Category Archives: Fort Scott

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Youth

Splashpad Bash: May 18 at the New Downtown Pavilion

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The Hello Summer Luau is May 18 at the new pavilion on North National Avenue. Submitted graphic.

The City of Fort is sponsoring a community event at the new Fort Scott Pavilion on North National Avenue, next to the new splash pad, on Saturday, May 18.

“The purpose of the event is to promote drug and alcohol (prevention) awareness while kicking off the summer for the grand opening of the Pavilion and the Splash Pad- which will be open the day of the event,” said Mary Wyatt, Planning, Housing, and Community Development Director  for the City of Fort Scott.

“The City of Fort Scott is sponsoring the event and is using the Drug and Alcohol Tax Fund which goes to spread awareness to the youth (and adults) to pay for the expenses, plus there are local businesses handing out free stuff and selling their items at the event,” said City Manager Brad Matkin.

“We are in the beginning stages of the project, and currently putting together a committee for the event,” Wyatt said. “After the committee’s first meeting, we will have more details and specifics confirmed that we can share, and will start reaching out to vendors (mostly, if not all, local) to determine their availability. It is the City of Fort Scott’s goal to help provide a safe and fun family-friendly event to start off the summer together as a community.”
There will be live music, vendors, and free activities for the kids Matkin said.

“The vendors will be starting at 3 pm with the bands starting at 6:30 pm,” said Matkin.

 

The northern end of the Gathering Place is seen from National Avenue and Stanton Street. The splash pad is behind the pavilion to the left in this photo.

“The plan is to have the splash pad open,” for this bash, Bailey Lyons, one of the committee members of the splash pad said.

The Gathering Place is the venue of the new pavilion and splash pad on North National Avenue at Old Fort Boulevard. Here are the rules for the splash pad.

“The Hello Summer bash will feature Beach Boys tunes under the pavilion from the live tribute band, Surfin’ USA,” Matkin said.

“Surfin’ USA features seven musicians from the Kansas City area. Their collective dedication to quality musicianship and soaring harmonies will be on full display as they are committed to accurately recreating the music of The Beach Boys,” according to https://www.surfinusashow.com/

Before Sufin’ USA, Vinyl Revival will be playing at 6:30 p.m. at the pavilion.

“Comprised of six professional musicians near the Kansas City area, members of Vinyl Revival have opened for artists such as: Little River Band, Doobie Brothers, Eddie Money, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall, Badfinger, The Guess Who, Joe Bonamassa, Blood Sweat & Tears, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Edgar Winter, Pure Prairie League, The Romantics, and Peter Frampton,” according to   https://vinylrevivalkc.com/

 

To view prior articles on the two new additions to downtown Fort Scott:

A new Downton Pavilion Is In the Works For Fort Scott

Construction of the Downtown Splash Pad Is Moving Forward

 

Looking northeast from National Avenue and Old Fort Boulevard.  The splash pad is in back of the pavilion.
Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum

Portrait of Gordon Parks: An Evening of Interpretive Jazz Event

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Beach Museum of Art Specialist and Musician Nate McClendon will be at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Theater on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to present his portrait of Gordon Parks in music and narration with a jazz band.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m.

This performance was inspired by the exhibition Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Photographs by Gordon Parks from the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University organized by the Beach Museum with support from Art Bridges, a philanthropic organization dedicated to expanding access to American art.\

This music and narration event is free and open to the public of all ages courtesy of Art Bridges. It is part of the Gordon Parks
Convening at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, March 20 – 22, a collaboration with the Beach Museum of Art and the
Gordon Parks Museum funded by Art Bridges. The convening will have over twelve museum professionals from across the nation at Fort Scott learning more about Gordon Parks and his works.

For information on the Portrait of Gordon Parks: Interpretive Jazz event, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director,
620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or at [email protected].
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Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Newly Formed Bourbon County Community Theatre Plans An Adult Prom on March 16

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A group of residents organized last summer to form a non-profit corporation that will be bringing education, community, and culture to Southeast Kansas through theatre productions, called Bourbon County Community Theatre.

“BCCT was formed in late June and has been working since then to get up and running so that the people of Bourbon County can soon have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy community theatre again,” said Delynn Abati, public relations person for the group.

The group’s first event is March 16 and is a prom for adults to fund future events and performances.

“We are hoping this prom for adults will become an annual night of fun, dancing, and community support,” she said.

This formal dance is for anyone age 21 and up and will be held in The Legacy Center on the lower level of the old Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.

“We will have a promenade beginning at 7:45 pm and the dance will run from 8-11 pm,” she said in a press release. “In addition to dancing, we will have non-alcoholic drinks, a charcuterie board, and a chocolate fondue bar included in the ticket price, as well as alcoholic beverages available for purchase from the bar, provided by Sharky’s.”

“We’re hoping to add to the fun (and success) of the night with some lighthearted music dueling,” she said. “Attendees can pay $1 to request and/or dedicate a song, $5 to request a song NOT be played for an hour, or $10 for a song to be banned for the night.”

Tickets can be purchased at BCCT.ticketspice.com (QR code provided below) or at the door on March 16.

Online tickets are $50 per couple or $30 for a single ticket. Tickets purchased at the door will go up in price to $75 per couple or $40 for a single ticket.

“Our BCCT board is so excited to be offering this event to the people of Fort Scott and surrounding areas and hopes that it will be a success for years to come,” she said.

The BCCT is accepting members.

“If you’d like to be a part of bringing community theatre back to Bourbon County, visit our Facebook page;  and fill out the Community Theatre Interest Form,” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552088270799he said.

Additionally, on the horizon is a Night of Living History performance.

“The Bourbon County Community Theatre is looking for people who would like to be involved in a committee for a Night of Living History performance,” said Abati.  “This will be a play (or similar event) telling some of the history of Fort Scott and its surrounding areas.”

The BCCT Board is comprised of:

Matthew Wells, President

Melissa Guns, Vice President

Recording Secretary, Sandra Abati

Correspondence Secretary, Katie Wells

Treasurer, Whitley Chesney

Production Coordinator, Tyler Parker

Public Relations, Delynn Abati

Rene Ludeman

Angie Bin

Alex Chesney

Danette Popp

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Jobs

Need a Job? Today Is Bourbon County Job Fair at the Legacy Building, 401 Woodland Hills

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Fort Scott – Bourbon County

JOB FAIR

Hosted by KANSASWORKS with co-sponsors

Bourbon County REDI, Fort Scott Area Chamber, & HBCAT

The event will take place

Thursday, February 22nd from 2:30-5pm.

Early Access for Veteran’s at 2:00pm

The Legacy Building

401 Woodland Hills Blvd

ALL job seekers welcome ~ ALL types of jobs available!

KANSASWORKS will be onsite at the Job Fair to provide resources and any assistance to employers or job seekers!

The deadline to register for an employer booth is

February 19th.

Over 40 booths ranging from employers, recruiters, and community resources.

See flyer below for a complete listing.

Contact the Chamber for more info. or any questions:

620-223-3566 or [email protected]
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Church news, Food, Fort Scott

Lenten Fish Fry Begins and Update on Catholic Church Construction

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Construction work continues on the new Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and the new parish rectory, changing the configuration of the church campus.

But the annual fish fry remains the same.

“Not much has changed on our fish fries,” Knights of Columbus  Member Calvin Barr said.  “As the saying goes, ‘why mess with something that is working?”‘

 

The annual Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry continues every Friday until March 22 at Kennedy Gym at 7th and Holbrook,  on the campus of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, and St. Mary’s Catholic School.

The Kennedy Gym is located at 7th and  Holbrook Streets, just behind St. Mary’s Catholic School, and is the site of the annual Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry.

The meal is from 5 to 7 p.m. and includes fried or baked fish, french fries or baked potato, vegetables, spaghetti with sauce, bread, dessert, and drink.

This is a freewill offering meal, but a minimum of $8 is asked for the meal, according to the flyer.

Barr gave an update on Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, which the Knights are a part of.

“Fr. Yancy’s new rectory is just about completed,” Carr said.  “The workers are finishing up the inside this week.”
The priest’s rectory, located at 720 Holbrook,  is nearing completion. Submitted photo.
The concrete pad for Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church’s new building has been poured.
The foundation for Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church has been poured. Submitted photo.
The metal frame is up, with the walls going up this week.
The metal frame is going up this week for the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Submitted photo.
To view a prior story on the construction:

Construction on the New Catholic Church and Rectory Has Started

 

Fort Scott

New Welcome Arch Starts This Week

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An artist’s rendition of the new welcome arch that has started this week and will be completed in a month. The project was a partnership with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, the Fort Scott area Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Fort Scott. Submitted graphic.

The new downtown welcome arch is slated for concrete work this week, then arch installation after that, followed by stonework and the replacement of the sidewalk and curb.

Words displayed on the metal arch are Welcome to Fort Scott Downtown Historic District.

The metal arch being built by T. L. Steel, Burrton, KS. Submitted photos.

Marbery Concrete, Fort Scott,  did the demolition of the sidewalk and curb of the site which is in front of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce office, 231 E. Wall.

The site in front of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce where the arch will be installed. Sub-contractors Great Plains Drilling, K.C. MO are putting the rock anchors for the arch sign footing in today.

This week, a four-man crew will be making the concrete footings, installing the anchors, and installing the 18 shear lugs into bedrock, to keep the sign secure, according to Jason Marbery, president of  Marbery Concrete.

The metal arch sign, itself, will be coming either next week or the week after.

T.L. Steel, Burrton, KS, will be sending a crew of one crane operator, two welders, a rigger (someone who hooks up hoisting equipment), and the project manager, Levi Robillard, to install the arch sign, Robillard said.

“Install will take three days,” Robillard said. “And another day to paint the sign matte black.”

“Then we will come in and complete stonework,” Jess Milburn, JCM Restore LLC, Fort Scott, said.

The new sidewalk and curb will then be poured, Marbery said.

The timeline for completion of the project is one month, Rachel Carpenter, Health Bourbon County Action Team Executive Director said. The HBCAT along with the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fort Scott facilitated the project.

The total cost of the arch is $120,000.

“It was a creative placemaking project, through the Patterson Foundation. We also received grant funds from Blue Cross and Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas,” Carpenter said. “We went through surveys and meetings, public input, which was very important for this project.”

‘An arch of this type has been a vision of the Chamber for several years to welcome locals and visitors to our community and establish the Downtown Historic District as a destination,’ Lindsey Madison, executive director of the chamber, said. “We believe the arch will provide signage to let visitors know they have “arrived” and that the Downtown area lies just ahead.”

“It is amazing how many visitors we have come into the Chamber & Visitor Center to get information and don’t know all of the assets we have within walking distance and around Fort Scott and Bourbon County,” she said. “This will help entice them to explore the area. We were ecstatic that the opportunity came about for the arch to be a placemaking project through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways grant spearheaded by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.”

“Several public meetings were held to gather community input on the design, culminating with approval from the Design Review Board of the City. The esthetics of the arch will compliment nearby historic structures including the beautiful Bandera limestone from right here in Bourbon County. This has truly been a group effort by all of the entities involved and we are excited to see it come to fruition,” Madison said.

 

Fort Scott

Friends Now Accepting New and Renewed Subscriptions for U.S. Flags

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The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is now accepting applications for new subscriptions and renewals for their Fly the Flag project.  The project  provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to display the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays during 2024 without the hassle of purchasing, placing, and storing a flag and pole.  You don’t even have to remember the holiday!

For $37 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12 foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays :

Memorial Day, May 27th

Flag Day, June 14th

Fourth of July, July 4th

Labor Day, September 2nd

Veteran’s Day, November 11th

 

Applications for new subscriptions can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone, text, or email. Call 417-684-2484 or email [email protected].  Renewal notices are being mailed/e-mailed to 2023 subscribers. Both new agreements and renewals must be returned by March 31, 2024.

 

All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site including Symbols of Sacrifice, Candlelight Tour, and other special programs.

 

Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets  of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!

 

The Fly the Flag project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.  Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College

Fish Kill at FSCC Campus Lake Due to Fluctuating Weather

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Fish kill was observed this week at the Fort Scott Community College campus lake.

Walkers around Fort Scott Community College campus lake have noticed many dead fish.

A call with photos of the fish to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks gave the answer.

“The fish that are in the picture are gizzard shad,” said Lucas Kowalewski, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Fisheries-Region 2 Supervisor. “Gizzard shad are very sensitive to cold water conditions and it is very common in waterbodies where they are present to see winter-time kills. Especially in extended periods of extreme cold and periods where water temperatures fluctuate rapidly up and down (which we have experienced both this winter). ”

“That species is very common to see in the wintertime,” he said. “We are on the northern edge of their species distribution. They are very sensitive to cold.”

“This process can be important for other species, such as blue catfish, which will feed heavily on these winter die-offs of gizzard shad on our larger reservoirs, and I have seen migrating bald eagles key in on waterbodies where this is occurring,” he said. Leaving them for the birds and raccoons will clean them up, in time. If the smell gets bad, you might clean them up, but leaving them is OK, too.”
When there are fish kills, biologists look at two things.
Is it one species or multiple?
“If it’s one, is it something specific about that species at this time of year?” he said. “Or is it illness or disease?”
“If multiple species, is it something going on in the environment?” he said. “For example in summer there are  low dissolved oxygen fish kills, due to weather patterns and dying plant materials.”
A Gizzard Shad fish kill at Fort Scott Community College lake on February 15, 2024, is the result of fluctuating weather, said a Kansas Fish Biologist.
Fort Scott, Government

Amended Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission on February 20

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The agenda was amended due to an error under the consent agenda for Resolution No. 6-2024. The wrong address was submitted from the Codes Inspector.                                       

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR        

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION  

CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

February 20, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.   Call to Order
  2.   Roll Call – M. Guns, M. Wells, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson, T. Dancer

III.    Pledge of Allegiance

  1. Invocation
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Consent Agenda:
  4. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1354-A – $772,929.91
  5. Request to Pay – Invoice #17109 – Project No. 23430 – South Industrial Park Waterline Extension – Earles Engineering and Inspection – Inspection Fees – $10,596.05
  6. Consideration of Resolution No. 6-2024 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 314 W. WALL ST. – L. Kruger/Codes
  7. Consideration of Resolution No. 7-2024 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 110 W. OAK ST. – L. Kruger/Codes

Consideration of Resolution No. 8-2024 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF               HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS         STRUCTURE AT 1801 E. WALL ST. – L. Kruger/Codes

  1. January Financials

 

VII.   Public Comment:   Sign up required.  Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.

 

VIII.   Appearances:

 

  1. Mary Wyatt – Grant Update requested by M. Guns
  2. Cory Bryars/Care to Share – Temporary Street Closure and Temporary Park Closure for Fort Fest 2024
  3. Diane Striler – Ice Skating Rink
  4. Deb Needleman – Repairs to Senior Citizens’ Building
  5. Kendall Schoenrock – DCF Building Update

 

  1. Old Business: 
  2. Suggested Street Advisory Board Ordinance Changes – D. Olson
  3. SEKLS Library Board Charter Ordinance – M. Wells
  4. New Business:
  5. Public Hearings:
  6. RESOLUTION NO. 9-2024 A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR                 REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 922          E. WALL ST. – Codes Department
  7. RESOLUTION NO. 10-2024 A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR           REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 515           S. HEYLMAN – Codes Department

 

  1. Action Items:

 

  1. Consideration to purchase (4) Dura Tracker Portable Flow Monitors with sensors and applicable cipher, software and training for Wastewater Collections System – B. Lemke

 

  1. Consideration to purchase Lexipol Policy Writing Service for Police Department – $14,126.40 – J. Pickert

 

  1. Consideration to purchase wide-area batwing mower for Woodland Hills Golf Course – M. Wyatt and D. Fowler

 

  1. Consideration to purchase (3) skid steers for Streets, Wastewater and Water Distribution Departments – T. Coffman

 

  1. Consideration of Change Order No. 4 – Project No. 21-074 – 17th St. and                  Eddy St. Drainage Improvements Phase I – J. Richardson Construction –                 Final Measured Quantities – Decrease of $3,320.00.
  2. Request to Pay – Project No. 21-074 – 17th St. and Eddy St. Drainage                           Improvements Phase I – J. Richardson Construction – FINAL with                            Certificate of Substantial Completion  $14,453.15
  3. Consideration of Change Order No. 1 – Gunn Park Shower House and                Restroom – Hofer-Hofer & Associates – Creation of footing for stabilization –                      additional cost of $2,640.00.
  4. Consideration of Quit Claims Deed – William L. Brittain and Michelle M.                      Brittain – B. Farmer
  5. Consideration to renew Arnold Schofield’s term to Design Review Board

 

  1. Reports and Comments:
  2. City Manager Comments:
  3. Engineering Comments:
  4. Commissioners Comments:

         – T. VanHoecke

         – M. Wells

– M. Guns

– D. Olson

– T. Dancer

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

  1.  Executive Session:

XII.     Adjourn:

Business, Fort Scott

Global Print Brokers Opens Business

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A business that provides personalized print services opened an office in August 2023  at 201 E. National, Fort Scott.

Global Print Brokers. Submitted photo.
Darrin Gauthier. Submitted photo.

Global Print Brokers owner is James Stewart Gulager and there are two other employees: Darrin Gauthier and Paul Studyvin.

Stewart Gulager, from his Facebook page.

“We specialize in a variety of products, including stock products for forms, labels, and more promotional,” Darrin Gauthier said. “Our goal is to offer our clients the best of the best when it comes to print solutions, and we have the expertise to provide the best cost evaluations to ensure that your business operates smoothly. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help your business thrive.”

Paul Studyvin. Submitted photo.

“The business was started to help the end user find a better product and save them money in the process,” Gauthier said.

“We provide all kinds of custom printed forms and labels,” Gauthier said.  “Along with supplying stock forms and labels. We also help out on promotional and plastic items.”

 

Forms they provide with some examples:

Pressure Seal

Integrated Labels

Joined Webs

NCR products

Cutsheets

Multi-Part forms

Medical / Lab / Pharmacy Forms

Letterhead

Envelopes

Business/Appointment Cards

Custom printed

Stock

Many more products

 

Labels:

Shipping Labels

Roll labels

Static cling label

Decal

Stickers

 

Tire

Industrial Labels

Window Labels

Water bottle labels

Asset tags

Many other items

Plastics:

Gift Cards

Loyalty cards

Mailers

Key tags / any other combination

Etc

Promotional items:

Pens

Signs

Rugs

Tents

Banners

Posters

Mugs

etc.

 

 

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The business phone is 913-285-5774

To reach the staff: Stewart Gulager – 620-215-4464; Darrin Gauthier – 620-215-6298; and Paul Studyvin –  620-215-2523.