Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at their offices at 424 S Main on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in special session.
The board received an update from KASB consultant, Sue Givens, about the timeline and process for the Superintendent Search. The board was extremely grateful and pleased with the participation from our community, staff, and parents. Over 700 survey results were received. Givens shared and discussed the details and rankings of the survey. For details on the results and to keep up to date with USD 234’s Superintendent Search, please visit our website www.usd234.org under Board of Education. The meeting can be viewed via the district’s YouTube channel: USD 234 Board of Education.
The board adjourned into executive session and then returned to open session. The board approved the following employment matters:
Resignation of Elizabeth Alexander, Winfield Scott Kindergarten teacher
Employment of Bethany Anderson as a high school English teacher
Employment of Megan Webb as an early childhood special education teacher
Kansas Teacher Credit Union employees, from left: Teller – Lacey Miles, Teller-Elizabeth Thurston, Member Service Officer – Bonnie Boyle, Branch Manager- Bob Hanson Submitted photo.
Spring is here and the pandemic is waning, allowing more travel for Americans.
Some people are purchasing new cars for their travels.
A recent look at auto loan rates on bankrate.com for April 2022 shows the range of percentage rates for vehicle loans is from 2.49 to over 7 percent on average.
A local credit union is offering a low interest loan for autos.
Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, 24 S. National Avenue is offering a 1.99 percent loan for qualified applicants with the best credit scores, for vehicle loans through June 30.
Kansas Teachers Credit Union is located at 24 S. National Avenue in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
Vehicles must be a 2013 model year or newer and a credit score of 600 up, or no score. Terms can be up to 84 months, based on mileage under 100,000 miles.
“The KTCCU promotional rates then have stair step increases from there, based on individual credit scores and mileage that exceeds 100,000 miles,” Bob Hanson, Fort Scott Branch Manager said. “This promotion also allows qualified applicants the option for no payment for up to 90 days.”
“You do not have to be a member of KTCCU to apply for a loan with KTCCU,” Hanson said. “But if you are approved and choose to complete the loan, you would have to open a KTCCU membership share savings account with a minimum $5 deposit. It only takes a few minutes, give identification, complete an account card, and make a deposit.”
To qualify for membership with KTCCU, one of the following conditions must be meet:
Be a family member of a current credit union member; or
Be an organization of a current credit union member.
Membership, once established, may continue regardless if the above conditions still apply.
Hanson said new leadership has begun in the organization, of which Fort Scott is a branch.
Elesa Parsons, from https://heartlandcua.org/news/2022/cu-people-on-move-cua-ktccu.aspx
“2022 brought KTCCU a new CEO/President, Elesa Parsons,” he said. “Elesa brings with her an extensive credit union administrative and accounting background. The previous CEO/President Mark Kolarik has retired from KTCCU, and has relocated out of state.”
“The Fort Scott branch of KTCCU was established/opened in September 2008,” he said. “Since opening the KTCCU Fort Scott location has been successful in carrying out the KTCCU mission. That mission is to be a sound, quality driven organization that provides the most desirable financial services for community members while safeguarding their assets.”
Two travel authors will be autographing their books Thursday, May 5 from 4-6 p.m. at Hedgehog.INK bookstore, and then on Friday, May 6, from 2-4 p.m. at the Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main, Fort Scott.
Roxie Yonkey, Goodland, Kan., author of 100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die, and Amy Piper, author of 100 Things to Do in Lansing Before You Die, Lansing, Mich., will have their books available to sign at both locations.
Submitted graphic.
“I visited Fort Scott National Historic Site in 2018, and am excited to return back to the site and bookstore,” Yonkey said.
“I first heard about the Lowell Milken Center at Kansas Tourism Conference,” Yonkey added. “At the end of the presentation, all of us were at least misty-eyed. I knew then that I must visit. When I visited, I stood in awe of the heroes enshrined within. And their tales keep growing as the center’s programs recruit more storytellers.”
In December 2021, Yonkey’s publisher asked her to write the book “Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.” It will come out in the spring of 2023. Yonkey has been writing about Kansas for over 30 years. One Hundred Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die is her second book
In 2020, both travel writers co-authored, along with several other writers, the book Midwest Road Trip Adventures. That book includes road trip guides for 12 Midwest states.
Additional signings are scheduled throughout the state. Check the schedule at RoxieontheRoad.com/Signings.
We hope to see you in one of these Fort Scott attractions, May 5-6.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the Chamber Coffee this Thursday, April 28th at 8am. This week’s coffee will be hosted by Kiwanis Fort Scott Pioneers located at Gunn Park Shelter 3 at 1010 Park Ave. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.
Kiwanis is an organization that helps kids around the world. Local clubs look out for their communities and the international organization takes on large-scale challenges, such as fighting disease and poverty. Kiwanis Fort Scott Pioneers are passionate about making a difference for the children of Bourbon County. Helping kids grow and succeed is at the heart of everything they do.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Calista Ricards in her garden at 1301 S. Horton. Submitted photos.
The Little Flower Farm LLC owner, Calista Richards, sees herself as an artist.
“I love that you can simultaneously be an artist while being completely covered in sweat and dirt,” she said.
She grows, sells and delivers her product, cut flowers, from her home at 1301 S. Horton, as of January 2021.
“I provide fresh and local flowers in bouquets and arrangements,” Richards said. “The types of flowers change as the seasons change. You can tell what time of year it is by the contents of my bouquets and arrangements.”
The flower arrangements are available for delivery within Fort Scott city limits, for purchase at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market (On Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings), and for pickup on Horton Street at her home.
Directions On Picking Up
“When using Buzz for Blooms (1301 S. Horton) enter the southern driveway and go around the fence until you see a post in a pot with a sign that says Buzz for Blooms,” she said. “If I am not already outside, ring the doorbell found there and I will be out to assist you with your order. You can even customize your purchase by pointing to things you would like out in the field. Then, you exit out the northern driveway with your blooms– or future blooms– without ever having leave your car.”
Submitted photos.
About The Entrepreneur
“I graduated from high school in 2020, having been home schooled the whole time, and wanted to start a business instead of going to college,” she said. Richards believes college could not teach her what she wanted to know and “can lead to crushing debt,” she said. “I would not shackle myself with that.”
“There is nothing like being a part of the community this way,” she said. “Flowers are bought for every time of life: birth, death, joy, sorrow, great occasions, and no occasion at all. I want to see all these things and play my little part to bring beauty to all of it.”
The young entrepreneur is involved in the community, since opening her business
She is a member of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, the Bourbon County Garden Club, and a board member of the Fort Scott Public Library.
In addition, “I have participated in the downtown cleanup and have done numerous fundraisers for the local cancer support group Care to Share,” she said.
Richards wanted to start a business that she could operate out of her home.
“Zoning Section 20-601.05 Temporary Uses states that you may have a business made up of seasonal sales of farm or garden produce, bulbs, plantings, or cut flowers, on an individual’s place of residence and raised by the same individual, provided no structure is constructed for such use,” she said.
Richards is eldest of the six children of Jeremiah and Jennifer Richards.
“I have no employees but I cannot say I have no help,” she said. “My family has been nothing but supportive and are working so hard so I can live this dream. I could not have done it without them.”
The Tourism Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main. This meeting is open to the public.
The Tourism meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.
Students of Saint Martin’s Academy will be the featured entertainment at this week’s Friday Night Concert. The school currently has an enrollment of 56 boys, ages 13 to 18. The music department is under the direction of Dave Agee and Daniel Kerr.
“This lively group of young men will warm your heart with their endearing performances of folk, country, and gospel songs,“ concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “In addition to their musical talent, these students have proven to be an asset to the community with their willingness to help out in various areas. We are pleased to welcome Saint Martin’s Academy back to perform in our downtown pavilion. Bring a friend and join us for an enjoyable evening of music.”
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas of Parsons serves as sound technician each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to an indoor venue.
Sunflower Spreads is a mom & daughter duo who create specialty cheese boards for Manhattan, KS and the surrounding communities. They will be coming to Fort Scott to host this event on Wednesday, April 27th at 6pm.
This workshop includes:
In person instruction
Everything you need to create your own take home charcuterie box that serves 2-4 people
PDF instructions on how to build your own board at home, tips and tricks, how to shop for items, etc.
The Kansas Association of School Boards in coordination with the Ft. Scott school district is conducting an online survey to seek community input on desired characteristics of the next superintendent.
The survey will close at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, April 27.
Marty and Carrie Elton who purchased the two former Lyons Mansions on National Avenue and restarted a restaurant in the southern most one, is now reopening the northern bed and breakfast mansion.
“The name of the bed and breakfast will be Twin Mansions B and B,” Elton said. “Myself and Carrie are the owners and operators. We have decided to re-open to share the historic beauty of the mansions with everyone.”
The business was formerly owned by Larry and Pat Lyons.
Submitted photos.
“We also look forward to helping the community with more interesting and unique places to stay,” he said. “Tourism is vital to small towns and we look forward to being a bigger part of that industry. We will provide traditional bed and breakfast services.”
Submitted photos.
Breakfast( with a discounted rate) will be available at the Dry Wood Creek Cafe, which the Elton’s own and operate in the southern most mansion.
Submitted photos.
“We will provide not only rooms to rent but will have the main floor available for functions as well,” he said. “Our amenities will include all the standard hotel fair as well as manicured gardens, a Koi pond and a pool table.”
Submitted photos.
The address is 742 South National Avenue, Fort Scott, with reservations made through airbnb.com , vrbo.com, bedandbreakfast.com, and many other platforms, he said.
“We have five rooms available, one with an extra bedroom and Jack and Jill restroom,” Elton said.
Prices vary from weekday to weekend and discounted rates are available for business stays. The range is anywhere from $100 a night to $150.
“Myself and Carrie will still be onsite, we have moved to an apartment on the premises,” Elton said.
