Members of First Southern Baptist Church, Joyce McReynolds and Leeta Walker, are pictured with two sleep mats that were made for the homeless. The mats were made from recycled plastic bags.
A local church is putting the word “service” back in Sundays.
Members of First Southern Baptist Church have spent the past year making sleeping mats for Beautiful Feet Ministries, a homeless shelter and outreach in Fort Worth, Texas.
“We made these mats to share the love of Jesus to those less fortunate than us,” said Leeta Walker. For Walker, serving means showing. “That’s what today was all about. Not just coming to church to talk about helping people, but actually doing something,” she explained.
Last year, Walker and her husband, Steve, went with several members of First Southern on a mission trip to Fort Worth. The experience motivated her to show the love of Christ by organizing people to make sleep mats out of recycled plastic bags. “Everybody has extra plastic bags lying around the house,” Walker said. “Instead of throwing them out, we reused them by crocheting them into these sleep mats which are waterproof and portable.”
Last Sunday, the church sent two truck-loads of sleep mats, clothing, personal hygiene items, and Bibles to Fort Worth for people in need.
First Southern’s Senior Pastor, James Collins, praised his church members for their outreach. “I really appreciate everyone who acted as the hands and feet of Jesus and worked so hard to bring this together,” he said. Collins said it was their way of sending a message to people who’ve fallen on hard times.
“There are people who will pray for you, there are people that love you, and there are people who will help you any way we can,” he said.
Jackie Sellers sits in her office at the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main.
Jackie Sellers is the site manager for the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main. The center is the hub of many services that are provided to seniors in the community.
Her jobs entail food distribution for Meals On Wheels, a Kansas Food Bank Senior Food Program, food commodities distribution and a monthly potluck for people with disabilities in the community.
Another venture, housed at the site, is providing public transportation service to the community.
Taxi
Sellers coordinates rides for Old Fort Transportation, a local taxi service.
The hours for Old Fort Transportation are 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To secure a ride call 223-0750.
She said there are five employees that drive the vans that are part of the transportation fleet.
“We provide 900-1,000 rides a month,” she said. Rides to go to a job, or the doctor or shopping. “It’s been a busy year, we are looking good.”
“We will provide out of town runs,” Sellers said. “We do have drivers for that, with 24 hours notice.”
Old Fort Transportation has even occasionally provided rides home from the emergency room when people are dismissed after hours.
Sellers was co-host of the Jan. 16 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee with Fort Scott Compassion Ministries, who have an office in the center.
At the coffee, Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin told Sellers that he appreciates her for keeping the taxi service going.
Food
The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging Senior Nutrition Program, also known as Meals on Wheels, is delivered through the Bourbon County Senior Citizens, with Sellers coordinating.
Sellers provides drivers for 54 senior citizens who receive home delivery of a hot meal.
Four people receive frozen meals through the program, she said.
“If you are on the route of the driver coming from Pittsburg, you get hot meals,” Sellers said. “If you are not on the route, you get frozen meals.”
“Volunteers dish up the food and deliver the meals,” she said.
Once a month, Sellers also coordinates food commodities distribution.
“It is income-based,” she said. “They come in once a month on the fourth Thursday to 26 N. Main. They can come on that day and we can sign them up.”
“We serve about 120 households a month,” Sellers said.
In addition, about 78 people receive a box of food from the Kansas Food Bank’s Senior Food Program, she said. This distribution is the fourth Friday of each month.
“Come in and pick up an application, mail it to Wichita,” she said. “If the application is in at the beginning of the month, they can get the box that month.”
Included in the box: meat, vegetables, fruit, shelf-milk, cereal, juice, a loaf of cheese.
“This is income-based and age-based,” Sellers said. “You have to be 60 years plus.”
There is also a potluck on the second Friday in partnership with Resource Center for Independent Living, for those with disabilities.
“If you know someone who could use help, they can help,” she said.
Jackie Sellers, site manager at Bourbon County Senior Citizens center, places a quart of milk in a cooler to deliver with Meals on Wheels lunches.
From left: Lanie Jackson, Icysis Reeder, Michaela Morrell, Karlee Hereford, Jackson Montgomery, Lillian Jackson, Madi Davis, and Javon Steadman.Submitted photo.
Frontenac hosted the Southeast Kansas Music Educator’s Association Elementary Honor Choir on Saturday,
January 18, 2020.
Jason Sickel, 2017 Kansas Teacher of the Year, was the clinician for the 141-person choir.
Fifth-graders Lanie Jackson, Lillian Jackson, Jackson Montgomery, Icysis Reeder, Madi Davis, Karlee Hereford, Michaela Morrell, and Javon Steadman were nominated by Eugene Ware Elementary Music Educator MJ Harper to perform.
Students worked outside of class during the fall semester to prepare and memorize four pieces of music.
During the afternoon concert, Mary Jo Harper was awarded Outstanding Elementary Music Educator for Southeast Kansas Music Educators Association.
Bobbie Kemmerer, left and Oliver Witt. Submitted photo.
Fort Scott Tigers were back in the pool competing in Winfield last Thursday, January 16 and in Osawatomie last night, January 22.
Oliver Witt and Bobby Kemmerer continue to put up competitive times and race against the clock for a state-qualifying time.
In Osawatomie their 200 Free Relay made their laps count and earned a state-qualifying time of 1.38.61. However, since not all four members of the relay attend the same high school the time will not qualify them for state. At the state swim meet relays can only contain four members from the same high school. Since many high school teams co-op for boys swimming, it is not unusual for a relay to swim a qualifying time and not be able to compete in the state meet.
This relay consisted of Kemmerer and Witt from Fort Scott High School, Josh Slansky from Chanute High School and Anthony Pousher from Parsons High School.
The next meet will be at Blue Valley West next Thursday, January 30 at 4:00 p.m.
Results for Winfield Meet
Oliver Witt: 3rd in the 200 medley relay, 4th in the 200 free relay, Individual Medley 2nd in heat 8th overall, 6th in the 100 freestyle
Bobby Kemmerer: 3rd in the 200 medley relay, 4th in the 200 free relay, Individual Medley 1st in heat 6th overall (state consideration time), 5th 50 freestyle
Results Osawatomie Meet
Bobby Kemmerer & Oliver Witt: 200 Medley Relay 1st (state consideration time), 200 free relay (State Qualifying Time)
Bobby Kemmerer: 1st in the 50 Free (state consideration time), 2nd in the 100 Backstroke
Oliver Witt: 3rd in the 50 Free, 2nd in the 100 Butterfly (both races swam a best time)
The Offices, a set of offices being developed by Legweak LLC.
Jeff and Jamie Armstrong have put resources of time and money into The Offices, located at 1711-1715 S. National Avenue. (Just north of Subway Restaurant.)
Jeff and Jamie Armstrong stand in front of the property they developed into business suites. Submitted photo.
Recently, they signed on their first renter in the development.
“We cater to small businesses that need a turn-key solution without the overhead of their own storefront,” Jamie Armstrong said.
“We created this space to help attract and grow small businesses in a community we dearly love,” she said. “It is difficult to find professional space that’s affordable with great visibility when you are getting started or growing into a new market.”
The Armstrong’s have worked in the last few months to build the offices, which were created to fit the need of the renter.
“We hope that by adapting size and scale, we have brought to a rural market like Fort Scott, a small business concept that has been wildly popular in urban markets,” Armstrong said.
The first business moving into The Offices building is Mag-Lab of Pittsburg. This business offers medical lab services to the community.
Brian Holt, Mag-Lab medical technologist and Sharon Newell, phlebotomist, stand in the lobby of The Offices, where the new Mag-Lab is located. There are six offices available in this section of the buildings. A common lobby, restroom, and kitchen area are shared among the renters.
“They open up February 3rd,” Armstrong said. ” We have five remaining units available for lease.”
” Our amenities include private, pre-wired 10’x12’ office with on-site storage, virtual receptionist, common area cleaning service, and all utilities included for one flat monthly cost. We offer flexible lease terms that start at $500/mo. We would be the perfect option for a satellite law practice, CPA, medical practitioner, a work-from-home business and many, many others.”
The common kitchenette area of The Offices, 1711 S. National.
The restroom has wheelchair accessibility at The Offices.
The name of the development business that the Armstrong’s started is Legweak,LLC. For more information: 620-224-3036.
Lindsay Madison is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce has been working to encourage entrepreneurship and matching skills to local employers’ needs in 2019, according to information provided during the Jan. 9 Chamber coffee.
Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, 321 E. Wall
Two new programs were added to the community this year: Bourbon County E-Community and Work Ready Community. The focus of the two is enhancing local economic development through entrepreneurship and workforce development.
Loans for Businesses Through Entrepreneur Community
Bourbon County E-Community provides access to funds, which are locally administered through the Chamber. These loans included start-up businesses as well as existing business purchases or expenses. The funds are accessed through NetWork Kansas, whose mission statement is to promote an entrepreneurial environment throughout the state that connects entrepreneurs and small business owners with expertise, education, and economic resources.
Those who have received these loans in Fort Scott from July 1 to Dec. 31:
Smallville Crossfit, an E-Community Loan of $40,000.
Luther’s BBQ, an E-Community Loan of $45,000.
Smallville Crossfit, a start-up loan of $25,000.
Lulther’s BBQ, a start-up loan of $30,000.
Margo’s LLC (a salon and spa), an E-Community Load of $39,000.
Other events in support of E-Community: a luncheon to educate on the loan program, an entrepreneur appreciation luncheon, a semi-monthly local newspaper ad promoting the loans, and planning for a Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, in partnership with Fort Scott High School (judging for the challenge will be March 11, 2020.)
Work Ready Community
Work Ready Community is a nation-wide program to aid matching people to a job that needs their skills and preparing people to have the skills that employers need.
Work Ready Communities is working at the grassroots level to make the country more competitive and closing the skills gap that threatens to paralyze the U.S. economy, according to its website. They do this by providing a community-based framework.
Bourbon County became a Work Ready Community in Sept. 2019.
A group of 10 people from Bourbon County, USD 234, USD235, Fort Scott Community College, the City of Uniontown and local employers attended a Work Ready Community Workshop in August 2019.
Kansas initiated an initiative for high school juniors to take the Work Keys test and earn certification. The certification is to improve hiring and employee retention, help provide employees who have the skills needed and help students attain success in landing a career.
To view the Chamber leadership this year,click below:
Ground cover materials and repair of some of the children’s playground equipment were part of the workday in December.
Some local citizens have decided not to complain about issues, but instead to work on solutions.
Citizens For Park Improvements is the name of a group of local citizens who had been working in Gunn Park to improve the children’s areas.
Saw the need, took action
“The weekend before I started the group, we were at the park for a church function,” Seth Needham said. ” My youngest wanted to swing, but he couldn’t because the swings were broke. Even if the swings weren’t broke, the surface was muddy, and the whole area was unsafe. The swings that weren’t broke were 28 inches off the ground, which isn’t safe for a toddler. So, I decided to take action.”
” I have 2 sons, and I want the park to be a fun place for them.”
New ground cover under the teeter-totter makes it safer for children. The materials were provided by members of the Citizens For Park Improvements.
“It is something that had been on my mind for quite some time,” Needham said. ” I love our parks. I love taking my sons to our parks. But our parks need a lot of work. As I parent who frequents the parks, I see a lot of the issues. And I wasn’t seeing those issues being addressed. Things like a teeter-totter that was 40 inches off the ground, which was dangerous for my sons. Or slides that my two-year-old couldn’t go down because they had huge drop-offs at the bottom. Swing sets that were in disrepair. Ground covering that is non-existent. I realized I had two choices; gripe and complain on Facebook, or take action. I chose the second.”
“We have good parks,” he said. “But we have the basis for GREAT parks. And that’s what I want. I want to see Gunn Park be a wonderful safe place for families. I believe our parks department is doing a great job, but it sounds like they are overwhelmed sometimes just trying to keep up with the day-to-day operations. I figured if I could organize a group of people to help with some of the small stuff, the park department might have more time to focus on the larger issues.”
Started November 2019: More Projects In Spring
Needham started the project on November 6.
“I figured a few people might join and help, but I never expected it to take off like this. We have had one meeting, are already drawing up plans for our first six projects. We had our first workday, and got several projects done.”
Upcoming projects planned for this spring include updating bathrooms, repairing playground equipment, new ground cover for playgrounds, “and also some bigger projects which will really add to Gunn Park,” Needham said. “We have people looking into funding options, have set-up a material registry with Big-Sugar Lumber, and have experts looking into things such as drainage. And there is so much more that is going on.”
Currently, there is a project to clear off the Bell Town Park Trail on the north end of town, being organized by Denise Findley Needham.
New ground cover materials were placed under the swing sets at Gunn Park by the citizen’s group.
“Right now there are around 500 people in the group, and it’s growing daily,” he said. “We have a good group of people with fresh ideas, and the will to make it happen. One of my goals from the beginning was to make the group accessible to anyone. I want anyone who wants to help to have the opportunity, regardless of age, income, physical health, or time. I’m trying hard to organize the group where someone who has to work weekends can still contribute if they want to. Or the person who has $10 leftover after pay-day, but still wants to help. There will be a place for them. Or maybe someone who is older or disabled and can’t get out there and do physical labor…. We can use them too.”
Leadership
” We have never really decided on leadership,” he said. “I guess right now, I’m it. There have been several individuals who have really stepped up… and I couldn’t have done it without them. So if that qualifies as a leader, I would have to say Craig Campbell, Deb McCoy, Josh Jones, Beth Nuss, Lindsay Madison, Susan Bancroft, and Chad Brown so far. As projects come up, I am sure we’ll see more people step up to the plate when they see a need for something they are great at. “
Social media is helping the organization
“I organized it through Facebook to make it easier for people. Let’s face it, people are busy. It’s hard to attend traditional meetings. But by organizing it online, people can contribute on THEIR schedule. Ideas can be exchanged easily. We can set-up events so that people can see what we need, when we are working, and how they can help.”
“If anyone wants to be involved, they just need to join our Facebook group,” Needham said. “In the group, we post ideas and solutions we are working on, workdays, and how people can help.”
The Martin Luther King Jr. celebration continues today with a noon Lunch and Learn at the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
This community discussion will be moderated by Rev. George Proctor of the United Missionary Baptist Church.
Lunch will be provided by Luther’s BBQ.
Films will also be shown throughout the day Monday at 9:00 am, 10:30 am, and 1:30 pm.
The Kansas Senate voted Wednesday to confirm all 33 of Governor Laura Kelly’s appointments heard and advanced by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee during the 2019 legislative interim.
Of the 33 confirmed appointments advanced by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee, three were Cabinet members, five were agency heads and the remaining 25 were board or commission members.
The three Cabinet-level appointments were DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration; Herman Jones, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol; and Jeff Zmuda, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections.
“I commend the Senate for acting to approve all of my interim appointments,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “My administration has methodically and intentionally searched for the best candidates to hold these positions, and I’m confident they will all perform their duties with courage, poise and expertise.”
The full list of confirmed interim appointments is listed below.
Cabinet-level appointments:
DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration
Herman Jones, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol
Jeff Zmuda – Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections
Executive branch agency directors:
Steve Durrell, Director of the Kansas Lottery
David Herndon – Kansas State Bank Commissioner
Doug Jorgensen, Director of the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal
Earl Lewis, Director of the Kansas Water Office
Kala Loomis, Director of the Kansas State Gaming Agency
Board or commission members:
Connie Owen, Chair, Kansas Water Authority
Catherine Moyer, Kansas Lottery Commission
Ed Trimmer, Kansas Lottery Commission
Kala Spigarelli, Kansas Lottery Commission
Mike Ryan, Public Employee Relations Board
Jon Gilbert, Public Employee Relations Board
Joni Franklin, Public Employee Relations Board
Rick Wiley, Public Employee Relations Board
Keely Schneider, Public Employee Relations Board
Emily Hill, KPERS Board of Trustees
Brad Stratton, KPERS Board of Trustees
Shelly Kiblinger, Kansas Board of Regents
Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Kansas Board of Regents
Jon Rolph, Kansas Board of Regents
Kelly Kultala, Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
Erica Andrade, Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Dr. Michael Birzer, Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Patricia Hudgins, Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Laurel Michel, Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Richard Ney, Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Ruth Stevenson, Kansas Banking Board
Patrick Walden, Kansas Banking Board
Alan Deines, Kansas Development Finance Authority
Sheryl Gilchrist, Kansas Civil Service Board
Dr. Romano Delcore, Kansas University Hospital Authority
