Horton Street will be lined with spectators for the fireworks display on July 3.
Americans traditionally celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and the fireworks season in Fort Scott starts on Tuesday, June 27.
The Fort Scott community fireworks display will be July 3 at dusk from the Fort Scott Community College softball fields, with spectators lining Horton Street for viewing.
There are new organizers this year.
In April, Josh Jones and Aaron Judy, two local businessmen, found out that the Elks Club was no longer going to provide the fireworks for the annual event.
“They did a good job through the years, but didn’t want to take it on anymore,” Josh Jones said.
Josh Jones.Th
Judy and Jones are the coordinators of the event, through the Advance Bourbon County 501c3 organization.
Helping to sponsor the fireworks event is Fort Scott Gun and Pawn Shop, the City of Fort Scott, Tall Grass Building System, the American Legion, the Elks Club, Brian Bowman Construction, Engstrom Construction, the Kiwanis Club and A-1 Towing.
“Last year it cost about $11,000 for the fireworks show,” Jones said.
Enjoy Some Food While Waiting
There will be local vendors selling food and drinks: Juan Some Grub, Fort Scott High School Swim Team-lemonade tent, Valley Flavor, Tiger Ice Sno Cones, Doggone Dogs, and Los Tres Pollitos, Judy said.
Additionally, there will be corn hole and other yard games for people to use, he said.
These will be set up in the area between the FSCC John Deere Department (the old armory) and the 4-H Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, Judy said.
Aaron Judy from his Facebook page.
For other upcoming community events that Advance Bourbon County sponsors go to:
During the event, there can be no fireworks discharged from 18th Street and Horton Street to 23rd and Horton, according to Fort Scott Police Department Chief Jason Pickert.
“They cannot be discharged on the community college campus or on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds,” he said.
Fireworks can be purchased from June 27 to July 4.
From June 27 to July 2 they can be discharged from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. On July 3 and July 4 they can be discharged from 7 a.m. until midnight.
The Tucker Music Studio recital was held at the First Presbyterian Church in 2012. Pictured is piano student Taylor Cation, left, with teacher Carolyn Tucker, right. Submitted photo.
Carolyn Tucker Presents “Music of a Lifetime” Concert
This week the Friday Night Free Concert in Fort Scott will be indoors.
Carolyn Tucker will present her “Music of a Lifetime” concert on Friday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford Street.
The evening will feature some of the gospel music that has impacted Carolyn’s life. The selections will be both piano and vocal, including three piano solos. The music will feature camp-meeting songs such as, “This World is Not My Home,“ beloved hymns, spirituals, southern-gospel classics by songwriter Dottie Rambo, and one original song, “His Sweet Love.”
“Carolyn ‘cut her teeth’ on the music of the church and southern gospel,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Coming from a long line of musicians on her mother’s side, as a young child, she consistently begged her parents for a piano and they soon complied. She began studying piano at the age of nine and quickly discovered that she could also play by ear. Years later, her father affirmed that buying a new piano for his daughter was the best investment he ever made. She has a lifetime of involvement playing and singing for church, funerals, weddings, concerts, retirement facilities, and other venues.”
Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the event complete with comfortable seating and air-conditioning. The one-hour free concert is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dusty Drake waves to bystanders of the parade in 2022. Submitted photos,
“Come One, Come All, Let Freedom Ring! It is once again time to celebrate U.S.A.’s 247th Independence Day with a neighborhood parade on Fort Scott’s Tower Hill better known as Burke Street on the Fourth of July,” according to a press release from Barb Albright.
The Annual Burke Street Parade kicks-off at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4, with The Pledge of Allegiance led by Louie Dunkeson, and kids’ singing patriotic songs. The singing became a tradition following the September 11 attack on America, in 2001, she said.
But the parade dates back over four decades, 41 years ago.
“The parade began as a neighborhood event,” Albright said. “Today the general public is more than welcome to participate, bring a lawn chair and sit along the parade route , and partake in the post-parade social.”
Matt Karleskint and daughters, Alli, Lilli and Gracie Jo. Submitted photos.
Following patriotic songs by “Kids on Burke” led by two of the parade founders: Susan Foster and Jill Gorman; the parade will depart at 10 a.m. from Tenth and Burke Street going south around the Marblecrest Street Triangle and returning north to the point of origin, according to the press release. Traditionally, cheering spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for comfortable seating and dress in red, white, and blue. Spectators line the parade route with family and friends.
“Post-parade refreshments will be served and ALL ARE WELCOME to the front yard of “Lady Liberty” and “Uncle Sam” also known as Margaret and Merl Humphrey, 1024 Burke,” Albright said. “Margaret is another founder of the event. Neighbors and friends-of-the-parade donate the cookies, and drinks are provided by this year’s hosts Bryan and Julie Buchta.”
Maya Brown, grand-daughter of Jingles and Diana Endicott. Submitted photos.
A severe storm or lightning strikes cancels the parade and there are no large vehicles allowed due to the many children participating in the festivities.
Parade questions can be answered by Margaret Humphrey 620-223-0388 or Theresa Bahr 620-215-2889.
Parade spectators: Sheryl Bloomfield and Martha Jane Gentry. Submitted photos.
History of the Burke Street Parade
This history information was gathered by Barb Albright from the following sources: Fort Scott Tribune articles, online Fort Scott.Biz articles, and a co-founder Margaret Humphrey interview.
“Over 40-years ago local Fort Scott resident Susan Stapleton Foster was visiting her brother Dr. Burder Stapleton’s family in Memphis, TN, over the Fourth of July. She was fascinated with the neighborhood parades celebrating Independence Day, and returned home to share the idea of a patriotic parade with her Burke Street neighbors Margaret Humphrey and Jill Gorman.
“According to Margaret Humphrey, the first parades were small going north on Burke past Mercy Hospital and turning back to the south. A few spectators would come out to see the parade pass and send encouraging cheers to the participants. After the parade there would be neighbors gathering for cookies and conversations.
“Today the Burke Street Parade remains a patriotic tradition thanks to kids on their bicycles, parents pushing baby strollers, men riding lawn mowers, owners walking their costumed pets, folks marching, and last… but not least, the flag-waving spectators along the parade route in their red, white, and blue attire.
As the crowd has grown, so has the refreshment table with many contributors dropping off cookies prior to the parade. This year’s hosts are 1002 Burke newcomers to Fort Scott, Bryan and Julie Buchta who will be serving post-parade cookies and drinks in the Humphrey’s front yard at 1024 Burke.”
Kolby Martinez, 21, is born and raised in Fort Scott, according to his cousin Alexis Wilson, Fort Scott.
“He enjoys fishing at Fort Scott Lake, and Gunn Park pond,” she said. “On June 16, 2023 he caught his new personal record of a 50-pound catfish at Fort Scott Lake, using bluegill for bait.”
“He loves fishing and does it as a hobby,” said Wilson.
Kolby is open to helping newcomers learn how to fish, she said.
Alan Cunningham to Perform for Summer Reading on June 20
Musician Alan Cunningham is a long-time favorite performer for the Fort Scott Public
Library’s summer reading program. He will perform on June 20 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Hall.
Alan is an educator who writes and performs his original music with the help of young volunteers from his audience. Learn more about Alan’s work at his website:
Library performances are free and open to the public. This event is part of the library’s summer reading program. Learn more about and register for the program at:
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
June 20, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
T. VanHoecke K. Harrington E. Woellhof M. Wells
II. Pledge of Allegiance:
III. Invocation: M. Wells
IV. Appointment of Office:
Consideration of Letters of Interest for City Commissioner’s Vacancy effective June 20, 2023 – December 31, 2025. Letters were submitted from Stephen Doherty, Dyllon Olson, Tracy Dancer, Pete Allen, Janice Allen, Ann Rawlins, and Melissa Guns.
1. Selection of Commissioner 2. Oath of Office
V. Approval of Agenda:
VI. Recognitions:
Fire Chief Dave Bruner to recognize Scott Shelton and Mike Miles who completed the K.U. Emerging Leaders Academy. City Manager Brad Matkin recognizes the Water Distribution and Wastewater Crew for their outstanding work with the water main break on May 18, 2023.
VII. Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 6, 2023
B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1338-A — $
C. Request to Pay – Bennett Construction, Inc. via Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project – Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 1 – Work done May 1, 2023 – June 2, 2023 – $176,350.50
D. Requesst to Pay – Ray Lindsey – Invoice#2023111 – Grit Removal – 10% Invoice per terms of payment for Supply and Removal of Smith & Loveless Grit Equipment per contract – $60,701.10
D. Approval of Drinking Establishment License Renewal for Don’s Spirits and Wines LLC, 1705 S. National for 2023-2025
E. Approval of Drinking Establishment License Renewal for Libation Station, 1122 S. Clark St. for 2023-2025
F. May Financials – waiting on approval from Ben Hart
VIII. Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.
IX. Old Business:
A. Approval of Change Order No. 1 – 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project Construction Inspection – Earles Enginering and Inspection – $233,292.86 – J. Dickman
B. Consideration of Phase II Aeration Upgrade to Cell 1B and the Inlet of Cell 2 for Wastewater Treatment Plant – J. Dickman
X. Appearances: Request for Temporary Street Closure – Waiting on application
XI. Public Hearing: None
XII. New Business:
A. Approval to go out for bids for Sanitary Sewer for Evergy Infantry Substation – J. Dickman
XIII. Reports and Comments:
A. City Manager Comments: Discussion on Advisory Boards from Work Session
B. Engineering Comments:
C. Commissioners Comments:
T. VanHoecke –
E. Woellhof –
K. Harrington –
M. Wells –
New Commissioner –
Fort Scott’s newest park is slated to open Summer 2023 – and there is still time to etch your name on the permanent signage (see below) recognizing the generosity of all donors who made it possible!! The all-inclusive, fully accessible Splashpad & Sensory Park will offer children and their families a fun, safe, barrier-free space to play, laugh, interact, and feel like they belong – regardless of their abilities. The support of this project has been a monumental community effort thus far, and the committee sends a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who has donated their time, talent, and treasure.
Donations are still being accepted, but to ensure a spot on the signage, they MUST be made by Friday, June 23rd! You can give on behalf of businesses, organizations, and individuals, or make a gift in memory/honor of someone special. To arrange your tax-deductible donation, call Bailey Lyons at (620) 224-7795. Make a lasting impact and be forever remembered!
Care to Share Cancer Support Group/The Sharing Bucket needs YOUR support!
We are having our 2nd Annual
FortFest on September 29th and 30th, 2023.
Friday night there will be a Street Dance featuring two local bands outside at Sharky’s, 16 North National, 7pm to 11pm.
Saturday in Riverfront Park, 400 North National, noon-10pm, we will offer a full day of fun:
o Blues bands from Kansas City, Springfield, Fayetteville, and beyond
o Local Fort Scott/Bourbon County Musicians
o Kids’ Fall Festival (12-6)
o Art In The Park and LOTS of Craft Vendors
o Kornhole Tournament
o Food Trucks & BBQ Contest, Beer Tent
Like the first FortFest, attendance will be free, so we are reaching out to our Care to Share community for sponsors. The bands are costly, and they are worth it, so we are offering sponsor levels of $ 100.00, $250.00, $400.00, $500.00 to help offset expenses. Of course, any amount is greatly appreciated. See next page for official details. The event is Rain of Shine thanks to the City and Memorial Hall.
If you want to be the exclusive sponsor of one of our bands, we can tailor a custom donation plan—tell us what you are thinking and I bet we can make it happen!
We will make posters and flyers and announcements indicating sponsors and you will be mentioned several times throughout our event. And, we will be glad to hang a banner if you have one.
Care To Share Cancer Support Group began in 2007.
Our mission statement is:
Caring and Sharing with our local cancer fighters and their families.
Last year we cared and shared financially 1274 times, totaling $97,137.89.55 ALL within Bourbon, Crawford, and Linn County!
If you Care to Share through FortFest23 with a donation to help make it happen, it would be greatly appreciated. We feel so blessed and grateful for our caring and sharing community.
Please mail your tax-deductible check to:
Care To Share Cancer Support Group, Inc., P.O. Box 133,
The Lake Advisory Board Meeting scheduled for Saturday, June 17TH, 9:00AM at City Hall has been canceled. The new date will be announced in the near future.
Left to right: Martin Hudecek-Ashwill, Martin Ashwill II (rear), Adam Ashwill, Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill in this 2017 submitted photo.
The 42nd annual bicycle “Race Across America” will pass through Fort Scott this week, according to a press release.
The bicyclists will cross the length of the American continent, over 3000 miles from Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean, stopping to sleep only when necessary. The average sleep time for a solo is 2-3 hours per day.
Along the route, they pass 54 time stations, spaced approximately 50 miles apart, where their crew must call RAAM headquarters to report the rider’s or team’s arrival time and any other important news.
The Fort Scott Time Station 30 is the 1,778.6 Mile mark.
“Our family runs the time station (Time Station 30) for Race Across America,” said Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill. “We’ve been doing it since 2015 and have entertained hundreds of cyclists and crews from all over the world.”
The family runs the time station from their house at 21 N. Caldwell, Fort Scott.
“We provide a place for the racers and crews to rest, get some food and water, use the bathroom, and we provide escort service to any stores they might want to go to and to Buck Run (Community Center)for showers,” Kristi said. We also fly their nation’s flag on Wall Street and cheer for them as they approach. It is a festive atmosphere and many racers and crew members have said this is the best time station on the route.”
The community provides for the visitors as well.
“Walgreens provides water, Fort Cinema provides popcorn, Taco Bell provides tacos, Dominos provides pizza, and the refrigerator is provided by Rent-A-Center, 4-States Sanitation provides trash bins,” she said. “In addition, Buck Run lets racers and crew members take showers there.”
“Martin also has a small repair shop here where he fixes their bicycles if they need him to,” she said. “He’s a bike mechanic and has an array of tools that the bike mechanic on the team may not have.”
Pictured is the kitchen of the Ashwill family. The family gets food donations from area businesses for the racers.
“Race Across America is an annual international 3000+ mile bicycle race that starts in Oceanside, California and ends in Annapolis, Maryland and runs right through Fort Scott,” she said. “The solos have to make it in 12 days while the teams have to make it in 9 days. There are various times for women and older riders and teams, but the finish times are all around the numbers given.”
This year their are 31 solos and 16 teams.
“One of the teams is a four-man team from Germany in the age category of 80-84,” she said. “They have nine days, 12 hours provided they leave with the solos.”
“The race starts on June 13 and we expect the first rider to arrive on June 18 or 19, depending on how things go in the desert.”
By June 22, all riders should be through the area.
“It gets so hot out there (in the desert) that sometimes the riders succumb to the heat and end up not finishing the race. The forecast for this year is that it’s supposed to be cooler and, if that’s the case, there won’t be as many DNF’s and this time station will be very busy. We are every year, but this will make it even more so.”
“DNF means Did Not Finish,” she said. “Nobody wants that, but it does happen often during this race.”
Martin Hudecek-Ashwill with Christoph Strasser from Austria.
The time station in Fort Scott will be staffed with enthusiastic volunteers and provide a festival-like atmosphere for spectators of all ages and the traveling group of racers and crews as they pass through the community, according to the press release from Ashwill.
The manned time station is located at 21 N. Caldwell and is an open house to all racers and crew, she said.
“Race officials are invited to take their sleep at the Time Station 30 house instead of spending money at a hotel or sleeping in their cars, which is the majority case,” Ashwill said. “In 2015 we opened our house for the event and the racers and crew loved it. It is the first time that the Race Across America actually had a house opened up to them.”
May-Brit Christiansen from Norway, Adam Ashwill, Johnny Stausholm, from Norway, Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill, Martin Hudecek-Ashwill holding the flag of Norway in this 2017 submitted photo. “Johnny was the rider and had to DNF in Arizona, but still drove to Fort Scott to see the time station and brought gifts for Adam,” Kristi said.
“This is the only time station that has been in RAAM movies, one of which was shown at the AMC Theater in Olathe,” Kristi said. “The movies have been on airlines and have been shown all over the world.”
The time station members with Stefan Schlegel and his crew from Germany in 2017. Schlegel had to quit the race at this time station for health reasons and threw a barbecue for the family and anyone who happened to walk by,
Free Photography Workshops Sponsored by
Kansas State University Art Department
Fort Scott, Kan. June. 14, 2023 – Shreepad Joglekar, Associate Professor of Photography at Kansas State University and Professional Photographer, Veretta Cobler will provide free workshops series on working with film and digital photography.
These in-depth workshops are designed to help any beginner, student, novice and the professional learn how to get the most out of their film or digital cameras, or even cell phones. More experience photographers will learn some techniques to help them improve and enhance their work.
Interested participants are encouraged to attend the whole series to benefit the most.
These workshops will also help to prepare photographers to be part of the Back to Fort Scott, Now project in taking photos with the reimaging of Gordon Parks photographs that he had taken in 1950 for a LIFE magazine assignment.
The workshops will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, Friday, July 7, 2023 and Friday, August 11, 2023. The times for each of the workshops will be 10:00a.m. – 12:00p.m
The workshops are free to attend, but registration to attend each the workshops is required. Registration is available either online at http//www.gordonparkscenter.org/events, or by phone 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 or by email at [email protected]
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Licensed Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Jannah Farrington as the Licensed Tiger Team Member of the Month.
Left U234 Superintendent Destry Brown and Jannah Farrington. Submitted photo.
Farrington is a Special Education teacher at Fort Scott Middle School. Mrs. Farrington organizes the Special Olympics held for students and coordinates going to Pitt State for participation. She is always positive and trying to find what is the best for kids. Mrs. Farrington has taught for USD 234 for 12 years.
Classified Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Cheryl Marsh as the Classified Tiger Team Member of the Month.
Destry Brown and Cheryl Marsh. Submitted photo.
Marsh is a Kitchen Manager at Fort Scott High School. Cheryl is gracious and kind to everyone. She has a can-do attitude and does what is best for schools. Mrs. Marsh has been with USD 234 for 25 years.
Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Bill Michaud as the Volunteer of the Year. Mr. Michaud is the coordinator of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce mentoring program that matches local leaders with Fort Scott High School students.
Destry Brown and Bill Michaud. Submitted photo.
Board Members shared comments.
Superintendent Destry Brown provided an update to the board on services provided by the school nurses in the district, shared information regarding the Core Community program, discussed a June 27th special board meeting for the purposes of closing down the budget and other end of year items. He also noted two grants that had been applied for: Safe and Secure Grant and Mental Health Grant.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on end of year data, highlighting celebrations, curricular and assessment team progress, Science Resources, the new assessment program, and Summer Enrichment.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, updated the board on new employee orientation, USD 234 job fair to be held on July 11th & 12th at the FSMS Community space, and final categorical aid numbers for Special Education.
The board approved changing the regular July board meeting from July 10th to July 17th, still to be held at the Board of Education, 424 S. Main Street, at 5:30 p.m.
Superintendent Brown shared information with the board in regard to adoption of a policy related to out-of-district student enrollment.
The board approved the following items:
Workers Compensation Renewal 2023-24 – KASB Workers Comp
Trash Bid & Recommendation – 5-year bid to 4 State Sanitation
Audit Contract for the year ending June 30, 2023, with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPAs
Ratification of Negotiated Agreement for 2023-24, including changes to Supplemental Salary Schedule
