Category Archives: Business

Family Fun Outing: Shead Farm Homestead Festival on May 20

The Third Annual Shead Farm Homestead Festival is Saturday, May 20 at 2468 Cavalry Rd. near rural Garland, south of Fort Scott.

The Larry and Vickie Shead farm, rural Garland.

The day is geared toward sustainable living by a family that is doing just that.

“A lot of people were wanting to know about sustainable living,” Vickie Shead, the matriarch of the family, said. “God is good and we are trying to keep up with all He is leading us to do.”

Sustainable living means understanding how our lifestyle choices impact the world around us and finding ways for everyone to live better and lighter, according to the United Nations Environment Programme https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/sustainable-lifestyles

The festival will feature 36 vendors or activities that use creative ways to teach garden/farm knowledge.

“There is no charge to vendors,” Vickie said.  “This is to benefit entrepreneurs who are wanting to start a business.”

“Come join us for a fun filled educational event for the whole family,” said Vickie, who along with her husband Larry and their children and grand children will be hosting the event. “It’s a great family outing!”

Vickie and Larry Shead, 2020, from her Facebook page.

In addition to the Shead family,  they have 106 volunteers helping at the festival, for which they are grateful.

On tap will be live music, lots of children’s activities, a farm tour, and farm store, vendor booths and a food court.

The admission fee for a single ticket is $5 or for a family (4+) $20.

To view a map of the Shead Farm vendors/activities:

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1iU4jmeptRhk8mCM4mRgvkluBqMGFbEmW9oPgFOULQ6Q/edit

The Shead’s have a signature product, Veggie Powder, with all the greens grown on the property.

Greens powders are a dietary supplement that aims to help people reach their daily intake of vitamins and minerals, according to https://health.unl.edu/are-greens-powders-actually-beneficial-our-dietitian-weighs

Festival activities include:

Educational garden games/activities

An animal arena

A story station

Learning  how to milk cows

Learning how to make butter

Learning how to do laundry without electricity

The farm tour includes the gardens, greenhouse, animals, beekeeping and learning how to graft a fruit tree.

For sale will be animals, worm farms, plants, berries, carts, compost and trees.

Vendors will be selling soaps and salves, honey, eggs, spices, baked goods, baskets, weaving, spinning wool, plant propagations, farm decor and kitchen items.

The Sheads will be selling walking tacos for $5, and Supercharged Cookies for $2. A snack shack will be selling cotton candy, lemonade, ice cream and pastries.


Shead Farm Store items for sale will be Veggie Powder, toys, hats, aprons, books,quilted Items, bouquets, and more.

Contact them at
Sheadfarm.com

M’axe Throw House Ribbon Cutting/Chamber After-Hours on May 25

Chamber After-hours & Ribbon Cutting
at M’axe Throw House!
Join us for a Chamber After-Hours & Ribbon Cutting Event to celebrate the opening of M’axe Throw House!
Thursday, May 25th, 2023
212 E. 1st St.
5:15pm to 6:30pm
One “free drink” ticket at the door, then cash bar only!
Pizza will also be available!
$2 Admission at the door!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Locara – Helping Small Businesses Grow & Succeed

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team…
Locara – Helping Small Businesses Grow & Succeed
Attention all local businesses!
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is excited to introduce you to Locara, a new platform that helps customers in our community discover what you have to offer. Through its partnership with HBCAT, Locara is dedicated to helping small businesses grow and succeed.
With Locara, you can easily list your products and services, help people in your area search for what you sell, and grow your business. It’s a win-win for everyone! Check out Locara today and see how it can help your business thrive.
Click here for their website!
Click here to sign up your business!

Your Creations are Here: Artificers

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Your Creations are Here!

If you’ve taken a class here and made a piece of art come in and take it home today!

They would look so good in your cabinet or on your table instead of on a shelf here!

Visit our Website

Local Children’s Book Author: Maria Whitson

Maria Whitson. Submitted photo.

Maria Whitson, rural Garland, is the mother of five children and married to Clayton.

She is also a children’s book author.

The Process

Her journey as an author began with a college assignment to write and illustrate a children’s book.

“That is when the whole series of books called ‘Lessons for the Least’ was birthed,” she said. “But it was a couple years before I wrote down all the ideas for the series.”

She wrote the main content for all the stories while single, assisted by family in refining and editing her writings.

When she started looking for someone to illustrate her books, she looked to family.  She worked on one book and sent another to her Aunt Judy Walters to illustrate. Then a second cousin, Zoe Acuna, got involved in the illustrations.

Every time Acuna sent her preview illustrations, “I was so thrilled with her style and ideas,” Whitson said. “We made a small tweaks and then they sat for a while as life got busy.”

About the same time she and her husband were working on a manual for disaster preparedness, for a class on the subject.

They edited that book, then published it, on their own. This began a business called Swift Word Publishing.

“He loves helping others take their written work and getting it into a tangible product,” she said.

With her husbands help, she published her first book Reuben the Rooster in 2020. It is available on Amazon.com and also can be purchased at the Shead Farm Festival, rural Garland, on May 20.

About the Books

The first book, Reuben the Rooster, tells of a courageous rooster who learns the value of standing up for his friends. Children will learn  how courage and empathy can help overcome adversity,  Maria said.

Currently they have three books in the Lessons from the Least series, with another being published this week.
Each book in this series has a double story, according to Maria.  Each young animal’s adventures are encountered with relatable-to-children life lessons. There is also a secondary story unfolding in the illustrations, with directions at the end of each book on how one can uncover the mystery story. The hidden story is there to be discovered as the child is ready. The rhythmic verses, make them an enjoyable read-aloud experience for parents and children.
The age range for her books is 3-8 years old. Submitted pages.
Maria Whitson’s first book, Reuben the Rooster. Submitted pages.
A book in the series that Maria Whitson has authored. Submitted pages.
A sample page. Submitted.
A book in a series, by Maria Whitson. Submitted pages.
A sample page. Submitted.

About The Author

“My husband, kids and I love being in God’s creation,” she said. “We have a passion for growing in our knowledge of the Kingdom of God and how it operates here on earth.”

“Most of my writings are birthed from that passion and I have so many more books in me, waiting on timing,” Whitson said. “There has been many times that the Holy Spirit will give me an idea that takes a while to figure out how to go about writing it and publishing it.”

Her family lives on a small farm close to her parents Larry and Vickie Shead’s farm,  where  she grew up. They home school their children.

The Whitson family. Submitted photo.

They launched a family business called The Journey Home that is an umbrella for their whole family’s creations, including two of their  children

Book publishing, art, jewelry, cast iron accessories, homeschooling, foraging, homesteading, disaster prep, herbal remedies, are some of the interests of the family business.

“The Journey Home name meaning captures our heart,” she said. “Our company is about everything that is centered on the home life and family, but going even deeper it centers on our eternal home (the kingdom of God) and living life in a way that lives that life out now.”

Prepare For Severe Weather With Simple Natural Gas Safety Tips

Prepare For Severe Weather With Simple Natural Gas Safety Tips

 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – May 11, 2023 – May is the month in Kansas when the state typically sees its most severe weather, including tornadoes. Kansas Gas Service wants to remind all customers to keep safety in mind before and after a storm.

 

“Taking steps to protect your natural gas meter is often an afterthought, but it’s important to keep in mind for the safety of yourself and your community, especially during severe weather season,” said Sean Postlethwait, vice president of operations for Kansas Gas Service. “Preparedness is key, and we encourage our customers to join us in taking a few simple steps to plan for any storm.”

 

Here are some helpful steps to take in preparation for severe weather:

 

  • Check around your natural gas meter and remove any objects that could be blown into the meter by strong winds or pushed into the meter by heavy rain and flooding.
  • Remove any branches or other objects above the meter that could fall onto and damage the meter.

 

Safety should always be a priority, even after severe weather. Here are some important things to remember once the storm passes.

 

  • If you smell natural gas, usually described as a “rotten egg” odor, leave the area immediately, then call 911 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950. Be sure not to operate any electrical appliances, including light switches.
  • If you don’t smell natural gas, still do a maintenance check around your home by checking all gas appliances for damage and chimneys and flues for any fallen objects.
  • If you need to remove any fallen tree limbs or uncovered debris, contact 811 to locate underground natural gas pipelines and other utility lines if this requires digging.
  • If your natural gas meter was turned off or your service was interrupted during the storm, call the Kansas Gas Service customer service line at 800-794-4780 to restore your service. DO NOT attemptto turn your natural gas meter back on.

Customers can visit KansasGasService.com/safety for year-round safety tips.

 

About Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 645,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.

 

 

 

 

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&PMidCap400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube

Tri-Valley Holds Award Ceremony

Fort Scott High School Orchestra perform during the Tri-Valley Awards. Submitted photo.

On Friday, May 5th, Tri-Valley Developmental Services held their 2023 Award Ceremony celebrating achievements from individuals and community support in Bourbon County.  The ceremony took place at 1 pm at the Tri-Valley offices in Fort Scott.  Awards were presented to the following:

Business of the Year – Heidrick’s True Value

Nancy Hofer, Heidricks Hardware store, left, and Austin Bollinger, TVDS Horticulture Therapist. Submitted photo.

Employer of the Year – McDonalds of Fort Scott

Michael Durbin, McDonalds Restaurant of Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

Achievement Award – Samantha Durossette

 

Ed Bideau Advocacy Award – LaDonna Thompson from Dollar General

LaDonna Thompson. Submitted photo.

Jennie Masterson Family Award – Carson Felt

TVDS Employee of the Year – Grace Kramer

Grace Kramer and husband, Larry. Submitted photo.

CEO Award – Brenda Harrison

 

Entertainment was furnished by the Fort Scott High School Chamber Orchestra.  Refreshments were served following the ceremony.

Austin Bolinger with Carson Felt. Submitted photo.

 

Homeless Man Arrested for Vandalism of Eight Businesses

Jesse Frye, from the Bourbon County Sheriff’s website.

Jesse Dean Frye was arrested on May 8 for vandalism of some businesses, a residence and a vehicle in the early morning hours on that day.

Charges for Frye are theft,  a misdemeanor and criminal damage to property, a felony, with bond set at $2,500.

“He was involved in throwing rocks or objects through windows,” Lt. Caleb Bell, with the Fort Scott Police Department said.

“From the info we have, he is believed to be homeless,” Bells said.

“We have identified him in several security surveillance videos.” he said.

Those who were victims of the vandalism are the Lowell Milken Center, Empress Event Center, Iron Star Antiques, Merle Humphrey Photography, City State Bank, Patterson Dental Office, Farmers Insurance and the Jerry Witt residence in downtown Fort Scott.

In addition, a vehicle was vandalized as well.

Norm Conard, director of the Lowell Milken Center on North Main Street in the historic downtown area, said “On our security camera, the man threw a rock, it didn’t break the window. Then he put his feet in our fountain (adjacent to the building), then thew a rock a second time.”

The Witt’s have a residence in the historic district and said that they had some outside decor knocked over and some strewn about.

The next step in the process for Frye is “We will forward all the info to the Bourbon County Attorney’s office, then court proceedings will take place at a later date,” Bell said.

 

Mental Health Center to Move Into the Former Mercy Building

401 Woodland Hills Blvd. May 2023.

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center in Fort Scott has recently signed an agreement with Legacy  Health LLC for the center to move into the former Mercy Hospital Building at 401 Woodland Hills.

The building was recently vacated by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas who moved to another Fort Scott building.

The former Mercy Clinic Suites C and D, at 401 Woodland Hills, will be renovated by the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Clinic and move in will be thereafter.

“We don’t have an official date for the move as we need to secure a contractor for some renovations but are hoping this summer,” said Holly Jerome, SEKMHC’s director of marketing and human resources said. “Once a move date has been set, we will be notifying clients and the community.”

“We are certainly not new to Fort Scott,” said Jerome. “We were established in 1961! But due to our growth after becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Healthcare Clinic ( in 2022) we are outgrowing our current building which is located at 212 State Street.”

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Fort Scott.

“We will continue offering our current and expanded services,” Jerome said. “This new space will allow us to continue adding to our team!”

“SEKMHC is one of the first five community mental health centers to earn certification,” CEO Nathan Fawson said in a press release https://fortscott.biz/news/legacy-health-partners-with-southeast-kansas-mental-health-to-expand-services. “The CCBHC model of care concentrates on the overall health of a client, not just their mental health. We have expanded our care to integrate holistic care approaches, connect people with care coordination, and increase accessibility to services throughout our sixcounty catchment area. Looking into the future, we are striving to provide each client with a much more individualized experience by assisting clients in recoveryoriented ways in their homes, in our communities, or via telehealth whenever possible. We know that recovery is possible when you treat the person, not just their mental health challenge.”

According to its website https://www.sekmhc.org/ the services  they provide to the community are:

  • Substance use and addictions counseling
  • Clinical therapy and counseling
  • Community support and groups
  • Crisis intervention
  • Psychiatric and medication management
    They have locations in:
  • Allen County
  • Anderson County
  • Bourbon County
  • Linn County
  • Neosho County
  • Woodson County

Last year they served over 4,000 clients, according to its website. The staff provide school based therapy and case management in 12 school districts. They have 15 team members in the crisis department and 10 in the psychiatry department.

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is in transition to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), according to its website. A CCBHC provides comprehensive behavioral health services, while also focusing on physical health and whole person wellness.

What the transition means is, the following is added:

  • Patient navigation services
  • Comprehensive behavioral health screening at intake
  • Primary health screening including gathering health metrics (height, weight, and blood pressure)
  • Primary health resources and referral

What won’t change is:

  • Access to counseling and therapy
  • Access to crisis services
  • Access to medical services and psychiatry
  • Community-based services for adults and children
  • Services and programs previously provided, unless otherwise noted

Upcoming Community Self-Care Event:

A Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center Self-Care Fair will be held on May 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.

For more information:

https://www.sekmhc.org/selfcarefair/

For questions about the self-care fair, contact: Dawne Burchett at 620-496-8702 or Vicki Wright at 620-212-9391.

About Legacy Health

Legacy Health has a mission to bring development and healthcare to rural communities through sustainable and proactive approaches, according to the Legacy Health press release. Legacy believes that for a project to be successful, it is necessary to understand the needs of the community and the people.

Legacy Health LLC was registered on  June 7,  2022 as a Limited Liability Company – CA company type incorporated at 269 WEST BONITA CLAREMONT, CA 91711. according to /https://ca.ltddir.com/companies/legacy-health-llc/

Troy Schell is the Legacy Health Chairman of the Board, according to the press release.

Chief Clinical Officer is Jennifer Massey and  she is the contact person at [email protected]

Chief Strategy Officer is  Merrill Eisenhower.

 

Locally, Matthew Wells is Legacy Healthcare Foundation Director of Plant Operations at the 401 Woodland Hills site. His duties are technical and equipment maintenance. Wells recently helped the building receive joint hospital accreditation, which is necessary because of the patient care given in the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department that is also housed in the facility, he said.

The Legacy Health Foundation received the building from the Bourbon County Commission in November 2022. In addition to the building, the commission gave Legacy Health Foundation  $2 million dollars from funds received from Mercy Hospital and American Rescue Plan Act Funds to develop the property, according to a prior story.

To view the prior story:

https://fortscott.biz/news/bourbon-county-transfers-mercy-building-to-legacy-health-foundation

 

Legacy Health partners with Southeast Kansas Mental Health to Expand Services


Legacy Health is pleased to announce the finalization of an agreement with Southeast Kansas Mental Health.
The agreement will secure an office space in the building acquired by Legacy Health from Bourbon County in October 2022. The new Southeast Kansas Mental Health office will be located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott.


“Legacy Health is well aware of the significance of providing access to appropriate mental health services in the Southeast Kansas area,” said Legacy Health Chairman of the board Troy Schell. “We are delighted to be able to furnish an environment that will enable Southeast Kansas Mental Health to expand its services.”

“We have been working closely with CEO of Southeast Kansas Mental Health Nathan Fawson and their Board of Directors for several months to come to this agreement,” said Chief Clinical Officer Jennifer Massey. “We look forward to welcoming them in partnership and to the building.”


“This past year has been a year of tremendous growth for Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC). We’ve expanded services, hired additional staff, developed new departments, and became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). By partnering with Legacy Health and expanding our physical
space we will continue to meet the needs of our community. Our certification as a CCBHC establishes a foundation for continuous development in the coming years. SEKMHC is one of the first five community mental health centers to earn certification. The CCBHC model of care concentrates on the overall health of a client, not just their mental health. We have expanded our care to integrate holistic care approaches, connect people with care coordination, and increase accessibility to services throughout our sixcounty catchment area. Looking into the future, we are striving to provide each client with a much more individualized experience by
assisting clients in recoveryoriented ways in their homes, in our communities, or via telehealth whenever possible. We know that recovery is possible when you treat the person, not just their mental health challenge.”Nathan Fawson, CEO


Legacy Health is dedicated to ensuring the sustained availability of superior healthcare services in Fort Scott and Bourbon County. This partnership will allow both organizations to focus on services to the community. In addition, this partnership is only the first step in instituting other clinical services in the building.


“We are thrilled about this development and look forward to upcoming projects and partnerships in Fort Scott
and Bourbon County,” said Chief Strategy Officer Merrill Eisenhower. “Legacy Health remains committed to fulfilling our promise to Bourbon County and its citizens to revitalize the facility and supply essential healthcare services to the community.”

For more information contact Legacy Health representative, Jenn Massey at [email protected].


Legacy Health


Legacy Health has a mission, driven by passion, to bring development and healthcare to rural communities
through sustainable and proactive approaches. Legacy believes that for a project to be successful, it is necessary to understand the needs of the community and the people.


Southeast Kansas Mental Health


Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center was established in 1961 and is a nonprofit. It provides, advocates, and coordinates mental health care, services, and programs throughout southeast Kansas. The 250person professionals and support specialists are committed to assessing, treating, and supporting the mental health
needs of the communities they serve

FS Farmers Market Season Starts May 6 on Skubitz Plaza Including Breakfast on the Bricks

Fort Scott Farmers Market begins its 2023 season on May 6, this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon.

“It’s going to be a great day for a farmer’s market,” Teri Hamilton said. She is the new president of the market members group.

The market is in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.

Spring veggies, fresh bread, meat, flowers, eggs, honey, live plants and handmade crafts will be for sale from local vendors.

The group is looking to add other events to the market.

“Our goal is to connect with acoustic type music to have live music at the event, and other fun activities,” Hamilton said.

This first market of the season, the local Bourbon County Democrats are serving breakfast/ brunch on Saturday from 8 a.m. – noon.

They will serve fresh coffee or bottled water, fresh fruit, and a choice of fresh-baked coffee cake–all for $5.

“We will deliver in town,” said Carol MacArthur, Bourbon County Democrats chairperson. “For delivery or more information, call 620- 215-1505.”

“We also invite you to bring a lawn chair, if you wish to come, eat, and socialize!” she said.

Teri Hamilton, owner of Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery, is the president of the Fort Scott Farmers Market this year.

Teri Hamilton is the new president of the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market. Submitted photo.

“Melinda Goff has been the president for the last several years and we are transitioning leadership,” Hamilton said.

The cost of booths for vendors is $10 for the first day, which includes $5 registration and $5 booth fee.

“If you sign up for the whole season, its $108 to reserve a spot,” Hamilton said. ‘We welcome any new vendors. We can have 25 percent of the booths selling handmade crafts.”

Returning vendors will be given first priority for spots on the plaza.

Some of the returning vendors are the Hamiltons , Still Waters Farm-Katie and Ethan Holly, the Little Flower Farm-Kelly Richards, Chet and Linda Bower-fresh veggies, Ron and Beverly Brown-farm produce and preserves, Tim Allison-honey, Mrs. Tibbits and Mrs. Hawkins-sellilng crafts, Nickie Kraft-home sewn items, Roger Stumfoll-farm produce and eggs, and others.

There are four new vendors who will be selling baked goods, crafts, live plants and eggs.

A National Avenue stationary pavilion is on the horizon for the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market use in the near future, following a T-Mobile $50,000 grant in 2021.

https://fortscott.biz/news/market-street-pavilion-project-kicks-off

The Artificers Calendar for May

 

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The Artificers In May

Happy May! Check out the calendar below for all the

classes and events happening in May

Register for Classes Here!

Artist Opening Reception

Master Artist

Lorrie Fowler, Fluid Artist

Guest Artist

Issac Fowler, Oil & Acrylic Painter

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FLUID ART CLASS!
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