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Obituary of Bonnie Geiger
Bonnie Geiger, 93, of Garland, Kansas, passed away Thursday morning, December 4, 2025, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott, Kansas. She was born October 4, 1932, on the homestead in Redfield, Kansas, the daughter of Ralph A. Bolinger and Janie Frances (Asher) Bolinger. She married Dale Geiger November 16, 1952, in the Petersburg Presbyterian church, and he preceded her in death October 13, 2020, after almost 68 years of marriage.
Bonnie graduated from Uniontown High School. She worked for The Western Insurance Co. as an Insurance Underwriter for many years, and she and Dale also farmed.
Bonnie is survived by her daughter, Joyce Jennings, of Mound City, Kansas, her son Steve Geiger, of Uniontown, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband Dale, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Virginia Dare, and a brother, Darrell Bolinger.
Pastor Marty DeWitt will officiate graveside services at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Uniontown Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Medicalodge Activity Fund 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.
44th Annual Candlelight Tour Tickets on Sale Now
Be an Active Part of History this Holiday Season
FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Tickets are now on sale for the 44th Annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site, set for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5–6, 2025.
Tickets are available online at fofs.ludus.com for $5 per person; children 5 and under are free. Tickets are non-refundable. Early purchase is recommended, as the event frequently sells out.
The 45-minute guided tours depart every 15 minutes, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and 5 to 8:45 p.m. Saturday, and end in the Grand Hall with warm drinks and snacks provided by the Friends of Fort Scott NHS. Visitors should arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, check in and get oriented. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, as the tours are outdoors and follow paved sidewalks.
This year’s program, “Comfort and Joy in Fort Scott,” explores the celebrations, large and small, that helped build morale at the fort. 1,000 candle lanterns will illuminate the site as reenactors, including you, bring the 19th-century Fort Scott to life.
“Each year, the Candlelight Tour gives visitors a chance to not just observe history, but to walk through it,” said Jill Jaworski, superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site. “It’s a special opportunity to experience the warmth, resilience and community spirit that defined Fort Scott.”
Fort Scott National Historic Site’s exhibit areas and visitor center are open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset. Admission to the park is free.
For more information, call 620-223-0310, visit www.nps.gov/fosc, or follow the park on www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS and Instagram www.instagram.com/fortscottnps.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
A Choice I Choose by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
A Choice I Choose by Patty LaRoche
Dan’s wife, Sandy, told me that she never has seen her husband “not happy.” I could understand that if they had been married for one or two days, but eighteen years after saying, “I do,” my friend shared this with me. I asked Dan how he did it.
“Why would I choose not to be happy?” he said. “There’s always something to be happy about.”
Dave, my husband, and I have been around Dan and Sandy multiple times. This past week, they flew here to Kansas to hang with us. No matter what we were doing–touring, playing competitive games or having deep discussions–Dan was delightful. And always, always happy.
Recently, while my cleaning lady was sharing some difficulties she is having, she said this: “Sometimes, I forget to be happy.” Clearly, God is telling me something.
After all, happiness is a choice, so why would I ever opt for the alternative? Maybe because there’s always a reason not to be happy. Health. Finances. Shame. Guilt. The grumpy, selfish neighbor. A friend’s betrayal. A broken lawn mower. Lost keys. Weight gain. Boring retirement.
You get the picture. Daily, we are given opportunities not to see the blessings amongst the difficulties, yet we fail to seek the good. Serious stuff.
There is a story about an elderly man who immigrated to the United States from one of the Communist bloc countries of Eastern Europe. After his papers were processed he found his way to a New York cafeteria where he sat down and waited for someone to bring him a menu and take his order. No one came. Eventually a woman with a full tray of food approached, realized the old man’s dilemma, and explained how American cafeterias work.
“Start at the beginning,” she said kindly. “Look at all the choices that are available, decide what you want, and just reach out and take it. When you get to the end, you’ll be told how much you must pay for the things that you’ve chosen.”
After he had settled into his new home, he made this observation: “Life in America is a lot like that New York cafeteria. The options are endless, but you’ll never get what you want if you sit around and wait for someone to deliver it. Anything is possible (a job, education, a home, a car) but you have to be willing to get up and go after it. And in the end, you have to pay the price of your choices.”
I would add that these choices are not only about the material goods we acquire but also the attitudes and beliefs that dominate our thoughts. Psalm 144:15, although brief, tells us how to acquire that happiness: “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” Just how do we make that happen? “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
Someone once said, “Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Our choice…and a choice I need to choose.
How about you?
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NRMC Welcomes Neurologist
Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Thomas Zabiega to our team of specialty physicians. Dr. Zabiega is Board Certified in Neurology and completed his residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals. He has over 20 years’ experience and can provide care for the following:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Brain injuries
- Epilepsy
- Headaches (including migraines)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nerve disorders
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke related issues
Dr. Zabiega will provide services one week a month and his office will be located in the Specialty Clinic at NRMC. He is accepting new patients and self-referrals are welcome. Appointments can be made by calling 417-448-2121.
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports December 5
Agenda Packet for the Uniontown City Council for December 9
Agenda for the Uniontown City Council for December 9 at 7 p.m.
ROLL CALL: ___ Jess Ervin ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Savannah Pritchett
___ Bradley Stewart
2025 Financials -November
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Memorial Stone Design
Stone Replacement in the Park
CITIZENS REQUESTS
FINANCIAL REPORT
Sally Johnson – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
- Minutes of November 11, 2025 Regular Meeting
- November Treasurers Report, Profit & Loss Report by Class & December Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
Clerk Report: Haley Arnold
Municipal Court Update/Codes Update
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Ervin –
Councilman Kelly –
Councilwoman Pemberton –
Councilwoman Pritchett –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
OLD BUSINESS
FEMA Flooding–
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by _____________, Second by __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.
ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________
Unapproved Minutes of the November 11 Uniontown City Council
The Regular Council Meeting on November 11, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, Savannah Pritchett, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was Michael Ramsey, Joe George, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Sally Johnson and City Clerk Haley Arnold.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Moved by Stewart, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0, to approve Ordinance No. 207, Vacating Alley between Lots 4, 5, 12 and 13, Block 2, Well’s Addition of the City of Uniontown, Kansas.
Discussion of memorial stone design and installation. Further thought and research will be discussed at a later date.
CITIZENS REQUEST
Joe George commented of two habitual dogs running at large. Citation will be issued to the owner of the dogs at large.
Michael Ramsey asked about official election results. At this time, no final election results have been released.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Johnson presented the October 2025 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $226,781.89, Receipts $34,948.70, Transfers Out $3,024.00, Expenditures $38,944.50, Checking Account Closing Balance $219,762.09. Bank Statement Balance $225,361.81, including Checking Account Interest of $49.67, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $5,599.72, Reconciled Balance $219,762.09. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,501.14, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $23,159.28, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $45,414.89, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $326,837.40. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $578.48, and Utility CDs $1,920.63 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $2,449.11. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of October 2025, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. October Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00, for Total Transfers of $3,024.00. Net Loss for the month of October $7,019.80, Year-to-Date Net Loss $44,101.65. Budget vs Actual Gas Fund YTD Revenue $107,340.87 (79.7%), Expenditures $103,176.20 (67.6%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $29,485.11 (79.2%), Expenditures $35,208.17 (76.3%); Water Fund YTD Revenue $95,286.09 (76.9%), Expenditures $101,689.36 (63.8%); General Fund YTD Revenue $154,613.74 (103.3%), Expenditures $204,046.64 (95.5%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $8,101.28 (111.6%), Expenditures $5,166.76 (71.2%). The October 2025 payables to date in the amount of $26,571.99 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
- Minutes of October 14, 2025 Regular Meeting
- October Treasurer’s Report, Profit & Loss Report by Class & November Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan reported 301 2nd St. had been cleaned up and in compliance. 101 Washington has had no change since last meeting, a citation had previously been issued and awaiting court date. 401 Sherman not in compliance after phone call was made to property owner, citation will be issued to the individuals residing on the property and one will be mailed to property owner.
City Superintendent Bobby Rich had nothing to report.
Clerk Arnold informed the council that the 3-50amp 240 volt outlets had been installed in the park.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilwoman Pemberton – Invited any volunteers to install Christmas lights in the park the weekend before Thanksgiving
Councilwoman Pritchett – nothing
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing
OLD BUSINESS
SEED Grant – Close out paperwork has been submitted and accepted. Treasurer Johnson has made substantial progress on the library.
FEMA Flooding– Once an invoice from Marbery Concrete is received for the remainder of the project, it will be submitted for review. Invoice is due before mid-January.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:45PM.
No action from executive session.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn
New Community Foundation of SEK Operations/Donor Support Coordinator
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS ANNOUNCES SAMANTHA GUY AS NEW OPERATIONS AND DONOR SUPPORT COORDINATOR
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to announce the hiring of Samantha Guy as the new Operations and Donor Support Coordinator!
Sam comes to CFSEK and its affiliates, the Columbus Area Community Foundation, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, and the Girard Area Community Foundation, with a deep love of Southeast Kansas and a drive to be involved. She will support CFSEK’s operations and donor efforts, including assisting with communications and marketing, community engagement activities, donor relations, and providing program support.
“We are excited to have Samantha join our team,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “Her marketing experience, strong community connections, and genuine passion for Southeast Kansas will be of tremendous value for our organization. We’re confident she will make a meaningful impact for our team, our donors, and our partners.”
A native of Walnut and a graduate of Girard High School, Sam attended Pittsburg State University, receiving her undergraduate degree in strategic communication. She spent several years in journalism and advertising before joining the community foundation.
“I want my children and family to experience my community the way I did growing up,” Sam said, “and I am a believer that if you want big things to happen, you have to do big things!”
When Sam is not in the office, she can be found serving as President of the Girard Medical Center Foundation board, serving on the Walnut Events Committee, or volunteering for Walnut. She also previously served on the Girard Area Community Foundation board as a trustee before taking this position. If she has the time, she also enjoys reading and relaxing with her boyfriend, dog, and two cats.
When asked about her new position, Sam had this to say, “I’m excited to join the team and work with nonprofits to benefit our communities, and I am looking forward to the unique challenges that brings!”
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas has awarded over $2.5 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2025 and has facilitated over $25 million in grants since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with a wide variety of charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.
Flags Half-Staff for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on December 7
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FSHS Thespians Present a Children’s Production of A Christmas Carol
The Fort Scott High School Thespians present A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller.
Performances are Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Fort Scott High School Auditorium, 1005 S. Main, Fort Scott. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
The production involves 45 children in 1st through 8th grades. The role of Ebenezer Scrooge is portrayed by 8th grader Xavier Jeffrey. Other featured roles include Charles Dickens played by 7th grader Dylan Williams, Spirit of Christmas Past played by 7th grader Elsie Fields, and Spirit of Christmas Present portrayed by 8th grade student Claire Bower.
A Christmas Carol is produced by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with direction and design by the FSHS Thespians. Senior Levi Fairchild serves as Director, Assistant Director is senior Chris Newman, and Music Director is senior Junie Fisher.
All tickets are reserved seating and are $5. Tickets can be purchased at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door, but seating is limited.
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Upcoming Virtual Job Fair December 10
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