Category Archives: Food

Area News, Business, Food

Fictional tale inspired by Southeast Kansas fried chicken 

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Submitted by the Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Pittsburg, Kansas)

An author with ties to Southeast Kansas just had her debut novel named Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick for the month of December. KJ Dell’Antonia’s fictional tale “The Chicken Sisters” was inspired by the fried chicken houses in the towns where her parents grew up.

Less than two hours south of Kansas City, and several miles away from the closest town, yet less than 600 feet apart, are Chicken Annie’s and Chicken Mary’s. Dell’Antonia’s parents are from the area, and frequently took her dining at Chicken Annie’s. Unaware of the real story of these and the other four chicken houses in the county, Dell’Antonia made up her own story.

“I always wondered why were there two chicken restaurants that were clearly completely unrelated, but obviously completely related because one is ‘Chicken Annie’s’ and one is ‘Chicken Mary’s’”, Dell’Antonia told her Facebook followers in a video posted December 2, 2020 (@KJDellAntoniaAuthor). “It stuck in my head for ages and I really wanted to find a story that I could ‘put around’ that idea of two fried chicken restaurants. Maybe because I love fried chicken. Possibly because I love Kansas. I don’t know. It just stuck with me.”

“I created Chicken Mimi’s and Chicken Frannie’s which are absolutely not Chicken Mary’s and Chicken Annie’s,” Dell’Antonia said in her video. “After I got started on the book my mom said ‘do you want me to tell you the real story of Chicken Annie’s and Chicken Mary’s?’ and I was like ‘No! No, please don’t do that! That would ruin everything.’ So, she totally didn’t and I still don’t know them. I will find out eventually, someday.”

“When we learned about Dell’Antonia’s book, we were stunned,” said Chris Wilson, Communications Manager with the Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Here is someone who clearly loves the area and was so intrigued by all of the number of fried chicken houses in such a small area that she was inspired to make up her own story about it.”

The real story of the Crawford County fried chicken houses has attracted The New Yorker, the Travel Channel’s “Food Wars”, and BBC Travel, among others.

“A hundred years ago our population was fifty-percent more than it is now due to the need for workers in the old coal mines,” Wilson said. “There were camps scattered along the coalfields through both Crawford County and Cherokee County. Some of these camps grew enough to become towns, and an old street line connected many of these.”

“You have to remember, these mines opened just after the Civil War, and operated during the eras of Prohibition, the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and two World Wars. Many were unemployed or earning very little.”

Camp 13, also known as Yale, never grew much population-wise. But its location was a short walk from several active mines. After her husband was injured in a mining accident, Ann Pichler began selling sandwiches in 1934 out of their home there. A year later, she began selling pan-fried chicken and eventually became known as “Chicken Annie.” Just down the road, in 1945, Mary Zerngast first served customers from her kitchen table after her husband’s ill health forced him to quit working in the mines.

“These chicken dinners provided more than just an affordable and delicious meal,” Wilson said. “They provided a chance to socialize and a comforting escape from real hardship. They also created jobs, and not just at their own restaurants. As they grew, they used local bakeries. All six chicken houses still use Frontenac Bakery.”

“They also inspired hope. Thousands of those who came to work the mines were immigrants escaping war-torn Europe. Annie’s family immigrated to the U.S. from Hungary when she was five. Mary’s husband was an immigrant from Germany. And, of course, today, for a lot of us, it’s nostalgic going out to these beloved restaurants. It’s a time to remember lost loved ones in a good way.”

While Chicken Annie’s and Chicken Mary’s started the fried chicken craze in Southeast Kansas, they were followed by others. Still open today are Gebhardt’s Chicken Dinners, which opened in 1946 a little more than a mile to the northeast; Barto’s Idle Hour opened in Frontenac in 1951; Pichler’s Chicken Annie’s opened south of Pittsburg in 1970; and, Chicken Annie’s Girard opened in 1971. All are still owned by local families.

Pichler and Zerngast were not related, but their families were connected when Pichler’s grandson married Zerngast’s granddaughter – the owners of Pichler’s Chicken Annie’s.

“It’s kind of amusing that that is a plotline Dell’Antonia uses,” Wilson said.

“This is the story of two sisters,” Dell’Antonia continued in her video. “They were both raised by a mom who runs one fried chicken restaurant that she inherited in this small town in Kansas, and it’s a small town I totally made up – Merinac. It is not Pittsburg or Frontenac although you can see their names in that a little bit.”

“(Sisters) Mae and Amanda are raised by Barbara, and when they get older Amanda marries the son of the rival fried chicken restaurant, while Mae gets the heck out of Dodge, because that’s all she ever wanted to do, was just get out of the small town and never see it again.”

Having married into the other family, since her wedding day, Amanda had not been allowed into her mother’s home or fried chicken restaurant. Despite this, Amanda goes to see her mother because a reality TV competition wants to do a story on the restaurant’s rivalry – “Food Wars”.

“I grew up as a kid traveling to Frontenac, we would drive, or we would fly into Joplin, and we would go for every holiday and every summer,” Dell’Antonia said. “We would eat at Chicken Annie’s, because we didn’t eat at Chicken Mary’s. I can’t tell you why. I do not know why. I have eaten once at Chicken Mary’s – I think that’s like a super-duper secret – I don’t think I’m supposed to eat at Chicken Mary’s.”

“While I’m not old enough to remember the real rivalry of all these chicken houses, I think it’s safe to say that most customers today bounce between each of these restaurants,” Wilson said. “Some prefer chicken from one location, but spaghetti or chicken noodles from another. If you want to get locals really worked up, don’t ask them about the chicken – ask them about the best coleslaw or potato salad.”

To visit or learn more about the Crawford County, Kansas chicken houses, go to VisitCrawfordCounty.com/friedchicken

To learn more about KJ Dell’Antonia’s book, go to your favorite bookstore and ask for “The Chicken Sisters”.

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Star Emporium Downtown General Store To Open Early Next Year

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A1 Towing and Moving, Fort Scott, move shelving into the new grocery store in November 2020. The store will be located in the Old Kress Building, at 17 S. Main.

The new grocery store in downtown Fort Scott is progressing.

 

“Lots of things have fallen into place really well and a few things have been a struggle due to long lead times due to COVID-related manufacturing delays,” said Bill Michaud, of BAJA Investment, the owner.  “The most significant delays have been the mechanical components for the refrigerators and freezers. The final pieces of the equipment order won’t be arriving until January 4th.”

 

This sets the opening back a little.

 

“Before this delay, we had anticipated opening Dec 29th but because of this delay we now expect to open either January 8 or 11,” Michaud said. “The final decision on the actual opening date will be made as we get closer.”

Store hours will be 8 am – 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 am – 6 pm on Sunday.

 

“We will offer online ordering,” he said. ” Our website is still under development, but we will be activating our Facebook page in the next day or two.”

 

The store has a name and it was inspired by a downtown mural.

 

“The store name will be the Star Emporium Downtown General Store,” Michaud said.

 

This name was inspired by a mural on Skubitz Plaza on the north side of a building facing the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

“While we know that the original Star Emporium was a clothing store, the mural boasts that the Star Emporium was ‘the most unique shop in the land of oz’,” Michaud said. “We believe this store will be unique and serve a broad base of community needs.”

 

Products at the store will evolve, he said. Currently, they range from budget-conscious to specialty label food items.

 

“We will offer a very broad range of products ranging from budget-focused brands all the way to very high-quality specialty and private label products that people can’t get anywhere other than our store,” Michaud said. ” We understand people need to stretch their food dollar in these tough times so we are going to be very value-conscious in our pricing. We recognize that our product offering is going to evolve to suit the needs of our customers.”

 

Local producers and suppliers will feed into the store.

 

“In addition to recognized branded products we are also working with a variety of small local producers and suppliers including Bourbon County beef from Bronson Locker, several local produce growers, Good Natured Family Farms. We hope to continue to develop additional partnerships as we go along and continually adapt to the needs of our customer base.”

 

“In addition to our produce co-op and grocery options the store will also feature a large salad bar and deli which will also utilize as many fresh local ingredients as are available,” he said. ” The deli menu will be seasonal and offer 5 – 6 rotational feature sandwiches, wraps, and specialty items.”

 

Food insecurity is addressed in the venture.

 

“While the grocery store and deli will provide sustainability for our operation, one of the driving factors behind the community need for the store was the food insecurity and need for community-based food distribution programs,” Michaud said. ” We have reached an agreement with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas to provide food storage space to expand the food distribution and delivery programs they currently offer in Crawford County into Fort Scott. These services will also begin in January.”

 

BAJA Investments was granted SPARK funds for $450.000 for the project. SPARK grants were a part of the monies given Kansas from the federal government to help with the on-going effects of COVID-19.

Kress Building, 17 S. Main, August 2020.

The second floor of the building houses the offices of B-WERC.

B-WERC is a multi-partner collaboration of the Bourbon County Commission, the Kansas Small Business Development Center, Southeast KANSASWORKS, Fort Scott Community College, the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and BAJA Investments. The center focuses on growing and sustaining businesses, connecting jobs, and serving people.

The B-WERC program is funded through the Federal Cares Act Relief, dispersed to the county from the state in SPARK Phase 1, to address current and immediate COVID related needs. These include assisting businesses, encouraging economic activity, and addressing unemployment, according to Jody Hoener, spokesperson for the program in Bourbon County.

 

 

Bourbon County, Food, Government, Health Care, Housing, Jobs

BoCo Inter-Agency Coalition Meets Dec. 2

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Billie Jo Drake, left, leads the Bourbon County Coalition, in a prior meeting.

The regularly scheduled Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition membership meeting will be this Wednesday, December 2, at noon, in the Community Room at the High Rise Apartments, 315 Scott Avenue.

The agenda is as follows:

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

December 2, 2020

  1. Welcome:
  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:
  1. Program (no programs until January, 2021, at the earliest):
  1. Open Forum:
  1. Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be January 6, 2021.

“Be sure to wear your mask and social distance as much as possible,” Billie Jo Drake, facilitator of the group said. “Due to the rise in Covid cases in Bourbon County, I certainly understand if you do not wish to attend a face-to-face meeting. If you have any announcements that you need to share, be sure to send them to me prior to 9:00 a.m. on meeting day.”

 

Food, Government, Kansas

KDHE and Safe Kids Kansas offers kitchen safety tips

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Safety is the Secret Ingredient to Holiday Traditions

 

 

TOPEKA – With the arrival of the holidays there are many memories to be made and traditions to follow, and having children participate in those traditions is one of the best parts of the season. To ensure the safety of everyone, follow these tips for a safe and happy holiday!

 

Limit your travel and the size of gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s hard to be apart, but important to protect the ones you love.

 

“The kitchen can be a busy place with lots of multi-tasking during the holidays, so it’s important to be aware of potential hazards to prevent cuts, burns, poisoning and other injuries,” said Cherie Sage of Safe Kids Kansas.

 

When it comes to holiday meals, we want to keep lead off the menu. According to the CDC, no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, delay development, cause behavioral problems and cause other serious health effects.

 

Reduce your risk of lead poisoning by shopping locally and only buying domestically produced spices. Imported and non-domestically produced spices could contain lead.

 

Handmade pottery and dishes that have glazes or other painted decorations may contain lead. When food or drinks are stored or prepared in these dishes lead can leach into them and be ingested causing lead poisoning.

 

Awareness of possible lead exposure and keeping kids safe from lead sources is the key to prevention.  For more information on lead poisoning please visit KDHE Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention.

 

When kids are in the kitchen, supervision is key. Whether children are helping prepare food or just hanging out and watching the action, they should be where you can see them at all times. If you will be busy with preparations, ask another adult or teenager to watch the children and help them join in with some age-appropriate tasks.

Some kid-friendly kitchen tasks include: tearing lettuce, rinsing fruits and vegetables under cold water, stirring ingredients in a bowl, using cookie cutters, measuring dry ingredients, using vegetable peelers or cutting soft fruits with a butter knife.

 

“You know your own children. Don’t give them knives or let them handle anything hot until you know they have the maturity and coordination to do it safely,” Sage said. “Some children mature faster than others, so it’s up to parents to use good judgment about each child’s capabilities.”

 

Here are some additional tips for safety in the kitchen:

 

  • Never hold a child while cooking or carrying hot items, especially liquids that can spill or splash.
  • Keep hot foods and liquids away from the edges of counters and tables. Be especially careful around tablecloths — children can pull hot dishes down onto themselves.
  • Keep poisons out of sight and reach of children. This includes cleaning products, alcoholic drinks and even some baking extracts and spices.
  • Tie up the electrical cords of small appliances. A toddler playing with a dangling cord can pull a toaster or microwave down from a countertop.
  • Be mindful of sharp objects, keeping them out of reach of little hands.

 

For more information about preventing injuries visit www.safekidskansas.org. For information about the KDHE Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, visit www.kdheks.gov/epi/CLPPP.htm

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Holiday Pop Up Shop At Old Factory Connections Storefront

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Thanksgiving cookies will be for sale at the Creative Sugarplum Shop. Submitted photos.

Local crafts people will have a place to sell their wares at a newly created holiday pop-up shop.

The Creative Sugarplums Pop-up Holiday Shop will be open at the former Factory Connections storefront weekends from November 20 to December 26 along with the weekdays the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The store is located on South Main (aka Hwy. 69) next door to Tractor Supply.
“Due to Covid-19 many individuals who create gifts out of their homes are not able to attend their usual events,” owner Emilia Whiteaker said. “This is my way of helping them.”
There will be community vendors and vendors from neighboring towns, she said.
” We have many great vendors, Locust Hill Lamanchas Goat Milk products, Sew Special Creations, Simply Blessed, Tom’s Benches, 2 Southern Ladies, CR Rustic Creations, RustnStuf and more.”
“We will also have Bijou Confectionary from Humboldt and Sweet Designs Cakery from Pittsburg creating sweet treats to go along with our old fashion candy.”
Samples of candy. Submitted photos.
 “Customers can also Adopt a Grandparent by purchasing an ornament and we will deliver them to all the residents at Fort Scott residential care facilities,” she said.
Submitted photos.
“Momentum Youth Development Foundation will have a photo where, for a donation, families can take their Christmas photos.”
The family photo area at the Creative Sugarplum Holiday Shop. Submitted photos.
There are also youth crafters involved.
 “The youth vendors have handmade soaps, crocheted items and more,” she said.
Submitted photos. A youth vendor booth at the pop-up shop.
“Visitors can also view the Christmas displays featuring vintage toys, ” she said.
Vintage toys will be on display. Submitted photos.
  There is still space available for both youth and adult vendors.
  Contact Whiteaker through e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Bourbon County, Food, K-State Extension

Cooking As A Family

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MaKayla Stroud. Submitted photo.

Submitted by MaKayla Stroud
Southwind Extension District
4-H Program Assistant

Cooking as a Family

Wash your hands, put on an apron, and gather your family into the heart of your home to create delicious dishes and more!

Whether it comes from a box mix or completely from scratch, spending time as a family in the kitchen has many benefits such as establishing culinary skills, making yummy food, and creating lifelong memories.

The first benefit of a family unit cooking together is building and improving culinary skills.

The kitchen is a great teaching environment to help your kids build lifelong skills that will help them nurture themselves and others.

Depending on the ages of children and their abilities, what can of recipes you can tackle together. You can even make it competitive by splitting into teams to see who can make the best meal or dish.

Obviously, the main reason to work with ingredients is to make yummy food. Studies show when the adults within a household help prepare and cook food with their children, better nutrition practices can be established earlier and continued throughout their lives.

Youth who are involved in the kitchen are educated about their food supply therefore making them informed consumers.

Another reward for working together with food is creating lifelong memories. When children grow up, they may not remember the exact dessert or meal you prepared with them however they will remember the laughs, stories, and fun they had with their family.

Yes, it might take longer to prepare & cook your dish, however you are completing a daily task while writing another story within your book of memories.

So, go ahead and grab a family favorite from your recipe box or cookbook and get together soon so you can make a delicious meal while improving your cooking skills and creating a lifetime of memories.

If you are interested in other family fun ideas, go to our Facebook page or YouTube channel named Southwind District 4-H or visit southwind.ksu.edu for more youth development resources.

Food, Fort Scott

Kiwanis Pioneers Host Drive Through Chili Feed Fundraiser Nov.12

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Kiwanis Pioneers Host Drive Through Chili Feed Fundraiser

The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers will hold their 32nd annual Chili Feed on Thursday, November 12 at the United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott. “There will be a few changes to this year’s fundraiser,” said President Millie Karleskint. “In addition to a new location, the Chili Feed will be a drive-through only event. Also, we will be having cinnamon rolls for our dessert this year “.

A meal of the Pioneers’ signature chili and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. for a free-will donation (suggested minimum $5.00 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.

This is the Kiwanis Pioneers’ major fundraiser for the year. In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of “Changing the world one child and one community at a time”, the Pioneers support more than 40 projects including Scholarships, CASA, the Backpack food program, FSHS Key Club, 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.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Oct. 23 Edition

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What’s Happening
in Fort Scott
October 23rd-25th Weekly Edition
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2020 GORDON PARKS PHOTO CONTEST Sponsored by Merl Humphrey. The Theme “Social Justice, Diversity and Equity” for any amateur photographer. Deadline EXTENDED to 10/26/2020, send submission to [email protected].
GUIDED TOURS OF THE FORT DAILY, 10AM &1PMThe Fort Scott National Historic Site is open daily 8am-5pm for touring on your own, but arrive at 10am or 1pm on any day and take advantage of a guided tour with a park ranger! Guided tour lasts approx. 1 hour.
10/23-10/29 –FORT CINEMA The Nightmare Before Christmas, Honest Thief, The War with Grandpa
10/23 & 10/24 – CLARK STREET LIGHTS, HALLOWEEN THEME & SCREAM!
$1 entry from 7 pm -10 pm
10/23 –BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS!  – Come in and drink and sing Karaoke night!
10/23 & 10/24- FORT SCOTT LIVESTOCK
Sale starts as 10am – Sale Barn and Sat. at 7 am
10/23 – FORT SCOTT FARMERS’ MARKET– At Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 8am to noon. American Legion serving Breakfast on the Bricks starting at 8am.
10/23 –THE LAVENDER PATCH FARM – Open Sat. from 9 am -2 pm., 2396 Locust Rd.
8-10 am Saturdays @ Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St.
6-8pmTues. & Thurs., 5-7pm on Sundays.
Visit Facebook Group for play & location updates.
10/24 –OPEN HOUSE FORT SCOTT EXPLORATORIUM! ~ 10 am – 5 pm. Sample Exhibits, Take home & build projects, Shop custom homemade crafts. Run through the Halloween themed maze! Much more! Visit:
10/24 –ANDERSON AUCTION OF CHELSEA & THE LATE VERDON DAUBEN ESTATE ~ 10 am. 2324 Maple Rd. Fort Scott, KS. *Nice offering of Farm equipment , Tools, Antiques & Primitives.* Visit the website for more information. www.fortscott.com
10/24 -BACKYARD BAIT CHILI COOKOFF AT GUNN PARK! Hosting to raise money for the FSHS students. Raffles, Top 3 winners, Free-will donation. Gunn Park 1010 Park Ave. 3-6 pm
10/25 – BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! Brings back Trivia night for teams of 2 to 6 people, $5 entry
per team, 5-7 pm
SAVE THE DATE!
10/31 – HALLOWEEN PARADE AT 11 AM!
**ACTIVITES, SPORTS, FIREWORKS, TRUNK & TREAT ** FLYER BELOW
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Gordon Parks Photo Contest
Clark Street Lights-Halloween
Backyard Bait Chili Cookoff
Pickleball Games
Fort Scott Exploratorium “OPEN HOUSE”
Anderson Auction
The Boiler Room Brewhaus – Karaoke Night, Live Music
Fort Scott Livestock Sale
Midwest National Baseball
The Lavender Patch Farm
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber? Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
REGISTER FOR KANSASWORKS VIRTUAL JOB FAIR – NO COST TO EMPLOYERS!
THANK YOU TO OUR BOOSTER MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS. 66701
Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott Downtown Halloween Parade

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The Fort Scott Chamber announces the Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat Parade!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes & appreciates the support of this event from the sponsors below!
Saturday, October 31, 2020 @ 11:00 AM
9:30-10:45am:Walgreen’s will be taking pictures with a Halloween Backdrop & providing a free 4 x 6 print. The backdrop will also be available throughout the event for pictures with your own camera.
11am: Parade will start at La Hacienda, down the west side of Main Street to 2nd, then back down the east side of Main Street to Skubitz Plaza.
Following parade: Hotdog, chips & drink will be served to the kids in costume provided through the generous donation of local businesses!
__________
***Businesses along Main Street will be handing out candy during the parade, and businesses not on Main Street as well as any community organizations are welcome to set up a table along Main to pass out candy, coupons, promo items, etc.
Please emailthe Chamber if your business or organization will be passing out candy so we
can plan accordingly.
Organizations & Retailers planning to pass out candy are encouraged to display the flyer below the day of the Halloween Parade. Let us know if you need us to print a color copy for you!
Enjoy these additional activities taking place Halloween Day in Fort Scott:
Click here for a printable copy of the flyer below.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Art, Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Oct. 16 Edition

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UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2020 GORDON PARKS PHOTO CONTEST Sponsored by Merl Humphrey. The Theme “Social Justice, Diversity and Equity” for any amateur photographer. Deadline EXTENDED to 10/26/2020, send submission to [email protected].
GUIDED TOURS OF THE FORT DAILY, 10AM &1PMThe Fort Scott National Historic Site is open daily 8am-5pm for touring on your own, but arrive at 10am or 1pm on any day and take advantage of a guided tour with a park ranger! Guided tour lasts approx. 1 hour.
10/16-10/22 –FORT CINEMA Heaven, Nightmare Before Christmas, Honest Thief,
10/16 – The FSHS Tigers Football game on the Big Screen! Free – Reserve your seats to watch the game!
10/16 & 10/17 – CLARK STREET LIGHTS, HALLOWEEN THEME & SCREAM!
$1 entry from 7 pm -10 pm
10/16 –BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS!  – Come in and drink and sing Karaoke night!
10/16 & 10/17- FORT SCOTT LIVESTOCK
Sale starts as 10am – Sale Barn and Sat. at 7 am
10/16 – FORT SCOTT FARMERS’ MARKET– At Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 8am to noon. American Legion serving Breakfast on the Bricks starting at 8am.
10/16, 17 & 18th – KANSAS ROCKS WEEKEND Our C-19 Camp -N- Crawl a 3-day event. One price for the entire weekend, Collecting toys for the Christmas Season.
10/17 –CRUISE NIGHT – Cruise night for the season! 6 pm -10 pm, route of 6th St. to 18th!
10/17 & 18 –MIDWEST NATIONAL BASEBALL AT LAROCHE COMPLEX. Click HERE for more full Bracket & schedule.
10/17 –THE LAVENDER PATCH FARM – Open Sat. from 9 am -2 pm., 2396 Locust Rd.
10/17 –FSCC – HEAD BASKETBALL COACH “COOK’S CLINIC” – Open Sat. from 10 am – 1 pm., Arnold Arena. Coach Cook and other area coaches will present various drills and areas on emphasis. $20 per person .620.223.2700 # 7280
10/17- BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS!Live Music featuring Damaris hosted by the Boiler Room Brewhaus! 7:30 – 9:30 PM
10/17- FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH ~”America in the End Times’ with Gary Kah, 6-8 pm. 1818 S. Main St.
10/18 – BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! Brings back Trivia night for teams of 2 to 6 people, $5 entry
per team, 5-7 pm
SAVE THE DATE!
10/21 ~BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! Brings in the Ghetto Taco Truck from 4 pm – 8 pm. Authentic Street Tacos, Come in for a Drink!
10/21 ~WARD KRAFT JOB FAIR ~ Hiring Office, Sales and Production Members. Apply from 10 am -2 pm and again from 4 to 6 pm. Hall, Meet & Greet at 5:30 pm, and Forum starts at 6 pm
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Gordon Parks Photo Contest
Clark Street Lights-Halloween
Cruise Night
The Boiler Room Brewhaus – Karaoke Night, Live Music
Fort Scott Livestock Sale
Kansas Rocks
Midwest National Baseball
The Lavender Patch Farm
FSCC – Cook Basketball Clinic
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber? Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
REGISTER FOR KANSASWORKS VIRTUAL JOB FAIR – NO COST TO EMPLOYERS!
THANK YOU TO OUR BOOSTER MEMBERS!
COVID-19, Food, Fort Scott

Beacon Will Reopen For Oct. 13 through 31 For Application Sign-Up

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David Gillen, right, accepts a donation for the Beacon from the Elks organization. Submitted photos.

The Beacon Board of Directors made a decision to close the building on March 16 after receiving notice from the Feeding America, (a food bank) state, and local health authorities in response to the COVID-19 virus.

The Beacon is a local helping agency, whose main focus is food to those in need.

 

At the time of the building closure, a new procedure for obtaining The Beacon Food Box was initiated.

 

Clients were asked to call during normal business hours and arrangements were made to pick up the food off the dock at the rear of the building, Director David Gillen said.

 

“We felt this was our best approach for our staff and our clients to maintain social distancing,” Gillen said. “We also asked our clients in need of financial assistance or guidance to please call in and ask to speak with the director.”

 

After having been employed for four years by the Beacon,  David Gillen became the director in June 2020. Patty Mowen became the assistant director, at this time.

“The Beacon will open its doors by appointment only starting Oct 13th thru Oct 31st for our clients to apply for their 2021 Beacon Cards,” he said.  “At this time we will also be doing the sign-up for the 2020 Adopt A Child Program / Elks Christmas Baskets.”

 

Work On The Building

 

In recent weeks there have been some physical changes to the Beacon building at 525 E. Sixth. Some for esthetics and some for protection in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“The front entrance of the Beacon has been given a new facelift, with paint and new flooring, Gillen said in an email interview.

The waiting area for clients. Submitted photo.

In addition, new racks have been built for food storage, the main priority of the ministry.

“These improvements could not have been accomplished without the help of Wib Mowen, Patty Mowen’s husband, volunteering,” Gillen said.

A new sign for the back dock of the Beacon which states they will only receive food donations. Wib Mowen is on the left, Joe Lee on the right. Submitted photos.
Dave Gillen’s office at the Beacon. Submitted photos.

Personal protective sneeze guards have been placed on desks in the building.

“Plastic face shields will be used for our protection and the clients when they are allowed in the building, and our clients must wear masks,” Gillen said.

Patty Mowen’s office at the Beacon. Submitted photos.

Also going on at this time has been the entering of all the Beacon clients information into a computer, allowing accurate records to be kept, he said.

Beacon Food Distribution

“The Beacon Food Distribution is for all Bourbon County residents who qualify for a Beacon Food Card.,” Gillen said. “Their cards can be used immediately after they are qualified. Cards can be used two times a month.”

“Emergency food requests are granted for anyone in the county who has lost their job, illness as caused them from being able to work, house fire, or any other extraneous circumstance as it is our goal to help those in need.”

“The food we distribute comes from a monthly budget and grants we have received,” he said. “We make purchases from the Kansas Food Bank, GW Foods and Walmart. We also receive generous donations from local food drives, churches, civic organizations, businesses, schools and the local post office. We also receive donated items of meat, bakery and produce items from Walmart three times a week as part of their supporting the Feed America Program.”

Clients receive eggs, butter, fresh meat, bread, canned goods, peanut butter, beans, rice, soups, potatoes, mac and cheese, spaghetti with sauce, cereal and pastry,

“Baskets vary in size according to family size,” Gillen said. “We also offer fresh fruit and vegetables when available.”

“The Beacon is so blessed to exist in a community that so many people help us to help others,” he said.

The Beacon has a new mural done by Joe Lee. Submitted photos.

Retired professional sign painter Joe Lee, a personal friend of Patty and Wib Mowen, painted a mural of a lighthouse for display in the Beacon.

“Joe volunteered his time and supplies,” Gillen said. “The Beacon is so thankful for this wonderful gift…Joe also painted our sign by the back deck…which was made by Wib Mowen.”

The back porch has been extended to allow more free items to be left out, Gillen said.

“Thank you Ralph Carlson and Don Tucker for volunteering and the material you provided,” he said.