20 Scott Avenue houses the Hercules Hobby store. Submitted photo.
Hercules Hobby, a store that sells sports cards, autographed memorabilia, helmets, Pokemon, and Magic The Gathering cards, opened in Fort Scott on June 13.
The store is located at 20 Scott Avenue.
“I had 25 kids in here on our soft opening,” said Phil Jackson, owner of the store. “Some kids play tournaments with Pokémon and MTG cards. There may be tournaments possible at a later date.”
“I have been a collector my entire life; my grandpa, who passed away, was a collector,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about a brick and mortar store for a while—something fun for kids to do on the weekend.”
“My grandfather will be in the soul of this store,” he said.
Hours of operation currently are 4-8 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Other days and times to be determined at a later date.
“It’s something we don’t have around here,” Jackson said. “I bought and sold items at shops in Kansas City. There is none like this in our area.”
Levi Qualls, left, is the manager, and Phil Jackson is the owner of Hercules Hobby. Submitted photo.
He hired the manager, Levi Qualls, following a conversation at Faith Church, where they both attend.
“Levi shares the same love of this hobby that I do,” Jackson said.
For more information, contact Jackson at 515-512-3883.
This new business is under Jacksons Enterprise LLC.
Lupe and Mirna Santana in front of La Hacienda, 24 N. Main.
Sixteen years ago, Mirna and Lupe Santana moved to Kansas from Georgia. Lupe had family in Parsons who owned a Mexican restaurant, and they decided to venture into that business, so Lupe began looking in other towns in the area.
In Fort Scott, they discovered that a Mexican restaurant had recently relocated from the downtown area, and they believed this would be an ideal location.
In 2010, they moved into 20 S. Main, Mirna said. By 2015, they were looking for a different location because of the condition of the building.
“We moved into 24 N. Main in 2015,” she said. “And we are celebrating 15 years in Fort Scott.”
“We enjoy when we see people happy and thankful they had a great meal,” she said. “That makes us feel proud.”
Mirna has her father living in their home, and Lupe has his mom and dad in town, and that requires a lot of time, she said. They enjoy having their parents so near, but it is a challenge, because “We think about the business 24/7,” she said.
But despite this challenge, “We hope to keep La Hacienda open for another 15 years. We just want to work.” And they are thankful to own their own business.
Her mom and dad were in the food business as well.
“My daddy used to be a baker and my mama used to put a table out on the street and sell food, and I helped her,” she said.
One of their son helps care for her father, and another son, nephew, uncle, and daughter-in-law work with them in the restaurant.
Last month, the restaurant reopened on Sundays after a year-long break.
“We invite you to come and try, we cook with lots of love,” Mirna said.
The history of Mirna and Lupe is told on a page in their menu.
The “mom and pop” restaurant is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Some lucky person will be the new owner of a brand new 2025 Ford F150 Platinum Edition SuperCrew 4 x 4 Truck—and the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation is hopeful the individual will be from Kansas. This is the agency’s twenty-fifth year for a raffle give-away. The event is a fund-raiser for the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation, a charitable organization that raises money to build homes for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services in Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.
“Everyone likes the idea that for a $50 donation they may win a brand-new truck.” Comments Tricia Campbell, Special Projects Coordinator. Entries in the drawing are limited to 3,000. “Those are pretty good odds; better than the lottery,” Campbell said.
The Friends of Tri-Valley purchased the truck from Steve Faulkner Ford in Chanute, KS.
“The truck is really luxurious, with lots of unique features,” Campbell said. “We are excited to be able to giveaway a truck that will last for years and bring so much enjoyment to its new owner.”
The lucky winner’s name will be drawn at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20th, at the Foundation’s offices at 521 W. 35 Ch Pkwy, Chanute.
“Even though it only takes a second to pull the winner’s name, it’s always exciting,” Campbell said. “And it’s really fun when we call the winner to let them know!”
Proceeds from the annual drawing have helped the Friends of Tri-Valley build five houses and acquire ten homes and one duplex for individuals with developmental disabilities. The houses are located in Buffalo, Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Neodesha, and Moline and are “home” for 82 individuals served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services. The Foundation is licensed through the state for the annual raffle, license number RAF000005.
About two years ago, McKay moved to Fort Scott from Hutchinson and found he needed something to do with his time.
His son-in-law, Kale Nelson, had some chainsaw blades that needed sharpening, so McKay worked on them.
Nelson then told some of his friends about the service, and this turned into a new business, called Sharpen It.
He can sharpen “about anything with a blade”, McKay said. “Knives, chainsaws, lawnmowers, Dado… about anything, I have a sharpener for it.”
Before he retired in 2001, he was a refrigeration and air conditioning serviceman in Hutchinson. “Then I worked as a bus driver for Nickerson School District for 14 years before I moved here.”
Most people bring the items that need to be sharpened to his workshop at 738 Osbun, on Fort Scott’s northwest side of town.
“If I have to pick it up, I charge about $1, depending on how far I have to go,” he said.
His sharpening prices: $4-12 for knives, $6-12 for chainsaws, and $5 a piece for lawnmower blades.
“I always make sure that I charge a little cheaper than what’s normal,” he said.
“It might be a day or two out before I get to it,” he said.
However, he said he provides the added service of cleaning the blades before sharpening.
This week is McKay’s vacation, but you can text him at 620.960.6059 and leave a message with your phone number for him to call back.
McKay’s sharpening business, Sharpen It, is at his residence. Submitted photo.
The Queen’s Muse is being built adjacent to the Artificers, at 10 N. National Avenue. Construction items can be seen in front of the building project. The green space will be used for an outdoor event space in the future.
Trent and Kate Freeman finally have great weather to make progress on their newest project, called The Queen’s Muse.
A muse is a source of inspiration, according to the dictionary.
“The Artificers is in a ‘Queen Anne’ (style architecture) and we are building her muse. Hence, ‘The Queen’s Muse,'” Kate Freeman said.
“It’s to house our out-of-town artists,” she said. “Our artist’s respite, while here teaching a workshop and doing art shows. It will help our artists have a space close to stay (near their business) and hopefully attract more artists to Fort Scott with a place to stay as well as show their work.”
The building is an addition to the Artificers art gallery and teaching studio, at 8 N. National Avenue.
Currently, there is no designated completion date, she said.
“It will be two suites on the upper level, Airbnb, each with a bathroom. The lower level will be to cater out of and a bathroom, an event space.”
In front of that building will be an outdoor event space and a sculpture garden.
“We’ll have large, mixed-media pieces on concrete pads. The space will also be available for events such as a bridal shower or wine-tasting event.”
“We started to plan this after we acquired the land. It’s something awesome for the community and our business,” she said.
The Queen’s Muse will be an addition to the Artificers Gallery. Pictured are materials and the start of the build, May 29, 2025.
“We are proud to be supporting local and regional businesses every step of the way. Keeping our investment close to home is a priority, and we’re grateful to work with such talented peeps in our community,” she said. “Such as Redbud Nursery, Fort Scott-the plants and trees; Henry Witt Fabrications, Fort Scott- the sculpture garden gate; Red Logic, Mound City, the website; Ron Hurd Construction, Fort Scott, concrete work; Cedar Valley Metal, Garnett, materials; Gibson Construction, Paola is the builder/contractor.”
“And the Bourbon County Garden Club has helped design the garden area. They got together and plotted it all, for us.”
The Freemans received a $25,000 Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grant in December 2024 that is helping to fund this newest project.
Kate and Trent Freeman, from the Artificer Facebook page.
About the Artificers
T.E. Freeman Studio, Trent and Kate’s art business, moved to Fort Scott during the COVID-19 Pandemic, from the Kansas City area.
“We bought the building in October 2022 and opened the art gallery in January 2023.”
In addition to the Artificers Gallery, in 2024, another business, Bourbon County Clay, was launched, utilizing clay extracted from the county for creations sold in the gallery.
Currently, they have a gallery assistant who helps with all three LLC businesses they own and an apprentice who helps with Kate’s Bourbon County Clay business.
Earlier this year, they were awarded the 2025 Kansas Governor’s Arts Award for Art in Business.
They initiated a First Friday event each month, where their gallery is open until 9 p.m. when they first opened. The First Friday event includes some artists’ openings.
“The City of Fort Scott is trying to get all the businesses on board to have more events on the first Friday of each month,” she said.
Photos from the Artificers Facebook page.
This First Friday, June 6, will feature Trent’s first show since opening in Fort Scott. He will be featuring outside mixed-media art sculptures, called luminaries.
Artist Roxi Hardegree, Texas, will be showing, selling, and teaching about her art medium, botanical arts, on June 6, as well.
The CEO Award winner is Grace Kramer, pictured with husband Larry. Submitted photo.
50th Anniversary Celebration Held
Tri-Valley Developmental Services celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1st with a party and awards ceremony. The event was held during the afternoon at Central Park Pavilion in Chanute. 175 Attendees were treated to celebration cupcakes and punch as well as a travel mug celebrating Tri-Valley’s 50 years. The afternoon’s entertainment was Robbie Bell, who performed hits from the year 1975. Right before the awards ceremony, Bill Fiscus raised a glass to toast Tri-Valley’s past, present, and future.
Robbie Bell. Submitted photo.
Following the toast, the annual awards ceremony was held. Awards were given to individuals and organizations who actively support Tri-Valley in its mission to support our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.
Awards were presented to the following:
Business of the Year – Ruddick’s Furniture and Flooring, Fort Scott and C & H Lanes, Chanute
Ruddick’s Furniture, Business of the Year Award (pictured left to right: Anna Musselman, Josh Davenport, Terry Davenport, Cindy Davenport, Sheila Kelly, and TVDS Board Member Lindsay Madison). Submitted photo.
Achievement Awards – Koby Erie, Michael Mitchell, and Matthew Patch
Ed Bideau Advocacy Award – Jim Godinez
Masterson Family Award – Beth Ringwald
Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Visionary Award – Mike Reid
Tri-Valley Developmental Services Holds Friendship and Dating Class for Persons Served; Program Grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation
Persons Served at Tri-Valley Developmental Services (TVDS) Fort Scott Service Center are participating in a Friendship and Dating Program that was made possible by funds from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation. Grant money from the Foundation was used to purchase Friendships and Dating program developed by the University of Alaska – Anchorage.
The program teaches individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) how to build healthy, meaningful relationships and prevent interpersonal violence. “This program has made a huge impact on the individuals we serve,” said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “Persons served are having fun and are learning a lot through the program. We discuss communication skills (non-verbal and verbal) as well as emotions and feelings. This program is a success, thanks in part to our friends at the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.”
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation hosts individual charitable funds created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people throughout Fort Scott and Bourbon County. Call the Foundation at 620-244-6500 with questions about the Community Foundation.
Check out the calendar below for all events happening at your favorite
Art Gallery & Teaching Studio!
Join us for an Artist Opening Reception!
June 6th, at 6:00pm!
Who is Roxi Hardegree?
Roxi Hardegree is a full-time artist based in Lubbock, Texas. She grew up on a farm in North Dakota, where a childhood spent outdoors sparked a lifelong sense of exploration and creativity. Her days were filled with fishing in the river, crafting, and tending to flowers in the garden.
Roxi draws deep inspiration from the women in her family—her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother—whose flower beds overflowed with peonies, roses, delphiniums, and seas of irises and lilies. Their creativity left a lasting impression that continues to shape her artistic path.
Over the years, Roxi has created both traditional and art quilts, authored books, and taught quilting classes. She also nurtured a lifelong passion for photography, earning numerous sales and awards along the way. Today, she has come full circle, returning to hands-on creation through botanical prints using cyanotype and collage techniques, including eco prints and metalwork. You will be able to view her work on June 6th, 2025!
In her downtime, Roxi enjoys traveling the country in an RV with her husband Blake and their labradoodle, Sofi.
Moody Blues: Wet Cyanotype Workshop by Roxi Hardegree
Saturday, June 7th 11:00am-3:00pm
Discover the magic of botanical printmaking in this hands-on cyanotype workshop—no experience necessary! In this 4-hour class, we’ll explore the wet cyanotype process using natural materials to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind prints.
You’ll learn the basics and some intermediate techniques of this alternative photographic method, including how to work with various liquids, texture-enhancing additives, and UV light. Each student will receive a materials kit and have access to a wide selection of botanicals, both fresh and pressed, to experiment with.
We will take a lunch break while our art processes, so bring a sack lunch or visit a local restaurant.
By the end of class, you’ll leave with at least one finished 5×7 cyanotype print—and plenty of inspiration and extra papers to keep creating. All supplies provided—just bring your curiosity and love of botanicals!
Provided supplies include a variety of botanicals (pressed and fresh) and texturing materials.
Your Kit includes:
9×12 Backing board, Felt, Plexiglass and Clips, 6 assorted pre-coated papers, 3 Spray bottles of different liquids.
Trent Freeman is a mixed media sculptor and ceramic artist, as well as the gallery owner and ceramic instructor at The Artificers in Fort Scott, Kansas. Originally from DeSoto, KS, Trent earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emporia State University, where he also pursued graduate work in sculpture.
Trent has been working professionally since 1997. For over two decades, he operated a teaching studio in Kansas City, KS before relocating to Fort Scott. His work is deeply influenced by Japanese ceramics, though his primary inspiration comes from the tactile and expressive qualities of materials such as wood, metal, and natural clay.
His notable bodies of work include the Luminaries: Guardians, Sentinels, and Guides series that you will be able to view on June 6th, 2025!
A crowd of 158 attended the 2025 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation annual spring fundraiser on a new night, Friday, April 4th. For a second year, the event was held at the SEK Impact Center with doors opening at 5:30 pm. Décor was provided by Lisa Wolverton of Hitch and Hoedown Rentals. Approximately $13,568 was raised during the evening from stretch, silent, and live auctions. For the first time, Robbie Bell provided entertainment throughout the evening. Her performance was enjoyed by all. Those in attendance received gift certificates to Wellness Journey, a new spa located in Chanute, KS.
Attendees were treated to a delicious meal of bacon-wrapped chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, lettuce salad, and roll furnished by C & S Traveling Kitchen. Dessert was mini-bundt cakes in three flavors, provided by Brenda Harrison, TVDS Director of Programming. Neosho County Community College students helped serve the meal. Door prizes were courtesy of the TVDS greenhouse in Fort Scott.
As in year’s past, the live auction was the highlight of the evening. Dave Petersen served as auctioneer and did a fantastic job. For 2025, we added two new trips courtesy of Monarch Cement; a trip for two to Nashville and a trip for two to Las Vegas. Other items auctioned off include: a Breckenridge CO vacation package courtesy of Home Savings Bank; a Branson MO vacation package courtesy of Community National Bank; a full-size recliner courtesy of Ruddick’s Furniture in Fort Scott; and Dinner for 10 courtesy of Brenda Harrison. Thank you to the local merchants that provided gift baskets for both the silent and stretch auctions. Thank you to Larry Holman for serving as the evening’s photographer. The pictures are amazing.
All money raised from the evening will go towards the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation projects. Since 2001, the Foundation has built six homes and acquired nine additional homes and a duplex. The houses are located in our communities of Buffalo, Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Moline, and Neodesha. These houses are home to 81 of our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services.
“The evening was fantastic”, said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “The food, drawings and conversation were phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope you had an enjoyable evening and look forward to seeing you all in 2026.”
A big thank you goes to the evening’s sponsors. Promenade Level: Monarch Cement Company and David & Beth Toland
Colonnade Level: Community National Bank – Chanute, Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Larry Holman, Home Savings Bank, IMA, Dave Peterson Auction Services, Steve Faulkner Ford, and SEK Impact Center.
Esplandae Level: Ash Grove, Cardinal Drug, Community National Bank – Eureka, Hitch & Hoedown, Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, CPA, and Wellness Journey.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Varia Quality Resale Clothing, 114 E. 23rd St. this Thursday, May 29th at 8am. Coffee, juice, and refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing.
Varia offers affordable prices and a variety of high-quality used items, including women’s, teens’, and children’s clothing, as well as purses, shoes, jewelry, and more. Owner, Robin Kendrick, is celebrating her 4th year in business and is excited to host this event, welcoming everyone to join in the celebration.
Varia’s June Special will feature a $50 store credit drawing. Customers who spend a minimum of $20 when shopping in-store can register for the drawing.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at
(620) 223-3566 for more information.
Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for
