The Belltown Trail in Riverfront Park, the site of the Bourbon County Community Theatre event on Oct. 28.
The newly formed Bourbon County Community Theatre is looking for volunteers for its inaugural event, “Voices from the Grave,” on the evening of Saturday, October 28th, in the Riverfront Park.
Actors will memorize and present a short script describing a scene or “vignette” based on a story of murder or mayhem in Fort Scott’s history. Guests will be escorted through the park to visit each vignette and hear the story.
Leaders will be costumed “characters” who guide visitors from vignette to vignette.
To be a part of this event, please fill out the survey below!
Brandy is a self-taught artist specializing in tiny taxidermy.
Her creations capture her love of antiques and her whimsy sense of humor. Her one of a kind creations have been sold worldwide and she has inspired others to explore their own artistic ability and desire to create. She enjoys a loyal following on Etsy, FB and IG and her Pocket Full of Heirlooms brand is known around the world.
Master Artist Classes!
We have one class Brandy Evans will be teaching October 7th!
Join us for a tiny taxidermy class at The Artificers!
Learn mouse taxidermy from our friend, Brandy Evans, of Pocket Full of Heirlooms. Participants will take a home their own taxidermy mouse creation.
Cost $165; includes feeder, mouse, taxidermy blocks props, scalpel, gloves, and step-by-step instruction.
This class is nonrefundable and non-transferable. Class is ages fourteen and up! We can’t wait to see you there!
Scarecrows are to be actual 3D scarecrows using found/recycled materials and a T-frame.
Scarecrows will be attached to outdoor poles down Main St, so please use sturdy materials.
Scarecrows can be frightening or fun, but please keep your creations tasteful & family appropriate.
For Businesses in Bourbon County wanting to participate:
Have your scarecrow represent your business. For example a restaurant might feature a scarecrow wearing an apron.
Feel free to make a big, bold, and bright full display!
A photograph of your outdoor business creation must be emailed to the Chamber by 5:00 PM on September 20th to be entered into the contest. Email: adminassist@fortscott.com
Individual:
1st: $50 Gift Certificate
2nd: $30 Gift Certificate
3rd: $20 Gift Certificate
Business:
Winner receives one dozen logoed shirts and bragging rights for the entire year!
Blind judging will be done by a panel of local artists and crafters. All winners will be announced live on Facebook during the Chamber Coffee September 21st at 8:00 AM.
Deadline to enter is September 20th (submissions can be made at the gazebo at First & Main on that day between 4:00-5:00 PM).
Early submissions may be left at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce office, 321 E Wall St. If you would like your scarecrow returned, please remove it on November 1st by 3:00 PM or it will be discarded.
The Chamber is not responsible for damaged, lost or stolen items.
We know you all are filled with anticipation for the upcoming announcement of the Discovery Award winners, and we appreciate your enthusiasm!
Please mark your calendars for the updated announcement date: Wednesday, September 20th. We promise it will be a day filled with celebration, inspiration, and the recognition of outstanding students and their Unsung Hero Projects.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ARTEFFECT UPDATES
ARTEFFECT Ambassadors is a new online fellowship with a stipend of $1250! Tailored for educators working directly with K-12 students, the ARTEFFECT Ambassadors program aims to foster the visual arts. During the 2023-2024 school year, Ambassadors participate in online modules exploring the diverse stories of Unsung Heroes from history. They will complete a capstone project to make an impact on their classrooms and communities.
Recently, the Milken Educator Awards newsletter featured a wonderful article titled “A ‘Life-Changing Experience’: 2023 Fellows Explore LMC’s Unsung Heroes.” We encourage you to click the linked article to gain insight into what an LMC Fellowship entails and to discover some of the highlights from the Fellows’ week in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Copyright (C) 2023 Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you either subscribed on our website or expressed interest in receiving updates while visiting us.
Our mailing address is:
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes 1 South Main St Fort Scott, KS 66701 USA
Ist Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment mural. August,2023.
The local historic depiction of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment is completed.
The mural faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the place of the mustering of the regiment during the American Civil War.
St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc worked on the mural for a week in August with temperatures over 100 degrees.
The new mural was created by Cbabi Bayoc, pictured here in a submitted photo.
“The project took six days to complete,” Bayoc said in an interview. “I started spray painting the sketch on Monday and made final touches on it Saturday afternoon. The only long day was Wednesday which was crucial in getting it done on schedule.”
He worked from afternoon to evening because of the location of the mural on the north side of the building. That week of August 2023 the community experienced over 100 degrees daily.
“The heat was a definite factor,” Bayoc said. “It cut my days shorter than I am used to spending on murals of this scale. Also the rail and the steps made for some interesting body maneuvering to get the soldier on the left and the banner bottom middle done.”
Bayoc describes his work and its meaning.
“I chose the soldier with the flag because black folks always hoped going to battle for the country would gain their rights and respect as citizens,” he said. “The ad (To Arms! To Arms!) was crucial because putting guns in the hands of black soldiers was crucial to the (Civil War/slavery) times and foreshadowed their being the first regiment to see battle. I like the line created by the rifle and what it adds to the design. Their name and regiment number flank the left side and of course, elements from the battalion flag provide the backdrop.”
Fort Scott left a good impression on the artist from St. Louis.
“The folks we interacted with were warm and inviting,” he said. “My wife and I thought the downtown was gorgeous. We look forward to returning in October.”
The revealing and acknowledging of the mural will be during the annual Gordon Parks Museum Celebration the first weekend in October.
The public is invited to join the “Free To Serve” mural unveiling on Friday, October 6 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
This is in honor and tribute to the regiment’s sacrifice and willingness to serve during the Civil War.
The mural is located at the north downtown building at 9 South Main St, near Skubitz Plaza, facing the Fort.
“We will veil the mural before out-of-town guests arrive for the Gordon Parks celebration for a more grand reveal, but until then the mural is available to be photographed,” Rachel French, coordinator of the project for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division said.
The Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Rural Prosperity awarded funding for the project, along with several local benefactors.
The Bowman family of eight live in the Museum of Creativity at 102 S. National.
Jonathon and Lorina Bowman moved to Fort Scott with their six kids and started a venture called the Museum of Creativity which offers games, crafts, Barbie exhibits, legos, model trains, and more for youth and all ages. They live on the top floor of the multi-story building.
There is also a retail store on-site with ready-to-make craft kits and all kinds of “fun items,” Lorina said.
Today, August 31, there will be a grand opening and ribbon cutting for a Maker Space in the museum at 5:30 p.m.
“One of our main goals has always been to provide more opportunities for all ages to get creative by learning new skills and enhancing each individual’s talents,” Lorinda said.
“We know how frustrating it can be to take over the dining room table to get crafty,” she said. “Using our space minimizes that need and allows the table to be used for its intended purpose.”
Cost for using the Maker Space will be included in the museum entrance fee which is $2/child and $1/adult.
Parents are asked to please stay in the space with their children.
“The main wall will have a large array of craft supplies and tools ready to be put to good use,” she said. “To assist in future purchases of materials so we can keep everything stocked up, we will have a donation jar for anyone who wants to contribute to that cause.”
“For your convenience, we will also have a wall with a variety of preassembled craft kits (in all different skill levels) for sale,” she said. “After purchasing a kit, you can choose to use our room to create it or if you have what you need to complete it at home, you can grab it to go.”
“Please join us in our ribbon cutting where we will finally open this space up for all to use,” she said. “All guests will get a tour of the possibilities this room can provide. This event will be free but please let us know if you are planning to attend!”
“We will have refreshments available,” she said. “The Chamber of Commerce will begin the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
Our featured projects for the evening will be to make bracelets and sensory bottles.”
For more info:
fsmuseumofcreativity@gmail.com
Or text – 209-204-9743Ribon Or follow them on their Facebook page.
View their Facebook page for a lemonade fundraiser for children with cancer and another event called September Service Stretch.
Maker Space Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Museum of Creativity
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the evening ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the grand opening of the new Maker Space, according to a press release from the chamber.
Remarks and the cutting of the ribbon will take place at 5:30 p.m. while guests are welcome to come and go from 5 to 8 p.m., according to the press release.
Refreshments will be available along with craft kits to purchase. Featured projects for the evening will be bracelets and sensory bottles to assemble for those interested.
Fort Scott, Kan. Aug.24, 2023 – An Arts and Culture grant through the Community Foundation of
Southeast Kansas helped support the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration. The annual celebration
will be held October 5 -7, 2023 in Fort Scott, Kansas.
“We are very thankful to be part of this grant. This is our 20th year of the Annual Gordon Parks
Celebration and we are excited to celebrate the upcoming three days full of wonderful events
with everyone. The celebration is a great way to honor Gordon Parks legacy.” said Kirk Sharp,
Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Museum. “
The celebration is in honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and
filmmaker. The celebration will feature several events to include presentations, special events, tours,
music performance, barbeque and a celebration tribute dinner for the presentation of The Choice of
Weapons Award established in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the celebration. The schedule of
events is available at the Gordon Parks Museum or online at gordonparkscenter.org and on our
facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fsccGPmuseum/. This event is for everyone and open to
the public.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas hosts individual charitable funds created by donors
who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people
throughout Southeast Kansas and beyond. Call the Foundation at 620-231-8897 with questions about
the Community Foundation. www.southeastkansas.org.
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Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas Awards $160,000 to SEK Nonprofits
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to announce General Grant Funds totaling $160,000 have been awarded to 48 nonprofit organizations in Southeast Kansas. In 2023 alone, these grants will impact 12 Southeast Kansas counties and 23 different communities.
The areas of Basic Human Needs, Youth Activities, and Arts & Culture are the focus of the CFSEK General Funds competitive grant process. Proposals for projects in these focus areas were accepted during the month of June. Submissions were reviewed, and selections for funding were completed early last month.
“We are amazed by the work of our nonprofit community in Southeast Kansas, and we are proud to support their hard work,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “These organizations provide an incredible variety of programs, services, and resources that truly improve the quality of life in our communities.”
Since 2004, competitive granting from funds directly managed by CFSEK have provided over $1.5 million to organizations throughout Southeast Kansas. Competitive granting differs from other granting provided by CFSEK, such as donor-advised grants, designated grants, field of interest grants, and others. Since its inception in 2001, CFSEK has provided over $20 million in total grant funding throughout Southeast Kansas.
The following organizations and projects were awarded funds from the 2023 General Funds grant process:
Arts & Culture – $2,200
Gordon Parks Museum Foundation – Support for the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration
Olive Street Presents, LTD – “Don’t Stop Believin'” Music Programming
Pittsburg ArtWalk Association – Audio Equipment
Basic Human Needs – $67,800
Caney Valley Agape Network, Inc. – Improvements for Sustainability and Service
Care Cupboard Hygiene Pantry – It’s All Essential
Catholic Charities Inc. – Youth Homelessness Diversion Project
Community Food Pantry Fund – Community Food Pantry Fund
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas – Clothing Our Kids in Need
Crosstimbers Food Pantry Association – The Blessing Bee Lift Gate
DBLO Association – Continuing to Make Dreams Possible for Children in Need in SEK
Eden Early Learning Academy – Educational Development & Enrichment for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
The Erie United Methodist Church, Inc. – Erie Christmas Baskets/ Share the Love Valentines Bags
Families and Children Together Inc. – Working for Wellness
First Baptist Church Riverton – Share with Love Food pantry
First United Methodist Church Wesley House – Homeless Basic Supplies
Humanity House Foundation – Feeding Allen County II
KVC Kansas – Personal Care Items for Youth in Foster System
Labette County Emergency Assistance Center – Emergency Funds for Labette County Residents
The Lord’s Diner – The Lord’s Diner Project
Mosaic – Ensuring Housing Access, Safety and Security Through Emergency Funding for People with Disabilities
Sacred Heart Parish – Providing Fresh Produce for Our Families in Crawford County
Safe Haven Outreach Mission – A Good Night’s Sleep
Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc. – Welcome Home
The Salvation Army – Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance Program 2023-2024
SEK Women Helping Women – Stay Safe
SparkWheel – Essential Services for SEK Students
Wesley United Methodist Church – Grab & Go Food Ministry
Youth Activities – $75,000
Chanute Public Library – Literacy4Littles
Cherry Street Youth Center, Inc. – Reading Lab – Raz Kids
City of Galena – City Park Splash Pad
City of Mulberry – Basketball Court Upgrades
Columbus Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Inc. – Outdoor Shelter & Safety
First Baptist Church Riverton – Together Strong
First United Methodist Church Wesley House – Cozy Kids, Coats for Kids Program
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
The Foster Closet, Inc. – Family Enrichment Events
Fostering Connections – Back to School Free, Familly, Fun Event
Girard Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
Happy Kids Daycare & Preschool, Inc. – Frog Street Curriculum
Inspire Health Foundation, Inc. – Anatomy Models and Health Resources for Students
Integrated Behavioral Technologies – Teen Activity Room in SEK Autism Clinic
Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters – Mentors and Matches
Pittsburg Community Theatre – Jr. Starz
Mary’s Colgan Schools – Family and Consumer Sciences
Patrick Catholic School – Continuing Student Learning Through Technology
SoHome Kids Foundation – Safe Space
Southwind Extension Education Foundation – Food, Safety, and Personal Hygiene Enhancement
Special Olympics Kansas – Equipment for Special Olympics Kansas SEK
Spring River Mental Health and Wellness – Pathfinders Summer/Fall Activities
USD 250 – Holiday Vespers
Victory Life Church – Back2School Event
Wilco Interagency Corporation – Early Childhood Family Engagement Opportunities
The CFSEK Board of Trustees and staff congratulate all the 2023 grant recipients!
For additional information related to CFSEK’s competitive granting opportunities, visit www.SoutheastKansas.org or call 620-231-8897.
This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.
Following the first set of stories on young entrepreneurs in our community, an anonymous donor wrote fortscott.biz that he wanted to grant each one of the featured youth with $50.
If you know of a child, under 18 years of age, that is creating products or providing services to sell to the public, please send their name and phone number to news@fortscott.biz
Fortscott.biz wants to encourage the youth who are learning business by doing it.
Devlin Cole.
Devlin Cole, 15, started a leather works business about a year ago, called DRC Leatherworks.
He hand stamps and hand cuts leather to make bookmarks, rings, bracelets, key rings.
His grandmother, Vicki Waldron, owner of ViCon, a sewing business, and he both got interested at the same time, and he works out of her shop on Maple Road, rural Fort Scott. His sister, Mackenna, has encouraged him in his business, he said.
“I started sewing when young,” Cole said. “I like hands-on personalizing and being a craftsman on something that is personal.”
He is currently creating a stock pile of leather work articles for the Children’s Business Fair on September 30.
“I used (his leather) bookmarks at school, when reading and friends noticed and ordered a few,” he said.
At a recent band event, some of his friends helped Cole select a name for his business and he has been working on pricing, business logo and a business email.
Submitted graphic.
Belts are $10, keychains and pendants are $5, bookmarks are $7, rings are $3, and bracelets are $4.
“That is the prices I have thought of at the current moment not 100% sure on the belts due to leather costs but the rest is pretty set in stone,” he said.
At a recent Children’s Business Fair workshop, he developed a busniness plan and got all his ideas on paper, he said. Next was cash flow and payment options.
He will be selling, along with other young enrepreneurs, at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on September 30.
Amy Smith is a contemporary abstract artist who is inspired to create expressionist paintings that capture feeling and emotion. Amy works in mixed media and acrylics to create abstract fine art that is deeply layered and textured. Her contemporary art is a form of storytelling. She captures these stories with color and gesture and mark making. Abstract painting is a vehicle to outwardly express the deep inner work of the Spirit in me. When I begin to work on a piece I do not usually have a finished work in my mind. I may have a shred of an idea to start from, but I never have a plan. I am inspired by emotions,
relationships, current events, the natural environment, and most centrally, my faith
in relationship to all of these things. I work intuitively, moving among my paints, charcoal and collage papers as the piece develops and tells me where it wants to go. I am not sure that my pieces are ever really “finished,” but they come to a resting place that seems to make sense within the framework of the story being told. Like my own story, there is always another chapter to move on to, but each piece of art captures one moment in time. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, Matt, and her beloved cats. She has been a professional artist for over twenty years. In addition to painting, she also teaches painting and mixed media classes and mentors other growing artists and creatives.
Master Artist Classes!
We have two unique classes Amy will be teaching September 2nd!
Heart class-
Learn the secret formula to create Amy’s beautiful heart collage canvases. She will teach you the magic of layering pattern and color with paper and paint to create beautiful one of a kind heart canvases. Each student will create two 5×7″ layered mixed media artworks.
All supplies provided.
10am-12pm
Fat Baby Journals-
Create a special small journal with removable pages. Perfect for written or art journaling or as a scrapbook or travel journal. Each student will create one journal starting with precut cover pieces that will be assembled and covered with your choice of beautiful hand painted or commercial papers. We will cut down and assemble the interior pages and bind the book with colorful linen thread. students will have the choice to add a button or tied closure.
All supplies provided.
1pm-3pm
Both classes are ages fourteen and up! We cant wait to see you there!
Darrell Williams has been creating artwork since childhood. His first commissions were for custom painted Hot Wheels cars. He has been perusing his interest in art and automobiles ever since. His mediums include airbrush, graphite, oils, and colored pencil. He composes pieces that have a sense of nostalgia highlighting his interest in classic vehicles and Americana. Williams will gladly create a custom piece for you. He also offers custom work on vehicles.
Fort Scott, Kan. Aug.1, 2023 – Dr. Matthew Goltl, a Wichita chiropractor and longtime admirer of Gordon
Parks, has donated four of the celebrated photographer’s master prints to the Gordon Parks Museum
at Fort Scott Community College.
The 17-by-22 images are from “The Gordon Parks Signature Collection: Images from the Soul” by
Marcia McCoy, photographer and friend of Parks.
The photographs – titled “Moondown,” “Sky Song,” “Stream-side Blossoms” and “A Memory” – will
become part of the museum’s collections.
“We are so very thankful to Dr. Goltl for this wonderful contribution to our museum; this is a wonderful
addition to our collections,” said Kirk Sharp, executive director.
McCoy also teamed with Parks and Robert Erlichman of Art Guild Press to create an edition suite of
the many iconic photos taken by the Fort Scott native.
“Mr. Parks is a national treasure and has inspired creators globally to have the courage to create and
express their voices and visions,” she said. “We are delighted to share these powerful and inspiring
abstracts with you and the world.”
