Category Archives: Youth

Business, Youth

Young Entrepreneur: Katy Shead

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This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs.

To recommend a youth under 18 years-of-age for a feature, send contact info to [email protected]

Katy Shead. Submitted photo.

Katy Shead, 16, is providing tutoring services for school children for a business.

She attends a virtual school.

“I provide online tutoring services for people in my online school,” Katy said. “I mainly tutor math but I helped one student with basic Latin last school year.”

Her  academic advisor and  teachers recommend her to families.

“Also, people have made posts requesting tutors on my school’s Facebook page,” she said. “I have also started doing free sessions to advertise.”

Katy started tutoring as a business during the 2021-2022 school year.

“My academic advisor asked me if I would like to tutor a girl in Saxon Math 5/6,” she said.” I had always enjoyed helping my brother, cousins, and classmates with school, and I was excited to try to help this girl.”

She seems to be a natural teacher.

“I enjoyed the creative challenge of finding engaging ways to present the material to her,” she said. “She was very sweet and we had a lot of fun. This past year I got to tutor her again and her sister as well!”

“It’s sometimes difficult to tutor online – especially with a subject where showing work is mandatory,” she. “I use WebEx to video conference with my students and we work on the whiteboard.”

Katy practicing constructions for the Geometry review. Submitted photo.

“I sent a document camera to one of my families with two students so that I could see both their work and their faces at the same time to pinpoint confusion as soon as possible,” she said.

She has tutored 5th and 6th grade, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.

“One of my students in Algebra II lives in Cambodia,” she said. “It was so interesting to hear her stories and perspectives.”

This coming year, she is taking on greater challenges.

“I hope to tutor more upper-level math such as Pre-calculus and Calculus I, as I am going to be taking Calculus II next year,” she said. “I also hope to tutor higher levels of Latin if there is an opportunity.”

A recent geometry final review she held, had 35 students.

 

Katy Shead with her geometry class. Submitted photo.

She is the daughter of Mark and Haley Shead, rural Fort Scott.

 

 

Area News, Youth

American Legion Boys State of Kansas Concludes 2023 Session

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High school students from across the State of Kansas participated in the 85th session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, held June 4-10 at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This was the 31th consecutive year the Kansas Boys State program was held at K-State.

 

The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Kansas Boys State provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. 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.

 

Among the highlights from the week, Samuel Houston, a resident of McPherson, Kan., and a senior-to-be at McPherson High School, was elected Kansas Boys State governor.

 

Adiel Garcia II, a resident of Olathe, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Spring Hill (Kan.) High School, and Creytin Sanner, a resident of Junction City, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Junction City High School, were elected to represent Kansas Boys State at Boys Nation, Friday, July 21 through Saturday, July 29, at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.

 

Kyle Wheatley, Fort Worth, Texas, was named Advisor of the Year. Wheatley, a 2003 KBS delegate and 2004 graduate of Wichita (Kan.) Northwest High School, serves as a KBS associate director and bank advisor.

 

Ethan Doherty, Denver, Colo., who served as a county counselor for Powell County, was named Counselor of the Year (counselors with four or more years’ experience). He was a 2016 KBS delegate and a 2017 graduate of Girard (Kan.) High School. Theo Wagnon, Topeka, Kan., who served as a House of Representatives counselor, was named New Counselor of the Year (counselors with three or fewer years’ experience). He was a 2020 KBS delegate and a 2021 graduate of Seaman High School in Topeka.

 

Josef Kuehnen, Olathe, Kan., a senior-to-be at Olathe South High School, received the William “Bill” F. Stahl Outstanding Justice Award, given to the outstanding member of the Boys State of Kansas Supreme Court as voted on by his Supreme Court peers. The award is presented in recognition of outstanding commitment to justice under the law and dedicated service to Boys State of Kansas. Stahl, of Junction City, Kan., passed away in September 2015 and was a longtime supporter of the ALBSK.

 

Kalo Hineman, Scott City, Kan., a senior-to-be at Scott Community High School, was named the Outstanding Senator (representing Eisenhower County), and Jaxon Blubaugh, Silver Lake, Kan., a senior-to-be at Silver Lake High School, was named the Outstanding State Representative (representing Eisenhower County).

 

Shawn Sullivan, Leavenworth, Kan., a senior-to-be at Leavenworth High School, was named the American Legion Department of Kansas winner of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. As the state winner, Sullivan receives a $1,250 scholarship and his application moves on to the national level where he could receive a $5,000 award as a national runner-up or $10,000 scholarship as a national scholar.

 

The 86th session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas is tentatively scheduled to be held the week of Sunday, June 2, through Saturday, June 8, 2024, again at Kansas State University. For information on becoming a delegate (high school sophomores and juniors in the 2023-24 academic year), nominating a delegate or sponsoring a delegate next year, visit https://ksbstate.org.

 

The following is a list of this year’s ALBSK delegates (listed by zip code/city of residence; all cities in Kansas unless noted). Those delegates denoted with a star (*) were elected by their Kansas Boys State city as its outstanding citizen:

(Name, Year in School for 2023-24 Academic Year, High School; Kansas Boys State position – all cities/high schools in Kansas unless noted)

 

64012 — Belton, Mo.

  • Chase Rothhaas, senior-to-be, The Barstow School, Kansas City, Mo; City of Shelton Councilman

 

64152 — Kansas City, Mo.

  • Boston Orth, junior-to-be, LEAD Innovation Studio; City of Shoemaker Councilman

 

66006 — Baldwin City

  • Grayson Coffield, senior-to-be, Baldwin High School; KBS Media
  • Parker Massey, senior-to-be, Olathe West High School, State Treasurer

 

66007 — Basehor

  • Nishan Thomas, junior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Eisenhower County District Court Official

 

66013 — Bucyrus

  • Luke Torrez, senior-to-be, Spring Hill High School; KBS Media

 

66027 — Fort Leavenworth

  • Levi Hanlen, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Powell County Representative
  • Ethan Herken, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Kennedy County Representative
  • Connor Torres, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Bramlage Councilman

 

66030 — Gardner

  • Braeden Fitzgerald, senior-to-be, Gardner-Edgerton High School; Powell County Commissioner
  • Ashton Lang, junior-to-be, Gardner-Edgerton High School; Department of Education and Culture Official
  • Isaiah Lang, junior-to-be, Gardner-Edgerton High School; Eisenhower County District Court Official

 

66043 — Lansing

  • Caleb Baltazar, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Bramlage Councilman
  • Paul Curtis, senior-to-be, Lansing High School; Seitz County Commissioner and KBS National Guard
  • Jack Corrigan, senior-to-be, Lansing High School; Seitz County Representative

 

66044 / 66047 / 66049 — Lawrence

  • Levi Bates, senior-to-be, Lawrence Free State High School; City of Shelton Councilman
  • Sebastian Borjas, junior-to-be, Bishop Seabury Academy; Seitz County Commissioner and KBS National Guard
  • * Mason Hadl, senior-to-be, Baldwin High School; Seitz County Commissioner

o   Hadl was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Werring

  • Jake King, senior-to-be, Lawrence Free State High School; City of Krupco Councilman
  • James Loyless, senior-to-be, Lawrence Free State High School; City of Gardner Councilman
  • Max Mitchell, senior-to-be, Eudora High School; Seitz County Commissioner
  • Jack Sartorius, senior-to-be, Perry-Lecompton High School; Powell County Representative
  • Brandon Sikes, senior-to-be, Lawrence Free State High School; Department of Human Resources Official
  • * Hayden Slough, senior-to-be, Bishop Seabury Academy; Kennedy County Commissioner

o   Slough was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Shelton

  • Drake Spurlock; senior-to-be; Bishop Seabury Academy; Eisenhower County Commissioner

 

66048— Leavenworth

  • Jaden Daniel, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Seitz County Representative
  • Quintin Hoppe, senior-to-be, Pleasant Ridge High School, Easton; Kennedy County Representative
  • Trey Johnson, junior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Krupco Councilman
  • Grady Mathews, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Gardner Councilman
  • Luke Monroy, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Werring Councilman
  • Shawn Sullivan, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Lieutenant Governor

 

66053 — Louisburg

  • Colton Prettyman, junor-to-be, Louisburg High School; Department of Natural Resources Official

 

66061 — Olathe

  • * Henry Bailey, senior-to-be, Olathe North High School; Eisenhower County Commissioner

o   Bailey was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Klassen

  • Austin Chase, junior-to-be, DeSoto High School; Dole County Representative
  • * Evan Faimon, senior-to-be, Olathe West High School; City of Whorley Councilman

o   Faimon was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Whorley

  • Dylan Harker, senior-to-be, Heritage Christian Academy, Olathe; KBS Highway Patrol Officer
  • Adiel Garcia II, senior-to-be, Spring Hill High School; Attorney General

o   Garcia was elected to represent Kansas Boys State at Boys Nation

  • Joey Geisler, senior-to-be, Blue Valley Southwest High School; Senate Majority Leader and Kennedy County Senator
  • Jackson Gwartney, senior-to-be, Olathe West High School; City of Thomson Councilman
  • Reid Kalkman, senior-to-be, DeSoto High School; City of Shoemaker Councilman
  • Jakob Kuehnen, senior-to-be, Olathe South High School; City of Whorley Councilman
  • Josef Kuehnen, senior-to-be, Olathe South High School; Supreme Court Judge

o   Kuehnen received the William “Bill” F. Stahl Outstanding Justice Award

  • Ricky Nosworthy, senior-to-be, St. James Academy, Lenexa; City of Klassen
  • Isaac Shilling, junior-to-be, Olathe West High School; Department of Education and Culture

 

66067 — Ottawa

  • Aiden Demoret, senior-to-be, Ottawa High School; KBS Highway Patrol Officer

 

66071 — Paola

  • Johnson Martell, senior-to-be, Paola High School; City of Krupco Councilman

 

66080 — Richmond

  • Marcius Englund, senior-to-be, Central Heights High School; City of Raymond Councilman

 

66086 — Tonganoxie

  • Gavin Shupe, senior-to-be, Tonganoxie High School; Powell County Commissioner

 

66109 — Kansas City

  • Thomas Hapke, senior-to-be, Piper High School; Speaker of the House and Kennedy County Representative
  • Grayson Lamb, senior-to-be, Piper High School; Eisenhower County Representative
  • Logun Nigh, senior-to-be, Lawrence Virtual School; Seitz County Representative

 

66202 — Mission

  • Wilson Biles, junior-to-be, Shawnee Mission East High School; Dole County Commissioner

 

66203 — Shawnee

  • Sam Wilson, senior-to-be, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; City of Werring Councilman

 

66205 — Westwood

  • Rocco Marrello, senior-to-be, Bishop Miege High School, Department of Human Resources Official

 

66207 — Prairie Village

  • Julius Lopez, senior-to-be, Bishop Miege High School; Powell County Commissioner

 

66208 — Mission Hills

  • Dean Patterson, junior-to-be, Pembroke Hill School, Kansas City, Mo.; City of Werring Councilman

 

66209 — Leawood

  • Gavin Nelson, junior-to-be, Blue Valley North High School; Dole County Senator
  • Landon Nelson, junior-to-be, Blue Valley North High School; Eisenhower County Representative

 

66211 — Olathe

  • Trenton Rogers, senior-to-be, Olathe West High School, Department of Education and Culture Official

 

66213 / 66214 / 66221 — Overland Park

  • Samuel Olson, senior-to-be, Olathe North High School; Dole County Representative
  • Kevin Colerick, senior-to-be, Blue Valley Northwest High School; City of Whorley Councilman
  • Matthew Newbold, junior-to-be, Pembroke Hill School, Kansas City, Mo.; Dole County Representative
  • Cody Peng, senior-to-be, Blue Valley Northwest High School; Secretary of State
  • Matthew Stevens, senior-to-be, Blue Valley Southwest High School; City of Krupco Councilman

 

66215 / 66220 — Lenexa

  • Logan Grosserode, senior-to-be, Home School; Eisenhower County Representative
  • Hayes Schoenfeldt, senior-to-be, Olathe Northwest High School; City of Thomson Councilman

 

66216 / 66218 / 66226 — Shawnee

  • Garrett Dykes, junior-to-be, DeSoto High School, Seitz County District Court Official
  • Adam Poe, senior-to-be, Rockhurst High School, Kansas City, Mo.; Department of Economy Official
  • Sebastian Smith, senior-to-be, Mill Valley High School; Eisenhower County Commissioner
  • Mason Van Allen, senior-to-be, DeSoto High School, Kennedy County Commissioner

 

66224 — Leawood

  • Jack Graves, senior-to-be, Blue Valley High School; City of Klassen Councilman and KBS National Guard
  • Joshua Murphy, junior-to-be, Blue Valley High School; Department of Economy Official
  • * Chetan Thomas, senior-to-be, The Barstow School, Kansas City, Mo.; KBS Media

o   Thomas was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Krupco

  • Luke Wakeman, junior-to-be, Blue Valley North High School; Seitz County Commissioner

 

66409 — Berryton

  • Grant Bryan, senior-to-be, Bishop Seabury Academy, Lawrence; Department of Economy Official

 

66440 — Hoyt

  • Jackson King, senior-to-be, Royal Valley High School; Powell County District Court Official

 

66441 — Junction City

  • Noah Fields, senior-to-be, St. Xavier Catholic School; City of Whorley Councilman
  • Travis Leasure, senior-to-be, Chapman High School; Seitz County Representative
  • Creytin Sanner, senior-to-be, Junction City High School; House Majority Leader and Powell County Representative

o   Sanner was elected to represent Kansas Boys State at Boys Nation

 

66442 — Fort Riley

  • Joseph Knell, senior-to-be, Junction City High School; Supreme Court Judge

 

…

Bourbon County, Youth

Young Entrepreneurs Series Spawns An Anonymous Benefactor

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Judah Whitson at the cash register at Fort Scott Farmers Market.
Judah Whitson mans the cash register at his family’s booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market. He makes and sells mini-donuts at five-years-old, with help from his family.

A subscriber who has been reading the Young Entrepreneur Series on fortscott.biz was touched and wanted to support each business with a $50 grant.

The benefactor wishes to remain anonymous.

This is what he wrote:

“I always stop at the local kids’ lemonade stands. When I was growing up in Fort Scott, I remember the postman buying a cup of lemonade from me. For some reason that stayed with me.

“Selling Grit Magazine door to door, making birdhouses and selling them door to door, having a Tribune newspaper route back when you paid for your batch of papers up front, delivered them, and then collected monthly. If anyone stiffed you, you were out the dough. All of those things were great life lessons for me growing up in Fort Scott. That’s why I really like your program of highlighting young entrepreneurs”

If your child has been highlighted in our Young Entrepreneur Series, please contact [email protected] for the grant money.

The Young Entrepreneur Series is featuring youth under 18 years old who have a business in product or services.

To recommend a young entrepreneur in our community, please send contact info, email or phone number to [email protected]

 

Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott, Youth

Construction of Downtown Splash Pad Is Moving Forward

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Submitted photo of work on the splash pad.

The splash pad project is moving ahead with plans for a summer opening, according to Bailey Lyons, one of the committee members spearheading the project.

The project is located on North National Avenue, across from Brick Street BBQ Restaurant on Skubitz Plaza.

“You may have noticed there has been a lot of recent action at the site of the Splashpad and Sensory Park,” according to a press release from Lyons. “With Playscapes Recreation leading the charge, and the Splashpad and Sensory Park committee heavily involved, much progress has been made in the last few weeks.”
Looking west towards National Avenue, one can see the recent work at the splash pad site. Submitted photo.
The Splashpad and Sensory Park Committee is comprised of Kelly Barr, Katie Hueston, Josh Jones, Lyons, and Meredith Tucker.
They have been actively working on this project for the past year, and have raised over $300,000 in funds and in-kind donations.
From the Fort Scott Splash Pad and Sensory Park Facebook page.

The committee’s mission is to build the first all-inclusive, fully accessible park in Fort Scott, according to the press release.

The full press release is as follows:

“This sensory playground and splash pad will offer children and their families a fun, safe, barrier-free space to play, laugh, interact, and feel like they belong – regardless of their abilities. This project is about community, education, engagement, advocacy, and inclusion.”

“This playground has been intentionally designed with sensory stimulation in mind to maximize play and support the development of all children. The park will include a variety of equipment and activities made to engage as many senses as possible, and appeal to a broad range of ages and ability levels.”

“While the Splashpad and Sensory Park will provide a new, unique, and fun option for able-bodied children to play, it will be the first and only option for many kids in our community who have disabilities and cannot enjoy our other parks. These special kids and their families will no longer be left out or displaced when it comes to enjoying recreational amenities, something that many take for granted.”

The committee has plans to open the splash pad this summer and “is almost to the finish line….through grants, monetary donations and in-kind donations,” according to the press release. “As work quickly progresses towards a grand opening (date to be announced), there are notable changes occuring at the site regularly.”

Here is a list of what has been done:
  •  the pad has been leveled and brought up to grade,
  • elevations have been set,
  • water and electric have been laid to the site,
  • drain lines have been laid,
  • feature footings have been set,
  • piping from the features has been laid,
  • and the vault has been set to house the manifold which will soon be placed.
“Once all of this is wrapped up, concrete will be poured, and the features will be installed after the pads have cured. The committee is still actively working to complete the park with the final piece – an ADA accessible restroom – which they hope will be added in the very near future.”
A portion of the concrete for the splash pad is being poured today, June 27. Submitted photo.
The committee is planning two work days and is  inviting the public to help on-site with the project
In the coming weeks, clean up and landscaping will take place on  Sunday July 9, and/or Saturday July 15.
Those who would like to help, please contact Lyons at (620)224-7795 so that jobs and tools/materials can be coordinated for the work.
Robert Coon, A-1 Towing, donated his company’s personnel and truck to put a concrete vault in place on June 22 for the upcoming splash pad project. The concrete will house the plumbing for the splash pad. Submitted photo.
“The Splashpad and Sensory Park Committee would like to sincerely thank all of the generous donors who have contributed thus far, both monetary and in-kind donations,” according to the press release. “Donors who have given $500 and above are listed below, and will be featured on permanent signage at the park:
FOUNDERS
Timken Foundation of Canton
Walmart
BENEFACTORS ($10,000+)
Contributors to YAT/Parks Advisory Board
Alta Davis
Evergy
No Limits Rehabilitation/Brad & Meredith Tucker
City of Fort Scott
ADVOCATES ($5,000-9,999)
Advanced Bourbon County
Aetna – Better Health of Kansas
Bourbon County REDI
Bourbon County, KS
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
Forrest & Julia Sewell
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team
Key Charitable Trust
Lyons Realty Group
Niece Products of Kansas
Steven & Jessica Tucker
SPONSORS ($2,500-4,999)
Bloomfield Foundation In Memory of Tim Bloomfield & His Grandaughter Olivia Bloomfield
Hammerson Ready Mix
Jayhawk Wind
In Honor & Memory of Lillian Rose Kraft
Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial
O’Brien Ready Mix
Joshua & Terra Tecchio-Baseley
Sheridan Nash
Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation
DONORS ($1,000-2,499)
A1 Towing & Recovery
Advantage Metals Recycling
Big Sugar Lumber
Bourbon County Cars
Bourbon County Garden Club
Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel
DelBrenna Jewelry by Megan Neil & Sebastian Ghezzi
Dreamscape Innovations, Inc.
Fort Scott Recreation Department
Highway 3
In Loving Memory of Marsha Lancaster, Longtime Owner of Marsha’s Deli
In Memory of Angelo-Sondra Dellantonia
Janet Braun
Jeff Allen Electric
Landmark National Bank
Lee Sewell-Painter
Legacy Health
Mid-Continental Restoration
Mitch Welch
Pearson Towing
Pete’s of Erie, Inc.
RII Concrete Construction
Sleep Inn
Sonic
Thomas Concrete & Construction
Valu Merchandisers Co.
W/K Holdings
FRIENDS ($500-999)
Bowman’s NuGrille
Budgetel Inn & Suites – Aaradhya Piyush Mistry
Clifton Chiropractic
Davis & Associates Tax + Consulting
FSHS FFA & Construction Trades
Greyhound Football Legacy Center
The Gugnani Family
The Horton House
John Crain – In Memory of Don & Connie Crain
JW & Diana Endicott
Konantz – Cheney Funeral Home
Labconco
Liberty Savings Association, FSA
Lyons & Lyons
The Meeks Family
Scott and Melissa Meyers
Museum of Creativity
{Re:freshed} Spa
The Reynolds Law Firm
Riggs Chiropractic of Fort Scott
Stewart Realty
Union State Bank

The donors listed above have contributed $500+, according to Lyons. “In addition to these, there have been numerous donors below the $500 level, and their generosity and support is also much appreciated!”

 

An artist’s rendition of the splash pad from the Fort Scott Splash Pad and Sensory Facebook page.

The City of Fort Scott is supplying the water to the splash pad.

“The city’s part is to get the splash pad the water supply,” Fort Scott’s Water Distribution Supervisor Bill Lemke said.

Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Young Entrepreneur: Rinley Holly

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This is part of a series highlighting young entrepreneurs in our community.

If you would like to nominate a young entrepreneur, please submit their contact info to [email protected].

Rinley Holly sells to a customer, while her brother Stetson looks on.

Rinley Holly, rural Fort Scott,  is five years old and likes to bake.

Katie, her mom, said she would bake everyday if she could.

Her parents, Katie and Ethan, own Still Waters Farm and sell beef and pork at the farmers market on Saturdays. She is with her family on Saturday mornings, along with her brother, Stetson, 3.

“Last year, she kept asking me to let her sell cookies,” Katie said.

So, Rinley baked and sold her product once last year at her family’s booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market.

This year when Katie heard that other entrepreneurs were going to be selling products at the farmers market on June 3, “We asked her if she wanted to make some cookies.”

She did, and she has a helper.

“Stetson likes to taste test for her,” Katie said.

Rinley tells the process of making her cookies:

“You make dough, roll it in a ball, and flatten them with a cup, then put them in the oven on a rack,” she said. “Snickerdoodles are my favorite.” She also makes chocolate chip cookies.

Rinley likes to bake, “Cause it’s fun,” she said.

She is planning on attending the Acton Children’s Business Fair, later this year, her mother said, to learn more about the business side.

“Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace,” according to https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/fortscott-ks

“We will host children’s business booths at the 2nd annual event that will be held at the Farmer’s Market located at Skubitz Plaza near the Historic Fort on September 30th, 2023 from 8 a.m. to noon.”

The Fort Scott Farmers Market is at Skubitz Plaza, directly in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.

Fort Scott, Youth

Storyteller Jo Ho to Perform for Summer Reading on June 27

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Storyteller Jo Ho will return to Fort Scott on June 27 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Hall.

Enjoy the interactive genius of her customized summer reading storytelling presentation called “I Scream for Ice Cream!” After the performance, come to the library for ice cream in the event room.

 

Library performances are free and open to the public. This event is part of the library’s summer reading program. Learn more about and register for the program at: https://forms.gle/suanVpb2pYH3PwyX8

 

This performance is made possible by a partnership with USD 234.

Church news, Fort Scott, Youth

VBS at Nazarene Church is June 26-29

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Fort Scott Nazarene Church…

MSTELLAR: Shine Jesus’ Light!

Join us for a “Stellar” week at Fort Scott Nazarene. Blast off is in just a few days!

All kids age 4 through 5th grade are invited to attend.

 Kids may be registered online at the link below.

https://fortscottnazarene.churchcenter.com/…/1693863
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott, Pool, Youth

Change For Fort Scott Aquatic Center on July 1

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Swimming lessons at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center  July 2018.

Currently the Fort Scott Aquatic Center has a family swim time designated Monday through Friday for 5:30-6:15 p.m. but that is changing.

“We have noticed a rise in families coming to take advantage of that time and are very pleased to see this,” said Kathi Hall the pool manger.

“Effective July 1, 2023, we are changing the time span of family swim to be 5:30 to 7 p.m. ,” she said.  “The change just affects the unsupervised patrons who are 17 and under. These patrons can go ahead and exit the facility for the day.”

The pool hours are Monday through Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m., Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. On Monday through Friday the change is the family swim will be  from 5:30 to 7 p.m. starting July 1.

Pool parties are from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. when scheduled. Cost is $150 per hour.

Pool rates are:

2 years and younger are free.

3-14 years: $2

15 to 62 years: $3

63+years: $2

A single season pool pass is $65, a family of four season pass is $200 and a $25 per person fee for over four family members. Members must reside in the same household.

Children 10 years old and younger must be supervised by someone 14 years and older, at all times..

Assistant pool managers are Brayden Moore, Kayla Hall, Billie Jo Shoemaker, and Dakota Hall.

Fort Scott, Youth

Alan Cunningham to Perform for Summer Reading on June 20

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Alan Cunningham to Perform for Summer Reading on June 20

 

Musician Alan Cunningham is a long-time favorite performer for the Fort Scott Public

Library’s summer reading program. He will perform on June 20 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Hall.

Alan is an educator who writes and performs his original music with the help of young volunteers from his audience. Learn more about Alan’s work at his website:

https://alancunninghamkidsongs.com

 

Library performances are free and open to the public. This event is part of the library’s summer reading program. Learn more about and register for the program at:

https://forms.gle/suanVpb2pYH3PwyX8

This performance is made possible by partnerships with Mound City Public Library and USD 234.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Youth

Young Enterpreneurs: The Whitson Brothers

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A Farmers Market customer gets help from from left: Malachi, Asher, Maria and Judah Whitson.

This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.

To recommend a young entrepreneur, send contact information to [email protected]

The Whitson brothers, sons of Maria and Clayton Whitson, are entrepreneurs. The family lives on a farm in rural Garland.

Malachi, age 10, Asher, age 7 and Judah, age 5, all create items to sell, but each has a different product.

The boys, along with their parents, had a booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3.

“The boys had… sold at my parents festival  (Shead Family Festival, an annual event) the year before but they really enjoyed the opportunity to sell with other kids and actually learn a little more about how businesses work,” said Maria.

The Whitsons launched a family business called The Journey Home which is an umbrella for their whole family’s creations, including their three young sons, according to their mother, Maria. They have two younger daughters.

Book publishing, art, jewelry, cast iron accessories, homeschooling, foraging, homesteading, disaster prep, herbal remedies, are some of the interests of the family business.

Malachi and Asher went to the Acton Children’s Business Fair in April 2022 and developed a business plan and selected a name for their respective businesses.

Malachi Whitson sells his jewelry at the June 3 Fort Scott Farmers Market with his other brothers.

Malachi, owner of Made by Malachi, creates jewelry.

“I can sell personalized bacelets, keychains, but mostly make earrings,” he said. “I like creating. I think up ideas then try them out. If they don’t work out, it’s fine, I can use my mistakes to create something else. ”

Business has been good, he said. He has been selling his jewelry at markets, fairs, festivals and at Root Coffee Shop in Pittsburg.

“I started selling three years ago at the Shead Farm Festival, and now sell at different events, he said. ” Larry and Vickie Shead, who open their farm annually in May to visitors, are the brothers’ grandparents.

Asher Whitson shows his framed art for sale at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3.

Asher is an artist.

“I started my business when I was five,” he said. “I get ideas on Facebook, and use an Apple Pencil I Pad (to create on).”

“Mom asked me if I wanted to do a business and I just started drawing,” Asher said.

He also has sold his artwork at the Shead Farm Festival, the Acton Business Fair, Fort Scott Farmers Market and Root Coffee Shop.

He likes what he’s doing.

“It’s easy and fun to draw and I get money,” he said.

Judah Whitson gets help with selling his mini-donut product at the Farmers Market from his mother, Maria Whitson.

Judah received a mini-donut maker for Christmas.

His first selling of his product was at his grandparents Shead Farm Festival last month

At the June 3, 2023 Fort Scott Farmers Market, he was manning his family’s booth at the cash register, with help, and was all smiles.

 

Judah Whitson at the cash register at Fort Scott Farmers Market.
Judah Whitson mans the cash register at his family’s booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market.

Second Children’s Business Workshop Coming In September

The  boys attended the children’s business workshop in April 2022.

Dacia Clark, with the Small Business Development Center, taught the children about developing a business plan, and other marketing basics, Rachel Carpenter with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team said. The SBDC is housed in the HBCAT office at 104 N. National Avenue.

“Acton Children’s Business Fair provided the curriculum, and HBCAT helped coordinate the efforts,” Carpenter said.

Acton Children’s Business Fair is a culmination of ideas and hard work from great young minds. Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at a one-day marketplace, according to its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/childrensbusinessfairfortscottks?mibextid=LQQJ4d
The kids will have 3-4 meetings discussing the above ideas, culminating in a business fair. In 2022, the group of children totaled  13, and the hope is that will grown for the fall 2023 workshop, according to the Facebook page.
For registration for the fair which is scheduled for September 30 from 8 a.m. to noon: https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/fortscott-ks
The logo of Acton Children’s Business Fair from its website.
Bourbon County, Business, Youth

Young Entrepreneur Series: Chloe Couchman

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This is part of a series on young entrepreneurs in this community.

To nominate a young entrepreneur, send contact information to [email protected]

Chloe Couchman sells homemade potholders and cookies at her booth at the June 3 Fort Scott Farmers Market.

Chloe Couchman, 9, from Bronson, started her business after her grandma, Diana Cooper,  visited her some months back, she said.

“She gave me a pot holder kit and taught me how to do it,” Chloe said.

Since then Chloe has been selling her product by word of mouth.

“She has been at Bronson Ruritan,” said her mother Melanie Couchman. “She and her brother goes with her dad (Tony Couchman) and I to the Ruritan Club. She passed out some free ones and let them know she was selling them.”

“She also let her Grandpa Couchman and her bus driver know,” Melanie said.

Chloe said she likes the creative side of “making her own patterns” of potholders.

In addition, her business booth contains chocolate no-bake cookies to sell, made by Chloe.

“They are my favorite kind,” she said.

Chloe said she had a good day at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3, selling 10 potholders and 11 bags of cookies. Her Mom is pondering a booth herself to sell her baked goods that she creates, and if that happens, Chloe will be selling more of her creations there as well.

It is $5 to set up a booth at Fort Scott Farmers Market, which meets every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. at Skutbitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

For more information on the market:

https://www.facebook.com/fsfma

 

 

Exercise, Fort Scott, Youth

Lucas Kelley: New Buck Run Recreation Director as of July 1

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Lucas Kelley is the new Buck Run Community Center Recreation Director. Submitted photo.

Lucas Kelley will assume the position of recreation director at Buck Run Community Center on July 1, with the retirement of Tom Robertson. Robertson served for 23 years in the position.

Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.

“He has been here since May 1, and will take over on July 1,” Robertson said.

“I feel so fortunate,” Kelley said. “Tom has done wonders with the rec. department, he has made it (the transition) easy on me.”

Kelley, 24, graduated from Houston, MO. high school and attended Fort Scott Community College on a basketball scholarship, where he earned an associate of science degree. He then went to Pittsburg State University where he earned a bachelors degree in exercise science in December 2021.

“All through high school I worked at the rec. department, then at FSCC I was assistant coach for one year and also refereed for some of the rec. programs here,” Kelley said. “I then moved to northwest Arkansas and worked in cardiac rehabilitation for a year, before moving to Fort Scott to take this job.”

He is married to Makayla Kelley.

For Kelley, the best part of this new job is “service, and getting to help people and get them involved through recreations.”

Kelley is working on making sign-up for leagues and payment of fees online, “So they won’t have to come to the building every time they want to sign up for something,” he said. “I’m in the process upgrading the system we have now.”

His community involvement so far has been with the Healthy Bourbon County’s Local Health Equity Team and also enjoys Bingo Nights at Memorial Hall to help support Veterans, he said.