Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Founder’s Day
celebrates 70 years of service to seniors
Fort Scott — Employees of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village will observe the founding of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America this month as the company celebrates 70 years of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri.
Each Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus will have their own celebration with residents and employees during April acknowledging the importance each play in making life at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, the way you want to live.
“Many of our more than 2,000 employees view what they do as a calling, not just a job,” said Bruce Shogren, president and CEO. “Our dedicated employees make it possible for us to sustain PMMA’s mission, which directly impacts the wonderful care our 2,400 residents receive every day.”
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village will observe Founder’s Day on April 18, 2019 by having a cook out for the tenants and employees, along with live Music performed by Mr. Richard Mowen for all to enjoy will having lunch.
Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s roots go back to 1947. Alice Kalb, a widow from central Kansas, appealed to a Presbyterian Church organization to establish a home for seniors. Her vision laid the foundation for the first Presbyterian Manor community in Newton, Kan., and inspired others to do even more. Today PMMA remains true to the spirit of Alice’s vision, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Alice’s dream has turned into a network of 17 senior living communities across Kansas and Missouri, with Fort Scott Presbyterian Village joining the system in 1994. PMMA, with its more than 2,400 residents, remains true to its core and mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, contact Becky Kellum, marketing director, at 620-223-5550 or [email protected].
At the Topeka Veterans Administration Luncheon recently are from left to right: Michael Leachner, Darrell Spencer, Roger “Skipper” Brown, Myra Jowers and Carl Jowers. All are veterans although non-veterans have volunteered to be shuttle drivers as well.
Local citizens have signed on to take veterans to doctors appointments for free at two Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Kansas. And plans are in place to pick up any veteran along the Hwy. 69 corridor from Fort Scott northward.
To register for a shuttle seat, the veteran must
· Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 p.m. for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.
· Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 p.m., the day prior to their appointment.
The Fort Scott VA Shuttle service is coordinated by Carl Jowers, who commander of the local American Legion Post 25.
Shuttles are provided on Mondays and Tuesdays from Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center; and Wednesdays from Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center.
Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle.
“The vet should mention that they are a shuttle rider, when calling for a VA medical appointment,” Jowers said.
The shuttle will depart from the designated spot in Fort Scott, Pete’s 66 Convenience Store, across from Briggs Automall on Hwy. 69 and will return to Fort Scott after the last veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of the first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.
“The departure time depends upon the time of the appointment of the riders,” Jowers said.” If there is a 9 a.m. appointment, then the shuttle departs at 6:15 a.m. for Topeka or 6:45 a.m. for KC. If the earliest appointment isn’t until 10:45 a.m., then the departure time is adjusted accordingly. It didn’t make sense to me for a driver to pickup a rider at 6:15 a.m. to arrive in Topeka at 9 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. appointment.”
“As the shuttle coordinator, after the reserved seating has closed out at 5 p.m. for the next day’s schedule, I decide on the shuttle’s departure time and convey this information to both the driver and the rider. It’s extra work on my part, but I think it’s a better use of time for both driver and rider.”
The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.
Veterans living along Highway 69 may be picked up at the Casey’s Convenience Store in Pleasanton.
“We are going to make a pick up spot at McDonald’s in Louisburg at the intersection of Hwy. 68 and Hwy. 69 for either the Topeka VA or the Kansas City VA,” Jowers said.
“The Ottawa pickup location will be at Love’s Truck Stop at Highway 68 and I35, going to Topeka,” Jowers said.
” Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle,” he said. “This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service. We have to plan for a group. If a person calls and is at a specific spot, they can ride the shuttle. They have to have a seat reserved.”
The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat by calling 785-925-0261. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area veteran on a first come, first served basis.
Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. Those veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them must have a signed note from their doctor attesting that the veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.
“Drivers have to pass a comprehensive VA medical and background investigation,” Jowers said. “It’s the same process as if you were being hired by the VA. We’ve had quite a few people step up and two more are awaiting background clearance.”
The list of shuttle drivers is: Roger and Faye Brown, Darrell Spencer, Steve Dean, Michael Martin, Michael Leachner, and Danny Graham. Jowers and his wife, Myra are back-up drivers.
Currently, one veteran a week is using the shuttle to get to their medical appointments, Jowers said.
“While at this time, there are not a lot of riders, I think that this will change as vets become aware of the service and begin making use of it,” Jowers said.
Bugles Across America, NFP was founded in 2000 by Tom Day, when Congress passed legislation stating that Veterans have a right to at least two uniformed military people to fold the flag and play Taps on a CD player. Bugles Across America was founded to take this a step further. In recognition of the service these Veterans have provided to their country, we felt that they each deserve a live rendition of Taps by a real bugler.
The motto, “SOUND THE HONOR – HONOR THE SOUND” is meant to express the desire that each volunteer bugler be available as much as possible to honor veterans with the ‘live’ sounding of TAPS.
Robert Solomonson lives in Fort Scott and is a local member of Bugles Across America. He is available as a Bugler for military graveside services and other memorial services in the Southeast Kansas area.
His service is strictly voluntary; no compensation is required. Robert can be contacted at telephone number (620)704-7373 or by email at [email protected].
Area musicians who play the Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn or a Bugle can contact https://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/ for more information on becoming a volunteer bugler at Veterans funerals or other memorial services.
Submitted By Carl Jowers. Commander.
Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25
April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Safehouse Crisis Center is hosting several awareness, educational, and support programs throughout the month for the southeast Kansas community. Safehouse provides free and confidential advocacy, shelter, and therapy services to victims and survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking in seven counties in southeast Kansas. Safehouse will be honoring the national awareness month with free programming for area survivors and community members.
The awareness month will begin with the “What Were You Wearing?” Survivor Art Installation on Wednesday April 3rd, at the Pittsburg Public Library from 3:00pm – 7:00pm. The Art Installation originated at the University of Arkansas in 2013 and was inspired by Dr. Mary Simmerling’s poem, What I Was Wearing. The Installation asks participants to understand that it was never about the clothing and the act of shedding those clothes is never enough to bring peace or comfort to survivors. The violation is not simply woven in to the fabric of the material, it is a part of the survivor’s new narrative. If only ending sexual violence was as easy as changing our clothes. Instead it requires all of us to evaluate what enabled us as individuals and as a society to ask, “what were you wearing?” in the first place. Attendees can walk through the display anytime between 3:00pm and 7:00pm. The display will also be traveling to Fort Scott and be on display for community members at the Fort Scott Public Library Friday April 12th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm and Saturday April 13th from 9:00am – 12:00pm.
Throughout the month, local southeast Kansas libraries will have sexual assault awareness book displays. Check out the library closest to you that is participating: the Pittsburg Public Library, the PSU Axe Library, the Girard Public Library, the Weir Public Library, the Fort Scott Public Library, the La Cygne Library, the Pleasanton Lincoln Library, and the Coffeyville Public Library.
On Thursday April 18th, Safehouse will be hosting a Rara Rocks Painting Party at 6:00pm at the Pittsburg Public Library. Rara’s Rocks was started by Tamara Suguitan (nickname Rara), a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence. She shared her story with Rara Rocks, a platform to provide healing and comfort to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. The mission of Rara’s Rocks is to spread awareness for sexual and domestic violence, the free support the community provides, and to let survivors know they are not alone. Rara’s motto is, “Heal when you reveal your ‘rocks’.” Each rock resembles a person because we are all works of art.
An important part of healing from sexual violence is learning to regain a sense of calm and safety in our lives and in our bodies. In the past decade, research has shown that yoga can also have a strong impact on the healing processes of many survivors of trauma. On Saturday April 20th Safehouse is partnering with Balanced Life Yoga to provide a free trauma-informed yoga class from 2:00pm – 3:00pm at the Eclectic Soul Studio in Pittsburg.
Safehouse will also be hosting a survivor writing workshop series called Write to Empower facilitated by advocates and local community writing professionals. The first workshop on Monday April 15th will focus on Safety, the second on Monday April 22nd will focus on empowerment, and the final workshop on Monday April 29th will focus on healing. All workshops take place at the Pittsburg Public Library from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. Attendees do not have to attend all workshops, but area encouraged to do so.
Community members may attend a free Lunch & Learn about the Dynamics of Sexual Violence on Wednesday April 24th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the Pittsburg Fire Department Training Room at 911 W. 4th Street. Attendees bring their own lunch and Safehouse brings the education.
For more information about Safehouse awareness and educational programs, contact Ali Smith, Prevention Education Specialist at 620-231-8692. Safehouse also encourages you to reach out to community and campus groups also providing free programming for Sexual Assault Awareness Month such as Ascension Via Christi (620-231-6100), the Children’s Advocacy Center (620-235-0067), PSU’s Students for Violence Prevention (620-235-4831), PSU’s Student Alliance for Gender Equality (620-235-4512), and the Southeast Kansas National Organization for Women (SEK NOW) [email protected]
The Fort Scott VA Shuttle service is now providing weekly service to Veterans in the Southeast Kansas area on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays as follows:
Mondays and Tuesdays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center.
Wednesdays: Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center.
Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle.
Veterans living along Highway 69 or near Louisburg and Ottawa can also schedule a ride to the VA by following the below process. Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle. This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service.
The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area Veteran on a first come, first served basis.
The shuttle service is free to any Veteran who needs transportation to the VA for their medical appointments.
The shuttle will depart from the Fort Scott’s Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street and will return to Fort Scott after the last Veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of the first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.
The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.
Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. Those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them must have a signed note from their doctor attesting that the Veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.
To register for a shuttle seat, the Veteran must
·Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.
·Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment.
Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions you might have.
Submitted by Carl Jowers, Fort Scott Shuttle Coordinator.
Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt
Congratulations to Post 25’s own Myra Jowers. Myra was elected as the 2nd District Vice Commander at the recent 2nd District Convention.
Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 received the Ed Mullins award at the recent 2nd District Convention in Gardner. The Ed Mullins award is for the 2nd District Post with the highest membership percentage. At the time of the Convention, Post 25 was at 143% in membership. However the real numbers for Post 25, as of this week, including transfers and new members not yet posted at National, is 84 members. In May 2017, Post 25 had 40 members. Our Post has grown by 44 members since then.
Post 25 Legionnaires Jack Kendrick and Russell Vann were memorialized at the recent 2nd District Convention Joint Memorial Service Roll Call. Both Legionnaires transferred to Post Everlasting in the past year. Photos of the Memorial Service are attached.
Kansas Senators introduced and passed Senate Resolution 1719: Honoring the 100th anniversary of the American Legion posts in Kansas. Photos of the Resolution and Kansas Legionnaires in attendance for passing of the resolution are attached.
Recruit a new Legion member and both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing where each of you could win $500. This new member contest runs until May. Bringing in a past member whose membership expired in 2017 or earlier would also count towards the $500 drawing. If you need recruiting brochures or membership applications, please contact me. I’ll make arrangements to deliver them to you. A copy of the membership drive rules is attached.
Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wishes to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.
Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle is now in operation. The shuttle is operating on Mondays and Tuesdays. As more drivers are cleared by the VA, additional days will be added to the schedule.
I anticipate adding a Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle run starting in April. The KC run will be on either a Wednesday or Thursday. A start date will be set once two more shuttle drivers are cleared by the VA.
Any area Vet needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 for more information or to reserve a seat. All Vets riding the shuttle must have medical appointments between 9 am and 1 pm and call by 5 pm the day before their appointment to schedule their ride.
We are moving towards starting an American Legion Riders. An organizational meeting will be scheduled in early May. The date and time will be based upon ALR District Officers availability. If you are interested in joining the Post 25 Riders Chapter, contact Post Commander Carl Jowers to be placed on a meeting notification list. The requirements to join the ALR are on the attached flyer.
Second nominations for Post 25 Officers for the 2019 – 2020 Legion year will at our April meeting. Any Post 25 Legionnaire who is current on their dues can be nominated for any office. Please give thought to stepping up and being nominated for an office or encourage other members to step up and help guide Post 25’s growth for another year.
Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the April 11 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain. All current Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members can join the Post 25 Color Guard.
Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/. Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.
Upcoming Events
April 1. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 1. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.
April 1. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.
April 2. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 8. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 9. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 11. Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. All Post members including SAL members are invited to join our growing Color Guard.
April 15. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 16. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 22. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 23. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 29. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 30. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.
Fort Scott, Kan. – Now that it’s finally warming up outside, the time for spring cleaning approaches. Soon, area residents will tackle annual challenges such as clearing brush in the backyard, tidying up the basement, cleaning out the garage, and emptying cabinets to replace shelf paper. As you identify the things you no longer need, keep in mind the adage “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” and consider donating that “treasure” to Presbyterian Village for its annual fundraiser.
“You may look at it and see junk, but your neighbors may look at it and see a collectible or a useful tool,” said Executive Director Ginger Nance.
Stop by during regular business hours, in the evening or on weekends to drop off your donation at 2401 S. Horton. For pick-up and delivery of heavy items, call 620-223-5550 to make arrangements.
“Used hobby items are always popular at the auction, such as a golf cart or set of clubs, fishing tackle, that flat-bottom boat, tractors and farm items that have been sitting out back untouched for a few years, knick-knacks and even some of those tools you don’t use or need anymore,” Nance said. “The possibilities are endless, and everything will go at the auction, including that vintage jewelry you haven’t worn in centuries, good lawn mowers and the old furniture pieces you plan to replace with your income tax return. Now’s the time to clean out the old and pass it on to someone who can use & cherish it! Remember, items don’t have to be old, new items are appreciated, as well.”
Presbyterian Village’s annual dinner and auction will take place May 15. Proceeds stay local and go to Presbyterian Village’s Good Samaritan Program, which helps seniors who have outlived their financial resources, through no fault of their own. Every dollar raised makes a direct difference in senior’s lives.
Everyone wins at the auction. The items you donate may be deductible on your income taxes. The Presbyterian Manor organization is a 501(c)3, not for profit, Christian mission organization dedicated to providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.
#
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has been offering independent and assisted living services for seniors from southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri since 1994. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. It is a member of the nonprofit Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America network of 17 communities and two hospices in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more about PMMA at PresbyterianManors.org.
March 14. Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. All Post members including SAL members are invited to join our growing Color Guard.
March 18. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
March 19. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
March 23. Department of KansasDistrict 2 Convention at Gardner Post 19 starts at 8 am. Districts will meet in Convention for the purpose of conducting its business and electing officers for the 2019-20 membership year which begins on July 1. All Legionnaires in good standing are invited and encouraged to attend District and Department conventions.
March 25. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
March 26. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
April 1. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.
April 1. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.
Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.
I am pleased to announce that once again Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 leads the Department of Kansas in membership for the week ending March 8. Our 2019 goal was 51 members. Our current membership is at 143% and 73 members. We are 22 members over our goal. By way of comparison, Sterling Post 128 in District 7 is in 2nd place for membership at 123%. Thanks to all members who have made Fort Scott Post 25 a highly visible and active Legion Post in the Department of Kansas.
We welcomed Vernon Hill, Marilyn Matthews and Michael Newberry into Post 25 as new members at our March membership meeting. Michael Johnson also joined the SAL Squadron 25 as a new member.
Recruit a new Legion member and both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing where each of you could win $500. This new member contest runs until May. Bringing in a past member whose membership expired in 2017 or earlier would also count towards the $500 drawing. If you need recruiting brochures or membership applications, please contact me. I’ll make arrangements to deliver them to you. A copy of the membership drive rules is attached.
American Legion Service Officer Myra Jowers will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wishes to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.
Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle is now in operation. The shuttle is operating on Mondays and Tuesdays.
I anticipate adding a Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle run starting in April. The KC run will be on either a Wednesday or Thursday. A start date will be set once two more shuttle drivers are cleared by the VA.
Any area Vet needing a ride for a medical appointment should call 785-925-0261 for more information or to reserve a seat. All Vets riding the shuttle must have medical appointments between 9 am and 1 pm and call by 5 pm the day before their appointment to schedule their ride.
We are moving towards starting an American Legion Riders. An organizational meeting will be scheduled in mid-March. The date and time will be based upon ALR District Officers availability. If you are interested in joining the Post 25 Riders Chapter, contact Post Commander Carl Jowers to be placed on a meeting notification list. The requirements to join the ALR are on the attached flyer.
Second nominations for Post 25 Officers for the 2019 – 2020 Legion year will at our April meeting. Any Post 25 Legionnaire who is current on their dues can be nominated for any office. Please give thought to stepping up and being nominated for an office or encourage other members to step up and help guide Post 25’s growth for another year.
Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the March 14 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain.
Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/. Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.
Baldwin City, Westar Energy break ground on solar project
With the addition of community solar project, about a third of the city’s electricity will be generated from renewable sources.
TOPEKA, Kan., March 6, 2019 – Leaders from Baldwin City and Westar Energy broke ground Tuesday on a 1-megawatt solar project to serve the city’s electric customers.
“I am excited that we were able to form a partnership with Westar Energy to further enhance our portfolio of sustainable energy offered to our citizens. While this increases our sustainable energy, it also helps control our expenses on our purchased energy for as long as this solar power is producing,” said Mayor Casey Simoneau.
“Westar Energy is excited to help Baldwin City on a forward-looking, sustainable energy strategy. Community solar is a cost-effective way for cities to harness the sun’s energy for customers,” said John Bridson, Westar Energy vice president, generation services. “We’re also excited to partner with Baker University to provide lessons in business and science using the community solar project.”
Science and business students from Baker University are using the project as the basis for field study. Business students may use the project to learn about energy management, building business cases and managing request for proposal processes. Science-related lessons will include ecology, assessing the soil and designing the site to provide habitat for endangered Monarch butterflies.
About 40 people attended the groundbreaking. The project will be constructed on city property adjacent to the city’s public utility building and is scheduled to be complete summer of 2019.
With the addition of the solar plant, about a third of the electricity needs of Baldwin City will be met with renewable sources. Learn more here on the Baldwin City website.
Westar is working with other municipals and cooperatives that are interested in adding renewable energy sources.
–30 –
About KCP&L and Westar Energy: Serving approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L), KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company and Westar Energy are the electric utilities of Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG). Together we generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and
The Redfield City Council. Photo by Jody Hoenor. From left: Pam Speer, Deputy City Clerk; Wilma Graham, Council; L.D. Morrison, Council; Michael Beerbower, Council; Ed Guss, Mayor; John Speer, Treasurer; Kirby Martin, Council; and Beth Guss, Acting City Clerk.
Redfield’s City Council is working to improve their town.
One of the ways to improve is the way the council is elected.
“We will have elections every two years, like everyone, but not everybody running for office at the same time,” said Beth Guss, acting Redfield City Clerk.
“When my husband (Ed Guss) took office, everyone but Wilma Graham was new, and nobody had known what to do,” she said.
They visited with neighboring Uniontown Mayor Larry Jurgensen and City Clerk Sally Johnson about the issue and were told about staggering the election so all are not new members at the same time, she said.
Following protocol, the City of Redfield published the proposed changes in the Fort Scott Tribune on Feb. 9 and 16.
This ordinance will take effect 61 days following the final publication.
An election of city council members will take place this November 2019, with succeeding elections every two years for the positions of those whose terms have expired.
This year Wilma Graham and L.D. Morrison will be up for re-election.
“Anyone can register to run,” Guss said.
Other members of the council in addition to these two are Clarence (Ed) Guss, Kirby Martin, and Michael Beerbower.
Beth Guss said she is the acting city clerk until a replacement can be found.
It is difficult to find citizens who will serve in a community of Redfield’s size, 157 people, “not counting the dogs,” she said with a laugh. The town is located in the middle of Bourbon County.
“We’ve got small-town issues, like all small towns,” she said. “We are working to make our town better.”
