The Fort Scott City Commission decided Tuesday evening to change insurance methods after spending the past few years with Berkshire Hathaway for property and liability insurance, instead going with the cheaper option of joining KCAMP.

When the time for renewal came along, the commission decided to look at other options to see what was available to them, though City Manager Dave Martin emphasized that the decision was not because of any failure on Berkshire’s part.

“We’re not leaving because of Berkshire’s misperformance,” Martin said. “Berkshire has done a great job.”

While the city’s premiums were rising to $264,283 a year with Berkshire, the city will pay $194,158 annually with the Kansas County Association Multiline Pool (KCAMP). Because KCAMP runs according to the calendar year, the city would pay half of that sum this summer and is guaranteed the same rate when they pay for 2018.

Because KCAMP is a pool, it is considered an association run by a board, but still legislated by the Kansas Insurance Department. This pool has been in existence since 1991 and now includes about 90 members, the majority of them being counties, including Bourbon County.

City contractor James Charlesworth described the differences between entering an associational pool versus using insurance, saying a pool charges contributions instead of premiums and are more accessible than insurance agencies.

The city is already a part of two pools for workman’s compensation and health benefits. Commissioner Jim Adams said he is comfortable with the change because of how positive their participation in pools have been up until now.

The last time the city sought an insurance company was in 2014, and the city decided they would look at other options every three years.

The 36^th Annual Good Ol’ Days Festival drew in large crowds over the weekend as it introduced a variety of new events and activities while the forecasted rain held off.

“We’ve had a really great day,” Good Ol’ Days board member Rhonda Dunn said as the event came to a conclusion, adding it was one of the biggest events she had seen.“We’ve seen a lot of happy people, complaints are really low—really a great weekend.”

Between 60 and 70 groups took part in “The Great Outdoors” parade Friday evening, including area churches and a variety of businesses and organizations such as Care to Share, Mercy, the Fort Scott National Historic Site, FirstSource, Briggs Auto and the WardKraft family.

A variety of concerts were performed, including groups such as the Vogt Sisters, the Red Garter Show and Shotgun and Lace. Vendors, food trucks, pony rides, a petting zoo and a carnival were also available throughout the weekend.

In honor of the 175^th anniversary of the founding of Fort Scott, the historical site gave demonstrations and had a number of volunteers dressed in costumes from the mid-1800s era.

New features included the addition of the Bourbon County Great Outdoors Expo, which included free children’s activities, a dunking booth, casting contest and a nationally sanctioned turkey calling competition.

As part of the expo, both Adam LaRoche, retired major league baseball player, and Justin Martin of the Duck Dynasty TV series were available for autographs and a time for questions from the audience. Some questions included topics such as Martin’s personal life, his history with the show, when he killed his first duck and stories from filming that never made it on the show.

“It’s good to be here,” Martin said. “I’m glad to be back in America’s heartland. This is who we are—we’re just hard-working Americans that take care of our families and our friends and just have fun.”

Martin also spoke of his faith in Jesus Christ, encouraging his audience to consider two commands form the Bible: love God with all your heart and love others as yourself.

“I’m never gonna be given a microphone and not give that message,” Martin said.

LaRoche told FortScott.biz that he thought the expo was successful, explaining that he helped organize it through his relationships with participating businesses and organizations such as Buck Commander and Duck Commander, though the credit of planning the event went to others.

“I thought the turnout was great,” LaRoche said, adding he had not attended the Good Ol’ Days in at least 15 years because of his career in baseball. “It’s a great way to revamp the Good Ol’ Days…I think this was a great start to hopefully bigger and better things.”

Dunn also said she heard comments from visitors who were enthusiastic about the expo, which she says will likely be continued in future years as they make adjustments, corrections and additions.

Check our Facebook page each day this week for photos from the weekend events.

Come rain or shine, Thursday evening marks the beginning of a full weekend of activities as Fort Scott kicks off the 36^th Annual Good Ol’ Days Festival, featuring popular events and activities from previous years as well as a number of new forms of entertainment.

“We’re expecting a big crowd,” organizer Rhonda Dunn said during a Chamber of Commerce event Thursday, when she also thanked the businesses for their support. “Maybe the biggest we’ve had.”

The event begins with the Talent Extravaganza Thursday at 6 p.m., in Memorial Hall, this year including not just singing but a number of talents from 17 participants.

Friday evening will include “The Great Outdoors” parade, a chicken dinner, vendors, the Tom Davis Dragoon Charge and other live entertainment.

Saturday will introduce the inaugural Bourbon County Outdoor Expo, which will include vendors from businesses such as the Bunker, Kansas Rocks, John Deere and others, as well as contests such as sanctioned and amateur turkey calling and casting competitions.

Retired Major League Baseball player Adam LaRoche, Buck Commander and Duck Commander will participate in the event, with appearances by LaRoche at noon and 5 p.m., and Martin from the Duck Dynasty television series at 5 p.m.

The Fort Scott National Historic Site will also host activities as they celebrate the Good Ol’ Days as well as the 175^th Anniversary of the founding of the fort. Click here for the fort’s events schedule.

Other activities including the carnival, street fair, live entertainment, a children’s fair and fair food will be available throughout the weekend. Click here for a brochure of the entire schedule and locations of events as well as a list of sponsor.

The Fort Scott National Cemetery #1 hosted a large turnout as members of the community and out-of-town visitors came to the ceremony honoring servicemen and women who died while defending the United States and its values.

“It is a great privilege to join with you on these hallowed grounds,” said Thomas Maynard, master of ceremony of the event and assistant director of the Leavenworth National Cemetery. “Americans have paid for our way of life be giving theirs…We can never repay.”

James Collins, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Fort Scott and retired Master Sergeant and Chaplain after more than 27 years of service in the U.S. Army, gave the keynote address and emphasized the importance of Memorial Day as a day to remember those soldiers who were killed in the battles the country took part in.

“There’s something special about remembering,” Collins said, saying that action brings the fallen back into the hearts and minds of those remembering, allowing their legacy to continue despite the years since they lived.

Collins said he oversaw a number of military funerals because of his responsibilities as a chaplain, and recalled when a knock on his door during the midnight hours seven years ago brought news that his own best friend had been killed. Collins said the one question the friends and family members of fallen soldiers ask is “why?”

“We have all asked why, and I wish that I had an answer,” Collins said.

But Collins advised his listeners should also ask two other questions in such times of grief: who can I turn to and what is left for us moving forward. Collins said those who experience loss should turn to God and each other for support and that they should never forget those loved ones as they move forward.

Reverend Jimmy Tucker of Diamond Community Church, Ralph Carlson, Floyd Feezell, Arnold Schofield, boy scout Cody Dean and two gold star mothers also participated in the ceremony. An honor volley was provided by VFW Post 1165 members and Jerry Witt played taps.

With the end of the school year and the recent reopening of the Fort Scott Public Library, the annual summer reading program and other events hosted by the library are kicking-off with a party Tuesday, May 30, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Ellis Fine Arts Center.

Valetta Cannon, the youth librarian and assistant director, said 122 people came to the party in 2016 and 230 children participated in the summer reading program.

This year’s program has the theme “Build a Better World” and is for children up to 18 years old. Early registration is open, with early registrants receiving a prize. Forms are available at the library.

On a weekly basis, other events and programs will be available, such as for children through fifth grade on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., June 13-Aug. 2, at the public library. Events for teens will be held at the Common Ground Coffee Co. on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. A teen advisory group meets Wednesdays at 4:15 p.m.

Those willing to volunteer material, snacks or their time can contact Cannon at [email protected] or 620-223-2882.

2017 Summer Schedule:

Blocks Kick-Off Party – May 30 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Fine Arts Center (FSCC)

Musician Alan Cunningham – June 6 at 10 a.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Fine Arts Center (FSCC)

Professional Storyteller Jo Ho Presents “This is Not a Box!” – June 23 at 10 a.m. at the Beaux Arts Centre

Faerie Garden-Making Party with Martha Scott – June 26, 3-4 p.m. at Fort Scott Public Library

Robot Party – July 10, 3-4 p.m. at Fort Scott Public Library

Wings of Love Inc.’s Rare Jewels of the Rainforest Bird Show – July 18 at 10 a.m. at the Danny & Willa Ellis Fine Arts Center (FSCC)

Wrap-Up Party TBD – Tentative Date, August 8