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Unveiling Party on Dec. 8 at Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Office
Category Archives: Bourbon County
Bids and Dibs: Largest Resale Boutique In Kansas
A local consignment store is celebrating 10 years serving the community, and has acquired some recognition.
In conjunction with the anniversary, they are hosting the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8.
To learn more about the special deals/discounts:
Angela Simon opened Bids and Dibs on December 3, 2012 inside 19 S. National Ave.
On Halloween day 2018, Jason and Angela Simon purchased 108 S. Scott Ave.
Bids and Dibs opened its doors at the Scott Avenue building in January 2019.
“Bids and Dibs started as a local online auction platform,” Simon said. “That original business model evolved into full-service resale. Our services include: transparent consignment- where every consignor has access to their account online and their account balances never expire. Balances can be used as cash or credit at anytime.”
Bids and Dibs offers full consignment services, outright buys, and estate liquidation services to the community.
“Outright buys are where people can bring items in for sale and receive a cash offer based on brand, condition and current needs of the store. “
“Customized Estate liquidation… (is another) service,” she said. “No two situations are the same. People will contract with us to help them downsize the family home, moving out of town, or cleaning out the personal effects of a loved one that has passed. This service is especially popular with families that live outside the Bourbon county area who need to downsize or clear out things for a loved one who can no longer do it for themselves.”
Bids & Dibs, Inc. employs on average 10-14 people at any given time.
“We have plans to add an additional two full-time employees during 2023 to handle the expansion of our online sales,” Simon said.
Upgrading Technology in January 2023
“When we started 10 years ago we purchased the best consignment software in the industry,” she said. “Unfortunately that company did not keep pace with available technologies and we have now outgrown that point-of-sale service. In January 2023, we will be upgrading our systems to a cloud based service that will allow our consignors 24-hour access to their accounts that update instantaneously.”
“We have always offered online access to consignors, but our current system needs to be backed up and restarted before it shows current reliable data to the consignor. It is not always possible for us to do that as frequently as some users would like.”
“Our new system will allow them to watch in live time as we process and sell their items. It will also grant us the ability to add inventory offsite. That feature will make processing estates much faster. It will also allow multiple family members to follow along in the process. This is very valuable tool to families who live outside the local area. “
“Even in the most tight knit of families, contentions can arise when you’re dealing with estate items. Our service helps families work through these issues by being a neutral and transparent third party.”
Distinction in Business
Bids and Dibs received the small business of the year award from the Fort Scott area Chamber of Commerce in 2019.
“Besides the local Chamber, we are members of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Stores (NARTS) and NextLevel Resale. Due in large part to the resources and mentorship these groups provide, Bids & Dibs has become the largest resale boutique in Kansas that offers consignment, outright buys and estate liquidation.”
“Bids & Dibs will start leaning into this distinction in our marketing efforts for 2023 and beyond. Resale has became one of the largest growing industries in the world. The popularity of buying sustainably in North America has made destinations out of resale stores. Our marketing goal is to bring more outside dollars into the Bourbon County community, thus putting more money directly into the pockets of our consignors.”
Wreaths Across America Ceremony Dec. 17
Wreaths Across America for the Fort Scott National Cemetery has announced that the 2022 goal has been met. Location Coordinator Diann Tucker says this was made possible by many individuals, groups and businesses who donated and sponsored the nearly 7000 wreaths. This event receives greatly appreciated local community support, as well as support from across the country to honor our military laid to rest in Fort Scott. It is a huge effort and we thank each of you for your participation.
A convoy escort is planned for the CFI Wreaths Across America truck. The CFI drivers for Wreaths Across America are veterans who volunteer and donate their time for delivery for this occasion. Anyone interested in participating in the escort should meet on the parking lot of the FSCC Harley Davidson School at 274 N. Industrial Drive, Pittsburg, Kansas (on the north end of Pittsburg) about 8:15 AM on December 17. There will be a Crawford County sheriff escort to the Bourbon County line when the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department will lead the Wreaths Across America truck escort on to its destination at Fort Scott National Cemetery. Motorcycle and private automobile escorts are welcome.
A brief ceremony followed by laying of remembrance wreaths is scheduled for Saturday, December 17, beginning at 11 AM at Fort Scott National Cemetery. There will be some limited transportation available within the gates of the cemetery for anyone needing assistance. The public is encouraged to come and help in this recognition of our military and the Wreaths Across America mission to “Remember, Honor and Teach”. We encourage everyone to be a part of the wreath placement. No registration is required for volunteers.
HBCAT Newsletter
Toy Drive and Ham Giveaway Dec. 14
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of November 29
Gordon Parks Museum Receives Portrait Taken by Parks’ son
Marcia McCoy, photographer and longtime friend of Gordon Parks, has donated an iconic portrait of the celebrated Fort Scott native taken by his son, David, to the museum that bears his name.
Now on display in the museum, located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, is the photo of Parks shown in
1973. The photo, titled “Trailblazer,” captures the image of Parks riding horseback and smoking a pipe while directing a
film on location in the Flint Hills of Kansas.
“Gordon Parks was a trailblazer from Fort Scott, a true ‘Renaissance’ man, and my father,” said David Parks.
McCoy, who also worked with Gordon Parks as curator of his signature collection, “Images from the Soul,” teamed with
Parks and Robert Erlichman of Art Guild Press to create an edition suite of “Trailblazer.”
“(Gordon) loved this image his son captured of him, out in the Flint Hills of Kansas – his homeland,” McCoy said. “Mr.Parks is a national treasure and has inspired creators globally to have the courage to create and express their voices and visions. We are delighted to share this powerful and inspiring portrait with you and the world.”
For more information or to schedule museum visits and tours call (620) 223–2700, ext. 5850, or email
[email protected].
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Jingle Bell Mart 2022
Bourbon County Christmas shoppers, here is a stop.
The 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Holiday Mart is Saturday, December 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street. The event is hosted by the Bourbon County Fair Association.
Discovery Music Studio students will be playing throughout the day for your listening enjoyment
The list of vendors includes:
| Vendor | Person | Products |
| Returning | ||
| Happy Little Candle Factory | Lori Craig | Homemade Candles, Wax Melts, Chapstick |
| Flying P Ranch | Abbie Powell | Jewelry and Western Accessories |
| Micki Kraft | Home Sewn Items | |
| Tessie’s Nails | Tessie Tucker | Color Street Nails |
| Blue Dog Winery | Sarah Johnson | Bottles of Wine and Wine Related Merchandise |
| Locust Hill Lamancha | Sue | Goat Milk Products |
| New | ||
| Plexus | Samantha Bauman | Health and Wellness Products |
| Tupperware by Melinda | Melinda Miller | Tupperware, and wood craft items |
| Scentsy | Lakin Brittain | Scentsy Products |
| Donna Jo’s | Donna Jo Beerbower | Homemade Fudge and Baked Goods |
| Be-You-Tiful Designs | Kristi Beene | Vinyl and Sublimation |
| ButterBone Bakery, Paolo, KS | Randi White | Home Baked Dog Treats |
| Buckin’ A Ranch | Karleigh Arndt | Clothing, décor, accessories |
| 2 Crafty Twisted Sisters | Shawna Holstine | Crafts, Tumblers, Christmas Décor |
| Twigs and Berries | Suzanne Griffin | Cotton Candy and more |
| Mmm Flavor Shop | Emelia Whiteaker
Addi Foster |
Hot Beverage Bar |
| Discover Music Studio | Audry Eberhard | Music throughout the day |
There will be a tasting of Blue Dog Winery samples (with valid identification).
MMM Flavor-Emilea Whiteaker will be hosting a hot cocoa and tea bar with other products.
Locust Hill Lamanches, which sells goat products, will be hosting the goat cheese tasting table.
Also fudge, cotton candy and other food items will be available for sale.
Dog treats from Butter Bone Bakery will also be available for furry friends.
AD: Lost Wheaten Terrier Dog
She ran from the 800 block of National Ave in Fort Scott.
She is a Wheaten Terrier, 35 pounds, named Callie. She was rescued from a neglectful situation only 1 month ago, which is why she is very skittish and typically runs from humans.
Last seen near Presbyterian Village and the Golf Course at 2:00 AM on 12/3/2022 wearing only a collar (she is not wearing the sweater or harness as in the pictures).
If seen, please call with time and location of sighting.
There is a $500 reward for her safe return.
620-215-0637 or 620-215-6046
Bourbon County REDI Completes Workforce Assessment
An in-depth assessment of the workforce in Bourbon County has been completed and it offers a series of recommendations for BCREDI to work on immediately and for the long term. That’s according to Executive Director Robert Harrington. The workforce assessment was one of three studies BCREDI has undertaken since early spring, with the other two focused on retail opportunities and housing needs.
Along workforce study included one-on-one interviews with key employers as well as a survey that provided input from more than sixty-four employers in the county. Residents also had their input, with more than 440 people providing input. More than 80% are currently employed, including a sampling of those who commute into the county for work. In addition, nearly 130 Ft. Scott and Uniontown school students gave their thoughts on their education and careers.
“This workforce assessment provides a lot of on the ground input from companies, employees, those that might want to come back to a job and students that will help our staff and board develop ways to improve our overall workforce,” said Harrington. Harrington noted the input from surveys helps fill in the gaps that the extensive statistical data in the report doesn’t address. “The data can tell us a lot about how we are doing in Bourbon County, how we compare to our surrounding counties and other areas on things like wages and how many people commute in and out for work. But it doesn’t tell us things like how employers view the skills of the workforce and what skills they think are important and, on the other side, how satisfied employees are with their current work and their own levels of skills,” noted Harrington.
The workforce assessment was conducted by O’Brian & Associates, an economic and workforce development consulting firm based in Joplin, MO. Along with the on-the ground input and statistical data, the firm’s report also provides a series of recommendations as a starting point for action. “They gave us good observations on where we are today and what our employers and employees, including our future workforce, needs to be successful. From that they gave us a variety of recommendations on improving training, connecting students to employers, better supporting existing employers and engaging those not currently in the workforce,” said Harrington. “Now it’s up to our staff and board to look at priorities as well as key partners such as the school districts, Ft. Scott Community College, Chamber of Commerce and others to start the work in the new year,” he added.
“It was a pleasure working with the Bourbon County REDI team and having such great response from companies, residents and students,” said Rob O’Brian, founder of O’Brian & Associates. “Bourbon County has strong manufacturing, health care, education and agriculture sectors that have provided good job opportunities and good education options for many years. This study gives REDI a starting point for improving what it has, adding new options and ensuring residents have good jobs and companies have skilled employees into the future.”
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Bourbon County Coalition Agenda for Dec. 7
The Bourbon County Coalition will meet on Wednesday, December 7, in the Conference Room of the Scottview Apartments at 1:00 p.m.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
December 7, 2022
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Ronda Hassig – Lowell Milken Center
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be January 4 2023, at 1:00 p.m.
Bourbon County Commission Minutes from Joint Work Session Nov. 22
November 22, 2022, Tuesday 12:00 p.m.
There was a joint work session between City and County Commissioners. There were several members of the community present. There was no action taken.
Topics of Discussion:
- Rock for Cooper Street
- Transient Guest Tax
- Shared Services between City and County
- Tourism – REDI
- Area Agency on Aging
- North end of Lake Rd.
- Land Bank
- Airport Expansion
- Housing Study
- Negativity on Facebook
- Town Hall meeting in January
- Sidewalk on north side of Courthouse
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Clerk
_______________, Approved Date