Category Archives: Fort Scott

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site

FSNHS Candlelight Tour Ticket

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Fort Scott National Historic Site glows during the annual candlelight tour event.

Fort Scott National Historic Site Announces Its 38th Annual Candlelight Tour

Be an Active Part of History

 

December 6 and 7, 2019, Fort Scott National Historic Site will present its 38th Annual Candlelight Tour.

Tours on December 6 will begin at 6:30 pm and leave every 15 minutes until 9 pm. On Saturday, December 7, the tours will start at 5 pm with the final tour leaving at 8:45 pm. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented.

Tickets go on sale Friday, November 1st and are available by calling the Fort at 620-223-0310 (with a major credit card) or by stopping by the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd.

They are $8.00 per person and non-refundable, children 5 and under are free.

It is recommended that you get your tickets early for your choice of tour times as this event frequently sells out. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and the terrain, as they will be outside and on sidewalks.

1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and 100 reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life.

“This year’s tour will include the audience in the tour stops. It will feature six stops around the site beginning with the enlistment and ending with reassignment of release from service, where the fort’s buildings were sold to the public two years after the U.S. Army abandoned Fort Scott,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “We encourage everyone to dress up (in modern or period clothes) and step back in time.”

Take the tour under the identity of one of our own Fort Scott soldiers. Enlist in the U.S. Army stationed at the Fort; learn about life on the frontier; the ups and downs of payday; celebrate the holidays 1840’s style; find out how much the officer’s wives appreciate all of your hard work; and after an memorable career, receive your discharge or reassignment stamp.  Keep your enlistment card to remember your journey through time.

Fort Scott was an active military post from 1842-1853, which was a time of rapid growth and change in the country.  As Fort Scott was being built, the nation grew west, expanding all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

With this growth, Fort Scott changed, the mission of its soldiers changed, their experience changed, the environment changed, and the nation changed. Soldiers at Fort Scott lived their lives to the fullest despite the constant change.

From November 1-March 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its winter hours of operation.  The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

Business, Exercise, Fort Scott

Watts Receive $40,000 Entrepreneur Loan

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From left: Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison,  Aaron Watts, and Lindsey Watts, Bourbon County E-Community loan recipients, Bill Michaud, Geoff Southwell and Darcy Smith, Chamber members.

Aaron and Lindsey Watts, who own Smallville Crossfit, are the recipients of the first Bourbon County E-Community loan in the amount of $40,000.

The loan is a locally controlled loan fund for business entrepreneurs.

“What’s good about the loan is it’s working capital,” Lindsey Watts said.  The Watts will be using the money for new equipment for the fitness business,  and new services, she said.

Workers work on the air-conditioned room and rentable office space, which are very close to being finished, Lindsey Watts aid. Submitted photos.

Additionally, they are doing some updates to the new facility they purchased, the former Fort Scott Lumber, 1905 S. Judson.

New air conditioning, flooring, and heating will be part of the remodel of the former warehouse space, which they hope to have complete in November, she said.

The second workday at the new facility, shelves are being torn down in the middle room. Photos submitted by Lindsey Watts.

One of the new services offered at the new facility will be dance fitness, Watts said.

In addition, the Watts are working with Kansas Works to hire an intern in the future, Watts said.

Smallville Crossfit is currently located at 15 S. National and can be reached at 620.644.5124.

To learn more about the loan program:

Small Businesses Encouraged With New Partnership Offer

Removing 400 meters of 1×2 wood from the walls and muddling holes. Photos submitted by Lindsey Watts.

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Friday Night Free Concert: David Prickett

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This week’s Chamber of Commerce sponsored Friday Night Free Concert will feature David Prickett on the guitar and vocal.

David performs gospel, classic country and old standard pop tunes.

“David is one of the concert series favorites,” Ralph Carlson, event coordinator said.

In addition, there will be an open-mike period for walk-on musicians.

The show will start at 6:30 pm due to the earlier sunset times.

The show will take place indoors at the Common Grounds Coffee Shop, on Main Street in downtown Fort Scott.

The outside temperature is predicted to be in the low 50s at showtime.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Talking Tigers Earn 2nd Place On Oct. 5

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Submitted by Angella Curran
Congratulations to FSHS debate for placing 2nd at Pittsburg on October 5th!
In the novice division, with a 4-1 record, Kinsley Davis and Lillian Collins placed 5th.
In the open division:
Neil and Shekhar Gugnani placed 6th with a 3-2 record, 24 speaks.
Jorden Willard and Jade Russell placed 4th with a 3-2 record, 21 speaks
Madison Toth and Mark Adams placed 2nd with a 5-0 record,18 speaks.
Elizabeth Ngatia and Zoe Self placed 1st with a 5-0 record, 16 speaks.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

American Legion To Provide Transport to Vets For Dialysis: Drivers Needed

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Submitted by Carl Jowers

The Fort Scott dialysis center recently closed. There were several Bourbon County Veterans who would not have been able to travel for dialysis treatment in Pittsburg.

The VA allowed me to repurpose the Fort Scott- Topeka/KC shuttle service to transport these Veterans to Pittsburg for dialysis treatment.

With the new schedule, the Fort Scott VA shuttle will only be able to transport veterans to Topeka or KC two days a week.

The shuttle will still stop at Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa on Mondays and Wednesdays to pick up Veterans needing rides  to Topeka or KC.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Carl Jowers.  Shuttle Coordinator.

Fort Scott VA Shuttle

 

The local Fort Scott VA shuttle began transporting  area Veterans from Fort Scott to Pittsburg for dialysis treatment on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

The new VA shuttle schedule is as follows:

·        Mondays. Fort Scott to Kansas City or Topeka VA Hospital.

·        Tuesdays. Fort Scott to Pittsburg Dialysis Center.

·        Wednesdays. Fort Scott to Kansas City or Topeka VA Hospital.

·        Thursdays. Fort Scott to Pittsburg Dialysis Center.

·        Saturdays. Fort Scott to Pittsburg Dialysis Center.

The Monday and Wednesday VA shuttle can stop in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up Veterans needing rides to Topeka or KC.

Veterans needing a shuttle ride for their VA medical appointments must call 785.925.0261 to schedule a shuttle seat or more information.

Additional shuttle drivers are also needed.

Drivers will be using a VA provided van as the shuttle. The VA also covers gas and maintenance costs for the vehicle as well.

These are the Driver requirements

·              Have a valid state issued driver’s license. A CDL license is not required

·              Proof of insurance. Driver is covered by VA insurance when driving the shuttle.

·              Pass a VA driver physical

·              Pass a background check.

The driver does not have to be a Veteran. This information is important as several people I’ve spoken to thought that only Vets could drive for the VA.

This program is not an American Legion or VFW sponsored program.  It is a community-based program to assist our area veterans in receiving medical care. Several of our drivers are not Veterans or spouses of Veterans, just local individuals who wanted to give back to Veterans.

Any area residents interested in becoming a shuttle driver should contact Carl Jowers at 620-215-1688 or email him at [email protected] for more information or to become a shuttle driver.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

American Legion Fort Scott Scuttlebutt

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Membership

American Legion Fort Scott Thompson-Harkey Post 25 now leads 2nd District in membership. Today’s numbers have Post at 60 members or 78.96%.

Our 2020 membership goal is 76. We are currently 16 members short of 100%. Help Post 25 reach 100% by renewing your membership or recruiting a  new member.

You can easily renew online at www.legion.org. It’s safe and secure and takes less than five minutes

You can also mail in your $40.00 renewal to the Post 25 Finance Officer.

Darrell Spencer

1183 185TH ST

Fort Scott, Ks, 66701.

I can also arrange to meet with you to pick up your renewal.  I’m retired so I can easily work around your schedule to meet you, but no 3 AM meetings please!

You can also pay your 2020 dues at our next general membership meeting on October 7th.

LEGION Act

Any Veteran who has served one day on active duty since December 7, 1941 and was honorably discharged can join the Legion. This is due to the LEGION Act recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. If you know of a local Veteran who meets this new, expanded membership requirement, invite them to a Post 25 meeting or contact me about a membership form. There are probably several hundred Bourbon County Veterans who are not aware of the LEGION Act and are now eligible for American Legion membership.

If you know of one, invite them to join the American Legions. We are a community of Veterans “Still Serving.

Upcoming Events

October 5. Post 25 Community Awareness at the Fort Scott Wal-Mart from 9 am – 12 pm.  Stop by and visit other Post 25 Legionnaires or bring a new member to join Post 25.

October 7. American Legion Post 25 meet and greet at Memorial Hall starts at 6:30 pm.

October 7. American Legion Post 25 general membership meeting at Memorial Hall starts at 7:00 pm.

October 10. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 general membership meeting at Memorial Hall starts at 6:00 pm.

October 10. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at Memorial Hall starts at 7:00 pm.

October 12, 2019.   EISENHOWER PILGRIMAGE in Abilene starts at 9:30 am. Department Vice Commanders Homecoming … immediately following the Eisenhower Pilgrimage.

 

November 2, 2019. Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Vintage Toy/Comic Books/Sports Cards Show from 9 am – 3 pm.  See attached flyer for more information.

January 31 – February 2, 2020. Department of Kansas Midwinter Forum at Fort Scott.

 Informational Items

Additional shuttle drivers are needed. The VA-provided shuttle now transports dialysis patients to Pittsburg on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays plus area Veterans for VA hospital appointments on Mondays and Thursdays. Call or email me for more information on becoming a shuttle driver.

Auxiliary Unit 25’s first outreach program is to provide support to Veteran mothers of newborn babies at the Topeka VA Medical Center.  They are currently collecting needed items for newborns and all donations are greatly appreciated.  Diapers, body wash and shampoos, blankets and clothing are among the items requested. Call Unit 25 Vice President Marilyn Gilmore at 785.214.5618 for more information or to donate items. A copy of the flyer is attached.

Our Taurus G2C raffle is sold out. The drawing for the winning ticket will be at our October 7th membership meeting. The winner will be contacted, and information provided on picking up their new pistol.

The Post 25 fundraising collectibles show on November 2 is taking shape. We have 10 tables sold now.

If you know of someone with cases of Hot Wheels, storage totes of Barbies or sports cards or boxes of comic books, encourage them to rent a table at the toy show. All proceeds will go towards our scholarships for Boys and Girls State, Cadet Law and other Post sponsored programs.

Volunteers will be sought to contribute a few hours to make this 1st ever collectibles show a success.

 

For more AL news, click below:

SALute. October 2019

 

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.

Submitted by:

Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

620-215-1688

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Presbyterian Manor hosting professional organizer

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Rightsizing focus of Just Ask event

 

FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Each year, there are changes that affect Medicare coverage. Find out what’s changing for 2020 and prepare for Medicare Part D Election Period. That’s the theme of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s “Just Ask” session October 15.

“What’s New With Medicare?” will be presented by Joy Miller, family and consumer sciences extension agent with K-State Research and Extension in Bourbon County. Miller will share what you need to know before you enroll in Medicare Part D for 2020. The free presentation will begin at 2 p.m. October 15 at Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton.

A certified Senior Health Insurance Counselor for Kansans (SHICK) volunteer, Miller helps beneficiaries and caregivers understand their Medicare benefits and options and assists with plan comparisons and Medicare D enrollment during the annual election period. Miller has been with K-State Research and Extension for 11 years and has been a SHICK volunteer since 2012.

RSVP by October 11 to Becky Kellum, marketing director, at 620-223-5550 or [email protected].

“What’s New with Medicare?” is part of Presbyterian Village’s Just Ask lifelong learning program featuring speakers and topics of interest to seniors and their adult children.

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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has been offering independent and assisted living apartments for seniors from southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri since 1994. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. It is a member of the nonprofit Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America network of 17 communities and 2 hospices in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more about PMMA at PresbyterianManors.org.

Fort Scott

Fort Scott Public Library Oct. 2019

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Fort Scott Public Library Newsletter
October 2019

Welcome

We hope you enjoy the Fort Scott Public Library newsletter. You are receiving it because you provided us with your email address for library notifications. If you don’t want to receive future editions, you can unsubscribe using the link in this newsletter, or email the library [email protected], and we will remove your address from the list.
Previous editions of this newsletter are available on our website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org

Programs and information for Adults

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.

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: Llamas, Music, Fish, Fall, and Halloween.
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 Cardboard & Recyclables Maker Monday!
October 21, 4 – 5 pm.
Create what you like using cardboard and recyclables, with our craft supplies to decorate and assemble it all. 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.

FIGHTERS for Teens & Tweens

Middle & High School Students, come on Wednesdays at 4:15 p.m. for a free program just for you! Help us shape the program for the upcoming months by suggesting new group names and joining in a vote on September 11. An ongoing reading challenge began last week and 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.
The October meetings will run as follows:
October 9, 4:15-5 pm: Mini Pumpkin Painting at the Library
October 16, 4-6 pm: Games & Snacks Night at the Library
October 23, 4:15-5 pm: The Lone Wolves Book Club at the Keyhole
October 30, 4-5 pm: Halloween Party at the Library
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 better man
by Louise PennySearching for a missing woman amid a catastrophic flood and blistering social media attacks, a demoted Armand Gamache bonds with the victim’s distraught father, who contemplates a murder of his own. By the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Kingdom of the Blind.

Hart’s Hollow farm
by Janet DaileyWhen 73-year-old Emmy Hart asks her to help revitalize Hart’s Hollow farm, Kristen accepts, despite her fears about becoming too attached to the family; and then there’s Emmy’s ruggedly handsome grandson. By a New York Times best-selling author.

Killer instinct
by James PattersonA sequel to Murder Games finds the suspicious death of a professor reuniting Dr. Dylan Reinhart and Detective Elizabeth Needham against a terrorist plot targeting New York City. Co-written by a #1 best-selling author.
Art, Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College

Celebration of Gordon Parks Legacy

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The Gordon Parks Celebration began its annual event, Oct. 3 with the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee.

Winners of the Gordon Parks annual photo contest were given their awards during the coffee.

First, second, and third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively and all finalists received a set of prints of Gordon Parks photos.

There were five honorable mention awards given: “In Death Lies The Erosion of Truth.” by Alexis Michalski (La Cygne, KS ); “Finding Joy in your Friends.” by Alexis Marchiano (Fort Scott); “The Master and the Apprentice.” by Jezeriah Simpson (Fort Scott); “Escape.” by Lawson Hall (Fort Scott); and “Lots of Trust.” by Julia Allen (Fort Scott).

The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by a quote by the Gordon Parks-directed film The Learning Tree.

“We received a lot of great entries this year and the judges were very impressed by the skill level of the photographers. It was very difficult for the judges to determine the winner with all of the great entries,” said museum director Kirk Sharp.

The photo exhibit is on display in the Lunt Lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College through October 14. The building is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ashton Nolan, a student at Fort Scott Community College won first place with a photo entitled: Always Choose Family
Ashton Nolan,  first place winning photo.
Elli Milburn, Fort Scott High School student won second place with a photo entitled: No Quit.
Elli Milburn’s second-place winning photograph.
Ashton Nolan also received third place with her photo entitled: Cherish Childhood
Ashton Nolan’s third-place winning photograph.

The Merle Humphrey Photography sponsored the photo contest.

There were 65 entries in the contest that was themed: “My Learning Tree, Life Lessons Learned.” Judges for the contest were Kassie Feugate-Cate, Tammy Helm and Merl Humphrey.

Also on display were some of Park’s photos and poems and in addition a section of behind-the-scenes photos of the film “The Learning Tree”, which was filmed in Fort Scott in 1969.

Artists recognized for their entries to the Gordon Parks Photography Contest, from left: Lexi Marchiano honorable mention; Elli Milburn, second place; Ashton Nolan, first place; Lawson Hall, honorable mention and Julia Allen, honorable mention. Nolan is a Fort Scott Community College student, the other artists were from area high schools. Not pictured: Alexis Michalski and Jezeriah Simpson.
From left: FSCC Development Administrative Assistant Tabitha Stultz and Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director Kirk Sharp,  look over donated photos of the film “The Learning Tree” with Chamber coffee attendees Thursday morning.

Below are scenes from the morning coffee:

To view the events of this weekend’s celebration events, click below:

https://files.constantcontact.com/599f8b4d001/45

c25fe4-471d-46b6-93ca-e18ffd9879a7.pdf

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott

Tri-Yak-A-Thon Oct. 12, The Public Is Welcome

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The Gunn Park Trails volunteers would like to invite everyone to enjoy the fall weather and join us for the 7th annual Tri-yak-a-thon.

This year’s proceeds will benefit Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter.

The event will take place October 12 at 10:00 AM in Gunn Park.

The Tri-yak-a-thon is a race where participants run on Gunn Park’s beautiful trails, kayak up and down the Marmaton River, and then tackle the trails again on a bike.

The goal of the event is to have fun and raise money to support the animal shelter.

The trail run is a 5K, the kayak portion is another 5K, and the bike portion is a 10K.

Participate as a relay team, or if you are tough enough you can do the entire race as a solo participant.

You must bring your own kayak, life jacket, helmet, and mountain bike.

Riders must wear a helmet.

 

Onsite registration and packet pickup will be from 8:00 to 9:45 AM at Shelter House 6.

You can register online at https://www.trireg.com/tri-yak-a-thon.

The race will begin at 10:00 AM.  Whether you enter the race or just come and cheer, please join us and support our park, our trails, and our animal shelter.

 

We would like to thank our generous sponsors:

 

UMB Bank

Mid-Continental

Key Industries

Peerless

Landmark Bank

Briggs Auto of Fort Scott

City State Bank

Smallville Crossfit

Fort Scott Veterinary Clinic

Brock Electric

The City of Fort Scott

 

 

Submitted by:

Penny Pollock-Barnes

Key Industries, Inc.

400 Marble Rd

Fort Scott, KS  66701

1-800-835-0365 x367

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

American Legion Local News

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As a cost cutting measure, the Department of Kansas emails the monthly Kansas Newsletter and quarterly Sunflower to persons signed up online for electronic delivery of these informative updates of “what’s happening” within the Department.
Many Kansas Legion family members have not signed up yet foe their free electronic delivery of these two Department publications.
If you are currently receiving them, just delete this email. I don’t have a copy of the distribution list and wanted to insure that the Post 25 Legion Family members are receiving them.
If you are not currently receiving these two Department publications, take a moment and signup below by clicking on the subscribe link below.
As a reminder, all Post 25 Family Members are welcome to attend any and all events throughout the Department.
Submitted by Carl Jowers, Post 25 Commander.
For more info: