Pittsburg Youth Chorale perform the pre-parade prelude
Pittsburg Youth Chorale will perform a pre-Christmas parade prelude at Signet Coffee Roasters, 109 N. Broadway, on Monday, November 26 beginning at 6 PM.
This vocal ensemble, directed by Fort Scott Music Teacher MJ Harper, is comprised of area singers in 4th-6th grade that meet once a month at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center.
The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire.
Warm your heart and your body with some holiday cheer before the parade begins!
Winter Weather Awareness Day in Kansas will be Thursday, Nov. 15. That day would be an ideal time for Kansans to take stock of their emergency supplies and review their home emergency plan.
A home emergency supply kit should include enough nonperishable food and water for each person to survive for a minimum of seven days, a safe alternate heat source, blankets, flashlights and batteries, a battery-operated weather radio, essential medicines, and other items needed for health and comfort should the power go out.
Vehicles should be equipped with emergency kits, too, particularly if you are planning to travel long distances. These kits should include weather appropriate clothing; bottled water for everyone; nonperishable, high-energy snack items; flashlights and batteries; a battery-operated radio; blankets; a compact snow shovel; extra medications; signal flares and other emergency supplies to allow you to survive until help can arrive. It is also advisable to fill your gas tank before you start on a journey, check engine fluid levels and tire pressure, and make sure cell phones are fully charged.
Emergency plans and preparations should also include family pets. During winter storms, bring outdoor pets inside, if possible, or ensure that they have a draft-free enclosure with straw type bedding that is large enough to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold their body heat if they must remain outside. Always make sure that your pets have access to food and non-frozen water.
USD 234 First Grade teachers were awarded a grant to allow students a chance to visit and learn about Fort Scott businesses. They are holding a photo-opportunity check which lists the amount handed out at the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant Awards on Nov. 1. Stephanie Witt, president of the FSACF is far right in the photo.
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation presented grant awards to 15 entities November 1 during the Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, held at Landmark Bank.
Interest from money given the FSACF is distributed each year to 501 3C organizations, said Stephanie Witt, president of the foundation.
“This year, over $32,000 in grants is given out,” she told coffee attendees.
USD 234 received a grant for project-based learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math programs that challenge middle and high school students to create and design elements to help the community. Angie Kemmerer, far left, heads the project.Fort Scott High School’s tennis program will get a new backboard for the tennis courts with a grant from FSACF. Allison Gorman accepted the check.USD 234 was awarded a grant for career exploration mentoring for students paired with community members. Lindsay Madison, left, accepted the grant award.Eastern Kansas Adult Education at Fort Scott Community College was awarded a grant to provide scholarships for 20 high school dropouts to obtain their GED. Aubrey Duft, left, accepted the award.USD 234 was awarded a grant to study empathy and share their findings with the community. Michelle Brittain accepted the from Witt and Greg Motley, a FSACF member.Another USD 234 grant provided money for new Fort Scott High School band instruments. Aaron Shockley accepted the check.Tri-Valley Developmental Services received a grant to purchase two new wheelchairs.Care to Share received a grant to support cancer victims. Teresa Davenport, left, accepted the award.The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes received a grant for interactive magnetic boards to educate children who visit the center. From left Norm Conard, Witt, Tina Rockhold and Motley.Chad Cross accepted the Fort Scott Community College grant to make the Arnold Arena compliant with the American Disability Act regulations.Christa Horn accepts a check for the Bourbon County CASA of the 6th Judicial Court.Peggy Niles accepts a check for the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Inc. to allow repairs and upgrades at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau received a grant to provide a veteran’s celebration. Larry Gazaway and Allyson Turvey accepted the check.Janet Tucker accepted a check for the “It’s My Very Own Bags of Love” project made available by the KS-NE Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.
Banners of local veterans line Main Street in downtown Fort Scott. Call the Fort Scott Visitors and Convention Office at 620.670.2750 for more information.
Veterans Day festivities take place November 9-12, throughout the county. All veterans are invited.
Area schools have been providing Veteran’s Day Assemblies to honor those who have served their county for several years, and continue in 2018.
On Friday, November 9 at 9 a.m. Winfield Scott Elementary School will have a Veteran’s Day Program in the gym.
Fort Scott Middle and High School students will have their program in the high school gym from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. the same day. Guest speaker is Nick Trim, an Air Force Veteran.
St. Mary’s Catholic School will have a Veteran’s Day program at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Veteran’s Memorial on Skubitz Plaza in front of Fort Scott National Historic Site, weather permitting.
A new Bourbon County School, St. Martin’s Academy, will present a public faculty lecture on Friday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, located at National and Wall Street.
Patrick Whelan, the headmaster at the boy’s Catholic school, will be giving the lecture, entitled Warfare in Epic Poetry. Whelan is a Marine veteran and still serves as an officer in the Marine Reserves in addition to pursuing a Ph.D. in combat trauma in literature.
The presentation event starts with a mixer /cocktail hour at 7:30 p.m. Whelan will speak at 8:30 p.m. and allow time for questions.
On Monday, November 12, Eugene Ware Elementary School will have a vet’s program at 9 a.m. in the gym, while USD 235 will also have their program at 9 a.m. in the high school gym on Nov. 12.
Fort Scott Community College is offering free haircuts to veterans Nov. 9-12. The haircuts are provided by the cosmetology department. Call this number for an appointment: 620-223-2700 Ext. 5220.
The First Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration spearheaded by the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau includes the following, taken from its’ website:
Friday, November 9th
5 pm – 8 pm: Opening Reception “In Honor of Company ‘G’” @ Boiler Room Brewhaus, presented by Peerless Products. Finger foods and your first drink of the evening are free. All veterans that register will also receive a free goody bag with a special gift and information.
Saturday, November 10th
10 am: Special Veterans Day Program @ Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall – speakers include 12th District Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson, Gold Star Mother Jennifer Jackman, Carl Jowers of Thomas-Harkey Post 25 American Legion, and Commander of the American Legion Department of Kansas Dan Wiley. Special music will be provided by the Fort Scott High School Orchestra.
2 pm: Performance of “Bright Star” @ Fort Scott High School. Adults $7 Kids $5. Veterans will be recognized during the performance.
5 pm: Live Local Bourbon County presents the Veterans Day Parade through Downtown Fort Scott. TFO will provide trailers and rides for all veterans who can not, or do not want to, walk the parade route. Live Local BB will be serving up a hot dog meal beginning at 3:30 pm at the pavilion downtown! The staging area is located at Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS.
Fort Scott City Clerk Diane Clay decorates the exterior of city hall, 123 S. Main on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the Veteran’s Day Celebrations this weekend.
7 pm: 1800’s Remembrance Grand Ball @ Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall, presented by The “Friends” of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Sunday, November 11th
9 am: Church Services @ Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton
11 am: Services @ US National Cemetery #1 with 12th District Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson. Organized by VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart
Noon: Lunch @ VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart for Free Will Donation.
While in Fort Scott for the Veterans Day Celebration, don’t forget to purchase your “Buddy” Poppy and “Wear it proudly.”
Fort Scott National Historic Site Welcomes Veterans for Holiday Weekend
Fort Scott, Ks –Fort Scott National Historic Site (NHS) salutes all veterans with flags surrounding the Parade Ground, The Meanings of Freedom program Saturday at 11:00 am, and a 1840s color guard in the Veterans Parade.
Although Fort Scott never saw war directly, soldiers and officers who passed through this site, fought in two wars and other military actions. As you walk through Fort Scott NHS, we encourage you to reflect on the trials and sacrifices of our veterans.
Every veteran has a unique and personal story. This Veterans Day weekend, we thank the veterans of Fort Scott and beyond for their service and our freedom.
The leaves are changing for fall and winter, so are the hours of operation at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Beginning Thursday, November 1, the park visitor center, park store, and historic structures will be open daily from 8:30 am–4:30 pm through March 31, 2019.
The buildings are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The park grounds, walkways, and parking lot are open from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset daily.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is a fee-free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation through a short film, interactive audio-visual programs, displays, the museum, and historic objects.
A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, as well as, the Civil War and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it.
Park Rangers are on hand and happy to help you learn more about the area and plan your visit. For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs, the candlelight tour, or other activities, please call the park at 620-223-0310, or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Tours of Cato, the first town in Crawford County are hardly new.
Susie Stelle started helping John Spurling organize Cato Fall Tours in 1985.
Stelle is president of the Cato Historic Preservation Association.
With Spurling, she started giving informal tours of the town, located northwest of Arcadia for several years prior.
Organizers of the upcoming Cato tour this Saturday, Nov. 3, plan to take visitors back to the mid-1800s through music, history, and re-enactments.
Activities on Saturday will begin at 9 a.m. and continue through the day.
Ralph Carlson, a member of a music group called “Old Fuss and Feathers”, will perform in the church at 9:30 a.m.
There will also be presentations in the restored 1869 rock school by Anna Portwood Swank and her sister, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson, and husband Jaime Thompson.
Souvenirs and homemade baked goods will be available at the Cato Store, headed up by Stelle.
Proceeds from the tour will benefit the continued restoration and preservation of the Cato School and Cato Christian Church and this year’s newly constructed cabin, donated by the Coonrod family.
At noon, there will be ham and beans cooked by Bob “Buck” Rowland of Arma. The meal also includes cornbread.
There will be an open fire for those who choose to bring their own hot dogs.
Drinks will be provided, all for a nominal fee.
At 12:30 p.m. a quilt raffle will take place. The quilt was donated by Sue James of Galveston, TX.
Sue’s husband, Dale, attended all eight grades of the one-room Cato school.
At 1 p.m. hayrides are offered by Joe Bournonville to visit area cemeteries and other sites related to Cato’s history.
On Friday, Nov. 2, approximately 600 youngsters will have a field day, organized by Katharine Spigarell.
School children from Uniontown, Fort Scott, Girard, Arma, Frontenac, Pittsburg and new this year, Liberal, Mo. will come to Cato.
A tour guide will direct groups of kids to various stations to observe living history exhibits such as blacksmithing, wagons and farming, schoolhouse games, area history, civil war weaponry, and Native American culture.
The Cato HPA has a Facebook page and website located at www.catoschool.com.
Directions to Cato, KS: On 69 Hwy., turn west on 720 Avenue, one mile north of the Arcadia turn-off (one mile south of the Bourbon County line. Go west one mile, then turn north for one-half mile, then left one mile to Cato.
Susie Stelle, Mary Portwood, Richard Coonrod, Lily Coonrod, Jerry Coonrod, Ralph Carlson, Joe Bournonville, Anna Portwood Swank, Katharine Spigarell, Marilyn Coonrod Flagg, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson, Floyd Feezel, Donna Hashagen, Bob George, Jamie Thompson, Buck Rowland.
Don’t forget to take this opportunity to clean out your closet of gently used coats and jackets for a senior project at Fort Scott High School. Coats and jackets can be taken to Fort Scott High School or call Carl Jowers at 620-215-1688 to arrange pickup and delivery on your behalf. Post 25 Legionnaires still serve our community.
October 30. Tuesday. American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers has office hours at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Carl is available to discuss any suggestions or concerns you may have about Post 25, Veterans issues in general or just to help solve world problems. Carl will meet with you at other times by emailing him at [email protected] or calling him at 620-215-1688 to schedule an appointment.
October 30. Tuesday. American Legion Service Officer Myra Jowers is at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Myra is available to assist you with questions about your VA claims or paperwork. This free service is for ANY Veteran or family member who may have questions about starting a VA claim or have questions about next steps. Please share this information with any Veteran you may know who might need assistance in dealing with their VA paperwork.
November 1. Post 25 Executive Committee meeting starts at 6 pm in Memorial Hall.
November 5.Post 25 general membership meet and greet. Light refreshments will be available. Starts at 6:30 pm.
November 5. Post 25 general membership meeting. Starts at 7 pm.The meeting is held at the Memorial Hall at National and 3rd in downtown Fort Scott. All Post 25 members, eligible Veterans and guests are invited to attend the meeting. Light refreshments will be available at the end of the meeting.
November 6. Tuesday. American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers has office hours at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Carl is available to discuss any suggestions or concerns you may have about Post 25, Veterans issues in general or just to help solve world problems. Carl will meet with you at other times by emailing him at [email protected] or calling him at 620-215-1688 to schedule an appointment.
November 6. Tuesday. American Legion Service Officer Myra Jowers is at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Myra is available to assist you with questions about your VA claims or paperwork. This free service is for ANY Veteran or family member who may have questions about starting a VA claim or have questions about next steps. Please share this information with any Veteran you may know who might need assistance in dealing with their VA paperwork.
November 9 – 11. Veterans weekend in Fort Scott.
November 9. Friday evening, 5pm: Reception @ Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 S. National Ave.
November 9. Saturday, 10am: Veterans Day Program @ Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St.
November 10. Saturday. Veteran Service Representatives (VSRs) from the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs will be at Memorial hall beginning at 10 am to assist veterans and their families with applying for benefits. This service is free of charge.
November 10. Saturday, 12 – 4 PM. “A Gathering of Veterans” at VFW Post 1165 for fellowship and camaraderie.
November 10. Saturday, 5 pm: Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Fort Scott. All Veterans are encouraged to participate. Transportation will be available for those unable to walk in the parade.
November 10. Saturday, 7pm: 1800’s Grand Ball @ Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St.
November 11. Sunday, 9am: Veterans Church Service @ Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton S
November 11. Sunday, 11am: Veterans Day Service @ US National Cemetery No. 1, 900 E. National Ave.
November 11. Sunday, 12pm: Lunch @ VFW, 1745 S. National Ave.
These signs mark the closed Eagle Road, Oct. 25. Workers were busy all along Hwy. 69 on the expansion project.
The 69 Hwy. expansion project from Fort Scott to Arma doesn’t have a November completion date anymore, according to Priscilla Petersen, with the Kansas Department of Transportation.
In an interview, Petersen said the November completion date of the U.S. 69 expansion has been pushed back.
“We plan to have this project open to four-lane unrestricted traffic by Dec. 21, 2018,” she said.
All work on the active U.S. 69 expansion in Bourbon County will be completed in April 2019. ”
“The active Bourbon County expansion project is approximately six miles long, starting south of Fort Scott and ending at the Bourbon-Crawford county line,” Peterson said.
“The Crawford County expansion project has not been let. The tentative letting date is the fall of 2020.”
It seems KDOT ran into more extensive excavation of the stretch of highway than originally thought.
“During the grading phase of the expansion our contractor encountered a lengthy section of the old highway that had not been previously removed,” Petersen said. “The removal of the old mainline and bridges required extensive excavation. In addition, the discovery of the old roadway greatly reduced the amount of dirt available for the earthwork. We found it necessary to add a second borrow-waste area to supply the material.”
A KDOT crew work on a section of Hwy. 69 Thursday morning near the Garland exit.
“Current project activity includes concrete paving on the mainline and guardrail installation on the bridges,” Petersen said.
High school students do a history program in the quartermaster’s house at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people, so that all may experience our heritage, according to an NPS statement.
To help area children experience our heritage, Fort Scott National Historic Site administration personnel applied for and received a grant to help classroom students get to the Fort.
The grant will pay school transportation costs for area fourth-grade students to come for a hands-on experience in history.
“Students come primarily in the spring,” Barry Geersten, education program coordinator at the Fort, said. “But they could come now.”
Area high school government and history students help with re-enacting the history experiences for the fourth-graders, he said.
Fort Scott High School Teacher Josh Regan’s Advanced Placement History Class, Tami Campbell’s government class, along with Nevada High School teacher Jared Brown’s Advanced American History Class will be the instructors for the field trips, according to Geersten.
The following is a press release from the Fort about the opportunity:
“FSNHS has received a field trip grant for the 2018-2019 school year from the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service.
This $5,000 grant will reimburse the costs of transportation for fourth-grade class field trips to this national park.
This grant is part of the Foundation’s Open OutDoors for Kids program which creates pathways for kids to explore and connect with national park experiences, and is administered locally by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
“We are excited to be able to assist school groups in coming to Fort Scott National Historic Site,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, FOSC. “We understand that not all schools can afford to visit even though we do not charge a fee. This grant will help reduce barriers to bringing students to have fun while learning and developing a lifelong connection to our nation’s history,” Boyko continued.
“We are pleased to be involved in helping more of the areas school children build deeper connections with Fort Scott NHS and our history,” said Reed Hartford, President of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, Inc.
During their time on site, the students will participate in either the “Life on the Frontier” program for grades K-4 or the “Sweep through History” program for grades 4-8.
In “Life on the Frontier,” local high school students train to be the instructors and mentors to the K-4th-grade students. They dress in period clothing and are stationed at various locations around the site focusing on various aspects of life at Fort Scott during the 1840’s.
“Sweep through History” will acquaint 4-8th-grade students with life at Fort Scott during the three most significant periods in the site’s history: Westward Expansion, Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War.
Educators, dressed in period clothing, are stationed at various locations around the site focusing on life at Fort Scott during one of these periods. Both programs have pre-visit and post-visit activities and all are aligned with Kansas and Missouri content standards.
“Trekking along trails, observing our natural ecosystems and engaging with our shared history are experiences that benefit all children,” said National Park Foundation President Will Shafroth. “Making it possible for America’s youth to explore our national parks is an investment in their future and the future of the national parks community.”
Teachers and school administrators can request additional information about transportation grants and curriculum-based field trip programs by visiting the education section of the park’s website (www.nps.gov/fosc) or contacting the education program coordinator, Barry Geertsen, at 620-223-0310 or e-mail us.
For the full list of grantees and their projects, click here.”
