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Free Filing Cabinets From Landmark Bank
Category Archives: Fort Scott
Christmas Fun at the Parade This Thursday, Dec. 1
A Christmas parade is happening in the downtown historic district this Thursday, December 1.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce organizes the Christmas Parade each year with Briggs Auto of Fort Scott sponsoring the prizes for the parade, according to Lindsay Madison, CEO of the chamber.
Deadline to enter a group in the parade is Tuesday, November 29 at 1pm. It is FREE to enter the parade.
What is happening Thursday evening:
> Parade starts 6 pm at Wall and National, goes south to Third Street, east to Main, North on Main to Skubitz Plaza.
> Parkway Church of God Kettle Corn will be setup at 1st & Main before and after parade, box $2, Bag $5.
> Complimentary hot cocoa by Fort Scott Recreation in front of Hedgehog.INK! Book Store
> Lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree immediately following the parade, north end of Main.
> Christmas Crafts by Fort Scott High School Thespians & Visits with Santa and photos by Walgreens at Papa Don’s Restaurant after the parade.
> Make-your-own Ornament Kits free at 110 S Main while supplies last, appropriate for ages 10 and under.
> Bourbon County Revival live music at Hare & Crow Barber Shop with refreshments following parade.
> Sharky’s North Pole Pop-up Bar open 5pm to 10/11pm with festive atmosphere and drinks!
Link to enter parade: https://fortscott.com/events/details/christmas-parade-it-s-a-gingerbread-christmas-in-the-fort-25850
Want to Support Splash Pad Project Coming in 2023?
A splash pad is coming to town, thanks to some leaders who took the initiative.
“This idea has been in strategic plans and will add to the revitalization of downtown Fort Scott,” said Bailey Lyons, who along with Josh Jones and Kelly Barr have spearheaded the drive for funds.
Last week at the Fort Scott City Commission meeting, Lyons announced that with the help of two big donors, they are within reach of the project.
“We plan to break ground in the Spring and open by Summer 2023,” Lyons said. “We thought it would be a wonderful addition to our community. It will be a wonderful outdoor recreational amenity that offers a fun play option for all. It will be a gathering place accessible to people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds. We saw other communities like ours installing splash pads with great success, and wanted to bring one to Fort Scott.”
For those who might not know, a splash pad is a recreational outdoor play area with sprinklers, fountains, nozzles and other devices that spray water. Also known as a spray pool, there is little to no standing water in the space.
It will be placed at the west end of Skubitz Plaza, off of North National Avenue.
The site was picked because of accessibility, parking, and infrastructure and also is at the north end of the historic downtown area with dining, shopping and other attractions.
Fort Scott Parks and Recreation Department will provide maintenance, with the city also providing water and electricity.
So far, about $180,000 has been raised for the space, with $20,000 more to fund raise.
Two of the biggest donors have been a Timken Foundation Grant of $75,000 and a Walmart Foundation Grant of $40,000.
Chicken Mary’s, a well known restaurant north of Pittsburg, is the latest to help with fundraising.
On Wednesday, Dec. 7, one can pick up a chicken dinner or supper in Fort Scott that must be pre-ordered by Dec. 4. The meal is $10 per plate and tickets must be ordered by calling 620.224.7795.
“We also have the comedy show, and we are about to roll out a fundraiser to raffle off an ATV,” Lyons said. ‘We will be pushing out regular donation giving levels…that will allow people to donate to get us to the finish line.”
The splash pad will not raise taxes, Lyons said.
New Phone Number For Renting River Room
On November 1, Luther’s BBQ Restaurant at 3 W. Oak, closed.
The building’s second story business, the River Room Event Center, has a new phone number and will honor any reservations that were made, according to Al Niece, owner of the building.
The River Room new phone number is 620.820.0536 and their email is [email protected]
“There were some reservations in place for some events (at the River Room), I am honoring them all,” Niece said. “The River Room is one of the largest event centers in the area.”
New Business Soon
Niece feels confident that the lower floor restaurant space will be leased soon, he said.
“We are weighing options for a business there,” Niece said. “We are talking with several groups.”
To view the prior story on the opening of Luther’s:
KDOR Executed Tax Warrants and Seized Assets
On November 1, 2022, agents from the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) accompanied by the Fort Scott Police Dept. and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Dept. executed tax warrants and seized the assets of Luther’s BBQ LLC for nonpayment of Liquor Enforcement Taxes and Sales Taxes: totaling $38,783.96, according to a press release from the KDOR.
The warrants were filed in Bourbon County.
The types of assets seized include all known bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory, as well as personal property belonging to the owner. The business was sealed closed with a public notice posted on the outside.
“Luther’s BBQ LLC has paid all outstanding judgements and assets have been released to the business,” according to an email from KDOR on November 9.
KDOR’s policy and practice is to work with taxpayers in delinquent status to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements, according to the press release. It is only after these efforts and multiple failed collection attempts that the Department is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing such actions as bank levies, till taps, and ultimately asset seizure to ensure compliance with the law.
KDOR’s responsibility to recover delinquent taxes not only ensures fairness for individuals and business owners who do pay their taxes, but also ensures that money is lawfully collected to fund state and local programs on which Kansans depend, according to the press release. These programs include education, highways, public safety, and human services.
Customers, employees or others that may have items at the business may contact the agent assigned to
this case at 785-250-5084.
Artificers Artist Christmas Show is Dec. 2-4
Margaret Marino Awarded a Classroom Grant
Manhattan, KS — Ms. Margaret Marino, K-2 Math and Reading Special Education Instructor, Winfield Scott Elementary School, USD 234, Fort Scott, was recently awarded a $500 Classroom Grant by the Kansas Association of American Educators (KANAAE), a non-union professional educators’ association serving Kansas educators. Ms. Marino will be using the grant to purchase supplies to supplement the Orton Gillingham training she attended this past summer!
“KANAAE is thrilled to be able to provide funding to purchase needed materials and supplies for Margaret’s classroom,” said Garry Sigle, KANAAE executive director. “As a professional association we are committed to helping educator’s purchase items through our scholarship and grant program they may not otherwise be able to obtain. We know it’s the students who ultimately benefit.”
The winners of the KANAAE Teacher Scholarships and Classroom Grants are selected by a committee of their peers from across Kansas. All educators are encouraged to apply.
KANAAE is an affordable, non-union professional education association that provides teacher scholarships and classroom grants exclusively for Kansas educators twice a year. The grants can help pay for a variety of materials for the classroom and scholarships can be used to cover a wide variety of expenses including tuition, books, conferences, and workshops. The next application deadline is March 1, 2023. For more information visit www.kanaae.org.
Lowell Milken Center Participating in the 34th Annual Toybox Campaign
The Lowell Milken Center has joined the 34th Annual Toybox campaign which runs through December 13. It is one of the 4-States’ largest toy drives to benefit underprivileged children in Southeast Kansas, Southwest Missouri and Northeast Oklahoma. KOAM News Now, Salvation Army and many other community service organizations and businesses have organized this worthwhile endeavor.
In Fort Scott, new, unwrapped toys for children birth through 16 years of age may be dropped off during regular business hours at the Lowell Milken Center at 1 South Main or at Care4All at 2 W. 18th St. (The Lowell Milken Center is open from 10 am–5 pm, M-F, and 10 am–4 pm on Saturdays.) The toys will be distributed through Compassionate Ministries/Salvation Army here in Bourbon County to families who have registered for holiday assistance.
Toybox Tuesday Telethons will be conducted during the Noon, 5:00 and 6:00 newscasts on KOAM and its KOAM+ streaming platforms. Dates for the telethons are November 29, December 6, and December 13. Viewers have the opportunity to make a tax-deductible financial contribution to support Toybox during the telethons. All monies raised are used to purchase new toys and gifts.
Additional information can be found at http://koamnewsnow.com/Toybox.
Schwalm Family Continues Thanksgiving Meal to the Community
Marjory Schwalm has been preparing a Thanksgiving meal for the community for 27 years. She and her some of her family, about 25 people, show up to help her.
Thanksgiving Day all family members help in different ways: some cook, some assemble the foods in take-away containers, some help with the delivery, then there is clean up.
This year they will continue the drive-through or delivery service for their Thanksgiving meals.
There is no charge for the meals, she said.
Most years, she gets enough in free will donations to cover all the supplies.
The family serves out of the Elk’s Club building at 119 W. 19th, with Elk Club members helping to deliver the meals.
Thanksgiving day, her son, stands at the east side door and partakers line up in their cars inside the orange cones that direct traffic to the pick up site.
“People drive up and tell how many meals are needed,” she said.
They also deliver meals.
“We send a lot to the high rise apartments,” Schwalm said.
“There are a lot of one-to-two people families that can’t cook big turkey dinner…so we provide,” she said. “Some elderly can’t drive so we deliver to anybody that needs it.”
They make about 700-800 meals for the community.
“Everyone has found out that this is a pretty good way to get a Thanksgiving meal without having to do all the work,” she said.
To call Schwalm, 620.224.6769.
The hours of service on Thanksgiving Day are from 11 a.m. to about 1-1:30 p.m.
She starts making to-do lists and lists of items to buy for the meal, months ahead.
Usually she goes to Sam’s Club in Joplin, MO for supplies, but this year, she is so thankful that Sam’s Club delivered to her.
After the meals are delivered or picked up on Thanksgiving Day, the family sits down for a meal together, she said.
“My family always got together for Thanksgiving, but now we fix for anyone that needs a meal,” Schwalm said.
Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraiser Orders Needed by Nov. 28
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Shop and Support the FSHS Swim Team at Fall Extravaganza
The season of craft and small business vendor sales is in full swing.
Monday November 21 from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School will be the annual Fall Extravaganza, a 40-plus craft/vendor fair.
Madeline Martin, Fort Scott High School Counselor and swim coach, is organizing the event this year.
“We took it over from (Fort Scott Middle School Teacher) Stephanie George and the VIP’s (organization) at the middle school,” Martin said. “Stephanie knew that the swim team was looking for more fundraising opportunities so she reached out to us asking we were interested in organizing it for this year.”
“The purpose of this event is to continue the holiday shopping tradition,” Martin said. “This has been a popular event in the community for over 10 years and we want to keep this tradition going. We have 40+ vendors that are joining us this year and we are super excited.”
“The swim team hopes that the funds raised through this event will help us purchase swim parkas for each participant as well as help offset costs for the year,” she said.
The FSHS Swim Team will be selling a pulled pork dinner also as a fundraiser.
The vendors scheduled to set up are:
KNM Clay
One of a Kind Wood Creations
TSM Creations & Decor
Amy Maxwell
Better in Bourbon
Jessee Cox
Maria Whitson
Arbonne- Lindsay Hill
TFI Family Services
Donna Jo Beerbower
Mary Kay- Lauren Hardwick
Mmm Flavor Shop
Our Little Village
Redbud Farms & Nurseries
Desert Bloom
Gentry Warren Art
Twigs & Berries
Anita Moore
Sugar Bakery/Walker’s Bakery
WellSpring Acres Alpaca Farm
SOS Grad Party
Grazing Fort Scott
Perry’s Porkrinds
FSHS Industrial Arts
The Sister’s Oven
FSHS FCCLA
Tin Man Alley
JP Custom Leather
Tiiger Threads
Be-You-tiful Designs
The Lavender Patch Farm
Locust HIll Lamachas
Micki Kraft
Sunshine Boutique
Buckin A’ Ranch
Wilbur Fleming
Funky Junktiques
Paparazzi Jewelry & Norwex- Brenda Hunter
The Purse Lady
Happy Little Candle Factory
Tupperware- Shawn O’Brien
Sassy’s Grandmas Stencils
Bids & Dibs/ Angie Dawns
About the swim team:
The Fort Scott High School boys swim team had their first season in the winter of 2019. The girls swim started the spring of 2020, but their season was cancelled because of the COVID 19 Pandemic.
“This past year we grew as a team and added some members through a cooperative agreement with area schools,” Martin said. “Last year the boys team took 3rd in the league and Bobby Kemmerer went to state where he brought home two medals for the two events he swam. The boys have also sent one other swimmer, Oliver Witt, to state in the past.”
“Girls season last year hit a huge goal of winning the league and Fort Scott sent their first female swimmer, Avery Stewart, to state. Along the way we have had swimmers from Frontenac, Pittsburg, Chanute, Northeast-Arma, Humboldt, and this year we are adding St. Mary’s Colgan and Uniontown to our girls team. I love that Fort Scott is setting a standard of providing kids the opportunity to compete in a sport that they love.”
“This year, for boys season, we have three young men joining us from Pittsburg and four young men joining us from Frontenac,” she said. “Girls season we have individual swimmers joining us from Arma, Uniontown, Humboldt, and Colgan. We will have a few girls join us from Frontenac and Pittsburg as well.”
They drive each day to the Pittsburg YMCA to practice.
“Our swimmers are very dedicated and our out-of-town kids drive up to an hour just to get to practice each day,” she said. “I am looking forward to another successful season and for Fort Scott to continue to make a big splash in the SEK and in our League.”
Meal Fundraiser for Catholic Church Rebuild: Nov. 18
The Knights of Columbus are continuing their fundraising efforts to help rebuild the Mary Queen of Angels Church.
The church suffered extensive damage on the evening of August 29, 2022 and will be rebuilt.
“No plans yet,” Mark McCoy, church member said. “We are in the conceptual phase. We are hoping to come to an accepted position on how to rebuild.”
Meanwhile the Knights of Columbus group at the church are having monthly meals in the Kennedy Gym, at 705 S. Holbrook as a fundraiser for the rebuilding of the church.
Founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, in New Haven, Conn., and a group of parishioners, according to https://www.kofc.org/en/who-we-are/our-story/index.html Their intent is to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families.
This month, it is Friday, November 18, and the meal is homemade chicken noodle soup and cream of potato soup, with the desserts prepared by the Catholic women of the church.
Tea, coffee or water goes along with the meal, with a suggested free will donation of $7 per meal.
The meal is from 5-7 p.m.
“The community has been so supportive,” McCoy said. “All proceeds will go to the rebuild of the church.”
Serving Needs: Requesting Help For Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Serving a Community in Need
And Requesting Your Help
Times have become more difficult and challenging for many individuals and families in both Fort Scott and throughout Bourbon County. At the forefront of this economic situation stands Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries Outreach Center, where those who are struggling can be assisted with a vast array of services and personal needs.
FSCM is located on the second floor of the Senior Citizens Center at 26 N. Main, where director and chaplain Allen Schellack operates on a volunteer basis. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m to 2 p.m or by appointment, supported in part by local churches, private donations and The Salvation Army bell ringing campaign, which is the largest annual fundraiser.
Schellack extends a heartfelt request for more participation in the bell ringing. “The need has never been greater, and we ask our community to support this fundraiser as much as possible. We need volunteers to operate the Red Kettle Campaign at Wal-Mart, starting November 19th through December 24th. The days and hours are flexible, and it’s critical that we have enough volunteers to make this happen in a big way.”
FSCM is the only designated Salvation Army Disaster Relief and Services Extension Unit for Bourbon County. Community participation and generosity will help provide a variety of disaster relief services, in addition to assistance with rent, utilities, prescriptions, temporary lodging, gasoline for work or doctor appointments, eyeglass help, clothing, school supplies and other needs on a case by case basis. The center also provides personal hygiene items, diapers, formula, bedding, towels, canned food items, fans and space heaters.
It was formerly known as Our Father’s House, operated by Schellack until government funding became unavailable. He created Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries in 2016 to fill the gap in needed services. It works in partnership with several groups, organizations and community partners, relying heavily on individual donations and volunteerism throughout this holiday season.
Director Schellack is hopeful. “Individuals, families and groups are encouraged to sign up for a shift – it’s a fun, easy way to help those less fortunate. All gifts made through the Salvation Army fund raiser will stay in our community.”
Bourbon County businesses are needed to display the Salvation Army mini buckets – where customers can donate their spare change, Schellack said.
During this special time of giving and sharing, please schedule to volunteer by contacting FSCM directly at 620-223-2212.
Submitted by Marti Wells-Smith
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