Lavender has been a sensory, culinary and decorative herb for thousands of years.

But for Betsy and Davin Reichard, an idea to grow it spawned approximatley ten years ago when they first visited a lavender farm.

They had purchased a property in 2008.

The Reichard’s talked the idea over with family members, and in 2009 did research on the subject and visited other lavender farms, Betsy said

In 2010 the Reichard’s planted their first plants in the ground, half of which died.

Experimenting they planted 800 plants in 2012, 300 of which were mounded, which is planting the lavender in hills.

“The 300 that were mounded, died,” she said.

In 2013 they planted 1000 plants in a different spot and “they all died,” Reichard said.

The Reichard’s enlisted the help of Kansas State University, who told them this loss was due to weather conditions.

The Tri-Valley Developmental Services Horticulture Therapy Program propagates the lavender for the Reichards.

In 2014 they moved to a different pasture.

“It’s been a heck-of-a-lot more work than we imagined,” she said.

But finally, success in 2014.

That year they started making lavender products: lotions, soaps, bath salts, sachets, and spritzes.

“It takes lavender three years to mature, and it’s very labor intensive,” she said. “It’s a Mediterranean plant.”

“People have said lavender is a natural antiseptic, some say it’s a natural flea and tick repellant,” Reichard said of the products made on the farm.

The Reichards children: Jacob, Andrew, Joseph and wife, Tori, Rebecah and Aaron Houser and Levi, have helped through the years with the farm, as have other family and friends, Betsy said.

“For so many years we’ve had many troubles, so it’s finally good to see results,” Betsy said.

In their other lives, Betsy is a teacher in Nevada, Missouri, and Davin is a comptroller at SEKAN Printing Company, she said.

The Lavender Patch Festival

This Saturday is the first lavender festival that the Reichard’s are hosting at their Lavender Patch Farm at 2376 Locust, just east of Fort Scott.

The Lavender Patch Festival is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $5 admission. Children under five years old are free.

Parking will be at 2396 Locust, with signs to designate.

“Bring a lawn chair and comfortable walking shoes, this is a working farm,” Betsy said.

There will be tours, demonstrations, vendors, games, and live music by Bob (Pavey) Lovett and Red Letter Edition playing throughout the day.

You can pick your own bundle of lavender from several varieties for $5, or purchase a lavender plant for $7.

They have converted their garage into a gift shop and will be selling their lavender products.

Lunch will be sold with some lavender recipes featured.

Martha Scott will demonstrate how to make lavender wands and presentations will be by Reichard on lavender products, how to plant lavender, and how to make lavender wreaths.

Vendors will be Bobbie Kemna, featuring her pottery; Black Dog Farms featuring their honey;   and Jean Strader spinning wool.

Bourbon County Conservation will give a presentation on wildlife pollinators at the festival.

“It will be a relaxing day so come out with family and friends, listen to some wonderful music, enjoy the craftsmanship of our vendors, smell and touch the lavender,” Betsy said.

The Reichard’s can be contacted at 620-223-1364, www.lavenderpatchfarm.com, [email protected] or on Facebook, The Lavender Patch.

June 7 and 8, Bids and Dibs Consignment Store, 19 S. National Avenue is having an all-you-can-cram-into-a-bag-sale for $5.

The hours of the shop are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Julie McClellan joined forces with her son Josh McClellan in 2000 to open a retail shop in Fort Scott.

The shop has moved from 8 N. Main to National Avenue across from the post office then to 24 N. Main. It was at this location they renamed the shop from Spice of Life to Main Street Gallery and Gifts.

“After 10 years at this location, we outgrew the space and bought the old J.C.Penney building at 23 S. Main,” Julie said.

Through the years they added more offerings for their customers.

Today they have gifts, home decor, custom and antique furniture, gluten-free products, a homebrew supply shop, herbs, essential oils and supplements in addition to an upholstery shop, picture frame and mat shop and additionally they rent out space to the Spoiled Brat Salon next door at 19 S. Main.

In the lower level of Main Street Gallery and Gifts is a flea market with many vendors.

“Josh’s wife, Rechelle, and my husband, Gene, and granddaughter Shelby help out in this multifaceted business,” Julie said.

The Good Samaritan Auction and Dinner is today, Wednesday, May 2.

The annual event is to benefit senior citizens who have outlived their resources at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.

Chicken Mary’s dinners are served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. along with homemade desserts and the auction begins at 5:00.

“We started this specific fundraising event in 2003 doing an auction and dinner, however, we have had a Good Samaritan fund ever since the first Presbyterian Manor opened,” Ginger Nance, executive director of the local assisted living facility, said. “Each year our fundraising event gains momentum as people learn more about the mission of our organization and how the funds are used.  Every dollar raised is used to help seniors who have a financial need to pay for the care that they need if they should outlive their resources, through no fault of their own.  All money stays local in Fort Scott.  We have never asked someone to move out due to lack of resources.  This is a commitment we make to people when they move in.”

All money donated to the Good Samaritan program is tax-deductible.

The Presbyterian Village is a not-for-profit, Christian mission organization.

Nance is asking the community to get involved.

“An event of this caliber cannot happen without the help of hundreds of volunteers who donate their time, talents and resources,” Nance said. “Our community understands that a program like this is only sustainable through the commitment of supporters… who reach out to help.  One never knows when it might be them who needs the help in return one day. ”

This year there will be a drawing to win a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Drawing tickets are $5 each or three for $10. One need not be present to enter this drawing.

“The donor of the trip is a local person who has supported the mission of the Village for many years,” Nance said. ” He and many others have seen firsthand the benefits that the Village can provide family members in their time of need.”

The auction, at 5 p.m. May 2, is a large one.

“We have many super great items for the auction,”  Nance said.  ” We have started lining things up but we are a long way from done.”

Pictured are a few of the auction items:

Items are still being accepted for the auction.

“If people have things they are no longer using, or simply don’t need, we’d love to have them donated to the auction,” Nance said. “Sometimes people have a boat just sitting around that they haven’t used, maybe a motorcycle, a vehicle, a piece of furniture, golf cart, tractors, you name it, we can use it!  We can provide a receipt to the donor and it is a tax-deductible contribution for them.  Everyone wins in this situation.  The person who donates their items, the person who buys a nice item they would love to own, and the seniors who benefit from this awesome fund.”

“More than anything, I hope people can understand that each person can make a positive difference in the lives of seniors in need Nance said. ” Every meal sold, every item donated, every ticket purchased, every item bought at the auction, every smile and word of encouragement means the world.  Come out and see what a great time it is!”