Category Archives: Entertainment
Friday Night Free Concert: The Hemphill Family Band
The Friday Night Concerts return this week with the Hemphill Family Band. They, along with friends, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, at the Heritage Park Pavilion located at 1st and Main streets.
Members of the band are Jack Hemphill on keyboard and vocals, Sandy on fiddle and keyboard, and Brad on guitar and vocals. Friends who will perform are Floyd Feezell, who will sing, and Tammy Helm, who will play saxophone.
The Hemphills have performed at the pavilion many times in the past. They play classic country, including a little Hank and Lefty, and a lot of Merle Haggard. They will also play a variety of other songs during the concert.
Come out and spend the evening at the Pavilion. Seating is limited, so bring a lawn chair. In case of bad weather, the concert will moved to Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall St.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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Weekend Activities Schedule Provided by Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce
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Kathi Hall: New Fort Scott Pool Manager, Pool Opens June 5
After a delay because of vandalism, the Fort Scott Aquatic Center will open Monday, June 5 at 1 p.m. to the public.
Kathi Hall is the new pool manager at the center, and is a 6th grade teacher at Fort Scott Middle School during the school year.
She was hired last month.
“It’s a perfect job for educators,” Hall said.
“We are excited that the facility can be open to the public,” she said. “We apologize for the delay. We were supposed to open on Memorial Day.”
The vandalism included graffiti, which didn’t delay the opening, and also included “multiple rocks that were thrown into the pool, damaging the concrete,” Hall said. “The concrete then had to be treated and cured, then so many days the water had to be treated with chemicals, before we could begin the water filling process.”
The pool hours are Monday through Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m., Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. On Monday through Friday there is a family swim from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
The pool phone number is 620.223.8142
As a special treat, on Monday at 1 p.m. Pearson Towing staff will be handing out popsicles to those entering, until gone, Hall said.
Pool parties are from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. when scheduled. Cost is $150 per hour.
Pool rates are:
2 years and younger are free.
3-14 years: $2
15 to 62 years: $3
63+years: $2
A single season pool pass is $65, a family of four season pass is $200 and a $25 per person fee for over four family members. Members must reside in the same household.
“Children 10 years old and younger must be supervised by someone 14 years and older, at all times,” Hall said.
Assistant pool managers are Brayden Moore, Kayla Hall, Billie Jo Shoemaker, and Dakota Hall.
“We have a sufficient supply of lifeguards,” Hall said. “Thirty-plus lifeguards.”
FSHS Tiger Drama Camp Performs Treasure Island
This year’s annual Fort Scott High School Tiger Drama Camp performs Treasure Island on June 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School commons area.
Thirty five students in 1st through 9th grade spent two weeks at camp preparing for the production. The play is adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller from the book by Robert Louis Stevenson.
The character of Jim is played by 6th grader Scout Eden. Other notable characters include Long John Silver who is played by 8th grader Theodore Bowman, Doctor Livesey – freshman Dimple Williams, and Squire Trelawney portrayed by freshman Adeline Hartmetz. Other campers make up a motley crew of pirates, storytellers, and Skeleton Island Natives.
The camp and show are directed entirely by FSHS Thespians. Seniors Regen Wells and Lexi Hill are the Directors.
“I absolutely love getting to share my love of theatre with the younger people of our community and I’m extremely happy to have an outlet in the community for directing and producing,” Wells said.
Other high school staff include: junior Kiara Thompson – Stage Manager, sophomores Emma Bin and Tuesday Glessner – Choreographers, junior Cooper George – Costume Designer, senior Natalie Woods – Sound Designer, senior Jericho Jones – Music Director, sophomores Charlie Chaplin and Chris Newman – Props and Set Designers and freshman Tobi Larrabee and junior Molly Hoyt – Arts Directors. Many other Thespians serve as acting coaches and leaders and Thespian Director Angie Bin serves as show producer.
During the two-week camp, students learn about most technical theatre areas such as lighting, sound, costuming, stagecraft, and make-up. They also help to create the artistic set decor.
Hill said, “This is my first time directing a show and I am so excited to see it performed. Working with the kids is amazing and everyone involved has put so much work into this hilarious show.”
Tickets for the show are $5 and available at the doors at Fort Scott Middle School. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
2023 Kansas Notable Books list announced
TOPEKA –The State Library of Kansas is proud to announce the 2023 Kansas Notable Books list. This year’s list of Kansas Notable Books continues the tradition of celebrating the rich stories and vibrant spirit of the state.
“The authors of the 2023 Kansas Notable Books not only help us gain a deeper understanding of our world, but also encourage empathy for others and reflection on our own life experiences,” State Librarian Ray C. Walling said. “Written by Kansans or about Kansas and Kansans, these fifteen books explore wanderlust, transformative collaboration, hidden struggles, inspiring resilience, and the power of love.”
Authors will be recognized and awarded medals by the State Librarian at the Kansas Book Festival on September 16 at Washburn University. The Book Festival is a free event that is open to the public. For more information on the event, visit kansasbookfestival.com.
The selection process for the Kansas Notable Books involved a rigorous evaluation by a selection committee made up of librarians, educators, and literary professionals. Their task was to identify books that exemplify quality writing, compelling storytelling, and significant contributions to the literary landscape. This year’s list features a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s literature, ensuring there is something for every reader.
A program of the Kansas Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book, Kansas Notable Books works to foster a love for reading by promoting these exceptional works across the state. Public libraries, schools, and bookstores feature the Kansas Notable Books prominently and organize events that engage readers and highlight the authors’ accomplishments. An annual grant program administrated by the State Library supports Kansas public libraries adding Notable Books titles to their collections in formats best suited to their patrons. Applications will be released mid-June.
For more information about the Kansas Notable Books program, visit kslib.info/notablebooks or contact the State Library of Kansas at 785-296-3296 or email [email protected].
2023 Kansas Notable Books
Cabby Potts, Duchess of Dirt by Kathleen Wilford, Blue Bronco Books
Easy Beauty: A Memoir by Chloe Cooper Jones, Simon & Schuster
Hell’s Half-Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders by Susan Jonusas, Viking
Justa’s Escape: A Journey from WWII Ukraine by Justina Neufeld with Russell Binkley, Wipf and Stock
Kansas Speaks Out: Poems in the Age of Me, Too edited by Dennis Etzel, Jr and Jericho Hockett, An Actual Kansas Press
Letters to Martin: Meditations on Democracy by Randal Maurice Jelks, Lawrence Hill Books
The Monster’s Bones: The Discovery of T. Rex and How It Shook Our World by David K. Randall, W. W. Norton & Company
Native American Stories for Kids: 12 Traditional Stories from Indigenous Tribes Across North America by Tom Pecore Weso, Rockridge Press
A New Guide to Kansas Mushrooms by Sherry Kay, Benjamin Sikes, and Caleb Morse, University Press of Kansas
Nothing but the Dirt: Stories from an American Farm Town by Kate Benz, University Press of Kansas
One Boy Watching by Grant Snider, Chronicle Books
River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard, Doubleday
The Undead Truth of Us by Britney S. Lewis, Hyperion
The Vagabond’s Way: 366 Meditations on Wanderlust, Discovery, and the Art of Travel by Rolf Potts, Random House
Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival by Seth Bate, The History Press
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Ruritan Plans Summer Entertainment For Uniontown Community
Movies/Music in the Park, sponsored by Uniontown Ruritan Club, will provide Uniontown school district residents with some free family fun this summer in the park on the town square.
“At the beginning of this year, we had a brainstorming session to consider various ideas for community service projects for 2023,” Mary Pemberton, one of the committee members, said. “Mauriel Whisenhunt and I suggested something that would highlight and make use of the beautiful city park, bring people together, and provide entertainment for all ages. One of our ideas was Movies in the Park. That idea was well received and expanded to include music. We decided to put on one Movie in the Park event each month and another separate Music in the Park night each month during June-July-August.”
“Our schedule kicks off on June 9th with a Movie in the Park night,” Mary Pemberton, one of the committee members” said. Each movie night starts at 7 p.m. with games and activities such as: sidewalk games, corn hole, spikeball, dodgeball, washer toss, face painting and rock painting. Then at 9 p.m. seating begins for the movie – this is an outdoor movie showing, so bring your own chair or blanket.”
The group has planned music entertainment on alternating evenings this summer.
“Alternating movies and music means the next event, on June 23rd is a music night,” Pemberton said. “Music nights feature food trucks from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Musical performances are from 7-8:30. We have arranged for different genres of music each month – Mike Miller (gospel), Rick Hite (country/folk) and Ridge Runnerz (classic rock/country).”
“On June 23rd and July 14th there will be special performances by a mother/daughter duo who are both world class baton twirlers,” she said. “We enticed them out of ‘retirement’ for these performances and I witnessed part of a practice session when they were refreshing their skills and working out a routine. They are amazingly talented – you won’t want to miss this; baton twirling is an art you don’t see locally at this skill level and Kristi and Lexie are truly awe-inspiring.”
The movies, music, games/activities and entertainment are all FREE and Uniontown school district residents are invited, she said.
“We are also giving away free hot dogs/chip/drink at the first event, a free ice cream social in July, and free popcorn to munch on during each movie,” Pemberton said. “Tips for the musicians and/or free-will donations are accepted, but not required.”
Food trucks will be available on certain dates.
” Food trucks include Los Tres Pollitos on June 23; on July 14 the Ruritan Club is selling pulled pork BBQ sandwiches; and on August 11 the Hot Pink Heifer food truck is here,” Pemberton said. “Additionally, the Sunshine Shak will be here most evenings with sweets, snacks and drinks for sale.”
The complete schedule of events can be found on flyers posted at businesses around Uniontown and on social media.
For more information contact her at 620-224-9654 or stop by 103 3rd Street in Uniontown.
Ruritan Club Music in the Park Committee members are Pemberton, Mauriel Whisenhunt and Randy Rathbun.
“In addition, several Uniontown High School clubs are helping on the event nights,” Pemberton said. “The Uniontown High School FFA is grilling and serving hot dogs on June 9; the UHS Art Club is doing face painting and assisting with rock painting each movie night; UHS Cheerleaders are assisting with games and will perform at each movie night. We also wish to thank Rhonda DeWitt with the First Missionary Baptist Church for allowing us to use their movie screen and popcorn machine.”
“Ruritan is a nationwide service organization and our club performs a variety of services or projects each year that benefit the community and residents in and around Uniontown,” she said. “Last year we financed and built public restrooms which are located across the street from the park.”
GET YOUR DISCOUNT TICKETS FOR WAHZHAZHE: AN OSAGE BALLET SOON
FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Time is running out to get discount tickets for Wahzhazhe: An Osage Ballet. This moving story of the Osage people is coming to Fort Scott, Kansas for three performances July 21-22, 2023. Discounted early bird prices are only available until May 31. Tickets can be purchased online at www.osageballet.com/events or by clicking on the get tickets button on the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Facebook page. Persons needing assistance with online purchases can do so, in person, at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The heart-pounding drumbeats, rhythmic dancing, and compelling stories of Wahzhazhe are sure to delight dancing enthusiasts and history fans of all ages. The Fort Scott performances will be held Friday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 22 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site in partnership with the National Park Service are hosting Wahzhazhe as part of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s educational programming. Contact [email protected] for more information.
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Wahzhazhe, An Osage Ballet: Tickets On Sale Now
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Chamber After Hours/Ribbon Cutting on May 25 at M’axe Throw House
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The Rockballet Dancers Show is June 9,10
Tickets went on sale to the public last night for Rockballet recital.
Kristin Gorman teaches dance to over 100 students ages 4-18 years old and loves it.
“The best thing for me about recital is standing in the wings watching my dancers look look so beautiful and confident on stage, and seeing them truly loving the art form,” she said. “As a professional performer my whole life, knowing what it feels like, I love being able provide this opportunity for them to experience performing in a show like this.”
The performance is June 9 and 10 at the Bicknell Center, Pittsburg.
| Kristin Gorman |
| Owner / Director ROCKBALLET |
| Email: [email protected] Website |