All posts by Loretta George

Students working on decorations for the Christmas In Gunn Park event. Submitted by FSHS Building Trades Teacher Michael Casner.

A local group of people who love the community gathered in Gunn Park in April 2021 and together envisioned a Christmas event that they hope will grow each year.

The event has new leadership this year with many family activities.

Gunn Park is the largest public park in Fort Scott and is located on the west side of the city, off of Park Avenue.

This year Christmas in Gunn Park is Saturday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 18 from 5-8 p.m.

A living nativity, Santa Claus, a toy drive for local children, a chili feed, hot cocoa and coffee, kids crafts, a hayrack ride, trolley rides, music from local Fort Scott High School students, and some local vendors for shopping will provide a little something for everyone.

The event is free, Guns said.

“Goodwill donations are always welcome and will go towards expanding Christmas in Gunn Park next year,” she said. “We will be collecting new unwrapped toys for our “Fill the Truck Toy Drive” with donations going to Bourbon County Angels, Angel Gifts to fulfill Christmas wishes for kids in Bourbon County.”

“Everyone on the planning committee has a variety of reasons why they chose to join,” Melissa Guns, one of the organizers, said. “We want good things for Fort Scottians. We want to spread Christmas cheer and enrich the place we call home… Most of all, we want a place for both those who love Christmas …while offering a place for those who may struggle around the holiday season, a place to find a little peace and joy.”

Parking

Gunn Park will be closed for regular traffic during the event. Vehicles with handicap parking tags or window hangers will be allowed to drive into the park near the event.

Public parking is available on Burke Street in the Fort Scott Community College Nursing Building parking lot, north of the tall Fort Scott water tower, and also in the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas parking lot at Ninth and Horton Street.

Busses to and from the event will bring guests in and out of the park from the parking lots.

Those who have helped:

The planning committee consists of Craig Campbell, Doug Guns, Melissa Guns, Bailey Lyons, Shannon Johnson, Josh Jones, Tom Robertson, and Devin Tally.

Shelter houses are being decorated by Niece of Kansas, Inc. (Shelter 1), Kiwanis (Shelter 2), Shannon Johnson/Clark Street Lights (Shelter 3), Shaunn Pytlowany (Shelter 5), and Bourbon County Cars (Shelter 4).

Allison Leach, Danyell Miles, and Susan Carrillo are decorating a grand entrance to the park.

Fort Scott Community College Welding Program and Fort Scott High School Carpentry, Welding, and Art Programs have each created festive displays.

“Mike Miles’ display is sure to please, and Robert Coon, with A1 Towing, is also providing us with a display anyone who grew up in the ’80s is sure to get a kick out of,” Guns said.

Buck Run Community Center is providing activities for kids.

USD 234 and FSCC volunteers are helping with shuttling people to and from the park, and the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce is providing the town trolley for moving people through the park on event nights.

Matt Harvey with Fort Scott Auto is running a hayride with his trailer.

Additionally, USD 234 is allowing the Fort Scott Police and Fire Departments to use their kitchen to cook up over 200 pounds of high-quality ground beef purchased by the committee at a special rate made possible by The Butcher Block.

Ward Kraft Inc. has donated the rest of the chili ingredients for a meal that is sure to give us all some extra warmth, she said.

Dollar General has donated bowls and spoons.

Ward Kraft Inc. is also helping folks to stay warm with coffee and Kathy Reed has donated hot chocolate.

Angel Gifts will be the recipient of the “Fill the Truck Toy Drive” and they have volunteered to help along with FSCC Cheer Team.

Skitch Allen is donating additional port-a-potties for the events.

“Finally, the guys from Fort Scott’s Parks Department are in full swing to help us get the grounds ready and the electrical properly connected,” she said. “Jeff Allen also helped consult on the electrical.”

“These groups, along with the City of Fort Scott and a grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation have helped to make this year’s Christmas in Gunn Park possible,” she said.

Melissa Guns, center, representing the Christmas in the Park organization, received the grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation on November 12, 2021. At left is FSACF presenter Gregg Motley, and Carla Farmer, right.

The vendors for Dec. 11 are Blessed B Creations and Hope Designs by Neen. On Dec. 18, Sparkle R Jewelry, Paparazzi Jewelry will be a vendor.

Vendor registration for December 18 is open through December 16. Interested vendors can sign up at https://forms.gle/PC8M4ufzADNxpBLb6

Schedule for Dec. 11

5 – 8:30 p.m: Angel Gifts Toy Drive, chili feed, hot cocoa and coffee, a vendor shop, kids crafts, hayrack ride, trolley rides, a live Nativity scene by Bethel Community Church, vendors selling items.

The chili feed will be provided until all the chili is gone.

All other events run throughout the evening.

5:30-6 p.m.           Music by the Fort Scott High School Orchestra
6- 6:15 pm           Santa and a special guest arrive, tree lighting, and sponsor acknowledgments.
6:30 – 8:30 pm    Pictures with Santa
6:15-6:45 pm       Music by FSHS Jazz Band
7- 7:30 pm             Music by FSHS Choir Ensemble
7:45 – 8:15 pm     Combined music performance by FSHS Jazz Band and Choir
8:30- 8:45pm Event activities wrap-up

8:45 – 9 pm Final hayrack and trolley rides to busses
9 pm All bus runs to parking completed and park gates lock for the night.

Schedule for Dec. 18

5 – 8:30 pm Angel Gifts Toy Drive, hot cocoa and coffee, vendor shop, kids crafts, hayrack and trolley rides, and live Nativity scene by Bethel Community Church, vendors selling items.

5 pm – Until? Food Vendors – Butcher Block & Tres Polito Food Truck
5:30 – 8:30 pm Christmas music performance by Bourbon County Revival
6- 6:15 pm          Santa and special guest arrive, tree lighting, sponsor acknowledgments.
6:30- 8:30 pm    Pictures with Santa
8:30- 8:45 pm    Event activities close
8:45 – 9 pm          Final hayrack and trolley rides to busses
9 pm                      All bus runs to parking completed and park gates lock for the night.

Business, Fort Scott Community College, Sports

Questions To The Trustees on Decision To Shut Down the FSCC Football Program

December 9, 2021 Loretta George 2 Comments

Matt Glades, a Fort Scott Community College Alumni, encourages attendance for interested parties at the next board of trustees meeting, which is at 5 p.m. next Monday, December 13 at Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall.

He will be there to ask the trustees some questions about the discontinuance of the college’s football program last month.

“I have talked to at least one Greyhound football player from every decade going back to the 1960s and numerous community members,” Glades said. “There’s a lot of people sad and disappointed that the program is shut down and how it was done.”

“FSCC football has been around for almost 100 years and has impacted thousands of lives from the players to the community,” he said. “A lot of us were confused and frustrated that we didn’t even have an opportunity to speak on behalf of the program or donate to save it.”

“The alumni are asking for more transparency on concerns from the FSCC administration and the board of trustees, Glades said.

“Here are a few but not all of those concerns, he said:

How does the college plan to account for losing that many student-athletes who were living in the dorms, credit hours, etc?

Do they understand that this also affects local businesses and severs connections for a lot of people ranging from parts of the community to the alumni including four current NFL football players?

Why were the FSCC football alumni and community never made aware of the financial struggles of the program and were not allowed the opportunity to save it?

Why did the board feel compelled to add shutting down the program to the tail end of the board meeting instead of putting it on the original agenda?”

Fort Scott, Government

Kelley Zellner Hired as New Fort Scott City Manager

December 8, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

Kelley Zellner, currently the Fredonia City Manager, signed a contract on Dec. 3, 2021, to become the Fort Scott City Manager starting Jan. 4, 2022. He replaces interim City Manager Mark McCoy.

The contract is for $95,000

Zellner’s main duties are working with the Fort Scott City Commission and city staff, according to Brad Matkin, the human resource director for the city.

Zellner received a mini-masters of public administration, a Certified Public Administrator, from Wichita State University in Feb. 2020.

In the fall of 2021, he became a certified city clerk through the League of Municipalities.

Previously he earned a master’s of art in counseling from Friends University, Wichita, in 2001. In 1998 he received a bachelor of science degree in human resource management from Friends University.

Zellner has been the Fredonia City Administrator since 2018, the Valley Center Public Works Director from 2017-2018, and was the Conway Falls Chief of Police from 2013 to 2017.

His hometown is Howard, Kansas.

The following is the revised job description for the Fort Scott City Manager provided by Matkin:

“City of Fort Scott City Manager Job Description

SUMMARY

The City Manager oversees all administrative tasks necessary for city operations while implementing and overseeing policies set by a city’s mayor and commission. Hired by the City Commission, he/she supervises city departments, maintains the city budget, and represents the municipality in a variety of settings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Serves as Chief Administrator and Executive Officer of the City by directing the operations of all City departments through various department heads to achieve overall success in meeting the objectives and policies of the City Commission.

Appoints department heads and staff as necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the City.

Oversees the annual budget and submits estimates to authorized elected officials for approval.

Implements the policies and ordinances of the City Commission.

Research issues of importance to the city and advises the mayor and the commission on the best course of action.

External relations – responsible for hearing the concerns and requests of the community and bringing them to the commission. Must anticipate municipality needs and create programs to address them.

Represents the City at conferences and coordinates City activities with civic, business, and public organizations and keeps such organizations informed of City business and activities.

Develops, implements, and maintains long-range plans, goals, objectives, and policies for the City subject to approval by the City Commission.

Performs additional duties and tasks as needed or directed by the City Commission.

Advises the City Commission of financial conditions and current and future City needs

Continual contact with the governing body, the general public, and city employees is expected

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages directors who supervise the employees of the City. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Overall responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must live within Bourbon County limits or be able to relocate within 6 months. Must be skilled in the following areas: Diplomacy, Ability to Delegate, Project Management, and People Skills.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration or Management; or four to ten years related management experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree in public administration or Business Administration preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business and government reports, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must have a valid driver’s license that meets City driving history requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is an office environment with the exception of visiting employees in the field or citizens out in the community.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.”

Fort Scott, Government

Employee Spotlight: Jessica Mowen, Animal Control Officer

December 7, 2021 Loretta George 2 Comments

This is part of a series featuring employees who have been nominated to be featured by their employers. To nominate someone, send an email to [email protected].

Jessica Mowen, 46, is the Fort Scott Police Department’s Animal Control Officer.

Her duties are varied.

“I take care of the Fort Scott Animal Shelter, clean, feed, care for dogs in the kennel, adopt out dogs, reunite dogs with owners, I take in abandoned dogs in which I adopt out,” she said. “I’m dispatched to all animal control calls, whether it be dogs, raccoons, opossum, groundhogs, or armadillo. I take calls for animal neglect and abuse and do investigations for these calls, I’m dispatched to aggressive/dangerous dog calls. I check for city tags and vaccinations. I write citations for ordinances that are not upheld. I remove deceased animals from the roadway. I educate people on how to properly care for their animals.”

The shelter is located at 601 N. Barbee and has hours of operation of
Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. To call the shelter, phone 620-223-1700 and leave a phone number with dispatch.

The Fort Scott Animal Shelter is located at 601 N. Barbee. Submitted photos.

On Saturday and Sundays, Mowen cleans and feeds the dogs housed at the kennels, she said.

She has had a passion and great love for animals since very young and pursued a career as a veterinarian technician in 2006.

“I worked with a few amazing veterinarians throughout the years who have taught me so much,” she said.

She has been the animal control officer for Fort Scott for almost six months and the best part of her job is reuniting lost dogs with their owners and adopting out dogs to new homes, she said.

Some of the challenges are trying to teach people and encourage them to care for their pets in the correct and lawful way, Mowen said.

Other challenges are adopting out the dogs she has in the kennel and “sometimes actually catching the dogs at large,” she said.

Fort Scott Community College, Housing

FSCC New Housing: Garrison Hall

December 6, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

New FSCC student housing is located at 18th and Horton Streets, across from the campus.

The former Garrison Quarters apartments reno is completed after being purchased by Fort Scott Community College last spring.

FSCC purchased the complex for student housing and the building is renamed FSCC Garrison Hall.

“Each unit has two large bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, and living space,” Tom Harvon, FSCC Vice President of Student Affairs, said. “Each unit will house four students, for a total of 40 residents.

The apartments are a female-only complex, he said.

The reno added amenities.

“We have added on a laundry facility on the south end,” he said. “Also, we have put new flooring, security system, and fire suppression system in the entire complex.”

The cost to students aligns with other student apartment living, Harvon said, which is $2,500 per semester.

“We are working with the city to get crosswalk markings across Horton for students to safely get to and from campus,” Havron said.

The college administration is being proactive for the school year.

“We have a waitlist at the start of every fall semester,” he said. “It is difficult to turn students away, as many will then go somewhere else who can provide them housing and meals. FSCC providing equitable housing options to students continues to be a priority.”

“We currently have students at (former) Mercy (Hospital building),” he said. “We can’t predict the number of students who will be there this spring, at this time. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, we will have a better idea of who will be completing their academics or transferring on to their four-year institution.”

Finals week at FSCC is Dec. 7-10.

The campus will open Jan. 5, 2022, classes start on Jan. 12, with spring graduation on May 14.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Finding Inner Peace

December 6, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

Barbara Stockebrand. K-State Extension Agent. Submitted photo.

The hustle and bustle of the holidays is here! Some people thrive on the extra hubbub and can’t wait to be a part of the goings-on of the season. On the other hand, some individuals don’t enjoy the season at all. To them, all of that bustle just creates a dizzying array of demands.

Whether we enjoy the added demands or not, a lot of those stresses are based upon expectations we place upon ourselves and those perceived expectations we feel others have of us. It’s no wonder it’s often difficult to experience true ‘peace’ – a term that is a wish for all this time of year.

So, what does peace look like? Think of the “P” as a reminder to spend time with the “people” who mean the most to you. That may include close family and a few special friends. When was the last time you called or wrote a card to your grandparents or a distant family member? A personal handwritten note represents a lot of thought and care for those loved ones. Let’s hope we are able to get back to family traditions with gatherings this season.

Did you know the breath cycle actually begins with an “exhale” (for “E”)? The longer the exhale, the deeper the inhale will be. Deep breathing will often aid in relaxation and reducing stress. So if things begin to get tense at your perfect family gathering, practice your deep breathing – especially before you choose to respond.

Consider “anticipation” for the letter “A”. There is usually a lot of anticipation associated with the holidays. Research has shown that the part of the brain responsible for feeling pleasure is activated when we think about doing something we enjoy or anticipate it. Daydreaming about favorite things is actually good for you. Remember when you were young you probably looked forward to Christmas morning with great anticipation. Now that you are older, find new ways to look forward to the holidays.

Make a list and “check-off” (“C”) items as you finish them. Completing items on a list (be it a written list or one put in your handheld device) brings success. It often reduces the overwhelming feelings that go along with many tasks to be done. Choose one system for tracking and stick with it.

Let go of your “expectations” — the final “E”. The passage of time brings change. Families evolve, babies are born, people pass. Accepting the reality that time changes holiday traditions can help you overcome feelings of stress. Begin to look for exciting new things for the season instead of focusing on days past. Start new traditions while sharing your own treasured holiday memories. It’s okay to miss what was, but do not let your focus on the past steal the joy of the present.

Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. Do some preparation to prevent the stress that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, before they seem to take over. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.

For more information and guidance on managing holiday stress, contact a Southwind District Extension Office.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Food Delivery Service For Fort Scottians: FS Delivery

December 3, 2021 Loretta George 1 Comment

Evan Williams and Selena Alvarado, owners of FS Delivery, from Facebook.

A food delivery service is available to Fort Scottians.

FS Delivery was started in June 2020 by Selena Alvarado, 29, and Evan Williams, 30.

“We were in the military and we used Door Dash (a food delivery app) a lot, and thought having a delivery service for a community this size would be beneficial,” Selena said. “Especially during the pandemic.”

“This is a side business for us,” she said. “I go to school full time and my boyfriend (Williams) works full time.”

Williams helps in the evening and on weekends, she said.

The business hopes to help local businesses.

“We try to advertise specials at local restaurants,” she said.

To place an order, customers call or text the business or message them on its Facebook page.

“They name the restaurant and what they want to order, and their address,” she said. “Then we’ll put in their order at the restaurant, we’ll send them their order (total) with the delivery fee.”

The food is then delivered to the customer’s door.

To place an order, call or text 469.383.4156,

FS Delivery accepts Venmo, Cashapp, Apple Pay and the delivery fee is $6.

The service area is limited to the Fort Scott city limits.

Their hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“If we are not delivering that day, we post on our Facebook page for updates,” she said.

Business, Fort Scott

New Clothing Pop-Up Shop Opens in the Liberty Theatre Lobby

December 1, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

Rachel Pruitt has opened a new Christmas pop-up shop in the lobby of the Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main in downtown Fort Scott. She has named the pop-up Better in Bourbon.

“We will be open the remainder of the year, with new product arriving weekly,” she said.

Her products are women’s and tween girl clothing, gift items, and accessories. For those who don’t know: a tween is no longer a little child, but not quite a teenager.

Pruitt is following a lifelong ambition, after many years spent in the apparel business.

“During college, I was the first Kansas State student to intern at the Atlanta Apparel Mart,” she said. “Upon graduation, I worked for fifteen years in wholesale apparel based in Kansas City which involved traveling to several cities supporting NCAA Division I sports and later relocated to Nashville.”

“My next chapter lasted over 20 years in corporate marketing which included another relocation to Chicago,” she said. “After having the opportunity to live in several other cities, I found a sense of ease returning to Fort Scott. Life is simpler in a rural community, and I consider myself fortunate to have the perspective to realize life is ‘better in Bourbon’.”

“It seems there is so much focus on what is wrong today, a rapid spread of negativity,” she said. “Over the last year, I’ve attempted to refocus my energy on what is right, on things which are positive. With unwavering support from friends and family, I am returning to a lifelong passion.”

“This pop-up boutique is in the lobby of the beautiful Liberty Theatre due to the generosity of the owner, Jared Leek,” she said. “It will be open through the end of the year, Wednesday through Saturday from noon until 7 p.m., adjusting hours to coincide with special events. I am optimistic the pop-up will justify the need to look for a permanent space.”

She opened the shop on November 27.

Contact Pruitt on the following:

Facebook: Better In Bourbon

Instagram: @better_in_bourbon

Website: betterinbourbon.com

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

The FS Christmas Parade Route Extended

November 30, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

A new Fort Scott Christmas Parade route will happen this year.

The 2021 annual parade is Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. and this year will start line up in front of Central Communications, 2 N. National Avenue, the radio station. Participants will line up north of that site, extending to possibly Twister Trailer, across the bridge over the Marmaton River. Each entry is to be in place no later than 5:50 p.m. that evening.

“We feel like people go to a lot of work on their entries,” Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison, said. “We wanted to give them more blocks for people viewing their entries. In the past, it has been four blocks.”

Lindsay Madison is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.

Floats, foot units, horse units, car/trucks, golf carts, marching bands or other entries will start at Wall Street and National Avenue, head south on National, to Third Street, turn left on Main Street, then north on Main until Skubitz Plaza is reached, where the Fort Scott Mayor’s Christmas Tree will be lighted immediately following the parade. Josh Jones is mayor this year.

The theme is Marching Into Christmas.

Entries are encouraged to feature toy soldiers to showcase the new downtown decorations.

“We looked at Christmas decor availability and felt that these complemented the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the history of Fort Scott,” Madison said.

Briggs Automall of Fort Scott is sponsoring cash prizes of $75 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place.

The deadline to enter the parade is Monday, December 6, 1 p.m.

Click here for printable entry form.

Click here to enter online.

Following the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree, children may visit with Santa in Papa Don’s Restaurant, 10 N. Main. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras to take photos of their kids with Santa.

While waiting to visit with Santa, Fort Scott High School Pride Club students will be providing crafts that children can make.

The Chamber is booking for its annual Christmas Light Trolley Tours from Dec. 10 to Dec. 23 at 5:45 and 7 p.m. each evening.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for kids and includes hot cocoa and cookies and a festive glow necklace. Pre-paid reservations are required.

For more information contact the Chamber office at 620.223.3566.

Bourbon County, Business

Bandera Stone to Open Showroom In Uniontown

November 29, 2021 Loretta George 1 Comment

The Bandera Stone showroom storefront is located at 103 Third Street, on the north side of the square in Uniontown. Workers are currently working on the interior of the building, with a completion date in early 2022.

Don and Mary Pemberton, owners of Bandera Stone, Inc. are in the process of restoring and remodeling the storefront on the north side of Uniontown’s square.

The building is located at 103 Third Street.

Their business offers stone products for both interior and exterior, commercial and residential projects, all from local quarries.

Bandera Stone Inc. truck driver, “Bugs” George, left, with Don and Mary Pemberton, owners, with a stone that was recently delivered to the Cato School site, commemorating the National Register of Historic Places designation. Mary described George as “driver extraordinaire.” Submitted photo.

“Bandera Stone quarries and fabricates natural limestone and sandstone: full depth veneer, thin-cut veneer, landscaping, pool coping, sills, caps, hearths, mantels, countertops, and other dimension stone products,” Mary Pemberton said. “At our Bronson Quarry, we also have a crusher plant and provide a wide range of crushed stone products including road rock, ¾”, 1-1/8” and 2” clean, crusher run, ditch liner, and agriculture lime with a CCE in the mid to high 90’s.”

They offer a range of stone colors, with the product drawn from the several quarries in Kansas and Missouri that the Pemberton’s operate.

“We specialize in custom cutting each order using these unique stones,” she said. “Our stone is shipped all across the country but primarily west of the Mississippi River. Our biggest markets are in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, California, Tennessee, and more locally in the Kansas City area.”

“You can find our stone on projects throughout Bourbon County including the LaRoche Stadium and the Fort Scott Community College baseball fields, (Fort Scott’s)Heritage Park, the Fort Scott National Cemetery, Uniontown City Park, as well as numerous private residences,” she said.

One of Bandera Stone’s projects is Fort Scott’s City National Bank at Second and Scott Avenue. Taken from its website.

The business needed to relocate its office and wanted to combine it with a showroom to better display their stone products and enable customers to visualize options for their project, she said.

“We considered several options, including building new, but always liked the idea of restoring an older masonry building,” she said. “We decided on Uniontown for the location and just began asking building owners if they would be interested in selling. We were able to purchase the former café building, one of the few older structures left on the Uniontown square.”

They discovered their newly purchased building was in very poor structural condition.

“In October, we started a total gut-job remodel which included changing the flat roof to a gable roof as well as refacing two of the exterior walls which were extremely deteriorated,” she said. “Inside, absolutely everything will be new. The front half of the interior is the showroom which will display a variety of our veneer and cut stone products installed as it would be on a residential project. The back half of the interior contains restrooms, a conference room, file room, etc. ”

“We expect to have the remodeling completed in late January, barring delays with materials or contractors,” she said. “In the spring, I hope to begin painting murals which will cover the brick exterior east wall. Once the remodeling is finished and stone installed in the showroom we will have an open house so everyone can come and see.”

History Of Bandera Stone

“Don was a second-generation stone and brick mason so he had 15 plus years of masonry experience before founding Bandera Stone in 1988,” she said. “We purchased the Bandera Quarry near Redfield and initially only supplied veneer stone.”

Within a few years, the Pemberton’s started a Bronson quarry that supplies Winterset Limestone, which has become the most popular and versatile stone they sell, she said.

Winterset Limestone from Bandera’s Bronson Quarry. Taken from their website.

They also bought the former school building in Redfield to expand into cut stone.

“Over the years we have continued to expand, adding quarries and buildings, and equipment at the cut stone mill, as we could afford it. In Bourbon County, we now have our stone mill in Redfield, our primary quarry just east of Bronson, and soon to be our office and showroom in Uniontown.”

For more information call or text 620-223-3920 or email [email protected].

The website is www.banderastone.com

Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

40th Annual Historic Candlelight Tour: Finding Peace On The Frontier

November 26, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

For forty years the Fort Scott National Historic Site has had re-enactors portray people on the prairie in the 1840s era, just before Christmas, called The Candlelight Tour. This year the tours are Dec. 3-4, Friday and Saturday evenings.

“The purpose of the tour is to provide a deeper understanding of this region’s history, that helped shape this nation, and specifically how the fort was involved in that,” Carl Brenner, FSNHS Program Manager, Interpretation and Resource Manager, said. “Instead of just telling the story, we are trying to help people become immersed in that story.”

Fort Scott National Historic Site glows during the annual candlelight tour event.

Tickets are $8, children five and under are free. To purchase call 620.223.0310

Friday evening, tours start at 6:30 p.m. and the last one is 9 p.m. On Saturday, the first tours are at 5 p.m., and the last start at 8:45 p.m.

Please arrive 10 minutes early to park, present a ticket, and acclimate yourself.

This year there are five vignettes, or re-enacted portrayals, circa 1842-1851. Forty volunteers and 10 staff will be involved in the tour this year.

The theme is Finding Peace on the Prairie.

The vignettes include:

Soldiers arriving at the fort, who are acting as peacekeepers between the Native Americans and the Anglo-European settlers.
Soldiers protecting trade goods along the Santa Fe Trail, keeping the peace. Fort Scott High School drama students helped write the script for this portrayal.
Soldiers returning from the Mexican-American War, celebrating the Peace Treaty of 1848.
Keeping peace along the Arkansas River by escorting people heading to the California Gold Rush, looking for fortune.
A traveling minister came through the fort in 1851, providing a message of peace on earth to the soldiers.

Brenner said there are approximately 25 tickets left and the later tours, after 8:15 p.m., there are some available for families or groups.

Tours will be all outside, so visitors should dress to stay warm.

“Masks are required in all federal buildings, including the visitor center and restrooms,” Brenner said.

Tours are handicapped accessible.

“We are asking people to show up 10 minutes early and meet at the west (left) side of the visitor center building, between the two buildings, on the sidewalk,” he said.

Photo Credit: Fort Scott National Historic Site. Re-enactors in the 2017 Candlelight Tour.

Church news, Food, Fort Scott

Jean Tucker Retires From Feeding Families In His Name

November 24, 2021 Loretta George Leave a comment

After ten and one-half years and coordinating 107,000 meals, Jean Tucker is stepping down from Feeding Families In His Name.

The ministry provides food to anyone on Wednesday evenings at the First United Methodist Church, Third Street and National Avenue, and Tucker has been the coordinator since its beginning.

The meal is provided for free to all who would like it.

“It’s for anybody,” Tucker said. “We’ve had new families drive through every week. It’s a free meal for the community.”

“Recently we have had caregivers who are worn down, and this (meal) is such a relief,” she said. “It’s for anyone who wants a warm home-cooked meal.”

The last meal that Tucker will coordinate is December 8.

That is 80th Tucker’s birthday.

“I am giving myself a birthday present,” she said. “That doesn’t mean I won’t have anything to do with the meal, I just won’t be responsible.”

“I ask that if you have any questions or contributions for Feeding Families In His Name that you contact the church office at 620.223.1950,” Tucker said. “The church secretary will direct your call to the appropriate person.”

Pastor Christopher Eshelman, Tom Braker and Bonnie Milburn have agreed to coordinate after Dec. 8, Tucker said.

Joey Beerbower will be in charge of the paper goods and Tom Coyan will be in charge of the kitchen and the commodities.

Over ten years ago Braker, along with Doug Altic saw a need to help families stretch their food budgets, she said. “Koyle Link, Don Tucker, Deborah Wood, Tom Braker and myself were on the original committee.”

“They went to the pastor at the time, Paul Babcock, then they called an emergency meeting and the administration board voted and approved unanimously to start the program,” Tucker said. “They were the impetus.”

“This has been God’s doing,” Tucker said. “We provide this meal because of God’s love.”

The first meal served 45 people, including the volunteer helpers, now 300 to 350 people being served on Wednesday evenings.

“We started to-go meals in March 2020 because of the pandemic and the numbers increased,” she said. “We don’t think we could go back to getting that many in our church basement.”

Several organizations cook for the meals.

The first Wednesday of each month, the St. Martin’s Academy students cook; on the second Wednesday, Community Christian Church and First United Methodist alternate cooking; on the third week, a Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene small group cook; on the fourth week, the Presbyterian Church cooks and on any fifth Wednesday, the Pioneer Kiwanis Club cooks. Fulton United Methodist Church cooks to fill in when others can’t, she said.

“Every week 15-20 people bake desserts for us,” she said.

Tucker said she is retiring because she is weary of the weekly repsoniblity, but is confident the ministry will continue.

Fort Scott Biz