Category Archives: Fort Scott

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Jobs

Next Steps: Men Supporting Their Family

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Next Steps co-coordinators Sue Emmons and David Goodyear will start weekly gatherings next week.

A local initiative to move fathers out of dependence to become self-supporting is restarting August 19.

Next Steps is a local program of Connections to Success that the Kansas government provides to work with men in transition from dependence.

New co-coordinators David Goodyear and Sue Emmons are starting a new term with the program, replacing Jean Tucker, who had to step down for health reasons.

“It’s a 14-week structured curriculum,” Goodyear said. “It has a three-day intensive ‘get to know you’, team building and skills assessment.”

“We are targeting men, but we are not exclusive,” Goodyear said. They work with women wanting to become self-sustaining as well.

Next Steps meets Mondays from 5-7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott.

First United Methodist Church at 2nd Street and National Avenue, is the venue for Next Steps.

“The program is a collaboration of churches,” Goodyear said.

It is comprised of facilitators, who lead the discussion on a chosen topic, such as budgeting tools, conflict resolution, how to present yourself to an employer, how to do a resume, etc.

“We focus on personal, developmental, relational, vocational and spiritual,” Goodyear said.

Other people in the program are dedicated to helping with transporting participants to the meetings, and childcare during the meetings.

Then there are mentors-people who walk beside another person.

As a mentor, he has worked to develop relationships to help participants with decision making on such subjects as managing money or family conflicts, he said.

Many are battling isolation, lack of value and lacking a sense of belonging, Goodyear said.

“There is dignity in providing for themselves…We’ve had pretty good success,” he said.

Participants must learn such attributes as the mutual respect of showing up on time and not disrupting in group settings, Goodyear said.

Ages of participants in the past have varied from people in their 20s to those in their 60s.

For Emmons, she had been aware of the program and had referred people in prior jobs and was asked to join Next Steps as a facilitator/mentor about six months ago.

For Goodyear, the most practical way to show someone the Gospel of Jesus Christ is building relationships. He has been in the role of both facilitator and mentor as well for about five years.

To him, 1 John 3:18, is the inspiration: “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

For more information: contact Goodyear through Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene at 620-223-0131 or Emmons at 620-224-8096.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Health Care

Immunizations: No Appointment/No Local Provider Necessary at CHC/SEK

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Krista Postai

Krista Postai, President and CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas,  asked fortscott.biz to dispell some confusion.

 

“There has been some confusion in Ft. Scott about immunizations (at CHC/SEK),” she said. “In the past, we understood that Mercy (Hospital) usually required a well-child visit or a physical (exam) before administering immunizations.”

 

” While it’s a great idea to get your child’s immunizations as part of their regular check-up, that’s not always possible so it’s CHC/SEK’s policy  to provide shots on a walk-in basis at all of our clinics anytime we are open.”

 

No appointment is necessary for the immunizations.

 

Shots can be administered at the center no matter if the primary care physician is affiliated with CHC/SEK.

 

“We also do immunizations for anyone regardless of who their primary care provider is, so you don’t have to be one of our patients to get you or your child vaccinated,” she said. ” We do ask that you bring your child’s immunization record.”

 

The facility is located at 403 Woodland Hills Blvd., at the site of the former Mercy Hospital.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Bourbon County Unification Committee Forms

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Fort Scott City Hall.

In an effort to help make government more efficient in the county, a new Bourbon County Unified Services Committee was formed August 7, 2019.

“I have heard about it (unifying government) for three years,” Greg Motley, who was selected to be the vice-chairman of the group, said. “We have to look for ways to be more efficient.”

“We had one meeting to organize ourselves,” he said. “The purpose is ‘how can we make government more efficient: city, county, school districts, community college’.”

Fort Scott Community College

The unifying committee was launched by Bourbon County Economic Development Corporation, BEDCO.

They are in the first stage, which is researching the possibilities, Motley said.

“That will take a while,” he said.

“We have to plan for a reduced population,” Motley said. “The cost of government is going to increase. We have to think about ways…to do it (government) more effectively.”

Motley said Wyandotte County has unified in northeast Kansas and other sparsely populated counties are considering combining to unify resources.

So the group will study the issue to see if it can be done, and done well, he said.

Motley knows that if the public is not for the unification of government, it will not happen.

“People could say ‘even if it saves money on taxes, we don’t want it’ and that’s ok,” Motley said.

 

USD 234 Board of Education Building.
Uniontown High School.
The  Bourbon County Courthouse

 

Bourbon County Unified Services Committee is comprised of Mark McCoy, chairman; Motley, vice chairman; Nancy Maze, secretary/treasurer; Greg Fess, Clayton Whitson, Larry Shead, David Foster, Larry Martin and Larry Jurgensen.

Greg Motley

 

Motley can be reached at 620-768-2329 or cell 620-215-6411 or [email protected]

 

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott Special Events Aug. 16-18

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FRI & SAT – Livestock Sale – Fort Scott Livestock Market, weekly Fridays & Saturdays at 10:00 am. You don’t have to be a buyer, just come watch the sale and visit the café!
2131 Maple Rd. FRI & SAT – Trolley Tours – Friday 11am-3pm, Saturday 10am-3pm on the hour, leaving from the CVB/Chamber, 231 E. Wall St.
Friday, August 16
7:00pm-8:00pm – Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main –
This week’s show features Mike Lundeen on keyboard; eclectic style music, gospel and light classics. The concerts are sponsored by the Chamber, and organized by Ralph Carlson. If you are interested in performing a Friday Night Concert, contact Ralph Carlson at
[email protected]. Bring lawn chairs, seating is limited. In the event of bad weather, the show will move to Common Ground Coffee Shop.
Sundown – Flicks on the Bricks – Beauty and the Beast: Live Action (Sponsored by the City of Fort Scott – Movie starts at sundown at Skubitz Plaza, 100 Old Fort Blvd. Free
admission, no tickets needed.
Saturday, August 17
8:00am-12:00am – Farmers’ Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort) – The market features the very finest produce; also a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds. Focused on fresh locally produced farm products.
8:00am-2:00pm – Woodland Hills Golf Course 1-Person Scramble – 2414 S. Horton –
1-Person Scramble, where players may play a second ball on any shot; however, once played the second shot must be used. The tournament will be flighted based on final score. $35 per Woodland Hills member, $50 per non-member. Contact Shannon O’Neil at 620-223-5060 for info & registration.
7:00pm-9:00pm – Begin the Begin (sounds of R.E.M.) concert at Boiler Room Brewhaus – 2 S. National Ave. – $10 tickets on sale now at the Brewery, the Visitors Center and the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St. Visit boileroombrewhaus.com.
Sunday, August 18
12:00pm – Heartland Showcase Boer Goat Sale at Bourbon Co. Fairgrounds, Fort Scott – 2102 S. Huntington, 12pm. Viewing on Saturday from 4-6pm, Sunday starting at 10am, with free lunch from 11am-12pm. Contact Lisa Stripe: 402-759-5497 or Jill Lanham: 620-984-8344.
5:00pm-7:00pm – Team Trivia at Boiler Room Brewhaus – 2 S. National Ave.
SAVE THE DATE: 2019 Fall Town-Wide Garage Sale is coming Friday and
Saturday, September 13th & 14!! Register your sale or advertise your business now by calling the Chamber, 620-223-3566!
Schedule of Special Events in Fort Scott, Kansas August 16-18, 2019
Visit the Chamber & CVB/Tourism Center for more attractions & activities!
231 E. Wall Street ~ M-F 8am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm ~ (620) 223-3566
Tell your friends you’re here!
Check in on Facebook! @ FortScottChamber & @VisitFortScottKS (620) 223-3566 Chamber: www.fortscott.com CVB/Tourism: www.visitfortscott.com
Come take a ride on Dolly the Trolley!
50 minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott
@ The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
$6 adults, $4 children 12 & under
Friday, 11AM—4PM
Saturday, 10AM—4PM
231 E. Wall Street Fort Scott, KS 2 Pages on Facebook: Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce & Visit Fort Scott KS 800-245-FORT (3678) * www.fortscott.com * www.visitfortscott.com
Special thanks to the businesses below for their Chamber membership & support of the community!
RESTAURANTS:
Downtown Historic District Holmtown Pub 206 N. National 620-223-1477
Nu-Grille 24 N. National 620-223-9949
Sharky’s Pub & Grub 16 N. National 620-223-4777
La Hacienda 24 N. Main St. 620-223-4400
Papa Don’s Pizza 10 N. Main St. 620-223-4171
Crooner’s Lounge (5-9pm) 117 S. Main St. 620-224-9787
Common Ground Coffee Co. 116 S. Main St. 620-223-2499
Midtown
Nate’s Place (Lyons Twin Mansions) 750 S. National 620-223-3644
Hours: Tues-Sun 8am-2pm – breakfast all day & lunch begins at 11am, NOW SERVING DINNER! Thurs-Sat 5pm-9pm – Looking for someplace to relax after a long week? Enjoy Happy Hour in our Library Bar every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 5-6 pm, with all well liquor only $5.
Southern Fort Scott
Sonic Drive-In 1700 S. National 620-223-3630
Domino’s Pizza 1709 S. National 620-768-5533
Subway 1715 S. National 620-224-2420
Marsha’s Great Plains Deli 6 W. 18th St. 620-223-6432
McDonald’s 2224 S. Main St. 620-223-6760
Dairy Queen 2328 S. Main St. 620-224-2226
El Charro 2503 S. Main St. 620-223-9944
Penny’s Diner 2505 S. Main St. 620-768-7000
SHOPPING:
Downtown Historic District: Bids & Dibs 108 S. Scott Ave., 620-224-2437: New & consignment home décor, clothing, & accessories
Books & Grannies 11 N. Main, 620-224-2244 : Collection of used book
Country Cupboard 12 N. Main, 620-223-5980: Country accents, Victorian décor, quilting fabrics, Primitives, collectibles and souvenirs. John’s shoe & boot repair located in back of the store
Electronics Store 2 N. National, 620-223-4501: Electronics, toys and games, cell phones and accessories
Fort Scott Munitions 523 E. Wall St., 620-223-1277: Manufacturer of premium ammunition & firearms
Hedgehog.INK 16 S. Main St., 620-670-2752: New and gently used books, children’s area, writer’s area
Iron Star Antiques & Such 3 N. Main, 620-223-2929: Unique gifts, home décor, furniture, ladies apparel
J & W Sports Shop 20 N. Main, 620-223-3690: Athletic clothing and shoes
Main Street Gallery & Gifts, and other Collective Booths 23 S. Main, 620-223-2210
Mayco Ace Hardware 205 Scott, 620-223-2670: Hardware, garden and more
Miller Feed & Farm 15 W. Wall, 620-223-3420: Feed, boots, animal care & accessories
Redbud Farms & Nurseries 1291 240th St., 620-223-1811: Greenhouse & Nurseries
Ruddick’s Furniture and Floorcovering 117 S. National, 620-223-2510: Furniture and home décor
Sunshine Boutique Gifts and Cosmetics 18 E. Wall, , 620-223-6007: Gift items, candles & cosmetics
Trader Dave’s Antiques & More 15 S. Scott, 620-224-0079: Unique items ranging from antiques to gently used items
Treasure Hunt Flea Market 6 S. Main St. 620-223-3522: Antiques, furniture, collectibles & gifts
Additional Shopping Locations:
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry 1519 S. National, 620-223-2070: Fine jewelry
Fort Scott Gun & Pawn 1402 E. Wall, 620-223-0583: Visit their showroom!
HairBow Center 2326 Kansas Rd., 620-223-9898: online & warehouse ribbon & bow accessories
Heidrick‘s True Value & Nancy’s Gift Corner 1508 S. National, 620-223-2660: Hardware and gift corner Pot Pantry 1366 215th St., 620-224-7480: Unique hand-made pottery, call Bobbi to see if open to shop
Sekan’s Occasion Shop 2210 S. Main, 620-223-5190: Furniture, home décor, and party supplies
Shirt Shack 11 E. 18th St., 620-223-4680: T-shirts, jeans and other clothing
Tractor Supply Company 2420 S. Main, 620-223-4900: Farm supplies, clothing, shoes and more
Walgreens 2229 S. Main, 620-223-2402: Cosmetics, health and beauty aids, pharmacy and much more
Wal-Mart 2500 S. Main, 620-223-2867: Discount store plus groceries
TOP ACTIVITIES: Visit the Boiler Room Brewhaus! Located at 10 S. National Ave. First and only micro-brewery in Southeast Kansas!
Fort Scott National Historic Site *Free Admission* (8am-5pm): Self-guided tour, cellphone tour, 20 min. film always available.
11 buildings & exhibits. Gift shop with books, shirts, historical toys, & other souvenirs.
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes *Free Admission* 1 S. Main, 620-223-1312, (Mon.-Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 10am-4pm): Informative exhibits on unsung heroes & other award-winning exhibits. Also sells award-winning book, movie, and teaching materials.
Gordon Parks Museum & Photo Exhibit *Free Admission* 2018 S. Horton, Ellis Fine Arts Center, 620-223-2700
(Tues-Fri. 10am-4pm, Sat. 10am-2pm, & by appt.): 1st black photographer for Life magazine, photographer, poet, filmmaker. Gift shop also sells books, t-shirts, mugs, and other gift items.
National Cemetery No. 1 900 E. National Ave.: Numbered 1 of 14 cemeteries declared National cemeteries in 1861 by Pres. Lincoln.
Lyons Twin Mansions *Free Tour* 750 S. National Ave. 620-223-3644: Offers complimentary tours, any-time of day.
Courtland Hotel & Spa 121 E. 1st St. 620-223-5657: Spa/Massage/Salon Retail Outlet
Re:freshed Aesthetics 750 S. National Ave. 620-215-2694: Beauty products, facials, waxings, & more
Woodland Hills Golf Course 2414 S. Horton, 620-223-5060
Gunn Park 1010 Park Ave.: 155 acre Scenic Park, 7 shelter houses, 2 lakes, 6 mi. of trails, 18-hole disc golf course
Kansas Rocks Recreational Park 18 miles NW of Fort Scott, 130th St. Mapleton, KS. (Sat. 8am-5pm, Sun. 9am-4pm): 30 miles of trails for Jeeps & 4-wheel drives, biking, & hiking
Hunting, Fishing, & Watersports: Multiple lakes & fishing/hunting areas at Fort Scott Lake, Rock Creek Lake* Bourbon County
Fort Scott Restaurants, Shopping, & Activities

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Goat Sale Aug.18

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Heartland Showcase
Boer Goat Sale, LLC
at Bourbon County Fairgrounds
Sunday, August 18th at 12pm
Heartland Showcase
Boer Goat Sale,
Sunday, August 18th at 12pm.
There will be viewing times for Saturday, August 17th at 4-6pm and Sunday, August 19th starting at 10am. There will be a complimentary lunch from 11am-12pm.
This event is located at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, 2102 S. Huntington Blvd.
in Fort Scott.
Consignors:
Tate Farms, Thunder Boer Goats, Road 20 Farms, Criser Ranch, Sunflower Boer Goats, Anderson Boer Goat Acres, StripeBoers, Broken Trigger Boer Goats, Rock’n B Ranch, Quality Boer, Fanning Farms, and 4 Star Ranch.
For more information, contact
Lisa Stripe at 402-759-5497
or Jill Lanham at 402-984-8344.
Business, Fort Scott

Community Clothes Closet Is A Part of Washateria: Board Members Needed

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Fort Scott Washateria, 501 S. National Avenue.

Fort Scott Washateria,  a new state of the art laundry center, will open Sept. 7 instead of mid-August as originally planned, said manager Lori Lovelace.

But this Thursday on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. she and her mother Carol Oakleaf, who is the owner of the business, will be having an organizational meeting for a Fort Scott Community Closet Association.

Volunteers are needed to be board members for the new philanthropic organization.

“We will collect clothing donations to distribute to those in need in the community,” Lovelace said.

“We’d like to get people who have worked at the Beacon,” she said. The Beacon is a helping agency who recently quit handling clothing distributions.

“We will need people to set the hours to be open, the qualifications for receiving donations and other needed decisions,” Lovelace said.

She and her mother will be on the board, but others are needed.

Their church, Hammond United Methodist, is a sponsor of the clothing distribution association.

Lovelace and Oakleaf have worked to attain a 501 (c)3 and a Federal Tax ID for the association, she said.

“The broader the organizational experience, the better it will be,” Lovelace said.

Volunteers are also needed to help with the distribution of clothes to those in need.

“We will launder donated clothing, and clothing will be sorted and stored in the grey shed, just north of the laundry facility,” Lovelace said.

Washateria Grand Opening Sept. 7

The laundry center’s opening has been pushed into September because of the death of an employee of  Laundry Solutions, that sold them all the machines, Lovelace said.

That business has been Speed Queen Distributor of the Year three times in the last six years, she said.

Some of the larger capacity machines will take bedding comforters and dog beds, Lovelace said.

They will have a “soft opening” of the laundry mat around Labor Day.

She will put a sign in the window to indicate the preliminary opening.

Two people have been hired and the hours of operation of the laundry mat will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Home delivery service will be provided as well, if needed.

For more information: [email protected] or call Lovelace at 620-215-1314.

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee At Sleep Inn Aug. 15

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Hosted by:

Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative
Location:

Sleep Inn & Suites, 302 E. Wall St.
Thursday, August 15, 2019  at 8:00 a.m.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
August 22 – Ascension Via Christi Fort Scott
August 29 – Fort Scott Washateria (501 S. National)
September 5 – Stutesman’s Action Realty (New Location: 120 E. Wall St.)
September 12 – Accent Dental
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government, Kansas

Don’t Drink and Drive

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Kansas Law Enforcement Warns: Don’t Drink and Drive

Impaired drivers to be tested during “No Refusal Weekend”

 

Topeka, KS – As the summer season concludes over the next few weeks, Kansas law enforcement will be doing all they can to keep the roads safe from impaired drivers. Beginning on Aug. 14 and through the Labor Day weekend, more than 150 law enforcement agencies from across the state will join forces in a concentrated effort detecting and removing the impaired driver.

 

This year’s campaign includes a No Refusal Weekend, Aug. 16 – 17, when all suspected impaired drivers who refuse breath testing may be subject to blood testing for alcohol and/or drugs. This No Refusal Weekend, law enforcement officials may work in coordination with prosecutors to obtain blood draw warrants for drivers who refuse breath and/or drug testing. No Refusal programs help ensure that prosecutors obtain the scientific evidence needed to effectively prosecute cases involving impaired driving.

“My hope is there are no impaired driving crashes or fatalities in the state of Kansas,” said Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Herman Jones.  “Make the right decision, don’t get behind the wheel impaired. The impaired driver makes the choice to endanger themselves and everyone else on the road.”

 

According to the National Safety Council, 40 percent of car fatalities occur in the summer months. The Labor Day holiday brings increased traffic and unfortunately, a higher-than-normal number of deaths related to impaired drivers on the road. On average, impaired drivers cause about one-third of all traffic fatalities in Kansas. Across Kansas, impaired drivers injure or kill more than 2,200 people each year in car crashes.

 

“We want everyone’s summer to end on high note and not in a senseless death that is 100 percent preventable,” said Chris Bortz, Kansas Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Program Manager. “Law enforcement will be vigilant in their efforts to keep everyone safe, but everyone has a personal responsibility in this effort; not just law enforcement.”

 

The 22-day enforcement campaign will be supported with statewide education and on-the-street vigilance by law enforcement.  This year’s campaign reinforces that no excuse is a good excuse for driving impaired. Designate before you celebrate, use a ride sharing service or get a ride from a sober friend are just a few ways to get home safely.

 

Impaired drivers can face jail time, suspension of their driving privileges, fines and other costs of up to $10,000. In addition, the offender will be required to install and pay monthly services fees on an ignition interlock. Beyond the financial and legal penalties, impaired drivers face the risk of losing their own lives or taking someone else’s.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Greet Congressman Watkins Aug. 22

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Meet and Greet with
Congressman
Steve Watkins
(2nd District of Kansas)
at Boiler Room Brewhaus
Thursday, August 22nd
at 4:00 p.m.
Community members are invited to a
Meet & Greet with
Congressman Steve Watkins.
The event will take place on
Thursday, August 22nd at the
Boiler Room Brewhaus, located at
2 S. National Ave. Doors will open at 4:00pm for the meet & greet.
Steve Watkins is a 6th generation Kansan, growing up down the street from the State Capitol in Topeka. His father served in the Air Force and has been a well-respected physician for nearly 40 years. His mother is
a retired public school teacher.
After graduating from Topeka West high school, Steve went on to get an engineering degree from West Point and master’s degrees from both MIT and Harvard.
Steve Watkins is an Iditarod racer,
a Mt. Everest climber, and a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan in 2004.
Steve Watkins’ life and career have been characterized by integrity, courage, leadership, and selfless service.
While the uniform may be changing, the values and convictions are not.
For more information, contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566.
Fort Scott, Government

New FS City Staff Accountant: Devin Tally

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Devin Tally, 30, is the new City of Fort Scott Staff Accountant.

He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2007 and received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Pittsburg State University. In May 2019 he completed my Master of Business Administration through Northwest Missouri State University.

Previously, Tally has worked at Wise Tax and Accounting for almost four years.

He started working for the city on June 24, 2019.

Tally’s duties include payroll, accounts receivable, assisting with the budget, bank reconciliation, sales tax, and additional duties as needed. His office is located at city hall, 123 S. Main.

Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Fort Scott, Schools

Visit With Sheriff’s Office Personnel: Get a Free Snow Cone

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The sheriff’s office will be handing out to the first 100 kids coupons to get a small snow cone from Tropical Snow.

Tropical Snow is in the south parking of the Movie Gallery Store located at 1714 South National in Fort Scott.

This will be a chance to meet/talk with deputies, as a community involvement with the sheriff’s office.

The event will be  Tuesday, August 13, starting at 6 PM and will last until the last coupon is handed out.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Friday Night Free Concert: Mike Lundeen

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The Friday Night Free Concert at Heritage Park, 1st and Main Street will feature Mike Lundeen at the keyboard.

“Mike has been one of our most popular concerts for several years,” Ralph Carlson, event organizer, said. “His music is a mix of lite classics, ragtime, contemporary pop, southern gospel with some pre- civil war and country. We are really pleased to get Mike back this year.”

The concert starts at 7 p.m. In the event of inclement weather it will move to the Common Grounds Coffee Shop. Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.