Thanksgiving cookies will be for sale at the Creative Sugarplum Shop. Submitted photos.
Local crafts people will have a place to sell their wares at a newly created holiday pop-up shop.
The Creative Sugarplums Pop-up Holiday Shop will be open at the former Factory Connections storefront weekends from November 20 to December 26 along with the weekdays the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The store is located on South Main (aka Hwy. 69) next door to Tractor Supply.
“Due to Covid-19 many individuals who create gifts out of their homes are not able to attend their usual events,” owner Emilia Whiteaker said. “This is my way of helping them.”
There will be community vendors and vendors from neighboring towns, she said.
” We have many great vendors, Locust Hill Lamanchas Goat Milk products, Sew Special Creations, Simply Blessed, Tom’s Benches, 2 Southern Ladies, CR Rustic Creations, RustnStuf and more.”
“We will also have Bijou Confectionary from Humboldt and Sweet Designs Cakery from Pittsburg creating sweet treats to go along with our old fashion candy.”
Samples of candy. Submitted photos.
“Customers can also Adopt a Grandparent by purchasing an ornament and we will deliver them to all the residents at Fort Scott residential care facilities,” she said.
Submitted photos.
“Momentum Youth Development Foundation will have a photo where, for a donation, families can take their Christmas photos.”
The family photo area at the Creative Sugarplum Holiday Shop. Submitted photos.
There are also youth crafters involved.
“The youth vendors have handmade soaps, crocheted items and more,” she said.
Submitted photos. A youth vendor booth at the pop-up shop.
“Visitors can also view the Christmas displays featuring vintage toys, ” she said.
Vintage toys will be on display. Submitted photos.
There is still space available for both youth and adult vendors.
Contact Whiteaker through e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Heather Geiger, RN, is a new nurse at Fort Scott Middle School.
She was born and raised in Fort Scott, graduating from FSHS in 2002.
Geiger then received an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Nursing from Fort Scott Community College in May 2008.
She worked at Mercy Hospital for over 10 years, until they closed in 2018.
“I have three children: Caleb, a senior at FSHS; Cody, a freshman at FSHS; and Cooper, in kindergarten. I have been married to my husband, Thaine, since 2003,” Geiger said.
Geiger began a career in nursing because she liked helping people.
“I decided to become a nurse, a couple of years after graduating high school, because the medical field was something that I found very interesting and I knew that I would always enjoy taking care of people, ” she said.
Her duties?
“As a school nurse, I will be helping all of the students with any medical needs and always be available to help them with anything that they might need,” she said.
“This year, we are blessed to have a nurse at each school: Stacy Sauerwein at Winfield Scott, Tausha Platt at Eugene Ware and Missy Reynolds at FSHS,” Geiger said.
Geiger is replacing Erin Beisley, who worked at both the middle school and high school last year.
She started at the middle school last week, but began training for the position a few weeks ago, she said.
“CHC (Community Health Center) employs the nursing staff now, and that is how we have more positions available,” she said.
K.C. Mart, a gas station/convenience store at 2191 Soldier Road, just off Hwy. 69, opened Oct. 23, 2020.
A gas station has reappeared on Soldier Road at HWY. 69, which had been closed for some time.
It is a welcome sign for those who travel to Kansas City because there are very few gas stations right off the highway in this section of Hwy. 69. It is also welcome to the rural residents who live nearby.
Hours of K.C. Mart.
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The K.C. Mart convenience store sells gasoline, meals, cigarettes, beverages, and beer, along with “truck stop, automotive items,” said Harjit Kaur, owner.
The menu on the wall. Offered also is fresh fruit.
She and husband, Biender Singh, live in Olathe and commute daily to the store at 2191 Soldier Road.
The store opened on Oct. 23, 2020, and has five employees, she said.
Customer Brian Wade, who sent the story idea to fortscott.biz said, “I’m excited. Sure will save some miles when you need just lawn mower gas or diesel.” He has even purchased a pizza from the store, that he said was “great!”
Kaur has lived in America for almost 20 years, she said, after coming from India.
Previously, she worked for a transportation company in Kansas City and this is the couple’s first venture into a convenience store business, she said.
“We were trying to pick a business (to purchase), she said. “It was selling for a good price. And it’s a good community around here.”
The City of Uniontown has received SPARK funds to help during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19 with statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund, according to https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/
“The City of Uniontown did receive $39,041 in direct aid for various projects, not economic development, as designated by our application,” City Clerk Sally Johnson said.
There are two projects the city will use the funds for.
They will renovate the entrance to city hall to install a service window/barrier between public and city employees so that in-person transactions can be safely facilitated, Johnson said.
Personal Protection Equipment purchased July through December 2020 will be paid for with the funds as will purchasing hardware/software to effectively conduct virtual meetings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, she said.
The city government will also purchase and install a handwashing station and barriers, to allow for closure of public areas of congregation as needed, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Johnson said.
In addition, the city will purchase hardware/software to automate the city’s library to make it accessible while closed to the public due to COVID-19.
“We are a small library, without much space for social distancing,” Johson said. “Our library patrons come from rural areas and in town. When we are closed due to COVID-19 we would like to be able to offer curbside pickup or delivery in town. We don’t have any way to provide online browsing or check out due to our library currently still using paper cards to check out books, paper library cards, and handwritten inventory. If patrons could access online browsing and check out for our hundreds of books, videos, and books on tape, no one would have to be without entertainment during this pandemic.” 3) Purchase and install a hand washing station and barriers, to allow for closure of public areas of congregation as needed, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The city received the funds on October 13, and it must be expended by December 30, she said.
“We applied for funds in order for the City to better mitigate the spread of COVID-19 for the protection of staff and citizens,” Johnson said. ” We chose projects that we felt would benefit the most citizens and protect our staff at the same time.”
Chris Maycumber. owner of Mayco Ace Hardware, 205 Scott, is the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant to repair his building. The grant was for $225,000, with Maycumber matching with $75,000.
“The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community.
Maycumber’s grant is for rehabilitating his building.
“It’s to fix up the appearance of the building exterior,” he said. “The roof, windows, doors, and anything that will get the building up to city code.”
The CDBG process began in 2018, he said.
“After a few snafu’s and the COVID-19 pandemic, it put us behind,” Maycumber said.
When the state does a CDB Grant, the project is put into a state-wide website, where contractors can bid on the specifications.
Although he can’t determine the contractors for the project, Maycumber said he hopes to use local businesses.
Currently, Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, is providing the building specs, he said.
“The state hasn’t put their money up yet, then we do, then the process to bid begins,” Maycumber said.
Thirty days after the project has let bids, they will know who the contractors are.
“Hopefully, by the end of November,” he said. “Then they will have so many days to finish the project.
The storefront at 203 State, north of the hardware store is the focus of the grant.
The last store in that building was Dollar General Store, who left in 2015, he said.
The 203 and 205 State building is owned by Maycumber with his mother, Joyce Maycumber.
203 State Street is the storefront just north of Mayco Ace Hardware, which is 205 State Street. It is all one building that will receive updates from a new grant that Chris Maycumber received.
CHC’s mobile testing unit can be set up wherever needed. Submitted photo.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will soon have a mobile testing unit available to help during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.
“Community Health Center requested funds to purchase a portable shelter system to accommodate COVID-19 testing,” said CHC CEO Krista Postai. “Once a vaccine is available, mass drive-through immunizations providing shelter for patients and staff in winter and summer weather (will be possible). The structure is portable and can be at the clinic site and/or used for outreach testing/vaccinating across the county. The shelter price included electricity, freight, HVAC unit and covered trailer for storage and transport.”
“As we continue to provide testing – and plans are being made for mass immunizations — winter weather is on the way and the structures will protect patients and staff from the elements,” she said.” Additionally, these units also block the sun’s rays which made our summer testing challenging for staff who endured 100+ temperatures to provide testing services. The shelters are durable and can be used for years to come.”
Krista Postai. Submitted photo.
The shelter has been ordered but not received as of this date, Postai said
CHC plans are to set it up outside the CHC building once it’s received.
The front door of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas at Fort Scott.
St. Mary’s Catholic School has received SPARK funds to provide laptops for students and increased technological capabilities. along with a small transportation bus.
The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, distributing funds provided from the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund, according to its’ website https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/
St. Mary’s students enjoy lunch outside as an aid to social distancing at the school..Submitted photos.
Technology
“We will use the money to buy laptops for our students to use at school and also to be used at home if we were to be shut down again by the state,” Principal Josh Regan said. “We will also be purchasing new laptops for our computers with software upgrades that are capable of bringing remote learners, who have been required to isolate or quarantine, into our classroom via Zoom.”
Josh Regan. Submitted photo.
Cameras and WIFI access
” We have purchased Swivl cameras to make that experience more seamless and interactive for remote learners with SPARK FUNDS as well,” he said. ” We are also updating our WiFi access points throughout our school to accommodate more devices on the system.”
Purchase of small bus
“We were given funds to assist in the purchase of a small bus for the school, based on transportation needs and difficulties especially due to COVID,” Regan said.
Several activities are planned for Veteran’s Day 2020 in Fort Scott.
On Nov. 10 there is a reception for veterans at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, National Ave. at Wall Street in downtown Fort Scott.
A Veteran’s Day Ceremony will be held on Nov. 11 at 11 A.M. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street
A lunch for vets will follow at VFW Post 1165 on National Avenue.
On Nov. 13, free trolley tours will be provided by Fort Scott Tourism, located at the Chamber of Commerce office on Wall Street.
For more information: 620.670.2750.
The Fort Scott Veteran’s Day Parade starts at 3 p.m. on November 14.
Line-up for parade entries will be at 6th Street and Main Street.
The parade route will go north on Main to Wall, then west to National Avenue, and south back to 6th Street.
This event is sponsored by Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
“As a Chamber member, they asked me to be the organizer/coordinator this year,” Diann Tucker said.
“The purpose of the parade is to show our honor and respect to our past and current military and to increase awareness of and the sacrifice for what has been done to maintain the freedom we enjoy each day.”
Virus avoiding steps because of the COVID 19 Pandemic
“We are asking that everyone maintain safe social distancing and wear masks when you cannot,” Tucker said. ” We want to adhere to all CDC and local guidelines. This will be an outdoor event and there should be no problem for family units to socially distance themselves from others. Parade entries will easily be socially distanced from those attending the parade.”
The City of Fort Scott has received SPARK grants to help with COVID-19 expenses.
The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, with funds distributed from the U.S. Federal Government, according to its website https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/.
Previously, $9,975 was received for personal protection equipment (PPE) and cleaning expenses the city incurred since the pandemic began in March 2020, Susan Bancroft, the city’s finance director said.
Susan Bancroft is the City of Fort Scott Finance Director. Submitted photo.
In addition, the city received $142,000 on October 9, 2020 to cover the following categories, according to Bancroft.
PPE-$31,500 and Public Health Expenses-$15,000.
“Public Safety will receive funding to protect essential workers during the pandemic, as well as address disinfecting several community facilities,” Bancroft said. “The City of Fort Scott will be purchasing MSA self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for our firefighters, rechargeable Gen Eon Misters to disinfect public areas, air purifiers for several locations, PPE and additional janitorial services.”
Economic Support $6,500:
“The Coronavirus Pandemic has created a completely different landscape for tourism,” Bancroft said. ” No longer are people interested in going to big cities with crowded venues. Instead, they are looking to visit towns like Fort Scott where they can get away from those crowded areas. Specifically, they are interested in getting outdoors. Fort Scott and Bourbon County are uniquely positioned for this type of activity. We have a plethora of agritourism businesses that people have greatly enjoyed visiting over the years, such as the Lavender Patch, Black Dogs Farm, Gunn Park Trails, T&C Wildlife, Anderson Elk Ranch and more. The funds received for economic support will be used for direct mailings, professional photos, drone video, agritourism postcards and brochures and pay per click advertising.”
Technology costs $89,000:
“Travel has become very limited due to COVID-19,” Bancroft said. “Furthermore, public safety workers need to continue educational training for certification. These technology funds will enable a training area to be created for this purpose. Computers for telework, a projector, tables and chairs and a whiteboard will be purchased to create this learning environment. In addition, in order to reduce the contact when officers are out patrolling, mobile dispatch units, additional computers for telework, and an Ecitation program with printers for records management will be purchased.”
A1 Towing and Moving, Fort Scott, moves shelving into the new grocery store, which will be located in the Old Kress Building, 17 S. Main.
A resource center in the former Kress Building, 17 S. Main is open in downtown Fort Scott.
The center is called the BWERC which stands for Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center.
The first floor is currently being prepared to sell groceries, while the second floor is open for business as a multi-partner center to help with COVID-19 related issues.
Downtown Grocery Store
BAJA Investments LLC, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and a local farm and ranch food cooperative grocery store will be located on the first floor, according to info from Hoener.
BAJA Investments will manage the grocery store that will open sometime in the second half of December 2020, said Bill Michaud, developer for the business. The store is as yet not named, Michaud said on Nov. 3.
The first-floor space will have shelving, coolers and freezers for
local produce and meat.
This will increase access to healthy food, and make more food available for local food assistance programs, Hoener said.
To view a recent story on the grocery store, click below:
Through a multi-partner collaboration of Bourbon County government , Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center www.pittstatesmallbusiness.com, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce http://fortscott.com/, Fort Scott Community College http://www.fortscott.edu/ , Kansas Works http://sekworks.organd BAJA Investments LLC , the hope is to address the urgent COVID-19 related crisis needs in Bourbon County, according to information provided by Jody Hoener, economic director for the county.
The large room of the B WERKS Center on the second floor of the Old Kress Building in downtown Fort Scott.
The building will be used for distance learning and teleworking and also a place for childcare businesses to become legal and thus help in childcare relief during the pandemic, Hoener noted.
A work room in the BWERC Center in the old Kress Building in downtown Fort Scott.
The plan is to give businesses the tools and technical assistance needed for increased online capabilities and the assistance to
obtain the money needed to sustain their business.
There is also unemployment and job-seeking assistance.
Amy Kauffman, career advisor with KansasWorks sits at a desk in the Kress Building on Nov. 3. KansasWorks helps with job search assistance and employment related services.
Instead of the annual Veteran’s Day assembly at Uniontown High School, a parade has been planned in the town on Wednesday, November 11 at 2:30 p.m.
The idea came from a conversation between UHS Principal Mike. Reith and UHS History Teacher Hannah Hays.
“Traditionally we host an assembly, but knew that wasn’t an option this year due to COVID,” said Hays.Teacher. “A parade allows us to still recognize our local vets but in an outdoor venue with plenty of space to spread out.”
“We don’t have a specific theme, just simply gratitude for their service,” Hays said.
In the parade will be decorated trailers and trucks, the UHS band, local law enforcement and horses as well, she said.
It will take place Wednesday, November 11th at 2:30 in the afternoon.
A photo of the parade route is in the flyer that Hays sent and accompanies this feature.
The route will be around the perimeter of the grade school which sits south of the high school on the towns east side.
“We have invited anybody and everybody to participate in the parade,” Hays said. “Just as long as they demonstrate an appreciation for our veteran community.”
Patriotically decorated vehicles, flat bed trailers, bikes or horses are invited. Meet at the football stadium at 2 p.m.
Extra parking is located south of the grade school on First Street and community members may line the walking trail, with social distancing in famiy groups.
“We have also invited both UHS and West Bourbon Elementary School students and staff, as well as community members to attend and watch the parade,” she said.
