The Beacon is a helping agency that during the Christmas season is the go-through agency for Adopt-A-Child.
This program helps provide Christmas presents to families with children up to fifth-grade age.
Currently, all families have been adopted, but “I have a few families that have older children that need presents,” Sue Emmons, executive director of the Beacon said. “Several grandparents on fixed incomes are raising grandchildren.”
For the Christmas Adopt-A-Child, sponsors are asked to choose only one clothing item and/or one gift item for each child, with a $30 per child limit.
Stated needs are asked to be purchased before toys.
The gifts are asked to be gift wrapped and tagged with the child’s first name and family member and delivered to Community Christian Church, 1919 Horton, not later than December 18, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“We also handle the Elks Christmas Food Basket,” Emmons said. “It’s a generous Christmas basket they deliver.”
For more information contact Emmons at 620-223-6869 during office hours 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
As a helping agency, the Beacon follows these guidelines:
Anicia Robinson, activities director at Presbyterian Village shows one her favorite trees in the contest Thursday morning while waiting for the judges to arrive.
New to the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County’s Homes for the Holidays Tour, December 2 and 3, is Presbyterian Village, an assisted living facility at 2401 S. Horton.
“At this location, we are showcasing the Christmas tree decorating contest in Fort Scott where over 15 trees were entered and are all uniquely decorated using creativity and class,” Ginger Nance, executive director of Presbyterian Village, said.
Christmas trees are displayed throughout the facility.
Dr. Grant Hartman, daughter, Zoey, and wife, Dr. Heather Davis, decorate a tree Thursday morning for the Presbyterian Village Christmas Tree Contest. They own Hartman Spine and Joint.
Businesses, organizations, and individuals could enter the tree decorating contest.
Since Presbyterian Village is in the Homes for the Holidays tour the Christmas trees will be on display the same hours on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
For more information contact the village at 620-644-4362.
The theme of this year’s Fort Scott Christmas Parade is Christmas Vacation. The event starts at 6 p.m. at Third and Main Streets, heading north on Main to Skubitz Plaza.
“People can have fun with that,” Lindsay Madison, executive director of Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce said. “They can play off the movie by the same name or what they do on Christmas vacation.”
Prizes will be awarded for first place, $75; second place, $50 and third place, $25. Briggs Automall of Fort Scott is providing the prize money.
New this year is a theme decorated golf cart category, with a $25 prize for the winning entry.
Fort Scott Recreation Department will offer free hot chocolate before and during the parade.
The parade entries will exit the parade at Skubitz Plaza, past the Mayor’s Christmas Tree. The tree will be lit following the parade by Mayor JoLynne Mitchell.
Pre-register for children lucky-draw prizes at Papa Don’s Restaurant, 10. N. Main prior to the parade. Pre-registration is from Friday, Dec. 1 until Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. when the parade starts.
Names for lucky-draw prizes will be drawn following the parade for children. Categories are as follows: ages 3-8, both boys and girls; 9-14, both boys and girls and one prize for children 14-18 years old. The drawing will take place after the Christmas tree lighting.
Mayor Mitchell will give some brief comments, then Santa will go to Papa Don’s Restaurant Celebration Room for children to visit with him.
Each child that comes to visit Santa at Papa Don’s will receive a book, compliments of USD 234.
Fort Scott High School Pride Club students will have Christmas crafts for children to do while waiting in line for Santa in the big room of the restaurant.
Walgreen Drug Store will take a free 4 X6 inch photograph of children with Santa. The photo may be picked at the store, later.
Local author Cathy Werling will have an author reading and book signing of her book “Why Did Grandpa Cry” at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday, December 9 at the Lowell Milken Center, Wall and Main Streets.
For more information contact the center at 620-223-1312
Submitted by Krista Harding, KState Extension Southwind District
The selection and purchase of a Christmas tree has become an annual tradition for many families who chose a real tree over an artificial substitute. For many, bringing home a tree is often the kick-off of the holiday season. Today, live trees can be found just about anywhere you look such as retail lots, shopping centers and the ever popular choose-and-cut farms. Of course, real trees do require some extra care to keep them looking good through the holiday season.
When choosing a tree, freshness is the most important factor. Purchasing trees that have already been cut for a period of time are probably the most difficult trees to keep fresh and fragrant due to the length of time from cutting until the tree is placed in the home. A fresh tree should have a healthy, green appearance without a lot of dead or browning needles. As you stroke the tree, needles should not come off into your hand. Another good test to do before buying a tree is to raise the trunk a few inches off of the ground and then drop the tree on the cut end. When this is done, only a few, inner dried needles should fall, and certainly not any green outer needles.
Once the tree is brought home, its continued freshness will depend on the type of care that is provided. A 1-inch re-cut across the bottom of the tree should be made. This will remove any clogged wood that may not absorb water. Put the tree into a stand or container of warm water and place it in as cool a spot as possible. Avoid placing it in an area where there is a heat source such as a fireplace, wood-burning stove, heat ducts and even television sets. This will help to preserve the freshness, reduce water loss and lessen the fire danger.
Depending on the size and species of tree, the use of a gallon of water in the first day would not be uncommon. Therefore, the tree should be checked frequently and re-watered as necessary. If the tree does become dried out, it probably will not absorb water. It may be necessary to take the tree down and re-cut the bottom to allow the absorption of water. This is inconvenient, but it is the only way to prevent early needle loss if a tree has become dried out. In the past, some have thought that adding aspirins, copper pennies, soda pop, sugar and bleach to the water may prolong the life of a tree. This has not been proven.
Should you choose a living Christmas tree, they definitely require special care. Once the tree is brought home, it should be conditioned before being placed in a heated room. Leave the tree in an unheated garage or building for a couple of days. After conditioning, the tree can be brought in and placed in a cool location away from direct sunlight. Watering a live tree should be done prior to placing it in the home, by moistening the root ball.
Living trees should not be kept inside for more than 10 days. Exposure to warm temperatures may cause the dormant tree to break buds and start to grow. Before removing the tree and planting it outside, it should be allowed to acclimate itself the same way before it was brought inside. The planting hole should be dug before the ground freezes. Once planted, water well and place some mulch around it to prevent the soil water from freezing.
With proper selection and care, you can enjoy a fresh tree throughout the holiday season. And with a real tree, you don’t have to worry about storing it for a year before using it again! They just take a little more work while on display.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at kharding@ksu.edu or 620-244- 3826.
The La Roche Baseball Complex is located south of the city and parallel to U.S. Hwy. 69.
The City of Fort Scott recently annexed the LaRoche Baseball Complex into the city limits at a recent meeting.
The complex is located in the industrial park south of the city on U.S. 69 Hwy.
“The city maintains the complex,” Rhonda Dunn, Fort Scott Community Development Director, said. “They do the mowing, the maintenance, the painting, the lights, etc. It makes sense, that since the city owns the park, it should be within the city limits.”
A board oversees the park, which includes members from the city, Fort Scott’s school district, and the LaRoche family.
Looking northwest from the corner of Jayhawk Road and Liberty Bell Road. This land is being rezoned for future development by Peerless Products and Labconco Corporation on Dec. 5
Land south and east of El Charro Restaurant will be annexed into the city with Peerless Products and Labconco Corporation planning to develop the properties, according to a city official.
The City of Fort Scott will rezone the Emory Arnold Trust land, located on U.S. Highway 69 for redevelopment on Dec.5, Rhonda Dunn, Fort Scott Community Development Director said.
“Part of it is the Emory Arnold Trust, south of El Charro Restaurant, down to Jayhawk Road to Liberty Bell Road,” she said. “Peerless and Labconco are buying the properties for future development.”
The land will be annexed into the city.
Labconco Corporation is located at 2500 Liberty Bell Road, while Peerless Products, Inc. is located at 2403 S. Main Street, parallel to U.S. 69 Hwy.
Emery Arnold’s home in the photo, at right. The Emery Arnold Trust land is being rezoned Dec. 5.
Emory Arnold was a prominent Fort Scottian who died in 2015 at age 98. He served in positions at Fort Scott Community College as the registrar, assistant dean, athletic director and vice president until his retirement in 1981, according to his obituary. The arena at FSCC bears his name.
· Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
· Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
· Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
· Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
· Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
· Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
Westar Energy, Inc. Fort Scott office on Old Fort Boulevard.
Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy Shareholders Approve Merger at Special Shareholder Meetings
Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) and Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP), the parent company of Kansas City Power & Light (“KCP&L”), announced on Nov. 21 at their respective shareholder meetings that shareholders overwhelmingly approved the proposals necessary for the merger between the two companies. More than 90 percent of the shares voted at each company approved the transaction.
“We are excited about today’s approval from shareholders of both Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy. This vote indicates that both companies’ shareholders believe in our combined ability to create a stronger regional energy provider, positioned to better serve all of our customers,” said Terry Bassham, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Great Plains Energy and KCP&L. “This new combined company will ensure we keep ownership of our utility assets in our region to grow local economies.”
“Customers and shareholders will benefit by combining Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy into a strong Midwest utility,” said Mark Ruelle, president and chief executive officer of Westar Energy. “Our geography and history of partnership position us to bring efficiencies and savings by joining our operations. We continue to make progress toward completing the transaction in the first half of 2018.”
Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy announced a revised transaction in July 2017 after the Kansas Corporation Commission denied the companies’ original request to combine in April. This revised agreement involves no transaction debt, no exchange of cash, and is a stock-for-stock merger of equals, creating a company with a combined equity value of approximately $15 billion.
The merger is expected to help maintain reliable, low-cost energy for the company’s 1 million Kansas customers and nearly 600,000 customers in Missouri. Additionally, with one of the largest renewable energy portfolios in the nation, the new combined company will be a clean energy leader, supplying nearly half of its retail sales from emissions-free electricity.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP) is the holding company of Kansas City Power & Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, two of the leading regulated providers of electricity in the Midwest. Kansas City Power & Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company use KCP&L as a brand name. More information about the companies is available on the Internet at www.greatplainsenergy.com or www.kcpl.com.
About Westar Energy
As Kansas’ largest electric utility, Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) provides customers the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes. Half the electricity supplied to the company’s 700,000 customers comes from emissions-free sources – nuclear, wind and solar – with a third coming from renewables. Westar is a leader in electric transmission in Kansas, coordinating a network of lines and substations that support one of the largest consolidations of wind energy in the nation. For more information about Westar Energy, visit www.WestarEnergy.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this communication that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking, may involve risks and uncertainties, and are intended to be as of the date when made. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the anticipated merger transaction of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy) and Westar Energy, Inc. (Westar Energy), including those that relate to the expected financial and operational benefits of the merger to the companies and their shareholders (including cost savings, operational efficiencies and the impact of the anticipated merger on earnings per share), the expected timing of closing, the outcome of regulatory proceedings, cost estimates of capital projects, dividend growth, share repurchases, balance sheet and credit ratings, rebates to customers, employee issues and other matters affecting future operations. In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy are providing a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the provided forward-looking information. These important factors include: future economic conditions in regional, national and international markets and their effects on sales, prices and costs; prices and availability of electricity in regional and national wholesale markets; market perception of the energy industry, Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy; changes in business strategy, operations or development plans; the outcome of contract negotiations for goods and services; effects of current or proposed state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including, but not limited to, deregulation, re-regulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry; decisions of regulators regarding rates that the companies can charge for electricity; adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices governing tax, accounting and environmental matters including, but not limited to, air and water quality; financial market conditions and performance including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates and credit spreads and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on derivatives and hedges, nuclear decommissioning trust and pension plan assets and costs; impairments of long-lived assets or goodwill; credit ratings; inflation rates; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments; impact of terrorist acts, including, but not limited to, cyber terrorism; ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; weather conditions including, but not limited to, weather-related damage and their effects on sales, prices and costs; cost, availability, quality and deliverability of fuel; the inherent uncertainties in estimating the effects of weather, economic conditions and other factors on customer consumption and financial results; ability to achieve generation goals and the occurrence and duration of planned and unplanned generation outages; delays in the anticipated in-service dates and cost increases of generation, transmission, distribution or other projects; Great Plains Energy’s and Westar Energy’s ability to successfully manage and integrate their respective transmission joint ventures; the inherent risks associated with the ownership and operation of a nuclear facility including, but not limited to, environmental, health, safety, regulatory and financial risks; workforce risks, including, but not limited to, increased costs of retirement, health care and other benefits; the ability of Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy to obtain the regulatory and shareholder approvals necessary to complete the anticipated merger or the imposition of adverse conditions or costs in connection with obtaining regulatory approvals; the risk that a condition to the closing of the anticipated merger may not be satisfied or that the anticipated merger may fail to close; the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that may be instituted relating to the anticipated merger; the costs incurred to consummate the anticipated merger; the possibility that the expected value creation from the anticipated merger will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; difficulties related to the integration of the two companies; the credit ratings of the combined company following the anticipated merger; disruption from the anticipated merger making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers; the diversion of management time and attention on the anticipated merger; and other risks and uncertainties.
This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other materials that Great Plains Energy, Westar Energy and Monarch Energy Holding, Inc. (Monarch Energy) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with the anticipated merger. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K filed by Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy with the SEC. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. Monarch Energy, Great Plains Energy, and Westar Energy undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Ed and Christine Lundberg’s home is the site for the Moonlight and Mistletoe evening as part of the Homes for the Holidays Tour.
Moonlight and Mistletoe
The Moonlight and Mistletoe Evening, always the first part of the Homes for the Holidays Tour, is December 1 from 6-8 p.m. at the home of Ed and Christine Lundberg, 402 Lees Circle Drive.
There will be appetizers served and a tour of the home. The cost for the Moonlight and Mistletoe Evening is $35 and tickets may be purchased at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall.
“The theme is a ‘groovy Christmas'”, Rhonda Dunn, president of the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County, said. “A 1970s theme”.
The HPA sponsors the annual Homes for the Holidays weekend.
In addition to the Moonlight and Mistletoe home tour and appetizers, there will be a preview of the Christmas in the Park event at Gunn Park on Dec. 1.
The December 1 Christmas in the Park event is exclusively for the Moonlight and Mistletoe attendees, Dunn said.
Homes For The Holidays
The three homes featured in this year’s Homes for the Holidays tour will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 2 and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, December 3.
The tickets for the three homes tour can be purchased at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall for $15.
Nate and Bailey Lyon’s home.
The Nate and Bailey Lyons home at 919 Burke was built in 1924 by the Gunn family. The Lyons have completely renovated the home.
“It’s a beautiful modern home,” Dunn said.
The Bob and Terri Taylor home.
The Bob and Terri Taylor home at 315 Holbrook is another tour stop and is a 1880s Victorian home.
“It has many of the home’s original fixtures and is a nice modern home,” Dunn said.
The Shiney Studio.
The Shiney Studio, 123 S. National Avenue is on the tour also.
“The building was formerly the Episcopal Church that they rescued,” Dunn said. Dandelyon Vrendenburg is the owner and has her home, a yoga studio, apartments and office suites currently housed there.
See the HPA Facebook page Fort Scott Homes for the Holidays for more details.
The HPA is also sponsoring a quilt show at the Beaux Arts Center, 102 S. National during the tour weekend.
Do you have a special quilt to show?
Contact Denise Duncan for more information, 620-215-6311.
The annual HPA Stocking Stuffer shopping event will have 60 vendors at the middle school on 12th Street during the weekend.
“It’s a great way to start holiday shopping,” Dunn said.
The Homes for the Holidays Stocking Stuffer is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at Fort Scott Middle School on East 12th Street.
Also, this weekend is the annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site. Contact the fort for available tickets still remaining at 620-223-0310.
In addition is the Presbyterian Village Christmas tree decorating contest this weekend.
“At this location, we are showcasing the Christmas tree decorating contest in Fort Scott where over 15 trees were entered and are all uniquely decorated using creativity and class,” Ginger Nance, executive director of Presbyterian Village, said.
Presbyterian Village is on the Homes for the Holidays tickets for those who purchase their holiday home tours. It’s the same hours on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday. noon to 4 p.m.
The village is located at 2401 S. Horton, phone number: 620- 644-4362.
“Christmas tree displays will be throughout the village,” Dunn said.
Jared Leek will have a Front Door Christmas at 119 S. Main this weekend as well from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3.
Christmas In The Park is an event that will entertain your family with beautiful lights, a chili feed, a visit with Santa, craft-making for the children, and gift card giveaways, ALL FOR FREE, according to Diana Mitchell, a member of the organizing committee.
Gunn Park will be closed November 30 through December 3 because of the community event.
Thursday, November 30 will be set up and decorate day for the weekend event.
Friday, December 1 will be a private showing of the park for Moonlight and Mistletoe participants of the Homes for the Holidays Tour. Tickets can be purchased from the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center 231 E. Wall Street for $35 including the weekend homes tours.
The public event will start at 5 p.m. Saturday, December 2. December 3 is the takedown and clean up day.
Mitchell, Todd Farrell, and Tom Robertson are the committee that is spearheading the event. For more information about the event, contact Robertson at Buck Run Community Center, 620-223-0386.
All the picnic shelter houses in the park will be lighted, and the road lined with 1500 luminaries. Because of the luminaries, there will be no walk-in or drive-through visitors allowed that evening. Transportation is provided in buses and vans picked up at nearby designated parking lots.
Shelter No. 3 will be a place for families come for photograph opportunities. The stone shelter will be warmed with fireplaces, trees, and lights for use as a background in photos. Families supply their own cameras.
Also at Shelter No. 3, there will be a gift card giveaway signup.
“Only one winner per household, but everyone can sign up,” Mitchell said. The downtown Fort Scott merchant gift cards range from $30 to $150, and one need not be present to win.
Shelter No. 5 will be a chili supper cooked up by the Fort Scott Fire Department.
Between Shelter No. 3 and No. 5 Bethel Community Church will be performing a live nativity scene.
At Shelter No. 6, children can visit with Santa Claus.
Shelter No. 7 will be a place for children to decorate cookies and make other take-home crafts.
Parking for the event will be located at the Mercy Clinic on Horton Street, the Fort Scott Community College Nursing Department on Burke Street and the Professional Building at Burke and 8th Street.
All vehicles must park in the designated parking lots, for safety reasons.
“Please don’t park in front of peoples houses, use these parking lots,” Mitchell said. “At those lots, people will be picked up in buses and vans.”
“We can drop off people at different shelters. We will transfer you around to see all the park for your fun and enjoyment,” she said.
Mitchell encourages everyone to be patient.
“It could be a little wait, but be patient,” Mitchell said. “Enjoy a free, fun family evening.”
The event is run by volunteers from the FS Fire Department and Police Department, Fort Scott Community College athletes, and Fort Scott Kiwanis. Larry Gazaway is providing the music throughout the park and Rhonda Dunn is organizing the transportation piece.
Two businesses are decorating shelters, Todd and I are decorating the others,” Mitchell said.
“If you haven’t been to Christmas In The Park, it’s amazing,” Mitchell said. “It’s a beautiful park, but when it’s decorated, it’s spectacular.”
“Enjoy a wonderful time of year, without a penny in your pocket,” she said.
