the 11,000th visitor to the Lowell Milken Center in 2018
On Tuesday December 11, 2018, the Lowell Milken Center reached a new milestone, hosting its 11,000th visitor of the year, 2018. Jessica Hightower of La Cygne, Kansas visited the Center this afternoon.
Since it’s inception in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center has hosted visitors from 96 countries and all 50 states. People from as far away as Dubai, Chile, and Laos have visited the Center’s exhibit space to learn about unsung heroes who have changed the course of history.
Unsung heroes are celebrated at the Center through student-based projects that incorporate primary source research and the creative arts. The cornerstone project about Irena Sendler, a woman who saved more than 2,500 children during the Holocaust, and the Kansas students that rescued her story has always been a draw for visitors. Lately, the books of children’s author, Cathy Werling, have been receiving nation-wide praise.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces Mistletoe on Main Street, Downtown & Around will be held this Thursday evening, December 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Retailers in the downtown historic district and other locations throughout town will be decked for the holidays with great gift ideas and will offer refreshments for a fun evening of shopping for gifts and holiday décor.
Store locations will have hidden mistletoe that can be found and returned to the Chamber of Commerce in exchange for $10 in Chamber Bucks, and shoppers will also be able to enter their name in a drawing for a chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks as well. Carolers from Eugene Ware Youth Choir will be stopping around the different retail locations singing holiday songs for everyone to enjoy.
Participating stores include: Bids & Dibs, Books & Grannies, Courtland Hotel and Spa, Empress Event Center Marketplace, Fort Scott National Historic Site Visitor’s Center, Hedgehog.INK, Iron Star Antiques and Such, J&W Sports Shop, Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes, Main Street Gallery & Gifts, Papa Don’s Pizza, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, and Trader Dave’s. The Front Door Christmas Store will be open at 104 N. National Avenue, and everything in the store will be 40% off.
Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information on this event at (620)223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.
Hedgehog.INK, a bookstore at 16 S. Main that opened recently, is having a children’s story time on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Dick Hedges, co-owner of Hedgehog.INK, is the official book labeler, he said.
“Several people said they would like to take their children to the library story time, but work (makes it inconvenient), so we are offering one on Saturdays,” Jan Hedges, one of the owners of the Hedgehog.Ink said.
Following the story time, children will be able to decorate sugar cookies, she said.
“Rob Shaw, from Crooner’s, will be leading the children’s Christmas cookie decorating,” Jan said.
There is a story time each month, always on a Saturday morning, with some type of activity following.
Some of the children’s Christmas books offered at the bookstore.
A little later in the day, an artist will be featured, along with his work.
The store features a local artist each month.
Tony Fornelli, a local woodcarver, will be showing his wares and telling about his work, at 3 p.m. on Dec. 15.
Some of Fornelli’s wood creations.
In addition to the decor, Fornelli also offers carved knives made out of deer antlers.
“He will bring a couple to show, ” she said, “As well as talk about wood carving and how he does it.”
A bio of Tony Fornelli.
In addition to books, the store sells chocolate, lavender products, goat milk products, handmade cards and gift certificates.
Lavender products are produced locally by Betsy and Davin Reichard and sold in Hedgehog.INK.Goat milk products for skin and hair are locally produced by Locust Hill LaMancha Dairy Goats.Locally handcrafted Christmas and other cards by Jean Solomonson.Cards produced by artist Paul Milks.Jan Hedges shows the chocolates produced in Emporia that are for sale at the store.
Currently, the store is having a writing activity. Store goers are encouraged to write about “What I Love About Christmas.”
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Re-Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held at McDonald’s on Friday, December 14th, 2018 at 2224 S. Main Street in Fort Scott.
The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. with remarks and the ribbon cutting ceremony starting at 8:15 a.m. Chamber of Commerce members will be invited to stay for refreshments and two drawings following the ceremony.
Owners Mark and Mo McCoy are re-opening McDonald’s after major refurbishment. With this significant construction investment of the NEW McDonald’s of Fort Scott, the transformed restaurant will feature:
• A modernized dining room with globally and locally inspired décor, new furniture and refreshed exterior designs
• An enhanced customer experience, with digital self-order kiosks that make ordering and paying for a meal easier. The kiosks will empower guests to browse the menu, find options and tailor their meal just the way they want
• A remodeled counter that allows for new table service, offering guests the opportunity to relax while their food is being made
• Bright and easy to read digital menu boards inside and at the drive-thru
• New designated parking spots for curbside pick-up through mobile order and pay
• Expanded McCafé counters and larger display cases
For more information contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566.
Ciao! We are thrilled to announce our 2018 Holiday Trunk Show date for one of our favorite venues: Crooner’s Lounge!
Whether this will be your first time attending one of our treasured shows, or even if you’ve been to many (as many of you have!), please join us! These wildly entertaining events featuring our beautiful and timeless one-of-a-kind jewelry, shoes and accessories are truly an indulgent experience! Besides, selfishly, it allows us to see all of you, our new, inspiring and enduring friends!
6th December 2018:
DelBrenna will be the lucky guests of Terri Floyd & Jared Leek at another favorite and unique venue, Crooner’s, in Ft. Scott, Kansas. A particularly special place, as it’s Megan’s hometown!
Finally, we are still putting the final touches on our 2019 Trunk Show schedule, if we haven’t connected with you yet and you’d like to see us, please drop us a line. Heck, drop us a line anyway!
From left to right: Hugo Dahlstrom, Occupational Therapist; David Shank, Physical Therapist; Denny Gillard, Physical Therapist. Not pictured: Janet Smith, Physical Therapist, and Sarah Moore, Office Assistant.
Mercy Therapy Services will get a new name Dec. 31, 2018, when Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closes.
“I Am Rehab LLC is the official name of our business,” Hugo Dahlstrom, occupational therapist, said. “I Am Rehab & Fitness will be on our logo and signage. It is comprised of David Shank, Denny Gillard, and I.”
“We have not signed a lease agreement yet so we do not have an official start date, but we plan to be open immediately after Mercy closes on January 1,” Dahlstrom said.
“We will continue to provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, fitness center memberships, personal training, and pre-work screens,” he said.
The fitness center will still be available to the community.
“We will offer memberships at the same rates as Health For Life,” Dahlstrom said.
A sample of items that will be sold at Christmas At The Empress.
A group of local craftsmen/women will be downtown during Fort Scott’s Christmas Parade on Dec. 4 to sell their wares.
“We were told by multiple people that the Stocking Stuffer had been canceled and that they relied on it for last minute shopping,” Julie Norris, a vendor, said. “Vendors really enjoyed it as well. We had the idea of running something while the parade was downtown so we would have traffic already there for the vendors.”
Christmas candies will be for sale at the event.
The vendors will set up shop at The Empress Event Center, 7 N Main, across the street from Papa Don’s Restaurant.
The parade is at 6 p.m. on December 4. The vendors will be open from 5-8 p.m.
“We have several local vendors that will be present. The list that we currently have confirmed: Nikki Carpenter with Chalk Couture, Hannah Gander with Mama’s Mugs , Dee Regina with Paparazzi Jewelry , Elise Herman with Usborne Books, Julie Norris & Chris Ames with ColorStreet, Amber Kelly with Tupperware, Angela Carpenter with Homemade Holiday Crafts, Alison Milburn with Bows by Ali Rose, Micki Craft with Home Sewn Crafts, Kelly Gander with Kelly’s Creations ,our children-Kallie and Bryton will be selling treats and hot apple cider, Jackie Harvey with Jackie’s Leather Earrings. And Jeff Tinsley will have his homemade pecan and peanut brittles,” she said.
Jewelry will be offered for sale at the event.
“We are hoping to provide a nice variety of shopping for the community with our local vendors in one stop,” Norris said.
“Some items will include handmade Christmas decor, wreaths, reusable chalk decor, tumblers, personalized vinyl, kitchen towels, aprons, security blankets, cosmetic bags, Christmas candies, hair accessories, jewelry, children’s books, affordable manicures, cosmetics, acrylic keychains, and more,” she said.
Linda Wilson began a career in real estate in 2005 when she and her husband, Lafe, returned to Bourbon County after spending 15 years in the rural McPherson, Kansas area.
Last month, Wilson started her own real estate business.
“Paint Creek Realty is broker owned and exclusively run by myself, ” Wilson said. “I started on October 1, 2018. Only a name change as I have been working for sellers and buyers since 2005.”
“Helping Dreams Become Reality has always been my motto and still is today,” she said. “I specialize in agriculture listings, however, I have sold many residential properties in towns and cities within five counties in Southeast Kansas. Born and raised in rural Bourbon County helps me realize how important it is to nurture everything around you.”
“The name I chose for my real estate company business comes from a small creek that runs through our property. My Dad, Keith Daniels, always referred to it as ‘A Little Piece of Paradise.'”
Wilson provides the following: professional client support,
free unlimited marketing, drone aerial photos and views,
exclusive listings.
“None too large or too small,” she said.
Wilson said rural property values have increased in Bourbon County.
“The last couple years have seen rural property values in Bourbon County on an increase,” she said. However, they have seemed to have leveled off a bit, but are steady. Homes with small rural acreages are always in demand, with few to be had. There is an ample home property supply in Fort Scott, a buyers choice.”
Linda Wilson is the owner/broker of Paint Creek Realty.
Linda Wilson can be reached at her cell phone number:
