Uniontown Cemetery is east of the town on Maple Road.
At 1 p.m. Friday, December 13 a holiday wreath presentation ceremony will take place at the Uniontown Cemetery, east of the town on Maple Road, to honor the veterans buried there.
The Uniontown Ruritan has organized the ceremony, which will include a speaker and patriotic songs by the Uniontown High Band and the Uniontown High School Choir.
The names of every veteran buried in this cemetery will be read while the wreaths are placed on the graves.
“This is not affiliated with the Wreaths Across America program,” Mary Pemberton, Ruritan member said. “Because Uniontown Cemetery is not a national cemetery, we do not receive a price break on wreaths like the Fort Scott National Cemetery does. In consideration of citizen donations and cost-effectiveness, we decided to purchase decorated manufactured wreaths that can be reused for several years, rather than purchasing through the WAA program, which are live, one-time-use wreaths.”
“Matt Crystal from the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be the speaker,” said Mark Warren, a Ruritan member who is organizing the event. “The UHS band, choir, basketball, and National Honor Society will be assisting the Uniontown Ruritan in doing this.”
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Director Lindsay Madison takes a photo of Kate and Trent Freeman accepting an award from Kansas Tourism on December 9. Taken from the Chamber’s Facebook page.
Kansas Tourism Department Director Bridgett Jobe handed over two grants today in Fort Scott.
“You can see that Fort Scott is going through a renaissance,” Jobe told attendees at the Artificers reception for the award presentation.
The Artificers
Kate and Trent Freeman were awarded the $25,000 grant designed to help local businesses develop new attractions.
“They have had an instrumental role in rehabilitating our downtown area….with an innovative approach to enhance the beauty of this community for years to come,” Bourbon County Economic Development Director Rob Harrington said.
Jobe told reception attendees that the Freeman’s “passion for the community really came through.”
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
Taken from the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. Kansas Tourism presented the LMC with a check to expand attractions.
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes also received a $6,300 check from Kansas Tourism Director Bridgett Jobe today.
The grant is to help expand attractions that draw tourists to the community.
The center will use the funds to create a new history panel on an unsung hero in Ukraine who saved 100’s of children from starvation in her Ukrainian town, said Ronda Hassig, spokesperson for LMC.
“The Lowell Milken Center is a treasure,” Jobe, said. “Coming here inspires me to be a better person. It inspires me that it’s here in Kansas.”
The current First Presbyterian Church building is at 308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.
The First Presbyterian Church is celebrating 165 years in the Fort Scott community.
“A special worship service will be held Sunday, November 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the church, with a celebration fellowship in the parlor afterward,” said Pastor Sarah Gengler.
Pastor Sarah Gengler. Submitted photo.
“Through the years, First Presbyterian has been blessed with 11 installed pastors, as well as two installed associate pastors,” Gengler said.
The current congregation members were deeply committed to continuing worship and ministry outreach while searching for a new pastor recently, according to information provided by Gengler. Twenty-three different members volunteered at least once, to preach a sermon during their Sunday morning worship. On February 1, 2024, the congregation gratefully welcomed their newest pastor, Rev. Sarah Gengler. Rev. Gengler has been in ministry for 10 years and moved here from Minnesota.
Currently, there are 134 members and worship service is 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
Pastor Gengler provided some of the outreaches of the church:
“First Presbyterian Church volunteers to cook and serve a meal for the Feeding Families Program at the Methodist church on the 4th Wednesday of every month.
There are two different adult Faith Formation classes beginning at 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. As well as “Waffles and Jesus” in the Zimmerman Hall dining room at 9:15 a.m., where a hot breakfast is prepared by church volunteers, and then class is held for children grades Kindergarten through 9th.
“The church co-hosts Vacation Bible School each summer with First United Methodist Church
“We hold a friendly competition between us and First United Methodist Church each year to see who can raise the most pounds of food for the Beacon Food Pantry.
“The Presbyterian Women’s organization directs a long-ago gift known as the Hack Memorial Fund, which helps those with the greatest need in Fort Scott. Included in the scope of this ministry are assistance with utilities, rent, and some medical and dental needs, all requests are received and recommended through the Beacon, Bourbon County’s food pantry.”
“The church remains active in the community,” she said. “Members are hosting two special showings of The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever at Fort Scott Cinema. Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tell them First Presbyterian sent you!”
“The church will be holding a community-wide service of remembrance called Blue Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 8,” she said. “People are invited to join us at 2 p.m. for a time devoted to remembering those we love, and whose loss is felt more deeply this time of year.”
History of the church, provided by Pastor Gengler:
In the summer of 1859, a church-planting Presbyterian missionary, the Reverend Alexander Taylor Rankin of Buffalo, New York, was sent to Kansas by the Presbyterian General Assembly, according to information provided by Gengler. He officially organized the First Presbyterian Church on November 17th, 1859, with three members. In the first few years after its inception members met in each other’s homes for worship. Reverend George C. Irvin became the first installed pastor in 1865. The foundation for the first church was laid in 1864, where the present-day Cheney-Witt Carriage House now stands at the southeast corner of Third and Main. The church building was completed in 1865.
The first building of the First Presbyterian Church was at Third and Main Street. Submitted photo.
In 1888 the second church was constructed on the current property at 308 S. Crawford St., to accommodate the growing congregation.
By early 1920’s the congregation again recognized that it needed more space. The 1888 building was razed and the third church was built, laying its corner stone in 1924. The 100-year-old building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
The second building of the First Presbyterian Church was located at the current site, 308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.
The First Presbyterian Church has participated in many different ministries over the years, including youth groups, sewing groups, Presbyterian Women, the Methodists’ Feeding Families program, the Beacon Food Pantry, Sunday Serve events where congregation members completed service projects in the community, and Vacation Bible School, according to information provided by Gengler.
The Fort Scott National Historic Site Post Hospital. Submitted photo.
Today, November 1, is the first day that tickets for the Fort Scott National Historic Site’s 43rd Annual Candlelight Tour go on sale.
1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and reenactors-including participants of the tour- bring the fort to life each year during the candlelight tour. During the tour, one will be immersed in ways people have overcome and learned from challenges and new experiences in Fort Scott.
The event is on Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7, 2024. Tours on December 6 will begin at 6:30 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 7, the tours will start at 5 p.m. with the final tour leaving at 9 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the tour will be outside and on sidewalks.
This year, participants will become frontier soldiers.
The theme is Challenges and New Experiences in Fort Scott. “Each new challenge on the frontier built confidence and led to a new view of one’s life,” Brenner said. “We learn through training and challenge. Each challenge faced at Fort Scott bettered the soldiers, preparing them for the future, and eventually, the next journey in their life.”
“We will be mustering visitors into Company A for the 1st dragoons, giving them the persona of an actual soldier,” Brenner said. “They will be part of the discussion around Fort Scott, preparing for the South Pass expedition, where they were to ride 2,200 miles in 99 days. They will celebrate the holidays with new carols from the 1840s, and then muster out, date-stamping their paper to take home as a souvenir. We are working to have the Grand Hall cleaned up and open, as in years past, for snacks, music, dancing, and to warm up after the tour.”
Dozens of volunteers come together to bring this event to life, including those who enjoy acting.
“We are lucky to have a group of very dedicated volunteers who help with multiple different events and projects at the park,” he said. “We are also working with Angie Bin, the Fort Scott High School’s speech and drama teacher, and some of her students. If you are interested or know someone who is, we can still use your help.”
Please call the park at 620-223-0310 or email us at [email protected] to find out more and become involved.
FSNHS is unable to take credit card numbers over the phone as in years past, said Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management at FSNHS(www.nps.gov/fosc).
Tickets can also be purchased at the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd. just east of Historic Downtown Fort Scott. They are $8 per person and non-refundable, children 5 and under are free. It is recommended that one gets tickets early to ensure a choice of tour times, as this event frequently sells out, according to an FSNHS press release.
History of the Candlelight Tour
“The Candlelight Tour began as a part of the Holiday Open House program where Fort Scott residents would decorate their homes and open them up to the public for the holidays,” Brenner said. “Fort Scott National Historic Site joined these festivities by decorating Capt. Swords Quarters in Officer’s Quarters #1. When that program ended, we continued with the yearly decorations. It began to grow to include staff and volunteers telling stories about Fort Scott’s history. This continued to grow into the Candlelight Tour. Within the last five years, we have adjusted the program to be more immersive with audience participation. We want visitors to be a part of the vignette instead of looking through a window as did Ebenezer Scrooge. We also encourage visitors to dress up for the tours, preferably in period clothing, for an even more immersive experience.”
About The Fort
Fort Scott National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park Service. The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs or become involved in the candlelight tour, or other activities, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
The First Southern Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main. The Family Life Center is on the right.
First Southern Baptist Church at 1818 S. Main is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024.
“It was chartered in 1963,” said current pastor, Joel Crippen.
The church currently has nursing home ministries, men’s and women’s fellowships, and they support missionaries through the Southern Baptist Convention Mission Board, he said.
The church’s theme for its anniversary is “Standing on the Word of God, Past, Present, Future.”
The public is invited to join the celebration events that start on Friday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a traveling museum, and 6:45 p.m. is the Family Life Center Dedication. The museum will continue Oct. 25-27 with daily hours.
On Saturday the Tucker Family Band will perform at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, the Missourians Gospel Group will perform at 6 p.m.
There will be free-will offerings for all concerts and the Bible Museum.
Church service times are Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Morning worship at 10:50 a.m. They average about 80 people in attendance the pastor said.
Evening services each week are at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays with Youth AWANA at 6:30 p.m.
Pastor Crippen said the mission of the church is to “spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Traveling Bible Museum
Beginning on Friday, Oct. 25, a traveling museum on the Bible will be on exhibit at the church, at 1818 S. Main in the Family Life Center.
Ancient artifacts and a working replica of the press that printed the first Bible will be on display.
There will be tours/viewing and teaching classes with exhibit presentations daily at 1:30 p.m. with curator John Sliffe.
For more information contact the church at 620.223.2986
The Tucker Family Band
The Tucker Family Band. Submitted photo.
The Tucker Family Band will perform at the church on Saturday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m., 1818 S. Main.
The Tucker Family Band is comprised of Carolyn Tucker (keys and vocals) Fort Scott; daughter Mariam Tucker Self (lead vocals and saxophone) Peculiar, MO; son Aaron Tucker (drums and vocals) Asbury, MO; cousin Jessie Bergen (electric bass) Anderson, MO; and J Williams (lead guitar) Columbus, KS. Kitten Lagoon from Anderson, MO, is the sound engineer and emcee according to a press release.
As youngsters, singing and playing instruments was just a normal part of being a kid and having fun. All of the band members grew up in the church and have a passion for sharing the gospel through music. The members have been involved in worship at their own individual churches for years.
The TFB’s repertoire includes the beloved gospel music of Elvis Presley plus other Christian recording artists. Some of the featured songs are: I Believe, Up Above My Head, Where Could I Go, Peace in the Valley, Bosom of Abraham, Can‘t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus, and many more. No matter what your musical preferences are, there will be something for everyone.
There is no admission fee for the one-hour concert. A free-will offering will be received.
The Missourians
The Missourians will perform at 6 on Sunday, October 27 at the church.
What started as a male trio in the 1980s took on that traditional four-part harmony sound several years later and the group hasn’t looked back, according to their website. This vocal group is comfortable performing on concert stages before thousands, as well as in rural churches. The group’s versatility makes them a favorite among young audiences and older music lovers alike. Their ability to adapt to any setting, without compromising the message they present, makes them a favorite wherever their music is shared.
Over the past 30+ years, the group has recorded a total of 19 albums and 2 videos with their latest project “Jesus Saves”. The recording, like each performance, is a testament to the versatility of the quartet, as it encompasses a mix of both traditional hymns and Southern Gospel classics, without distracting from the Gospel message.
The Missourians have shared the stage with such greats as Gold City, Brian Free & Assurance, Ivan Parker, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, and many others.
The Missourians continue to reach new plateaus, as they consistently strive for perfection in their musical presentation of the Gospel message. “We believe we are constantly reaching new levels, lyrically, vocally, and spiritually. We believe that’s what God expects of us, and our greatest desire is to please Him in all we do,” according to their website
CATO CELEBRATES ITS PIONEER HISTORY WITH CATO DAYS
The annual Cato Days will be presented by the Cato Historical Preservation Association on Saturday, October 26th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.
The annual Cato Days will be held on Saturday, October 26th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Cato, Kansas. This free event is presented by the Cato Historical Preservation Association to promote Cato’s pioneer history, and starts with registration at 9 a.m. This will be followed at 9:30 by music, and history presented by Matt Wells in the historic Cato Christian Church. At 10:45, in the “Old Stone School,” Anna Portwood Swank, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson, and Jamie Thompson will talk about the school, followed by Jerry Lomshek who will discuss Cato’s early history, and its involvement in Bleeding Kansas, and the Civil War. Musical entertainment will be presented outdoors at 12 noon, when drinks and “Cowboy Stew,” cooked by Shawn Pryer and friends, will be available. Shawn will demonstrate chuck wagon and Dutch oven cooking. At 12:45 there will be a raffle for a beautiful quilt donated by longtime member, Sue James of Texas.The highlight of the event begins at 1 p.m. with a hayrack wagon ride, led by Joe Bournoville, to various local historical sites. The ride will visit the site of the Buckhorn Tavern, a popular stop on the stage coach line from Fort Scott, the Coonrod Cemetery, which is the resting place of many Cato area pioneers, and finally, the site of the birthplace of Elisha Black, Jr., the first baby born to settlers in Crawford County. The hayrack ride, and Cato Days ends at 3 p.m. All times are approximate.
Booklets about the history of Cato, and the newly released booklet about the Cherokee Neutral Land (present day Crawford and Cherokee Counties) will be available for sale. The Cato Store will also be selling other Cato-related merchandise, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more. All proceeds from the quilt raffle, “Cowboy Stew,” booklets, and merchandise go to the preservation of Cato’s historic buildings, and for history related educational activities. Local fourth and fifth graders will have their own Cato Day on Thursday, October 24th.
Cato is in the northern part of Crawford County off Hwy 69. From Hwy 69, turn west on 720th Avenue, and follow the signs to Cato. Directions can be found at http://catoschool.com/ . The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the buildings, and history of Cato, and the surrounding areas. These buildings include the “Old Stone School,” built in 1869, the Cato Christian Church, built in 1915, and a full-sized replica of a cabin the early settlers would have used in the 1860s. A stone bridge, part of the “Old Wagon Road,” can also be seen on the property. Cato is an open-air museum and its buildings are only open to the public a few times a year, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to spend an afternoon of entertainment and enlightenment in historic Cato.
The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the buildings and past of Cato, and surrounding areas.
Fort Scott, Kan. – Thursday, October 31, 2024, join Fort Scott National Historic Site for a special candle lantern walk through the Murder and Mayhem at the Fort. Tour leaders, from the 1840s-1860s, will share some of the lesser told tragedies and macabre events that were far too common in Fort Scott’s 19th century. These four special Halloween lantern tours will start every 30 minutes beginning at 6:30 pm. Tours are free and open to the public however space is limited and required reservations will open Friday, October 18, at 8:30 am.
Those with reservations, please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the entire tour will be outside and on sidewalks.
Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Teaching the History and Significance of the Bible
Come see the exhibit at First Southern Baptist Church 1818 S. Main St. on Hwy 69 in Fort Scott, Ks. In the Family Life Center.
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday October 25-27 9:00am- 6:30pm Friday and Saturday or 1:00- 6:30pm on Sunday.
View the authentic historical artifacts dating back 5000 years from the Holy land, Middle East, and Asia Minor. (Ancient Torahs, Bibles, manuscripts, and pottery, plus a working replica of the Gutenberg press.)
Teaching classes Friday and Saturday at 10:00am and 5:30pm, also at 1:00pm on Sunday. Exhibit presentation with curator John Sliffe daily at 1:30pm.
Concluding Sunday night with a concert by the Missourians at 6:00pm.
Sending on behalf of Chamber member Gordon Parks Museum…
Gordon Parks Museum invites you to take part in the 21st Annual Celebration
This weekend ~ October 3rd-5th!
The Celebration kicks off with the Chamber Coffee hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum, Thursday, October 3rd, 8am ~ everyone welcome!
The 21st Annual event will include photo exhibits, poetry contest/exhibit, sign and mural display, films, a special Gordon Parks themed trolley tour & more!
Friday will feature the Celebration Dance Party with “Full Flava Kings”, see below for more details.
Saturday will feature the Celebration Tribute Dinner with the presentation of the Choice of Weapons Awards along with the presentation of the Learning Tree Award to Arnold Schofield and the late Daryl Roller.
The Choice of Weapons Conversation, Premier Screening of the documentary I Needed Paris and the free Lunch and Learn events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Tickets are available at the Gordon Parks Museum, online at gordonparkcenter.org, or call 620-223-2700 ext. 5850
Click here for the Gordon Parks Museum website and a list of detailed events.
Click here to download a printable copy of the schedule of events linked below.
A highlight this year is the “Celebration Dance Party” featuring The Full Flava Kings at the Liberty Theatre. The Full Flava Kings from Tulsa, Oklahoma are one of the best party bands in the region.
A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College, Host Screening of Tall Grass Film Festival- Selected Documentary, I Needed Paris
Fort Scott, Kan. September. 27, 2024 – The documentary I Needed Paris will make its premier screening on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. This film is an official selection for the 2024 TallGrass Film Festival in Wichita, Kansas. The screening is free admission and open to the community to the attend. This screening is part of the 21st Annual Gordon Parks Celebration.
We are very fortunate to have this film make its debut here in Fort Scott.
“We are very fortunate and excited to host this film and having the film’s premiere debut here in Fort Scott.,” said Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director, Kirk Sharp. “This is a great opportunity for our everyone community to have a chance to see this film that has been officially selected for the 2024 TallGrass Film Festival for free. We encourage everyone in the community to attend.”
This film follows the journey of a small group of photography students from the Gordon Parks Academy in Wichita, KS, through Paris, France, in late May 2024, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks when he worked in the Paris bureau of Life magazine in the early 1950s. These students along with other photographers will take a deep dive into Gordon’s world of fashions, portraits, street photography, music and poetry. They will also incorporate some fashion images using the same type of camera Gordon used – twin lens reflex film cameras. The screening is free and open to the community to attend.
Produced and directed by Michael Cheers. Associate Professor, Photojournalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University. Cinematographer/Editor, B. Kameron Lawson.
For more information about the film or the Gordon Parks Celebration visit us at
Bourbon County Community Theatre is still holding auditions for Voices from the Grave, an original production based on stories from Bourbon County’s history.
An open audition will take place October 2nd from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the Fort Scott high School Auditorium.Those who audition must be age 14 or over and rehearsal times will be scheduled in small groups with the Director, Regen Wells.
Voices from the Grave is from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Riverfront Park in Fort Scott, KS. Guests will enjoy a guided walking tour of short acting vignettes centering around stories of murder and mayhem in Fort Scott. Scenes were written by the students in the Advanced Drama class at Fort Scott High School and are based off of stories from local author Brian Allen’s books about Fort Scott.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available from bcct.ludus.com in Fort Scott. Tour times must be pre-scheduled and run every 15 minutes. Parents must accompany children under the age of 14.
More information can be found on the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page or by contacting Wells at 620-215-3510.
