The First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National, will host a drive-through soup lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2022.
There will be a selection of soups and a dessert for a free-will offering.
Meals will be served under the drive-through on National.
The sponsor of this fundraiser is Feeding Families in His Name.
Submitted by Marla Gorman
Administrative Assistant
First United Methodist Church
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Vendor registration for December 18 is open through December 16. Interested vendors can sign up at https://forms.gle/PC8M4ufzADNxpBLb6
Schedule for Dec. 11
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.
A food delivery service is available to Fort Scottians.
FS Delivery was started in June 2020 by Selena Alvarado, 29, and Evan Williams, 30.
“We were in the military and we used Door Dash (a food delivery app) a lot, and thought having a delivery service for a community this size would be beneficial,” Selena said. “Especially during the pandemic.”
“This is a side business for us,” she said. “I go to school full time and my boyfriend (Williams) works full time.”
Williams helps in the evening and on weekends, she said.
The business hopes to help local businesses.
“We try to advertise specials at local restaurants,” she said.
To place an order, customers call or text the business or message them on its Facebook page.
“They name the restaurant and what they want to order, and their address,” she said. “Then we’ll put in their order at the restaurant, we’ll send them their order (total) with the delivery fee.”
The food is then delivered to the customer’s door.
To place an order, call or text 469.383.4156,
FS Delivery accepts Venmo, Cashapp, Apple Pay and the delivery fee is $6.
The service area is limited to the Fort Scott city limits.
Their hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“If we are not delivering that day, we post on our Facebook page for updates,” she said.
After ten and one-half years and coordinating 107,000 meals, Jean Tucker is stepping down from Feeding Families In His Name.
The ministry provides food to anyone on Wednesday evenings at the First United Methodist Church, Third Street and National Avenue, and Tucker has been the coordinator since its beginning.
The meal is provided for free to all who would like it.
“It’s for anybody,” Tucker said. “We’ve had new families drive through every week. It’s a free meal for the community.”
“Recently we have had caregivers who are worn down, and this (meal) is such a relief,” she said. “It’s for anyone who wants a warm home-cooked meal.”
The last meal that Tucker will coordinate is December 8.
That is 80th Tucker’s birthday.
“I am giving myself a birthday present,” she said. “That doesn’t mean I won’t have anything to do with the meal, I just won’t be responsible.”
“I ask that if you have any questions or contributions for Feeding Families In His Name that you contact the church office at 620.223.1950,” Tucker said. “The church secretary will direct your call to the appropriate person.”
Pastor Christopher Eshelman, Tom Braker and Bonnie Milburn have agreed to coordinate after Dec. 8, Tucker said.
Joey Beerbower will be in charge of the paper goods and Tom Coyan will be in charge of the kitchen and the commodities.
Over ten years ago Braker, along with Doug Altic saw a need to help families stretch their food budgets, she said. “Koyle Link, Don Tucker, Deborah Wood, Tom Braker and myself were on the original committee.”
“They went to the pastor at the time, Paul Babcock, then they called an emergency meeting and the administration board voted and approved unanimously to start the program,” Tucker said. “They were the impetus.”
“This has been God’s doing,” Tucker said. “We provide this meal because of God’s love.”
The first meal served 45 people, including the volunteer helpers, now 300 to 350 people being served on Wednesday evenings.
“We started to-go meals in March 2020 because of the pandemic and the numbers increased,” she said. “We don’t think we could go back to getting that many in our church basement.”
Several organizations cook for the meals.
The first Wednesday of each month, the St. Martin’s Academy students cook; on the second Wednesday, Community Christian Church and First United Methodist alternate cooking; on the third week, a Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene small group cook; on the fourth week, the Presbyterian Church cooks and on any fifth Wednesday, the Pioneer Kiwanis Club cooks. Fulton United Methodist Church cooks to fill in when others can’t, she said.
“Every week 15-20 people bake desserts for us,” she said.
Tucker said she is retiring because she is weary of the weekly repsoniblity, but is confident the ministry will continue.
Jonathan and Yadira Barbosa, Mapleton, thought for a year about opening their food truck, Los Tres Pollitos.
Yadira’s homecooked meals have been enjoyed by many people, Jonathan said.
“When my brothers come for hunting, they seemed to enjoy it,” Jonathan said. “And we have done a fundraiser for a local church.”
They have been stationing the food truck in Bronson on the weekends when it works with his business schedule, he said.
“We are positioned at the old gas station on Hwy. 54 in Bronson,” he said. “The property is owned by the Perry’s of Perry’s Pork Rinds.”
They also do catering.
“We have also set up at the Uniontown Elementary School for their in-service for teachers (in October),” he said.
To discuss the catering menu and prices, please call one month in advance at (620) 215-4247, he said.
“There are lots of options and pricing would depend on what they would like,” Jonathan said.
The Barbosa’s are a busy family, Yadira is a full-time mom to the couple’s three children and is pregnant with their fourth child.
Jonathan owns a fencing company, and also is a sub-contractor for a Kansas City company that sets up in-ground swimming pools, he said.
Yadira is Lupe Santana’s sister, who owns the La Hacienda Restaurant in Fort Scott. The brother and sister are from central Mexico.
But they decided to launch their new business, a Mexican food truck, called Los Tres Pollitos Mexican Breakfast and Street Tacos on October 9, 2021.
Their offerings are Mexican breakfast burritos and street tacos made with chicken, steak, or chorizo.
They have three types of homemade salsa. and also offer chicken or cheese quesadillas.
“All homemade, just like you would get off the streets of Mexico,” he said.
The Fort Scott High School Swim Team will have a fundraiser at the Fall Extravaganza on November 22 at Fort Scott Middle School.
They will be selling pulled pork stuffed baked potatoes or a pulled port sandwich meal.
Drinks will be available for sale also.
To learn more:
The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers will hold their 33rd annual Chili Feed on Thursday, November 18 at the United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott. “The annual fundraiser will be a drive through only event this year” according to Kiwanis Pioneer President Elizabeth Schafer.
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 $6.00 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 Schafer.
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
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The signs on the local restaurant will remain the same, Marsha’s Great Plans Deli, but the owners have changed.
Owner Marsha Lancaster died on September 19, 2021, and on October 13, her siblings became the owners of her decades-running restaurant.
The restaurant will be called Lancaster’s Great Plain Deli.
Debbie Baxley, Tom Lancaster, and Don Lancaster all of Fort Scott and Carolyn Washburn, Alaska, Marsha’s brothers, and sisters, are the new owners.
“We are going to keep the signs that say Marsha’s Deli, but the business will be called Lancaster Great Plains Deli,” Baxley said.
“The last time we saw her (before she died), she said she wanted us to keep it going,” she said.
Baxley and her daughter, Shelly Rowe, are the restaurant managers.
Changes
They have recently created a new menu, dropping some options that didn’t have enough sales.
The family raised the price of their meats.
“Our prices went up on the meat price,” Baxley said. “All of our providers of meat by the pound raised their prices.”
“Marsha hadn’t raised prices in years,” she said.
“An example, like roast beef it is $7.75 per pound when we buy it but we were selling it for $6,” Rowe said. “But now it has gone up again and we are paying a little over $10.”
Family Deaths and the Pandemic
They were closed for three weeks following Marsha’s death, and the death of another family member soon after.
Since then they have been working on the paperwork involved in the new business and grieving their losses, Baxley said.
“All the people that work here have been with Marsha for over 20 years,” Rowe said.
They have had difficulty finding more employees, as many businesses have during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Baxley said.
The pandemic protocols of wiping down menus after each use, along with cleaning the chairs, after each use, etc. have increased the labor involved in running a restaurant, Baxley said.
The family has been using a walk-up order window since the pandemic began, Baxley said.
As of today, November 1, people will be able to come in and order, but won’t be able to sit and eat the food as the restaurant, Rowe said.
“We didn’t want people to stand in the cold outside to order,” Baxley said.
They currently have six employees. Martha’s three siblings in Fort Scott, along with Rowe, help out as needed, Rowe said.
“We are a tight-knit family, if we need help, we can call on others,” Rowe said.
Rebounding
Rowe said the re-opening of the restaurant on Oct. 13, following the death of Marsha was very busy.
“The first three days we re-opened, we ran out of bread, we were so busy,” Rowe said. “Everybody was so glad to have us back. It made us feel good the community is happy, wanting us to keep it going.”
Locally known for the size of their sandwiches
“Our big sandwiches are what we are known for,” Rowe said. “The meats on the sandwiches are stacked.”
“If you don’t get full, it’s your fault,” Baxley said.
The most asked for sandwich is #25, The Marsha, Rowe said. The sandwich includes turkey, ham, salami with cheddar cheese. “That was her favorite and everybody loved it.”
Marsha named all her sandwiches after family members.
History
Marsha Lancaster took over the business called the Great Plains Deli in 2002. “She worked here before she owned it,” Rowe said. “She put her name in front of it.”
The hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information or to place an order: 620.223.6432.
Lancaster’s Great Plains Deli delivers to homes and businesses.
