The monthly meeting for the Ft. Scott Aglow Lighthouse will meet Monday, March 2, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rodeway Inn Conference Room, 101 State Street, Ft. Scott, KS.
The guest speaker is Bob Reazin from LeRoy, KS.
Bob is retired but has been involved in Eight Days of Hope Ministry over the last 10 years. He will be providing information about Human Trafficking Awareness.
Aglow Lighthouse desires to provide a place to bring unity among like-minded believers in our community.
This is a place to grow in relationship with God and others.
Men, women, and youth coming together to discover who Christ made you to be and who God wants to be for you.
The group also engages in meeting community needs such as protecting the unborn and orphans.
Currently, they are in the preparation stages of getting food, clothing, and shelter ready.
Donations are welcome.
“Please be our guest and bring a friend,” Fort Scott Aglow President Amanda Gilmore said.
Common Ground Coffee Shop will be moved to this location at 12 E. Wall later this week..
Common Ground Coffee shop’s last day of operation at its current, 116 S. Main location will be Friday, March 6.
A new chapter for this local meeting place will then begin.
“We will be closed Saturday, March 7 through 10,” Jennifer LaRoche, a member of the Common Ground board, said. “We have a tentative date of March 11th to be back in business.”
” We are going to close out the five-year journey with some live music from 7-8 pm by Rick Hite and friends,” she said.
Common Grounds Coffee Company, 116 S. Main.
The coffee shop will be back in business about two blocks away at 12 E. Wall.
There will be no sign on the building at 12 E. Wall, LaRoche said. Pictured is the protective fence that keeps people from getting too near the westernmost LaRoche building which is still being renovated.
The new space has more space, an enlarged commercial kitchen, a conference room and meeting space with a stage.
In addition, there will be a drive-up window that will be opened once the staff is “settled in”, LaRoche said.
The stage space will also need a little more work when the business is first moved in.
“It will be heated with portable heaters,” she said.
Signage will be temporary on the door to the new building, until warmer weather when it can be placed on glass, she said.
Common Ground Coffee Shop is a ministry of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
Electrician Kirk Bryant, Jennifer LaRoche and Kasey Gross work on Feb. 25 towards the goal of opening the new Common Ground Coffee Shop in mid-March. LaRoche is the owner of the building that is being renovated at 12 E. Wall. Gross is the coffee shop coordinator, LaRoche said.
Men from the Catholic Church serve fish, potatoes, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Women of the church provide desserts.
The Knights of Columbus Fish Fry begins Feb. 28 at the Mary Queen of Angels Kennedy Gym at 705 S. Holbrook.
The meal is served from 5-7 p.m. each Friday until April 3 this year and if past years are any indication there will be a line to get the meal.
The annual community event includes southern fried fish, baked white fish, meatless spaghetti, or grilled cheese sandwiches with sides of french-fried potatoes, a baked potato, green beans, or coleslaw along with desserts provided by the women of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and drinks.
A free-will donation allows the Knights to contribute to local charities and the local Catholic school, said Deborah Skeen, church secretary.
“A lot of people in the community have said it’s good food for the money,” Skeen said.
*Make your award nominations by March 6th. Click here for online nomination form. Click here for printable form. A full Chamber member listing & past award winner listing is included on the online nomination form link for your reference.
* Make your dinner reservation and/or confirm sponsorship
by March 20th, see pricing options & contact info. below ~
You will need to specify choice of soup or salad, and
prime rib or chicken, when making your reservation.
* Click to email us if your business/organization would like to decorate a table for fun advertising & promotion.
* Click to email us if your business/organization would like to donate a silent or live auction item for advertising & promotion.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
We are looking forward to a fun evening of
celebrating our community!
The Chamber is supported solely by membership investment and fundraising efforts. Proceeds from this event contribute to the work of the Chamber to benefit Fort Scott, Bourbon County, and the surrounding area. Your participation in any way is sincerely appreciated!
Community members enjoy visiting at the Fort Scot Kiwanis Pancake Feed at Buck Run Community Center on Tuesday.
Members of the community came to Buck Run Community Center for the annual Fort Scott Kiwanis Club Pancake Feed, starting at 11 a.m. today.
For a $5 donation, attendees are served pancakes, sausage and a drink.
The event is open until 7 p.m. this evening, Feb. 25.
The Kiwanis Club provides support for many local charities and awards scholarships to local students.
Below are photos from the lunch session of the pancake feed:
Buck Run is located at 735 Scott Avenue.
Some of the projects of the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club were showcased on a poster of the gym at Buck Run Community Center.Glenn Newcomer, left, and Dale Johnson, sell the tickets to the pancake feed on Feb. 25.A banner at the pancake feed in Buck Run Community Center.Addisyn Fowler, Fort Scott High School Key Club member, left, along with Fort Scott Kiwanis Club members Bob Eckles and Clyde Stepps serve pancakes on Feb. 25.Sponsors of the pancake feed are featured on a poster during the meal.On the stage in the gym are Ralph Carlson and Wib Mowen on guitars and Carolyn Tucker, keyboard, who entertain the attendees during lunch session at the pancake feed. Helping with the sound system is Dave Oas.
Rita Schroeder and J.T. Heckman make a presentation to the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team of Feb. 6 of the proposed downtown walking trail. Submitted photo.
A local leadership class has taken on a project of creating a walking trail downtown with funding from Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
Bourbon County Lead Class 2020 heard of the funding opportunity from Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison.
“Lindsay brought the opportunity up to the class of extra funds from Healthy Bourbon County Action Team that we could use for our class project and we came up with a healthy walk downtown with educational fun facts about downtown Fort Scott,” Rita Schoeder, LEAD Class member said. ” What it was and what it is now!”
Rita Schroeder and J.T. Heckman present to the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team on Feb. 6. Submitted photo.
“Our presentation proposed to Healthy Bourbon County Board for approval was held at the Empress Event Center, Thursday, February 6th,” Schoeder said. “I and one other class member, J.T. (Heckman), presented to the board for approval of the design of the signs.”
Also included in the presentation was an example of a fun facts sign with QR code for younger audiences to use cell phones while approaching the sign, then scanning on the phone. It will then show images, reading material and recorded audio of the fun fact, Schroeder said.
“Some signs will show how many feet you have walked as well.,” she said. “At the Feb. 6 meeting, the budget and project were approved.”
The definitive location of the downtown trail is not final but the starting place will be at the Fort Scott Chamber, 231 E.Wall Street, Schroeder said.
There the walkers will receive a brochure of the walking trail, and the statistics of how many feet the walking trail is from start to finish.
The brochure will show the fun fact markers and highlights of the downtown walking trail.
What is the benefit of having a walking trail downtown?
According to Schroeder:
It’s a walk of downtown historic Fort Scott for people who work and live downtown, residents, and visitors of all ages.
The walk promotes retailers, restaurants, and points of interest.
Walkers will learn fun facts about Fort Scott’s history.
The hope is to challenge the next generation of opportunities to continue Fort Scott’s growth.
Small town hospitality will welcome visitors and share what Fort Scott represents and has to offer.
By mid-March/April, the project will be presented to the Fort Scott Design and Review Board and if approved will then go to the Fort Scott City Commission for final approval.
The completion date for the project is in June, Schroeder said.
“Before Good Ol’ Days, fingers crossed,” Schroeder said.
Members of the LEAD Bourbon County 2020 group have been divided into subgroups with the following tasks:
Naming the trail and gathering historical facts
based on the number of mile marker signs along the trail:
Matthew Chaplin, Devin Tally, Tony Tirri, JT Heckman.
Marketing and design of brochures, flyers, and printed maps to be picked up at the Chamber and/or trailhead, designing a welcome sign and mile marker signs, and getting quotes on pricing and installation:
Rita Schroeder, Ashley Keylon, Katie Allison.
Mapping the route, identifying sign placement and number of mile marker signs needed:
Traci Reed, Amy Budy, Kyla Probasco
On Feb. 29, Gordmans is throwing a birthday party for anyone with a Leap Year birthday. The fun festivities will include birthday hats, streamers, balloons plus cupcakes and a special gift for the Leap Year birthday gal or guy.
Gordmans is putting the fun back into shopping by having special events like celebrating Leap Year birthdays. Special in-store activities for those celebrating their birthday on February 29 include:
Special Gift – Guests and their friends celebrating a Leap Year birthday will receive a special gift on Feb. 29. Remember to bring a valid ID to the store to receive your gift.
Cupcakes & More – No birthday is complete without treats, hats, streamers and balloons.
Birthday Shout Outs – Gordmans associates will acknowledge guests with Leap Year birthdays over the PA system, wishing them a special day and thanking them for shopping at Gordmans.
Style Circle Rewards – For guests not celebrating a Leap Year birthday, there’s still something for you: sign up for Gordmans’ Style Circle Rewards program so you will receive a special gift on your birthday, in addition to perks and payback rewards every time you shop at Gordmans.
Gordmans, part of the Stage community of stores, is delivering a whole new shopping experience. Gordmans is an off-price retailer, which means Gordmans offers popular name brand apparel, on-trend home décor and other merchandise for the entire family at prices that are lower than department stores.
Because consumers are responding positively to Gordmans’ off-price concept, Stage is converting its department stores to Gordmans off-price stores during 2020. In addition, for further convenience, customers can ship their Amazon orders to Gordmans’ in-store Amazon Counter for fast, flexible and secure package pick-up.
If you or someone you know is celebrating a Leap Year birthday, come on over to Gordmans on Feb. 29 and join the party!
The public is invited to be a part of planning for community economic and fiscal health on Feb. 25 from 6-7 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the River Room Event Center, located above Luther’s BBQ at National Avenue and Oak Stree.
“Tuesday evening is a presentation and the actual workshop is on Wednesday,” Fort Scott Community Development Director Robert Uhler said.
Smart Growth America is coming to Fort Scott.
Smart Growth America empowers communities through technical assistance, advocacy and thought leadership to create livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity, according to its’ website:
“We first met the Smart Growth people when we went on our first trip to DC in March of 2019, working with Strategic Implementation plan,” Uhler said.
“Smart growth policy can help communities save money now, reduce their liabilities for the future and use targeted investment to spur economic development,” Uhler noted. “The ‘planning for economic and fiscal health’ workshop draws on successful private and public sector lessons to help local leaders foster smart growth communities that cost their taxpayers less to build, run and maintain.”
“This workshop first brings you the latest lessons in how smart growth saves money for local governments, makes money for businesses and is integral for the long-term fiscal and economic health of the community,” he said. “Using an interactive and hands-on method, the workshop then shows how to apply these lessons in your community.”
The first half of the technical assistance workshop on Wednesday focuses on how approaches save the community money, including increasing tax revenues and reducing tax burdens, attracting new businesses, increasing the efficiency of the labor market, providing greater stability in times of uncertainty and rising energy costs, investing public funds to stimulate private investment, increasing local capital circulation and providing a foundation for long term fiscal and economic health and competitiveness, according to information provided by Uhler.
Participants also learn how to overcome barriers to starting community smart growth including a lack of understanding of the relationship between development and municipal costs and revenues, the importance of growing small and mid-size businesses and the role of nearness to value creation, according to info provided by Uhler.
In the second half of the day, the technical assistance team joins participating community members to look at the community’s economic development plans and projects to evaluate how the current situation compares to smart growth principles.
Working with the community, the team will create specific changes to strategy and identify next steps in planning for fiscal and economic health that makes sense for the community, which may include suggestions for changes to the capital budgeting process, permitting process, regulatory framework and direction of economic development incentives, according to the information provided.
A follow-up memo will measure progress and leave the community with further next steps.
Robert Uhler. Submitted photo.
The hoped outcome is better understanding of how we prepare and plan for growth in our community, Uhler said.
Rachel Pruitt, is the Fort Scott Economic Director.
The local people who have been involved in the presentation and workshop planning process are FS Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt, FS Tourism Director Alley Turvey and Uhler.
Ally Turvey is the tourism director in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
The deadline to sign up for the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Fly the Flag Project is quickly approaching. Applications for new subscriptions must be mailed by March 2nd. Subscribers renewing for 2020 must submit a renewal application and payment by March 31st.
The project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes, hassle-free, on five different flag holidays. For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12-foot staff at your home or business on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Veteran’s Day.
Application forms can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone or text by calling Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484. Renewals notices have been mailed/emailed to all 2019 subscribers. Questions can be directed to Kelley or Martha Scott at 620-224-9924.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!
The Fly the Flag Project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.
The Bourbon County Government has taken possession of the former Mercy Hospital.
Officials Introduce Innovative Healthcare Model
Mercy donates building and 1 million dollars toward a sustainable approach to rural healthcare.
Bourbon County and City of Fort Scott officials are committed to improving the quality of life for each member of the community, increasing access to affordable quality healthcare, and remaining vigilant stewards of taxpayer dollars. For years Fort Scott, KS was renowned for its healthcare. Mercy Hospital was an integral part of our health system from primary care to community benefit to leadership involvement.
What remains today are the caring professionals, ambitious leaders, beautiful hospital campus, and the ingrained culture of ensuring community health needs are addressed appropriately.
Bourbon County Commission will be partnering with our community healthcare partners, The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and Ascension Via Christi, and higher education partner, Fort Scott Community College, in transforming our approach to rural healthcare. Bourbon County will be taking ownership of the previous Mercy Hospital Building.
With Ascension Via Christi and CHC/SEK occupying a portion of the facility, the county is working with other health service agencies to supplement the community’s health care needs by housing them in the remainder of the move-in ready space.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd., operates the clinic at the former Mercy Hospital building.
For the common good of the community, the building will be repurposed into a collaborative effort that will be here for decades to come.
Ascension Via Christi President, Randy Cason, states, “This is exciting news for Fort Scott and the surrounding communities. Ascension Via Christi is eager to continue working with our community partners here to help to find solutions for the healthcare needs of this more rural area.”
Ascension Via Christi operates the emergency department at the former Mercy Hospital building.
Mercy Health Southwest Missouri/Kansas Communities has submitted a draft donation agreement to donate the building and one million dollars to Bourbon County for use of building maintenance and operations. This donation allows healthcare entities to lease space in the healthcare mall at market-rate. A standardized market-rate lease has led to discussions with healthcare organizations to expand services not otherwise offered.
Administration from Bourbon County and The City of Fort Scott will work together, develop a regulatory board and long-term lease agreements moving forward.
“This project is much more than just saving a building,” Jody Hoener, Economic Development Director, “Preserving this asset allows our community to no longer be victims of circumstance, but to assume responsibility for our community’s healthcare destiny. It creates a sustainable healthcare model under one roof.” There is little doubt in the concept’s success with the right amount of support and will be used as a model shaping rural healthcare policy across the nation.
Contact information:
Jody Hoener, Bourbon County Economic Development Director
