Category Archives: Fort Scott

FS City Offices Are Closed For Labor Day

The City of Fort Scott Administrative Office will be closed on Monday, September 2nd, 2019 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019.

The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, August 31st, 2019 for the Labor Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

What’s Happening In Fort Scott Aug. 23 Edition

Hedgehog.INK will be open on Sundays and Mondays from 1:00-5:00pm starting Sunday, July 7th.  During the month of August, adult fiction gently used books will be buy 2 get 1 free (see flyer below)
Horticulture Services in Fort Scott – Krista Harding, Horticulture Agent for the Southwind Extension District, has office hours at the Extension office inside the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday
In an effort to better serve residents of Fort Scott and the surrounding communities, Krista is there weekly to answer questions and offer advice on lawn and gardens, trees and shrubs, flowers and insect. Bring your spotted leaves, strange looking insects or wilted flowers and let her help you! This a free service and is available to all community members. Questions? Call 620-223-3720 (See flyer below)
Save the Date: 2019 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Fall Golf Classic 4-Person Scramble – Saturday, September 14th at Woodland Hills Golf Course,
2414 S. Horton in Fort Scott (See flyer below)
$200 per team includes green fees, cart & lunch. Deadline to enter is September 6th

This fundraiser will help the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to support programs for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson counties

For more information, contact Tricia at 620-431-7401, ext. 230 or [email protected]

23-24
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows
& bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
23 Author Talk and Book Signing with Rebecca Thesman at Hedgehog.INK – 16 S. Main St., 6-7pm (see flyer below)

Meet and greet author Rebecca Thesman. There will be an author talk, Q & A, and booksigning. Her book will be available for purchase in the bookstore. Light refreshments will be served. Visit www.facebook.com/hedgesbookstore/

23 Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavilion,
1st & Main, 7pm

Friday Night Concert in the Park – Sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

This week’s concert features the Apostolic Church Acapella Choir. Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.  In the event of bad weather we will move to The Common Grounds Coffee Shop

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]

24
Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
24
Southeast Kansas Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Gorilla Village, Pittsburg, KS, 8am (See flyer below)

Help raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Walk in honor of or in memory of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. This is a community event for all ages. No entry fee. Walkers who register and raise at least $100 receive the event T-shirt. 1-mile walk route. Please register online at alzwalkseks.org. Event day registration starts at 8:00 a.m., Ceremony starts at 9:00 a.m., Walk starts at
9:15 a.m.
For more information, click HERE

24 7th Annual Fort Scott National Cemetery #1 Wreath Ride – Registration at 3rd & Main St. from 9-10am

The 7th Annual ride in support of the Wreath Across America Project in Ft. Scott National Cemetery #1. All vehicles are welcome. All proceeds go towards the purchase of a wreath for our nation’s finest buried at Ft. Scott National Cemetery

Registration: 3rd & Main St., Fort Scott, KS, 9-10:30am

$35/bike, $50/truck – includes 1 meal & 1 t-shirt, 2 chances for Grand Prize (American Flag Knife). Extra meal $7.50, additional t-shirts $20.00. Drawing for a Sig Sauer M17 & 1911 Pistol donated by Fort Scott Gun & Pawn

For more information contact Kevin Wagner: 620-215-2174

24 Benefit Fundraiser for the Leatherman Family – Bourbon County 4-H Building, 2102 S. Huntington in Fort Scott, 5-8pm

Benefit Fundraiser for the Leatherman family – Saturday, August 24th, 5-8pm, at the Bourbon County 4-H Building, 2102 S. Huntington in Fort Scott.

Meal (free will donation): pulled pork, beans, skillet potatoes, served from 5-6:30pm

Live auction –  6:30pm (if you would like to donate auction items, contact Wilma Hibdon: 620-224-0707

Cornhole Tournament immediately after the auction – $20 per team

Leanne was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Mark and Leanne have been travelling back and forth to Joplin for chemo treatments and doctor’s appointments. Surgery to remove her tumors was done with good results. The Leatherman’s have been lifelong 4-H supporters and Fair Board members. Please come out and join us in supporting this wonderful family!

24 The Spencer Family Music Gospel Music Concert – Fort Scott First Southern Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main,
7-9pm

Spencer Family Music from Joplin, Missouri. Family gospel group with Mom, Dad and 13 children.  Adults 14 & Up $10.00, Children 5-13 $5.00. Tickets sold in advance by contacting Ida Ford at 417-262-3948, Dorothy Taylor
620-223-9351, Vera Norris 620-215-2066 or Terri Williams 620-215-3202, or at the door the night of the concert.  All proceeds to benefit FSBC Building Fund for our new Family Life Center

Watch “Come Thou Fount” by the Spencer Family here: https://youtu.be/7p1e_6bMPAM

25 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus –
10 S. National, 3-5pm

Exciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of 5 members on a team)

$5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team.
Pre-register at the tap room

27
Story Time, hosted by the Fort Scott Public Library –
201 S. National, 10-11am

Join Miss Val and other local families for a themed story time, featuring 2-3 books read aloud, songs or fingerplays, craft, and snack, along with a play table for before and after the stories. All story times welcome any age children and teens
Some themes are based around seasons, holidays, and annual events, while others are chosen by regular attendees
For more information, visit www.fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org or see our Facebook events page by clicking HERE
Enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and snacks related to our theme in the downstairs event room. Hope you can come. Tell your friends!
27 T.O.P.S Meetings held weekly on Tuesdays at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 10:30am
27 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room,
2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
27 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Tuesday evenings, 4-6pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds. We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products

28 Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center –
735 Scott Ave., 9-10am every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month

Come drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run. Staff will provide the bingo cards, the caller and coffee; prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission

28 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,  308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
28
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm
Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
28
TAG – Teen Advisory Group – Fort Scott Public Library –
201 S. National, 4:15-5:15pm

Join Teen Advisory Group members in the library events room. This event is exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snacks night, community service project, book club meeting, and craft night each month. Members can help the library develop programs, displays, and book collections that better serve teens! Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. See you at TAG, and bring your friends!
29
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee is being hosted by Fort Scott Washateria
Location:  501 S. National Ave.
29 Horticultural services at the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday – 210 S. National,
9am-3:30pm (See flyer below)

Krista Harding, Horticulture Agent for the Southwind Extension District, has office hours at the Extension office inside the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday. In an effort to better serve residents of Fort Scott and the surrounding communities, Krista is there weekly to answer questions and offer advice on lawn and gardens, trees and shrubs, flowers and insect. Bring your spotted leaves, strange looking insects or wilted flowers and let her help you! This a free service and is available to all community members. Questions? Call 620-223-3720

29 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room,
12pm-1pm
29 Uniontown JV Girls at Woodland Hills Golf Course –
2414 S. Horton, 1-4pm
29 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center,
735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm

Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize

29 A Star is Born, or Died – Boiler Room Brewhaus,
2 S. National Ave., 7-9pm

Join Boiler Room Brewhaus on Thursday evenings from
7-9pm for karaoke fun. Cheer on your favorite local star!

30
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows
& bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
30 Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main, 7pm

Friday Night Concert in the Park – Sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

This week’s concert features The Mike Miller Band – country, classic and gospel. Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.  In the event of bad weather we will move to The Common Grounds Coffee Shop

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]

31
Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
31 9th Annual Co-ed Softball Tournament for Care to Share Cancer Support Group/The Sharing Bucket – Ellis Park, 1182-1246 E. 12th St. in Fort Scott, 8am

Hosted by Nicole and Jason Hicks: 620-768-9739

$125 per team – sign up now! USSSA rules. 7 guys
& 3 girls. Concession stands open. Chances for donated items. Champion shirts to the winners!

Se

North Main Street Closed Saturday Morning For Wreath Ride

ATTN:  Downtown Businesses, Residents & Patrons

 
We want to make sure everyone is aware of the Wreath Ride taking place tomorrow (Saturday) and that the convoy will be coming down Main Street starting at 11am.  Registration will take place at 3rd & Main from 9-10:30am.  CFI will have 8 military wrapped trucks in attendance. All vehicles are welcome to participate! All money raised will go towards Wreaths Across America to purchase Wreaths for the National Cemetery.  This is the first time all EIGHT military wrapped CFI trucks will be in one place.  All are welcome to come watch the convoy.
 
City Commission approved street closure on Main Street between 1st & 3rd St. from 8:30am to 11:30am.
 
Click here to view the Wreath Ride Facebook page for more info.

Young Entrepreneur: Caleb Kasper

Caleb Kasper works on a cell phone for a customer. Submitted photos.

A  little over a year ago, Caleb Kasper, 15, created a business to meet a need.

He repairs damaged and broken Apple cellular products, such as iPhones and tablets.

“I started to repair iPhones because a couple of years ago I broke a brand new iPhone I had just received,” Kasper said.  “I started to look around for a non-expensive way to repair it. After looking for several days, I realized there should be an easier and more affordable way to simply get your phone in good working condition again.”

He is the son of Natalie Taylor and  Teddy Kasper.

” With help from my dad, and some specialized training, I taught myself to repair many aspects of an iPhone,” he said.

His mom helps with marketing.

“My mom has helped me with advertising using Facebook and other social media apps,” he said.

“Now, that I’ve repaired iPhones for several people, who have been pleased with my work, they have recommended me throughout the community,” Kasper said.

Rhonda Pinkerton was one of his recent customers and nominated Kasper for the feature.

“I feel like it is a good service that is not offered here in town and could benefit a lot of people,” Pinkerton said. “He fixed a broken phone screen for me… He was great to work with and made it quick and easy.”

Kasper is self-taught and able to repair broken cell phone screens. Submitted photos.

He can be reached to set up an appointment and get a quote by phone/text at 620-215-4706 or

by email at [email protected].

Prices vary between the type of repair and model of the product.

New WS Technology Teacher: Karen Gordon

 

 Karen Gordon, 56, is the new technology teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.
Gordon retired in May from  teaching in Missouri after 27 years.
She is a Nevada, MO native.
“I’ve had numerous jobs in education while at Nevada,” she said. “Most recently I was one of the middle school counselors. I have also been the counselor at Truman Elementary, school psychological examiner for the district, taught fifth-grade, gifted, keyboarding, and seventh-grade science.”
Gordon has a bachelor of arts degree from UMKC and a master of science from PSU, both in elementary education.
“I also have numerous hours in counseling from MSU,” she said.
Her husband, Tom Gordon, and she have one son, McCade Gordon, who is a sophomore at Mizzou.
Outside of school, she likes attending Broadway shows, her son’s concerts, walking, and “hanging out with friends,” she said.
“The best part of teaching, for me, is getting to shape young minds and show them that their only limits are those they place on themselves,” she said.
Her greatest challenge this year will be going back into the classroom after being in counseling for the last six years, she said.
“I’m so excited to work with the littles!”

Work Ready Students Is Goal of New Program: Employers Cooperation Needed

Fort Scott High School.

Workers are needed across the state to fill workforce needs.

The Kansas State Board of Education, working with Kansas legislators, are providing the opportunity for juniors in high school, including Fort Scott, to take assessments to help fill those workforce needs.

The title of the program is ACT Work Ready Community and is paid for by Kansas legislators in collaboration with the state board of education.

Students are offered two assessments for the program and can either take the ACT, or ACT WorkKeys, or both.

The program facilitators are hoping to fill job vacancies in Bourbon County.

“An opportunity was seen to provide a connection for local Bourbon County employers to gain understanding of the ACT and the ACT WorkKeys assessment to help fill and build their workforce,” USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong said.  “The opportunity for juniors to take the ACT assessments will continue this school year and for years to come.”

A career readiness certificate can be earned, after taking an assessment, which will help to evaluate future employees for the workforce skills needed.

The program allows employers to use it as a tool to see if the skills set will work for their need.

“ACT Work Ready Community is a program to provide Bourbon County the distinction of a county where the employers recognize the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate earned upon completion of taking the ACT WorkKeys assessment, as a tool to evaluate future employees,” Hessong said.

The basis of the certification: current and future workers earn the certificate and the employers recognize the credential.

“Employers can be the fuel to drive successful state and county Work Ready Communities initiatives simply by recognizing the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate®. And in doing so, they will have a more qualified workforce ready to fill their jobs,” according to the ACT Work Ready Communities website.

“The foundation of a community’s certification is based on individuals at the county level across the current, transitioning and emerging workforce, earning an ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate®…and employers recognizing the ACT® WorkKeys® NCRC®,” Hessong said. “(It) is a portable, industry-recognized credential that clearly identifies an individual’s WorkKeys® skills in workplace documents, applied math, and graphic literacy.”
A collaboration of local entities and employers will have two years to start reaching goals for the program.
“The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Bourbon County Economic Development, USD 234, Fort Scott Community College, and Bourbon County employers will have two years to attain goals set by ACT Work Ready in order to be recognized as an ACT Work Ready Community,” Hessong said.
For more information: workreadycommunities.org

New FSHS Math Teacher: Bill Hall

Bill Hall. Submitted photo.

William Hall is a new math teacher at Fort Scott High School, whose hometown is Manhattan, KS.

Hall earned a bachelor of science degree in secondary math education from Kansas State University and has previously taught math at Hugoton High School.

His family consists of his father, brother, and sister, who still live in Manhattan, another brother in Las Vegas, and another brother in Sydney, Australia.

” I’ve always been interested in working with students,” he said. And his students inspire him, he said.

Hall is looking forward to getting to know the students at Fort Scott High School, he said.

His greatest challenge in teaching math is working with technology.

“I am what you would call ‘technology challenged,” he said.

 

American Legion Post 25 Fundraisers

Post 25 is raffling a Taurus G2C 9 mm pistol with two 10 rounds magazines. The money generated on this raffle will support 1 full scholarship for a Boys/Girls State/Cadet Law Program delegate PLUS will cover half the costs of a 2nd scholarship.
Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. Only 100 tickets will be sold.
Winner must be legally able to own a pistol and is responsible for the cost of any background checks.
Reply to this email with your phone number and I’ll put a member with tickets in touch with you.
I can also make arrangements to purchase raffle tickets for those persons who live out of town but wish to support Post 25 programs.
We have an opportunity to purchase T-shirts with the Post 25 Legion logo and you can add on the back of the T-shirt your branch of service, name, office held such as Chaplain. Cost per T-shirt  is $20 and can be ordered in sizes Small – 2 XL. T-shirts will ordered through a Fort Scott supplier.
These T-shirts are red are the baseball shirts worn by  Fort Scott Post 25 baseball team. The shirts can also be worn on to support RED shirt Fridays as well. RED stands for Remember Everyone Deployed.
In order to order T-shirts, there is a minimum order of 12.
If you wish to order a T-shirt, just reply to this email with your name, T-shirt size and lettering on the back, if any.
Photos of the Taurus and the T-shirts are attached.
Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have,
Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

Tri-Valley Fall Golf Classic Sept. 14

Save the date:
September 14, 2019
2019 Friends of
Tri-Valley Foundation Fall Golf Classic
Save the Date:
2019 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Fall Golf Classic
When: Saturday, September 14, 2019
What: 4-Person Scramble
Where: Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 Horton St., Fort Scott, KS 66701
Cost: $200 per team, includes green fees, golf cart & lunch
Deadline to enter: September 6, 2019
Why: To help the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to support programs for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties.
For more information, contact Tricia at 620-431-7401, ext. 230,

Hayden Travis: New 2nd Grade Teacher at Winfield Scott

Hayden Travis, 24, starts teaching second grade at Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott this year.

She was raised in Uniontown, and her mom,  sixth-grade West Bourbon Elementary School teacher Bonnie Rathbun, was her inspiration.

“My mom has been a teacher for many years, and I have grown up watching her give 110% to her students every year,” Travis said. “I was inspired by her dedication, passion, and drive to help students be successful.”

Travis previously taught 8th-grade earth science for two years in the Shawnee Mission School District in the Kansas City area.

She graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree.

Her family includes husband: Zach Travis, mother: Bonnie Rathbun, father: Randy Rathbun, sister: Taylor Graber, and brother: Chad Parks.

In her spare time she likes spending time with family, playing and watching sports, enjoying outdoor activities, staying active, and crafting, she said.

Watching students grow from the beginning to the end of the school year is the best part of teaching for Travis.

“Ultimately my goal is to help mold students into successful and independent individuals who can achieve any goal they desire,” she said.

What are the greatest challenges in teaching for you?

“One of the greatest challenges in teaching for me is finding a balance between my professional and home life,” she said.

Chamber Coffee At Via Christi Aug. 22

WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Hosted by:
Ascension Via Christi Fort Scott
Location:

401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
(In the McAuley Center)
Thursday, August 22, 2019  at 8:00 a.m.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
August 29 – Fort Scott Washateria (501 S. National)
September 5 – SEK Multi-County Health Dept. (524 S. Lowman)
September 12 – Stutesman’s Action Realty (New Location: 120 E. Wall St.)
September 19 – Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (1 S. Main St.)