
A gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co.. Submitted photos.
They also host a Campus Gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co. every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pastor Grady Proffitt and wife, Jacque Proffitt. Submitted photos.
FLAG Fort Scott is led by Pastor Grady and and his wife, Jacque Proffitt.
“We moved to Fort Scott in June,” he said. “We have had seven years of ministry experience and are thankful we can be a part of this great community! FLAG Fort Scott is definitely a place you want to check out!”
On September 27, 2022 the Bourbon County Commission ordered all outside burning in the county prohibited, unless specifically approved by the fire chief, with the exception of covered barbeque grills.
High heat and little rain since June have prompted the ordinance, and is in effect until a sufficient rain occurs.
Under these extreme dry conditions, once started a fire would be difficult to control by fire departments. Water usage is of great concern and also the availability of enough water to put out the fire.
The 66th Annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, a celebration of rural America’s technology of the past, starts tonight with a parade of antique, and classic farm implements and much more.
The parade will be on Main Street through Fort Scott’s historic downtown on Thursday, September 29th at 6 PM.
Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on south Horton Street, will be a scene of educational and historic exhibits, entertainment, vendors, food and arts and crafts.
Quilts displayed during the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta 2015.
New this year is a large model train display with little people in villages, according to Craig Shikles, president of the PHF board. It will be there at 9 a.m. on Saturday throughout the day. Other officers of the board: Larry Richard, Delphine Parks and Betsy Readinger.
Over 320 local students will be coming to the fiesta on Friday, according to Del Parks. “They will be able to do some hands-on stuff, she said.
There will be drag saw demonstrations, Baker fan demonstrations, tractors, gas engines, straw baling, wheat thrashing, corn husking/shelling, rock crushing, and saw mill operations on display.
The full weekend admission is only $5 per person and includes a collector button and Friday Bean Feed at 5 PM. Hours the fiesta is open: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Children under age 12 are free, however free admission does not include button. Prior year Collector Buttons available, $1.
There will be many food vendors including a chicken and noodle dinner provided by the First Southern Baptist Church, chili dogs provided by the local Eastern Star organization and biscuits, gravy and coffee will be sold at the information tent for breakfast at the Eddy Street entrance to benefit the PHF organization.
On Saturday evening, there will be a bull riding and mutton busting event to enjoy, although it is not a part of the fiesta, it will be located on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
Music to Enjoy
Ralph Carlson and Floyd Feezell have organized a great lineup of talent for the music entertainment at the fiesta.
On Saturday at 10 a.m. a band including Larry and Judy Snow, from Mound City, will be performing. The Snows play for dances and concerts in this area. At 11 a.m., the Hemphill Family Band will be performing. Jack, Sandy, Brad, and Kristen also perform in the area. They play different styles of music, but they do lots of country pieces.
At noon, there will be an open mike session. People who wish to perform may bring CDs with which to sing or bring their own instruments and/or voices to participate. The sound system will be controlled by David Oas.
At 1 p.m., a string group, The Prairie Sunflower Strings, will perform. The group consists of mountain dulcimers, autoharp, fiddle, guitar, and bass guitar. Members of the group who are local are Jean Strader, Marilyn Adcock, Joyce Love, Sandy Hemphill, and Jack Hemphill. Cherry Nelson, from Columbus, also performs in the group on the dulcimer. This group will also play at 3 p.m.
David Prickett, a local guitar player,will perform at 2 p.m. He plays and sings a wide variety of music. The music should conclude at approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday.
On Sunday morning, there will be a church service under the same tent. Rev. Joel Crippen, minister at the First Southern Baptist Church, will be leading the service.
Following the church service, there will be another open mike session. All are invited to attend and/or perform.
The community is encouraged to come out and listen the music while looking at all of tractors and enjoy shopping at the vendor booths both Saturday and Sunday.
Christopher Eshelman is pictured with his wife, Robin. Submitted photo.
Fort Scott’s First United Methodist has made plans to provide educational and social opportunities that bring older adults together for personal growth.
Shepherd’s Center is a program to counteract the negative effects of loneliness and isolation by connecting older adults to empowering programs that foster friendships, according to a press release from the church.
The program in Fort Scott will begin on Friday, October 14th, with a session from 11:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church at Third and National Avenue.
This kickoff event is free to attend.
Pre-registration is required in order to receive a free lunch from Marsha’s Deli. One can preregister by calling or visiting the church, during office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon or visit www.firstumcfsks.org/shepherdscenteroffortscott to register online. The church phone number is 620.223.1950.
The Adventures in Learning program is the signature program of Shepherd’s Centers that supports personal growth and discovery with courses, cultural enrichment workshops, hobby, and recreational opportunities, according to the press release.
Subjects often cover a wide range of topics: computer and technology, finance, literature, music and art appreciation, world religion, “how-to,” politics, current events, historical events and figures, foreign languages, hobbies, and so much more. Most class instructors are retired older adults, with a number of special interests presented by community experts.
“We got enrolled in the Healthy Congregations program through our church conference and we were going through our assets and needs assessment processes here and we kept seeing loneliness, isolation as concerns… and unused space in our building as an asset,” Pastor Christopher Eshelman said. “It clicked. We made some contacts and found the Wichita, Topeka, and National organizations very helpful in getting us started here in Fort Scott.”
The inaugural Fort Scott event features keynote speaker Patty LaRoche with a presentation entitled “Aged to Perfection.”
Patty LaRoche. Submitted photo.
Afternoon sessions to choose from:
Cathy Werling will present on the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes and how it has inspired her.
Cathy Werling. Submitted photo.
Larry Shead will present on using technology to connect with family and friends.
Larry Shead. Submitted photo.
Ronda Hassig will be discussing her book “The Greatest Test of Courage.” Copies will be available for purchase.
In between these sessions, there will be snacks and plenty of time to connect with other attendees.
The event will close with Eshelman facilitating a discussion of future plans for our Shepherd’s Center / Adventures in Learning program.
“Your ideas for topics and presenters will be welcome as we shape this program to meet local needs and interests,” he said.
The next session will be March 10, 2023 and with a plan to offer three or four total events in 2023, then continuing to expand in years to come.
This program launch is being made possible by First UMC’s participation in the Great Plains UMC Conference’s Healthy Congregations program which provides grants to help churches identify needs and work to improve spiritual, physical, social, and emotional health in their congregations and communities.
”I served on staff at both East and West Heights United Methodist Churches in Wichita and both hosted similar Shepherd’s Center programs,” Eshelman said. “I wasn’t directly involved, but the energy in the building on the days of their sessions and the way the programs so clearly helped older adults both in the church and from the community as a whole, stay active and connected to one another really stuck with me. So many memories of smiling faces and great conversations.”
“We are delighted to offer this resource to the Fort Scott community and excited to see the program grow,” he said.
Shepherd’s Centers are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year after being founded in Kansas City in 1972.
SEK Muliti-County Health Department, located at 6th and Lowman Streets, Fort Scott.
A program geared to all aspects of a mother and young child’s life will start weekly appointments in Fort Scott, next Wednesday.
The Women’s, Infants and Children (WIC) federal program is for low-income pregnant women and follow up care, and also for children five years and under who are at nutritional risk.
The program will start on October 5 by appointment in Fort Scott at the Southeast Kansas Multi County Health Department, 6th and Lowman Street.
Rebecca Johnson, SEKMCHD Director.
Some of the benefits of the program, according to the US Dept. of Ag website
Supplemental nutritious foods. Examples of WIC foods include milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, juice, fish, whole grains, cereal, peanut butter, beans (dried or canned), fresh fruits and vegetables, infant formula and baby food.
Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics.
screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services.
“WIC has been available to the county for years now by the Crawford County Health Department, but will be now located in one location rather multiple locations,” said Becky Johnson
Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer at the SEK Multi-County Health Department. “Since the Bourbon County Health Department moved to a much larger building, we have been working to acquire other services here at our new location.”
“Previously WIC was at Buck Run Community Center, Mercy Hospital and for the last couple of years it has been at our new location about three days a month,” she said.” We are excited to have it housed in one location and are very glad to be able to provide this program to our residents.”
Monday, 7:00am To 5:30 pm
Tuesday, 7:00am To 5:30pm
Wednesday, 7:00am To 5:30pm
Thursday ,7:00am To 5:30pm
Note: Closed for lunch from noon-12:30pm.
The health department can be reached at (620) 223-4464.
Also offered for women at the health department is a mother’s support group:
Breastfeeding Help
“We also will be starting training for a new service next month which is the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program through WIC,” she said. ”
“Breastfeeding Peer Counselors (BFPC) are women in the community with personal breastfeeding experience similar to WIC participants including: age; language; similar ethnic/cultural background; current or previous WIC participation; and an enthusiasm for breastfeeding. Peer Counselors provide education and support for WIC mothers. Programs vary but in general peer counselors are available to WIC clients both inside and outside usual clinic hours and the WIC clinic environment,” according to https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1433/Breastfeeding-Peer-Counselor-Program
Holly Fritter. Submitted photo.
“Our Breast Feeding Peer Counselor, Holly Fritter, has been working for us since 2019 as the Home Visitor for Bourbon County,” Johnson said. “Home visiting for families with young children is a longstanding strategy offering information, guidance, risk assessment, and parenting support interventions at home.”
“The typical ‘home visiting program’ is designed to improve some combination of pregnancy outcomes, parenting skills, and early childhood health and development,” Johnson said. “Holly works out of our Fort Scott office, but will also cover Allen, Anderson and Woodson Counties for the BFPC Program. These programs are an asset to our counties, as it is free to the clients, and provides much needed support and guidance to mothers and families. ”
Taking and transcribing minutes from all meetings as well as 12 advisory board meetings.
Keeping the city website up to date
Posting all street closings/notices on Facebook and city website
Plus many, many more
Besides the city clerk, Clay has been the Municipal Court Clerk for the city, whose duties include:
Attending court and taking accurate recordings of the court sessions.
Inputing actions into the city’s software
Keeping accurate accounting of payments made on cases
Preparing a court docket twice monthly
Preparing reporting statements to the State of Kansas
Clay became a Certified Municipal Clerk in November 2003 and a Master Municipal Clerk in June 2008, through Wichita State University.
In 2018, Clay was named Outstanding Court Clerk for the State of Kansas.
Plans for retirement?
“Travel and relax!” she said. “My husband and I have a daughter and son-in-law and a precious 4-year-old grandson that live in Joplin Missouri. We will spend more time with them I’m sure.”
In addition to her family, Clay has been a constant at her church.
” I have taught Sunday School at Grace Baptist Tabernacle for 49 years!” she said. “I have sung in the choir for probably 49 years also, and been very involved in the church and will continue to do so.”
Lisa Lewis will assume the Fort Scott City Clerk position on Oct.1 and has been training for the job from Clay for three months.
