Category Archives: Entertainment

Hedgehog.Ink: Storytime and Artist on Dec. 15

Jan and Dick Hedges, owners of Hedgehog.INK

Hedgehog.INK, a bookstore at 16 S. Main that opened recently, is having a children’s story time on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m.

Dick Hedges, co-owner of Hedgehog.INK, is the official book labeler, he said.

“Several people said they would like to take their children to the library story time, but work (makes it inconvenient), so we are offering one on Saturdays,” Jan Hedges, one of the owners of the Hedgehog.Ink said.

Following the story time, children will be able to decorate sugar cookies, she said.

“Rob Shaw, from Crooner’s, will be leading the children’s Christmas cookie decorating,” Jan said.

There is a story time each month, always on a Saturday morning, with some type of activity following.

Some of the children’s Christmas books offered at the bookstore.

A little later in the day, an artist will be featured, along with his work.

The store features a local artist each month.

Tony Fornelli, a local woodcarver, will be showing his wares and telling about his work, at 3 p.m. on Dec. 15.

Some of Fornelli’s wood creations.

In addition to the decor, Fornelli also offers carved knives made out of deer antlers.

“He will bring a couple to show, ” she said, “As well as talk about wood carving and how he does it.”

A bio of Tony Fornelli.

In addition to books, the store sells chocolate, lavender products, goat milk products, handmade cards and gift certificates.

Lavender products are produced locally by Betsy and Davin Reichard and sold in Hedgehog.INK.
Goat milk products for skin and hair are locally produced by Locust Hill LaMancha Dairy Goats.
Locally handcrafted Christmas and other cards by Jean Solomonson.
Cards produced by artist Paul Milks.
Jan Hedges shows the chocolates produced in Emporia that are for sale at the store.

Currently, the store is having a writing activity. Store goers are encouraged to write about “What I Love About Christmas.”

 

 

Santa at Walmart Dec. 7-9

Come visit Santa Claus at the Fort Scott Wal-Mart at the below days and times. 

December 7. Friday. 4 – 8 pm.

December 8. Saturday. 10 am – 2 pm.

December 9. Sunday. 1 – 5 pm.

There is no charge to take a photo with Santa.  However, donations are accepted on behalf of American Legion Post 25’s children and youth programs. 

 

Freezing Temps Did Not Deter Parade

Temperatures hovering at the freezing mark did not stop the Chamber of Commerce’s Fort Scott Christmas parade Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Following are some snapshots of the event.

Feel free to add photos.

Bethel Community Baptist Church provided a living nativity in downtown Fort Scott Tuesday evening.
Parkway Church of God’s float in the Fort Scott Christmas parade Tuesday evening.
Fort Scott High School Band students entertained the crowd at the Christmas parade.
The Buck Run Community Center staff offered free hot cocoa at the parade.
Customers view the offerings at Christmas At the Empress, a sale of local vendors, who set up a temporary shop Tuesday evening at the same time as the parade. The Empress Event Center is located at 7 N. Main.

 

Moonlight and Mistletoe 2018

Inside the lobby of the Courtland Hotel.

The  Courtland Hotel, 112 E. First Street, is the host for the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County’s annual fundraising event-Moonlight and Mistletoe.

The event, this Friday, December 7, is open to the public, and tickets are available at the Visitors Center or Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall.

The cost is $25 per person. Food and a cash bar is available.

“The Historic Courtland Hotel, located in downtown was gracious and opened the hotel to us,” Rhonda Dunn, chair of the HPA said.  “Many people in town will not have seen inside the Courtland Hotel & Spa or in the rooms, because in general, we don’t use hotels in our own town.  This is an opportunity to check out the hotel built in 1906.”

The Courtland Hotel was built in 1906.

Free Regular Tours on “Dolly the Trolley” this Saturday!

Fort Scott’s Trolley.

Saturday, December 8th, marks the end of the regular Trolley Tour schedule in Fort Scott.

To celebrate, the Fort Scott Convention & Visitors Bureau offers free regular tours of Fort Scott on “Dolly the Trolley” this Saturday.

Tours will leave the Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center at 231 E. Wall every hour, on the hour, beginning at 10:00 am, with the final tour departing at 3:00 pm. Seats are first come, first served.

During the offseason, the Fort Scott CVB, with assistance from the Tourism Advisory Board and local volunteers, will reevaluate the tour, adding new stories and new routes.

The 2019 season for “Dolly the Trolley” begins on Saturday, March 9th.

Free tours do not include the “No Humbugs Allowed” Christmas Lights Tours. For more information call 620.670.2750.

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Free 1800s Dance Lessons Dec. 8

1800s Dance Lessons this coming Saturday, December 8th in Fort Scott.

There will be free lessons in the Grand Hall on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site this Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Come join us as we do some period dancing and perhaps even dance to a holiday song or two!

If you have questions contact Dee  Young at 913-269-1632. This is the Candlelight Weekend at Fort Scott NHS. Check out nps.gov/fosc for more information.

Submitted by Dee Young

A Modern Twist on a Familiar Christmas Tale at FSHS

The Fort Scott High School Thespians present their holiday children’s theatre production of “A 21st Century Christmas Carol” by Lori M. Myers.

Performances are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Fort Scott High School Auditorium. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time and seating is limited.

“A 21st Century Christmas Carol” is a new twist on a familiar tale. “Eleanor Scrooge, a greedy old spinster, spends her days barking orders at her gift shop employees.  Though the mall will be closed, she still wants them to work on Christmas Day!  Then she’s visited by the ghost of her old boss, Mr. Marley, and a parade of zany spirits who materialize from cheesy collectible figurines.  … With great humor, contemporary references, and crazy characters, … audiences will fall in love with the classic story all over again,” according to Pioneer Drama Service.

 

Characters in the production are played by area children in 1st-8th grades. Regen Wells, a 7th-grade student at Fort Scott Middle School, plays the lead character of Eleanor. Eighth graders Anna Laubenstein, Kinsley Davis and Kaitlyn Leavell play the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. All are also members of the FSMS Drama Club which meets weekly at the Middle School.

 

The play is directed by FSHS senior Karina Kantilal and sophomore Ashanti Green. Music is led by freshman Christina Ramirez and sophomore Noah Martin with choreography from junior Mesa Jones and sophomore Avery Dorsey. About thirty other high school students are assisting with the direction and design of the show as a fundraiser for the State and International Thespian Festivals under the supervision of Thespian Director Angie Bin.

 

Tickets for “A 21st Century Christmas Carol” are $5 and available at the FSHS Office, 1005 S. Main; Common Ground, 116 S. Main; and at the door.

 

Library Christmas Party Dec. 17

Fort Scott Public Library will hold its 4th Annual Family Holiday Party on Monday, December 17, at 4 p.m.
 Activities for teens will be held upstairs, while games and crafts for children will be downstairs after group stories.
Children and teens of all ages are welcome, but first grade and below must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The party will run from 4 – 5:30 p.m. and registration will open at 3:45.
Enjoy holiday stories, songs, activities, snacks, crafts, and prizes, free.
Volunteers are needed to help supervise the activities. Please contact youth librarian Valetta Cannon at [email protected], fill out a donation form at the library, or call 223-2882 if you would like to help. Happy holidays from Fort Scott Public Library!
Submitted by Valetta Cannon

Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director

“No Humbugs” Christmas Lights Tours

It’s a Trolley Ride that would put Ebenezer Scrooge in a holiday spirit! It’s the “NO HUMBUGS ALLOWED” Christmas Lights Tours on Dolly the Trolley.

Tours are every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening now through December 23.

Tours depart from the Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center at 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, and 8:00 pm each evening.

Prior to the tour, enjoy a hot cup of cocoa and a tasty treat. Adorn yourself with a glow necklace, and maybe have a chance to meet old Saint Nick himself.

All tours will be chaperoned by the Thespians of Fort Scott High School, leading the tour in Christmas Carols and holiday humor.

Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for kids 12 and under and are on sale now at the Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center, 231 E. Wall, Fort Scott.

Private tours ar also available for your group or organization. Find more information online at visitfortscott.com and click on the events tab, or call 620.670.2750.

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Christmas Parade Entry Deadline Approaching

A float from the 2017 Fort Scott Christmas Parade.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce reminds our community that the annual holiday Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 in Downtown Fort Scott starting at 6pm. The deadline for participants to register a parade entry is this Monday, December 3rd at 1pm.

The Chamber is calling all participants. There is no cost for businesses, schools and other organizations to register a float, golf cart, foot unit, band, horse unit, car or other entry into the parade. The parade entry form may be found on the Chamber website, www.fortscott.com, or may be picked up at the Chamber office at 231 E. Wall Street.

The 2018 parade theme is “It’s a Cowboy Christmas!”. The parade route will take place on Main Street starting at 3rd Street, proceeding to Skubitz Plaza, then exiting northwest towards National Ave.

The Chamber encourages all to participate in the parade or attend as an onlooker to enjoy this magical night in Downtown Fort Scott.

Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.