Category Archives: Fort Scott

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation to Host 2nd Annual Match Day Event: Dec. 3

Leave a comment

 

 

The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) is hosting its second annual Match Day on National Giving Tuesday, December 3. Match Day is an exciting fundraising campaign to support local nonprofit organizations and the work they do in our region. This year, the Community Foundation, through a generous grant from the Patterson Family Foundation, is offering up to $25,000 in matching funds for contributions made to eligible funds.

 

“Our first Match Day in 2023 was a wonderful success, and with the matching funds grant, we added a total of $89,551 to our participating funds. We are very excited to have the opportunity to participate again this year, and we invite to the community to give together during Match Day 2024,” said FSACF Chairman Becky Tourtillott. “The support of our community donors, combined with the match dollars, allows us to grow the endowments and provide ongoing support for our charitable partners. These local organizations and the services they provide are important to Bourbon County and make a true difference.”

 

Community contributions support each organization’s endowed fund held at FSACF. The funds are invested to produce present and future income, which organizations can use for operations, programs, or special projects. The $25,000 match pool will be divided among the participating organizations’ endowments in proportion to their share of community contributions, subject to a 20% limit. The full 100% of each donation will be placed in the organization’s endowed fund, and the match amount will be made available to the organization immediately.

 

Donations for Match Day can be made in three different ways:

  • Online at FortScottGives.org or
  • In person, delivered to Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall, on or before Tuesday, December 3 or
  • By check, mailed to FSACF, P.O. Box 901, Fort Scott, KS 66701 with a postmark date no later than December 4, 2024. Please make checks payable to: Fort Scott Area Community Foundation

 

Funds participating in Match Day are: Anna Faye and Robert Gordon Steele Memorial Funds, Care to Share Cancer Support Endowed Fund, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Fort Scott Endowment, Fort Scott Area Chamber Foundation, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation General Endowment Fund, Fort Scott Area Public Parks Endowment, Dr. Pratt & Pauline Irby Endowment, John Valentine & Patricia Jean Neff Health Care Fund, Shepherd Family Endowment Fund, and the Shirley Yeager Animal Friends Foundation.

 

***

 

More information at FortScottGives.Org

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Key Annual Warehouse Sale Starts Tomorrow

Leave a comment

Annual Key

Warehouse Sale

November 23-30th
The Annual KEY Warehouse Sale is just around the corner – November 23-30. Find great deals on discounted workwear and outerwear for the whole family!

The sale is at the same location as last year, 2400 S. Main, Suite 200, Fort Scott (previously Shoe Sensation) in the shopping center next to T-Mobile.

They are closed Sunday (November 24) and on Thanksgiving (November 28).

Gear up and grab a deal at the KEY Warehouse Sale November 23-30 at 2400 S Main, Suite 200 in Fort Scott.

To learn more click here for KEY Facebook page.

Click here for the KEY event page

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
STAY CONNECTED
Facebook  X  Instagram
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

Fall Extravaganza To Benefit FSHS’s FFA Program: Find Those Holiday Gifts Here

Leave a comment
Submitted graphic.
Monday, November 25 is the annual Fall Extravaganza, put together this year by the Fort Scott FFA Chapter as a fundraiser.
The event is at the Fort Scott Middle School from 5-8 p.m.
Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.

“The event started in 2009 by the Fort Scott Middle School VIPs to raise money to support the middle school,” said Sydney Cullison, Fort Scott High School FFA Advisor.

The event is where local businesses or crafty individuals showcase and sell their products and the students running the event get some money for their cause, it’s a win-win proposition.

Cullison said “The last couple of years the event was coordinated by the Fort Scott High School Swim Team to raise money for uniforms. This year, the Fort Scott FFA Chapter took over the planning of the event.”

The chapter officers are in a class called Ag Leadership and have been planning this event with the help of Cullison.

Much work has been done by the students and teacher leading up to this event: They must determine how much to charge for booth spaces, make an application form, collect payments from vendors, create a vendor layout map, create flyers and do social media advertising for the event.
Thus far 55 vendors are coming and will have a 10-foot by 10-foot booth space for $25.
The proceeds from the event will pay for the annual FFA membership dues for the 2024-25 school year, which are roughly $1,300 and are covered by the FFA Chapter.
The Fort Scott FFA group in 2023. Submitted photo.
“In 2021, the FFA chapter moved to an affiliate membership model meaning any student enrolled in an agriculture course is automatically an FFA member,” Cullison said. “The affiliate model allows all students to participate in FFA events to further skills learned in the classroom without paying an individual membership fee of $15. “
The Fort Scott High School FFA program has 106 students in grades 9-12.
The National FFA Organization’s mission is to help students develop their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
Food, Fort Scott

Urgent Need For Volunteer Drivers For 60+Nutrition

Leave a comment
Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging
60+ Nutrition (Formerly “Meals-On-Wheels”)
URGENT NEED FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
Drivers will pick up prepared meals Buck Run Community Center and deliver to individuals on a designated route within Fort Scott City limits.
Please Contact Roz Scarborough for more information:
phone: 620-251-7313
 All Volunteers must complete the background check application and return ASAP before being assigned a route.  You can pick up an application at the K-STATE Research and Extension Office at 210 S. National, Fort Scott, KS.
Church news, Fort Scott

Dedication Of The Newly Built Catholic Church Is November 23

Leave a comment

 

Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church will be dedicated on November 23.

The Catholic Church members persevered and will dedicate the new church building soon, following the devastating fire that destroyed the former building in August 2022.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church fire on August 29, 2022. Courtesy of Stephen Toal.

To view the information on the fire:

Fire at Fort Scott’s Catholic Church Causes Extensive Damage

“We are having our first mass, a dedication mass, on Saturday, Nov 23 at 10 am,” said Mark McCoy, chairman of the church building committee. This mass is for parish members.

“The new church is looking beautiful and is in the same image and likeness of our previous church,” McCoy said

The regular mass services will begin on November 23 at 5:30 pm,
on Sunday, November 24 at 8 am and 10 am.

The members have been praying a special prayer each time they have services,  for God’s guidance in the building of the church.

The prayer the Catholic Church has been praying during the church rebuild. Submitted photo.

“Having this prayer written by one of the rebuild committees was our first step,” McCoy said. “After each mass, since the fire and at gatherings and meetings, we have said that prayer.”

“Our parish members gave their time, talents and treasures to help with the rebuild.” McCoy said.

The artifacts of the church were all able to be brought back from the ashes, even the stained glass windows, McCoy said.

The cornerstone of the new Catholic Church in Fort Scott, states the church was established in 1860 and dedicated in 2024.

 

Restoration of the Artifacts

The professional restorer of the artifacts, Robert Elliot of Wichita, underestimated the time and cost of the restoration and started a donations account to meet the costs of time and labor of the years-long restoration.

Currently, $41,000 has been raised of the $65,000 restoration project, according to the GoFundMe page that Elliot set up.

“He wasn’t able to analyze all the depth of restoration or the artifacts at that time,” McCoy said in a prior interview. “We are so appreciative of the work he has taken on.”

 

One of the Stations of the Cross, following the devastating fire. Submitted photo.

When all of the stations and statues arrived at his studio, they were able to assess their condition and begin to comprehend the immense task they had undertaken, Elliot said in a prior interview.

All of the money allocated to the project was to cover the cost of labor, materials, studio rent, and insurance, he said.

One of the Stations of the Cross that was fully restored. Submitted photo.
“The Stations of the Cross and statues are completed and safely delivered and installed at the church,” Elliot said. “We succeeded in restoring every station and statue, restoring them to their original beauty and beyond.”
Elliot said a team of 34 artists, painters, apprentices, volunteers, and others helped with the 20-month project.
“We had four primary artists: Mary Francis Skinner – sculptor, painter; Kathy Faulkner – painter, researcher; Ian Snyder – painter; and myself, director/project manager, restorer, painter.
Three secondary painters: Leo and Jael Keesling, and Anna Gabriel
Two first assistant apprentices: Hector and Michael Ibarra
Four paid apprentices: John Suffield, Matan and Gabe Umbarger, Madi Brunke
Two former parishioners from MoQA, Fort Scott volunteers: Jane Clark and Pat Lowrance
Three Wichita State University Interns: Tiffany Tucker, Haylee Vu and Marshall Woodie
Three Bishop Carroll Catholic High School volunteer apprentices: Landon Whiterock and Luke Ramsick, and Amara Erwin
One homeschool high school age volunteer apprentice: Micheala Ferguson
Four Concordia AcademyHigh School volunteer apprentices: Sarah Lovett, Esther Postier, Amara Garfield, and Ryan Harms
Six volunteers: Roberta Sheahan, Maria Rice, John Killian, Kenna Alderson, Naphtali Garfield, and Sarah Erwin
One paid helper: Spencer Hoff
Our mold maker: Dan Ochs
In total, we had 34 people working on the project over the course of 20 months,” he said.
“We are still requesting donations until the end of the year to help offset our deficit at gofund.me/95a83e95 or directly to Mary Queen of Angels Church earmarked Stations and Statues Fund,” he said.

 

The stained glass window of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Hosted by Sunshine Boutique on November 21

Leave a comment

Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Sunshine Boutique
Thursday, November 21st

8am

in Sunshine Boutique 18 E. Wall St.

Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with a giveaway drawing!

Sunshine Boutique opened in 1981 by Georgia Brown and has been a cornerstone of Downtown for the past 43 years. Georgia recently officially transitioned ownership to one of her granddaughters, Rilie Creollo. Rilie is excited to continue the generational business, operating with the same amazing ideas and practices, although Georgia is still involved in ensuring the transition goes smoothly.

The kitchen room of Sunshine Boutique has a wide variety of coffees and gourmet treats. The back of the house is a floral design area where unique daily arrangements, corsage and boutonniere sets, wedding arrangements, and so much more are made. A $20 per month floral subscription, offering customers regular access to fresh blooms is also available. The boutique storefront has curated a wide selection of trendy clothing specific to each season.

Click here for their Facebook page for updates and upcoming events!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
Facebook  X  Instagram
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Pioneer Kiwanis Chili Feed Fundraiser Is Today November 19: Supporting Community Children

Leave a comment

 

The 36th annual Kiwanis Pioneers Chili Feed is today, November 19th at the First United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott.

A meal of the Pioneer’s signature chili, (the same recipe prepared since the chili feed’s inception) with crackers and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

A free-will donation (suggested minimum $8.00 donation per meal) will be collected at the door.

“All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County,” stated
Kiwanis Pioneer President Kelley Collins. “The annual fundraiser will be drive-through only. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy of the First United Methodist Church on the National Avenue side of the church. Please take care not to block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.”

Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.

This is the Kiwanis Pioneers major fundraiser for the year.

In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of  Improving the world one child and one community at a time, the Pioneers support more than 40 community projects including college scholarships, Court Appointed Special Advocates (for children),  the Backpack food program,
Fort Scott High School Key Club, Head Start, the Beacon, foster children, Feeding Families in His Name, Care to Share,
and school reading and arts programs.

 

About Pioneer Kiwanis

They are a service organization helping the children of Bourbon County.

Recently they completed a project for the local Head Start Program that involved Fort Scott Community College Construction Trades class members.

Head Start Fort Scott now has two new picnic tables for picnics and art classes at their site at 409 S. Judson.

A recent project of the Pioneer KiwanisPictured are (seated) front row from left, Pioneer Kiwanis members Kelley Collins and Vickie Chaplin; SEK-CAP Child and Family Development Educator Janice Durbin and Marie Wheeler, cook; middle row (seated) Maggie Brenner and Marlene Braker (standing) of the Pioneer Kiwanis; back row from left, Fort Scott Community College construction trades instructor Jason Johnson and students.

Members of the Pioneer Kiwanis club, SEK-CAP representatives, students in Fort Scott High School’s construction trades program, and their instructor pose for a photo, above, during the presentation of the two picnic tables to the SEK-CAP Head Start program this month.

 

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Annual Christmas Parade is December 5: A Storybook Christmas, Entries Welcomed

Leave a comment

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the

Annual Christmas Parade

Thursday, December 5th

Downtown Fort Scott @ 6pm
The parade theme this year will be

“A Storybook Christmas”

The Chamber is calling all participants including businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals to enter the parade. There is no cost to register a float, golf cart, foot unit, band, horse unit, car, or other entry.

The parade is being sponsored by Briggs Auto.

Cash prizes will be awarded for overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place entries.

Entries may be made online at fortscott.com under the events tab, or by picking up a form at the Chamber office, 231 E. Wall Street. Entry deadline is Tuesday, December 3rd at 1pm.

The parade route will start at Wall & National, go south to 3rd St., turn left to Main St., then north on Main to Skubitz Plaza where the parade will end at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree.

Additional activities that evening will include:

* Lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree

* Holiday Fireworks

*Photos with Santa at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree

*The Holiday Market Booths open from 5 to 10pm

* The Parkway Church of God Holiness – across from the Mayor’s Tree selling kettle corn

The 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks Festival will continue that weekend, and the full schedule may be found by clicking here!

Click here for the parade event page.

To learn more click here for the Christmas on the Bricks Facebook page.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
STAY CONNECTED
Facebook  X  Instagram
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Annual Christmas Parade Is On December 5: A Storybook Christmas

Leave a comment

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE
Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 6pm

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Annual Christmas Parade will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Downtown Fort Scott starting at 6 pm.

The parade theme this year will be “A Storybook Christmas”. The Chamber is calling all participants including businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals to enter the parade.

There is no cost to register a float, golf cart, foot unit, band, horse unit, car, or other entry. The parade is being sponsored by Briggs Auto and cash prizes will be awarded for overall 1 st , 2 nd ,
and 3 rd place entries.

Entries may be made online at fortscott.com under the events tab, or by picking up a form at the Chamber office, 231 E. Wall Street. Entry deadline is Tuesday, December 3rd at 1pm.

The parade route will start at Wall & National, go south to 3rd St., turn left to Main St., then north on Main to Skubitz Plaza where the parade will end at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree.

Additional activities that evening will include the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree immediately following the parade, Holiday Fireworks, and photos with Santa at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree. The Holiday Market Booths for Christmas on the Bricks will also be open from 5 to 10 pm that evening with eight vendors, and the Parkway Church of God Holiness will be across from the Mayor’s Tree selling kettle corn.

The 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks Festival will continue that weekend, and the full schedule may be found at fortscott.com/Christmas-on-the-bricks.

Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566 or visit fortscott.com

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission On Nov. 19

Leave a comment

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

November 19, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.     Call to Order
  2.     Roll Call

Tim VanHoecke,   Matthew Wells,   Dyllon Olson,   Kathryn  Salsbury,  Tracy Dancer

III.       Pledge of Allegiance

  1. Invocation
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Consent Agenda
  4. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1372-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of October 30, 2024 – November 12, 2024 – $375,039.73
  5. Approval of Minutes for November 5, 2024, Regular City Commission Meeting and November 12, 2024, Special City Commission Meeting.
  6. Request to Pay – Invoice 17652 – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – 24-414 Horton St. & 6th Improvements – $42,906.90
  7. Request to Pay – Invoice 17662 – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Pay Request No. 7 – EEI 23-015A – 6 KA-6898-01 US-54 CCLIP Phase I – $9,645.19
  8. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3776 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FORT SCOTT STORMWATER USER CHARGE AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3757 FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 13.24.121.
  9. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3777 – AN ORDINANCE SETTING NEW WATER RATES AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3758 FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 13.04.030.
  10. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3778 – AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE BASIC MONTHLLY CHARGE FOR SANITARY SEWER RATES IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT BY AMENDING CHAPTER 13.24.100 AND 13.24.110 OF THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3759.
  11. October Financials

 

VII.    Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.

 

 

 

VIII.     Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting             

              you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.

  1. Heck & Wicker and Jason Dickman/Earles Engineering & Inspections, Inc. – Available to             answer questions regarding Horton St. & 6th St. Improvement Project.

 

 

  1. Unfinished Business
  2. Status of Building at 118 E. Wall – L. Kruger

 

 

  1. New Business

Public Hearing:

  1. Resolution No. 31-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 1105 S. SCOTT – Tabled from October 15, 2024 – L. Kruger

 

Action Items:

  1. Consideration of Olsson’s Proposal for Design and Bidding Services for the FSK Lighting & RSA Grading Project – M. Wyatt
  2. Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness – 24 S. National – Paint color approval – Recommended by Design Review Board on November 12, 2024.
  3. Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness – 17 S. Main – Move Sign – Recommended by Design Review Board on November 12, 2024.
  4. Consideration of 2025 Holiday Schedule for the City of Fort Scott – Matkin
  5. Discussion to Replace/Refurbish 1997 E-One Pumper Truck – D. Bruner

 

  1. Reports and Comments
  2. City Manager Comments
  3. Engineering Comments
  4.  Commissioners’ Comments
  5. City Attorney Comments

 

 

XII.      Adjourn