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Chamber Coffee At Hedgehog INK Oct. 14
Category Archives: Fort Scott
Education and Entertainment: the Gordon Parks Celebration
The annual Gordon Parks Celebration weekend Oct. 7-9 was packed with events to educate and entertain.
The Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton.
Parks was an African American documentary photojournalist, photographer, musician, writer and director, with humble beginnings in Fort Scott.
He died in 2006.
There were photo exhibits and a local photo contest, speakers, tours, film showings, entertainment, book discussions, and the opening of the Learning Tree Tourism Trail.
Two African American men were honored as the “Choice of Weapons” annual recipients, Kyle Johnson and Eli Reed.
Parks Choice of Weapons Award Winners Announced
During the weekend celebration, The Learning Tree Tourism Trail was introduced.
The Learning Tree Tourism Trail is a series of signs located at the different locations where the filming of The Learning Tree took place around Fort Scott. The signs include QR codes, to be used with a smartphone, along with a virtual tour of the identified scene locations of the film, according to a Gordon Parks Museum press release.
To learn more:
The Learning Tree Tourism Trail Grand Opening is Oct. 7
The annual photography contest in conjunction with the Gordon Parks Celebration had the winners on display at the Ellis Arts Center on the campus of FSCC.
Additionally on display were some of Parks’ photos and photos of The Learning Tree, the autobiographical film that Parks wrote and directed.
Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Fashion & Diversity” photo contest, sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, are below.
Twenty-six entries were received and the winner of First Place was Johanna Walker (Franklin, KS) with the photo titled “Spotlight.”
Second Place was also Johanna Walker with the photo “Johnny.”
Third Place was Frank Clay with his photo, “Enjoying Each Other.”
First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively.
There were six Honorable Mentions named: “Diversity.” by (Yasser Alaa Mobarak,( Alexandria, Egypt.); “Skating the Disaster.” by Julie Steck (Merriam, KS); “Jewels of Plenty” by Bareigh Farrell (Fort Scott); “Portrait.” by Yasser Alaa Mobarak, (Alexandria, Egypt); “Queen of Color” by Alexxus Browning, Tulsa, OK and “Baby Blue.” by Adelay Martin (Redfield, KS).
The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by Gordon Parks, who started his career in fashion photography and chose a camera to fight against racism, discrimination, and poverty.
Judges for the photo contest were professional photographer, Veretta Cobler, and established make-up artist and hairstylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City.
The photo exhibit is on display in the lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center through October 15. The building is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
U234 Press Release of Minutes from Oct. 11
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, October 11, 2021
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, October 11, 2021, for their regular monthly meeting.
President James Wood opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda.
The board approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – September 17, 2021 – $1,425,060.90
D. Financial Report
E. Activity fund accounts
F. FCCLA Fundraiser
G. Operations Guidelines Correction
Patrons spoke in the public forum.
Board members discussed and approved COVID gaiting criteria that will begin on October 18 for USD 234. The gaiting criteria will allow for masks to be optional pending the number of cases/percentages in each school building. In addition, the board approved to proceed with a Memorandum of Understanding with CHC to provide parent opt-in COVID testing for students. Board members approved the gaiting criteria and testing procedure to be added to the Operations Plan.
Ted Hessong, Superintendent, and Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk; gave reports. Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics, and principals from each building shared written reports with board members. Gina Shelton gave an ESSER Funds update.
Board members reviewed the September 20 Enrollment Count Report. In addition, the board approved the following:
· Emergency Operations Plan for 2021-22
· Purchase of three buses
· Audit contract with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021
· Workers Compensation with Atkins Insurance
· Live streaming school board meetings
The Fort Scott Middle School VIP Fall Extravaganza will be held on November 22, 2021, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the middle school commons and gymnasium.
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting. The board then went into executive session to discuss employer-employee negotiations and returned to open meeting.
The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Jeff Armstrong, high school math teacher (currently on a leave of absence), effective September 29, 2021
B. Transfer of Carrie Lord, preschool center teacher aide, to preschool paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year
C. Transfer of Bobbie Yoakam, preschool paraprofessional, to part-time preschool paraprofessional and part-time preschool nurse for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year
D. Reemployment of Kourtney Harper as a high school paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year
E. Employment of Selena Alvarado as a high school assistant softball coach for the 2021-22 school year
F. Leave of absence for Danielle Cavin, Eugene Ware special education teacher
G. Resignation of Glenda Cooper, high school cook, effective October 14, 2021
H. Resignation of Haleigh Lowry, Winfield Scott cook, effective October 11, 2021
I. Resignation of Marie Henderson, middle school paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
J. Resignation of Evangeline Korinke, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective January 2, 2022
K. Employment of Gary Floyd, II as a high school ISS teacher aide for the 2021-22 school year
L. Addition of an occupational therapist assistant position for the 2021-22 school year
M. Addition of a speech/language pathologist position for the 2021-22 school year
The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Fort Scott KNEA.
The board adjourned.
LEAD Bourbon County Registration
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Bike Trail Coming To Bourbon County
Representatives from a neighboring county spoke to the Fort Scott City Commission recently about a proposed bicycle trail in Bourbon County.
John Leahy, Thrive Allen County Bike and Trails Coordinator and John Castellaw the Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator for Thrive
covered a brief history of how the Prairie Pathways plan (approved by Bourbon County, Allen County, and Crawford County) was the first rural active transportation plan in Kansas.
The men then detailed the entirety of the route along old Highway 54 from Fort Scott to Iola, to the city commission, Leahy said.
“We needed to appear before the (FS)city council because we were seeking final approval of the signs for the Prairie Pathways within Fort Scott city limits,” he said.
“The route has been set in all three counties,” Jody Hoener, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team CEO said.
“Bourbon County will have approximately 23 miles of the total 43 miles from Fort Scott to Iola,” Leahy said.
“We are working on gaining permission through each of the cities (in Bourbon County),” Hoener said. “We have obtained permission for signs from the City of Fort Scott. They will also be presenting to the City of Uniontown and to Bronson City Council to gain permission for sign placement.
“Eric Bailey with Bourbon County’s Public Work will be helping us with installing (sign) posts,” she said. ” Right now they are working hard on getting as many miles as asphalt down as possible. They will help us with installation as soon as they can.”
“Allen County, Bourbon County, and Crawford County (ABC) are actively working to improve the bicycling and walking environment to improve access to opportunities for physical activity, enhance the quality of life, and encourage economic growth”, according to information provided by Leahy . “Each community recognizes that active transportation – biking and walking for transportation, as well as outdoor recreation – impacts our lives in several important ways. Research, such as the cost-benefit analysis The Potential Trail Benefits for Bourbon County, Kansas, (Robb, 2017) has shown trails to do more than add to community’s appeal as a place to live, such as:
● Increased sales for existing businesses
● Opportunities for new business
● Increased value and speed of sale of nearby properties
● Reduced medical costs from healthy activities
● Business location and relocation decisions
● Healthcare insurance decisions
● Addresses rural transportation issues
● Low or no-cost recreational opportunity
● Attracts and retains a skilled and unskilled workforce
● It helps lower transportation costs, both for individuals and for communities as a whole;
● Provides attractions for visitors”
The ABC plan’s name was recently changed to Prairie Pathways, he said.
“In respect to a timeline, Thrive is working with both Allen County Public Works as well as the City of Iola Public Works Department,” he said. “We are trying to coordinate both so the signs are installed along a similar time frame after the…(Allen County Public Works)asphalt season.”
John Leahy can be reached at 620-365-8128
Hoener can be reached at [email protected]
” Funding for the planning stage is from the Sunflower Foundation,” Hoener said. “We have grant dollars from Blue Cross Blue Cross Pathways to Healthy Kansas for signage and posts.”
“Funding for the planning stage is from the Sunflower Foundation,” Hoener said. “We have grant dollars from Blue Cross Blue Cross Pathways to Healthy Kansas for signage and posts.”
Downtown Meet and Greet Oct. 12
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Woodland Hills Golf Course: New Management
Steve Anthony, 49, is the new Woodland Hills Golf Course Clubhouse Manager in Fort Scott. The course is owned and operated by the City of Fort Scott.
He replaces Shannon O’Neil, who left in July.
Anthony feels that he and Doug Guns, the golf course superintendent, are a good team.
“I feel I have a good grasp of things and if things come up that need two heads to make a decision, Doug and I make the decision as we are pretty much on the same page and we make our decision on what’s best for the club and or our member’s,” he said.
Anthony’s hometown is Parkersburg, West Virginia and he is married to Stephanie Anthony.
“I have been an avid golfer since I was a young kid back in West Virginia,” he said. “I have been in Fort Scott for nine years now.”
“I have always had a love for the sport of golf and when the opportunity came to pursue the golf course (position) here, I jumped at the chance to take it on,” he said.
“When I started, I knew I wanted to do some different things that had not been done here,” Anthony said. “For example, having watch parties for National Football League games and it has grown each week. My hope is once the colder weather sets in we will have more folks come out to join us for games as they will be tired of just sitting at home.”
He enjoys coming to work each day, getting to do something that he loves, Anthony said.
“The Woodland Hills Golf Course is in really beautiful shape as Doug (Guns)and his crew do a great job making it look beautiful,” he said.
In the community, Anthony has been involved with Special Olympics, a large sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities.
“I, along with Bourbon County Undersheriff Ben Cole, host a golf tournament each year to benefit Special Olympics,” he said. “I am also on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Kansas.”
He enjoys coming to work each day, getting to do something that he loves, Anthony said.
Anthony can be reached at 620-223-5060 or his cell phone at 620-215-2392.
USD234 Parent/Teacher Conferences and No School Dates
There will be no school for USD 234 students on Friday, October 15, due to a Teacher Work/Plan Day.
Parent/Teacher conferences for the USD 234 School District will be held on Monday, October 18, and Tuesday, October 19.
Conferences will be held at the following times:
Fort Scott Preschool Center – 4:20 to 7:50 p.m.
Winfield Scott and Eugene Ware – 4:15 to 7:45 p.m.
Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School – 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.
There will be no school for USD 234 students on Friday, October 22.
Classes will resume on Monday, October 25.
Teacher Work/Plan Day – No School – October 15
` Parent/Teacher Conferences – October 18 and 19
No School – October 22
Contact: Ted Hessong, Superintendent
USD 234
424 S. Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Chili and Cornbread Offered At Farmer’s Market Oct. 19
The Bourbon County Democratic Party are offering chili and cornbread on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at Farmers Market Raffle Night on Skubitz Plaza from 4-6P.M.
Choice from two kinds of chili, jalapeno or plain cornbread, and apple cake or pecan bars, $3.50
Submitted by Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
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Friday Night Free Concert: DJ Brown and Bourbon County Revival
DJ Brown and The Bourbon County Revival will be the featured entertainment at this week’s Friday Night Concert. The local four-piece band plays classic rock, country, and Red Dirt. Band members are Danny Brown on acoustic guitar and vocals, Robert Uhler on drums, Jerry Bahr on banjo, electric, acoustic and bass guitars, and vocals, and Randy Brasuell on mandolin, fiddle, bass and electric guitars, and vocals.
“These guys have been playing together for quite some time and are a crowd favorite,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “This band is a delight to hear and we are pleased to welcome them back to perform in our downtown pavilion. Bring a friend and join us for an evening of superb musical talent.“
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.
Children’s Art Class Offered On No-School Days
Happy Snappy Art is now offering art parties for school-age students on the no-school days for USD 234 & St. Mary’s.
They will be offered every month.
Other Paint Parties are offered this month for adults and children 12+.
All events include everything needed to complete the painting and step by step instructions.
The total cost for each is $25. A deposit of $5 is required to reserve your spot.
Message Happy Snappy Art on Facebook or email at [email protected] to reserve your spot.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott Oct. 8 Weekly Newsletter
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