Barbara Stockebrand. K-State Extension Agent. Submitted photo.
There has been a lot of buzz about Zoom meetings. In many households, it has become an everyday term in describing how someone was going to go about their work or school day, or meet with family or friends.
With the holiday season here, many families may be opting to connect through Zoom rather than having the large family gathering.
If you are one of those who would like to learn how to be a part of a Zoom meeting, whether for educational purposes or just for fun with others, a hands-on practice session is being offered through Southwind Extension District.
Barbara Stockebrand, Southwind District Agent will be offering two opportunities for a little experience with the Zoom program format.
The sessions will take place December 8 at 10:30 a.m. and December 10 at 3:30 p.m. Both sessions will cover the same information.
Participants can register for either session by calling 620-625-8620 or emailing [email protected]. Sessions will be limited to six participants each.
Participants need to have an email address as well as a laptop or desktop with a web cam, or an iPad or smartphone. Instructions will be sent prior to the sessions on how to download the app. If responses require more sessions, we will be glad to set them up!
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Buck Run Community Center is the site chosen for the skating rink. It is located at 735 S. Scott, just east of the aquatic center.
A new skating rink is on the horizon for Fort Scott.
“This project came from community discussion about a need for more kid-friendly activities,” said Allyson Turvey, Fort Scott Tourism and Community Development Manager. “Memorial Hall was used as a roller rink back in the ’80s, so the initial idea was really just to give that another go. It will benefit the community’s youth, and will hopefully draw families from the larger region as well. ”
“Originally we had hoped to use Memorial Hall, but the cost to resurface the floor is simply too high,” she said. “So for now we are focusing our attention on the old gym at Buck Run. Ideally if this goes well we could eventually look to investing in the floor of Memorial Hall since it is a larger venue.”
Allyson Turvey. Submitted photo.
Turvey is the project leader.
“Leah Bowman has helped a lot with research,” she said. “But this project simply wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous amount of community support we’ve received”
“Craig Campbell and Angie Rhodes Kemmerer along with her class have been heavily involved in the planning, and have also thrown out many ideas we had not considered. It’s also fantastic to have a project with not just community involvement, but student involvement. Students are excited and working really hard to make this thing a success.”
Logistics such as staffing, insurance needs, and safety requirements are being considered.
“But we really have two priorities at this point, the rink itself, and the skates,” Turvey said. ” Without these pieces locked down, we won’t be able to move forward. We’ve now decided on the ideal location, so we need to find the skates. The cost to purchase enough skates to run this type of facility isn’t really feasible, so Angie and Craig have put us in touch with roller skate rental companies. We’re hopeful to have a solution for skates soon.”
The skating rink project is for the area youth.
“The target population for the rink is of course local youth,” she said. “It’s been a widely held opinion that Fort Scott needs more activities for kids. This will certainly meet that objective. The students that have been helping with the project are really excited about the possibilities and have lots of ideas of how we can make it successful.”
“Our goal is to make this happen by the beginning of the year,” Turvey said. ” We do have logistics that will need to be worked out very quickly. And as I mentioned the whole project currently hinges on securing roller skates”.
What is the cost to the city?
“At this point, I don’t have an exact cost estimate to offer, but the use of Buck Run will allow for fairly low startup costs,” she said. ” Use of Memorial Hall for this project would have required a significant initial investment. We don’t feel this is a feasible solution at this time, and are working to make this project as cost effective as possible.”
Wayne Thorpe, a 50 year Supervisor on the Bourbon County Conservation District, won the Don Rezac Memorial award on Monday, November, 23, according to Bourbon County Conservation District Manager Mandy Shoemaker.
In the February, 1969 minutes for the Bourbon Co. Conservation District, it was suggested the Secretary should contact Wayne Thorpe to serve as an advisor, according to a press release from Shoemaker. Wayne accepted the Advisor position and attended his first meeting in March, 1969. Almost 1 year later, in January, 1970, Wayne became a Supervisor. In February, 1971, Wayne became the Treasurer and has held that office to this present day, 49 years later.
Wayne has served faithfully as a Supervisor for 50 years and has missed only 1 board meeting (Feb. 1999). More often than not, board meeting minutes end with “motion by Wayne Thorpe to adjourn”. Wayne was and is always ready to finish business so he could visit with the other board members and advisors.
Wayne served on the District’s Youth Committee from 1970 till 2008. He was responsible for getting the poster contest together and working with the many other youth activities throughout the year with the local schools. Every year the District has sent 1 or 2 students to the Kansas Range Youth Camp thanks to the Youth Committee.
In January, 1985, Wayne was involved with the development of the Marmaton Watershed #102. He approved for the District to be an information gathering center for landowners to give their ideas and input regarding the Marmaton Watershed District during that time. He was also involved in approving Technical Assistance from the Conservation District to the Watershed.
In 1991, John W. Reh, Assistant State Conservationist, sent the District a letter looking for participants on the State Reclamation Committee. Wayne was appointed by the District Board to represent Bourbon Co.
Wayne has served on the KACD Grassland Committee and has attended almost all of the KACD Conventions since 1970.
Other meetings Wayne has attended over the years: NACD Annual Meeting
Legislative Fairs at the State Capitol
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce events & meetings Banker’s Tour for conservation awards
Spring and Fall KACD Workshops
The District has had several drills over the years and Wayne was always glad to help work on them when needed. Outside of being a 50 year member of the Bourbon Co Conservation District, Wayne has farmed, raised beef cattle, and dairy cattle.
He is a 40+ year member of the Mirza Shrine Club. Wayne served as President of the Bourbon Co. Shrine Club and has donated countless hours volunteering.
Wayne also volunteers every year for the Salvation Army as a Bell Ringer.
There isn’t anything that Wayne wouldn’t do to promote conservation and help landowners accomplish that. His dedication and quality service to the Bourbon Co Conservation District is why we would like to nominate Wayne Thorpe to receive the Don Rezac Memorial Award.
Sincerely,
Kathy Valentine, Chairman Ronnie Brown, Vice-Chairman Joe Ludlum, Supervisor Deb Lust and Mandy Shoemaker, District Manager.
DonRezacwasalifelongKansas farmerandrancher.Hestartedhiscareerwithonlysix sowsandoneboarandwentontobecomepresidentofRezacLandandLivestock, according to a press release from Shoemaker.
He was a passionate conservationist who served as a supervisor of the Pottawatomie CountyConservationDistrictfor41years,from1969to2010,andservedasdirectorof Area IV for the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts from 1995to 2007.
Don served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1982 to 1994. In addition, he was active in many local organizations, including the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, KansasLivestockAssociation,KansasFarmersUnion,KansasandOnagaYoungFarmers andtheKansasSoybeanAssociation.In1987,hebecameonlythefifthKansaninhistory to receive the National 4-H Alumni Award. Don and his wife, Barbara, were named Master Farmer-Homemaker by Kansas State University in 1996 for their contributions to agriculture and community. He was also an active member of the Onaga school board from 1971 to1982.
Don Rezac has been described as a man of integrity, intelligence and humor. He will be rememberedforhislifelongcommitmenttopublicservicetohisstateandcommunity,and to our good fortune, the Kansas Association of ConservationDistricts.
Required Criteria:
Candidate has been a district supervisor for a minimum of sixyears.
Candidate has served on the KACD Board ofDirectors
Candidate has served as a State ConservationCommissioner
Candidatehasbeeninvolvedinoutsideactivities(electedpositions,community groups, other state and localassociations)
The Kansas Association of Conservation Districts is a voluntary, nongovernmental, nonprofit, incorporated organization that was established in 1944, two years before the National Association of Conservation Districts was formed. Its members are the conservation districts located in the state’s 105 counties.
The KACD Board of Directors is composed of five elected members, each of whom represents one of five geographical areas of the state.
George Warren, Ken Lyon and Myra Jowers. Submitted photo.
Many thanks to all Post 25 Legion family members who participated in yesterday’s Fort Scott Veterans Day Parade.
George Warren and Ken Lyon. Submitted photo.
Our guest of honor was WW2 George Warren of Uniontown. I believe that George is 96 and is still a live wire according to family and friends. George was a Naval Aviator who flew as a test pilot in Hawaii during the war. His job was to take reassembled bombers received from the States and take them for a spin.
My special thanks to Mike Hansen, Darrell Spencer and the others who assembled our float for the parade.
Also, participating were three ALR Chapter 25 members who drove their bikes and brought along their grandchildren for the parade.
The Fort Scott Veterans shuttle has been suspended since the onset of the COVID 19 outbreak. This service provided our area Veterans reliable transportation to VA medical appointments in Kansas City, Leavenworth or Topeka. In addition to transporting our local Veterans, we also arranged to pick up Veterans in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa as there is a lack of public transportation to VA medical appointments in those areas for our Veterans as well.
Volunteer shuttle drivers are being recruited now so we can resume shuttle operations once the COVID restrictions are lifted. Drivers do not have to be Veterans, just someone willing to offer assistance to Veterans.
There is no financial impact on drivers. The shuttle, gas, liability insurance and vehicle are covered by the VA. Also, all Veterans needing appointments must be ambulatory and be able to enter and exit the shuttle without volunteer assistance.
Each volunteer driver is asked to commit two days a month driving Veterans to appointments. Most medical appointments are scheduled between 9 am and 3 pm. All volunteers must pass a VA driver physical in Topeka, which can be scheduled around your availability.
Please contact Shuttle Coordinator Carl Jowers at 620-215-1688 for more information on volunteering as a driver.
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
The Kansas Small Business Development Center AND Southeast KANSASWORKS are available here locally in the B-WERC, Downtown Fort Scott, daily to assist with any small business & employment needs.
The SEKRPC CARES Act RLF does differ from the normal SEKRPC RLF and the major differences are listed below.
Please see link here for the CARES Act RLF Pamphlet that breaks down this information into a smaller document. This serves as an informational guide for interested applicants.
The CARES Act RLF funds are being distributed on a first come first serve basis, with the first completed application (application and all supporting documents) being turned in used as the first application for consideration.
The major differences between the CARES Act RLF and the
SEKRPC normal RLF are listed below:
Applicants are eligible for 0% interest
Applicants do not have to have a denial letter from other lending sources before applying
The CARES Act RLF fund does not require leverage capital
The maximum loan amount is 25% of the available funds (Starting at 130,000.00)
If you have any questions about the SEKRPC CARES Act RLF or how it
should operate please contact the following for clarification.
As a small business, it’s tough to compete with Black Friday deals. Consider sharing some background on why Small Business Saturday is important, and offer an incentive to bring customers through the door. Whether it’s a discount, BOGO, or free gift, customers will appreciate the offer and return the appreciation by shopping with you.
The Holidays are happier when we share them with you!
BRIGHTEN UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR SUPPORT!
The Holidays look a little different this year, but we can still make them our own. This holiday season, we encourage customers to support “Shop Small Businesses Saturday, November 28th!
Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.
Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District Director
The Southwind Extension District Iola Office is currently in the process of relocating from the Allen County Courthouse to 1006 N. State Street in Iola. While the move was unexpected, the new building is more visible and accessible to the public and we are looking forward to possibilities.
Moving is good for cleaning and each day brings a new discovery of informative and historical Extension publications. Most recently, the 1966 National 4-H Club Foundation “Game of Democracy” surfaced and I can’t help but be amazed at how relevant the information is today.
The forward states “Every phase of our daily life and the lives of those about us is touched by government. We ask our government to protect our well-being and it demands that we insure the well-being of others.” Additionally, “The 4-H program is often referred to as a democracy in action. 4-H teaches citizenship responsibility to its members in a democratic climate. Everyone is born a citizen, but citizenship needs to be learned.”
While the box, cards and instructions are more than 50 years old, the ideology of the game remains steadfast with 4-H. The Game of Democracy is intended to simulate learning experiences to help adolescents learn about our democratic society, and Kansas 4-H currently offers leadership and citizenship opportunities through work in 4-H clubs and project learning experiences.
If you want your family to explore ways to be involved with the community while gaining valuable hands on life skills then now is the time to join 4-H in the Southwind Extension District.
There are 21 4-H clubs in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties with club leaders who are motivated to teach your kids science, technology, engineering and math skills while involving them in club and project meetings that demonstrate leadership.
The Southwind District is currently celebrating our annual 4-H achievements and I continue to be impressed by the volume of community service that our clubs give back to local communities.
We have all been affected by the global pandemic, and sometimes I’m not even confident in where my workday or week will lead me. However, I know for certain that the 4-H program in the Southwind District is a strong and vibrant program with much to offer for families with rural or urban backgrounds and families who are interested in contributing to more vibrant local communities.
4-H really is a game of democracy – and while it has changed since 1966, 4-H continues to equip our youth with the skills it takes to lead our communities into a future full of hope and promise.
For more information about joining 4-H, visit www.southwind.k-state.edu and find the Southwind Extension District on Facebook.
K.C. Mart, a gas station/convenience store at 2191 Soldier Road, just off Hwy. 69, opened Oct. 23, 2020.
A gas station has reappeared on Soldier Road at HWY. 69, which had been closed for some time.
It is a welcome sign for those who travel to Kansas City because there are very few gas stations right off the highway in this section of Hwy. 69. It is also welcome to the rural residents who live nearby.
Hours of K.C. Mart.
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The K.C. Mart convenience store sells gasoline, meals, cigarettes, beverages, and beer, along with “truck stop, automotive items,” said Harjit Kaur, owner.
The menu on the wall. Offered also is fresh fruit.
She and husband, Biender Singh, live in Olathe and commute daily to the store at 2191 Soldier Road.
The store opened on Oct. 23, 2020, and has five employees, she said.
Customer Brian Wade, who sent the story idea to fortscott.biz said, “I’m excited. Sure will save some miles when you need just lawn mower gas or diesel.” He has even purchased a pizza from the store, that he said was “great!”
Kaur has lived in America for almost 20 years, she said, after coming from India.
Previously, she worked for a transportation company in Kansas City and this is the couple’s first venture into a convenience store business, she said.
“We were trying to pick a business (to purchase), she said. “It was selling for a good price. And it’s a good community around here.”
