|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring Open House March 24-25
Category Archives: Fort Scott
Fort Scott Receives Waste Tire Product Grant from KDHE
KDHE Announces Recipients of Waste Tire Product Grants
45 grants distributed to recipients across Kansas
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has announced the recipients of waste tire product grants.
“These grants will help handle the costs of proper disposal of many materials scrap tires and assist many important local efforts to promote litter and waste reduction. KDHE applauds the creativity and innovation that our communities have in reusing materials that help support the mission of protecting the health and environment of all Kansans” said Janet Stanek, Secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The grants are funded by revenue collected through the tire excise tax, a $0.25/vehicle tire fee.
The grants totaled $522,312.25, an almost 20 percent (19.8%) increase from 2022 were awarded to 45 organizations to fund projects that include the use of recycled tire products, including playground surfacing and picnic tables.
- Central Heights Elementary, Franklin – $886.50
- City of Andale, Sedgwick – $2,453.50
- City of Augusta, Butler – $1,167.00
- City of Bel Aire, Sedgwick – $1,617.00
- City of Chetopa, Labette – $4,468.00
- City of Eudora Parks and Recreation, Douglas – $1,556.00
- City of Fort Scott Aquatic Center, Bourbon – $2.835.00
- City of Frankfort, Marshall – $3,266.00
- City of Girard, Crawford – $2,695.00
- City of Gypsum, Saline – $4,376.00
- City of Hudson, Stafford – $13,485.00
- City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation, Douglas – $19,713.86
- City of Lebanon, Smith – $1,094.00
- City of Louisburg, Miami – $4,396.00
- City of Manhattan, Riley – $11,158.00
- City of Minneola, Clark – $4,250.84
- City of Mission Hills, Johnson – $12,582.50
- City of Mound Valley, Labette – $5,239.00
- City of Netawka, Jackson – $14,092.95
- City of North Newton, Harvey – $1,134.00
- City of Osage City, Osage – $14,106.40
- City of Ottawa, Franklin – $5,892.00
- City of Overbrook, Osage – $1,088.00
- City of Palco, Rooks – $11,232.00
- City of Parsons, Labette – $4,522.00
- City of Randall, Jewell – $886.50
- City of Salina, Saline – $31,800.00
- City of Sedgwick, Harvey – $2,072.00
- City of Sterling, Rice – $2,571.50
- City of Valley Falls, Jefferson – $2,599.00
- Larned Recreation Commission, Pawnee – $4,744.00
- Ozark Colony Cemetery District, Anderson – $1,917.00
- Resurrection Catholic School, Wyandotte – $14,222.45
- Saints Peter and Paul Playground Committee, Nemaha – $48,731.00
- USD 109 Republic County School, Republic – $9,165.00
- USD 202 Turner Sixth Grade Academy, Wyandotte – $37,099.55
- USD 258 Humboldt Schools, Allen – $3,166.50
- USD 267 Colwich Elementary, Sedgwick – $40,464.00
- USD 270 Plainville, Rooks – $11,855.00
- USD 299 Sylvan Unified Schools, Lincoln – $539.00
- USD 338 Valley Falls, Jefferson – $1,691.50
- USD 393 Soloman, Dickinson – $36,785.00
- USD 407 Russell School District, Russell – $31,176.00
- USD 484 Lincoln Elementary, Wilson – $49,770.70
- USD 493 Columbus Unified School District, Cherokee – $41,750.00
Visit, kdhe.ks.gov/700/ for information about their projects.
###
Retail and Now Cafe at the Former Scottish Rite Temple
Kathy Dancer, 49, and Tracy Dancer, 50, opened 110 South Main as a retail shop in the former Scottish Rite Temple in December and will be opening a cafe in the building this spring.
Retail
110 South Main Mercantile and Market features decor, gifts, and food from Kansas and the Midwest, Kathy said.
“We have great products from Kansas City Canning Company, Kansas City Caramels, Prairie Fire Candles, Bombshell Beauty, Finding Home Farms, Thompson’s Homemade Decor, and about 30 other small business partners,” she said. ” Our market vendors include many local artisans and craft people who produce glass art, textiles, furniture, cutting boards, keepsake boxes, home decor, pens, notebooks, and decorative signs. We recently added a line of chocolates from Andre’s Chocolates and popcorn and fudge from Simply Delightful.”
“The retail store will be expanding this spring and summer to offer additional space for market vendors and artists who have high-quality handcrafted items,” she said. Additional vendors and artists will be added as they expand the space.
Cafe
“We are also opening Cohn’s Cafe,” Kathy said. The restaurant is named after Sidney Cohn and his wife, who had a cafe and coffee shop in this space from 1926-1948, she said. The restaurant space was used by the Freemasons council as a kitchen and dining space for several decades after that.
“The cafe will feature locally sourced ingredients and will have breakfast and lunch for dine-in or carry-out,” she said. “We will source ingredients from local producers and will have a seasonally adjusted menu based on the availability of fresh, local vegetables, meats, and other ingredients. Our menu will include quiches, crepes, soups, salads, sandwiches, and pies and desserts. We plan to have grab-and-go items available as well.”
“The cafe will be the cornerstone for additional planned improvements to the building,” Kathy said. “We felt the cafe was a great way to share the building with the community while also supporting local artists, craftspeople, and food producers. We are excited to showcase some of the great products available in our community in both the retail space and cafe.”
Electrical Issues
The Dancer’s hope to open this spring, but are having a problem with electric service to the building.
“We will have all of our spaces ready and equipment in place by the end of March but we are still waiting for additional electric service so we can proceed with our inspections and licensing,” she said. “Unfortunately, there was extensive damage done to the electric service to the building while it was unoccupied prior to our purchase.”
“We have been working with our electrician to have adequate service reinstalled in the building but we are having to work around other utilities that were added in the alley,” Kathy said. “As soon as we have enough electricity to operate the commercial kitchen equipment and modern HVAC, we will finish licensing and begin training staff. We will announce opening dates on our social media pages, 110SouthMain and Cohn’sCafeonMain.
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT)Grant
The Dancer’s received a restaurant /retail grant in the amount of $7,000 from HBCAT.
“We are very excited to be named as a recipient of the HBCAT grant in the restaurant category,” Kathy said. “The grant will be used to help install the commercial kitchen for the cafe. We have several pieces of used equipment including a sink, ovens, and a commercial refrigerator that need minor repairs and installation. The balance of the funds will be used to acquire additional kitchen equipment including a commercial cook top, a commercial freezer, and a refrigerated table for salads and sandwiches.”
Contact info
FS City Commission Agenda for March 21
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
March 21, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
Roll Call:
- J. Jones T. Van Hoecke E. Woellhof K. Harrington M. Wells
- Flag Salute:
- Invocation:
- Approval of Agenda:
- Consent Agenda:
- Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of March 7, 2023, and special meeting of March 13, 2023.
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1331-A totaling $321,703.00
- Request to Pay – J. Richardson Construction – 17th & Eddy Stormwater
Improvements – $12,274.30
- February Financials
- Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion.
VII. Old Business:
- Sludge Removal Update – AMS and ADM Update – Scott Flater
- Presentation of RenoDry Report for Memorial Hall – Michael Clancy
- Consideration of proposal for Memorial Hall steps – Mid-Continental
Restoration, Co., Inc. – John Carrier
- Consideration of bid for Fort Scott Pavilion tabled from 3/7/2023
- Barnes lake lot easement – T. Russell
VIII. Appearances:
- Request to Close Riverfront Park for Care to Share Event – Cory Bryars
- Request for Donation to Good Ol’ Days – Shawn O’Brien
- Consideration of Temporary Street Closure – Tacos & Tailgates – 9/23/23
- Public Hearing:
- New Business:
- Consideration of Purchase of two (2) fire hydrants – B. Lemke
- Consideration of Banking Service Bids – B. Hart
- Consideration of 2023 Contract Mowing Bids
- Consideration of Schneider Electric – HVAC – Presentation of Cost Savings
- Consideration asphalt Williams St. – Bourbon Co. Public Works -$18,653.08
- Consideration of CDBG Sewer Project Inspection Proposal – J. Dickman
- Consideration of 15-Day Notice with Jeff Hancock
- Reports and Comments:
- City Manager Comments:
- Engineering Comments:
- Commissioners Comments:
- VanHoecke –
- Woellhof –
- Harrington –
- Jones –
- Wells –
- City Attorney Comments:
XII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)
XIII. Adjournment:
Elevate Fort Scott: Bringing Entertainment Events To Town
Elevate Fort Scott is one of several community “movers and shakers” groups that have have organized recently to improve the quality of life in the community.
“Besides our Elevate Fort Scott group there are several other groups that are making things happen and bringing great events to Fort Scott,” said Brad Matkin, one of the organizers of Elevate Fort Scott. “Advance Bourbon County, Fort Scott Forward, and others have been working very hard to bring in events and activities for our citizens and visitors to enjoy.”
“We are not only looking for a strong 2023 but are already planning some events for 2024 we feel everyone will enjoy and be excited about,” he said.
“While talking to one of the current members, I told them I felt I wanted to get a group together that wanted to make Fort Scott a place to be and to put on events that would make us a destination place plus add more things for our citizens to do,” Brad Matkin, group member said. “Even though I am the one that thought of getting this group together it is the six other members that make Elevate Fort Scott successful, they do the leg work and put in the time to make these events a reality.”
The group is comprised of Cory Bryars, Kirk Sharp, Jackson Tough, Josh Jones, Diane Striler, Lindsay Madison, and Matkin.
They first met last year around November, he said.
“The purpose of this group is to come up with positive ways and events to help Fort Scott grow, to show visitors what Fort Scott has to offer, and to get citizens involved in the many great things Fort Scott has to offer,” he said. “We are not trying to reinvent the wheel with the events we are working on, just trying to build off the already great events Fort Scott has to offer”
“Our goal is to think of an idea, work to get it started, then hand it off to a charity organization to put it on and raise money for their cause,” Matkin said. “Our group is not generating any funding for the events and are not involved in that part of the event; we just want to help get more things going in our great town and help the charities raise money.”
Events in The Works
“This group has been working on a lot of different ideas that are still in the early stages, but I can tell you we have added a BBQ cook-off that will share Riverfront Park with the second annual Care to Share/Sharing Bucket Fall Festival and Blues Festival,” he said.
“We are also working on a newly named Christmas on the Bricks that will take place of Christmas in the Park that has been a yearly tradition for Fort Scott,” Matkin said. “Christmas on the Bricks will offer the opportunity for the uptown shops to bring out their holiday flare and stay open late for holiday shopping. We are looking at this event to flow along right with the Christmas Parade, Artificers Christmas Shoppe, and the Annual National Historic Site Candlelight Tour. Some of the things we have already planned is a movie night, a Christmas concert, carolers, chili, and much more.”
“Some of the newest things this group has brought to life is a ‘Rock-N-Roll Karaoke’ which will allow people to sing with a real band,” he said. “This will be held at Memorial Hall on June 9th. ‘Almost Kiss’ will be at Memorial Hall on November 18th. They are a cover band for the Legendary Rock band Kiss and is one of only six Kiss tribute bands that former Kiss star Gene Simmons endorses.”
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
…
Sami Rogers Starts Handmade Baby Clothing Business
Sami Rogers, 21, started her business, The Baby Stitch, at the encouragement of her best friend, Chloe Mohn.
“I started with hairbows for my friend, Chloe, who had a baby,” Rogers said. “She suggested I start making bummies, a baby diaper cover. She said I had an eye for design.”
The only sewing she had been taught was in Fort Scott Middle School, “And it was a pillow,” she said.
She began looking on the internet.
“I got on Etsy and purchased patterns, and started on YouTube to learn the techniques of sewing,” she said.
For her business, she makes baby clothes, which include bummies, hairbows, bell bottom pants, leggings, shirts and joggers.
“I only make baby and toddler clothing, up to size 3-4 Toddler,” she said. “Everything is handmade.”
Go to her website to order: http://the-baby-stitch.myshopify.com
The Baby Stitch is also on Facebook and Instagram.
About Rogers
Rogers is a 2020 graduate of Fort Scott High School and attended Fort Scott Community College.
At age 19, while a freshman at FSCC, she started her business.
She is a recent recipient of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) grant for women, minorities or low income to start up a business, in the amount of $5,000.
“Dacia Clark was amazing to help you,” Rogers said.
Clark is Assistant Director of the Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University, with an office in the HBCAT office at 104 N National Ave, Fort Scott.
The HBCAT Phone is (620) 215-2892
“They help with a business plan, expense projection,” she said.
Rogers had applied for a grant previously, but wasn’t accepted.
“I felt defeated,” she said. “I do run a business and the grant would help me, so I reached out again. They gave pointers to improve the application.”
She applied again, and received the grant, which she plans to use on a serger sewing machine, fabric and specialty scissors to “help get the product out the door.”
Catholic Fish Fry Continues Until March 31 to Benefit Rebuild of Mary Queen of Angels Church
The Knights of Columbus organization at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church will offer three more Friday Fish Dinners in support of the rebuilding of the church.
The church was struck by lightening in August, 2022 and and a fire ensued which destroyed the building.
March 17, March 24, and March 31 are the last three dates and will end the annual fish dinners for the year.
The dinners always precede Good Friday, which is April 7 this year.
The community is invited to the dinner, which is from 5 to 7 p.m. and is a free-will donation event.
Free Trees From Kiwanis
April 22, 2023 is Earth Day.
It is also the day that the Fort Scott Kiwanis have set aside to plant 90 trees.
The trees were purchased through a grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
This year we have flowering Redbud trees and two types of shade trees, Swamp Chestnut Oak, and Water Oak.
The Kiwanis will supply and plant the tree on 4/22/23. To request a tree, call or text Craig Campbell at 620-224-0167.
Your only obligation is to water and nurture the tree.
FS Design Review Board Meets March 20
The Fort Scott Design Review Board will meet on Monday, March 20th at 3:00PM. It will be held at City Hall and is open to the public.
Two Projects on Skubitz Plaza Started
Citizens have noticed activity on Skubitz Plaza, west and south of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Radell Construction, Pittsburg, is running trenches underneath Skutbitz Plaza for CrawKan Telephone, to the FSNHS, according to Jill Jaworski, Superintendent of FSNHS.
“This is to improve connectivity to the Fort,” she said.
They were hoping to get the trenching done before the Fort Scott Splash Pad project begins.
The piles of dirt are for that project.
“The dirt is to level the ground for the splash pad,” Josh Jones, who is part of the Fort Scott Splash Pad and Sensory Park committee.
That project is expected to be started next week, he said.
Chamber Coffee hosted by Briggs of Fort Scott on March 16
Chamber Coffee hosted by Briggs of Fort Scott
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the weekly Chamber Coffee on Thursday, March 16th at 8am hosted by Briggs of Fort Scott, 1819 S. Main St. in the Ford Showroom. Briggs will be celebrating their 7th anniversary in the community and 40th anniversary corporate-wide with additional locations in Manhattan and Topeka. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to door prize drawings.
The primary focus of Briggs is on building relationships with their customers and to make the car buying experience fast, easy, and hassle-free. Brands sold out of the Fort Scott dealership include Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Wagoneer. In addition, they offer Fiat, KIA, Nissan, and Subaru at the other locations. Briggs also offers a variety of automotive maintenance and repair services on all the brands they sell and more.
Chamber Coffees are held each Thursday at 8am for members to network, make announcements, and learn about the host business or organization. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information or to inquire about available dates for hosting a Coffee.