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Obituary

Obituary for Mary Frances Townsend

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Mary Frances Townsend, age 88, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 12, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott.

She was born January 10, 1930, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Dewey E. McFadden and Virginia Crick McFadden.

She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1947. She married Howard Eugene Townsend in 1950, at Blytheville, Arkansas.

Mary graduated from the Mercy School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. She was employed by both Mercy Hospital and Newman Young Clinic and retired in 1991. She was a long-time member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and later St. Francis Anglican Church. She enjoyed traveling and genealogy and especially working in her yard and tending her flowers.

Survivors include her children, Debra Ramsey of Uniontown, Kansas and Mike Townsend (Tammy), of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Lisa Stich (Aaron) of Springfield, Missouri, Michael P. Townsend of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Brandon Boyd of Ft. Scott and Steve Ramsey (Courtney), of Colorado Springs, Colorado and five great-grandchildren, Alden, Lake, Landree, Aiden and Denton. She was preceded in death by her husband and a brother, Ernest McFadden.

Father David Lewis-Dix will conduct a Requiem Mass at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the COPD Foundation 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.

Mercy Hospital

Mercy Hospital Update by Reta Baker

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Reta Baker. Courtesy photo.

On October 1, 2018,  Fort Scott Mercy Hospital President Reta Baker announced the closing of the hospital  at years end.

Mercy Hospital has been a part of the community since 1885, and the news sent shock waves into Bourbon County and all of Kansas.

Baker has been working on transitioning to a new medical care system in Fort Scott in these specific areas:  a medical clinic,  an ambulance service, a patient transportation service, an emergency room service, therapy services and home health and hospice services.

 

The following is an update provided from  Baker, following a request from FortScott.Biz.

“New models of care are becoming a reality for many rural communities,” Baker said. “It is not an easy change. At the Kansas Hospital Association meeting this week it was reported that 73% of the rural hospitals report having a negative operating margin, and over the upcoming year we will see many more communities faced with this change and we may be in a position to be the cutting edge example of doing this successfully.

 

“These new models of care have at least at least three components, we are striving for five:

 

  1. A clinic that is designed to meet the needs of the community.  Mercy has assured this need is met through the transition of all clinic operations to the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK).  They are a primary care clinic with expanded services to support dental and behavioral needs of communities they serve. CHC/SEK is in the process of interviewing and hiring as many of our current staff as they can accommodate.  The following list of providers have confirmed that they will be continuing their practices with CHC/SEK:
  • Dr. Katrina Burke, who will continue to provide prenatal care and deliver babies at Via Christi in Pittsburg.
  • Dr. Maxwell Self, who will continue to provide support to the Home Health and Hospice.
  • Dr. P.K. Gugnani, who will continue to provide an important role in our occupational medicine efforts.
  • Beth Newkirk ARNP will practice part-time at the FS location.
  • Pam Moyer, ARNP, will be joining CHC/SEK in the FS location, she has worked convenient care and is currently working in the ER.
  • Christine O’Dell, ARNP, who will continue to practice at the Convenient Care Location.
  • Hannah Born, ARNP, will be practicing with CHC/SEK at the Pittsburg location.
  • Amber Hunziker, ARNP, will be practicing with CHC/SEK in the Pittsburg and Arma location.
  • Amanda Stice, ARNP, will continue her practice with CHC/SEK.

 

The following list of providers are continuing to consider their options:

 

  • Dr. Larry Seals has not decided where his office will be located but intends to remain in the area, and will be delivering babies at Nevada Regional or Via Christi.
  • Dr. John Fox has not decided where his office will be located but intends to remain in the area, once he makes his choice this will be shared with the community.
  • Greg King, ARNP, has not decided where his office will be located but also intends to remain in the area, once he makes his choice this will be shared with the community.

 

 

  1. A strong ambulance service. Mercy has been contracted by (Bourbon) County to provide the ambulance service since 1991.  Mercy is working with the county to transition ownership of the ambulances and equipment to the county.  The county will engage the City (of Fort Scott) under the structure of the fire department to operate the ambulance.  It is expected that the same highly trained staff will provide the service seamlessly to the community.

 

  1. A transportation system to facilitate patients being able to get to provider appointments as well as to those that require a specialist.  Through CHC/SEK, facilitating transportation to physician appointments if they have no means of transportation, is a service they do provide.

 

  1. An emergency room is an added component we are striving for and consider a high priority but is not always present in rural models.  Mercy is in discussion with an entity for the provision of an emergency department.  This entity is in the process of completing due diligence to determine whether it can be a feasible and sustainable investment for them. As with the other services, Mercy is facilitating to remain in the community all of the equipment to operate the ER would be transitioned to this entity.

 

  1. Therapy services of physical, speech and OT which is another added and the fifth component to the model of care. A group of therapists has formed a company “I Am Rehab” to provide physical and occupational therapy as well as the continued (Health For Life) fitness center facilities for the community.

 

“Mercy has offered and is willing to work with the city and county to facilitate a smooth transition of EMS and ambulance services.

 

“Home health and hospice services will continue but transition around Feb. 1, 2019, to the new name of Integrity. A large percentage of the providers will stay with the new management. The service area will remain the same and perhaps expand.”

 

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber After-Hours Event: Nate’s Place Today

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Chamber of Commerce After-Hours Event at Nate’s Place – TODAY, November 13th at 5:15pm
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Invites you to an After-Hours event TODAY, November 13th at Nate’s Place of the Lyons Twin Mansions, 750 S. National (at the corner of 8th and National) from 5:15 pm to 7 pm. Chamber members Nate’s Place and Highway 3 are co-sponsors of the event which will be a fun evening of networking, drawings and fun.
Nate’s Place will be unveiling their recent kitchen remodel and furnishing upgrades made possible in part by a Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Pathways grant. Highway 3, owned by sisters Erin Vann and Trisha Newton, will be promoting their customized products available on www.shophighway3.com. There will be a two-dollar admission for a Chamber half-and-half drawing.
For more information contact the Chamber at www.fortscott.com or at (620)223-3566
Government, Kansas

November is National Adoption Month

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Adopted Teen Shares Her Story at Adoption Celebration

 

TOPEKA – Kimberly Allen-Thompson spent most of her life in foster care, aging out of the system. But, that wasn’t the end of Kimberly’s story because at age 18, she was adopted by her forever family, the Thompson’s.

The Thompson’s had adopted Kimberly’s younger siblings, and while she was already legally an adult, she chose to become adopted and have a family to turn to, no matter what.

Kimberly and the Thompson’s were present at the 42nd Annual Governor’s Conference in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, Adoption Month Reception on Nov. 8, to share their story about adoption and kick-off National Adoption Month with Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and Kansas Children Service League (KCSL) staff.

Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., signed a proclamation on Monday, Oct. 22, designating November as Adoption Month. Throughout the month, DCF, and its contractors and community partners are taking part in a series of events to call attention to the need for more adoptive and foster families. Currently, there are approximately 500 children available for adoption in Kansas. Of those 500 youth available, 125 are 15 years or older. In FY 2018, 766 children were adopted from foster care.

Helping youth achieve timely permanency has been a focus for DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. Recently, DCF met internally and with contractors to identify and remove policies that were serving as a barrier to timely permanency. DCF also reviewed all cases where a youth was awaiting adoption and created working plans to safely finalize as many adoptions as possible in 30, 60 and 90 days. As a result of the many initiatives to streamline the adoption process, DCF anticipates finalizing approximately 1,500 adoptions in FY 19, double the number of adoptions from the previous fiscal year.

“When I arrived at the agency, remedying the adoption process was one of my top initiatives because timely permanency is vitally important for the child and the family. In my 25 plus years in child welfare, I have seen thousands of adoptions finalized, and each story and each family is unique,” said Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. “But at the end of the day, each adoption finalized means a youth found their forever family.”

DCF’s contracted service providers and several courts around the state will celebrate National Adoption Day on Nov. 17, when many adoptions across the state will be finalized. As the final step of the adoption process, these events are often emotional culminations of months of effort. Media are invited to the following adoption finalizations:

  • Saturday, Nov. 17: Shawnee County Courthouse, Topeka, 8:30 a.m. – Approximately 35 children’s adoptions will be finalized, KVC Kansas
  • Saturday, Nov. 17: Johnson County Courthouse, Olathe, 9 a.m. – Approximately 19 children’s adoptions will be finalized, KVC Kansas

DCF also encouraged faith organizations to educate their members about adoption on Adoption Sunday, Nov.12.

To learn more about children who are currently available for adoption, visit www.adoptkskids.org or call 877-457-5430. On the website, you can view photos and read profiles of each child available for adoption.

 

Left (left to right): Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel listens as Kimberly Allen-Thompson shares her adoption story and talks about her journey through the foster care system.

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Entertainment, Fort Scott

Free Friday Night Concert at Common Grounds

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This Friday night, Nov. 1 “Take A Note”  will be the featured, according to Ralph Carlson, the coordinator of the free, weekly concerts.

The concert will be held at The Common Grounds Coffee Shop Friday at 7 p.m. Come early as seating is limited.

“The group, led by Dr. Buck features a seven-member band from Iola, Kansas,” Carlson said.  “The group does Gospel, classic country and traditional music. They have been a favorite with the Friday night crowd.”

Bourbon County

Flags Subscription Project Underway

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Volunteers place a flag in front of the Daughters of the American Revolution office as part of the Friends of FSNHS, Inc. U.S. Flag Project.

FRIENDS OF FSNHS KICK-OFF NEW FLAG PROJECT

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. kicked off a new fundraising project by posting U.S. flags at 57 locations around the city this past Veteran’s Day.

The U.S. Flag project is a subscription service where the Friends of FSNHS will place a flag at your residence or business on five holidays throughout the year for a fee of $35.

The holidays include: Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, and Veteran’s Day.

It is not too late to get your flag for the 2019 season. Applications can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber Office or by e-mailing [email protected].

Gift subscriptions are also available and include a gift card perfect for holidays or birthdays. Please allow a week for processing and delivery of gift cards.

All proceeds are used to support and promote programs at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

Area News, Schools

Pittsburg Youth Chorale Performs Nov. 26

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Pittsburg Youth Chorale perform the pre-parade prelude

Pittsburg Youth Chorale will perform a pre-Christmas parade prelude at Signet Coffee Roasters, 109 N. Broadway, on Monday, November 26 beginning at 6 PM.

This vocal ensemble, directed by Fort Scott Music Teacher MJ Harper, is comprised of area singers in 4th-6th grade that meet once a month at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center.

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

Warm your heart and your body with some holiday cheer before the parade begins!

Submitted by  Mary Jo Harper

Bourbon County, Schools

WBE Students In Stacking Competition

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5th Grader Shaiden Kober building a Jumbo Cup Tower.

West Bourbon students and staff, 262 total, participated in the 2018 Stack Up Event on Thursday, November 8.

The event is held each year to try and break the Guinness World Record of MOST PEOPLE SPORT STACKING AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ON ONE DAY.

Second graders Brayden Russell and Owen Brown are competing in BattleStack.

The number to beat this year is 622, 809 as of Sunday evening.

513, 706 stackers have been verified from around the world.

Second Grade students Braelyn Marlow (kneeling) and MaKinlee Bloesser (standing) are concentrating building their cup towers.

It usually takes about a week to get all information verified. WBE students enjoyed a variety of stacking activities during their PE time….BattleStack, building cup towers and stacking at the timing mats to name a few.

A good time was had by ALL.

Stackers at West Bourbon Elementary School. 3rd grader Allis DeMott is having fun at the timing mat.

Submitted by Jackie Hall

 

Obituary

Obituary for Serena Athena Melvin

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November 5, 2018 – November 5, 2018

Her loving parents are Ryan Melvin, Sr. and Katrina Yakel,          El Dorado Springs, MO.

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things
We didn’t get to say,
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready
In heaven far above, and that I’d have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But when I walked through heaven’s gates
I felt so much at home,
When GOD looked down and smiled at me
From his great golden throne,
He said, “This is eternity
And all I’ve promised you.”
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew,
I promise no tomorrow
But today will always last,
And since each day’s the same
There’s no longing for the past,
So when tomorrow starts without me
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me
I’m right here in your heart.

There was cremation.

Area News

WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS DAY IS NOV. 15

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Winter Weather Awareness Day in Kansas will be Thursday, Nov. 15. That day would be an ideal time for Kansans to take stock of their emergency supplies and review their home emergency plan.

A home emergency supply kit should include enough nonperishable food and water for each person to survive for a minimum of seven days, a safe alternate heat source, blankets, flashlights and batteries, a battery-operated weather radio, essential medicines, and other items needed for health and comfort should the power go out.

Vehicles should be equipped with emergency kits, too, particularly if you are planning to travel long distances. These kits should include weather appropriate clothing; bottled water for everyone; nonperishable, high-energy snack items; flashlights and batteries; a battery-operated radio; blankets; a compact snow shovel; extra medications; signal flares and other emergency supplies to allow you to survive until help can arrive. It is also advisable to fill your gas tank before you start on a journey, check engine fluid levels and tire pressure, and make sure cell phones are fully charged.

Emergency plans and preparations should also include family pets. During winter storms, bring outdoor pets inside, if possible, or ensure that they have a draft-free enclosure with straw type bedding that is large enough to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold their body heat if they must remain outside. Always make sure that your pets have access to food and non-frozen water.

For information on winter weather and how to prepare, go online to www.weather.gov/top/winterprepare