New Generation Preschool graduates sing “Moving Up To Kindergarten” for their parents and grandparents on May 3, 2022.
It’s May, the time for graduations throughout the county.
On May 3, the 15 New Generation Preschool students performed songs for their loved ones during a graduation ceremony.
The graduates were featured on a bulletin board at the entrance to the preschool.The list of all the preschool graduates.
Amy Boyd, director of the childcare facility, introduced the teachers and thanked them for all they have done for the children during the year. Preschool teachers are Cynthia Witham, Angel Harper and AnnaMarie Simon.
Just before the graduation program started, Linda Logan, a trainer and program coordinator for Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children, presented Boyd and Beth Nuss, administrator of the New Generation, with a recognition of their 32 years commitment to young children.
Amy Boyd, left and Beth Nuss, right, were given recognition from the Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children organization. Linda Logan, KAEYC coordinator and trainer, middle, presented the recognition before the final preschool graduating class program on May 3, 2022.
Boyd and Nuss are retiring.
“As of May 13, we are finished with this building,” Nuss said in an interview. “New owners will start in about a week after that.”
The New Generation staff offered a child-centered and developmentally appropriate program for children ages two weeks through grade school age.
“The last two years through the COVID-19 Pandemic have been challenging with children and staff continually in and out of care due to precaution, quarantine, and illness,” according to a sign on the door of the childcare facility at 1502 Scott Avenue in March.
“Workforce challenges, in general, have made it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain qualified employees.”
“We have appreciated the partnership with USD234 operating preschool out of our facility the past three years,” according to the sign.
New Generation, Inc. opened its doors on September 1, 1990, seeking to provide quality care of children and offered both daycare and preschool services.
Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. has created a small business development division and Mark McCoy has been volunteering as coordinator in that endeavor since March 15, 2022.
“We want to help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Bourbon County: exploring a business opportunity, expanding a business and knowing how to grow the business,” McCoy said.
“I am happy to work with anybody and we could gather at any location,” he said. ” I work by appointment”
Currently, hours are set for Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the REDI office on the second floor of the Landmark Bank at 200 S. National.
Landmark Bank houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.
McCoy can be reached at 620.719.7841 for more information or an appointment.
McCoy’s Business Background
McCoy brings with him a business background of most recently interim City of Fort Scott Manager, until the current one was hired.
Prior to that he has 46 years of business experience owning and operating McDonald’s Restaurants.
His first 27 years he worked in the McDonald’s Corporation in California.
“I operated, supervised and was operations manager, responsible for 13 restaurants,” he said. “Then I worked with owner-operators in business development operations.”
“I worked from ground-breaking to opening, 58 restaurants in California, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska,” he said. “I opened the first McDonald’s in Jamaica.”
Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.
About REDI
Rob Harrington is the executive director of Bourbon County REDI.
“He is the economic director for both the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County, with a contract with each,” McCoy said.
REDI is currently looking for people to fill a grant writing position and additionally a administrative assistant position.
The Mission of REDI:
“To enable quality business retention, expansion and recruitment in Fort Scott and Bourbon County by coordination of the community assets as well as local, state, and federal grants and incentives,” according to information on the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce website.
Their goal is to facilitate business retention and the growth of employment. To accomplish this they work with current employers as well as the recruitment of businesses that improve the quality of life for the citizens of the community.
Contact information:
Bourbon County REDI (Regional Economic Development, Inc.)
BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council)
Rob Harrington, Director
200 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701
(620) 215-0144 [email protected]
The future FSCC Nursing Department will be located at 9th and Horton, just a block southeast of its current location on Burke Street.
A letter of intent is signed for Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas to sell the building at 902 S. Horton to Fort Scott Community College.
Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston.
“We plan to move nursing there,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said. “The time-line is to take possession in March of 2023 and begin the program there in August of 2023.”
The future of the former nursing department building on Burke Street is uncertain at this time.
“The board will have to decide, but we are thinking we will sell it,” she said. “We will not be out of the building until summer of 2023.”
The proposed sale of the property at 902 S. Horton, is for $482,870 which is the appraised value by Bourbon County, according to the letter of intent.
The CHC building at 902 S. Horton will soon be the Fort Scott Community College Nursing Department.
CHC will provide the title to FSCC on March 1, 2023.
CHC will look for opportunities to expand their affiliation with the community college, including scholarships and educational programs, according to the document.
Over the course of my 42 years in the business world, lending to hundreds of businesses during that time period, I have rarely seen people succeed by accident. Big success stories are almost invariably preceded by big planning. Yes, these plans have had to adjust on the fly sometimes, but the fact that people are thinking strategically on an ongoing basis gives them a better chance at meeting their objectives.
That being said, I have seldom encountered effective planning by communities. Perhaps it is because a 10-year plan seems meaningless to a politician whose term lasts for four years, but it is more likely because it is a herculean effort. No matter what state, county or city undertakes the process of producing a plan, the project must be undertaken by credible citizens, and the diversity of the whole jurisdiction must be considered. In today’s world of caustic social media, who among us has any critical mass of credibility left?
Despite these obstacles, the people and communities of Bourbon County must try; if we fail to plan, we are planning to fail every day. We will all wake up one day and wonder how we have drifted so far away from the best we can be.
Some communities engage outside organizations to drive this process. I don’t mind the thought of getting a consultant involved to give some guidance, but a third-party who drives the process misses the point of our own community learning to engage one another on a healthy basis and do our own planning on an ongoing basis.
What is involved in a Bourbon County comprehensive plan? It starts with a solid vision of what we want to look like in 10 years, 20 years, etc. The vision has to be doable and make sense in context of who we are now, what resources are available, and what we realistically can be; for example, it would not make sense for us to aspire to be the entertainment capital or the Silicon Valley of the Midwest.
Once we have a vision for the county, and every jurisdiction inside the county, we can begin to create processes within realistic timelines, set priorities and allocate resources. There also needs to be standards and procedures set for reviewing the vision and adjusting it as conditions change or new opportunities present themselves.
Bourbon County REDI will begin discussions of the who, what, when, where, why and how of community planning. Get ready to be a contributor, not just a social media naysayer. If you have thoughts and ideas as to how community planning should unfold, we would
Fort Scott Pioneers Kiwanis Club will host a prayer walk for the National Day of Prayer on May 5 at Riverfront Park on North National Avenue near the Marmaton River.
The tall deciduous trees give shade to walkers on the Belltown Trail in Riverfront Park.
“It worked so well last year during (the) COVID-19 (Pandemic),” said Marlene Braker, treasurer for the group. “When COVID hit we couldn’t host the annual breakfast event (which is held) at Fort Scott Community Collge.”
This year when they began planning the event, there were still COVID constraints, so they decided to do the prayer walk again, which allows for small groups in the open air.
The walk will take place between 4:30 – 6 p.m. The public is invited to stroll the loop and stop at each of four designated reflection points to pray.
“It’s a nice level path, with benches to sit and pray,” Braker said.
Unless there are storm warnings out, the event will take place, she said.
Parking near the trailhead is limited but overflow parking is available at Twister Trailers across the street.
2022 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER THEME
Graphic taken from the National Day of Prayer website.
The theme for the 2022 National Day of Prayer is a call to praise in prayer:
‘EXALT THE LORD, WHO HAS ESTABLISHED US’ based on Colossians 2:6-7 NASB
“This theme is set against the backdrop of an inspiring painting created exclusively for the National Day of Prayer by renowned Christian artist, Ron DiCianni. The image illustrates God’s people joining His angels in EXALTING Him as we pray, because He is God Almighty. We have bold access to His throne and passionate confidence as we pray – because HE HAS ESTABLISHED US in this nation and is working in the heavenlies to accomplish all that He has purposed – as we PRAY FOR AMERICA!, according to the National Day of Prayer website.
On May 5th, Americans from all walks of life will unite to lift up our country in prayer for the National Day of Prayer. Our nation has endured tragedy and pain, but we know prayer has carried us through these days and the hand of God will move us into a brighterfuture”.
About Pioneer Kiwanis
The Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis is a service organization helping the children of Bourbon County
The group meets on Thursdays at noon at the First United Methodist Church,Third Street and National Avenue, in fellowship hall.
The current officers and board of directors are as follows:
Elizabeth Schafer, President
Diane Spencer, Immediate Past President
Millie Karleskint, President Elect
Kelley Collins, Secretary
Marlene Braker, Treasurer
Cheryl Basore, Director
Vickie Chaplin, Director
Nancy Hart, Director
Gayle Sackett, Director
Judy Wallis, Director
Other members include:
Marlene Arndt
Dee Ann Davis
Sally Eckles
Tammy Helm
Bernita Hill
Carol Clyde Gallagher
Aileen Pollock
Gina Staudinger
Sylvia Trujillo
“In 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill into law establishing a National Day of Prayer, ” Collins said. “It is a day set aside for prayer and meditation and recognizes the role of religion in our country.”
“The Kiwanis Pioneers have held a public activity on the National Day of Prayer for over 25 years.,” Collins said.
Recently in honor of a Joyce True, a friendship swing was installed at Gunn Park by the group.
On Thursday the Fort Scott Pioneers Kiwanis Club presented a friendship swing at Gunn Park to the community. Marlene Braker and Judy Wallis are standing, and Vickie Chaplin and Dee Ann Davis are in the swing. Taken from the organization’s Facebook page.
In early 2020, Teri and Michael Hamilton were looking for a move to a home so they could be a one income family. They lived in the Kansas City area.
“We were looking farther out of the Kansas City area, because it is so expensive to live there,” Teri said. “We were looking for a house to buy, we wanted to live on one income.”
They had friends in the Fort Scott area and fell in love with Fort Scott, she said.
“Both of our moms, a nephew and a sister have moved here,” since their move, she said.
They began the process of opening a bakery from their home, with sourdough bread as their first product.
“I grew up in a bakery,” she said. “But we never did sour dough bread.”
She has been developing the technique of making the specialty bread.
“The process is different from yeasted bread,” Hamilton said. “It’s 30 to 48 hours to get a loaf of bread from start to finish. But it’s so good!”
They opened a new home-based business venture this month.
“Our main product is a really nice loaf of artisan sourdough bread,” she said.
Marketing their product
“We are going to Fort Scott Farmer’s Market, and doing orders online,” Hamilton said.
Farmer’s Market meets at Skubitz Plaza on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesday evenings from 4 to 6 p.m from the first weekend in May, this year it’s May 7, until the last weekend in October.
“We will be there Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings until we sell out,” she said.
To order, send a message to them on their Facebook page:
The Hamilton’s Bakery.
The Hamilton’s Bakery produces artisan sourdough bread. Submitted photo.
Pick-up System
“We have a max capacity of two dozen loaves per day, so sales are limited,” she said.
Here’s how it all works:
Order and pay by noon Sunday for Tuesday pick up.
Order and pay by noon Wednesday for Saturday pick up.
The pick up location is the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market area on Skubitz Plaza.
They currently accept CashApp and cash.
A large loaf of sourdough bread is $8. medium is $7.
On the horizon
On the horizon for the business is new products which they are developing.
“We want to grow as we go,” she said. “Not get in over our heads. We want to do one thing at a time and do it well, then do something else.”
“We would love to have a storefront bakery in the town,” she said. “But for the time being, we are doing it in our kitchen.”
Recommends HBCAT
The Hamilton’s have been aided in the business start-up by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
“They have been so incredibly supportive, I highly recommend them.”
Kansas Teacher Credit Union employees, from left: Teller – Lacey Miles, Teller-Elizabeth Thurston, Member Service Officer – Bonnie Boyle, Branch Manager- Bob Hanson Submitted photo.
Spring is here and the pandemic is waning, allowing more travel for Americans.
Some people are purchasing new cars for their travels.
A recent look at auto loan rates on bankrate.com for April 2022 shows the range of percentage rates for vehicle loans is from 2.49 to over 7 percent on average.
A local credit union is offering a low interest loan for autos.
Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, 24 S. National Avenue is offering a 1.99 percent loan for qualified applicants with the best credit scores, for vehicle loans through June 30.
Kansas Teachers Credit Union is located at 24 S. National Avenue in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
Vehicles must be a 2013 model year or newer and a credit score of 600 up, or no score. Terms can be up to 84 months, based on mileage under 100,000 miles.
“The KTCCU promotional rates then have stair step increases from there, based on individual credit scores and mileage that exceeds 100,000 miles,” Bob Hanson, Fort Scott Branch Manager said. “This promotion also allows qualified applicants the option for no payment for up to 90 days.”
“You do not have to be a member of KTCCU to apply for a loan with KTCCU,” Hanson said. “But if you are approved and choose to complete the loan, you would have to open a KTCCU membership share savings account with a minimum $5 deposit. It only takes a few minutes, give identification, complete an account card, and make a deposit.”
To qualify for membership with KTCCU, one of the following conditions must be meet:
Be a family member of a current credit union member; or
Be an organization of a current credit union member.
Membership, once established, may continue regardless if the above conditions still apply.
Hanson said new leadership has begun in the organization, of which Fort Scott is a branch.
Elesa Parsons, from https://heartlandcua.org/news/2022/cu-people-on-move-cua-ktccu.aspx
“2022 brought KTCCU a new CEO/President, Elesa Parsons,” he said. “Elesa brings with her an extensive credit union administrative and accounting background. The previous CEO/President Mark Kolarik has retired from KTCCU, and has relocated out of state.”
“The Fort Scott branch of KTCCU was established/opened in September 2008,” he said. “Since opening the KTCCU Fort Scott location has been successful in carrying out the KTCCU mission. That mission is to be a sound, quality driven organization that provides the most desirable financial services for community members while safeguarding their assets.”
Calista Ricards in her garden at 1301 S. Horton. Submitted photos.
The Little Flower Farm LLC owner, Calista Richards, sees herself as an artist.
“I love that you can simultaneously be an artist while being completely covered in sweat and dirt,” she said.
She grows, sells and delivers her product, cut flowers, from her home at 1301 S. Horton, as of January 2021.
“I provide fresh and local flowers in bouquets and arrangements,” Richards said. “The types of flowers change as the seasons change. You can tell what time of year it is by the contents of my bouquets and arrangements.”
The flower arrangements are available for delivery within Fort Scott city limits, for purchase at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market (On Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings), and for pickup on Horton Street at her home.
Directions On Picking Up
“When using Buzz for Blooms (1301 S. Horton) enter the southern driveway and go around the fence until you see a post in a pot with a sign that says Buzz for Blooms,” she said. “If I am not already outside, ring the doorbell found there and I will be out to assist you with your order. You can even customize your purchase by pointing to things you would like out in the field. Then, you exit out the northern driveway with your blooms– or future blooms– without ever having leave your car.”
Submitted photos.
About The Entrepreneur
“I graduated from high school in 2020, having been home schooled the whole time, and wanted to start a business instead of going to college,” she said. Richards believes college could not teach her what she wanted to know and “can lead to crushing debt,” she said. “I would not shackle myself with that.”
“There is nothing like being a part of the community this way,” she said. “Flowers are bought for every time of life: birth, death, joy, sorrow, great occasions, and no occasion at all. I want to see all these things and play my little part to bring beauty to all of it.”
The young entrepreneur is involved in the community, since opening her business
She is a member of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, the Bourbon County Garden Club, and a board member of the Fort Scott Public Library.
In addition, “I have participated in the downtown cleanup and have done numerous fundraisers for the local cancer support group Care to Share,” she said.
Richards wanted to start a business that she could operate out of her home.
“Zoning Section 20-601.05 Temporary Uses states that you may have a business made up of seasonal sales of farm or garden produce, bulbs, plantings, or cut flowers, on an individual’s place of residence and raised by the same individual, provided no structure is constructed for such use,” she said.
Richards is eldest of the six children of Jeremiah and Jennifer Richards.
“I have no employees but I cannot say I have no help,” she said. “My family has been nothing but supportive and are working so hard so I can live this dream. I could not have done it without them.”
Marty and Carrie Elton who purchased the two former Lyons Mansions on National Avenue and restarted a restaurant in the southern most one, is now reopening the northern bed and breakfast mansion.
“The name of the bed and breakfast will be Twin Mansions B and B,” Elton said. “Myself and Carrie are the owners and operators. We have decided to re-open to share the historic beauty of the mansions with everyone.”
The business was formerly owned by Larry and Pat Lyons.
Submitted photos.
“We also look forward to helping the community with more interesting and unique places to stay,” he said. “Tourism is vital to small towns and we look forward to being a bigger part of that industry. We will provide traditional bed and breakfast services.”
Submitted photos.
Breakfast( with a discounted rate) will be available at the Dry Wood Creek Cafe, which the Elton’s own and operate in the southern most mansion.
Submitted photos.
“We will provide not only rooms to rent but will have the main floor available for functions as well,” he said. “Our amenities will include all the standard hotel fair as well as manicured gardens, a Koi pond and a pool table.”
Submitted photos.
The address is 742 South National Avenue, Fort Scott, with reservations made through airbnb.com , vrbo.com, bedandbreakfast.com, and many other platforms, he said.
“We have five rooms available, one with an extra bedroom and Jack and Jill restroom,” Elton said.
Prices vary from weekday to weekend and discounted rates are available for business stays. The range is anywhere from $100 a night to $150.
“Myself and Carrie will still be onsite, we have moved to an apartment on the premises,” Elton said.
Carl Brenner stands in front of the entrance to the fort in this August 2018 photo.
In 2019, a group of representatives from Fort Scott National Historic Site, Gordon Parks Museum, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Fort Scott Community College, Bourbon County Historic Preservation Assn. and other partners, began work on a grant proposal.
The project title is Student Researched Unsung African American Heroes of Bourbon County.
The proposal idea came from Carl Brenner, who has been the Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at FSNHS since 2018.
The idea for a grant proposal came “from the dark recesses of my mind,” Brenner said.
“The fort has told the stories of white (mostly male) people coming….but Native American, women and African American stories need to be brought into the story.” he said.
“This project is funded through the National Park Service to work with community youth to uncover those stories that are little known or untold or under told,” he said. “It is a partnership with the Park, the Gordon Park Museum, Fort Scott High School, and Fort Scott Community College.”
“Our historian, Dominic Henry, and other local volunteers, will assist students to research local African American leaders and those who fought for or ushered in change in our community and beyond,” Brenner said. “Once they have completed their research, they will create videos and social media posts to share their newly found stories in their own ‘voice’ to better connect with other youth.”
Those videos and social media posts will be shared on the park’s web and social media platforms and also shared by the Gordon Parks Museum, Fort Scott High School, and Fort Scott Community College.
“As the project is wrapping up, we will work with all of the partners to develop exhibits to share these stories and the student’s work with our visitors,” Brenner said.
“Through small stories like these, the hope is to have conversations about equality and equity and discuss the history and what we have learned from it,” Brenner said.
A kick-off for the project was planned for April 25, but due to unforeseen circumstances will need to be rescheduled, Brenner said.
Brenner is Acting Superintendent Since March
Brenner recently has been designated as the FSNHS Acting Superintendent, since former Superintendent Betty Boyko left in March 2022. He is also Acting Superintendent of Fort Larned National Historic Site and also providing guidance and training to Nicodemus National Historic Site.
Fort Scott National Historic Site Schedule of Annual Events
Civil War Encampment – April 23
Experience artillery, cavalry and infantry troops preparing for battle. Hear, see, and smell history come to life in a weekend of living history demonstrations and stories.
Symbols of Sacrifice – Memorial Day Weekend:
Approximately 7,000 flags commemorate the ultimate sacrifice members of the United States Armed Forces have made to keep this country free.
Good Ol’ Days – First Friday-Saturday of June:
Relive yesteryear in a town-wide celebration of Fort Scott’s history. Each year a different historical theme will be highlighted.
Independence Day Celebration – July 4th Weekend:
This holiday weekend feature talks, tours, demonstrations, and living history programs about Fort Scott’s role in pivotal events of American History in the place where they happened!
Labors of the Fort – Labor Day Weekend:
Learn about the jobs and tasks vital to the survival of the fort. Rangers and volunteers demonstrate skills and trades of the 1840’s.
Naturalization Ceremony – September 23:
Reflect on the privileges of US citizenship as you witness new citizens take the oath of allegiance to their newly ad- opted country.
Veterans Day Programs – Veteran’s Day Weekend:
Flags honoring our nation’s veterans will be on display and we will host discussions around service and the meaning of service.
Candlelight Tour – December 2-3:
1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site as reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life. Ticket sales begin November 1st.
Fort Scott National Historic Site glows during the annual candlelight tour event.
Submitted photo. From left: Chad Guthrie, Zach Ross, and Katie Hueston.
Katie Hueston, Chad Guthrie and Zach Ross became certified in shooting sports at Rock Springs Ranch in Junction City on March 25-28.
Hueston with be the Southwind District 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator.
” I will be helping with the logistics of the project, making sure instructors have what they need to be successful, proper paperwork is turned in, and help with planning and organizing of the project and events,” she said.
“You must be an active certified instructor to teach shooting sports in 4-H,” she said. “Chad Guthrie was certified in the shotgun discipline and Zach Ross was certified in bb, air rifle and .22 rifle”.
The sport shooting venues for practice will be at different places.
” This depends on the discipline, BB, air rifle can be done inside with the proper backdrop and targets,” she said. “An .22 rifle and shotgun will be outside at different ranges. Locations are to still be determined on how many kids from what counties sign up.”
The children from 8-years-old on up have until May 1 to sign up for the project.
To compete in a discipline, a bulletin will state what age group are allowed.
“We will be doing a starter/ safety class this summer for the bb, and air rifle,” she said. “And this fall (we will)be ready to go strong with the shotgun discipline, in hopes to have kids ready for competitions.”
“4-H has a strong background to ‘learn by doing’,” she said. “We are giving them the opportunity to learn their first shot fundamentals though competition level skills, all while providing a positive youth development environment.”
Short History of 4-H Shooting Sports
“The Shooting sports is not a new project; it has always been an option to the 4H youth,” she said. “There are many other disciplines such as archery, muzzle loading, western heritage and pistol that we will want to have instructors certified in to grow our youths options as well.”
The COVID-19 Pandemic halted many of the shooting programs.
“With COVID they could no longer meet in person so that specific project was unable to continue,” she said. “Since COVID halted many of the current programs we are starting by evaluating what equipment we have, while kids continue to join until May 1st,” she said.
“We will be looking for sponsors and donors to help with some new equipment and have some fun fundraising ideas planned once meetings begin, to update and upgrade what we do have,” Hueston said. “So far everyone has been super supportive and the previous instructors Joe Foulk and Gary Buntain have been fabulous in helping answer any question and willingness to help continue the project.”
