
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.
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Minority and Women Business Development is accepting nominations for Kansas minority and/or women-owned businesses, advocates, young entrepreneurs, and corporations. These nominations celebrate National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, October 14-20, 2018. Nominees and winners will be recognized at the annual Kansas Minority and Women Business Awards Luncheon to be held on October 11, 2018, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka.
“Minority and women-owned businesses are essential drivers of our Kansas economy, and this special awards ceremony will honor the tremendous accomplishments of these amazing entrepreneurs in our state,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce.
The deadline to nominate a business or individual is June 15, 2018. Online nomination forms can be accessed at KansasCommerce.gov/MEDweek.
Kansas Women-Owned Businesses
Kansas Minority-Owned Businesses
Minority Business Advocate
Women Business Advocate
Young Entrepreneur
Corporation of the Year
About the Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Minority and Women Business Development
The Office of Minority and Women Business Development provides assistance in business management, identifying resources for financing and establishing contacts in the public and private sectors. The office is responsible for certifying minority- and women-owned businesses as small disadvantaged businesses for procurement and subcontracting opportunities.
For more information: http://www.kansascommerce.gov/322/MED-Week-Awards
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce has selected Mercy Health For Life business pick of the week.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MERCY HEALTH FOR LIFE FOR BEING THE PICK OF THE WEEK!!!
Mercy Health For Life is located at 405 Woodland Hills Blvd. in Fort Scott. They provide many opportunities to help you perform your very best! Come check out this wonderful business and thank you for 20 years of health and fitness services you have provided for this town.


Boiler Room Brewhaus is expanding. The microbrewery is moving from 102 S. National Avenue to 10 S. National Avenue, the historic Downtowner Hotel.
“We ran out of space,” Ritter said. “Bryan (her husband and the brewer for the business)…didn’t have enough space. (He) couldn’t make it in advance to not run out.”

There are additional advantages to the location at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street, “Two of the busiest streets in Fort Scott,” she said.
“It’s all on one level, more patrons will have easier access, it has handicapped accessible restrooms, visibility is pretty significant and there is a lot more room for cold storage, like a bigger refrigerator. We will now have a refrigerated room to put kegs in…trucks can come up to deliver grain, and more storage,” Ritter said.


“We’ll be able to make more of our own stuff,” she said. “We’ll have the ability to serve from four more taps. Although, it will take us a while to catch up, because of the move.”
Future plans also include an outside patio area for customers, under the carport on the south portion of the building.

The Ritters, she and her sister-in-law Peggy Ritters are the owners, will have a “soft” opening at the new location Friday, June 1 at 4 p.m. “to celebrate with people and say thanks for all your help and support,” she said.
Ritter also wanted to thank Bobby and Denise Duncan for letting them start their business in their building, Ritter said.
Josh Jones, the owner of the Downtowner building has been repairing and updating the new site for them.
“He’s done all the painting, replaced glass, changed locks, plumbing and took up all the carpet and sanded the floor,” Ritter said.

Saturday, June 2 is the public ribbon cutting at 1:45 p.m. just before they open at 2.
Hours for the microbrewery remain Thursday-Friday from 4-10 p.m.
Saturdays from 2 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m.
Contact them at 620-644-5032.

The Ritters lobbied for a change in local law, so they won’t have to have 30 percent of their profit in food sales at the microbrewery.

As of January 2017, 66 counties (shaded in medium pink above) in Kansas require there be 30 percent of profits in food sales on the premises to be able to sell liquor, 33 (light pink) counties don’t have that requirement and six counties (dark pink) are “dry” counties, and have no liquor by the drink.
Currently, Bourbon County requires 30 percent food sales in a business that sells liquor.
“It has been approved to put it on the November 2018 ballot to say you do not need to have 30 percent food sales to sell alcohol,” Ritter said.

Fort Scott Pharmacy, located in the northeast corner of Price Chopper Grocery Store at 2322 S. Main, Suite B, is open for business as of today, May 29. The phone number is 620-644-9444.
Hours of the pharmacy: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed on Sunday.

Julie Pellett, one of two pharmacists, worked as the inpatient pharmacist for Mercy Hospital for 16 years.
Taylor Cation, a 2012 graduate of Fort Scott High School and most recently from Kansas University with a degree in pharmacy in 2018, is the second pharmacist.
“Taylor shadowed us at Mercy,” Pellet said. “She was one of my favorite students to do that.”
“I’ll do my boards this summer, by the middle of July I’ll know my results,” Cation said.
Ashley Shelton is the pharmacy technician, with eight years experience working for the former Woods Supermarket pharmacy as a technician.
The pharmacy is located inside the grocery store and has a drive-through window on the north.

“We offer personalized care, more flexibility, competitive pricing and friendly service,” Pellet said.
“We offer compounding more than other chain stores,” she said.
Other services:

“Stop by to input new patient information, transfer prescriptions or just meet the staff,” Pellett said.
The pharmacy doesn’t sell over the counter medicines, but can assist and advise the public on purchasing the right product, she said.
“However we don’t sell them through the pharmacy,” Pellett said.
The Iola Pharmacy Group is the owner of the pharmacy.
“They’ve been a retail pharmacy for over 40 years,” she said. “We are the only independent pharmacy in Bourbon County.”
The pharmacy has a lease agreement with Price Chopper, she said.
“We are excited to launch our business, “Pellett said. “We’ll be in the Good Ol’Days parade (to let people know they are in business).
Mercy Hospice Recognizes Army Veteran Charles Warren Ringey
PARKER, Kan. (May 16, 2018) – At only 17, young Chuck joined the Army with two friends and headed off to Vietnam. “The Army helped me grow up,” Ringey said. “I came back more mature.”
US Army Sergeant E5 Charles Warren Ringey served one tour of active duty during the Vietnam War from April 1967 to April 1968. He was so young his parents had to give permission for him to enlist.
Ringey came from military roots. His father, uncles, and brother-in-laws all served our country. He completed boot camp at Fort Ord, California, and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He also had special training through the tank core. He chose the tank core because “a tank had a bit more protection around it than a shirt.”
During the Vietnam War, Ringey drove an Armored Personnel Carrier that carried troops going into combat from Pleiku in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. His team included three soldiers – the Tank Commander, the Gunner, and the driver. In case the need arose, Ringey was cross trained to perform all three positions.
Ringey describes his tank as “solid aluminum…five inches of solid aluminum.” He could see out 360 degrees with a swivel chair and periscopes inside the tank. If he wanted some fresh air or a better view, he could open the hatch and stick his head out as long as he watched out for snipers.
Ringey earned the Purple Heart Medal when his tank ran over a land mine in the road. “It just went kablooey,” he explained. The explosion left a 100-foot crater in the ground where the tank hit. Ringey needed 15 stitches in the back of the head, x-rays, and a sling for his shoulder. His two other team members survived with injuries and earned the Purple Heart Medal as well.
After his injury, Sergeant Ringey spent two days in camp then served on light guard duty for a week or two to recover. “It was the middle of the war. They needed you.”
Ringey remembers his time on guard duty as dangerous. “We never knew when the adversary was coming.” He recalls one person was killed on guard duty while he was there. “You had to watch what you were doing,” he said. He also performed road security to check for land mines, kept his tank in working order with the help of the maintenance crew, and played cards in his down time.
Ringey describes where he was stationed in Vietnam as “beautiful country, beautiful things over there, jungles, mountains – and I got to see it all!” The climate was humid with lots of moisture and monsoons. “It could rain for ten days straight, then you’d get ten days of heat.” He also remembers dust, three foot ruts in the road, and lots and lots of mud. All of this made driving his tank challenging at times.
Back in the states, Ringey served at Fort Carson, Colorado, for 18 months. In his role, he tracked troop movements in Vietnam using radar equipment.
Ringey reflects on his Army experience as “more influential than harmful, enlightening, and meaningful.”
After Ringey was honorably discharged in 1968, he returned home to California. He attended aircraft mechanic school on the GI Bill, and he spent the rest of his working life as an auto mechanic. Originally born in Paola, he returned to his Kansas roots a few years ago to care for his parents. He and his wife Donna are residents of Parker.
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Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, homecare and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
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Fort Scott Area Chamber presents
A Passion for Service Seminar
Tuesday, May 22nd
Choose from 2 sessions: 8:30-11:30am or 1-4pm
Empress Event Center, Downtown Fort Scott
Click here for printable registration form.
Or, click here to register online.
Discount if you register 5 or more people from your
business or organization! Bill Drury began his speaking career with the Zig Ziglar Corporation, has received rave reviews from over 400 of the Fortune 500 companies and thousands of small businesses, and has delivered over 2,000 keynotes, workshops and presentations! He is noted for his humorous and enthusiastic presentations and believes learning must be fun to be productive. Take advantage of this great opportunity brought to you by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
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SUBJECT MATTER TO BE COVERED:
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ABOUT BILL DRURY:
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REGISTRATION FORM:
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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!”
“Our inaugural festival in 2016 was held mostly in a couple of locations,” Jared Witt, spokesman for the group said. “This year we have expanded our offerings and events and so have utilized multiple spaces in the downtown area. The festival schedule lists where each event will be held.”
Schedule of Events
Friday
2-4pm Art of Brewing, Tour and Tasting of Beer Flight $10 per person (must be over 21, ID required), non-alcoholic
tour & tasting $5 per person.
3-4: 30 pm Trolley Tour of Public Art in Fort Scott ($8pp), leaves from the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St. – limited to 22 people.
7 pm Improv Comedy at Common Ground Coffee Co. 116 S. Main, $5 suggested donation. Join for a night of laughs as the Fort Scott High School Thespian Improv Troupe performs comedy sketches created on the spot using audience suggestions.
Saturday
9-10: 30 am Trolley Tour of Public Art in Fort Scott, $8pp, leaves from the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St. – limited to 22 people.
9-11am Mimosas and Painting Workshop with Brittany Morris, Boiler Room Brewhaus, 102 S. National Ave. -south back entrance, $30pp, includes one beverage – limited to 25 people south back entrance, $30pp, includes one beverage – limited to 25 people.
9 am Enameling w/Kris Bohanon, First Presbyterian Church Zimmerman Hall, 308 S. Crawford$, 25pp – limited to 10 people.
9-10: 30 am Comedy Improv – Improvised Theatre Techniques And Games – FSHS Thespians and Director Angie Bin
will provide a 1.5-hour class. Have fun getting an introduction to creating comedic theatre on the fly! No experience necessary, Sleep Inn Conference Room. This is FREE but donations are welcome to FSHS Thespians.
9-10: 30 am “Art as a Business” by Marc Willson, Empress Event Center, FREE.

9 am Block Printing workshop with Ripp Harrison, Papa Don’s Celebration Room, 10 N. Main St., $15pp -limited to 15 people
9:30 am Art Workshops for Young People Ages 6-11, FS Public Library. Oogly Monsters with Clay with Myrna Minnis: unique and personalized clay creatures,$5pp – limited to20 people
10 am Scratchboard with Chris Woods, Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main St., $25pp – limited to 15 people
10 am Literary Workshop: Writing and Publishing Children’s Literature with Lori Baker Martin, Common
Ground Coffee Co., FREE
10:30 am Art Workshops for Young People Ages 12-18, FS Public Library
Oogly Monsters with Clay with Myrna Minnis: unique & personalized clay creatures, $5pp – limited to 20 people
11 am Block Printing workshop with Ripp Harrison, Papa Don’s Celebration Room, 10 N. Main St., $15pp -limited to 15 people
11:30 am Literary Workshop: Writing for Tabletop RPG’s (Role Playing Games) with Bartholomew Kick, Common Ground Coffee Co., FREE
12:30 am Art Workshops for Young People Ages 6-18, FS Public Library. On the Fence: Stitching with Metals & Fabric w/Allison Dey, $5pp – limited to 20 people
1 pm Enameling with Kris Bohanon, First Presbyterian Church Zimmerman Hall, $25pp – limited to 10 people
1 pm Scratchboard with Chris Woods, Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main St., $25pp – limited to 15 people
1 pm Literary Workshop: Romance Writing as an Exploration of Healthy Relationships with Lynn Caldwell, Common Ground Coffee Co., FREE
2-3:30 pm Comedy Improv – Improvised Theatre Techniques and Games – FSHS Thespians and Director Angie Bin, 1.5-hour class. Have fun getting an introduction to creating comedic theatre on the fly! No experience necessary, Sleep Inn Conference Room. FREE – donations welcome to FSHS Thespians.
2-3: 30 pm “Creative Placemaking: Building the Artist Community in Fort Scott” by Marc Willson, Empress Event Center, FREE
2-4pm Art of Brewing, Tour and Tasting of Beer Flight $10pp (must be over 21, ID required), non-alcoholic tour and tasting $5pp.
6:30-8: 30 pm Festival Finale Event and Fundraiser at Nate’s Place, 750 S. National Ave., $25pp, includes heavy appetizers, dessert, and a liquor cash bar. This event will feature the awards for the Student Art Competition and art for sale by the artists participating in the 2nd Story Festival of Arts & Ideas.
Sunday
2-4 pm Art of Brewing, Tour and Tasting of Beer Flight $10pp (must be over 21, ID required), non-alcoholic tour and tasting $5pp.

The event is being hosted by the Fort Scott Festival of Arts.
Grant funding provided by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
Event Sponsors
Boiler Room Brewhaus | Bourbon County Arts Council | Citizens Bank | City of Fort Scott
Common Ground Coffee Co. | Empress Event Center | First Presbyterian Church | Fort Scott Public Library
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation | Charles and Martha Jane Gentry
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes | Nate’s Place at the Lyons Twin Mansions
Sleep Inn & Suites Hotel | Jeff and Kate Sweetser
Visit the following websites for community information:
Chamber:www.fortscott.com CVB: www.visitfortscott.com City of Fort Scott: www.fscity.org
Questions or need more information, contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or[email protected].