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Sending on behalf of Chamber member Diane Striler |
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All posts by Submitted Story
Bourbon County Arts Council 33rd Annual Fine Arts Exhibit Starts This Thursday
The Bourbon County Arts Council will present its 33rd Annual Fine Arts Exhibit from March 6th through March 15th, at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.
The Arts Council will host the Chamber Coffee at 8:00am on Thursday March 6th, at the Ellis Center. The Exhibit will be open to the public beginning Thursday March 6th through Saturday March 15th, weekdays from 12:00pm to 7:00pm, and on Saturdays, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. A reception to honor this year’s Juror and artists will be held on Thursday the 6th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm; the public is invited to attend and enjoy the opportunity to meet and visit with them about the art.
Artists will have their work on display and for sale in this multi-media exhibit, in categories including Ceramics, Drawing & Graphics, Fiber Arts, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor. A “themed” category was added to the Exhibit, with this year’s theme being “Bridge the Gap”. An artist may create a piece in any of the above categories, in relation to the theme. This year, artists from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma will participate in the Fine Art Exhibit. Local artists entered include Kathy Allen, Cally Bailey, Elaine Buerge, Steve Floyd, Oriah Freeman, Katie Hueston, Merl Humphrey, Bobbi Kemna, Julie Kibble, Dorothy Kivett, Terry Koester, Kadra Nevitt, Eric Popp, Elizabeth Ross, Kaitlynn Sampson, and Addison Smith.
Cash prizes awarded for category winners are given by the Bourbon County Arts Council in memory of E.C. Gordon, and by the generous sponsorship from these local businesses: The Artificers, Buerge Art Studio, City State Bank, Citizens Bank, Edward Jones-Jamie Armstrong , Front Door Realty-Diane Striler and Crystal Mason, H&H Realty, Landmark Bank, Lyons Realty, Mid-Continental Restoration, State Farm Insurance, Union State Bank, and Ward Kraft.
Joe Summers will serve as Juror for this year’s exhibit. He remembers the day he “became an artist” at the age of five and has pursued his passion for art since. His interests include drawing and painting, printmaking, and pottery. Joe attended Fort Sott Community College as a theater major. He received his Bachelors Degree from Pittsburg State University in 2003, and earned his Masters Degree in Ceramics from PSU in 2011. He is also a mural artist. Joe has been an art educator since 2003, teaching at Prairie View High School in LaCygne, KS for 18 years, and Royster Middle School in Chanute, KS for 3 years. In 2024 he was awarded the KAEA Middle Level Teacher of the Year. In the Fall of 2024, he became an art instructor at Neosho Community College.
Joe and his children started “Robot Art Across Kansas” in 2018; they created ceramic robots, and took them to cities and towns across Kansas “for others to find, keep, and enjoy.” He has continued this project with his students, and so far there have been over one hundred robots placed throughout Kansas, and as far away as Nashville, Tennessee. Joe and his family reside in Chanute, Kansas.
The Bourbon County Arts Council encourages everyone to come and enjoy an exciting collection of original artwork. The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is located at 2108 Horton St., in Fort Scott, Kansas. There is no admission charge for this event.
Freeman Hospital Groundbreaking Ceremony Near Frontenac is March 7
Continued Steps Forward
Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital
What: Groundbreaking for Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital
When: 10:00 am Friday, March 7, 2025
Where: Take US Route 69 north through Pittsburg and Frontenac. Turn right off US Route 69 at East 600th Ave. – look for Freeman arrow signs for the turn (and large Chicken Annie’s restaurant sign). On East 600th Ave. heading east, the groundbreaking parking area is located to the left on 50-acre hospital site.
Background: Freeman Health System will break ground for the long-awaited Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital Friday morning.
Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker, accompanied by a distinguished list of Frontenac, Pittsburg and Cherokee County dignitaries, will don hard hats and grab shovels to officially launch the state-of-the-art building’s construction.
The $168 million, 50-bed hospital will offer a full array of comprehensive care, including an emergency department, cardiac services and catheterization lab, an intensive care unit, maternity, pediatrics, outpatient/inpatient surgery – including robotic procedures – as well as medical and radiation oncology, among other key services. Overall, the hospital will create at least 500 to 1,000 new jobs in Pittsburg.
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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 4
Death Notice of Betty Ruddick
Betty P. Ruddick, age 91, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Camdenton, MO. Jay Lotterer will conduct funeral services at 11:30 am Monday, March 10th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time Monday morning at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to either Bourbon County CASA or Ellna’s Adult Care and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
KS February Total Tax Collections Surpass Estimate by $121.9M
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Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson February 28, 2025
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
February 28, 2025
After turnaround (the halfway point in session), most of the work is happening in committees.
Stopping State Benefits to Illegal Aliens including in-state tuition, Senate Bill (SB) 254, drew a crowd for the committee hearing. There was one proponent and over 20 opponents that wanted to speak about the bill. The committee rules allow each side to speak the same amount of time. Since the proponents only had one person speaking, AG Kobach spoke for several minutes. The opponents (those who want benefits for illegals) were told that not all of them would get to speak, especially since there were so many of them and the first speakers used up a good portion of the time. After time was called, one of the opponents started yelling and demeaning the committee and the process. The Highway Patrol was called to escort him out of the room and the meeting was adjourned. Thankfully, this is extremely rare, and most people respect the rules and the decorum at our Capitol. The committee will work on the bill in the next week or two.
U.S. Constitution Article V speaks to allowing states to convene and propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Any proposed amendment would have to be ratified by 38 of the states. The main difference in an Article V convention of states is that the amendment originates from the states, not in U.S. Congress. All amendments have originated in Congress, never by using Article V. However, there is a growing effort to make this happen.
With President Trump in office working to stop out-of-control spending, there doesn’t seem to be the urgency for an Article V amendment. However, the next president may be as reckless as previous presidents, so I voted for Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1604, calling for a convention. The SCR passed the Senate 29 to 11. If the House passes SCR 1604, Kansas will be the 20th state to pass this language. It takes 34 for a convention to be called.
Sales Tax Exemption Forms would not be required for custom meat processing if the person who owns the animal is processing it for their own consumption. Senate Bill 33 passed unanimously and was sent to the House for consideration.
Firearms taken under the Kansas Standard Asset and Seizer Act could be sold or transferred to a properly licensed federal firearms dealer if SB 137 becomes law. It passed 39 to 1. I voted Yes.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Obituary of Delbert Metcalf
Delbert David Metcalf, “Dub” as he was known to most, age 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 23, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on November 11, 1948, to Wayne and Ellen Schubert Metcalf in Fort Scott, Kansas, where he remained a life-long resident. Shortly after graduating from Fort Scott High School in 1966, he entered the United States Navy, where he served 3 years overseas as a Navy Yeoman. He would later attend Pittsburg State University, where he successfully completed his bachelor’s degree. On March 2, 1970, he married the love of his life, Cheryl Elaine Sanders, in Miami, OK, and together they raised 3 strong and independent sons.
Delbert began his Social Services Career with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) in August 1975 and he retired from the Kansas Department for Children and Family Services (DCF) in December 2009, having worked in front line benefits determinations from the time food stamps were issued on paper, to supervision in Bourbon and Linn Counties, and the last several years as the head of Operations for the local region. Delbert was active with the Bourbon County Coalition from the late 90’s into his retirement, serving on Task Forces for Domestic Violence, Child Care, Transportation and Housing, and helping to support community agencies like The Beacon, Mother to Mother Ministries, and Network for Families. In his retirement, Delbert returned to DCF as a volunteer, helped with food distribution at The Beacon and assisted the Good Neighbor Action Team with home improvement and repair projects.
“Dub” loved hunting coon, singing and picking the guitar, and telling stories. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.
Delbert is survived by his sons; Michael Metcalf and his wife Michelle of Leavenworth, KS; Jacob Metcalf and his wife Melissa of Jacksonville, FL; Joshua Metcalf and his wife Sara of Tulsa, OK; four grandchildren, Mitchell Metcalf, Elijah Metcalf, Norah Metcalf, and Jack Metcalf; one brother Michael Metcalf and his wife Debbie of Nevada, MO; one sister Shirley Moberg and her husband Henry of Cotton, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Delbert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cheryl, his brother Alvin, Alvin’s wife Linda, and his parents.
Following his cremation, a graveside memorial service will be conducted at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy Funeral Honors Detail. Memorial contributions may be made to Care to Share, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.
Kiwanis Pancake Feed Is Tomorrow March 4
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 3
The Artificer’s March Online Gallery
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Name That Tune by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Name that Tune
I awakened during the night with the melody of an old hymn in my head. I had the tune and recognized it as being a song from my childhood. Oddly, I couldn’t pull out the title or lyrics but I knew the subject was peace. I made a mental note to remember this experience and then went back to sleep. When I awakened in the morning, the lyrics to the first verse began to come to me. I found my 1953 hymnal of “Praise and Worship” and quickly found the title in the index. Like Lieutenant Colonel John ’Hannibal’ Smith with the A-Team, ”I love it when a plan [song] comes together.”
“Wonderful Peace” was written by W.D. Cornell and W.G. Cooper. I never question the songs that God brings up in my spirit. He knows me better than I know myself, therefore, I trust Him. Asaph was the music director during the reign of King David and King Solomon. He penned his personal experience with God: “I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search” (Psalm 77:6 NKJV). In the present darkness, believers will always find God standing with us and often reminds us of His faithfulness through a song.
If God can’t seem to get our attention during the day, He’ll speak to us in the night. Why? After the errands are finished, the to-do list is completed, and the troubleshooting is done, then comes the quiet of the night. When our minds are at rest, our hands are motionless, and our mouths are silenced, God can whisper and then we can hear Him.
Here is the “song in the night” that God wanted me to hear: “Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than psalm. In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls o’er my soul like an infinite calm. Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace. Coming down from the Father above! Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love. I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace. Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control. For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day. And His glory is flooding my soul.” Peace replaces anxiety when we hand the troubling circumstance to God and trust Him to take over.
God works through a myriad of ways in order to tell us what He wants us to hear. Apparently, I needed to be reminded of the peace that was given to me by the Prince of Peace. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe” (Psalm 4:8 NLT). If I want to passionately live for Christ and remain faithful to the end, I need to be peaceful during the journey.
Peace is a big deal and Jesus made it available for all Christ followers. Without peace in our heart, life ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. Apostle Paul understood the importance of peace as he wrote to encourage the Thessalonian church. “Now, may the Lord Himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you His peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord‘s tangible presence be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 TPT). Believers can live out our faith with peace every day. It’s certainly possible to fall off the wagon for a time, but we don’t have to stay there. Just get up, brush ourselves off, and hop on the peace wagon again. And hold on for dear life because the road is bumpy.
The Key: Consider yourself hugged by God when He speaks peace into your heart.