Any Veteran who served one day of active duty since December 7, 1941 can now join the American Legion. There are approximately 1,000 eligible Veterans in Bourbon County. Invite an eligible relative, friend or neighbor to join the American Legion. Call me at 620-215-1688 if you need membership applications. I’ll deliver the membership applications to you or provide me with their contact information and I’ll complete the membership process for you.
Our membership is currently at 61 new or renewed members for the 2021 Legon year. Our new membership goal is 92 and we are at 66.3% of our goal.
We are EIGHT members short of making the Early Bird award deadline on September 15. If you have not yet renewed, please consider doing so now! Help your Post earn this membership award.
You can renew online at www.legion.org. Just follow the prompts to renew. Have your membership card handy as you will need your membership number to renew. It’s quick, safe and secure. Your new membership card will be mailed out to you as soon as the Post Adjutant receives confirmation of your renewal, usually within 24 hours.
You can also mail in your dues to Fort Scott American Legion Post 25. PO Box 25. Fort Scott. 66701.
If you call me at 620.215.1688 , I’ll meet with you to pick up your dues.
New members also count towards our membership goal.
Membership is the first benchmark that must be met to earn other American Legion awards such as the Post Excellence Awards. Please help your Post by renewing your membership.
SEPTEMBER MEETING DATES
Thursday. September 10. American Legion Unit 25 Auxiliary meets in Memorial Hall at 6 PM.
Thursday. September 10. Post 25 Combined Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 7 PM. Membership in the Color Guard is open to any current member of the American Legion, Auxiliary or Sons of American Legion. Call Darrell Spencer at 620-224-6720 for more information on joining the Post 25 Color Guard or just show up at the meeting.
Monday. September 14. American Legion Post 25 and Sons Squadron 25 meets in Memorial Hall at 7 PM, with a meet and greet starting at 6:30 pm.
Saturday. September 26. American Legion Riders Chapter 25 meets in Memorial Hall at 10 AM.
Remember that Post 25 is member driven. Please share any suggestions with me or any Executive Committee member.
Krista Harding District Extension Agent, Horticulture Southwind Extension District 111 S. Butler Erie, KS 66733 Office: 620-244-3826 Cell: 620-496-8786
September is here and that means it is prime time to fertilize your fescue lawns. Even if you faithfully fertilize in the spring, by September fescue plants are literally starving to death.
Fescue is entering into its fall growth cycle as days shorten and temperatures moderate. Fall is the time that cool-season grasses naturally thicken up by tillering. Tillering is the term used to describe how the plant forms new shoots at the base of existing plants. Plants also build their root system for the following year in the fall. An application of fertilizer in September is put to immediate use by the plants.
However, before applying any fertilizer, I recommend that you have a soil test done. Lawn soils vary widely in pH, available phosphorus and potassium. It is very difficult to just “guess” about which nutrients are lacking and how much of each is needed. Soil testing can be done through the Extension office with a fee of $12 per sample. You will receive a detailed report that outlines your soil needs and how to fertilize accordingly. It is recommended to have a soil test every five years.
The procedure for soil testing is simple. Use a sharp shooter shovel and go straight down into the soil about four inches. Pull the soil clump up (grass and all) and knock the soil off into a bucket. Do this in about five to six locations in the lawn. In the bucket, mix the soil samples well and then randomly pull out about two cups of soil and place in a zip-lock bag and bring to one of our office locations in Erie, Iola, Yates Center or Fort Scott. For those living in or near Chanute, you can drop soil samples off at Breiner’s Feed Store for pick-up.
If you have not had a soil test, here is a general fescue lawn fertilizer recommendation. With a fall application, it is best to use a “quick-release” source of nitrogen. Apply 1 to 1 ½ pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. If the fertilizer analysis is 10-10-10, it is declaring that it contains 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus, and 10 percent potassium. So, to get the 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet using a 10-10-10 blend, you would need to apply 10 pounds of the fertilizer.
Another application of fertilizer in November should be applied to help the plants build up their food reserves for use when the grass greens up in the spring. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can get the same results if you just waited and only fertilized in the spring. Spring only fertilizing leads to fast growth, which means more mowing. This can also promote shallow root growth and possible summer die out.
Fall is the ideal time to renovate poor doing lawns. If you have an overabundance of weeds, crabgrass, etc. then you may want to consider reseeding. New lawns should also be planted in the fall.
If you would like more information on lawn fertilization, seeding or soil testing, please contact me at the Extension office.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural 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.
In the communications project, Youth will learn to interpret verbal and nonverbal information, develop effective public speaking skills, enhance written and spoken communication, defend a point, design a presentation and much more!
There is 4-H Curriculum that can be purchased for anyone interested in the communications project. Here is a breakdown of what youth can learn at different levels:
Ages 7-8:
Learn responses to bullying
Decode a message
Write a letter
Give a project talk
Ages 9-11:
Give and receive directions using directional and transitional words
Write a speech and critique it
Write a press release
Create and give a demonstration or illustrated talk
Ages 14-18:
Discover what causes a communication gap
Create and give a demonstration or illustrated talk
Plan, research, outline and present a speech
Debate an issue
Prepare a resume and interview for a job or office
In addition to the curriculum, youth are also offered the opportunity to attend project meetings held by volunteers. Each year, youth are able to demonstrate their hard work locally at club meetings, 4-H Day, the county fair and depending on age and placing, the Kansas State Fair.
The communications project is a great opportunity for youth to learn important life skills. For more information about this project or the workshop, contact Jennifer K. Terrell, 4-H Youth Development for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
Laura Felt will celebrate her 80th birthday on September 16.
Her family is requesting cards be sent to her in celebration of the day.
Please send cards to 1440 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Laura Felt is the mother of Rick Felt, Troy Felt and Rhonda Kellstadt; grandmother of Kathy and Kenny (Rick), Scott, Tyler and Haley (Troy) & Clayton and Cade (Rhonda) and great-grandmother of Blair, Smith, Carver, Waylon, Easton and Knox.
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.
Residents who use the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas for health care in Fort Scott, will see a reconfiguration of the spaces in the future.
CHC/SEK is located at 405 Woodland Hills, in the former Mercy Hospital building.
“We will be adding retail pharmacy space where the gift shop was (near the east entrance of the facility),” CHC/SEK President and CEO Krista Postai, said. “X-ray will be to the right as you walk in the clinic. We’ll also be adding new x-ray equipment into the main clinic…(There will also be) a break room and small meeting room created for staff. We will be creating a ‘women’s center’ within the clinic and moving the mammography equipment into the clinic to save women the long walk down the former Diagnostic Imaging Hallway. ”
Krista Postai. Submitted photo.
The move is designed to be more convenient for patients, she said.
“We’re still involved in several other construction projects right now, but are working on final designs and talking with plumbers, electricians, etc. about the renovation,” Postai said.
“This is the new layout for our clinic only,” she said. “I have not seen a floor plan for the entire medical mall.”
The timeline for the reno will be made in the next few weeks, Postai said.
Also currently at the former Mercy building is the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, located on the south side.
This fall, Fort Scott Community College leased 30 rooms at the west end of the building for student housing, as part of their plan during the COVID-19 Pandemic. They have made rooms for students at the main campus at 2108 S. Horton, should students need to be quarantined.
On the north side of the building is I Am Rehab LLC a physical therapy clinic.
A group of concerned citizens has formed a committee to provide awareness to the community about the importance of wearing a mask in public during the COVID-19 Pandemic, according to Kayla Stewart, a spokesman. And they are starting a campaign to purchase masks for students and staff at the Bourbon County school districts.
The name of the group is Bourbon County Strong. It is comprised of Stewart, Gina Shelton, Stephanie Witt, Kelley Barrows, Jody Hoener, Lindsey Madison, Jackie Hall, and several others from USD 234 and USD 235, she said.
“Many people do not believe in the virus or do not think that it will affect anyone in their area, so they have decided not to wear masks,” Stewart, Ascension Via Christ’s Emergency Department RN Coordinator, said. “If the community members do not wear masks, then children will follow in their footsteps. The campaign will provide awareness to all community members about the importance of wearing their masks in public, social distance, and have good hand hygiene.”
Ascension Via Christ Registered Nurse Kayla Steward. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County Strong is beginning to raise funds to provide masks to the school systems in Bourbon County.
The group’s goal is to raise enough money to provide all students and staff members of the Fort Scott and Uniontown School Districts with enough masks that will last them until the end of the school year, she said.
“We live in a community where we have a high poverty level, and many families can’t afford to provide their children with masks,” Stewart said.
“We want to give students masks that fit appropriately and provide the best protection possible,” Stewart said.
Experts are still learning about the virus.
“Many people are not worried about their children getting COVID, but they need to be concerned about who they bring the virus home to,” Stewart said. “The statistics currently show that the virus is not as severe on younger children, but children are carriers of viruses and bring it home to your loved ones. These older loved ones have comorbidities or have weakened immune systems due to cancer or an autoimmune disease, and they are more likely to get the virus.”
“Being an emergency room nurse, I have taken care of the critically ill, and this virus is nothing to mess with,” Stewart said. ” We are still learning about what the virus is, what damage it is causing to our bodies, and what the long term effects will be.”
Stewart shared two personal stories of the virus.
“I have a close friend that had the virus a couple of months ago and is still recovering. They have long-term shortness of breath, where any activity that they do causes them to become short of air. This issue did not occur before they obtained the virus,” she said.
“Also, my uncle has the coronavirus,” Stewart said. “He has been on the vent for over four weeks. Last week, they put a trach in because of the endotracheal tube’s long-term use. They have tried to wean him off the vent, but every time they try to wean him, his blood pressure tanks, and he becomes unstable. It is hard seeing someone you love suffer from the virus, and people in the community don’t think it is real.”
The group has a desire to positively impact the community and help prevent the spreading of COVID through education and providing reliable sources about the coronavirus, she said.
When was the group started?
The beginning of August.
“We discussed the idea with (USD 234 Superintendent)Ted Hessong and (USD 235 Superintendent)Bret Howard,” she said.
Once approved, the idea went to the school boards, and got final approval.
“Once the campaign was approved, we started designing our plans.,” Steward said. “It has taken a lot of hard work from all committee members, plus USD 234 and USD 235 staff. We will be kicking the campaign off on Sept. 8, 2020 with our t-shirt sale, that will run through September 30th. Throughout September and October, businesses around town will have our posters, flyers, and table toppers posted about the campaign. These flyers will not only provide information about the campaign, but will also have information about mask-wearing.”
To support the campaign, there are several fundraising events planned:
The last update that was provided by SEK Multi-County Health Department: 11 active COVID cases, 14 presumptive cases, and 97 current recovered cases in Bourbon County.
Crawford County Health Department’s last update: last week there are a total of 599 positive COVID cases. Two hundred sixty-five individuals that are in isolation, and 970 individuals that are quarantined, Stewart said.
Have you seen many cases at the ER?
“We have seen several COVID positive patients and PUI (Person Under Investigation),” Stewart said. “Currently, our COVID numbers are lower, but we are taking all precautions to prevent the spread of COVID. Also, USD 234 and USD 235 are working closely with the SEK Muli-county health department to make the start of the school year 2020-2021 a smooth process and take all precautions to provide a safe environment for the staff students.”
A recent publication of Bourbon County Delinquent Taxes prompted a citizen’s inquiry to fortscott.biz.
An update from the Bourbon County Treasurer: “Liberty Savings was listed with a delinquent tax. They had been mortgage holder on that property but they no longer hold the mortgage so are not responsible for those taxes.”
The question was why the total amount due on properties isn’t listed with all years the taxes haven’t been paid by an owner. The citizen noted a large amount of money not being collected that could benefit county revenues.
Bourbon County Treasurer Patty Love responded with a PDF of a list of delinquent taxes that goes back for approximately eight years.
Love also answered the following questions:
What is the total of all year’s delinquent taxes due?
“As of 8/24/2020, the day I printed this report it was $2,405,683.28.”
Are people set up on a payment plan?
“We do not have any payment plans set up.”
What are the efforts the county does in trying to collect these taxes?
“We mail out statements advising when taxes are due. We have no recourse to collect unpaid taxes, the only tool we have is the tax sale of delinquent taxes after they are 3 years delinquent.”
Are people put on a payment plan of some sort?
“We have no payment plans. We do take partial payments at any time and apply them to the oldest taxes due. Some people will send in a payment amount weekly or monthly to try to get caught up, but we do not have payment plans because we would have no way to enforce them.”
How could the county have property eight years delinquent if there is a tax sale every three years?
“If they do not sell at the tax sale, the county retains the property and they go on the next tax sale, or if there is a lien of some kind against the property we cannot sell it so it stays on this list. Also, (Bourbon Commissioner)Lynne Oharah and (Bourbon County Legal Counselor)Justin Meeks met with Sugar Valley Lakes on the Hidden Valley properties and were going to work with them about getting them paid… a lot of the small ones are part of that plan, so were not put on the tax sale. I think that plan has fallen through.”
When is the next sale?
“I want to have a tax sale the first part of next year, selling all properties that are eligible to sell. Due to the large amount, we will probably sell everything 2015 and older in the first tax sale (this is to keep from overwhelming the title search company) and I hope to have one later in the year for the 2016 taxes.”
“The tax sales are the only recourse we have to get people to pay their taxes so I feel we need to get caught up then go back to a tax sale every year.”
Click below for the list of delinquent taxes that have the total amounts that Love provided.
The Uniontown High School Class of 1959 wait to board their float for the Old Settlers Picnic Parade on Labor Day, 2019.
Despite many months of planning, the Old Settler’s Picnic event is a no-go.
Late last month the planning committee met to discuss the plans for the annual event that has happened every year since 1905.
Uniontown, with a population of 300 people in western Bourbon County, usually sees a large crowd visit the event each year.
Traditionally, it is a weekend of rodeos, a fishing derby, a community church service, a baby contest, craft and food vendors, parades, family picnics, and games in the town park.
“We decided we couldn’t go ahead with our plans because of Gov. Kelly’s COVID-19 restrictions,” said Becky Shinn, secretary/treasurer of the planning committee said.
“The committee was unsure what we could and couldn’t do,” she said. “If she declared only 45 people could be in an area, we couldn’t do it.”
Many of the key people were not comfortable coming to the event which is normally held on Labor Day weekend, the first weekend in September, Shinn said.
The grand marshalls of the parade, the car show organizer and in addition, the Uniontown High School student organizations would not be there.
Uniontown High School Cheerleaders board their float for the Old Settlers Picnic Parade in 2019.
“The FFA students were not going to be able to do their BBQ dinner, the band wasn’t going to be able to be 6 feet apart in marching, and the Methodist Church wasn’t sure they were going to (supply their chicken dinners),” Shinn said.
“Only one or two food trucks were coming,” she said.
The final decision was because of the lack of these key components for the weekend activities.
The committee is comprised of Shayla and Kyle Knight, Hope Workman, Tammy Davidson, Rhonda DeWitt, Nancy Holt and Shinn.
Rodeo Events Still On
There are still rodeo events this weekend at the Uniontown Rodeo Stadium, west of town on Hwy. 3.
A team roping event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4; a co-ed ranch rodeo at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, and the 53rd Annual Old Settlers Youth Rodeo which starts at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Joy Miller, RD, LD Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent Adult Development and Aging Family Resource Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 Office: 620-223-3720 Fax: 620-223-0332 [email protected]
Prepare Kansasonline challenge offered to get yourself, family better prepared.
Prepare Kansas is a free, easy way to ensure you’re better equipped to handle emergencies.
Whether it’s reviewing insurance coverage or putting together a grab-and-go kit, preparing for any kind of disaster will make recovery easier. And Kansans know a thing or two about disasters. Flooded basements, fires, tornadoes or ice storms, we have them all and much more.
To help Kansans become as prepared as possible for emergencies, K-State Research and Extension is offering the Prepare Kansas Annual Preparedness Challenge. It’s a free weekly online challenge through September that includes activities individuals and families can accomplish each week. By the end of the month, participants will be better prepared to withstand and recover from emergencies.
Prepare Kansas aligns with National Preparedness Month, with a theme in September this year of “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.”
The weekly activities this year revolve around:
Making a plan – talking with others about being prepared, updating the family communications plan and reviewing plans for shelter and/or evacuation, including pets, taking COVID-19 into account.
Building a kit – build a kit of basic emergency supplies plus grab-and-go backpacks for family members and pets.
Preparing for disasters – know the difference between watches and warnings, sign up for emergency alerts and participate in an emergency drill.
Talk to your kids – seek information on preparedness.
Get financially prepared – set aside money for an emergency, review insurance coverage, build or maintain a financial grab-and-go box, and complete a home inventory.
For more information about the weekly challenges, go to the Prepare Kansas blog https://blogs.k-state.edu/preparekansas/ or on social media at #PrepareKS and #BeReady.Follow us on Facebook @southwindextensiondistrict or Instagram @southwind_ext. For more information, please contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.
