| Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 continues to lead the Department of Kansas in membership at 151% with 77 members.
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 15. 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.
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.
Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the May 9 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain. Post 25 Color Guard members presented colors at the Fort Scott Community Prayer Breakfast on May 1. See attached photos.
Four local Veterans donated blood at the recent visit by the Red Cross to Fort Scott. The American Legion Blood Donor Program has existed officially since 1942 to promote blood donations by American Legion family members. Thanks to those who donated.
Two students were recommended by Post 25 to attend this year’s Boys/Girls State. Macayla Jo McClure will be attending Girls State. Luke George will be attending Boys State. It is exciting to see young people step up and attend these Legion sponsored programs. Their photos are attached.
Wyatt Williams of Nevada will be attending the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy this summer. Wyatt in an 11th grader who participates in the Nevada Police Department’s internal student cadet program. His photo is attached. Wyatt’s mother learned about the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy through a Fort Scott friend who overheard a Post member discussing Legion programs.
The Cadet Law Enforcement Chair indicated that Kansas residency wasn’t a requirement to participate in this program. Wyatt was asked to submit his application for the program and was highly highly recommended by the Nevada Police Department. Wyatt’s photo is attached.
Members and friends of Post 25 greeted the Warrior Convoy that passed through downtown Fort Scott on Wednesday, May 1. In addition to showing support for combat wounded Veterans, we recruited a new member. Photos are attached.
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.
VA MISSION Act: What is the latest on community care? Find out more at this web address: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/23d694a
Volunteers Needed
Ralph Carlson is seeking volunteers to help with minor home repairs for low income area residents. Volunteers with carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills. All projects are short term and can be accomplished based upon the volunteer’s availability. Some of Ralph’s most recent projects were wheelchair ramps for two disabled Veterans and repairing a kitchen floor for a senior citizen. Call Ralph at 620-644-8162 to volunteer or more for information about his program.
The Fort Scott Cancer Treatment Center relocated to Chanute. Drivers are needed to take Fort Scott patients to Chanute for chemotherapy. Drivers will use their own vehicle and there is a small stipend for gas, if requested. A driver will take the chemo patient to their appointment in Chanute and wait for treatment to be completed and then bring the patient back to Fort Scott. The driver may have only a half hour wait for the patient or two – three hours. Call Donna Bauer at 620-224-7075 for more information or to volunteer.
You do not have to be a Veteran to step up for one of the volunteer opportunities. Just someone who will step up and offer a helping hand to our neighbors.
Upcoming Events
May 4. Post Commander Carl Jowers will be at the Fort Scott Walmart from 9 am – 12 pm. This is our American Legion community awareness program. I’ll have membership applications for the Legion, Auxiliary and Sons. Bring eligible members by our table and I can sign them up on the spot. If you recruit a new Legionnaire, they and you will be entered into a drawing for $500 each. Even of you don’t have any potential members, feel free just to stop by.
May 6. 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.
May 6. 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. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.
May 9. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.
May 9. American Legion Baseball Information Session for players ages 15 to 19 Fort Scott Memorial Hall (Corner of National Ave. and 3rd Street) at 7 pm. Players must be a student or recent graduate of Fort Scott High School. We need at least 5 more players to have a Legion Baseball team this year.
Email Post 25 Baseball Chair Earl Adams at [email protected] with any questions about Legion Baseball. May 17-19. Department of Kansas American Legion Convention. Hutchinson, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Post 25 can have four delegates at the Convention. Post 25 is authorized four voting delegates. Two more delegates are needed. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers if you would like to attend and represent Post 25. May 23. There will be a meet and greet for females interested in joining American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 at 6 pm in Memorial Hall. At the initial meeting on May 2, there were enough females in attendance to charter the Unit. The official chartering date will be in July to coincide with the new Legion year, which begins July 1.
Any female who has an ancestor who served in the United States military is probably eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Additionally, female family members of Veterans and active duty military may also be eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Eligibility to join the Auxiliary may be confusing, however email [email protected] for more details on determining your eligibility to join. May 31 – June 2. American Legion Leadership College at Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers for more information on attending. June 3. 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.
June 3. 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. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.
Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.
VA Shuttle MAY Schedule
Mondays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Tuesdays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Wednesdays. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders.
Carl Jowers. Commander Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Telephone: 620.215.1688 Email: [email protected] |
Category Archives: Area News
Fort Scott VA Shuttle Service
The Fort Scott VA Shuttle service provides transportation service to Topeka and Kansas City VA Hospital for Veterans in the Southeast Kansas area as follows:
Mondays and Tuesdays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center.
Wednesdays: Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center.
The shuttle service is free to any Veteran who needs transportation to the VA for their medical appointments.
Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle. Veterans who have “walk-in” appointments can also schedule a shuttle ride.
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 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.
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 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. However, those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them can provide 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.
Carl Jowers, Fort Scott Shuttle Coordinator.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 Rechartering This Evening May 2
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 is rechartering the Fort Scott Unit at 7 pm, May 2, 2019. This milestone event will take place in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.
The American Legion Auxiliary adheres to the following purposes: To support and advocate for veterans, active military and their families;To support the initiatives and programs of The American Legion; To foster patriotism and responsible citizenship; To award scholarships and promote quality education and literacy; To provide educational and leadership opportunities that uphold the ideals of freedom and democracy and encourage good citizenship and patriotism in government;To increase our capacity to deliver our Mission by providing meaningful volunteer opportunities within our communities; and To empower our membership to achieve personal fulfillment through Service Not Self.
Eligibility about who can join the American Legion Auxiliary can be confusing, but review the below information to determine your Auxiliary eligibility.
Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, stepdaughters, granddaughters and spouses/widows of Veterans are eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary. There are a few exceptions, but if your Veteran died on active service or died after completing active service, you can join the American Legion Auxiliary.
In addition to the above list of females eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary, wives of current Legion members are also eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary.
If you are not sure about your eligibility to join the Auxiliary, come to the meeting on Thursday night and let’s review your status.
If you are not able to attend the meeting, but would like to join the Auxiliary, just contact Myra Jowers at [email protected] or call her at 620-215-1286 and she will arrange to meet you to complete the membership application.
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Gunn Park is Closed Because of Flooding
Severe thunderstorms yesterday have caused flooding in some areas.
Gunn Park was closed because of the flooding.
Area Job Openings by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce
Uniontown Spruces Up
Spring cleaning is the time to clean up your yards, attics, garage and closets.
Next weekend, a small town in the area will be renting huge trash hauling bins to helps its citizens to do just that.
Uniontown City Council helps provide the town’s citizens a way to get rid of unwanted, unsightly items.
The city council rents huge trash hauling bins twice a year, once before Uniontown High School graduation in May and again before Old Settlers Picnic weekend, in August, this year May 3-5 and August 23-25.
The bins are located on city property near the corner of First and Clay Streets.
“This assists our residents with the clean up of their property and to keep our town clean and appealing to visitors,” Sally Johnson, Uniontown City Clerk, said.
Absolutely no tires, batteries, or freon are allowed in the city’s trash hauling bins.
The city will recycle metal.
“There will be an area to the side (of the bins) for metal objects that are then taken for recycling,” Johnson said.
The town-wide clean up is for Uniontown residents only.
Come To The Fort For Living History April 27-28
History re-enactors and volunteers will be portraying life during the Civil War era at Fort Scott National Historic Site this weekend, April 27-28
The Holmes Brigade, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry, Western Bluecoats Field Hospital, Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc., and Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers will be demonstrating cooking, sewing, period games, and other activities about life at the fort during this time period.
The times for the events:
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
- 9:00 a.m. Raising the Colors
- 10:00 a.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 10:30 a.m. Lunette Blair Block House Program
- 10:45 a.m. Cooking Demonstrations: (All day)
- 11:00 a.m. Cavalry Drill
- 11:30 a.m. An Arm and a Leg: The Cost of Surgery
- 12:00 noon Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 1:00 p.m. Ordered To Be Shot: Civil War Courts Martial
- 2:00 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 2:30 p.m. An Arm and a Leg: The Cost of Surgery
- 3:00 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 4:00 p.m. Flag Retreat
SUNDAY, APRIL 28
- 9:00 a.m. Raising the Colors
- 10:00 a.m. Church Service
- 11:00 a.m. Cooking Demonstration
- 11:30 a.m. Infantry Dress Parade and Inspection
- 12:00 noon Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 1:00 p.m. Cavalry Drill
- 1:30 p.m. An Arm and a Leg: The Cost of Surgery
- 2:00 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 2:30 p.m. Conceived in Liberty: An Interpretive Dialog
- 3:00 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
The address of the fort is 1 Old Fort Blvd, Fort Scott, at the north end of Main Street.
For more information: www.nps.gov/fosc/planyourvisit/civil-war-encampment.htm
Submitted by:
Carl Brenner
Carl Brenner
Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc)
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc)
Cell – 785-521-5371
Office – 620-223-0310
Aging With Attitude April 26
Inspiration and education are the themes of an event aimed at older adults this Friday.
The Aging With Attitude Expo is a one-day event for aging adults and their family members, according to Barbara Stockebrand, chairperson of the event.
There is a resource fair, breakout sessions, and a keynote speaker with lunch for those who attend.
K-State Research and Extension along with area community partners are bringing the Aging With Attitude Regional Expo to the venue of Community Christian Church in Fort Scott, on April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The church is located at 1919 S. Horton, across from Fort Scott Community College.
Registration fee is $25.
Current registrations of 134 are nearing the capacity set for the expo, Stockebrand said.
Registration information can be found on the Facebook page below.
Click below for the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1662924420474738/
Click here to register online:
https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Ltvajv5Wc5qiPz
Community partners for the event include the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Medicalodges Inc., Southeast Kansas Library System, Angels Care Home Health, Integrity Home Care + Hospice, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and Fort Scott Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.
The goal of the expo is to empower older adults to make more confident and proactive decisions that influence how they age by sharing information and education throughout the day.
Educational topics promote positive attitudes about aging and educate participants on issues supporting physical, mental, and financial health.
Key note presenter, Patty LaRoche will speak on “What Matters Most – Learning Contentment in Life.”
Participants will also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of breakout session topics that address issues facing older adults.
A grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas has provided support for this expo.
Minority/Women Business Workshop May 15
New Minority/Women Business Development Workshop Aims to Help Businesses Grow
Topeka, Kan. – The Minority and Women Business Development Office of the Kansas Department of Commerce will host a Workshop for Minority, Woman and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification Programs on May 15. Those interested in DBE/MBE/WBE Certification will be able to hear more about the application process and potential benefits of certification at the workshop.
DBE/MBE/WBE Certification Workshop
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
10:00am – 12:00pm
Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 100
Topeka, KS 66605
(Curtis State Office Building)
Attendance is FREE, but registration is REQUIRED. Space is limited so sign up early!
Click on the following link to register.
(Deadline is Friday, Monday May 10, 2019)
Ryan Brinker
Public Information Officer
Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 SW Jackson St. Ste. 100
Topeka, KS 66612-1354
Phone: 785-296-4931
Cell: 785-276-9723
Charles Baker celebrates 40-year milestone at KDOT
Charles Baker has worked on the state highways in all kinds of adverse weather events, including tornadoes and snowstorms. He and his crew at the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Erie subarea shop have also dealt with heavy rains and major flooding – including a flood that destroyed the office, which was subsequently rebuilt – during Baker’s years with the agency.
Baker, who is supervisor at the Erie office, has achieved a career milestone and is celebrating 40 years of service to KDOT in May 2019. Beginning work as an equipment operator at Erie in May 1979, he was promoted to supervisor in 2006. The seven-member Erie shop performs operations such as fixing potholes, repairing signs and guardrail, mowing right-of-way, and blading shoulders on the state highway system in the area.
During winter months the removal of snow and ice from the highways is a high priority. “After a snowstorm there is the joy and gratitude you feel that no one got hurt,” said Baker. “We got the job done and there were no accidents.”
Baker lives in Hepler with his wife Janice. On April 28 the couple will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two children and four grandchildren.
New SEKCAP CEO: Jess Ervin
Jess Ervin, Uniontown, transitioned to the role of Chief Executive Officer at Southeast Kansas Community Action Program on January 1, 2019.
“I replaced Steve Lohr, who was with SEK-CAP for nearly 40 years,” Ervin said. “He had served as CEO since 1999.”
Ervin’s office is located in Girard, at the SEK-CAP Central Office facility on North Sinnet Street.
“This location houses the Agency’s administrative offices, as well as office space for our Early Childhood Services staff,” Ervin said. “Also located here is an annex facility, in which our housing services and transportation departments are located.”
Ervin is a Bourbon County resident.
“I graduated from Uniontown High School in 2002, Fort Scott Community College in 2004 and Pittsburg State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration,” he said.
“From 2006 to 2014, I worked at Mercy Health Center Fort Scott, first as a staff accountant, then as a senior accountant,” he said. “Following that time I transitioned into the role of a senior financial analyst for Mercy of Southwest Missouri and Kansas, where I worked until January of 2017. In January of 2017, I was hired as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for SEK-CAP. I served in that capacity until the end of 2018.”
What does the future look like with Ervin as CEO?
“We will continue to serve the children, families and communities in the twelve counties in southeast Kansas,” Ervin said. “Our current services include Community Engagement, Early Childhood Services, Housing and Transportation.”
“We are currently engaged in completing a Community Needs Assessment for our service area that will combine both qualitative and quantitative data factors to determine areas of need, and to identify opportunities for change.”
SEK-CAP is active in Bourbon County.
“Right now in Bourbon County, we are active through Community Engagement, Housing Services and Early Childhood Services. Community Engagement encompasses community planning, involvement and needs assessment,” he said.
“Our housing services in Bourbon County include the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) which can be utilized for homelessness assistance. Our wait list for TBRA is currently open and is set to close April 30th for the current grant cycle.”
“Early Childhood services include both a center-based (Head Start, ages 3-5) model that is housed in a classroom of the Fort Scott Preschool building, and Home-Based Services (Early Head Start and Head Start, prenatal through age 5), which are services delivered by staff who conduct weekly visits to children in their home, and work directly with the parents to promote healthy development. SEK-CAP’s Early Childhood programs promote school readiness for children prenatally to age five for low-income families by supporting the development of the whole child. Each Early Childhood program supports families in fulfilling their roles as parents and movement towards self-sufficiency by offering comprehensive services such as education, nutrition, medical, dental, mental health, employment services, leadership development and community engagement.”
“Each program our agency offers is vitally important to the success of the families and communities we serve, and we can proudly say that the skill and passion that our over 200 staff has for helping people is a cornerstone to all programs.”
Ervin encourages people to visit the agency website at www.sek-cap.com to learn more, and also on facebook and twitter – Southeast Kansas Community Action Program/@SEKCAPINC.
The mission of SEK CAP addresses the causes and effects of poverty by uniting staff, individuals, families and community partners to provide quality comprehensive services through compassionate, respectful relationships.
New Bus Service From Joplin to Wichita Stops at Fort Scott
Since August 2018, Fort Scottians can take a bus to Wichita and Joplin and points in between on Beeline Express, seven days a week.
“This is a community service for rural Kansans,” said Jim Lynch, the manager of Beeline Express. “It’s subsidized by the Kansas Department of Transportation.”
The pickup point is Pump N Pete’s, 1920 S. Main on 69 Hwy.
Riders can purchase a one-way ticket for $40 for the destination of Wichita, with stops at Iola, Eureka, and El Dorado, Lynch said.
The 48 passenger bus has a restroom and electric chargers for phones, Lynch said.
“You can put the seats back and take a nap,” he said. “We do have wheelchair accessibility.”
“A lot of people use it for Fort Scott to Joplin,” Lynch said. The cost of a ticket from Fort Scott to Joplin is $19, with a stop in Pittsburg.
The bus arrives at 8:55 a.m. at Pump N Petes on 69 Hwy. and arrives at noon in Wichita. It leaves Wichita at 2:45 p.m. on its way back to Joplin.
It arrives at 5:55 p.m. in Fort Scott to pick up riders and arrives in Joplin at 7:15 p.m.
“A person can just show up, pay $40 and get on the bus to Wichita,” Lynch said. To pre-arrange phone 1-855-201-6700. The Beeline office number is 316-249-6774 with office hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“You can look up the schedule online,” Lynch said. http://www.Beeline-Express.com
For more destinations past both Wichita and Joplin, go to http://www.greyhound.com to secure a ticket to all points in the U.S., he said.
Tickets are non-refundable but may be transferable at the discretion of the ticket agent, according to information provided.
