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Community Foundation Continues to Accept Grant Applications

Submitted by Patty LaRoche

The 2017/2018 grant applications for the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation are due by August 29.

2016 Grant Recipients

Nonprofits such as churches, governmental entities or organizations with a 501c3 status are encouraged to apply. Applications are available on the FSACF website or may be picked up in person at the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall.

Acceptance and declination letters will be mailed on Tuesday, October 24. Grants will be awarded at the Foundation’s Chamber Coffee held in the Landmark Bank lobby at Third and Main at 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 2.

Fort Scott Cemetery Celebrates 5th Annual Wreath Ride

Event benefits the local mission of Wreaths Across America to Remember, Honor, Teach

Submitted by Kevin Wagner

This Saturday, a local fundraising group for national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) will host a motorcycle ride in support of the organization’s mission. The 5th Annual Fort Scott Wreath Ride will raise money to sponsor fresh balsam wreaths that will be placed on veterans’ headstones at the cemetery this December.

The Annual Wreath Ride is the local WAA fundraising group’s biggest event of the year. Last year, the Wreath Ride consisted of 184 motorcycles, raising enough money to sponsor 3,600 wreaths – covering more than half of the 5,600 headstones at Fort Scott Cemetery.

“The Wreath Ride started as an effort to raise awareness for our mission, and has grown into one of the biggest events of the year in our community,” said Kevin Wagner, WAA local volunteer coordinator for Fort Scott Cemetery. “Every year, we are able to sponsor more wreaths than the last – our goal this year is to raise enough money to honor every veteran buried here.”

The Wreath Ride will take place on Saturday, August 26, at 11 a.m. and will begin at Buck Run Community Center in Fort Scott, Kan. Registration is open 9 – 10:30 a.m., kickstands up at 11 a.m. All proceeds from the event go toward wreath sponsorships – every $15 donated sponsors one wreath that will be placed at Fort Scott Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, December 16.

“Each donation is a meaningful gift from a Wreath Ride participant or supporter who knows what it means to serve and sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of WAA. “We are so grateful to the community of Fort Scott for hosting this event and for continuing to spread our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.”

The event is sponsored by dozens of locally-based businesses, including Joplin, Missouri-based truckload carrier, CFI. CFI donated money toward Wreath Ride apparel and will send employee representatives as well as the company’s military-branded trailer to the event.

“The Wreaths Across America mission speaks volumes to us as a company,” said Tim Staroba, president of CFI. “Many of our drivers are veterans themselves, and they appreciate the opportunity to be involved in the national effort to remember our nation’s heroes every holiday season, and year-round.”

For more information about the 5th Annual Wreath Ride, or to participate, please visit www.FortScottWreathRide.com.

National Wreaths Across America Day is a free event, open to all. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

FSCC Announces Boards & Bites Event

Submitted by Heather Browne, FSCC

Fort Scott Community College will host the Boards & Bites painting class from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, in the Student Union, located in Bailey Hall, 2108 South Horton, Fort Scott.

An instructor will show participants how to create fall-themed décor for their homes. The cost is $20 per person and includes a treat, refreshments and painting supplies. Space is limited for this event. To preregister, contact Kassie Fugate-Cate, FSCC Admissions Representative, at [email protected] or 620-223-2700, ext. 3530.

Mercy Health Foundation to Receive Check from Modern Woodmen of America

Submitted by Tina Rockhold, Mercy Hospital

The Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott will receive a $2,000 matching fund checks from the Modern Woodmen of America on Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 10 a.m. in the Mercy Hospital main lobby.

Jolynne Mitchell and Scott Gander from Modern Woodmen will present the check to Mercy Health Foundation Board Members and Hit the Bricks event planners Jared Leek, Jessica Schenkel and Darcy Smith.

The $2,000 was pledged in May to the foundation by the Modern Woodmen of America as a corporate sponsorship for the Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll, Art Walk and Blane Howard Concert. In the sponsorship agreement, the Mercy Health Foundation needed to net a minimum of $2,000 in event proceeds to receive the matching $2,000.

Proceeds from the Hit the Bricks event totaled $11,883 prior to the $2,000 check to be presented by the Modern Wooden of America.

The Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which raises money and community awareness for Mercy Hospital. It is dependent on the support of individuals, corporations and foundations to help Mercy meet community health care needs. Mercy Health Foundation invests its philanthropic support in facilities and the advancement of technologies and programs to enhance Mercy’s ability to provide excellence in health care.

To make a donation, please visit https://secure3.4agoodcause.com/mercy-health-foundations/gift.aspx?id=1 or call the Mercy Health Foundation office at 620-223-8094.

Obituary: Willard Dale “Bill” Good

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Willard Dale “Bill” Good, age 86, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at his home.

He was born December 2, 1930, in Elkhart, Ind., the son of Jacob Good and Ada Grace Christophel Good. Bill graduated from Elkhart High School and later attended Arlington State University in Arlington, Texas. He served with the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954 and continued to serve as a reserve officer. Following his military service, he worked as a pilot for Eastern Airlines from 1965 to 1988. He became a Captain in 1981. Bill married Rosalyn Arnold Avery on August 31, 1984, in Las Vegas, Nev. They made their home in Houston, Texas, prior to moving to Fort Scott in 1999. While in Fort Scott, Bill drove Dolly the Trolley for eight and a half years. He enjoyed sharing the history of Fort Scott with the many tourists. He also enjoyed photography and antique cars as well as NASCAR. He was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church. For the last three and a half years, he has battled pulmonary fibrosis.
Survivors include his wife, Rosalyn, of the home; his children, Darrell Good of Marietta, Ga., and his two children, Devon and Andrea Good, and two great-grandchildren of Atlanta, Ga.; Eric Avery, of
Point Harbor, N.C., and his daughters, Amy Chewning and husband Scott Chewning, of Chesapeake Bay, Va., and their children Landon and Chloe; Ashley Bravo and husband, Gregg Bravo, of Grandy, N.C., and their children Ava and Adrian; Benjamin Avery, of Bandera, Texas, and his children, Cheri Wright and husband, Anthony and their daughter Lily of Joplin, Mo., Samantha Adams and husband, Kyle Adams, and their daughter, Rosalyn, of Fort Scott, and Joel Avery, of Shawnee, Kan.; and Brent Avery and wife, Angela, of Bastrop, Texas, and their children, Justin Avery of Blue Springs, Mo., Amanda Avery of Durango, Colo., and Lindsey and Blake Avery of Bastrop, Texas. Also surviving are two sisters, Doris Good, of Bloomington, Ill., and Melba Good, of Denver, Colo.; and a brother, Truman Good, of Spencer, Tenn., as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Maynard Good.
Pastor Tom Mullins will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Monday, August 21, at the St. John’s United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorials are suggested to Feeding Families, Mercy Hospice or the St. John’s United Methodist Church 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 guest book at cheneywitt.com.

KState Extension: Agriculture Education is in demand

Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District

Can you count the ways Agriculture touches your life? When you wake up in the morning, you are lying on cotton sheets. You swing your feet onto the floor either made of wood, a rug made of wool or flooring made from linseed or soybean soil. The soap in the shower contains tallow (a by-product of the beef industry) and toothpaste has glycerin in it. The towel you dry off with and the jeans and t-shirt you put on are made from cotton. You have already used dozens of agricultural products, and you haven’t even started eating!

For these everyday reasons and more, agriculture education is too important a topic to be taught only to the small percentage of students considering careers in agriculture and pursuing vocational agricultural studies. Throughout my Extension career, I have spent time in elementary classrooms teaching about agriculture in a variety of ways. When I ask the students “Does chocolate milk come from a brown cow or a white cow?” the answer is most always the same – “A brown cow!” Although this might give most of us a chuckle, the answer really tells us that agriculture education should be a high priority and it should start with our children. Locally, 4-H and FFA members are educating our youth through various initiatives like Day at the Farm and Earth Day. They cooperate with other organizations such as Farm Bureau, Extension, Conservation District and Wildlife & Parks to demonstrate how agriculture and livestock are important to our everyday lives. We are all fortunate to live in communities where folks still care about agriculture and a rural lifestyle.

With a growing population and a demand to feed nine billion by the year 2050, the agriculture industry needs talented, driven and passionate youth willing to make a commitment to agriculture. Many of these individuals will not have the production background I was privileged to experience while growing up. The next generation will have to gain knowledge and try to understand the depth of the industry through programs in 4-H, FFA and collegiate agriculture courses where hands-on learning is critical to developing the skills necessary to feed the world. Make no mistake, there is tremendous opportunity for careers in agriculture, including banking, energy, food science, education, research and engineering, and I hope you will continue to support those organizations who promote and support agricultural endeavors in our communities.

Southwind Extension District is proud to help educate our youth on the values and importance involved in the agriculture lifestyle. Through participation in 4-H activities like livestock judging, learning how to weld, or even how to grow plants in the garden – the youth in Allen, Bourbon and Neosho Counties are preparing themselves for how to feed the next generation. For more information on how you can become involved in the Southwind District, find us on the web at www.southwind.ksu.edu

Obituary: Patricia Marylyn Layton

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Patricia Marylyn Layton, age 84, former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at Medicalodges of Girard, Kan.

She was born January 12, 1933, in Twin Oaks, Mo., the daughter of George Schwanz and Aline Wilkinson-Killion. She married Orville Layton, on July 1, 1963, in Fort Scott. He preceded her in death on September 9, 1980. She worked for Western Insurance Company for over 25 years and then Wal-Mart until her retirement. Pat enjoyed being outside working in the yard. She liked attending the Opry at Memorial Hall, bus trips with Citizens Bank, collecting doves, and reading Guidepost. She had a special place in her heart for her two dogs. In earlier years, she enjoyed traveling to threshing bees with her family. She was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Survivors include her children, Susan Thurman and husband Dan, Girard, Kan., and Kent Layton and wife Tiffany, Kansas City, Kan.; step-son Deryl Layton, Fort Scott; a brother, Clyde Killion, Fort Scott; three sisters, Cecilia Kramer, Barbara Freer, and Frances Bowles, all of Fort Scott; six grandchildren, Trinity Watkins, Hailey Watkins, Cody Layton, Ella Layton, Caleb Thurman and Ty Thurman; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, David Schwanz, and her parents.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 2:30 p.m. Monday, August 21, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 until 5 Sunday afternoon at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be left in 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.

Library to Host Book-Signing by Local Author

Submitted by the Fort Scott Public Library

Local author Carol Russell will have a book-signing along with readings from her new book, Brianna Meets Miss Addie, in the Fort Scott Public Library Events Room on Monday, August 21, from 2 to 4 p.m.

She will have copies of the book available for purchase for $9. While the book is written for kids ages 8-12, all are welcome to attend.

Mrs. Russell is a freelance writer and speaker. She and her husband, Bob, have been married for more than 55 years and reside in Kansas. They have three daughters, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She has had many articles, devotions and children’s stories published.

FSCC Volleyball Team Receives AVCA Team Academic Award

For the sixth year in a row, the Fort Scott Community College Volleyball Team has received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. The team was also recognized as one of the top five teams in the two-year college division. The Lady Greyhounds finished the 2016-17 school year with a 3.62 grade point average (GPA).

“Every year, we set a goal focused on academics. I am extremely proud of the team for accomplishing their goal,” said Lindsay Hill, FSCC Head Volleyball Coach. “I appreciate the AVCA for rewarding programs whose philosophies emphasize academics.”

Twenty-one two-year colleges received the award for the 2016-17 school year. The AVCA recognized a total of 834 teams in the following divisions: NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII, NAIA, two-year college, NCCAA, collegiate men, high school girls, high school boys and college beach.

Since the 1992-93 academic year, the AVCA has honored collegiate and high school volleyball teams who displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team GPA on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.

Obituary: Kenneth Dale Wright

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

Kenneth Dale Wright, age 80, a resident of Overland Park, Kansas, died peacefully at his home Saturday, August 12, 2017.

He was born June 15, 1937, in Dade County, Mo., the son of Noble Sylvester Wright and Goldie Maywood “Maye” (Feezell) Wright. At an early age, Kenneth and his family moved to Fort Scott, Kan., where he graduated from Fort Scott Christian Heights. He married Evelyn Darlene Zeigler on January 22, 1972, in Mexico, Mo.

His printing career began at Witt Printing in El Dorado Springs, Mo., and included management positions at Mid-America Business Forms in Fort Scott and Vallis Wngroff Printing in Cherryvale, Kan. He later accepted a position as production manager for Herald and Banner Press in Overland Park and worked there over 40 years.

He loved quail and ‘coon hunting which provided many stories for his children and grandchildren. He was actively involved with Overland Christian Schools and Kansas Christian College where he enjoyed attending his children’s school and sporting events.  He faithfully attended the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness) and was willing to use his mechanical abilities to help the church, Herald and Banner, the school and other people in need.  He will be remembered for his quick wit, humor and common sense.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene, of the home; his son, Gregory Kenneth Wright and wife, Sharon; his daughter, Ashlee Suzanne Englund and husband, Eric; and his five grandchildren, Zachary Kenneth, Garrett Kole, and Tanner Kayden Wright; and Elina Anne and Elise Christine Englund, all of Overland Park. Also surviving are two brothers, Gary Wayne Wright and wife, Alma Jean, of Gardner, Kan., and Lawrence Nathan Wright and wife, Renee, of Overland Park; and three sisters, Melba Lorraine Hull of Grandview, Wash.; Betty Joyce Kelso and husband, Steve, of Fort Scott, Kan.; and Dorothy Ann Reynolds and husband, David, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Noble Sylvester and Goldie Maywood “Maye” Wright; three sisters, Kathryn Irene “Kathy” Harms, Charlotte Ruth Eichelberger, and Freda Maye Russell; and three brothers, James Kenton, Jerry Keith, and Noble Leon.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 19, at the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness), 6801 W. 74th Street, Overland Park, Kan. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Memory Gardens in Fort Scott, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday evening at the church. Memorials are suggested to Herald and Banner Press and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.

Obituary: LaVerne Rose Reinecker

Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home

LaVerne Rose Reinecker, age 81, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Monday August 7, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital Fort Scott, Kan.

Laverne was born on July 6, 1936, in Paris, Ark., the daughter of George and Rose Marie Koch Bauer. She married Jerry Reinecker on July 27, 1957, in Kansas City, Mo., he preceded her in death on November 25, 2012. LaVerne was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. She loved gardening and cooking, and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who truly loved taking care of her family.

Survivors include her three children, Joseph Reinecker and wife Debby of Fort Scott, Kan., Jann Rochefort and husband John of Warren, R.I. and Jill Gray of Fort Scott, Kan., four grandchildren, Bailey Lyons and husband Nate, Afton Hyer and husband Coy, Delane Gray and Fiancé Brady Godden, and Carlie Rochefort; four great grandchildren, Addison Lyons, Jhett Lyons, Jaxon Lyons and Blaise Hyer; three sisters, Mary Frances Gross, Lorene Kremer and Georgiana Boyle; and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Dorothy Murtha and Jeanne Tackett, and mother in-law Betty Reinecker.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2017, at the Mary Queen of Angles Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery Fort Scott, Kan. The Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic School and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., P. O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS. 66701. Words of Remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com.

Witness the Spectacular and Mysterious Solar Eclipse at Fort Scott NHS

Submitted by the Fort Scott National Historic Site

In 1918 the sun was out, then like magic it disappeared behind the moon, day turned to night and stars were visible in the sky. This crazy phenomenon was a Total Solar Eclipse which passed just to the south of Fort Scott. Now 99 years later, Fort Scott has the opportunity to see a similar total eclipse. The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse will pass across the continental U.S. and its complete totality will be within 100 miles of Fort Scott.

Fort Scott National Historic Site invites everyone to experience this momentous occasion with the Rangers on the Fort’s parade ground. Join us on Monday, August 21, as we watch the sun hide behind the moon. From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., explore the science behind an eclipse, create your own eclipse, earn an Eclipse Junior Ranger Badge, learn about proper eye safety and much more! You might even consider having a moonlight lunch on the parade ground.

The moon will begin blocking the sun at about 11:45 a.m., with the eclipse ending around 2:30 p.m. The peak of the eclipse will occur at 1:05 p.m., when the sun will be almost completely covered. A limited supply of free protective eclipse glasses will be available to view the sun during the eclipse.

Never look directly into the sun, even during an eclipse. The sun’s rays can cause permanent damage to your eyes. When viewing the eclipse, you will need to use special eclipse glasses that have a specific solar filter; sun glasses will not work. Also, do not look through smart phones, cameras, telescopes or binoculars without the proper sun filters. For those not visiting the Fort on August 21, or to ensure you will have your own pair, eclipse glasses can be ordered online from several sources.

Call the Fort at 620-223- 0310 with questions about the event, or visit eclipse2017.nasa.gov for more information about this eclipse.