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Category Archives: Fort Scott
Bailey Lyons Opens New Realty Business
Bailey Lyons is a lady on the move.
“After more than three years as a realtor in Bourbon County, I decided to launch my own independent brokerage,” Lyons said. “It was a dream of mine to open…in my hometown.”
Lyon’s real estate business has grown over the years from repeat business and word-of-mouth introductions of friends, family, and neighbors, she said.
Lyons Realty Group’s new office is at 8 E. Wall St., in the recently restored Tribune Building. The office is part of the LaRoche family’s investment in the block of storefronts at Wall and National Avenue.
Katie Hueston is the business’s office administrator.
“We invite you to stop in and visit anytime,” Lyons said. “Stay tuned for more details regarding a grand opening in the very near future.”
She can be reached via phone at (620)266-9448, or email at [email protected].
Born and raised in Fort Scott, Lyons values this community.
“Growing up in this wonderful community was a blessing,” she said. I want to see it grow, thrive, and evolve, and I love playing a small part in that. The many benefits of small-town, Midwest living is not lost on me, especially since I have chosen to raise my family here. It is a true joy to help people fall in love with our little gem, and allow other families to call this place home.”
“Up until I found my calling in real estate, I worked in banking and finance, a background that compliments real estate and one that I capitalize on to help my clients as they work through the loan process or contemplate financial decisions.”
“I care about giving clients sound advice they can trust and truly want the best for them,” she said.
She works with a team of professionals that include marketing, lenders, home inspectors, title companies, financial advisors, and attorneys.
Bailey and husband Nate reside in Fort Scott with their four children, Addison-19 years old, Jhett and Jaxon-7 , and Lute-3.
Lyons and her family have played an active role in the community and the new business will carry on that tradition, she said.
“At Lyons Realty Group, we want to give back to the community that supports us,” she said. “Our business wouldn’t exist without the support of this community. It’s our goal not to express in words how much we appreciate that support, but to display it in action and deed.”
She is dedicated to getting top dollar for clients while making the process “enjoyable, smooth and stress-free.”
“Buying or selling a home is a deeply personal endeavor,” she said. “Our clients deserve the full service and attention that only a team of experts can consistently provide.”
“Working with us, you will have personal attention, professionalism, honesty, integrity, and extremely hard work ethic,” she said.
Lyons said she loves what she does.
“I hope that shows,” she said. “I am sincerely grateful that I get to work with wonderful clients, in a wonderful community. It is truly an honor and a pleasure.”
Lyons attended The University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in both finance and accounting, as well as her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
She has worked in Tulsa and Kansas City but ultimately made her way back to Fort Scott.
Activity This Weekend
This weekend the new business is a part of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest.
“Bring the kids and have them draw their dream house in front of Lyons Realty Group’s new downtown office,” she said.
“Put your name in for a drawing for a prize from us,” she said. “And of course, don’t forget to snap a pic or two and tag us on Facebook at @lyonsrealtygrp and use the hashtag #lyonsrealtygroup. Chalk and lollipops are provided!”
GNAT City Clean-Up: Curbside Limb Pick Up Starts Today
At the Good Neighbor Action Team kick-off meeting on March 18, there was lots of energy and ideas, according to Craig Campbell who is spearheading the helping group.
Following are the notes from Campbell about the meeting.
“We have started a curbside limb pick up.
“Starts today (March 19) and will go until no longer needed.
“We would appreciate assistance when loading at the property, if able, and a donation to the GNAT in care of the city.
“They would text 620-224-0167 to schedule the service.
“We lead off the meeting with a talk by (Bourbon County Appraiser) Clint Anderson. It is a common misconception that maintaining your home such as paint, window repair, siding repair, will increase the valuation and thus increase taxes.
“We had similar concerns during the East Wall Street Blitz in May 2015.
“At that time, we had Judy Wallis, county appraiser, attend a meeting with residents to go over the specifics of the effects of repairs on property valuations.
“If painting were to take a house on the appraiser list from sub standard to standard, that would raise the valuation slightly. To offset that, the homeowner can apply for a Neighborhood Revitalization Program waiver of 95% of the increase for 5 to 15 years depending on the type of property.
This program is available for repairs, renovations, or new construction at any time.
“Next, new (Fort Scott) city manager Jeremy Frazier spoke about his experience with a similar group to GNAT called Cushing Pride. They had monthly work days to pick up trash, paint, and other things.
“Bailey Lyons is organizing a downtown clean up for April 16th at 3 p.m.
“It was thought that we would use that time coupled with Earth Day on the 22nd to have a GNAT clean up day on Saturday the 17th from 8-11 a.m.
“The location of the effort will be determined in the next couple of days.
“We are most likely going to have a standing day of projects going forward.
“The team liked the idea of every 3rd Saturday from 8-11 a.m.
“We would start with a few minutes of donuts and coffee, conversation, then work. We will still assist citizens with individual projects.
“We are exploring having a t-shirt for volunteers and may seek corporate sponsorship to preserve the GNAT funds.
“We are creating a team of volunteers that will assist citizens to fill out forms from the USDA 504 Repair program.
“Many times people contact us to volunteer but the physical work is not possible.
“Helping people complete government forms and assist in the follow up is a great what for them to help.
“These forms allow homeowners to apply for grants and/or low interest loans up to $15,000. These grants or loans can be used to repair heating or cooling units, roofs, winterize windows and doors, painting, to name just a few.
“We have set a goal of bringing into Bourbon County $200,000 in 2021.”
FS Tourism Advisory Board Meets March 24
The Tourism Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021 at 3:30 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.
Spring Hill Meat Processors To Break Ground
Billy Madison will soon open his new business venture in Bourbon County, Spring Hill Pork Processors.
The pork processing plant will be located on 47 acres south of the Kansas Department of Transportation facility on Hwy. 69 south of the LaRoche Ball Park.
The business will manufacture pork for the Asian and Hispanic markets, Madison said.
The business will employ 15-30 people, and depending on experience, wages will start at $14 an hour.
“If you can bone meat, $18-20 an hour, depending on experience is our starting wage,” Madison said.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector will be on-site every day, as required by law.
“The U.S. government provides their pay (for the inspector), we pay overtime if we have overtime,” he said.
“There are places in big towns where there are Asian and Hispanic markets,” he said. “It’s all in how you cut the pig up. Both like the skin left of the pig.” He said the meat cuts are a little different as well.
“We box a lot of meat and send it to meat markets, like Fanestil Meats in Emporia,” he said.
Madison is not sure how long the process will take to break ground at the site but estimates approximately three months.
The plant will not be a smell to the surrounding area, he said.
“There is no smell,” he said. “People don’t understand the process. We are not raising hogs (at the site).”
“All the (Bourbon County) commissioners came to our plant in Spring Hill,” he said. “They found out it doesn’t smell.”
The estimated investment in the plant will be over $2 million dollars by Madison, he said.
“We don’t have the numbers yet,” he said. “The bidding process is quite in-depth.”
Billy and his wife, Becky are the sole owners of the processing plant.
They live five miles south of Louisburg, but Billy lived in Fort Scott for a period of his early life.
He still has family who lives here.
“My dad, Warren, still lives there and my Uncle Frank Madison is a cattle rancher there.”
Chamber Coffee at Briggs Auto March 18
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Spring Pop Up Event: Lots of Goodies For Foodies
Two area food vendors are planning an event on March 27 at the Tractor Supply parking lot, on South Main Street in Fort Scott.
The Blue Spoon, Pittsburg, and Perry’s Pork Rinds, Bronson, are partnering for a second annual Spring Pop Up Event.
Blue Spoon
The Blue Spoon is a food truck whose specialty is a variety of macaroni and cheese dishes and was created in Pittsburg, by Brenda Davis.
Davis began her food truck venture in July 2017. Christina Oberle is a partner in the business.
“It became very well-liked and instead of a hobby it became a success,” Oberle said.
“The name (The Blue Spoon) just came to us… we thought and thought and thought,” Oberle said. “Brenda wanted to create a memory and have our customers walking away remembering who we are. With that, the Blue Spoon was formed and the logo created,” Oberle said. “Every dish is served with a blue spoon… if the dish needs a fork, well it’ll be white.”
“We specialize in mac ‘n cheese (dishes)… all varieties,” Oberle said. “Plain to Chicken Mac, to Chops and Cheese, which is a grilled pork chop in a bowl of mac ‘ cheese, and soon to be released, Lobster Mac.”
“We have a great variety, eleven flavors, at big events,” she said. “We also serve fresh-cut fries, nachos, and funnel cakes. All with varieties… nothing plain Jane here, we even put it on a sandwich!”
Oberle lived a few years in Fort Scott, working at Lifetouch and Woods Grocery.
“I came to know a lot of people there and wanted to share our awesome food with Fort Scott,” Oberle said. “A few years ago we got into the Good ‘Ol Days and last year we were able to do the wonderful pop-up with Perry’s Pork Rinds! They are wonderful people and through this journey, we have had the great honor of meeting many entrepreneurs like them!”
The food truck is currently part-time, Oberle said.
“You just never know when this can become a full-time gig,” she said.
Perry’s Pork Rinds
Perry’s Pork Rinds is a family-owned business, with the husband and wife team of Thaddeus and Kelly Perry.
They make small-batch pork rinds in the following flavors:
Original, Spicy, Ranch, BBQ, Cinnamon Sugar, Chili Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream & Onion, Chili Lime, Garlic Parmesan, Shoe String Cracklings, Bacon Cheddar.
They recently expanded their business with a new product: fudge.
They can make up to 350 flavors but they feature chocolate walnut, chocolate fudge, birthday cake, and peanut butter.
“We use real cream and butter to make our fudge,” Kelly Perry said. “We pour them directly into containers and ship them nationwide and take them into the fairs and festivals.”
The cost for both rinds and fudge is $8 for 8 oz.
“The company that we actually bought into is the same company that is selling inside of Bass Pro shops and Ozark Land,” Kelly Perry said. “We had to pay a hefty price for a custom kettle, as much as a small car!”
Hound Nutrition Changes Hands
Hound Nutrition, 116 S. Main, is under new ownership.
Kelly Perry and Ashton Dowell have purchased the shop from former owner Haven Kelly, who is a Fort Scott Community College student and catcher on the school’s softball team. Haven Kelly became the tenant of the shop in August 2020, following the move of the Common Ground Coffee Shop to a different location.
“With the softball season starting, Haven was unable to give it the extra care it needed,” Dowell said.
“We have a 50% investor from Oklahoma and Ashtyn represents his 50% of the business and works the retail side of the business,” Perry said.” I am another 50% owner in the business. All of us have some skin in the game so to speak.”
The business sells meal replacement shakes, energizing teas, and protein coffee.
Customers can contact the business on Hound Nutrition Facebook page or Instagram, or coming soon, their new call-in line.
“We are selling the same products, but some new flavors are coming,” Dowell said.
There are some new services.
“The new service we provide is our delivery,” Perry said.
In addition, they are planning some upcoming events that will be hosted at the facility including: songwriter nights, joining the Chamber of Commerce, and tea parties “where we give informational meetings to anyone looking to start a program,” Perry said. “We break down each of the products one-by-one and educate customers on what the products do for their health. We sample a few of the products and for those who want to purchase the programs they can, or they can continue to pay for retail via our nutrition club.”
Herbalife Nutrition is the brand of product sold at the shop.
“Herbalife Nutrition is a multi-level marketing group we are #2 in the nation behind Amway,” Kelly said. “And the #1 nutrition company worldwide that has been in business for 40 years.”
“Anyone working behind the counter is an Herbalife Distributor that can sell any of our products,” Perry said. “Our nutrition clubs are a hub for people to come to try products, narrow down their wants and then purchase healthy products.”
“The customer receives one-on-one coaching and guidance from their independent distributor,” Perry said.
“Our hope is to pick up retail sales before the end of our lease in four months so the business can continue to grow and run in Ft Scott,” Perry said.
“All of the independent distributors are highly motivated self-driven and want to see a change in the community for the better,” Perry said.
“This is the second store that I have opened since January 18,” Perry said. “My husband is not involved (in this venture), he is fully invested into the pork rind business which is going full steam ahead.”
“We will soon be offering protein pretzel bites, protein waffles, and protein donuts in this location,” Kelly said.
Employees, who at this shop are called distributors, include Reaghn Dowell, Kelsey DeMott both of Fort Scott, and Chris Ames of Bronson.
Kelly Perry is also the owner of The Protein Place in Iola and co-owner of Perry’s Pork Rinds of Bronson, with her husband, Thaddeus.
Dowell said they will be focusing on setting up meetings for Herbalife, the supplier of their products, and those interested in say, a weight loss program.
“We can help them along their journey,” Dowell said.
COVID-19 Vaccine Availability Today
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Chamber Coffee to be hosted by Briggs Auto of Fort Scott
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that this week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Briggs Auto of Fort Scott. The Coffee will take place in the Ford building of Briggs, located at 1819 S. Main St., and the event will be celebrating their five-year anniversary of the Fort Scott location.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may enter into a drawing.
Attendees are strongly encouraged wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.
***
Kiwanis Requesting Donations For Easter Egg Hunt
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LOLLIPOP HOP & SHOP + SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST!
Chamber Announces LOLLIPOP HOP & SHOP + SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest will take place Friday, March 19th through Sunday, March 21st. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.
All ages are encouraged to take part in the Chalk Art Contest by making a display in the Downtown Historic District or at another participating store and post the art creation to the Chamber Facebook page “Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce” with the hashtag #fortscottshopart to be included in judging.
Customers are invited to shop local while viewing the chalk art. Most retailers will be offering complimentary lollipops, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions. Locations included in the event will have a Lollipop Hop & Shop poster in the window to show they are participating.
The participating retailers are: Angela Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hedgehog.Ink book store, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Star Emporium Downtown General store, Sunshine Boutique and Treasure Hunt Flea Market.
The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, express yourself through art for all ages, and join the Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest starting Friday, March 19th thru Sunday, March 21st.
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.