Category Archives: Entertainment

Core Community Fundraiser: REZA LIVE on Feburary 8

Bourbon County Core Community exists to help with solving poverty in Bourbon County.

“We are a donor-supported 501(c)3 organization that offers an effective, data-backed program that walks people who are struggling in poverty through a 22-week course that helps them learn the mindset of poverty, the mindset of middle-class, and the steps it takes for them to move from one to the other,” said Deana Betts, the community liaison for the organization.

Bourbon County Core Community is hosting a fundraising event called Reza Live! on  February 8th at 7 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

About REZA

“More than a magic show, Reza infuses stage of the art production elements, masterful comedic timing, and numerous interactive & inspirational moments, allowing the audience to experience the magic first hand, according to a press release fron Core Community. Perhaps Reza’s greatest secret is his uncanny ability to communicate his performance art on such a personal level.”

Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton.

Tickets are on sale now and available at rezalive.com.

“All proceeds will be used to fund our efforts to help people of Bourbon County move out of poverty,” Betts said.

 

 

About the program

“We meet every Tuesday night, begin with a donor-provided meal, and eat together as families. The children then move onto their programming while the adults work through class content, set goals met with their Core Friends (volunteers from the middle-class who help them and encourage them), etc.” she said.

Volunteers with Core Community provide meals, childcare, speak on specific topics, and be Core Friends.

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Deana Betts 785-488-8411.

Quarterly Community Dance Party’s Are Coming in 2025 to Fort Scott

Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin came up with an idea to create a community dance party in the town’s Memorial Hall, 1 East Third Street several times in 2025.

I thought having a quarterly dance party with a disc jockey playing music would be a good idea to give our citizens and others from out of Bourbon County, the opportunity to come dance, listen to music, visit with friends, meet new friends, while eating/drinking from our local flavors.”

“We will be changing the type of music that will be played each quarter ranging from Disco to Country, to Rock and Roll,” he said. “We are planning on giving people the opportunity to dress up to the era of the music being played (an example would be dressing in 70’s Disco outfits or Rock and Roll outfits). The cover charge will be $5 per person.”

The first 2025 community dance is on Saturday, January 18 from 7 to 10 p.m.

This dance will be from every music era and genre.

Local restaurant, Aunt Toadies, will provide food and drinks for sale during the dance.

Outdoor Rink Attracts 365 Skaters During Opening Weekend

The rink named Glide is located at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue.
The new outdoor skating rink in Fort Scott had approximately 365 people skate the opening weekend during the Christmas on the Bricks Festival on December 6-8.
The Glide is a synthetic ice skating rink that is located at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue.
“Everyone that has visited the rink seems to be enjoying it,” Diane Striler, the event organizer said. “One of the best things we overheard was a little girl who told her mom that now they don’t have to go up to Kansas City to skate.”
Diane Striler and her husband Dean at last year’s Christmas on the Bricks. Submitted photo.
Free tickets to skate now available
“We have three groups that have purchased tickets so kids can skate for free.
1. anonymous donor – 100 tickets
2. Farmer Philanthropy/Carla Farmer – 100 tickets
3. Fort Scott Kiwanis – 50 tickets
    Kiwanis Pioneers- 50 tickets
“Skate aides are available for $2 per skater-free for those with disabilities,” Striler said.
Tickets can be picked up at the Fort Scott Chamber – 231 E Wall St- 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“All workers at the rink are coordinated through The Fort Scott Area Chamber Foundation,” she said.
Appreciation For Those Who Helped Bring Rink To Fruition
 “We would like to recognize the donors of the rink,” said Striler. “We especially wanted to thank Al  and Luanna Niece for their amazing contribution of $25,000.”
Skating rink donors are listed on the skate storage/payment room at the rink site.
“The ones below the Nieces donated  $5,000 and down to $500,” Striler said.
“The graphic (below) is all the individuals that donated their time  toward the contruction for the rink and set up,” she said.
The list of those who helped with getting the set up completed at the skating rink.
Donors graphic submitted.
“The list (above) includes everyone that monetarily donated at all levels toward the rink, helped with fundraisers and we also wanted to thank the bakers that helped with the Pumpkin Roll Fundraiser – Taira Williams, Jamie Beckham, Joyce Davenport and Jolynne Mitchell and Fort Scott Broadcasting for helping us get out all the information.  We want to thank these people and everyone that contributed in any way,” Striler said.

Parkway Church of God: Christmas with The Bryant Creek Trio & Shoal Creek Revival On Dec.13

Sending on behalf of our Chamber member

Parkway Church of God

invites you to their Christmas with

The Bryant Creek Trio

&

Shoal Creek Revival

Friday, December 13th ~ 7pm

Parkway Church of God

111 State St. Fort Scott, KS

970-201-8363

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information or visit fortscott.com.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES CHRISTMAS LIGHT TROLLEY TOURS

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES CHRISTMAS LIGHT TROLLEY TOURS

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that reservations are now being taken for the 2024 Dolly Hollyday Christmas Light Trolley Tours. The 50-minute tour is a fun outing for families, friends, or co-workers to see the most festive Christmas lights in Fort Scott.

Tours will run nightly from Thursday, December 12th through Monday, December 23rd.  There will be two tours each evening at 5:45 and 7pm.  There will be an additional 8:15pm tour if there is demand.

The cost of the Christmas Lights Trolley Tour is $8 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, or the whole trolley may be booked for $125, seating up to twenty-two passengers. Those taking the tour are invited to arrive at the Chamber early for complimentary cookies, hot cocoa, and glow necklaces for the ride.

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.

Free Pictures With The Grinch at the Lowell Milken Center This Weekend

Sending on behalf of Chamber member Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes…

Lowell Milken Center is offering FREE Pictures with the Grinch during the Christmas on the Bricks Festival!

Friday, December 6th

5-8pm

Saturday, December 7th

12-2pm and 5-8pm

Lowell Milken Center – 1 S. Main St

A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members below…
STAY CONNECTED
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

Skating Rink Is Nearly Completed for Christmas on the Bricks, Parade Is This Evening

The new ice skating rink at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue on December 4.

The new synthetic ice skating rink will open on Friday, December 6, from 4 to 9 p.m. on North National Avenue at the Gathering Pavilion.

The rink is a new event offered for Christmas on the Bricks Festival, and the rink will be open five weekends through the first weekend of January, according to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce website.

Hours on Saturday, December 7 will be from 12 pm-9 pm and on
Sunday, December 8 from 12 pm-4 pm

Starting next week, the rink will be open on Thursdays as well.

Admission is anticipated to be $5/skater.

People will sign waivers, skates will be for adults and children and also assistive devices will be available.

“Please be patient with us, this is all new,” Striler said about the skating rink procedures prior to skating.

Thanks to those in the community who came together to bring this project from dream to reality, according to the Chamber of Commerce website. The rink was totally paid for by donations.

 

Robert Coon’s A1Towing moved the rink room to the pavilion on Dec. 4.

The rink room will be the skate storage area for the skate rental and for paying for skating.

Brock Coon helps clean off the rink in preparation for the opening. Brock is the son of Robert Coon whose business, A1Towing, helped moved the rink room to the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue.
The list of those helping with the rink setup. Submitted photo.

The rink project had delivery and setup help through help from the following:  Matthew Wells and the Great Expectations Restoration crew, Kevin Allen, Craig Campbell, Robert Coon, Jeremy Dare, Frank Halsey, Jeff Allen Electric, Scott King, Rob Pfohl, Mitch Quick, Jared Weaver, The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for surveillance, The Fort Scott Public Library for the mobile hot spot, Heidrick’s True Value for the squeegees, Shawn Pytlowany for lighting. The skating rink room was constructed by the Fort Scott High School Career and Technical Education whose instructor is Jason Johnson.

The Annual Christmas Parade Is This Evening, Dec. 5

Fort Scott High School Band entertained the crowd at the Christmas parade from a past year.

To kick off the festival weekend is the annual Christmas Parade. The following is the list of almost 60 participants who are scheduled to be in the parade.

The lineup begins at Wall and National, in front of the radio station going north.

Park entries as close as possible to the west curb when lining up.

The entry number should be placed on the right/passenger side of your entry. Numbers can be picked up until 5 p.m. at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce at 231 E. Wall. If not picked up then, one can pick up at the radio station at Wall and National Avenue.

Entry participants are asked to pause briefly at the Heritage Pavilion at First and Main Street so the judges can announce your submitted  remarks to tell of your business/organization/ entity.

Volunteers Still Needed

Diane Striler, the leader of the festival project, said volunteers are still needed for Saturday night for a few venues from 8 to 10 p.m.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce,620- 223-3566

 

FSHS Thespians Present Ho Ho Ho The Santa Claus Chronicles

 

The Fort Scott High School Thespians present the children’s theatre production of Ho Ho Ho The Santa Claus Chronicles by Pat Cook at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14 in the FSHS Auditorium.

 

Pioneer Drama Service describes the play this way: “We join the host for a special live edition of “The Santa Claus Chronicles” at the North Pole just a few days before Christmas.  We start with a press conference where Saint Nick’s press secretary answers reporters’ questions about the jolly guy. … We also meet the elves, Eeny, Meeny, Miney, and Sol, who take care of the reindeer, and we hear from the elves who work the gift suggestion hotline.  But the biggest mystery at the North Pole is where Mrs.Claus has disappeared to.  Just what is she up to?  Find out in a surprising ending that will leave a smile on everyone’s face.”

 

The production involves 44 local students in first through eighth grade and 24 high school Thespians who serve as directors, coaches, and designers

 

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children. All tickets are reserved seating and are available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.

 

Ho Ho Ho The Santa Claus Chronicles is produced by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin and senior Directors Kaiden Clary and Cooper George. Junior Junie Fisher serves as Music Director and sophomore Ava Johnson is the Choreographer.

Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter Nov. 2024

The SEKnFind Newsletter
November 2024

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

Toto
by Hackwith, A. J.

“I was mostly a Good Dog until they sold me out to animal control, okay? But if it’s a choice between Oz, with its creepy little singing dudes, and being behind bars in gray old Kansas, I’ll choose the place where animals talk and run the show for now, thanks. It’s not my fault that the kid is stuck here too, or that she stumbled into a tug-of-war over a pair of slippers that don’t even taste good. Now one witch in good eyeliner calls her pretty and we’re off on a quest? Teenagers. I try to tell her she’s falling in with the wrong crowd when she befriends a freaking hedge wizard made of straw, that blue jay with revolutionary aspirations, and the walking tin can. Still, I’m not one to judge when there’s the small matter of a coup in the Forest Kingdom…. Look, something really stinks in Oz, and this Wizard guy and the witches positively reek of it. As usual, it’s going to be up to a sensible little dog to do a big dog’s job and get to the bottom of it. And trust me: Little dogs can get away with anything”

The lake of lost girls
by Greene, Katherine

“It’s 1998, and female students are going missing at Southern State University in North Carolina, but freshman Jessica Fadley, once a bright and responsible student, is going through her own struggles. Just as her life seems to be careening dangerously out of control, she suddenly disappears. Twenty-four years later, Jessica’s sister Lindsey is desperately searching for answers and uses the momentum of a new chart-topping true crime podcast that focuses on cold cases to guide her own investigation. Soon,interest reaches fever pitch when the bodies of the long-missing women begin turning up at a local lake, which leads Lindsey down a disturbing road of discovery. In the present, one sister searches to untangle a complicated web of lies. In the past, the other descends ever deeper into a darkness that will lead to her ultimate fate”

Every moment since
by Whalen, Marybeth

“A small Southern town. An ordinary Saturday night. A little boy disappears without a trace”

The love elixir of Augusta Stern
by Loigman, Lynda Cohen

A heartwarming story explores how love and healing can be found in unexpected places—and how a bit of magic in each can go a long way.

One big happy family
by Mallery, Susan

At first, Julie Parker is happy that her children do not plan to visit for Christmas, because she has been hiding her younger beau from them, but when they instead want to spend the holiday at the family cabin and the guest list grows beyond Julie’s expectations, she discovers that more really is merrier.

All I want is you
by Ballard, Falon

“A holiday rom-com in which two rival authors are trapped in a hotel together when a blizzard strikes their publisher’s holiday party”

This cursed house
by Sandeen, Del

A young Black woman abandons her life in 1960s Chicago for a position with a mysterious family in New Orleans, only to discover the dark truth: they’re under a curse, and they think she can break it.

Bloodguard
by Robson, Cecy

In Old Erth, elves reign supreme, controlling all other races with an iron fist, but they are not all-powerful; unable to propagate their race, they depend on using humans as livestock, mating them with elven women to further themselves.

The estate
by Jost, Sarah

“For fans of The Cloisters and The Cartographers comes a gripping speculative suspense that follows one woman with the ability to enter the dimension of art, who finds herself trapped in a French estate as the pawn in a rich man’s game… Every estate has a secret… Art historian Camille Leray has spent her career surrounding herself with fineries and selling pieces worth millions. But she harbors a secret: she has the ability to enter the world of the artworks, and she can take others with her. But tapping into history comes with great risks. And someone has been watching, someone who knows about her magic, and her mistakes… After Camille ruins her career and reputation by misusing her powers, she vows to get her old life back. So when Maxime Foucault, an enigmatic aristocrat who owns a sprawling French estate, enlists her help in authenticating the statues of a mysterious artist, whose disappearance she has been trying to solve for years, she knows this could be her chance to turn her career around and get the man she’s always wanted. But something isn’t right about the Foucault family and the grand chateau they inhabit, and as Camille gets sucked into its walls, she finds a world of luxury and greed that causes her to risk losing herself, and everything she has ever known, forever”

The collaborators
by Idov, Michael

“Combining realistic thrills with sophisticated spycraft and witty dialogue, The Collaborators delivers a gut-punch answer to the biggest geopolitical question of our time: how, exactly, did post-Soviet Russia turn down the wrong path? Crisscrossing the globe on the way to this shocking revelation are disaffected millennial CIA officer Ari Falk, thrown into a moral and professional crisis by the death of his best asset; and brash, troubled LA heiress Maya Chou, spiraling after the disappearance of her Russian American billionaire father. The duo’s adventures take us to both classic and surprising locales-from Berlin, to Latvia, Belarus, and a 1980s Jewish refugee camp near Rome. Dynamic, fast-paced, and filled with captivating details that provide a window into a secretive world, The Collaborators is a first-rate thriller that pays homage to both meanings of “intelligence.””

Tooth and claw
by Johnson, Craig

In Alaska, Vietnam veterans Walt and Henry find work with an oil company, only to face a deadly polar bear and uncover a more dangerous threat from their co-workers, who are fiercely pursuing priceless treasure and will go to any lengths to obtain it.

The edge of nowhere
by Johnstone, William W.

A lonely drifter finds himself snowbound with a lovely widow, her young son—and a gang of trigger-happy thieves. Original.

New Audiobooks

The More the Terrier
by Rosenfelt, David

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter is relieved to be headed back to Paterson, New Jersey, after a week-long family vacation in the Adirondacks. He’s ready to put the holly jolly season way behind him and settle in at home with his three dogs. But when they finally arrive, there is an extra dog eagerly awaiting them, as well as one anxious dog sitter. When the dog showed up on the doorstep a few days ago, the sitter knew Andy would know what to do. Indeed, Andy recognizes Murphy, who the Carpenters fostered before the dog went home with BJ Bremer and his mother. BJ wanted to learn all he could about caring for Murphy, which made Andy like him immediately. When Andy goes to take Murphy back to the Bremers, though, instead of the happy reunion he expects, he finds BJ’s mother in tears. It turns out Murphy ran off after BJ was arrested for murder. Andy had hoped for a quiet Christmas vacation, but he likes Murphy’s family and his golden retriever, Tara, likes Murphy, so he can’t resist getting involved. The case isn’t as simple as Andy thought it would be, though, with BJ suspected of murdering one of his professors. With nothing to go on but Andy’s own conviction in BJ’s dog-loving character, proving his innocence would be a Christmas miracle.

The Grey Wolf
by Penny, Louise

A missing coat, an intruder alarm, a note for Chief Inspector Gamache reading“this might interest you,” a puzzling scrap of paper with a mysterious list—and then a murder all propel Gamache and his team toward a terrible realization: something much more sinister than any one murder or any one case is fast approaching.

Now or Never
by Evanovich, Janet

Stephanie Plum now has two fiancés and no idea what to do about it. But the way things are going, she might not live long enough to marry anyone. While Stephanie stalls for time, she buries herself in her work as a bounty hunter, tracking down an unusually varied assortment of fugitive men.

New Nonfiction

Edible Wild Plants of the Prairie
by Kindscher, Kelly

“For some 10,000 years, the Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains regarded edible native plants as an important source of food. Not only did plants provide sustenance during times of scarcity, but they also added variety to what otherwise would have been a monotonous diet of game. The use of native plants as food sharply declined when white settlers arrived and imposed their own culture with its differing notions of what was fit to eat. The biggest change with this new edition is that line drawings have been replaced with color photographs that will assist foragers in identifying edible plants and allow the book to compete more successfully with other foraging guides. What else is new? A completely revised introduction Some new species; some removed Language that honors the cultures from which the plants came and a recognition that Native people’s food traditions did not die out in the nineteenth century”

Raising resilience
by Klein, Tovah P.

Drawing on research on trauma and its impact on emotional and intellectual development, an expert on child development, in this timely and hopeful new approach, offers parents five strategies for raising children who are motivated, resourceful, caring and resilient—all of what’s needed in an ever-changing world.

Revenge of the tipping point
by Gladwell, Malcolm

Twenty-five years after the publication of his bestselling first book, the author returns with a brand-new volume that reframes the lessons of The Tipping Point in a startling and revealing light.

The serviceberry
by Kimmerer, Robin Wall

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Braiding Sweetgrass explains how to orient our lives around gratitude, reciprocity and community, based on the lessons of the natural world. Illustrations.

What the chicken knows
by Montgomery, Sy

Explores the special relationship between humans and chickens. Illustrations.

Most requested copycat dishes
by Favorite Family Recipes

“Unravel the culinary secrets behind your most-loved restaurant meals. From fast-food classics to gourmet restaurant delights, Most Requested Copycat Dishes brings the restaurant experience directly to your home kitchen. From crave-worthy appetizers likeDisneyland’s Jalapeäno Cheese Stuffed Pretzels and PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps to mouthwatering main courses like Mizithra Pasta from The Old Spaghetti Factory and Gino’s East Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. Then finish off your meal with decadent desserts like Marie Callender’s Chocolate Satin Pie or Nothing Bundt Cake’s White Chocolate Raspberry Cake. This cookbook presents 101 tested and perfected recipes that mirror their famous cousins. With insider tips along with step-by-step photo instructions for some of the trickier recipes, Most Requested Copycat Dishes can elevate your home dining experience whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen enthusiast”

Start Here – Paint
by Clinch, Moira

Start Here: Paint gives you exciting prompts for kick-starting an artistic practice centered on painting. By e

Christmas in the Park In Uniontown on Sunday, November 24

Uniontown’s Park is the site of the 2nd Annual Christmas in the Park.

The 2nd Annual Christmas in the Park in downtown Uniontown is this Sunday, November 24 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Decorating the park and putting up lights starts at 1 p.m.

“The purpose of the event is to make the park beautiful for Christmas, bring the community together, and have some fun,” said Mary Pemberton, a spokesperson for the Uniontown Ruritian.

“Everyone is welcome,” she said. “Come help light up the park for Christmas!”

Christmas light donations are welcome and can be left at Bandera Stone, 103 Third Street, on the north side of the park, by Friday, November 22.

The Larry Jurgensen family poses next to their decorated tree in the 2023 contest. Submitted photo.

Christmas trees will be decorated, and a contest will be held. Everyone in the park at 5:30 p.m. will vote for their favorite.

 

The Barnstormers 4-H Club members pose next to the decorated tree in last year’s contest. Submitted photo.

The Baptist Church youth group will be caroling during the event, to add some Christmas cheer.

There will be a chili feed with dessert and drink for a free-will donation. The proceeds will help support Christmas in the Park.

The chili feed will be from 4-6 p.m. in the community building on the east side of the park.

A bingo game, with proceeds to the Old Settlers Day 2025,  from 3-5 p.m.

A cornhole board will be available to play, as well as the pickleball court.

A special guest will be Santa Claus who will visit with children from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the gazebo in the middle of the park.