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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fort Scott National Historic Site Celebrates its 40th Anniversary
Journey from Post to Park
Fort Scott, Kansas – Friday, October 19, 2018, Fort Scott National Historic Site will celebrate its 40th Anniversary as a National Park site.
On October 19, 1978, “…in order to commemorate the significant role played by Fort Scott in the opening of the West, as well as, the Civil War and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it…” the fort was established.
In celebration, FSNHS, with park partner “The Friends of Fort Scott”, will be serving cake from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.
Our 11:00 am tour will be a special program “Portals to the Past-The Rebirth of Fort Scott.”
These programs and activities are free and family friendly.
The Fort Scott City Commission budgeted this year for a three-percent raise for the city employees.
“When the commission approves the budget, we build in what we can for the employees, a three-percent raise,” City Manager Dave Martin said. “It takes effect on the anniversary date of when they started.”
Martin started in August 2010.
Fort Scott City Mayor JoLynne Mitchell introduced the City Manager’s Employment Agreement to the city commission Oct 2 at their regular meeting, according to the minutes of the meeting.
She asked each commissioner to speak to City Manager Dave Martin about his evaluation.
Commissioner Cindy Bartelsmeyer thanked Martin for his leadership and for the “hard work” he has provided. Ongoing improvements in street conditions need to be addressed, she said, according to the minutes.
Commissioner Jeanne Parker said she” can’t remember a person who has taken such great strides with the city… and he has done a terrific job.”
Commissioner Randy Nichols said that the Martin is very “forward thinking” and has a “great staff that works with him and is very positive.”
Mayor Mitchell said he does “a tremendous job.” She said that they “sometimes don’t speak the same language but they get along great.” She hopes that Martin recognizes that he has a “great City Commission” behind him.
The City Commission then approved a raise for Martin.
He received a three-percent increase in salary bringing his salary to $107,462.78.
One year was added to his contract, which will take his employment through August 21, 2023.
If Martin should leave, he would be paid for his sick leave and vacation time.
All members of the commission voted to approve the raise, with the stipulations listed.
Martin thanked the commission and said that he “appreciates the opportunity to serve the city and the city commission.” He said he “couldn’t do this job without his good team of employees.”
