Category Archives: Fort Scott

Fort Scott High School Auditions for Musical “Bright Star”

Fort Scott High School.

 

Fort Scott High School is proud to announce auditions for the regional premiere of the new musical “Bright Star.”

Auditions are from 6:30 to 9 p.m. either Monday, Aug. 27 or Wednesday, Aug. 29 at the high school auditorium. Students only need to attend one night, but need to plan to stay for the entire time period.

“Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven 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,” according to publisher Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

The show is open to current FSHS students and rehearsals are Monday-Thursday from 6:30-9 p.m. The performances are Nov. 6, 8, and 10.

Students who wish to audition for a lead solo role should prepare as follows: females will sing a portion of “If You Knew My Story” and males will sing “Bright Star” from the show. Links to karaoke tracks and piano accompaniment for the songs can be found at the “Fort Scott High School Thespians” Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FSHSThespians/?ref=bookmarks and the “Fort Scott Choirs” website at www.fortscottchoirs.com.

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

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

Demo Work Has Started On Union Block Building

Kevin Klassen, an employee of Skitch’s Inc. looks into the dumpster beneath the Union Block Building in downtown Fort Scott on Monday.

An empty downtown building is being gutted in preparation of renovation into apartments.

The Union Block Building at 18, 20, and 22 S. Main is the current project of Skitch’s Inc. which is doing the interior demolition of the building.

“It will probably be a week-and-a-half to get it down to the bare bones,” Kevin “Skitch” Allen, said. Demolition started on August 20.

Kent Hardesty is the electrical, heating and air conditioning contractor, according to Kevin Klassen, an employee of Skitch’s Inc.

In the demolition they are finding old theater seats, old stubs from the Charles Parsons Chiropractic Office, among other items, Allen said.

“They are ruined with pigeon poop,” he said.

The dilapidated building is being developed into Fort Scott Loft Apartments, whose developer is Flint Hill Holdings, Lawrence.

“Tony Krsnich is the owner,” Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott Economic Director, said. “They did the Western Senior Living Apartments.”

The Western Senior Living building is across the street south of the Union Block Building.

The Fort Scott Lofts will allow 40 additional residents to live downtown, Pruitt said.

“One of the city’s problems to solve is parking,” Pruitt said. “But we are working on that.”

History Offerings At Fort Scott National Historic Site on Labor Day Weekend

CELEBRATE LABOR DAY WEEKEND WITH FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

Celebrate the Dignity and Importance of Labor, 1840s style

 

Fort Scott KS – Saturday, September 1 through Monday, September 3, 2018, Fort Scott National Historic Site (FOSC) will commemorate Labor Day weekend with artillery, horses, music, living history demonstrations and a series of interpretive programs. All programs are free.

Saturday, September 1st
10:00 a.m.  “Flour, Sweat, and Tears”: 1840s Bakehouse Program
11:00 a.m.  Thunder Wagon: 1840s Artillery Demonstration
12:00 p.m.  “Hardy Dashing Fellows” Dragoon Soldier Program
1:00 p.m.    Guided Tour of Fort Scott National Historic Site
2:00 p.m.   “Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: 1840s style” –Officers’ Wife Program (letter writing)
3:00 p.m.   Thunder Wagon: 1840s Artillery Demo
4:00 p.m.    Flag Retreat

Sunday, September 2nd
11:00 a.m.  Thunder Wagon: 1840s Artillery Demo
12:00 p.m.  “Saws and Scalpels: Civil War Medicine”
1:00 p.m.   “Crack Post of the Frontier” Guided Tour-Construction History of Fort Scott
2:00 p.m.   “The Griffith Trial: A Marais des Cygnes Conviction”
3:00 p.m.   Thunder Wagon: 1840s Artillery Demo
4:00 p.m.   Flag Retreat

Monday, September 3rd
11:00 a.m.  Thunder Wagon: 1840s Artillery Demonstration
12:00 p.m.  “Fort Scott Soldier Ants” 1840s Construction Demonstration
1:00 p.m.   Guided Tour of Fort Scott National Historic Site
2:00 p.m.   Musical Program-Holmes Brigade Minstrels

2:30 p.m.  Free ice cream, served to honor all those who have worked hard to build America, courtesy of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
3:00 p.m.   Thunder Wagon: 1840s Artillery Demonstration
3:30 p.m.   Musical Program -Holmes Brigade Minstrels
4:00 p.m.   Flag Retreat

The thunder of artillery will sound each day at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. with a short program explaining how the gun is fired.

Other programs offered throughout the weekend are Guided tours at 1:00 p.m. and a flag retreat ceremony at 4:00 p.m. occur each day.

On Saturday, living history interpreters will be cooking in the mess hall and baking bread in the bakehouse with an interpretive program about the bakehouse at 10:00 a.m.

At 12:00 p.m. a program about dragoon soldiers titled “Hardy Dashing Fellows” and at 2:00 p.m. an officer’s wife will be sharing the latest gossip in the program “Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: 1840s style.”

On Sunday, September 2, in the program “The Griffith Trial:  A Marais des Cygnes Conviction”, Park Ranger Robert Thomas will lead a reenactment of the trial of William Griffith, the only man to be convicted of the Marais des Cygnes Massacre.

Also on Sunday, you can learn about Civil War medicine in “Saws and Scalpels.”

“No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

This quote from Martin Luther King can be applied to the workers of modern times as well as those who labored to build and maintain Fort Scott.

A special tour on Sunday “From the Crack Post of the Frontier:” will focus on the labor force, building materials, architectural styles, and construction techniques used in the building of Fort Scott.

Programs on Monday, September 3 will include a Labor Day construction demonstration, musical programs offered by the Holmes Brigade Minstrels and free ice cream at 2:30 p.m., served to honor all those who have worked hard to build America. The ice cream is being offered courtesy of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

Mark Spore: New Fort Scott High School Science Teacher

This is part of a series featuring new teachers in our community.
Mark Spore is the new Fort Scott High School Science Teacher.
Name: Mark Spore
Title: Science Teacher
Education: BSE from Emporia State
Experience: 21 years in Education
Age: 47
Family: Married with 3 sons
Why did you choose education as a career?
I believe Education is one of the most important occupations there is and I want to help kids pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.
What is first in priorities for this new position?
I want to get to know my students and provide a safe, positive learning environment that is both challenging and rewarding.

Jered McKay: The New Eugene Ware Focus Room Teacher

This is part of a series on new teachers in our community.
Jered McKay is the Eugene Ware Elementary School Focus Room Teacher.
Name: Jered McKay
Title: Focus Room Teacher
Education: I have a masters in Applied Behavioral Analysis and am working on my masters in teaching.
Age:  35
Family:  Four children ages 4, 7, 8, and 16.
I am member of Smallville Crossfit and am member of Psi Chi Honor Association

Autumn Durrossette: New First-Grade Teacher at Winfield Scott

This is part of a series featuring new teachers in our community.
Autumn Durrossette is a new first-grade teacher at Winfield  Scott Elementary School.
Name: Autumn Durossette
Title of position: 1st Grade teacher
Education: BS Elementary Minor Early childhood MS Elementary Education
Experience: 12 years in kindergarten in Nevada MO
Age: 35
Family: Husband Kevin, and three children:  Sophie, 8, Kasen, 5, Cash, 3.
Why did you choose education as a career?
“I always knew I wanted to teach young children. I love watching them discover new things. They are excited about the world! Every day early childhood teachers get to experience the miracle of children growing, changing, learning about the world around them. It’s amazing to watch a child accomplish something they worked so hard to do. It’s the best part of my job.”
What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?
“To be the best I can be and help my students succeed. “

Whitney Beth: New Middle School Art Teacher

This is part of a series featuring the new teachers in our community.

Whitney Beth is the new Fort Scott Middle School Art Teacher.

Name: Whitney Beth

Title of position: Middle School Art Teacher

Education: Bachelor of Science of Art Education

Experience: This will be my 15th year of teaching. I have worked the last 14 years as an art teacher in the Nevada school district.

Age: 1995 grad of FSHS

Family: Husband Clifton and daughter, Ella, a sophomore at FSHS and son, Carter, a 7th grader at FSMS.

Affiliations: KNEA, NAEA

Why did you choose education as a career?

My parents were both teachers. I also love people and love sharing my passion of art with young people.

What is the first on your list of priorities for the position?

My first priority is to get my students excited about art!

Samuel Hardy: New Fort Scott High School Math Teacher

This is a series about new teachers in our community.
Samuel Hardy is the new Fort Scott High School Math Teacher.
Name: Samuel Hardy
Title: High School Math Teacher
Education: Masters of Mathematics at Pittsburg State University.
Experience: Carl Junction High School, Neosho Junior High School
Age: 26
Family: Parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. No spouse or kids.
Why did you choose education as a career?
“I always enjoyed helping others. “
What is your first priority in the job?
“Get to know the kids.”

New USD 234 Preschool Teacher: Theresa Hurd

This is part of a series telling about the new teachers in our community.

Theresa Hurd is a new preschool teacher for USD 234.

Name: Theresa Hurd.

Title: Preschool teacher for USD 234

Experience: Taught preschool with Head Start for 13 years.

Education: In 2003, I graduated from Pittsburg State University with my Bachelors in Family and Consumer Science with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Development. This past summer I was accepted into the Teacher Apprentice Program at Wichita State University. I am currently taking online courses to earn my teachers license and certification for Special Education.

Family:  “My family has been a huge support to me.” Husband, Doug,  and ten-year-old daughter, Elsie who will be starting 5th grade.

Affiliations: Attends the Fort Scott Nazarene Church.

“I feel that I was called to teach. I want to have a positive impact on children and their families. For me, teaching can be challenging, rewarding and so much fun!”

New Playground Equipment At Winfield Scott Elementary

Jayton Johnson, 2 years old, and his sister, Joci Johnson, 6, play on the new musical instrument equipment at the Winfield Scott Elementary School east playground on Monday.

New playground equipment was installed at the school last week with a $10,000 grant from a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant.

Two handicapped accessible swings, musical instruments, soccer goals and a comet spinner were added to the school’s playgrounds.

Most of the additions were to the east playground.

In addition, a smaller grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield was awarded for stencils, paint and some playground games, according to information provided by the school.

This evening, August 21, is the school’s open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Tree/Brush Dump Site Open Aug. 20-24 For Storm Debris

CITY OF FORT SCOTT NEWS RELEASE

August 20, 2018


The City’s tree and brush dump site will be open from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 20th through Friday, August 24th, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday hours will return to normal hours which are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and normal hours will resume the following week. Residents are encouraged to take their tree damage from the recent storm to the brush dump.

If you have questions, call City Hall at 223-0550.

The site is located on North Hill Street, off of Wall Street, past the city’s animal shelter.