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Bourbon County, K-State Extension

The New to Medicare Virtual Workshop

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Joy Miller, RD, LD
Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent
Adult Development and Aging
Family Resource Management
K-State Research and Extension
Southwind Extension District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Fax: 620-223-0332
joymiller@ksu.edu


Are you eligible for Medicare because you are turning 65 years old or reaching the 25th month of long-term disability? Figuring out when to enroll in Medicare and which parts to enroll in can be daunting. There’s Part A, Part B, Part D, medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. And what the heck is a doughnut hole, anyway? A virtual New to Medicare workshop will be held January 27th to help you get the answers to all of these and more, but where else can you find reliable information about Medicare? 

The ‘Medicare and You’ handbook is the official U.S. government Medicare handbook.  The handbook is a summary of Medicare benefits, coverage options, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions.  You can order a paper or Braille handbook by calling 1-800-633-4227. Other electronic versions of the handbook include PDF, e-book, and audio, all are available at medicare.gov under resources.  

Another reliable resource is the Kansas Insurance Department. On the website, insurance.kansas.gov/medicare/, you will find a Medicare Supplement Shopper’s Guide in PDF format and an online Medicare supplement comparison tool.  This is a great way to price compare a variety of Medigap plans, companies, and estimated prices to narrow down decisions.  

Social Security handles enrollment for Original Medicare (Parts A and B).  There is a variety of publications online to help guide you through Medicare Benefits at ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/.  

Each state has a health insurance assistance program to provide free help to Medicare beneficiaries who have question. The Kansas program is administered through the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability and is called SHICK, Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas.  Certified volunteers provide free one-to-one counseling and educational programs to help Medicare beneficaries gain the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about health insurance.  SHICK does not sell insurance or endorse any insurance company, product, or agent.  To find a counselor near you, call 1-800-860-5260.    

New to Medicare workshop through Zoom will be held Wednesday, January 27th at 6 p.m. The program is free, registration required: http://bit.ly/SouthwindMedicare.  The program will walk you through the basics of Medicare to provide a foundation of information to help you navigate the decision making process.  The workshop is taught by Joy Miller, Certified SHICK Counselor. For more information, call 620-223-3720 or e-mail joymiller@ksu.edu. 

Area News

Kansas Archeology Training June 4-20 in Shawnee County

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Kansas Archeology Training Program Field School

to Be Held in Shawnee County:

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

June 4-20, 2021

 

TOPEKA—The Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Anthropological Association announced on Jan. 8 that the Kansas Archeology Training Program (KATP) will be held at Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, in Topeka. The annual field school will partner with the park and the National Park Service’s Midwest Archeological Center (MWAC). The park includes the Monroe Elementary School and commemorates the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end the nation’s legal segregation. The landmark victory for civil rights in America helped to inspire the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. The national historic site is located where Monroe Elementary School was built in 1927 and the previous Monroe School was built in 1874. Both were intended as segregated schools for Black children, one of four in Topeka, until the 1954 court decision.

 

The goal of the 2021 KATP is to expand on knowledge of the school property from the early years when it was purchased by John Ritchie in 1855 and later when the current Monroe school was built. The field school will be an opportunity to explore some of the structures buried on the property that once stood near the earlier Monroe school. Little information in known regarding the preservation of these structures. Through the use of archeology it is hoped to gain a better understanding of those who lived in the Monroe school neighborhood. This project will help tell of the crucial time between the Civil War and the Civil Rights eras that had a profound impact on people’s lives throughout the nation. Visitors to this national site are often unaware or unable to understand the property’s broader history prior to the 1954 court decision. Research goals will be shaped by input from the National Park Service to help assist them in telling this story and to gain more understanding about the community that surrounded this school.

 

The annual KATP field school is an opportunity for the public to work alongside professional and avocational archeologists in finding and excavating archeological sites and processing the resulting artifacts in the lab. No experience is necessary—just a desire to learn. Volunteers can attend for a few days or the entire 17 days of the field school. Participants must be at least 12 years old and children aged 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Classroom courses on archeology are also offered and can be taken for college credit through Emporia State University for an additional fee. Artifacts found at the site will be processed in the archeology laboratory at the Kansas Historical Society.

 

The registration fee for members of the Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Anthropological Association is $35 for standard participants, $25 for participants 65 or older, $15 for all students currently enrolled at a middle school, high school, or college. There is no fee for students enrolled for college credit through Emporia State University. The nonmember fee is $90.

 

Registration will be available online through kshs.org from April 1-June 1, 2021. Registration is limited based on activity on a day-by-day basis.

 

A full schedule of evening programs will be held in Topeka; admission to the programs is free and open to the public. A tentative schedule of programs will be posted online. Find more online at kshs.org/14622.

 

For more information contact Nikki Klarmann, kshs.archeologyoutreach@ks.gov; 785-272-8681, ext. 266; kshs.org/katp.

 

**Due to the current public health crisis, the KATP field school is subject to cancellation. This decision will be made prior to the opening of registration on April 1, 2021.**

Government, Kansas

Flags Half-Staff For Slain D.C. Policemen

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Governor Laura Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-staff to Honor Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood

TOPEKA – In honor of United States Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, Governor Laura Kelly has directed that flags be lowered to half-staff throughout the state until Wednesday, January 13, 2021, from sunup to sundown.

“This week, we honor the lives of Office Sicknick and Officer Liebengood,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Kansans grieve with their families, fellow officers, and the rest of the nation in the wake of this tragedy.”

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honor

Opinion

Meet the Flintstones by Carolyn Tucker

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Carolyn Tucker. Submitted photo.

Keys to the Kingdom – Carolyn Tucker

 

One of my favorite TV cartoons was “The Flintstones” which aired from 1960 to 1966. I was greatly entertained by the Stone-Age setting which included foot-powered cars, The Daily Slate “newspaper” chiseled on rock, and the family’s pet dogasaurus Dino. Basically everything in the town of Bedrock was made out of rock, even their mattresses!

Flint is a hard type of stone that the Native American Indians used to make tools and arrowheads. They wouldn’t even consider using shale because it’s a soft rock that breaks under the slightest pressure. As Christians, we need to be “hardheaded” in our determination to wholeheartedly trust and obey Jesus. Also, we don’t want to be like shale and fall apart at the first sign of difficulty or temptation.

Here is an excellent scripture of hope for these challenging days: “Because the Lord God helps me, I will not be dismayed; therefore, I have set my face like flint to do His will, and I know that I will triumph” (Isaiah 50:7 TLB). Make a rock-solid decision that you will not look to the right or left as you follow Jesus. Let’s shake off the 2020 dust from our feet and move on with an attitude of victory.

If you’ve suffered the death of a loved one in the past year, I’m not suggesting that this loss can be shrugged off. I know firsthand that there’s an unavoidable grieving process to go through. Rather, I am referring to the unpleasant detours that pop up during your journey. Once you get through it, you can begin to move forward. But in order to grow spiritually, you must place your trust in God and not dwell on the past.

I like this encouraging verse from Apostle Paul: “…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:13,14 NLT). Looking back doesn’t help you walk forward. In fact, it causes you to stumble because you’re not watching where you’re going!

In the Old Testament, we find Lot, his wife, and two daughters fleeing from Sodom because God’s angels were going to destroy it. When they were safely out of the city, the angel ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! …But Lot’s wife looked back…and she turned into a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:17,26 NLT). She should have set her face like flint to look ahead and press on with God‘s help.

Even though Lot’s wife was an unnamed woman in the Bible, and was mentioned only three times, we can learn a crucial lesson from her. Even Jesus referred to her in Luke 17:32 NKJV: “Remember Lot’s wife.” There’s diverse speculation as to why she looked back. But the simple fact is she did not obey an express command. Disobeying God’s Word will always result in calamity — no matter what the excuse is.

The Key: Hold to God’s hand, set your face like flint, and don’t look back.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For Jan. 12

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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: January 12, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth 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.

9:00 – 9:30 Eric Bailey, Road & Bridge

9:30 – 9:45 Jim Harris, Executive Session, Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

9:45 – 9:50 Real Property Relief Application

9:50 – 10:00 2021 Resolutions

10:00 – 10:05 Kendell Mason, Executive Session, Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

10:05 – 10:15 Lora Holdridge, Deed’s Office End-Of-Year review

10:15 – 10:20 Nancy VanEtten, wants Interlocal Agreement Update on Sewer District #1

10:20 – 10:40 Dave Bruner, EMS Service Contract/Medical Director Contract/New EMS Unit Update

10:40 – 10:55 Lynne Oharah, Executive Session, Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

10:55 – 11:10 Lynne Oharah, Budget Director Discussion

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For Special Meeting Jan. 11

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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: January 11, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth 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 K.O.M.A.

10:20 Jody Hoener, Executive Session, Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

Obituary

Obituary of Mark A. Demas

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Mark Anthony Demas, age 61, a resident of Coffeyville, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at his home in Coffeyville.

He was born March 25, 1959, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Charles Stewart Parnell Demas and Faye Janice Smiley Demas.

Mark’s father died at a young age, and he was raised by his mother and step-father, Raymond Cowan.  Mark married Diann Erie on March 31, 1978, in Ft. Scott.  Mark graduated from Ft. Scott High School and Ft. Scott Community College and later completed his pastoral training at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri.  He pastored churches in Hamilton, Virgil and Neal, Kansas as well as Columbus and Erie, Kansas.  He was currently serving as pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville.

Mark loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  He also enjoyed riding and working on motorcycles.

 

Survivors include his wife, Diann, of the home; and his three children, Sarah Lopez (Fernando), of Pittsburg, Kansas, Kyle Demas, of Pleasanton, Kansas and Trenton Demas, also of Pittsburg and four grandchildren, Isabella, Marco and Miguel Lopez and Emma Demas and his beloved dogs, Abbie and Gracie.

Also surviving are four brothers, George Demas, of Jackson, Kentucky, Charles Speer (Marian), of Carl Junction, Missouri, John Speer (Pam), of Redfield, Kansas and Glenn Demas (Cecilia), of Joplin, Missouri and his mother-in-law, Edna Erie, of Ft. Scott.

Mark was preceded in death by a son, Isaac Demas, his parents, a brother, Jim Speer and his father-in-law, Mike Erie.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M., Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

A private family memorial service with burial in the Oak Grove Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Juvenile Diabetes Research Funding 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.