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Foundation Accepting Applications

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation announces their
grant cycle for 2019
Don’t miss your chance to apply – deadline is August 31st, 2019!!
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is pleased to
announce that the grant cycle for 2019 is here.
Applications will be accepted from now
until August 31st.
This year, the Foundation will be awarding over $33,000 to local not-for-profits for projects that benefit our community. A certain dollar amount of the awards is reserved for projects that benefit local youth. The maximum grant to any one project is $5,000.
For a printable application,
click HERE.
Applications can also be obtained by visiting www.fsacf.com, the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 231 E. Wall St., or by emailing [email protected].
Please use the same email address to submit any questions you may have.
Completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., August 31st.
For information on grants awarded last year, click HERE.

Obituary of Estella E. Meech

Estella Elizabeth Meech, age 84, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2019, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.

  She was born June 7, 1935, in Hepler, Kansas, the daughter of Oscar Jacob Gier and Lizzie Belle Goff Gier.  She graduated from the Hepler High School where she excelled in basketball.  While still in High School, Estella would take the Katy Railroad train on Friday evening from Hepler to Fort Scott to work at the Frisco Café.  She stayed at Elizabeth Bowman’s boarding house on Wall Street.  She would take the Katy train back to Hepler on Monday morning and had to miss her first class.

  Estella married the love of her life, Dennis Walter Meech on June 6, 1953, by Judge Sam Mason in Ft. Scott.  They had two sons, Dennis J. Meech and James W. Meech.  Estella helped her husband, Dennis, on their dairy farm milking cows, gardening and raising their sons.

Estella also worked for Key Industries.  In October of 1972, she started working for Ward-Kraft.  She retired in 2003 as Credit Manager.  Estella loved to write poems and stories.  She also loved hosting family reunions and was famous in the family for her homemade noodles.  She also loved to travel for business and taking her children and grandchildren on cruises and vacations.  Estella was a caregiver to many family members and never hesitated helping anyone in need.  She touched many lives with her generous heart.

Survivors include her son, Dennis J. Meech and partner, Barb Kirk, of Ft. Scott, grandchildren, Chris and CJae Meech of Ft. Scott, Cody and Taysha Meech of Canyon, Texas, and daughter-in-law, Diane Meech; also her son, James W. Meech and wife, Marita, of Ft. Scott and grandchildren, JW Meech of Canyon, Texas and Elizabeth Meech of Borger, Texas.  Also surviving are a sister, Lela Ann Gier, of Ft. Scott, sisters-in-law, Juell “Julie” Ross of Topeka, Kansas, Joyce Meech, of Ft. Scott, Geneva Gier of Girard, Kansas, and Itha Jean Turitine, of Topeka, Kansas, and many nieces and nephews

. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Charley and Merle Gier and a sister, Opal Gier.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Friday, August 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott Chamber Offers Table Tent Ads

It’s time for Table Tents!
Business card ad spaces are limited – sign up for yours now. Reach thousands of potential customers for only $50!
September/October table tents are in production now. Hundreds of these are displayed in hotels, stores, fast-food & sit-down restaurants all over Fort Scott for the entire months of September and October.
Have a special event coming up? Promote your event with a business-card ad for only $50!
Want more exposure for your business? This is your chance to reach thousands of customers at a super-affordable cost.
If you would like to place a business-card sized ad, email [email protected]
or call Monica at 620-223-3566.

Local Singers Invited to Join Pittsburg Chorale, Directed By FS Music Teacher

Pittsburg Youth Chorale Fall Enrollment Open

Area singers in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to join Pittsburg Youth Chorale, directed by MJ Harper.

The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire.

Performers will prepare music for community events and music festivals.

Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 5PM-6PM at First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Pine, Pittsburg, KS and begin September 3rd.

There is a fee of $50 per session (Sept-Dec/Jan-May) to cover the cost of music.

Scholarships are available.

To enroll, contact MJ Harper at 620-719-6633 or email [email protected], deadline September 3rd.

Kansas Lottery Revenue Transfers

Kansas Lottery Transfers $173.6 Million to the State of Kansas in Fiscal Year 2019

 

TOPEKA, KAN. – The Kansas Lottery is pleased to announce it transferred more revenue to the State of Kansas in Fiscal Year 2019 than in Fiscal Year 2018.

 

The combined transfer from the traditional lottery and state-owned and operated casino gaming revenue totaled $173.6 million.

 

The total revenue transferred to the State through traditional lottery game sales was $74.9 million. Revenue transferred from state-owned and operated casino gaming totaled $98.7 million. Kansas Lottery retailers saw record commissions in FY19 of $17.3 million.

 

Traditional lottery sales in Fiscal Year 2019 were $295.3 million. Lottery sales were 9.79 percent higher than in FY18 when sales were $268.9 million.

 

“It’s the Kansas Lottery’s mission to engage our players in a fun and secure way while also doing our best to try and maximize a return to the State,” said Kansas Lottery Executive Director Stephen Durrell. “We do that by looking at ways to keep our players interested and excited about our games. The Lottery is continuing to add new games and second-chance promotions that offer unique experiences, and we thank all of our players and retailers for their continued support.”

 

A portion of proceeds from traditional lottery sales was dedicated to paying for the 272 Lottery vending machines being rolled out to select retailers across the state. The Kansas Lottery avoided interest and financing costs by paying for the vending machines from operating funds.

 

“Our vending machine roll-out has been methodical as we try to look for the best retailers to maximize the effectiveness of the machines,” Durrell said. “We look forward to the opportunity for increasing our sales and transfer to the state through vending machine sales. Vending machines offer easier access for our players to find their favorite games and takes the burden off our retailers during times of high retail sales.”

 

The Kansas Lottery also transferred a combined $8.3 million to the Problem Gambling and Addictions Grant Fund. The transfer included $80,000 from traditional lottery games and $8.22 million from state-owned and operated casino gaming, as required by state law.

 

“The Kansas Lottery values its relationship with the four managers the State contracted with to manage these casinos,” Durrell continued. “The casinos generate millions of dollars for the state and helps the Lottery accomplish its mission by maximizing the State’s revenue.”

 

Below is a breakdown of traditional lottery sales and the distribution of revenue from state-owned and operated casino gaming as well as information on where the Lottery money goes.

FY19 Tables

Gordmans Food Drive and Store Expansion Aug. 10 at 10 a.m.

GORDMANS:

COMMUNITY INVITED TO STORE EXPANSION CELEBRATION AND FOOD DRIVE AUGUST 10

Gordmans to Provide Donation to The Keyhole

Gordmans in Fort Scott will be expanding its merchandise beyond its home décor and toys assortment to include popular name brand apparel, footwear, beauty products and accessories at the lowest possible prices compared to department stores. Gordmans, located at 2400 South Main Street, will celebrate its expansion during an in-store event Saturday, Aug. 10 beginning at 10 a.m.

As part of the celebration, Gordmans is giving back to the community by supporting The Keyhole with a food drive and $500 donation. The Keyhole is an organization that provides meal and afterschool programs to children in the Fort Scott community. The food drive is being held in conjunction with Gordmans’ back-to-school campaign to raise awareness and funds for No Kid Hungry, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood hunger.

In addition to the food drive, Gordmans will have giveaways and special offers for guests.

  • Free Gifts Plus Shopping Cards: The first 100 guests to visit Gordmans when it opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 will receive a free gift and have an opportunity to win a $50 gift card or a $5 shopping card.
  • Rewards Galore: Gordmans guests who enroll in the Style Circle Rewards program will enjoy incredible payback rewards, a birthday gift and more.
  • Gordmans Credit Card Savings: Gordmans’ guests who apply and are approved for a Gordmans credit card will receive 20 percent off their first day’s purchases.

At Gordmans, we have put the fun back into shopping by creating an exciting store where terrific deals and popular name brands are at every turn. Fresh new merchandise deliveries arrive weekly in our stores, creating the thrill of a great find,” said Michael Glazer, President and CEO of Stage. “We are excited to invite our loyal guests and newcomers to join us as we celebrate Gordmans’ expansion in Fort Scott and support The Keyhole.”

Below are suggested kid-friendly food items that the Keyhole will be accepting at Gordmans on Aug. 10.

  • Juice boxes
  • Fruit cups
  • Granola bars
  • Trail mix
  • Peanut butter
  • Jelly
  • Applesauce
  • Bottled water
  • Other nutritious snacks
  • Guests also have the opportunity to support No Kid Hungry by purchasing food-themed lunch totes, water bottles and drawstring packs online at gordmans.com/nokidhungry. Items feature unique characters and fun sayings kids will love and parents will approve. Gordmans will donate 50% percent of the retail sales price of each item to No Kid Hungry.

    Gordmans is part of the Stage community of stores. Stage has opened 74 Gordmans this year, including the store in Fort Scott. By the end of 2019, there will be over 150 Gordmans stores across the country.

  • About Stage Stores
  • Stage Stores, Inc. is a leading retailer of trend-right, name-brand values for apparel, accessories, cosmetics, footwear and home goods. The Company operates in 42 states through 645 BEALLS, GOODY’S, PALAIS ROYAL, PEEBLES, and STAGE specialty department stores and 141 GORDMANS off-price stores, as well as an e-commerce website at www.stage.com.
  • ###

 

 

 

 

Town-Wide Fall Garage Sale Registration

Submitted by: Lindsay Madison, Executive Director, [email protected]
Monica Walden, Administrative Assistant, [email protected]
Phone: (620) 223-3566

FORT SCOTT – Mark your calendars for the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, September 13th and 14th.

Now is the time to get your garage sale on the map.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce encourages residents in Fort Scott to do your fall cleaning and make room for something new.

Garage sales may be registered through the Chamber by 1 pm, Wednesday, September 11th for only $10.

The registration fee lists your sale on the official garage sale map and enables the Chamber to advertise the sale throughout the region on the radio, newspaper, social media and the Chamber website.

Businesses are encouraged to advertise on the official garage sale map, which will be distributed to shoppers the week of the Town-wide Garage Sale.

The maps will be distributed from local stores and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The cost to place a business ad or coupon is $25.

Garage sales may be registered in person at the Chamber office, 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, located at 231 E. Wall Street or by phone using debit or credit card by calling (620) 223-3566.
***

Be A Part of Talks For Future Kansas Transportation

Stakeholders can discuss future transportation priorities at Local Consult meetings

 

A series of Local Consult meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation will give citizens a chance to discuss regional transportation priorities and participate in scenario planning for the future.

 

“These meetings are an important opportunity for stakeholders to help set the vision for transportation in Kansas,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz.  “This is a transformational time in transportation, and we need you to help chart our success into the future.”

 

At the meetings, stakeholders will review facts and trends and explore alternative future possibilities through scenario planning. Stakeholders will also have the opportunity to present information about transportation projects not discussed during last fall’s Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force meetings.

 

“I strongly encourage you to attend KDOT’s upcoming local consult meetings, so we hear your thoughts and create a transportation system that works for all Kansans, regardless of where they live,” said Gov. Laura Kelly.

 

The Local Consult meetings are scheduled to take place in August in Salina, Hutchinson, Independence, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, Dodge City and Hays. A list of the dates, times, locations and a map are below.

 

To view an invitation to the meetings from Gov. Kelly and Secretary Lorenz, click https://vimeo.com/351478294/033c1e70dc

 

If possible, please contact Mike Moriarty, KDOT Chief of Transportation Planning, at 785-296-8864 or [email protected] to let us know which meeting you plan to attend.

 

Meeting schedule –

Salina – Monday, Aug. 19

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Kansas Highway Patrol Academy, 2025 East Iron

 

Hutchinson – Tuesday, Aug. 20

9 a.m. – Noon, Atrium Hotel & Conference Center, 1400 North Lorraine St.

 

Independence – Wednesday, Aug. 21

9 a.m. – Noon, Independence Civic Center, 410 N. Penn Ave.

 

Overland ParkThursday, Aug. 22

9 a.m. – Noon, Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty Street

 

Topeka – Monday, Aug. 26

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Capital Plaza, 1717 SW Topeka Blvd

 

Wichita – Tuesday, Aug. 27

9 a.m. – Noon, Eugene Metroplex, 5015 East 29th Street N

 

Dodge City – Wednesday, Aug. 28

9 a.m. – Noon, Dodge House Convention Center, 2409 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd.

 

Hays – Thursday, Aug. 29

9 a.m. – Noon; Fort Hays State Union, 700 College Drive