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| 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 |
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All posts by Loretta George
Bourbon County Garden Club: Encouraging Gardens and Providing Community Service
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.
Club meetings are the 4th Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. from March to October.
“Our members take turns hosting our meetings, so the location changes depending on who is hosting,” President Austin Bolinger said.
“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
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.
Kathi Hall: New Fort Scott Pool Manager, Pool Opens June 5
After a delay because of vandalism, the Fort Scott Aquatic Center will open Monday, June 5 at 1 p.m. to the public.
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.”
Young Entrepreneurs: at Fort Scott Farmers Market This Saturday
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.
Some of the children who will participate:
“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.”
In addition, there will be handouts for a class in September that the youth can participate in, Whitson said.
The farmers market has changed spaces this Saturday only, to accommodate the Good Ol’ Days annual celebration in downtown Fort Scott.
Ruritan Plans Summer Entertainment For Uniontown Community
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.”
“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.”
Fort Scott’s Labyrinth To Be Dedicated May 28
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.
“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 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.”
“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.”
Help Build the Field of Honor at Fort Scott National Historic Site on Friday May 26
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.
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.
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.
Taco Azul Food Truck: A Mom and Pop Business
Erin and Sebastian Macik, Fort Scott, are owners of Taco Azul, a food truck that they hope will turn into a restaurant business.
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.”
Contact info:
Jayci Cosens: Teacher of the Year at Fort Scott Middle School
Jayci Cosens, who teaches 7th grade science, is the recipient of this years Dale Hammons Award, Teacher of the Year, for the Fort Scott Middle School.
“The criteria we used was someone that builds strong relationships with students and staff, sets high expectations for their students and themselves, listens well to their peers, works well with others, and sets a positive example for students,” said FSMS Principal Zach Johnson.
“I feel very blessed to teach at USD 234,” Cosens said. “It is a district filled with great educators, administrators, support staff and students. The middle school is full of other teachers who are just as deserving of this honor as I am. I have spent the past decade learning from them about what great teaching looks like.”
Cosens began her teaching career at Fort Scott High School in 2001, after graduation from Pittsburg State University.
“I taught for three years and quit teaching in 2004 to be a stay-at-home mom following the birth of our first son….and returned to the classroom in 2011, when our youngest started kindergarten and I taught for one year at Heritage Christian in Olathe.
“I started teaching 7th grade science at the (Fort Scott) middle school in 2013,” Cosens said. “Along the way, I have coached interscholastic and intramural volleyball, basketball, and track both at the high school and middle school level.”
Have you always taught science there?
“I have always taught science, but my minor is in history, so I could also teach history in the future. Over the years, I have taught grades 6-12 in: General Science, Physical Science, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Health. During my ‘stay at home’ years, I also went to nursing school (graduated with an ADN in 2010 from Fort Scott Community College and I still keep my nursing license current. I worked as a nurse for five years (2010-2015) in the intensive care unit and emergency room.”
Why did you choose teaching as a career?
“I actually started college planning to go into Physical Therapy. All through my undergraduate classes, I would find myself thinking, “When I have my own classroom, I will teach this concept this way’ and would then quickly have to remind myself that I was not going to be a teacher! In my senior year, I finally changed my major to education. I guess the short answer is that I chose teaching as a career because I felt like God was calling me to this profession, I just ignored that call for the first few years of college!”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“For me, it’s probably building relationships with my students. Teaching in a small town, I get the opportunity to see them go on from 7th grade and graduate high school and beyond. I love seeing them excel in the paths they choose and know that I was a small part of their journey. Teaching is never boring! Each day (and each class) is different and that means that I am always having to adapt and change. What worked in one class might not work in another, and I have to quickly figure out how to change what I’m doing to stay effective. Science is never boring either! Students have a natural curiosity about the world around them. Helping them better understand it is rewarding every day.”
What is the biggest challenge?
“Trying to find new ways to keep kids engaged is a challenge. Our whole society, not just kids, has become more and more distracted. The things that worked to engage students twenty years ago when I started my career may not necessarily work with this generation of students. At the same time, I think educators are trying to overcome the idea that every single thing that happens in school has to be fun and entertaining. That’s just not the reality of the real world. Some things are boring, it doesn’t lessen their value.”
Care to name family?
“I grew up just outside of Redfield (my dad told me to say that) and graduated from Uniontown High School in 1996. My parents are Steve and Marci Williams (he told me to say this too). I have been married to Chad since 2002, he’s a 1995 Fort Scott High School graduate and owns 1842 Wealth Management, a retirement planning group. We have two sons. Dryden is 19 and just finished his freshman year at Fort Scott Community College where he’s also a part of the baseball team. Cal is 17 and will start his senior year at FSHS in the fall-he plays football, basketball, and baseball. We have a very large extended family in Fort Scott and chose to raise our family here where our sons would be surrounded by grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.”
About Dale Hammons, in whose memory the award is given.
Hammons was a 1946 graduate of Fort Scott High School, Johnson said. He graduated Pittsburg State University, then became a full time assistant principal at Fort Scott Junior High in 1977.
“Mr. Hammons was instrumental in helping the 1983 transition from the Fort Scott Junior High School to what is now Fort Scott Middle School,” Johnson said. “Mr. Hammons will long be remembered as an effective middle school principal who was loved and respected by students, and staff.”
Editors note
This last paragraph incorrectly had Phil Hammons as the title.
The following is from Betsy Hammons Reichard, his daughter:
“While overseas in the Army, dad took many correspondence courses through the University of Maryland and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Military Science. After he retired from the Army in 1970, he went to PSU and earned his Master’s degree in Counselor Education and then his Education Specialist. Dad truly was loved and respected by students, staff and throughout Fort Scott and beyond. The day of his funeral, stores closed and flags were flown at half mask in honor of him. This award is special to our family and I am always thrilled to know who receives it.
Congratulations Jayci!
Betsy Hammons Reichard
Elks Fishing Derby Turn-out Was High on May 20
It was the highest number of children to participate in the Elks Fishing Derby for years.
“The best turn-out we’ve had in three to five years,” said Millie Lipscomb with the Fort Scott Elks Lodge.
Fifty-six youth aged 2 to 12 years old participated in the event held at Fort Scott Community College Lake for two hours on May 20. In addition there were many accompanying adults.
“Ronnie Coulter started this event at least 25 years ago,” Lipscomb said. It is a catch-and- release the fish event.
The tournament gave prizes for the most amount of fish caught and the largest fish caught in the time period.
In addition, the Elks provided a hot dog lunch for the children who fished.
Prizes were selected individually by the winners from a table with items appropriate to the age.
Following are the winners:
In the 2-6 year olds, first place for number of fish was Aubrey Thompson, second place was Cash Culberton and a tie for third, with Jackson Tash and Clayton Gander the winners.
For the largest fish caught, the winners were Aubrey Johnson, first place; Chance Hyer, second and Linden Bishop, third.
In the 7-11 years old category:
Number of fish caught winner: Birklee Culberton, first; Hunter Holtz-Sherifff, second; and James Logan, third place.
Size of fish winners were Hunter Holtz-Sheriff, first; Madison Tourtillot, second; Kendrick Simon, third.
In the 12-15 years old category:
Number of fish winners: Tristan McClune, first; Daniel Cook, second; and a tie for third place: Jordan Finnell and Ty Cooney.
Size of fish winners: Daniel Cook, first; Mason Tourtillot, second; and Jordan Bunnell, third.
Mental Health Self-Care Fair May 23
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Two Economic Development Projects Moving Forward: Pork Processing Plant, Sports Complex
A meat processing plant is back in the works for Bourbon County.
“I have been working to bring about the meat processing plant, a pork processing plant,” Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells said in an interview.
Billy Madison is the owner of the business, S.H. Pork Processing.
“This plant will provide farmers with an outlet for their pork processing,” Madison said. “And provide 15-30 new jobs.”
To view a prior 2021 story on Madison’s pork processing plant coming to Fort Scott:
https://fortscott.biz/news/48890
2023 plans have changed location
In 2021, the project was to be just south of the LaRoche Baseball Complex, but that was changed to a location agreed to by Madison and the City of Fort Scott.
“At this juncture I am not at liberty to say the location,” Wells said.
Wells noted that nothing has been signed, nor no one committed to this yet.
“The city approved to send out letters to respective parties involved (at a special Fort Scott city meeting on May 17) and (will) survey the property to define the boundaries and move forward in the process of securing the land,” Wells said.
Following completion of this preliminary work, the Fort Scott Planning Commission will get involved, Wells said in the May 17 special city meeting.
In the 2021, the pork processing plant site was to be located on 47 acres south of the Kansas Department of Transportation facility on Hwy. 69 south of the LaRoche Ball Park.
“That place didn’t have an entrance and we spent eight months getting an entrance to get on the property to do the engineering of the property,” Billy Madison, owner of the proposed meat plant said in a fortscott.biz interview on May 17.
Madison said that in March 2023, he “received an order to cease and desist in the (pork processing plant) plans from Rob Harrington (Director of the Regional Economic Development Inc.), “because they are going to build a sports complex there,” he said.
Sports Complex
At the May 16 regular Fort Scott City Commission meeting, Rob Harrington asked the city to authorize establishing STAR Bond and TIF District financing tools as part of the sports complex planning.
Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds are a financing tool that allows Kansas municipalities to issue bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects, according to https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/star-bonds/. The bonds are paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development. The intent is to increase regional and national visitation to Kansas.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a real estate redevelopment tool applicable to industrial, commercial, intermodal transportation area and residential projects, https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/taxes-and-financing/tif/. TIF uses the increases in real estate tax revenues and local sales tax revenues to retire the bonds sold to finance eligible redevelopment project costs (K.S.A. 12-1770 et seq.) or to reimburse the developer on a pay-as-you-go basis.
This project will require many steps because they will be working with the developer, the county, the state and the city council.
At the city meeting on May 16, Fort Scott City Attorney Bob Farmer told the Fort Scott City Council that they will have to partner with the Bourbon County Commission, because some of the proposed land is theirs.
The sports complex developer, along with the Kansas Department of Commerce, will look at a list of the developer’s ideas, then the state has to see if it is eligible, Farmer told the city council.