Category Archives: Bourbon County

St. Martin’s Academy April Newsletter

The following is the monthly newsletter from St. Martin’s Academy, a Catholic boys boarding school in its’ initial year.

Dear Friends,

Christ is Risen!

Life is good here at St. Martin’s.  The Kansas countryside, sullen and brown for the last several months, has burst forth into brilliant green, broken only by the purple-pink glory of the redbud.  The air is fragrant with lilac.  The woods resound with the hopeful invitations of birds in courtship.  Christ again has made all things new.

Fresh off Easter break, a rejuvenated faculty and their discupili have reconvened to finish the first leg of the race.  That race or curriculum (from the Latin meaning a “course to be run”) has been both arduous and delightful.  The seventeen boys who joined us back in September are more and more resembling young men and we are impressed by their physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual maturation.  Our vision for an integrated education aimed at developing the whole person is working in many ways even better than we had could have hoped.  All Glory be to God!

But there is a long way to go!  We need your prayers and support more than ever right now.  In particular, we are dealing with a complex construction situation on our campus that will require careful management and funding that is yet to be fully secured.  Be assured we are up to the challenge, but it will take all the spiritual and material resources that the greater St. Martin’s community can bring to the contest.  Please keep us in your prayers every day and consider donating as generously as you can to our Raise the Rafters Campaign.  You can make a serious difference for us.

We remain joyfully yours in the race.

Duc in Altum,

Daniel Kerr, President
Patrick Whalen, Headmaster

Raising the Rafters at Saint Martin’s

In mid-January we launched our Raise the Rafters capital campaign to raise $2 million over the next 5 years.  We’re pleased to report that April has been our best month to date with several very generous gifts coming in.

Please help us keep that momentum going!  This is a critical time for us.  Interest in a Saint Martin’s education has gone from steady to downright overwhelming in the last 6 months with new prospective families contacting us daily.  Deo gratias!

Our challenge will not be enrollment.  What is now a student body of 17 will expand to 30 next year with a waiting list all but certain for each class.  Our challenge rather will be to build our campus, specifically the completion of Theotokos Hall followed almost immediately by additional student housing, to keep up with the demand.  This means construction of several bunkhouses to accommodate our growth from 30 to 60 students within the next 3 years.  Will you help us build our campus? 

There is no gift too small (nor too large!) so please take action now and help us build a permanent home for our young men who are poised to become the strong leaders the Church so dearly needs.

Below-left: our future campus.  Below-right: winter sunset on Theotokos Hall, our first building and next year’s hearth and home to 30 students.

Saint Joseph, pray for us

Tomorrow, May 1st, is the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.  Please join St. Martin’s faculty and students in asking the holy carpenter’s intercession as we move forward in completing construction of Theotokos Hall in preparation for next year.  Please pray in particular for the safety and swift success of the work crews, for financial provision, and especially for prudence in key decisions.  We will begin the Novena below on May 1st.
O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen

O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. O Saint Joseph, pray for me. (Mention your intention)

2019 FORT Camp in Review

Late March found the woods surrounding Base Camp at St. Martin’s full of students and campers being put through their paces. This year’s camp was a bit different in that we had the opportunity to place several of our students in leadership positions and test them just as we tested the campers.  Team leaders were responsible for team accountability, cohesion, and performance.  First up in the morning and last to bed each evening they mentored the younger campers through a week of training that was as demanding as it was rewarding.

Just one example: one morning, after a day of sunny skies and sixty-five degrees the boys awoke to 30 degrees and a mix of snow and sleet. In that kind of weather every fiber in your body wants to stay curled up in your sleeping bag.

It is then, as the boys learned, that the call to fortitude is at its starkest.

Kingfisher Rugby

The St. Martin’s rugby season concludes this Saturday, May 4th with our first ever home game in Fort Scott.  The Kingfishers will take on Olathe at 12pm.

Come cheer on the boys in their final match!

Above: The Kingfishers (left) lock horns in a scrum with the boys from Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park.   Thomas Aquinas is one of the elite rugby programs in the United States and gives us a great example to look towards as we build our program.

Spring Foraging

April is one of the very best months to forage for wild edibles in the Midwest.  Wild asparagus, onion and garlic along with dandelion and nettle are some of the favorite targets.

But for most foragers in Kansas, April is associated with one prized find in particular: the morel mushroom.  Morels are shy and mysterious creatures.  They are so delicate it is nearly impossible to cultivate them and they are really only found in the wild during a small and hard-to-predict window in April.  The picture above is taken from a quick morel hunting excursion during Mr. Kerr’s Natural History class.  In about 20 minutes, the boys found 120 morels, an impressive haul!  Most are small “greys” which are particularly difficult to locate and require a slow and patient approach on hands and knees, in this case through a dense cedar grove.  Why all the fuss?  They taste good.  Really good.

Freshman Nate Jones: “Never mind this being the best mushroom I’ve ever had, this is one of the best things I’ve ever tasted!”  Morel fever is contagious.

Canoeing the Jack’s Fork

Prior to Easter Break, our Residential Dean Travis Dziad organized a terrific two-day canoe trip along the Jack’s Fork river in southern Missouri.  The Jack’s Fork is fed primarily by springs and the water is some of the cleanest and clearest in the U.S..

Above: exploring one of the many large caves along the Jack’s Fork  Below-left: lunch-break on a rock. Below-right: morel mushrooms hitting the skillet as part of a shore dinner along the river.

Copyright © 2019 St. Martin’s Academy Inc., All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
1950 Indian Rd. Fort Scott, KS 66701

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Warrior Convoy May 1

REMINDER:
Please join the
E3 Foundation
and
Combat Warriors, Inc.
in honoring our veterans during the
2nd Annual
Warrior Convoy
through Fort Scott on May 1st!
On Wednesday, May 1st we will have our
2nd Annual Warrior Convoy
through Fort Scott. The overwhelming support our town showed these soldiers last year meant more to them than you will ever know.
We would love your help again by simply standing by the street somewhere along the route from Fort Scott Municipal Airport to the E3 Ranch.
(Route- We’ll start east on Lake Road, north on 69 Highway, left on National through town, right onto Old Fort Blvd, left on Wall street, traveling east all the way out of town.)
Feel free to make a sign, wave a flag, salute or just simply wave as we honor these brave men and women. The convoy will start at 1:30pm on Wednesday, May 1st. Keep an eye on @e3foundation Facebook page for up to date convoy information.
The E3 Foundation is proud to partner again with Combat Warriors Inc. Together we are dedicated to assisting our veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces from injuries sustained in combat.
The E3 Foundation has the privilege of hosting multiple outdoor adventures for our combat warriors every year here in southeast Kansas. These hunts are our way of saying “Thank You” and to serve those who have spent their lives serving us. Our mission is to promote family values, friendship, fellowship, and the love of our country with our heroes.

Bourbon County Commission Agenda April 30

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: April 30th, 2019

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

9:30-10:00-Executive Session-Attorney Client Privilege with Shane Walker, Jim Harris, Jerad Heckman, Lora Holdridge and Jody Hoener

10:00-10:15-Don George- Contract-KDWP

10:45-11:00-Cathy Cooper-6th Judicial District

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

11:00-11:20-Executive Session-Attorney Client Privilege

11:20-11:25-Executive Session-Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-2:00-Carla Nemecek-Southwind Extension update

2:00-3:00-Clint Anderson

Female Self Defense: Awareness, Boundary Setting and Combat

Jill Leiker, Kansas City, center facing the camera, gives combat strategies to females of all ages Saturday at the T.A.K.E. Class at Fort Scott Middle School.
From left: Roger Kemp, initiator of the T.A.K.E. Self Defence Class, Bourbon County Undersheriff Ben Cole, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, and Kim Schwab, administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center show a facsimile of the check that was given to the T.A.K.E. Program before the class began on April 27. The sheriff’s office donated $3,000 to the T.A.K.E. Foundation.

Awareness, boundary setting, and combat strategies were given to  The Ally Kemp Education (T.A.K.E.)class participants on Saturday, April 27 at Fort Scott Middle School.

Ninety-eight females from 12 years old and up participated in the first female self-defense class in Fort Scott by the T.A.K.E. Foundation, Leawood.

Jill Leiker, from Kansas City, was the class instructor,

If someone makes you uncomfortable, “look at them, take a step ahead and look again at their face,” she said.

This is the first step to deter would-be assailants, Leiker said.

Then she showed the class some combat strategies.

The class participants practiced the strategies with a partner.

Leiker said women often have an inner voice that tells of impending danger.

“Don’t ever feel silly about telling Law Enforcement, if you have that gut feeling that something isn’t right,” Leiker said. “Listen to that voice, that gut feeling is most of the time correct.”

“An average predator watches you six to 12 times,” she said.

Before the class, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin presented T.A.K.E. Foundation Founder Roger Kemp with a check for $3,000.

“A portion of VIN (auto) inspection fees are paid directly to the Sheriff’s office and by statute can be used at the discretion of the sheriff,” said Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin.

“The TAKE program charges a $12 fee for each person who participates,” he said. “Briggs Auto paid the registration fees for anyone stopped by and signed up to attend. Other businesses gave donations to offset any woman having to pay to attend. The amount given to the Kemp  Foundation was $4,787, which included the donation from the sheriff’s office.”

Aging With Attitude

Expo attendees moved around to the vendor’s tables before the first whole group educational panel discussion on the opioid crisis.

Aging with Attitude Regional Expo filled the gym of Community Christian Church on Friday to hear breakout speakers on the opioid crisis, scams against senior citizens, life with partial sight, veteran’s benefits, gardening, farm families in tough times, and getting beyond superficial conversations.

Aaron and Lindsay Watts, Smallville Crossfit owners, facing the camera, lead the group in exercises.

Aaron and Lindsay Watts, owners of Smallville Crossfit, Fort Scott, demonstrated exercises that can even be done from a chair.

Patty LaRoche gave an inspirational speech on “What Matters Most.”

There are four components of aging to find contentment, she said, which include physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues. She listed humorous and contemplative examples of each component.

Patty LaRoche

And door prizes galore were handed to attendees by vendors, businesses and organizations.

Resource fair vendors were Girard Medical Center, K-State Extension, Hometown Health Care, Moore-Few Care Center, Arrowood Lane Residential Care, Kansas Agricultural Medication Services, Heritage Health Care, Medicalodges Fort Scott, Southeast Kansas Library System, Integrity Home Care and Hospice, Presbyterian Village, Resource Center for Independent Living, State Farm Insurance, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Angels Care Home Health, Ascension Via Christi, SKIL Resource Center and Kansas AgrAbility.

A panel session on the opioid crisis was composed of,  from left facing camera: Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Pharmacist Craig Campbell, Community Health Center Peer Mentor Heather Burns, Community Health Center Addiction Treatment Amy Phillips, and Fort Scott Police Department Chief Travis Shelton. Moderator is K-State Extension Agent Joy Miller at right.
Ginger Nance and Becky Kellum, Presbyterian Village personnel, visit with a person at their booth.
State Farm Insurance Agent Kale Nelson visits with an attendee.
Denise Groene, director of Wichita Better Business Bureau, leads the session entitled “Scams Against Seniors.”
LaShawn Noel, a social worker with Integrity Home Care and Hospice, leads a session on “Getting Beyond ‘I’m Fine'”.
“Helping You and Your Family Through a Tough Farm Economy,” was a session led by Char Henton, Forrest Buhler and Gary Kepka from Kansas Agricultural Medication Services.
Veteran Services Representative Ryon Knop leads the session “Veteran’s Benefits for Spouse and Dependents.”
“Living a Full Life with Partial Sight” was a session led by Southeast Kansas Library Special Needs Consultant Melissa Frantz and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Amanda Smith.
K-State Horticulture Agent Krista Harding leads the session “Garden At Any Age.”
Pharmacist Craig Campbell leads an expanded session on the opioid crisis.

Additional support for the expo was provided by Community Christian Church, Dale and Betty Johnson, Cheney Witt Funeral Home.

Helping with introducing the speakers were 15 Fort Scott Community College Ambassadors, with help serving the meal provided by Fort Scott Community College Volleyball Students.

A grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas helped support this expo event.

 

 

Uniontown Spruces Up

Uniontown is located 17 miles west of Fort Scott.

Spring cleaning is the time to clean up your yards, attics, garage and closets.

Next weekend, a small town in the area will be renting huge trash hauling bins to helps its citizens to do just that.

Uniontown City Council helps provide the town’s citizens a way to get rid of unwanted, unsightly items.

The city council rents huge trash hauling bins twice a year,  once before Uniontown High School graduation in May and again before Old Settlers Picnic weekend, in August, this year May 3-5 and August 23-25.

The bins are located on city property near the corner of First and Clay Streets.

The city property where the trash bins will be located for the clean up day.

“This assists our residents with the clean up of their property and to keep our town clean and appealing to visitors,” Sally Johnson, Uniontown City Clerk, said.

Absolutely no tires, batteries, or freon are allowed in the city’s trash hauling bins.

The city will recycle metal.

“There will be an area to the side (of the bins) for metal objects that are then taken for recycling,” Johnson said.

 

The town-wide clean up is for Uniontown residents only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Minutes From April 16

April 16, 2019                                                 Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

Tammy Helm with the Fort Scott Tribune and Nancy Van Etten were also present.

Jim Harris presented 1 application for 2 permits for Pioneer LLC to install pipes under the road to water cattle from a pond across the road; one location is at 40th south of Cavalry (2” water line) the second is at 50th south of Eagle (3” water line). Jeff made a motion to approve the permit, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jim Harris presented the Paser Asphalt Road Manual to the Commissioners; he said this could be used to rate the condition of the roads.

Jim Harris said he had found two used tractors for sale; a 2011 New Holland with 1754 hours with no warranty for $39,900 and a 2017 John Deere for $53,950 this is a demo model with 30 hours and a 1 ½ year warranty. Jim Harris suggested that Road & Bridge, Landfill and the Sales Tax fund could pay for the tractor. After discussion; Jeff made a motion to approve purchasing the 2017 John Deere for $53,950, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jesse Walker met with the Commissioners; he asked that the County maintain a portion of 95th & Unique. He said he had found a 1977 survey that shows this is a County road. Lynne said he discussed this road with Lora Holdridge, she said this road is still on the map; Jim said that Shane Walker said this road did not appear on the maps. Jim Harris said if it is a County road then he felt the County should build a road all the way through to 85th. Lynne said he would continue to research this road.

Jim Harris reported that the Noxious Weed department will be moved from Uniontown to the Road & Bridge barn in Fort Scott at the end of this week. Jim said it will be open for chemical sales on Monday mornings, Wednesday afternoons & Friday mornings as well as by appointment. The Commissioners discussed the soon to be vacant Noxious Weed building in Uniontown; Lynne made a motion to give Jim Harris the authority to list the building for sale, there was not a 2nd on the motion. Jeff suggested that the County find out the value of the property and to explore alternative uses for the building.

Jim Harris said they will be patching on 215th, will be covering the Landfill, finishing up a Timberhill culvert, moving the excavator to install a culvert, doing ditching northwest of Fort Scott, using the excavator on Soldier, will be drilling next week at the Blake Quarry to prepare for a blast and said they have 20 driveway culverts to replace on Condensory Road before overlaying the road.

Jeff questioned who maintained the roads around Rock Creek; Jim Harris said this was the City of Fort Scott’s property.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Jim Harris). No action was taken.

Nick made a motion to have free dump days at the Landfill on May 17th & May 18th for Bourbon County residents including tires, no commercial businesses, Jeff seconded and all approved the motion.

The Commissioners held a 2019 budget amendment hearing for the Ambulance fund; the budget amendment allows for a total of $1,020,000 of expenditures, $316,020 had already been budgeted, this amendment allows for an additional $703,980 of expenditures. Lynne made a motion to approve the 2019 budget amendment for the ambulance fund, Nick seconded and all approved and signed the budget amendment. The Commissioners are responsible for the ambulance budget.

Nancy Van Etten questioned housing conditions and regulations in the County; the Commissioners said the only codes the County has are septic tank regulations and that there are no codes in the County.

Jeff made a motion to move the April 23rd Commission meeting to April 22nd, Nick seconded and all approved.

Dale Arnold met with the Commissioners; he discussed trees that were trimmed near the Sale Barn, he said the tree trunks are still there and said you can’t see around the corner when the trees have leaves on them. Jeff reported this to Jim Harris.

Jeff made a motion to go into a 20 minute executive session for Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

At 11:44, Lynne made a motion to adjourn, Jeff seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

04/22/2019, Approved Date

 

 

Get Your BBQ On: April 26 at the Fairgrounds

Anyone interested in grilling and barbecuing can learn more during BBQ 101, lead by K-State Research and Extension Agent’s Kathy McEwan and Chris Petty, along with Mayco Ace hardware store owner Chris Maycumber on Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Yeager Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
 “There will be some taste testing, but it’s mostly classroom style education,” Petty said.  “We will have cuts of meat, and grills on display.”
The class is free but limited to 25 people,  and pre-registration is required by calling 620-223-3720.
“Spots are filling up fast,” Petty said.

Fort Scott’s Women Self Defense Class This Saturday

Kim Schwab, left, Roger Kemp, and Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin talk with Bourbon County Attorney Jacqui Spradling at the March 29 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee. Schwab, Kemp, and Martin talked about the upcoming self-defense class initiated by the Sheriff’s Office to coffee attendees.

The Ali Kemp Education Foundation, T.A.K.E.,  will present a class on female self-defense, this Saturday, April 27 at Fort Scott Middle School.

The class is from 10 a.m. to noon.
“The first part of the class is a lecture on safety awareness,” said Kim Schwab, administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center who is handling the registration for the event.  “The second part is combat training, hands-on techniques done with a partner.”
Schwab has taken the class in another town and highly recommends women take personal responsibility for their own safety.
“We are offering the class because we live in dangerous times and every women’s personal safety is her personal responsibility,” Schwab said. “It is a survival skill that women of every age should know.”
A $12 donation is requested, but it is not required, she said.
“It actually costs more than $12 per person to bring the class to town,” Schwab said.
To register, contact Schwab at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center at 620-223-1440, extension 270.
Local sponsors of the event are Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance, Stewart-Tucker Realty, The City of Fort Scott, Briggs Auto Dealership, City State Bank, McDonalds Restuarant, Kenny Felt Photography, Martin Rental Properties (Alisha Martin), Liberty Bank, Iron Star Antiques, Fort Scott Inn and Liberty Theater/Crooner’s.
“Seventy-nine have registered so far and you can register clear up until the class on Saturday,” Schwab said.  “Just show up and you can register then. Women under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them.”
“Women should wear comfortable clothes and shoes (sneakers) so they can move easily,” Schwab said.
“Roger Kemp will be coming and speaking at the beginning of the class about his foundation, The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation, and the reason his family is doing this for women all across the country,” Schwab said.
Kemp’s daughter was raped and murdered in Leawood, a suburb of Kansas City. Following the tragedy, the Kemp family initiated the foundation to provide self-defense classes to females.

Dance To the Music of The 1800s April 27

Submitted photo.

THE ANNUAL CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT ON THE GROUNDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE WILL BE HELD SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SEVENTH AND TWENTY EIGHTH.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS EVENT, THE  FRIENDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE WILL BE HOSTING THE SECOND ANNUAL CIVIL WAR CAMP DANCE.

Submitted photo.

 

LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN FORT SCOTT, HISTORIC MEMORIAL HALL WILL BE FILLED WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC FROM THE EIGHTEEN HUNDREDS ALONG WITH WHOOPING AND HOLLERING AND DANCING FEET AT THE CIVIL WAR CAMP DANCE THE EVENING OF SATURDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SEVENTH.

PERIOD DANCES AND MUSIC ARE SURE TO ENTERTAIN PARTICIPANTS AS THEY BRING HISTORY TO LIFE.

 

THE CAMP DANCE IS HELD TO COINCIDE WITH THE CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT WEEKEND AT FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

IT GIVES THE VOLUNTEERS ATTENDING THE ENCAMPMENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TOGETHER, HAVE A GOOD TIME, AND BRING HISTORY ALIVE IN A SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO COME AND JOIN IN THE DANCING OR JUST TO WATCH.

WE ENCOURAGE, BUT DON’T REQUIRE, THOSE WHO ATTEND TO COME DRESSED IN 1860S CIVIL WAR ATTIRE, OR DRESSED AS1800S WESTERN PIONEERS. IT SETS THE TONE FOR THE EVENING.

Submitted photo.

ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. COME JOIN US AS WE LEARN 1800S DANCES TO 1800S MUSIC.

 

THE DOORS OPEN AT SIX-THIRTY AND DANCING BEGINS AT 7:00 PM.

THE COST OF FIVE DOLLARS PER PERSON COLLECTED AT THE DOOR GOES TO THE FRIENDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO FACEBOOK AT FORT SCOTT KANSAS EIGHTEEN HUNDREDS DANCING.

Submitted by Dee Young who can be contacted at 913.557.1632 or

[email protected]