All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County, Business, Food

Soft Opening for Perry’s Country Store in Bronson This Weekend

4 Comments
The Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store will have a soft opening following the Bronson Day event on Saturday and Sunday. The store is in the background, left and sits on Hwy. 54 that runs through Bronson.
Kelly and Thaddeus Perry have been pursuing a building purchase to manufacture their food products for several years.
Yesterday, they received final state approval for a manufacture license to make fudge and a retail license for the new building store front in Bronson. They will be having a soft opening of the business this weekend, following Bronson Day, a community event in this small town in western Bourbon County.
“We received our manufacture license for our fudge and our retail license for the front portion of the country store…(and) we will have a open house on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. We are planning for a grand opening on July 30.”
The store open house will have limited items this Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. and  Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.  and Monday 5-9 p.m.
History of the Business
The Perry’s started making pork rinds at the Hume Fair in 2017 and discovered the demand and profit, Kelly said. “So it made sense to push forward. However, because pork rinds are technically a meat product we cannot wholesale or go on any store shelf until we physically built a USDA inspected meat processing facility. Although we do not slaughter any animals, we still have to follow all safety and federal rules regarding meat so we decided to put every penny into building a facility.”
During the COVID 19 Pandemic, the Perry’s discovered something.
“As we came closer to that reality, we realized, through the pandemic, what a food desert we really have on the western side of the county and felt we could change this! We decided to not only build a pork rind meat production plant but a retail store front for our biggest supporters, our community!”
Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store on Hwy. 54 in Bronson has a soft opening on July 9 and 10
The store will be open following the  vendors leaving town on Saturday.
“Once the Bronson Day vendors close at 3 p.m., we will then open our store,” Kelly said. “We will not be fully stocked, but we will have bags of ice, coffee, tea, lemonade, fountain soda, canned soda, ready-to-eat foods and snacks foods.”
“We should have all of our items available for sale for our grand opening celebration on July 30,” she said.
Perry’s Pork Rinds & Country Store on Hwy. 54 which is also known as792 Pine Street in Bronson.
Contact info: the store phone 620.224-2052 or email [email protected]
Financing Their New Business
The Perry’s saved money for the down payment for their business and borrowed the rest from Iola Community National Bank.
“They worked with us and believed in our business plan from the beginning,” she said.” We also used another loan through the Ft. Scott Chamber of Commerce E-Community loan to help us finish the project and have enough capital to fill the store front upon opening. Out of the second loan we were granted $9,000 in loan forgiveness through the Patterson Family Foundation (through the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team).
They currently have six employees and anticipate substantial growth, she said. They will soon go from two production days to five and offer wholesale pork rinds and fudge nationwide.
On the Horizon
“We will not be stopping with just the store front,” she said.  “We are already working on phase two for our property, which is a full hook up RV park for travelers.  This will utilize the large property we have as well as bring revenue to the city with utilities.”
Bourbon County

Fans and Other Necessary Items Available Through FS Compassionate Ministries

Leave a comment
Allen Schellack stands in front of a wall of fans to give those who need them.

Allen Schellack has a problem.

He has a wall of fans to give away and needs to get the word out that they are free to those who need them.

Evergy Inc. and the Salvation Army funnel items through this ministry to those in need.

Schellack is the director of Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries and fans are just one of the outreaches of the ministry.

“We have given out 21 so far this year,” he said.

These fans are intended for the elderly, disabled and those who do not have a fan or air conditioning in their home, and can’t afford to buy one. To help the most people, each household is eligible for one fan. Applicants can contact  Schellack at 620.223.212 to set up an appointment to get the fan. An identification card and proof of address are required.

The ministry is located at 26 N. Main, on the second floor of the Senior Citizens Center.

Some of the hygienic products offered through the ministry: adult diapers.

In addition to the fans, the ministry has teamed up with CarePortal, an online connection tool that provides needs that local child welfare workers see for foster families and families in crisis; helps with  a homeless outreach service; provides soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste along with other hygienic products; provides durable medical supplies and diabetic supplies.

Walkers are available for free through the ministry.

In partnership with the Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance, the ministry provides physical assistance to transients who need help to reach their destination. This fund is distributed by the Fort Scott Police Department under the FSMA guidelines.

In addition to fans in the summer, the ministry can provide heaters and blankets in the winter, along with bedding and towels.

At the beginning of school, free school supplies are available for middle and high school students, through the ministry.

Additional services are through partnerships with job search  assistance needs, and help groups such as Celebrate Recovery, Financial Peace University, Pathways and Next Steps.

FSCM is a designated disaster relief and services extension unit for the Salvation Army which includes rental and utility assistance, prescriptions (no narcotics), temporary lodging, gasoline for work and doctor visits, help buying eyeglasses and other unspecified needs on a case by case basis.

Baby diapers are also available.

Volunteers are welcome.

Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main. That organization allows the Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries to house their office on the second floor.
Bourbon County, Church news, Food, Fort Scott

Weekly Food Distribution Offered Through Assembly of God Church Plant

3 Comments
Fort Cinema,224 W 18th St, Fort Scott is the distribution site for free food for children under 18 years old, until August 18.

A new Assembly of God Church plant is receiving food to distribute to Fort Scott children under 18 years of age, until school starts in August. The food will be distributed at the Fort Scott Cinema.

Family Life Assembly of God volunteers will be distributing the food, with Grady Proffitt the facilitator here in Fort Scott.

“We have started a distribution that partners with Life 360 Church out of Springfield, MO,” said  Proffitt, who is planting a new church called Family Life Assembly of God in Fort Scott. “They have received government funding that is able to feed kids in communities that are ages 18 and under. They are serving the Southeast Kansas area places like: Baxter Springs, Galena, Girard, Garnett, Ottawa, Humboldt, Pittsburg, and Fort Scott. There might be more, but I know those cities for sure!”

“This partnership is not FLAG Church this is Life360 Church reaching out to our churches in our different communities,” he said.

“For us here in Fort Scott, they serve us every Thursday from 11am-12:30pm in the Fort Cinema parking lot. This will go until school starts with the last Thursday, August 18,” Proffitt said.

“This is for students and children ages 18 under,” he reiterated. “Supplies include lunches and dinners for each child. Milk, dry foods, canned foods, and some frozen meals. The only criteria is that each child must be in the vehicle to receive meal packages while supplies last.”

“This is not FLAG Church, this is Life360 Church out of Springfield, MO that is partnering with local churches to bless communities in the Southeast Kansas area. We are grateful for this opportunity to add to the needs of so many here in Fort Scott!”

Grady Proffit, is the Fort Scott Campus Pastor of Family Life Assembly of God.

To learn more about the church:

New Church Plant Starting in Fort Scott In September

For more information:

www.flagchurch.com

(620) 232-FLAG

Grady Proffitt is the Fort Scott Campus Pastor for Family Life Assembly of God. Pictured is his wife, Jacque and son. Submitted photo.
Business, Fort Scott

Common Ground: New Manager, Revamped Drive Through Window Service

1 Comment
Kalyn Turner, taken from her Facebook page.

Since May, Kalyn Turner has been the new manager of Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall.

Turner is from a small town around Burlington, KS.

She graduated from South Coffey County High School, then got a graphic communication degree from Pittsburg State University.

“I have worked at a lot of random stuff..but every single experience has led me to this one,” she said.

Her duties, she said, include “being a light to the community to help them find their purpose and tell people about Jesus, while selling coffee.”

“I have a heart for worship, leading to Jesus,” she said. “I love Him, and He is letting me serve Him through coffee.”

There are approximately 15 employees at Common Ground, which is a popular community meeting place in downtown Fort Scott. The coffee house is a ministry of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

Starting Today

Common Ground Coffee Co. is improving its drive through experience.

Beginning today, July 5, the drive through window will be an online and call-in pick up lane ONLY.

In order to improve its drive through experience, all drive through orders must be placed IN ADVANCE by:
Calling 620-223-2499 or visiting their website fscommonground.com

Or ordering on their new app https://apps.apple.com/…/common-ground-coffee/id1616511138

“The goal is to get people through the pick up area quickly,” Turner said. “There were safety issues, when orders take time…sometimes people don’t have time to wait, so we are trying to speed it up for everyone.”

For the vast majority of Fort Scottians, sitting down with a “cuppa” coffee is still the preferred way to get a drink and meet with friends.

“You can still come in and get coffee,” she said. “We’d love for people to come in.”

Photo courtesy of Kenny Felt Photography and Common Ground Coffee Company.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Friday Night Free Concert: The Hemphills

Leave a comment
Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians .

This week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by local family musicians, The Hemphills. Jack Hemphill plays keys, wife Sandy plays violin, mandolin, guitar, saxophone, and keys. Son Brad joins in with lead, rhythm, and bass guitars, and daughter Kristen Weeks ties the band together on the drums. All the members are vocalists and will perform a variety of music including classic country and 70s pop classics.

 

“The Hemphills are a great family to work with and have a tight sound,“ concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “We are pleased to welcome these talented, fun, and heartwarming musicians back to the park pavilion. Floyd Feezell, Fort Scott, will also sing some familiar tunes.  Come out and join your friends for an enjoyable evening.”

 

The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

 

In the event of inclement weather or extreme heat, the concert will be moved to the Loading Dock at Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

Obituary

Obituary of Leona Garrett

Leave a comment

Leona Maxine Garrett, 91, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away early Thursday morning June 30, 2022, at the Oak Pointe Nursing Home in Carthage, Missouri. She was born March 2, 1931, in Cato, Kansas, the daughter of Wesley Curtis and Leona Florence (Coonrod) James. She married Jack Herbert Garrett August 26, 1950, in Arcadia, Kansas, and he preceded her in death January 7, 2001.

 

Maxine was a Red Hat Lady, and she loved to spend time with her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed fixing big family dinners, and all of her grandchildren think she makes the best macaroni and cheese, chicken and noodles, and spaghetti and meatballs.

 

Survivors include her children, Jack Garrett and wife Deborah, of Carthage, Missouri, Sandra Moore, of Monterey, California; six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Jack, she was also preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Tracy Coe; and a great-grandson.

 

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:30 p.m. at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with a visitation prior to services at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 7, 2022. Burial will follow at Large / Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Cradling Memories, Milo James Coe Foundation at cradlingmemories.org, or may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Food

Bronson Day Has Been Re-energized

1 Comment

Bronson Day, a local community event of this small town in western Bourbon County, has been revamped.

Bronson Day has typically been held yearly in the spring and led by the Bronson Ruritan, said Kelly Perry.

Perry is part of a new organization in Bronson.

The town held an open town meeting seeking volunteers for the new organization, called the Bronson Pride Committee.

“In the past, we had a larger Ruritan group and several locals realized this was a big task to put on just one or two people in the Ruritan,” Perry said. “After speaking to Terry Johnston, head of the Bronson Ruritan we agreed to all work together to help promote the event.”

Elected to head the organization are Kayla Greenway-president, Michael Stewart-vice president, Danielle Minor-treasurer and Perry as secretary.
The event, moved from the spring to the summer, starts as 9 a.m. with a horseshoe tournament hosted by Terry Johnson.
“Bronson is the home of the first world horseshoe tournament,” she said. “This event is free.”

“We have a huge day of events planned, from free bounce houses to a mini horse pull,  a parade, a color run,  Kale Nelson’s State Farm Car Show, a three-on-three basketball tournament,a horseshoe tournament, a cornhole tournament, kids games, over 25 vendors, several food trucks, a street dance,  a live DJ, a beer garden and of course our fireworks display,” she said.

“This year we created a bit more buzz by creating not only the committee, but allowing food trucks, doubling the fireworks budget, and bringing back the street dance,” Perry said. “Board members and volunteers were able to get sponsors and received a grant from Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. The funds are not all spent on one single event but are going to be used for overall community improvement and morale which includes The Bronson Day Celebration.”

“Bronson Day is just part of the vision the entire board has for the Bronson Pride Committee,” she said. “In the future, we will continue to meet and grow and make this yearly event better and bigger. We want to unify our community through ideas, efforts, and solving problems and needs. If we can motivate others we can change the community morale and continue to thrive together,” she said.

Kayla Greenway has lived in Bronson for many years and raised her four children here.

“I’ve helped with Bronson days in the past, but this year‘s planning has been ramped up by our new Bronson Pride Committee,” Greenway said. “It’s a committee we started to help clean our town up, bring awareness to community development, and come together in unity with the same goal of helping one another in our town.”

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” Greenway said. “I am excited to see what our future holds.  We are always accepting new members and our next meeting is July 6 at 5 p.m. at the city park.”

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/BronsonPride

 

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of Gladys Rexroad

Leave a comment

Gladys Arlene Rexroad, age 98, resident of Tulsa, OK, died Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at her home.

She was born June 26, 1924, in Arcadia, KS, the daughter of Harry and Annie Elizabeth Watkins Smith. She married Basil E. Rexroad on December 18, 1955, in Arcadia. He preceded her in death
on November 1, 1978.

Gladys will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her son, Max Rexroad and wife Linda, Tulsa, OK, whom Gladys lived with; a niece, Ruth Arlene Waring, Garland, KS; a nephew Donnie Smith, Miami, OK; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a
daughter, Karen Browning; a brother, Tommie Smith; a nephew, Glenn Smith; and a great niece, Sheryl Waring.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 6th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

Burial will follow in the Large Cemetery, south of Ft. Scott.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time at the funeral home.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Union State Bank Expands

Leave a comment
Union State Bank, June 2022.

Union State Bank, the Fort Scott Branch, is in the final stages of an addition of 1,200 square feet to its building.

“We were running into problems with space,” CEO and President Bryan Holt said. “We looked at every way possible to not expand the foot print.”

But the bank administration decided to add a 20 by 60 foot addition for its growing support staff and also to upgrade security.

The lobby was shortened and reconfigured to have more space for employee work stations, and the addition added five new offices and two new bathrooms.

In October 2021 the project was started.

“It will be 99 percent completed in 30 days,” Vice President of Information Technology Dustin McClure said on June 23. McClure was also the project manager of the expansion.

“We’ve got pods, like cubicles, to build,” McClure said. “This will seat a total of eight people.”

“This will improve accessibility and privacy needs of our customers,” Senior Loan Officer Katie Casper said.

“New offerings with debit card capabilities, improved customer experience and improved card experience are on the horizon for the bank,” Holt said.

The bank building, located at 1009 S. Clark, was completed in 1992, when Union State Bank opened the branch in Fort Scott.

The headquarters of the two banks is in Uniontown, where the  business started in 1901.

The bank listed the following businesses who have provided services/products for the expansion:

Project General Manager: Bo Casper (owner of Casper Enterprises)

Casper Enterprises LLC

Alpha Roofing

Big Sugar Lumber and Home Center

Craw-Kan Telephone

Davis Drywall

Geiger Plumbing

Greenwood Plaster Company

Jeff Allen Electric

LACO Guttering

Norris Heating & Air

Peerless Products Inc.

Phillips Flooring

Redbud Farms and Nursery

Ruddick’s Furniture

Stoughton Inc

Thomas Concrete & Construction

 

CEO Bryan Holt shows the wall that was once the outside wall on the Fort Scott Branch of Union State Bank. The 20 by 60 expansion was added onto the south side of the building.
Business, Fort Scott

McGehee Starts Power Washing Business

1 Comment
Cody McGehee from Facebook.

Cody McGehee started a new power washing business this month in Fort Scott.

“I am the owner and operator,” he said. “The name of my business is called Precision Power Washing. I live and operate in Fort Scott…and will also be providing services for the surrounding areas as well.”

McGehee, 28, works a full-time day job and is available to pressure wash from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays from 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

“My services will include pressure washing, soft washing, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, siding cleaning, patio/ deck cleaning, driveway cleaning, sidewalk cleaning, residential and commercial cleaning,” he said. “I will also be doing automotive cleaning as well as boats and RV/ campers.”

“I have multiple years experience power washing concrete surfaces, but am now taking on different types of surfaces while continuing to educate myself in the field,” he said.  “I take pride in my work and support and promote local businesses as often as possible.”

McGehee finds the work satisfying.

“I began this journey with the support of my friends and family,” he said. “I am following a dream and a passion. Pressure washing is an art in my eyes. It is very satisfying work and is very rewarding. To be able to restore someone’s property to its glory and see them stunned by the ‘after look’ of a finished product gives my heart joy. I have always been a guy to try and make people happy. To me, this is a great way to see people happy. Restoring the pride people have in their property is an amazing feeling. I am looking forward to serving Fort Scott and the surrounding areas!”

Contact McGehee at

[email protected]

McGehee is a 2012 graduate of Fort Scot High School.

“I am happily married to my wife Allie McGehee and we have three children: Micah, Roman and Olivia.”

He works full time for the City of Fort Scott’s Street Department.

Entertainment

Kansas Rocks: Local Fun For 4-Wheel Drive Enthusiasts

Leave a comment
The board of directors of Kansas Rocks Recreation Park. Submitted photo.

Kansas Rocks Recreation Park, located at 2051 130th Road, Mapleton, offers a 380 acre off-road park open to 4-wheel-drives, side-by-sides, mountain bikes and hikers.

Kanrocks Recreation Association Inc. is made up of 30 volunteer members and is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit business.

The founder and president is David Killion.

David Killion stands in front of the rock sign at Kansas Rocks. Submitted photo.

For those just starting in four-wheel drive adventures, the organization offers classes.

“We offer Off-Roading 101 classes and the next class is July 23 followed by a fall class on Sept 17,” Killion said.

The park is busy throughout the year with events.

“We also have our largest regular Frostbite event the last Saturday in February,” he said. “Our Creep-Crawl Halloween event is the third weekend in October that offers a ton of things for the kids and adults, ending the night in a haunted trail ride. We also have events sponsored and put on by clubs like the Sunflower Run in June. There is also an Adopt-A-Trail program where clubs come in and help do trail maintenance for a half day, twice a year, in exchange for a free half day of wheeling.”

Submitted photo.

“We are open Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays,” Killion said. “The cost is $25 per vehicle and driver and $5 per passenger over 12.”

“We have RV parking and tent camping, picnic shelters, a pavilion, shower house restrooms and a kids playground,” he said.

“We have separate costs for camping and RV and offer 2 and 3-day discounts,” he said.

Camping reservations can be made at the website: ksrockspark.com. The park also has a Facebook page.

 

History of the park

“I started the first 4-wheel-drive club in the Kansas City area in the 1990’s and soon found out the closest, legal places to go off roading was about three hours away,” Killion said.

“I wanted to develop something closer and began searching for land, quarries, talking with farmers etc. In my search, I found a grant administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism that helped entities develop trail systems.”

“After applying for the grant, we looked at 150 pieces of land within 90 miles of the KC area. We found this great property and started building a premier off-road park. We are celebrating 19 years this year and will have a big event next year to celebrate 20 years.”