A corn maze is coming in October, so add this to the family bucket list of fun things to do this fall.
Rinehart Christian Church is having a corn maze every Saturday in October (5,12,19, and 26) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
“Other activities include: hayrides, corn pit, inflatables, fire pits, pumpkin painting, and games,” said Rinehart Church Youth Pastor Elijah Pierson. “This is a free event for the whole community, including a hot dog lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday.”
The address is 9443 S 900 Rd Richards, MO 64778.
Here are directions from Fort Scott: Take 69 Hwy. north to the Hammond exit. Then go east two miles on Soldier Rd. The road turns to the north; follow the blacktop (245th St.) to the stop sign (Valley Road); then go east. This becomes Hwy. D in Missouri. Continue on Hwy. D through Stotesbury to 900 Rd. Go South 0.5 miles to the church.
The design of the corn maze is by Precision Mazes, he said.
“We believe families are important, so we want to provide an event in the community that can be shared and enjoyed by the whole family,” Pierson said. “We know that one of the best ways we can serve God is by serving families.”
“Rinehart exists to ‘Love God, Live Like Jesus, and Lift Others’,” Pierson said “Our church is full of people of all ages and backgrounds and our members belong to many different communities including Nevada, Fort Scott, Butler, Sheldon, and many more. We welcome anyone who wishes to come worship with us at our 10:30 AM service.”
The Free Friday Night Concert will feature three different sets.
Steve Fortenberry on the guitar, does special stylings on his solo guitar and plays traditional, gospel and light classical pieces.
“I am really looking forward to hearing some of his new creations on the guitar,” said Ralph Carlson, event coordinator.
Rob Hunt and friends will be performing a mix of gospel and hymns. “Rob has performed for us before and is an outstanding keyboard player,” Carlson said.
“In addition, I have not quite concluded booking a bluegrass and gospel group who you have heard before and is well-liked,” he said. ” I believe we will have a good show for you. I plan to have a brief open mike period for anyone who would like to play and or sing.”
In the event of bad weather, the event will move inside to the Common Grounds Coffee Shop. Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited. Heritage Park is located at 1st and Main street in downtown Fort Scott, at 7 p.m.
A public program to start the Fort Scott Community College Centennial Celebration was one of speeches, a prayer and a song on Monday morning at the Ellis Arts Center on the campus.
Students, guests and the public were invited to hear the experiences of former students and teachers, then eat a quick hot dog lunch and some cake and cookies in celebration of the community college’s 100th year.
Speakers were FSCC President Alysia Johnston who welcomed the crowd and introduced Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson. Tyson then presented the college with a commendation from the Kansas Senate for its’ 100 years of serving the community.
The speakers at the Centennial Celebration were FSCC Vice President of Student Services Janet Fancher, retired FSCC instructor Jack Gilmore; Mark Muller, FSCC Class of 1979; Tyson; retired FSCC instructor Marcel Normand; Gina Findley Shelton, class of 1999; Jim Barrows, class of 1968 and Johnston. A letter read by Fancher from Esther Anne (Weeks) Sewell, class of 1941, who is 96 years old.
Additionally, FSCC Class of 2013 Taylor Bailey produced an introductory video, narrated by Tyler Covey, class of 2019. FSCC President’s Ambassador Hannah Reel led the flag salute and Dusty Drake, lead minister at Community Christian Church, said the closing prayer.
Following the program and lunch, the crowd was asked to stop by the tree planted in honor of the celebration near the front of the building, where a fly-by drone took an aerial photo of the group.
During the welcome FSCC President Alysia Johnston told the audience that the school was established in 1919 and is the oldest continuous public community college in Kansas.
The school, established in 1919, was originally located at the Fort Scott High School building until 1967 when it moved to the 150-acre current site, and 200 students started classes. At this time, FSCC also began offering classes in Paola, according to information provided by the college.
In 1973 the administration building was completed and was later named the Dick Hedges Administration Building.
In 1982, Arnold Arena was completed, with one side a rodeo arena and the other a basketball gym, weight training area, athletic dressing rooms, classrooms, a computer lab and athletic offices. Arnold Arena just completed a renovation of the gym in Sept. 2019.
In 1986, the college acquired the cosmetology school from Pittsburg State University and N. Jack Burris Hall was completed in 1989.
A dormitory was opened in 2002 and named Chester Boileau Hall.
In 2004, FSCC purchased and renovated the former Sisters of Mercy Convent on Burke Street for the nursing program. Also in 2004, the college remodeled a wing of the former Miami
County Hospital in Paola, which then became the FSCC Miami County Campus.
The Gordon Park Museum and Center of Diversity also was established in 2004 at FSCC to honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, a photographer, writer, poet, musician and filmmaker.
The Danny And Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center was opened in 2009 which included a 600-seat theater, community meeting rooms, the Gordon Parks Museum the Kathy Ellis Academic Hall.
The Kansas National Guard Armory was purchased in 2010 and houses the John Deer technician program and the welding program.
The cosmetology department moved to a newly remodeled space in 2014 on campus and the rodeo program opened a new rodeo building.
This year, an addition to the Burris Hall which was provided by donations from the Chester Boileau and Lonnie Cleaver estates, opened with new offices, classrooms, bathrooms, and a trophy display area for the FSCC Livestock and Meat’s Judging Teams awards.
There will be a banquet on Sept. 20 as part of the continuing celebration, and a tailgate party with free food at the Greyhound Football Game, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
2019 Old Settler’s Parade, Uniontown, float results.
Best Church Float: Marmaton Christian Church- 1st
Best Class Float:Class of 1959- 1st
Class of 1964- 2nd
Best ATV: Dale’s Cushman- 1st
(Dale Jackson’s family)
Alvin Beerbower- 2nd
Ft. Scott Livestock Market- 3rd
Oldest Woman Present – Natalie Comstock
Oldest Man Present – Glen Post
Couple Married the Longest – Leo and Arla Hartman
Person coming farthest – Ellie Matos, Puerto Rico
Person with the longest Uiontown address – Loris Wilson
Cash Drawing:
$100 – James Stark
$75 – Ed Hartman
$50 – Henry Homan
2019 Children’s Parade
Best Theme–Genesis Walker and Lauren Walker 1st/2nd
Most Creative – Draxton Stewart
Coolest – Ryeker Stewart
Wildest – Blake Ervin
Most Colorful – Willow Franklin
Most Fun – Zoey Franklin – Rhuey and Scout Eden
Best Decorated Bike:
Ana Christy- 1st
Caden Martin-2nd
Casen Martin-3rd
Best Costume::
Avri Clayton -1st
Quinn Clayton-2nd Mercedes Schultz -3rd
Best Pet- Jayden Dawson – 1st
Best Decorated Battery Operated – Harper Bunnel -1st
Hunter and Holden Bunnel -2nd
The Friday Night Free Concert series continues this Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at Heritage Park, 1st and Main Street.
“This weeks concert will feature the “Takin’ Notes Band”with Randy Maple on lead guitar and vocals, Terri Louk guitar and vocals; Jeff Deal, bass; Mike Church, rhythm guitar; Dr. Larry Buck, mandolin and vocals; Bill Buck, mandolin; Brian Crites, dulcimer; Lane Steiner drum / harmonica; and David Shelby, guitar and vocals,” Ralph Carlson said. Carlson is the coordinator for the weekly event.
“The band has been a real hit with our audiences,” Carlson said. “They play traditional, blue grass, gospel and classic country music.”
“The weather is predicted to be good, but in the event of a change we will move to the Common Grounds Coffee shop.. Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.”
Kansas 4-H members ages nine and up are eligible to enter projects at the Kansas State Fair, but only eligible after first earning the top award in the project category at the county fair. That means 4-H entries at the Fair come with high praise, and also means seeing the various projects in 4-H Centennial Hall may inspire others to join 4-H and learn by doing, choosing a new 4-H project (if already involved in 4-H programs) or provide the nudge that’s needed to complete a hobby project or try something new.
Kansas 4-H offers more than 30 educational 4-H projects and seeing the completed projects under one roof is testimony to experiential learning in 4-H.
The 2019 Kansas State Fair will open Sept. 6 and continue through Sept. 15. While attending the annual event is a tradition for many, seasoned as well as first-time fairgoers are encouraged to visit 4-H Centennial Hall to view 4-H projects that have earned the top awards at our local county fairs.
4-H Centennial Hall is located at the north end of the fairgrounds, and will house the majority of the more than 11,000 4-H project exhibits during the fair. The Southwind Extension District will be well represented, with exhibits entered from Allen, Bourbon, Woodson and Neosho Counties.
The 4-H building is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Sept. 6-Sept. 14, and, on Sept. 15 (closing day) from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
“Celebrating All Things Kansas” is the theme for the 2019 Kansas State Fair, so I certainly want to mention some of our most grassroots projects – the livestock. Southwind 4-H members will also be exhibiting horses, sheep, swine, meat goats and cattle at the south end of the Fairgrounds. Horse project members who previously qualified at the District Horse Show will compete the second weekend of the State Fair, while livestock exhibitors will show the first weekend as part of the Grand Drive. Youth enrolled in the Dog project will also compete the second weekend.
Information on daily schedules and admission can be found on the Kansas State Fair website, www.kansasstatefair.com
If you are looking for results from our local 4-H members, those can be found by clicking on the link at www.kansas4-h.org, or stop by the Southwind Extension District website, www.southwind.ksu.edu and we will direct you to those 4-H results that will be updated on a daily basis.
From the fun fried foods that can be found on the mid-way to the open and youth exhibits across the fairgrounds, there are opportunities for the young and old alike. I encourage you to put on your best walking shoes and make a trip to Hutchinson, KS September 6-15, 2019 and “Celebrate All Things Kansas” at the 2019 Kansas State Fair!
Sunshine prevailed for the 114th Annual Old Settlers Picnic activities in Uniontown on Sept. 2, 2019.
Vendors lined the city’s park, along with organizations and onlookers trying to find a spot in the shade for the parade mid-morning.
This year’s grand marshalls are Alicia Jackson and Alan Shinn, both longtime educators in the Uniontown School District.
Jackson has taught English and Spanish at UHS for 44 years. She and her late husband, Dale, raised three daughters in Uniontown-Gretchen, Meaghan and Caitlin. Jackson is in the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame and has been a runner-up for Kansas Teacher of the Year.
Shinn retired from teaching math in the district after 50 years, in May 2019. He and wife Becky have raised a son, Kevin and daughter, Melissa in Uniontown. Shinn has been recognized as Outstanding Young Educator by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Secondary Educators of America, Central MO. State University Dept. of Math Certificate of Merit, and Distinguished Alumnus of Allen Community College.
The theme of the parade was “Learning From The Best At UHS”.
New this year was the baby parade at 9 a.m. and the Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show.
Cash drawings, a picnic in the park, kids and not-kids games were played and recognition of “Old Settlers”, were some of the traditions that have been continued through the years.
Also as in years past, one could purchase smoked port dinners from the FFA, chicken dinners from the Methodists, pies from the Baptists, homemade ice cream from Marmaton Community Church, along with soft drinks from the cheerleaders.
SUNSHINE SHACK Food Truck will be available for Old Settler’s Picnic vendors setting up, event workers, and the public on Monday morning starting at 7 a.m. in Uniontown.
BREAKFAST MENU FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd.
Will start serving at 7:00 am
Breakfast Burrito-$2.00
(Eggs, Sausage, Onions, Peppers, and Salsa(optional)
Biscuits and Gravy
1 Biscuit with Gravy-$2.00
2 Biscuits with Gravy-$3.00
Lunch Menu For Monday, September 2nd.
Walking Taco with Drink-$7.50
(Tortilla Chips, Nacho Cheese, Taco Meat, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Shredded Cheese,
and Salsa)
Hamburger, Fries, and Drink-$7.00
Cheeseburger, Fries, and Drink-$7.50
Popcorn Chicken, Fries, and Drink-$7.50
Hotdog, Fries, and Drink-$4.50
Nachos-$2.50
Soft Pretzel with Nacho Cheese-$2.00
Beverage Choices-Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mt. Dew, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, and Bottled Water