Category Archives: Fort Scott

Talking Tigers Take 2nd

FSHS Talking Tigers competed at Independence High School Saturday, November 16.
The Talking Tigers placed 2nd overall.
In the open division Mark Adams and Hannah Vann placed 8th with a 3-2 Record, Elizabeth Ngatia and Zoe Self placed 4th a 3-2 record and Jorden Willard and Jessden Kiwan placed 3rd with a 4-1record.
In the JV division Landon Doherty and Thade Yates placed 3rd with a 4-1 record.
In the novice division Gavin Warfield and Isaiah Self placed 3rd with a 5-0 record.
Congratulations on your success Tigers!
Submitted by Angella Curran

American Legion Riders Chapter 25 Chartered

ALR Area Director: Rodney “Whiskey” Robson and ALR Chapter 25 President Jessica “Woman” Allison.

American Legion Riders Chapter 25 was chartered yesterday by Kansas ALR Area Director: Rodney “Whiskey” Robson.

The following Chapter 25 Officers were elected:

Director. Jessica “Woman” Allison
Assistant Director. Larry “Larry” Hillburn
Treasurer. Darrell ‘Big Red” Spencer
Secretary. Carl “Dog Robber” Jowers
Sgt. at Arms. Robert “Jake” Campbell
Asst. Sgt. at Arms. Marcus “Marcus” Page.

Also in attendance were new members Marilyn ‘Lady M” Gilmore and Myra “Sassy” Jowers. James “Big Sexy” Allison submitted a new member application but was unable to attend the meeting. Several other Legion Family members have expressed interest in joining ALR Chapter 25, but have not yet submitted their applications.

ALR Chapter 25 will be accepting new charter member applications until December 2.

To join, you must own a motorcycle of at least 250 cc’s or have a motorcycle endorsement but be unable to ride due to health issues. Also, you be a member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of the American Legion.

Post 25 invites all Riders from nearby American Legion Posts to join ALR Chapter 25. You DO NOT have to transfer your Legion membership to join us. Just be a current member in good standing at your Post.

ALR Chapter 25 will be accepting new charter member applications until December 2.

To join, you must own a motorcycle of at least 250 cc’s or have a motorcycle endorsement but be unable to ride due to health issues. Also, you be a member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of the American Legion.

Post 25 invites all Riders from nearby American Legion Posts to join ALR Chapter 25. You DO NOT have to transfer your Legion membership to join us. Just be a current member in good standing at your Post.

Anyone interested in joining ALR Chapter 25 and the American Legion family should email Carl Jowers at [email protected] for more information.

 

ALR Chapter 25 Charter

 

Fort Scott City Commission Minutes of Nov. 5

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of November 5th, 2019 Regular Meeting #20

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held November 5th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Mitchell, and Nichols were present with Mayor Parker presiding.

INVOCATION: Pastor Michael Apfel, Trinity Lutheran Church said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Dave Bruner, Travis Shelton, Darrell Parker, Deb McCoy, Tony Krsnich, Patrick Wood, Michael Mix, Lindsey Watts, Burton Harding, Kevin Allen, Jason Gorman, Susan Bancroft, Brian Allen, Rachel Pruitt, Paul Ballou, Robert Uhler, Deb Needleman, Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers of the Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of October 15th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1249-A totaling $391,129.40.

  1. Parade Permit – Veteran’s Day Parade – November 9th, 2019.

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 23-2019 – Support for a Moderate Income Housing Grant with the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.

E. Approval of Change Order #1 – Request Proposals 2 through 6 – River Intake and Dam Project – Credit of $49,350.10.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Brian Allen, President, H.P.A.

City Manager said that the City has an opportunity to transfer ownership of the parking lot at Wall and Scott where the depot is currently located. The depot is owned by H.P.A. and the parking lot is owned by the City. They have a project they have been working on for the last two years. He asked the Commission to give him authority to work with our City Attorney and H.P.A.’s attorney to transfer ownership of this parking lot to H.P.A. with two conditions. The first condition would be with Trader Dave’s to make sure that property which adjoins has a shared driveway so they can get to their doors. The next condition is that they have two years to complete the project or the property will revert back to the City. This contract would come back before the Commission at their next meeting for their approval.

Brian Allen, President, H.P.A., said that they have been working with an investor for some time about a development for the depot. He doesn’t want to open a business without owning the land the business is sitting on. They are excited about the revenue that they will receive from this sale. They will be able to move their artifacts inside the depot to the Old Congregational Church and upgrade the church also and be able to display them. They are also wanting to take some of the proceeds and use for some of the downtown buildings and assist in saving them. He cannot go into any detail at this time about the investor. This is the oldest M.K.&T. structure in the world Mr. Allen said. They also plan to have a clause in their agreement that if the owner decides to close the business after five or ten years, the building will revert back to H.P.A. or have the right of first refusal.

Adamson moved to approve for the City Manager to work with the City Attorney and H.P.A.’s attorney to draw up a contract to transfer ownership of the parking lot at Wall and Scott to H.P.A. with the above stipulations. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO WORK WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE ATTORNEY FOR H.P.A. TO DRAW UP A CONTRACT TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF THE PARKING LOT AT WALL AND SCOTT TO H.P.A. WITH THESE STIPULATIONS: WORK WITH TRADER DAVE’S BUSINESS TO ALLOW AN ADJOINING DRIVEWAY SO THEY CAN GET TO THEIR BUSINESS; AND ALLOW H.P.A. TO HAVE THIS PROJECT COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS OR THE PROPERTY WILL REVERT BACK TO THE CITY.

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of appointments to Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that he notified all of the individuals who had submitted letters of interest to serve on the Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board. There were 21 interested individuals. A meeting was held on October 17th, 2019, and Robert had each of them introduce themselves and give a brief explanation of their interest in serving on the board. All of the attendees then submitted a vote for a representative. The following names were approved to be submitted to the City Commission:

East Side Representatives:

  1. Nancy K. Van Etten

  2. Shane Wood

West Side Representatives:

  1. Tom Brink

  2. Dean Striler

At Large Representative:

  1. Nancy Maze

Other Representatives:

  1. JoLynne Mitchell, City Commissioner

  2. Jeff Fisher, County Commissioner

  3. Don Banwart, City/County Resident

  4. Marci Myers, City/County Resident

Mr. Uhler asked for approval for the above individuals be appointed to the Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the above individuals be appointed to the Fort Scott Lake Advisory Board. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS BE APPOINTED TO THE LAKE FORT SCOTT ADVISORY BOARD:

East Side Representatives:

  1. Nancy K. Van Etten

  2. Shane Wood

West Side Representatives:

  1. Tom Brink

  2. Dean Striler

At Large Representative:

  1. Nancy Maze

Other Representatives:

  1. JoLynne Mitchell, City Commissioner

  2. Jeff Fisher, County Commissioner

  3. Don Banwart, City/County Resident

  4. Marci Myers, City/County Resident

  1. Consideration of KCAMP board member appointments – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that the voting and alternate delegates need to be appointed for the KCAMP Board, which is our property and casualty insurance carrier. Her recommendation is JoLynne Mitchell as the voting delegate and Dr. Randy Nichols as the alternate delegate. Approval was recommended.

Mitchell moved to approve the voting and alternate delegates for the KCAMP Board of Directors. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED JOLYNNE MITCHELL AS THE VOTING DELEGATE AND DR. RANDY NICHOLS AS THE ALTERNATE VOTING DELEGATE FOR THE KCAMP INSURANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 24-2019 determining the advisability of issuing taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, informed the Commission that approval is needed for the approval of Resolution No. 24-2019 for the purpose of providing a sales tax exemption for the Union Lofts Building.

Rachel said that she also wanted to update the Commission that she has submitted our CDBG application for the ladder fire truck. As part of that application process, was to quantify our capital investment for the past five years. She and Susan Bancroft actually documented over $37 million in capital investment over the last five years. Private investment was also included. Over $20 million was spent in the downtown area, which is a staggering amount. A lot of that credit does go to Flint Hills Holding.

This new residential complex, Fort Scott Lofts, will have 25 units in the downtown area and will result in this being an $8 million project.

Susan Bancroft, Director of Finance, informed the Commission when Industrial Revenue Bonds are issued, that it is not anything the City is liable for. This helps stimulate growth in the economy here in Fort Scott and will allow the owner assistance with the sales tax exemptions for his labor and materials. That is what this Industrial Revenue Bond is for. This is similar to the last I.R.B. that was approved for Jennifer LaRoche.

Tony Krsnich, Flint Hills Holdings, appeared before the Commission and informed them that this project unfortunately had hit a snag and he apologized for that. He was able to secure additional tax credits at the State and Federal levels. With the assistance of the Industrial Revenue Bonds, that will help them secure a bondable general contractor to stand behind this job. He has received two bids so far and is close to awarding this project. He thanked the Commission for their support with this project.

Mitchell moved to approve Resolution No. 24-2019. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO.24-2019 OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS DETERMINING THE ADVISABILITY OF ISSUING TAXABLE INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, AND EQUIPPING OF A COMMERCIAL FACILITY LOCATED IN SAID CITY; AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF RELATED DOCUMENTS – FORT SCOTT LOFTS BUILDING.

  1. Consideration of Water Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3551 – Susan Bancroft, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that this water rate increase is for 3% and was put into the 2020 budget. It will be effective January 1, 2020. Approval was recommended.

Susan said that she is planning to do an analysis of our water rates in 2020 and make sure we are in line with other communities in this area.

Nichols moved to approve Ordinance No. 3551 increasing the water rates by 3% for 2020. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3551 SETTING NEW WATER RATES AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3545 FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 13.04.030.

  1. Consideration of Wastewater Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3552 – Susan Bancroft, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that this sewer rate increase is for 3% and was put into the 2020 budget. It will be effective January 1, 2020. Approval was recommended.

Susan mentioned that the sewer rates at Lake Fort Scott have not been increased since the inception when they were put on. She will be mailing a letter to Bourbon County notifying them of a rate increase and also a public hearing will be held regarding this rate increase at our November 19th, 2019 Commission meeting.

City Manager said that they have discovered there is not a Lake Sewer District Board so one will need to be appointed at some time in the future.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve Ordinance No. 3552 increasing the sewer rates by 3% for 2020. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3552 INCREASING THE BASIC MONTHLY CHARGE FOR SANITARY SEWER RATES IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT BY AMENDING CHAPTER 13.24.110 OF THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3546.

  1. Consideration of Storm Water Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3553 – Susan Bancroft, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that this stormwater rate increase is for 3% and was put into the 2020 budget. It will be effective January 1, 2020. Approval was recommended.

Mitchell moved to approve Ordinance No. 3553 increasing the storm water rate by 3% for 2020. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3553 AMENDING THE FORT SCOTT STORMWATER USER CHARGE AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3547 FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 13.24.121.

7. Consideration of award of low bid for Water Treatment Plant Clarifier painting and sand blasting – Michael Mix, Water Utilities Director, informed the Commission that this project was rebid in October. He asked for approval for the low bid from Insco Industries of Shawnee, Kansas in the amount of $75,757.00. This project will not begin until the Spring of 2020 as it is too cold to paint now.

Mitchell moved to approve the low bid from Insco Industries of Shawnee, Kansas in the amount of $75,757.00 for the Water Clarifier painting project. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED LOW BID FROM INSCO INDUSTRIES OF SHAWNEE, KANSAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,757.00 FOR THE WATER CLARIFIER PAINTING REHAB PROJECT WHICH WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL SPRING OF 2020.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates:

Robert Uhler – Robert informed the Commission that he wanted to update the Commission on Schneider Electric and the energy audit project. At the November 19th meeting, there will be a proposal presented from Schneider Electric with recommendations of all the City facilities for the Commission to review.

Dave Bruner – Dave gave the Commission an update on EMS training for EMS and Fire employees. Janet Taylor, who is a flight nurse from Kansas City Life Flight and an EMS educator, came here and conducted a wilderness emergency class which was held at Gunn Park. There were 14 different scenarios held to treat and transfer patients. The next upcoming class will be on difficult airways.

Dave also updated the Commission on the Bourbon County EMS call activity. In September there were 236 calls for service with 86 transfers, 56% to Pittsburg, 62 dry runs, 174 total transports, 13 medical alarm lifts, 1 fire standby, 13 event standbys, and 2 mutual aid requests. In October there has been 194 total calls for service, 126 total transports, 68 dry runs, 56 transfers, 54% to Pittsburg, 13 medical alarm lift assists, 10 event standbys, 2 fire standbys, and 1 mutual aid request. The eight-month total is 1,638 calls for service, 1,213 total transports, 618 transfers and 425 dry runs.

Commissioner Adamson asked him for a report on fire department calls. He will bring that to the next meeting.

Dave also informed the Commission that he is working on expanding some of the health care items for our annual health fair for City employees. This will be in accordance with the 1582 guidelines that was addressed at an earlier meeting on firefighter safety. We will begin offering vision, hearing, chest x-ray, ekg’s, chest, lung function test, and stress test. More information will be forthcoming on this. The City currently does a fit for duty for new employees and employees returning to work, employee assistance program, random drug testing, employee wellness incentive program, and employee wellness newsletter. Police, Fire and EMS also have access to a regional critical and stress management team that covers the twelve counties in this area.

  1. City Commission:

Bartelsmeyer Nothing to report.

Mitchell Wished all the candidates running for office good luck tonight.

Nichols Remarked that there has been an issue during this election season with our ordinance and resolution and he has created a new ordinance for the Commissioners to review. He asked them to look this over and get back to Diane Clay, City Clerk, with any changes they would like to see made on this or any comments. He has talked with the League of Kansas Municipalities about this and they have looked at it and is awaiting their feedback. We can look at adopting this at a future meeting.

Adamson – Remarked that she is excited to see good things happening in the downtown area.

Parker – Remarked that she is excited about the $37 million investment in this community. She thanked all the directors for working together to accomplish much.

  1. City Manager:

  1. City Manager remarked that he will be glad when the election is over. He is very proud of his staff and how they have acted. We aren’t telling our story as well as we should and need to work better on this. He feels responsible that there is perception that things weren’t done right. There has been nothing done wrong. We will continue to work the way we have to move this City forward.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:40 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on November 19th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

Fort Scott City Commission Agenda for Nov. 19

AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

NOVEMBER 19, 2019

6 p.m.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of November 5th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1250-A totaling $295,043.24.

  1. Christmas Parade Permit Form- December 3rd, 2019.

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 3 W. Oak Signage

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 24 N. National – Addition to building

  1. Resolution No. 25-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to alleged unsafe and dangerous structure located at 510 S Heylman Street – Public Hearing Date – 1/7/2020 at 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution No. 27-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to alleged unsafe and dangerous structure located at 501 S. Osbun Street – Public Hearing Date – 1/7/2020 at 6:15 p.m.

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Seth Needham

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

6:00 p.m. Lake Sewer District Sewer Increase Public Hearing

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 26-2019 authorizing for sale of General Obligation Temporary Notes, Series 2019-1, of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas – River Intake Project

  1. Approval of financials

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Allyson Turvey

Robert Uhler

  1. Commission:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

American Legion Riders Charter Nov. 16

American Legion Post 25 has reached 102.63% in membership.  The 2020 goal was 76 members. Today’s Department membership report has Post 25 at 78 members, including nine new members.
This is the 4th consecutive year for reaching 100% membership.
American Legion Riders Chapter will be chartered Saturday, November 16 at 10 am in Memorial Hall.
Riders membership is open to any American Legion family member who owns a motorcycle of at least 250 c’s.
A spouse of a motorcycle owner can also join the American Legion Riders, provided they are also a member of the Legion, Auxiliary or Sons.
Carl Jowers can sign up any eligible Legion family members tomorrow before the chartering ceremony. Plan on arriving early to complete the membership application.
Please share the word about the Riders Chapter chartering ceremony tomorrow.
Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

Design Review Board Meets Nov. 18

The Design Review Board will meet on Monday, November 18th, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to discuss a Certificate of Appropriateness for a sign at 3 West Oak Street and a Certificate of Appropriateness for an addition at 24 North National and any others matters to be brought before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.

Fort Scott Public Library Newsletter November/December 2019

Programs and information for Adults

Coloring for Adults will be on Tuesday instead of Wednesday the week of Thanksgiving (November 26th instead of the 27th).

Coloring for Adults
Wednesdays at the Library from 2:00-4:00

We supply coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. You’re welcome to bring your own supplies and projects, if you prefer.

Ongoing Book Sale
We have a shelf and 2 carts of books for sale downstairs ALL the time!
Paperback     $0.25
Hardback     $0.50
Other Items   $1.00 (or as marked)

Download ebooks, audiobooks, comics, TV episodes, movies, music, and more. All you need is your library card login and a valid email address. Ask us if you need assistance.

Download ebooks and audiobooks. All you need is your library card login. Ask us if you need assistance.

 
 
 
Download ebooks and audiobooks from the State Library of Kansas. All you need is a Kansas Library eCard. Ask us if you need assistance.

5th Annual Family Holiday Party
Join us for a family holiday party! Enjoy holiday stories, songs, games, snacks, crafts, prizes, and gifts. Be sure to invite your friends or share on your timeline, too! Children 2nd grade and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Activities include cookie decorating, candy cane hunt, “snowball fight,” teen games, and crafts. All children and teens will receive at least one gift and a free book!
 
We are looking for volunteers to help supervise the activities and groups, and donors to help provide food. Please pass the word along and let Miss Val know at [email protected] or by calling 223-2882 if you want to help.

For Kids

Storytime
Join Miss Val for Storytime on Tues. or Wed. at 10 am weekly for a themed children’s program! Storytime features stories, crafts, snacks, singing, and sometimes, special guests, all centered around seasonal themes or ideas from attendees. The program is free and open to all ages! Each event also features a play and coloring table, which families with energetic little ones or special needs children find especially helpful. Join us and see for yourself! Upcoming themes: Firefighters & Fire Trucks (with a special appearance by our Fort Scott Fire Dept. on Nov. 19!), Thanksgiving, Royalty, Dragons & Fantasy Creatures, and the Holidays.
Tell us your child’s theme ideas here.
 
Miss Val is always seeking volunteers to help with programs and prep. Interested? Contact her at [email protected].

 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Join our free early literacy program and steer your baby or preschooler toward academic success! Studies show that children who are read to from an early age develop better vocabulary, make more connections in their brains, and form the needed skills to read by themselves much quicker than their average peers who are not read to. Sign up by stopping in at the library for your first reading log, welcome letter, and other paperwork. Take a look at our awesome readers here.
           

For Families

 
                               Come to Holidays Maker Monday!
December 9, 4 – 5 pm
Create holiday gifts, cards, ornaments, and decorations with Miss Val! Enjoy snacks & water and work as a family at this free program. Kids 2nd grade and below must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
 
Marvelous Monday
November 18, 2 – 3 pm
Go on an Autumn and Digital Walking Scavenger Hunt down Main Street at our Marvelous Mondays program for homeschool families and friends! Each participant may try to fill in our BINGO hunt cards and earn a free book for each BINGO. After our walk, we will share treats and crafts in the event room, and complete a brief survey to share tips with fellow homeschool families. In case of inclement weather, we will have an indoor library scavenger hunt. 

FIGHTERS for Teens & Tweens

Middle & High School Students, come on Wednesdays at 4:15 p.m. for a free program just for you! Join our ongoing reading challenge, which will run through the end of next May. Reading prizes and books will be awarded for every 500 pages of reading. FIGHTERS stands for Familiar Inviting Group Helping Those Entities Recover from School. The name was chosen and voted on by our members.
November & December meetings will run as follows:
November 20, 4:15 – 5 pm: Steampunk-Themed Games & Snacks Night
November 27: NO MEETING DUE TO THANKSGIVING
December 4, 4:15 – 5 pm: Community Service: Decorate the library for the Holidays & Winter

December 11, 4:15 – 5 pm: Holiday craft night
December 18, 4 – 6 pm: Teen & Tween Holiday Party Games Night
NO Meetings on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1 due to Christmas & New Year’s.
Need a ride from public school to FIGHTERS? Parents or guardians, call Joe Allen at 223-0800 to arrange bus transportation for your student.

New books–Adult Fiction

A book of bones
by John Connolly

Three murders in different regions of England reveal the work of a sinister killer who is sacrificing victims for an evil agenda, compelling Charlie Parker’s gripping search for clues in multiple countries.

A keeper : a novel
by Graham Norton

Returning to Ireland after her mother’s death, Elizabeth Keane is focused only on saying goodbye to that part of her life until, while she is going through her mother’s belongings, she discovers a small stash of letters that reveal a startling truth.

New Tree Removal Business: Jason Lewis

Jason Lewis, owner of Timber! Trees A to Z. Submitted photos.
Jason Lewis, 46, started a new business in May 2019 that provides tree removal services and more in Fort Scott.
The Fort Scott native, who graduated in 1991, spent the following 26 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2017.
“I started this business so I could have a more flexible schedule,” Lewis said.
The name of Lewis’s business is Timber! Trees A to Z and also includes stump grinding, pasture clearing, debris removal, and residential dump truck services.
A part of Jason Lewis’s line of equipment. Submitted photos.
Timber! Trees A to Z address is 1082 205th St., Fort Scott.
Lewis can be reached at 620-215-6784 or
His community involvement includes serving as senior vice president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Club.

Lewis is married to Lori Lewis and has a daughter, Ainslee Lewis and three stepsons, Jacob, Hunter,  and Peyton Zubieta.

Jason Lewis works on a tree with some of his equipment. Submitted photos.

 

Fort Scott’s Holiday Open House Tonight Nov. 14 from 5-8 p.m.

The annual Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce holiday shopping event is this evening.

From 5-8 p.m. Nov. 14,  stores in the downtown area will welcome shoppers with new displays and perhaps a snack.

Also Bartlesmeyer Jewelry, 1519 S. National; Sekan Occasion Shops, 2210 S. Main and the Lavender Patch, 2376 Locust, will be open late for shopping convenience.

New this year, Kenny Felt Photography will be offering $10 professional photos to make Christmas cards, with 10 percent of the sales going to local organization Care to Share. He will be a part of the Sekan Occasion Shops happenings.

Dolley the Trolley will be going store to store for those whose feet get tired going from store to store.

In addition to snacks to enjoy while shopping, many stores will be offering special drawings, including $50 in Chamber Bucks.

Santa sits on a bench in front of The Ironstar and gets a second look from Ernestine Eden at a past Holiday Open House.

Stores participating in the holiday event are Bids and Dibs, Books and Crannies, Country Cupboard, Courtland Hotel and Spa, Empress Event Center-Marketplace Vendors, Front Door Christmas Store,  Hedgehog.INK Book Store, Here We Go Again Upholstery and More,  Iron Star Antiques and Such, J&W Sports Shop, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Main Street Gallery and Gifts, Mayco Ace Hardware, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sekan Occasion Shop, Sunshine Boutique, the Lavender Patch, Trader Dave’s, Treasure Hunt Flea Market.

 

Lora Holdridge shows off a Christmas treasure she found at the Holiday Open House.

Gordman’s Opens at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving

For those who love to get a head start on great holiday finds, Gordmans’ EPIC deals will begin on Thanksgiving.

Doors open on Thanksgiving Day at 3 p.m., and again on Black FriYAY starting at 6 a.m. As a holiday headquarters, Gordmans has all the perfect gifts for way less than department store prices.

 

Sneak Peek at a Few of the Deals

Smart Move: 50” 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart TV for $179.99

Stay Cool: Pelican Elite 30-Quart Cooler for $89.99

Get Up to Speed: Realtree® Ride-On Toy Truck with MP3, AUX and USB Capabilities for $89.99

 

It’s Worth Getting There Early…Line Up for Fun!

On Thursday and Friday, the first 75 guests…

  • get a scratch-off card — it could be a $100 Gordmans gift card or a $5 shopping card;
  • can enter a drawing to win a giant FAO Schwarz® teddy bear, replica of the cuddly Bella Bear from Gordmans’ BEARS that CARE partnership with St. Jude.

Black FriYAY-only awesomeness: the first 75 guests at each store receive a free, festive reusable holiday tote bag.

Ring A Bell to Assist Local Families

Allen Schellack

It’s that time of year when shoppers notice the red kettles at stores, with smiling bell ringers waiting for donations.

The Salvation Army annual fundraiser starts the day after Thanksgiving in Bourbon County and bell ringers are needed.

There are flexible hours and days for volunteers to schedule a time of bell ringing.

“It’s great for individuals, families, churches and community service organizations,” Allen Schellack, who is the local contact for the Salvation Army, said.

“The Salvation Army has someone in each county to represent them,” he said. “Called a service extension unit and disaster relief.”

“Your donation will stay local, helping your Bourbon County neighbors in need,” he said. “With such help as utility assistance, some  temporary lodging, dental, prescription and glasses, it’s a wide range of things.”

“The last big flood we had, I gave someone a room until the water receded,” Schellack said. “I work case-by-case.”

“This year, $7,789 in assistance was provided 213 times to local families,” Schellack said.

For more information or to set up an appointment, contact Schellack at 620.223.2212.

Compassion Ministries, of which Schellack is the director, is located on the second floor at 26 N. Main. The ministry serves the underprivileged in Bourbon County.

Schellack is also the coordinator for Care Portal, which works with foster families.

To volunteer online go to https://registertoring.com

 

Chamber Coffee: Integrity Home Care and Hospice Nov. 14

WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER!
JOIN US FOR
THE CHAMBER COFFEE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2019 @ 8 AM
Hosted by: Integrity Home Care & Hospice
A Representative of the VFW will be presenting flags to three (3) Veterans: Daniel Longfellow of Fort Scott, Ward Wools of Fort Scott and James Quirk of Prescott.
These flags will be honored in the Veteran’s names and flown over our State Capital.
We start with Coffee, Great Company & Conversation
Located: 902 S. Horton St. Please use the Main Entrance off Horton Street. Next to the VA Clinic on the main floor.
Chamber Members and guests are encourages to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about hosting business or organization.
***Members may pay $1 to make announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
  • uUPCOMING COFFEES
  • November 21th – Sunshine Boutique
  • November 28th – No Chamber Coffee
  • December 5th – FSNHS (Fort) “Candlelight Tours”
  • December 12th – FSCC-EFAC – Santa’s Workshop
  • December 19th – City of Fort Scott
  • December 26th – No Coffee – Merry Christmas break!”