Burke Street residents offer food following the parade in 2019.
The community is invited to a neighborhood parade to celebrate America’s Independence Day.
At 10 a.m. on July 4, 2020, Burke Street residents will begin to line up at 10th and Burke Street.
“It’s for everyone,” Barbara Albright, who is charge of information distribution, said.
Severe storms or lightning cancels the parade…but we have conquered the rain,” Albright said.
“This year patriotic masks can be worn, (optional),” she said. “Depending on COVID 19 (the disease of the pandemic), it might be a small parade or biggest ever.”
“Please no big vehicles and watch for the children, who are all over the place,” Albright said.
Parade entrants are asked to dress in patriotic attire.
Bring lawn chairs to sit along the street and cheer the parade, she said.
Patriotic songs will be lead by Phil Hammon, with help from others.
Burke Street Parade. Susan Foster and grandson, Jack Foster. Foster is the person with the original idea of a neighborhood street parade in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
The parade starts at the corner of 10th and Burke Street, goes south to Marblecrest and back north to the starting point, Albright said.
“The parade goes south on Burke Street to the Marblecrest Triangl,” she said.
Traffic control will be organized by Burke Street resident Frank Halsey.
For more information contact Margaret Humphrey at 223-0388, Theresa Bahr at 223-1582 or Albright at 224-7762.
Steven Anthony in the Burke Street Parade. Submitted photo.
The Burke Street Parade is provided by Albright.
“About 40 years ago Susan Stapleton Foster was visiting her brother Dr. Burder Stapleton’s family in Memphis, TN over the Fourth of July,” she said. “She was fascinated with several neighborhood Independence Day parades on her visit, particularly the veterans who proudly marched in the parades. Upon return to Fort Scott, she shared the idea with neighbors Margaret Humphrey and Jill Gorman. The rest is history. ”
Burke Street Parade. Margaret and Merl Humphrey and granddaughter, Meg Norman. Submitted photo.
26 & 27 – The Lavender Patch Farm Day & Evening opening 9 am -1 pm. Evening 7 pm until 10 pm to enjoy the twilight & lighting bugs that cover the Lavender Patch.
27 – Mo’s Swap Meet– 1st opening day! Every Saturday from 7am – 4pm (3rd & Margrave St)
27 – Estate Sale & two other sales within a mile, Ron & Susan Eldridge, 7am-3pm, 1351 Hwy 3 (going into Uniontown off of 54 hwy), click here for event details.
3 – Fort Scott Community Fireworks Display by the Elks Lodge, shooting from the grounds of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton, at dark. Tune in to KOMB 103.9 FM during the show!
Division of Tourism Launches New Tagline Celebrating Spirit of Kansas
TOPEKA – The Tourism Division of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism introduced its new tourism marketing tagline and campaign last week, which honors and celebrates the perseverance that defines what it means to be a Kansan.
The new tagline – To The Stars – builds upon the state’s motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, meaning “to the stars through difficulty.”
“‘To The Stars’ reminds us who we are and shows us where to go,” said Kansas Tourism director Bridgette Jobe. “It’s a salute to the free-spirited. To the rowdy. To the wide-eyed wanderers. To the dreamers. To the stars.”
The coming year will continue with stories and features on the Kansas Tourism website, TravelKS.com, that build on and further develop To The Stars.
Travelers are encouraged to learn about the perseverance that embodies To The Stars displayed by Free Staters in the war against slavery, dust bowl farmers, Santa Fe Trail pioneers, Amelia Earhart, Nicodemus settlers, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, plaintiffs in the Brown v Board of Education landmark case, Greensburg residents, and many other notable Kansans who charged ahead despite adversity. More information about these historical figures, including places to visit to learn about them, can be found on the Kansas Tourism Blog and at TravelKS.com.
“Like many of us, the travel industry in our state and nation is experiencing unprecedented challenges amidst the global pandemic,” Jobe said. “‘To The Stars’ is as relevant as ever for Kansas, and now we have a chance to learn more about, and take hold of, the fortitude that has forged our state by visiting sites that commemorate them.”
The Division of Tourism is encouraging #SafeTravels which includes physical distancing while exploring Kansas’ wide spaces and unspoiled beauty.
“Everyone is looking for what they can do with their family this summer, and fantastic experiences are waiting just down the road in Kansas,” Jobe said. “Take a road trip to find a new adventure – whether that’s a visit to the Fort Scott National Historic Site to learn more about Bleeding Kansas, a hike at our newest state park Little Jerusalem Badlands, or traveling to buy local beef from a producer and seeing Kansas along the way.”
T-shirts and other merchandise featuring new To The Stars and Kansas designs are available at the Kansas Gear Store on TravelKS.com.
Some merchandise at the Main Street Gallery and Flea Market. Submitted photos.
This Saturday, June 20 beginning at 9 a.m. Main Street Gallery and Flea Market is hosting what they are calling the 1st Annual Junk and Disorderly event.
“We are starting a tradition of having an open house for the flea market every year because we want the vendors to know that they are a big part of the store,” Rechelle McClellan, one of the owners, said. ” We want them to know we appreciate them for trusting us to sell their wares. It is a celebration for them.”
Items for sale at Main Street Gallery and Flea Market. Submitted photos.
In addition, Rechelle with her husband, Josh, and mother-in-law Julie, want to showcase what the shop has to offer.
“We also want the public to know that we are a one-stop-shop,” Rechelle said. “If there is something you are looking for, chances are we have it at Main Street Gallery & Flea Market between new and vintage items.”
Items for sale at Main Street Gallery and Flea Market. Submitted photo.
Vendors, family and friends will be helping with the event, Rechelle said.
There will be complimentary coffee, juice and a Mimosa-an adult beverage made of orange juice and champagne.
There will also be door prizes.
Items for sale at Main Street Gallery and Flea Market. Submitted photos.
The business is located at 23 South Main in downtown historic Fort Scott.
Contact Rechelle McClellan at the store’s number (620)223-2210 for more information.
Friday Free Concerts resume this Friday at 7 p.m. at Common Grounds Coffee Shop, 10 E. Wall. This is a new venue, as prior Friday Free Concerts have been at Heritage Park.
“This Friday is first night of the summer concert series, sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber Of Commerce,” said organizer Ralph Carlson. “The featured entertainment will be Rick Hite on vocal and guitar. Rick has been a regular contributor to our Friday night series. The concert will be held at the New Common Grounds Coffee Shop at 7pm Friday night.”
Submitted photos. Elijah Knight and Jax Armstrong use interactive technology at the Gordon Parks Museum.
A July 2019 grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is helping to support interactive technology for youth and young adults, at the Gordon Parks Museum.
The museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
“The interactive technology tablet is up and running,” Museum Director Kirk Sharp said.
Submitted photos.
The museum purchased a tablet kiosk, a stand for the kiosk, and operational interactive software.
“It is designed to deliver content in an interactive setting for all of our visitors, especially younger audiences,” Sharp said. “This interactive software will not only provide information about Gordon Parks but will also allow the visitors to view photos, videos, interviews, review books, listen to music, create a drawing/painting, interactive trivia quiz game and much more.”
Submitted photos.
“It has been a goal of the museum board to offer an additional and more modern approach to learning, viewing and appreciating all of the collections and works of Gordon Parks,” Sharp said. “Providing interactive displays in different areas of the museum will benefit the viewer(s) by providing additional details and content to each supported exhibit. This tablet helps us achieve this goal.”
“This project helped to give us the ability to provide a more engaging way for the younger generation to learn more about our museum and keep visitors fully engaged,” Sharp said. “The interactive technology has helped make our museum more appealing to younger crowds and to encourage visitors return for future visits.”
“This project also supports our mission of using Gordon Parks’ remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness and the role diversity plays in our lives,” Sharp said.
Submitted photos.. Caleb Clay uses interactive technology at the Gordon Parks Museum.
“When the museum teaches about creativity, cultural awareness and diversity, it needs to be able to reach our visitors in creative ways, and by providing interactive technology, this will help us deliver on that objective,” Sharp said. “We want our visitors’ experience to be engaging, educational and interactive, especially for the youth so we can help to keep the Gordon Parks legacy alive for generations to come.”
Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library Youth Librarian & Assistant Director announces a magician performance as part of the summer reading program
The Fort Scott Public Library has released a pre-recorded performance by Magician Jeff Quinn as a part of the summer reading program.
“From June 13 until June 21, you may view the video performance, created just for our library,” Cannon said. “Jeff has even made a few interactive tricks and created his very own fairy tale, complete with its own trick! Be sure to let the library know if you enjoy his performance – they may hire him to come perform in person next year.”
