Monday, November 22nd is the VIP Fall Extravaganza that will be held at the Fort Scott Middle School in the Gymnasium & Commons Area from 5-8 p.m.
This is a one-stop shopping and dining experience.
Pick up baked goods for your Thanksgiving dinner, purchase holiday gifts, and hear holiday music – all in one great evening.
Donated items from vendors will be available as raffle prizes.
Participating Vendors:
*2 Southern Ladies / Jessica Cullen
Baked Goods / Hunter Parker
*Bids & Dibs / Angela Simon
*Color Street / Heather Geiger
*Cowboy Christmas Store & Murphy Boys / Jaymie Murphy
*Crystal’s Jewelry / Carolyn Crystal
*Custom Jewelry / Laura Howard
*Desert Bloom / Jimmie Hughes
Dixie’s Lilla Rose / Dixie Jackson
*Down Home Country Crafter / Cindy Hall
*Flying P Ranch / Abbie Powell & Jolynne Mitchell
FSHS After Prom 2022 / Amy Harper
FSMS Technology Products / Adam Feagins
*Funky Junktiques / Jennifer Cox
*Happy Little Candle Factory / Lori Craig
*Home Sewn Items / Micki Kraft
*Laree + Co. / Rachel French
*Locust Hill Lamanchas / Sue Reinecke
Mixed Media Mosaics / Cindi Lipe
*Paul L. Milks Photography / Paul L. Milks
*Plain Jane’s Soap / Heather Mace & Pamela Walters
*Redbud Farms & Nurseries / Tara Allen
*Shirt Shack / Billy Webster
*Sugar Bakery / Jessie Combs
*Sunshine Boutique / Georgia Brown
*The Purse Lady / Nancy Crawford
*The Spurred Mule Creations and Décor / Jessica Norwood
*Tiger Threads / Morgan Sage
*Tupperware / Shawn O’Brien
*Uppacreek Ranch / Doug Simpson
*Well Spring Acres / Penny Moore
*Wood Crafts & Art / Wilbur Fleming
*These vendors will be donating items to be raffled that evening.
Tickets may be purchased for $0.25 each. Winners need not be
present to win.
Monday, November 22nd
Fort Scott Middle School
Gymnasium & Commons Area
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Parking is available on the east, west, and south sides of the school.
Wednesday Writers will happen at
Join Hedgehog.INK! on November 17 from
1:30 to 3 p.m.
The bookstore is located at 16 S. Main Street.
Jane M. Tucker, author of the Lottie Braun trilogy, will join the group to share insights into the writing and publishing of her books.
“This will be the third in a three-part series of workshops to give encouragement, motivation, and support to people who want to write,” said store owner Jan Hedges. “If there is enough interest, we may continue as a writers support group after the first of the year.”
NEW TABLETOPS AT LA HACIENDA ~ GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS!
La Hacienda is replacing our 21 table tops with a beautiful new design/finish and we are partnering with local businesses that will be featured on the tables with full color magazine quality ads.
The new tables will stay in place for 3 years.
There are 3 ad sizes to choose from.
A one time payment for all 3 years!
We handle all of the graphics or you can submit a PDF of a completed ad.
Most important is reserving your spot on the table as these ads are going fast.
Your involvement will show important community support in exchange for this unique exposure!
Contact Carol Carney if interested 1-316-641-7639 or let Mirna or Lupe know at La Hacienda.
_________
Thank you in advance to those who have already confirmed ad placement!
Ed and Susan Townley with their daughters from left Cheyanne Griffin, Dani Townley, and Ella Townley. They are pictured in the storefront before the task of decorating the space for the holidays.
Ed Townley, Olathe, has purchased the former Books and Grannies store at 11 N. Main, in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown.
“I bought it with ideas in mind, but that is ever-changing,” Townley said. “At the current moment, I may finish remodeling and rent it out for a few years.”
Local realtor, Barb Albright with H and H Agency, handled the sale of the building to the family.
“I bought rental houses and recently sold those and I always wanted a business downtown,” he said.
“I have lifelong friends from Fort Scott,” he said. “Jerome Mitzner and Brian Love, along with Al Metcalf.”
He and his wife, Susan, own an independent insurance adjuster business, he said.
“We have a side business of antiques in Johnson County,” Townley said.
They are looking forward to moving to Fort Scott, although at this point it won’t be until his youngest daughter graduates, and she is currently in the eighth grade, he said.
The overwhelming amount of books in the former bookstore were consolidated and sold to a company.
“The fastest and easiest way to liquidate the books was to have a company do it,” he said.
Then he had a clean slate to see what he purchased.
What he purchased at 11 N. Main was 1700 square feet with doors to both Main Street and Skubitiz Plaza.
“The front and back doors are appealing,” he said.
Townley has repainted the original ceiling tiles, is working on new flooring and a restroom will be added.
The family worked on a Christmas display on November 6 to spruce up the storefront for the upcoming annual holiday shopping event on November 11-13, sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and businesses.
The storefront at 11 N. Main has been decorated for Christmas by the Townley family.The storefront that the Townley family created includes a fireplace with Christmas stockings and a Christmas tree with presents.
“We did a vintage Christmas display, to give (the storefront) a little personality,” Townley said.
Following the completion of work on the first floor, the family has the upstairs to renovate.
There is an apartment on the second floor that is the whole length of the store and the family has a goal of making that into a living space, he said.
Townley shows off a working jukebox purchased from Fort Scottian Bill Michaud, which was at the former Kress Building down the street on Main.
Doug Graham (center left), the communication specialist for Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, presents a check for $5,000 to Bourbon County Fair Association members (from left to right) Laura George, Wilma Hibdon, Diane Brillhart, Mark Brillhart, and Dale Griffiths.
Fair participants and others using the buildings at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds will soon benefit from improvements to roofing and HVAC systems made possible in part by a grant from Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative.
Heartland recently awarded Bourbon County Fair Association a $5,000 grant through its Concern for Community program.
“I often say that we’re not in the business of selling electricity, we’re in the business of powering rural lifestyles,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO. “Part of that is supporting the communities our consumer-members live in and around. This grant program is a great way to do just that.”
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.
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.
Nine applications out of 25 received were approved for funding by the Heartland board. In total, Heartland distributed around $36,000 in Concern for Community grants this year.
3-Day Holiday Open House Kick-Off : November 11, 5-8pm
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Annual Holiday Open House Shopping Event will take place November 11th to 13th in the Downtown Historic District and other participating locations.
Many retailers will be open Thursday evening, November 11th from 5 to 8pm for a special shopping kick-off with the Holiday Open House continuing on Friday and Saturday during normal business hours. In honor of Veterans Day and our local veterans, participating stores will be making a donation to Wreaths Across America from Thursday evening’s sales.
Dolly the Trolley will provide complimentary transportation between shopping locations Thursday from 5 to 8pm for those wishing to shop and ride.
Participating retailers include the following location: Angela Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses Vintage Market, Bartlesmeyer Jewelry, Bids & Dibs, Courtland Hotel & Spa – Flying P Ranch, Hedgehog.INK!, Hole In the Wall Liquor, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Main Street Gallery & Gifts, Papa Don’s (vendors), Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, and Varia ~ Quality Resale Clothing Store.
More details will be posted on the Chamber website www.fortscott.com and social media. Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more at 620-223-3566.
Ryan Edgecomb, 46, is a new real estate agent for Lyons Realty Group.
Lyons’ Realty Group office, 8 E. Wall, taken from its Facebook page.
“I will assist clients with buying and selling real estate,” he said. “I plan to use my agriculture background to specialize in hunting and agriculture properties.”
“I have been involved in ag-related careers my entire life including livestock feed and equipment sales as well as agriculture education,” he said.
He started this month.
He pursued this career because he has a strong interest in property and land values, he said.
“After Kylie and I got married, we started watching real estate and looking for a house to buy,” he said. ” We also kept our eyes open for some small acreage suitable to build a house. We successfully found 20 acres and built our dream home. Furthermore, I have always been intrigued by the real estate and land trends in our area. This has prompted me to pursue this position.”
Edgecomb has been involved in the agricultural community.
“I am very active in Kansas Farm Bureau by serving a leadership role on the county level and representing District 3 on the state beef advisory committee,” he said. “I have also served on many local ag advisory boards, extension boards, and participated in numerous community service projects.”
Edgecomb attended Kansas State University for both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
“My wife, Kylie, and I live on a small farm in rural Crawford County. We raise a small herd of commercial Angus and balancer cattle,” he said.
Once an anchor store in Fort Scott Historic Downtown, Country Cupboard staff is opening the store at 12 N. Main on Saturdays only until the end of the year in a liquidation sale, according to employees.
Home decor, jewelry, clothing, cards, old fashion candy were among the offerings of the store, as well as Kansas State University accessories.
“Judy (Renard, the owner) was a true K-State fan,” a 20-year employee Sheila Blubaugh, said.
Judy Renard was the owner of the County Cupboard.
“We had the latest trends in merchandise,” Blubaugh, said. “Judy had a good ability to pick out something that was going to be popular. People came from lots of places, to shop here.”
“Judy was good at, if somebody wanted something we didn’t have, she would try to get it for them,” Marie Wiley, an almost 30-year employee, said. “She was a good boss, as well.”
Judy’s husband, John, had a shoe repair business inside the shop.
John died in December 2019, and Judy died this year in September.
In the last few years, the shop has been opened only rarely, as Judy had been ill.
Since the Good Ol Days Event this year in June, the shop has been open on Saturdays, Wiley said.
Now until the end of the year, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, shoppers can purchase antiques, store displays, former consignment items, and store merchandise that is for sale.
All are included in the liquidation sale.
“We have boxes of old consignment items,” Wiley said. “Some are being given away.”
The Renard family has listed the business property with real estate agent, Crystal Mason, Blubaugh said.
The family is comprised of Renard’s four children, Jim, Dallas, TX; Ron, Marshall, MO; David, Mapleton, and Dee Anne Miller, Fort Scott.
The building has two stories and a basement, Wiley said.
History of the business
Judy Renard started her business as the Calico Cottage, in a different building on Main Street, Blubaugh said.
“The shop featured handmade items, sold on consignment,” Blubaugh said.
Then Judy and John purchased the current location at 12 N. Main, about 40 years ago, Wiley said.
The building was originally a men’s clothing store, then A & P Grocery Store and then a men’s Western shop-when the Renard’s bought it, Wiley said.
Kate and Trent Freeman, Edwardsville, purchased a building at 8 North National Avenue, Fort Scott, on October 2, 2020, and will soon open their new business there, called The Artificers.
“The definition of artificers is fine artists and craftsmen,” Kate said.
The business will be an art gallery, a teaching studio workshop space, and a studio space for both Kate and Trent, who are artists by profession.
“We have a network of artists that we will pull from to come in and display and teach watercolor, collage, airbrush artists… from all over the country,” she said.
There will be classes and workshops.
A possible opening will be late winter, 2021, or early spring, 2022, Trent said.
“Artificers is a group, including Trent and I and anyone we invite in,” she said. “You can expect quality work.”
Trent received a degree in fine art from Emporia State University; Kate “just does art”, she said, and added, “I do the marketing for the business.”
The business will take commissioned art and have art for sale.
Trent works to create art in mixed media: clay, glass, wood, metal; Kate works in clay and acrylic painting.
“We had our studio in Kansas City for 22 years,” Trent said. “I’ve been a professional for 28 years. We’ve done everything from gallery to commission to art festivals all over the country. Most of our work is commission now.”
Trent said when Kansas City shut down businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, they began coming to their farm, west of Fort Scott.
Trent’s parents, Ed and Jackie Freeman built a house near Bronson and retired there, and so Trent and Kate have been coming here for 20 years, he said. “And we loved the town.”
“We love the atmosphere here,” Kate said. “It feels like home here. I feel there is a revival about to happen in the town and it feels good.”
The artists had a setback in July 2021, when the building next door to the north, between The Artificers and Sharkey’s Pub & Grub Restaurant, collapsed.
“That set us back three months,” Trent said.
Also, the pandemic has kept contractors busy and the Freemans are in line for plumbing, electrical, etc.
Trent is doing most of the repurposing of the inside of the former Hammond Real Estate building himself, and last Saturday was framing up some rooms on the inside.
“The front one-third of the building will be a gallery space,” Kate said. “The next one-third will have a small kitchenette and be a teaching studio workshop and have classes in all art genres. The back one-third will be our studio space for creating.”
“The City of Fort Scott is contracting Mid Continental Restoration for some facia and the entire north side (of the building) will be cleaned and sealed,” Trent said. “They have been good to us.”
The Freeman’s will eventually live on the second floor of the building when the business’s first floor is complete, Kate said.
They are not in a hurry, because their daughter is a senior in high school and they don’t want to move until she leaves for the University of Arkansas next fall.
Accompanying them in the move will be their Red Healer dog, Ivy, Kate said, and Ivy was enjoying the sun from a south-facing window in the gallery on Saturday. There will be many more days in that spot.
Kate Freeman. Submitted photo.Trent Freeman. Submitted photo.Kate Freeman. Submitted photo.Trent Freeman. Submitted photo.The sign on the business reflects National Avenue.
Third quarter 2021 GAAP EPS of $1.95; Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) of $1.98
Increasing quarterly dividend 7%, to $0.5725 per share, annualized to $2.29
Raising and narrowing 2021 GAAP EPS Guidance to $3.71 to $3.81; Adjusted EPS Guidance to $3.50 to $3.60
Kansas City, Mo., November 3, 2021 – Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) today announced third quarter 2021 earnings of $449 million, or $1.95 per share, compared with earnings of $365 million, or $1.60 per share, for the third quarter of 2020.
Evergy’s adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) were
$455 million and $1.98 per share, respectively, in the third quarter of 2021 compared with $393 million and $1.73 per share, respectively, in the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) are reconciled to GAAP earnings in the financial table included in this release.
Third quarter earnings per share were driven higher primarily by higher retail sales from warmer weather, increased transmission margin, higher other income, and lower income tax expense, partially offset by a decrease in weather-normalized demand.
“We continue to execute on all elements of our strategy, including investment in energy infrastructure and disciplined cost management. This execution and favorable sales in the third quarter, driven primarily by warm weather, have allowed us to raise and narrow our 2021 adjusted earnings guidance range to $3.50 to $3.60 per share from $3.20 to $3.40. We are also increasing our fourth quarter dividend by seven percent, reflecting confidence in the outlook of our business.” said David Campbell, Evergy president and chief executive officer. “As we look ahead, we will remain focused on executing our strategy and delivering benefits to all of our stakeholders.”
Earnings Guidance
The Company raised and narrowed its 2021 adjusted EPS guidance range to $3.50 to $3.60 from its original guidance range of $3.20 to $3.40. The Company affirmed its 2022 adjusted EPS guidance range of $3.43 to $3.63, as well as its long-term adjusted EPS annual growth target of 6% to 8% through 2025 from the $3.30 midpoint of the original 2021 adjusted EPS guidance range.
Dividend Declaration
The Board of Directors declared a dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.5725 per share
payable on December 20, 2021. The dividends are payable to shareholders of record as of November 19, 2021.
Earnings Conference Call
Evergy management will host a conference call Wednesday, November 3, with the investment community at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT). Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing (888) 353-7071, conference ID 3955549. A webcast of the live conference call will be available at http://investors.evergy.com.
Members of the media are invited to listen to the conference call and then contact Gina Penzig with
any follow-up questions.
This earnings announcement, a package of detailed third-quarter financial information, the
Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2021, and other filings the Company has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available on the Company’s website at http://investors.evergy.com.
Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP) and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP)
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) exclude the income or costs resulting from non-regulated energy marketing margins from the February 2021 winter weather event, and costs resulting from executive transition, severance, advisor expenses and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities from the Kansas corporate income tax rate change. This information is intended to enhance an investor’s overall understanding of results. Management believes that adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) provide a meaningful basis for evaluating Evergy’s operations across periods because it excludes certain items that management does not believe are indicative of Evergy’s ongoing performance. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) are used internally to measure performance against budget and in reports for management and the Evergy Board of Directors. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.
The following tables provide a reconciliation between net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. and diluted earnings per common share as determined in accordance with GAAP and adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP).
Evergy, Inc
Consolidated Earnings and Diluted Earnings Per Share
(Unaudited)
Earnings (Loss)
Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share
Earnings (Loss)
Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share
Three Months Ended September 30
2021
2020
(millions, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc.
$
449.4
$
1.95
$
364.5
$
1.60
Non-GAAP reconciling items:
Non-regulated energy marketing costs related to February 2021
winter weather event, pre-tax(b)
1.9
0.01
—
—
Executive transition costs, pre-tax(c)
3.3
0.02
—
—
Severance costs, pre-tax(d)
—
—
28.7
0.13
Advisor expenses, pre-tax(e)
1.2
—
9.7
0.04
Income tax benefit(f)
(1.0)
—
(9.6)
(0.04)
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)
$
454.8
$
1.98
$
393.3
$
1.73
Earnings (Loss)
Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share
Earnings (Loss)
Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share
Year to Date September 30
2021
2020
(millions, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc.
$
826.3
$
3.60
$
567.3
$
2.49
Non-GAAP reconciling items:
Non-regulated energy marketing margin related to February 2021
winter weather event, pre-tax(a)
(95.0)
(0.42)
—
—
Non-regulated energy marketing costs related to February 2021
