Submitted by Lindsay Madison, May 6

Spring of 2014, the City of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and Fort Scott High School formed a Career Exploration Mentor Program with the objective for mentors to serve as a source of knowledge and support in an effort to enhance the student’s opportunity for personal development and workforce exploration and prepare them to be career-ready upon graduation.

Fort Scott businesses have a variety of career opportunities available, and over the past few years have had a limited pool of qualified applicants to fill those positions. After the City and Chamber met with a group of students in the Fall of 2013, it was identified that many students would like to stay in Fort Scott after graduating, but are not fully aware of the employers in Fort Scott, what services and products the businesses produce and how they can make a good living working for those companies.

The Career Exploration Mentor Program was created to benefit students in exploring careers matched to their skills and interests, providing support to create resumes, filling out applications, preparing for interviews and reviewing appropriate questions to ask, learning how to be a successful employee, identifying college programs and scholarships available, or at times simply being a person the student can have for advice on school and life issues.

Mentors are community members that volunteer to be a part of the program and, after passing a background check, are matched with juniors and seniors that are interested in the program and approved through Fort Scott High School teachers Lisa Ward and Jane Campbell.

During the 2015-2016 school year, there were 12 matches of mentors and students who were encouraged to meet twice a month individually, with several group activities also held including a presentation by Colleen Quick, Human Resources Manager for Carlisle Belts by Timken, on interviewing and completing applications, a tour of window manufacturer Peerless Products, and an end-of- year cookout at Gunn Park and presentation of certificates of participation.

Community members and students interested in participating in the program for the 2016-2017 school year may contact Lisa Ward at [email protected] or Jane Campbell at [email protected], or call the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223- 3566.

Participants in the program for 2015/2016 school year included:

Mentors:

Jessica Allison

Holly Baker

Craig Campbell

Jessica Collier

Jessica Cook

Lynette Emmerson

Robert Goltra

Jody Hoener

Jared Leek

Gregg Motley

Lauren Stanley

Kenny Wunderly

Students:

Lorenza Burris

Trevor Davis

Korbyn Gourd

Lexi Kruger

Alexis Loden

Stormy Lowry

Ryan Miller

Kyle Primeaux

Jessica Stedman

Seth Weber

Skylar Winningham

Lindzee Woodall

After years of changes at the Woodland Hills Golf Course, from ownership to appearance, members of the Chamber of Commerce and the community celebrated another accomplishment with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the recently completed clubhouse.

“This is what a community can do when they set their sights to work together to make something nice and better in Fort Scott,” City Manager Dave Martin said of the clubhouse as well as the entire golf course project.

Martin said he first heard suggestions when he entered his position in 2010 that the city should purchase the golf course to keep it from going to waste or getting in worse shape. Others advised the city not get involved, but when no one else stepped up, Martin said the community should raise money if they agreed the city should become the owners. Members of the community responded by raising about $350,000.

Martin and Fort Scott Director of Finance Jon Garrison expressed appreciation to a number of people who played key roles in raising that funding and making the golf course improvements and changes a reality.

With the funding available, the city made the purchase and then a variety of improvements were made as the city worked to improve the appearance of the course as well as its marketing, adding PGA Tour professional Shannon O’Neill as the clubhouse manager in the last month.

“I’m very happy to be here,” O’Neill said, saying he looks forward to adding even more services to the golf course such as through a driving range and giving lessons.

Already, O’Neill said they have started taking steps to create a new scramble league that could meet Tuesday nights starting in May. A scramble event will also be held over the Memorial Day weekend. Over the next couple months, other businesses and organizations in Fort Scott will also hold fundraising tournaments at the course.

“The product is good,” O’Neill said of Woodland Hills. “It’s a good golf course…There’s something worthwhile here to sell.”

The new clubhouse is another accomplishment that adds to that product, as it offers a place even for non-golfers to spend time and purchase drinks. The old clubhouse was demolished in the past month with just rubble remaining.

“Congratulations to the city and the entire community for the wonderful facility,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said. “Get out and enjoy it.”

What was once Vette’s at 605 S. National Ave., has seen changes in recent weeks as Chuck and Connie Harper purchased the business, made changes and have now reopened it for customers as CJ’s Closet.

Connie said her friend and former school mate had owned Vette’s and let her know when they decided to sell the business. Even though Connie had not even considered running her own business, she decided she could not turn down the offer.

“It really wasn’t something I was looking for,” said Connie, who is from Fort Scott and has spent years in nursing as well as with foster care. “We thought it’d be an interesting adventure.”

Unlike Vette’s, CJ’s Closet is a consignment shop as well as a thrift store that will sell men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories and may expand to include some furniture in the future.

“I thought it was a good idea,” Connie said. “Not everybody likes to garage sale.”

CJ’s Closet opened to customers Saturday and Connie said business has already been pretty good since then.

Store hours are Monday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The store will remain closed on Sundays. Donations of clothing are welcomed.

Submitted by Marie Jensen, April 15

On Thursday, April 14, 2016, Fort Scott’s newest assisted living residence, Country Place Senior Living, began construction. Weather permitting, Country Place Senior Living is expected to be complete in late 2016 or early 2017.

Each of the 26 suites in the Country Place Senior Living assisted living residence will be equipped with a fully accessible private bathroom, large sitting and sleeping areas and a hospitality kitchen. In addition to the private living suites, the residence will included a large dining area, indoor and outdoor social areas, a respite care suite, library, commercial kitchen facilities, an interior concrete reinforced storm shelter and countless other amenities.

The general contractor for the project is Loyd Builders, Ottowa, Kan. Loyd Builders has previously partnered with Neighborhood Senior Living, LLC, the developers of Country Place residences, on Country Place Memory Care of Fort Scott, Country Place Senior Living of Chanute and Country Place Memory Care of Chanute.

To learn more about Country Place Memory Care or Country Place Senior Living, please call Marie Jensen, Marketing Coordinator at 913-638-0377, visit us online at www.countryplaceliving.com or on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/countryplacefortscott.

After providing car services from a mobile unit for the past few years, Leroy Walker and others with CarHelp Mobile Mechanic, LLC, celebrated the opening of their new location at 1114 S. Clark Street Saturday with a ribbon-cutting event and open house.

Walker said he first started his business with a pickup and a toolbox, but has since expanded to include two mobile trailer units as well as “The Shop” that opened in the past couple months. And Walker said he did so without credit.

“It’s already booming,” Walker said of their business, which has already begun turning a profit. “Fort Scott has been absolutely wonderful.”

Walker said Fort Scott has already become like a family for him as he provides services to the community through car repair and maintenance, whether at the customers home or at “The Shop,” and even helps inspect used vehicles someone might be considering purchasing.

“We’re so excited,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said before the ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, congratulating Walker. “Thank you for everything you’ve done to be involved n the chamber and the community.”

Saturday’s open house also included lunch provided by 5 Corners, numerous drawing prizes and KOMB radio on site.

Despite changes over the years because of health restraints for the owner as well as a change in location, Sunshine Boutique continues to sell a variety of items and provide a number of services to their visitors.

“This is a family affair,” owner Georgia Brown said during the weekly Chamber Coffee Thursday, explaining she and her granddaughter Kinede Houdashelt run the business. “We’ve always been a family-oriented business.”

The boutique is open limited hours each week because of other employment responsibilities, with the doors open 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, but faithfully provides a wide selection of greeting cards, gift items, therapy products and more than 40 flavors of gourmet coffees as well as about 20 chai tea flavors and a number of dip and soup mixes.

With high school proms and Mother’s Day approaching, Brown also pointed out that the Sunshine Boutique provides tuxedo and suit rentals, fresh and silk floral arrangements and a number of ideal gifts for mothers.

“I think we’ve really got some neat stuff right now,” Brown said, saying she enjoys meeting people at her place of business and finding out what they are interested in.

The boutique, located in the oldest building in downtown Fort Scott, also rents out upstairs apartments, which Brown says are currently filled.

“We’re so lucky to have them,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said of Sunshine Boutique, adding they would like to see more businesses join them in the downtown area.

Other announcements concerning upcoming events in Fort Scott included:

• CarHelp Mobile Mechanic’s ribbon-cutting and grand opening open house will be held Saturday, with the ribbon-cutting at 10:45 a.m. and activities and food to follow, including drawings held throughout the event. The open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1114 S. Clark Street.
• The Good Neighbor Action Team will hold one of their first organizational meetings of the season Tuesday at 5 p.m., at City Hall unless informed otherwise. Anyone interested in becoming involved is encouraged to attend the meeting.
• Mercy Convenient Care will host a DEA drug take-back event Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mercy, in conjunction with the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office and the Fort Scott Police Department, will accept expired prescriptions and other medications and drugs without question to properly dispose of them.
• The Southwind Extension District will host the second annual barbecue 101 workshop April 30, in Iola. The day-long event costs $50 per individual or $80 a couple and includes an apron and cookbook as well as the information on cuts of meat and how to prepare it.
• The Farmer’s Market will kick off the first weekend of May and will include plants as well as food items for sale.
• The Townwide Garage Sale will be held May 13-14. Participants are encouraged to sign up their garage sales.

With just a month before the grand opening of its new building on May 24, work continues to install exhibits and other features at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

Employees of Exhibit Associates, Inc., of Kansas City—which is responsible for exhibits at a number of museums, corporations and trade shows in multiple states—continue to work to install the exhibits at the new center, including interactive exhibits using sound, video and other technology.

“We’re excited about doing it,” Exhibit Associates President Don Jalbert said.

When approached about the project by Lowell Milken Center Director Norm Conard, Jalbert said one of his first responses was to ask why choose Fort Scott as a location. But when he learned more about the center and its beginnings with a project created by local high school students, Jalbert said he was blown away by the concept and eager to participate.

Megan Felt, program director and one of the founders of the original Unsung Hero project, said the center is preparing for not just visitors from the community for the grand opening, but from across the world, with commitments from the Kansas governor, founder Lowell Milken and project creators and subjects from around the nation and even internationally.

During the week of the grand opening, students who participated in Unsung Hero projects, which feature individuals who made a positive and lasting impact but are often unrecognized for their efforts, will give presentations of their projects, created in the form of documentary film, performance or website.

Four subjects of some of those projects will also speak about their experiences and accomplishments that led to their becoming an Unsung Hero at the Lowell Milken Center.

Felt said the team at the center is excited about the completion of the building located across from the original building on Main Street as well as the festivities that will occur during the week of the grand opening.

Anyone interested in attending the festivities occurring Monday and Tuesday, May 23-24, should contact the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes as space is limited. Fort Scott residents should also be aware that portions of the downtown area will be closed off for the events.

During the weekly Chamber Coffee, the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village gave information on their place of residence as well as current and upcoming events being hosted by the assisted living facility.

Executive Director Ginger Nance explained the Presbyterian Village is an independent and assisted living facility that focuses on serving their tenants’ needs and keeping them involved through events in the community as much as they are willing and able.

The facility is three levels and has three apartment sizes with other features including a pond and services such as massage therapy and beauticians.

“Every dollar that is spent here stays here to make this a nice place for our seniors to retire to and to be in the community involved,” Nance said of the Christian-based, not-for-profit organization. “They want to be involved.”

Nance said they are always looking for ways to contribute in the community such as at businesses or organizations who their tenants could volunteer for. They also welcome services from other businesses who could bless the seniors who have greatly influenced the community throughout their lives, but now need assistance.

Currently, the Village is hosting the Art is Ageless Exhibit, including photographs, paintings, quilts, woodwork, pottery, jewelry and other items completed by artists often in their 70s or even late 80s. The exhibit also serves as a contest between the manors, with the winning pieces being featured in next year’s calendar created by the Village.

The exhibit will be available to the public through April 20, with a reception held that final day at 3 p.m.

On May 5, the Village will also host a speaker from Kansas City on the topic of the Holocaust while on May 11, they will hold a fundraising dinner to support the non-profit’s Good Samaritan program, which helps provide for the tenants who might need financial assistance for the care they need. That event will include a Chicken Annie’s dinner, an auction and a 50/50 drawing that will provide half the donations to the winner. Donations to the Good Samaritan program are accepted throughout the year and are tax deductible.

Other upcoming events include:

• Mercy Home Health and Hospice will host the National Healthcare Decision Day Expo at the Ellis Fine Arts center at Fort Scott Community College Friday, 3-6 p.m.
• The Young Professionals League will hold their monthly social at Nate’s Place Friday evening starting at 5:30 p.m.
• Mercy Hospital will host a Legislative Coffee Saturday morning, 9-10:30 a.m., at their café. Four state senators and representatives will be on hand to answer questions and share information.
• Fort Scott National Historic Site will hold their annual, free Civil War Encampment event Saturday and Sunday, featuring a large number of volunteers dressed in period clothing and participating in demonstrations including baking, fashion and weapons firing.
• A blood drive will be held at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene Monday, 1-7 p.m., and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• The Friends of the Fort will hold their annual Friends Fest gala at Liberty Theater Tuesday evening, including dinner and a program featuring President Teddy Roosevelt. Tickets must be purchased in advance and soon.
• On April 23, FSCC will hold a fundraiser dinner, Greyhounds Go Gourmet, on behalf of the football team to raise money for scholarships and other needs. Dinner of steak or chicken will be served by the coaches at Nate’s Place at 5 and 7 p.m., with tickets for the three-course meal costing $30 each. Reservations are requested by Monday.
• Medicalodges is participating in raising funds for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s with a taco salad and dessert fundraiser on Friday, April 23, at $5 a meal.
• Fort Scott’s Townwide Garage Sale will be held May 13-14. Those interested in participating can sign up with the Chamber of Commerce and also place advertisements in the flyers.
• Landmark National Bank locations are accepting canned goods or other non-perishable food items over the next week to donate to the Beacon.
• Starting this week, athletes from the FSCC football team will begin selling posters featuring the team schedule for $10 each.

Numerous Bourbon County residents visited the Arnold Arena Friday and Saturday to attend the annual Home, Farm, Sport and Garden Show, organized by KOMB-FM and featuring more than 50 local businesses and other entities.

Visitors to the Fort Scott Community College campus could view booths set up by those groups including the city of Fort Scott, the Lowell Milken Center, Hartman Spine and Joint, Brigg’s Auto, Scentsy, Mary Kay and several other organizations and businesses. Those vendors provided information as well as prizes throughout the weekend.

Larger prizes such as a Kansas City Royals package and Branson show tickets were also given away and a prize wheel was on hand.

Saturday morning, FSCC also held a community fair in conjunction with the event, providing games, manicures, experiments, a cheerleading clinic and other activities for children and run by college students as well as the Fort Scott police and fire departments and other community members.

Submitted by Ginger Nance, April 8

When its long-time, assisted living director Lori Collier decided to retire and take a less than full-time role at the end of May, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village did not have to look far to find her replacement. Jennifer Hyer worked at Presbyterian Village for years in both full-time and part-time roles as she continued to grow her expertise.

“Jennifer is an outstanding nurse,” said Ginger Nance, executive director at Presbyterian Village. “We are so blessed that Jennifer is ready to step back into a full-time role as Lori retires. Many of our residents and their families already know Jennifer and are looking forward to working with her.”

During the transition, Collier will continue to work part-time, enabling Hyer to step into the role while leaning on Collier’s expertise and years of experience, Nance said. “Although I know Lori is looking forward to more days to garden and spend with grandchildren, we will miss her.”  She won’t be far away though.  Collier plans to continue in a more part-time and advisory role so she won’t lose touch with what she has loved doing at the Village for over 10 years.

“What an honor to be taking on the new position as Director of Assisted Living,” states Hyer.  “Lori Collier, has had such an impact on my nursing career and I’d like to thank her for her guidance and support over the years and also for the privilege it will be to train by her side in weeks to come.”  “It’s been six wonderful years since I first started at the Village.”  “This has been a journey filled with love for my profession where compassion, teamwork and our Christian-based mission collide.”  “I have found that the Presbyterian Village is a place where the little things we do for one another become our biggest rewards!”  “This is a community where we take pride in providing the best care for seniors and it’s my duty and promise to continue doing so by carrying out our faith-based mission and caring for each of your loved ones as though they are my own.”

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has a history of zero-deficiency surveys from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Last June, the campus received its seventh consecutive zero-deficiency survey and its ninth in the past 13 years. Hyer has worked at Presbyterian Village for six of those years.

“Jennifer’s experience and dedication to our mission will enable us to continue to provide the quality senior services those in the Fort Scott area expect from us,” Nance said.

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village is an assisted living community, which means it is licensed by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Residents have their own private apartments, one or two bedrooms complete with all appliances, and may receive some assistance with activities of daily living.  The apartment setting is perfect for a single person or for couples to remain together and age in a place with compassionate help always available if and when they need it.

The Presbyterian Village setting is not only suitable for those who need physical assistance but designed for independent seniors, as well.  Some apartments have a comfortable patio and a parking garage is available for those who are active drivers.  The main concept is that people can come and go as they please from their home, but help is always available.

For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, contact Ginger Nance, executive director, at 620-223-5550 or [email protected].

Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America has 18 senior living communities in Kansas and Missouri. The not-for-profit organization is headquartered in Wichita, Kan.

KOMB-FM radio station, with assistance from the Fort Scott Community College, the city of Fort Scott and other local businesses and organizations, are again hosting the annual Home, Farm, Sport and Garden Show Friday and Saturday at the Arnold Arena.

“It’s kind of an exciting time for us at the radio station,” Tim McKenney with KOMB, host of this week’s Chamber Coffee, said Thursday, adding they did not necessarily recognize the task they were getting into when they took over the event a few years ago. “It’s been a lot of fun and I think it’s been a big plus for a lot of businesses.”

Friday, 5-8 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., about 70 booths will be set up inside and outside FSCC’s arena, providing a variety of information, services and products to visitors. Some of the more than 50 organizations represented include Miller Feed & Farm, Fort Wise, the Lowell Milken Center, Mercy Hospital, Midwest Exteriors, Mary Kay, Ruddick’s, Scentsy, Sunshine Boutique, Verizon, Redbud Farms and Nurseries, Brigg’s Auto and several others.

Cars, boats and tractors will be on display outside the arena from local businesses while a prize wheel will also be available to give away prizes including Kansas City Royal packages, Branson show tickets and other gifts provided by the vendors.

“We’re going to have a fun time giving away a lot of great things,” McKenney said. “Overall it’s just going to be fun.”

FSCC will also hold a community appreciation event with a children’s festival in conjunction with the event on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon, with bounce houses, cheerleading clinics, carnival games, children’s manicures, science experiments, a teddy bear clinic with Mercy emergency medical services for children who bring their stuffed animals from home for a check-up and other activities with members from the the local police and fire departments.

“It’s going to be a great event for your children and grandchildren, as well,” Deb McKenney with KOMB said.

Other upcoming events in April include:

• Landmark National Bank is honoring Jim Womeldorff throughout the day Friday for his 30 years of service. Come by their Main Street location for refreshments at any time. Cake will be served between 1 and 3 p.m.
• Fort Scott’s first 2^nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas will be held at the Empress Center and the Beaux Arts Centre Friday and Saturday, including guest speakers as well as hands-on workshops. The festival finale Saturday evening will have books and art for sale from participating artists and will serve as a fundraiser for next year’s event.
• The Fort Scott Community College will hold their Greyhounds Go Gourmet fundraiser for the football team at Nate’s Place, April 22. The coaches will be serving meals and an auction will also be held.
• The new Car Help Mobile Mechanic will hold a grand opening event April 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at their new location at 1114 S. Clark Street. Barbecue and prizes will be available.
• Mercy Convenient Care in partnership with the local police and sheriff’s departments will hold a Drug Enforcement Administration drug take-back program Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., accepting any unused medication or narcotics to be properly disposed.

Other events to put on your calendar include the Townwide Garage Sale May 13-14, the Mercy Golf Tournament fundraiser for an underwater treadmill on June 11, the Good Ol’ Days event June 3-4, and a Fellowship Festival with the First United Methodist Church Sept. 17.