Category Archives: Fort Scott

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

New President for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta and A Swap Meet May 6-7

2 Comments
Craig Shikles. Taken from Facebook.

For those looking for unique items, this weekend the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta (PHF) Swap Meet will be happening at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street.

“You can find tractor parts, crafts, lots of odds and ends,” PHF President Craig Shikles (Pronounced “Shy-kullz.”) said. “It is coinciding with the (Fort Scott) town wide yard sale.”

“We will be serving biscuits and gravy with real gravy, not from the box,” he said. “For lunch we will be selling hot dogs and brats, tips and also home made desserts.”

“We will be located in the cattle barn at the fairgrounds,” he said. “So no matter what weather, we will be under cover.”

The swap meet will be Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta

The first weekend in October is the traditional annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, this year Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2.

The event kicks off with a parade of antique, classic farm implements and more through Fort Scott’s historic downtown on Thursday, September 29 at 6 PM.

Experience educational and historic exhibits, refreshments and live musical entertainment all weekend. All three days are alive with steam engines, blacksmiths, food and flea market vendors, drag saw demonstrations, tractors and gas engines on display, Baker Fan demonstrations.

The public is invited to also enjoy  arts and crafts, quilt show, straw bailing, wheat thrashing, corn husking/shelling, rock crushing, saw mill operation, and many more  events!

Kick off fall in the four-state’s region by attending the 66th annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in  Fort Scott.

About the New President

Shikles, 67, was elected president in December 2021 of PHF.

“I had been president before,” he said.

He is retired from Missouri State University as a custodial foreman in the residential life department, he said.

Shikles became a part of PHF about 30 years ago, following a interest in steam engines, he said.

He is a licensed steam engine operator, one of three at the PHF.

“Steam engines are unique,” he said. “You put water in them…and they become alive. Wood is the fuel. It’s an external combustion engine. You start with cold water and it takes four hours to get them up to 360 degrees steam. They are really powerful.”

 

From the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta website.

 

Contacts for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta

The PHF meets at 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Yeager Building at the fairgrounds. Dues are $10 a year.

Fort Scott, Schools

Graduation Season Starts: New Generation Preschool (For the Last Time)

Leave a comment
New Generation Preschool graduates sing “Moving Up To Kindergarten” for their parents and grandparents on May 3, 2022.

It’s May, the time for graduations throughout the county.

On May 3,  the 15 New Generation Preschool students performed songs for their loved ones during a graduation ceremony.

The graduates were featured on a bulletin board at the entrance to the preschool.
The list of all the preschool graduates.

Amy Boyd, director of the childcare facility, introduced the teachers and thanked them for all they have done for the children during the year. Preschool teachers are Cynthia Witham, Angel Harper and AnnaMarie Simon.

Just before the graduation program started, Linda Logan, a trainer and program coordinator for Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children, presented Boyd and Beth Nuss, administrator of the New Generation, with a recognition of their 32 years commitment to young children.

Amy Boyd, left and Beth Nuss, right, were given recognition from the Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children organization. Linda Logan, KAEYC coordinator and trainer, middle, presented the recognition before the final preschool graduating class program on May 3, 2022.

Boyd and Nuss are retiring.

“As of May 13, we are finished with this building,” Nuss said in an interview. “New owners will start in about a week after that.”

The New Generation staff offered a child-centered and developmentally appropriate program for children ages two weeks through grade school age.
“The last two years through the COVID-19 Pandemic have been challenging with children and staff continually in and out of care due to precaution, quarantine, and illness,” according to a sign on the door of the childcare facility at 1502 Scott Avenue in March.
“Workforce challenges, in general, have made it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain qualified employees.”
“We have appreciated the partnership with USD234 operating preschool out of our facility the past three years,” according to the sign.
New Generation, Inc. opened its doors on September 1, 1990, seeking to provide quality care of children and offered both daycare and preschool services.

 

New Generation Daycare and Preschool.

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Drywood Creek Cafe May 5

Leave a comment
Join us for this week’s
Chamber Coffee!
Hosted by Dry Wood Creek Café
Thursday, May 5th, 8am
750 S. National Ave.
Marty and Carrie Elton purchased the two former Lyons Mansions on National Avenue in June 2021. A new chapter for the Twin Mansions started when the Elton family opened the Mansion at 750 S. National as Dry Wood Creek Café. It is a Historical bed and breakfast with a restaurant and bar on site. Dine in or take out and let comfort ignite your tastebuds
Visit Dry Wood Creek’s Facebook page HERE!
Visit Dry Wood Creek’s website HERE!
Thank you to our Chamber Champions listed below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools

Fort Scott Christian Heights Country Store and Auction May 7

Leave a comment
Fort Scott Christian Heights
56th Annual
Country Store & Auction
Saturday, May 7th | Opens at 9am
Crusader Charge
5k and 2 Mile Fun Run
Saturday, May 7th
Register below.
Country Store: 9am-3pm
The entire gym and all of the classrooms will be filled with items for sale.
Also featuring a big bakery room with every treat imaginable.
Buffet Dinner: 4pm
Fried chicken, B-B-Q Beef, Salads, Rolls and Handmade Pies
Adults $6 | Children $3
Benefit Auction: 6pm
NEW & USED items from local businesses and individuals will be auctioned. All proceeds will be used to purchase needed equipment for the school.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Race and fun walk will be conducted on Margrave Street.
Registration begins at 7A.M. on Margrave between 10th & 12th Streets.
Race and walk begin at 7:30A.M.
Entry Fee: $15.00
Categories:
Male- 12-18 years Female- 12-18 years
Male- 19-30 years Female- 19-31 years
Male- 31years & up Female- 31 years & up
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

McCoy: Encouraging Small Businesses Through REDI

Leave a comment
Mark McCoy. Submitted photo.

Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. has created a small business development division and Mark McCoy has been volunteering as coordinator in that endeavor since March 15, 2022.

“We want to help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Bourbon County: exploring a business opportunity, expanding a business and knowing how to grow the business,” McCoy said.

“I am happy to work with anybody and we could gather at any location,” he said. ” I work by appointment”

Currently, hours are set for Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the REDI office on the second floor of the Landmark Bank at 200 S. National.

Landmark Bank houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.

McCoy can be reached at 620.719.7841 for more information or an appointment.

McCoy’s Business Background

McCoy brings with him a business background of most recently interim City of Fort Scott Manager, until the current one was hired.

Prior to that he has 46 years of business experience owning and operating McDonald’s Restaurants.

His first 27 years he worked in the McDonald’s Corporation in California.

“I operated, supervised and was operations manager, responsible for 13 restaurants,” he said. “Then I worked with owner-operators in business development operations.”

“I worked from ground-breaking to opening, 58 restaurants in California, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska,” he said. “I opened the first McDonald’s in Jamaica.”

 

Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

About REDI

Rob Harrington is the executive director of Bourbon County REDI.

“He is the economic director for both the City of Fort Scott and  Bourbon County, with a contract with each,” McCoy said.

REDI is currently looking for people to fill a grant writing position and additionally a administrative assistant position.

The Mission of REDI:

“To enable quality business retention, expansion and recruitment in Fort Scott and Bourbon County by coordination of the community assets as well as local, state, and federal grants and incentives,” according to information on the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce website.

Their goal is to facilitate business retention and the growth of employment. To  accomplish this they work with current employers as well as the recruitment of businesses that improve the quality of life for the citizens of the community.

Contact information:

Bourbon County REDI (Regional Economic Development, Inc.)
BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council)
Rob Harrington, Director
200 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS  66701
(620) 215-0144
[email protected]

Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

FSHS Prom This Saturday, May 7

Leave a comment
Front from right to left, Abby Altic, Alexa Bukowski, Elli Milburn
Back:  Dominic Bishop, Shekhar Gugnani, Thade Yates.
The Fort Scott High School Junior and Senior Prom will be on May 7th, 2022 from 8:00 to 11:00 PM, at Liberty Theater.   Walk-in will begin at 6:30 that night.


Submitted by Bert Lewis FSHS Student Council Sponsor, Senior & Junior Class Sponsor, Key Club Sponsor, Ed Rising Sponsor,  and Scholars’ Bowl Coach.
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Friday Night Free Concert: Stephan Moses

Leave a comment
Stephan Moses. Submitted.

Stephan Moses will be the guest performer at this week’s Friday Night Concert. Moses is a songwriter vocalist and musician who plays guitar, banjo, and mandolin. He performs a variety of genres and this week’s show will feature Blues music.

 

“Formerly from Kansas City, and currently residing in Nevada, Moses began playing music at age ten, and he knows his way around the stage,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Moses has a rich family heritage in music from his grandfather and uncle and hearing their music as a youngster left a strong impression on him. As a vocalist and musician of excellence, we are pleased to welcome Stephan Moses back to the park pavilion. Come out and join us for a great evening of friendship and 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 the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

Fort Scott, Schools

USD234 News Release

Leave a comment

NEWS RELEASE

 

Friday, April 29, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 424 S. Main for a special board meeting on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

The board approved participation in the KanAWARE Grant.

Board members discussed the timeline and process of the superintendent search.

Board members approved removing the following agenda items:

 

·       An executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel

·       Consider employment

 

The board adjourned

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 Superintendent Search Update

Leave a comment

 

USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

April 29, 2022

 

Message for Stakeholders:

 

On behalf of the board, we would like to update our stakeholders and staff on the Superintendent Search process, specifically the opportunities for input and feedback on candidates.

 

The first opportunity was with the online survey, there was an amazing response – thank you. The next opportunity for feedback will occur during the candidate interview process.

 

There will be two “meet and greet” receptions open to all staff and community members during the candidate’s visit and tour of our district.

On each day of finalist interviews, scheduled for May 10, 11 and/or 12, the district will host public receptions at 4:00 p.m. and again at 5:30 p.m. It is our hope that providing two times on each day will allow staff and community to select the time that best fits their personal and work schedules.

 

KASB will collect feedback from each of these events and provide the data to the board for consideration. More specific information regarding location and specific dates will be shared as soon as the board determines the number of finalists for interviews.

 

The USD 234 Board of Education wants to use the opportunities provided through the search process to engage the voices of our staff and patrons in helping us identify the best course forward for our district.

Submitted by

USD 234 Fort Scott Board of Education

 

Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Local Agricultural Animals Photo Contest Starts Today

Leave a comment
A local agriculture business is sponsoring a photo contest that will feature cattle, goats and sheep.
“We are starting our annual photography contest today and wanted to make sure residents of Fort Scott had the opportunity to participate as well,” said Sam Raney, Marketing Coordinator at ReproLogix.

It’s time for another Photo Contest!!📸

Here’s how to enter:

 

✅Email a picture of your entry to [email protected].

✅Include in your email: your name, age, address, and phone number.

Limit one (1) entry per person, per category.

(You can submit one Small Ruminant and one Cattle picture.)

Contest begins April 29th, 2022 and ends May 13th , 2022

1 like = 1 vote. Images will be posted The winners will be announced on Friday August 27th.

First place winner will receive a $1000 Visa Gift Card.

Second place winner will receive a $500.00 Visa Gift Card.

Third place winner will receive a $250.00 Visa Gift Card.

All entries become the property of Reprologix and may be used or reproduced in any manner and for any purpose by Reprologix without additional consent or compensation, and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Image.jpeg
Bourbon County, Exercise, Fort Scott

Prayer Walk Next Thursday Eve at Riverfront Park

Leave a comment
Pioneer Kiwanis, taken from its’ Facebook page.

Fort Scott Pioneers Kiwanis  Club will host a prayer walk for the National Day of Prayer on May 5 at  Riverfront Park on North National Avenue near the Marmaton River.

The tall deciduous trees give shade to walkers on the Belltown Trail in Riverfront Park.

“It worked so well last year during (the) COVID-19 (Pandemic),” said Marlene Braker, treasurer for the group. “When COVID hit we couldn’t host the annual breakfast event (which is held) at Fort Scott Community Collge.”

This year when they began planning the event, there were still COVID constraints, so they decided to do the prayer walk again, which allows for small groups in the open air.


The walk will take place between 4:30 – 6 p.m. The public is invited to stroll the loop and stop at each of four designated reflection points to pray.

“It’s a nice level path, with benches to sit and pray,” Braker said.

Unless there are storm warnings out, the event will take place, she said.

Parking near the trailhead is limited but overflow parking is available at Twister Trailers across the street.

2022 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER THEME

Graphic taken from the National Day of Prayer website.

The theme for the 2022 National Day of Prayer is a call to praise in prayer:

‘EXALT THE LORD, WHO HAS ESTABLISHED US’ based on Colossians 2:6-7 NASB

“This theme is set against the backdrop of an inspiring painting created exclusively for the National Day of Prayer by renowned Christian artist, Ron DiCianni. The image illustrates God’s people joining His angels in EXALTING Him as we pray, because He is God Almighty. We have bold access to His throne and passionate confidence as we pray – because HE HAS ESTABLISHED US in this nation and is working in the heavenlies to accomplish all that He has purposed – as we PRAY FOR AMERICA!, according to the National Day of Prayer website.


On May 5th, Americans from all walks of life will unite to lift up our country in prayer for the National Day of Prayer. Our nation has endured tragedy and pain, but we know prayer has carried us through these days and the hand of God will move us into a brighter future”.


About Pioneer Kiwanis

The Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis is a service organization helping the children of Bourbon County

The group meets on Thursdays at noon at the First United Methodist Church,Third Street and National Avenue, in fellowship hall.

 

The current officers and board of directors are as follows:

Elizabeth Schafer, President
Diane Spencer, Immediate Past President
Millie Karleskint, President Elect
Kelley Collins, Secretary
Marlene Braker, Treasurer
Cheryl Basore, Director
Vickie Chaplin, Director
Nancy Hart, Director
Gayle Sackett, Director
Judy Wallis, Director

Other members include:
Marlene Arndt
Dee Ann Davis
Sally Eckles
Tammy Helm
Bernita Hill
Carol Clyde Gallagher
Aileen Pollock
Gina Staudinger
Sylvia Trujillo

“In 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill into law establishing a National Day of Prayer, ” Collins said. “It is a day set aside for prayer and meditation and recognizes the role of religion in our country.”
“The Kiwanis Pioneers have held a public activity on the National Day of Prayer for over 25 years.,” Collins said.

Recently in honor of a Joyce True, a friendship swing was installed at Gunn Park by the group.

To learn more about the swing for the community:

Friendship Swing Dedication During Chamber Coffee April 28

On Thursday the Fort Scott Pioneers Kiwanis Club presented a friendship swing at Gunn Park to the community. Marlene Braker and Judy Wallis are standing, and Vickie Chaplin and Dee Ann Davis are in the swing. Taken from the organization’s Facebook page.