A local piano teacher has encouraged many students to pursue music in her 25-year career.
And it started in her childhood with a passion for piano and encouragement from her parents.
When Carolyn Tucker was in third grade, she had a desire to play the piano but there was no piano in her home.
Like a broken record, she consistently told her parents that she wanted to play, she said.
“They soon realized this desire was not going to go away, so one Saturday the three of us went to Springfield, MO, to shop for a piano,” Tucker said. “A few days later a brand-new piano was delivered to our home, and I couldn‘t play a lick! That expensive purchase was a huge step of faith for my parents and I will always be grateful.”
She began studying piano with Miss Rebecca Murray and found she loved it.
“I soon realized that God had given me the gift to play by ear, ” she said. “My mother never had to tell me to practice my lessons because every time I walked through the living room, I’d stop and play the piano. The ability to read music and play by ear was a great marriage, and by the time I was in eighth grade, I was the church pianist. I ‘cut my teeth’ on gospel music and it’s always been my first love.”
Since that purchase and the subsequent lessons, she’s been sharing her of love of music for 53 years in various church settings, weddings, funerals, civic functions, patriotic programs, nursing homes, retirement facilities, gospel concerts, family reunions, baby dedications, recitals, music parties, prayer breakfasts, etc.
“Music is a powerful language that everyone understands because it speaks from the heart,” she said.
In 1994, a friend asked her if she would teach her daughter to play the piano.
“I agreed to give it a try. Now, 25 years later, 97 students have come through the studio,” she said.
Grateful
“Playing the piano has provided a lifetime of musical ministry and joy for me,” Tucker said. ” I can’t imagine what my life would be like had my parents not provided the ‘begged-for’ piano and lessons for me.”
“I believe every baby is born with God-given gifts, and it’s up to the parents to help the child discover his/her destiny using those gifts for God‘s glory,” she said. “My Dad always said, ‘Buying that piano was the best investment I ever made.'”
Encourage children to find musical gifts
Tucker wants to inspire parents to provide their children with opportunities to find their gifts.
“God doesn’t gift every individual to be musical, but if a child expresses a deep desire to play an instrument, there’s a good chance that he/she was created to do it,” she said. “You never know what treasure lies within a child’s heart until the door is opened.
To contact Tucker for lessons, call 620-223-1483.
Tucker Music Studio is located at 954 240th Street
Fort Scott.
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💰💰Admission to our air-conditioned event is FREE.
“We will be accepting 60-100 craft, hand made, mass-produced, one of a kind or direct sales items as well as foods. No repeat of items will be allowed. Step away from the summer heat☀️☀️Drop the kids off at the aquatic center to swim 🏊♀️ and come enjoy some free time with indoor shopping 🛍 in the AC right here in Ft Scott KS🌻”
Vendor Applications available Friday, March 13, 2010.
www.PerrysPorkRinds.com Click on EVENTS tab & print form.
Mail to:
Perry’s Pork Rinds
PO Box 112
Bronson. KS66716
Margo Davis took time out of a hair appointment to give a friend a tour of her new salon on the salon’s opening day, March 3.
Structure by Margo is at 19 S. National Avenue, where Bids and Dibs Consignment store was formerly located.
The tour included a look at the new salon area that will eventually allow five other beauticians space, a kitchenette, a dispensary, a waxing room, hair washing stations, nail spa, bathroom and lots of storage space.
“I’m loving it, the new location, and the renovation work,” Davis said.
The salon opened following a Kansas State Board of Cosmetology inspection on Feb. 26 and months of a renovation of the building.
The hours of the business are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The brand new business phone number, as of March 9, is 620-644-5003.
Davis received her cosmetology degree from Fort Scott Community College and taught in the cosmetology department for 26 years.
Following her desire to mentor new hairstylists, Davis has a 2020 Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology student, Joy Page, coming when Page graduates.
Davis shows the waxing room where she removes facial and upper body hair. The reno work was done by Jim Jones, an electrician, and Josh Query, a contractor.
“They did an amazing job,” Davis said.
Now accepting nominations for
2020 Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence
Topeka, Kan. – The Kelly administration announced today that nominations are being accepted for the prestigious 2020 Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence, which honor businesses across the state.
“The Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence have been presented to outstanding Kansas businesses since 1995,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said, “It’s my honor to continue the tradition of recognizing the magnificent work Kansas businesses do for our people and our communities.”
In past years, the state has presented the Governor’s Award to one outstanding Kansas business. This year, in addition to Business of the Year, the state also will present awards for Outstanding New Business, Outstanding Veteran-owned Business and Family Friendly Business. Regional awards also will be presented in the Manufacturing and Distribution, Healthcare and Nonprofit, Business Services and Retail sectors.
“Businesses play a critical role in creating and maintaining a healthy Kansas economy,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “With so many terrific businesses in Kansas, I know members of the selection committee will have their work cut out for them in selecting this year’s winners.”
Nominations for the Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence are reviewed and scored by a committee of Kansas businesses and economic development professionals.
Businesses may be nominated by an individual or organization, and nominators may submit multiple companies for consideration. Self-nominations also are accepted. The nomination deadline is April 3, 2020. Additional details on the awards, as well as the nomination form may be found online at www.kansascommerce.gov/governorsawards.
Smallville CrossFit Recognized as Emerging Business of the Year at 2020 Kansas Small Business Awards
Smallville CrossFit was recognized as the Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State University Emerging Business of the Year at the annual Kansas Small Business Awards on March 5th in Topeka.
Aaron and Lindsey Watts, owners of Smallville CrossFit in Fort Scott, are on a mission to build a well-balanced, healthy, and fully capable community. Smallville’s atmosphere allows for anyone to come through their doors and start on their better health journey with no judgement.
The Wattses purchased Smallville CrossFit in 2016 and the business quickly grew. Knowing they would need to purchase a larger facility, the Wattses reached out to the Kansas Small Business Development Center in 2019 for assistance with cash flow projections and the development of a financial strategy.
“Laying out a detailed list of all of the costs we needed to address and be prepared for was huge for me,” said Lindsey Watts. “I am a planner; however, there were still many things that were not even on my radar. [Kansas SBDC advisor] Dacia Clark explained each and every cost and asked questions that helped me question ways to do things better with future spending.”
Smallville CrossFit is located at 1905 S. Judson Street in Fort Scott, Kansas. To learn more, follow them on Facebook at @smallvillecrossfit.
The renovation of a downtown late-1800s building has been at a standstill.
Work began in 2018 on the Union Building, at First and Main Street, and stopped for many months in 2019 and into 2020.
The inside was gutted and will be built back to make it into apartments, according to the developer.
“We replaced the (first) contractor” Tony Krsnich, president and CEO of Flint Hills Holdings, told FortScott.Biz.
A new process began of moving forward on the project, he said.
Architects and engineers have been working on plans for the gutted Union Building for weeks, Krsnich, said.
The three-story building is being converted into apartments for the general public and rent will be based on income, Krsnich said in a prior interview.
To see prior stories on the project:
Stout Building-Going, Union Block Building-New Apartments
Demo Work Has Started On Union Block Building
“Architects and engineers work from their offices most of the time,” Krsnich said. “They’ve been on site along with subs every week for the past five weeks or so.”
Hans Thomas and Associates, K.C. MO are the architects, Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, is the civil engineer, Rau Construction, Overland Park is the general contractor, and Joe Towns, Lee’s Summit, MO is the structural engineer, Krsnich said.
The developer, Flint Hills Holdings, is located at 2315 W. 65th, Mission Hills, KS.
Completion of the project is expected to be in December currently, he said.
Topeka, Kan. – Kansas exports totaled $11.6 billion in 2019, up 0.25 percent over 2018. Nationally, U.S. exports experienced a 1.25 percent decline during the same period.
“Seeing Kansas exports rise in the face of global headwinds like trade disputes, aviation difficulties and Brexit is heartening, and Kansans should be proud they are outperforming the national trend,” said Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland.
“Governor Kelly and I are committed to Kansas’ success in an increasingly competitive global economy,” Toland added. “The Governor’s reestablishment of the International division at the Department of Commerce and the continued investment in key programs that benefit Kansas exporters are having a positive impact on our exports.”
The combined value of the top ten exported commodities was $9 billion. The largest gains were seen in the cereals, electric machinery and vehicle and parts categories, which increased by $93 million, $90 million and $80 million respectively.
In the five-state region which includes Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma, the average export value was $9.3 billion, $2.3 billion less than Kansas’ export total.
Highlights:
2019 Kansas Exports–Top 10 Markets
| % of Total | % Change | Exports (Millions) | |||
| Country (with 2018 rank) | KS Exports | 2018-2019 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| 1 Mexico (1) | 18.85% | 4.00% | $2,190 | $2,106 | $1,882 |
| 2 Canada (2) | 16.24% | -3.16% | $1,886 | $1,948 | $2,512 |
| 3 Japan (3) | 8.87% | 2.21% | $1,030 | $1,008 | $980 |
| 4 China (4) | 4.76% | -15.83% | $553 | $657 | $706 |
| 5 Germany (6) | 4.37% | 7.06% | $508 | $475 | $430 |
| 6 United Kingdom (5) | 3.99% | -12.22% | $464 | $528 | $419 |
| 7 Republic of Korea (7) | 3.40% | -4.22% | $395 | $413 | $282 |
| 8 Singapore (8) | 3.17% | 9.37% | $368 | $336 | $256 |
| 9 Brazil (12) | 2.33% | 47.53% | $271 | $183 | $207 |
| 10 Taiwan (11) | 2.13% | 8.43% | $248 | $229 | $196 |
| Top 10 Total | 68.12% | 0.39% | $7,912 | $7,882 | $7,871 |
| Total Kansas Exports | 0.25% | $11,615 | $11,587 | $11,244 | |
2019 Kansas Exports Top 10 Commodity Classifications
| % of Total | % Change | Exports (Millions) | |||
| Commodity Classification | KS Exports | 2018-2019 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Aircraft and Parts | 19.37% | -5.52% | $2,249 | $2,381 | $2,699 |
| Meat and Edible Meat Offal | 13.63% | -6.54% | $1,583 | $1,694 | $1,440 |
| Industrial Machinery | 9.22% | -7.75% | $1,071 | $1,161 | $1,029 |
| Cereals | 8.21% | 10.85% | $954 | $860 | $1,146 |
| Electric Machinery | 8.11% | 10.60% | $942 | $852 | $778 |
| Special Classification Provisions | 5.03% | -2.72% | $585 | $601 | $408 |
| Oil Seeds | 4.92% | 6.08% | $571 | $539 | $439 |
| Vehicles and Parts | 3.55% | 24.33% | $412 | $331 | $284 |
| Optic and Medical Instruments | 2.65% | 17.10% | $308 | $263 | $244 |
| Food Industry Residues & Waste | 2.48% | 4.99% | $288 | $274 | $280 |
| Top 10 Total | 77.17% | 0.08% | $8,963 | $8,956 | $8,748 |
| Total Kansas Exports | 0.25% | $11,615 | $11,587 | $11,244 | |
For more information visit https://www.kansascommerce.gov/programs-services/export/.
Submitted by Billie Jo Drake, President of Bourbon County Coalition
March 4, 2020
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Federal loans and grants available to bring high-speed broadband to rural areas.
Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas State Department of Commerce announces today that applications are being accepted for the second round of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program. ReConnect is a USDA program that furnishes loans and grants to fund the costs of construction, improvement or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas.
As with the first funding round, USDA scoring includes points for states which have a broadband plan, and commit to expediting certain processes. Commerce is working with the USDA to ensure Kansas applicants are as competitive as possible.
Applications will be accepted until 6:00PM EST on March 16, 2020. Applications are made through the USDA, but Kansas applicants must obtain a state certification letter from the Kansas Department of Commerce to submit with their USDA application. The state certification letter can be obtained at www.kansascommerce.gov/sign-up/.
Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding through USDA’s broadband ReConnect Program to connect rural areas that currently have insufficient broadband service. Funds will be awarded to projects that have financially sustainable business models that will bring high-speed broadband to rural homes, businesses, farms, ranches and community facilities such as first responders, health care sites and schools.
Broadband constitutes critical infrastructure for the prosperity of all Kansans, especially in rural and non-competitive areas. The delivery of broadband connection and high-quality service will enable technologies critical to rural communities, such as precision agriculture, and will fuel long-term economic development opportunities in rural America.
For more information on obtaining a state certification letter, visit www.kansascommerce.gov/the-kansas-edge/utilities/broadband-initiative/reconnect-for-rural-e-connectivity/.
To apply to the ReConnect Program, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.
