Category Archives: Fort Scott

Business, Fort Scott

New Bookstore Grand Opening Today, Oct. 30

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Jan and Dick Hedges, owners of Hedgehog.INK.

Hedgehog.INK, a bookstore featuring new and gently used books has its’ grand opening today at 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.

The ribbon cutting is at 5:45 p.m.

The store is located at 16 S. Main and owned by Jan and Dick Hedges.

Hedgehog.INK, located at 16 S. Main, in historic downtown Fort Scott.

The store accepts paperbacks and hardback books for all age levels, according to information provided.

Most of the books traded for store credit will receive up to 20 percent of the price charged for the book at Hedgehog.INK.

Book pricing depends on book quality, age, demand, current stock, and condition.

Trade credit can be redeemed at the rate of 1/2 credit and 1/2 cash for books only. For example, if a book is purchased for $4, one can apply $2 of credit, and the customer will pay the remaining$2 in cash.

New or used books can be special ordered through Hedgehog.INK.

Jan Hedges stands in front of her display of a new children’s series of books, called Barefoot Books.

The Hedges will sell a series of new children’s books, called Barefoot Books.

“They are colorful, high-quality books for children,” Jan said.

The children’s area of the Hedgehog.INK bookstore.

In addition to a children’s area, there is a writers area in the store, where customers can read or write.

Sheryl Bloomfield is the assistant manager and Addison Guilfoyle is an employee.

Sheryl Bloomfield logs in books Monday afternoon at Hedgehog.INK.

In addition to books, local products will be for sale.

Goat milk products, lavender products, and homemade cards are among the items provided by local producers to Hedgehog.INK, that are for sale.

The Lavender Patch owner, Betsy Reichard, has a sales area in Hedgehog.INK. She sells lavender products that she produces on her farm: soaps, sprays, dried lavender, etc.
Homemade cards by Jean Solomon will be for sale in the store.

“Dick and I have been amazed at how people have come to volunteer and help us,” Jan Hedges said.

Dick Hedges, left, works on processing books Monday afternoon, while volunteer Sharon Campbell works on books on the shelves.

“Our motto is a community of books for the community,” Jan said.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Candlelight Tour Tickets On Sale Nov. 1

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Photo Credit: Doug Stremel

Fort Scott National Historic Site Announces Its 37th Annual Candlelight Tour

Featuring Audience Participation

Fort Scott KS – On December 7 and 8, 2018, Fort Scott National Historic Site (FOSC) will present its 37th Annual Candlelight Tour. Tours on December 7 will begin at 6:30 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes until 9:00 p.m.

On Saturday, December 8, the tours will start at 5:00 p.m. with the final tour leaving at 8:45 p.m.
Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented.
Tickets go on sale Thursday, 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 (plus yourself) bring the fort to life.

“This year’s tour will include audience participation. It will feature five stops around the site beginning with the fort’s construction in 1842 and ending with the auction of 1855, where the fort’s buildings were sold to the public two years after the U.S. Army abandoned Fort Scott,” shared Betty Boyko, Superintendent, FOSC. “We encourage everyone to dress up (in modern or period clothes) and step back in time,” continued Boyko.

During the tour, you have the opportunity to become a skilled contractor, hired to help build the fort; join in a dance; learn period etiquette and the language of the fan, and enlist in the U.S. Army stationed at the Fort.  You will also have an opportunity to bid on the buildings as the fort is sold at auction.

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, the experience of its residents changed, the environment changed, and the nation changed. Soldiers and civilians at Fort Scott lived their lives to the fullest despite the constant change.

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Forks and Corks This Saturday, Nov. 3

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The 15h Annual Forks and Corks tasting event is this Saturday, Nov. 3 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Memorial Hall, 1 E. Third.
The cost is $25 person, $30 at the door.
A dozen Food vendors providing more than you can eat.
Huge selection of Wines, from dry reds to dry whites to red, white, or pink sweet style wines!
A great selection of Beers!
A fun selection of Liquor and Liqueurs!
Large selection of auction items and tons of FUN stuff going on.
Save $5/per person..Advance tickets at Chamber or from a Chamber Board member.

Forks & Corks Tasting Event

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS “Bright Star” Nov. 6, 8 and 10

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Fort Scott High School Performs Regional Premiere of New Musical “Bright Star”

Fort Scott High School is proud to announce performances of the regional premiere of the new musical “Bright Star” at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6, 8, and 10 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the high school auditorium.

“Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful,” says publisher Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

Alice is played by FSHS junior Mesa Jones, a talented singer, dancer, and actress who was recently featured in the Kansas State Thespians all-state production of “Bring It On.” Her love interest, Jimmy Ray, is played by junior Levi Bin. Other feature solo roles include Billy Caine, played by sophomore Noah Martin; Margo, played by senior Morgan Rohr; Lucy, portrayed by junior Addy Labbe; Daddy Caine, played by junior Caleb Watkins; and the Mayor, portrayed by junior Dominic Canon.

“We first saw this new musical at the high school premiere of the show at the International Thespian Festival this summer and I was instantly drawn to its heart-wrenching yet heart-warming story and its foot-tapping music,” said FSHS Drama Director Angie Bin. “I knew we had the perfect students to play these challenging roles and I am so proud of how hard they have worked.”

The show is also directed by FSHS Choral Director Meredith Reid and choreographed by Delynn Abati, assistant to the FSHS Dance Team.

Tickets are $5 for children and $7 for adults and are available at the FSHS office at 1005 S. Main and at Common Ground at 116 S. Main in Fort Scott. Doors open 30 minutes before show time and seating is limited so audience members are encouraged to buy tickets in advance.

For more information, please contact Angie Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622.

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott

Allyson Turvey: Kansas Destination Specialist Award

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Photo left to right: TIAK President Jan Stevens, Allyson Turvey, Sally Fuller, KDS Program Director.

Congratulations to Allyson Turvey, Administrative Assistant to Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau, for being awarded the title of “Kansas Destination Specialist” by the Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK).

Turvey was in attendance at the recent TIAK Annual Conference held in Junction City, KS where she received her certification. She was one of only six individuals from across Kansas to receive the certification.

TIAK offers the Kansas Destination Specialist certification program to familiarize and further one’s knowledge of the State of Kansas tourism marketing and leadership. To qualify, one must earn points by attending education conferences, seminars, webinars, or trainings, read and complete three book reports within the categories of Kansas, marketing, and leadership as well as visit one Kansas attraction 50 or more miles away from home.

This certification is a great way to establish and promote interest in Kansas’ tourism. Turvey has worked with the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau, Economic Development amd Community Development since April 2017.

 

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Fort Scott, Government

City Planning Commission Meets Oct. 29

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The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, October 29th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider a change in zoning from Mixed Use District to Central Business District for the property at 19 S. Hill Street.

At 5:00 p.m. there will be a public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan for Fort Scott.

These meetings are open to the public.

Fort Scott

Cannon Receives Library Excellence Award

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Valetta Cannon with her recent awards from the Southeast Kansas Library System and the City of Fort Scott.

A local librarian recently received a recognition by the state library system and the City of Fort Scott.

Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public  Library’s Youth Librarian and Assistant Director received a trophy from the Southeast Kansas Library System, along with a $1,000 check from SKLS for the library.

“The award was first publicly announced at the Southeast Kansas Library System’s annual meeting at Iola High School on June 1,” Cannon said. “The trophy, certificate, and check were presented to me at the Fort Scott City Commission meeting on September 18.
“A traveling plaque will be moved from the other staff excellence award winner’s library to ours at the end of the year. This is the first year these awards have been offered by SEKLS.”
According to the SEKLS website,
“Decisions will be based upon the extent to which a nominee exceeds the norm and provides excellent service or support, with consideration to the size and type of library of the nominee.
The committee’s decisions are subject to the approval of the Director.
Library staff: Any employee of an SEKLS library other than the director
Considerations: Excellent library staff provide quality service, seek to promote and improve library service, collaborate well with the director and other staff members, and make an important contribution to the functioning of the library.”
The $1,000 donation to the library will be used for services and programming
“I have submitted several ideas for investing the money into improved young patron services and programming to our library board,” Cannon said. “All purchase ideas for the award money are currently pending approval or revision.”
A trophy, a City of Fort Scott Certificate of Recognition, and a $1,000 donation to the public library were awarded Cannon.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Debate Wins Big

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The Fort Scott High School Debate team was successful this weekend:

At the Field Kindley debate tournament, Coffeyville:
4th in Open Kaden Kiwan /Jade Russell
4th in Novice  Kris Patel/Shekhar Gugnani
3rd in Novice Takia Page/ Ivy Baily
FSHS takes 2nd in Sweeps!
Elizabeth Ngatia and Zoe Self take first in open debate at Olathe South!
Submitted by Angella Curran
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Halloween Parade

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that the annual “Trick or Treat on Main Street” event is planned for Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Downtown Fort Scott.

There will be music by The Hull Experience, a sidewalk trick-or-treat parade and free hot dog lunch for kids in costume following the parade.

Activities will span from at 10:30 am to noon with face painting by FSHS Thespians and pictures by Walgreens. The actual parade will begin at 11am.

Participants will parade through downtown “trick or treating” local merchants along the way. Parents are welcome to walk with their children in the parade, escorted by FSHS Pride, which will follow a route down the west side of Main Street from Skubitz Plaza to 2nd Street, then down the east side of Main Street from 2nd Street to Skubitz Plaza. Youth of all ages are welcome to participate in the parade. However, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Merchants along Main Street are encouraged to pass out candy, coupons or other items to the kids as they pass by, and other businesses or organizations not located on Main Street are also welcome to set up along the route and pass out items.

Following the parade, hot dogs, healthy snack and a drink will be served to youth in costume. The free “Hallo-Wienie” lunch is being sponsored by 5 Corners Mini-Mart, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Landmark National Bank, and McDonald’s. The Lowell Milken Center will be offering free coloring books and candy to trick or treaters Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

The Fort Scott Recreation Commission and FSMS Pride will be holding Creepy Crawly Crafts from 9 to 10:30 am at Buck Run Community Center prior to the Downtown festivities. The craft-making event is for kids pre-school to 5th grade. Pre-registration is requested for only $1 at 735 Scott Ave.

For more information, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee At Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Oct. 18

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Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta
 Location: Bourbon Co. Fairgrounds
(across the street from Fort Scott 
Community College)
Thursday, October 18, 2018


Click here for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta’s home page.
Click here for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta’s Facebook page.
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:
October 25th – Trinity Lutheran Church
November 1st – Fort Scott Area Community Foundation
@ Landmark Bank
November 8th – VFW
November 15th – Bourbon Co. Arts Council
Fort Scott

Diane Clay: Kansas Outstanding Clerk of the Year

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Diane Clay holding her award for Kansas Outstanding Court Clerk of the Year.

Fort Scott City Clerk Diane Clay earned the Kansas Outstanding Court Clerk of the Year Award recently.

This award is selected by the Kansas Association for Court Management Past President’s Committee to a clerk who has shown outstanding service.

The award was presented to Clay by Amy Spitler, Past President of the K.A.C.M. organization on September 27.

Clay has been a part of the K.A.C.M. organization for 19 years and been Fort Scott City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk for 19 years.

She has served as the  K.A.C.M. Ambassador Chair for many years, secretary for two years and served as a trustee on the board of directors for many years.

She has been with the City of Fort Scott for 20 years where she served as the city manager’s administrative assistant for one year.

Clay’s duties as a court clerk are to enter all new citations that are given by the Fort Scott Police Department, create a weekly docket, attend court every week and keep accurate records of fines assessed by the Municipal Court Judge, Blake Hudson. She then receives payment of fines and sends all convictions to Driver Solutions in Topeka electronically.

“I enjoy being the court clerk for the city very much,” she said. “I enjoy working with the public on a daily basis and assisting people whenever I can,” she said.

“Diane is very well versed in the workings of the court and has a tremendous amount of knowledge and understanding of the ordinances that govern the court,” Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director for the city, said. “She treats everyone with respect and serves the city well.”

Kansas Association for Court Management was formed over 30 years ago and meets twice a year at a spring conference and a fall conference. Over 300 cities in Kansas belong to this organization.