Merle Humphrey Photography is located at 5 N. Main, Fort Scott.
Merl Humphrey retired from Farmer’s Insurance on December 31, 2025. But he is not retiring from this side gig, Merl Humphrey Photography, 5 N. Main, in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District.
In 1971, he started working for Farmer’s Insurance.
“I took over an agency of H.B. Marr,” he said. “John Lewis assumed part of the agency.”
He has been working as a photographer since 1992.
“I was friends with Mike Henry, and he asked if I’d like to do weddings with him. He taught me a lot.”
“I’ve taken courses and have a pretty good working knowledge of photography. When he left town, I put up a sign in the window and started getting a lot of calls to do photography. It’s been a good support business.”
“The photography business has always been appointment only,” he said. “I also do photo restoration services. Not on the original image, but I can make a representative of what they had before.”
“I like to make photos of people in formal attire and formal settings. Also lifestyle photography. I prefer shooting indoors…generational photos, high school seniors.”
“My dad, Edward Humphrey, was a family photographer in Hume, MO. He ran the grocery store in the 1950s and 60s. It was something he did. I got the bug being in the dark room with him. It was magic.”
Future Plans For The Building
He will be reconfiguring his storefront into two parts.
The north part, with a front counter, separate office, storage, and bathroom, will eventually be for rent for a business. The dimensions are approximately 40 by 18 feet.
“Several people have been interested,” Humphrey said.
The front office space is slated for completion by summer, he said.
The south part, as one walks in the front glass door, will lead to his photography business, which has another door on the east side of the building on Old Fort Blvd.
In addition, he is working on a project to renovate the second floor of the building into an accommodation rental.
“Possibly a vacation rental or a monthly rental,” he said. It has a timeline for completion of approximately 60 days.
The building was built in the late 1800s and has been a stable, restaurant, shoe store, antique shop, and dentist’s office, he said.
Humphey can be reached at 620.223.4150 or 620.224.6843 or
Keaton Brown and his wife moved to Fort Scott to be closer to family when their twins arrived.
” We decided to start our own company, Dynamic Contracting, dedicated to hard work and quality, in hopes of having something to hand down to our three boys someday,” Brown said.
“I really love giving the customers exactly what they want. I believe that the customer should be put first—no run-arounds, total transparency, and fair pricing. Communication is key. We show up and do what we say we’re going to do the first time.”
His extended family includes his dad, Destry Brown, and grandparents, Donnie and Georgia Brown, of Fort Scott.
His business offers a variety of services.
“Custom homes, shops/bardos, remodeling, concrete, dirt work, foundation repair, and fencing,” he said. “I have 17 years of experience in various areas of construction, specializing in concrete, but not limited to just that skill, as in the last ten years I worked for a large commercial concrete company, working my way from carpenter/finisher to general superintendent overseeing up to 5 or 6 crews at a time.”
“I spent most of my college days working for a very skilled home builder while I studied construction management at Pittsburg State University,” he said.
In his spare time, he loves ” hunting and fishing, especially when I get to take Hudson, our five-year-old, and spending time with my family.”
For more information:
Facebook page: Dynamic Contracting or
phone number: 620. 687. 7342.
This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business to the community, network with other local entrepreneurs, and enjoy a day dedicated to empowerment and connection.
Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Director, led the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on Feb.20. at the Courtland Hotel and Spa and told of changes happening in the historic district.
The former After Effect Beauty Salon, 14 E. Wall, will be a leather business in the future, she said.
Better in Bourbon Boutique on Main Street will be moving to the former H & H Insurance/Real Estate, 2 Old Fort Bvd. Rachel Pruitt is the owner. The timeline is uncertain at this point, Pruitt said.
Merle Humphrey has retired from his insurance business, but will still operate his photography business from the back of the store. He is also updating the second floor for another business project. The storefront will be available to rent.
Merle Humphrey’s storefront at 5 N. Main.
Barbara Trimbur, owner of the Iron Star Antiques and Such Store, closed and sold the store to new owners this month. This store is 3 N. Main, Fort Scott.
Barbara Trimbur recently sold the Iron Star Antiques and Such Store at 3 N. Main.Better in Bourbon is located at 13 N. Main.
The subject of “unhomed people” was discussed among the group.
“The city is meeting with the unhomed people,” Rachel Carpenter, Human Relations/Project Coordinator for the City of Fort Scott said. “They are moving out of the gazebo area.” The Heritage Park Gazebo is located at First and Main Street.
“The unhomed have been hanging laundry on a line, taking ownership of the spot,” Madison said.
Some clothing and food were left at the Heritage Park Gazebo in downtown Fort Scott on February 20.
John Hill, a meeting participant, noted that there is currently a “car blocked up on bricks” in the parking lot of the gazebo.”
A car with one wheel missing was parked at the Heritage Park parking lot at 1st and Main.
Carpenter said “It is a work in progress,” indicating that the city is working to resolve the issue.
Carpenter also said there is a prospective buyer of the former Fort Scott Barber Shop building, 118 E. Wall. The building has been vacant for an extended time.
The Fort Scott Barber Shop building, the tall red brick one, is empty in this 2024 photo.
The Moody Building at 2nd and Main Street has a person interested in purchasing it, she said. The building has been deteriorating for several years.
The Moody Building, 2nd and Main Street, Fort Scott.
Madison reminded the group that a Civil War Encampment is scheduled for April at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, at the north end of Main Street.
The Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site has a flag pole subscription as a fundraiser currently. They will set up a flag at your site on special occasions during the year. To learn more about the event, here is a prior announcement: Civil War Encampment April 27-28 at FSNHS
Carpenter said the World Cup soccer matches will be in Kansas City in June and July (six matches) this year, and http://VisitKC.com is doing all the marketing for the Kansas City region. Fort Scott Tourism is making plans for visitors to come by bus for a day trip. The event is listed on TripAdvisor, she said.
The Fort Scott Dragoons Baseball Team, a new collegiate summer team in the Mid-America League, will have its first season at the LaRoche Baseball Stadium this year. Volunteer hosts are needed for the men.
Dragoons Baseball from Facebook.
Christmas on the Bricks, the winter festival in Fort Scott has monthly meetings with local organizer, Diane Striler, leading.
“We need more people to help,” she told the attendees. “Put and take down” some of the temporary buildings for the event. We are hoping to add next year that clubs will help with the skating rink staffing and get a percentage of the profits. Maybe we could start having the rink open from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day.”https://fortscott.com/christmas-on-the-bricks
The Glide is a synthetic ice skating rink that is located at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue in the 2024 photo.
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Wall and Main Street, is bringing a large dinosaur exhibition celebrating a paleontologist in the near future.
The Artificers Art Gallery is having a textile show through the end of March at the shop on North National Avenue.
The Courtland Hotel Dining Room was the location of the Downtown Meet and Greet on Feb. 20
The hotel owners, Frank and Cheryl Adamson, purchased the historic property at 121 E. First Street in 2004. He said many people who stay at their hotel “praise what’s going on in our downtown.”
People have been purchasing historic buildings and renovating them into new businesses.
“Many people don’t realize the diversity of restaurants the downtown has to offer,” Frank Adamson said. The attendees tallied the total of restaurants to be 11 in the downtown district.
Western artist Kadra Nevitt will compete in the Quick Draw competition at Art of the Cowgirl in Wickenburg, Arizona February 24th & 25th— a nationally recognized gathering that celebrates and elevates women in western art, horsemanship, and culture.
The Quick Draw is one of the event’s most anticipated highlights, challenging selected artists to complete an original work within a limited time before a live audience. The finished pieces are immediately available to collectors, offering a rare opportunity to witness the creative process unfold in real time.
Nevitt is known for her atmospheric western scenes that emphasize light, movement, and quiet reverence across the ranch landscape. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for the American West and often carries subtle themes of faith, resilience, and wide-open country. Competing in the Quick Draw allows her to bring that sense of immediacy and authenticity directly to viewers.
“Creating live adds an energy and honesty you can’t replicate in the studio,” Nevitt shares.
Art of the Cowgirl draws collectors, patrons, and western enthusiasts from across the country. The event provides a platform for artists to demonstrate skill, storytelling, and connection to western heritage while supporting opportunities for women in the industry.
Collectors and attendees are invited to attend the Quick Draw and experience Nevitt’s work as it comes to life.
For more information about Kadra Nevitt’s work, visit www.kadrasart.com.
Barbara Trimbur is a “hunter and gatherer” at heart, she said.
In 1996 she started a flea market vendor booth at this building. She began renting more booths and gathering items to sell. Eventually, she “took over the back room” of the flea market,” she said.
“Yvonne Beck owned the store and I mentioned that if she ever got tired of doing this, I was interested,” Trimbur said. That was in November 2003.
“The first year Cindy Bowman (another vendor) and I did an open house around the holidays,” she said.
The store next door, Corner of Time, became available to rent when Cathy Reed and her husband left. She started expanding and moved into that store.
In 2014, the building owner, Steve McGinnis, was interested in selling the store, so Trimbur purchased the whole building at 3 North Main Street in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District.
The store, The Iron Star Antiques and Such, was an anchor in the downtown for these decades.
On February 13, 2026 she closed her doors.
A young couple has purchased the building and her inventory.
“I just had to move out a few things,” she said.
“It’s been a very emotional transaction for me,” she said. “I had no idea how people really felt about us.”
“The store was a place where people could decompress. We tried to treat everybody with respect, whether they spent $5 or $500.”
Trimbur had two consigners at the store, people who brought items in to be sold: Karen Mix and Cathy Thomas.
The challenge through the years has been “to win over ‘Where are we going to put that?’ But, some of the grumpy men became our best friends.” Many customers became friends over the years, she said.
The best part of the job was helping people create a warm space
“The building needed to be taken over by somebody younger with visions for it,” she said. “It’s time to let go. Maybe I’ll do a little traveling.”
“I’ll have a booth here and there and continue hunting and gathering antiques and decor things that bring joy.”
Trimbur would like to thank Fort Scott and the surrounding area for “Making us feel so appreciated. We had about 1/3 of our customers that came from Nevada (MO) and Pittsburg. We are lucky to have such a pretty downtown.”
The Iron Star, north Main, September 2018.A view of the interior of The Iron Star, 3 N. Main in 2019.
The front of Holmtown Pub on Feb. 17. The building’s west side collapsed, which caused an electrical fire.
The west wall of Holmtown Pub, 206 North National Avenue, Fort Scott, collapsed on Feb. 13 and that event caused an electrical fire.
“To be clear, there was no major fire on the property,” said Fort Scott Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Miles. “As you can see from the pictures shown on our Facebook page, it was an electrical fire caused by the collapse. The building’s far west wall of the two-story structure failed and collapsed. When that happened, it sheared off the entire electrical panel to the building, leaving behind the incoming electric lines. Those began arcing and caused the wiring to catch fire. So it was not a fire that caused the collapse, or was there a major fire”.
It is unknown why the wall collapsed, Miles said.
The damage inside of Holmtown Pub as a result of the wall collapse. Taken from the Fort Scott Fire Department Facebook page.
“Occupants of the building said there was flickering of lights, then a full loss of power, so they went to investigate. They found that the entire wall had collapsed, and they called 911.”
“When I arrived on scene, the building had no electricity and I advised all occupants to exit the building. I investigated the area of collapse and found the fire beginning in the collapse area. Fire crews arrived on scene, and we were able to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher off the truck.”
“Crews taped off the area and determined the building was unsafe due to the structural integrity and the electrical system being severely damaged. We contacted Evergy and Kansas Gas to disconnect services from the building.”
“Fort Scott Fire was the only responding unit. The Fort Scott Police Department did respond for traffic control.”
The view at the back of Holmtown Pub on Feb. 17, following the wall collapse.
“It (the damage) is severe, and the extent of it would need to be determined by a structural engineer and insurance,” Miles said.
From The Owner Team
“The wall on the northwest section of the building collapsed, causing a small electrical fire,” said co-owner James Wood.
” Patrons and team members were in the building at the time for our normal operations. The damage was not anywhere near our operations area, and thankfully, no one was injured.”
“We don’t believe it will be a total loss. We are working with insurance to determine coverage and plan for securing the remaining building and hopefully repairs,” Wood said.
The business has been at 206 N. National Ave. for 19 years.
The ownership team is Charles and Kristy Holmes, and James and Kristal Wood.
The short-term plans are to secure the building and work on a plan, with hopes of reopening as soon as possible, he said.
Thaddeus and Kelly Perry’s business, Perry’s Country Store in Bronson, is changing focus.
“Our physical location in Bronson will no longer operate as it has. We are shifting the space to what it was originally designed for — production and distribution,” Kelly Perry said. “This is not a light decision, but for the first time in a long time, I 100% believe this is God opening and closing doors and bringing partnerships and networks full circle, and I’ve never felt peace like I have this last week and here is why.”
Monday through Friday we will be growing and expanding Perry’s Pork Rinds nationally.
“The physical storefront will still offer pork rinds, Perry’s Produce Boxes, bulk produce buying through online pre-orders, and our seasonal fruit like Colorado peaches, Florida strawberries, Oregon blueberries, Washington cherries, and the spring flower baskets and mums in the fall and similar offerings. That piece isn’t going away — it’s simply becoming more structured so it works long term and will likely occur on the second Saturday of each month. I’ll be inviting food trucks on those days, and others to set up in the parking lot and make it a monthly community event.”
“Monday through Friday we will be growing and expanding Perry’s Pork Rinds nationally.”
“Because of this shift, we’ll be liquidating all items not directly related to the pork rind business,” she said. “The red retro tables will stay; they have been an item that was here in the original fuel station. Food, small and large equipment, decor, and shelving. All of it will be for sale. I’m posting smaller items on my personal Facebook page now, and I’ll likely have my big list of large equipment posted online today on our new Facebook page that is dedicated to JUST the Perry’s Country Store https://www.facebook.com/perryscountrystore/ .”
“I truly believe this transition is part of a bigger path we have prayed and worked so hard for since starting in 2017,” she said. “The goal hasn’t changed: support rural communities while building something sustainable for our family and future job growth.”
Her husband and co-owner, Thaddeus, is having a catfish fry this weekend, which will start the markdown pricing of food items in the store.
“Pre-orders are now open for the Sweet T’s Fried Catfish event this Saturday, February 21,” she said. “The pre-orders will close at noon on Feb 19! www.PerrysPorkRinds.com During this event, we will start our in-store markdowns of candy, canned goods, jar items, jams, frozen pies, meats, etc. ”
“All things Perry’s Pork Rinds will be posted on our normal Perry’s Pork Rind Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/PerrysPorkRinds. We encourage our locals to PLEASE add the new Perry’s Country Store page to learn of fruits, veggies, and event day info. I will not bog down the Pork Rinds Page with these posts.”
Granddads Groceries Coming
Discounted bulk groceries will soon be offered through Perry’s Country Store.
“About a year ago, I met with a company that distributes deeply discounted bulk groceries. At the time, logistics didn’t work out. I reached back out just on faith and asked if they would reconsider a community drop location here so both Bourbon and Allen County residents could benefit since the closing of the Marmaton Market in Moran and now our Micro Grocery Store in Bronson — and they said yes.”
Perry’s Country Store will be a new pick-up location for Grandad’s Groceries, a discounted bulk grocer that delivers to locations in our area.
“It allows continued food access locally without pulling focus, time, or capital away from growing Perry’s Pork Rinds. Here is a video link for what will be coming https://youtu.be/DnWRnA1ctrE and Perry’s parking lot will be the pick up location for Grandad’s Groceries. https://www.granddadsgroceries.com/ ”
The business will have a grand opening on February 28, 2026. They are currenlty accepting job inquiries now, Terry said.
Dakota Rusk is the technician and has experience from working at Briggs Auto. Terry is the CEO, he said.
Why start an auto repair business?
“The reasons are twofold,” Terry said. “We want to first and foremost honor God with our work. We devote all things to Him, and our business is a part of that.”
“Secondly, we see this as an opportunity to serve our community; we want to offer a professional service to Fort Scott. We want to build up the place we call home, and providing excellent and honest service is one of many ways we can contribute to that mission.”
Gamechangers & Champions Event to Feature Startup Pitch Competition, Networking
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce, in partnership with NXTUS, Inc. and KU Innovation Park, announced today it will host Gamechangers & Champions 2026: Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels in March. The high-energy event will bring together startups and angel investors, along with corporate and innovation leaders from across the Midwest.
“In Kansas, startups and entrepreneurs fuel innovation and spur next-generation businesses that create the jobs and wealth of the future,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Events like Gamechangers & Champions are a great opportunity for them to connect with one another — and with investors — to discover resources that can help advance their ideas and companies.”
Gamechangers & Champions 2026 will take place Tuesday, March 10, at the University of Kansas Conference Center connected to the David Booth Memorial Football Stadium in Lawrence. The event is a one-day experience designed to catalyze new angel investments, support early-stage companies, and accelerate Kansas’ innovation momentum. It will feature educational sessions, networking opportunities, speaker presentations and the popular competitive pitch event.
The bracket-style pitch competition is open to Kansas-based, high-growth startups in the pre-seed or seed stage. Winning startups will be chosen at the event with the grand prize being $25,000, sponsored by the University of Kansas Business School. Those interested in participating can find applications here.
Key competition dates include:
February 15: Applications due by midnight
February 25: Round of 32 winners announced
March 4: Sweet 16 winners announced
March 10: Elite Eight live pitch and selection of Final Four takes place
Registration is open for Kansas entrepreneurs, angel investors, potential investors, innovation leaders, corporate partners and community members. Following the event, NXTUS, Accelerate Venture Partners and the OREAD Angel Group will coordinate follow-on investment opportunities.
“Last year, our first Gamechangers & Champions event was an incredible success — and brought many innovative Kansans together to collaborate and discover available startup resources,” Commerce Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Romaine Redman said. “Regardless of the phase your startup may be in, I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to speak to investors and innovation leaders and hear other ideas from like-minded innovators.”
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Labconco is located at 2500 Liberty Bell Rd. in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park on the south side of town.
You’re invited!
HR Roundtable
hosted by the Chamber
Wednesday, February 11th
11:45am – 1pm
Labconco
2500 Liberty Bell Rd.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members to a Human Resources (HR) Roundtable Luncheon on Wednesday, February 11th from 11:45am to 1pm at Labconco, 2500 Liberty Bell Rd. This roundtable event will provide an opportunity to discuss current and relevant topics impacting the workplace.
The February 11th meeting will feature guest speaker Kory Johnson, Vice President of Human Resources for Labconco, speaking to the group on “Building Tomorrow’s Bench: Succession Planning.”
HR Roundtables are open to any Chamber member involved in human resources-related responsibilities, regardless of company size, and are not limited to traditional HR professionals.
Attendees may RSVP at fortscott.com and an optional lunch may be ordered online for $10.
Commerce Launches Grant to Support Innovation, Incubator Spaces in Small Communities
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of the Downtown Revive & Thrive: Rehabilitation for Innovation and Incubator Spaces program. There is a total of $500,000 available in funding for Kansas communities with populations of 5,000 or less for projects that result in functional business incubator spaces or facilities designed for temporary retail or restaurant operations.
“Rural communities are hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship but often do not have enough financial resources to maximize their economic potential,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This program will support the rehabilitation of spaces, especially in our state’s historic downtown buildings, for communities to activate underutilized assets and boost their local economies.”
Rural downtowns are experiencing an increase in vacant and underutilized properties, many of which are historic buildings in dire need of rehabilitation. At the same time, there is a strong demand for spaces that entrepreneurs can use to test products, develop commercial concepts and pilot new retail or restaurant ventures.
The program is designed to support projects that repurpose existing infrastructure to create spaces and provide equipment for pop-up retail and restaurants that drive economic growth and contribute vibrancy to communities.
The Revive & Thrive grant program is administered by the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity at the Department of Commerce. The application window will be open until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10. Grant awards will be announced in April.
For those interested in applying for funding, a virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29. Registration is required and a Zoom link will be provided once registration is complete. To register, click here.
The Office of Rural Prosperity will host office hours from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. every Thursday, January 29 through March 5. To sign up, visit here.
For additional information about the Downtown Revive & Thrive program, click here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
