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The members of the Bourbon County Democratic party will meet on Sunday, June 11 at 2 p.m. in Gunn Park Shelter House #2.
Kansas Senator Ethan Corson will be updating on the latest Kansas legislation.
Interested parties are invited to attend.
The Friday Night Concerts return this week with the Hemphill Family Band. They, along with friends, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, at the Heritage Park Pavilion located at 1st and Main streets.
Members of the band are Jack Hemphill on keyboard and vocals, Sandy on fiddle and keyboard, and Brad on guitar and vocals. Friends who will perform are Floyd Feezell, who will sing, and Tammy Helm, who will play saxophone.
The Hemphills have performed at the pavilion many times in the past. They play classic country, including a little Hank and Lefty, and a lot of Merle Haggard. They will also play a variety of other songs during the concert.
Come out and spend the evening at the Pavilion. Seating is limited, so bring a lawn chair. In case of bad weather, the concert will moved to Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall St.
Governor Kelly Announces 14 Rural Communities Receiving Funding for New Murals
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced 14 communities will receive funding through the Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural and Public Art grant program. The $76,071 in grants awarded will allow communities to create 38 new murals and public art projects that engage community residents and create a place for the community to gather and enjoy. Since 2021, the Office of Rural Prosperity has funded more than 43 murals in 25 communities.
“Our Rural Mural program continues to gain momentum as a way to showcase and celebrate small towns across Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “My administration will continue supporting local community efforts to enhance their sense of place and quality of life.”
Awardees are in communities across the state with less than 15,000 population. The murals will highlight community gathering spaces and tourist attractions – and provide a welcome message for visitors and residents alike. Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community, with the smallest of communities being allowed to match the grant with in-kind donations. 75% of the grant funding will be gifted upfront as several of the city projects plan to start in the next few weeks.
“The Rural Murals already completed have added a unique attraction that communities are proud to display,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “As tourism in Kansas is on the rise, particularly in rural areas where visitors increasingly go to get off the beaten path, these new murals will encourage people to experience more great locations across the state.”
The organizations that are being awarded for FY 2024 include:
The Arts Center, Inc.; Anthony and Attica; $7,500
City of Cedar Vale; $1,500
City of Cheney; $3,603
Fort Scott Area Chamber Foundation; $5,250
Northwest Kansas Technical College; Goodland; $4,250
5.4.7 Arts Center; Greensburg; $7,368
Graham County; Hill City; $7,500
Wichita County Economic Development, Inc.; Leoti; $4,500
Vesper Community Club, Inc.; Vesper Township; $7,500
City of Lyons; $7,500
The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation; Blue Rapids Community Action Team Fund, Blue Rapids; $2,350
City of Smith Center; $7,500
City of Uniontown; $2,250
Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Winfield; $7,500
“The innovation and creativity that these communities demonstrated in their applications was phenomenal,” said Director of the Office of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon. “We can’t wait to see how these new murals and public art projects will help energize these communities and increase tourism and community engagement.”
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda
Uniontown Community Center
June 5, 2023, 5:30 PM
I. Call Meeting to Order
II. Flag Salute and Prayer
III. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes from 5/16/2023 and 5/22/2023
b. Approval of Payroll totaling $208,575.01
c. Approval of Accounts Payable totaling $319,552.12
d. Approval of Miscellaneous Disbursement Checks totaling $24,738.25
IV. Becky Johnson-Health Department Budget
V. Department Updates
a. Eric Bailey, Public Works Director
VI. Sheriff Bill Martin
a. Finalization of Loan Documents for Patrol Vehicles
b. Equitable Sharing Agreement Certification
VII. Jennifer Hawkins-County Clerk
a. Resolution 12-23
b. Hall Fence Viewing
VIII. Jim Harris- Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
IX. Public Comments
X. Commission Comments
XI. Meeting Adjourn
Attachments:
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual
proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Bourbon County Garden is a group of local gardeners that gather to learn, grow, and share in their passion of gardening, according to a press release from the club.
They have provided care of many of the downtown area garden spots.
Club meetings are the 4th Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. from March to October.
“Our members take turns hosting our meetings, so the location changes depending on who is hosting,” President Austin Bolinger said.
“We have 60 people on our email list, and about 1/2 of those are active in the club,” Bolinger said.
The list of members:
Aaron Houser
Jan Hedges
Janet Irvin
Dora Jasinski
Betty & Dale Johnson
Leah Lewis
Deb McCoy
Diana Morriss
Linda Noll
Clara Schofield
Norma Sellers
Priscilla Sellers
Ashlee Shakir
Kate Sweetser
Judy Wallis
Robin Whitlock
Stana Parsons
Judy Warren
Margaret Kerr
Helen Carson
Bill Hoyt
Darcy Sinn
Krista Harding
Ann Stark
Jenni Wilcoxen
Deborah Hyland
Pam Speer
Heather Wilson
Janette Danley
Martha Kraai
Barbara Woodward
Honey Bidwell
Barbara McCord
Delphine Parks
Austin Bolinger
Estevan DeBoer
Makensie Griffin
Sheryl Bloomfield
Jim Logan
Marcile Logan
Rachel French
Calista Rchards
Brenda Alter
Deb Lust
Doris Ericson
Paula Blincoe
Rondi Anderson
Sandy Areu
Whitney Beth
Karen Billiard
Maggie Brenner
Sharon Campbell
Kelly Collins
Maggie Davenport
Rita Emmerson
Connie Findley
Constance Gates
Martha Jane Gentry
Lindsey Gulager
Teri Hamilton
Rosemary Harris
Rhonda Hassig
Complimentary Pocket Garden Drawing Winners Announced
Recently the club awarded two community residents with consultation and installation of a pocket garden.
“Bourbon County Garden Club recently held a drawing to award a pocket garden to lucky Bourbon County residents,” according to the press release.
A pocket garden is an area on a homeowner’s property that is a gardening challenge.
“This might be a corner where curbs and sidewalks intersect, by a mailbox, or by a driveway and a pocket garden can beautify that area,” according to the press release.
The winners, Marianne Crane and Gabrielle Martin, will get an initial pocket garden consultation, along with the plants and installation of the plants in the garden. The maintenance of the garden is the winners’ responsibility.
“The benefits of planting a pocket garden include improving a problem area of your yard, collaboration with neighbors to create multiple attractive garden corners, pollination for bees and butterflies and engagement in a healthy outdoor activity,” according to the press release
About the club
Bourbon County Garden Club encourages growing plants in these areas that provide three seasons of bloom and fourth season of winter interest. Example pocket gardens in Fort Scott are located at Pine and Eddy Streets, 8th and Crawford Streets(all four corners), and 9th and National Avenue(SE corner).
For more information on planting a Pocket Garden or joining Garden Club, email Austin Bolinger at [email protected] or visit the Bourbon County Garden Club Facebook page.
This year’s annual Fort Scott High School Tiger Drama Camp performs Treasure Island on June 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School commons area.
Thirty five students in 1st through 9th grade spent two weeks at camp preparing for the production. The play is adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller from the book by Robert Louis Stevenson.
The character of Jim is played by 6th grader Scout Eden. Other notable characters include Long John Silver who is played by 8th grader Theodore Bowman, Doctor Livesey – freshman Dimple Williams, and Squire Trelawney portrayed by freshman Adeline Hartmetz. Other campers make up a motley crew of pirates, storytellers, and Skeleton Island Natives.
The camp and show are directed entirely by FSHS Thespians. Seniors Regen Wells and Lexi Hill are the Directors.
“I absolutely love getting to share my love of theatre with the younger people of our community and I’m extremely happy to have an outlet in the community for directing and producing,” Wells said.
Other high school staff include: junior Kiara Thompson – Stage Manager, sophomores Emma Bin and Tuesday Glessner – Choreographers, junior Cooper George – Costume Designer, senior Natalie Woods – Sound Designer, senior Jericho Jones – Music Director, sophomores Charlie Chaplin and Chris Newman – Props and Set Designers and freshman Tobi Larrabee and junior Molly Hoyt – Arts Directors. Many other Thespians serve as acting coaches and leaders and Thespian Director Angie Bin serves as show producer.
During the two-week camp, students learn about most technical theatre areas such as lighting, sound, costuming, stagecraft, and make-up. They also help to create the artistic set decor.
Hill said, “This is my first time directing a show and I am so excited to see it performed. Working with the kids is amazing and everyone involved has put so much work into this hilarious show.”
Tickets for the show are $5 and available at the doors at Fort Scott Middle School. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Several young children who are learning how to create their own business will have their wares on display and for sale at the Fort Scott Farmers Market this Saturday, June 3 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The event will be at Third and Main Street, behind the First United Methodist Church in that parking lot.
Children who attended a young entrepreneurs fair in the last year will be selling their wares and encouraging other children to start their own businesses
“Saturday is to get the word out and let other children see a small sample of inspiration for what they can be a part of,” Maria Whitson, one of the parent organizers said. “It will also allow the children who have created businesses a chance to sell their products.”
“We will have opportunities for kids to take their ideas and learn about how to turn it into a business,” she said. “Then we will give them an opportunity to launch and sell their products at the kid’s business fair later this year. More information will be available at the kid’s booths at the farmers market this weekend.”
The Acton Children’s Business Fair will be sponsoring a fair again this fall. To learn more: https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/
“There will be cash prizes for the event in the fall,” Whitson said.
Whitson and Melanie Lamb are the parent organizers who will be available to answer questions on Saturday.
Some of the children who will participate:
“This weekend kids will be having their booths to inspire others to be entrepreneurs,” she said. “Kids who already have set up their own business to inspire others.”
In addition, there will be handouts for a class in September that the youth can participate in, Whitson said.
The farmers market has changed spaces this Saturday only, to accommodate the Good Ol’ Days annual celebration in downtown Fort Scott.
Movies/Music in the Park, sponsored by Uniontown Ruritan Club, will provide Uniontown school district residents with some free family fun this summer in the park on the town square.
“At the beginning of this year, we had a brainstorming session to consider various ideas for community service projects for 2023,” Mary Pemberton, one of the committee members, said. “Mauriel Whisenhunt and I suggested something that would highlight and make use of the beautiful city park, bring people together, and provide entertainment for all ages. One of our ideas was Movies in the Park. That idea was well received and expanded to include music. We decided to put on one Movie in the Park event each month and another separate Music in the Park night each month during June-July-August.”
“Our schedule kicks off on June 9th with a Movie in the Park night,” Mary Pemberton, one of the committee members” said. Each movie night starts at 7 p.m. with games and activities such as: sidewalk games, corn hole, spikeball, dodgeball, washer toss, face painting and rock painting. Then at 9 p.m. seating begins for the movie – this is an outdoor movie showing, so bring your own chair or blanket.”
The group has planned music entertainment on alternating evenings this summer.
“Alternating movies and music means the next event, on June 23rd is a music night,” Pemberton said. “Music nights feature food trucks from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Musical performances are from 7-8:30. We have arranged for different genres of music each month – Mike Miller (gospel), Rick Hite (country/folk) and Ridge Runnerz (classic rock/country).”
“On June 23rd and July 14th there will be special performances by a mother/daughter duo who are both world class baton twirlers,” she said. “We enticed them out of ‘retirement’ for these performances and I witnessed part of a practice session when they were refreshing their skills and working out a routine. They are amazingly talented – you won’t want to miss this; baton twirling is an art you don’t see locally at this skill level and Kristi and Lexie are truly awe-inspiring.”
The movies, music, games/activities and entertainment are all FREE and Uniontown school district residents are invited, she said.
“We are also giving away free hot dogs/chip/drink at the first event, a free ice cream social in July, and free popcorn to munch on during each movie,” Pemberton said. “Tips for the musicians and/or free-will donations are accepted, but not required.”
Food trucks will be available on certain dates.
” Food trucks include Los Tres Pollitos on June 23; on July 14 the Ruritan Club is selling pulled pork BBQ sandwiches; and on August 11 the Hot Pink Heifer food truck is here,” Pemberton said. “Additionally, the Sunshine Shak will be here most evenings with sweets, snacks and drinks for sale.”
The complete schedule of events can be found on flyers posted at businesses around Uniontown and on social media.
For more information contact her at 620-224-9654 or stop by 103 3rd Street in Uniontown.
Ruritan Club Music in the Park Committee members are Pemberton, Mauriel Whisenhunt and Randy Rathbun.
“In addition, several Uniontown High School clubs are helping on the event nights,” Pemberton said. “The Uniontown High School FFA is grilling and serving hot dogs on June 9; the UHS Art Club is doing face painting and assisting with rock painting each movie night; UHS Cheerleaders are assisting with games and will perform at each movie night. We also wish to thank Rhonda DeWitt with the First Missionary Baptist Church for allowing us to use their movie screen and popcorn machine.”
“Ruritan is a nationwide service organization and our club performs a variety of services or projects each year that benefit the community and residents in and around Uniontown,” she said. “Last year we financed and built public restrooms which are located across the street from the park.”
Fort Scott Kan. – Join a ranger for a walk back in time to the “Good’ Ol’ Days” Saturday, June 3, 2023. Programs and living history activities will be ongoing from 9 am – 4 pm. And meet at the park Visitor Center. All activities are free and open to the public. To find out more, please contact the park at 620-223-0310.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
9 a.m. – Tallgrass Prairie Walk
10 a.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort
11 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration
Noon – Flash Flood: Westward Expansion Discussion
1 p.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort
2 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration
3 p.m. – Democracy Run Wild: Bleeding Kansas Discussion
4 p.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort
Throughout the Day:
From April 1-September 30, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its summer hours of operation. The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8 am – 5 pm Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
-NPS-