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Opinion

Christmas by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

A few years after we were married, Dave and I had a discussion about what makes each other happy. We began by sharing what we thought the other person wanted. My answer was easy. Since Dave eats tacos about 300 days a year, that was the way to his heart.

Not even close. “Patty, that doesn’t make me happy. What makes me happy is when you show me affection. Hold my hand. Hug me. Kiss me for no reason.”

What??? All these years, thinking I was earning wife-points with my Mexican cooking, my focus had been on making sure we never were without chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, spicy hamburger, grated cheese, tortillas and three kinds of taco sauce? And Dave would rather have had a hug? I asked Dave what he thought I needed from him, a no-brainer in his opinion. It was a squeeze of his hand while we were watching television or a morning kiss to start my day or a long embrace for no reason whatsoever.

WRONG! My husband knew nothing about my love language. And although those were wonderful demonstrations of Dave’s love for me, there were other things that would have, in my opinion, solidified his marriage vows: lend me a hand to rake leaves or weed-eat; offer to come alongside with meal preparation when guests were coming to visit; help write Christmas cards or thank-you notes; you know, basically, be my assistant when needed. (And yes, it does appear that one of us was requiring a lot more than the other.)

You see, we all are wired differently; Dave and I had assumed that what we desired was what our spouse desired. Do you see the problem here? All we needed to do was to ask instead of assume. That conversation, years ago, was central to my husband and me understanding each other better. But it did more than that. Over the years, it has pushed me to question what God’s love language might be. What does He want from me that I withhold because I don’t think it’s all that important? After all, He abounds in grace, so He will be happy with whatever I think is important, right?

I don’t think so. God wants my attitude to reflect the joy He has offered to me. He wants me to be selfless and not selfish. He wants me to be grateful and not grumble. When I rake or am working in the kitchen, God wants me to be thankful to Him that I have arms and legs and a yard and an oven and a clear-thinking mind (well, relatively speaking). He wants me to appreciate the heat pad that I will use on every part of my body the day after raking or weed-eating. He wants me to enjoy autumn and friends and a Christmas season that reflects the Gift He has given in His son. He wants me to be grateful for a husband who has stood beside me for 46 years. He wants me to recognize what a good, good Father He is.

During this Christmas season, I pray we all choose to understand God’s “love language” in a way that reflects what He has done in our lives instead of offering only what is convenient for us.

Merry Christmas, and may your 2020 be filled with opportunities to be the love language that God is to you.

Government, Kansas

Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Requests Public Comment

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KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2020-2023 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

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Jan. 1, 2020. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-2252.

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

Art, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at City Hall Dec. 19

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Chamber Coffee
Thursday, December 19th
will be hosted by the
City of Fort Scott
123 S. Main St.
8am
Click here for the City’s Facebook page.
Click here for the City’s website.
Chamber Members & Guests are
welcome to attend and pay $1 to make any announcement about their business or organization including events, new products, promotions, or
anything else to share!
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule:
* No Chamber Coffee 12/26/2019 or 1/2/2020
* Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 1/9/2020
* Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries 1/16
* Walmart, in the Vision Center 1/23
* My1Stop hosting at Empress Center 1/30
Bourbon County

Wreaths Across America Kick Off 2020 – Matching Campaign Challenge

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Congratulations! With the help of the entire community, we were able to place a wreath on every grave at Fort Scott National Cemetery on December 14, 2019.

You have done an amazing job this year helping to share the mission to “Remember, Honor and Teach”. This program would not exist without your hard work and commitment.

We want to help kick off a great start to 2020 for everyone with a matching wreath campaign from Wreaths Across America Headquarters.

Starting December 14, 2019, and running through January 15, 2020, for every 2 wreaths sponsored ($15.00 each) through a local Wreaths Across America Fundraising Group, Fort Scott National Cemetery will receive an ADDITIONAL 3 wreaths (total 5 for 2).

This is a great way to help meet our 2020 goal to again be able to place a wreath on each grave at Fort Scott National Cemetery.

Donations can be left at Stewart Realty Co., 1707 S. National, Fort Scott, or mailed to Wreaths Across America, c/o Diann Tucker, 746 215th St., Fort Scott, KS 66701 (620-224-7054). Please make checks payable to Wreaths Across America.

Business, Fort Scott

Sneak Peak at LaRoche Building Reno Dec.18

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You are invited!
Sneak Peek of the soon to be
new location of
Common Ground Coffee Co.
10 & 12 E. Wall St.
(locally known as the old Othick Abstract office)
Wednesday, December 18th
4-6pm
Remarks at 4:30pm
Light refreshments will be served.
Special thanks to Jennifer LaRoche for offering this Sneak Peek as part of celebrating 10 years, to the day, of Fort Scott’s Downtown Historic District being accepted for listing in the National Register of Historic Places on December 18, 2009.
The 110-year-old building with a stone facade is an excellent example of historic restoration done right ~ a meticulous attention to detail which will help ensure it will be a viable venue for another century & beyond.
The building has been empty for several years and after extensive restoration will become the new location of Common Ground Coffee Co. in early 2020.
Click here for the Facebook event.
The general public is welcome to attend!
Obituary

Obituary of Eric Stansbury

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Eric Stansbury, age 52, resident of Holden, MO, passed away unexpectedly at his home December 15, 2019.

He was born June 23, 1967, in Iola, KS, the son of Ellis Stansbury, Kincaid, KS, and Donita Powell, Arcadia, KS.

Eric was a truck driver for over 25 years. He enjoyed fishing and all his family and friends. He will be missed.

Survivors include his wife Marsha Morris Stansbury of the home; siblings Lonnie Stansbury, Arcadia, KS, Brian Stansbury, Iola, KS, David Carson, LaHarpe, KS, Karen More, Iola, KS, Kristina Stansbury, Arma, Ks, Joanna Carson, Arma, KS, Christina Bruce, Lenexa, KS, and Ginger Stansbury, Manhattan, KS; step sister Tammy Westhoff, Franklin, KS; 2 sons Brandon Wilson, Austin, TX, and Corey Wilson, Ft. Scott, KS; two daughters, Erica Jones, Osage Beach, MO, and Jessica Byrd, Barre, VT; 7 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

There was cremation. A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Sandra Jacquinet

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Sandra M. Jacquinet, age 74, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, December 16, 2019, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS.

She was born January 2, 1945, in Girard, KS, the daughter of John Douglas and Virginia Katherine Thomas Owen. Sandra worked for Mercy Hospital as a ward clerk. She retired after 32 years.

She was a strong supporter of Relay for Life for many years. She enjoyed reading novels, especially mysteries and westerns. She liked going to rummage sales and eating out with friends.

Sandra help raise her youngest grandson Bart. While at Medicalodge for the past 3 ½ years, she took pride in making sure everyone at her dining table was well taken care of.

Survivors include a son, Brad Jacquinet and wife Tanya, Keller, TX; grandchildren Maura, Max, Emma, and Bart Jacquinet; two brothers, Michael Owen and wife Ginger, Girard, KS, and Danny Owen and wife Cindy, Farlington, KS; two sisters, Linda Farmer and Terrie Sprague and husband Sonny, all of Ft. Scott; an aunt, Lucinda McCormick, Girard, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a nephew, Timothy Farmer; and her parents.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Thursday, December 19th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Farlington Cemetery, Farlington, KS.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 until service time Thursday morning at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Police Department

Police Arrest Two People for Walmart Fort Scott Robbery

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Walmart Fort Scott, 2500 S. Main.

On Dec. 16, 2019, at 11:30 p.m. Fort Scott Police Department Officers responded to a theft incident at the Fort Scott Walmart, 2500 S. Main Street.

A Walmart employee sustained minor injuries in the robbery.

During the initial investigation, a description of the suspects, the vehicle they were driving and the direction of travel were obtained and relayed to the Pittsburg Police Department.

At 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 17, the suspects were arrested by the PPD.

Dominick S. Gomes was booked into the Bourbon County Jail on one count of aggravated robbery. Belenda S. Camren was booked into jail on one count of aggravated robbery and one count of aggravated battery.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.