Category Archives: Fort Scott

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Friday Night Free Concert: Church of Christ

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Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.

The performance for this week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by the Church of Christ (15th and Crawford). The music will feature an evening of a cappella hymns and gospel songs.

“The singers represent multiple ages and they really shine with a passion for blending harmonies with their musical styling of the gospel,” concert series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Come out and join us for a great opportunity to see friends and enjoy some beautiful music. We are happy to welcome this church group to the park pavilion.“

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. We are pleased to have Dave Oas, Parsons, Kansas, serve 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

Alex Specht: New FSHS Assistant Principal

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Alex Specht. Submitted photo.
Alexander M. Specht,  53, is the new Fort Scott High School Assistant Principal.
He has taught biology, advanced biology, environmental science, applied physics, anatomy, and physiology for 20 years at the high school level at Hoisington, Osawatomie, and Great Bend and 7th-grade science at McPherson Middle School.
He has also been a head high school girls basketball coach, middle school boys basketball coach, high school and middle school track coach, and boys and girls high school golf coach.
Specht has been a two-time Teacher of the Year, a Walmart Teacher of the Year, and a Kansas Master Teacher of the Year.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Emporia State University in 1991, a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership,  from ESU, in 2006.
The best part of teaching science for him is engaging students in inquiry-based learning, he said.
“I would set the students up for the biological concept of the day, give them a general procedure to follow, and then watch as they discovered the science lesson for the day,” he said.  “To see the expression on their faces and interacting with them as they discovered something new, cool, smelly or amazing is always an awesome way for a student to get hooked on science and the learning process!”
“The greatest challenges I see in education today is at the daily instruction level,” he said. “Classroom teachers are dealing with the personal problems of the students.  These personal issues include family, home, school, friends, and athletic concerns that cause a great deal of stress on the student.  I believe we need to build relationships with our students and to work with their families to let them all know how committed this district is to partnering with them to help their students be successful.  When students struggle with ‘outside’ problems, it is definitely a challenge for them to focus ‘inside’ the classroom.
Family and Interests
Born in Faribault, MN, Specht moved to Smith Center,  KS then moved to Sharon, KS where he graduated from high school.
“A  fun fact:  I went to high school with country music singer Martina McBride.  I asked her out on a date once but she said no,” he said.  “Dang!”

Amy, his wife of three years,  is a manager in the Farmers Alliance Insurance Company.   His oldest son, Tyler, graduated from Kansas State University and moved to Dallas to begin work in the financial investments industry.  His son, Jacob, is a sophomore at Fort Hays State University, majoring in biology. He also has a stepson,  named Tyler.

Specht loves being outdoors, he said.
“I have a fishing boat and a kayak and love to fish!” he said. “I mountain bike, work out a little and like to target shoot and do some hunting with…Amy.”
“As a biologist, I also love flowers and landscaping,” he said.  ‘It’s a fun and creative way for me to spend time.”
A college chemistry teacher encouraged him to teach.
“I always enjoyed science classes and in college, I had a chemistry teacher who was impressed by the way I led our chemistry class through a review session for an upcoming test,” he said. ” He told me that I presented ideas and helped the other students so well that I should become a teacher.  That was never a thought for me until that moment.”
His father inspired him.
“He was a good dad and raised me with high expectations, understanding of accountability, and a strong work ethic,” he said.
He was consistently teaching him or encouraging him, he said.
“My dad was my elementary principal as I grew up and my first basketball coach,” he said. “He was a special education teacher and a superintendent…being in a school was a part of my life.”
Also following his father’s example, Specht served in the  U.S. Navy.
Fort Scott

FS Area Community Foundation’s Newsletter

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News from the
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation
Please find our Summer 2021 Newsletter below.
Click here for a printable PDF copy.
Thank you for reading our
Summer 2021 Newsletter!
Contact us with questions or for more information:
Board President Carla Farmer: 620-224-6500
Website: www.fsacf.com
Connect with us:
Click here to Like the Foundation’s Facebook page.
Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Special Meeting July 13

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The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, July 13th, 2021 at 5:15 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a special meeting to discuss the move of City Hall to the Courthouse and the H.R. Shared Services.

The Work Session to discuss the 2022 budget will begin at 6:00 p.m. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.

The work session will also be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fair, Food, Fort Scott, K-State Extension

Rodeo! At Bourbon County Fair Starts Today

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It’s that time of year, spending time with family, friends, and neighbors at the Bourbon County Fair.
The fair showcases talents, and provides entertainment, and offers local products to buy. Local entertainers will be featured at the final event on Saturday night.
This year’s Bourbon County Fair starts this tonight at the fairgrounds located on south Horton Street, across from Fort Scott Community College.
“The rodeo starts Friday, July 9th (at 8 p.m.) and events continue clear till Saturday, July 17th,” Diane Brillhart, treasurer of the fair board, said.
Adult tickets to the rodeo are $12, kids six-years-old and up $7 and kids under 6 are free.

“New this year is ‘Christmas at the Fair,'” she said. “Retail booths will be set up in the Merchant’s Building Monday through Friday from 4-9 p.m.  We have a great assortment of items.”

Hands-on activities will be happening in the 4-H Building, sponsored by Southwind K-State Extension, the Museum of Creativity, and the Bourbon County Conservation District.
A Decluttering Program by Starlite FCE, led by Glenda Miller, Karen Peery, and Terri Williams, will be presented Wednesday, 2 p.m., at the Myers Building.
Food trucks will be onsite opening at 10:30  a.m. each day.  Breakfast will be available in the 4-H Building 7-9:30 a.m.
“We are having the Fair Finale on Saturday, July 17th,” Brillhart said. “D.J. Brown and the Bourbon County Revival along with The Barnstormers will be providing a great night of entertainment.”
  Gates open at 6 p.m. and music will start at about 7 p.m.  Tickets are $5.
In addition, there will be food trucks and refreshments available, she said.
Continuing this year is the draft horse pull on Tuesday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. and the 4-H Dance and Cornhole Tournament, Thursday, July 15.
“Ben Cole, the voice of the Bourbon County Fair, will be announcing our Market Livestock Shows,” Brillhart said.
A goat show at the Bourbon County Fair in 2017.

Bourbon County Fair Board Officers are President Dale Griffiths; Vice-President Mark Crystal ; Secretary Lynda Foster; Assistant Secretary Sue Reinecke;  Treasurer Diane Brillhart;  Assistant Treasurer Mark Brillhart; Grandstand Superintendent Stewart Gulager and  Assistant Grandstand Superintendent Bobby Reed.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott July 9 Newsletter

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
July 9th Weekly Newsletter
ACCEPTING TEAM REGISTRATIONS!
*SPONSORS
*RAFFLE ITEMS
*DONATIONS/SWAG BAGS
REGISTER ONLINE!
CLICKHERE.
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute Narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Depart from the Fort Scott
Chamber at 231 E. Wall St.
Friday hours: 11 am until 3 pm
Saturday hours: 10 am until 3 pm.
$6 Adults & $4 for 12 yrs & under.
THE BOURBON COUNTY FAIR
STARTS TODAY WITH THE RODEO!
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL FAIR SCHEDULE
HAPPENING ALL NEXT WEEK!
7/8 to 7/11 – Midwest Showcase Baseball Tournament III, LaRoche Baseball Complex.
7/8, 7/9 & 7/12 – Museum of Creativity – OPEN PLAY SESSIONS. Admission – $3/person (free-4-1 yr old) Monday, Thurs. & Fri. 10 am – 2 pm
Friday also at 4 pm – 8 pm. Click here for info.
7/9 – 7/15 – Fort Scott Cinema. Now showing: Boss Baby 2, F9: The Fast Saga, Black Widow. Click here for more info.
7/9 – Karaoke at Boiler Room Brewhaus & $5 Sangria, 7-10pm, clickherefor more info.
7/9 – CORNHOLE FUN AT HOLMTOWN PUB, EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6 PM. Click here for more information.
7/9 – DIY & IOD Techniques with Angie at Main Street Gallery & Gifts, 6:30pm, click here for details.
7/9 – FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT IN THE PARK FEATURING THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 7pm, Heritage Park Pavilion @ 1st & Main, bring a lawn chair due to limited seating.
7/10 – 4-H Dog Show,8am at the Fairgrounds, all welcome to come watch!
7/10 – WOODLAND HILLS GOLF COURSE 2-PERSON SCRAMBLE TOURNAMENT. Click here for more information.
7/10 – Roller Skating at Buck Run Community Center, doors open 6:30 pm, skating 7-9 pm, click here for more info. FREE THIS SATURDAY OF DONATION OF BOURBON COUNTY CARS.
7/10 – Boiler Room Brewhaus presents Alyssa Galvan Live, 7-9 pm, click here for more info.
7/11 – Farmers’ Market, 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort. Bourbon County Democrats serving Breakfast on the Bricks this Saturday, click here for more info.
7/10 & 11 – The Lavender Patch Farm To learn more about events & hours open,click here.
July Hours open daily. Thurs. thru Mon.
7/9 & 7/10 – ACRA-IPRA Rodeo, 8pm each evening as part of the Bourbon County Fair, discounted advance tickets on sale now at the Chamber, see flyer below for more details!
7/9 to 7/17 – Bourbon County Fair,activities for everyone to watch or take part in, click here for the full Fair schedule!
7/10 – Paint in the Park with Creative Canvas at Gunn Park, 1pm, click here for details.
7/12 to 7/16 – Creative Crafts through Buck Run, youth ages 8-12 yrs., 1-1:45pm or 2-2:45pm, $10 per person, register through Buck Run.
7/12 to 7/15 – FSHS Boys Basketball Camp @ FSHS, 2nd-5th grade 1pm, 6th-8th grade 2:30pm, sign up at Buck Run, $30/kid.
7/12 to 7/15 – FSHS Volleyball Camp @ BRCC, 5th-8th grade 1-3pm, sign up at Buck Run, $30/kid.
7/12 to 7/16 – Christmas at the Fair ~ Vendor booths in the Merchants Building, 4-9pm each evening Mon-Fri, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/13 – 4-H Rabbits (8am) & Poultry (10am) Judging, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/13 – 4-H/FFA Sheep Show 2:30pm, Meat Goat Show 5:30pm, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, all welcome to come watch!
7/13 – Congressman LaTurner Mobile Office Hours, 3:30-4:30pm, City Hall, open to the public, the Congressman will not be present, but his staff will be. Click here for more info.
7/13 – Draft Horse Pull, 7:30pm, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/14 – 4-H/FFA Bucket Calves, Dairy Cattle & Dairy Goats Show, 8-10am, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, all welcome to watch!
7/14 – Kansas Heritage Trust Fund Grant Workshop, 3pm, online, for anyone interested in applying for a Heritage Trust Fund Grant in the coming year. Click here for info. & to register.
7/14 – 4-H/FFA Beef Cattle Show, 6:30pm, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, all welcome to come watch!
7/15 – Chamber Coffee hosted by the Bourbon County Fair Assoc., 8am, Hubenett Pavilion @ Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/15 – 4-H/FFA Swine Show., 9am, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, all welcome to come watch!
7/15 – Corn Hole Tournament hosted by Uniontown FFA, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, registration 6:30pm, starts 7pm. Click here for more info.
7/16 – Livestock Judging Contest, 9am, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/16 – Bourbon County Fair Buyers Appreciation Supper & Junior Livestock Sale., Supper 5:30pm, Sale 7pm, Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
7/16 – Wade D. Brown Live at Boiler Room Brewhaus, 7pm, click here for more info.
7/16 & 7/17 – Beat the Heat Shopping Event, Downtown & Around, Hot Deals in Cool Stores, refreshing drinks, sno cones & more!
7/16 & 7/17 – Bourbon County Comedy Night Open Mic, click here for more info. 9-11pm, new amateur comedian every 5 minutes, age 18 & over.
7/17 – Fair Finale Concert by Bourbon County Revival, 6:30pm, $5, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, see flyer below for more details.
7/17 & 7/18 – Hollister Shooting Range Open, 6:30pm, Saturday 1-4pm, Sunday 12-5pm.
SAVE THE DATE:
CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC
Friday, July 23rd, click here to register!
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
Click here for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classesnow offered bySmallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tu & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitness ~ M & W Karen Reinbolt at BRCC@
8:15 am $20/8 week session.
Zumba~ M,W, F @ 6pm Monalynn Decker at BRCC $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at
I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!

…

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee being hosted by Lucci’s Cafe

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that this week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Lucci’s Cafe of Fort Scott on Thursday, July 8th at 8:00 a.m. at 101 State St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may register for a prize drawing.

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.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott Community College, Jobs

Human Resource Roundtable July 7

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HR Roundtable
Hosted by the Chamber
TOMORROW!
Wednesday, July 7th
8:15 to 9:30am
Fort Scott Community College
Ag Hall (just north of Arnold Arena)
2108 S. Horton St.
Click here to RSVP if you
haven’t already.
Light refreshments will be served.
The Chamber is hosting an HR Roundtable for those in a human resources role at our local businesses on Wed., July 7th from 8:15 to 9:30am in Ag Hall on the campus of FSCC.
We hope you can join us or send another appropriate contact from your business.
We will have a loose agenda, but would like to hear feedback on workforce needs, challenges, or good stories. And, hear back anything you may need from the Chamber or ideas on recruiting qualified workforce to the community. We also want to allow time for those in HR to just connect with each other.
We will have light refreshments ~ please click here to RSVP if you can attend on Wed., July 7th from 8:15 to 9:30am at FSCC Ag Hall, just north of Arnold Arena.
Hosted by the Chamber’s Workforce Development Division:
Alysia Johnston, FSCC
Cathy Bishop, Niece Products
Payton Coyan, SEK-CAP
Fort Scott, Government

City Water Flushing Starts July 8

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The  City of Fort Scott Water Utility is initiating our flushing/ free Chlorine burnout program for the year.

The flushing will start on Thursday, July 8th and last approximately two weeks throughout the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County Rural water districts.

 

This is in order to maintain water quality.

If this maintenance is not performed in the water distribution system, the water will eventually lose all of its disinfection residual, which could cause the utility of incurring disinfectant residual violations from KDHE.

The Fort Scott Water Utility has commenced the annual flushing program along with a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system. This burnout is a part of the necessary maintenance of the distribution system which will help maintain the disinfection residual levels required by KDHE.

During this flushing and free chlorine burnout, the disinfectant used in the distribution system will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine which is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Flushing and chlorine burnouts are routine distribution system maintenance conducted by utilities with chloramine disinfection.

There are two common types of chlorine used in water treatment for disinfection purposes, combined chlorine (or chloramines) and free chlorine.

A benefit of using chloramines is that they will retain disinfection residual longer in the distribution system and they do not lend themselves in promoting taste, or a “chlorine” taste in the water.

Except during a burnout in the summertime, the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant uses chloramines to disinfect the finished water before entering the distribution system.

However, chloramines are not as strong of a disinfectant as free chlorine and it can allow certain types of nitrifying bacteria to grow in the distribution system. These natural occurring bacteria feed on the ammonia found in our finished water. These bacteria are nonpathogenic – they are not a health concern. Nitrifying bacteria which naturally grow in any distribution system when using chloramines can become prolific in warm summer temperatures. They will eventually cause water quality to degrade in the warmer summer months. Also, heat alone is a major factor that will cause disinfectant residuals to dissipate.

Surface water systems across the State do annual or biannual free chlorine burnouts. The term burnout is commonly used because free chlorine is a much more powerful disinfectant than combined chlorine. Free chlorine will oxidize nitrifying bacteria and keep it in check.

Fire hydrants will be utilized to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant.

Customers may notice city personnel flushing fire hydrants throughout the city during this period. This free chlorine is pulled through the distribution system by flushing the entire system through fire hydrants, and overflowing water towers.

Occasionally during this process customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water.

During the flushing and burnout you may notice that your tap water tastes different than normal. This is because most people cannot smell or taste combined chlorine in the water, however most people can smell and taste free chlorine in the water. It could also affect the taste of fountain drinks. If you find the chlorine taste unpleasant, it can be helpful to leave an uncovered pitcher of water sit overnight. This will allow some of the chlorine to evaporate and could help improve taste during this time.

The burnout process normally takes two weeks after which we can return to the combined chlorine residual and the excellent tasting water of which we are accustomed.

The city is extremely fortunate to have such a quality water supply available. Quality water helps promote quality life. Much of the rest of the world is not as fortunate in water supply and water quality.
If questions, concerns, or comments please contact Michael Mix or Scott Flater at the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Art, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Art Offerings For Children

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Happy Snappy Art offers five different paintings reflecting a weekly theme for children.
“Our upcoming Kids theme will be ‘Down on the Farm’,” said Judy Earp, Happy Snappy Art.  “We will paint country scenes and farm animals while learning new techniques and having fun.”
“The Teen Art Camp theme will be ‘French Impressionist Painting’,” she said.  “We will paint five different paintings inspired by the Impressionists. We will even paint our own version of Monet’s Garden.”