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Senator Richard Hilderbrand Week 13 Newsletter

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RICHARD HILDERBRAND

SENATOR, 13TH DISTRICT

Phone: 785-296-7370
Email: [email protected]

Quote of the Week:

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

– Abraham Lincoln

Education Bill Update

I wanted to give everyone an update on the education bill. On Saturday, the house stripped the contents of SB 423 and put in the contents of their bill HB 2445, with some minor adjustments. The house needed 63 votes to pass it, and

it passed by a vote of 63-56. The Senate needed 21 votes to pass it, and it passed by a vote of 21-19. The Governor has said that he is going to be signing this bill into law.

For the house bill to have $230 million more in spending over the senate bill, I would have hoped for better results for our Southeast Kansas districts. The senate version had

$10 million dollars to use state wide for mental health. The house version cut this dollar amount back and limited it to

6 school districts: Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City, Parsons, Garden City, and Central Kansas. Mental Health funding is important for all our school districts, not just for the 6 that were selected. The house bill also has a onetime ex-

pense for the purchase of a database and computers for two school districts. While the final bill will add over $500 mil- lion more to our educational funding. It favors the urban high population areas of our state over our rural districts.

I have concerns that this new bill will not meet the equitable piece of our educational funding. That is why I voted against the concur motion, which would have sent it back to the House and Senate Education Committee.Important Updates

HOUSE LEADERSHIP FAILS TO RUN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

HCR 5029 passed out of House Judiciary Committee, but failed to be brought above the line for debate in the full House.

A coalition of organizations known as the Kansas Coalition for Fair Funding, have come together to push for passage of the Constitutional Amendment to address the ambiguities in the Kansas Constitution in regards to suitable funding.

The coalition is made up of a variety of entities including the Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Chamber, Kansas Farm Bureau, American Warrior, Kansas Livestock Association and Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (PMCA).

The House Judiciary Committee amended the bill and then passed it out. The differences in language can be found by reading the amended bill which you can find by clicking here: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/measures/documents/hcr5029_01_0000.pdf

The ballot language would read as follows:

“Explanatory statement. The purpose of this amendment is to provide that suitable provision for the financing for public education means that the provision is adequate and equitable. Questions of adequacy of total funding of public education shall be determined by the legislature.

“A vote for this proposition would require suitable provision for the financing of public education to be both adequate and equitable and would reserve the power to establish and resolve any question of the adequacy of the funding to the legislature.

SENATE PASSES FEDERAL WINDFALL TAX REFORM LEGISLATION

Kansas Senate passed S Sub HB 2228, which would allow Kansas taxpayers to keep the windfall instead of government pocketing their hard-earned money. Kansas tax filers will be allowed to itemize deductions for state income tax purposes, even if they do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes.

The windfall is estimated to give taxpayers back $137 million of their money in the next fiscal year, $179 million in the subsequent fiscal year, and $187 million the following fiscal year.

S Sub HB 2228 accelerates the restoration of federal itemized deductions for state income purposes to 100 percent for deductions for medical expenses, mortgage interest and property taxes paid.

The bill also increases current Kansas standard deduction amounts by 25.0 percent beginning in tax year 2018

An additional provision of the bill would authorize nonrefundable income tax credits beginning in tax year 2018 for the Eisenhower Foundation.

S Sub HB 2228 also included provision to benefit businesses that employs workers with disabilities. The bill enacts a new nonrefundable income tax credit for tax years 2018-2022 for expenditures on goods and services purchased from qualified vendors or non-profit certified businesses providing a certain level of health insurance benefits and having at least

30.0 percent of their employees be resident Kansans with disabilities.

S Sub HB 2228 also seeks to bring in revenue by taxing international income expected to be returning to the U.S. after federal tax reform.

Important Updates Cont.

The Facts of the Matter

  1. Oops: Kansas lawmakers have $80M error to fix in school finance plan. Charts produced by KSDE show a difference of $79.7 million in general state aid between the approved and intended versions of Senate Bill 423. There will be a move to pass a “technical” correction when the Legislature returns on April 26. (Source)

  2. The Kansas Constitution Has a Strict Even-Year Deadline for Legislative Sessions. Many may be wondering why Saturday night was so dramatic – the reason is embedded in our Kansas Constitution. Article 2, Section 8 of the Kansas Constitution says, “The duration of regular sessions held in even-numbered years shall not exceed ninety calendar days. Such sessions may be extended beyond ninety calendar days by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house.” (Source)

  3. Gannon Case in Eighth Year. The Kansas education system has been subject to lawsuits for decades. Currently, the Gannon v. Kansas case has been active since November of 2010, casting a long shadow over the ability of the Kansas

Legislature to craft meaningful reforms to ensure every child in Kansas receives a suitable education.

ROZ Program

I submitted an amendment to add Crawford County to the state ROZ program. After an objection of germaneness by Senator Vicki Schmidt, it was ruled not germane. I worked with Senator Larry Alley from Cowley county to get the Kansas Income Tax waiver added.

After our initial effort wasn’t allowed an opportunity to be voted on, because of the objection of germaneness. We were able to get the tax income waiver portion added for Crawford and Cowley Counties. It now goes to the Senate and House Conference Committee.

http://www.kansascommerce.com/320/Rural-Opportunity-Zones

Adoption Protection Act Update

After narrowly being defeated 10 days ago, many Kansans are hoping the Kansas House will attempt a second bite at the apple by taking another vote on the Adoption Protection Act. This past week, various circumstances delayed renewed consideration of the legislation, but proponents are working hard to have another debate and vote on the bill when the legislature returns on April 26th.Important Updates Cont.

HARD FACTS:
  • Total tax receipts so far, this fiscal year total $4.8 billion, which is $673.61 million or 16.32 percent above last year

at this time and $314.83 million above estimates for the year (Kansas Department of Revenue).

  • Income tax collections for the fiscal year are $603.95 million above last year and $325.73 million above current expectations (Kansas Department of Revenue)
  • March 2018 tax receipts came in $60.91 million over last March and $39.47 million above current expectations. Individual income tax collections in March were $77.88 million above last year. Sales tax receipts are up for the year by

$38.36 million over last year (Kansas Department of Revenue).

WEEKLY OVERVIEW:

This week was the last week of legislative activity before First Adjournment. Early Sunday morning, the Senate gaveled

out for adjournment and will reconvene on April 26th for Veto Session.

The Senate voted on numerous conference committee reports, a tax reform bill, and a school finance plan.

A conference committee is a small, bipartisan, and bicameral committee that works to smooth out the differences be- tween the House and Senate’s version of a similar bill. Once the conference committee reaches a compromise, the negotiated bill is sent to both the House and Senate for a final vote before advancing to the governor’s desk.

When the Senate gavels in on April 26th, we will begin Veto Session and will wrap up any legislative loose ends for the year.

SCHOOL FINANCE:

In the early hours of Sunday morning and after a night of debate, the Senate voted to concur on a school finance plan that

the House sent over earlier that day.

On Saturday morning, the House narrowly passed a school finance deal on a vote of 63-56. The House placed their original K-12 finance plan into a Senate bill and passed it to the Senate to either concur or non-concur on the deal.

The House’s plan would add $500 million to public school funding over the next five years. The funding plan almost doubles the cost of the Senate’s proposed plan that passed earlier that week. Some opponents of the bill believe the plan will make it difficult to earmark other priorities and require a possible tax increase.

The Senate voted 21-19 to concur, sending it to Governor Colyer’s desk for him to sign.

FLOOR ACTION:

SENATE SCHOOL FINANCE PLAN (Sub SB 423): Substitute Senate Bill 423 amends the Kansas School Equity and Enhancement Act by making appropriations to the Department of Education relating to school finance.

Sub SB 423 would phase in a $275 million increase to education funding. Some major policy provisions included in SB 423 are:

  • Base aid for student excellence will increase from $4,006 to $4,258 in 2018-19, to $4,334 in 2019-20, to $4,412 in 2020-21, to $4,492 in 2021-22, and to $4,574 in 2022-23.
  • Increase special education funding by $24 million in 2018-2019.
  • Expand early childhood funding by increasing state aid for three- and four-year-old at-risk children by

$3,000,000.

  • Allow all students the opportunity to participate in ACT and ACT Work Keys funded by the state.
  • Add $1,760,000 for ABC Early Childhood Program.
  • Provide a pilot program for improvement of mental health services for school districts.
  • Provides that all high school students may take a college class in Comp I at no cost to the student.

mportant Updates Con

CONCURS:

SB 324: Senate Bill 324 amends the vehicle dealers and manufacturers licensing act.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 37-0.

SB 410: Senate Bill 410 updates captive insurance statutes and provides for association and branch captive insurance companies and special purpose insurance companies.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 39-0.

SB 394: Senate Bill 394 ensures transparency in state government contract decisions.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 40-0.

SB 275: Senate Bill 275 relates to mid-term appointments of credit union council members.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 40-0.

SB 263: Senate Bill 263 creates a program to research the use of industrial hemp.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 40-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS:

The Senate confirmed Dwight Keen to serve on the Kansas Corporation Commission. Keen is a co-owner of Keen Oil Co., a Winfield, Kan., oil and gas production company. He has served as Securities Commissioner of Kansas and board chair for the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in economics from Wichita State University and received a law degree from Kansas University.

Keen was nominated last month by Governor Jeff Colyer and replaces Pat Apple on the three-person commission, after Apple announced in December that he would not seek reappointment.

The Senate confirmed Keen on Saturday April 7th.

NEXT WEEK:

The Senate gaveled out on Sunday April 8th for First Adjournment and will return April 26th for Veto Session.

2018 SESSION DATES AND DEADLINES:

Please be aware of the following dates and deadlines for the 2018 legislative session. As always, each is subject to modification and leadership will keep you updated on any changes which might occur.CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS

(HB 2470): House Bill 2470 would allow microbreweries within the state of Kansas to contract with other microbreweries for production and packaging of beer and hard cider. The bill amends law related to the sale of alcoholic candy and to the sale of domestic beer in refillable containers. HB 2470 allows licensed microbreweries in the state to produce beer containing up to 15 percent alcohol by weight. The bill also increases the length of time that certain businesses may serve alcohol to 6AM to 2 AM. Current law only allows for the sale of alcohol between 9AM and 2AM.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 27-10. [ I voted against this bill. This bill had several

bills combined into one bill. One of the bills allows alcohol to be served at 6:00 am. This changes the time from 9:oo am to 6:oo am]

(HB 2606): House Bill 2606 amends law related to testing for a class M (motorcycle) driver’s license, online driver’s li– cense renewal, and the length of time a commercial driver’s license is valid.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 38-2. [I voted for this bill.]

(HB 2597): House Bill 2597 would amend law regarding designation of an urban area. The bill amends law when a mayor is considered a member of a governing body. HB 2597 also deals with the compensation, supervision, personnel, and budgeting policies of election commissioners.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 29-10. [I voted for this bill.]

(HB 2542): House Bill 2542 amends statutes for fees collected by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) and performance-based budgeting requirements. HB 2542 also creates the Dyslexia Task Force that will conduct a study of issues and report to the Kansas Legislature by January 30, 2019.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 40-0.

(HB 2583): House Bill 2583 would create the Noxious Weed Act and repeal current Noxious Weed law. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 35-5. [I voted against this bill. It would expand the authority of non-elected officials & weaken the control of the legislators.]

(HB 2476): House Bill 2476 would amend the section of the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) related to the unlawful use of names derived from public records. The bill would create an additional exception to the general prohibition in KORA against selling, giving, or receiving any list of names and addresses from public records for sales purposes. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 39-1. [I voted for this bill.]

(S Sub for S Sub for HB 2386): Senate Substitute for Senate Substitute for House Bill 2386 would amend law related to licensure, certification, or registration qualifications for employment at adult care homes, hospitals, and home health agencies. S Sub for S Sub for HB 2386 would add all employees of the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs Office to the definition of “safety sensitive positions” found in law.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 40-0.

(S Sub for HB 2600): Senate Substitute for House Bill 2600 would amend the Nuclear Energy Development and Radiation Control Act, provide for the study and investigation of maternal deaths by the Secretary of Health and Environment, and create the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council and the State Palliative Care Consumer and Professional Information and Education Program within the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 27-12. [I voted against this bill. It had combined sev-

eral bills that would expand the role of unelected officials and the overall scope of government.]

(HB 2482): House Bill 2482 would amend law related to contracts between the State and persons or companies who are actively engaged in a boycott of Israel. The Conference Committee

Report was adopted by a vote of 36-1. [I voted for this bill.]

CLOSING STATEMENT

CLOSING STATEMENT

“It is hard to believe that the 2018 regular session is already behind us! With only eight days left until the 2018 session is complete, we still have a lot of work left to do.”

– Senator Richard Hilderbrand

Food for Thought

Thank you to everyone that took the time to respond to this. The new k-12 funding bill was signed by the Governor

today, 4/17/18, and we still have a lot of important issues to address. As we move forward with addressing these issues, I am looking forward to hearing from you.

You have a total of $1 to spend on the following state expenses. What percentage of that dollar would you spend on each item?

*Administration

*Correctional Institutes

*Courts

*Disabled

*Economic Development

*Elderly

*Foster Care

*Health and Environment

*Higher Education

*K-12 Education

*Law Enforcement

*Legislators

*Medicaid

*Mental Health

*National Guard

*Roads and Infrastructure

*Unemployed(State assistance)

Thank You for Engaging!

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.

Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.

We had the honor of recognizing members of the Pittsburg State University Army ROTC today in the Senate. Thank you, Pan Phyu, Eric Hollingsworth, Autumn Crist, Eathan Jewell, and Brandsson Miller for your service in the Kansas Army National Guard!

Obituary

Obituary Of Ronald Button

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Ronald “Ronnie” Button, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, April 20, 2018, at his home.

He was born June 2, 1937, in Ft. Scott, the son of Merle and Mable Dunham Button.

He married Betty Jean Kutina on January 17, 1955, in Ft. Scott. Ronnie jointly owned and operated Button’s Salvage Yard for over 30 years. He also worked at Wal-Mart for 10 years. He could always be located by listening for his whistle.

In their younger years, Ronnie and Betty like to bowl. He collected antiques and pictures of people and places in Ft. Scott and Belltown. He also liked to visit the casinos. He loved spending time with family, especially the grandkids who called him “Poppy”.

Survivors include his wife Betty of the home; three children, Johnny Button of the home, Teresa Vanderpool and husband John, Uniontown, KS, and Cheryl Russell and husband Larry, Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren, Michael, Justin, and Nick Russell, Josh and Cody Vanderpool, Menda Candido, and Kayla Bunnel; eight  great- grandchildren; siblings Ralph “Pewee” Button and wife Charlotte, Ft. Scott, Merlene Button, Ft. Scott, Mary Button, Ft. Scott, Donnie Ray Button, Ft. Scott, and Judy Snow and husband Larry, Mapleton, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bobbie Button; five sisters, infant Patsy Button, Tammy Meriman, Shirley Armstrong, Bonnie Phillips and Patty Smith; granddaughter, Melissa Lynn Russell; and his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 25th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from1:00 until service time Wednesday prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to the Ronnie Button Memorial Fund and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Government, Kansas

Efforts To Improve Child Welfare

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DCF Secretary to Announce Efforts to Improve Child Welfare System

Policy, procedure, training changes and new foster care contracts

TOPEKA – Since her appointment as Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary, Gina Meier-Hummel has spent the last four months carefully reviewing the child welfare system and exploring ways to improve foster care services, licensing, training, family preservation services, adoption support and more.

Although her top-to-bottom review continues, with the assistance of national experts, she is pleased to announce an exciting move forward, with new foster care contracts for Kansas’ privatized child welfare system.

The new contracts will be designed to, among other things, streamline services, promote safety and permanency, increase accountability and prioritize keeping families safely together.

As the Request for Proposal is prepared to solicit bids, the Secretary is seeking the public’s suggestions for improvement that should be included in the new contracts. A Request for Information (RFI) process begins today.

For one week, DCF will offer the public the ability to provide suggestions for the new contracts through an online submission form, available at www.dcf.ks.gov.

A public comment meeting is also planned, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, at the DCF Administration Building, 555 S. Kansas Ave.

Further details, along with information about recent improvements to the child welfare system, will be announced during a news conference on Monday, April 23, in Topeka.

Obituary

Obituary Of Joan Dickson

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Joan M. Dickson, age 88, a resident of Easton, Maryland., passed away on Oct. 25, 2017, at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Dickson; her parents, Dr. Charles and Wilma Mosley; and her sister, Helen Louise Dix.
Joan is survived by her nephew, Steven Dix (Nancy); and her cousins, Marjorie Midili and Conrad Mowrey (Jean).
Joan worked for the U.S. government until her retirement. She loved all animals, especially cats. Two of her favorite ones, Harry and Mia, also preceded her in death, and she dearly missed them. Joan knew that animals if treated fairly, would only return love and loyalty a lesson she wished all would better learn.
Joan was a Master Gardener and was frequently consulted for her advice on gardens, flowers, trees, and grasses. If she didn’t know the answer, she would research it and quickly get back to you.
Joan fought through a number of adversities throughout her life, never complaining about any and always rising above them. Even various cancers found an especially formidable opponent in Joan. She was a strong woman. Bitterness and anger were never part of Joan’s life, rather she presented kindness, a caring way, dependability and fairness combined with an interesting sense of humor.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 26th at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ft Scott, Kansas.  Family and friends will meet at the cemetery.  Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Government, Kansas

New Kansas Website For Posting of Meetings

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Governor Colyer announces the launch of Kansas Public Square

TOPEKA _ Gov. Jeff Colyer, MD., announced Friday the launch of Kansas Public Square, the state’s new website for posting meetings and minutes, adding a new layer of transparency in state government.

“The framers of our Kansas Constitution had it right when they stated that ‘all political power is inherent to the people,’” Colyer said. “Through the development of Kansas Public Square, we are ensuring our citizens are informed about their government and have the opportunity to speak up and be heard.”

Governor Colyer ordered the creation of a public meeting website with the signing of Executive Order 18-08. All Cabinet agencies, boards, and commissions under the authority of the Governor are required to post notification of all meetings subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act. The order was one of several signed by Governor Colyer during his first days in office, aimed at improving government transparency and accountability.

Kansas Public Square was developed by the Department of Administration and the Office of Information Technology Services. The site allows for users to see meetings on a daily, weekly and monthly format, searching by the agency, board or commission. Users have the option to download the meeting notice directly to their Outlook, iCal and Google calendars.

The new site is also responsive to users whether on a PC, tablet or mobile device.

“We developed Public Square with the user in mind, incorporating features that will make it easier for citizens and others to be informed about when their government is conducting business,” said John Milburn, Director of Legislative and Public Affairs for the Department of Administration. “The site is intended to complement existing practices for notifying the public about meetings.”

The site can be found at publicsquare.ks.gov.

Fort Scott, Submitted

FSHS Prom Walk-In April 21 Moved To New Gym

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Due to the weather forecast for April 21, the 2018 Prom Walk-in has been moved to the high school NEW GYM, the auxiliary gym.

LIMITED SEATING WILL BE AVAILABLE AND NO LAWN CHAIRS WILL BE ALLOWED.

Standing room will exist.

Car’s will still line up headed north on Main Street and turn east on 9th Street.

Drop off of attendees will be at 9th and State Street (north entrance of new gym).

Valet parkers will pick up cars there.

The east (back), south, and west (front) parking lots at FSHS will be for VALET PARKING ONLY.

Spectators will be allowed to park in the gravel lot west of the high school, on the street in front of the high school, in front of the stadium, at the swimming pool, and at Buck Run Community Center.

Parents will enter through the northwest doors of new gym or main east entrance of the High School.

The gym will open at 5:00 pm.

The Walk-in will be televised on the Fort Scott City Link

http://www.citylinktv.com/channel/fort-scott-tv/.

 

Submitted by Bert Lewis, an FSHS instructor.

Business, Fort Scott

Bartelsmeyer Estate Jewelry Sale Starts April 23

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An event to share with friends and family!

The Semi-Annual Estate Jewelry Sale at Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is about to begin on Monday, April 23 and will continue through May 5.

All Estate Jewelry is 25 percent off including free ring sizing.

May 7th – 12th, any remaining estate jewelry will be marked down to 50 percent, however, ring sizing is not included at 50 percent off prices

Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is located at 1519 S. Main. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Fort Scott

Tina Banwart Memorial Run Tomorrow

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Spread Tina’s Love 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk is a benefit event in remembrance of Tina Banwart, of Fort Scott, who lost her life to cancer in November 2017. Proceeds will go to Fort Scott Christian Heights, the private school that her 3 young daughters attend.

Race and fun walk will be conducted on Margrave Street, beginning and ending in front of Fort Scott Christian Heights.
Registration begins at 7:30 AM on Margrave Street between 10th & 12th Streets in front of FSCH. Race & walk begin at 8:00 AM.
Entry Fee is $15.00

Categories:
Male: 12-18 years
Male: 19-30 years
Male: 31 years & up

Female: 12-18 years
Female: 19-30 years
Female: 31 years & up

Medals for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place 5K contestants will be awarded in all categories!

Entry forms may be dropped off at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or emailed to Amy Sinn: [email protected], or mailed to Nicole Banwart, 1123 S. Crawford St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Make checks payable to Amy Sinn and write “for Tina” in the memo.

Click here for registration form or see the form in the comments:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mmNguAFtMuWaMR_RzP3ef-DRyRkn2Oc_/view?usp=sharing

Opinion

Cool Encounters by Patty LaRoche

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Mollie has a multitude of physical problems including Fibromuscular Dysplasia and Parkinson’s disease. Lael has rheumatoid arthritis. They are long-time friends, and the three of us were together last weekend in Austin, Texas, for Lael’s son’s wedding. Over the years I have watched both friends struggle with their health, refuse to complain, and fight not to give in to—or dwell on– their complications.

My trip to Texas was one of encouraging encounters, no doubt because the Lord wastes no opportunities.

Alone with a woman on the airport shuttle in Kansas City, I complimented her purse (so, so cool), and we began chatting. She works for FEMA. Recently she had helped in the Houston clean-up of a demolished house where she found a purple heart and dog tags from World War II and was able to return them to the aging owner who, as you can imagine, was ecstatic. So was I, after hearing her story.

Walking down the jetway, I struck up a conversation with a young gal who shared that she had never flown before. I told her the flight would be pretty bumpy (As proof, I was putrid green when we landed) and not to be alarmed by it because forty mph winds have a way of testing our stomachs but never the plane.

When I asked if she was on vacation, she answered that she was going to meet her biological father for the first time. Through Facebook, they had linked, and he had sent her a plane ticket. Talk about cool! (Had my connection to Austin not been so tight, I might have hidden behind a pillar in Houston’s baggage claim to eavesdrop.)

Then there was the young executive, returning from a NYC business trip, who sat beside me and proudly shared videos of his one-year-old son eating his first corn dog and later playing with a garden hose. I told him what every grandmother tells a young parent about cherishing every moment because these babies grow up way too fast, etc., etc., etc. Our conversation flitted like a moth to a flame, and I ended up learning he teaches baseball to inner-city children in his spare time. More cool stuff.

Three total strangers had brightened my day, helping somewhat to minimize the airline losing my luggage. Still, the best was yet to come.

Mollie picked me up at the Austin airport, and even though her palsy was more pronounced than I expected, she was upbeat and reassuring, praising God that her disease had claimed only one arm and not two.

My friend invited me to attend her Parkinson’s boxing class which, I learned, slows the progression of the incapacitating disease. I told Mollie that this could be an exercise class where I finally might have a chance!

The technique focuses on both cognitive and physical demands. Some repetitions require counting backward from 100 by three’s. (So, okay, maybe I wouldn’t have a chance after all!) Other actions involve boxing glove strikes numbered for specific positions. Upper-cuts, for instance, is called out by the instructor as “five” for the left hand and “six” for the right hand. And get this! The leader, Dr. Shirley (Chow) had been raised in Fort Scott! Cooler yet.

Mollie encouraged all of the attendees, especially those with advanced deterioration, and it was clear they all loved her and her cheerful attitude. I left there refreshed and not a little sweaty.

The best part about my time with Mollie was to catch up on all she and her husband, Cal, are doing to serve God. They lead Celebrate Recovery meetings, teach Bible studies and are testimonies of a healed marriage because they “got real” with Jesus Christ by understanding the Bible is not a “how to learn to fix yourself” book; rather, it is a “how to learn of God’s mind-blowing love” book. They love God passionately, no matter their circumstances.

And that, Readers, was the coolest part of it all.

Area News, Submitted

Living History at Fort April 21-22

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Contact: Galen Ewing, [email protected], 620-223-0310

Living History Activities Abound as Fort Scott National Historic Site Hosts the 36th Annual Civil War Encampment

FORT SCOTT, Kansas: Fort Scott National Historic Site commemorates the Civil War and how it shaped our country by presenting the 36th Annual Civil War Encampment on Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22. Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the times—soldiers marching or on horseback, rifles firing, gunpowder hanging in the air. A variety of interpretive programs will illustrate the role Fort Scott played as a major supply base for federal troops during this pivotal conflict.

The public is invited to participate beginning Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and concluding with the last program at 3 p.m. on Sunday as park volunteers engage in various activities.

Union Cavalry, Infantry, and Artillery units will perform military training representing how troops were prepared for battle. Participate with the Grice family as they perform Victorian Mourning Hair Art. This is an interactive demonstration so you are invited to make simple hair flowers with them.

On Saturday at 1 p.m., join in a guided tour to learn of the many facets Fort Scott played in the Civil War.

At 6:30 p.m., retired park historian Arnold Schofield will share insight on the military role of General James Lane’s Frontier Guard.

On Sunday at 10 a.m., come join in a period Church Service.

Learn about the logistics of feeding soldiers with “Rolling in the Dough” Bake-house Demonstration at 11 a.m. Cavalry, Infantry, and Artillery Demonstrations will continue in the afternoon.

The Civil War Encampment is made possible through the generous support provided by volunteer members of the Holmes Brigade, 4th Missouri Cavalry, Western Bluecoats Field Hospital, 3rd Kansas Artillery Battery B, Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc., and a host of Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers.

The schedule of activities is as follows:

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

9:00 a.m. – Raising the Colors

10:00 a.m. – Cavalry Drill

11:00 a.m. – Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration

12:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration

1:00 p.m. – Guided Tour: Fort Scott in the Civil War

2:00 p.m. – Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration

3:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration

4:00 p.m. – Flag Retreat

6:30 p.m. – Lane’s Frontier Guard

SUNDAY, APRIL 22

9:00 a.m. – Raising the Colors

10:00 a.m. – Church Service

11:00 a.m. – “Rolling in the Dough” – Bake House Demonstration

12:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration

1:00 p.m. – Cavalry Drill

2:00 p.m. – Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration

3:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration

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About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

Obituary

Obituary Of Eleanor Lucile Quick

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Eleanor Lucile Quick, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died early Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Presbyterian Village, Ft. Scott.

She was born on May 17, 1937, in Redfield, KS, the daughter of James and Iris Wilson Endicott.

She married Dennis “Denny” Quick on January 23, 1960, in Ft. Scott. When not caring for the family at home, Lucile cleaned house for area residents for over 30 years. She loved spending time with her family. She was quite good at cooking for them, with her specialty being a chocolate sheet cake. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother.

Survivors include her husband Denny, Ft. Scott; two sons, Phil Quick and wife Jennifer, Ft. Scott, and Rick Quick, Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Zach Quick, Gabe Quick, Peyton O. Quick, and Taylor Quick Brasfield; three great-grandchildren, Sidney Logan, Layne A. Quick, and Oktavea Brasfield; siblings, Alice Fink, Marilyn Ward, Irmal Hughes, James Endicott, Robert Endicott, and J.W. “Jingles” Endicott; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by siblings Lavern Harrison, Mary Lee Heathman, Carol Ybarra, Leona Kramer, and Wayne Endicott.

Dave Nickelson will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Tuesday, April 24th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.