All posts by Loretta George

Art, Fort Scott, Government, History

Fort Scott Chamber Awarded Grant For History Mural on Skubitz Plaza

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A historic mural project commemorating the African-American troops that fought in the Civil War is moving forward in Fort Scott.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Division applied for and received a Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity grant for $5,250 to have a mural painted on the building that faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.

This mural will be replaced with a new one depicting African-American troops who served in the American Civil War.

“The 1st Kansas Colored Infantry mural will be facing the Fort Scott National Historic Site,” Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison said. ” It commemorates the infantry that was stationed at the fort.”

The grant application was made through a new Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which is a 501c3 entity, she said.

Rachel French, who is on the FS Chamber Downtown Division committee, served as the project coordinator, assisted by Taton Majors, with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. Other members of the downtown Chamber committee are Cathy Bishop, John Crain, Bailey Lyons and Angela Simon.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Committee 2021. Submitted photo. From left: Bailey Lyons, John Crain, Rachel French and Angela Simon. Not pictured is Cathy Bishop.

Deadline for proposals from artists interested in designing and painting the mural was May 31.

Selected artists proposals will be sent to Kansas University Professor of African American Studies, Randal Jelks, to ensure that all drawings are culturally sensitive, French said.

“Then he can make recommendations for possible revisions for design, after that, a local panel here will judge,” French said.

Names will not be attached to the art proposals for judging, to ensure fairness.

The local judges panel includes Trent and Kate Freeman, owners of a local art shop; Whitney Beth, a local art teacher; Katie Hueston, who has been involved in the coordinating of murals in the last two years in the historic downtown area; Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum; Carl Brenner, Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at Fort Scott National Historic Site; and Jerry Witt, owner of the building on which the mural will be painted.

“After they select a winner, we will reach out to the winner personally,” French said. “We will then make the announcement on Facebook and do a press release on June 19. After that, the artist can start and has to be done by September 1.”

To keep up to date on the mural creation:

https://www.facebook.com/muralsoffortscott

The mural will be dedicated during the Gordon Parks Celebration on the first Friday in October, French said.

The $5,250 grant is a matching grant.

“We are fundraising for the match,” French said. “We need to do signage and there will be recognition of donors.”

To donate:

https://muralsoffortscott.wixsite.com/home

 

According to French, other community stakeholders in this mural project are Rob Harrington with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.; Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin; Fort Scott City Commissioners Matthew Wells and Josh Jones; Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp; Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski,  and Brenner, also with the fort.

The following is from the press release announcing the grant awards from the Kansas Department of Commerce:

“Awardees are in communities across the state with less than 15,000 population. The murals will highlight community gathering spaces and tourist attractions – and provide a welcome message for visitors and residents alike. Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community, with the smallest of communities allowed to match the grant with in-kind donations. Seventy-five percent of the grant funding will be gifted upfront as several of the city projects plan to start in the next few weeks.”

To view a prior story:

Historic Mural Soon Coming to Downtown Fort Scott: Artist Proposals Needed by May 29

Exercise, Fort Scott

Tom Robertson To Retire From Buck Run Center after 23 Years

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Tom Robertson. Submitted photo.

Tom Robertson, 55, has been the Buck Run Community Center Recreation Director since May 2000.

Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.

His last day on the job is June 30 ,2023.

Robertson said he has served the Fort Scott community to the best of his ability, developing relationships with many community leaders, and representing the Fort Scott Recreation Commission and BRCC with “high moral values and leadership.”

“Th best part of my job was to improve the quality of life for the Fort Scott families,” he said.  “Dealing with all ages that want to be active, serving the community through offering of programs, events or facilities.”

The biggest challenges of his job?

“Finding quality, responsible volunteers and staff to carry out the programs that we offer,” he said. “And staying within a restricted budget.” Also working evening, weekends and holiday hours, ” when the patrons want to be active.”

Thinking back over the 23 years he feels his accomplishments are:

  • Working to not increase the mill levy, a tax.
  • Helping organize “Pennies in the Park” with the Youth Activity Team and also three concerts that featured Country singers Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. All money raised went to providing a sand volleyball court, outdoor basketball court, lighting at two ball fields, a walking trail at Ellis Park.
  • Hosting various district and state Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball tournaments.
  • Helping to secure a half-cent 10 year sales tax to build an additional phase to Buck Run Community Center and the renovation of the Fort Scott Aquatic Center.
  • Hosting community events: Corporate Olympics, corn hole and  pickle ball tournaments, as well as others.
  • Renovating unused tennis courts to four lighted outdoor pickleball courts.
  • Serving on the Gunn Park Committee that hosted many Christmas in the Park events as well as Independence Day, Halloween and other holiday activities in the park.

There have been many changes in the Buck Run Community Center in his tenure:

  • The new phase of the center that included a fitness center, locker rooms, racketball court, additional office and lobby space in 2012.
  • The renovation of the center’s kitchen in 2020.
  • The renovation of the youth dance studio upstairs in 2020.
  • New services introduced in his tenure:
  • Youth indoor soccer, pickleball tournaments and open play, co-sponsored camps with the Fort Scott High School, corn hole leagues and tournaments.
  • An annual fundraiser for Adopt a Family,  that included garage sales, corn hole tourneys and middle school dances.
  • The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Competitions for the community to become more health conscience.

Robertson has big plans for his retirement.

“I’m getting married the first day of retirement, July 1,” he said. “To Becky Colding from Chanute. She will be moving to Fort Scott. She has accepted the job of administrative assistant for the Bourbon County Public Works Department.”

He plans on staying active but also spending time with his family.

“I want to find a job that is rewarding but not stressful,” he said. “(And) being the best dad, grandpa, husband, son, brother and friend I can be.”

 

About the Fort Scott Recreation Commission

All employees of FSRC work for U.S.D. # 234, that levies taxes.  The city of Fort Scott has contracted the FSRC to manage Buck Run Community Center. The FSRC has their own budget and board.

The mission of the Fort Scott Recreation Commission is to promote the development of a healthy and productive life for the citizens who reside in the USD #234 School District through broad based recreational opportunities, according to its Facebook page.

The Fort Scott Recreation Commission has a board consisting of five members serving three  or four terms. These are non compensated positions. Tammy Hill is the chairperson, board membersare Adam Lancaster, Stewart Gulager, Mike Chipman and Susan Marbery.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Jobs

Rural Workforce Summit June 22

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Bourbon County Redi…
Rural Workforce Summit
The Rural Workforce Summit will feature seven nationally recognized industry leaders in workforce development, who will share their insights and expertise. This diverse group of speakers will offer valuable knowledge and practical strategies that can benefit individuals and businesses alike.
We have arranged a block of discounted hotel rooms at the Sleep Inn exclusively for summit attendees. If you have any out of town employees or executives who may choose to stay overnight before the event, they will gain unprecedented access to a networking event with all of the speakers. This exclusive opportunity allows for one-on-one conversations with each of the speakers, fostering valuable connections and insights.
To ensure your participation, please RSVP by June 19th by using the QR code on the attached flyer or the Eventbrite link in this email. We kindly request a nominal admission fee of $20, which includes lunch and a continental breakfast provided during the event.
Date: June 22, 2023 Time: 7:15 AM – 1:00 PM
Art, Business

Uniontown Receives Kansas Grant For a Mural

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The Bandera Stone company building is on the north side of Uniontown’s square.

The City of Uniontown received a $2,250  grant from the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity to have a mural painted in the town.

The grant for the mural was initiated by Mary Pemberton, who with her husband owns Bandera Stone, a dimension stone business in town.

Recently, they renovated a brick building on the north side of Uniontown’s square, at 103 Third Street.

“I have been considering a mural since we started renovations on the building,” she said. “I always notice murals when I travel and I think this location by the park is a perfect place to bring a little art to Uniontown.”

Mary Pemberton stands in front of the east side of the Bandera Stone building, where the mural will be painted.

The Bandera Stone building has a large exposed eastern side, which can be viewed from the city park, across the street.

Pemberton read about the grant opportunity from the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity and at first she wasn’t interested.

“But the promotion they do for the winners would get Uniontown some attention, not only locally but state-wide, so I decided to apply,” Pemberton said.

Danyell Miles, Fort Scott,  is the artist selected by Pemberton to design and paint the mural.

Pemberton said they are finalizing all the details on the design but that it includes Bourbon County and Kansas iconic images with a special feature that pays homage to local authors.

“I have always been an avid reader so wanted to do something to incorporate books into the mural,” she said.  “You’ll have to wait until the mural is finished and come see it in person to find this special feature.  The mural is designed with a lot of elements that require you to spend a few minutes and look closely to really understand the significance of the details.  The mural is also designed with selfie (photo) lovers in mind and will have one 3D element for photo opportunities. Danyell deserves all the credit for taking my unorganized ideas and putting them together to design a very unique and interesting mural.”

“Painting should start in late June,” Pemberton said. “We expect to have it completed in time for a grand reveal during the final Music in the Park event at Uniontown city park on August 11th.”

To prepare for the mural, the Pemberton’s had the brick wall tucked pointed and cleaned, plus put lighting along that side of the building.

The Grant

“Awardees are in communities across the state with less than 15,000 population,” according to a press release from Kansas Governor Kelly’s office. “The murals will highlight community gathering spaces and tourist attractions – and provide a welcome message for visitors and residents alike. Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community, with the smallest of communities being allowed to match the grant with in-kind donations. 75% of the grant funding will be gifted upfront as several of the city projects plan to start in the next few weeks.”

 

Uniontown, in the western part of Bourbon County, has a population of approximately 300 people.

Fort Scott also received  a grant for a mural through this program.

That story will be featured in an upcoming feature on fortscott.biz.

 

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes May Review

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Lowell Milken Center
for Unsung Heroes
 May 2023 Review
2023-06-IS0005

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2023 ARTEFFECT Competition! Join us in celebrating their outstanding creations that pay homage to unsung heroes from history.
2023 ARTEFFECT Competition Winners
LMC HAS WELCOMED VISITORS FROM 108 COUNTRIES
We pinned a new country on our map! Mylene, who recently received her MBA from nearby Pittsburg State University, visited the LMC with her mother, Norhane, from Tunisia.
Upcoming Events
June 18: 2023 LMC Fellows for Week 1 arrive in Fort Scott

 

June 25: 2023 LMC Fellows for Week 2 arrive in Fort Scott

 

July 1: Deadline for submission of the 2023 Discovery Award Competition projects

 

TBD: LMC Star Party
Discovery Award Competition Reminder

 

Projects are due July 1, 2023!

 

http://bit.ly/2wYZPiD .

 

For questions, email [email protected]
or call 620-223-1312.
A Beacon of Hope

Unsung Hero: Abdol Hossein Sardari

Grand Prize

Artist: Celine Fong, Grade 11, Rye Country Day School, Rye, NY

Teacher: Dan Park
A Triple Threat

Unsung Hero: Florence Kelley

HS Division: Best in Show

Artist: Breanna Zaborowski, Grade 12 Hartland High School, Brighton, MI

Teacher: Joshua Etheridge
More award-winning projects will be shared in upcoming newsletters.

We look forward to connecting with you.
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Copyright © 2023 Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you either subscribed on our website or expressed interest in receiving updates while visiting us.

Our mailing address is:

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

1 South Main St

Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County

Bourbon County Garden Club: Encouraging Gardens and Providing Community Service

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Submitted photo of a pocket garden that club members have planted in Fort Scott.

Bourbon County Garden is a group of local gardeners that gather to learn, grow, and share in their passion of gardening, according to a press release from the club.

They have provided care of many of the downtown area garden spots.

This garden at the north end of downtown Main Street is one of projects of the Bourbon County Garden Club. From the club's Facebook page.
This garden at the north end of downtown Main Street is one of projects of the Bourbon County Garden Club. From the club’s Facebook page.

Club meetings are  the 4th Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. from March to October.

The Bourbon County Garden Club met at the Common Grounds Coffee Shop in this May 2022 photo. Taken from the clubs Facebook page.

“Our members take turns hosting our meetings, so the location changes depending on who is hosting,” President Austin Bolinger said.

Austin Bolinger is the president of the Bourbon County Garden Club. From the club’s Facebook page.

“We have 60 people on our email list, and about 1/2 of those are active in the club,” Bolinger said.

The list of members:

Aaron Houser

Jan Hedges

Janet Irvin

Dora Jasinski

Betty & Dale Johnson

Leah Lewis

Deb McCoy

Diana Morriss

Linda Noll

Clara Schofield

Norma Sellers

Priscilla Sellers

Ashlee Shakir

Kate Sweetser

Judy Wallis

Robin Whitlock

Stana Parsons

Judy Warren

Margaret Kerr

Helen Carson

Bill Hoyt

Darcy Sinn

Krista Harding

Ann Stark

Jenni Wilcoxen

Deborah Hyland

Pam Speer

Heather Wilson

Janette Danley

Martha Kraai

Barbara Woodward

Honey Bidwell

Barbara McCord

Delphine Parks

Austin Bolinger

Estevan DeBoer

Makensie Griffin

Sheryl Bloomfield

Jim Logan

Marcile Logan

Rachel French

Calista Rchards

Brenda Alter

Deb Lust

Doris Ericson

Paula Blincoe

Rondi Anderson

Sandy Areu

Whitney Beth

Karen Billiard

Maggie Brenner

Sharon Campbell

Kelly Collins

Maggie Davenport

Rita Emmerson

Connie Findley

Constance Gates

Martha Jane Gentry

Lindsey Gulager

Teri Hamilton

Rosemary Harris

Rhonda Hassig

 

This is the club selling plants at the May 2022 Fort Scott Farmers Market, annual event for the club. From its Facebook page.
The club sells plants at the first Fort Scott Farmers Market in May each year. Taken from their Facebook page.

Complimentary Pocket Garden Drawing Winners Announced

Recently the club awarded two community residents with consultation and installation of a pocket garden.

“Bourbon County Garden Club recently held a drawing to award a pocket garden to lucky Bourbon County residents,” according to the press release.

A pocket garden is an area on a homeowner’s property that is a gardening challenge.

“This might be a corner where curbs and sidewalks intersect, by a mailbox, or by a driveway and a pocket garden can beautify that area,” according to the press release.

The winners, Marianne Crane and Gabrielle Martin, will get an initial pocket garden consultation, along with the plants and installation of the plants in the garden. The maintenance of the garden is the winners’ responsibility.

 

“The benefits of planting a pocket garden include improving a problem area of your yard, collaboration with neighbors to create multiple attractive garden corners, pollination for bees and butterflies and engagement in a healthy outdoor activity,” according to the press release

About the club

Bourbon County Garden Club encourages growing plants in these areas that provide three seasons of bloom and fourth season of winter interest. Example pocket gardens in Fort Scott are located at Pine and Eddy Streets, 8th and Crawford Streets(all four corners), and 9th and National Avenue(SE corner).

 

For more information on planting a Pocket Garden or joining Garden Club, email Austin Bolinger at [email protected] or visit the Bourbon County Garden Club Facebook page.

Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott

Kathi Hall: New Fort Scott Pool Manager, Pool Opens June 5

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Kathi Hall, taken from the USD234 website.

After a delay because of vandalism, the Fort Scott Aquatic Center will open Monday, June 5 at 1 p.m. to the public.

Swimming lessons at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center on July 10, 2018.

Kathi Hall is the new pool manager at the center, and is a 6th grade teacher at Fort Scott Middle School during the school year.

She was hired last month.

“It’s a perfect job for educators,” Hall said.

“We are excited that the facility can be open to the public,” she said. “We apologize for the delay. We were supposed to open on Memorial Day.”

The vandalism included graffiti, which didn’t delay the opening, and also included “multiple rocks that were thrown into the pool, damaging the concrete,” Hall  said. “The concrete then had to be treated and cured, then so many days the water had to be treated with chemicals, before we could begin the water filling process.”

The pool hours are Monday through Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m., Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. On Monday through Friday there is a family swim from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

The pool phone number is 620.223.8142

As a special treat, on Monday at 1 p.m. Pearson Towing staff will be handing out popsicles to those entering, until gone, Hall said.

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,” Hall said.

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

“We have a sufficient supply of lifeguards,” Hall said. “Thirty-plus lifeguards.”

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Youth

Young Entrepreneurs: at Fort Scott Farmers Market This Saturday

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The logo of Acton Children’s Business Fair from its website.

Several young children who are learning how to create their own business will have their wares on display and for sale at the Fort Scott Farmers Market this Saturday, June 3 from 8 a.m. to noon.

The event will be at Third and Main Street, behind the First United Methodist Church in that parking lot.

Children who attended a young entrepreneurs fair in the last year will be selling their wares and encouraging other children to start their own businesses

“Saturday is to get the word out and let other children see a small sample of inspiration for what they can be a part of,” Maria Whitson, one of the parent organizers said. “It will also allow the children who have created businesses a chance to sell their products.”

“We will have opportunities for kids to take their ideas and learn about how to turn it into a business,” she said. “Then we will give them an opportunity to launch and sell their products at the kid’s business fair later this year. More information will be available at the kid’s booths at the farmers market this weekend.”

The Acton Children’s Business Fair will be sponsoring a fair again this fall. To learn more: https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/

“There will be cash prizes for the event in the fall,” Whitson said.

Whitson and Melanie Lamb are the parent organizers who will be available to answer questions on Saturday.

Melanie Lamb. Submitted photo.
Maria Whitson. Submitted photo.

Some of the children who will participate:

Camren Lamb is an young businessman, selling his artwork and music. Submitted photo.
Chloe Couchman will be selling her handmade potholders. Submitted photo.

“This weekend kids will be having their booths to inspire others to be entrepreneurs,” she said. “Kids who already have set up their own business to inspire others.”

Asher Whitson will be selling his framed artwork. From Facebook.
Asher Whitson will be selling his framed artwork. From Facebook.

In addition, there will be handouts for a class in September that the youth can participate in, Whitson said.

Malachi Whitson will be selling jewery at the farmers market. From Facebook.
Grace Jackson along with her sisters will be selling produce. Submitted photos.
Trinity Jackson. Submitted photo.
The Jackson sisters will be selling produce, this is Evie. Submitted photos.

 

The farmers market has changed spaces this Saturday only, to accommodate the Good Ol’ Days annual celebration in downtown Fort Scott.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment

Ruritan Plans Summer Entertainment For Uniontown Community

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Uniontown City Park. The flower garden at the northeast corner of the park is in memory of Doris George by Carol and Hershal George.

Movies/Music in the Park, sponsored by Uniontown Ruritan Club, will provide Uniontown school district  residents with some free family fun this summer in the park on the town square.

“At the beginning of this year, we had a brainstorming session to consider various ideas for community service projects for 2023,” Mary Pemberton, one of the committee members, said.  “Mauriel Whisenhunt and I suggested something that would highlight and make use of the beautiful city park, bring people together, and provide entertainment for all ages.  One of our ideas was Movies in the Park.  That idea was well received and expanded to include music.  We decided to put on one Movie in the Park event each month and another separate Music in the Park night each month during June-July-August.”

Submitted graphic.

“Our schedule kicks off on June 9th with a Movie in the Park night,” Mary Pemberton, one of the committee members” said. Each movie night starts at 7 p.m. with games and activities such as: sidewalk games, corn hole, spikeball, dodgeball, washer toss, face painting and rock painting.  Then at 9 p.m. seating begins for the movie – this is an outdoor movie showing, so bring your own chair or blanket.”

The group has planned music entertainment on alternating evenings this summer.

“Alternating movies and music means the next event, on June 23rd is a music night,” Pemberton said.  “Music nights feature food trucks from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  Musical performances are from 7-8:30.  We have arranged for different genres of music each month – Mike Miller (gospel), Rick Hite (country/folk) and Ridge Runnerz (classic rock/country).”

“On June 23rd and July 14th there will be special performances by a mother/daughter duo who are both world class baton twirlers,” she said.  “We enticed them out of ‘retirement’ for these performances and I witnessed part of a practice session when they were refreshing their skills and working out a routine.  They are amazingly talented – you won’t want to miss this; baton twirling is an art you don’t see locally at this skill level and Kristi  and Lexie are truly awe-inspiring.”

The movies, music, games/activities and entertainment are all FREE and Uniontown school district residents are invited, she said.

“We are also giving away free hot dogs/chip/drink at the first event, a free ice cream social in July,  and free popcorn to munch on during each movie,” Pemberton said.   “Tips for the musicians and/or free-will donations are accepted, but not required.”

Food trucks will be available on certain dates.

” Food trucks include Los Tres Pollitos on June 23;  on July 14 the Ruritan Club is selling pulled pork BBQ sandwiches; and on August 11 the Hot Pink Heifer food truck is here,” Pemberton said.  “Additionally, the Sunshine Shak will be here most evenings with sweets, snacks and drinks for sale.”

The complete schedule of events can be found on flyers posted at businesses around Uniontown and on social media.

For more information contact her at 620-224-9654 or stop by 103 3rd Street in Uniontown.

Ruritan Club Music in the Park Committee members are Pemberton, Mauriel Whisenhunt and Randy Rathbun.

“In addition, several Uniontown High School clubs are helping on the event nights,” Pemberton said. “The Uniontown High School  FFA  is grilling and serving hot dogs on June 9; the  UHS Art Club is doing face painting and assisting with rock painting each movie night; UHS Cheerleaders are assisting with games and will perform at each movie night.  We also wish to thank Rhonda DeWitt with the First Missionary Baptist Church for allowing us to use their movie screen and popcorn machine.”

“Ruritan is a nationwide service organization and our club performs a variety of services or projects each year that benefit the community and residents in and around Uniontown,” she said.  “Last year we financed and built public restrooms which are located across the street from the park.”

The public restrooms are just across from Uniontown’s downtown park.

 

Church news, Fort Scott

Fort Scott’s Labyrinth To Be Dedicated May 28

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Pictured are people painting the initial labyrinth lines in fall 2022 at the vacant lot across from First Presbyterian Church at 308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.

In nearly every culture, walking labyrinths are a single path to a center used for prayer and meditation, or just a brief walk, according to Pastor Christopher Eshelman of Fort Scott First United Methodist.

“We find examples all over the world, from petroglyphs to indigenous basket weavings, stamped coins and labyrinths themselves,” he said. “In this sense, a labyrinth is not a maze or a puzzle – there are no dead ends (and no Minataur!).”

Building a labyrinth in Fort Scott, was Eshelman’s idea.

“Walking labyrinths is one of my favorite spiritual disciplines and I’ve been building them for several years – everything from temporary chalk on concrete or painters tape on a gym floor to mowing them into fields or, in this case, arranging stone to form the path boundaries,” he said.

The Fort Scott Labyrinth was completed last month, and will be dedicated on May 28 at 11:45 a.m., right after the Methodist church service is over.

Pictured is the completed labyrinth with benches. Submitted photo.

“It just really got finished in the last month or so and we are formally dedicating it on Sunday, May 28th with a brief ceremony, he said. “We added the benches and sign a few months ago using funds from a grant given by the Healthy Congregations program of the UMC’s Great Plains Conference. Anyone can use the space.”

 

The labyrinth is a place to meditate.

“It’s a personal favorite practice and it is a way of transforming the space from an abandoned lot into something beautiful,” Eshelman said. “This site, where people once bought food to nourish their bodies now serves as a space to nourish mind and spirit. It is a great way to engage people in walking, exercise, and spirituality as well as deepening the connection and cooperation between our two congregations.”

The labyrinth is sponsored by First Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church.

The Presbyterian Church logos, left and the Methodist Church Logo, right. Submitted graphics.

“The Presbyterians now own the land, which was the former site of Whiteside’s Grocery at 3rd and Crawford,” he said. “The Whiteside’s are longtime members of First United Methodist, where I now serve as pastor. With permission of their Sessions board, I and a few volunteers initially laid it out with marking paint and then gradually added stone – some is debris from the site and some is stone gathered and donated from nearby fields and projects by one of our members. What was once scattered now contributes to a place of wholeness.”

Memorabilia from Whiteside’s Grocery Store, now the site of the labyrinth. Submitted photo.

“It is a space where you can, quite literally, center yourself,” he said. “It really is what you make of it and what you bring to it. There is no wrong way to walk a labyrinth so long as you are respectful of the space and others who use it. One of my favorite experiences was a time I was trying to very seriously instruct a group of Cub Scouts in the ancient practice… and they did not care. They just wanted to play. When I finally got out of the way and let them runs and skip, they immediately started playing follow the leader and exploring the space. It was wonderful. Our design copies one that was laid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France between 1200 and 1220AD and used as a pilgrimage spot.”

Chartres Labyrinth design. Submitted photo.

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Help Build the Field of Honor at Fort Scott National Historic Site on Friday May 26

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Photo credit: National Park Service. Staff and community members set up the Field of Honor in 2022.

Symbols of Sacrifice, an annual event at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, was started about 10 years ago to commemorate those killed in wars the U.S. has fought in.

The first event was organized by the late Anne Emerson and the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site and was on Sept. 11, 2013.

“The Symbols of Sacrifice event began in 2013 (http://www.friendsofthefort.com/2013/08/symbols-of-sacrifice.html) with events around September 11th developed by the Friends of Fort Scott NHS,” said Carl Brenner, FSNHS Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management.  “It has occurred on September 11th until  2018 when it was moved to July 4th for that year. Beginning in 2019 we moved the event to Memorial weekend to be more inclusive of everyone who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free.”

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and originated in the years following the Civil War, becoming an official federal holiday in 1971, according to a FSNHS press release.

The Field of Honor with its approximately 7,000 flags commemorate the ultimate sacrifice members of the United States Armed Forces have made to keep this country free, according to the press release.

 

Volunteers Needed

Members of the community are invited to join the Fort Scott National Historic Site park staff in placing the flags for the “Symbols of Sacrifice” Field of Honor on Friday morning, tomorrow, May 26, according to the press release.

Volunteers,  individuals and groups, are asked  to plan on working from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. Volunteers are also asked to help remove the display on Tuesday, May 30, according to the press release.

To find out more and to become involved, please contact the park at 620-223-0310, email us at [email protected], or just come out and help.

 

Symbols of Sacrifice continues the entire Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 26 through, Monday, May 29, and the Field of Honor will be open throughout the weekend, according to the press release.

There will be guided fort tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is an all-weather event.

Fort Scott National Historic Site

 

About the Fort

From April 1 to September 30, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its summer hours of operation.

The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Taco Azul Food Truck: A Mom and Pop Business

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Submitted photo of Taco Azul fare.
Erin and Sebastian Macik, Fort Scott, are owners of Taco Azul, a food truck that they hope will turn into a restaurant business.
The Taco Azul Food Truck. Submitted photo.
They make Mexican street tacos, using pork, beef, or chicken, in flour tortillas or handmade corn tortillas; homemade salsas, and also street corn on the side, Erin said.
“We’ve been prepping and planning for over a year now,” Erin said. “Sebastian picked up the food truck in April, and we plan to fire it up at the Good Ol’ Days festival here in Fort Scott at the beginning of June.”
“We hope to open up a restaurant in the future, but for the short term, our plan is to stay local and get a good customer base before expanding,” she said.
“You will see us at Fort Scott’s Good Ol’ Days Festival to kick off the summer, and then we’ll be set up by the Washateria on National Avenue for the most part,” Erin said. “We’ll be posting consistently on Facebook so people know where to find us. We are really looking forward to the summer!”
Sebastian Macik taught third grade in Mexico City, and discovered true Mexican street tacos while he was there.
“Coming back state-side in 2014, he started searching for the real deal in the U.S. without much luck,” she said. “All that time he was working on his own tacos: making his own salsas and corn tortillas, trying out various marinades and cooking techniques, until they became exactly what he was looking for. When the opportunity arose to get a food truck, it was a no-brainer. We’re excited to offer this in Fort Scott! Mexico City-style tacos are unlike anything you can find at any chain restaurant in the United States.”
Erin and Sebastian Macik with their children. Submitted photo.
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