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Category Archives: Business
Stutesman’s Realty presents Five Open Homes for Viewing Jan. 26
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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
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
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..
Fort Scott Weekend Events Jan. 18-20
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
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
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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
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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
New Owners of Public Transportation
Old Fort Transportation, LLC, owned by Jacqueline and James Sellers, took over public transportation from Pitt-Taxi on Jan. 1, 2019.
Sellers is no stranger to public transportation in Fort Scott.
“In 2003, I started working as the coordinator for Bourbon County Senior Citizen,” Sellers said. “One of my responsibilities was to work with transportation, so I did some of the dispatching and the driving.”
Through the years, Sellers got to know those that used the service.
“Little did I know how much happiness and sorrow was to come,” she said.” I got to meet many of my fellow citizens, and as I grew to know them, I celebrated with them and I have mourned with them. I have taken some to job interviews and then taken them to work. Then had to say ‘see you later’ as they bought their car and were able to drive themselves to work.”
During that period of time public transportation was providing over a thousand rides a month, she said.
“Then in 2014, SEK-CAP (South East Kansas-Community Action Program) took over transportation,” Sellers said. “It was with a heavy heart I watched as many of my transportation family were suffering from the 24-hour notice (SEK-CAP requirement) for transportation and the ridership dwindled. Bourbon County Senior Citizens, then took an active look at better transportation for the city. Pitt-Taxi took over in 2016, and I was asked once again to manage transportation. I have been able to watch transportation grow again.”
In late 2018, the owners of Pitt-Taxi made a decision to retire.
“When the owners of Pitt-Taxi decided to retire, I had to make a decision, and with the support of my husband, James, we decided to take over the transportation here in Fort Scott,” Sellers said. “Thanks to the help of Bourbon County Senior Citizens and the support of the City (of Fort Scott), Old Fort Transportation will continue to provide the needed transportation for our hometown families.”
The business primarily provides transportation in Fort Scott, and when possible, the surrounding areas, she said.
Old Fort Transportation LLC is located at 26 N. Main, in the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center.
“You can’t miss the vehicles (two vans) parked on Old Fort Blvd., she said.
The phone number is still the same (620)249-1440.
Regular hours of operation are Mon. through Sat. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The full cost of a ride is $6.
“There is a discounted rate of $4 for senior citizens and those who have a commodity card or a Beacon card,” she said.
The public transportation business provides an average of 900 rides a month.
Sellers compiled a list of where she takes passengers:
Shopping – G &W Grocery Store, Walmart, Dollar General, Tractor Supply, Price Chopper Grocery Store, and downtown shops.
Medical appointments – Mercy, Urgent Care, Dr. Kellenburger, Baker Clinic, eye doctors, dentists, WIC, Mental Health clinic, and I Am Rehab.
Work – restaurants and fast food places, Walmart, G and W, Price Chopper, Extrusions, Peerless, Timken, First Source, Valu Merchandise, Nursing homes, and individual homes.
Other- banks, post office, library, Fort Scott Community College, Bourbon County Court House, jail, Fort Scott City Hall, cable office, bill pay centers, automotive repair, nursing home to visit, restaurants and fast food places to eat.
Paws and Claws Needs New Facility
The local animal shelter is seeking a new facility and selling the old one located southeast of Fort Scott.
The following is an interview with Treasurer Kathy Dancer and Corresponding Secretary Kate Sweetser, two members of the board of directors of Lee’s Paw and Claws Animal Shelter:
Why the move?
“The current shelter, which was built and then expanded thanks to a generous gift from Lee Weast, is fantastic but has presented two challenges.
One is that fundraising has not provided the income required to run a 4,000 square foot facility.
The other is that the location on a gravel road seven miles from town has made it harder to attract both volunteers and potential adopters.”
“Lee’s Paws and Claws Animal Shelter is owned and operated by the Shirley Yeager Animal Friends Foundation. The foundation’s board of directors has made the decision to transition to a more sustainable business model.”
“Part of this transition involves rightsizing to a smaller, more affordable facility located in the city. Our organization relies on adopters, volunteers, and donors. Being located in Fort Scott will help meet the needs of the humans involved. ”
“Another key part of the transition to a sustainable business model is the implementation of a foster care program for dogs. Dogs who have been in foster care are better socialized and therefore more easily adopted.
Our goal is to have a smaller facility that will serve as a cat shelter, an office, and an intake and adoption area.”
Who made the decision?
“The time and expense associated with maintaining our current facility has been an issue for several years. The current executive board has been exploring options for about a year now. The first decision to offer the current facility for sale was made a few months ago and the board agreed unanimously to sell the current building and acreage.
The second decision was to transition to a foster model and relocate closer to town while the current facility is on the market. Some board members wanted to stay at our current location until it sells and others wanted to transition as soon as possible. The decision was a difficult one and involved lengthy discussions and number-crunching, but in November of 2018, the board voted to begin the downsizing process and transition to a foster program in early 2019.”
“The current executive board consists of Randy Shannon, chair; Matt Messer, vice-chair; Kathy Dancer, treasurer; Rhonda Dunn, recording secretary; and Kate Emmett-Sweetser, corresponding secretary. The general board of directors includes the executive board members as well as Marianne Crane, Barb Ritter, and Rob Shaw. Ann Gillmore-Hoffman is board member emeritus.”
Where is the current facility located?
“We are currently located at 721 240thStreet, between Fort Scott and Garland. The 4,000 square foot facility (which is for sale) is situated on 19.8 acres which includes a pond and a tornado shelter. “
What are you looking for in town?
“We are looking for 1000-1500 square feet which could house an office, intake room, adoption area, and a few cat suites. We want a location which is affordable to maintain and easy for volunteers and potential adopters to access. We have a few potential rental and purchase options which we will discuss at our next executive board session.”
Tell about the animal foster program.
“Our goal is to develop a network of foster homes for dogs waiting for adoption. A foster home is a better temporary situation for dogs than a shelter because the animals live in a home where they receive more attention and are socialized with family members, both humans and other pets.
The state requires that we inspect and license all animal foster homes, so the process can take several weeks. Once a foster home is approved, they are licensed for a year. When placing a dog in foster care, our organization will have the dog spayed or neutered and vaccinated. The foster family will provide for the daily needs of the dog and coordinate with shelter personnel to give potential adopters opportunities to meet the foster dog. We plan to host adoption events on a regular basis at our new location. Foster applications are available on our website at www.LeesPawsAndClawsShelter.org/fostering.html.”