Category Archives: Food

Kiwanis Pioneers: Drive Through Chili Feed Fundraiser Nov. 10

The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers will hold their 34th annual Chili Feed on Thursday, November 10 at the United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott.  “The annual fundraiser will be drive through only.” according to Kiwanis Pioneer President Millie Karleskint.

A meal of the Pioneers’ signature chili with crackers and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a free will donation (suggested minimum $7.00 donation per meal) to be collected at the door.  Pick-ups will be available under the canopy on the National Avenue side of the church. Please take care not to block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.

This is the Kiwanis Pioneers’ major fundraiser for the year.  In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of “Improving the world one child and one community at a time”, the Pioneers support more than 40 community projects including College scholarships, CASA, the Backpack food program, FSHS Key Club, playground equipment, the Beacon, United Way, Foster Kids, Feeding Families in his Name, Care to Share, and school reading and arts programs.  “All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County” stated Karleskint.

Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.

 

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Beacon Taking Appointments for Food Pantry Families, Adopt-A-Child and Christmas Basket

Dave Gillen is the director for the Beacon. Submitted photo.

They are paying $500 to $600 more per month on the food they give away, but the Beacon, a local food pantry, is not low on food, said Director Dave Gillen.

The cost of adding perishables to the food pantry has risen.

“With inflation and the number of people we are getting, 10 new families a month…we are spending over our budget,” Gillen said.
“I used to give out eggs with the food basket, but I had to cut them out,” he said. “At one time just buying bread and eggs was eating 1/3 of our budget.”
Gillen said donations of food are “doing well.”
“Schools, organizations, businesses and others, we can count on them to help,” he said.
The staff started on October 24 taking appointments for the 2023 sign up for the food pantry.
Other days they will be taking the appointments  for the sign up are  October 28th and 31st. November 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 11th.
Sign-ups must be done by November 11, with no exceptions.
One must  call in advance to make an appointment for one of these days.
The phone number is 620.223.6869.
Hours the Beacon is open are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. The agency is closed Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
If one is a member,  bring a current Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) letter and proof of residency, along with a photo ID for all adults in the household, a Social Security card for all in the household and birth dates for all in the household.
All dependent children with different names must show full time parental custody, adoption papers, and must live with you.
Proof of income, pension, retirement, social security disability, VA benefits, unemployment, child support/alimony and any other income is required.
If DCF services are  received, please bring the verification letter.
Adopt-A-Child
Also at this time, the Beacon will be doing sign-up for the Adopt-a -Child program and food baskets.
One family member should come for the whole family.
These will be picked up on Dec. 16 at Community Christian Church from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in a drive-through operation.
Elk’s Christmas Basket
The Elk’s organization baskets will be delivered the Sunday before Christmas, December 18th.
Dave Gillen, director, and Patty Mowen, co-director, of The Beacon Food Pantry of Bourbon County. Submitted photo.

Become a Master Food Volunteer

Do you have a passion for food? If so, consider joining the Master Food Volunteer (MFV) program! You will meet others who also share a passion for food; participate in classes, by either leading or assisting, to teach others about food; learn up-to-date practices on food safety and nutrition; and take your knowledge of food to the next level. To join, you must complete a 40-hour training course which costs $120. This course will be offered online from January 17th to February 25th with three days of hands-on training. Interested applicants must apply by December 1st to be considered. You can find the application online here or you can call 620-365-2242 to receive a copy.
Wondering what current MFVs have to say about the program? According to MFV Susan Stich: “Being a Master Food Volunteer has taken my love for food and nutrition to new levels of knowledge and fun. With the Master Food Volunteer training and university resources, I can feel confident in sharing with the community safer and fun ways to preserve, prepare, and serve food. The MFV program gives me the opportunity to help others of all ages learn better ways to eat healthier and safer. The camaraderie I have with other Foodie Friends is a special plus.”
Some of the educational programs which our current MFVs have hosted or assisted with in the past year include our kids’ cooking classes, a pressure-cooking class, a program on cooking with herbs, and a hands-on breadmaking class. The possibilities are endless!
If you have any questions, please contact Clara Wicoff at 620-365-2242 or [email protected]. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Trunk or Treat at First Methodist Church on Oct. 31

First United Methodist Community Halloween

Monday, October 31st   5:30 – 6:30pm

Parking Lot behind the church: 301 S National 

Setup begins at 5:00pm, lot will be blocked off at 5:20 for safety

Open to all. Parents and grandparents are invited to bring the kids.

Come in costume and celebrate All Hallows Eve with your friends and neighbors.

There is no charge for this event.

While you’re there, sign up for our “Parents Day Out” to be held November 12th 9am – 2pm

Submitted by Rev. Christopher Eshelman, Pastor – Fort Scott First UMC

New Life For The Former Scottish Rite Temple

Kathy Dancer stands in front of the Scottish Rite Temple. 110 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Kathy and Tracy Dancer are working to restore the former Scottish Rite Temple building in historic downtown Fort Scott.

“We bought it at the Bourbon County Tax sale in January 2022 for $20,000,” Kathy said. “That’s when we saw the opportunity to purchase it at the sale. We had been trying for years to contact the former owner, who purchased it from the Mason’s.”

The 12,000 square foot building that has been vacant for about 10 years is getting a electric update, Kathy said.

“Kudos to the Masons,” she said. “They took took good care of the building…the water and most of the electric were taken care of.”

The Dancers have plans for a cafe in the area that people might remember as where the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs prepared and served  their meals they sold the public as fundraisers.

Even before that recent use, there was a cafe there.

“The Cohen Cafe, before 1948, had a cafe in the space,” she said.

The Dancers plan to have the cafe open for breakfast and lunch service in that same space, possibly in spring 2023. “We are waiting for state approval for construction to begin.”

“We want to focus on locally produced in the region fruits, veggies and meat as much as possible,” she said.

Kathy Dancer stands in front of the current main entrance of the Scottish Rite Temple. After renovation of the building, there will be other entrances and restored large windows.

They are also planning on having a retail incubator.

“We also hope to put a micro-retail space for 6 to 8 businesses in one large section,” she said. “Handcrafted goods: jewelry, popcorn, custom home decor, furniture (for example). With a central check-out. People won’t have to man their space.”

“I need more approvals for this project,” she said. “It will focus on locally produced goods as much as possible.”

She said her husband is working through the process of getting a distillers license. “To have bourbon crafted and aged in Bourbon County,” she said.

“We are starting with the ground floor first, it will take time,” Kathy said. “I’m guestimating five years to complete.”

The beautiful theater in the building is a question mark.

“We don’t know what we are going to do with the theater,” she said.

 

 

 

Possible free pizza for properly functioning smoke alarms: Domino’s Oct. 12

Local Domino’s® Stores to Partner with Fire Departments to Promote Fire Safety

Residents may receive free pizza for properly functioning smoke alarms

 

JOPLIN, Mo., Oct. 4, 2022 – Domino’s stores in Independence, Fort Scott, and Pittsburg are joining forces with Independence Fire/EMS, Fort Scott Fire Department, Pittsburg Fire Department, and Frontenac Fire Department to promote fire safety. On the days and times below at the mentioned stores, anyone who orders a Domino’s pizza may be randomly selected and surprised at the door when their pizza arrives accompanied by a fire engine. If the smoke alarms in the home are working, the pizza is free. If the smoke alarms are not working, the firefighters will install fully functioning alarms or replace the batteries.

 

  • Oct. 11 from 5-7 p.m.

o   Domino’s in Independence, located at 100 N. 25th

  • Oct. 12 from 5-7 p.m.

o   Domino’s in Fort Scott, located at 2 Jersey St.

  • Oct. 19 and 20 from 7-9 p.m.

o   Domino’s in Pittsburg, located at 716 S. Broadway

 

“Fire safety is extremely important,” said Emily Elwell, owner of Domino’s in Fort Scott, Independence and Pittsburg. “We’re very excited to partner with NFPA and our local fire departments for a program that not only promotes the safety of our friends and neighbors, but rewards those who make fire safety a priority.”

 

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 9-15. This year’s theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”

 

“In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds,” said Dave Bruner, fire chief with Fort Scott Fire Department. “Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out. These steps can make all the difference and we hope to raise awareness about them through our partnership with Domino’s.”

 

Customers can call their participating Domino’s location at the numbers below to place their order and be eligible for the fire engine delivery:

 

  • Independence: 620-577-6060
  • Fort Scott: 620-768-5533
  • Pittsburg: 620-231-5555

 

 

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

 

About Fire Prevention Week
NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week since 1922. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925. Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more safety information.

 

About Domino’s Pizza®

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with a significant business in both delivery and carryout pizza. It ranks among the world’s top public restaurant brands with a global enterprise of more than 19,200 stores in over 90 markets. Domino’s had global retail sales of nearly $17.8 billion in 2021, with over $8.6 billion in the U.S. and over $9.1 billion internationally. In the second quarter of 2022, Domino’s had global retail sales of over $4.0 billion, with over $2.0 billion in the U.S. and nearly $2.0 billion internationally. Its system is comprised of independent franchise owners who accounted for 98% of Domino’s stores as of the end of the second quarter of 2022. Emphasis on technology innovation helped Domino’s achieve more than half of all global retail sales in 2021 from digital channels. In the U.S., Domino’s generated more than 75% of U.S. retail sales in 2021 via digital channels and has developed several innovative ordering platforms, including those for Google Home, Facebook Messenger, Apple Watch, Amazon Echo, Twitter and more. In 2019, Domino’s announced a partnership with Nuro to further its exploration and testing of autonomous pizza delivery. In mid-2020, Domino’s launched a new way to order contactless carryout nationwide – via Domino’s Carside Delivery®, which customers can choose when placing a prepaid online order.

 

Order – dominos.com

Company Info – biz.dominos.com

 

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FLAG Church Hosts Food Distribution on Oct. 1

Fort Cinema,224 W 18th St, Fort Scott is the  Family Life Assembly of God Church distribution site for free food.
Family Life Assembly of God, Fort Scott Campus, is hosting a  free food distribution for the community from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fort Cinema parking lot, 224 W. 18th Street, on Saturday Oct. 1st.
Participants will have to be in a vehicle and come through the Fort Cinema parking lot, according to Pastor Grady Proffitt.
FLAG workers help distribute food in an earlier distribution. Submitted photos.
“We have resources to supply food and essential household items to 75 family units,” Proffitt said. “There will be a fruit and vegetable box, along with bread, and other foods and essential household items.”
Workers hand out food in a prior food distribution.
Convoy of Hope, Springfield, MO, is the sponsor source of this distribution.
Workers in a prior distribution. Submitted photos.
“Our mission is to help with essential needs of families in our community,” Proffitt said. “We are blessed to have many partnerships within our church, and we want to use those to the best of our abilities. Our church mission is to help people love God and love others. We choose to use what God gives us so others may be blessed.”
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God Church meets in Fort Cinema. Submitted photos.
The church has been established in Fort Scott for about one month, meeting in the Fort Cinema movie theater.
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God in worship. Submitted photos.
” We had 91 people attend our launch Sunday, and have been blessed since,” he said. “FLAG Church has been commissioned to plant a campus in Fort Scott. We aim to not steal or take away from other churches here in town, but add to the Church by reaching those who do not have a church home. We want to encourage others that already have a church home to keep going. There are many great churches in Fort Scott! We are excited to be a part of what God is already doing here in this community.”
The church mission is led by four core beliefs: Salvation, Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Jesus, Pastor Proffitt said. To learn more about their beliefs: https://www.flagchurch.com/about.
“Within the pursuit of our mission, God has done many miraculous works throughout our gatherings,” Proffitt said. “Since the beginning of August, on Thursday nights, we have seen five physical healings on those in attendance. We seek to gather, connect, and pray for more of God’s miraculous signs and wonders just as He did in Acts 2. God is truly doing something amazing!”
The sermon is broadcast from the Pittsburg Family Life Assembly of God Church. Submitted photos.
  Sunday morning service is from 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. and includes live worship, corporate prayer, kids services, and a Gospel centered message.
A gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co.. Submitted photos.
They also host a Campus Gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co. every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Pastor Grady Proffitt and wife, Jacque Proffitt. Submitted photos.
FLAG Fort Scott is led by Pastor Grady and  and his wife, Jacque Proffitt.
“We moved to Fort Scott in June,” he said. “We have had seven years of ministry experience and are thankful we can be a part of this great community! FLAG Fort Scott is definitely a place you want to check out!”
 

To contact Proffitt:

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Kicks Off This Evening with a Parade

The 66th Annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, a celebration of rural America’s technology of the past, starts tonight with a parade of antique, and classic farm implements and much more.

The  parade will be on Main Street through Fort Scott’s historic downtown on Thursday, September 29th at 6 PM.

Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on south Horton Street, will be a scene of educational and historic exhibits, entertainment, vendors, food and arts and crafts.

Quilts displayed during the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta 2015.

New this year is a large model train display with little people in villages, according to Craig Shikles, president of the PHF board. It will be there at 9 a.m. on Saturday throughout the day. Other officers of the board: Larry Richard, Delphine Parks and Betsy Readinger.

Over 320 local students will be coming to the fiesta on Friday, according to Del Parks. “They will be able to do some hands-on stuff, she said.

There will be drag saw demonstrations, Baker fan demonstrations, tractors, gas engines, straw baling, wheat thrashing, corn husking/shelling, rock crushing, and saw mill operations on display.

The full weekend admission is only $5 per person and includes a collector button and Friday Bean Feed at 5 PM. Hours the fiesta is open: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Children under age 12 are free, however free admission does not include button. Prior year Collector Buttons available, $1.

There will be many food vendors including a chicken and noodle dinner provided by the First Southern Baptist Church, chili dogs provided by the local Eastern Star organization and biscuits, gravy and coffee will be sold at the information tent for breakfast at the Eddy Street entrance to benefit the PHF organization.

On Saturday evening, there will be a bull riding and mutton busting event to enjoy, although it is not a part of the fiesta, it will be located on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

Music to Enjoy

Ralph Carlson and Floyd Feezell have organized a great lineup of talent for the music entertainment at the fiesta.

On Saturday at 10 a.m. a band including Larry and Judy Snow, from Mound City, will be performing. The Snows play for dances and concerts in this area. At 11 a.m., the Hemphill Family Band will be performing. Jack, Sandy, Brad, and Kristen also perform in the area. They play different styles of music, but they do lots of country pieces.

At noon, there will be an open mike session. People who wish to perform may bring CDs with which to sing or bring their own instruments and/or voices to participate. The sound system will be controlled by David Oas.

At 1 p.m., a string group, The Prairie Sunflower Strings, will perform. The group consists of mountain dulcimers, autoharp, fiddle, guitar, and bass guitar. Members of the group who are local are Jean Strader, Marilyn Adcock, Joyce Love, Sandy Hemphill, and Jack Hemphill. Cherry Nelson, from Columbus, also performs in the group on the dulcimer. This group will also play at 3 p.m.

David Prickett, a local guitar player,will perform at 2 p.m. He plays and sings a wide variety of music. The music should conclude at approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday.

On Sunday morning, there will be a church service under the same tent. Rev. Joel Crippen, minister at the First Southern Baptist Church, will be leading the service.

Following the church service, there will be another open mike session. All are invited to attend and/or perform.

The community is encouraged to come out and listen the music while looking at all of tractors and enjoy shopping at the vendor booths both Saturday and Sunday.

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Begins Sept. 29

From the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta website.

Mark your calendars for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta.  The 66th Anniversary Show will soon be here!  The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is one of the oldest tractor and gas engine show in the area.

Plans are made for this to be a great event this year.  The downtown parade on September 29 will be the kickoff for the show.  Friday, September 30 will begin the 3 day show with lots of exhibits and vendors on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.  Come and see how things were done in the “olden days”.  Purchasing a $5 show button will give you entry to all 3 days plus a bean feed on Friday evening.

In addition to the flea market and tractor and gas engine exhibits, you can watch the sawmill operation, oat threshing, hay baling tractor pull and more.  Ralph Carlson’s entertainment tent will present talented musicians for you to enjoy.  The Sunday morning Church service will be in the entertainment tent also.  All are welcome. Be sure and stop by the Information tent.  There will be 2022 T-Shirts and caps and other items for you to purchase.

In addition to the Friday evening bean feed, biscuits and gravy will be available in the mornings, also old fashion sorghum cookies. Pulled pork sandwiches, chicken noodle dinners, sloppy joes, hot dogs. nachos and more will be served by food vendors.

Don’t forget the quilt show in the Myers Building.  Quilts can be entered Thursday, September 29, 10am – Noon.  The quilt show will be open Friday and Saturday, 9am – 4pm.  Sunday will be open noon to 3pm.  Contact Jackie Warren for more information, 620-224-8161.

Quilts displayed during the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta 2015.

There is an additional event on the fairgrounds the evening of October 1 in the arena. There will be a Mutton Bustin’ event with bull riding afterwards.  Sign up for the Mutton Bustin’ is 6:30pm.

If anyone would like to volunteer to help with any of the exhibits or perhaps help at the quilt show, we would be happy to have you.  Please contact a member or call one of the numbers listed.

Thank you goes out to all our corporate sponsors.  Without these sponsors there would not be a Pioneer Harvest Fiesta.  If you have not received a flyer in the mail or picked one up at a local business, contact a member and we will make one available for you.  Craig Shikles, 417-425-4552, is our president with Larry Richard, 620-724-6501, as vice-president.

Food Safety Education Month

 

By Clara Wicoff

Southwind Extension District

 

Did you know one in six Americans gets foodborne illness every year? September is Food Safety Education Month, which makes it the perfect time to review four simple steps that can help prevent food poisoning: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.

 

Clean: Wash your hands and kitchen surfaces often. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing food, as well as after handling uncooked meat, poultry, seafood, flour, or eggs.

 

Separate: For a clean plate, don’t cross-contaminate. Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods in your shopping cart, in your refrigerator, and during meal preparation. Do not wash raw meat, poultry, or eggs, as this can actually spread germs.

 

Cook: Use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of cooked foods is high enough to kill the bacteria which cause foodborne illnesses. Whole cuts of beef and pork should be cooked to 145°F and then allowed to rest for three minutes before carving or eating. Ground meats should be cooked to 160°F. All poultry (including ground poultry) and leftovers should be cooked to 165°F.

 

Chill: All perishable food and leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours (or within one hour if the food is exposed to temperatures greater than 90°F).

 

To learn more about these four simple steps, visit fightbac.org.

 

If you are interested in learning more about food safety, consider signing up for our food preservation workshop in Humboldt on October 27th! An RSVP is required for this hands-on program where you will learn about pressure canning, waterbath canning, and dehydrating herbs with food safety specialist Karen Blakeslee. Please call 620-365-2242 to register and get more details.

 

If you have a passion for food safety, you may also want to consider our Master Food Volunteer program! You will meet others who share a passion for food; participate in classes, by either leading or assisting, to teach others about food; learn up-to-date practices on food safety and nutrition; and take your knowledge of food to the next level. To join, you must complete a 40-hour training course. This course will be offered online from January 17th to February 25th with three days of hands-on training. Interested applicants must apply by December 1st to be considered.

 

For more information, please contact Clara Wicoff, Nutrition, Food and Health Extension Agent, at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.

New Specialty Food Shop Opens

Sisters Emelia Whiteaker and Addi Foster have started a specialty food store from an office at the South Main strip mall, and are calling it Mmm Flavor Shop.

Addi Foster. Submitted photo.
Emelia Whiteaker is the owner of Momentum Indoor Training. 2018 photo.

“After a major health diagnosis in the family, I started doing my continuing education credits as a Certified Athletic Trainer on nutrition,” Whiteaker said.  “Unfortunately, a lot of the herbs, spices and grains were not available in the quality needed to get the nutritional value.”

Whiteaker reached out to friends who are Registered Dieticians and Certified Nutritionists to see where they get their spices and dried herbs.

“This led me to a small family-owned wholesaler in Arizona,” she said.  “Our wholesaler freeze dries as much of their herbs that they can, and they order straight from the farms insuring a higher nutritional content.  Everything just kept going from there.”

Chai Latte Oatmeal – made with no additives or preservatives just oats, fresh ground spices and dry milk powder. They also have flavors that are dairy free. Submitted photo.

“In April, we launched our products at the Home Show in Fort Scott,” Whiteaker said. “Throughout the rest of the spring and summer we have been doing vendor shows and markets.”

The business office is in the area on the backside of Tractor Supply Store, that Whiteaker has her athletic training business in.

“We have a converted office space inside Momentum Indoor Training that we use as our prep room, she said.  “Our ultimate goal is to have Mmm Flavor Shop support an exercise pool for those individuals who have chronic health diagnoses that benefit from aquatic exercise which is not covered by most insurance.”

They just finished work on their website.

“We launched our website this month www.mmmflavorfs.com or we will take text orders through direct message on Facebook or text messages at (620) 224-8442,” she said.  “If we don’t have it in stock we can usually order it and get it within a week.”

Coriander. Submitted photo.

The products of the business include  spices, dried herbs, house made spice blends, non-wheat flours, ancient grains, rices, dried beans and lentils, instant oatmeal, ready-to-make-packets, dried fruits, and nuts.

“We mix most of our spice blends, insuring there are no additives or preservatives.” Whiteaker said.

” We also have superfood powders such as spirulina, spinach, acai berry, and more,” she said.  “In October we will be adding herbal teas, Turkish teas, and homemade candies.”

Spirulina is a superfood that is full of anitoxidants and anti-inflammatories, it can be added to smoothies, tea, and dishes to increase nutritional content. Submitted photo.

 

Senior Food Bank, Commodities Distribution Moved to Saturday, Sept. 24

The Bourbon County Senior Citizens are try to get the word out about the Commodities and Sr. Food Bank Distribution. We have had to change the distribution date from Friday, Sept. 23 to Sat. Sept 24. The time of the distribution will be from 9:oo To Noon at Bourbon County Senior Citizens building is at 26 N. Main.

If you have any questions you can contact Jackie Sellers at (620)364-6524.

 

Submitted by

Jackie Sellers