A foundation that is located in Leawood, Kansas, has roots in and supports Bourbon County artists.

The Fremar Foundation was established in 2010 by Karen Fremar as a charitable organization and began giving scholarships in 2017.

Fremar’s parents were Fort Scott musicians who had a music studio starting in the 1950s through the 1970s. Fremar began her career as an accordian artist here.

Those students that have received Fremar scholarships, where they are studying and what their degree is:

2017– Mayson Lane, Oberlin College Conservatory/UMKC,
Violin/Music/Health Science

2018 –  Brenna Bower, Pittsburg State University, Trumpet/Political
Science

2019 –Jezeriah Simpson, Baker University,  Art/Computer
Science

2020 – Levi Bin, Pittsburg State University,  Vocal Music/Theater/Automotive Technology

2020 Patrick Schmidt, Wichita State University,  Vocal Music/Music Education

2021 – Noah Martin, Ozark Christian College, Music and Worship

2022 – Laney Covey, Allen Community College,  Digital Media/Visual Illustration and Animation

To learn more about the foundation and the students they have awarded:https://fremarfoundation.org/

The mission of the foundation has evolved, said Fremar, chairwoman and president of the Fremar Foundation. “It is currently to recognize the achievements and enable talented high school students in the Fort Scott area to continue with their artistic studies at the college level.”

“Initially we wanted to bring outstanding accordion artists from all over the world to perform concerts in Kansas City,” she said. But the cost was to high.

So her thinking changed.

“I was thinking that I would rather spend time and raise funds to support and recognize local young artists in all disciplines to help them on their artistic journey,” Fremar said. ” While we champion outstanding accordion art, we are not exclusive and support all musicians and artists.”

Tax advisor, Carol Hill, and financial advisor, Jordan Witt, both of Fort Scott, helped the organization develop a program to present scholarships in the area.

“Jordan was president of the school board at that time, and said that there was really nothing to recognize and financially reward the efforts of these talented young people in the area,” she said.

The critical part of the scholarship program is to recognize the achievements of these young artists in their creative work in high school,  and encourage them to continue their art as they go into college and into life, she said.

“We find it thrilling to follow their careers, see their successes, and know that maybe we had some small part in recognizing and encouraging their talent and achievements,” she said.

“An added benefit is that Mayson Lane has now become a full-fledged member of Vivant! (the group of K.C. area musicians she performs with) and performs with us whenever possible.”

Annual Concert

Each year she spearheads a concert to provide more funds for the scholarships the foundation awards.

She is inviting people from Bourbon County to the concert at the Leawood United Methodist Church (near Ranchmart) at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 28. The free concert will last about one hour and refreshments will follow. It’s at this time the audience can meet the scholarship recipients.

“The concert will be varied and fun… plus, we’ll feature some amazing musicians,” she said. “We would be grateful for donations to our scholarship program.”

“I arranged all the scores we perform together,” she said. “The musicians in Vivant! are top professionals in their field.”

This year’s recipient Laney Covey, Uniontown, will be featured, she said.

“Laney will… provide an art show in the lobby of her works,” she said. “Jezeriah Simpson… at Baker University, now in his fourth year of receiving our scholarships, will be there and be introduced.”

Photos on the foundation website show many recognizable names and faces.

Continue reading Fremar Foundation: Supporting Outstanding Local Artists →

Katie Hueston, Chad Guthrie and Zach Ross became certified in shooting sports at Rock Springs Ranch  in Junction City on  March 25-28.

Hueston with be the Southwind District 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator.

” I will be helping with the logistics of the project, making sure instructors have what they need to be successful, proper paperwork is turned in, and help with planning and organizing of the project and events,” she said.

“You must be an active certified instructor to teach shooting sports in 4-H,” she said. “Chad Guthrie was certified in the shotgun discipline and Zach Ross was certified in bb, air rifle and .22 rifle”.

The sport shooting venues for practice will be at different places.

” This depends on the discipline, BB, air rifle can be done inside with the proper backdrop and targets,” she said. “An .22 rifle and shotgun will be outside at different ranges. Locations are to still be determined on how many kids from what counties sign up.”

The children from 8-years-old on up have until May 1 to sign up for the project.

To compete in a discipline, a bulletin will state what age group are allowed.

“We will be doing a starter/ safety class this summer for the bb, and air rifle,” she said. “And this fall (we will)be ready to go strong with the shotgun discipline, in hopes to have kids ready for competitions.”

“4-H has a strong background to ‘learn by doing’,” she said. “We are giving them the opportunity to learn their first shot fundamentals though competition level skills, all while providing a positive youth development environment.”

Short History of 4-H Shooting Sports

“The Shooting sports is not a new project; it has always been an option to the 4H youth,” she said. “There are many other disciplines such as archery, muzzle loading, western heritage and pistol that we will want to have instructors certified in to grow our youths options as well.”

The COVID-19 Pandemic halted many of the shooting programs.

“With COVID they could no longer meet in person so that specific project was unable to continue,” she said. “Since COVID halted many of the current programs we are starting by evaluating what equipment we have, while kids continue to join until May 1st,” she said.

“We will be looking for sponsors and donors to help with some new equipment and have some fun fundraising ideas planned once meetings begin, to update and upgrade what we do have,” Hueston said. “So far everyone has been super supportive and the previous instructors Joe Foulk and Gary Buntain have been fabulous in helping answer any question and willingness to help continue the project.”