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Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, is proud to present local musician Rick Hite who sings and plays guitar, and performs a variety of music including Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Gospel, and Oldies. The concert is set for Friday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. The show is free and open to the public.
Hite began singing in church at the age of 5 and has been playing guitar since age 9. He has played The White Horse Saloon in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Jekyll Island, Georgia, the Mildred Store, VFW, the Eagles, Elks, Old Settler’s Picnic, and various local venues. We’re pleased to welcome Rick Hite back to the “Loading Dock” stage. On December 8, he will be performing the great music of the 50s and 60s. Bring a friend, enjoy some fabulous seasonal coffee drinks, and spend an enjoyable evening of music.
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“I love the anticipation of Christmas,” AllenTwitchell, Fort Scott Community College’s Theatre Director said in a press release. “Tis indeed the season for memories, for family, for giving, for the promise of snow and a new year, and it is my pleasure to celebrate it with the community on Nov. 16 this year.”
“The gift we present at 7 p.m. that day in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is called “Santa ‘Claws’ Is Coming to Town,” the second installment of a three-part trilogy featuring Bigfoot as a central character and written by me because at my previous academic place of employment, the costume closet contained an idle Bigfoot costume,” he said.
“And, for the fifth year, Walmart of Fort Scott is graciously supplying Christmas candy to be distributed by the cast in the lobby following the show,” he said.
“In part one of the trilogy, “A Very Hairy Christmas,” Bigfoot is pursued by the dreaded Darth Hunter and his henchmen, Dim and Dimmer, but with the aid of three youngsters (Ben, Jordan and Grace) and an ace reporter (Ben’s dad), he escapes the clutches of the evil villain and learns the story of Christmas and then everybody sings.”
“In this year’s offering, Darth Hunter’s demented brother, Doctor Virus, plots to kill Christmas by addicting Santa Claus to a video game and forcing him to miss the midnight deadline for delivering the first present to a select family in Fort Scott, thereby activating the “Santa Clause” and canceling Christmas…as negotiated by the reindeer union during its most-recent contract talks,” he said. “Again, Bigfoot and the kids endeavor to come to the rescue and chaos ensues…along with more singing.”
“Part three, All I Want for Christmas is Bigfoot’s Teeth, performed at FSCC on two prior occasions, unites the two previous “bad guys” with their even-more-sinister sister, Noella DeVile, intent on capturing Bigfoot and extracting his teeth for their magical properties, which include keeping her young and beautiful,” Twitchel said. “Spoiler alert: She is unsuccessful and everybody sings.”
The cast: Clint LaFollette, Will Holliday, Braxton Ferrell, Gia Dickey, Heidi Clevenger, Josh Smith, Nick Shelton, Isaiah Subbert, Ivy Swearingen and Christina King. The singing director is Chris Goddard. Joshua Ramsey and Zach Loper provide tech support. “And, of course, Santa makes an appearance,” he said.
“If this doesn’t sound like fun to you, just come for the candy,” he said.
“In any event, let us be the first to wish you, “Merry Christmas – and a Happy Thanksgiving,” he said.
FSCC cheer and dance squad is sponsoring a Little Greyhounds Cheer Clinic for youngsters in kindergarten -eighth grade from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 19 in Arnold Arena. The cost for the clinic is $25. Contact Allee Morillo, head cheer and dance coach, at (913) 230-8869 to register or for answers to questions.
The FSCC Library Book Club meets next Wednesday (Nov. 15) in the library commons area. The featured topic is Women in Science and Diversity and the select book is “Lessons in Chemistry.” Contact Susie Arvidson at [email protected] for more information.
Spring and summer enrollment is open at FSCC.
For those who love American Hard Rock Music, there is a show for you this weekend in Fort Scott.
KISS, the original group formed in the 1970s is known for such hits as “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Black Diamond,” according to its website.
A group considered talented enough to be endorsed by Gene Simmons, one of the original KISS members, Almost KISS will be performing this Saturday, November 18, at 7 p.m. at Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall, Third Street and National Avenue.
To order tickets: https://advanceboco.ticketspice.com/almost-kiss-tribute-band
Almost KISS are four devoted KISS fans and they choose to pay homage to the famous band in their shows, according to their website.
This entertainment event and others throughout the year have been organized by Advance Bourbon County.
Cory Bryars, Brad Matkin, and Josh Jones were having a conversation earlier in the year.
“Brad mentioned this tribute band, Almost Kiss,” Jones, spokesman for the Advance Bourbon County group, said. “Then he started reminiscing about his old rock and roll days. I have even talked Brad into having full Kiss makeup on during this event. So that itself is worth the admission fee.”
“With ABC, I have no set agenda on acts or events that I prefer,” he said. “Our main thing early on is to try as many different types of events as possible and see which ones gather the most attention. Then as we move into 2024 we will be more selective on which events we bring in. It’s just a way of giving back to a community that we love being part of. We have a beautiful venue and the most wonderful people around and it’s our hope we can now start drawing in outside people to our community to see what we can offer.”
Advance Bourbon County is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation whose purpose is to make Bourbon County a better place through events and fundraising opportunities, according to its website.
“We will be announcing our upcoming events for 2024. We plan on doing about 6-8 events in 2024,” Josh Jones said.
The ABC recently organized a renovation of the waiting room in Memorial Hall, which is used by entertainers when they are offstage.
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If people haven’t been out and about in Fort Scott lately, they might be pleasantly surprised at the number of quality boutiques, art galleries, and other storefronts that the city has to offer, according to Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
“Nearly every building is occupied and we are so grateful for the investment that building and business owners have made in our community,” she said.
The chamber recently announced the Annual Holiday Open House Shopping event, Downtown & Around in Fort Scott.
The main event will take place this evening, Thursday, November 9 from 5-8 p.m. with refreshments, drawings, and deals to enjoy and get you in the holiday spirit!
On Thursday the trolley will be going from store to store from 5-8 p.m. for shoppers to ride to each site.
The multi-day event will continue on Friday and Saturday, November 10-11.
Nearly 20 participating retailers are involved, including 110 South Main, Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses, Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, Better in Bourbon, Be the Light Boutique, Bids & Dibs, Flint + Fray, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Long Creek Outfitters, Papa Don’s Vendors, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, The Artificers, and The Beauty Lounge.
One can enter their name at each store for a chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks.
Visit fortscott.com or the Chamber’s Facebook page for more details.
History of the Event:
“Iron Star Antiques & Such initially started the Holiday Open House concept 20 years ago this month when Barbara Trimbur and Cindy Bowman, who were both booth vendors in the store at the time, came up with the idea,” said Madison. “Then Barbara took over ownership of the store that following January. I started leading the Chamber as President and CEO in the Fall of 2010 and that may have been the first year all of the businesses formally came together for an organized event.”
“I feel the Chamber and the retailers together have a strong relationship and communicate and work well together to plan these types of events and promotions throughout the year such as Spring Fling, Sidewalk Sales, Fall Fest, Holiday Open House, and more,” she said.
A family fun event on November 25 is planned in Uniontown in preparation for the Christmas season.
When Ashley Endicott and Mary Pemberton learned that Sally and Frank Johnson, who’ve been decorating Uniontown Park at Christmas for several years, are no longer able to continue, they decided to do it.
“We thought this would be a great time and opportunity to create a new community event and get more people involved,” Pemberton said.
Their purpose for continuing and expanding the event is ” To spread the Christmas spirit,” Mary said. “To create a fun, festive environment and involve more people in decorating so the job doesn’t fall on just a couple of volunteers. In addition, to light up the park, add more decorations, and continue to have a beautifully decorated public area for Christmas.”
A lighted Christmas Tree Decorating Contest is the centerpiece of the event. The decorated, lighted trees will line the park.
“We just started putting the word… so we are still looking for teams to enter the tree decorating contest,” she said. “Everyone we’ve talked with has been very enthusiastic and excited about it.”
Don and Mary Pemberton, owners of Bandera Stone Inc., are donating live Christmas trees for the decorating contest this year.
“For future years, we hope for donations of artificial trees as people replace theirs or will fundraise and buy during after-Christmas clearance sales,” she said. “The larger the tree, the better!”
“We are encouraging tree decorating teams of four people and expect most to start around 3 p.m. on November 25,” she said. “Decorating must be finished by 5:30 p.m. for judging. Anyone not on a team for the tree decorating contest can help decorate the remainder of the park – putting lights on the shelters, etc.”
” Due to the limited time we have to plan this year, we will have a disc jockey playing recorded music,” she said. “Plans are to expand everything next year, including live music.”
In addition, hay rides and hot chocolate will be available that evening.
Please call 620.223.3920 to reserve a tree to decorate for this event.
All decorations will be provided by each team of four, with cash prizes given for first and second-place tree decorating teams.
Extension cords will be needed for hooking the trees up to electrical outlets, she said.
All persons present in the park at judging time 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote for their favorite tree.
If people have decorations to donate please leave them on November 25 at 3 p.m. or leave them at the Bandera Stone office on the north side of Uniontown Park.
“We are also planning ahead and would like to form a park committee to next year expand the activities and decorations,” she said. “Some ideas include inviting Santa Claus to come visit with children, fire pits for keeping warm and making s’mores, chili dinner, coat/toy drive, and many, many more lights and decorations. So, anyone who might have extra outdoor lights or heavy outdoor decorations (not blow-up style) or if you are replacing your artificial tree, please consider donating these items to the park event.”
The Fort Scott High School Thespians are holding auditions for ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Kathryn Schultz Miller.
Auditions are open to children in 1st-8th grades and take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 13 OR 14 in the FSHS Auditorium. Children do not need to prepare anything in advance, but should plan to stay for the duration of the audition time on one of the nights. Parents should be present at the beginning for information and to fill out audition forms.
Rehearsals will generally occur Monday-Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Performances are Dec. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. in the FSHS Auditorium. There is a $30 participation fee for children cast in the show.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is produced by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with direction and design by the FSHS Thespians. Please contact Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622 with any questions.
The Fort Scott High School Performing Arts Department presents the musical Guys and Dolls at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 and 9 and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the FSHS Auditorium.
Guys and Dolls is a musical fable of Broadway based on a story and characters of Damon Runyon with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy.
The musical follows the tale of gambler Nathan Detroit as he attempts to find a spot for his underground craps game and his girlfriend Adelaide as she laments about their very long engagement. We also watch as the smooth high roller Sky Masterson courts Missionary Sarah Brown as the result of a bet. According to Music Theatre International, “Guys and Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.”
Detroit is played by senior Jericho Jones, Adelaide is portrayed by junior Emma Guns, sophomore Levi Fairchild plays Masterson, and sophomore Junie Fisher stars as Brown. Over twenty other FSHS students serve as craps shooters, Hot Box dancers, and missionaries.
Audiences will also enjoy a live orchestra made up of 16 professional musicians from the surrounding communities for this year’s show.
The musical is led by Theatre Director Angie Bin, Music Director Whitley Chesney, Technical Director Christina King, and Choreographer Mesa Jones.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and children. All tickets are reserved seating at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. Advance purchase is encouraged as seating is limited. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Guys and Dolls is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, www.mtishows.com.
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