Category Archives: Bourbon County

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Signs And Sidewalks To Increase In County

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Fort Scott High School Carpentry Instructor Larry Lawrence tells students of the work needed to complete the first kiosk the class is working on as a community project. From left are Cole Rogers, junior; Hunter Davis, senior; Averie Ryburn, junior; Caleb Rhoades, senior;  Lawrence, Tracy Watkins, senior; Tristan Stone, junior; and Cole Hall, sophomore. The classes are building information kiosks that will be placed on trails in Fort Scott and Uniontown.

New wayfinding signs will soon dot the walking/biking trails in Fort Scott and Uniontown.

With $7,500 received in late summer from The American Planning Associations  Kansas Chapter and Pathways to Healthy Kansas, the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team will provide information kiosks to be placed around the county, according to Jody Hoener, member of the team.

Hoener is also a member of the sub-committee tasked with pulling the kiosk project together. Also serving on the sub-committee are Todd Farrell, Frank Halsey, Lindsay Madison,  and Jerry Witt.

Each kiosk will have maps of the trail and the surrounding community placed on them for reference to walkers/bikers using the trails, Hoener said.

The 10- foot- long, four-foot-wide and nine- feet -high wooden signs with roofs will be placed at Riverfront Loop Road,  Bell Town Trail,  the new trail at Gunn Park, Ellis Park Trail,  Fort Scott Community College Trail, Industrial Park Trail, and in the western part of the county, the Uniontown Trail.

FSHS teacher, Larry Lawrence, works with students Averie Ryburn, Tristan Stone and Tracy Watkins on the rafters of the second kiosk in production at the school. To the left is the finished roof of the first kiosk.

The construction of the kiosks is being completed by Fort Scott High School Carpentry Classes, under the instruction of Larry Lawrence.

Lawrence was looking for community projects for his students to work on, he said.

This summer, Fort Scott Superintendent of Parks Todd Farrell called with the kiosk idea, Lawrence said.

Two carpentry classes have been working on them since school started, Lawrence said.

“We are building four (kiosks) right now, and maybe four in the spring,” Lawrence said.

“They gave me the initial plans and I created them in more detail on AutoCAD (computer-aided design),” Lawrence said.

Simon Ballou will do the artwork for the kiosks and Darren Crays will print and apply the work on plastic panels, Crays said.

“Frank Halsey is going to take them to his place (following completion),” Lawrence said. “He’ll keep them until the city is ready to put them up.”

New sidewalks to be unveiled Nov. 14

The proposed new sidewalks in Uniontown. Taken from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Facebook page.
The Fort Scott sidewalk plan to be proposed on Nov. 14, taken from the Health Bourbon County Action Team Facebook page.

In addition to wayfaring signs, the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team has been planning for more sidewalks in the county.

That team, along with PedNet will be at both the Fort Scott City Commission and the Uniontown City Council  November 14 to show the results of the sidewalk plans, according to its Facebook page. They will unveil the proposed non-motorized transportation plan from 5-6 p.m.  at the Fort Scott City Hall, 123 S. Main, and from 7-8 p.m. at Uniontown City Hall, 206 Sherman, on the east side of the square.

PedNet is a non-profit consulting firm specializing in Safe Routes to School, non-motorized transportation, and nutrition, according to the Facebook page.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Riverfront Park Pavilion Work Has Begun

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Work has begun on the Riverfront Park Pavilion.

A  seven-man crew from Schenkel Contracting, Fort Scott, began work on the Riverfront Pavilion Wednesday.

The pavilion will be 30 feet by 50 feet by 12 feet, Cory Schenkel said.

It is located near the parking area, at the entrance to the park.

The crew was putting up the building frame, with the roof slated for tomorrow, and the end wall following, he said.

The pavilion will have a concrete pad, lights, and some electrical outlets, and should be done in a few weeks, weather permitting, Schenkel said.

Schenkel will be completing the concrete work. Max Fanning, Fort Scott, is the contractor for the electrical work.

The pavilion, although it looks like it sits askew, runs north and south, Schenkel said.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Love Elected County Treasurer

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Photo submitted by Deb Martin. Monday evening Patricia Love was elected by the Bourbon County Republican Party to replace outgoing county treasurer, Rhonda Dunn.

Patricia Love, who has been Deputy Bourbon County Treasurer for five years was elected to replace outgoing treasurer, Rhonda Dunn, Oct. 30.

“Rhonda made such positive changes, I want to keep it going in that direction,” Love told FortScott.Biz. “If there are any questions, people can call me anytime at 223-3800, ext. 135.”

“I think this is the easiest transition for the office,”  Dunn said. “I’ve worked beside her for five years and she will do well.”

Next in the process, is for Love to be appointed by the governor.

The Bourbon County Republican Central Committee met at Fort Scott Livestock Market to discuss interested candidates and vote on Dunn’s replacement.

Thirty-three delegates from Bourbon County townships and Fort Scott wards, voted by secret ballot with Love declared the winner.

Two others, Mike Mason of Uniontown, and Ann Clarkson of Fort Scott submitted their names in to be considered for the position, Randall Readinger, chairman of the central committee said.

Love will fill out the remainder of Dunn’s term and then run for re-election in 2018 if she desires.

“Rhonda has done a fine job of training her office staff and Patty, as her deputy, has been involved in all that,” Readinger said.

Currently, there are six employees in the treasurer’s office.

Love said she will promote Sandy Tirri to deputy treasurer then hire a clerk to cross-train in both the treasurer’s office and motor vehicle department.

The annual pay of the treasurer position is $47,000, $10,000 of which comes from fees from the motor vehicle department, Dunn said.

Rhonda Dunn resigned as Bourbon County Treasurer Oct. 10, her last day is Nov. 3.
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Veterans Honored With Grand Ball

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Photo submitted by Dee Young of  2016 Labor Day Grand Ball.

U.S. military veterans can enjoy a dance, show off their uniform, or if they can’t fit in that uniform anymore, show off the medals earned while serving their country.  For veterans, the dance, a semi-formal ball, is free of charge.

Memorial Hall, 1 East Third, will be the venue for that dance to honor military veterans in a unique way on November 11 from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site (FFSNHS )decided to have a second ball, following the Labor Day Grand Ball they facilitated last year in honor of the centennial of the National Park Service.

“Everybody had a great time,” Dee Young, member of the Friends group, said of the ball last year. “People asked ‘When is the next one?'”

That began Young thinking about another event, this one to honor vets. She brought the idea to the Friends board, who decided a ball was a great way to honor veterans, she said.

Veterans who wear their uniform or bring military identification of some sort, a ribbon or medal, for example,  will get in for free.

Since the theme of Fort Scott National Historic Site is looking at life at the fort on the prairie in the 1840s, other attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate period clothing to the ball. Or, alternately semi-formal party wear may be worn.

Sweet and savory refreshments will be served and all proceeds go to the FFSNHS organization.

Don’t know how to dance like people in the 1840s?

1800s style dance lessons will be offered for free from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the day of the event, November 11, at the fort, in the Grand Hall.  Street clothes are appropriate for the dance lessons, Young said.

Submitted by Dee Young. Last year’s Labor Day Celebration Grand Ball.

Tickets for the ball: general public– $20 in advance/$25 at the door per person or two for $30 in advance/$40 at the door;  FFSNHS members– $15 in advance/$20 at the door; and children 12 and under and dance observers– $5. 

All proceeds go to the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Each year the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site provide a meal for the citizens following the U.S. Naturalization Ceremony on the grounds of the fort, they also serve ice cream at the fort’s Independence Day celebration and provide educational programs throughout the year as well.

Other 2017 activities the FFSNHS group helped with: the Native Neighbors event, a  Fort Scott Community Foundation grant to help with the 175th anniversary of the fort,  a grant for youth engagement at the fort through an Irby Family grant, a Sunflower Castle Home Tour, a Candlelight Tour in December, the Friends Fest 2017, Dancing With Our Stars 2017,Every Kid In A Park Grant,  and drinks during the solar eclipse.

Candlelight Tour

Tomorrow is the first day that tickets for the annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site go on sale. Tickets should be purchased early for choice of times. Usually, all tickets sell out, according to the fort’s website. This year’s tours will be offered December 1 and 2. Tours on December 1, will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 2, the tours will run from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 620-223-0310 or by coming to the visitor center at the fort. The fort is located at the north end of downtown Fort Scott. Tickets are $8. each and are non-refundable. Children 5 and under are free.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

New Pastors, New Wing At Fort Scott Nazarene Church

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Tyler and Megan Allen show the new Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene’s children’s wing just completed in September. There are a “cat-walk” area, a multi-story slide and sensory room for special needs kids in the room.

Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene has a heart for youth according to its new youth pastor, Tyler Allen.

In January the church members hired  Allen and his wife, Megan Allen. Megan is the children’s pastor at the church.

Tyler grew up in Parsons, while Megan hales from Stark City, Mo.

They have been in ministry in western Kansas and Ava, Mo. for the last five years.

In September Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene completed a new children’s wing.

Megan Allen stands near the front desk of the new children’s wing of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
The new children’s wing of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, completed in September is located on the south side of the church. The church is located at 1728 S. Horton.

“We have a sensory room to accommodate special needs children,” Megan said.

There is a children’s ministry for pre-school through sixth grade on Wednesday nights, she said.

In September Club 56 was launched for 5th and 6th-grade students.

On Sunday mornings the 5th and 6th-graders are part of the kid’s leadership team in children’s church, she said.

“They are helping with technology and lead worship and help younger kids,” Megan said.

Additionally, Tyler has an area specifically for teens, 7th through 12th grade, to meet.

Tyler Allen stands in the worship area of the teen ministry room at Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

A college ministry meets once a week at the church as well.

“Fort Scott Nazarene as a church has a vision for kids and teens and their families,” Tyler said.

Lead Pastor Virgil Peck.

The church also received a new lead pastor, Virgil Peck, in July 2016.

“I got a call,” Peck said. “We were looking for a community to allow our kids a place to grow up.”

Peck was a youth pastor for 15 years.

He and wife, Lisa, have two children, Hannah, 11 years-old and Trenton, 13.

The Peck’s spent four years in Carthage, Mo. and nine years in Iowa before coming to Fort Scott.

Peck was born in Fort Scott and still has a lot of relations here, he said.

Other ministries of the church:

The church organized and facilitates the Common Ground Coffee Company, 116 S. Main, in downtown Fort Scott.

Celebrate Recovery meets weekly at the church.

Jeff Dillow has been the worship and administrative pastor for five years.

For more information contact the church at 620-223-0131 or fortscottnazarene.org

The worship center at Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
The welcome sign at Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, 1728 Horton.

 

Bourbon County

KState Southwind Extension: Deer Hunting Program

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Submitted by Christopher Petty

Are you a deer hunter? Do you have land that you want to attract deer onto? If the answer is yes, then join us for an informational meeting on deer management for landowners.

Hi, this is Christopher Petty, Livestock Production and Forage Management Extension Agent for the Southwind District of K-State Research and Extension. I would like to invite you to attend this meeting on November 16, beginning with a meal at 6 p.m. at Coburn’s Kitchen in Stark, Kan.

The program will feature Kansas State University Extension Wildlife Specialist Charlie Lee, and will focus on habitat evaluation, food plots, feed supplements, diseases and antler growth.

A $10 fee payable to Colburn’s Kitchen will cover meals and materials. Space is limited, so call now to pre-register at the Southwind District – Erie Office at 620-244- 3826, that’s 620-244-3826.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Brewery Is Coming

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The Boiler Room Brewhaus will be located in the Beaux Arts Center, 102 S. National.

Barbara and Bryan Ritter are turning a  homebrew hobby into a business.

“Over the past year several people have mentioned that we should do this,” Barbara said. “We brew beer at home and enjoy it. So we decided to go for it.”

Barbara Ritter did research and found that microbreweries are opening in small historic towns, she said.

The Ritter’s are leasing the southwest corner of the Beaux Art Center’s basement from owners, Bobby and Denise Duncan.

“We envision that it will bring in people to Fort Scott,”  she said. “They will see these old buildings and start putting money back into this amazing town. We see the brewery as bringing in new tourists.”

Bryan and Barbara Ritter hope to have a microbrewery open by years end.

Bryan Ritter will be the primary brewer.

“It will be craft beer, part of it from the water from Fort Scott Lake and the Marmaton River,” Bryan said. “The other part of the beer is grain and hops. Hops are what gives it flavor.”

The Ritters found a hops farm in Ottawa and other ingredients will be locally resourced, he said.

They will use honey from their farm in producing the beer, along with wildflowers, fruit, and nuts.

The Ritter’s have owned Black Dog Farm, near Garland, for five years.

So far in the process, city, county, and federal approval have been given the Ritters.

“The state has visited the premise,” Bryan said. “A few more things they need to receive from us. Then we can start the brewery.”

Because beer takes time to ferment, it will have to cook for a few months, he said.

“We are hoping around Christmas or New Years to be open,” Bryan said.

Bourbon County

KState Southwind Extension: First Impressions

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Submitted by Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District Director 

All communities have difficulties viewing their surrounding as others – customers, visitors, potential residents and potential businesses – see them. Our views are skewed by over-familiarization, a lack of differing perspectives, expectations and a reluctance to be completely honest with our neighbors when dealing with difficult issues, such as the appearance of buildings, customer service and the maintenance of public facilities.

Next month, a group of volunteers from Iola will be traveling to Baldwin City, Kan., to participate in a program offered by K-State Research and Extension called “First Impressions.” Likewise, a team from Baldwin City will travel to Iola to gather their First Impressions of our city.

With First Impressions, a team of volunteers from other towns makes an unannounced visit to a participating community to explore its residential, retail and industrial areas, plus schools, government locations and points of interest. The idea is to take a look at a community with a fresh pair of eyes.

Whether in one’s own home or community, it’s easy to pass by something without thinking about how it looks to others. For the first-time visitor, is the drive into town welcoming? Is there something unique that may help draw people to shop? Does it strike them as a community they would like to return to? Sometimes strengths are taken for granted, and weaknesses are accepted as part of the norm.

First Impressions is an effort to strengthen Kansas communities and is made possible by a partnership started in 2015 between K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas PRIDE Program and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. Once completed, the assessment helps drive goal-setting and priorities for new development, plus identifies ways to strengthen community services.

What’s next? After the two visits, a K-State Research and Extension Specialist will compile the results from each team. Those findings will be shared locally in the form of a community meeting that will likely be conducted after the first of the year. Details will be shared through local media outlets to make the program available to anyone interested.

I look forward to facilitating and participating with the Iola Team and working with the City of Iola. However, readers should be know that this program is offered by K-State Research & Extension and open to any Kansas Community, regardless of size. If another town in Bourbon, Neosho or Allen County sees the benefit of First Impressions, please do not hesitate to contact me by calling Southwind Iola at 620-365-2242.

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Baby Shower For Community Mothers

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Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue, is the site for a baby shower Oct. 30 for new mothers.

New and/or expectant mothers are invited to the Southeast Kansas  Multi-County Health Department baby shower from noon to 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 at Buck Run Community Center’s gym.

Food, gifts, and prizes will be given out to the mothers attending the event.

Prizes to give away are  a breast pump,  a pack and play crib, and car seats, according to Alice Maffett, public nurse in the Bourbon County Health Department.

Gift bags for each participant and free health care resource materials will also be available.

In addition, healthy snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Kayla Tinsley, Mercy RN  will speak about the hospital’s High 5 Program and the benefits of breastfeeding. Sergeant Tim Harper with the Fort Scott Police Department will speak on child passenger safety, and Accent Dental Clinic will present valuable information on the importance of oral hygiene during pregnancy during the event, said Angie Reinking, Outreach Specialist with United Healthcare Community Plan.

For more information contact the health department at 620-223-4464.

The event is provided by the SEK Multi-County Health Department, United Health Care Community Plan, and Mercy Hospital.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

The Future Of Bridal Veil Park Is Weighed

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The view from Second Street looking northwest into Bridal Veil Park.

Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin is seeking input from the community on what to do with Bridal Veil Park.

The park is located just west of the Marmaton River on Second Street on the west side of town.

It is a low-lying area encompassed by an attractive, low rock fence on the south.

History of the park

Three concrete picnic tables, a pavilion, and numerous large tree stumps, with a meandering dirt road, are all that’s left of an area that was at first two community swimming pools, one for girls, one for boys.

“It began as Napp’s Park in the 1880s,” Fred Campbell, a local historian said. “It had a large artesian water well in the southeast corner of the park, 40 yards from the entrance. It flowed mineral water. As the water shot up about 20-30 feet from the spring, it looked like a bridal veil.”

Three concrete picnic tables that have survived since the 1930s at Bridal Veil Park.

In 1936, the Works Progress Administration of the federal government built a new community swimming pool at the current site on Main Street, said Don Miller, a local Fort Scott historian.

“At that point, the (Bridal Veil Park) swimming pools were turned over to the African-American community,”  Miller said. “Segregation was the law until 1954.”

After desegregation became law the swimming pools were filled in, Miller said.

In 1986, a flood swept away the brick shelter house at the site, he said.

The current pavilion at Bridal Veil Park. The original brick one was destroyed during the flood of 1986.

“After that, it was used for a hang-out place,” Miller said. “There was a lot of illegal activities going on.”

Keep or sell the property?

Fast forward to 2017.

Martin said there is still “suspicious activity” for the Fort Scott Police Department to investigate at that location and it floods easily because of its location near the Marmaton River.

The cost of maintaining the park is approximately $5,000 to $10,000 a year, Martin said.

“Taking care of that park, is it a vision for the future of our city?,” Martin asked in an interview with FortScott.biz.

“There is a vision to have a hookup between Gunn Park and Riverfront Park in the long-term,” Martin said. “We will try to keep an easement for that,” Martin said.

The vegetation overgrowth prevents a view of the Marmaton River, on the east edge of Bridal Veil Park.

Input requested by November 21

“I’m wanting input from the community between now and November 21,” Martin said. “I talked to people who feel it would not be a good idea to sell the land.”

At the November 21 city commission meeting,  a decision will likely be made, he said.

Emails can be sent to [email protected] or call Martin on his cell phone at 620-644-2498.

“I think it will be good for the city to sell the property,” Miller said. “But save the picnic tables. Those were built by the WPA, they have historical value.”

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

3rd Saturday Downtown Marketplace Tomorrow

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North Main Street in downtown Fort Scott Thursday afternoon. October 21 is the 3rd Saturday Downtown Market Place when this street will be lined with vendors.

Last month a collaboration of Fort Scott Farmer’s Market, Chamber of Commerce, city personnel and downtown merchants led to the first ever 3rd Saturday Fort Scott Marketplace.

The September event went well, according to Lindsay Madison, executive director of the chamber.

Tomorrow the North Main section of the downtown area will once again be cordoned off for vendors. This will be the last marketplace this year.

“This is the second one,” Madison said. “The plan is to set it up for May to October next year. Which is when Fort Scott Farmer’s Market is open.”

Fresh produce vendors, downtown merchants, and other organizations will take advantage of the warm weather to sell their wares from 8 a.m. to noon.

Papa Don’s Pizza, 10 N. Main will take its turn doing “Breakfast on the Bricks,” which is the breakfast offering each farmer’s market day.  On the menu are breakfast pizza, cinnamon rolls, coffee, and juice.

Breakfast on the Bricks gets its name from the brick Main Street in Fort Scott.

Downtown merchants The Iron Star and J & W Sportshop will be open early for the event.

A free spinal screening will be offered by Hartman Spine and Joint.

Other vendors will be Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries, and Gold Canyon Decor, to name a few.

Continuing from last month, city golf carts will be available to transport people or purchases to their cars, say, for instance, produce vendor Ronnie Brown’s pumpkins.

One of the goals of the chamber is to boost the benefit of the downtown stores and farmer’s market, Madison said.

October 28 will be the last Fort Scott Farmer’s Market for 2017.