Jakeob Stewart, son of Brian and Megan Stewart, is competing for Colby Community College on May 3 at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, in Mill Spring, North Carolina.
He will be showing in the beginner horsemanship division.
Stewart is a 2022 graduate of Uniontown High School.
Fort Scott Scout Troop 114 will be serving pancakes at the Farmers Market at the Pavilion on May 11.
“It costs about $350 per scout to attend summer camp,” according to Mandi Widder, who submitted the information. “We are trying to offset the cost for families this year. We are hoping to take both the girls and boys troops this year. The scouts range from age 11 to age 16.”
Star Wars fans, come to the Fort Scott Public Library on May 3 from 10 to 5:30 or May 4 from 10 to 1:30 to celebrate Star Wars Day.
Dress up as any Star Wars character or wear your favorite fan t-shirt to show your love for the franchise.
Play games, put together a puzzle, watch a movie, take photos in front of our selfie station, try your hand at trivia, create a craft, color pages, check out a book or movie, or enjoy themed refreshments while discussing all things Star Wars with your fellow fans.
This will be a casual, drop-in program, available in the Event Room downstairs. May the Fourth be with you!
Join Miss Val at the library’s first-ever Storytime in the Park events on May 15, with an event at Nelson Park at 9 am and 3rd Street Park at 10 am.
This event is ideal for families who live nearby and do not have transportation to travel to the library.
The program will include stories, snacks, a craft, and a nature walk (weather permitting). Parents must supervise their children at all times.
These events are free and open to the public.
In case of rain, stories, snacks, and crafts will take place under the shelter house and the nature walk scavenger hunt will be sent home with participating families.
The Fort Scott High School Thespians perform their annual Spring Improv Comedy Show at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 27 at the FSHS Auditorium.
The show features improvised comedic scenes acted out on the spot using suggestions from the audience. Admission for the show is a free-will donation at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The Improv Troupe, named Scripted, is directed by FSHS teacher Mark Bergmann and sponsored by Thespian Director Angie Bin. Junior Cooper George serves as this year’s Improv Troupe Captain.
Since the pandemic, many people have been looking at a lifestyle that includes purchasing local products and growing their food, or at the least, knowing nearby local producers.
The fourth annual Shead Farm Homestead Festival event will happen on May 18, southeast of Fort Scott. This educational and family-fun event has attempted to help those people.
Photo opportunities will be available at the festival. Submitted photo.
Homesteading is moving towards food security by means of producing one’s own animals and gardens.
Larry and Vickie Shead and their extended family have provided people with an event where people can gather tips on gardening, homesteading, grafting fruit trees, beekeeping, orchard care, and soap-making, and many others.
Vickie and Larry Shead, 2020, from her Facebook page.
This year over 50 vendors related to homesteading, along with family activities are scheduled.
Besides new vendors and activities, there will be a speakers’ tent where people can listen to a question and answer time on various homestead topics.
“A chapel is provided for those who may need prayer or just want some Biblical insight,” Vickie said.
Over 150 volunteers have been working to create a memorable time, on Saturday, May 18, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 each or $25.00 for a family of five or more.
“There will be good old fashion and exciting, memory-making events that young and old will not want to miss,” Vickie said. “There are plenty of places to sit down and relax for a good visit with old friends and neighbors while watching the exciting activities taking place.”
Historical demonstrations to view: blacksmithing, broom making, butter making, wooden spoon making, leather working, rock wall building, and a weaver who demonstrates on an 1864 old barn wood loom, as well as showing how to spin. There will be a Model T Ford and a Model A Ford for viewing with early 1900s music playing on a Victrola nearby.
Educational vendors will share information on growing microgreens, making butter, washing clothes without electricity, creating with macrame, making goat milk soap, milking a cow, making jams and jellies, and creating pictures with pastels. One can also learn about making pottery, sourdough bread, and how to harvest maple syrup. And many beautiful quilts will be on display, she said.
“Children can enjoy the Children’s Center’s huge tent full of new, fun, educational, and exciting activities,” Vickie said. “The little children can gather bugs in their bag and turn them in for a prize. Face painting and a Story Station give a moment of rest for children. New this year will be a huge sand pile with treasures to find. New, also a Kids’ Corner Store with many farm and educational toys.”
An Animal Arena displays donkeys, goats, dogs, cows, sheep, and a pig. Poultry will be roaming the area with peacocks, chickens, guineas, ducks, turkeys, and quail. Children and adults can learn the techniques of roping along with other fun animal activities, and additionally, there will be kittens, rabbits, and quail.
The Food Court has expanded to include pulled pork sandwiches, as well as the festival’s famous Walking Tacos, she said. Snacks are in abundance with kettle corn and homemade potato chips, cotton candy, and bakery bargains. Snack Shack items are dried candy fruits, and many other snacks.
“A variety of refreshing drinks will be available such as hot and cold coffees, cocoa; lemonade, and homemade refreshing root beer,” she said.
“Hope to see you all for this wonderful family and friend’s event,” she said.
An aerial view of the Shead Farm Homestead Festival. Submitted photo.
April 15, 2024 — The American Legion Boys State of Kansas has announced a partnership with Kansas State University to offer attendees of the leadership program three hours of college credit at a significant discount. This year’s ALBSK will be held Sunday, June 2, through Saturday, June 8, on KSU’s campus in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 32nd consecutive session at KSU and 86th overall.
Kansas State is offering two sections of Introduction to Political Science (POLSC 110) specifically for Kansas Boys State attendees. Attending KBS will fulfill a portion of the course requirements with additional course work assigned by the instructor, Nate Birkhead, Ph.D., associate professor of political science. KBS attendees wishing to take advantage of this course will be enrolled as a KSU student, but they do not have to attend K-State as the credit hours will be transferable. The tuition for the course will be $366 (payable to K-State), a nearly 70 percent savings over the regular three-hour online tuition rate of $1,181.25. KBS attendees should contact their school guidance counselor to enroll in the course.
In addition, Kansas Boys State attendees also have the opportunity to earn two scholarships — the Samsung American Legion Scholarship, worth up to $10,000, and the Boys State of Kansas Director’s Scholarship, worth up to $1,500. For more information on the Samsung Scholarship, visit legion.org/scholarships/samsung; for more information on the KBS Director’s Scholarship, e-mail [email protected] or call (785) 550-6492.
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas program provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government, and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
The ALBSK program is for individuals who will complete their junior or sophomore year of high school in the spring just prior to the start of each session. The cost to attend Kansas Boys State is $375; however, in many instances, sponsors pay the majority of the fees, with the delegate or the family paying $50. Those wishing to attend the 2024 session should visit ksbstate.org to apply. The deadline to apply for the 2024 program is Tuesday, April 30; applications are accepted after that date, but on a space-available basis. Potential sponsors, such as American Legion posts, civic organizations, businesses, clubs and interested individuals should visit ksbstate.org/sponsor-a-delegate. Questions? Contact the ALBSK at [email protected] or (785) 550-6492.
For information about the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State, which will be held Sunday, June 2, through Friday, June 8, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, visit ksgirlsstate.org.
— #KSBoysState —
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.
Cassidy Lutz K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Science Agent Southwind District 211 W. Butler Yates Center, KS 66783 620-625-8620
K-State Research and Extension Southwind District – Family and Consumer Science Agent
Helping Children Self-Regulate
Self-regulation is defined as the ability to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. These skills develop in young children as they interact with their family, caregivers, and environments.
Children who are able to keep themselves calm during a frustrating situation, instead of having a tantrum, are using their self-regulation skills. These skills can be learned throughout the lifespan but can be extra beneficial for young children. By controlling their emotions, children can focus more on achieving their goals while keeping an open mind that stimulates learning.
Brain development plays a big role in self-regulation. Infants rely on the “survival center” near the bottom of the brainstem to maintain things like breathing and digestion. Toddlers and preschoolers start to use their “emotional center” known as the amygdala to communicate and express themselves through feelings. Young children and adolescents begin to use their “thinking center” or the cerebrum to problem solve, think before acting, and organize their behavior. Without the development of self-regulation skills, children will be stuck relying on the survival and emotional centers in their brains. This makes it hard for children to control their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
To develop these skills, the brain needs safe and meaningful interactions with family members, peers, and the world around them. This helps the brain make new connections that help with thought process and learning. To help your child(ren) develop these skills, start by focusing on building a strong connection with them. Respond warmly and consistently to their emotional and physical needs and encourage exploration and learning. Family routines and rituals are also beneficial to foster learning. This can look like family meals together, playtime, or bedtime routines. Focusing on positive rules can also encourage critical thinking. Focus on what things they should do instead of what they shouldn’t.
Practice makes perfect for children and adults alike. If your child has a hard time controlling themselves in certain environments, continue to practice what that should look like and focus on what they are feeling. If you encourage them to share openly some of the things that frustrate them, you will be able to talk through those things and help them overcome them. Practicing through play can be a positive way for your child to practice new skills. Encouraging breathing and mindfulness exercises can also help children calm down and be aware of what they are feeling. These activities help them return control to their “thinking center” of the brain, which will help them make good choices.
Self-regulation is a skill that can be developed with time, help, and support. Therapy, counseling, and parent support groups may be helpful resources for you to seek out as you support your child(ren)’s healthy development. For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.
From left, Luke Moore, Hunter Fortenberry, Steve Fortenberry, and Russell Moore are preparing their trebuchets for the competition on April 6. Submitted photo.
On April 6, those passing by Bethel Community Baptist Church on Hwy. 54 saw a group of men and boys together picking up trash.
“We are Troop KS-7777 of Trail Life USA, a ministry of Bethel Community Baptist Church, and are partnered with the national organization,” Troopmaster Josh Gier said. “Trail Life USA is celebrating its tenth year with over 1,100 troops and 50,000 Trailmen nationwide. “
“Trail Life is an easy-to-manage, Christ-centered, boy-focused outdoor adventure program empowering the church to grow boys to become men of character and conviction,” according to the Trail Life website.
There are 19 boys enrolled in Troop 7777, and nine mentors, “mostly dads, grandpas and uncles,” Gier said.
“Our troop is not limited to church members,” he said. “We are open to all.”
“All boys from kindergarten through high school are welcome to join at any time,” Gier said. “Our enrollment focus will be in August at the beginning of our program year.”
They meet every other Monday of the month.
“If anybody would like more information about Trail Life Troop KS-7777, they may contact me through the Find a Troop link on traillifeusa.com,” he said.
From left Russell Moore, Luke Moore, and Josh Gier as the Moores receive the trophy for building the trebuchet with the farthest launch.Submitted photo.
Gier said a total of 101 blue bags of trash were left to be picked up by the Kansas Department of Transportation, which they had made arrangements with.
After that project, the group had a Trebuchet competition.
A trebuchet, taken from the American Association for the Advancement of Science website.
Trebuchets are used as teaching tools in high schools and colleges to learn about load, force, fulcrums, velocity, gravity, and parabolic arcs. They are also used as recruiting tools to lure students into engineering programs. Designing a trebuchet is an assessment of mechanical design and engineering skills. Testing a trebuchet is not only a learning tool, it is also fun, according to https://www.aaas.org/trebuchets-and-their-modern-use
In Troop 7777, six father/son(s) teams were challenged to build their trebuchet to see who could launch a projectile, a golf ball, the farthest.
The winner of the competition was father Russell Moore, with sons Luke and Ben. They launched a golf ball 152.6 inches.
KRI President of Operations Joe Tinervin, MSW, stands in the intake room’s doorway near the former hospital’s west entrance.
The western part and administration portion of the former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital is in the process of renovation.
Kansas Renewal Institute, located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. is a behavioral healthcare center specializing in treating adults and adolescents. The building has approximately 120,000 square feet.
JG Healthcare Solutions is the parent company that owns K.R.I.
The institute administrators e are Jonathan Gross, Chief Executive Officer; T.J. Denning, Chief Operating Officer, Erik Engebretson, Chief Financial Officer, Joe Tinervin, President of Operations and and Mike Sharpmack, Executive Director.
Kansas Renewal Institute President of Operations Joe Tinervin stands in the southern hall of the former Mercy Hospital.
This group of men has worked together at Universal Health Services, Acadia Healthcare, and most recently Discovery Behavioral Health.
“We worked for years together, but towards the end of our time at Discovery, we said we could do this ourselves, help a lot of people and have fun along the way,” Tinervin said.
“The whole idea is to provide safe, effective care that promotes successful outcomes,” he said. “We hope to have a staff environment where people love to come to work.”
K.R.I. will open with 82 licensed beds across four units. The State of Kansas has told Tinervin that the licensure process will be finished by April 15.
Joe Tinervin shows a patient room that is being made ready for patients.
There is a 50-bed adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility, with two units, one for males, and one for females.
K.R. I. President of Operations Joe TInervin gives a tour on March 26, 2024, of the new facility. This is a portion of the adolescent unit.
These units are located in the former maternity unit and adjacent hall on the north wing of the building.
The former maternity unit will be used for adolescent residential services at K.R.I. Joe Tinervin stands at the door between that unit and the hall. To the left is one of the many contractors working inside the building in anticipation of the April opening of the facility.
In addition, there are 32 beds in two units for adults: one for adult residential services and one for detoxification services.
This is a wing of the adult residential services unit at K.R.I., down the hall to the left is the detox unit. Work is still being done to prepare for the opening of the institute in April 2024.
The detox unit is located in the former intensive care area of the hospital with the adult residential services in the hall just adjacent.
The former Intensive care unit of Mercy Hospital is now the detox unit of Kansas Recovery Institute.A view of the two corridors in the former waiting room of the emergency department at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. in March 2024. The steps in the middle lead down to the cafeteria which will be for residents only, and won’t be open to the community.
“We have thrown a significant amount into the renovation so far,” Tinervin said. “Flooring, paint, equipment, and furniture,” he said.
“It’s all happening right now as we get the units ready to go,” he said.
“The State of Kansas has a significant waitlist,” he said. “We will be servicing residents from all over Kansas, not just southeast Kansas.”
“The state was here last week, and licensure might take until April 15,” he said.
“Our job is to reintegrate people back into their home communities,” he said. “If someone is from another place, they will return.”
“We are not opening with an outpatient level of care…only residential,” Tinervin said. “When and if we build an outpatient level of care, patients from the Fort Scott area will be able to commute for services while those who live outside of the Fort Scott area will be transitioning home and will have the opportunity to participate in KRI Outpatient services remotely through a virtual telehealth platform.”
In the administrative portion of the K.R. I. is this multi-purpose room which is currently being used for training employees and will be used for classrooms for residential adolescents in the future. Pictured is a training session.
K.R.I. will be collaborating with USD 234.
“We are excited about the partnership we are developing with Unified School District 234,” Tinervin said. “As part of this partnership, Unified School District 234 is committed to providing general and special education services to KRI residents within school age. These services will be provided on-site at Kansas Renewal Institute and the programming provided will be individualized according to the educational needs and levels of each student served at the KRI.”
This is the reception desk of the Kansas Recovery Institute at 401 Woodland Hills.
Once licensure arrives, people can make appointments at 620-644-1195 and they will also take walk-ins, Tinervin said.
The KRI Team photo, taken last Thursday at the end of orientation. Back Row from left to right: Joe Tinervin, President of Operations; Christopher Edwards, BHT; Lori Storm, Lead Case Manager; Dylan Pike, Nurse; Mark Steward, BHT Supervisor; Mike Sharpmack, Executive Director; Jay Abbott, Director of Quality Improvement and Risk Management; Jaymie Murphy, Nurse Front Row from left to right: Sheila Guinn-Peters, Admissions; Sheila Nami, Admissions; Pamela Johnson, Nurse; Mary Wilson, CMA; Candice Wyatt, BHT; Jessica Whitley, BHT; Tracy Serna, BHT Lead; JoDanna Simon, DON; Makenzie Brown, BHT; Stefani Brown, Nurse; and Jessica Allison, Clinical Director *acronym key: BHT: Behavioral Health Technician; DON: Director of Nursing; CMT: Certified Medical Technician. Submitted photo.
Also housed at 401-405 Woodland Hills Blvd.: Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Ashley (Medical) Clinic, Care to Share (cancer family support group), I Am Rehab( physical therapy/fitness center), Regional Economic Development Inc., and Diamonds In The Marketplace ( a beauty salon).