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K-State Extension, Youth

Kansas Made Workshops for Youth

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Jennifer Terrell, K-State Extension Agent

 

A series of workshops will be held for youth over the week of spring break by the Southwind Extension District at no-charge! These workshops will be for all youth who are 7-18 years of age.

 

Families can expect youth to participate in hands-on learning about many products that come from the great State of Kansas. Each product will be explored through a variety of formats like photography, entomology, food & nutrition, health & wellness and visual arts to name a few. Not to mention some great guest speakers.

 

Workshops will be held from 1pm to 5pm at a variety of locations. Dates and locations are:

  • March 11 – Yates Center – Community Building
  • March 12 – Fort Scott – Buck Run Community Center Gym
  • March 14 – Erie – Neosho Valley Event Center
  • March 15 – Iola – Southwind Extension Office

 

Registration is required and can be completed online at: https://forms.gle/mR87DUAJeRtTXNqz9 or by calling your local Southwind District Extension Office. Visit our website at southwind.ksu.edu for a list of phone numbers.

 

For more information about the workshops or how to become involved in the Southwind District 4-H Program, please reach out to Jennifer Terrell at [email protected] or 620-223-3720.

 

 

Opinion

Lost Your Temper? Good! by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.” Benjamin Franklin

When my friend’s daughter, Erin, was three years old, she threw a temper tantrum in a California mall.  While the embarrassed mother begged her to stop, a well-dressed woman walked up to my friend and whispered, “Play along.”  She approached the toddler and said, “Little girl, you come home with me.  Tell your Mommy good-bye.  Let’s go.”  You can guess what happened next.  Erin stopped crying, jumped up and ran into her mother’s arms.

Since the beginning of time, tempers have flared.  From Genesis to Revelation, there are stories of those who could not contain their anger. Let me rephrase that.  They “could” have; they “chose” not to. This behavior plays out in every arena, from wars to sporting events to political debates to the workplace to freeways to abusive homes to churches.  At the root of it?  Selfishness.  My way or my way.  Choose anything else, and you will pay.

On Instagram last week, I posted something I read on line: “Losing your temper is no way of getting rid of it.”  My daughter-in-law, Jenn, and her husband, Adam, recently celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary.  She told me that Adam never had raised his voice at her. Dave and I tried to recall a time when Adam had lost his temper.  We couldn’t. (Like mother, like son.)   I wish!                                                                                                                                     Ephesians 4:31 brings us Paul’s writing about how to deal with anger:  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  No exceptions.  No matter how much your therapist advises you to “get it all out.”  No matter the injustice done to you.  No matter how much better you feel afterwards.  We are to “put away” those temptations, not in a drawer where we can pull them out whenever something provokes us or reminds us of how we were treated, but locked up and buried.

When our son Andy was nine years old and was catching in a Little League game in Texas, the batter hit a home run.  As he crossed the plate, Andy stuck out his foot and tripped the runner. He face-planted in the dirt.  Had Andy’s coach not gotten to my son first, I was prepared to jump the fence and do the disciplinary deed.  Coach took him by the back of his neck and marched him over to the opposing team’s dugout and made him apologize.

Where did that behavior come from?  Neither Dave nor I had instilled in our kids the “win at all cost” attitude. In F.B. Meyer’s sermon “Tempers, and What to Do with Them,” he addresses five kinds of tempers: “The hot temper, which flashes out with the least provocation. The sullen temper, which is a great deal worse to deal with, because it takes so long to come round. The jealous temper, which, in trying to keep all for itself, loses all. The suspicious temper, which is always imputing the worst motives. The malicious temper, which loves to instill the drop of poison, or make the almost imperceptible stab with its stiletto.”  Do any of those describe you?

The good news is that we Christians can muffle our anger. If we immediately recognize it as sin and rely on the Holy Spirit to help us control it, we have at our disposal help from the Prince of Peace who offers us victory over our sin.

All we have to do is ask.

 

Area News, Health Care

NRMC to Offer Free Colon Health Screening

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Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) will offer free colon health screening kits beginning on Monday, March 4th in observance of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  The free kits will be available in the main lobby of NRMC from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the month while supplies last.

Colorectal cancer is one of the 5 most common cancers in men and women in the United States. It is just as common among women as men. Colorectal cancer is also one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States. Although there are no symptoms in the beginning, colorectal cancer is highly preventable through screening. This type of cancer almost always starts with a small growth called a polyp. If the polyp is found early, doctors can remove it and stop colorectal cancer before it starts.

To help lower your chances of getting colorectal cancer:

  • Get to and stay at a healthy weight
  • Be physically active
  • Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
  • Eat a diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and less red or processed meat.

 

The American Cancer Society recommends screening for colon cancer every year beginning at age 50 for people with no risk factors other than age.  Testing is painless, can be done in the privacy of your own home, and can save your life.  For more information or to begin with a consultation, call Nevada Regional Medical Center’s Professional Practice Clinic at (417) 448-2121.

 

 

About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for February 26

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

February 26, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes 2/12/2024 and 2/20/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $293,310.56
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $327,719.27
  1. Public Comments
  2. Trevor Jacobs
  3. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  • Matt Quick, County Appraiser- Property Evaluations
  • Healthcare Sales Tax Ballot Language
  1. Susan Walker, CFO
    1. EMS Outstanding Receivables
    2. Funding for Totaled Vehicle
  2. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
    1. Appointment of Non-Lawyer Member to 6th District Judicial Nominating Commission
    2. 2023 Inventory Approval
    3. KCAMP Building Replacement Coverage
    4. Bridges out of Poverty Workshop
    5. Presidential Preference Primary Election
    6. Hay Bids
  3. Commission Comments
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

Obituary

Obituary of Betty White

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Betty Ruth White, age 100, resident of Fort Scott, KS, formerly of Uniontown, KS, died Friday, February 23, 2024, at Guest Home Estates, Fort Scott.  Some of her final words were “I want to see Jesus.”  She was born January 7, 1924, the daughter of Charles and Rena McKinnis Smith.  Betty graduated from Uniontown High School.  She married Leonard White on January 29, 1942, in Redfield, KS.  Other than living in Atlanta and Boston when Leonard was in the service, she was a lifetime Uniontown resident.  She played piano in her early years at the Uniontown Methodist Church.  Betty joined the Grace Baptist Tabernacle when she was baptized in 1979.  She was a loving wife, mother, and friend.

 

Survivors include her son Gary Joe White (Judy), Uniontown, KS; 3 grandchildren, Gary White, Kansas City, Dr. Jodi Julien (Steve), St. Lucie, FL, and Alaina Navarette (John), Coral Springs, FL; 3 step grandchildren, James Stark (Johnnie), Jennifer Ballou (Simon), and Julie Buchta (Bryan); 10 great grandchildren; 8 step great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; 4 step great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard; a brother, Glenn Smith; and her parents.

 

The family wishes to give a special thank you to Guest Home Estates and Mt. Carmel Hospice for their care and compassion.

 

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM Thursday, February 29th, at the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.  Memorials are suggested to Guest Home Estates Activity Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Kenneth Wood

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Kenneth Ross Wood, 92, formerly of Fort Scott, KS, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 17, 2024, at Medicalodge in Leavenworth, KS. He joins his beloved wife, Jennie, who preceded him in death in 2021. They were married over 62 years.

 

Kenneth was born February 7, 1932, on an 80-acre farm near Ft. Scott, KS, the third child of Clarence and Lena (Query) Wood.

Kenneth’s family attended the Methodist Church in Hammond, and Kenneth graduated as the Fulton high school salutatorian in 1949. His primary interest in high school was sports – softball, basketball, and track (javelin), but he also sang in the chorus, played the clarinet in band, had leading roles in class plays, and was vice president of the student council.

Kenneth attended Ft. Scott Junior College, Drury College, and Pittsburg State, graduating from Pittsburg State in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in math education. He taught school for two years in Coffeyville, KS, and two years in Leon, KS, while completing his master’s degree in math from Pittsburgh State (1957).

That same year, Ken moved to Santa Monica, CA, to become a computer programmer trainee for Systems Development Corporation.

He attended First Church of the Nazarene in Los Angeles, CA, and met Jennie Reynolds in Sunday School class. Ken and Jennie married in 1958. Ken accepted the Lord’s call to ministry in 1959 and graduated from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1964. Together, Ken and Jennie faithfully served the Lord at Nazarene churches in Deepwater, MO, Carl Junction, MO, Brainerd, MN, and Rochester, MN. Ken was loved by his congregations, serving faithfully with wisdom, humility, and integrity.

 

In 1996, Ken and Jennie retired to the Wood family farm in Ft. Scott, KS, and Ken began pulpit supply followed by a pastorate at Humboldt Church of the Nazarene. From 2001 to 2005, he pastored at Fulton United Methodist Church. Ken and Jennie were members of Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene, ministering in a variety of ways in their church and community.

Ken’s hobbies included tending a large garden and fishing. He deeply loved his family. Many memories were made with grandchildren sharing practical skills, life wisdom, a listening ear, table games, laughter, and an after-dinner devotional. His family is forever marked by his godly character, his faithful prayers, and his loving investment in their lives.

 

Kenneth is survived by three children – Stan Wood (Denise) of Easton, Kansas, Melody Richardson (Lonnie) of Louisburg, Kansas, and Joy Parke (Phil) of Raymore, Missouri; a son-in-law, Charles Hornby, of Nevada, MO; eleven grandchildren – Briana Wood, Nathan (Natalie) Parke, Reagan Wood, Jaron (Brooke) Parke, Graham Wood, Carter (Meredith) Richardson, Ross Parke, Alexandra (Brice) Kudej, Annelise Parke, Davis Richardson, and Sawyer Richardson; four great-grandchildren – Noah, Hope, and Zoe Parke (Nathan and Natalie), Adalyn Parke (Jaron and Brooke, with a great-grandson due in May); a brother, C. Byrne Wood; a sister and brother-in-law, Loreta and Larry Jent; and a sister-in-law, Georgia Wood.

 

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Jennie; parents, Clarence and Lena Wood; daughter, Suella Hornby; brother and sister-in-law, Leland and Wanda Wood; brother, Walter Wood; and sister-in-law, Rosalie Wood.

 

A funeral service will be held Friday, March 1st, 2024, 2:00 pm, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, 1728 Horton St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, with visitation and viewing from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, and burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Viewing is also available on Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS, 66701, during normal business hours.

 

The service will be live-streamed via the church’s Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Art, Government, Kansas

Commerce Grants Available for Rural Mural and Public Art Projects

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced a total of $75,000 is available for a new round of Rural Mural and Public Art program funding. The program helps rural communities design engaging new art that improves the local aesthetic – making the community more appealing not only for those who live there but for potential new businesses and residents as well.

Grants up to $7,500 are available for eligible communities, which also is the total amount any one county can receive. The Office of Rural Prosperity program requires a 1:1 match, with 25% being a cash match unless the community has fewer than 1,000 residents. For those communities, matching support can be 100% in-kind services, including volunteer labor, materials and supplies, equipment, etc.

“Murals and creative projects invite new businesses and residents to celebrate Kansas as their home,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Our holistic approach to economic development includes dedicating resources that enhance the physical attractiveness of communities, which helps encourage new investment.”

Awards will be given to communities across the state with less than 15,000 population. Murals can beautify community gathering spaces, elevate tourist attractions, and offer a welcoming message for visitors. Communities are encouraged to utilize the 11-week application period to complete community engagement conversations about what the art should reflect.

“Over the past three years, we have supported the creation of more than 75 murals and public art pieces in rural communities across Kansas,” Office of Rural Prosperity Director Trisha Purdon said. “These art pieces support economic growth, instill pride and create community excitement for residents and visitors who have viewed the murals throughout the state.”

Applicant communities should identify their muralist, art location and design concept by May 10, 2024, the application due date. Murals and public art must be completed by December 31, 2024. Click here for more details. There also will be a webinar at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 28. To register, click here.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum

Portrait of Gordon Parks: An Evening of Interpretive Jazz Event

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Beach Museum of Art Specialist and Musician Nate McClendon will be at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Theater on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to present his portrait of Gordon Parks in music and narration with a jazz band.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m.

This performance was inspired by the exhibition Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Photographs by Gordon Parks from the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University organized by the Beach Museum with support from Art Bridges, a philanthropic organization dedicated to expanding access to American art.\

This music and narration event is free and open to the public of all ages courtesy of Art Bridges. It is part of the Gordon Parks
Convening at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, March 20 – 22, a collaboration with the Beach Museum of Art and the
Gordon Parks Museum funded by Art Bridges. The convening will have over twelve museum professionals from across the nation at Fort Scott learning more about Gordon Parks and his works.

For information on the Portrait of Gordon Parks: Interpretive Jazz event, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director,
620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or at [email protected].
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Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Jobs

Need a Job? Today Is Bourbon County Job Fair at the Legacy Building, 401 Woodland Hills

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Fort Scott – Bourbon County

JOB FAIR

Hosted by KANSASWORKS with co-sponsors

Bourbon County REDI, Fort Scott Area Chamber, & HBCAT

The event will take place

Thursday, February 22nd from 2:30-5pm.

Early Access for Veteran’s at 2:00pm

The Legacy Building

401 Woodland Hills Blvd

ALL job seekers welcome ~ ALL types of jobs available!

KANSASWORKS will be onsite at the Job Fair to provide resources and any assistance to employers or job seekers!

The deadline to register for an employer booth is

February 19th.

Over 40 booths ranging from employers, recruiters, and community resources.

See flyer below for a complete listing.

Contact the Chamber for more info. or any questions:

620-223-3566 or [email protected]
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Government, Kansas

Comments Requested on KS Transportation Program

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp.  In addition to the project list is Administrative Modification #3 for narrative updates in the STIP.

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes March 6. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-3254.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).