The Fort Scott National Historic Site welcomed visitors from neighboring counties and even states for their 35th annual Civil War Encampment held over the weekend.
The site welcomed a number of volunteers from the Holmes Brigade, 4th Missouri Cavalry, Western Bluecoats Field Hospital, 3rd Kansas Artillery Battery B and other local residents who dressed in Civil War period clothing and gave a number of demonstrations including baking, soap-making, infantry, cavalry and artillery.
Historian and author Diane Eickhoff gave a program on Women Soldiers of the Civil War, discussing roles the women played during the war, such as in laundry, cooking, knitting, teaching and nursing as well as by working in factories and arsenals and as clerks, spies, scouts and soldiers.
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village continues to host their annual Art is Ageless Exhibit through Monday, April 24, allowing visitors to see the creations of community members age 65 years and over.
“There’s quite a bit of art that has been entered this year,” Executive Director Ginger Nance said, adding many of the artists are self-taught.
Members of the community are encouraged to visit the exhibit and vote for their favorite work of art, which includes a variety of paintings, drawings, sculptures, sewing projects and photography, for the people’s choice award.
There are nine categories that will be judged, also divided between amateur and professional, based on if the artist has sold their work. Local competition winners will then be judged against winners of the 16 other Presbyterian Manors, with the winners being featured in a calendar.
“It’s not… about all that competition,” Nance said. “It’s about having fun and continuing to be creative and try new things.”
The Presbyterian Village is also selling tickets for the annual Good Samaritan fundraiser to be held May 17, including a chicken dinner and auction. Two trips to Santa Fe will also be raffled off, with each ticket costing $5 and three for $10. Funding raised is used to support Presbyterian Village residents who run out of finances needed to support themselves.
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott Receives an “A” for Patient Safety
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott has earned The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious “A” rating for its commitment to reducing errors, infections and accidents that can harm patients.
Dr. John Fox, Mercy Clinic Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Photo Credit: Mercy Hospital
According to the announcement from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization committed to driving quality, safety and transparency in the U.S. health care system, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott earned top marks nationally with the “A” rating for Patient Safety in spring 2017. Hospital Safety Grades assigns A, B, C, D and F letter grades to hospitals nationwide.
“This honor reflects our dedication and commitment to providing quality care to our patients in the safest way possible,” said Brenda Stokes, RN and Mercy Executive Director Quality Assurance/ Risk/ HIM. “Our ‘A’ rating affirms the emphasis we put on ensuring our community has access to the best healthcare possible. Our physicians, clinical staff and support staff strive to deliver safe, quality, evidence-based care to every patient, every time.”
Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group explained, “Hospitals that earn top marks nationally in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, have achieved the highest safety standards in the country. That takes commitment from every member of the hospital staff, who all deserve thanks and congratulations when their hospitals achieve an ‘A’ Safety Grade.”
Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
To see Mercy Hospital Fort Scott’s full grade, and to access consumer-friendly patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.
Drug Take-Back Program
On April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications to the parking lot of Mercy Convenient Care at 1624 S. National for free, anonymous, “no questions asked” disposal.
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is made possible through the partnership of Bourbon County Sherriff’s Department, the Fort Scott Police Department and Mercy Hospital Pharmacy.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
March of Dimes Recognizes Mercy Hospital Fort Scott
Most moms-to-be are aware that the steps to having a healthy baby begin long before birth, but many may not understand the negative health impact of delivering a child prior to 39 weeks without medical reason.
“The last weeks of pregnancy are important,” said Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA, March of Dimes Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “Babies aren’t just putting on weight. They are undergoing important development of the brain, lungs and other vital organs.”
Even babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants, the March of Dimes says. Although the overall threat is small, the risk of death more than doubles for infants born at 37 weeks of pregnancy when compared to babies born at 40 weeks, for all races and ethnicities. Babies who survive an early birth often face lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities.
As part of the March of Dimes campaign to reduce the number of early elective deliveries (EED), the agency is partnering with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) and the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative (KHC) to recognize Kansas birthing hospitals that pledge to eliminate early elective deliveries.
“We commend Mercy Hospital Fort Scott for reducing the number of elective inductions and cesarean deliveries performed before 39 weeks of pregnancy to less than five percent of all deliveries,” Jarris added.
“I’m extremely proud of the work to reduce the number of early elective deliveries at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott,” said Reta Baker, Mercy Hospital president. “This took great teamwork from our Mercy physicians, nurses and obstetric unit. It is a tremendous accomplishment that will give many more babies a healthy start in life.”
Dr. Larry Seals, Mercy OB/GYN, said, “Teamwork is the key. Collectively, we recognized the problem of unnecessary early deliveries and put in place policies to avoid scheduling c-sections or inductions before 39 weeks of pregnancy, except when medically necessary.”
In the past five years, Mercy Hospital has reduced the number of EEDs from 34 percent in 2011 to zero percent in 2016.
“The recognition by the March of Dimes helps us spread the message that ‘Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait,’” Seals added. “The March of Dimes campaign urges women to wait for labor to begin on its own if their pregnancy is healthy, rather than scheduling delivery before 39 weeks.”
Do you have an interest in gardening, but just don’t have the space? Would you like to plant beautiful pots full of flowers, but aren’t sure what plants work together? Learn how at the “Grow It – Prepare It” series, Container Gardening, on Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
This program will cover the advantages and disadvantages of container gardening, which varieties of plants are designed for containers, and how to best arrange plants. Demonstrations will be given on how to arrange both flowers and vegetables into containers for maximum results. For more information on this program and to register, please contact the Southwind Extension District at 620-223- 3720.
Using Machinery
Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District, Director
Machinery represents an ever-present danger on the farm. While machines save valuable time and are essential to productivity, use of farm machinery is hazardous, making them the source of most injuries and deaths on American farms and ranches.
While manufacturers design and build safety features into their machines, hazards cannot be completely eliminated without interfering with function. Timely maintenance, responsible use, and comprehensive safety awareness training are ways farmers can protect themselves and others from injury or death when working with and around agricultural machinery.
The primary responsibility for machinery safety rests with the operator. Operators must be aware of potential hazards with the specific piece of machinery they are operating. Safe operators respect machines for the work they perform and the dangers they present. Use these eight simple steps to be a safe machinery operator.
1. Be aware. Recognize where and what the hazards are.
2. Be prepared. Replace worn parts promptly and do daily pre-operational checks. Include preseason checks. Take advantage of the off-season to do additional maintenance work. This gives you time to order any shields and other parts you may need. Anticipate problems.
3. Read the operator’s manual. The simple tips and precautions in this publication are no substitute for the operator’s manual for each piece of machinery. If the manual is missing, contact your dealer or check online to get another one.
4. Shield all moving parts. Make the machine as safe as possible.
5. Respect PTO and hydraulics. Remember that any machine that is powered by a power takeoff driveline (PTO) or has hydraulic systems is inherently dangerous.
6. Shut it off. Before servicing any machine, disengage the PTO, turn off the engine, remove the key, and wait for all parts to stop moving.
7. Watch yourself. Try to avoid particularly hazardous jobs if you’re physically ill or mentally distracted. Fatigue and stress cause many accidents.
8. Use a machine only for its intended purpose.
With more consistently warmer temperatures, farmers will be in the field and on the roads. Pay special attention to slow moving vehicles, as the machinery operator has limited visibility.
For more information about farm or machinery safety, please contact the Southwind Extension District, at southwind.ksu.edu.
The Fort Scott Community College Men’s Basketball Program will host the annual Pechone Stepps High School All-Star Game on Sunday, April 23, at Arnold Arena. The girls’ game will begin at 2 p.m. and the boys’ game will begin at 4 p.m.
“This event will feature some of the top athletes from the Southeast Kansas area, and some of those athletes are future Greyhounds,” said FSCC Head Men’s Basketball Coach Michael Cook.
The event is named after Pechone Stepps, who serves as a paraprofessional educator and head girls’ basketball coach at Fort Scott High School. When a drunk driver struck him in 2002, Stepps became paralyzed. Prior to the accident, he was an accomplished athlete and women’s basketball coach at St. John’s University in New York City.
“Pechone is a courageous individual, and he exemplifies what every young person should strive to be,” said Cook. “He is a great leader who mentors people of all ages and teaches everyone to live their lives to the fullest. I am very proud, not only to have the All-Star Game named after Pechone, but also to have him as a close friend.”
Buck Run Community Center provided various Easter activities for families Saturday morning, including crafts, snacks and dying eggs. Walgreens simultaneously provided an opportunity for children to have their photo taken with the Easter bunny, receiving a free photo print.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Job Fair on Thursday, April 20, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St.
Fort Scott employers currently registered to attend include the City of Fort Scott; Firstsource Solutions, Kansas Department for Children and Families; Medicalodges Fort Scott; Niece Products; Peerless Products; Sleep Inn & Suites Hotel; Tri-Valley Developmental Services. Elnicki, Inc. of Pittsburg is also registered as well as KANSASWORKS.
Positions employers will be hiring for are include those shown below:
City of Fort Scott: Full-time Waste Water Collections Maintenance, Part-Time Golf Course Clubhouse staff (must be 21), and Seasonal Parks Maintenance (must be 18)
Firstsource Solutions: Insurance Claims Examiners, Call Center Reps.
Medicalodges Fort Scott: Home health aide, CNA, CMA, RN and LPN; dietary aides, cooks
Niece Products: Painters, Welders, Mechanics
Sleep Inn & Suites Hotel: Front Desk 3-11pm, Breakfast Attendant for summer months, other part-time positions.
Tri-Valley Developmental Services: Help in the Residential Program working evening and/or overnight shifts.
Ward/Kraft, Inc.: Customer Service Rep., Sales Reps., Production Members
Elnicki, Inc.: Diesel Mechanic, Welders, CDL Drivers, Heavy Equipment Operators, Laborers. All local and home every night.
Job seekers are encouraged to dress for success, bring copies of a resume, and be prepared to connect with employers. Attendees may enter a drawing for a door prize of $50 in Chamber Bucks that may be used at over 40 Chamber member businesses. Contact the Chamber for more information on having an employer booth at 620-223- 3566 or email [email protected].
Fort Scott National Historic Site commemorates the Civil War and how it shaped our country by presenting the 35th Annual Civil War Encampment on Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23.
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the times—soldiers marching or on horseback, rifles firing, gunpowder hanging in the air. A variety of interpretive programs will illustrate the role Fort Scott played as a major supply base for federal troops during this pivotal conflict.
The public is invited to participate beginning Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and concluding with the last program at 3 p.m. on Sunday as park volunteers engage in various activities. Union Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery units will perform military training representing how troops were prepared for battle. Witness the Grice family as they make tallow and lye soap as it was made in rural areas in the 1860s. On Saturday at 1 p.m., Diane Eickhoff, independent historian and author, presents the program “Women Soldiers of the Civil War.” At 6:30 p.m., you are invited to participate in popular Civil War tunes presented by the Holmes Brigade Minstrels. On Sunday at 10 a.m., come join in a period Church Service. Learn about the logistics of feeding soldiers with “Rolling in the Dough” Bake-house Demonstration at 11 a.m. Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery Demonstrations will continue in the afternoon.
The Civil War Encampment is made possible through the generous support provided by volunteer members of the Holmes Brigade, 4th Missouri Cavalry, Western Bluecoats Field Hospital, 3rd Kansas Artillery Battery B, Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc., and a host of Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers.
The schedule of activities is as follows:
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
9:00 a.m. – Raising the Colors
10:00 a.m. – Cavalry Drill
11:00 a.m. – Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
12:00 p.m. – Soap Making Program
1:00 p.m. – “Women Soldiers of the Civil War”
2:00 p.m. – Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
3:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
4:00 p.m. – Flag Retreat
6:30 p.m. – Civil War Music with the Holmes Brigade Minstrels
SUNDAY, APRIL 23
9:00 a.m. – Raising the Colors
10:00 a.m. – Church Service
11:00 a.m. – “Rolling in the Dough” – Bake House Demonstration
12:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
1:00 p.m. – Cavalry Drill
2:00 p.m. – Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
3:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
Presentation Explores Women Who Fought in Civil War
Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service in Kansas, will host “Women Soldiers of the Civil War,” a presentation and discussion by Diane Eickhoff, on April 22, at 1 p.m. in the Grand Hall. Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. The program is made possible by the Kansas Humanities Council.
During the Civil War, hundreds of women cut their hair and donned men’s clothing to report for duty to Union and Confederate Army recruiters. Others served as scouts and spies or rode with their husbands and brothers in service. The presentation will explore how and why a fascinating group of women defied cultural norms to become soldiers, especially during a time when there was great emphasis on women’s and men’s separate roles in society.
Diane Eickhoff is an independent historian, writer and editor of education materials. Her most recent historical biography, Clarina Nichols: Frontier Crusader for Women’s Rights, is published by Quindaro Press.
“This program evolved out of a single slide that often brought an earlier Speakers Bureau talk of mine to a standstill,” said Eickhoff. “People are as fascinated as I was to learn how so many women were able to disguise themselves as men—and to learn about their different motives for entering the battlefield.”
“Women Soldiers of the Civil War” is part of the Kansas Humanities Council’s Kansas Stories Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and discussions that examine our shared human experience—our innovations, culture, heritage and conflicts.
The Kansas Humanities Council conducts and supports community-based programs, serves as a financial resource through an active grant-making program, and encourages Kansans to engage in the civic and cultural life of their communities. For more information about KHC programs contact the Kansas Humanities Council at 785/357-0359 or visit online at www.kansashumanities.org.
For more information about “Women Soldiers of the Civil War” contact Fort Scott National Historic Site at 620-223- 0310 or visit www.nps.gov/fosc.
The area Good Neighbor Action Team and the City of Fort Scott will host a meeting Thursday, April 20, to discuss and listen to ideas about the needs of northwest Fort Scott.
Focusing on the area to the north of 6th Street and west of National Avenue to the Marmaton River, citizens are invited to attend the 5 p.m. hot dog dinner and the 6 p.m. meeting at the First Presbyterian Church, where they can express their concerns and desires for that part of the city.
Craig Campbell said the team had success at similar, past events and will continue to work with the city, the codes department and those living in that area to create a plan of action.
“The purpose of the event is to listen to the residents and property owners in the designated area,” Fort Scott Codes Manager Rhonda Dunn said. “We want to know their concerns and their desires as we formulate a plan to partner with them to enhance the overall quality of life in the area.”
During the recent Unified School District 234 Board of Education meeting Monday evening, Fort Scott High School theatre students gave a presentation of recent accomplishments and community services, informing the board they recently received a grant as well.
Thespian President Hunter Parker said the students in the theatre troupe learn skills such as organization, leadership, public speaking and others, as well as giving him experience and helping him build references that led to him being awarded a college scholarship.
“I couldn’t see myself as the person I am today without theatre,” thespian troupe treasurer Hunter Adamson agreed, saying the opportunities provided have greatly helped and inspired her. “This is not just a dream, but this is my passion.”
The two theatre troupe students encouraged the school board to continue to support the troupe.
Board members praised the students for the number of awards they have received as well as the activities they have hosted or participated in throughout the community.
“We’re really impressed by the awards and community service,” board president Jordan Witt said. “It’s great to see and be reminded how talented our students are.”
See the press release below for information about the grant the students recently received.
Submitted by Angie Bin
Fort Scott High School Thespian troupe #7365 was selected by the national Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) review committee as a 2017 Send a Troupe to Festival Grant winner.
The grant provides funding for registration and travel expenses for all FSHS official Thespian members and two chaperones to the 2017 International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, June 19-24. Regular registration is $740 per student which includes rooming in university residence halls; three meals a day; and admittance to all the shows, workshops and late night activities.
FSHS qualified for the grant by completing an in-depth application and providing an administrative recommendation letter from Bob Beckham, USD 234 Superintendent. Fort Scott also qualified because the troupe has never attended International Festival before.
FSHS Thespian president Hunter Parker said, “It was the first time we applied and, out of over thirty schools in the country who applied, we were one of the two to receive it. It’s a huge opportunity for our troupe and it’s great that I get to go my senior year.”
“The story of your troupe’s diversity, need, and involvement was inspirational, and I look forward to sharing the indescribable experiences of the 2017 International Thespian Festival with you,” said Samantha Simendinger, EdTA Assistant Manager of Support Services. “The Educational Theatre Association is very lucky to have caring theatre educators … influencing and inspiring young minds throughout the country and the world.”
According to EdTA, every summer, thousands of middle school and high school Thespians bring their love of all things theatre to the International Thespian Festival, a celebration of student achievement in the performing arts. Organized by the Educational Theatre Association and hosted at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Festival is a one-of-a-kind, weeklong immersion experience in singing, dancing, acting, designing, directing, creating, writing and memory-making. Festival features workshops presented by theatre professionals, individual and group performances, programs for technical theatre students and opportunities to audition for college admission and scholarships.
FSCC Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Inducts New Students
The Fort Scott Community College Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (Alpha Theta Omega Chapter) inducted 33 new students during a candle lighting ceremony on Friday, April 7, at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.
Students inducted this semester include: Mariah Aebersold, Heather Bahr, Adam Biby, Thomas Boatwright, Taylor Brecheisen, Mataya Cook, Rilie Creollo, Leslie Damian, Jordyn Danzer, Dustin Erikson, Madison Gray, Justin Grigsby, Sirr Green, Tyler Henninger, Heather Huesman, Genna Hull, Sarah Kelley, Keyshla Laureano Perez, Cristin Lowry, Allie Martin, Lindsey McNeil, Nathan Miller, Rachel Newquist, Nguyen Hannah Pham, Erica Pinneo, Emmah Reeves, Alexandria Rooks, Carla Salas, Mason Skiles, Lauren Sluder, Kyle Smith, Kirstie Williams and Barrett Young.
“We are pleased to welcome our new Phi Theta Kappa members this spring,” said Susie Arvidson, FSCC Director of Library Services and Phi Theta Kappa Advisor. “Over the past year, the members and officers have worked diligently to grow the organization and in turn were very successful. We look forward to the coming year as we strive for excellence and growth as individuals and as a group.”
Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society, recognizes the academic achievements of two-year college students. Students who have completed 12 credit hours and earned a 3.5 GPA or higher are invited to join Phi Theta Kappa. For more information, please call Susie Arvidson at 620-223-2700, ext. 3441.
Photo caption—Pictured from left to right: Nguyen Hannah Pham, Keyshla Laureano Perez, Heather Bahr, Genna Hull, Cristin Lowry, Lauren Sluder, Sarah Kelley, Jordyn Danzer, Rachel Newquist and Dustin Erikson.
FSCC Women’s Appreciation Luncheon slated for Apr. 26
Fort Scott Community College will host the annual Women’s Appreciation Luncheon 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.
The luncheon menu includes chicken salad croissant sandwiches, soup, salad, gourmet cookies and refreshments. In addition to lunch, the popular event will offer free gifts, door prizes, musical entertainment and product displays from local businesses. The event will showcase a variety of businesses including AdvoCare, All About That Xyng, Bids & Dibs, Black Dogs Farm, Custom Jewelry, FSCC Cosmetology (manicures), Gold Canyon, Hartman Spine and Joint, LipSense, Locust Hill Lamanchas, LuLaRoe, Mercy Hospital, Premier Designs Jewelry, Prüvit, Rodan + Fields, Taylor’s Lamps and Such, Thirty-One Gifts, Young Living Essential Oils, Younique and more.
Tickets are $6 per person. Attendees who purchase five tickets by April 25 will receive one ticket free. For more information or to reserve a seat, please call 620-223-2700.
After months of work that began in September, the Fort Scott Public Library reopened its doors April 3, and held a grand opening event Thursday when they had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to recognize the accomplishments.
“The library is a great asset to our historic downtown and the services and programs are essential to our community,” Mayor JoLynne Mitchell said, adding she believes the youth programs are especially important.
Director Lisa Walther said the library began saving money in 1992 when they started the capitol improvement fund. Though tax dollars funded the project, it was funding gathered over two decades so they did not have to ask the city for more money or a large sum at once.
“We are just thrilled that people seem to be quite happy with how it looks,” Director Lisa Walther said of the completed project. “We couldn’t be happier.”
The improvements include new floors, walls, lights, restroom and ADA compliance as well as new office areas and conference room.
Walther expressed appreciation to city staff as well as library staff and board members, who remained patient throughout the process and helped make decisions as well as other volunteers who moved books and cleaned.
City Manager Dave Martin said it was refreshing working with those involved in the library project and said he is glad to see it complete as he appreciates having hard copies of books.
Library hours and programs, including the children’s reading time on Tuesdays, now continues as normal.
