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Opening on FS Library Board

  • There is One opening (Must be a City resident) for the Fort Scott Library Board.

 

The function of the Fort Scott Library Board is to review requests in reference to the library.  This Board meets monthly at 5:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.

 

If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas  66701.  She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration to the City Commission.  All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.  If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected].  Please submit your letter of interest by September 27th, 2022 by 12:00 p.m.

 

Opening of FS Design Review Board

 

There is one opening on the Fort Scott Design Review Board for a city resident.

 

The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of our downtown.  They meet on an “as needed” basis.

 

If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas  66701. The names will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission.  All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.  If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected].  Please submit your letter of interest by September 27th, 2022 by 12:00 p.m.

Lowell Milken Center Discovery Awards

STUDENTS SURFACE UNSUNG HEROES WHO CHANGED THE WORLD,

WINNING $15,500 IN LOWELL MILKEN CENTER DISCOVERY AWARD PRIZES

 

Gracie Conrad of Loup County, Nebraska, earns $6,000 grand prize for highlighting
Betty
Goudsmit-Oudkerk, who, as a teen, saved hundreds of Jewish children from the Holocaust

VIEW THE WINNING PROJECTS

 For the 2021-22 Discovery Award competition, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC) in Fort Scott has awarded $15,500 in cash prizes to elementary, middle and high school students. This international competition inspires students to develop primary and secondary research projects which share the stories of Unsung Heroes from history whose accomplishments remain largely unknown to the public.

 

During a celebration for LMCs 15th Anniversary and the Grand Opening of its new park, Nebraskas Loup County High School 11th grader Gracie Conrad was announced as the $6,000 Grand Prize winner. Conrads extensive research led to her compelling entry, Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk: Teenager, Resistance Member, Unsung Hero. At 18 years old, Goudsmit-Oudkerk worked at the crèche (Dutch for daycare”), which became part of the Jewish deportation apparatus during the Holocaust. Having built relationships with the children, Goudsmit-Oudkerk was asked to join a group of workers who helped smuggle more than 600 children out of the crèche. Because of her heroic acts, Conrad notes, “hundreds of people are alive today.” (Teacher Megan Helberg)

According to LMC Chief Executive Officer Norm Conard, Conrads project is exceptional in every way. The Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk documentary shows a brilliant quality of work, telling of the unique and inspirational bravery of the Unsung Hero. We look forward to sharing this story in an exhibit for our Hall of Unsung Heroes.”

LMCs Discovery Award provides a unique opportunity for U.S. and international students in grades 4 through 12 to research primary sources and use their talents to develop projects that showcase the power of one person to make positive change in the world. The actions which define the Unsung Heros legacy as a role model must have occurred a minimum of 20 years ago, and the project must demonstrate the impact made over time as a result of those actions. Students must create a documentary, performance or website featuring an Unsung Hero, accompanied by an annotated bibliography and process paper. The prize money can be spent at students’ discretion.

Real heroes tower and guide,” said LMC Founder Lowell Milken. “But their stories need to be discovered and heard. And when we do, we have the opportunity to motivate new generations to aspire to values that are essential during the challenging times we face individually, as a nation and as a world community.”  

The $2,500 First Runner-Up award has been given to 11th graders Dylan Arie, Gianpaolo Bautista and Isaiah Ochoa-Garcia, from New Tech High School in Napa, California. Their documentary, James Braidwood: A Spark of Smoke, describes the Scottish firefighters pioneering work in the 1800s to help create the worlds first modern, municipal fire department. What Braidwood calls his most groundbreaking contribution to firefighting – “the aggressive interior attack” – is still used today. The students weave library archives and news sources to piece Braidwoods life together. A personal interview with a local retired fireman and historian fuses the eras then and now, shedding light on the science and art of firefighting. (Teacher Nancy Hale)

There were two $2,000 Outstanding High School Project awards this year. One of the awards has been presented to Emily Kim, a 12th grader at Jericho High School in Jericho, New York. Kim’s project, You Dont Have to Ride Jim Crow, combines historical artifacts with modern commentary from documentarians to tell the story of Irene Morgan, who became one of the nations first freedom riders. In 1944 – 11 years before the Montgomery Bus Boycott – Morgan was arrested under “Jim Crow” laws for refusing to relinquish her seat to a white couple during a trip from Gloucester, Virginia, to her home in Baltimore, Maryland. Kim deftly traces Morgans two-year legal battle leading up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which decided that racial segregation laws on interstate transit placed an “undue burden” on interstate commerce. The outcome struck down racial segregation relating to transportation for the first time, marking a pivotal milestone in Americas civil rights movement. (Teacher Theresa Cantwell)

The second $2,000 Outstanding High School Project was awarded to A Voice in the Dark: Kim Hak-Sun’s Breakthrough Comfort Women Testimony, a website created by Yoojung (Sally) Jang, a 12th grader at Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, California. Jang gives a voice to the voiceless, exposing the horrors of systematic sexual slavery forced upon South Korean “comfort women” during Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945. It was not until 1991 when Kim Hak-Sun, a victim of this violence, courageously came forward upon hearing denials from the Japanese government. Her actions led to an international condemnation of sexual slavery as a war crime and sparked a lasting movement to bring truth to power.  (Teacher Lana Sawalha)

 

The $2,000 Outstanding Middle School Project award has been presented to Emma Manion, who at the time of the project was an eighth grader at Kettle Moraine Middle School and is now a ninth grader at Kettle Moraine High School in Dousman, Wisconsin. Manion created a dynamic performance embodying Lutie Stearns, whose work helped to establish a statewide library system in Wisconsin during the Progressive Era of the 1890s. Through Stearns legacy, Manion demonstrates the importance of civil discourse, equal access to information and “the power of words to improve conditions for humanity.” (Teacher Terry Kaldhusdal)

 

The award for the $1,000 Outstanding Elementary School Project has been given to sixth graders Elise Deprez, Stella Murray and Brynlee Roelli, former Northside Elementary students who now attend Monroe Middle School in Monroe, Wisconsin. Their documentary, Cordelia Harvey: Angel in a Black Cape, shines a light on the care the “Wisconsin Angel” displayed toward Civil War soldiers who often received treatment at “makeshift” field hospitals. Mixing history with expert perspectives, the students show how Harvey’s support to secure state hospitals for soldiers away from war zones bettered the quality of life for soldiers and their families. (Teacher Sarah Compton)

 

Submissions for the next competition season will open February 15, 2023.

About LMC

Established in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC) discovers, develops and communicates the stories of unsung heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on history, yet are largely unrecognized by contemporary generations. LMC has reached over 3,000,000 students and 30,000 schools in all 50 states and countries around the world. Learn more about the LMC and the Discovery Award. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Dunk the Cracker in the Toilet by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche

On their drive from Florida to join my son Andy in Iowa, Andy’s wife, Kristen, her mom, Tina, and their 21-month-old daughter Paige spent the night in a hotel.  Before touching anything, Kristen and Tina disinfected the room with Clorox wipes.  When they realized that Paige was not in the room, they ran into the bathroom, only to find her happily minding her own business, dunking Ritz crackers in the toilet. So much for sterile.

Paige loves to dunk…basketballs in a toddler-size net, French fries in ketchup or yogurt or fruit drinks, chicken nuggets in…well, everything.  But she never has shown any interest in toilets, so this came as quite an unwelcomed surprise to her mother and grandmother.

We all know the purpose of toilets…and it’s not to dunk crackers.

“Purpose” is defined as the “reason for which something is done or created; the reason for its existence.”  Everything has a purpose, right?  Okay, probably not ramps like the picture.

Anyway, in my curiosity, I asked some friends if they could think of anything with no purpose.  Many answered “mosquitoes,” with one trivia junkie adding that more people have died of mosquito bites than from all of the world wars combined. (Google claims that 2.7 million people die every year from these pests.)  But no purpose?  Lest we forget, there is that little food-chain thing.

Years ago, Pastor Rich Warren wrote The Purpose-Driven Life, a best-seller.  Readers were challenged to look at their spiritual purpose and answer this question: “Why are you here?”  Some claimed that it was to make money.   Others, to have children.  Many said that it was to leave the world a better place than they found it.  The question is not an easy one.

Warren wanted people to be honest about where glorifying God fits into their purpose.  Let’s say that He’s not central, but is He anywhere on your list of why you exist?  If your answer is no, maybe it’s time to figure out why you think you were created.  Matthew 7:7-11 lets us know where to go to figure that out: Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you.

In the book 66 Love Letters: A Conversation with God That Invites You into His Story, my devotion this morning was about the book of Ruth. In it, author Larry Crabb writes words that he pictures God imparting to him: “You value what I can give you more than you value the privilege and delight of knowing Me and being radically changed by the experience…I am determined to reverse your values

Some day we all are going to have a literal “Come to Jesus” moment where our life’s objective will be revealed to the One who made us.  If we want to make our lives count, then we must allow God to have His way with us…to reverse our values, to help us delight in knowing who He is. Before it’s too late.

Readers, this is serious stuff.  Should we get distracted and live a dunk-the-cracker-in-the-toilet existence, we will miss the main purpose we were put on earth.

 

 

CITY COMMISSION VACANCY

 

Effective September 15th, 2022, Josh Jones resigned his position as City Commissioner on the Fort Scott City Commission.  Persons interested in applying to fill the position vacated by Commissioner Josh Jones are asked to submit a letter of interest to:  City Clerk, Diane Clay at 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas  66701 or by email at [email protected].  Letters of interest must be received by the City Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 26th, 2022. Only individuals who reside in the City limits of Fort Scott are eligible to apply.   Once the appointment has been made, it will become effective at the next scheduled City Commission meeting and the term will expire in December of 2024.

Any additional information or questions may be obtained by contacting Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550.

Jill Jaworski selected as superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site 

OMAHA, Neb.   Today National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Bert Frost announced the selection of Jill Jaworski as the new superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas. Jaworski currently serves as the Chief Park Ranger at Cape Lookout National Seashore in Harkers Island, North Carolina. She will assume her new role at Fort Scott in November.  

 

“I am excited to announce Jill Jaworski as the new superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site,” said Frost. “Her background in complex park operations including cultural resource management and resource protection will serve Fort Scott well into the future. Her strong collaboration and teambuilding skills will be great assets to the community and staff.” 

 

Jaworski has over 20 years of experience in NPS assignments including interpretation, emergency services, and law enforcement. As Chief Park Ranger, she has extensive experience in managing special park uses, events, permitting, and emergency response. In addition to Cape Lookout National Seashore, she has served as a park ranger at Cumberland Island National Seashore, Castillo De San Marcos National Monument/Fort Matanzas National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, White Sands National Monument, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park. She is currently serving as the acting superintendent at Appomattox Court House National Military Park and Booker T. Washington National Monument. 

 

“I am honored to be selected as the next superintendent of this historic park and to work alongside the dedicated staff of Fort Scott,” Jaworski said of her new assignment. “I am eager to return to my Midwestern roots and work with the community, Tribes, and park partners in telling the unique stories that make this site special. I am excited by the opportunities to preserve the incredible resources here while serving the visitors who come to this amazing place.” 

 

Jaworski will be relocating to the area this fall and is looking forward to living in Kansas and closer to her family. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, walking her dog, researching genealogy, and playing pickleball and tennis.  

Fall – Time to Tidy Up, Store Summer Bulbs and Plan for Next Year

Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

 

 

The change from summer to fall – I always look forward to it. However, the drought conditions this fall doesn’t have me very excited. I typically enjoy decorating with some mums and pumpkins, but I’m dragging my feet on it this year because I dread the thought of keeping the mums watered. We need rain so bad! But, fall does bring the time to do some tidying up around the home, storing summer bulbs, and yes – making plans for a better growing season next year.

 

Don’t forget to dig your summer flowering bulbs and store those that will not survive Kansas winters. Bulbs such as gladiolus, caladium, dahlia, tuberous begonia, calla lily, and canna lily need to be dug and stored so they can be planted next year.

 

All of these plants should be dug after frost has browned the foliage. They should be allowed to dry for about a week in a shady, well-ventilated site such as a garage or tool shed. Any excess soil should be removed. The bulbs should be packed away in peat moss or perlite. When packing, make sure the bulbs don’t touch each other. That way if one decays, the rot won’t spread onto neighboring bulbs. Dusting the bulbs with fungicide before storing will help prevent them from rotting.

 

Caladium should be stored between 50 and 60 degrees F. The rest of the bulbs mentioned should be stored near 40 degrees. Finding a good storage spot may be tricky. A basement wall away from a furnace is often a good location.

 

As for spring flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, allium) fall is the time to establish into the landscape. Planting this fall may be a bit tricky with the extremely dry soil. If we can catch some decent rainfall, consider planting right after that.

 

It is also time to fertilize spring-flowering bulbs. With an established bulb bed that has been fertilized in the past, there is probably plenty of phosphorus and potassium present in the soil to grow the plants next spring. If you’re not sure, take a soil test. A complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 9-9-6 at the rate of 2.5 pounds per 100 square feet should be used if the soil needs phosphorus and potassium. This would also equal 1 rounded teaspoon per square foot.

 

While you’re out and about in your yard this fall fertilizing bulbs, you may want to take the time to clean up the iris beds as well. Iris are known for a couple of very common problems: a fungus known as iris leaf spot and an insect named iris borer.

 

Though both cause problems in the spring, now is the time to start control measurers. Both the fungus and eggs of the borer overwinter on old, dead leaves. Removing iris leaves and other landscape debris from the iris bed this fall will significantly reduce problems next spring.

 

On a side not away from flowers, thinking ahead to October – it is a good time to plant garlic if you want large cloves next summer. The soil should be fertilized before planting with three pounds of a 10-10-10 fertilizer, per 100 square feet, and mixed into the soil. Cloves should be planted point up and spaced three inches apart and one to two inches deep. The larger the clove planted, the larger the bulb for harvesting next summer. Once planted, water in well and mulch with straw to conserve soil warmth and encourage good establishment. The garlic will be ready for harvest next summer when most of the foliage has browned.

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

 

Evergy Asked to Explain Increase

Kansas Corporation Commission requires Evergy
to explain increase in capital spending plan

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has ordered Evergy to explain a $1.2 billion increase in the company’s capital spending plan filed this year compared to projections shared when the company presented its Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP) last year.  Today’s order requires that a workshop to discuss the matter be scheduled by September 28 and take place before December 1, 2022.

During the workshop, which can be viewed by the public on the KCC YouTube channel, Evergy will have the opportunity to explain the necessity and impact of the proposed capital spending and answer questions from Commissioners, Commission Staff, and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB). Prior to the workshop, Evergy is required to file updated and comprehensive financial modeling showing expected retail rate changes resulting from the continued increases in projected capital expenditures.

Evergy is required to file a Capital Investment Plan with the KCC annually. A report filed by Commission Staff in response to the 2022 report expressed concern that the expenditures outlined exceeded those reported in the STP by 21.82%. The 2022 five-year Capital Investment plan was $1 billion higher than the 2021 five-year plan, and this increased spending projection was on top of a previously announced $1 billion increase between Evergy’s 2020 and 2021 five-year plan.

The Commission echoed the Staff’s concerns regarding the dramatic capital expenditure increases projections and whether that trend will undermine the goal of achieving regionally competitive rates and reliable electric service, especially with rising inflation.

The Order states, “Evergy’s Capital Improvement Plan affects the majority of Kansans and thus requires public scrutiny.”

Today’s order is available here.

A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

###

FS City Commission Meets Today To Accept Resignation of Josh Jones

The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 15th, 2022 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.  The City Commission will meet to accept the resignation of a City Commissioner.  An Executive Session may follow at the end of the meeting.

 

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel.  This meeting is open to the public.

Letter to the Editor: Josh Jones

It has been a privilege to serve Fort Scott for the last two years as Mayor/City Commissioner.

I have had the honor to get to know some of the best employees Fort Scott has.

I haven’t always made the right decisions but I truly felt like the decisions I made was for the betterment of Fort Scott.

My house outside of city limits will be complete in 4-5 months however I feel like it is best to resign as your city commissioner effective immediately as I feel the direction of the current commission is moving in a direction that differs from my views and it would be better suited for me to resign early and let a more motivated commissioner come on board.

Josh Jones

Gordon Parks Celebration Schedule of Events, Oct. 6-8

The Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

2022 Gordon Parks Celebration – Schedule of Events


Thursday, October 6th


PHOTO EXHIBIT – In the Lunt Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The photo contest sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography will be on display with the theme of “I Am Driven By”. Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee, 8 a.m.


PHOTO EXHIBIT – In the Gordon Parks Museum and Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The Gordon Parks Mercy Foundation Collection, with some of Gordon’s photos and poems.


SIGN DISPLAY & MURAL DISPLAY – Visit the Lowell Milken Center Unsung Heroes Park, 1 S. Main St., Gordon Parks is one of the featured signs. View also the mural of Gordon Parks, by local artist Stephen Toal, at Riverfront Park, 400 N. National.


8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Showing of the film Criterion Collection The Learning Tree in FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Registration open outside of Museum.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – (Lunch and Learn) “In the Shadow of Obscurity: Tolling in a Reluctant Society” Arif Khatib, Filmmaker, Author, and
Founder/President at the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame. Arif will present his book that not only tells the stories of many of our great
sports figures in history, but also addresses their pain on the road to greatness. “It is a must read” to understand why we must stay focused and make this society understand that we must all commit to a just society and make things better for generations to come. FREE to Attend.
Chicken Caesar & Club wrap lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. Dessert and
drinks also available in the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.


1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $7.
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Showing of the film Leadbelly in the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – “Fort Scott Book Club Presentation,” “A Choice of Weapons Revisited”, Hosted by Park Rangers from Fort Scott
National Historic Site. (Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Wine and Refreshments). FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
7:00 p.m. – “Photography Techniques: Jim Richardson on Gordon Parks Photos” National Geographic Magazine Photographer Jim
Richardson will discuss and explore the photographic techniques Parks used to create his signature images, which reflect the documentary esthetic of LIFE magazine in its heyday era. This freewheeling discussion will honor Parks as a master technician, part of his huge talent that is often neglected. Gordon Parks made iconic photographs (Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Wine and Refreshments) FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.


Friday, October 7th
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Registration open outside of Museum.
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. – “Video Production Seminar: Fort Scott African American Experience Grant Project” This video seminar/presentation will show and discuss what video and movie making is about and how to find inspiration and some insight of the technical aspects. Students will then be creating videos and social media posts of their findings or to tell the stories they uncover. This is open to the community to attend.

This is part of a grant project collaboration with the Fort Scott National Historic Site where H.S. & college students from the Fort Scott area will conduct research of unsung African Americans or events they are associated with from the Fort Scott area. Moderated by Carl Brenner, Project Grant Director & Acting Superintendent at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, with featured panelist; David Parks, photographer, filmmaker, author, and son of Gordon Parks, Robin Hickman-Winfield, Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions and great-niece of Gordon Parks, along with Eli Reed, acclaimed photographer and author. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theater. This project is funded by a federal grant. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.


10:05 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – “A Conversation with Choice of Weapon Honorees.” The 2022 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Adger
Cowans, and William C. Rhoden. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.


11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – (Lunch and Learn Event) “Gordon Parks and Kansas: New Open Access Digital Resources” Aileen June Wang,
Curator, and Sarah Price, Collections Manager, at the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art along with Katherine Karlin, Professor, English Department, Kansas State University will introduce new findings about Gordon Parks from their research for a virtual exhibition of Gordon Parks photographs, an open access digital exhibition catalog, and the website The Learning Tree: A Gordon Parks Digital Archive. FREE to Attend. Sack lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.


12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – (Lunch and Learn Event) “I Needed Paris Project Update” with Michael Cheers, Associate Professor,
Photojournalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University. This will be an update on the “I Needed Paris” project that will take a group of diverse American student photographers through Paris, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks, when he worked in the Paris Bureau of Life magazine 1949-1951. This session reimagines Gordon’s iconic fashion, portrait, and documentary photo essay work. The session peeks inside some of the book chapters – portraits of African American expats, trendy black fashion designers, and an intimate look at the homeless, migrant, and refugee communities – that will be published to document this project in 2023. FREE to Attend. Sack lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. FSCC Ellis Fine
Arts Center/Auditorium. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.


1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – “Choice of Weapon Honorees Presentation” The 2022 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Adger Cowans and
William C. Rhoden, will each share their perspective works in photography, art, books, videos, etc…. Adger Cowans, Photographer, Author, painter will present some of his photography. Mr. Cowans will show photos from his personal collection and of Gordon Parks, who was a longtime friend. William C. Rhoden, Documentary Award winning sports columnist and author for the New York Times, Author of Forty Million Dollars Slaves, and a writer at large for Andscape, will share some of his video stories, columns, and information from his books. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.

Schedule subject to change. Please check at www.gordonparkscenter.org for any updates


3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Film Screening Presentation: “Presence of Absence: Gordon Parks Through an Empathic Lens Multimedia artist, Andrew F. Scott will present his video with Six-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard and the E-Collective in Concert, and will discuss the process of putting this project together and creating it with Professor Matthew Gainer, Professor of Graphic Design, Department of Art at Kansas State University along with his students. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
7:30 p.m. – “Hot Jazz & R&B” (Social Hour at 6:30 p.m.) Featuring, Paula Sanders & Derick Cunigan, Multi-talented Jazz & R&B Vocalists, performing the very best in Jazz & R&B. Cash bar available. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton St. Fee: $25.00. Reserve Tickets by Wed, Oct, 5.


Saturday, October 8th


9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Registration open outside of Museum.
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Panel Discussion “Taking the Shot” Join us for a panel discussion on photography and how to take or create great
photographic images. Some discussion will include: techniques, lighting, depth, inspiration, and impact. Moderated by John Mason,
Associate Professor, University of Virginia Department of History with featured panelist; Adger Cowans, 2022 Choice of Weapons Honoree, Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, San Jose State University, Eli Reed, Photographer & 2021 Choice of Weapons Honoree, Veretta Cobler,
Photographer, and Don Thompson, Photographer. Coffee, water, juice, and light refreshments will be available. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts
Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.


10:15 a.m. – 11:15 p.m. – “Open Mic Poetry” This open mic is for any poets, rappers, musicians, or artists of all ages to read their work. Bring your friends, your poetry, your instruments, your beats, your inspirations, your creativity, and your talent! No sign-up necessary, just hop on the mic when you’re ready! Hosted by poet, Barbara L. Eikner. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.


11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – (Lunch and Learn Event) “Buffalo Soldiers Presentation” The Alexander/Madison Chapter – Greater Kansas
City/Leavenworth Area 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association will be in full authentic Buffalo Soldier uniforms. The troopers will provide a moving presentation on the great legacy and rich background of the historic Buffalo Soldiers from the years 1866 to 1944. Original Buffalo Soldier artifacts will be on display during the presentation. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE “BBQ on the Patio”
Come and join us for some great barbeque, potato salad, chips, drinks, etc. Sponsored by Dunks BBQ. (Visitors may bring their own lunch.)
Drinks will be provided. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.


1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – “Film Screening Presentation: Many Fires This Time: We the 100 Million This is an award-winning documentary film that received the Gordon Parks Black Film Excellence Honorable Mention Award (2021) at the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, KS. Directed by Jason R.A. Foster, and produced by Michael “Quess?” Moore and Jeremy Liu, Many Fires This Time: We the 100 Million is a poetic documentary about the 1 in 3 Americans and counting, living in economic insecurity. FREE.


2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $7.
7:00 p.m. – “Celebration Tribute Dinner” (Social Hour starts at 6:00 p.m.) Join us for an evening of celebration and dinner, with music,
tribute, and presentation of the 2022 “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” to Adger Cowans and William C. Rhoden. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. 2108 S. Horton St. All seats reserved. Fee: $30.00. (Reserve by Wed, Oct. 5)


Sunday, October 9th


9:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Crooner’s Lounge. Enjoy a breakfast buffet at one of Fort Scott’s finest! Located at 117 S. Main Street, Downtown Fort Scott. You are sure to find something on the buffet that will please your appetite. Check it out at: fscrooners.com.
(No ticket required-everyone pays for their own)


TICKET PURCHASE FOR THE 2022 CELEBRATION:
Friday, October 7th Hot Jazz and R&B – Reserve Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Wed., Oct. 5th
Questions? Call us at 620.223.2700 ext. 5850
email: [email protected]
Gordon Parks Museum
2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, KS 66701
Or register online at:
www.gordonparkscenter.org


Saturday, October 8th BBQ on the Patio Reservation Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Fri., Oct. 7th


Saturday, October 8th Tribute Dinner Reservation Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Wed., Oct. 5th
(Lunch & Learn) Friday “Exhibition Catalog/E-book: Homeward to the Prairie I come.” ______tickets at $8 each for a total of $_______.
(Lunch & Learn) Thursday “In the Shadow of Obscurity: Tolling in a Reluctant Society.” ______tickets at $8 each for a total of $_______.
Name, Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number & Email: ____________________________________________________________________
___________ CHECK ENCLOSED payable to the Gordon Parks Museum
Hot Jazz R&B Friday ______tickets at $25 each for a total of $_______.
BBQ on the Patio Saturday ______ FREE Tickets.
Celebration Tribute Dinner Saturday ______tickets at $30 each for a total of $_______.
Total Registration Cost…………………….$_________.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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