Category Archives: Fort Scott

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Some Changes for Good Ol’ Days 2019

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Good Ol’ Days, the annual Fort Scott town-wide event, begins on Thursday, May 30 and runs through Saturday, June 1, this year.

There have been a few changes in venue for some of the events.

Rhonda Dunn, a member of the Good Ol’ Days Steering Committee, answered the following questions posed to her from fortscott.biz.

Why change of venue for the dances, from outside to inside?

“The committee wanted to move away from the street dance format because they haven’t been well attended in recent years.  We did a survey after last year’s festival and people wanted it to stay downtown so we were looking for a solution.  The cost of a concert quality stage was very expensive so we opted to utilize Memorial Hall so we can  have great concerts without the worry of rain.”

Why the change of venue for the carnival?

“The carnival is a very popular part of the Good Old Days but has been limited by the space we can provide.  By moving them to the parking lot at 3rd and Main, we can give them more space which we hope results in more rides and bigger rides.”

 

Anything else new?

“We are collaborating with Velocity’s Customer Appreciation event and the trolley will shuttle people between the two events making it one great festival.  They are planning a BIG car show and motorcycle show and are even giving away a Harley Davidson motorcycle!

The Friday and Saturday night concerts are a big change for the festival and we hope it becomes a fixture of the festival for years to come.  Friday night’s concert is the 90’s country band, Restless Heart.  Saturday night will be a Beach Party in Memorial Hall with the #1 Beach Boys Tribute Band in the US, Still Surfin.”

The annual baby contest is always well attended.

Who is on the committee?

“The (Good Ol’ Days) Steering Committee is Shawn Obrien, Charlotte Thompson, Janet Braun, Leah Bowman, Carl Brenner, Melissa Wise, Allyson Turvey.  Many other people work with the committee to make all these events happen.  We are looking for volunteers to help not only with this year’s festival but work throughout the year to plan for the next year too.  Volunteers can contact me by text or call at 620-224-1186.

How many vendors are expected? 

“The target of booths is 150.”

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Friday night concert season begins

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Cherry Jammers from Cherry Grove Baptist Church, rural Fort Scott, performed during a Friday Night Concert in 2018 at First United Methodist Church.

 

The Friday Night Concert in the Park series will kick off Friday, April 26 with piano students performing from the Tucker Music Studio.

Due to unpredictable spring weather, the concert will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main Street. The concerts normally take place at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main Streets.

“I am really pleased to present this fine group of young ladies and gentlemen and their teacher, Carolyn Tucker, to the good people of Bourbon County and the surrounding area,” Ralph Carlson, event coordinator said.

The students scheduled to perform are Benjamin, Josiah, and Noelle Banwart, Abbigail Collins, Abigail DeLoera, Hannah Peck, Austin Sinn, and Garren and Gregg Tucker.

In addition, former students Kelcie Bailey and Breisen Keller will perform as guest pianists. 

Carlson said the students range from elementary to high school in USD 234, USD 235, Fort Scott Christian Heights, and those that are homeschooled.

The concert will consist of a variety of music including classical, pop, gospel, patriotic, and folk. The evening will conclude with an instrumental wrap-up featuring Carolyn Tucker on piano and Ralph Carlson on guitar.

The concerts, which are free and open to the public, are sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

New SEKCAP CEO: Jess Ervin

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Jess Ervin is the new CEO of the Southeast Kansas Community Action Program. Submitted photo.

Jess Ervin, Uniontown, transitioned to the role of Chief Executive Officer at Southeast Kansas Community Action Program on January 1, 2019.

“I replaced Steve Lohr, who was with SEK-CAP for nearly 40 years,” Ervin said. “He had served as CEO since 1999.”

Ervin’s office is located in Girard, at the SEK-CAP Central Office facility on North Sinnet Street.

“This location houses the Agency’s administrative offices, as well as office space for our Early Childhood Services staff,” Ervin said. “Also located here is an annex facility, in which our housing services and transportation departments are located.”

Ervin is a Bourbon County resident.

“I graduated from Uniontown High School in 2002, Fort Scott Community College in 2004 and Pittsburg State University in 2006 with a  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration,” he said.

 

“From 2006 to 2014, I worked at Mercy Health Center Fort Scott, first as a staff accountant, then as a  senior accountant,” he said. “Following that time I transitioned into the role of a senior financial analyst for Mercy of Southwest Missouri and Kansas, where I worked until January of 2017. In January of 2017, I was hired as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for SEK-CAP. I served in that capacity until the end of 2018.”

 

What does the future look like with Ervin as CEO?

“We will continue to serve the children, families and communities in the twelve counties in southeast Kansas,” Ervin said. “Our current services include Community Engagement, Early Childhood Services, Housing and Transportation.”

“We are currently engaged in completing a Community Needs Assessment for our service area that will combine both qualitative and quantitative data factors to determine areas of need, and to identify opportunities for change.”

SEK-CAP is active in Bourbon County.

“Right now in Bourbon County, we are active through Community Engagement, Housing Services and Early Childhood Services. Community Engagement encompasses community planning, involvement and needs assessment,” he said.

“Our housing services in Bourbon County include the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) which can be utilized for homelessness assistance. Our wait list for TBRA is currently open and is set to close April 30th for the current grant cycle.”

“Early Childhood services include both a center-based (Head Start, ages 3-5) model that is housed in a classroom of the Fort Scott Preschool building, and Home-Based Services (Early Head Start and Head Start, prenatal through age 5), which are services delivered by staff who conduct weekly visits to children in their home, and work directly with the parents to promote healthy development. SEK-CAP’s Early Childhood programs promote school readiness for children prenatally to age five for low-income families by supporting the development of the whole child. Each Early Childhood program supports families in fulfilling their roles as parents and movement towards self-sufficiency by offering comprehensive services such as education, nutrition, medical, dental, mental health, employment services, leadership development and community engagement.”

“Each program our agency offers is vitally important to the success of the families and communities we serve, and we can proudly say that the skill and passion that our over 200 staff has for helping people is a cornerstone to all programs.”

Ervin encourages people to visit the agency website at www.sek-cap.com to learn more, and also on facebook and twitter – Southeast Kansas Community Action Program/@SEKCAPINC.

 

The mission of SEK CAP addresses the causes and effects of poverty by uniting staff, individuals, families and community partners to provide quality comprehensive services through compassionate, respectful relationships.

SEK-CAP
Fort Scott, Schools

Car Wash Fundraiser April 20 For FSHS Golf

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Car Wash Fundraiser
at Typhoon Bay, by
Fort Scott High School
Boys Golf
Saturday, April 20th from 8am-12pm
Come get your auto cleaned, dried, and vacuumed while supporting a great program: FSHS Boys Golf!
Typhoon Bay Car Wash
1510 S. National Ave.
(next to Heidrick’s True Value)
For more information, contact
John Horn at: 620-224-7120
Special thanks to Typhoon Bay Car Wash for sponsoring this event and providing supplies!
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Bags of Love Ministry Gifted by Progressive Mothers Club

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Joyce Davenport, right,  President of Progressive Mothers Club of Fort Scott, presenting $200 to Janet Tucker for Bags of Love ministry on April 4. Submitted photo.

The local Fort Scott Progressive Mothers’ Club has been very active through the years, according to Shirley Palmer a member.

The local group recently presented Janet Tucker with a check for $200 to help with the project which helps children.

“At their recent meeting in April, Janet Tucker, Bourbon County chapter President spoke to the group and talked about It’s My Very Own BAGS OF LOVE project,” Palmer said.  “It is championing the immediate needs of the displaced child.”

“This is a local mission project for Bourbon County,” Tucker noted. “Where a group of volunteer women meets each week at the Seventh-Day Adventist church to sew comforters and duffle bags.”

Locally, the group program is called It’s My Very Own,  Bags of Love.

“When a child is removed from their home for reasons out of their control, a bag is filled with gender and age-appropriate items,” which is then given to the child, Tucker said.

When a child is removed from their home by the local protective service, often they can take nothing with them but the clothes on their back.

It’s My Very Own, is dedicated to providing a bag with personal care age and gender appropriate items for children from birth to 17 years old.

“These consist of basic body care items, stuffed animals, new toys, clothes, socks, p.j.’s, books, journals, diapers, baby care items, and then packed with lots of love and prayers,” Tucker said.

Items currently needed: large/small stuffed animals (can be gently used), new toys, puzzles, coloring books/crayons, journals, pens, craft kits, shampoo/body wash, toothpaste/toothbrush, deodorant, combs/brushes, hair bows, and seasonal items, according to information provided.

The supply list for duffle bags/comforters is colorful cotton/poly fabric, thread, twin flat sheets, high loft batting, thick cording, 1-inch buttons.

Needed items for children “aging out” of foster care: laundry detergent and basket, Clorox wipes, paper towels, all-purpose cleaners, dish soap/sponge, stain remover, dryer sheets, trash bags, tampons/pads, body wash/soap, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, towels/washcloths, small first aid kit, small lock box to keep important papers in, basic tool set, flashlight, batteries, planner for them to keep track of appointments, school supplies, blankets, basic cooking supplies, Walmart Gift Cards in increments of $25.

Also needed are prayers, monetary gifts and ink and paper for printing, stamps, blade replacements, sewing pins/needles, and volunteers.

For more information contact Tucker at 620-768-9356.

About Progressive Mother Club

The following is from a press release from Palmer:

“The local Progressive Mothers’ Club meets monthly, September-April, with the purpose of helping and promoting children and their activities.

The local group had a yearly membership of 24 people for many years and there used to be a waiting list for ladies in the community wanting to join. They met in homes for many years.

Today their membership is eighteen and they often still meet in homes of members or in a place in the community.

Through the years the local group has participated often in the Christmas Parades, Good ‘Ol Days parades, always promoting children. Their objective is to promote and to help children.

They have helped with the Mother to Mother ministry by donating items many times. They give money to each of the schools for needed items for children throughout the school years.

They often donate to families with children who have experienced house fires and who have lost everything. They adopt children of various ages at Christmas time and provide special Christmas gifts to them.

All in all, this club is a very caring and giving organization.

The Progressive Mothers’ Club was founded in March 1918 in Dayton, Ohio.

The purpose of the club was to bring together local mothers for social and educational functions that were meant to nurture and enhance their role as mothers.

The Progressive Mothers sought to provide opportunities for mothers to learn about child development, nurturing family environments, and the stresses associated with youth and families. The non-profit group prided itself on providing welfare and advocacy for all children.

The Progressive Mothers’ Club joined the Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1921, as well as later joining the National Federation of Women’s Clubs.

The official Progressive Mothers’ Club on the national level disbanded in 2003 but many Progressive Mothers’ alumni are still active and functioning in local clubs such as the Fort Scott group.

Joyce Davenport has been the local president the past two years. Shirley Palmer was installed as the new president for the Fort Scott group at their April meeting. Other officers are Donna Wilson, vice-president; Teri Campbell, Secretary, and Connie Finley treasurer.”

For more information about the club:  contact Shirley Palmer at 620-223-4105.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Teacher Lynette Jackson Retires After 31 Years

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Lynette Jackson. Submitted photo.

Lynette Jackson, a second-grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School, is retiring after 31 years in education.

“I taught first grade for one year in Shawnee, Oklahoma and thirty years have been with USD 234 as a K-3 teacher and instructional coach,” Jackson said.

Born and raised in Fort Scott, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University.

Several factors influenced her to become a teacher.

“One was the relationships I had with my former teachers,” she said. “I have great memories of school because my teachers made school fun and exciting. They also made me feel very secure and important. Although I’ve enjoyed school throughout my lifetime, my elementary years are the most memorable to me. Therefore, I became an elementary teacher.

“In thinking about all the teachers I’ve had from elementary school through college, I must say that the great majority of them had some influence on me, one way or another. I’m reminded of how important it was to be assured at school that I had potential and skills, that I could use in life to be successful. It was very important and with gratitude, I will never forget what they did for me as I was growing up. All my educators impacted my desire to teach and I hope I have repaid the debt to my past teachers that invested in me.”

Jackson believes a  teacher has a mission.

“Being a teacher means being a nurse, counselor, substitute mom or dad, cheerleader, and disciplinarian,” she said. “It is my hope that I have been all these roles for my students over the years. I am flattered when a child says to me, ‘I want to be a teacher just like you.’ Have I given that youngster the best example I could to pattern his or her life and career?”

Jackson has had the privilege to work with colleagues that were past students.

“There is no better honor than working with someone that you once taught,” she said. “To see these students, grow up and have a career in education, is overwhelming. It is my hope they enjoy their careers and have many years in education as much as I have.”

As with all professions, there have been challenges.

“Several challenges I have faced over the years have been balancing the different learning styles of students, technology in the classroom, budget constraints, office politics, and lack of time to collaborate or implement new resources,” she said. “I would urge the community to get behind our schools and become knowledgeable about the educational trends we use at USD234 and become involved with our local school board and legislation.”

Jackson said she is hoping to spend time with her family and “enjoy attending my son’s school events.”

 

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS National 2019 Qualifiers For Debate

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The South Kansas District completed their last National Qualifier of the season at Pittburg High School on Saturday April, 13, and Fort Scott HS qualified four more members to Nationals.
Congratulations to the 2019 National Qualifiers who will be competing in Dallas, Texas, June 17-21.
If you see these students please congratulate them!
Dalton Womeldorff- World Schools
Ashton Nave – World Schools
Jorden Willard – World Schools
Madison Toth – Program of Oral Interpretation and Congress Senate
Rebekah Sweyko – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking and Congress House
Jonie Antonio – Congress House
Brooklyn Lyons – Humorous Interpretation and Dramatic Interpretation
Zoe Self and Hunter Adamson – DUO Interpretation
Zoe Self – International Extemporaneous Speaking
Shekhar Gugnani and Neil Gugnani – Public Forum Debate
Elizabeth Ngatia – Program Oral Interpretation and Original Oratory
Mark Adams – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking and Lincoln-Douglas                             Debate
Pictured L-R: Top: Shekhar Gugnani, Ashton Nave, Neil Gugnani, Mark Adam, Dalton Womeldorff
Pictured L-R: Middle: Jonie Antonio, Elizabeth Ngatia, Brooklyn Lyons, Jorden Willard
Pictered L-R: Bottom: Madison Toth, Rebekah Sweyko, Zoe Self
Not Pictured: Hunter Adamson

—

Angella Curran 

Fort Scott High School
Speech Communications
Debate/Forensics
Attachments area
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

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Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

 Upcoming Events

 

April 23. Bloodmobile will be at Buck Run Community Center from 1 – 7 pm. Blood donation is a national Legion program. Call 620-223-5946 to schedule an appointment.

 

April 24. Bloodmobile will be at Buck Run Community Center from 9 am – 1 pm. Blood donation is a national Legion program. Call 620-223-5946 to schedule an appointment.

 

April 27. Women’s Self-Defense class from 10 am – 12 pm at Fort Scott Middle School. Signup online at takedefense.org or by calling 620-223-1440. Ages 12 – 90. No males allowed.

 

May 1. Post 25 will greet the 2nd Annual Warrior Convoy through Fort Scott at 1:30 pm. Come join other Post 25 members and their families and friends at Memorial Hall as we welcome these combat Warriors to Fort Scott.

 

May 6. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

May 6. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.

May 17-19. Department of Kansas American Legion Convention. Hutchinson, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Post 25 can have four delegates at the Convention. Post 25 is authorized four voting delegates. Two more delegates are needed. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers if you would like to attend and represent Post 25.

May 31 – June 2. American Legion Leadership College at Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers for more information on attending. 

 

Shuttle Schedule

 

 

April 15. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

April 16. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

April 17. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

April 22. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

April 23. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

April 24. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

April 29. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

April 30. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

May 1. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

May 6. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

May 7. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

May 8. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.

 

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 continues to lead the Department of Kansas in membership at 151% with 77 members.

 

Recruit a new Legion member and both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing where each of you could win $500. This new member contest runs until May. Bringing in a past member whose membership expired in 2017 or earlier would also count towards the $500 drawing. If you need recruiting brochures or membership applications, please contact me. I’ll make arrangements to deliver them to you.

 

Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wishes to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.

 

Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle operates on Mondays and Tuesdays.

 

Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle operates on Wednesdays.

 

Any area Vet needing a ride for a medical appointment should call 785-925-0261 for more information or to reserve a seat. All Vets riding the shuttle must have medical appointments between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle and call by 5 pm the day before their appointment to schedule their ride.

 

Shuttle will depart from Pete’s 66 on Main Street and can stop at Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders. The shuttle’s Fort Scott departure time is based upon the earliest scheduled appointment of a Rider.  The shuttle coordinator will contact Riders with the departure time the evening before their scheduled ride.

 

We are moving towards starting an American Legion Riders. An organizational meeting will be scheduled in early May. The date and time will be based upon ALR District Officers availability. If you are interested in joining the Post 25 Riders Chapter, contact Post Commander Carl Jowers to be placed on a meeting notification list. The requirements to join the ALR are on the attached flyer.

 

Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the May 9 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain.

 

Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/.  Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.

 

VA MISSION Act: What is the latest on community care?  Find out more at this web address: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/23d694a

 

 

 Volunteers Needed

 

Ralph Carlson is seeking volunteers to help with minor home repairs for low income area residents. Volunteers with carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills. All projects are short term and can be accomplished based upon the volunteer’s availability. Some of Ralph’s most recent projects were wheelchair ramps for two disabled Veterans and repairing a kitchen floor for a senior citizen. Call Ralph at 620-644-8162 to volunteer or more for information about his program.

 

The Fort Scott Cancer Treatment Center relocated to Chanute. Drivers are needed to take Fort Scott patients to Chanute for chemotherapy. Drivers will use their own vehicle and there is a small stipend for gas, if requested. A driver will take the chemo patient to their appointment in Chanute and wait for treatment to be completed and then bring the patient back to Fort Scott. The driver may have only a half hour wait for the patient or two – three hours. Call Donna Bauer at 620-224-7075 for more information or to volunteer.

 

You do not have to be a Veteran to step up for one of the volunteer opportunities. Just someone who will step up and offer a helping hand to our neighbors.

 

Submitted by

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Telephone: 620.215.1688

Email: [email protected]

 

Bourbon County Local News