Front Row Left to right; Ranse Keating, Embry Metcalf 2nd Row Left to right: Jescie Comstock, Lanie Krokroskia, Tobyn Schubert, Ellie Smith, Lillian Westhoff 3rd Row Left to right: Nathaniel Adams, Kaleb Bailey, Sam Deloney, Hayden Harris, Eli Kellogg
The Fort Scott High School Homecoming festivities will be as follows:
A Pep Assembly will be held on September 30 at 10:00 AM at the High School Gym.
The Coronation Ceremony will be at 6:30 PM before the Football game with the Labette County Grizzles that evening.
Game time is 7:00 PM.
Submitted by
Bert Lewis
Student Council Sponsor, Senior & Junior Class Sponsor, Key Club Sponsor, Ed Rising Sponsor, and Scholars’ Bowl Coach
This Saturday Sept. 24, gates open for a music concert at a residence at 2006 Maple Road, just west of Fort Scott. Plans are settling into place for the event, which was announced several weeks ago.
New comers to the Fort Scott area from Kansas City, Cory and Cecilia Bryars, have planned the blues festival on their property to benefit a local helping organization, Care to Share.
In addition to the blues concert, there will be food with proceeds going to Care to Share:
–Hot dogs, chips, and chili
–Smash Burgers from 4-8 p.m.
–Funnel cakes
–Chili Frito Pie
–Huge bake sale–pies, cookies, more
–Water (and if you care to share bring a case to donate)
–Coolers are welcome!
There will be other booths and vendors, with proceeds to Care to Share and the booth vendor, featuring metal art, pottery, mums, spices, birdhouses, face painting and the Kansas City Blues Society and more.
The gates open at 1 p.m., and the musicians will play from 2-10 p.m.
Preliminary work has included having enough parking for those wanting to attend.
“There is lots of parking at the venue and neighboring yards,” Cory Bryars said. “Just follow the signs when you get there.”
“Also Dolly the Trolley ( local tourism trolley car) will shuttle from Twister Trailer (on North National Avenue, just across from Riverfront Park) to 2006 Maple at the following times– 1:15-4 p.m., 5:30-8 p.m., 8:30-10:30 p.m or when everyone gets back at their cars,”he said.
If planning on staying the duration of the concert, concert goers are asked to take the trolley.
“If you are staying for quite a while, please take the trolley, which will free up venue parking for people only coming for a short while,” Bryars said.
The event is free. However they are asking donations to support Care to Share a local cancer survivor support group.
“Our mission statement is to provide friendship and support through emotional and financial assistance to individuals who are cancer fighters and their caregivers…because we care to share,” Lavetta Simmons, a spokesman for Care To Share said in a prior story.
“We are 100% volunteer individuals, no paid employees, so everything donated goes 100% right back into our community for our cancer fighters. Last year we were able to care and share 1,134 times for a total of $65,711.69 with our cancer families.”
No tickets are required and the event is free.
Donations to Care to Share are appreciated, Bryars said. “The event page also has a link to donate even if you can’t be here and want to support a great cause.”
The primary event activity is four top-quality blues bands playing from 2-3:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., 8-9:45 p.m.
Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.
Students of Saint Martin’s Academy, 1950 Indian Road, will be the featured entertainment at this week’s Friday Night Concert. The school currently has a healthy and growing enrollment of boys. The music department is under the direction of Dave Agee and Daniel Kerr. The lads will perform vocal solos, duets, and ensemble numbers plus instrumental accompaniment.
“This lively group of young men will warm your heart with their endearing performances of folk, country, and gospel songs,“ concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “In addition to their musical talent, these students have proven to be an asset to the community with their willingness to help out in various areas. We are pleased to welcome Saint Martin’s Academy back to perform in our downtown pavilion. Bring a friend and join us for an enjoyable evening of music.”
The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows are free and open to the public. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
The Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
2022 Gordon Parks Celebration – Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 6th
PHOTO EXHIBIT– In the Lunt Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The photo contest sponsored byMerl Humphrey Photographywill be on display with the theme of “I Am Driven By”. Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee,8 a.m.
PHOTO EXHIBIT– In the Gordon Parks Museum and Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The Gordon Parks Mercy Foundation Collection, with some of Gordon’s photos and poems.
SIGN DISPLAY & MURAL DISPLAY –Visit the Lowell Milken Center Unsung Heroes Park, 1 S. Main St., Gordon Parks is one of the featured signs. View also the mural of Gordon Parks, by local artist Stephen Toal, at Riverfront Park, 400 N. National.
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. –Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum.FREE. 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. –Showing of the film Criterion CollectionThe Learning Treein FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.FREE. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. –Registration open outside of Museum. 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – (Lunch and Learn) “In the Shadow of Obscurity: Tolling in a Reluctant Society”Arif Khatib, Filmmaker, Author, and Founder/President at the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame. Arif will present his book that not only tells the stories of many of our great sports figures in history, but also addresses their pain on the road to greatness. “It is a must read” to understand why we must stay focused and make this society understand that we must all commit to a just society and make things better for generations to come.FREE to Attend. Chicken Caesar & Club wrap lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us.Dessert and drinks also available in the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center.FREE.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. –Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott &The Learning TreeFilm Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history.Fee: $7. 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. –Showing of the filmLeadbellyin the Gordon Parks Museum.FREE. 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. –“Fort Scott Book Club Presentation,” “A Choice of Weapons Revisited”,Hosted by Park Rangers from Fort Scott National Historic Site.(Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Wine and Refreshments). FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center.FREE. 7:00 p.m. –“Photography Techniques: Jim Richardson on Gordon Parks Photos”National Geographic Magazine Photographer Jim Richardson will discuss and explore the photographic techniques Parks used to create his signature images, which reflect the documentary esthetic of LIFE magazine in its heyday era. This freewheeling discussion will honor Parks as a master technician, part of his huge talent that is often neglected. Gordon Parks made iconic photographs(Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Wine and Refreshments)FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.FREE.
Friday, October 7th 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. –Registration open outside of Museum. 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. – “Video Production Seminar: Fort Scott African American Experience Grant Project”This video seminar/presentation will show and discuss what video and movie making is about and how to find inspiration and some insight of the technical aspects. Students will then be creating videos and social media posts of their findings or to tell the stories they uncover. This is open to the community to attend.
This is part of a grant project collaboration with the Fort Scott National Historic Site where H.S. & college students from the Fort Scott area will conduct research of unsung African Americans or events they are associated with from the Fort Scott area. Moderated by Carl Brenner, Project Grant Director & Acting Superintendent at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, with featured panelist; David Parks, photographer, filmmaker, author, and son of Gordon Parks, Robin Hickman-Winfield, Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions and great-niece of Gordon Parks, along with Eli Reed, acclaimed photographer and author. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theater. This project is funded by a federal grant. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.FREE.
10:05 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. –“A Conversation with Choice of Weapon Honorees.”The 2022 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Adger Cowans, and William C. Rhoden. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.FREE.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. –(Lunch and Learn Event) “Gordon Parks and Kansas: New Open Access Digital Resources”Aileen June Wang, Curator, and Sarah Price, Collections Manager, at the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art along with Katherine Karlin, Professor, English Department, Kansas State University will introduce new findings about Gordon Parks from their research for a virtual exhibition of Gordon Parks photographs, an open access digital exhibition catalog, and the websiteThe Learning Tree: A Gordon Parks Digital Archive.FREE to Attend.Sack lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.FREE.
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. –(Lunch and Learn Event) “I Needed Paris Project Update”with Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, Photojournalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University. This will be an update on the “I Needed Paris” project that will take a group of diverse American student photographers through Paris, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks, when he worked in the Paris Bureau of Life magazine 1949-1951. This session reimagines Gordon’s iconic fashion, portrait, and documentary photo essay work. The session peeks inside some of the book chapters – portraits of African American expats, trendy black fashion designers, and an intimate look at the homeless, migrant, and refugee communities – that will be published to document this project in 2023.FREE to Attend.Sack lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. –“Choice of Weapon Honorees Presentation”The 2022 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Adger Cowans and William C. Rhoden, will each share their perspective works in photography, art, books, videos, etc….Adger Cowans, Photographer, Author, painter will present some of his photography. Mr. Cowans will show photos from his personal collection and of Gordon Parks, who was a longtime friend.William C. Rhoden, Documentary Award winning sports columnist and author for the New York Times, Author of Forty Million Dollars Slaves, and a writer at large for Andscape, will share some of his video stories, columns, and information from his books. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center.FREE.
Schedule subject to change. Please check at www.gordonparkscenter.org for any updates
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. –Film Screening Presentation: “Presence of Absence: Gordon Parks Through an Empathic Lens”Multimedia artist, Andrew F. Scott will present his video with Six-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard and the E-Collective in Concert, and will discuss the process of putting this project together and creating it with Professor Matthew Gainer, Professor of Graphic Design, Department of Art at Kansas State University along with his students. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum.FREE. 7:30 p.m. –“Hot Jazz & R&B”(Social Hour at 6:30 p.m.) Featuring, Paula Sanders & Derick Cunigan, Multi-talented Jazz & R&B Vocalists, performing the very best in Jazz & R&B. Cash bar available. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton St.Fee: $25.00. Reserve Tickets by Wed, Oct, 5.
Saturday, October 8th
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. –Registration open outside of Museum. 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. –Panel Discussion “Taking the Shot”Join us for a panel discussion on photography and how to take or create great photographic images. Some discussion will include: techniques, lighting, depth, inspiration, and impact. Moderated by John Mason, Associate Professor, University of Virginia Department of History with featured panelist; Adger Cowans, 2022 Choice of Weapons Honoree, Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, San Jose State University, Eli Reed, Photographer & 2021 Choice of Weapons Honoree, Veretta Cobler, Photographer, and Don Thompson, Photographer.Coffee, water, juice, and light refreshments will be available. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum.FREE.
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 p.m. –“Open Mic Poetry”This open mic is for any poets, rappers, musicians, or artists of all ages to read their work. Bring your friends, your poetry, your instruments, your beats, your inspirations, your creativity, and your talent! No sign-up necessary, just hop on the mic when you’re ready! Hosted by poet, Barbara L. Eikner. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum.FREE.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. –(Lunch and Learn Event) “Buffalo Soldiers Presentation”The Alexander/Madison Chapter – Greater Kansas City/Leavenworth Area 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association will be in full authentic Buffalo Soldier uniforms. The troopers will provide a moving presentation on the great legacy and rich background of the historic Buffalo Soldiers from the years 1866 to 1944. Original Buffalo Soldier artifacts will be on display during the presentation. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum.FREE “BBQ on the Patio” Come and join us for some great barbeque, potato salad, chips, drinks, etc.Sponsored by Dunks BBQ. (Visitors may bring their own lunch.) Drinks will be provided. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center.FREE.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. –“Film Screening Presentation:Many Fires This Time: We the 100 Million”This is an award-winning documentary film that received the Gordon Parks Black Film Excellence Honorable Mention Award (2021) at the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, KS. Directed by Jason R.A. Foster, and produced by Michael “Quess?” Moore and Jeremy Liu,Many Fires This Time: We the 100 Millionis a poetic documentary about the 1 in 3 Americans and counting, living in economic insecurity.FREE.
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. –Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott &The Learning TreeFilm Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history.Fee: $7. 7:00 p.m. –“Celebration Tribute Dinner”(Social Hour starts at 6:00 p.m.) Join us for an evening of celebration and dinner, with music, tribute, and presentation of the 2022 “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” to Adger Cowans and William C. Rhoden. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. 2108 S. Horton St. All seats reserved.Fee: $30.00. (Reserve by Wed, Oct. 5)
Sunday, October 9th
9:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Crooner’s Lounge.Enjoy a breakfast buffet at one of Fort Scott’s finest! Located at 117 S. Main Street, Downtown Fort Scott. You are sure to find something on the buffet that will please your appetite. Check it out at: fscrooners.com. (No ticket required-everyone pays for their own)
TICKET PURCHASEFOR THE 2022 CELEBRATION: Friday, October 7th Hot Jazz and R&B –Reserve Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Wed., Oct. 5th Questions? Call us at 620.223.2700 ext. 5850 email: [email protected] Gordon Parks Museum 2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, KS 66701 Or register online at: www.gordonparkscenter.org
Saturday, October 8th BBQ on the Patio –Reservation Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Fri., Oct. 7th
Saturday, October 8th Tribute Dinner –Reservation Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Wed., Oct. 5th (Lunch & Learn) Friday “Exhibition Catalog/E-book: Homeward to the Prairie I come.”______tickets at $8 each for a total of $_______. (Lunch & Learn) Thursday “In the Shadow of Obscurity: Tolling in a Reluctant Society.” ______tickets at $8 each for a total of $_______. Name, Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number & Email: ____________________________________________________________________ ___________ CHECK ENCLOSED payable to the Gordon Parks Museum Hot Jazz R&B Friday______tickets at $25 each for a total of $_______. BBQ on the Patio Saturday______FREETickets. Celebration Tribute Dinner Saturday______tickets at $30 each for a total of $_______. Total Registration Cost…………………….$_________.
The winners of 1st place A Flight Team of David Brown, Jarrod Brown, Tim Bradbury, and Tarrell Vann. Submitted photo.2nd place A Flight Team from Labconco of Michael Harper, Shawn Marshall, Travis Schilling, and Chris Harper. Submitted photo.
Saturday, September 10th was a perfect day for the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to hold their 3rd Annual Fort Scott Golf Classic. Our 2021 tournament was canceled due to a COVID outbreak, but this year we had no problem. The Tournament was held at the beautiful Woodland Hills Golf Course in Fort Scott. It was fantastic golfing weather; the day started in the 60’s but quickly warmed to 80’s.
Play began at 9 am with 19 teams. Prizes were given out to 1st and 2nd places in A, B, and C Flights. The winners were: A Flight 1st Place went to the team of Tarrell Vann, Danny Brown, Jarod Brad, and Tim Bradbury; A Flight 2nd Place went to the team of Michael Harper, Shawn Marshall, Travis Schilling, and Chris Harper; B Flight 1st Place went to the team of Trentyn Moore, Tim Moore, Brett Scott, and Mark Bruder; and B Flight 2nd Place went to the team of Dustin Hall, Matt Wheeler, Clint Lawrence, and Ryan; C Flight 1st Place went to the team of Wally Maples, Mike Prince, Jake Scott, and Michael Hatcher; and C Flight 2nd place went to the team of Marcus Alexander, Michael Alexander, Larry Alexander, and Landon Bennett.
Along with the two flights, prizes were handed out for the Longest Drive which went to Steve Sewell and Closest to the Pin which went to Dustin Fowler. Players were also given the opportunity to try their chances with the “Trouble” Hole in One game on hole 11.
At the end of the tournament, door prizes were given out to several lucky golfers. The door prizes included: garden decor and gift bag from Heidrick’s True Value, coffee mugs and ballcaps courtesy of Kale Nelson State Farm, and Gift Certificates to G & W, Miller Feed, The Butcher Block, Sharky’s, Luther’s BBq and tickets to Grand Country Music Hall in Branson courtesy of Fort Scott Broadcasting.
Along with the door prizes, a silent auction was held for a fire pit courtesy of Niece Products of Fort Scott.
All money raised from the event goes toward the Foundation’s mission of providing quality and affordable homes for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the eight counties of Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.
“Without the generosity of our communities, this fun event could not have been held. Thank you to all the golfers who participated as well as to our event sponsors: corporate, hole, and in-kind. This tournament would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors. Thank you to Heartland HomeCare; Ashcraft Pest Control; Atkins Insurance; Bourbon County Cars; Brigg’s Auto of Fort Scott; Cheney Witt Chapel; Don’s Spirits and Wines, LLC; Diehl, Banwart, & Bolton; H & H Agency; Heidrick True Value; Kansas Teacher’s Community Credit Union; Konantz-Cheney Chapel; John & George Masterson; Medicalodge of Fort Scott; Mertz Tax Service; Microtronics; Peerless Products; SEK Financial; Stewart Realty Co; Young’s Welding; and Wise Accounting. It is friends like you that allow us to provide services to our neighbors with I/DD and to help them achieve the quality of life they seek. Thank you.” stated Special Projects Coordinator, Tricia Campbell.
Valetta Cannon reads a Christmas book to children during the 2015 Christmas party
Submitted by Valetta Cannon
Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director
Fall is a perfect time to cozy up with a favorite book, take a stroll to watch nature change, or do both of those and more at your local library! Take a look at the upcoming programs the library is offering. All programs are free and open to the public (some programs have age limits). See you at the library!
Maker Monday
Monday, September 19 at 4:15 pm
What can you make with a cardboard box? Show off your cardboard creation talents at Fort Scott Public Library for the first Maker Monday since early 2020. Boxes, cardboard scraps, special safe cutting tools, Makedo connectors, work tables, books filled with inspiration and instructions, and craft supplies will be provided, along with snacks. This event is for all ages, free, and open to the community. Families are encouraged to create things together.
Storytime
Wednesday, September 21 at 10; Tuesdays at 10 for the weeks following.
Join Miss Val in the library’s event room for a themed storytime! Participants hear two to four stories, sing songs, make a craft, and enjoy snacks and drinks. Online storytime videos post in a private Facebook group for Storytime families and unlisted on the library’s YouTube page (families may email Miss Val at [email protected] for the link) on Thursdays at 10 am, so long as there is patron demand for the service. Reserve your curbside kit, complete with craft supplies and a snack, here:
Help decorate the library for fall, then enjoy refreshments in the event room. This event is for middle and high school students.
Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday is a hybrid meeting, with teens participating both in person and from home. Curbside kits which include supplies, snacks, and drinks, are available. Teens can also earn library loot, which they can spend on small prizes or save up for better ones, and reward books, for participating in the library’s ongoing teen reading challenge. Each 200 pages or 100 minutes of reading earns two loot and a book. To reserve a curbside kit, fill out this form: https://forms.gle/gTHh6Q1gjdVMhebi7
by 5 pm the Monday before the meeting your teen wishes to attend.
Marvelous Monday
Monday, October 10 at 3 pm
Homeschool families, meet and mingle with other local homeschoolers at Marvelous Monday events. At our next event, we will go on a scavenger hunt down Main Street. The middle and high school kids will have a more advanced list of items to find, and will begin making a collaborative newspaper for the group during this meeting. Homeschool families may submit their ideas and preferences for future meetings by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/6tZa2tRw8Y1b3w9a9
Teen Book Club
Monday, September 26 at 4:30 pm
6th – 12th graders, join Miss Valetta at Common Ground Coffee for teen book club! We will discuss our current and favorite reads, work on completing a custom book BINGO card for prizes, and enjoy delicious treats! This event is free and open to middle and high school students.
500 Books Before Middle School
Elementary-aged children now have a library literacy reward program of their very own. Each milestone your child reaches improves their literacy skills, increases their knowledge, and allows them to earn a prize and free book from the library. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/dPuXY8nhoicaUe5A7
Craig Whitmire and his son Caleb Whitmire are the new owners of Safe Valley Outfitters, Uniontown.
Craig Whitmire and his son, Caleb, have been coming to Safe Valley Outfitters, Uniontown, since 2015 to hunt.
Safe Valley Outfitters is located off the Uniontown Square.
Craig is a businessman and farmer from Strawberry, Arkansas.
He and his son liked it so much they came every year since, Craig said.
The Whitmire’s purchased the business from Ron Eldridge and Terry Kirby in January 2022.
“We feel fortunate to purchase it,” Craig said.
For those who don’t know, a hunter outfitting business provides equipment, supplies and guides for hunting trips, according to Webster Merriam Dictionary.
Caleb takes the hunters to the sites on the approximately 8,200 acres they have leased from local landowners for hunting.
“I show them where they (the wild game) are and let them have at it,” he said.
“The landowners and farmers are a vital part of the success of this business,” Caleb said.
Caleb gets help from his brothers-in-law, Will Smith and Tyler Murphy to prepare the land for hunting.
The Whitmore family, from left to right: Tyler Murphy, Caitlin Murphy, Baylor Murphy, Will Smith, Madalyn Smith, Craig Whitmire, Josie Whitmire, Rena Whitmire, Caleb Whitmire and Kortni Whitmire. Submitted photo.
Craig has three daughters ranging in age from 25 to six years old.
“Caleb and the boys (son’s-in law) do scouting, they put up blinds, tree stands and cameras and put out corn (for the deer),” Craig said.
Whitmire said the family business is contributing to the local economy.
“We buy corn from local guys,” Craig said
They also have a bank account in town, eat in local eateries in Bronson and Fort Scott, which also adds to the local economy, he said. They will also pay taxes on the several buildings on the property site, on Uniontown’s square.
The Whitmires are farmers, and Strawberry, Arkansas is about the size of Uniontown, both with a population 300 people Craig said.
Whitmire has several other businesses.
“We run 1.2 million broiler chickens through the year,” Craig said. “We are contract growers through Poultry Egg Company.”
He also has a commercial hay business and a chicken litter business and in addition, a fabrication shop.
But the father and son enjoy hunting and are looking forward to having a successful outfitters business in Kansas.
First Hunt This Season
They had their first Youth Hunt starting on Labor Day.
A Kansas Youth Hunt is for 17 year olds and younger, who possess a valid deer permit and may hunt while under the immediate supervision of an adult 18 or older, according to Kansas Wildlife and Parks online information.
“We had seven hunters with their dads,” Craig said. “From our hometown area in Arkansas.”
They will have hunts until December, then turkey hunting season starts in April-May, he said.
They have packages for archery, muzzle loader, and rifle hunts that include lodging, meals and the guide service.
The lodge with the processing building to the right in the photo.
The lodge has six recently-remodeled bedrooms and an on-site processing building for hanging up the deer for butchering, Craig said.
A bedroom in the lodge of Safe Valley Outfitters.The processing building for cutting up the deer.The commons area of the lodge was recently remodeled and includes a fireplace, TV, eating area, lounging area and snack area.
The Whitmires purchased the building just north of the lodge for a home while they are here running the business.
The Whitmire home is located north of the Safe Valley Outfitters buildings.
Craig and wife, Reina, along with Caleb’s wife, Kortni are the cooks for the groups. Caleb and Kortni were married this last March.
Parts of the family will live on-site during the hunting seasons.
Upcoming hunters are coming from Alabama, New Jersey, Mississppi, Louisiana and Georgia, Craig said.
Most of their clientele have heard of the business through their Facebook page and some are repeat clientele.
“This area is a premier hunting location,” Craig said. “The area has a potential for trophy white tail deer. The ratio between bucks and does is really good.”
Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.
This week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by a musician-friends trio, Ralph Carlson, Stephan Moses, and Carolyn Tucker. The program will feature vocal and instrumental music of southern gospel, country, blues, songs of Elvis, and Latin-American light-classical tunes. Carlson provides harmony and keeps the rhythm on Martin acoustic guitar, Moses sings and plays Gretsch electric lead guitar, and Tucker provides vocals and fills in the gaps on keys.
“All three of us began studying music as youngsters. When you combine our years of playing experience, it’s 191! Through the years, we have all played individually in church, our communities, and diverse venues,“ concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “We appreciate the opportunity to play for the loyal folks who attend this seasonal Friday event. Bring a neighbor and join your friends for a fun evening.”
The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The event is free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to The Loading Dock at Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
The Marmaton Massacre Festival, a mountain bike race held annually in Fort Scott’s Gunn Park is September 17 th and 18th.
The Marmaton Massacre Festival is a full weekend of mountain bike racing, free camping, food, and live music, with the Marathon Race on Saturday, followed by live entertainment, free camping, and then category races on Sunday, according to https://www.singletracks.com/bike-races/the-marmaton-massacre-festival/ .
“This is a real grass roots event, on hand-built single-track trails,” according to the website.
Gunn Park is located on Fort Scott’s west side on Park Avenue.
The first bike race trails were built by Frank Halsey, an avid mountain bike rider, who than established a group called Gunn Park Trails. The group maintains the trails throughout the year and organizes local rides. See their Facebook page for updates on the trail conditions. https://www.facebook.com/GunnParkTrails
Athletes from the region participate in the annual event, with last year’s winner from Oklahoma City and the previous year, from Wisconsin.
Even though the mountain bike race is not really a spectator sport, the public is encouraged to attend the Saturday evening entertainment, because local musicians D.J. Brown and the Bourbon County Revival will be playing at 7 p.m., Frank Halsey, event coordinator said.
Frank Halsey, event organizer, hugs his grandson following a first place win in the kids’ race in July 2018.
Also performing will be the Fort Scott High School Select Music Ensemble in the late afternoon, Halsey said.
Races occur on Saturday, the 17th, from noon till 4 p.m.
All activities are staged at Shelter House #6.
Volunteers are welcome and needed, Halsey said. He can be contacted at 620-704-2730.
A food truck, “Bogan’s Bites”, will be onsite for refreshments.
On Saturday, events begin with packet pickup at noon, and a four-hour marathon race will begin at 1 p.m.
“The little kid’s race is at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday,” Halsey said. “Kids must wear a helmet, and parents must sign a liability waiver. Eric’s Bike & Board from Overland Park will have their event van onsite and be repairing bikes.”
Kids 10 and under, race for free, and compete in a one-mile race.
At 6 p.m. there will be a dinner for participants.
KANSAS, Sept. 7, 2022 – Red Bull Imagination year three promises to preserve its integrity and continue to deliver on its mission to progress the sport of freeride motocross. Ten new and returning riders will square off on the 2022 evolution of the event’s custom-built “playground” course. These ten riders bring an immeasurable amount of talent to Red Bull Imagination, and will demonstrate their impressive level of skill, taste, and creativity over the four-day event. Alongside Tyler Bereman, the founder of Red Bull Imagination, will be returning riders Josh Hill, Vicki Golden and Axell Hodges, the reigning champion who will defend his crown. Joining in on all the action for the first time are rookie riders Guillem Navas, who recently impressed with his first X Games appearance, Julien Vanstippen and more.
Rest assured that the returning riders won’t have a leg up on the rookies as the course continues to transform in ways that devalues prior knowledge from previous years. Best described as a life-sized video game at this point, it will feature more options, such as blade transfers in the “technical jib section,” a snowboard-style spine to open up new lines, and scalable options to make the course as simple or complex as the riders see fit. In addition, the huge jumps, 150-foot tree jump, and moon-booter will require technical prowess, creative ability, and downright finesse.
Riders returning for Red Bull Imagination 2022 are:
Red Bull Imagination visionary, host, and 10-time X Games medalist Tyler Bereman
2022 X Games Gold medalist, 12-time X Games overall medalist Axell Hodges
2022 X Games ‘Best Whip’ Gold medalist, six-time X Games overall medalist Tom Parsons
Four-time X Games medalist and World Record Holder Vicki Golden
Two-time X Games medalist and current freeride motocross rider Josh Hill
2022 Hill Jam ‘Best Whip’ winner freerider Christian Dresser
Riders who will bring their style and skills to Fort Scott for the first time:
2022 X Games quarterpipe medalist Guillem Navas
Two-time X Games medalist Julien Vanstippen
X Games participant Kohl Denney
Best Style at Farm Jam New Zealand rider Lewi Woods
The 2022 course will debut expanded features and new concepts that continue to move away from the confines of racing and traditional freestyle motocross. The course is brought to life by Bereman and Jason Baker of Dream Traxx who have seemingly infinite visions for how to create a space for riders to push the sport. As described by Bereman after the 2021 competition, “[Red Bull Imagination] is a massive work in progress. We’re learning as we go and we’re going to continue pushing freeriding in the right direction, giving opportunities to riders that they wouldn’t have anywhere else.”
The competition format follows suit from 2021 with judging criteria based on magnitude, creativity, execution, and the overall line the riders carve on the competition day. The panel of legendary judges includes Robbie Maddison, Jeremy ‘Twitch’ Stenberg, Steve Haughelstine and Ronnie Faisst. The riders will have two three-minute windows to ‘wow’ the judges and the best single-scoring run will count as their overall result. The competition will be commentated by Jason Weigandt and Jeff Emig on Saturday, Sept. 17.
All the action will debut in a one-hour show on September 25, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST on ESPN2 and ESPN+. In-person tickets are still available for purchase at https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/imagination. Pricing starts at $65 for adults and $30 for kids. Red Bull Imagination 2022 is supported by Bereman’s partners Fasthouse and 805.
“Tickets are still available for the event on Adam LaRoche’s ranch,” Mike DeCarlo, Scrimshaw PR- Co-Founder, said.
Through the Red Bull network, hi-res video and still images are captured and made immediately available for editorial use for all media channels including television, film, print, mobile and digital. The content is centrally located in the Red Bull Content Pool for media partners. For photography and footage on Red Bull Imagination, visit www.redbullcontentpool.com.
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