Workers from Hornbuckle Framing LLC, Ottawa, work at Landmark Bank Wednesday. From left, Dane Broddy, Nick Nicnew and James Montgomery, all of Ottawa.
Landmark Bank, located at the corner of Main and 23rd Streets is expanding space.
“This is to make it more inviting for the customer,” John Leek, South Branch Landmark manager said. “Our transaction volume is in the top three daily that Landmark has statewide.”
“I think there is a misconception that we are drive-through,” Leek said. “We open accounts. I do consumer loans as well.”
There are eight employees at the south branch location.
Leek said he is “excited” about the expansion and looks forward to the completion.
“We apologize for the mess,” he said.
The addition to the existing building measures 26 by 30 feet or 834 square feet.
Two offices, storage and enlarging the teller area and front lobby are part of the plan, according to Jim Daniels, Loyd Builders Inc. Daniels is the superintendent who was on site Wednesday.
Hornbuckle Framing LLC is a sub-contractor for Loyd Builders, Daniels said. The framing crew was working to frame the addition.
The expansion began about three weeks ago.
“We are hoping by the beginning of April, we will be done,” Daniels said.
Lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.
Drive-through hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For David Shank, DPT, the chance to use his physical therapy expertise to help patients near his hometown came sooner than expected. But, he knew the opportunity was something he couldn’t let slip by.
The community where he spent many years as a young adult had an appeal he couldn’t resist.
“I feel Fort Scott is a gem and I like the small-town atmosphere,” said Shank.
“I had been working as a traveling physical therapist since graduating from Kansas University Medical School in May 2017. My plan was to continue this for a few years. When the job opportunity came available at Mercy Health for Life, my plans were put on fast forward.”
Shank, a 2009 Uniontown High School graduate, attended Fort Scott Community College where he played football for two years. He then transferred to Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in 2013. He began doctorate work in physical therapy later that year.
Life experiences have helped Shank appreciate and understand the importance of physical therapy. From personal football injuries to the physically demanding work as a welder, Shank has lived it.
“My interest in rehabilitating an injury progressed more as I dove deeper into the profession. I learned that physical therapy is about more that the human body; it’s about the whole person – physical, mental, spiritual – and helping to make a positive impact on someone’s life.”
“I know I’ve made the right career choice when my patients are able to walk again, say they are able to get out of bed without pain or they’ve been able to avoid surgery and yet feel 100 percent.”
Shank will care for physical therapy patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting as well as the occupational health environment.
“I hope to be a good resource for companies in our area because not only do I have the medical training in worksite occupational health, but I have the personal experience that can be beneficial in treatment, too.”
Shank joins a veteran Mercy Health for Life therapy team that includes physical therapists Denny Gillard and Janet Smith; occupational therapist Hugo Dahlstrom; speech therapist Afton Hyer; and physical therapy assistants Lisa Proctor and Rebecca Zimmerman.
For more information about Mercy Therapy Services, call 620-223-7073.
Fort Scott Community College will hold the next orientation for the Adult Education and GED Program on Wednesday, January 10. The program is eight weeks long, and students may choose from three sessions: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 to 4 p.m., or 4 to 7 p.m.
“Through the program, students will work to complete GED modules including math, reading, science, and social studies,” said Aubrey Duft, FSCC Adult Basic Education Instructor. “The classes also focus on college readiness, career readiness, and technology.”
Adult education classes are open to students ages 16 and older. Students who are under 18 must have a Parental Waiver for Compulsory Attendance to attend class; the form can be obtained from the last school district the student attended.
The cost for the class is $30 and includes the ACCUPLACER college entrance exam, Northstar Digital Literacy Certification, WorkKeys Employment Skills Test, TABE assessment, and one GED Ready Practice Test. GED testing fees are not included.
The classes will take place in the FSCC Student Success Center, located in Bailey Hall, 2108 South Horton, Fort Scott. To enroll, please contact Aubrey Duft, FSCC Adult Basic Education Instructor, at 620-223-2700, ext. 4400.
Mercy Convenient Care at 1624 S. National in Fort Scott will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24, and remain closed on Monday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day.
Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Dec. 26.
For emergencies on the holiday, please visit Mercy Emergency Department located in Mercy Hospital Fort Scott.
Mercy Clinic Fort Scott, Mercy Clinic Family Medicine Arma and Mercy Clinic Family Medicine Linn County will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day. All locations will resume regular hours on Tuesday, Dec. 26.
The physicians and staff at Mercy Clinic wish you a safe a happy holiday.
The annual West Bourbon Elementary School primary students Christmas program provided an enjoyable evening for area residents Monday night.
“Ring and Sing the Holidays” was the title of the program directed by music teacher Rhonda Allen. She acknowledged she had help from many school personnel and parent assistants.
WBE Music Teacher Rhonda Allen welcomes the crowd that filled the gym to watch the Christmas program.The Singing Eagles Chorus sings “There Has To Be A Song”, to begin the Christmas program.First grade students sing “Chime In.”Kindergarten and first-grade students sing together in the annual Christmas program.The nativity is portrayed by Catherine Cox as Mary, Adam Perry as Joseph, Scout Eden, David Hall and Liam Leighty as the kings, Zane Barbour, Cord Crystal and Levi Ervin as the shepherds, Charlee Phillips and Ella Snyder as the angels. The donkey was portrayed by Kaiddan Hathaway, the cow by Ibryanne Robinson, the sheep by Karsyn Woods and the dove by Kennedy Ermel.Parents throughout the auditorium were capturing the performance of their loved one. This scene is from the play “A Place In The Choir”.The dogs sing “It’s A Doggone Shame”.Abbigale Brown portrays Mrs. Claus, Jordi Wolf the Happy Hound Dog and Mathew Knight, Santa Clause in this scene in the musical “A Place In The Christmas Choir”.The cats sing “Christmas Cats” in this scene from the musical play “A Place In The Christmas Choir”.
A large crowd listened to Uniontown Junior/Senior High Band and Choir students perform the annual winter concert Friday evening.
The junior high choir is under the direction of music instructor Rhonda Allen.
The sixth-grade band, junior high band, and the high school choir are under the director of music instructor Neva Rowland.
Principal Mark Calvin welcomes the crowd that filled the Uniontown High School Gymnasium Friday evening for the junior/senior high winter music concert.The sixth-grade band played “Hot Cross Buns”, “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Good King Wenceslas”.The sixth-grade band is directed by the teacher, Neva Rowland.Allison Chamberlin and Skyler Coulter play the drums accompanying the junior high choir performing “Wade In The Water.”The junior high choir sing “Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow”, under the direction and accompanied by teacher Rhonda Allen.Junior High Choir Teacher Rhonda Allen tells the audience how proud she is of the progress of the students.The junior/senior high choir sing “Sleigh Ride” directed by teacher Neva Rowland and accompanied by teacher Rhonda Allen.Donavan Beerbower and Emily Vallely perform solos during the song “Sing On! Dance On!” with the high school choir.The senior high choir sing “Benedictus” directed by teacher Neva Rowland.The junior high band play “Theme From the 1812 Overture.”The junior high band play “A Classical Canon.”Music teacher Neva Rowland gave some history of each of the music selections prior to the student’s performanceThe high school band performs “At Mornings First Light.”The high school band gets ready to perform “Trails Of Glory”.
Queen’s Price Chopper Supermarket officially opened today with a ribbon cutting by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.The Queen family at Price Chopper opening in Fort Scott at 9 a.m. Dec. 13. From left: Jim Queen, Barry’s dad; Queen’s Price Chopper Owner Barry and wife, Kim; Jayme Queen Morris and husband Tommy Morris and their children Taryn Morris, Trenton Morris and T.J. Morris.A large crowd welcomed Price Chopper to town on opening day.
Barry Queen speaks during the ribbon cutting.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are part of the WIC program food that is provided.
Carrie Earnest, Price Chopper cashier, rings her first sale at the new store.
Cathy Werling reads the story of unsung hero Ken Reinhardt Saturday at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
Cathy Werling read her story entitled “Why Did Grandpa Cry” to an audience of children and adults December 9 at the Lowell Milken Center.
The public reading and signing of books was an event to showcase the first in a series of children’s books that Werling will write, highlighting unsung heroes in history.
Werling said the first story is about black students who tried to go to a white school and were treated badly, except by two white students.
The story is told through the eyes of the granddaughter of one of the white students, decades later.
Following the reading by Werling, she signed books for those who purchased them and a drawing for prizes took place.
Cathy Werling signs Macie Stephan’s copy of “Why Did Grandpa Cry?”
Werling’s book tells the story of Ken Reinhardt, during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s on a level that children can understand.
Reinhardt is an unsung hero whose story is featured at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in downtown Fort Scott.
Pictured are, from left Mayla, Davina, Ansley, and Tabor Foster, the children of David Foster. They are standing in front of the display of the unfolding story of unsung hero Reinhardt at the Lowell Milken Center. David Foster is the farthest right in the upper photo.
Attending the event were the children of David Foster, one of the Uniontown High School history students who discovered the story of Reinhardt for a class project. They sat quietly, intently listening to Werling tell the story.
“Why Did Grandpa Cry” is the first of 12 children’s books about unsung heroes that will come through the Lowell Milken Center.
“The next story is about a dog named Stubby,” Werling told the audience. “A soldier took care of Stubby, then Stubby became a hero.”
Fort Scott Community College Students were provided a trip to visit with entrepreneur Warren Buffet in Omaha, Nebraska December 1.
Opportunity of a Lifetime
Submitted by Debra Cummings, Fort Scott Community College Business Instructor
Rick and Shelly Mayhew provided fifteen FSCC students the opportunity of a lifetime, an all-expenses-paid trip to Omaha to meet Warren Buffett.
To learn more about Buffet go online to http://forbes.com/profile/warren-buffet
Rick, an alumnus of FSCC, through his connections with Western Insurance and Warren Buffet, received an invitation to bring students to Omaha, Neb. for a question and answer session with Warren Buffet.
The Mayhews announced in the spring of 2017 their willingness to fund another trip to Omaha. The first trip by FSCC students was in 2006.
Fifteen students made the trip. The Mayhews paid for the lodging, meals, and fuel. FSCC supplied the bus and driver.
Rick Mayhew recognized student’s needs and provided funds to obtain business attire for the session with Buffett.
Other colleges to join the session with Buffett were Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Illinois, London, Michigan, MIT, Notre Dame, NYU/Stern schools of Business. FSCC was the only community college there.
On Nov. 30, the students made the trip to Omaha by bus and met the Mayhews at Warren’s favorite Dairy Queen for lunch.
The FSCC students toured Borsheims Jewelry, drove past the Buffett residence and checked into the Downtown Hilton and Convention Center.
They met with Buffet’s daughter, Susie, and had the opportunity to ask questions about her father and the foundations she runs.
The Mayhews provided dinner and a few of the students took in some ice skating afterward. They also toured Nebraska Furniture Mart.
On Friday, Dec 1, the students attended a two-hour question and answer period with Buffet. Buffet noted the importance of FSCC being there.
Following lunch, there was a group photo with Buffett.
“I could not have asked for a better group of students,” Cummings said.
Students who did the trip were Leslie Damien, Dalton Deshazer, Alex Gilmore, Justin Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Jenna Kakas, Savannah Kratzberg, Kartis Leal, Malorie McCumons, Rebecca Stufflebeam, Franklin Torres, Shaun Tune, Jordan Underwood, Rachel Walker, and Johnna Walls.
“A special thank you to Kartis and Savannah for asking questions for our group,” Cummings said. “Thank you to Charles Howser, our driver, for making the trip with us. And, again, thank you to the Mayhews for making dreams come true.”
Fort Scott Community College also included a link to the Omaha-World Herald Newspaper, dated December 4, 2017, which included a section entitled “Warren Watch” and an article that spoke of Fort Scott:
Fort Scott ties
They’re not from Harvard, Yale or Stanford, but students from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas were in Omaha last week as part of the latest group of business students to meet Buffett, thanks in part to their town’s auto insurance connection with Berkshire.
Rick Mayhew of Fenton, Missouri, a member of the Berkshire fan club known as the Yellow Brk-ers, cited an account in Andy Kilpatrick’s “Of Permanent Value” book of the Buffett-Fort Scott connection. (Fort Scott students also made an Omaha trip in 2006.)
Insurance agent Oscar Rice started Western Insurance Cos. in 1910 in Fort Scott. Ray Duboc was CEO when Buffett invested in the business in the 1950s. Buffett later sold that investment and used the money to invest in Geico, now a big moneymaker for Berkshire.
“Western, in a major way, contributed to the financial success I had,” Buffett once said. “I owe a lot to Ray Duboc, the Western and Fort Scott, Kansas.”
The cover sheet for the Price Chopper Fort Scott plans.
Citing “unforeseen issues” at the delayed store opening, Dennis Riley, Chief Financial Officer of Price Chopper, said the new grocery store will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday, December 13, not December 6.
“Barring any other unforeseen issues, we will open Dec. 13,” Riley said. “We wish it would have been sooner… Everything will be open and operating and ready for the citizens of Fort Scott .”
“Late August is when demolition began,” Riley said. “It’s been a top to bottom remodel and a relocation of the flow of the store.”
The store is similar to the Price Chopper in Paola, Riley said.
“We have a heavy emphasis on fresh foods,” he said. “We are proud of our meat department and our produce department.”
There will be a cut fruit and salad bar where people can dine in, Riley said.
The Dunkin’ Donuts area has a drive-up window feature.
Price Chopper Fort Scott currently has 120 employees and is located at 2322 S. Main Street on the city’s south side.
The site was formerly Woods Supermarket.
Barry Queen is the owner of the store and has family ties to the Fort Scott area, Riley said.
