Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Outdoor Blues Festival This Saturday: Plans In Place

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Cecilia and Cory Bryars. Submitted photo.
This Saturday Sept. 24, gates open for a music concert at a residence at 2006 Maple Road, just west of Fort Scott. Plans are settling into place for the event, which was announced several weeks ago.
New comers to the Fort Scott area from Kansas City, Cory and Cecilia Bryars, have planned  the blues festival on their property  to benefit a local helping organization, Care to Share.
In addition to the blues concert, there will be food with proceeds going to Care to Share:
–Hot dogs, chips, and chili
–Smash Burgers from  4-8 p.m.
–Funnel cakes
–Chili Frito Pie
–Huge bake sale–pies, cookies, more
–Water (and if you care to share bring a case to donate)
–Coolers are welcome!
There will be other booths and vendors, with proceeds to Care to Share and the booth vendor, featuring metal art, pottery, mums, spices, birdhouses, face painting and the Kansas City Blues Society and more.
 The gates open at 1 p.m., and the musicians will play from 2-10 p.m.
Preliminary work has included having enough parking for those wanting to attend.
“There is lots of parking at the venue and neighboring yards,” Cory Bryars said. “Just follow the signs when you get there.”
“Also Dolly the Trolley ( local tourism trolley car) will shuttle from Twister Trailer (on North National Avenue, just across from Riverfront Park) to 2006 Maple at the following times– 1:15-4 p.m., 5:30-8 p.m., 8:30-10:30 p.m or when everyone  gets back at their cars,”he said.
If planning on staying the duration of the concert, concert goers are asked to take the trolley.
“If you are staying for quite a while, please take the trolley, which will free up venue parking for people only coming for a short while,” Bryars said.
All the details are located on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1483547988817371.
The event is free. However they are asking donations to support Care to Share a local cancer survivor support group.
“Our mission statement is to provide friendship and support through emotional and financial assistance to individuals who are cancer fighters and their caregivers…because we care to share,” Lavetta Simmons, a spokesman for Care To Share said in a prior story.
“We are 100% volunteer individuals, no paid employees, so everything donated goes 100% right back into our community for our cancer fighters. Last year we were able to care and share 1,134 times for a total of $65,711.69 with our cancer families.”
No tickets  are required and the event is free.
Donations to Care to Share are appreciated, Bryars said.  “The event page also has a link to donate even if you can’t be here and want to support a great cause.”
 
The primary event activity is  four top-quality  blues bands playing from 2-3:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., 8-9:45 p.m.
To learn more about the event organizer:
Blues Festival Coming to Fort Scott Sept. 24
Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Starlite FCA September Minutes

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The September meeting of the Starlite FCE was held at the Yeager building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.  President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order and Deb Lust lead the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the club collect.  Eight members and one quest were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered for twenty-six hours and had recycled seventy-five pounds since their last meeting.

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.  Deb Lust presented the treasurer’s report in Doris’s absence.  Karen Peery gave the Council report.  She announced that Fall Follies will be November 1st at the Moran Senior Center and will start at 3:30p.m.  The program this year will be on Aprons followed by a soup supper.  November 3rd will be the area meeting in Parson.

 

September birthdays in attendance were Letha Johnson and Helen Carson.

 

It was announced that the Goodie bags had been delivered to the emergence response personnel and that Doris Ericson and Karen Peery are going to attend the State FCE convention.  Doris will be recognized as the State winner of the Heart of FCE award.

 

Before the meeting members signed cards to be presented to the area veterans along with snacks in November.  Deb Lust announced that there will be a poppy distribution this year but the weekend has not been determined at this time.

 

New business consisted of passing out the membership form for the next year and filling them out.  The address list was passed around and updated.  Glenda Miller requested that members bring extra Christmas cards next months.  We will be sending them to the VA hospital in December.

 

Deb Lust moved that the meeting be adjourned, Helen Carson seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.  After the meeting Helen Carson presented the lesson on “Destination Oregon.”  Helen shared pictures and information on her travels there as well.

 

Refreshment of Salmon patties, Blackberry pie, Tillamook cheese ball and crackers were provided the Helen Carson and Doris Ericson and enjoyed by all.

 

Prepared by

Terri  Williams

Bourbon County, Church news

Local Ministry Receives Grant to Support Small Churches

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Carl Ellis. Submitted photo.

“In the United States around 4,000 churches close each year and 2.7 million Christians become inactive,” said local Methodist pastor, Reverend Dr. Carl Ellis.

Ellis is executive director for the Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries, and lives in rural Hiattville, southwest of Fort Scott.

The academy received  a $30,000 grant this year from the Guy and Ruby Casebourn Murphy Charitable Trust to continue  training of lay pastors and develop innovative programs which support small membership churches.

This trust has supported the Academy’s ministries for over 20 years, beginning in 1999 when Ellis met Ruby Murphy and trustee Thomas Henderson, and the trust began supporting local church ministries.

The Academy has trained over 400 lay persons from 15 different states to serve small membership churches in leadership roles and has held continuing education classes to teach pastoral care skills such as how to plan and lead a funeral for the first time and how to help people dealing with grief. The Academy has also led workshops on church growth in Kansas, Missouri, and Texas.

The Guy and Ruby Casebourn Murphy Charitable Trust has announced The Academy will receive a gift of $75,000 in 2024, he said.

“The Academy plans to invest this gift to perpetuate Guy and Ruby’s values and belief in helping others,” Ellis said. “The grant will help  expand ministries and strengthen small membership churches to help their communities.”

The Academy began in 1999 when Ellis taught the first lay pastor’s class with 22 students. It was incorporated in 2015.

The current board of directors has 12 members from Kansas, Nebraska, and Ohio. The board met in June 2022 to refine the mission and vision and start strategic planning for future benefits for the small membership church including scholarships for lay people to participate, and training on all aspects of pastoral care.

The Board is working with the help of consultant Rev. George Cooper from Florida and is developing a 5-10 year plan for helping small membership churches grow and thrive.

Ellis understands the need for strong community-based churches to reach the under-served rural and urban areas in the United States and throughout the world.

“Small membership churches are able, with God’s love, to help bridge the divide between those of differing opinions, give support to those dealing with mental illness, and help those dealing with poverty, as they live out Christ’s call to discipleship,” Ellis said.

Ellis “sees the work as a call from God,” he said.

The small membership church is where he was welcomed into the family of God and experienced God’s love, forgiveness, and grace, he said.

“Without small membership churches many people would feel lost,” says Ellis, “because small membership churches are a place where children of all ages discover they are part of God’s loving community.”

The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries will be hosting focus groups for small membership churches this fall asking three questions: What are the strengths of small membership churches; What are the challenges small membership churches face; and What programs can The Academy offer to help the small membership church meet future needs and challenges.

For more information, visit https://www.tasmcm.org/ or contact Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis at [email protected]

 

Bourbon County, Elections, Food

Bo Co Dems Serve Breakfast at Farmers Market Sept. 24

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The Bourbon County Democrats are serving biscuits and gravy at the Farmers Market this Saturday, September 24th from 8 – noon.  Please come for a full helping, a half order, or just a biscuit and home made jelly!
For information, text 620 215 1505
Submitted by
Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
Please like us on Facebook
Bourbon County, Youth

“Uniontown 4-H Members Win State”

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Uniontown 4-H Club

September Report

by Marley Sutton

Weeks of preparation and hard work paid off for several Uniontown 4-H Club members on August 21st in Manhattan, Kansas. The Southwind 4-H Intermediate Meat Evaluation team was named the state winner at the awards ceremony held on the campus of Kansas State University. Although they competed underneath the umbrella of the Southwind 4-H district, all of the team members hailed from the Uniontown 4-H Club!

Leading the way was Hailey Shadden and Kendyl Bloesser as they tied for the High Individual honors at the contest. Shadden was named the High Individual after utilizing tie breakers. Also ranking in the top ten individually were Makinlee Bloesser (5th) and Marley Sutton (7th).

Uniontown 4-H also had several members participate in the Kansas State Fair this past week. Austin Maycumber competed in photography judging and his team ended up ranking 8th in the state. Marley and McKinley Sutton exhibited hogs at the event with their biggest success coming in the market hog show where McKinley’s barrow was named the Reserve Champion Berkshire Market Hog. Seth Shadden received a purple ribbon on his Small Engine Display and Hailey Shadden received a blue on her Forestry Notebook and a red ribbon on her food project. Kendyl and MaKinlee Bloesser both participated in foods and received red ribbons on their entries. Makiah Woods received a purple ribbon on her garment entry.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Sept. 20

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Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: September 20, 2022
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 9:00AM.
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Susan Bancroft – Road Closure
• Bill Martin – Vehicles
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer Comment
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Fall – Time to Tidy Up, Store Summer Bulbs and Plan for Next Year

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Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

 

 

The change from summer to fall – I always look forward to it. However, the drought conditions this fall doesn’t have me very excited. I typically enjoy decorating with some mums and pumpkins, but I’m dragging my feet on it this year because I dread the thought of keeping the mums watered. We need rain so bad! But, fall does bring the time to do some tidying up around the home, storing summer bulbs, and yes – making plans for a better growing season next year.

 

Don’t forget to dig your summer flowering bulbs and store those that will not survive Kansas winters. Bulbs such as gladiolus, caladium, dahlia, tuberous begonia, calla lily, and canna lily need to be dug and stored so they can be planted next year.

 

All of these plants should be dug after frost has browned the foliage. They should be allowed to dry for about a week in a shady, well-ventilated site such as a garage or tool shed. Any excess soil should be removed. The bulbs should be packed away in peat moss or perlite. When packing, make sure the bulbs don’t touch each other. That way if one decays, the rot won’t spread onto neighboring bulbs. Dusting the bulbs with fungicide before storing will help prevent them from rotting.

 

Caladium should be stored between 50 and 60 degrees F. The rest of the bulbs mentioned should be stored near 40 degrees. Finding a good storage spot may be tricky. A basement wall away from a furnace is often a good location.

 

As for spring flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, allium) fall is the time to establish into the landscape. Planting this fall may be a bit tricky with the extremely dry soil. If we can catch some decent rainfall, consider planting right after that.

 

It is also time to fertilize spring-flowering bulbs. With an established bulb bed that has been fertilized in the past, there is probably plenty of phosphorus and potassium present in the soil to grow the plants next spring. If you’re not sure, take a soil test. A complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 9-9-6 at the rate of 2.5 pounds per 100 square feet should be used if the soil needs phosphorus and potassium. This would also equal 1 rounded teaspoon per square foot.

 

While you’re out and about in your yard this fall fertilizing bulbs, you may want to take the time to clean up the iris beds as well. Iris are known for a couple of very common problems: a fungus known as iris leaf spot and an insect named iris borer.

 

Though both cause problems in the spring, now is the time to start control measurers. Both the fungus and eggs of the borer overwinter on old, dead leaves. Removing iris leaves and other landscape debris from the iris bed this fall will significantly reduce problems next spring.

 

On a side not away from flowers, thinking ahead to October – it is a good time to plant garlic if you want large cloves next summer. The soil should be fertilized before planting with three pounds of a 10-10-10 fertilizer, per 100 square feet, and mixed into the soil. Cloves should be planted point up and spaced three inches apart and one to two inches deep. The larger the clove planted, the larger the bulb for harvesting next summer. Once planted, water in well and mulch with straw to conserve soil warmth and encourage good establishment. The garlic will be ready for harvest next summer when most of the foliage has browned.

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

Do You Know A Health Champion?

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Jody Hoener. Submitted photo.

The Governor’s Council on Fitness is seeking nominations for its annual Health Champion Award program.  This recognizes those community champions across the state who work hard to improve the health and wellness of your community.

“We are seeking individuals AND organizations that go above and beyond for the health and well-being of communities, residents or worksites,” Jody Hoener, said. “Please consider nominating today!”

Hoener was appointed by the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to serve on the Governor’s Council on Fitness board.

“This year I am the chair for the awards committee,” she said. “I am a previous honoree of this award as well.”

 

What does this champion look like?

 

Any Organization or Business: Anything from a company that takes pride in its robust workplace wellness program to a city municipality that prioritizes complete streets and active infrastructure.  We want to hear about that non-profit who feeds the hungry, or the school who implements a vaping prevention program.

 

Anyone: A public official, a community leader, a concerned citizen, a health or human serve worker, or a volunteer who works hard to improve the quality of life for residents.

 

Community First: Whether it’s an organization or an individual, these champions think of the greater good first; they’re committed to making things better for everyone.

 

Candidates will be selected based on their exemplary work to promote the health and wellness of Kansans. Individual and organizational awards will be presented at the Community Health Promotion Summit held on January 26, 2023, in Wichita, KS.

 

 

There is a champion in all of us, nominate an individual or an organization today! Deadline for submissions is September 30, 2022.

For easier access to the form, here is a direct link: http://www.getactivekansas.org/Documents/Health_Champion_Nomination_Form_2023.pdf

or visit http://www.getactivekansas.org/gcof.html or contact Alyssa Nava at [email protected].

 

 

 

or contact Jody Hoener
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc.
President and CEO

104 North National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
1-620-215-2892 Mobile
[email protected]

HBCAT.org

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension, Kansas

Heart of FCE Award: Doris Ericson

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Heart of FCE Award


Doris Ericson, rural Hiattville, has been notified that she is the State winner of the Heart of FCE Award for 2021.

She was nominated by the Starlite FCE (Family and
Community Education) and represented Bourbon County.

After winning the District level, Doris was then declared winner at the State level. She will receive the state award for the
Heart of FCE at the October KAFCE State Conference in Newton, Kansas, October 3-5, 2022.

Doris Ericson has lived in Bourbon County since 1957. In 1962 she and her late husband Henry bought a farm, Cloverdale Angus, at Hiattville. Doris and Henry have six children who were members of the Hiattville 4-H Club. The first one entered 4-H in 1964
with the last child entering in 1980. 4-H was a major part of the children’s upbringing.


Their projects were livestock, cooking and sewing. Mom and dad were involved supporters of the 4-H program. Doris was a sheep leader for many years. If there was a 4-H event in the county the Ericson family was represented.


In 1990 Doris and Henry were inducted into the Kansas Master Farmer Homemaker group for their Extension, Agriculture and Community involvement.

In 2007 the Ericsons were awarded the title of “4-H Family of the Year”, in the State of Kansas.


Whatever happens in Hiattville, Doris is always ready to help. Building a fire station was one of the biggest projects. They provided food and labor. Doris and Henry were honored for their community service by being selected to be parade marshals for
the Hiattville Homecoming.


Doris joined the Bourbon County Garden Club after she became a Master Gardener. She says she has weeded, watered, and planted all around the pool of Fort Scott. She has helped beautify Heritage Park and downtown Fort Scott, filling planters and hanging baskets and taking her turn at weeding and deadheading the plants to make
sure they stayed healthy.


Doris volunteered to manage the dining room at the Bourbon County Fair. She bought supplies and ran errands. Cooking, making the early coffee and setting out things for the 4-H club that had breakfast duty; she was always busy. She held this
position for over 20 years. As a member of the Starlite FCE, Doris helps to clean and set up before the Fair. She has worked in the Prepared Foods Division for over 30 years,
entering exhibits and assisting the judge. She represents the FCE at the baked goods sale. This money funds the County FCE scholarship. For over 40 years Doris has taken entries to the Bourbon County Fair. She has collected many top ribbons and awards.
When the Fair closes Doris can be found helping to clean and put things up for next year.


Doris joined the Hiatville EHU in 1967. She was President and Secretary and then back to President when it dissolved in 1981. Joining The Starlite FCE in Fort Scott, she has been president twice , and in her words, “treasurer forever.” She is currently the
County Council representative and treasurer. For more than 45 years she has presented a lesson at the meetings. Doris takes an active part in the projects and meetings of the Starlite FCE donating her time and talents. She never misses an FCE gathering and
especially enjoys attending the Fall Follies and Spring Tea.
Doris is a member of the Friends Home Lutheran Church of Savonburg. She has served on the church board two times, and belongs to the womens’ organization,

 Doris is an active member and helps make quilt tops and tie quilts for the Lutheran World Relief. Her group of 4 women made and sent 15-20 quilts last year.


I am proud to present Doris Ericson, my neighbor of 53 years, for the Heart of FCE Award. She is a full time mother, farmer’s wife, and helper to anyone in need. She has done house and farm chores, raised children, and worked livestock, worked in the fields,
and then fed the harvest crews. Doris is always working. She is dedicated to her church ,family and community. She is a woman worthy of the Heart of FCE Award.


Submitted by :
Glenda Miller
President
Starlite FCE
1236 Fern Rd.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
[email protected]
620-547-2401

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, K-State Extension, Kansas

Family and Consumer Week is Oct. 13-19

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KAFCE WEEK – October 13-19, 2022


What is KAFCE you ask ? Kansas Association for Family and
Community Education. FCE was founded in 1936 under the name of
National Home Demonstration Council (HDU) during an international women’s conference held in Washington D.C. It became the driving force in providing rural women with education in basic life skills.


Today FCE continues to stress education, concerns of family and
communities.


This organization worked to promote public opinion for investing
funds to establish public health services, County Health Departments.

In the 1940s members prepared hot meals and took them to local classrooms.


They worked to raise public awareness to establish a school lunch
program.

Fostering rural reading programs, members took carloads of books into rural communities and supported bookmobiles.
Using easy to understand and easy to teach lessons named , “The
Hearth Fire Series,” rural women learned about a variety of topics ranging from consumer issues such as buying safe food, to health lessons, learning about mammograms and the pap test, to public policy areas, the Judicial System, to media awareness topics.


FCE is a recognized leader in the areas of children. The
organization was a force in getting rating symbols displayed at the
beginning of television programs. Addressing media sources – video
games, the internet, music, books, magazines, etc. – FCE tries to help
parents make purchasing and viewing choices appropriate for
their children by educating adults and youth to the pros and cons of
various media sources that the youth are exposed to in the 21st
Century – books, video games, cyberspace, music, movies, cell
phones and sexting.


FCE also works to instill values in elementary children to
build and promote character using storybooks to teach children
character values. Volunteers present these lessons in the schools at
the fourth grade level.

Leadership through education is the key, volunteerism is the
means. The mission of the FCE – past, present and future – connects
with families. FCE looks to the future to empower women to change
their lives, their families and their communities for the better with
three main goals in mind:
CONTINUING EDUCATION
DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY ACTION


Kansas FCE Creed


I believe in the principles of the Kansas Association for Family
and Community. Education which strives to promote a better way of
life for all families and communities in making the world a better place in which to live. Through leadership, may we have pride in our role as volunteer educators, be conscious of the needs of others, and be strengthened by our unity.


There are 82 Family and Community Units in the Southwind
District. Two of these units are in Bourbon County – Starlite FCE,
which meets at 2:00 on the third Thursday of each month in the
Yeager Building at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds (for more
information call Glenda Miller 620-547-2401) and Thursday Night Live FCE, which meets at 5:30 on the third Thursday of the month at
various locations (for more information call Lori Nelson
620-215-9373.) An educational lesson is presented at each meeting,
with refreshments and lots of good fellowship.


Come join us! Consider this your invitation to drop in and find
out for yourself what FCE is all about. Join with us as we strive to
strengthen families, through continuing education, leadership
development and community action. We welcome you !

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

Flu Shot Drive-Through Sept. 17 at CHC

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CHC/SEK-FORT SCOTT SCHEDULES SATURDAY SEPT. 17 DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC

By getting a flu shot now, you can protect yourself and your family and friends!

 

 

Flu season is coming, and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is offering a “drive-thru” flu shot clinic on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9AM – 2 PM. The event will be held in the parking lot at 2322 S. Main Street, the future location of CHC/SEK’S new clinic, presently under construction.

 

The drive-through flu clinic is recommended for everyone six-months of age and older, because it effectively decreases flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

There is no out-of-pocket cost for participants. It only takes a few minutes to get vaccinated. To help keep the vaccination line moving, please wear clothing where your shoulder is easily exposed. 

 

By getting a flu shot now, you will protect yourself and your family and friends!  

 

Flu vaccines and good hand hygiene are still the go-to recommendations for prevention; however, public health officials say it is just as important to contain the virus, which means staying home when you are sick.

 

Flu shots are also available at all CHC/SEK clinics on a walk-in basis or by appointment.   

 

###

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Local 4-Hers Win Third Place at Kansas State Fair Crops Judging

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Pictured left to right: Carly Kramer, Abigail Meiwes, Henry Kramer, and Kason Botts.
Southwind District 4-H Crops Judging Team Wins 3rd Place at the Kansas State Fair
On Saturday , September 10, 4-H’ers from the Southwind District 4-H program participated in the Kansas State Fair Crops Judging Contest. They competed as both individuals and as a team in the Senior Division. The participants were Carly Kramer, Abigail Meiwes, Henry Kramer, and Kason Botts. Carly and Abigail are seniors and to make a senior team, Henry and Kason agreed to judge in the older division. These members did a great job at the contest winning as the 3rd place team. Individually, Carly Kramer was 8th, Abigail Meiwes was 10th, Henry Kramer was 11th, and Kason Botts received 21st. Congratulations to our Southwind 4-H’ers!
Pictured left to right: Carly Kramer, Abigail Meiwes, Henry Kramer, and Kason Botts.