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Government, Kansas

New Kansas Rural Development Program

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Rural Economic Development Program

~ Kansas Main Street Affiliate Community Program will promote economic development in rural communities across Kansas ~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the creation of the Kansas Main Street Affiliate Community Program, an initiative designed to introduce more Kansas communities to the resources and technical assistance offered through Kansas Main Street.

The new Affiliate Community Program is a membership-based program that invites representatives from participating communities to attend training and technical service sessions normally reserved for only the 25 designated Main Street program communities in the state. This allows those communities not involved fully with Main Street to still reap significant benefits from the program.

“My administration brought back the Main Street program because it is a proven tool to help Kansas’ rural communities recruit and retain businesses, and restore and preserve the unique history of their downtown corridors,” Governor Kelly said. “This Affiliate Community Program will bring more resources for downtown development to rural Kansas communities to maintain the health and viability of their downtowns, and will be a strong resource for my administration to highlight as we continue to recruit new businesses to our state.”

The Kansas Main Street program originally launched in 1985 has helped dozens of mostly rural communities work toward ensuring their downtowns remain viable. The program was ended by the Brownback administration in 2012 but resurrected in late 2019 by Governor Kelly. There are currently 25 designated Kansas Main Street communities in the program.

Kansas Main Street is a cornerstone of the Community Development Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce and is one of many investments made in rural Kansas with the support of the Office of Rural Prosperity led by Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers.

“Since Governor Kelly announced the return of Kansas Main Street last year, the program has been an incredible success,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “So many rural communities have benefitted from the Main Street program and its resources. This Affiliate Community program will undoubtedly bring Main Street to even greater heights, benefitting communities across our state.”

To participate in the program, fill out and submit the online form here.

The cost to become an Affiliate Community is $400.

Kansas Main Street is affiliated with the National Main Street Center. Main Street is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy based on four points: organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring. While there are no federal funds provided directly to Main Street communities, designated cities are eligible for training and technical assistance designed to help them become self-sufficient in downtown revitalization.

“As we work to help those 25 designated communities continue to be successful with their downtown revitalization efforts, we also want to expand the program’s reach and bring some of the same tools to more communities, organizations and individuals who care about their local downtown,” Scott Sewell, director of the Kansas Main Street program, said. “We look forward to introducing the Main Street approach to a broader audience that cares about the revitalization of their downtowns.”

For more information on the Kansas Main Street program, contact Scott Sewell, Director of Kansas Main Street, at (785) 296-3485 or [email protected].

Fort Scott, Schools

Eugene Ware Students Nominated For Honor Choir

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Eight fifth-graders from Eugene Ware Elementary were nominated for the Southeast Kansas Music Educators Association Elementary Honor Choir: Emilea Barrett, Sophie Durrossette, Megan Parada, Joshua Porter, Lily Saldivar, London Turner, Jaiden Watkins, and Ainsley Wheeler.

This honor choir typically takes place in January and is made up of singers in 5th and 6th grade throughout Southeast Kansas.

Due to the pandemic, students will not have the opportunity to sing together face to face. These students continue to keep choral music alive by singing at home and through Eugene Ware Youth Choir: Virtual Edition.

Contact: MJ Harper, 620-719-6633, [email protected]

Bourbon County, Entertainment

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Welcomes New Members

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Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is an open organization and welcomes anyone of any age interested in joining and participating, according to Jim Kemmerer,  a spokesman for the group.
“Our goal is to celebrate, demonstrate, and continue the past practices of farm and rural life.  For further information please contact me, Jim Kemmerer, at 620-224-2275 or [email protected]. “
“I just learned that PHF has reduced the prices of the 2020 Show hats and shirts even further,” Kemmerer said. ” $4.00 each or two for $7.50.  Plenty of both for sale, and multiple shirt sizes to choose from.
Bourbon County, Food, K-State Extension

Cooking As A Family

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MaKayla Stroud. Submitted photo.

Submitted by MaKayla Stroud
Southwind Extension District
4-H Program Assistant

Cooking as a Family

Wash your hands, put on an apron, and gather your family into the heart of your home to create delicious dishes and more!

Whether it comes from a box mix or completely from scratch, spending time as a family in the kitchen has many benefits such as establishing culinary skills, making yummy food, and creating lifelong memories.

The first benefit of a family unit cooking together is building and improving culinary skills.

The kitchen is a great teaching environment to help your kids build lifelong skills that will help them nurture themselves and others.

Depending on the ages of children and their abilities, what can of recipes you can tackle together. You can even make it competitive by splitting into teams to see who can make the best meal or dish.

Obviously, the main reason to work with ingredients is to make yummy food. Studies show when the adults within a household help prepare and cook food with their children, better nutrition practices can be established earlier and continued throughout their lives.

Youth who are involved in the kitchen are educated about their food supply therefore making them informed consumers.

Another reward for working together with food is creating lifelong memories. When children grow up, they may not remember the exact dessert or meal you prepared with them however they will remember the laughs, stories, and fun they had with their family.

Yes, it might take longer to prepare & cook your dish, however you are completing a daily task while writing another story within your book of memories.

So, go ahead and grab a family favorite from your recipe box or cookbook and get together soon so you can make a delicious meal while improving your cooking skills and creating a lifetime of memories.

If you are interested in other family fun ideas, go to our Facebook page or YouTube channel named Southwind District 4-H or visit southwind.ksu.edu for more youth development resources.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Elections, Government

Bourbon County Commission Will Canvass 2020 Election Ballots Today at 10 a.m.

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: November 12, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

 

10:00 Election Canvass

 

Opinion

Election by Patty LaRoche

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As I write this, the election results are a mess. Both presidential candidates have claimed victory, but I refuse to lose sleep over this decision. I refuse to lose sight of who my King really is because the truth is, my leader has nothing to do with politics.

In spite of George Soros saying, “The 2020 U.S. election will determine the fate of the entire world,” God is in charge. Period. And if we think for one minute that whoever lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. is the one running the show, we had better think again.

What I don’t understand is why God would even care about this country since, for the past few decades, we have been hell-bent on pushing Him off of His throne. The only time we call on Him as a nation is when we are desperate. (Think Sept. 11, 2001.) Other than that, out of sight, out of mind.

We don’t deserve God’s help. Oh yes, we profess with our mouths that we are a Christian country; we claim to pray, but there is a huge disconnect with our hearts.

If nothing else, this political charade has proven what a mess we are. Both presidential candidates have embarrassed their parties and shown flaws that have overwhelmed the voters.

Romans 3:23 reminds us that we should not be surprised: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. As Christians, our question during this political process has been, “Which one of the candidates is the most Christlike?” The one who speaks about God but shows no humility or the one who shows humility but disregards what Scripture says?

Their sins might be different, but they both still sin, and in God’s eyes, sin is sin is sin is sin. We all are guilty. Dare we point fingers!

By the time this goes to print, hopefully either Donald J. Trump or Joe Biden will be declared president of our country. Of course, whoever doesn’t win will want a recount and will accuse the voting process of being flawed, dragging this on for weeks. Rioters and looters will use it as an opportunity to destroy any city whose leadership allows them such freedoms, news anchors will wear us out making predictions based on their own personal biases, and conspiracy theorists will scream “I told you so.”

Fun. Times. Ahead.

But God still will be in charge. Will the one who wins be the better candidate? I don’t know. If not, maybe we will get what we deserve, or as theologian Warren Wiersbe put it, “God’s greatest judgment may be to let people have their own way.”

Maybe we will learn a little humility. Maybe rethink our priorities. Maybe get on our knees and pray for whoever heads this nation.

Before we get what we really do deserve.

Maybe that will be the best lesson we can learn.

Obituary

Obituary of Barbara J. Stewart

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Barbara Jean Stewart, 94, of Fort Scott, formerly of Xenia, passed away Tuesday evening, November 10, 2020 at her home.

She was born May 30, 1926, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Guy Russell and Agnes Sarah (Davis) Boyd.

She married Myron Leslie Stewart on December 8, 1945, in Osawatomie, Kansas and he preceded her in death September 1, 1996.

Barbara graduated from high school in Blue Mound, Kansas. After marrying Myron, she spent many happy years as a farm wife. Barbara was also an avid Bingo player, gaining many close friends.

Barbara is survived by her three children, Robert Stewart and wife Karen of Fulton, Kansas, Jeanette Church and her husband Robert of Xenia, Kansas, and Carol Didier and her husband Tom, of Wheatland, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and family members.

In addition to her husband Myron, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Guy Boyd Jr., a sister, Reta Maxine Allenbrand, a grandson, and a great-granddaughter.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2020, at the Bronson Cemetery in Bronson, Kansas under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

There will be a dinner and a Celebration of Life following the graveside service at the Blue Mound High School.

Because of Barbara’s love to feed and take care of people, please donate to your local food bank.

Contributions may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee For Nov. 12 Cancelled

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The Chamber Announces
that the host for tomorrow’s Coffee
on Thursday, November 12, 2020
had to cancel (Integrity Home Care + Hospice).
Therefore, there will NOT
be a Chamber Coffee this week.
Join us for upcoming Coffees:
11/19 – Briggs Auto
11/26 – No Coffee, Thanksgiving
12/3 – Laree & Co. (new boutique Downtown)
12/10 – B-WERC (Bourbon County Workforce & Entrepreneur Resource Center, Downtown)
Now is the time to reserve your
Coffee date for next year, call us
or email to reserve a date!
620-223-3566
Thank you!
Church news, COVID-19, Entertainment

“Night To Shine” For Special Needs People

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“Night to Shine”, a prom night for special needs people over 14 years old, is being formed by a team in the Fort Scott community.
“This night is celebrating people in our community (and area) that have special needs,” said Clayton Whitson, operations pastor at Faith Church. “It’s nationally sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Fort Scott Nazarene Church was approved to host earlier this year.”
Michele Hudiberg is also a contact person for the event.
“Normally, this is a huge prom night experience with red carpet, paparazzi, great food, etc,” he said. ” Due to COVID and the health of this at-risk population, the foundation has opted to do a virtual experience this year, but we hope to continue this exceptional event year after year.”
How one can help with the event:
1. Share information – the date of the national virtual experience is Feb 12, 2021. The plan is to make this an annual event.
web: https://fsnighttoshine.wixsite.com/home
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSNightToShine

 

2. Invite Honored Guests: The event is open to anyone in SEK with special needs and over the age of 14. They will receive an “at home virtual experience kit” this year and will be on the list of invitees for years to come.

To register:  https://forms.gle/DwvmUmqNR7aSdSdH7

3. Be a volunteer and/or financial sponsor: It will take a large team to build this event for years to come.

To volunteer: https://forms.gle/2pkkrYd7SRVawM1PA

Corporate Sponsors: Please email, [email protected]