An info banner at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market last Saturday.
The Fort Scott Farmers Market showcased some young business people on September 30.
“Most of the children that had booths had attended at least one workshop at Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (office) before Saturday’s event,” said Dacia Clark, Pittsburg State University’s Small Business Development Center.
The SBDC partners with HBCAT in Fort Scott.
“We held two different workshops (for the young entrepreneurs) before Saturday,” she said. “One was about business planning and just introducing business terminology to the kids and the other workshop talked about pricing and expenses.”
“We ended up having 20 kids participate on Saturday and gave out $340 in prize money,” she said.
1st Place received $50, 2nd Place received $25 and 3rd Place received $10.
There were four different age groups: 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, and 14-16 year-olds.
5-7 Age Group
1st Place – Adelaide Bowman
2nd Place – Judah Whitson
3rd Place – Ethan Nilges
8-10 Age Group
1st Place – Jonathon Howard
2nd Place – Camren lamb
3rd Place – Asher Whitson
11-13 Age Group
1st Place – Gunner Keylon
2nd Place – Anabelle Nilges
3rd Place – Isabelle Nilges
14-16 Age Group
1st Place – Natalie Lehman
2nd Place – Luke Lehman
3rd Place – Devlin Cole
There is the possibility of another Children’s Business Fair at Fort Scott Farmers Market next spring, she said.
For more information or to become involved with the Children’s Business Fair, please email Rachel Carpenter at [email protected]
FortScott.Biz Grant Recipients Tell of Plans
Several children received $50 grants from a fortscott.biz reader who wished to remain anonymous.
The subscriber who had been reading the Young Entrepreneur Series on fortscott.biz this summer was touched by the efforts of the children and wanted to support each young entrepreneur’s business.
This is what he wrote:
“I always stop at the local kids’ lemonade stands. When I was growing up in Fort Scott, I remember the postman buying a cup of lemonade from me. For some reason that stayed with me.
“Selling Grit Magazine door to door, making birdhouses and selling them door to door, having a Tribune newspaper route back when you paid for your batch of papers up front, delivered them, and then collected monthly. If anyone stiffed you, you were out the dough. All of those things were great life lessons for me growing up in Fort Scott. That’s why I really like your program of highlighting young entrepreneurs”
The Young Entrepreneur Series features youth under 18 years old who have a business in product or services.
To recommend a young entrepreneur in our community, please send contact info, email, or phone number to [email protected]
The following are the recipient’s comments about how the grant was spent:
Devlin Cole, 16, sells handmade leather crafts at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on Sept. 30.
“I’m purchasing more supplies for my leather crafts, Devlin Cole said. “I’m very appreciative for the money. Thankfully there is someone wanting to do that for kids wanting to make a name for themselves.”
Malachi Whitson, jewelry maker, at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on September 2023.
“I bought different things for my jewelry business,” Malachi Whitson, age 10, said. “It was a big boost. I’m so glad he did it, it helped a lot.”
Camren Lamb shows a placard explaining where he spent his Young Entrepreneur Grant. He had a booth for his artwork and guitar playing at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on Sept. 30, 2023.
“The funds went directly to Answers in Genesis 2024 Vacation Bible School Program Kit,” Melanie Lamb, Camren’s mom said. “It will be used over and over. Camren’s first priority is to do it at youth homes and places with children in need. But he also plans to collaborate with kids near his age to do the program here in Fort Scott.”
Camren, 10, also purchased four Samaritan’s Purse and Bible Workbook Kits, his mom said.
Asher Whitson, a young entrepreneur, makes cards and decorative art.
Asher Whitson, whose business is Art by Asher, spent his grant money “to help a single mom and the rest towards buying new items for his business,” Maria Whitson, his mom said.
Judah Whitson at his shop at the Fort Scott Farmers Market, September 2023.
“Judah gave a little to help the single mom (his brother Asher also did this) and he saved the rest to buy a cow,” Maria Whitson, his mom said.
The Belltown Trail in Riverfront Park, the site of the Bourbon County Community Theatre event on Oct. 28.
The newly formed Bourbon County Community Theatre is looking for volunteers for its inaugural event, “Voices from the Grave,” on the evening of Saturday, October 28th, in the Riverfront Park.
Actors will memorize and present a short script describing a scene or “vignette” based on a story of murder or mayhem in Fort Scott’s history. Guests will be escorted through the park to visit each vignette and hear the story.
Leaders will be costumed “characters” who guide visitors from vignette to vignette.
To be a part of this event, please fill out the survey below!
The September meeting of the Starlite FCE was held at the Presbyterian Village Meeting Room. President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order. Joyce Allen led the club in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect. Fourteen members and one guest were in attendance. The members reported that they had volunteered for eleven hours and had recycled 330 pounds.
Doris Ericson presented the Treasurers report. There was no council report. Glenda Miller recognized birthdays of Letha Johnson and Jackie Warren and announced that 911 baskets had been delivered.
Old Business consisted of Fall Follies, which will be held at the Bronson Community Center October 10th at 6:00. Eleven will be attending
New Business for September was planning for the Veterans Day bags for the American Legion, VFW and the Assisted Living facilities. Members are to bring snacks to the next meeting. Dues are also due in September, membership forms were distributed and returned to Doris. Doris Ericson announced that Wreaths Across America will be $17 this year. Joyce Allen moved that we purchase one, Betty Johnson seconded the motion, motion carried.
Letha Johnson moved that the meeting be adjourned, Doris Ericson seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.
After the meeting Claudia Wheeler presented the program of Grandparents raising grandchildren with members discussing their grandparenting experiences.
Refreshment of Fruit Pizza, nuts and M&Ms, mints and water were provided by Claudia Wheeler and Ida Ford.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023, join Fort Scott National Historic Site guides for a special candle lantern walk called the Murder and Mayhem at the Fort Lantern Tour, according to a press release.
There is no cost to the public.
Tour guides from the 1840s-1860s, will share some of the lesser-told tragedies and macabre events that were far too common in Fort Scott’s 19th century.
“There was violence and tragedy that happened at the fort during the 1840s to the 1860s,” Carl Brenner, FSNHS Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management, said. “The fort was the whole town during this time, and there were 1,000s of soldiers here during the Civil War.”
They will talk, in period costume, about some of those events.
Tour guides are Carl Brenner, Barry Geertsen, and Jessica Nielsen-employees at the Fort, and Matthew Wells, a member of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
These four special Halloween lantern tours will start every 30 minutes beginning at 6:30 pm at the visitor center.
Space is limited and required reservations will open Friday, October 13, at 8:30 a.m. Contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Those with reservations, please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park and get oriented, according to the press release. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the entire tour will be outside and on sidewalks.
“We’ve been planning this for several years,” Brenner, said. “But staff turnover precluded us from moving forward. All our pumpkins are in a line now and we can move forward.”
Carl Brenner.
Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 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.
Full moon over the Fort Scott National Historic Site Parade Ground. Photo credit: NPS, C. Brenner
Special Night Sky Program
Saturday, October 28, 2023, Fort Scott National Historic Site will share stories and a closer look at October’s full Hunter’s, or Hunting, Moon. The program will begin just after the moonrise at 6:30 pm and telescope viewing begins just after twilight at 7 pm.
Look up to the same October Hunter’s Moon as it ushers in fall and winter, discussing what it could mean to you and your family as people have done for centuries on the American frontier. Then look closer at the next frontier on our moon and other planets, or last frontier of deep space.
The Kansas Astronomical Observers will join Park Rangers with their telescopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars sharing how you can take a closer look at our moon from your own back yard.
Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The 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.
David Killion, Lenexa, is the founder of Kansas Rocks Recreation Park, located on 130th Road in northern Bourbon County.
The property is 380 acres of rugged terrain, that Killion and a group of volunteers have made into miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, 4-wheel drive vehicles, and utility terrain vehicles.
The terrain consists of wooded hills, rugged rock ledges, and open fields with trails varying in difficulty.
At the recent Saturday morning Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee, he explained how he came to purchase the property.
“This 220-acre property came for sale and we met with the owners,” Killion said. “We signed a 15-year lease on the property. Seven years in, the owner passed away.” The owner’s family then sold the acreage to Killion. Then he talked to neighbors and was able to purchase an additional 160 acres.
Since its inception in 2003, Killion and a group of people mostly from the Kansas City area have built a pavilion, playground, air pump stations, picnic shelters/grills, handicapped accessible toilets, a campground with shower facilities, and recreational vehicle parking.
The park is run by a board of directors.
Almost every amenity built at the recreation park was supplied by grants and volunteer labor, with some hired contractor’s help, said Keith Monroe, one of the park’s board of directors.
Kansas Rocks is a fee-usage park, with entry fees for the driver and the vehicle, with an additional fee for passengers over 12 years old.
Pricing
Daily Pass
1 Day $25
2 Days $45
3 Days $55
Daily Pass – Passengers 12y/o+
1 Day $5
2 Days $10
3 Days $15
Hiking & Mountain Biking
1 Day $5
2 Days $10
3 Days $15
Annual Pass
Per calendar year $125
David Killion talks to Chamber of Commerce guests on September 30, 2023, at the office on the Kansas Rocks site.Visitors look over one of the challenging drop-offs on a trail at Kansas Rocks, the Carnage Canyon Area.
No all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, or horses are allowed in the park.
Jill Jaworski and Joe George look over Carnage Canyon at Kansas Rocks Recreation Park.
In addition to the trails, there are events planned throughout the year at the park.
The next Kansas Rocks event is the 20th Anniversary Celebration Event, on Oct. 14.
Registration is $40 at the gate, per vehicle, to include day entry, day activities, a blindfolded spotters competition, a King/Queen of Carnage Canyon competition, and more.
There will be a limited number of meal tickets for sale for $10 each.
Friday, Oct. 13, gates will open at noon for weekend camping spaces, must be reserved at the website: ksrockspark.com. Camping is available on Friday and Saturday.
There are shower facilities available.
Saturday, Oct. 14, the gates open at 8 a.m.
8 am-7:30 pm: The trails are open.
8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.: There are hidden trinkets in the park.
“Find ‘em and turn ‘em in at the office for your prize of shirts, hats, candy, and more,” Killion said
9:30 am-noon: There is the Carnage Canyon Showcase. “Come throw your hat in for a chance to win a lifetime annual pass or King/Queen of the Canyon sign with your name placed at the top of the canyon. Spectators can vote on their favorite.
There is a 20-person entry limit: the first 20 people to email [email protected] will be entered.
1 pm-4 pm: Spot the Blindfolded Driver Competition, located by the rock pile, upfront.
Two classes:
The best club driver and spotter: both get a five-year annual pass.
The winning club also receives five Annual Passes for 2024.
CLUBS: 1 team entry per club, 10 team limit, email us who will represent the club @ [email protected]
The best buddy driver and spotter. “Grab who you trust and show us how it is done! Winning driver and spotter get LIFETIME ANNUAL PASS to KRocks,” Killion said.
“There is a 10-team limit, sign-up day of the event at the park – if we receive more than 10 team entries, we will draw to see who gets to compete,” he said.
1:30-4:30 p.m.: There will be a bounce house for the kids by the pavilion.
5 pm: The dinner will be served at the pavilion.
5:45 pm: Guest speakers and winners from the day events will be announced.
7:45 pm: There will be a movie in the park, The Sandlot movie. The audience is asked to bring lawn chairs, blankets, drinks, and popcorn will be served.
The park is open for regular business on Sunday, October 15.
Other upcoming events:
Nov. 10-12 is Veteran’s Appreciation- Vets and First Responders get in free and can also enjoy free camping for the weekend.
December 9 is Wheelin’ for Toys- Get in for the day for only $15 if you bring a new toy for the kids.
The annual Frostbite event is the last Saturday of February.
Beginner Off-Road 101 classes are offered throughout the year.
David and his wife, Robin Killion. “She is my right-hand man,” Killion said.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Mark McCoy, Emily Franks, Anne Dare, Kevin Davidson, Clint Walker, and Rachel Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Mark McCoy.
Nelson made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 9/18/23, approval of payroll totaling $338,719.44, and approval of accounts payable totaling $576,872.46. Jim seconded the motion, and all approved.
Clint Walker spoke of the recent passing of Bob Marshall and suggested the Commissioners lower the flag on Thursday to show respect for Mr. Marshall’s many years of service starting in the Marine Corps, serving the community and on various boards including FSCC, and his time as a Senator. Clint said Mr. Marshall would always talk to you no matter where you were and treated everybody with respect. Jim said they would take that into consideration.
Emily Franks, with Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips, PA, presented the 2022 fiscal year audit. Emily went page by page explaining the information contained in the audit. Since the county spent more than $750,000 in federal funds there were federal requirements that they were obligated to follow to report and test for the single federal audit. Emily said the county has implemented changes and now reconciles and balances the accounts monthly to be in compliance which was an issue listed in prior audits.
Susan Walker requested a 10-minute executive session. Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy to include all three Commissioners, Susan Walker, Jennifer Hawkins, and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:00. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:00 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Justin asked to amend the agenda for an executive session for attorney client privilege.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to allow for an executive session for attorney client privilege. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 5-minute executive session under 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 to include all three Commissioners, and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:07. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:07 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
The Commissioners discussed the health insurance benefits information that was presented last week while Nelson was out of town. Susan stated if they are going to leave the state pool they have to do so by October 1st. Jim asked if the opportunity to leave the state pool come up again next year and Susan said yes. Clifton said they will save more money in a year because we won’t have the penalty but they had a goal of having someone trained by now and $30,000-$40,000 would be burnt up quickly to hire a consultant to administer the plan. Clifton said personally he is in favor of leaving the state plan but it wouldn’t be much savings this year so we will probably have to keep what we have. Susan said the premiums for the state plan will not be changing next year. Nelson said it sounded like we don’t know enough to upset the apple cart with something as important as insurance. Clifton said the plan we would be going to is almost identical to what we have and after the penalty we would have approximately $58,000 in savings but we have no staff to administer at this point. Clifton said his goal would be to have the staff ready next year to administer. Jim said they have been talking of leaving the state plan for three years and asked why aren’t we ready after three years. Jim made a motion to leave the state employee health plan and go with a private carrier. Nelson seconded the motion with discussion. Nelson said our staff has indicated they can’t do it right now without hiring someone else and if we could do it without hiring someone else, he would be all for it. Clifton said we can point fingers but at the end of the day it would fall on Jennifer and Susan and in his opinion they have so much on their plate already they have been unable to do it. Clifton said it is not their fault why we are not ready. Jim said he is not blaming anybody but we should have done a better job in planning. Clifton said in his opinion they are doing everything they can in their power, we just had a good audit so thank you to Patty, Susan, and Jennifer. Clifton said the problems from they are dealing with from the past has kept them from other priorities that would benefit this county. Jim asked all in favor of his motion to leave the state employee health plan with the motion failing 1-2.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, said they lost a fence at the shop due to the windstorm over the weekend and there were several trees downed near the shop. Yale Road has been milled with only a one-foot strip left to be completed. Nelson said he heard about it all the way in South Korea. Eric said the company doing the work had a cancellation which is why the work was done on short notice. Eric said he has spoken to and emailed several residents in the area. Nelson said the concern of the residents is that we won’t get one mile of asphalt laid there next year. Eric said he can propose it and it is up to the Commissioners to make it happen during the hard surface road work session but he hopes to get to Eagle Road and one mile on Yale Road. Jim asked if it would be the east or west mile and Nelson said he would have to see what the residents want. Nelson asked when the work session would be for the hard surface roads and Eric said it is usually held in February or March. Nelson thanked Eric for responding to all the emails from the residents of Yale Road.
Justin Meeks asked for a 7-minute executive session for contracts. Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships to include all three Commissioners, Eric Bailey, and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:32. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson made a motion to resume normal session at 6:32 with action. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Nelson made a motion to allow the County Counselor to re-write the contract at Beth Quarry. Jim seconded the motion. Clifton abstained. The motion passed 2-1. Clifton stated he has no benefit from this as it is his mother’s land and contract. Jim said we ran out of room to do more blasts and that is why we have to do this.
Justin Meeks asked for a 20-minute executive session. Clifton made a motion to go into a 20-minute executive session under 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 to include all three Commissioners, and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:55. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:55 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into executive session for 10 minutes under 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 and will return at 7:07. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. The County Clerk asked who would be included in the executive session so Clifton made an amendment to the motion to go into executive session to include all three Commissioners and County Counselor Justin Meeks. Nelson seconded the motion stating the 10-minutes would end at 6:08 now and all approved. Nelson made a motion to resume normal session at 7:08 with no action. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:08. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Thaddeus and Kelly Perry have added another business in Bronson.
Kelly and Thaddeus Perry, owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store and a new campground. Submitted photo.
Perry’s Park RV & Campground, opened October 1 at 702 Pine Street in Bronson, which is on Hwy. 54 that runs through the small town in western Bourbon County.
“We purchased a big chunk of land here in Bronson from the corner of Pine Street to the city limit signs on the west side of town, it’s a lot,” she said. “We can mow it for the rest of our lives and do nothing; instead, we wanted to do something to use the land.”
So they devised a plan.
“A few RV hookups made sense to us,” she said. “It will hopefully give back to our business for several years and generate tax revenue for the city and county and hopefully more visitors to the area.”
“We can only hope campers will stay here, buy their grocery goods here, and eat at our local Chicken Shak while in town, and for the hunters they can easily get their deer processed a block away at the Bronson Locker! It’s a win for all of us in my opinion.”
“We have a great little community that has good-hearted people,” she said. “Those people have friends and family that often visit the area for hunting, fishing, ATV or rock climbing, and with the new state park announcement in Iola and the construction on Hwy. 7 and of course the Wolfe Creek project, we anticipate the four little spots we have staying full… or at least that’s our hope.”
“We currently have 4 hookups for RV’s,” Kelly said. “Each hook-up has a sewer, water, and electric 30amp/50amp/110v at each site. Wi-Fi within walking distance. Trash pick up. Full grocery, beer, ice, deli, and diner on-site. Pull through parking. We are still in the process of adding the firepits, and picnic tables per site as well. The last portion will be the playground and BBQ Grill area for the campers.”
“We have nightly and monthly rates available,” she said.
The cost is $40 per night, $175 per week, and $475 per month.
“We have an ADA-compliant unisex bathroom inside of our storefront 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday for the visitors to use if needed,” she said. We will eventually have a full coin laundry facility on-site for campers and the community. However, that will be a few years because we simply have a lot on our plate at this time.”
A new sign tells passersby that the new campground has opened in Bronson. Submitted photos.
“We specifically worked with small businesses to build the RV Park to feed back into the local economy using Bandara Stone for our rock; Brandon Krebs with Rocking K Construction for groundwork, Matt Kelly with Kelly Electric for the hookups, Eric Stewart with C&S Contracting for our plumbing, and Adam Arnold and Cory Chandra with Deep Roots Lawn Care for all the final touches.”
To reserve a spot, contact the Kelly’s at: 620.939.4300.
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 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
October 2, 2023 5:30 p.m.
Call Meeting to Order
Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes from 9-25-2023
Approval of Payroll Totaling $416.24
Public Comments
Department Updates
Public Works
County Clerk
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-Real Property Relief Application-202 Holbrook
Susan Walker, CFO
Approval of Open Enrollment Letter
Approval of Disability Insurance-Assurity
Approval of Cancer Insurance-Prosperity
Approval of Northwestern Mutual Life Options
Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(4)
Commission Comments
Adjourn Meeting
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.
