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Christmas Parade Tonight At 6 p.m.
Category Archives: Entertainment
BIGFOOT LEARNS ABOUT CHRISTMAS IN FSCC VIDEO PLAY
Bigfoot is back bigger than life at Fort Scott Community College during the theatre department’s filmed presentation of “A Very Hairy Christmas,” an original children’s play by Allen Twitchell, theater instructor.
The 25-minute video play is set to begin streaming Dec. 4 on the FSCC Theatre Facebook page and on the college’s web page at fortscott.edu.
“In true ‘Star Wars’ fashion, this play is actually a prequel to last year’s ‘Santa Claws is Coming to Town’ and the previous year’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is Bigfoot’s Teeth,” Twitchell said. “This time around, Bigfoot is discovered by a group of children and seeks their help to learn about Christmas. Of course, there is a bad guy, Darth Hunter; a chase scene; a couple of slow-witted henchmen; and a few holiday songs.”
Candy canes, courtesy of Walmart of Fort Scott, were distributed to school district students last week as part of the video’s promotional campaign.
The cast features: Dawson Ellington, freshman from Powder Springs, Ga., as Bigfoot; Abby Sweat, sophomore from Pleasanton, as Ben; Grace Springer, freshman from Mound City, as Jordan; Jacquie Hampton, freshman from Redfield, as Grace; Colleen Sweat, freshman from Pleasanton, as Darth Hunter; Kaleb Morrow, sophomore from Fort Scott, as Dim; Mickey Donahue, sophomore from Fort Scott, as Dimmer; Trenton Ward, freshman from Kansas City, Mo., as Ace Reporter; Carlee Studyvin, freshman from Fort Scott, as Reporter No. 2; Kiera Threlfall, freshman from Frontenac, as Reporter No. 3; Isabella Loyd, sophomore from Fort Scott, as Reporter No. 4; and Mackenzie Peoples, freshman from Fort Scott, as Reporter No. 5.
The cinematographer/camera operator is Jared Wheeler, FSCC’s instructor of public speaking, while James Beltz, music instructor for the Pleasanton school district, served as musical director.
“Certainly, the times are challenging, and staying safe is the priority, but we wanted to keep our theater department as active as possible,” said Twitchell. “Also, this format allows us to maintain our tradition of giving the gift of theater to the community for Christmas.”
Free Entrance to Kansas State Parks on Black Friday
PRATT – Swap the shopping centers for scenic views this Black Friday, as Kansas state parks will once again waive entrance fees as part of the nationwide #OptOutside initiative. All 28 of Kansas’ state parks are participating in an effort to get families and friends outdoors and enjoying nature.
On Friday, Nov. 27, state park visitors will have a chance to win a free night’s stay in a Kansas state park cabin of their choice. To enter, visitors must simply take a selfie within the park and share it on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the tags #OptOutside and #MyKsStatePark.
#OptOutside is the brainchild of outdoor retail giant REI, who in 2015 decided to close all 150-plus stores for a day and pay more than 13,000 employees to spend the day outside. It’s become a valued annual event for REI, state parks across America and the millions of people who’ve taken the day to grab some fresh air.
And this year’s event couldn’t have come at a better time.
“In the middle of everything, we have watched as people all over the world, some for the first time, looked to time outdoors to reflect, restore and connect with one another,” said Eric Artz, REI president and CEO. “We are focusing on what matters most.”
Earlier this year, Governor Laura Kelly encouraged Kansans to head to state parks for healthy recreation and relaxation – and thankfully, many have. As a result, Kansas State Parks director Linda Lanterman said attendance has been exceptionally high.
“We’re really proud that people could turn to Kansas state parks for hiking, cycling, camping, fishing and safely relaxing with loved ones out-of-doors,” said Lanterman. “Hopefully, #OptOutside will be a continuation of all of that with thousands taking advantage of what we have to offer, and at no cost.”
For more information on Kansas state parks, visit www.ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks.
New Skating Rink on the Horizon For Fort Scott
A new skating rink is on the horizon for Fort Scott.
“This project came from community discussion about a need for more kid-friendly activities,” said Allyson Turvey, Fort Scott Tourism and Community Development Manager. “Memorial Hall was used as a roller rink back in the ’80s, so the initial idea was really just to give that another go. It will benefit the community’s youth, and will hopefully draw families from the larger region as well. ”
“Originally we had hoped to use Memorial Hall, but the cost to resurface the floor is simply too high,” she said. “So for now we are focusing our attention on the old gym at Buck Run. Ideally if this goes well we could eventually look to investing in the floor of Memorial Hall since it is a larger venue.”
Turvey is the project leader.
“Leah Bowman has helped a lot with research,” she said. “But this project simply wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous amount of community support we’ve received”
“Craig Campbell and Angie Rhodes Kemmerer along with her class have been heavily involved in the planning, and have also thrown out many ideas we had not considered. It’s also fantastic to have a project with not just community involvement, but student involvement. Students are excited and working really hard to make this thing a success.”
Logistics such as staffing, insurance needs, and safety requirements are being considered.
“But we really have two priorities at this point, the rink itself, and the skates,” Turvey said. ” Without these pieces locked down, we won’t be able to move forward. We’ve now decided on the ideal location, so we need to find the skates. The cost to purchase enough skates to run this type of facility isn’t really feasible, so Angie and Craig have put us in touch with roller skate rental companies. We’re hopeful to have a solution for skates soon.”
The skating rink project is for the area youth.
“The target population for the rink is of course local youth,” she said. “It’s been a widely held opinion that Fort Scott needs more activities for kids. This will certainly meet that objective. The students that have been helping with the project are really excited about the possibilities and have lots of ideas of how we can make it successful.”
“Our goal is to make this happen by the beginning of the year,” Turvey said. ” We do have logistics that will need to be worked out very quickly. And as I mentioned the whole project currently hinges on securing roller skates”.
What is the cost to the city?
“At this point, I don’t have an exact cost estimate to offer, but the use of Buck Run will allow for fairly low startup costs,” she said. ” Use of Memorial Hall for this project would have required a significant initial investment. We don’t feel this is a feasible solution at this time, and are working to make this project as cost effective as possible.”
Mistletoe Market Tonight at the River Room
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FS Downtown Christmas Parade: Dec. 1
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Lowell Milken Center Announces Four New Exhibits in Collaboration with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is pleased to announce the installation of four new exhibits in the Hall of Unsung Heroes museum in downtown Fort Scott.
The Attraction Development Grant received from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism made this new addition to the Lowell Milken Center possible. The grant and matching funds allowed the Lowell Milken Center to update and improve the exhibit area and increase connections with visitors.
The Lowell Milken Center staff has had the opportunity to explore new avenues to reach visitors, teachers, and students while continuing their mission during the last nine months. Through social media outreach, virtual tours, Zoom presentations, and special video clips, the Lowell Milken Center continues to make the exhibit area relevant for teachers, adults, and students
. The inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes and positive role models need to be heard.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism Attraction Development Grant is designed to provide assistance in the development of new tourism attractions or the enhancement of existing attractions within the State. Their purpose is to provide strategic economic assistance to public and private entities and not-for-profit groups that are developing new tourism attractions or enhancing existing ones.
The new panels feature the inspirational stories of Jackie Ormes, Doug Hegdahl, William Matthews and Harry Hue.
Watch for a virtual unveiling of the new exhibits to take place in March.
About the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes:
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes works with students and educators across diverse academic disciplines to develop history projects that highlight role models who demonstrate courage, compassion and respect.
Through our unique project-based learning approach, students discover, develop and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on the course of history.
By championing these Unsung Heroes, students, educators and communities discover their own power and responsibility to effect positive change in the world.
Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more or visit the Lowell Milken Center exhibits in downtown Fort Scott.
Night To Shine Prom For Special Needs People
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Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Welcomes New Members
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is an open organization and welcomes anyone of any age interested in joining and participating, according to Jim Kemmerer, a spokesman for the group.
“Our goal is to celebrate, demonstrate, and continue the past practices of farm and rural life. For further information please contact me, Jim Kemmerer, at 620-224-2275 or [email protected]. “
“I just learned that PHF has reduced the prices of the 2020 Show hats and shirts even further,” Kemmerer said. ” $4.00 each or two for $7.50. Plenty of both for sale, and multiple shirt sizes to choose from.
“Night To Shine” For Special Needs People
“Night to Shine”, a prom night for special needs people over 14 years old, is being formed by a team in the Fort Scott community.
“This night is celebrating people in our community (and area) that have special needs,” said Clayton Whitson, operations pastor at Faith Church. “It’s nationally sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Fort Scott Nazarene Church was approved to host earlier this year.”
Michele Hudiberg is also a contact person for the event.
“Normally, this is a huge prom night experience with red carpet, paparazzi, great food, etc,” he said. ” Due to COVID and the health of this at-risk population, the foundation has opted to do a virtual experience this year, but we hope to continue this exceptional event year after year.”
How one can help with the event:
1. Share information – the date of the national virtual experience is Feb 12, 2021. The plan is to make this an annual event.
web: https://fsnighttoshine.wixsite.com/home
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSNightToShine
web: https://fsnighttoshine.wixsite.com/home
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSNightToShine
2. Invite Honored Guests: The event is open to anyone in SEK with special needs and over the age of 14. They will receive an “at home virtual experience kit” this year and will be on the list of invitees for years to come.
To register: https://forms.gle/DwvmUmqNR7aSdSdH7
3. Be a volunteer and/or financial sponsor: It will take a large team to build this event for years to come.
To volunteer: https://forms.gle/2pkkrYd7SRVawM1PA
Corporate Sponsors: Please email, [email protected]
Fort Scott NHS’s 38th Annual Candlelight Tour Goes Virtual
Fort Scott Kan. – Enjoy Fort Scott National Historic Site’s 38th Annual Candlelight Tour from the warmth and comfort of your own home. The virtual tour will air on the park’s web page (www.nps.gov/fosc) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS) at 7pm central time on Friday, December 4, 2020. There is no cost or fee for participating and Rangers will answer questions during and immediately following the program
This year’s virtual tour will share images of the traditional 1,000 candle lanterns around the parade ground and will feature six stops exploring 1840s health and safety, law and order, and equal treatment. Was there equality between officers, enlisted soldiers, and even, their horses?
1840’s soldiers at Fort Scott lived in isolation because of being distant from towns, other outposts, families, and friends. They also faced inequality because Officers were paid more and had nicer, more spacious, living quarters. If officers were sick, they could be treated in their quarters and if in trouble, they were subject to house arrest. Enlisted soldiers were paid a fraction of an officer’s salary, and they shared bunks in a room with 25 other soldiers. If they were sick, they were treated at the hospital in an open group setting and if in trouble they were sent to a cell in the guardhouse. Both also enjoyed the holidays differently.
Fort Scott was an active military post from 1842-1853, which was a time of rapid growth and change in the country. As Fort Scott was being built, the nation grew west. With this growth, Fort Scott changed, the mission of its soldiers changed, the environment changed, and the nation changed. However, the soldiers at Fort Scott continued to serve faithfully, despite the constant change.
Fort Scott National Historic Site hopes you enjoy our virtual Candlelight Tour as much as our other virtual events this year (all available on www.nps.gov/fosc) and we hope to see you in person for all of our on-site events in 2021.
From November 1-March 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its winter hours of operation. The site exhibit areas and historic buildings are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. To find out more or volunteer at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Fort Scott Veteran’s Day 2020
Several activities are planned for Veteran’s Day 2020 in Fort Scott.
On Nov. 10 there is a reception for veterans at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, National Ave. at Wall Street in downtown Fort Scott.
A Veteran’s Day Ceremony will be held on Nov. 11 at 11 A.M. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street
A lunch for vets will follow at VFW Post 1165 on National Avenue.
On Nov. 13, free trolley tours will be provided by Fort Scott Tourism, located at the Chamber of Commerce office on Wall Street.
For more information: 620.670.2750.
The Fort Scott Veteran’s Day Parade starts at 3 p.m. on November 14.
Line-up for parade entries will be at 6th Street and Main Street.
The parade route will go north on Main to Wall, then west to National Avenue, and south back to 6th Street.
This event is sponsored by Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
“As a Chamber member, they asked me to be the organizer/coordinator this year,” Diann Tucker said.
“The purpose of the parade is to show our honor and respect to our past and current military and to increase awareness of and the sacrifice for what has been done to maintain the freedom we enjoy each day.”
Virus avoiding steps because of the COVID 19 Pandemic
“We are asking that everyone maintain safe social distancing and wear masks when you cannot,” Tucker said. ” We want to adhere to all CDC and local guidelines. This will be an outdoor event and there should be no problem for family units to socially distance themselves from others. Parade entries will easily be socially distanced from those attending the parade.”