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Fort Scott, History, Schools, Youth

Fort Scott National History Day State Champions Set to Present at Christian Learning Center

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Kenlee Eden, Kodie Wells, and Blair Felt. Submitted photo.
Hadley Wells,  Charlee Wells, Klair Kobernat, and Bella Antone. Submitted photo.

Southeast Kansas will send two projects to the National History Day Championship in College Park, Maryland, June 8-12. Five projects from Christian Learning Center attended the State National History Day Championships in Topeka in April.

The Fort Scott State Champion groups competing at Nationals in June will present their performances at 6:30 PM on Thursday, May 29th, at the Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott. This presentation will allow the students to practice sharing their projects and raise funds for their trip to College Park, MD. The community is invited to attend and support the two groups of students. Attendees can enter through the CLC Gym doors.

The following students are State Champions and will be sharing their projects on May 29th:

Kenlee Eden, Blair Felt, and Kodie Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center will participate in the Senior Group Performance category, coached by Megan Felt and Rachel Wells. Their project is entitled Elzbieta Ficowska: Embracing Her Responsibility to Take a Stand for the Rights of the Polish People. Their project is a performance based on Elzbieta Ficowska. As a baby, Elzbieta was rescued by Irena Sendler from the Warsaw Ghetto and would grow up to become a leader in the Polish Solidarity Movement. As a leader in the Polish Solidarity Movement, Elzbieta Ficowska worked to bring rights and freedoms back to Polish citizens in the 1980s. The people of Poland believed it was their responsibility to free the nation from Communism.

 

Bella Antone, Klaire Kobernat, Charlee Wells and Hadley Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center participated in the Junior Group Performance category at the State National History Day competition, coached by Rachel Wells. Their project is Miners Labor Rights: Mary Skubitz the Voice Above the Ground Who Rose to Fight. The performance is based on the actions of Mary Skubitz and the Amazon Army in Crawford County. In 1921, Mary Skubitz led the Amazon Army to march for the rights of the men and children working in coal mines. They felt it was their responsibility as family, to march for fair payment and working conditions. This march of over six thousand women brought the miners’ struggles for fair labor laws to the surface all around the state of Kansas.

 

 

History Day encourages students to express their knowledge of and interest in history through creative and original dramatic performances, media presentations, historical papers, website design, or three-dimensional exhibit projects. The research and study for district, state, and national competitions take place throughout the entire school year.

The national competition involves the top 2,800 students from across the nation, chosen from over 800,000 who compete to advance from local to state to national competition. All 50 states and several countries will be represented at the National competition. The theme this year is “Rights and Responsibilities in History.”

The Lowell Milken Center provides critiques and helps with research for National History Day Unsung Hero projects from Kansas and throughout the United States.

Business, Church news, Fort Scott

First Baptist Youth Fundraiser For Mission Trip on June 6 and 7

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First Baptist Church, Fort Scott. 123 Scott Avenue. Submitted photo.
First Baptist Church, 123 Scott Avenue, will be having a Youth Fundraiser Rummage Sale on  Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7,  from 8:00-?.
During the Good Ole Days Festival in downtown Fort Scott.
This is a HUGE fundraiser rummage and bake sale for the YOUTH Oklahoma Mission trip.
The sale will be happening in the First Baptist Church Basement, with LOTS of items!
Bourbon County, Government

Unapproved Minutes of the Uniontown City Council on May 13

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The Regular Council Meeting on May 13, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, Savannah Pritchett, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Sally Johnson, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, and City Clerk Danea Esslinger.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

None

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Johnson presented the April 2025 financial reports.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds for April was $323,763.55, Receipts $30,247.46, Transfers Out $3,024.00, Expenditures $54,009.88, Checking Account Closing Balance $296,977.13. Bank Statement Balance $298,347.71, including Checking Account Interest of $64.45, Outstanding Deposits $0.00, Outstanding Checks $1,370.58, Reconciled Balance $296,977.13.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,072.00, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $22,822.26, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $44,900.89, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $402,772.28. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $251.23, and Utility CDs $640.47 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $891.70.  Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00 for Total Transfers of $3,024.00. Net Loss for the month of April $26,786.42 Year-to-Date Net Income $33,113.39.  Appropriations to date for April 2025 are $31,355.12.

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Brad, Approved 3-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of April 9, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
  • Treasurer’s Reports & Monthly Transaction Report for April 2025 and the Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

405 Hill Street-letter sent to owner with requested repairs needed, some repairs have been completed, he will contact owners about the other repairs needed

406 Fulton Street-letter sent to regarding nuisance vehicles, no reply at this time

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

Fire truck in park-he will apply an adhesive to the bolts

Mosquito spraying-will start soon

City Wide Dumpster-dumpster’s not as full as in the past and no complaints

 

Clerk Report:  Danea Esslinger  

Quickbook Online Course-attended May 8th, city office was closed.

Evergy is giving a presentation regarding the energy assistance program on 6/3/25 at 10 AM.

Fish Food has arrived.

Thank you card for the donation to the SOS.

Summer Food Program in June at the West Bourbon Elementary School.

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin – None

Councilman Kelly – stop signs needed at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of Fulton St, ask school if another pond signage regarding no parking at the East side of Pond

Councilwoman Pemberton – Zoning Public Forum meeting 5/14/25 at 6 PM

Councilwoman Pritchett – no ordinance about chicken and ducks

Councilman Stewart– Bolts needed for the Pond Dock

Mayor Jurgensen – Ruritan may help with the Public Restroom replacement and repairs

City fixed the sewer main, and this issue caused a citizen to have major flooding issues

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Pritchett, Approved 5-0 to accept paying for the citizen’s insurance deductible of $1,000.

 

OLD BUSINESS

SEED Grant – work has started on the City Library and City Office, have new lighting in the City Office, and they have started the electrical work for the ceiling in the Library, and the Council stated to close office to the public during the 1st week of June to complete the City Office flooring, shelves, and new window.

 

FEMA Flooding– Hydrology study not complete yet by Ag Engineering, and we have another new FEMA project manager.

 

Warehouse Insulation – is planned to start on May 13, and work has started today

 

Sidewalk-Ag Engineering preliminary study is completed. He stated that we will receive completed documentation when finalized.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 in regard to the East Sidewalk of the Square, send pictures and a letter to ask lawyer if we can proceed with replacing said sidewalk as we own it per survey

 

Park electric – CrawKan will do the boring for the electrical line needed for the park electric. We will wait to complete this when CrawKan has an opening in their schedule.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

New Ordinance No. 206-presented to Council for changes or approval.

 

Motion by Pemberton, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to approve the New Ordinance No. 206

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 8:39.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:20.

 

Danea Esslinger called in at 8:40, out at 9:15.

 

 

ADJOURN Time 9:25 Moved by Ervin, 2nd Stewart, Approved 5-0

 

Opinion

The Martha Stewart of Bethany by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

 

 

“The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time.”  Edwin Bliss

 

Meet the Martha Stewart of Bethany, a woman with whom many can relate.  Strong-willed and energetic, Martha was all about her check-off list.  What do I need to do next?  She lived with her sister Mary and her brother Lazarus and freely welcomed friends as well as strangers into her home. Religious leaders, the “Who’s Who of Bethany,” and virtually anyone in need, including her close friend, Jesus, knew they had an open invitation to this home. It was there she learned to prepare a meal with little advanced notice for her guests.  With no Whole Foods in site.  I hyperventilate thinking about it.

Martha’s downfall, like mine, is her life could easily become unbalanced when she took on too many tasks.  It appears that she missed some sweet opportunities for relationship-building when she allowed herself to become too busy.  After all, she was not about to have people whisper about leaving her house hungry.  Not on her watch. Sound familiar?

Then there’s Mary.  Aah, Mary, who saw no great need for unnecessary things like schedules and household chores.  What fun was that?   “Let’s just visit” was her motto.  “And the house will take care of itself.”  Mary was almost childlike in her hunger for truth – especially spiritual truth.  So sets the stage for Jesus’ visit to their home as written about in Luke 10:38-42, NRSV.

Now as they went on their way, He (Jesus) entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what He was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.              

Free-spirited Mary was all about relationships, and even though it was unusual for a woman to sit among men, Mary reclined as close to this friend as possible.  What other people thought of her was of no concern!  She did not care that some called her flighty and irresponsible.  She was there to hang onto every word spoken by the Rabbi, the Messiah who, unbeknownst to her, was just a few weeks short of his death.

I once read that perfectionism is doing things right while excellence is doing the right thing. Which woman represents you?  Many theologians say that we should be more like Mary, but both women offer lessons about balance in our lives.

Interestingly, Martha appears to desire that sweet fellowship with Jesus but knows that the group of visitors would consider her inconsiderate if she did not feed them.   She, as the “hostess with the mostest,” wants her guests to be taken care of, but as she labors over her stove and hears the mumblings of conversation in the other room, she realizes she is missing out.

If you’ve ever labored outside over a hot grill while your friends recline inside, cheering for their favorite sports team, you get Martha’s frustration.  The only time they include you is to remind you how they want their burger cooked or to give them a gluten-free bun. Not fun.

Mary, as opposed to Martha, appears not to care about physical food.  She wants spiritual food and recognizes that she is sitting at the feet of the only one who can satisfy that need. There always will be time to enjoy Martha’s stew, but who knows when Jesus would pass this way again?

What we need to take from this story is that to become so self-righteous in our good works that we start to judge others for not doing as we do does nothing to please the Lord.  Our careers/ministries require attention, but not so much that we neglect our time with God.  One is exhausting, and one is exhilarating.

As someone once said, “Select the best, and you will have rest.”

 

 

 

Submitted

Opinion: Katie Casper’s Statement From Zoning Meetings

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The following is statement Katie Casper read at the Fulton and Fort Scott, zoning advisory committee public informational meetings. FortScott.biz asked if we could publish it, and she graciously agreed and sent us the text.

Good evening my name is Katie Casper. As many of you may know, I’m a non-participating land owner, neighboring one of the current proposed solar developments. I’m a fourth-generation landowner, and contrary to popular belief…I still greatly respect the majority of my neighbors, even if they may not currently reciprocate that feeling.

Tonight I appeal to all of you…not to think of what’s best for me, not to think of what’s best for the lease holders…but what is best for Bourbon County. I’ve tried to understand the stance of those who oppose zoning. The underlying theme I glean from these conversations is control. Landowners don’t want the government to tell them what they can do with the land they own.

A few points I would make:

One; most if not all of these opposers are ag producers. Agriculture is highly subsidized by the government and I’d say 90% of those speaking in opposition receive those federal subsidies. In order to receive those subsidies they report the lion’s share of every detail of their operations to the government. Now I’m not knocking farm subsidies. If my tax dollars are to go to something, agriculture is at the top of the list. It confuses me how someone can oppose proposed protections of a local government with one hand, while giving the federal government every detail of their business with the other.

Second: Control is an illusion. Everyone is afraid of change in the opposition of government control, however if we do nothing…change is inevitably coming anyway. This is a change where the character of our county will be decided by outside forces of industry and in some cases absentee landowners and not by those who live and work here.

We are not owners of the land but stewards. It is on loan to us from future generations of Bourbon County residents. Today the issue is solar development, a few years ago it was wind, tomorrow it will be something else. Developers will always be looking for land to develop on in sparsely populated areas where there is little regulation. In the case of the solar developments land owners are leasing away the control of their property for 40 years. In 40 years my oldest child will be almost 60 years old. God willing, she’ll have grown children of her own by then….a generation of Bourbon County residents who will have had no part in the decision making of converting their beautiful rural county to large chunks of industrialization. This can cannot be kicked down the road or it will be too late. It’s my fear that my grandchildren’s generation will not be Bourbon County residents because of our inaction but will move on to reside in communities where they can be assured that they’ll have some input in shaping the communities in which they make the investment of a home or business.

Zoning is a tool that can be utilized by local citizens to shape the character of our county from the inside out, rather than leaving that character to chance and the whim of those industries that come from the outside waving a dollar under the nose of landowners, looking for an area where they won’t be regulated and causing division among those who must live with these industries daily.

It is the duty of our county government to protect its citizens. Fire danger remains a top issue with these and any other industrial development. If there is no process for local development approval, it leaves little option to provide for protection of not only residents, but those emergency personnel who sacrifice to protect us.

I commend this committee and I thank you for the work you’re doing. I appreciate the thoughtful, educated approach as well as the minimally invasive suggestions made. I encourage you to keep moving on the path you’re on.

We are at a crossroads in shaping what the future of our county looks like and I hope when the next generation takes the helm that we can say we worked with the good of our community in mind and not that we did whatever we wanted, cause we owned it, and we could.

Note: FortScott.biz publishes opinion pieces with a variety of perspectives. If you would like to share your opinion, please send a letter to [email protected]. 

Area News, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care, Youth

Inspire Health Summer Camps – Registration Now Open!

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Give your student a summer to remember with CHC/SEK’s Inspire Health Summer Camps! Kids will explore exciting healthcare careers through hands-on activities led by local health professionals–including nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and medical and
dental residents.

Inspire Health Kids Camp is for students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade, while Inspire Health Academy is designed for junior high and high schoolers.
Students can choose from three summer camps, each designed to fit their grade level.

All camps will be held at the John Parolo Education Center, 3015 N. Michigan in Pittsburg.

• Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering Kindergarten – 2nd Grade)
Dates: July 1st – 3rd
Time: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Cost: $120
• Inspire Health Kids Camp (Entering 3rd – 6th Grade)
Dates: July 22nd – 25th
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $160
• Inspire Health Academy (Entering 7th – 12th Grade)
Dates: July 29th – August 1st
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $160
At Inspire Health Summer Camps, students of all ages explore the world of healthcare through fun, hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and engaging lessons led by CHC/SEK health professionals. Younger campers get a playful introduction to wellness and how the body works, while middle and high school students dive deeper with clinical simulations, creative projects, and career-focused sessions. It’s a unique opportunity to spark curiosity, build skills, and connect with mentors in the healthcare
field.
Space is limited for each camp and scholarships are available to request on the registration form. If you would like to gift a camp scholarship, visit
https://chcsek.org/donate/ and select the Inspire Health Foundation.
To register for any camp visit: https://chcsek.org/inspirehealth/camp-registration/

Inspire Health Foundation is a subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Learn more about Inspire Health.

About Inspire Health Foundation

Inspire Health Foundation, Inc. (IHF) is fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals by
connecting students with experts in the healthcare field. IHF sparks students’ interest in healthcare through camps, events, hands-on learning activities, and scholarships. By partnering with local
healthcare professionals and organizations, IHF provides students with the resources and pathways they need to succeed in their local healthcare systems and positively impact their communities. Founded in 2021, IHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. To learn more, visit https://chcsek.org/inspirehealth.

Obituary

Obituary of Gerald Chambers

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Gerald Martin “Jerry” Chambers, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Ft. Scott. He was born November 11, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of William Joseph Chambers and Karin Sophia “Martha” Erickson Chambers. Jerry had an older brother, William Henry “Bill” Chambers and a twin brother, Richard John “Dick” Chambers.

Jerry was preceded in death by both parents and brothers as well as his wife of forty-nine, Linda Maxine Priest Chambers.

Jerry was a U. S. Navy veteran and served on the USS Hornet CVA-12 and USS Wasp CAG-15, CVS-18, CVA-18.

Jerry is survived by his son with Linda, Eric Chambers (Jennifer). Eric is a 1995 graduate of Ft. Scott High School and a US Army veteran. He is also survived by his oldest son, Michael Tillman Chambers (Amy). Michael is a US Marine Corps veteran. Jerry is also survived by a daughter, Susan Chambers Harris and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Private burial will take place at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Gordon Parks Museum Thanks the Kansas Arts Commission for Continued Support

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Gordon Parks. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott, Kan. May. 21, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum extends its sincere gratitude to the Kansas Arts Commission for its generous and continued support. Our 2024 Annual Gordon Parks Celebration and the Martin Luther King Celebration that was held in January, 2025 were made possible in part by funding from the State of Kansas through the Kansas Arts Commission (a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

In addition to recent support through the 2024 General Support Grant, we are deeply appreciative of the Kansas Arts Commission’s dedication and investment in our mission over the years. Their ongoing commitment to promoting and sustaining the arts has played a vital role in the success of our events, programs, and initiatives.

The funding the museum received helped tremendously in presenting the 21st Annual Gordon Parks Celebration and this year’s Martin Luther King Celebration that took place in January, 2025. This vital support ensures that the legacy of Gordon Parks and the diverse stories and cultures of Kansas can be shared with audiences locally and nationally.

Full funding of the Kansas Arts Commission and the NEA is essential to sustaining the creative lifeblood of Kansas communities. Their support empowers museums, artists, and organizations across the state to thrive.

We are truly thankful for the Kansas Arts Commission and encourage others to stand with us in supporting the arts in Kansas.

Help support the arts through the NEA and the Kansas Arts Commission, because Kansas stories matter.

Submitted by Kirk Sharp, director.