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Obituary

Obituary of Eva Irene Lowry

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Heaven welcomed its newest Angel…..

Eva Irene Lowry, on Friday May 12th, 2023 at 8:25 am.

Many knew her as “Toby”, lovingly nicknamed by her big brother.

She was joyfully welcomed into the world by her parents Roy Charles Jewell and Bessie Mae Bybee Jewell on July 27th, 1934.

Toby was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother William Jewell, her sister Jaunita Jewell Lloyd and her husband Richard E Lowry.

 

She attended grade school through high school in Ft Scott, where she met her best and  lifelong friend Helen Rosalee Coyan Rager, who married Darrell Rager, her husband Richard’s,  best friend. What  fun it was to raise their kids across the street from one another.

 

At the tender age of 11, Toby saw a  young man downtown, and said, “Mom, I love his looks, I’m going to marry him!” Five years later on March 30th, 1951 she married him! The love of her life, Richard E Lowry.

 

After a brief time of living in Wichita and Kansas City, Ks. They settled in Ft Scott. Richard went to work for Beltone. A year later, in 1959 He and Toby started their own hearing aid bBusiness called Lowry Hearing Aid Service. Toby and Richard became hearing aid specialists, helping people to hear better in southeast Kansas. They both were well loved by their clients.

 

To sound more businesslike Toby began using   “Irene” after promising her beloved husband to take good care of his people upon his untimely passing on July 8th, 1983. Irene took over the business by herself, and had a faithful, devoted attitude and work ethic in her business  and personal life.

She loved to give whatever she did 100% whether it was serving on the local school board, the Kansas Hearing Aid Society Board, the school PTA, her church board at the 1st Church of The Nazarene where she was a member. Over the years  she served as Sunday School Teacher, church secretary, church treasurer, choir member, and VBS Director for nearly 20 years.

 

Irene loved to feed people! She received great joy by cooking for anyone hungry! For years she along with her husband Richard would make all the chili for the annual Eugene Ware Elementary Chili Feed Fundraiser. The husband/wife duo were the creators of the tastiest Chili in Ft. Scott, Ks.

 

Irene was also voted as Ft Scott’s Business Woman of The Year. She faithfully drove to her Pittsburg Ks office four days a week come rain, sleet, snow or shine, until her retirement at 82, in 2017. Leaving her people in the capable hands of her son, Brian Lowry.

 

Their marriage was blessed with four children, who she is survived by,

Debra J Ediger of Topeka Ks.

Cathy A More of Olathe Ks.

Brian K Lowry of Ft Scott Ks.

And Brent D Lowry of Yukon Ok.

 

She was also the proud Nannie of 8 grandchildren who loved her to the moon and back!

Michelle Ediger Glaze

Brooke Ediger Larson

Caleb Bachman

Careah Bachman Pruter

Ryan Lowry

Amanda Lowry Sellers

Brayden Lowry

And Bryce Lowry.

 

Plus 10 great-grandchildren who thought she hung the moon!

Peyton and Rhyan Glaze

Blakely and Taygen Larson

Dawson and Landry Bachman

Noble, Willing, and Haven Pruter and Adeline Sellers.

All are angels, of course!

 

All of her accomplishments aside, Irene became a totally devoted follower of Jesus Christ in 1962. If she was here, she would give each of you what she gave to each of us…..JESUS! She was the worlds  greatest daughter, sister, aunt, mother and wife.

 

When asked, if she would do anything over differently she said that she would have married Daddy at 11, because Daddy died so young. Although she had to wait five years to marry him, Daddy waited 40 years for her to join him in Heaven!

 

We are so happy shes no longer in pain, and we have no doubt that she is dancing on streets of gold with Jesus and Daddy.

At the end, without opening her eyes, Mama lifted up her head and smiled the most  precious smile ever seen and said, “It’s So Beautiful! My Homecoming is So Beautiful! Yes, Jesus! Yes, I Love You!”

 

WELL DONE! Eva Irene Lowry, My Good and Faithful Servant!

Truly Joy does come in the morning, It came on May 12, 2023 at 8:25 am and escorted our precious Mother from pain to peace into the eternal rest of our Loving Father, God.

We will love you forever Mama and can’t wait to see You again! We will follow you all the way home to Heaven!

 

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

 

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 18th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene Youth Department 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 guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Bourbon County, Elections

Bo Co Dems Meet May 21

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Please join Bourbon County Democrats s on Sunday May 21st at 2:00 p.m. for their month meeting.

The meeting will be held in Gunn Park, Shelter House #1.
Please bring a lawn chair for your comfort, if you wish.
Our guest speaker, Roger Sims, publisher of the online publication, Linn County Journal, will begin speaking to the group directly at 2 p.m. so that he can attend another meeting.
Sims will speak on his development of the Linn County Journal and on local media’s effect on politics.

Submitted by Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

The Tucker Family “Gospel Songs of Graceland” Concert at Common Ground Coffee Co.

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The Tucker Family band, from left: Carolyn Tucker, Aaron Tucker, Stephan Kastli, Jessica Bergen and Mariam Tucker Self. Submitted photo.

Raised on gospel music with a southern flair, the Tucker Family will present their “Gospel Songs of Graceland” concert on Friday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. at Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

 

The band is comprised of Carolyn Tucker (vocals and keys), daughter Mariam Tucker Self (vocals and saxophone), son Aaron Tucker (drums and vocals), lead guitarist Stephan Kastli, and Jessica Bergen on the electric bass. Everyone in the five-member band has many years of experience playing or singing in church worship and other numerous venues.

 

The concert will feature a wide variety of beloved gospel favorites such as Bosom of Abraham, I Believe, Crying in the Chapel, Milky White Way, Somebody Bigger than You and I, Walk a Mile in My Shoes, plus more.

 

“These individuals have been making music for about as long as they’ve been breathing. So when all that experience and talent comes together as a band, it’s really something special,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “We’re pleased to begin the 2023 concert series with the Tucker Family. I encourage friends and family to come together as a community and help us kickoff the free concerts sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.”

 

Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound. Weather permitting, the Common Ground outdoor patio will be available in addition to the Loading Dock stage area.

 

 

Area News, Health Care

Opioid Prevention Education

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DCCA is dedicated to supporting  efforts to educate young people about the importance of medication safety and using skills to refuse invitations to misuse opioids.

DCCCA is offering $500 mini grant opportunities for youth serving community organizations willing to provide opioid prevention messages and activities for groups of elementary, middle and/or high school youth.  This would be a great summertime activity opportunity!!

Opioid prevention curriculum is available and easily tailored to your community needs. For more information about the mini grant opportunity and contact Crystal Dalmasso [email protected]

 

Opinion

Beautiful Love by Carolyn Hayward Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Hayward Tucker

I very well remember September 27, 1970, when the first grandbaby in my immediate family made his appearance.

 

My nephew Brad was born in Olathe, Kansas and the hospital rules were stricter then than now. I was 12 years old and sitting in the OB waiting room with my parents. We had all read the posted sign: “No one under age 14 allowed in  Waiting Room.“  We simply ignored the rule and hoped no one would notice, because I was so excited about this birth! I absolutely did not want to be excluded on such a special occasion! I also very well remember the nurse that came out, took one look at me, and promptly threw me out.

Nevertheless, the arrival of that baby rocked our world and we were never the same. My mother passed away in 2015 and I read her diaries. One of her entries was about her grandson Brad, which read: “I  kept Bradley today. He is like my very own; no difference.” Tears fall even now when I think of the beauty and truth of those words. Our family witnessed her beautiful love for all five of her grandchildren.

 

The Old Testament account of Boaz and Ruth’s marriage and Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi is very touching. “So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife…and she gave birth to a son.  Then the women of the town said to Naomi, …May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” (Ruth 4:13-15 NLT). (Seven was considered a number of completeness, so to have seven sons was the epitome of all family blessings in Israel.) The beautiful love of a grandmother is a priceless treasure. “Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own” (Ruth 4:16 NLT). In this verse, we see the special love between a grandmother and a grandson.

 

In the New Testament, we find the beautiful love between a mother and a son.  When Jesus was suffering on the cross, he had his adoring mother on his mind. “Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And He said to this disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:25-27 NLT). Evidently John was standing by Mary, giving her consolation and comfort. In this passage we see the special love between a mother and a son.

 

Mary was nearly 50 years old and a widow. Jesus deeply loved and honored His mother  and, while in terrible pain and suffering, Jesus tenderly thought of her. He knew it was the responsibility of children to care for their elderly parents and provide a proper burial for them. Although Mary had other children, Jesus was her firstborn and He needed to know that His precious mother would be taken care of when He left this world. Since John was the only disciple devoted and brave enough to be at the crucifixion, I believe Jesus knew He could trust John to be lovingly committed to the care of  His mother Mary.

 

It’s been said that as death draws nearer, the dying individual narrows their thoughts down to those who are nearest and dearest. Jesus proved this to be true.  Let’s not wait until death is approaching to demonstrate beautiful love to our mother and grandmothers. Remember, no matter how old we are, we never outgrow our need for a mother.

 

The Key: A lovely bouquet of roses to all mothers and grandmothers — you are a VIP!

Food, K-State Extension

Southwind Extension District to Host Kids’ Cooking Classes

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Clara Wicoff. Submitted photo 2023 Extension Agent Nutrition, Food and Health Southwind District K-State Research and Extension 1006 N. State St. Iola, KS 66749 620-365-2242 [email protected]

This summer, the Southwind Extension District is hosting free cooking classes for kids to learn basic cooking and baking skills. The classes are for youth that have just completed the second, third, fourth, or fifth grade. This class will be held from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM in Bronson on June 22nd and in Fort Scott on June 29th. Other dates and locations where the class will be held include:

  • June 8 – Erie
  • June 13 – Yates Center
  • June 15 – Humboldt
  • June 20 – Chanute
  • June 27 – Iola

These classes are free, but registration is required at bit.ly/2023kidscookingclass. Since this will be a “hands-on” experience, the size of each class is limited and these classes fill up fast. Get your registration in soon!

For more information, contact Nutrition, Food and Health Agent Clara Wicoff at (620) 365-2242 or [email protected]. A grant through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation helped support the kids’ cooking classes in Bourbon County.

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

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

K-State Extension

Be Proactive During Mental Health Awareness Month

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Clara Wicoff. Submitted photo 2023

 

 

By Clara Wicoff

Southwind Extension District

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! According to the Mental Health America (MHA) report entitled “The State of Mental Health in America 2023,” Kansas is ranked last out of all fifty states and the District of Columbia on how well the state handles mental health needs. This is one of the shocking statistics that sheds light on the state of mental health in our state and why the K-State Research and Extension Stress and Resiliency Team is encouraging others to be proactive in honoring Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

What could being proactive this month look like? To start, you can check out the resources available from MHA. On their website, they offer two specific worksheet resources with steps you can take to make changes to improve your mental health by:

  • Shaping your environment. Your home environment can affect your mental health. Take time to think about what you like and dislike about your space. What can you do to improve it? Some suggestions from MHA include starting small, getting rid of unneeded items, personalizing your space, and making your bedroom sleep-friendly.
  • Opening your mind to the outdoors. According to MHA, “spending time in nature is linked to many positive mental health outcomes, including improved focus, lower stress, and better mood.”

 

These resources (as well as others) can be found online at www.mhanational.org/may. They also offer a free mental health test which can be taken online at www.mhascreening.org.

 

This article was adapted from an article originally written by the K-State Research and Extension Stress and Resiliency Team. For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242. If you or someone you know is in crisis or seeking emotional support, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also chat with them online at 988lifeline.org. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor with the Crisis Text Line.

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

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

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Pete Allen

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Neighborhood Facility Dedication

Thank You to Curt Shankel

It seems like only yesterday that the neighborhood facility was built, but it was over 48 years ago that it was dedicated to the people of Ft. Scott, built by the city using federal (Urban Renewal Agency) funding. The funding would be 67% federal and 33% local.

Up to this point of time the YMCA (a public-funded endeavor), was the go-to place for activities. The “Y” was built in 1908 with funds raised by donations from citizens, businesses, and the railroads. Another fund-raiser was completed in 1909 that raised $16,000 for furnishings and equipment. Judge Harry Fisher pointed out that the facility was supported in all aspects, not just financially, by a “generous giving of the community”.,

The bowling alley was one of the most used features of the project, and after WW 2, twenty teams played there weekly. Many days there were over 100 lines played. As late as 1950, over 30 organizations used the “Y” as their meeting place.

By the mid 1950’s, the building had been used, and used, and used. The community had extracted more use out of it than the farsighted board members and designers had anticipated back in 1908. The “Y’s” facilities were deteriorating, and the cost to renovate would be expensive, so the board began searching for other avenues. It was learned in early 1968 that funds could be made available to build a new center in Fs. Scott through Urban Renewal and HUD. The “Y” board contacted the city, who in turn, appointed the association to investigate. The “Y” Board began analyzing the current needs of the community to determine the best use of the facility. By 1972, HUD had agreed to the new proposal, which included selling the “Y” building to Urban Renewal for $135.000. That was then turned over to the city for the City’s share of the Neighborhood Facility and with that action taken, the new Facility was on the way, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the “Y” Board for their unselfish efforts to keep a first-class facility in Fort Scott. Thank you, thank you to Curt Shankel, President of the Board, 1972, and to the other members of a special group of people. What an effort to pull all this together!

Pete Allen

2023

 

Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Meets at Fulton On May 15

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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 Fulton Community Center

408 W. Osage

Fulton, KS 66738

 

May 15, 2023, 5:30 PM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute and Prayer
  • Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 5/8/2023
  1. Department Updates
    1. Eric Bailey, Public Works Director
  2. Susan Bancroft, CFO-Budget Timeline and Audit Agreement
  3. Public Comments
  • Commission Comments
  • Meeting Adjourn

 

 

 

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.

 

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission on May 16

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There will be a Fort Scott City Commission Work Session on Monday, May 15th, 6:00 PM at City Hall regarding Advisory Boards.

 NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR              

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

May 16, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1. Roll Call:
  2.      Jones     T. VanHoecke     E. Woellhof     K. Harrington     M. Wells
  3.      Flag Salute:

III.     Invocation:   M. Wells

  1. Proclamations/Recognitions:
  2.  National Nursing Home Week – May 14-20, 2023
  3. Approval of Agenda:
  4. Consent Agenda:
  5. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of May 2, 2023
  6. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1336-A – $799,127.78
  7. April Financials

 

VII.       Public Comment:

Sign up required.  Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5)      minutes per person, at Commission discretion.

VIII.      Old Business: 

 

  1.    Consideration of Reno-Dry Contract for Memorial Hall -– Michael Clancy
  2.     Consideration of Lagoon Aeration Proposal – Phase II – J. Dickman –

tabled from 5/2/2023 meeting – not ready.

  1.    Youth Activities Team (Y.A.T.) 1311 S. National going to auction, tabled

from 5/2/2023 meeting – J. Jones

  1.    Consideration of Ordinance -Vacancy in Commission Revision for 2023

 

  1. Appearances:

 

  1.   Tourism Update:  J. Tough

 

  1.   Business Retention – REDI
  2.   Justin Pregont regarding the Van Fossen Apartment Project: 

 Consideration of Resolution No. 9-2023 – A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE SUBMISSION OF THE MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CERTAIN HOUSING WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS TO ACCOMPANY THE GRANT APPLICATION TO THE KANSAS HOUSING RESOURCES CORPORATION

  1. Consideration of Application for Parade Permit – Good Ol’ Days Festival Annual Parade “Back to the Bricks with Family, Friends and Fun”: Lindsay Madison applying. All requests will be the same as last year so she will not appear.

 

  1.    Public Hearing: NONE

 

 

  1. New Business:
  2. Split Case Pump for WTP – S. Flater
  3. Consideration of Park Advisory Board’s unanimous recommendation to fill vacancy with candidate Kimberly Young.
  4. Consideration of Acquisition of Land for Economic Development and Construction of a Manufacturing Plant – M. Wells
  5. Consideration of Approval of Boundary Survey for 37+/- Acre Parcel and Certificate of Survey of a 20-Acre Parcel Split out from boundary for the Acquisition of Land for Economic Development and Construction of a Manufacturing Plant to be completed by Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. $5,000.00 – M. Wells
  6. Establishment of a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) – M. Wells

 

XII.    Reports and Comments:

  1. City Manager Comments:
  2. Engineering Comments:
  3. Commissioners Comments:
  4. VanHoecke –
  5. Woellhof –
  6. Harrington –
  7. Jones –
  8. Wells –

 

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

XIII.      Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for   Executive Sessions)

 

XIV.        Adjournment: