For those who love to shop and LOVE chocolate, get your walking shoes on.
This Saturday, Feb. 12, is the Love Local Chocolate Crawl shopping event, sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
This is the second annual Fort Scott Chocolate Crawl, according to Executive Director Lindsay Madison.
Lindsay Madison. Submitted photo.
Stores festooned with red and white balloons and with the chocolate crawl poster in the window are participating and many will be offering drawings and store give-aways.
The majority of the retailers are in Fort Scott’s Downtown Historic District, but there are others also.
Downtown retailers are Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Bartlesmeyer Jewelry Store, Better in Bourbon Boutique, Bids and Dibs resale clothing and more, Hare and Crow Barbershop, Hedgehog INK Bookstore, Iron Star Antiques, and Such, Laree + Co. clothing store, Main Street Gallery and Gifts, Sunshine Boutique, The Beauty Lounge hair salon and spa, and Treasure Hunt Flea Market.
Other retailers participating are Museum of Creativity, Shirt Shack clothing store and Varia clothing store.
Customers are invited to shop at local retailers and sample chocolate treats.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Love Local & Chocolate Crawl shopping event will take place on Saturday, February 12th.
Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.
Customers are invited to shop local retailers while sampling a variety of chocolate treats along the way, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions.
Locations included in the event will have a Chocolate Crawl poster and red and white balloons displayed at their entrance.
The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, love local and join the Chocolate Crawl on February 12th to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
“You can’t buy love, but you can buy local!”
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566
TOPEKA – In an effort to continue supporting Kansans as they manage the impacts of COVID-19 and the multiple variants of the virus, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced the continuation of the emergency food assistance (SNAP) benefits to current participants.
The extension will increase the maximum monthly benefit for 63,000 households across the state and deliver an additional $14,591,000 per month to Kansas.
“Our goal at DCF is to protect children and strengthen families,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “The extension of the emergency food assistance benefits will help ensure Kansas families continue to have access to healthy groceries and basic necessities.”
The continuance of the emergency allotment is effective through July 31, 2022, or upon the termination of the federal declaration of a Public Health Emergency, whichever occurs sooner. This is the second instance the emergency food assistance benefit has been extended.
No application is necessary to receive the emergency food assistance funds. The distribution will continue to follow the standard alphabetical schedule.
Those who do not currently receive food assistance, but are interested in applying, are encouraged to visit the DCF website at www.dcf.ks.gov.
Secretary Howard issued the Declaration of Continuing Benefits due to COVID-19 — under K.S.A. 39-708c, et seq. — which directs the agency to continue taking all necessary actions to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the State of Kansas.
Welcome: Billie Jo Drake, the chairman, welcomed eleven members representing twelve agencies to the regular membership meeting. She reminded members that the Coalition Board had funds available to help with rents, utilities, and clothing. Persons in need just need to apply for assistance through The Beacon.
Member Introductions and Announcements:
Mandi Woods was unable to attend the meeting; she sent her announcement with information about upcoming programs and openings in her program via email. Billie Jo forwarded her message to all members.
Elizabeth Schafer, CASA, and Pioneer Kiwanis announced that the annual Kiwanis chili feed realized enough money for their yearly budget.
Sandy Haggard, RSVP, explained the difference between her program and the Ameri-Corp program. Target areas for her grant included food distribution and drug disposal. Sandy also reported for April Jackson on the SEK Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition through Thrive Allen County. April has been able to obtain a location and will be opening a Recovery House in Iola shortly.
Christine Abbott, SEKWorks, reminded members that their food drive will conclude on January 7. She also noted that funds are still available for GED, work training, etc. She continues to be in the Fort Scott office on Mondays and Ashley is here on Fridays.
Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army, happily announced the Red Bucket campaign has exceeded the goal of $10,000 and collected $11,398 to be used in Bourbon County. He also reminded members that he has grant funds that can help with taxi fees, obtaining birth certificates and driver’s licenses, heaters, blankets and bedding, and emergency shelter. The Salvation Army and the Senior Citizens will be hosting Evergy on January 12, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. for LIEAP applications.
David Gillen, The Beacon, shared that they are beginning 2022 with a good stock of food thanks to generous organizations and careful purchasing. They are also able to help with some prescriptions and financial aid.
Holly Fritter, Bourbon County Health Department, shared copies of the latest COVID-19 guidelines and 2022 dates for the “Mommy and Me” meetings. For dates and to RSVP call or text 417-661-0308.
Michelle Stevenson, Fort Scott Early Childhood Program, announced that they are in the beginning stages of preparing for a new building, they now have a mental health worker on-site, and they continue to conduct “Child Find” screenings the first Friday of every month. Her primary role is to be a resource for parents of children prenatal through age six.
Janelle Tate, Early Childhood Block Grant, works in six counties to assess pre-kindergarten skills to provide necessary resources to ensure school success. Janelle also invited members to view the Warming Hearts of Ft. Scott website to become informed about the project to help the homeless in our area.
Patty Simpson, Director, Fort Scott Housing Authority, explained the locations of the 188 units that are part of the housing program. She also reviewed how rent and utility assistance is determined for those who qualify for the housing units. At present, she has three two-bedroom apartments ready to rent, one three-bedroom apartment ready shortly. She has a short – 30-60 day – wait for list for other units. She also noted that she works closely with Ironquil Estates, Cavalry Crossing, and the Highlands to ensure people receive appropriate housing.
Nancy Van Etten, CASA, shared that she and her husband are retiring closer to family and will be resigning from the Coalition Board. Thank you, Nancy, for your involvement with our organization.
Program: There was no formal program today; the February program will be announced later.
Open Forum: Nothing further came before the group.
Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be February 2, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.
TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) are issuing fish consumption advisories for 2022. The advisories identify types of fish or other aquatic animals that should be eaten in limited quantities or, in some cases, avoided altogether because of contamination. General advice and internet resources are provided to aid the public in making informed decisions regarding the benefits and the risks associated with eating locally caught fish from Kansas waters.
Definitions:
Bottom-feeding fish: buffaloes, carps, catfishes, sturgeons and suckers.
Shellfish: mussels, clams and crayfish.
Serving size (skinless fish fillets before cooking):
Adults and children age 13 and older = 8 ounces
Children age 6 to 12 = 4 ounces
Children younger than 6 = 2 ounces
Statewide Mercury Advisories for Fish:
Getting outside to catch fish and eating fish has many health benefits, but all fish contain some amount of mercury. Anyone who routinely eats fish or serves fish to their children should carefully consider the types and amounts they eat, including store-bought fish. Too much dietary mercury can harm the development of fetuses, nursing babies and growing children. Therefore, mercury-sensitive individuals (women who are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant, and children younger than 17 years old) should follow the guidelines presented below for eating fish caught in Kansas.
Fishing and Eating Guidelines:
Eat smaller portions – a fillet about the size of your palm.
Eat types of fish with less mercury (Preferred Choice Fish in the chart below).
If you don’t know the type or size of fish you are eating, wait at least a week before eating fish again.
When fishing, keep fish shorter than your forearm (fingertips to elbow) or less than 20 inches as regulations allow.
Preferred Choice Fish
Servings
Blue and Channel Catfish
Common Carp
Crappies
White Bass, White Perch, Wiper, Striped Bass
Walleye, Sauger, Saugeye
Bullhead Catfish
Drum
Sunfish (Bluegill, Green, Redear, etc.)
1 or 2
per week
Second Choice Fish
Servings
Buffaloes (Black, Bigmouth, Smallmouth)
Flathead Catfish
Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted)
1 or 2
per month
Reduce the recommendations above if you tend to keepfish larger than about 20 inches to:
Preferred Choice Fish– not more than 1 serving per week
Second Choice Fish– not more than 1 serving per month
For specific questions or concerns about mercury in Kansas fish, please contact KDHE. For information about mercury in fish caught in other states, in store bought fish, and in other types seafood please visit the U.S. EPA and U.S. FDA websites.
Waterbody specific advisories for all consumers:
Kansas recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish and catfishes to 1 serving per week from the following locations because of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):
Cow Creek in Hutchinson and downstream to the confluence with the Arkansas River (Reno County).
Kansas River from Lawrence (below Bowersock Dam) downstream to Eudora at the confluence of the Wakarusa River (Douglas and Leavenworth counties).
Little Arkansas River from the Main Street Bridge immediately west of Valley Center to the confluence with the Arkansas River in Wichita (Sedgwick County).
Kansas recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish and catfishes to 1 serving per month from the following location because of PCBs:
K-96 Lake in Wichita (Sedgwick County).
Kansas recommends not eating specified fish or aquatic life from the following locations:
Arkansas River from the Lincoln Street dam in Wichita downstream to the confluence with Cowskin Creek near Belle Plaine (Sedgwick and Sumner counties); bottom-feeding fish and catfishes due to PCBs.
Shoal Creek from the Missouri/Kansas border to Empire Lake (Cherokee County); shellfish due to lead and cadmium.
Spring River from the confluence of Center Creek to the Kansas/Oklahoma border (Cherokee County); shellfish due to lead and cadmium.
Antioch Park Lake South in Antioch Park, Overland Park (Johnson County); all fish due to pesticides dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, chlordane and dichlorophenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs).
Arkalon Park Lakes in Liberal (Seward County) – Kansas recommends not eating any aquatic life because the lakes are sustained solely by treated municipal wastewater.
Waterbodies affected by Harmful Algae Blooms
To date, measured algal toxin levels in fish samples collected from waters affected by harmful algal blooms (HABs) suggest the fish are safe to eat. However, please take the following precautions:
Avoid skin contact with water.
Wear gloves when handling wet fish and equipment.
Rinse fish with clean water.
Remove skin from fillets and rinse with clean water prior to cooking or freezing.
Eat only skinless fillets.
Do not eat shellfish.
General advice for reducing exposure to chemicals in fish
Keep smaller fish to eat and let the big ones go.
Avoid eating fish parts other than fillets.
Trim fat from fillets and/or use cooking methods that allows fat to drip away.
Avoid subsistence fishing (relying on wild-caught fish for daily nutritional needs) in rivers within or immediately downstream of large urban/industrial areas.
Do not eat fish or aquatic life from wastewater outfalls, waste treatment lagoons or stormwater retention ponds.
Other information from KDHE, KDWPT, EPA, and the American Heart Association
For information about fishing in Kansas including licensing, regulations, fishing reports and fishing forecasts please visit the KDWPT fishing website http://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing.
For technical information regarding the U.S. EPA risk assessment methods used to determine advisory consumption limits please visit http://www2.epa.gov/fish-tech.
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension will offer virtual workshops January 31–February 4, 2022, to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers, and also for those wanting to sell food products directly to consumers. The workshop series includes four online Lunch and Learn sessions, followed by a half-day virtual workshop. Some K-State Research and Extension offices will be offering in-person watch parties for the February 4 half-day workshop.
“Over the past two years, we’ve seen an increase in people’s enthusiasm for locally sourced food, and these workshops will address common questions and concerns for farmers and small businesses who are embracing these opportunities to reach local consumers,” said Londa Nwadike, food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri. “It’s also important for farmers to understand certain legal, safety and financial parameters before choosing to sell either directly to the consumer or at a farmers’ market.” In 2021, 89 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.
Dates and topics for each Lunch and Learn online session are as follows:
Monday, Jan. 31, noon to 1 p.m.: Food Safety for Value-Added Food Products
Tuesday, Feb. 1, noon to 1 p.m.: Sales Tax, Food Packaging, and How to Care for your Certified Scales
Wednesday, Feb. 2, noon to 1 p.m.: Meat and Poultry, Kansas Value Added Meats Lab
Thursday, Feb. 3, noon to 1 p.m.: Accepting EBT/SNAP & Double Up Food Bucks
The half-day virtual workshop on Friday, Feb. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., will cover topics such as How to Market your Market and Booth, How to Identify Common Legal Risks, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Vegetable Production, From the Land of Kansas program, and resources available from KSRE. Keynote speaker Brian Coppom, Colorado Department of Agriculture, will also be discussing Best Practices for Business Success when it comes to farmers’ markets.
KDA’s weights and measures program will offer free scale certification with a paid registration to an online workshop.
Registration for the January/February virtual workshops is now open. The cost is $5 per participant. Register at www.fromthelandofkansas.com/FMWorkshop.
For more information, contact Janelle Dobbins, KDA’s From the Land of Kansas marketing manager, at 785-564-6759 or [email protected]. The workshops are funded by the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, the Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. The Kansas Ag Growth Strategy has identified training for small companies via workshops as a key growth outcome for the specialty crop sector. The farmers’ market/direct-to-consumer workshops will provide education through partnerships to help make Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses more successful.
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Departs from the Fort Scott
Chamber at 231 E. Wall St.
Friday hours: 11 am until 3 pm
Saturday hours: 10 am until 3 pm
$6 adults & $4 for 12 yrs. & under
THE FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OFFERS DAILY GUIDED TOURS AT 10 AM & 1 PM, 7 DAYS/WEEK – FREE!
12/17-23 ~ CHRISTMAS LIGHT TROLLEY TOURS, run nightly at 5:45 and 7pm through the 23rd, limited tickets remaining, $8 adults/$5 kids 12 and under.
12/17 ~ BLYTHE FAMILY BENEFIT AT LIBERTY THEATRE, chili feed tickets available at the Chamber for $5, evening will include a raffle, auction and DJ. Click here for info.
12/17 ~ HOLIDAY PARTY-IN-A-BAG PICKUP FOR KIDS, come meet Miss Val & Choose Your Holiday Party-in-a-Bag! 12-5pm, Fort Scott Public Library. Click here for more information.
12/18 ~ THE LAVENDER PATCH EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS, 9am to 12pm, 620-223-1364, 2376 Locust Rd. See flyer below for more info.
12/18 ~ JINGLE BELL HOLIDAY MART, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, 9am to 3:30pm, click here for info.
12/18 ~ WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA LAYING OF THE WREATHS, 11am, National Cemetery No. 1 in Fort Scott.
12/18 ~ PAINT & PIZZA ART PARTY, 11am, by Happy Snappy Art, to be held at Papa Don’s, click here for info.
12/18 ~ MURDER AND MAYHEM II book signing, 1-3pm, Hedghog.INK! 16 S. Main St. See flyer below for more information.
12/18 ~ CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK, Gunn Park, click here for more info, 5-9pm.
12/21 ~ VIRTUAL STORYTIME: STAR BRIGHT & WINTER LIGHTS, 10-11AM. click here for more information
12/21 ~ BEER & BROWSE GUY’S NIGHT AT ANGIE DAWN’S BOUTIQUE, 4-7pm, click here for more information.
12/22 ~ BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT DRY WOOD CREEK CAFE, 9am-1pm, click here for details.
12/23 ~ 2ND ANNUAL LIGHTS, COCOA & COOKIES OF BARBEE ST. 5-8pm, 806 S. Barbee St. click here for more details.
12/27-31 ~ KID’S WINTER ART CAMP BY HAPPY SNAPPY ART, 1-4pm each day, $125 per person, click here for details.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
FROM THE CHAMBER!
SAVE THE DATE:
1/5 ~ Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Series Event, 5 to 7pm, dinner & childcare provided., click here for more info. & to RSVP.
1/9 ~ Bouquet making class at Sunshine Boutique, $10 per person – reserve your spot today! 620-223-6007
1/13-14-17 ~ Alvin Ailey’s Kansas City Dance Group Ballet Performance, and other Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Events, click here.
Students working on decorations for the Christmas In Gunn Park event. Submitted by FSHS Building Trades Teacher Michael Casner.
A local group of people who love the community gathered in Gunn Park in April 2021 and together envisioned a Christmas event that they hope will grow each year.
The event has new leadership this year with many family activities.
Gunn Park is the largest public park in Fort Scott and is located on the west side of the city, off of Park Avenue.
This year Christmas in Gunn Park is Saturday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 18 from 5-8 p.m.
A living nativity, Santa Claus, a toy drive for local children, a chili feed, hot cocoa and coffee, kids crafts, a hayrack ride, trolley rides, music from local Fort Scott High School students, and some local vendors for shopping will provide a little something for everyone.
The event is free, Guns said.
“Goodwill donations are always welcome and will go towards expanding Christmas in Gunn Park next year,” she said. “We will be collecting new unwrapped toys for our “Fill the Truck Toy Drive” with donations going to Bourbon County Angels, Angel Gifts to fulfill Christmas wishes for kids in Bourbon County.”
“Everyone on the planning committee has a variety of reasons why they chose to join,” Melissa Guns, one of the organizers, said. “We want good things for Fort Scottians. We want to spread Christmas cheer and enrich the place we call home… Most of all, we want a place for both those who love Christmas …while offering a place for those who may struggle around the holiday season, a place to find a little peace and joy.”
Parking
Gunn Park will be closed for regular traffic during the event. Vehicles with handicap parking tags or window hangers will be allowed to drive into the park near the event.
Public parking is available on Burke Street in the Fort Scott Community College Nursing Building parking lot, north of the tall Fort Scott water tower, and also in the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas parking lot at Ninth and Horton Street.
Busses to and from the event will bring guests in and out of the park from the parking lots.
Those who have helped:
The planning committee consists of Craig Campbell, Doug Guns, Melissa Guns, Bailey Lyons, Shannon Johnson, Josh Jones, Tom Robertson, and Devin Tally.
Shelter houses are being decorated by Niece of Kansas, Inc. (Shelter 1), Kiwanis (Shelter 2), Shannon Johnson/Clark Street Lights (Shelter 3), Shaunn Pytlowany (Shelter 5), and Bourbon County Cars (Shelter 4).
Allison Leach, Danyell Miles, and Susan Carrillo are decorating a grand entrance to the park.
Fort Scott Community College Welding Program and Fort Scott High School Carpentry, Welding, and Art Programs have each created festive displays.
“Mike Miles’ display is sure to please, and Robert Coon, with A1 Towing, is also providing us with a display anyone who grew up in the ’80s is sure to get a kick out of,” Guns said.
Buck Run Community Center is providing activities for kids.
USD 234 and FSCC volunteers are helping with shuttling people to and from the park, and the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce is providing the town trolley for moving people through the park on event nights.
Matt Harvey with Fort Scott Auto is running a hayride with his trailer.
Additionally, USD 234 is allowing the Fort Scott Police and Fire Departments to use their kitchen to cook up over 200 pounds of high-quality ground beef purchased by the committee at a special rate made possible by The Butcher Block.
Ward Kraft Inc. has donated the rest of the chili ingredients for a meal that is sure to give us all some extra warmth, she said.
Dollar General has donated bowls and spoons.
Ward Kraft Inc. is also helping folks to stay warm with coffee and Kathy Reed has donated hot chocolate.
Angel Gifts will be the recipient of the “Fill the Truck Toy Drive” and they have volunteered to help along with FSCC Cheer Team.
Skitch Allen is donating additional port-a-potties for the events.
“Finally, the guys from Fort Scott’s Parks Department are in full swing to help us get the grounds ready and the electrical properly connected,” she said. “Jeff Allen also helped consult on the electrical.”
“These groups, along with the City of Fort Scott and a grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation have helped to make this year’s Christmas in Gunn Park possible,” she said.
Melissa Guns, center, representing the Christmas in the Park organization, received the grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation on November 12, 2021. At left is FSACF presenter Gregg Motley, and Carla Farmer, right.
The vendors for Dec. 11 are Blessed B Creations and Hope Designs by Neen. On Dec. 18, Sparkle R Jewelry, Paparazzi Jewelry will be a vendor.
5 – 8:30 p.m: Angel Gifts Toy Drive, chili feed, hot cocoa and coffee, a vendor shop, kids crafts, hayrack ride, trolley rides, a live Nativity scene by Bethel Community Church, vendors selling items.
The chili feed will be provided until all the chili is gone.
All other events run throughout the evening.
5:30-6 p.m. Music by the Fort Scott High School Orchestra
6- 6:15 pm Santa and a special guest arrive, tree lighting, and sponsor acknowledgments.
6:30 – 8:30 pm Pictures with Santa
6:15-6:45 pm Music by FSHS Jazz Band
7- 7:30 pm Music by FSHS Choir Ensemble
7:45 – 8:15 pm Combined music performance by FSHS Jazz Band and Choir
8:30- 8:45pm Event activities wrap-up
8:45 – 9 pm Final hayrack and trolley rides to busses
9 pm All bus runs to parking completed and park gates lock for the night.
Schedule for Dec. 18
5 – 8:30 pm Angel Gifts Toy Drive, hot cocoa and coffee, vendor shop, kids crafts, hayrack and trolley rides, and live Nativity scene by Bethel Community Church, vendors selling items.
5 pm – Until? Food Vendors – Butcher Block & Tres Polito Food Truck
5:30 – 8:30 pm Christmas music performance by Bourbon County Revival
6- 6:15 pm Santa and special guest arrive, tree lighting, sponsor acknowledgments.
6:30- 8:30 pm Pictures with Santa
8:30- 8:45 pm Event activities close
8:45 – 9 pm Final hayrack and trolley rides to busses
9 pm All bus runs to parking completed and park gates lock for the night.
