Category Archives: Business

Business, Fort Scott

New Boutique Comes to Downtown Fort Scott

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Ed Townley paints the front of the new store at 12 N. Main.

Susan Townley has been in the boutique business in the Overland Park and Olathe area near Kansas City for over five years.

Susan Townly works on displays in the family’s boutique, Be The Light at 12 N. Main.

She and her husband, Ed, own the former Country Cupboard Store at 12 N. Main, which they purchased from the Renard family.

They are been making the space their own since purchasing the building in December 2021 with sanding, painting, new lights, and some new carpet in areas. The antique wooden floors and ceiling tiles are features, along with some glass showcases.

Ed and Susan have done all the work themselves.

The name of the boutique is  Be The Light.

“The name Be The Light is based on suicide awareness and on the Bible verse Matthew 5:14-16 which states – 14 ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,'” Susan said.

Tyler Candles are featured at the store.

Her specialty is Tyler Candles, from Tyler, Texas, her hometown. But they also repurpose furniture and have lots of collectibles and vintage finds for sale.

“Going to Canton, Texas when young, the boutique world is not like anywhere else,” she said. “I wanted to bring it up here.”

A vignette displays some of the items for sale at the boutique.

“We see Fort Scott being a destination point, and believe the city is heading toward growth,” Susan said.

Seasonal items are for sale at the Be The Light Boutique.

“We’ve collected three to four years for this move,” she said. They will also sell seasonal items and a little clothing.

Some collectibles are for sale and can be viewed in antique showcases at the boutique.

“I’m from Texas and we make trips to Texas for markets looking for ideas and inspirations,” she said.

Some neon lights are for sale at the boutique.

Be The Light will have its’ grand opening on November 2.

Then they will be a part of the Fort Scott Holiday Open House Shopping Event on November 9-11.

Following the Christmas Parade on November 30, they will have a spot for children to visit Santa in the store.

That parade starts the Christmas on the Bricks event weekend, Dec. 1-2.

The boutique will be open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The Townleys also own 11 N. Main, across the street,  that they have rented out.

Be The Light has a Facebook page and an Instagram page.

The phone number is 913.406.2998.

The logo of the business. Submitted graphic.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

SPECIAL Saturday Chamber Coffee hosted by Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Saturday, Sept. 30

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for a SPECIAL Saturday Chamber Coffee hosted by

Kansas Rocks

Recreation Park

Saturday, September 30th

8:30am-10:00am

2051 130th St.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a special Saturday Chamber Coffee Saturday, September 30th at 8:30am to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Kansas Rocks Recreation Park (KRRP). The Coffee will be hosted by KRRP located at 2051 130th St. near Mapleton in northwest Bourbon County. Coffee and donuts will be available as well as short rides on the trails in provided vehicles with park volunteers for attendees.

Kansas Rocks Recreation Park is a 4×4 off-road park with camping facilities. KRRP now has 35 miles of trails for 4-wheel Drive Jeeps and other off-road vehicles, mountain bikes, hiking, and UTV’s. Currently the park features over 60 shared mountain bike trails and over 380 acres of trails to explore via hiking. The park sells season passes, day passes, and hosts special events throughout the year. For more information on the park, visit ksrockspark.com or follow their

Facebook page.

When traveling to the park from Fort Scott, attendees should go west on Highway 54 for 10 miles, north on 125th St. for 6 miles, east on Tomahawk Rd., and north on 130th St., following the signs to the park entrance.

For KRRP to plan refreshments and rides, attendees are asked to RSVP before September 27th, click here to register! Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

 

Click here for their Facebook page!

 

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Business

New Cleaning and Organizing Service: Rayma’s Clean Team

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Rayma Ridge is the owner of Rayma’s Clean Team. Submitted photo.
Rayma Ridge, 31, opened her new business, Rayma’s Clean Team LLC in June, 2023.
She provides the area between Bronson and Fort Scott with cleaning and organizing services
“Through discussion with other community members, I recognized the need for residential housekeeping services,” Ridge said. “I have been doing some form of housekeeping/ organizing for friends and family members since I was about 14 years old.”
This got her thinking.
“With many years of experience and having recognized the local demand, I decided to get my LLC and start my own business,” she said. “I began with a small amount of clientele, but I was blessed to fill my books quickly! I have the best clients!!”
Currently, she has one employee in training, she said.
Before and after cleaning of Rayma’s Clean Team. Submitted photos.
Contact info: phone: 620-224-6839
Like/ follow on Facebook, where Ridge includes highlights of some of her favorite cleaning products.
She is located in Uniontown.
Before and after cleaning by Rayma’s Clean Team. Submitted photos.
Business

Volunteers Paint Light Poles on Skubitz Plaza

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Associated Wholesale Grocers, also known as Value Merchandisers, Fort Scott, contacted the Good Neighbor Action Team about work projects needed in the community.

The AWG volunteers paint the light poles in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza. All photos submitted.

Associated Wholesale Grocers, also known as Value Merchandisers, Fort Scott, contacted the Good Neighbor Action Team about work projects needed in the community.

Saturday, September 23, volunteers painted the light poles as Skubitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Submitted by Craig Campbell, with the Good Neighbor Action Team.

Art, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

The Artificers In October

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October is almost here! Check out the calendar below for all the

classes and events happening this next Month!
October Classes Here!

Master Artist

Brandy Evans

Mixed Media Sculpture

Brandy is a self-taught artist specializing in tiny taxidermy.

Her creations capture her love of antiques and her whimsy sense of humor. Her one of a kind creations have been sold worldwide and she has inspired others to explore their own artistic ability and desire to create. She enjoys a loyal following on Etsy, FB and IG and her Pocket Full of Heirlooms brand is known around the world.

Master Artist Classes!

We have one class Brandy Evans will be teaching October 7th!

Join us for a tiny taxidermy class at The Artificers!

Learn mouse taxidermy from our friend, Brandy Evans, of Pocket Full of Heirlooms. Participants will take a home their own taxidermy mouse creation.

Cost $165; includes feeder, mouse, taxidermy blocks props, scalpel, gloves, and step-by-step instruction.

This class is nonrefundable and non-transferable. Class is ages fourteen and up! We can’t wait to see you there!
Sign up Here!

Fall is Here!

so take some of our fun fall themed classes in October!
October Classes Here!
Check out all of our awesome classes here!
Bourbon County, Business, Jobs

Home Clean Home Adds More Employees

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Casey Bradbury, owner of Home Clean Home. Submitted photos.

Casey Bradbury, founder/owner of Home Clean Home, started her cleaning business  over five years ago

“For the first few years family and friends would step in and help me when needed,” Bradbury said.

Last year she started adding more employees.

“Chelsea Davied has been with me for a year now. Kiley Foster and Jessica Colopy started about 2 months ago,” Bradbury said.
Home Clean Home offers both residential and commercial cleaning.

The business services all of Bourbon County as well as Nevada, Missouri, and surrounding areas.

Cleaning services are also provided to the southern suburbs of Kansas City upon availability.

“The best thing about my job is knowing that we can impact families’ lives in a positive manner,” she said. “Our goal is to provide extra peace of mind at the end of your day!”
“One challenge I face, that I like to view as more of a positive, is potential scheduling conflicts,” she said. “We work hard to build trusting relationships with our clients to better navigate these scenarios when they arise.”

 

Chelsea David and family. Submitted photo
Kiley Foster and family. Submitted photo.
Jessica Colopy and family. Submitted photo.

The business can be found on Facebook at HomeCleanHomeBB, Instagram at homecleanhome_cleaningservice, and her number is 620.644.2534.

“Please contact us with any inquiries that you may have,” she said.

Casey Bradbury and her family. 2023

Bourbon County, Business, Fair

Bourbon County Fair Association awarded $5,000 from Heartland

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Pictured from left to right: Heartland REC Communication Specialist Doug Graham; Bourbon County Fair Association board members Mark Brillhart, Laura George, Wilma Hibdon and Mitch Crystal.

Bourbon County fairgoers will have an enhanced experience next year thanks in part to a $5,000 grant from Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative.

 

The Bourbon County Fair Association was one of six organizations to receive a $5,000 award from Heartland’s Concern for Community grant program this month. The Fair Association’s funds will be used to purchase three additional easy-access metal picnic tables for the pavilion and additional speakers for the show barn.

 

“As a cooperative, we understand that our success is directly linked to the well-being of our communities,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO. “We’re proud to support projects like this that will make a lasting difference in the lives of our members.”

 

The Concern for Community program provides grants of up to $5,000 for capital improvement projects throughout the Heartland service area, which covers parts of 12 counties in eastern Kansas.  Capital improvement projects are those that involve investment in structures or equipment that will last for many years.

 

As a non-profit, member-owned cooperative, Heartland issues capital credits to members each year, but sometimes those capital credits go unclaimed. Because those monies were intended to be returned to the communities from which they came, Heartland’s Board of Directors decided to use those unclaimed funds for community grants and started the Concern for Community program in 2019.

This year, six applications out of 28 received were approved for funding by the Heartland board.

 

The other projects selected for funding are as follows:

 

  • Linn County Historical Museum in Pleasanton was awarded $5,000 for numerous repairs and improvements.
  • Restore the Four was awarded $5,000 to help repair the roof of the small animal building at the Crawford County Fairgrounds outside Girard.
  • Stark 1888 Event Committee was awarded $5,000 for repairs and upgrades at the Stark community ballfield.
  • USD 101 Erie was awarded $5,000 to assist with construction of a new animal science building in the high school.
  • USD 346 Jayhawk-Linn was awarded $5,000 for lighting and sound equipment at the high school auditorium in Mound City.

 

Applications were accepted in the month of July and selected by the Heartland Board of Directors in August. Heartland plans to reopen applications in summer 2024 for the next round of funding.

About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes consumer-members in 12 counties, including Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.

Heartland REC traces its roots back to three original rural electric cooperatives: Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company, Sugar Valley Electric Cooperative Association, and Sekan Electric Cooperative Association. Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company joined with Sugar Valley in 1975 to form United Electric Cooperative; United Electric Cooperative joined with Sekan Electric Cooperative Association in 1996 to form Heartland.

 

 

 

Business, Government, Kansas, Youth

Shared Services for Child Care Providers Is Launched

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Governor Kelly Announces Launch of Shared Services Network for Child Care Providers

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today the launch of a new partnership that will create savings and streamline services for child care providers across Kansas. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, Child Care Aware of Kansas, and five community-based organizations are partnering on the Shared Service Network to streamline administrative costs for providers and free up time for programs to focus on providing high-quality child care.

“For many Kansas kids, quality child care is essential for them to have a solid start to their developmental growth,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “This network will provide child care professionals the resources they need so they can focus on young Kansans in their care.”

By participating in the Shared Services Network, child care providers benefit from services that cost less and are often more efficient than what the programs could do on their own. A wide range of services are available to reshape child care, including:

  • Group purchasing plans;
  • Advanced business software to manage enrollment and billing;
  • Shared administrative staff;
  • Support for hiring staff and finding substitutes; and
  • Personalized professional development.

“By working together, child care providers can save money and invest more in key parts of early childhood education, like better pay for their staff, high-quality curriculum, and other supplies needed to operate a child care business,” said Laura Howard, Secretary Kansas Department for Children and Families.

The five community-based organizations that have been selected to implement the Shared Services Network will have the responsibility for delivering services to participating child care programs that result in cost savings.

“Shared Services represent an innovative approach to making the business side of child care work,” said Kelly Davydov, executive director of Child Care Aware of Kansas. “We have a unique opportunity to realize cost savings for participating child care programs so that they can earn more or reinvest in other aspects of their business, like high-quality curriculum for the young children in their care.”

Shared Services Networks will be provided by the following organizations:

  • Northwest Kansas Innovation Center: Serving 29 counties in the Northwest and North Central areas of Kansas.
  • Child Care Aware of Kansas: Serving 39 counties in the Southwest and South Central areas of Kansas.
  • Community Children’s Center: Serving 16 counties in the Northeast area of Kansas.
  • Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas: Serving 17 counties in the Southeast area of Kansas.
  • The Family Conservancy: Serving five counties in the Kansas City area.

For more information, visit Shared Services Network – Child Care Aware.

To learn more about Child Care Aware of Kansas and how you can join us in ensuring access to high-quality child care for all families, visit us at www.ks.childcareaware.org.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Special Chamber Coffee at Kansas Rocks on Saturday, Sept. 30

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Join us for a SPECIAL Saturday Chamber Coffee hosted by

Kansas Rocks

Recreation Park

Saturday, September 30th

8:30am-10:00am

2051 130th St.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a special Saturday Chamber Coffee Saturday, September 30th at 8:30am to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Kansas Rocks Recreation Park (KRRP). The Coffee will be hosted by KRRP located at 2051 130th St. near Mapleton in northwest Bourbon County. Coffee and donuts will be available as well as short rides on the trails in provided vehicles with park volunteers for attendees.

Kansas Rocks Recreation Park is a 4×4 off-road park with camping facilities. KRRP now has 35 miles of trails for 4-wheel Drive Jeeps and other off-road vehicles, mountain bikes, hiking, and UTV’s. Currently the park features over 60 shared mountain bike trails and over 380 acres of trails to explore via hiking. The park sells season passes, day passes, and hosts special events throughout the year. For more information on the park, visit ksrockspark.com or follow their

Facebook page.

When traveling to the park from Fort Scott, attendees should go west on Highway 54 for 10 miles, north on 125th St. for 6 miles, west on Tomahawk Rd., and north on 130th St., following the signs to the park entrance.

For KRRP to plan refreshments and rides, attendees are asked to RSVP before September 27th, click here to register! Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

 

Click here for their Facebook page!

 

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Fort Scott, Health Care, Housing, Jobs

New Presbyterian Village Director: Marla Heckman

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Marla Heckman. Submitted photo.

Marla Heckman, 52, is the new Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Executive Director.

Heckman is new to Fort Scott.

“My husband, John,  was born in Fort Scott,” she said. ” We were planning on retiring and moving here someday.  There was some property that was going up for sale close to our family, so we decided to change our plans and move back sooner.”

Heckman started on September 5, 2023, as the   Executive Director, “overseeing this wonderful community.  I am so excited to work with the amazing TEAM here,” she said.

She received her education from the University of Oklahoma and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.

Heckman has 36 years in Healthcare-Independent Living, Assisted Living, Residential Care, Skilled Nursing, and Long-term Care.

“I served on the board for Care Providers Oklahoma, as well as, the Oklahoma State Department of Health Informal Dispute Resolution panel,” she said.

In her spare time she  “loves spending time with family and friends.”

“I have never lived anywhere but Oklahoma, so I am excited to start some new hobbies, maybe gardening and having some chickens,” she said. “I look forward to being involved in the community and helping whenever possible.”

She has four children and 13 grandchildren.

 

Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott.

Heckman replaces Ginger Nance as the executive director.

 

Business, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Announces Downtown Fall Fest is September 21

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Chamber Announces Downtown Fall Fest

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Fall Fest late-night shopping event featuring horse-drawn hayrack rides, live music, drawings and more will take place Thursday, September 21st from 5 pm to 8 pm in the Downtown Historic District.

 

Stores will have festive offerings such as pumpkin snacks, hot cider, and a pumpkin passport to submit for a chance to win a Chamber Bucks gift certificate.  Participating retailers include Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Brickstreet BBQ, Flint + Fray, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Museum of Creativity, Papa Don’s Pizza, Sunshine Boutique, The Artificers, and The Beauty Lounge.

 

Special activities planned by participating stores and Chamber include the following:

  • Horse-drawn hayrack rides will be offered complimentary by Steve and Marci Williams starting at the Depot parking lot at Wall and Scott Streets. The trailer holds 20-24 people at a time and each ride will take a 15-20 minute loop around Downtown.
  • The Fort Scott High School Orchestra will play from 6-7pm at the Lowell Milken Center Unsung Heroes Park.
  • Angie Dawn’s Boutique will have a “guess the number of candy corn” to win a $50 gift certificate.
  • Bids & Dibs will have a fall photo backdrop and sponsor a scarecrow art contest for children.
  • Brickstreet BBQ will have DJ Brown and The Bourbon County Revival performing live on their patio from 5pm-8pm.
  • Museum of Creativity will have a fall-themed cookie decoration table for $1 per person plus horse-drawn hayrack rides starting at the Depot across from the Chamber.
    The Artificers will have hot spiced cider along with a drawing for a certificate to attend their “Harvest Pumpkin Class”.
  • The Wagon Roadies will be selling pumpkins at Wall and Main Streets.

 

The Chamber also announces a Scarecrow Contest is underway with the deadline to turn in entries of September 20th.  Key Industries is sponsoring the contest with gift certificates for the top three individual or family entries, and the top business winner will receive one dozen logoed shirts and bragging rights for the year.  More details on the contest may be found on the Chamber’s Facebook page or fortscott.com.

 

Downtown Fall Fest offers fun for all to get out and support local while taking in the season, finding some great deals, and seeing what’s new in apparel and holiday décor.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.