All posts by Loretta George

Woodland Hills Golf Course: New Management

Steve Anthony, left, and Doug Guns. Submitted photo.

Steve Anthony, 49, is the new Woodland Hills Golf Course  Clubhouse Manager in Fort Scott. The course is owned and operated by the City of Fort Scott.

Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton, Fort Scott.

He replaces Shannon O’Neil, who left in July.

Anthony feels that he and Doug Guns, the golf course superintendent,  are a good team.

“I feel I have a good grasp of things and if things come up that need two heads to make a decision, Doug and I make the decision as we are pretty much on the same page and we make our decision on what’s best for the club and or our member’s,” he said.

Anthony’s hometown is Parkersburg, West Virginia and he is married to Stephanie Anthony.

“I have been an avid golfer since I was a young kid back in West Virginia,” he said. “I have been in Fort Scott for nine years now.”

“I have always had a love for the sport of golf and when the opportunity came to pursue the golf course (position) here, I jumped at the chance to take it on,” he said.

“When I started, I knew I wanted to do some different things that had not been done here,” Anthony said.  “For example, having watch parties for National Football League games and it has grown each week. My hope is once the colder weather sets in we will have more folks come out to join us for games as they will be tired of just sitting at home.”

He enjoys coming to work each day, getting to do something that he loves, Anthony said.

“The Woodland Hills Golf Course is in really beautiful shape as Doug (Guns)and his crew do a great job making it look beautiful,” he said.

In the community, Anthony has been involved with Special Olympics, a large sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities.

“I, along with Bourbon County Undersheriff Ben Cole, host a golf tournament each year to benefit Special Olympics,” he said. “I am also on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Kansas.”

He enjoys coming to work each day, getting to do something that he loves, Anthony said.

Anthony can be reached at 620-223-5060 or his cell phone at 620-215-2392.

 

Golf carts that can be rented are lined up near the entrance to the Woodland Hills Golf Clubhouse.

Reaching Out to Community: Law Enforcement’s Faith and Blue Event This Weekend

At the Fort Scott High School Football Game and the Uniontown High School Volleyball Tournament this weekend, one might think there is a crime being investigated.

But that thinking would be wrong.

Both Fort Scott Police and the Bourbon County Sheriff Officers will be there to mingle with people to “meet the community and let the community know us,” said Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Bob Jackson.

The Fort Scott Police Department from its Facebook page.

The events are part of an organization called Faith and Blue.

“Nation-wide, after the George Floyd deal, things started spiraling downhill for law enforcement,” said Jackson.

Last year following the civil unrest, an organization called Faith and Blue was started nationally.

The following is the organization’s purpose, according to its’ website: Faith & Blue: Partnering for stronger, safer communities (faithandblue.org)

“Communities are stronger and safer when residents and law enforcement professionals can relate as ordinary people with shared values, hopes, and dreams. The partners who are a part of National Faith & Blue Weekend believe we can find ways to work together around our many commonalities instead of being divided by our differences.”

The Faith and Blue weekend nationally is Oct. 8-11, according to Jackson.

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Bob Jackson. Courtesy photo.

The law enforcement officers will be at Frary Field this evening, Oct. 8, on the campus of Fort Scott High School starting about 5 p.m. to “pass out popcorn and give away tickets to the concession stand,” Jackson said.

Then on Saturday, the officers will be at West Bourbon Elementary School for the Uniontown High School Volleyball Tournament from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There, they will be giving away food too, with the help of local food truck (The Sunshine Shack) owners, Shayla and Kyle Knight.

“They are going to set it up inside the school cafeteria,” Jackson said.

The officers are hoping to get to know those they serve a little better in the mingling and also let the community get to know them.

He is hoping the event will be a positive one, he said.

“It will not be to hear complaints,” Jackson said. “But it’s to get to know you and you know us.”

The event is a collaboration of some local churches and the FSPD and the BCSO.

In Fort Scott, Community Christian Church, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, Trinity Lutheran and the Seventh Day Adventist Church have provided funds for the event.

In Uniontown, the Uniontown Missionary Baptist Church, along with the Bronson, Hiattville, and Uniontown United Methodist Churches have contributed to the event.

 

 

 

 

KDHE Amends Travel & Exposure Related Quarantine List

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to remove the country of Grenada. The state of Alaska and the countries of Bermuda and New Caledonia have been added to the travel quarantine list. An unvaccinated individual should quarantine if they meet the following criteria:

  • Traveled between Sept. 23 and Oct. 7 to Grenada.
  • Traveled on or after Oct. 7 to Alaska.
  • Traveled on or after Oct. 7 to Bermuda and New Caledonia.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state or in-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel and mass gathering quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website.

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel or mass gatherings if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine).
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel.

Persons who do not meet the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel or mass gatherings.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test
  • Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates — approximately 3x higher — are added to the list.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Local Historian Shares Antique Photos

May be a black-and-white image of one or more people, outdoors and tree
A photo of unknown subjects that Brian Allen discovered at a garage sale recently.

Brian Allen, a local historian in his spare time, likes to collect old items and if he can, reunite them with family members.

Brian Allen. Submitted photo.

At a recent garage sale, Allen found some antique glass photo negatives circa, he believes, the 1890s to the 1910s.

“I found the negatives and the photos at a local garage sale two weeks ago,” Allen said. “I have always collected vintage Fort Scott items.”

Along with many items in a box, there were 13 glass negatives, he said.

“I have a scanner that can make negatives into photos,” Allen said. “They were very dark, and without the scanner, it would have been almost impossible to make them out even with a bright light.”

Allen has been sharing photos online for several months now.

“The photos do depict some local scenes,” he said. “One is clearly the old (Fort Scott)High School, and one is taken from the side of a house across the street from the school.”

The photo finds are posted in the Historical Fort Scott and Surrounding Areas group on Facebook, as well as the Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association page, he said.

“The ones on the HPA page belong to the organization,” Allen said.  “I have posted well over well over 100 photos. I have been able to reunite about 30 photos with family members during this time, as well as a family Bible to a family in Texas.”

“I love to be able to return these old items to a family,” he said. “If someone wants to contact me about any of the photos, please just send me a message on Facebook.”

Market Street Pavilion Project Kicks Off

Interim Fort Scott City Manager Mark McCoy, right, looks at the $50,000 check display, from left are four T-Mobile representatives, with Fort Scott City Mayor Josh Jones in the green shirt.

The Market Street Pavilion Project kicked off Wednesday evening at Skubitz Plaza, with the presentation of a $50,000 check to the City of Fort Scott from T-Mobile.

T-Mobile, a company that provides wireless voice and messaging services along with data services, will be opening a retail store in late November in the strip mall at the 2400 block of South Main Street. Scott Hunsaker will be the manager of that store.

Local officials and company officials gave brief speeches in recognition of the grant, Fort Scott Community College Cheerleaders were there along with the public. T-Mobile provided one Luther’s BBQ dinner to the first 50 people who attended the event.

The company has been granting and will continue to grant other small towns in the nation, to help with revitalization projects, according to Matt Lane, T-Mobile Market Manager.

Fort Scott was selected this year to receive one of those T-Mobile Hometown  Grants.

The Market Street Pavilion will be located west of the wooden square structure, north of downtown Fort Scott, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.

To view the grant proposal from the city:

FortScott Hometown Grant Phase 1(1)

From the grant proposal:

“This project would return Market Street as a community place which was previously removed by Urban Renewal. It will improve underutilized green space and extend the use of the area for residents, and visitors including numerous events.
The initial phase of this project is an addition of an entrance pavilion and walkway to the Lunette Blair Block House.
The former Market Street was a central connection to the City from the original Fort grounds. Fort Scott’s downtown has
been the heart of the City since its discovery in 1842. Anchored by the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the purpose of this critical ground has changed over the years yet has maintained its extraordinary significance in history.

“Named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas History, the Fort is a legacy of the city’s involvement combined with congressional support overcoming a multitude of obstacles led by an impressive group of visionary citizens.”

Food Assistance Offered by The Beacon

Wib Mowen and Joe Lee stand in front of the new sign at The Beacon. Submitted photo.

Those who need food assistance for 2022, may sign-up at  Beacon Food Pantry, 525 East Sixth, Fort Scott from October 25 through October 29.

“Sign-ups must be done by October 29th ,” Dave Gillen with The Beacon, a helping agency, said. “No exceptions. You will need to call in advance for appointment for one of these days.”

The Beacon staff started taking appointments on October 4.

Gillen said the participants will need to bring the following to qualify for a food card:

  • Picture ID for all adults in household
  • Social Security card for all in household and birthdates, all dependent children with different names must show full-time parental custody, adoption papers. must live with you to be on your card.
  • Proof of income, pension, retirement, social security disability, VA benefits, unemployment, child support/alimony and any other income
  • If you receive any services from DCF please bring the verification letter.

“If you are also getting food that day, you will need to call in advance and your order will be put on the back porch for pick-up,” he said.

“We’ll also be doing sign-ups for the Adopt-A-Child program and additionally the Elk’s Club food basket, at this time,” Gillen said.

“Adopt-A-Child pick up and food baskets will be at Community Christian Church on December the 17th from 9 am to 1 pm,” he said. “Pick-up will be a drive-through like last year.”

“Elk’s baskets will be delivered the Sunday before Christmas.”

There will be COVID-19 Protocols when one comes to sign-up.

“You will be required to have temperature checked and wear a mask before entering the Beacon,” he said. “If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you. Please enter through the front door. We are asking only one person per family in the building at this time.”

 

 

 

 

Gordon Parks Celebration: Education, Entertainment, Art, and Fun

The annual Gordon Parks Celebration in Fort Scott did not happen last year.

“We were not able to have 17th annual celebration last year due to COVID, so we wanted to make up for that misfortune and combine them both for this year and make it the 17th and 18th annual celebration,” Kirk Sharp, director of the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, said.

Kirk Sharp is the director of the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Submitted photo

This year there are three full days to look at the past and encourage creativity and activism in the future.

The activities are listed by day:

Thursday, October 7

A photo exhibit in the Lunt Lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton will feature a photo contest, whose theme was  “Fashion and Diversity.” Winners of the contest will be announced at the Fort Scott Chamber Coffee. The contest is sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, Fort Scott.

“Also part of the photo exhibit will be some of The Gordon Parks Mercy Foundation Collection with Gordon’s photos and poems, and behind the scenes photographs of the film Shaft and The Learning Tree,” Sharp said. “We will also have a promotional display of the Gordon Park: Homeward to the Prairie I Come Exhibition that is taking place now until May 2022 at the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University.”

There will be a sign and mural display featuring Gordon Parks at the Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes, 1 S. Main, and also at the Riverfront Park, 400 N. National.

From 8-9 a.m.,  the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be a Gunn Park, Shelter House 1, hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum. This weekly coffee will announce the grand opening and ribbon-cutting event of The Learning Tree Film Scene Sign Trail.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be in the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.

9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., The film The Learning Tree will be shown at the Gordon Parks Museum, FREE – Introduced by Kyle Johnson.

10 a.m. – 3: p.m., Registration for the celebration opens (Outside of Museum)

10 a.m. – 3 p.m., “Mayhew Cemetery” and “Homeward to the Prairie, I Come Exhibition” table displays will be available at the museum.

11:50 a.m. – 1 p.m., “Gordon Parks: Fort Scott and The Learning Tree Revisited” is a free lunch and learn at the Ellis Center. Local historian Arnold Schofield will open with a short presentation on the history of Gordon Parks and his return visit to his hometown of Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1950, as documented in the book Back to Fort Scott. Schofield will then introduce keynote speaker, John Edgar Tidwell, Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Kansas for a presentation on  The Learning Tree legacy, comparing and contrasting the book and film. The presentation will also cover the importance of the cultural and historical impact of them both, along with the story and subject matter compared to today.

John Edgar Tidwell. Submitted photo.

Box lunches with sandwich wraps, desserts, and drinks are available in the lobby for $8 – to purchase that day – or bring your lunch and grab available desserts and join the lunch and learn.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., There will be a guided trolley tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree film scene locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center to see the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. (Fee: $7)

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m., Showing of the film Moments Without Proper Names (Gordon Parks Museum, FREE).

“Moments without Proper Names is a film directed by Gordon Parks in 1986,” Sharp said.  “This film has a wonderful mixture of Gordon’s iconic photos that he has taken during his career and his most updated photographic work during that time along with some of his musical compositions. It is narrated by actors Avery Brooks, Roscoe Lee Browne, and Joe Seneca.”

 

6:45 p.m. – 7 p.m., “Gordon Parks: Homeward to the Prairie I Come” Exhibition (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE).

Aileen Wang. Photo by Doug Barrett. Submitted.

Aileen Wang, curator at Kansas State University’s Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art will discuss the current exhibition that features photographs that were donated by Parks to K.S.U.,  in 1973 and work by the photographer, Doug Barrett.

Doug Barrett. Submitted photo.

The social hour starts at 6 p.m. with wine and light refreshments available.

7 p.m., “All things Kansas” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE) – Doug Barrett, photographer and videographer based in Manhattan, Kansas, will share some of his work and show how Gordon Parks continues to inspire contemporary artists. Barrett covers all things in the American Midwest. Some of his recognized work includes his project started in 2018 documenting homeless veterans living on the streets across America. He is currently documenting the black community on Yuma Street in Manhattan, Kansas, and covered the civil unrest last year within black America. This performance was supported in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

 

Friday, October 8
9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Registration open (outside of Gordon Parks Museum)

Doug Barrett. Submitted photo.

9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m., “All things Kansas, Part 2” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, FREE) – Doug Barrett, photographer, and videographer will continue the presentation of his work and show how Gordon Parks continues to inspire contemporary artists.

10 a.m. – 3 p.m., “Mayhew Cemetery” and “Homeward to the Prairie I Come Exhibition” (Gordon Parks Museum/FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center).

10:05 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., “A Conversation with Choice of Weapon Honorees.” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE) – The 2021 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Kyle Johnson and Eli Reed.

Kyle Johnson. Submitted photo.

 

Eli Reed. Submitted photo.

11:30 a.m. – noon, “I Needed Paris”(FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE) – With Michael Cheers, Associate Professor of Photojournalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University.

Michael Cheers. Submitted photo.

This will be the launch event for the immersive educational experience that will take a group of diverse American and Parisian student photographers through Paris, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks. These students will reimagine Gordon’s spirit as a fashion photographer while using the same type of camera Gordon used – twin lens reflex film cameras. Student participants will style and photograph their models at some of the same locations chosen by Parks.

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m., “Children of the Promised Land” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE), Lunch and Learn.

Angela Bates. Submitted photo.

Angela Bates, executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society, will explore the lives of free-born children after the Civil War. Nicodemus, Kansas, a small unincorporated town in Graham County, is the only remaining western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War.

“Children of the Promised Land” is part of Humanities Kansas’ Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement. The program is brought to the community by Humanities Kansas.

Sack lunches are available in the lobby for $8 – to purchase that day, or bring your lunch.

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m., “Book Club Presentation, A Choice of Weapons” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, FREE) – With John Mason, Associate Professor, Associate Chair, University of Virginia Department of History and Eli Reed, Choice of Weapon Honoree.

Hosted by Susie Arvidson, Fort Scott Community College Librarian. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

John Mason. Submitted photo.

2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., “Eli Reed, Photography Collection of Works” – Photographer, author, and Choice of Weapons Honoree Reed, will provide a short presentation of some of his photography.

3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., African-American Suffragists Exhibit Reveal (Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, 1 S. Main St., FREE). Come to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes for the unveiling of a new panel exhibit featuring Kansas suffragists Mamie Dillard and Carrie Langston Hughes. Also, visit the Unsung Heroes Park, where Gordon Parks is one of the featured signs. (Refreshments available).

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Guided trolley tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree film scene locations.

Meet at the entrance of the  Ellis Center and see the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. (Fee: $7)

7:30 p.m., “A Night of Hot Jazz and R&B” (The River Room, 3 W. Oak St.) – Featuring, Dominique Hammons, multi-talented contemporary jazz, and R&B violinist.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with a cash bar available. All seats are reserved (fee: $30.00 each or $35 at the door). Supported in part by Peerless Products, Inc. in Fort Scott.

 

Saturday, October 9th
9: a.m. to 3 p.m., Registration open (outside of Gordon Parks Museum)

9 a.m. – 3 p.m., “Mayhew Cemetery” and “Homeward to the Prairie I Come Exhibition” Table Display (Gordon Parks Museum/FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center)

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., “Just Talking about Shaft” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum, FREE).

Kevin Willmott. Submitted photo.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the film Shaft. University of Kansas film professor and Oscar-winning filmmaker Kevin Willmott will host a conversation with David Parks about the film. David will share his insight and experience during the filming and Kevin will talk about the impact of the iconic film along with some behind-the-scenes clips of Gordon Parks directing and producing the film. (Coffee, water, juice, and light refreshments will be available.)

11 a.m. – noon., Panel Discussion, “Racism, Discrimination and Poverty” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum, FREE) – Join us for a panel discussion on racism, discrimination, and poverty. Gordon Parks used his camera and writings to fight against bigotry and poverty. People are using the same weapons as Gordon used to fight this same battle. Moderated by John Mason, Associate Professor, University of Virginia Department of History with featured panelists; Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, San Jose State University, Eli Reed, Choice of Weapons Honoree, Kyle Johnson, Choice of Weapons Honoree, Doug Barrett, photographer, and Robin Hickman-Winfield, CEO and Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions and great-niece of Gordon Parks.

Noon – 1 p.m., “Picnic on the Patio” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center) – Join us for some great E3 hamburgers, along with chips, drinks, etc. Sponsored by E3 Meat Co.

1 – 1:30 p.m., “Reflections on the Commemoration and Celebration of Greenwood 2021” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum, FREE) – The presentation will cover the seven important events as seen by photographer Don Thompson as the historic Tulsa, Oklahoma, Greenwood District move forward from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre to the future.

Don Thompson. Submitted photo.

2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m., Showing of the film Shaft (Gordon Parks Museum, FREE) – Introduced by David Parks.

7 p.m., social hour starts at 6 p.m.), “Celebration Tribute Dinner” at the Liberty Theater, 113 S. Main St. This is an evening of celebration, dinner, and tribute;  a 50th anniversary retrospective of the release of the film Shaft, and presentation of the 2021 “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” to Kyle Johnson and Eli Reed. All seats reserved (fee: $30.00 – reserve by Wednesday, October 6th).

Sunday, October 10

10 a.m., Breakfast at Crooner’s Lounge, at one of Fort Scott’s finest, 117 S. Main Street.  Check out the menu at: fscrooners.com. Everyone pays for their food.

Schedule subject to change. Please check at www.gordonparkscenter.org for any updates.

Questions? Please call (620) 223-2700 ext. 5850 or email: [email protected]

The Gordon Parks Museum Board is comprised of Janice Fewins, Elouise Young, Jane Campbell, Latisha Kelley-Cook, Marion Stepps, Angel Wilson, Debra Wood, and ShayLynn Clements.

FS Fire Department Showcases New Trucks At Open House

Fort Scott Fire Department’s pumper truck, July, 2018.

The Fort Scott Fire Department is opening its’ building to showcase new equipment.

The open house is October 16 at the Hawkins Public  Safety Facility at 1604 S. National, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

1604 S. National, houses the Fort Scott Fire Department.

“The Fort Scott Fire Department is hosting the event as part of Fire prevention month,” Mike Miles, FSFD Deputy Chief said. “During the event, we will be showcasing the new trucks the fire department was able to purchase this year.”

Personnel will be answering questions and giving demonstrations.

” We will have a live demonstration of setting up the aerial (truck) and discuss with the public, the benefits the new truck provides,” Miles said. “As well as answering any questions or concerns some may have.  The trucks and station will be on display for the public to tour and look at.”

Aerial demonstrations at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.

“One of the stations will be a live kitchen fire safety demonstration,” Miles said.  “This will showcase the dangers of a kitchen grease fire and what not to do.”

Live fire demonstrations will be at 11:00 a.m., 12:00, 1:00 and 1:45 p.m.

“We will have our newly renovated fire prevention trailer set up for kids to walk through as well as the parents to see how it operates,” he said.  “We take this trailer to every school during the month of October. So the parents can get a good visual of what we do for the kids as well.”

“Sparky ( a mascot) will be present for the kids to take photos with,  we are hoping to join up with the police department to have them do some car seat checks or pass any public safety information along on their part as well,” Miles said.

“We will also have fire prevention material to pass out as well,” he said.  “We will have several stations set up on the premises for the public to obtain information and do a tour of the facility.”

“We will have drawings for prizes to give to the public and kids,” he said.  “Some items were provided by local hardware stores.”

A hot dog lunch will be provided by The Butcher Block.

 

About the FSFD:

The Fort Scott Fire Department has 12 full-time firefighters and two chiefs, with four reserve firefighter positions.

They are set up with three shifts who work a 24-hour on, 48-hr off rotation.  Four full-time members plus the two chiefs are on duty daily.

The fire department has three engines, one aerial truck, one rescue truck, and one ambulance.

Dan the Junk Man Will Haul Off Your Junk

An entrepreneur is seen as a source of a new service. One who sees a community need and works to satisfy that need.

Dan Turney is one of those people.

He started his business, Dan the Junk Man, this week and so far word of mouth publicity have kept him busy he said.

Turney saw the old washing machines or other discarded machines sitting in yards or on porches in Bourbon County and decided to provide a service to remove the unsightly items, for free.

“I thought I would start a business to help,” Turney said.

After he picks them up, he takes them to a small acreage and sorts through the metal, wires, copper, etc., and takes them to a recycler or the dump when finished, he said.

Things like old dryers, air conditioners, washing machines, rims of old tires, he will pick up for free.

Currently, he has no employees and does all the work himself, he said.

He is retired from the State of Indiana Highway Department and is currently living with relatives on a small acreage near Fort Scott, he said.

 

Turney can be reached at 620.215.3543.

 

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Oct. 1

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
October 1st Weekly Newsletter
Join us for the 65th Anniversary
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Departs from the Fort Scott
Chamber at 231 E. Wall St.
Friday hours: 11 am until 3 pm
Saturday hours: 10 am until 3 pm
$6 adults & $4 for 12 yrs. & under
THE FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OFFERS DAILY GUIDED TOURS AT 10 AM & 1 PM, 7 DAYS/WEEK – FREE!
10/1 thru 10/3 ~ PIONEER HARVEST FIESTA. Bourbon County Fairgrounds all weekend, click here or see flyer below for info.
10/1 ~ FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT FEATURING Steven Moses AT HERITAGE PARK PAVILION 7-8 PM. Clickherefor info.
10/1 thru 10/7 ~ FORT CINEMA:
Venom there will be Carnage, The Addams Family, Cry Macho. Check out what is coming to theatres, clickhere.
10/1 ~ BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS: Open Mic Night, clickherefor more info.
10/1 ~ FRIDAY EVENING OF FUN AT THE MUSEUM OF CREATIVITY – Open play session and crafts 3:30-7:30 pm, Game Night 8:30-11:30 pm, only $1 admission! Visit and Like their Facebook pagefor more info.
10/2 ~ FSCC MINI CHEER & DANCE CLINIC: Registration 8:30-9am, clinic 9-10am, $20, click here for info.
10/2 ~ CARE TO SHARE/SHARING BUCKET FALL FESTIVAL: 15th Annual and THE LAST ONE! Come out and enjoy! Click here for more information.
10/2 & 10/3 ~ MIDWEST NATIONAL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT AT LAROCHE BASEBALL COMPLEX.
10/2 & 10/3~ FORT SCOTT LIVESTOCK SALE. Click herefor info.
10/2 ~ FARMERS’ MARKET ~ 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort.
10/2 ~ THE BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS PRESENTS “THE PROSPECTORS” LIVE MUSIC ~ Saturday, October 2nd from 7 – 9 pm. NO COVER
10/6 ~ DARE TO DREAM WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERIES.Click here for info.
10/6 ~ BIKE NIGHT AT HOLMTOWN PUB. Click herefor more information.
NEXT WEEKEND:
OCTOBER 7th ~ Chamber Coffee, Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting of the new Learning Tree sign trail hosted by Gordon Parks Museum – will be held at Gunn Park Shelter #1
OCTOBER 7th thru 10th ~ Gordon Parks 17th & 18th Annual Celebration:Click here for the schedule.
OCTOBER 8th ~ Friday Night with Jazz & Violinist “Dominique Hammons” live at the River Room
OCTOBER 8th ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring The Sunflower Prairie Strings:Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main St., bring a lawn- chair from
7-8pm.
OCTOBER 8th ~ CLARK STREET HAUNTED HOUSE BEGINS:See flyer below for dates/times
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
Click here for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classesnow offered bySmallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tu & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitness ~ M & W Karen Reinbolt at BRCC@
8:15 am $20/8 week session.
Zumba~ M,W, F @ 6pm Monalynn Decker at BRCC $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at
I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER BOOSTER MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Kansas Expands Voter Registration

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Expanded Voter Registration Opportunities for Kansans

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that, through an agreement between a coalition of civil rights agencies and the State of Kansas, Kansans statewide will now have expanded opportunities to register to vote or update voter registration.

Under the agreement, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department for Children and Families will expand opportunities for voter registration, in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Statewide, the agencies have committed to providing additional resources to help people receiving public benefits who want to register to vote.

“Every lawfully eligible Kansans deserves an equal opportunity to cast his or her ballot in every election,” Governor Kelly said. “By sharing resources and expanding opportunities to get registered to vote, we will encourage more voices to be heard at the polls and more Kansans to exercise this important right.”

Governor Kelly’s office worked closely with Kansas voting rights advocacy non-profit Loud Light, who was represented by think tank Demos, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas, and the ACLU’s national Voting Rights Project.

“The most important takeaway is that we’re opening up opportunities to register to vote. Voter participation is always our biggest priority,” said Davis Hammet, Executive Director of Loud Light.

In November 2019 the parties met to discuss deficiencies in state agencies’ compliance under the NVRA. The NRVA, passed in 1993, set certain requirements for state agencies providing public assistance benefits regarding voter registration assistance. Although KDHE and KDCF may have been in compliance previously, previous administrations allowed the agencies to abandon the obligations under this law, according to the coalition.

The written agreements between the State and the advocacy groups successfully allowed the parties to avoid litigation. The agreements establish milestones to get the state back in compliance.

Requirements include:

  • Updating the agencies’ policies,
  • Incorporating voter registration information into benefits material,
  • And providing registration information and applications at agency offices and on the agencies’ websites and online application portals.

The effects of this agreement have already started, with KDCF and KDHE sending over 277,000 voter registrations through remedial mailings prior to the November 2020 general election.

“It’s unfortunate and, frankly, unacceptable that Kansas fell out of compliance previously, but we appreciate the current leadership’s cooperation to remedy our concerns and take concrete steps towards fulfilling their obligations to help Kansans register to vote,” says Sharon Brett, Legal Director for the ACLU of Kansas.

The agreement’s provisions will be in effect until June 30, 2025, although the state will still be expected to comply with NVRA regulations afterwards.

“This agreement to bring the state of Kansas back into compliance with the National Voter Registration Act is a win for the residents of Kansas, who will now have more access to voter registration and greater opportunity to vote and enjoy full participation in the democratic process,” said Brenda Wright, Interim Director of Legal Strategies at Demos. “We will continue to work with the state to maintain a seamless registration process for its residents.”

Miles Woodworking: “A Pretty Good Team”

Mike and Danyell Miles. Submitted photo.

Mike and Danyell Miles started their business, Miles Woodworking, in 2010 when they couldn’t find the right dining table.

“My wife showed me one and I built it,” Mike said. “Then I said ‘You know we could build and sell these.’ The rest is history.”

A cabinet creation by Miles Woodworking. Submitted photo.

“We have been doing this for over 10 years now,” he said. “It’s fun and enjoyable because every order is different. Sometimes we get repeat orders, but mostly they are a different scheme.”

Dining tables, bedroom sets, buffets, cornhole sets, and shuffleboards up to 20 feet long, kitchen cabinets, kitchen islands, and desks are some of their past creations.

A desk that was created by Miles Woodworking. From their Facebook page.

“We take custom orders,” Miles said. ” The client generally shows us what they want and we create that for them. My wife is the brains of the operation, she designs it. I build it. We make a pretty good team.”

The same year they began their business, they also started taking their creations to Sugar Mound Arts Festival, he said. “We showcase all of our new seasonal products there. That’s next weekend.”

For more information contact Miles Woodworking at 620.224.4724 or [email protected]

 

 

Bourbon County Local News