Listening to Kansans Garden City
On Thursday, I was in Garden City to visit with members of the community at the Garden City Chamber Coffee to provide a legislative update and hear their concerns. We discussed the continued crisis at the southern border, responsible government funding, the Farm Bill, national security, and how to support our veterans.
Thank you to Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce President Myca Bunch, State Senator John Doll, State Representative Dr. Bill Clifford, County Commissioner Larry Jones, Mayor Deb Oyler, City Commissioners Roy Dixon and Shannon Dick, City Manager Matt Allen, Police Chief Courtney Prewitt, Fire Chief John Irsik, Lona DuVall, Janie Welsh and all who came to visit. Thank you also to Garden City Community College for the hospitality.
Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.
Medicare Prescription Drug Costs Hard to Swallow?
Did you know that you can review and change your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan annually? Medicare Annual Election Period, running from October 15th-December 7th, is the time to do just that!
On Tuesday, November 14th, from 9:00am-2:00pm, at 735 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott; area Senior Health Insurance Counselors for Kansas (SHICK) will be available for you! Call 620-244-3826 to schedule an appointment.
Even if you have been happy with your plan in the past, plans and your medications do change! It is a good idea to compare options to see what meets your current needs. Last year, area helped beneficiaries save on average $918.00 per person changing plans.
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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.
Carts are available for those who need rides to the parking areas.
The annual Fort Fest continues until tonight at Riverfront Park, on North National Avenue.
The event highlights Blues bands from across the area.
At 1 p.m. the Howard Mahan Band with Miki P entertained guests. At 3 p.m. Sister Lucille, at 5 p.m. the Arkansas Brothers, and at 7 p.m. the Divas on Fire. People were enjoying the Blues musicians on lawn chairs and blankets.
In addition, arts and crafts, food and drink vendors, a cornhole tournament, a BBQ contest, along with a kid’s fair and petting zoo, and other happenings kept attendees entertained and fed.
The event benefits Care to Share a local helping organization that provides support to cancer fighters and their families.
The Care to Share group had a silent auction and bake sale at the pavilion at Riverfront Park.
Rollin’ Nostagalia Car Show was one of the many activities at the FortFest 23 on Sept. 30.Max’s Axe House had a temporary place to demonstrate the sport.
Hosting the Kansas Chamber of Commerce
This week, the Kansas delegation had the privilege of hosting members of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. It was great to meet with members of the chamber and discuss the state’s economic growth. On Wednesday evening, I helped lead the group on a night tour of the U.S. Capitol. It is a special experience to see our nation’s Capitol at night and share the beauty of this incredible building and all that it represents. Thank you to our chamber members and staff for the discussion this week and for their efforts to invest in our state and people.
Governor Kelly Announces Funding to Grow Small Business Exports
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) awarded $200,000 to the Kansas Department of Commerce to expand the state’s robust export sector, which hit an all-time high of $13.97 billion in 2022.
The agency’s International Division oversees the administration of the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) award, enabling eligible businesses to leverage these funds for conducting focused activities that promote export growth. The STEP program plays a crucial role in equipping Kansas’ small businesses with the necessary resources and knowledge to excel in export-related endeavors, assisting existing exporters and companies venturing into international markets for the first time.
“Consumers around the world continue to find that made-in-Kansas products simply are the best,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This support from SBA will help our outstanding small businesses continue to grow, something my administration has prioritized since taking office.”
The SBA began administering STEP in 2011 as part of federal legislation encouraging trade. Through STEP, states competitively apply for and receive financial awards to assist small businesses with export development. The award will allow Kansas to assist small businesses with foreign trade missions and foreign market sales trips, obtaining services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessing expertise in designing international marketing campaigns and export trade show exhibits, participating in training workshops, and more.
“Investing resources to help broaden the Kansas exporter base is good for these small businesses – and the entire state economy,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “As the global marketplace continues to present new opportunities for Kansas companies, our International Division will provide whatever support we can to help our exporters take advantage.”
Since the program’s inception in 2012, more than 220 Kansas small businesses have participated and achieved more than $44 million in actual export sales.
“Many Kansas small businesses have insufficient resources to venture into new markets or have uncertainty about how to begin exporting their products,” Randi Tveitaraas Jack, Deputy Director of the International Division, said. “The STEP funding allows us to tackle those challenges and help them succeed.”
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting July 17, 2023
PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Dave Elliott, Jim Fewins, Kirk Hart, Bryan Holt, and Robert Nelson
ALSO PRESENT: Juley McDaniel (Board Clerk), faculty, staff
Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm in the meeting rooms of Ellis Fine Arts Center. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: The Board presented outgoing President, Alysia Johnston with a parting gift as a token of their appreciation for all her work through her tenure at FSCC.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Holt, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the consent agenda as amended.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to accept the quote of
$89,000 for athletic insurance from Berkley Life & Health and $9,299 for catastrophic insurance from
Mutual of Omaha for a total of $98,229.
B. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the
employment contract of their selected presidential candidate, Dr. Jason Kegler.
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard updates from Gordon Parks Museum, Finance
and Operations, Student Services, IT, Maintenance, Miami County Campus, and Athletics.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
6:12 pm by Elliott, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote.
Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
Fort Scott, Kansas – The Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott, Kansas will host “Learning from
Gordon Parks,” a presentation and discussion by Ann Dean on Thursday, October 5 at
12:00p.m. at The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center at 2108 S. Horton St.
Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Contact the Gordon Parks Museum at
620-223-2700 ext. 5850 for more information. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.
This presentation and discussion are part of the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration that will take place in Fort Scott, Kansas on October 5 -7, 2023. This is also a Lunch and Learn Event.
The presentation by Ann Dean is free to attend, but the lunches are only available by pre-purchase for $10 each by Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
African American author, photographer, and filmmaker Gordon Parks was well known for his documentation of American life and culture.
Born in Fort Scott, Kansas in 1912, he is one of the
most esteemed image makers of all time. In this presentation, photographer Ann Dean discusses the impact and inspiration found in Parks’s books: The Learning Tree, A Choice of
Weapons, and Half Past Autumn.
These books help illustrate Parks’s mother’s teachings centered in love, dignity, and hard work, and provide a starting point to talk about his struggles, choices, and triumphs – all great life lessons for those searching to find their way in this complicated world.
Ann Dean is an artist and freelance photographer who teaches photography classes at the Lawrence Art Center.
“Learning from Gordon Parks” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Speakers Bureau and “21st Century Civics,” a collection of resources that invite Kansans to participate in community
discussions and learn more about the history of American democracy and the shared responsibilities of citizenship. “21st Century Civics” is made possible with support from “A More
Perfect Union: America at 250,” an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
For more information about “Learning from Gordon Parks” in Fort Scott, Kansas contact the
Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 or visit gordonparkscenter.org.
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the
people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our
pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to
spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we
inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and
serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
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Ronald “Ron” Lee Rains, age 84, of Fort Scott, passed away peacefully Monday morning, August 14, 2023. He was born on June 18, 1939, in Chanute, Kansas to Charles Edgar Rains and Eva Leota Grogan Rains. He grew up in Chanute where his father was a pastor at the Highland Avenue United Brethren Church and graduated from Chanute High School with the class of 1957.
Ron joined the Army in 1958 and served until 1963. At the conclusion of his service, he held the rank of a Specialist 4. His primary duty was surveying coordinates for the world’s first surface-to-surface nuclear missiles (Honest John missiles). During his time in the Army, Ron was also a paratrooper for the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. He was very proud to serve his country and told many stories of his adventures. After serving in the Army, Ron moved to Fort Scott where he began working for the Kansas Department of Transportation. This is where he met his future wife, Sharry. Ron married Sharon Ann Martin on April 16, 1967, in Chanute, Kansas. They were wed by his father, Pastor Edgar Rains. Together they had two children, Cecilia Jill Rains Evans and Shannon Lee Rains.
Ron worked as a surveyor and engineer for the Kansas Department of Transportation in Fort Scott. After retiring from KDOT, he was an inspector for Cook, Flatt & Strobel Engineers. Ron was a woodworker and made many cherished pieces for his family and friends. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, a Coca-Cola and Nascar collector, and had a spirited personality. His laugh was contagious, and each one of his family members have a story to tell about him and his orneriness.
Ron was an amazing husband, dad, and the absolute best grandpa. He loved his family and would do anything for them, especially his grandkids. During his later years in life, he was Sharry’s caregiver while she battled cancer until her passing in 2019. Ron was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott. He loved the Lord, and we rejoice in the fact that he is now reunited in heaven with those we love and hold so dearly.
Ron is survived by his daughter, Jill Evans and husband Chris of Spring Hill, Kansas; his son, Shannon Rains, of Fort Scott; his grandchildren, Bethany Minter and husband Kahn, Jordan Phillips, and Robert Rains; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sharry; his parents, Edgar and Eva Rains; and his sisters, Sheila Hansen and Myrna Whitmer.
Rev. Christopher Eshelman will officiate funeral services for Ron at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday August 22, 2023, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Left to right: Merry Lee Powell, National WCTU President; Margaret Ostenstad, World WCTU President; Loreta Jent, National WCTU Education Director; Larry Jent, Honorary WCTU Member.
150th Annual National WCTU Convention Held in Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada, August 7-11, 2023. The National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union held its 150th Annual National Convention at the Whitney Peak Hotel in Reno, Nevada. Attending from this area were Loreta and Larry Jent of rural Fort Scott.
WCTU delegates and members took a step back in time during a pre-convention event. They traveled to Virginia City which was a Mining Town in the 1880’s.
The opening ceremony began with all State Presidents, dressed in their white gowns, marching into the convention hall carrying their state flag, which has always been their tradition. It was an honor to have World President Margaret Ostenstad travel from Norway to participate.
The national winners of the kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade and 3rd grade coloring contests were announced, as well as the winners of the national poster and essay contests. Ribbons and prize money was awarded.
On Thursday evening the elected officers were sworn into office and given the “White Ribbon Salute” during a formal banquet.
The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) is a non-partisan, non-denominational, non-profit organization. For 150 years, the united “mother’s love” has educated against the use of alcohol and other drugs. It’s “Do Everything Policy”, allows for national, local and state unions to work on any issue they believe necessary to protect the family. Please visit WCTU.org for more information.
The baseball players, attendees at the weekly Chapel service, all raised their hands.
“Who believes God can do a miracle in your life?”
Same response.
“Who believes God will do one right now?”
The athletes looked at one another, unsure what to do. If they didn’t raise their hands, were they denying the possibility that this speaker had a special connection with God? If they did raise their hands, was the miracle dependent upon their faith being powerful enough to make it happen?
The guest evangelist, sensing their confusion, removed a banana from a plastic bag and asked the crowd, “How many of you believe that God can split the fruit of this banana into thirds without altering the peel in any way?”
The ballplayers were dumbfounded. After all, God could do anything He wanted, so He certainly “could” perform such a miracle. Slowly the men raised their hands.
“Good,” the speaker continued. “I’m going to pray that God does just that. I’m going to ask Him to slice the meat of this banana into thirds without making a mark on the skin. How many of you are confident God will answer my prayer?”
Surely it was a trick. Or was it? No one moved.
The speaker spoke to their doubts. “You probably think I’m messing with you, right? To prove I’m not, I’m going to pass this banana around the room. Check it carefully. See if there are any external marks on its skin.”
Each ballplayer took his time studying the banana. No one could find any puncture or marking. While the players sat on the edge of their seats, the preacher took the banana, raised it high, and prayed for it to be cut into thirds when peeled. As he broke the top portion of the banana’s skin and pulled it back, one piece—approximately a third—fell onto the table. The same scene replayed itself as the skin was peeled further. Three pieces. Just like the miracle worker said.
My son Adam, a player in that room, phoned me from the clubhouse.
“Mom, I just saw a miracle.” Adam proceeded to tell me what had happened. Although somewhat skeptical—only because I wasn’t sure why God cared about a banana dividing itself into thirds—I was thrilled for my normally unexcitable son to be so pumped about what he had witnessed.
A few days later I relayed Adam’s story to my friend. “Patty, that’s an old trick,” she said. “A threaded needle is pushed through the banana by working in a circular motion. With enough punctures, it creates a cut, and the skin heals itself so the pin marks can’t be detected.” I couldn’t believe it. The ballplayers had been deceived. My friend was as bothered by this evangelist’s tactic as was I.
I shared my findings with Adam so he could discuss what had happened with the chapel leader who organized the visiting speakers. I told him what bothered me most was that God doesn’t need any help in the miracle department. Jeremiah 10:12 speaks to His authority: But God made earth by his power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. His abilities are endless. For starters, He produced ten plagues to force Pharoah’s hand, provided manna for millions of Israelites wandering in the desert, saved Daniel and his friends from a fiery furnace, and made Himself man to redeem a lost humanity.
In retrospect, I hope the intention of the pastor was to excite his audience about God’s power and not to draw attention to his own ability to be used by God. I feel bad that he was so desperate to prove God is still in the miracle business. On the other hand, I would like to think my friend was wrong; there was no needle and thread and this man’s prayer was answered.
Unveiling a Bipartisan Breakthrough on NIL Legislation On April 4, 2022, the University of Kansas Jayhawks defeated the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship. An average of 18.1 million people watched the Jayhawks comeback victory, making it the most viewed NCAA championship game in cable television history. This game was broadcast by Turner, which, along with CBS, agreed to an $8.8 billion contract extension with the NCAA to broadcast March Madness on their networks. It is no secret that college athletics have grown into an increasingly profitable, billion-dollar industry. However, the rules surrounding athlete compensation have not been modernized.
On Thursday, I released bipartisan proposal draft legislation that would make certain college athletes can benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness without hurting their eligibility to compete. The College Athletes Protection & Compensation Act would set national standards for name, image, and likeness, while also prioritizing athletes’ health and education. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J) and I released this proposal to empower student athletes while maintaining the integrity of college sports that we all know and love. Athletics teach young men and women many valuable skills that serve them throughout their life, and it’s important to protect their ability to pursue an education while allowing them to capitalize on their name, image and likeness as a college athlete.
Recognizing Senator Bob Dole’s 100th Birthday
One of Kansas’ most beloved sons, Senator Bob Dole, who would have turned 100 on Saturday. The legacy of Senator Dole is one of service, sacrifice and love for country. He dedicated his life to his fellow Kansans and to his country, working to create a more perfect union for all. He was a friend to all and embodied what it means to be a statesman, a public servant and most importantly, a Kansan.
Celebrating Ribbon Cutting of Washburn University Law School Robert J. Dole Hall I was pleased to be in Topeka on Friday to honor the legacy of Bob Dole and to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Washburn University’s new state-of-the-art law school building. The Robert J. Dole Hall is a $33 million-dollar project which includes a courtyard, an advocacy area, law clinic, more than 12,000 feet of classroom space and an 11,000 square foot library. Washburn leadership announced earlier this spring their plans to move the education department to this new building to serve more students as Washburn’s competitive law program continues to grow.
I want to extend my thanks to Washburn University President Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, Dean of Washburn’s School of Law Jeffrey Jackson, and Washington University Alumni Foundation President Marshall Meek for inviting me to join them on Friday and for their efforts to make certain that Senator Dole’s memory lives on at Washburn. Washburn University’s School of Law continues to offer Kansans a premier institution to learn and study law while also developing their network in the state for future employment. I look forward to countless years of Washburn School of Law graduates, now studying in the Robert J. Dole Hall, honing their legal skills and staying in our state to serve their fellow Kansans.
Dwight Lester Driver, age 52, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born October 11, 1970, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Dwight Adams Driver and Karen Marie Sampson Driver.
Dwight worked as a wood cutter and enjoyed doing carpentry work.
Survivors include his mother, Karen Sampson Farmer of Bronson, Kansas and two children, Dwight Justin “D.J.” Conway Driver and Brynn Marie Driver.
He was preceded in death by his father and step-father, Fred Farmer.
There was cremation and no public service is planned. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
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