The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to attend a Chamber Coffee on Thursday, March 5th at 8 a.m., hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council in conjunction with their Fine Arts Exhibit.
The coffee will be held in the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 Horton St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to win a door prize drawing.
The 34th Annual Bourbon County Arts Council Fine Arts Exhibit will be open to the public Thursday, March 5th through Friday, March 13th from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and Saturdays, March 7th and 14th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
An artist reception will be held Thursday, March 5th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. During the reception, participating artists will have the opportunity to hear the jurors’ critique and visit about their pieces. The public is welcome to attend, and light refreshments will be served.
Exhibit categories include Ceramics; Drawing & Graphics (Pencil, Pen, Ink); Fiber Art; Glasswork; Jewelry; Mixed Media; Painting (Oil & Acrylic); Pastel; Photography; Printmaking; Sculpture; and Watercolor. The theme of this year’s exhibit is “Life Inspiring”.
For more information, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar at fortscott.com and click on the “Chamber Coffees” category for upcoming hosts and locations.
Lindsay Madison is the executive director of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Submitted photo.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce staff have been working to provide educational, financial, and marketing opportunities for businesses.
Kansas Main Street
At the Feb. 20 Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet at the Courtland Hotel, President and CEO Lindsay Madison said that the City of Fort Scott passed a resolution to apply for Kansas Main Street. The Kansas Main Street Program is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts. Currently, Fort Scott is listed as an affiliate. She is waiting for the new Kansas Department of Commerce/Kansas Main Street training. This training is provided to equip participants with knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively engage with decision-makers and drive meaningful change, according to information she passed out.
Legislators In Town at Chamber Coffee on Saturday
This Saturday, February 28, the Chamber is having a Capitol Update over coffee with Kansas legislators, which will be held at the Kansas Renewal Institute, at 401 Woodland Hills. It will be in the McAuley Center from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The public is invited.
Guests should enter through the main east doors; the meeting room is located down the hallway on the right. KRI will sponsor coffee and light refreshments provided by Common Ground Coffee Co. Tours of the KRI facility will be offered immediately following the event. according to a press release.
Kansas Senator Tim Shallenburger and State Representative Rick James are confirmed to attend. The legislators will provide an update on the current legislative session, share information about the committees on which they serve, and address questions and issues presented by attendees. Bryan Holt will serve as moderator for the event, according to the release.
Other items from the meet and greet meeting:
A Destination Creation course will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, April 13. This one-day course will help towns to work towards becoming a tourist destination. The cost is $50, including lunch. Contact the Chamber at 620.223.3566.
There are two upcoming business builder workshops: March 10 at 1.30 p.m. for creating a smarter social media strategy for small businesses, and March 31 at 1.30 p.m. for Google Business 101.
There is a Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks state-wide leadership training on March 7 at the River Room, with approximately 100-150 people attending.
The Fort Scott Community College Rodeo is March 13-15.
The 2026 Schedule of Events, a community guide, is almost complete. There will be 10,000 copies available for distribution.
The Fort Scott Downtown Clean-up will be in April or May, with Craig Campbell leading. The Elks have provided a grant for clean-up supplies for the event. Businesses are requested to send notices of clean-up needs to the Chamber.
Grants Available
An E-Community Grant is available at .networkkansas.com Grants are for $5,000 to $50,000 at 6% for 10 years.
Grow KS maximum grant for $100,000 at 4% for five years and 6% for 10 years.
There are technical assistance grants available for up to $1,000 to current loan participants.
The next Meet and Greet is Tuesday, May 5 from 8-9 a.m. at City State Bank.
FSCC Rodeo Building
(small building to the south of
Arnold Arena by the cattle pens)
2108 Horton St.
We hope to see you there!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to attend a Chamber Coffee on Thursday, February 26th at 8am, hosted by Fort Scott Community College’s Rodeo & Ag Departments. The coffee will take place in the Rodeo Building, which is the small building to the south of Arnold Arena, next to the cattle pens, on FSCCs campus, 2108 Horton St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to win a door prize drawing.
The Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) Rodeo Team continues its tradition of excellence in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Central Plains Region, with 15 Men’s Team Championships and alumni competing professionally. The team trains in the Arnold Indoor Arena, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and leadership.
The 47th Annual FSCC Spring College Rodeo will be Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m
Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 p.m.
at the Arnold Indoor Arena, showcasing top collegiate rodeo competition.
FSCC’s Agriculture Department offers competitive Livestock and Meat Judging teams, giving students hands-on experience evaluating animals, meat quality, and presenting oral reasons—preparing them for careers in agriculture.
Following the rodeo, Aggie Days will be held
March 28, 2025, welcoming FFA and 4‑H members for contests in livestock, public speaking, and judging events—highlighting FSCC’s commitment to student development and agricultural education.
For more information, please contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar on fortscott.com and click on the “Chamber Coffees” category for upcoming hosts and locations.
Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Director, led the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on Feb.20. at the Courtland Hotel and Spa and told of changes happening in the historic district.
The former After Effect Beauty Salon, 14 E. Wall, will be a leather business in the future, she said.
Better in Bourbon Boutique on Main Street will be moving to the former H & H Insurance/Real Estate, 2 Old Fort Bvd. Rachel Pruitt is the owner. The timeline is uncertain at this point, Pruitt said.
Merle Humphrey has retired from his insurance business, but will still operate his photography business from the back of the store. He is also updating the second floor for another business project. The storefront will be available to rent.
Merle Humphrey’s storefront at 5 N. Main.
Barbara Trimbur, owner of the Iron Star Antiques and Such Store, closed and sold the store to new owners this month. This store is 3 N. Main, Fort Scott.
Barbara Trimbur recently sold the Iron Star Antiques and Such Store at 3 N. Main.Better in Bourbon is located at 13 N. Main.
The subject of “unhomed people” was discussed among the group.
“The city is meeting with the unhomed people,” Rachel Carpenter, Human Relations/Project Coordinator for the City of Fort Scott said. “They are moving out of the gazebo area.” The Heritage Park Gazebo is located at First and Main Street.
“The unhomed have been hanging laundry on a line, taking ownership of the spot,” Madison said.
Some clothing and food were left at the Heritage Park Gazebo in downtown Fort Scott on February 20.
John Hill, a meeting participant, noted that there is currently a “car blocked up on bricks” in the parking lot of the gazebo.”
A car with one wheel missing was parked at the Heritage Park parking lot at 1st and Main.
Carpenter said “It is a work in progress,” indicating that the city is working to resolve the issue.
Carpenter also said there is a prospective buyer of the former Fort Scott Barber Shop building, 118 E. Wall. The building has been vacant for an extended time.
The Fort Scott Barber Shop building, the tall red brick one, is empty in this 2024 photo.
The Moody Building at 2nd and Main Street has a person interested in purchasing it, she said. The building has been deteriorating for several years.
The Moody Building, 2nd and Main Street, Fort Scott.
Madison reminded the group that a Civil War Encampment is scheduled for April at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, at the north end of Main Street.
The Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site has a flag pole subscription as a fundraiser currently. They will set up a flag at your site on special occasions during the year. To learn more about the event, here is a prior announcement: Civil War Encampment April 27-28 at FSNHS
Carpenter said the World Cup soccer matches will be in Kansas City in June and July (six matches) this year, and http://VisitKC.com is doing all the marketing for the Kansas City region. Fort Scott Tourism is making plans for visitors to come by bus for a day trip. The event is listed on TripAdvisor, she said.
The Fort Scott Dragoons Baseball Team, a new collegiate summer team in the Mid-America League, will have its first season at the LaRoche Baseball Stadium this year. Volunteer hosts are needed for the men.
Dragoons Baseball from Facebook.
Christmas on the Bricks, the winter festival in Fort Scott has monthly meetings with local organizer, Diane Striler, leading.
“We need more people to help,” she told the attendees. “Put and take down” some of the temporary buildings for the event. We are hoping to add next year that clubs will help with the skating rink staffing and get a percentage of the profits. Maybe we could start having the rink open from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day.”https://fortscott.com/christmas-on-the-bricks
The Glide is a synthetic ice skating rink that is located at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue in the 2024 photo.
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Wall and Main Street, is bringing a large dinosaur exhibition celebrating a paleontologist in the near future.
The Artificers Art Gallery is having a textile show through the end of March at the shop on North National Avenue.
The Courtland Hotel Dining Room was the location of the Downtown Meet and Greet on Feb. 20
The hotel owners, Frank and Cheryl Adamson, purchased the historic property at 121 E. First Street in 2004. He said many people who stay at their hotel “praise what’s going on in our downtown.”
People have been purchasing historic buildings and renovating them into new businesses.
“Many people don’t realize the diversity of restaurants the downtown has to offer,” Frank Adamson said. The attendees tallied the total of restaurants to be 11 in the downtown district.
Guests should enter through the main east doors; the meeting room is located down the hallway on the right.
We hope to see you there!
Chamber members and the community are invited to attend a Capitol Update Over Coffee hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, February 28th, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The event will take place at Kansas Renewal Institute (KRI), 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., in the McAuley Center. Guests should enter through the main east doors; the meeting room is located down the hallway on the right. KRI will sponsor coffee and light refreshments provided by Common Ground Coffee Co. Tours of the KRI facility will be offered immediately following the event.
Kansas Senator Tim Shallenburger and State Representative Rick James are confirmed to attend. The legislators will provide an update on the current legislative session, share information about the committees on which they serve, and address questions and issues presented by attendees. Bryan Holt will serve as moderator for the event.
Events such as this reflect the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to supporting commerce, building community, and promoting spirit throughout Fort Scott, Bourbon County, and the surrounding area.
For more information, please contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to attend a Chamber Coffee on Thursday, February 19th at 8am, hosted by First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford St., in Zimmerman Hall. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to win a door prize drawing.
This Chamber Coffee event, held the day after Ash Wednesday, will include a presentation of the nondenominational Lenten devotional the church will use throughout Lent, as well as a first look at the church’s Lenten prayer stations and indoor labyrinth. The prayer stations will be open to the public on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the Lenten season. The congregation looks forward to welcoming the community.
For more information, please contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar on fortscott.com and click on the “Chamber Coffees” category for upcoming hosts and locations.
Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet scheduled for February 20th!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to attend a Downtown Meet & Greet on Friday, February 20th from 8:30–9:30 a.m.
The event will be held at the Courtland Hotel & Spa, 121 E. 1st Street.
These quarterly informal gatherings provide an opportunity to network, collaborate, and share ideas regarding downtown events, promotions, and other topics impacting our downtown district. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments
Labconco is located at 2500 Liberty Bell Rd. in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park on the south side of town.
You’re invited!
HR Roundtable
hosted by the Chamber
Wednesday, February 11th
11:45am – 1pm
Labconco
2500 Liberty Bell Rd.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members to a Human Resources (HR) Roundtable Luncheon on Wednesday, February 11th from 11:45am to 1pm at Labconco, 2500 Liberty Bell Rd. This roundtable event will provide an opportunity to discuss current and relevant topics impacting the workplace.
The February 11th meeting will feature guest speaker Kory Johnson, Vice President of Human Resources for Labconco, speaking to the group on “Building Tomorrow’s Bench: Succession Planning.”
HR Roundtables are open to any Chamber member involved in human resources-related responsibilities, regardless of company size, and are not limited to traditional HR professionals.
Attendees may RSVP at fortscott.com and an optional lunch may be ordered online for $10.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members to a Human Resources (HR) Roundtable Luncheon on Tuesday, July 29th from 11:45am to 1pm at Labconco, 2500 Liberty Bell Rd. This roundtable event will provide an opportunity to discuss current and relevant topics impacting the workplace.
The February 11th meeting will feature guest speaker Kory Johnson, Vice President of Human Resources for Labconco, speaking to the group on “Building Tomorrow’s Bench: Succession Planning.”
HR Roundtables are open to any Chamber member involved in human resources-related responsibilities, regardless of company size, and are not limited to traditional HR professionals.
Attendees may RSVP at fortscott.com and an optional lunch may be ordered online for $10.
(in the upstairs of the Infantry Barracks/Museum just west of the Visitor Center. Elevator available if needed)
1 Old Fort Blvd.
We hope to see you there!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee on Thursday, January 29th at 8am, hosted by The Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, Inc.
The event will be held at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, located at 1 Old Fort Blvd., in the upstairs of the Infantry Barracks/Museum just west of the Visitor Center. An elevator is available if needed. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to win a door prize drawing.
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, Inc. is a nonprofit organization established in
partnership with the National Park Service to support and promote the preservation and interpretation of the site through fundraising, volunteerism, education, and advocacy.
In 2026, in addition to supporting the park’s regular operations and annual events, Friends will help host one of the largest naturalization events in the country in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary on the grounds of Fort. Another key focus will be increasing volunteer staffing to help support essential park operations. Fundraising efforts will include a drawing for a Replica 1847 Walker Colt Revolver, along with the continued Fly the Flag subscription program.
Join us on January 29th to learn more about supporting the Friends and help celebrate Kansas Day with birthday cake and coffee.
For more information, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar on fortscott.com and click on the “Chamber Coffees” category for upcoming hosts and locations.
