Category Archives: Fort Scott

Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Civil Rights Investigation

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Fisher Park, located at Main and 7th streets.

An anonymous complaint against USD 234 was filed on June 14, 2016, with the U.S. Department of Education, according to the government education website:  https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/investigations/open-investigations/tix.html?queries%5Bstate%5D=KS.

“There has been a Title IX complaint against the school district,” USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong, said.  “There is an investigation currently and the school district is unable to comment more specifically at this time.”

The investigation pending is regarding Title IX Athletics, according to the website.

The Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education works to ensure equal access to education and resolve complaints of discrimination, according to its’ website https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html

In June 2018,  City  Attorney Bob Farmer was asked by the Fort Scott City Commission to send USD 234  a letter to be sent with the school district’s paperwork on the case to the Office of Civil Rights, according to the city commission minutes of June 19, 2018.

In the letter Farmer sent, the city stated it had no plans to build a clubhouse or dressing room at Fisher Park because there is no funding at this time to do so, according to the minutes.

The city owns Fisher Park and allows the USD 234 to use the facilities there for the FSHS girls softball program, Hessong said.

“The OCR wanted a letter from the city stating that the city has no intention of building at Fisher Park,” City Manager Dave Martin said.

“We have been unable to find out who filed the complaint,” Martin said. “The state will not tell the person who turned them in.”

Hewitt Field at Fisher Park. The FSHS girls softball program uses the facilities in the spring.
Don Hewitt Field at Fisher Park. The ballpark is three blocks north of Fort Scott High School.
The concession building at Fisher Park.
Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main.
Fort Scott

FS Community Foundation Seeks Grant Applications

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The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is thrilled to announce that the number of grants available for the upcoming 2018/2019 cycle totals $32,000, exceeding last year’s total by $2,000 and $11,000 more than the previous year. Thanks to the generosity of all who contributed to the FSACF general fund, the interest accrued will allow the grant committee more opportunities to benefit the 501c3 applicants who meet the qualifications.

Monies granted to the 18 beneficiaries from last year’s cycle were used for a variety of causes, including helping to purchase medals for Special Olympics’ Bourbon County participants, providing benefits to cancer patients, assisting the Beacon to meet family needs, funding classes for CASA volunteers and purchasing lights for the local pickleball courts.

The FSACF 2018 Grant Applications will be released on Wednesday, August 1, at which time they will appear on the FSACF website or may be picked up in person at the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall. Nonprofits such as churches, governmental entities, or organizations with a 501c3 status are encouraged to apply.

Applications are due by Tuesday, August 28. Acceptance and declination letters will be mailed on Tuesday, October 16. Grants will be awarded at the Foundation’s Chamber Coffee held in the Landmark Bank lobby at Third and Main at 8 A.M. on Thursday, November 1.

Fort Scott

Rotary Fundraiser: Hurt’s Donuts

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Come buy the most DELICIOUS donuts around!
That’s right the Fort Scott Rotary is having a fundraiser for HURTS DONUTS!
 Click here to email your donut order
for only $24 a dozen!
On the email, please note your name, phone #,
and how many dozen.  You may then drop off or mail a check to the Chamber @ 231 E. Wall St. payable to Fort Scott Rotary.  If payment is not received by August 17th, the order will not be placed.  Orders and payments may also be mailed to Fort Scott Rotary, PO Box 1035, Fort Scott, KS  66701.
Please note ORDER PICKUP is Saturday, Aguust 25th between 8-11am at Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St.  If you will not be able to pick them up, please make other arrangements for someone to pick them up on your behalf.
For questions or more information, call:
Melissa Wise (620) 215-0678
more information on Hurts Donuts.
Thank you!
 
See below to view the order form to buy the DELICIOUS donuts!
Fort Scott

Family Day At The Fort: Planned By Local Youth

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Fort Scott National Historic Site Youth Conservation Corp Member Reaghan Dowell tells about the garden at the fort. Sara Stepanic, right, a student trainee park ranger, listens.

Two groups of local youth donned the 1840s  summer military uniform of soldiers and told stories of life at The Fort Scott National Historic Site on Saturday.

July 21 was Family Day at FSNHS, a new event planned by area youth to gain experience with the National Park Service this summer.

“We picked cooking, gardening and dummy guns for topics,” for Family Day, Reaghn Dowell, YCC member said.

To lead the activities, the youth wore the summer uniforms that soldiers wore in the 1840s.

“The uniforms are canvass,” Sara Stepanic, said. “They are pretty heavy and not cool.” Stepanic is a student trainee ranger this summer at FSNHS.

In the morning, three different stations were available for public engagement:  a cooking demonstration, where visitors were instructed in food preparation and cooking methods;  a historic garden display, where one could work in the garden and help with the harvest; and firearms drills in the use of 1840s firearms using wooden “dummy guns”.

Afternoon activities included arts and crafts for the family at one station and historic, interactive games and activities for adults and kids at a second station.

Family Day activities were presented by two groups of youth who are working at FSNHS, the Youth Conservation Corps and the Youth Engagement Team. Both groups consist of high school age students who are gaining experience with the National Park Service this summer.

The Youth Conservation Corps is comprised of Kaden Primm, Anthea Montojo, Reaghn Dowell, and Jessden Kiwan, all from Fort Scott. Sara Stepanic, Wisconsin, a college-age student trainee park ranger was the leader of the YCC group at FSNHS.

The Youth Engagement team members are Jacey Bowen, Uniontown and Emily Davenport, Fort Scott.

Jacey Bowen, Fort Scott National Historic Site Youth Engagement member, left, and YCC Member Jessden Kiwan, right, teach how firearms were used int he 1840s.
Jase Garrison, Claremore, OK, gets a firearms lesson from Park Ranger Ryan O’Connell, while his extended family looks on.
FSNHS Youth Engagement Member Emily Davenport, left, YCC Member Kaden Primm, center; and YCC Member Anthea Motojo helped prep food for the beef stew that was being demonstrated as part of Family Day.
Park Guide Paul Goodman makes beef stew as part of Family Day at FSNHS.
Park Ranger Robert Thomas leads the Muller Family from Denver, CO in the Junior Ranger Program Pledge.

The Muller Family from Denver, Colorado worked on the National Park Service Junior Park Ranger Program while at the Fort on Saturday. Following the program outline, they were led in a National Park Service Junior Ranger oath by Ranger Robert Thomas in the visitors center.

The children get a book, badge, sticker and five trading cards when they sign up for the program.

Fort Scott National Historic Site
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott National Cemetery Navy Memorial Donations Sought

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The following is submitted by Daryl Roller

Veterans living in Southeast Kansas are thankful for Fort Scott National Cemetery. We appreciate the generous investments made in the (Fort Scott National) cemetery the past twenty-plus years. It is comforting for us, as well as our families, to know when our time comes; we will be buried in a dignified, peaceful place, with grounds attended to with exceptional care.

We are raising funds for a commemorative works granite monument, complete with U.S. Navy stockless anchor and chain to be placed in the Monument Circle at Fort Scott National Cemetery, to honor the service and sacrifice of the many sailors and Navy airmen buried there, as well as those to be interred in future years.

To accomplish this project, we need your help. Fundraising will be conducted by Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post 1165 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fort Scott, KS. We plan to have a dedication once the monument is installed. Please send your donation to VFW Post 1165, PO Box 85, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Your name will be listed in a log of contributors to be kept at the post.

We thank you for your donation to honor the past, present, and future Navy Veterans from Southeast Kansas.

00050196_Ft Scott Donation_letter to donor (1)

Roller’s contact phone: 913/322-6492 or cell phone: 620/215-4743

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

Snew White, A Fractured Fairy Tale, Performed by Area Youth

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The dwarfs in their home in Wychwood. From left: Michaela Morrell, Kaiden Clary, Ana Rupprecht, Joanna Wuthrich, Khris Patel, Brayden Wilkerson

Area youth performed a ‘fractured fairy tale’ of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, entitled Snew White on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at Fort Scott High School.

The play was a culmination of a Tiger Drama Performance Camp over the last two weeks, with FSHS Thespians assisting Drama Teacher Angela Bin in the production.

Twenty-four youth from six local schools pulled together an entertaining performance. In addition, during the camp, the students explored other types of arts and crafts, and created scenery props for the play.

The directors of Snew White were Brooklyn Lyons and Karina Kantilal.  Set designer, Levi Bin; scenic artist, Mary Gladbach; choreographer, Mackenzie Peoples;  sound designer, Addy Labbe; sound tech, Dominic Cannon; lighting designer, Alyx Brooks; lighting assistant Lexi Bailey; costume designer, Emmalee Bin; acting coaches, Sage Hill, Gabriel Graham, Kathelra Murray, Mesa Jones, and Jakob Slinkard.

The cast was Brayden Wilkerson, Kaiden Clary, Michaela Morrell, Kyla Korinek, Ana Rupprecht, Joanna Wuthrich, Khris Patel, Reagen Wells, Kodi Casper, Kinsley Davis, Lexi Hill, Avery Marsh, Katy Primm, Jada Malveaux, Keri Crisler, Remy Witt, Kaitlyn Leavell, Abby Wuthrich, Bryn Crisler, Caroline Barnes, Xavier Jeffrey, Cora Studyvin and Ben Davenport.

The evil queen, portrayed by Kinsley Davis,  works on a plan to rid Wychwood of Snew White. UPS girl, middle,  is Keri Crisle.
The magic mirror,  portrayed by Remy Witt, chats with the evil queen.
The governor of Wychwood, Kaitlyn Leavell, and her assistants, Dean, portrayed by Caroline Barnes, and her assistant, portrayed by Xavier Jeffrey and Deluca, Abby Wuthrich and her assistant, portrayed by Bryn Crisler,  deal with the politics of having an evil queen.
Sigmond Freud, portrayed by Kodi Casper, counsels Rose Red portrayed by Regen Wells.
Gerry, the insurance agent portrayed by Ben Davenport, chats with Snew White, portrayed by Cora Studyvin.

The magic mirror talks to Snew White.
The queen gets advice. From left: Katy Primm, Jada Malveaux, Kinsley Davis, Lexi Hill, Avery Marsh

The cast sings Heigh Ho Hip Hop Mix.
The cast bows following the last scene.
Grandmother Cheryl Adamson looks on while Tuesday Glessner hands her cousin Avery Marsh flowers, following her performance.
Cast members line up following the performance to greet the audience.From left: Kodi Casper, Bryn Crisler, Kaiden Clary.
A wardrobe malfunction in the audience-greet-line  brings Joanna Wuthrich to  tears.
Family members pose with actresses for a photo. From left: Lexi Hill, Mikki Hill, Regen Wells, Katy Primm, Shawn Hill.

 

Fort Scott High School Drama Teacher Angie Bin smiles for a photo with a cast member. From left: Shannon Hawpe,  Bin, Xavier Jeffrey.
Family and friends linger following the performance of Snew White at Fort Scott High School Friday evening.
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Wine, Art and Concert July 27 In Downtown Fort Scott

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Stroll the Historic Downtown Main Street, enjoy some art and country music this Friday.

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Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll,

Art Walk and Blane Howard Concert

 Historic downtown Fort Scott will be bustling the night of Friday, July 27, with the crowd at the second Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll, Art Walk and Blane Howard concert. Main Street will be closed at 3:30 p.m. to foot traffic only between 1st and 2nd Streets so participants can safely enjoy the event.

The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. and features a variety of events to appeal to a broad audience and all ages. The art walk, coordinated by the BCAC, is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the works displayed by area artists and the sounds of local musicians.

For participants age 21 years and older, the wine stroll will feature 1.5-ounce samplings of wines from several Kansas wineries and vineyards. Cost for the wine stroll is $25 and includes a commemorative wine glass and logoed reusable wine bag for purchases. A valid ID is required at check-in located outside of 119 S Main. Only paid participants with a valid wristband are allowed to sample alcohol.

New to the stroll this year are two distilleries, TJ’s Brew & Microdistillery and Ornery Brothers Distilling, plus Fossil Springs Winery and Get Drizzled, a wine drizzle used for food toppings. Returning for the second year are Aubrey Vineyards, Flustered Blonde Vineyards, Smoky Hill Vineyards and Vogel Family Vineyards. Wine vendors will have unopened bottles of wine for sale. According to Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations, distilleries may only offer product samples. Patrons may purchase food from Sam and Louie’s Food Truck.

Topping off the night, country music sensation Blane Howard will have folks dancing at Liberty Theatre beginning at 8:30 p.m. Howard recently signed a big recording contract so this is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy him perform locally. Tickets for the Blane Howard concert are $35 each.

Patrons can save $10 if they purchase both the wine stroll and concert tickets for $50. Tickets are available online at mercy.net/stroll.

“The Mercy Health Foundation Board is excited to host this event once again as an opportunity for people to enjoy the history and revitalization of our lovely Main Street,” said Tina Rockhold, Mercy Health Foundation executive director. “We are grateful for the collaboration with the City of Fort Scott, the Bourbon County Arts Council (BCAC), Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, Union State Bank, the local liquor stores, and APS Staffing to make the event possible.”

All proceeds from the Hit the Bricks event will help Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott, a nonprofit 501(C)3 corporation, purchase a new transport ambulance. Cost for the ambulance is $80,000.

To learn more about the Mercy Health Foundation or make a donation visit https://www.mercy.net/practice/mercy-health-foundation-fort-scott/ or call 620-223-8094.