Category Archives: Food

The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers will hold their 35th annual Chili Feed on Tuesday, November 7th at the United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott. 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 $8.00 donation per meal) to be collected at the door.

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, Head Start, the Beacon, 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 Kiwanis Pioneer President Kelley Collins.

“The annual fundraiser will be drive through only.” according to Collins. 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.

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

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Food, K-State Extension

Become a Master Food Volunteer

October 25, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Youth

Children’s Halloween Parade This Saturday at 10 a.m. in Downtown Fort Scott

October 25, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Halloween Parade

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces this year’s Halloween Parade will be held Saturday, October 28th at 11:00 a.m. in Downtown Fort Scott.

Prior to the parade, starting at 10:00 a.m., there will be special activities including pictures with a spooktacular backdrop at the City Scales building on North Main and face painting by Fort Scott High School Thespians.

The parade trick-or-treats merchants along Main Street, starting at La Hacienda, south to 2nd Street, crossing the street then heading north back to Skubitz Plaza. Any businesses or organizations in the community not located along Main Street are also welcome to set up a table on the sidewalk providing treats, coupons, or other handouts for kids. Children are encouraged to bring a sack or bag to collect treats along the parade route.

Following the parade, a free slice of Papa Don’s pizza and a drink will be served to kids in costumes.

The Chamber is currently seeking sponsors and donations for the pizza lunch following the parade.

Contact the Chamber if interested at 620-223-3566

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott

The Beacon: Annual Sign-Up Period Ends This Friday

October 24, 2023 Loretta George Leave a comment

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

The Beacon Food Pantry annual sign-up period continues until Oct. 27 during the hours of 9:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

“Sign-ups must be done by October 27th,” said David Gillen, “There will be no exceptions.”

“You will need to call in advance to the Beacon to set an appointment for one of these days, our phone number is 620-223-6869,” he said.

“You will need to bring with you, to qualify for a food card:

“a picture ID for all adults in the household,

“a Social Security card for all in household and birthdates, all dependent children with different names must show full-time parental custody, adoption papers, and must live with you to be on your card.

“Proof of income, pension, retirement, social security disability, VA benefits, unemployment, child support/alimony, and any other income.

“If you receive any services from DCF please bring the verification letter.

“Please have your information with you when you come or you will be turned away and will have to reschedule an appointment.”

During this sign-up, clients may also sign up for the Adopt-A-Child (children’s Christmas present help) and the Elk Club Food Basket (food for the holidays), he said.

Clients are asked to please wear a mask if they have a cough or cold or have been exposed to COVID-19, for the safety of volunteers and staff, and only one person per family in the building at that time.

For those getting food that day, call in advance and your order will be on the back porch for pick-up.

Adopt-a-Child pick-up and Elk food baskets will be at Community Christian Church on December 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pick-up will be a drive-through, like last year, according to Gillen.

Elk’s baskets will be delivered the Sunday before Christmas.

Clients are asked to please call to set up an appointment as soon as possible, Gillen said.

About the Beacon

The Beacon Food Pantry is a helping organization serving Bourbon County residents since 1985.

The food pantry clients who qualify, according to income, will receive food assistance twice a month and hygiene products, baby formula, laundry, and dish soap per availability.

“We receive bakery and produce from Wal-Mart on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays and clients can shop in the main front lobby but are limited to one bag per family,” Beacon Director David Gillen said.

” The pantry also has a limited number of taxi passes and gas vouchers for doctors appointments,” he said.

Financial assistance, if qualified, is available on rent, utility bills, and prescriptions.

The Beacon is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is closed on Thursdays.

To qualify for a food card, a picture identification must be provided for all adults in the household, a Social Security Card for all in the household, and proof of residence in the county, and proof of income.

“If you receive any services from DCF must provide a copy from them,” according to Gillen.

“To order food or ask for financial assistance you must call ahead,” he noted. All food orders will be put on the back porch due to safety issues.”

To apply for financial assistance the following is needed:

Picture ID for all adults in the house
Social Security card for all in-house
Proof of Income
Reason for the need
Fill out the income expenditures form
Copy of current bill
Proof of Bourbon Co. residency, such as current utility bill, or

And also a bank statement with the current name and address.

The building is located at 525 E. 6^th Street in Fort Scott.

To contact: 620-223-6869 or

Email [email protected]

The Beacon is located at 525 E. Sixth Street, Fort Scott.

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Cohn’s Cafe Launches Its Sunday Brunch on Oct. 22

October 20, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Cohn’s Cafe on Main….

Sunday Brunch!

Cohn’s Cafe on Main is excited to launch their Sunday Brunch!

Brunch will feature Brunch Boards with generous portions designed to share at the table. A selection of Mimosas and Bloody Marys will be available.

Brunch Boards include:

French Toast

Pancakes

Biscuits and Jams

Bakes Goods

Breakfast Meats

Omelette

Traditional Charcuterie

Reservations are recommended, contact 620.418.6209 or email 110southmainfortscott@gmail.com to reserve your spot!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Shop, Swine and Swig Coming to the River Room Today

October 19, 2023 Loretta George Leave a comment

Shelby Defebaugh is a vendor and the organizer of the Shop, Swig and Swine event. Pictured: some of her creations. Submitted.

A holiday vendor event is happening today, October 19, at the River Room from 5 to 8 p.m.

Shop, Swig, and Swine is being organized by Shelby Defebaugh, who is a vendor herself. “I make pens, lanyards, keychains and wristlets. Customization is welcome,” she said.

“In August I started organizing the event,” Defebaugh said. “When you are a vendor… you become like a community.” And several vendors were interested.

The River Room is located at the corner of National Avenue and Oak Street on Fort Scott’s north end. The event is from 5-8 p.m. with no cost to attendees.

Brickstreet BBQ is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s northside. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.

“I know everyone is busy,” she said. “I felt like a Thursday evening, when you get off work, go shop with girlfriends and grab some food to take home.”

The Flying P Ranch is a vendor at the Shop, Swig and Swine event, from its Facebook page.

The name “Shop, Swig and Swine” is because “You can shop, and have adult beverages and Brickstreet BBQ will have a concession bar and food,” Defebaugh said.

Defebaugh said she wanted to thank Cathy Bishop, event coordinator at the River Room, and the Fort Scott Tribune for their help with the event.

Amanda Emmerson is a vendor at the event, from its Facebook page.

Vendors pay $40 per booth.

Sammie Gathercole’s S/L Studio is a vendor from Shop, Swig, and Swine Facebook page.

However, she is giving booth space for free to the Fort Scott High School Art Club for a fundraiser which is a Christmas scene photo.

Vendors for the event:

Better in Bourbon

Flying P Ranch

Seint Make up

Blissful Aesthetics

FSHS Art Club

Couchman Acres

Sunshine Boutique

KC Design

Farmer Blake

Doggy Style

Gyp & Jo

Cathy Bishop

The Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery

Beitree

SL Studio

Scentsy

Write On

Buckin A Ranch

Rope Baskets

Little Candle Factory

Peace Acres Freeze Dried Candy

Over The Hill Signs

Red Aspen

Brickstreet BBQ

Sassy Cactus

C3 Designs

doTerra Essential Oils

For more information about the event:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1298619290775003/?ref=share_group_link

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

Chamber Halloween Parade on Oct. 28

October 17, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Halloween Parade

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces this year’s Halloween Parade will be held Saturday, October 28th at 11:00 a.m. in Downtown Fort Scott.

Following the parade, a free slice of Papa Don’s pizza and a drink will be served to kids in costumes.

The Chamber is currently seeking sponsors and donations for the pizza lunch following the parade.

Contact the Chamber if interested at 620-223-3566

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Bourbon County, Food, Government, Schools

Hydrophonics is Coming to a Local School System

October 11, 2023 Loretta George Leave a comment

A photo of hydroponics taken from a USDA website.

Hydroponics is coming to Uniontown’s school district.

Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil, according to https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/hydroponics

“USD 235 is excited to be the recipient of a hydroponic shipping container farm through a grant awarded to the Kansas Division of Children and Families,” USD 235 Superintendent Vance Eden said. “It was announced on September 11th, 2023 that Community Green Farms of Pittsburg Kansas would receive just over $1,000,000 to bring seven southeast Kansas counties vertical hydroponic container farms.”

Vance Eden, superintendent of USD 235. Photo from the school district’s website.

“Uniontown Schools has been selected to be the recipient for Bourbon Couty,” Eden said. “These shipping containers use state-of-the-art technology to efficiently produce hyper-organic products in significant quantities within a minimal footprint.”

The greens grown will be consumed at the two school building’s cafeterias in the district.

“Not only will this space serve as a hands-on learning environment that will be used across the spectrum of ages and courses, but it will also provide produce that can be consumed in our cafeterias,” he said. “We believe this opportunity will serve students and their futures in dynamic and tangible ways.”

The container has been ordered and will be placed on the school campus during the last week of November.

“Then, the setup of the farm and training for key staff will take place in December,” he said. “This means that it will be in production and available for student and teacher use during the second semester.”

“Mrs. Delta Pollock will be a leader, helping staff and students step into this new experience with confidence while Mrs. Shayla Knight will manage the food-service portion of vegetable production for our cafeterias,” he said.

Learning and adjusting will be part of the process of integrating hydroponics into learning experiences for the students in USD 235, he said.

“We eagerly jump into this opportunity with dreams and excitement for the impact that can be realized,” Eden said.

Once the container farm is established, community members will be invited to an open house “to see and taste what this new opportunity looks like in person,” Eden said.

“We want to publicly acknowledge Community Green Farms in their selection of USD 235 as the recipient and commend them on their commitment to bringing these opportunities to southeast Kansas schools at no cost,” he said.

The USD 235 Board of Education Office is located in Uniontown High School.

Food, Fort Scott, Schools

Trunk-or-Treat For Young Children on Oct. 26

October 7, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, History

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Starts Today at Bourbon County Fairgrounds

October 6, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Come and visit the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta! Today is the first day! The quilt show opens from 9am to 4pm today and Saturday. Sunday’s hours are noon to 3pm. There are many beautiful quilts to admire. Cassino Richardson is here with her fabrics, precuts, books and more. Erica of Nine Patch Quilt Shop has a variety of Christmas gifts and ideas to choose from. Watch Bobbi Schroeder do wonders with her quilting machine. At 1pm Saturday come to listen to Paul Milks as he tells us of his journey with Cross Stitch. He has beautiful designs for you to see.

Don’t forget the bean feed Friday evening complete with cornbread and all the add ons. It is free with a Pioneer Harvest 2023 Collector button. $5 gives you a button which gets you in the show all three days. What a deal! There is also a car show on Saturday off Eddy Street at the north end of the fairgrounds.

Submitted by Jackie Warren

Food, Kansas, Youth

COVID-19 Supports for Kansas Kids Dropped Poverty and Food Insecurity

October 2, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Data Shows Pandemic-era Supports Drove Down

Child Poverty, Food Insecurity among Kansas Kids

TOPEKA, KAN.
— Poverty and food insecurity rates among Kansas children dropped significantly in the early years of the pandemic, according to the
2023 Kansas KIDS COUNT® Data Book, which analyzes child outcomes in economic well-being, education, and health indicators. The
Data Book was created by Kansas Action for Children, which collected state and county data from national and state sources.

Kansas children living below the poverty line (or a household income of less than $26,500/year for a family of four) decreased from 101,000 children in 2019 to 92,000 children in 2021. And
kids experiencing food insecurity (or not having enough to eat for every meal) decreased even more significantly from around 120,000 kids in 2019 to about 94,000 in 2021.

These improvements correlate to early pandemic-era supports targeting kids and families, such as increased food assistance benefits, no-cost school meals for all children, the temporarily
expanded federal child tax credit, and other measures that helped relieve financial burdens for families living on low- or middle-incomes.

Additionally, more Kansas kids became enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), reaching a combined peak across the last decade of nearly 300,000 children accessing
some type of coverage through KanCare, the state’s Medicaid program. This number is in stark contrast to a combined total of about 271,000 kids enrolled in 2019.

Due to the public health emergency, KanCare enrollees did not have to submit paperwork with the state to determine continuing eligibility, and enrollees were able to keep their coverage for
prolonged periods. However, with the public health emergency ending in May 2023, those redeterminations are underway, and thousands of kids are losing coverage.

“The data is clear that measures implemented during the early years of the pandemic helped families make ends meet,” said John Wilson, President and CEO of Kansas Action for Children. “But
with those programs having ended, advocates are concerned with the data trends we are likely to see in 2022 and beyond.”

He continued, “We can build on the success of pandemic-era programs by ensuring families can achieve financial security. Expanding Medicaid, implementing a state child tax credit, breaking
down barriers to food assistance, and raising the minimum wage are all solutions to make that a reality.”

Other notable data shifts highlighted in the report include:

·
Income statuses of families in Kansas have been on a constant incline since 2011, but there are still large discrepancies between racial groups. For instance,
Asian American/Pacific Islander households made around $102,100 in 2021, while American Indian/Alaskan Native households were at $32,400.

·
Fewer young children were enrolled in early learning programs. From 2019-2021, about 54% of Kansas 3- and 4-year-olds weren’t in nursery school, preschool, or
kindergarten. This is about a 2-point increase from 2017-2019.

·
Basic reading and math proficiency continued to trend downward in the last decade, following trends across the country. Reading proficiency has dropped about
10 percentage points since 2015 (80% vs. 70% in 2021). Math proficiency decreased even more significantly, seeing 8th graders drop from 71% in 2019 to 61% in 2022 and 4th graders drop from 79% to 75% across the same period.

·
Low birth weights are statistically much higher among Black newborns compared to every other racial/ethnic group. In 2021, around 7% of all Kansas newborns were
born at less than 5.5 pounds, but Black babies were twice the state average at 14%.

·
Racial disparities were also present in infant mortality rates. While the overall state rate is 5.9 infant deaths per 1,000, around 16.5 Black infants per 1,000
died in 2021.

·
Children without health coverage stayed steady at around 5%. With KanCare redeterminations currently occurring, this number could increase in future years.

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

September 29, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! September 29th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Guided Tours: 10am & 1pm

Special activities all this weekend! See link below.

Visit your National Park!

Trolley Tours of Fort Scott

50-minute narrated historical tour

Every Friday & Saturday on the hour

Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 12 & under, leaves from the Chamber

Click this link: The Artificers

October pottery class/workshop

schedule, a creative space for all ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.

9/29 ~ The Artificers presents Darrell Williams Opening & Reception, 6-9pm, click here for more info!

9/29 ~ Kick off FortFest23 with a street dance featuring Danny Brown & the Bourbon County Revival starting at 7pm, and Left of Center with Lori Hixon starting at 9pm, see flyer below for more info!

9/29 ~ Dance Party 4-5th Grade followed by Middle School, Buck Run Community Center, 4th-5th 5-7pm, 6th-8th 7:15pm-8:45pm, sponsored by FS Youth Cheer, $5 entry

9/29 ~ Chicken Fried Steak Dinner hosted by the Knights of Columbus, free will offering, proceeds go to rebuilding of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 5-7pm, click here for more info!

9/29-10/31~ Scarefest Haunted House & Clark Street Lights Display, $1 donation to enter 5+, entry comes with free popcorn and cotton candy,

see flyer below for more info!

9/30 ~ FortFest23, 400 N. National (Riverfront Park), BLUES FESTIVAL, free games/live music/BBQ Contest/Food Trucks/ FUN/ and much more, bring chairs and blankets as limited seating, free will donation, click here for more info!

9/30 ~ Children’s Business Fair at the Farmers’ Market, free business workshop taught by Small Business Development Center, 8am-12pm, stop by and check out our local young entrepreneurs!

9/30 ~ Special Saturday Chamber Coffee at Kansas Rocks Recreation Park, join us at 8:30am to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of KRRP, click herefor more info!

9/30 ~ Red Bull Imagination sponsored by

E3 Ranch, click here for tickets!

9/30 ~ Elks Lodge 579 Benefit Golf Tournament for Christmas Baskets, 4-person scramble, click here for more info!

10/3 ~ Downtown Meet & Greet at City State Bank, 202 State Ave, 8am-9am. Click here for more info!

10/3 ~ Remembering When the Flood of 1986, Join John Free at Hedgehog.INK! and share your stories, 2-4pm

10/5-7 ~ 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration, great events and sessions to celebrate 20 wonderful years, click here for the full schedule of events!

10/5 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum, 2108 Horton St, 8am.

10/5 ~ Pioneer Harvest Parade in Downtown Fort Scott, 6pm, click here to register a float or for more info!

10/5 ~ FSHS Homecoming Pep Rally Bonfire, community bonfire held in the rear parking lot in the old Mercy Hospital Building, this event is free and begins at 7pm.

10/6-8 ~ Pioneer Harvest Fiesta 67th Anniversary, one of the oldest steam & gas engine shows in Kansas, click here for more info!

10/6 ~ Mural Unveiling – First Kansas Colored Infantry Mural, the mural will be on display at the north downtown building located at 9 S. Main St. near Skubitz Plaza, 4-4:30pm, click here for more info!

10/6 ~ FSHS Football vs. Chanute – Homecoming, 7pm

10/7 ~ Chamber member Kansas Crossing Casino presents Hairball in Concert, must be 21+ attend, click here for more info.

10/7 ~ Last Cruise in the Season, Sonic Parking lot, 1708 S. National, Sonic will be doing great giveaways, starts at 5:30pm, click here for more details!

10/7 ~ 2023 Alumni Baseball Game – Fundraiser for Spring Break Trip, gates open at 4:30pm, free will donation at gate, 50/50 drawing/silent auction/E3 burgers on the grill, click here for more info!

10/7 ~ Fall Plant Sale at Tri-Valley, in the Greenhouse 4305 Campbell Drive, 9am-1pm (while supplies last), click here for more info!

10/7 ~ FSCC Alumni Rodeo, 1pm Slack & 7:30pm Performance, see flyer below for more info!

10/7 ~ First Saturday Story Time at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, this event features a guest reader and an activity, 2:30-3:30pm, click here for more info!

10/12 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Area Community Foundation @ Landmark National Bank, 200 S. Main St. 8am, 2023 Grants will be awarded.

10/14 ~ Royal-Tea Party hosted by FSHS Thespians, $10 per child (must be accompanied by an adult), each child can have a treat and make a project with each character, feel free to dress up too!

SAVE THE DATE:

10/19 ~ Mill Creek Vet Clinic After Hours Open House and Ribbon Cutting, 5:30-7pm with remarks and cutting of the ribbon at 5:45pm

10/19 ~ Cato Days located between Pittsburg and Fort Scott (turn west on 720 and follow the signs),9am-2pm

10/28 ~ Halloween Parade & Festivities in Downtown Fort Scott, open to all ages, parade will begin at 11am starting at La Hacienda heading south to 2nd street then back around to the City Scales building, after the parade pizza and a drink will be handed out to kids in costumes. The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is asking for donations and businesses that are willing to pass out candy downtown, if you are interested email [email protected].

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SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area

Chamber of Commerce

620-223-3566

[email protected]

fortscott.com