MANHATTAN, Kansas — The beauty of Kansas agriculture has been celebrated throughout the state’s ag industry, and we encourage photographers to capture that beauty and share it with others through the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s annual photo contest. KDA began accepting photos on June 7, and will continue accepting entries through August 16.
This year’s KDA Photo Contest categories were selected to promote different aspects of Kansas agriculture. Kansas Weather, Celebrating Local Foods, Water in Kansas and Rural Kansas categories will showcase the many places and ways we experience agriculture across the state of Kansas — from the beauty of the Flint Hills and the western plains to the family-run local ranches and colorful farmers’ markets, and the many ways that weather and water have an impact on Kansas agriculture. And for the first time ever, we have added a Video category to showcase drone footage, harvest videos, or other short clips of under 30 seconds. As always, there will be a separate Youth category, for young photographers under age 19. Prizes will be awarded to the top two winners in each of the six categories.
KDA serves to advocate for agriculture, the state’s largest industry and economic driver. Photos which best capture the categories will be used throughout the year as we tell the story of Kansas agriculture. After submission, KDA is granted permission to use any photograph for publications, social media, websites, displays, etc. without payment or other consideration from the photographer.
Photo entries should be sent in .jpg format to [email protected]. Videos should be sent in .mp4 or .mov format. Entries must include a title and brief description, where and when the photo/video was taken, the photographer’s full name and age, entry category hometown and email address.
Guidelines for the KDA Photo Contest, including deadlines, categories and prizes, can be found at agriculture.ks.gov/photocontest. Voting to select finalists will begin on KDA’s social media sites in late August. For more information, contact Heather Lansdowne, KDA director of communications, at [email protected] or 785-564-6706.
Bourbon County Arts Council’s annual art walk is seeking artists to display their work.
The annual art walk is on June 25 from 5-8 p.m. at the Liberty Theater/Crooners Lounge patio 113 S. Main Street.
“Items sold must be creative, original pieces, no national companies,” said Deb Anderson, spokesperson. “Artists are responsible for their own display needs and setup.”
The BCAC Wine Stroll in 2017
The mission of the council is: To foster, promote and increase the knowledge, appreciation, and practice of the arts.
The cost to display/sell their art is $15 for non-member of the council, free to council members.
Food and drink for the art walk is available to purchase from Crooner’s Restaurant.
In the event of inclement weather the event would be canceled, Anderson said.
For more information contact Anderson at [email protected] or 224-8650 or Terri Floyd at 224-7221.
Current members of the council are Anderson, Floyd, Cindy Bartelsmeyer, Elaine Buerge, Bre Eden, Steve Floyd, Deb Halsey, Laura Meeks, Linda Noll, Tedena Tucker, and Chris Woods.
Stephen Toal in front of the mural he created at Gunn Park for the public to enjoy. Submitted photo.
Stephen Toal saw some graffiti on the wall of the lower level under the No. 1 Shelter House at Gunn Park and decided to use his artistic abilities and do something about it.
“Someone had written some hate graffiti on the wall and I felt the need to cover it with something positive,” Toal said.
“I had spoken with Josh Jones (Mayor of Fort Scott) about doing the project,” Toal said.
One can have a picnic and feed the ducks while enjoying the new mural under the largest rock shelter house in the park, Shelter House #1.
He used his own art materials and spent about 10 hours on the project, he said.
Stephen Toal described himself as ” a long time resident of Fort Scott, a husband, father of three and three step-children.”
Steven Toal and his wife, Stacy, Submitted photos.
Toal also said he is a “recovering addict/alcoholic, who has been clean and sober three years”
“Art is a way to express myself and helps me stay clean,” he said.
The colorful mural is a depiction of springtime, Toal said.
Crafting started out as a hobby and became a business for Carol Jones.
Jones began her Rainbow Unicorn Boutique business at a booth in a flea market in 2018 and opened a storefront shop downtown this month at 5 E. Wall.
The Rainbow Unicorn Boutique is located at 5 E. Wall. Submitted photo.
“I make about 80 percent of all I sell,” Jones said.
Jewelry for sale at the Rainbow Unicorn Boutique. Submitted photo.
Jones works with many different mediums for her crafting, which focuses on custom jewelry and custom kitchen towels, she said.
Submitted photo.
She uses leather (both real and faux), natural stones, semi-precious stones, stainless steel and sterling silver.
Submitted photo.
Jones also offers classes or parties including painting and wire-wrapping crafts.
Submitted photo.
She also has Easter baskets for this time of year.
Her hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday.
She can be reached by phone at 904-609-8155.
Jones is a local girl who moved to the southern U.S. for a period, but returned home.
“Many people here probably knew my parents and grandparents,” she said. “I grew up on a farm with a huge pond near Jayhawk Road. My mom was Carol Lawson-Winship, my uncle was Charles Lawson and my grandfather was Woodrow “Pete” Lawson who had a radiator shop in Belltown.”
“I moved to Tulsa (OK)and then Savannah (GA), lived there for about 30 years and moved back due to health and wanting to be near my family, (son-Josh Jones),” she said. “My other son Dustin lives in Jax, Florida. My daughter Kendria is still in Savannah, and my youngest daughter lives in California. I have 11 grandkids and I love to travel. Cruising is my favorite.”
Chamber Announces LOLLIPOP HOP & SHOP + SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest will take place Friday, March 19th through Sunday, March 21st. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.
All ages are encouraged to take part in the Chalk Art Contest by making a display in the Downtown Historic District or at another participating store and post the art creation to the Chamber Facebook page “Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce” with the hashtag #fortscottshopart to be included in judging.
Customers are invited to shop local while viewing the chalk art. Most retailers will be offering complimentary lollipops, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions. Locations included in the event will have a Lollipop Hop & Shop poster and pink & blue balloons displayed at their entrance.
The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, express yourself through art for all ages, and join the Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest starting Friday, March 19th thru Sunday, March 21st. A list of participating retailers will soon be posted on fortscott.com.
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
Lots of furniture will be for sale at the Presbyterian Village auction on Feb. 27 Submitted photos.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has set individuals and groups rethinking fundraising ideas.
This is true for Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, which will have its’ annual fundraising auction this Saturday, Feb. 27 at the former Gordman’s store, 2400 S. Main. The auction begins at 10 a.m.
Hand-made quilts will be auctioned at the sale. Submitted photos.
“Traditionally, the auction is known for a great crowd, good food, and lots of good deals,” said Executive Director Ginger Nance. “This year, the need remains for financial support for the Good Samaritan Program and other resident-centered programs. However, the auction looks different this year. We will not provide food or raffles or any of the usual festivities.”
Cast iron and other pans will be offered at auction. Submitted photos.
The auction helps fund programs to benefit the elderly residents who live at the assisted living facility.
Crystal and other glassware will be offered at auction. Submitted photos.
“The 2021 auction benefits resident programs at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village,” Nance said. “Our mission is to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. Sincethe beginning of the pandemic, we have had to pivot and rethink the way we serve the mission and how the community can interact with our mission.”
Dining tables will be auctioned. Submitted photos.
“Due to the pandemic, our campus has really limited the public’s access and even at times restricted the access of visitors and guests,” she said. “We have to be incredibly careful in keeping our residents and staff safe. So, the auction items moved out of our storage and to a place where folks can go.”
The auction has been moved to the former Gordman’s building on South Main Street, in between Hibbits and Tractor Supply stores.
Beds, dressers, chests of drawers, nightstands will be offered at auction. Submitted photos.
The auction is usually in May, but this year will be February 27.
“Everyone’s lives have changed because of the pandemic and so have schedules,” Nance said. “The collection of items has been growing since late 2019 in preparation for the 2020 event. Imagine our collection now…almost a year and a half later. We are busting at the seams. By moving the auction site, it allows allof the stored items to be removed so access to resident vehicles is easy. As they say, the show must go on. So February is as good of a time as any. We just hope the weather is good and people are understanding.”
Crockery and other kitchen items will be for sale. Submitted photos.
The Village received grant funds to help with COVID-19 issues.
The facility received Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas grant money in the fall of 2020 in the amount of $84.000
“With the help of leadership at our home office, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village submitted an application in August of 2020 for Personal Protection Equipment, technology enhancement for screening and resident communication, staffing, and testing expenses,” Nance said. “We were also able to use the funds to facilitate safe visiting for family members, four stations have been established inside doorways of the community and set up with coffee machines, rolling carts, trash cans, and tables for visitation. There are also enhancements for the life enrichment team to have a rolling station of activities for residents.”
“The staffing dollars allocated helped us with payroll for employees that traditionally work in one department but are needed in other areas to assist,” she said. “It also helped with payroll for employees that were exposed to COVID while working. The SPARK money has been a blessing beyond measure! It has allowed for PPE, testing, monitoring, infection control, and reopening supplies to be purchased and available at all times for staff and residents use to keep everyone safe to the best of our ability.”
“We are grateful to have the assistance of the PMMA organization to secure grants and other stimulus money that has helped us during such a challenging time in health care,” she said.
“It is important to recognize the amazing support from donors, volunteers, and families who have given donations to the Presbyterian Village and our system and I cannot thank those donors enough! It truly takes a ‘village’ of people to pull together during challenging times.”
“We have a great community of people who have given crafts, books, hobby items and financial donations to help keep our residents engaged during what seemed like a very long year of social distancing,” she said.
“Our team’s energy and focus is committed to serving our seniors in the best possible way and without God and the assistance of our supportive community we couldn’t be successful,” Nance said.
