Category Archives: Business

Chamber Coffee at Sharkey’s Jan. 24

WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
 
Hosted by:

Sharky’s Pub & Grub
 
Location:

16 N. National Ave., Fort Scott
Thursday, January 24, 2019


Click here for Sharky’s Facebook page.


Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
January 31 – Southwind Extension District
February 7 – City State Bank
February 14 – Visage Skin Care
February 21 – Cancer Center of Kansas

Dollar General Will Undergo Big Remodel, Reopen Feb. 14

Dollar General, at 2001 S. Main in Fort Scott, will be closing at 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 10 for an interior remodel of the store.

“We will be closed from Monday through Wednesday, then reopen on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 8 a.m.,” LaDonna Sandstoe, the store manager said.

The remodel will expand the freezers and coolers, and add new cash registers and new items, she said.

“It’s a good time with Price Chopper (grocery store) closing,” Sandstsoe said. “The whole back wall will be freezers and coolers. That is expanding. The store will be able to hold more perishables.”

The freezer and cooler section will be expanded in the upcoming Dollar General remodel.

In an effort to reduce inventory, since January 13, the store has been having a clearance sale, she said.

“We are having 50 percent off on all apparel,” Sandstoe said.

Following the remodel, the store will not carry apparel, she noted.

In addition to clothing,  there are 50- percent -off- sales for all kitchen, bath and laundry accessories, ladies wallets, and baby items, she said.

“Currently, there are six employees at the store, and I’m looking to hire a few more,” Sandstoe said.

The stores hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

The phone number is 620-223-4136.

 

Trivia Night at Brewhaus Jan. 26

Trivia Night Fundraiser, hosted by Smallville Crossfit
Join us at Boiler Room Brewhaus for a night of Trivia Fun!!
Join Smallville Crossfit this Saturday, Jan. 26th at 6 pm at the Boiler Room Brewhaus,
10 S. National Ave. in Fort Scott.
We are raising money for our “Dancing With Our Stars 2019” charity performance. Our charity is Fort Scott High School Clothes Closet and Food Pantry.
If you’re a fan of “FRIENDS” or “THE OFFICE”, then this night is for you. Get your team of
4-6 people together ($50/per team at the door) for a night of trivia fun. Even if you aren’t a trivia buff, you can still have some fun, and donate to our cause! You can bring your own snacks or order in to be delivered to the brewhaus. Family environment, kids welcome. Must be 21 to drink.
Contact Lindsay Watts at 620-719-9602 for more info.

Stutesman’s Realty presents Five Open Homes for Viewing Jan. 26

Winter Blast Tour 2019
Stutesman’s Realty presents 5 Open Homesfor Viewing
Stutesman’s Action Realty presents:
Winter Blast Tour, Saturday, January 26th from 12:30pm – 2:30pm:
Please stop by these 5 beautiful homes and enjoy refreshments as you tour these homes and bring an item to donate for the Fort Scott High School Clothes Closet and Pantry.
Open Home Addresses:
  • 1005 S. Burke
  • 11 Golfview
  • 1315 Marblecrest Dr.
  • 502 Fairway
  • 863 195th St.
For more information, contact Stutesman’s Action Realty at (833) 286-8400 or visit their website by clicking here.

Young Adult Fantasy Author to Speak at FSHS and Hedgehog.INK

ELANA MUGDAN, FIVE-STAR INDIE AUTHOR, TO APPEAR AT

FORT SCOTT’S NEW BOOKSTORE, HEDGEHOG.INK

~ BOOK SIGNING and AUTHOR TALK ~

ELANA A. MUGDAN’s debut novel, DRAGON SPEAKER, was released in North America on October 15, 2018.

At 4:00 PM on Friday, January 25, 2019 Ms. Mugdan will appear at Fort Scott’s new bookstore, Hedgehog.INK, at 16 S. Main Street. She will be hosting an Author Talk with a Q&A session, and signing copies of her book.

Dragon Speaker is the first in a cycle of five novels in Mugdan’s Shadow War Saga. The series is in the popular Young Adult Fantasy genre. After having been published in 2016 by Pen Works Media in England, the book was accepted as an outstanding independent work by DartFrog Books, a leading sponsor of indie authors and booksellers.

Dragon Speaker is one of a select group of novels placed in 50 brick-and-mortar stores across the nation that have partnered with DartFrog Books to showcase and promote exceptional talent. Chanticleer Book Reviews raves: “High fantasy that hits all the marks … fantasy — adventure — coming of age. It’s all here in Elana Mugdan’s Dragon Speaker!” Reader’s Favorite adds: “A fresh premise to the classic dragon theme.”

Everyone knows this story: an unlikely young hero is chosen by divine providence to save the world from a terrible evil. Except Keriya Nameless is crippled, without the power to wield magic in a world where everyone else can. The god who chose her is a mysterious dragon with a knack for exploiting loopholes in the rules of the Allentrian universe. Oh — and that terrible evil the world needs to be saved from? Maybe it’s not quite as evil as everyone says.

Mugdan is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter. In 2010 she wrote, directed, and produced her first professional feature-length film, Director’s Cut. It was an official selection at fourteen film festivals in the U.S. and abroad, earning widespread acclaim and winning major awards at four of them, including the Indie Spirit Special Recognition Award at the prestigious Boston International Film Festival in April, 2011. The picture received distribution by Digital Magic Entertainment in 2012 under the title Let’s Make a Movie.

Mugdan is a New York City native who lives a quiet but eccentric life with her pet snake, Medusa. She brings an authentic air to her book signing events and readings by appearing in full Allentrian costume, and encourages attendees to come dressed in their own favorite costumes as well.

Earlier the same day, Mugdan will be speaking to students at Fort Scott High School. She will talk about writing as a career, and discussing today’s publishing industry. She will describe the challenges and rewards of a creative life.

Health Department to Move

This building. at 6th and Horton, will be the new site of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department.

The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department, with a location currently behind the Bourbon County Courthouse, is moving.

More privacy for clients and more room for future health care collaborations are the reasons for the move said Bourbon County Commissioner Jeff Fischer, who is also a member of the SEKMCHD board.

The site chosen is the former Mercy Hospital facility at 6th and Horton.

“We needed more space to provide more services,” Fischer said.

“SEKMCHD began looking at updating their current facility that is a modular office building on the courthouse square two years ago,” said  Fischer. “SEKMCHD considered the Bourbon County Court Annex, the decommissioned jail and other properties on the market two years ago. Late this summer the Cornerstone Bible Church offered their building to SEKMCHD which was purchased in December 2018.”

The SEKMCHD received a building permit on Jan. 17. They will meet as a board on Jan. 22 for further discussions of the project.

“We are aiming for an April 1 date to move,” Fischer said.

“Moving into a structure that is more than twice the size of their existing facility presents some interesting opportunities,” Fischer said. “There are ongoing discussions on how to leverage this space to improve access to healthcare and – or provide other services that complement the mission of county health departments. This may include leveraging the Craw-Kan Fiber Optic Network and support Tele-health studios available to the public.”

“At this point, a building permit has been granted to modify the western side of the building, replacing interior walls and providing the ability to secure the SEKMCHD space from the commons areas that include the waiting room and reception area,” Fischer said. “There are no definite plans on how to best utilize the eastern half.”

“The project consists of replacing and installing approximately 120 linear foot of insulated 2X4 framed walls on a structure that was built by Mercy in 1992 to provide health care services,” Fischer explained. “In addition, the installation of nine doors to create three new office spaces and two examination rooms. The framed walls shall be covered with approximately 240 ft., 50 boards of half-inch sheetrock.”

“The plumbing portion involves replacing sinks and moving an existing sink to facilitate access to the restroom from one of the exam rooms,” he said. “The plumber will also extend a gas line to the vicinity of the generator set placed outside adjacent to the electrical service entry.”

“The electrical portion involves installing wiring for outlets, switches, dedicated circuits for critical equipment,” Fischer said.  “In addition, it involves the installation of communication wiring. The installation of a generator set and appropriate automatic transfer switches will also be furnished.”

The Bourbon County Health Department provides adult and childhood immunizations and physicals, pap exams, birth control, blood lead screening, hemoglobin and blood sugar screening, hearing screening, blood pressure checks, STD screening and treatment, disease investigations, emergency preparedness,  and labs such as CBC, Chem Panel, TSH.
“The costs depends on which service they choose, but we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Kancare Insurance associated with Medicaid- Amerigroup, Etna, and United Healthcare,” said Alice Maffett, the nurse at the SEKMCHD in Bourbon County.

 For more information, contact Alice Maffett, Nurse, Bourbon County,620-223-4464 , or Jeff Fischer, board member, 620.223.6633 or Chardel Hastings, Director SEKMCHD 411 North Washington ~ Iola, 620-365-2191.

Nominate Exporter of the Year

Nominations for Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award: Deadline January 25

 

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce is still accepting nominations for the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award through the 25th of January.

 

Kansas businesses are a global force, with goods and services being sought from Kansas internationally.  The annual Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award proudly celebrates the outstanding Kansas companies that excel in exporting and building relationships with companies around the world. We encourage you to nominate a successful Kansas business for the year 2019’s awards program.

 

Qualifications considered include:

Number and/or percentage increase in jobs due to international activities

Innovations in global marketing

Number of export destinations

Effective use of international distributors

Long-term international strategies and prospects for future growth

Commitment to the state and local community

Foreign language promotional material and general promotional activities

Trade shows and/or international expositions

 

 

Benefits of this award include:

All finalists will be invited to attend the Team Kansas Awards Banquet where top businesses from across the state are recognized and the award-winning company will receive the trophy

The Governor will make a site visit to the award-winning company to honor its management and workforce team

The award-winning company will receive a membership in Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council (KITCC) that selects the award finalists and winner

Recognition of export achievement which can be incorporated into marketing/advertising campaigns

Extended networking opportunities

 

The Nomination Process:

Any Kansas company engaged in exporting is eligible to be nominated for the 2019 Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award. Please visit http://kansascommerce.gov/GovernorsExporteroftheYear to nominate a business. Self-nomination is also welcomed. All nominations must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 25, 2019.

 

Nominations can be emailed to April Chiang at [email protected]

 

Nominations can also be mailed or faxed to:

Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council

c/o Kansas Department of Commerce, April Chiang

1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 100

Topeka, KS 66612-1354

Tel:  (785) 296-5473

Fax: (785) 296-3490

 

Information on Kansas Exporting:

Kansas exports totaled $11.25 billion in 2017. Compared with last year’s data, exports increased by $1.07 billion, representing a 10.5 percent surge. A similar trend can be observed on the national level where U.S. exports experienced a 6.6 percent growth.

 

 

Ryan Brinker

Public Information Officer

[email protected]

 

Kansas Department of Commerce

1000 SW Jackson St. Ste. 100

Topeka, KS 66612-1354

Phone: 785-296-4931

Cell: 785-276-9723

Softball Clinic Offered Jan. 26-27

Softball Clinic

January 26th 11 am to 7 pm

January 27th from 1 pm to 6 pm

$45 – 1 hour of one-on-one instruction in your choice of hitting, slapping, or defense

The instructor is Katy Taylor, assistant softball coach at Fort Scott Community College. Katy played at Labette Community College, University of Iowa, and Rogers State and has also coached competitive youth softball teams.

Call (620) 223-1803 or send a Facebook message to Momentum Indoor Training to schedule your 1-hour session.

 

Momentum Indoor Training will be hosting a 1-on-1 Youth Softball Skills Clinic on January 26 from 11 am to 7 pm and January 27 from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Participants will be able to schedule an hour of training with instructor Katy Taylor.

A native of Owasso, Okla, Taylor is coming off her senior season at Rogers State University. She played one season for the Hillcats, appearing in all 59 games as a middle infielder. In 2018 she helped guide the Hillcats to a Heartland Conference Tournament championship and a berth into the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Rogers State finished the campaign 39-20. Prior to Rogers State, Taylor spent two seasons with the University of Iowa in the Big Ten. As a Hawkeye, Taylor appeared in 82 games from 2016-17. 

 Taylor started her career at Labette Community College in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference in 2015. As a shortstop, she garnered, KJCCC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-KJCCC, First Team All-Region VI and First Team NJCAA All-American honors in her lone season in Parsons. Taylor also broke the NJCAA single-season record for stolen bases (89). Labette finished the season with a fifth-place finish at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament that spring after winning a Region VI title and finishing second in the KJCCC regular season standings.

During their 1-on-1 training slot, the individual may choose to work on hitting, slapping, or defensive positions.

This clinic is open to any youth or high school softball players.

The cost is $45 per hour. To schedule your 1-on-1 training time call (620) 223-1803 or send a Facebook message to Momentum Indoor Training,located in back of Tractor Supply Store on South Main..


Al Letner: Featured Artist Jan. 19 at Hedgehog.Ink

January featured artist

Al Letner, pottery

Presentation:

January 19, 3:00 p.m.

Al Letner’s artwork is on display at Hedgehog.INK! during the month of January. He will give a presentation, open to the public, on January 19 at 3:00 p.m. During this time, he will share about his artwork and the techniques he uses.

As an artist I find most of my inspiration in the natural world. I have always thought of myself as an organic artist, utilizing natural color and pattern in my abstract work.”

Baton Is Passed at Union State Bank

Kenny Holt is retiring as President and CEO of Union State Bank, after 25 years.

Bryan Holt became the president and Chief Executive Officer of Union State Bank on Jan. 1, 2019.

“I’ll be the fifth generation of the Holt family to hold this position,” Bryan Holt said.  “It is a great honor for me.”

Union State Bank has been family-owned and operated since 1901.

“My great-grandfather, L.E. “Emett” Holt began, then grand-dad Curtis Holt, then my dad, Kent Holt,” Kenny Holt said.

Kenny Holt held the president and CEO position from 1993 to December 31, 2018.

“We (he and his wife, Nancy) are slowing down and doing things we want to do,” Kenny Holt said.

Kenny will work in the transition period to mentor Bryan and Chad Holt, his younger son, who will be taking over some duties as well, he said.

Bryan Holt has been preparing for leadership through education and career experience.

He has an associates degree from Fort Scott Community College and a Bachelors in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Pittsburg State University Additionally, he completed the Graduate School of Banking in 2012.

“I have worked at the (Union State) bank twice now,” Bryan Holt said. “Part-time as a teller from 1990 – 1993.  I returned to the bank in 2005 as the Business Development Officer and Information Security Officer, moving from McKinney, Texas. In a bank our size, all of the officers have been exposed to all parts of the business and that’s true of me.”

“My duties will be evolving to include overseeing overall operations of the bank, including strategic direction,” he said.  “Of course, I’ll still be working in lending and business development, but learning this new role will become a large part of my daily activities.”

Technology has been changed the culture in America and the world, and the banking sector is no different.

“The rapid advance of technology will continue to disrupt the traditional banking model,” Bryan Holt said.  “Our customers will rely less and less on coming into the branch, preferring to do business via mobile methods.  We are working to balance the personalized service that we’ve been providing for nearly 120 years with the convenience of banking from your mobile device.”

“Technology has allowed us to do a lot of things,” Kenny Holt said.

A negative change in banking in the last 25 years is the “regulatory burden put on us,” Kenny Holt said. “The regulation doesn’t apply to us (small banks), but we still have to abide.”

USB  stated purpose is to provide affordable, high-quality financial products and services that enhance the customers’ financial well-being and strengthen the communities they serve.  The mission is to be the bank of choice in the communities served.

Union State Bank has two locations: on the  Uniontown square and can be reached at 620-756-4305 and Fort Scott at 1009 S. Clark, 620-223-0066.

 

Chamber Coffee Jan. 17 at Fort Scott High School

WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
 
Hosted by:

USD 234
 
Location:

Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main St.
Thursday, January 17, 2019


Click here for USD 234’s website.


Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
January 24 – Sharky’s Pub & Grub
January 31 – Southwind Extension District
February 7 – City State Bank
February 14 – Visage Skin Care