Category Archives: Food

Area News, Food, Fort Scott

Heartland awards $30,000 through Concern for Community grant program

Leave a comment

The Beacon Food Pantry, Fort Scott, receives $5,000 grant.

The Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has selected six projects throughout the co-op’s service area for funding through the Concern for Community grant program. A total of $30,000 will be awarded.

“We look forward to working with some outstanding partners to put these funds to work for the good of Heartland members and their communities,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO.

This year, six applications out of 68 received were approved for funding by the Heartland board. Projects selected are as follows:

  • Kansas State Historical Society – $5,000 for restoration work at the Marais des Cygnes Massacre State Historic Site, including electricity and water infrastructure upgrades and interactive interpretive signage.
  • Linn County Fair Association – $5,000 to install an intercom system across the fairgrounds to improve communication and safety for visitors during the county fair and other events.
  • Moran Youth Recreation – $5,000 to help build a 9-hole disc golf course and install permanent cornhole boards at the Moran City Park.
  • Beacon Food Pantry (Fort Scott) – $5,000 for critical lighting system upgrades to improve safety and visibility for volunteers and families served.
  • Cherokee County 4-H Council – $5,000 to replace original 1991 windows in the 4-H Building, improving energy efficiency for this important community hub.
  • Walnut Community Service Organization – $5,000 for upgrades to Walnut Softball Fields, including infield improvements, dugout repairs, batting cage enclosure, and restroom accessibility upgrades.

As a non-profit, member-owned cooperative, Heartland issues capital credits to members each year, but sometimes those credits go unclaimed. Because those monies were intended to be returned to the communities from which they came, Heartland’s Board of Directors decided to use unclaimed funds for community grants and started the Concern for Community program in 2019.

The Concern for Community program provides grants of up to $5,000 for capital improvement projects throughout the Heartland service area, which covers parts of 12 counties in eastern Kansas. Capital improvement projects are those that involve investment in structures or equipment that will last for many years.

Applications were accepted from June 1–July 31 and selected by the Heartland Board of Directors at their September 22 meeting. Heartland plans to reopen applications in summer 2026 for the next round of funding.

About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes members in 12 counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.

 

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Annual Blues Festival is Sept. 26-27 in Fort Scott

1 Comment

 

Blues Music weekend is here.

The weekend of Sept. 26-27, the Care to Share Fortfest25 will be at Riverfront Park on North National Avenue in Fort Scott.

The event is free, but donations are accepted for Care to Share, a local helping organization for cancer survivors and their families.

“The kids’ fair will be bigger than ever with bouncy houses and more games,” said an organizer, Cory Bryers. “It’s all new bands with the same format as previous years. New this year is that the bike show and car show are the same day, Saturday, Sept. 27.”

A transplant from the Kansas City area, Bryers started this event in September 2022 on his property. Blues Festival Coming to Fort Scott Sept. 24. He and his wife, Cecelia, are Blues Music fans and moved to the area in 2021.

Cory and wife Cecelia Bryers. Submitted photo.

Friday evening, there will be performances starting at 6 p.m. by Bridget and Her Bandoliers from the K.C. area, followed by The Spooklights from Southwest Missouri.

On Saturday, there will be performances starting at 1 p.m.by Meaza Joy from Washington, MO; Martin and the Dead Guys from Florida and Independence, KS; Amanda Fish, Nashville; and Randy McAllister, Texas.

Saturday morning will be a car show, followed by a bike show. Saturday afternoon will be the kids’ fair, arts and crafts fair, food and drink, and of course, Blues Music.

Riverside Park is located by the Marmaton River and has lots of shade trees, so bring your family and friends, along with chairs/blankets/bug spray, AND a donation to Care to Share. Small coolers are welcome.

Care to Share is a well-known and respected organization that helps local cancer survivors and their families with needs they may have in their battle with the disease.

 

Blues singers entertain during the Fort Fest 23 event.
Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

FortFest 25 Is September 26-27 at Riverfront Park

Leave a comment

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Care to Share

Cancer Support Group

Care to Share invites you to their
FortFest 25

September 26-27th, 2025

at Riverfront Park

FortFest 25 is happening September 26–27th at Riverfront Park in Fort Scott, KS! This fun-filled weekend offers free admission, live music, and exciting activities for all ages—all in support of the Care to Share Cancer Support Group.

🌟 Admission is FREE, and all donations go directly to support the Care to Share Cancer Support Group. Help us celebrate community, music, and giving back at this special 25th anniversary event.

🎶 Friday Night – Sept 26

Kick off the weekend with amazing live blues music:

  • 6 PM– Brigett & Her Bandoliers (Kansas City)
  • 8 PM– The Spooklights (SWMO)

Bring your chairs, blankets, and your best dance moves!

🚗 Saturday – Sept 27: Packed with Events!

Morning:

  • 9 AM – HUGE Nostalgia Car Show
  • Noon – Motorcycle Show (Awards at 2:30 PM)

All Day Fun (Noon–5 PM):

  • Kids Fall Festival – Bouncy houses, petting zoo, face painting, giant Jenga, train rides, and more!
  • SEK Princesses & Superheroes – Meet them from 12–3 PM
  • Care to Share Games – Duck pond, boat races, etc.
  • Wristbands just $5 – covers all games

Live Music on Saturday:

  • 1 PM– Meaza Joy (teen phenom)
  • 3 PM– Martin & The Dead Guys
  • 5 PM– Amanda Fish (Nashville)
  • 7 PM– Randy McAllister (Texas Blues)

There will also be arts & crafts booths, delicious food & drinks, and plenty of shade with free parking & shuttles available.

What to Bring:

  • Family & friends
  • Chairs, blankets, bug spray
  • Small coolers welcome
  • A donation to Care to Share (optional but appreciated!)

🐶🚫Please note: No pets are allowed at the event.

For more info, visit: facebook.com/FortScottFortFest

We hope to see you there!

Click HERE to follow Care to Share’s Facebook Page!

Click HERE to follow Fort Scott FortFest’s

Facebook Event Page for details!

Kids Fall Festival Info

FortFest Bike Show Info
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Business, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Fall Music Series Starts Sept. 27 at Common Ground Coffee Shop

Leave a comment
The Sept. 13 Concert listed on this flyer is cancelled due to the illness of the performers.
Fall Music at Common Ground Coffee Shop, 12 E. Wall, is back.
“Bring a friend, grab your favorite latte, and enjoy the sound of fall at Common Ground,” said shop owner Stacy Racy. “We decided a couple of months ago to bring back the Fall Concert Series. We’ve done it in the past and it’s been well received, so we’re excited to do it again.”
Stacy and Wayne Racy, owners of the Common Ground Coffee Shop. Submitted photo.


“Join us this fall for evenings filled with live music, cozy drinks, and community vibes,” she said.
The live music shows are from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday evenings, and all ages are welcome.
The large group private area at Common Ground, from its Facebook page.


 Upcoming Shows:
The September 13 – Jesse Jack & The Electric String Band was cancelled due to illness.
 September 27 – Vinyl Revival 
October 11-Jerico Jones
October 25- Serenade
“We’ll have drinks, cookies, and food available for people to enjoy while they listen,’ she said. “We have some amazing local and regional musicians we love listening to, and we thought this would be a great way to give the community something to do on Saturday evenings through the fall.”
Music lovers might want to try some of the new menu items offered by the coffee shop staff as they listen to the music in the large stage area in a room adjacent to the public seating area.
“Our new menu items are going really well – that’s the biggest new thing right now, and we’re excited about the community response.”
One of the new menu items: pannini. From the shop’s Facebook page.

For the live music nights, they will have their flatbreads, paninis, and chicken salad sandwiches along with cookies and drinks available for purchase, she said.

Common Ground Coffee Shop, 12 E.Wall.
Bourbon County, Business, Food

Mapleton Cafe Reopens With New Owner

2 Comments

 

A view of a dining room in the cafe.

The Mapleton Cafe, located in rural northern Bourbon County, is under a new manager.

“This cafe had been shut down for eight years,” Adam Clay, the new owner/manager,” said. “Joe Bisogno owns the building.”

It opened at the end of July.

“I was given an opportunity to open my own business in the country, where I want to be,” Clay said. “I have always been drawn to the country. I lived in DeSoto. Panasonic moved into the area, and lots of people have moved in.”

“You need to seize an opportunity.”

He moved a fifth-wheel recreation vehicle to the site of the building in Mapleton, population 99, in January and started renovating the building.

“I had to fix it up. I moved here, living in the fifth-wheeler.”

Clay has 35 years in the hospitality business with a focus on kitchen, menu, costing, and trends in the food business.

“I come from the K.C. area, Desoto, and worked as a chef for a corporation in their test kitchen. I left my position with Goodsents in K.C. at the end of June to do this full-time. Up to then, I only worked on weekends.”

The restaurant passed the Kansas Department of Agriculture inspection in mid-July.

“Even though a lot of work needs to be done, with the help of the Mapleton City Council, the local residents, and Joe Bisogno, we’ll make it successful,” he said.

“I’m the only cook; there are two local people as employees, Shawn Mierkey and Zoe Charley, and other local people pitch in to help.”

Adam Clay, right, is the manager of the Mapleton Cafe. Pictured are his two employees, Shawn Mierkey and Zoe Charley.

 

About the cafe

“It’s a country cafe with a modest breakfast and lunch menu,” he said. “It’s a starter menu. I’m still trying to figure out what works in this marketplace.”

 

“We are open to suggestions. A new dish for me is chili with a cinnamon roll and a pickle,” he said.

He said he is trying to keep the prices that fit this rural area.

The menu at the Mapleton Cafe as of August 2025.

The restaurant is located at 423 N. Bourbon Street in Mapleton.  Contact info: 785-813-6051. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Food

Traditions Continue At the 120th Old Settlers Picnic Aug. 29-Sept.1

Leave a comment
The 120th Old Settlers Picnic in Uniontown has traditionally been a day for the community to view a parade and enjoy a community picnic, with fun activities for all ages throughout the whole weekend.
A street dance, 5K Run/Walk,  fishing derby, co-ed ranch rodeo, community church service, bingo, family fun night, youth rodeo, food and craft vendors, car show, baby contest, a children’s parade separate from the bigger parade, and drawings for the raffles and bicycles will make up the weekend’s festivities.
The theme this year is Remembering the Past, Planning the Future.
Aligning with the theme, not only the recognition of the Old Settlers, but “recognizing the future generation throughout the Monday activities, including the youngest attendee,” said Mike Ramsey, planning committee vice president.
The parade grand marshals are the family of Bill and Doris George.
This year, the West Bourbon Elementary School will be the new location for the Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show.
“We’ve brought back the baby contest,” Ramsey said. “Registration at 9 a.m. with the contest at 9:30 a.m.” The location is at the gazebo in Uniontown’s City Park.
” We’ve brought back the kids’ races on Monday at 1 p.m. on the streets” surrounding the downtown park, he said.
Girls race in a contest during a prior Old Settler’s Picnic.
“Personally, I’m excited about having Dustin Treiber playing for the Street Dance Friday night.” On August 29, there will be a street dance with a food truck available for refreshments.
The planning committee is comprised of Rhonda Dewitt, president; Ramsey, vice president; Mary Pillion, treasurer; and Carissa Jones, secretary.

 

The Uniontown High School Class of 1959 wait to board their float for the 2019 Old Settlers Picnic Parade on Labor Day, 2019.
Area News, Food

SEKAAA Awarded Grant For 60+ Nutrition Program

Leave a comment

Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging announces they have been awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas for its 60+ Nutrition Program.

“In the last year, we have added two meal sites where people can get a tasty, healthy meal and visit with friends. Since 2022, the attendance at meal sites has doubled”, says Stacy Dickerhoof, Associate Director, “this is giving us the good problem of needing more utensils, glasses, and bowls to serve the food. We appreciate the Community Foundation supporting our seniors.”

Sometimes called Meals on Wheels, 60+ Nutrition serves a 9-county area and is a combination of home delivery, congregate meals sites, and restaurants.

The purpose of the program is to promote the general health and well-being of older Kansans. Participants are asked to provide a donation, but inability to donate does not prevent anyone from receiving a meal.

 

“Our seniors really enjoy having a place to go have a meal and see friends.”, says Tabitha Torres, Nutrition Coordinator. Sixty-three percent of SEKAAA 60+ Nutrition program participants report they eat alone most of the time. The National Institute on Aging has identified that social isolation increases health risk, such as high blood pressure, depression, and cognitive decline. “The meal is important, but we have found that participants find getting together with friends is just as important,” reports Torres.

 

For more information on SEKAAA 60+ Nutrition Program, please visit www.sekaaa.com or call 620-431-2980 for more information.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fair, Food, Youth

Today at the Bourbon County Fair

Leave a comment

Today, July 15,  at the Bourbon County Fair:
The Uniontown 4H Club will be selling items at the Chuckwagon in the Cloverleaf Event Center starting at this morning.

This is a fundraiser for their club this year.

The Rabbit Judging will begin at 8 am in the Rabbit/Poultry Barn followed by Poultry Judging at 10 am.

The Myers Building is closed until 12 pm for Open Class Judging.

At 12 pm the FCE (Food and Community Education) will be auctioning the Open Class Food entries to raise funds for the scholarships they provide to area students.

The Sheep Show will begin at 5 pm followed by the Meat Goat Show at approximately 6:15 pm.

The Merchant’s Building is Businesses only this year and opens at 5 pm.

Vendors include:
Miller’s Feed and Farm
Sally Kraft
T-Mobile
Flying P
Pretty Notations
Baked by Dylan
Mary Kay – Lauren Wagner
Twig and Berries Cotton Candy
Fizz Factory – Non-alcoholic Dirt Sprites
Uppa Creek Honey
2 Ashley’s Just Crafting Around
Riggs Chiropractic
Leaf Guard
Champion Bath
Kitty’s Kreations
Kaitlyn’ Comely Creations
Seams Sew Nice

Remember to get your Chicken Annie’s ticket by Tuesday, July 15th from the Fort Scott FFA Officers or Aikins Insurance, to support the Fort Scott FFA. Then stay and play some Cornhole supporting the Uniontown FFA.