Tag Archives: featured

Exercise, Fort Scott, Sports

Buck Run Open As of Today

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Even though Buck Run Community Center is open again today with some limitations because of Covid 19 restrictions, there are other walking, running, playing, and fishing opportunities in Fort Scott.

Here is the framework of what has taken place the last few months at Buck Run Community Center, according to Tom Robertson, manager.

“May 18th – BRCC Fitness and Racquetball opened by appointment only, (Limited to 10 in each room)
May 22nd – Opened BRCC lobby to take FSRC Summer Programs registrations. (no appointments needed for fitness and/or racquetball but still limited to 10)
June 22nd – Completely opened BRCC and begin Youth Baseball/Softball Leagues
June 24th – Closed BRCC & cancelled FSRC programs and leagues for 1 week
July 1st – Reopened BRCC but limited to 45 and under in building with social distancing. Canceled FSRC summer camps and programs with the exception of youth and adult baseball/softball leagues that has been postponed until July 9th. Orders will be evaluated around July 6th or 7th.”

 

“The fitness room and two gymnasiums are open for usage,” said Tom Robertson,  manager.  “We are not allowing rentals until the restrictions are lifted to avoid going over the 45+(people allowed in the building) restrictions.

“We opened today with a restriction of 45 (people) and under including staff at any given time while practicing social distancing,” Robertson said.

“Youth baseball/softball is on hold right now with the 45 and under restriction. We will try to resume games if and when the restrictions are lifted.”

“The decision to postpone games was made by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission Board based on the orders by our Bourbon County Health Department,” he said.

The meeting was held on Monday of this week.

“Buck Run Community Center will practice social distancing at all times,” Robertson said.  “Once the governor presents guidelines on mask-wearing, signs and direction will be given to BRCC users as they enter the building.”

Buck Run Community Center is located at 735 State.

For questions or concerns, email Tom Robertson @ [email protected] or by calling 620-223-0386/ 620-224-7707.

 

There are other options for exercise in the city.

The following is edited information from the Buck Run Community Center website:

http://buckruncommunitycenter.org/

 

 

 

 Golf Course Information/Events

Rate Type Mon – Thurs Fri – Sun Annually
9 Holes Golf $11 $13
18 Holes Golf $13 $15
9 Holes + Cart $14 $14
18 Holes + Cart $24 $24
9 Hole Trail Fees $5 $5
18 Hole Trail Fees $10 $10
Single Membership $440
Youth Membership $100
Family Membership (Family of 4) $25. for each additional. $595
Trail Fees $150
Cart Shed Rental – Includes trail Fee

Annual Cart Pass – Unlimited use of Woodland Hills Carts

 $350

$425
To host a tournament call 620-223-5060

 

 

Gunn Park

Located at Park Avenue 2

Lakes, Fishing, Shelter Houses, Tent & RV Camping, Bathrooms, Picnic Tables, Disc Golf and Playground Area. For Rental Information Contact City Hall at 620-223– 0550.

 

Lake Fort Scott

Located at Rt. 5 South of Fort Scott

Boating, Fishing, Swimming, Shelter Houses, Picnic Tables. For Information contact City Hall at 620-223-0550.

 

Bridal Veil Park

Located at West 2nd Street

Shelter House, Picnic Tables, Soccer Field, and Playground Area.

 

 

Lincoln School Walking Trail

Located at West 18th Street

Walking, Running, Fishing, Picnic Tables.

 

 

 

Betty Ruth Willard Fields/Ty Cullor Field

Located at 2108 Horton

Bathrooms, Picnic Tables and Playground Area.

 

 

 

Ellis Park

Located at 12th & Williams

Sand Volleyball, Basketball Court, Walking Trail, Shelter House, Picnic Tables and Bathrooms.

 

3rd Street Park

Located at 3rd & Hill

Shelter House, Bathrooms, Picnic Tables, Outdoor Basketball Court and Playground Area.

 

Nelson Park

Located at the corner of Grant & Elm Street
Playground Area and Walking Trail.

 

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James B. Tedesco Memorial Skate Park

Located at 4th & Scott Street Skate Park

 

The park is a public use, and is well suited for use by skateboarders, roller blades, scooters and more. Helmets are not required but suggested and benches and trashcans are provided for anyone who would like to enjoy watching the skaters perform.

 

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Entertainment

Uniontown Independence Day Bash Canceled Due to COVID 19

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Fireworks burst over the Union State Bank during the 2018 Independence Day celebration.

A recent spike in COVID 19 cases in Bourbon County and across the nation is causing the Independence Day Bash in Uniontown City Park to be canceled for safety purposes.

“I spoke with the county health officer and she said that it would be limited to 45 people (according to the Governor’s recommendations), which is impossible, so we thought it best to postpone it to a later date,” Bryan Holt, president of Union State Bank. The bank sponsors the annual event.

 

“Due to Bourbon County limiting public gatherings to 45 or fewer people, we are going to postpone the Independence Day Bash,” Holt said.

“While we are disappointed that we are unable to host when we normally do,”  he said. “We are willing to make this sacrifice in the spirit of prudence. We are tentatively planning to reschedule it to the weekend of Labor Day. Until then, our best wishes to all for a safe and happy Independence Day celebration!”

 

“For anyone who ordered a shirt to support the Uniontown City Park improvements, they will be available for pickup at the selected location, the bank in Uniontown or Fort Scott, on or after July 1st at the selected time of order,” Holt said.

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

New Community Development Manager: Allyson Turvey

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Allyson Turvey. Submitted photo.

Allyson Turvey, 30,  is the new Fort Scott Community Development Manager, as of May 26, 2020.

Her office is in city hall, phone number 620-223-0550.

She was already performing duties as the Fort Scott Tourism Manager, and when Robert Uhler resigned as Community Development Manager at the end of May, Turvey was given then the additional role.

” My duties will be pretty widespread now that I’ve taken on community development as an additional role,” Turvey said.

“I will be responsible for working with the (Fort Scott)Tourism Advisory Board, Design Review Board, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board. I am also now a member of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team. I’m now responsible for the LaRoche Complex and Memorial Hall. This includes oversight of each facility, assisting in booking of events, and continuing to market LaRoche (baseball stadium).”

“From a tourism standpoint, I will continue to market Fort Scott as a destination,” she said.  “As well as continuing to attend trade shows in an effort to bring group tours, conventions, and meetings to our community. This doesn’t cover all of my duties, but the ultimate goals of the department are to bring more tourists to town in an effort to create an economic impact, and increase Tourism Guest Tax revenues.”

“From a Community Development standpoint, I will work to create a better community for our residents, which will ideally entice new residents along the way,” she said.  “This is achieved through widespread collaboration, and continued research for funding opportunities.”

“While I have a wide array of open projects, my major project currently is the Smart Growth America planning and implementation,” Turvey said. “The Smart Growth team visited Fort Scott for a community workshop in February, and recently provided a next steps memo including short, and long term goals and action steps to create progress within our community.”

“Both positions require me to represent the city on a local, regional, statewide, and federal level in an effort to better collaborate, and ideally increase funding opportunities for our community, ” she said.

Turvey has been with the city for just over three years, she said.

 

” I started as an administrative assistant, where I worked between Fort ScottTourism, Community Development, and Economic Development,” Turvey said.  “Last August I was promoted to tourism manager, and have continued to be heavily involved with other city departments, and projects.”

 

“I have also spent the last year representing the city on a local, regional, statewide, and federal level from both a tourism and community standpoint,” she said. “I’ve been working on alongside the community and economic development departments to meet Smart Growth objectives.

 

Turvey is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, but has been living in Kansas for nearly eight years.

 

Her community involvement includes being the current president of the Young Professionals League and was invited to join PEO just before the start of the pandemic.

 

“I hope to be initiated as a member once meeting activities resume,” she said.

 

Allyson Turvey can be reached at  620-238-4919 or

www.visitfortscott.com

Entertainment, Fort Scott

38th Burke Street Parade July 4: On Schedule

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Burke Street residents offer food following the parade in 2019.
The community is invited to a neighborhood parade to celebrate America’s Independence Day.
At 10 a.m. on July 4, 2020, Burke Street residents will begin to line up at 10th and Burke Street.
“It’s for everyone,” Barbara Albright, who is charge of information distribution, said.
Severe storms or lightning cancels the parade…but we have conquered the rain,” Albright said.
“This year patriotic masks can be worn, (optional),” she said.  “Depending on COVID 19 (the disease of the pandemic), it might be a small parade or biggest ever.”
“Please no big vehicles and watch for the children, who are all over the place,” Albright said.
Parade entrants are asked to dress in patriotic attire.
Bring lawn chairs to sit along the street and cheer the parade, she said.

Patriotic songs will be lead by Phil Hammon, with help from others.

Burke Street Parade. Susan Foster and grandson, Jack Foster. Foster is the person with the original idea of a neighborhood street parade in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
The parade starts at the corner of  10th and Burke Street, goes south to Marblecrest and back north to the starting point, Albright said.
“The parade goes south on Burke Street to the Marblecrest Triangl,” she said.
Traffic control will be organized by Burke Street resident Frank Halsey.
For more information contact Margaret Humphrey at 223-0388, Theresa Bahr at 223-1582 or Albright at 224-7762.
Steven Anthony in the Burke Street Parade. Submitted photo.
The Burke Street Parade is provided by Albright.
“About 40 years ago Susan Stapleton Foster was visiting her brother Dr. Burder Stapleton’s family in Memphis, TN over the Fourth of July,” she said.   “She was fascinated with several neighborhood Independence Day parades on her visit, particularly the veterans who proudly marched in the parades.  Upon return to Fort Scott, she shared the idea with neighbors Margaret Humphrey and Jill Gorman.  The rest is history. ”

Burke Street Parade. Margaret and Merl Humphrey and granddaughter, Meg Norman. Submitted photo.
Business, Fort Scott

Restoration of LaRoche Buildings Continues

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The LaRoche renovation of the buildings at the corner of Wall and National Avenue is transforming the street.

Workers are transforming a corner intersection in historic downtown Fort Scott.

Mid-Continental Restoration Co. Inc. has done tuckpointing, exterior roof replacement, and stabilization of the walls among other projects in the restoration of the buildings that face both Wall Street and National Avenue.

The building space housing the Common Ground Coffee Co. on east Wall Street was started in November 2018 and completed just before the COVID 19 Pandemic started in the U.S. in March 2020.

To view the prior fortscott.biz story  on Common Ground click below:

https://fortscott.biz/news/laroche-buildings-restoration-begins

 

Kenny Felt Photography moved into space just west of the coffee shop in April 2020.

To view the prior fortscott.biz story on Kenny Felt Photography’s move to the building, click below:

https://fortscott.biz/?s=kenny+felt

Workman are continuing the restoration project at the corner building at Wall and National Avenue.

Looking south on the National Avenue side of the LaRoche Building that is being renovated in downtown Fort Scott.

“We’ve got interior floors to finish, cleaning the interior walls and sealing them and installing the cornice around the top of the building,” Chase Halsey, MCR Project Manager said.

“We are not on-site anymore, on hold until materials arrive, probably August,” Halsey said.

Beau Casper Enterprises has workers on the site.

Josh Morlan works on the trim of the new windows of the LarRoche Building on National Avenue.

Josh Morlan, Trading Post, KS, was trimming out the new windows on National Avenue on June 22, he said.

The interior of the LaRoche Building has storefronts on both the Wall Street side and the National Avenue side. There is still much work to do on the interior.

For Halsey and MCR, the business has been booming in the pandemic.

“We haven’t slowed down,” he said. “We are using PPE (personal protection), we have a handwashing station,,. we provide bleach water to all the crews.”

“Everything we had on the books (jobs) to do, they said “Can you be here sooner”, Halsey said.

 

Business, Fort Scott

Dollar Tree Scheduled To Open in Fort Scott in October 2020

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The Dollar Tree on South Main (69 Hwy) on June 22. Construction was slowed a little because of the wet spring, according to Kevin Allen, a contractor on the build.

A new discount variety store is coming to Fort Scott, according to a press release from Dollar Tree Inc.

“Dollar Tree continues to grow and we are proud to be part of the Fort Scott community,” stated Kayleigh M. Painter, Dollar Tree’s Investor and Media Relations Manager.

 

Dollar Tree, Inc. is North America’s leading operator of discount variety stores, Painter said in the press release.

 

The 10,000 square foot store is currently scheduled to open in mid-October 2020 and will be located at 2006 S Main Street, according to the release.

 

The shell of the store is up and local contractors have been working for Dollar Tree.

 

Kevin “Skitch” Allen was working on-site at the location on June 22.

 

Allen’s business, Skitch’s Hauling and Excavation,Fort Scott, did all the dirt work, he said and is currently working on the parking lot. “The weather put the construction behind,” Allen said.  Spring 2020 had higher than normal rainfall.

 

Allen said Thomas Concrete and Construction, Fort Scott, did the concrete for the build.

 

Allen added that he was pleased that Dollar Tree Inc. was using local contractors for the build.

 

Dollar Tree stores are open seven days a week and offer great value and a broad assortment of merchandise all priced at $1 or less, according to the press release.

 

Customers can expect seasonal decor, household products, Hallmark greeting cards, party and craft supplies, dinnerware, food, teaching and school necessities, health and beauty essentials, toys, books and much more at the store.

 

The new location will also include Dollar Tree’s recently-introduced Snack Zone, an expanded offering of beverages, candy and snacks, in addition to nostalgic favorites.

 

A store of this size typically employs 12 to 20 associates, according to the press release.

 

Interested applicants can apply online at www.DollarTree.com/careers or in person at the store location closer to the opening date.

 

 

Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 15,370 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of May 2, 2020. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

Business, Fort Scott

New Swap Meet Starts This Weekend: Vendors Wanted

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The Venue is located at Margrave and Third Street.

A new outdoor swap meet starts this Saturday, June 27 in Fort Scott.

A swap meet is a gathering for the sale or barter of usually secondhand objects, according to merriam-webster.com.

“This is where you can possibly find the best of everything else,” Monalynn Decker, organizer of the event, said. “This is where there will be a mixture of new, used, and old, goodies to find.”

“My reason (to start this event) is… I felt that along… that this would help vendors in getting a chance to sell items that they haven’t been able to since Covid-19 has started,” Decker said. ” I’m also hoping that this event will help our event visitors in finding much-needed items at affordable prices!”

“I’m hoping that this summer event will bring our community, along with surrounding communities to come out a bit – (but safely) and have some fun,” she said.

Mo’s Swap Meet will be open from June 27 to September 19 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the parking lot of The Venue, 223 S. Margrave. The parking lot is on the east side of the building, which is at the corner of Third and Barbee Streets.

Monalynn Decker is the organizer of the event, and vendors should pre-register by phone to Decker at 417-689-9289.

Space rental is 15 by 15-foot, $15; 15 by 30-foot, $25.

The swap meet will be held rain or shine, according to Mo’s Swap Meet Facebook page, unless canceled by the organizer.

The site of the swap meet is at Third and  Barbee Street on the east side of The Venue.

 

Church news, Fort Scott

Family Life Center Moving Forward At Southern Baptist Church

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The new Family Life Center at First Southern Baptist Church has a  completed shell.

The new multi-purpose room addition of the First Southern Baptist Church of Fort Scott has the shell completed.

The 125 member church is located at 1818 S. Main (Hwy. 69).

The 95-foot by 75-foot Family Life Center will have an occupancy of 299 people when fully usable.

“We went big after looking at nearby churches,” Vera Norris, a church member said.

The large building is a multi-purpose room and classrooms and restrooms will be added as funds come in.

In addition to a multi-purpose room, the building will house classrooms and restrooms.

“It will be for community events such as a possible homeschool group, seminars,” Brian Williams, a church board member said. “Our AWANA kids will be able to play games in here and we’ll have youth activities.”

“Awana is a world-wide nonprofit ministry focused on providing Bible-based evangelism and discipleship solutions for ages 2-18, according to its’ websitehttps://www.awana.org/about/  Awana gives children the opportunity to know, love and serve Jesus, no matter their background.”

 

“The building is a work in progress,” Pastor James Collins said.

“We are working on fundraising so we can compete our classrooms and restrooms (that will be housed in the building), Williams said.

Arck Construction, Pittsburg began construction in May 2019, the steel beams were erected and the outside shell was completed by September 2019, Williams said.

“The air conditioning and heating are working now,” Williams said.  “We recently held a church rummage sale in the facility.”

The old church kitchen is being reconfigured and will serve the Family LIfe Center activities.

 

 

The old kitchen is being reconfigured.
Bourbon County

Need A Fan?

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Allen Schellack unboxes a fan at the ministry storage room.

People who have a need for a fan in this hot, humid weather can call Allen Schellack at Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries Center, 620-223-2212.

Schellack has a large stack of 20-inch box fans to give away through a grant from Evergy Inc., a local utility, to the Salvation Army. Schellack is the Bourbon County Service Extension Coordinator for the Salvation Army.

Elderly and disabled people without access to air conditioning or other means of staying cool during hot and humid weather can receive fans by appointment by calling Schellack.

“We need proof of a Bourbon County address,” Schellack said. “And some form of identification.”

To help the most people, each household is eligible for one fan.

Applications will be accepted until all fans are distributed.

This is the Salvation Army’s fourth year to give out fans in Bourbon County,  Shellack said.

Schellack is also the Compassionate Care Pastor for the Fort Scott Nazarene Church, Director of Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries and Outreach Center,  Bourbon County Coordinator for CarePortal and treasurer of the Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance, in addition to his services with the Salvation Army.

His office is located at 26 N. Main, on the second floor of the Senior Citizens Center.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

First Annual Junk and Disorderly Event This Saturday

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Some merchandise at the Main Street Gallery and Flea Market. Submitted photos.

This Saturday, June 20  beginning at  9 a.m. Main Street Gallery and Flea Market is hosting what they are calling the 1st Annual Junk and Disorderly event.

 

“We are starting a tradition of having an open house for the flea market every year because we want the vendors to know that they are a big part of the store,” Rechelle McClellan, one of the owners, said. ” We want them to know we appreciate them for trusting us to sell their wares. It is a celebration for them.”

 

Items for sale at Main Street Gallery and Flea Market. Submitted photos.

In addition, Rechelle with her husband, Josh, and mother-in-law Julie, want to showcase what the shop has to offer.

 

“We also want the public to know that we are a one-stop-shop,” Rechelle said. “If there is something you are looking for, chances are we have it at Main Street Gallery & Flea Market between new and vintage items.”

 

Items for sale at Main Street Gallery and Flea Market. Submitted photo.

 

Vendors, family and friends will be helping with the event, Rechelle said.

 

There will be complimentary coffee, juice and a Mimosa-an adult beverage made of orange juice and champagne.

 

 

There will also be door prizes.

 

Items for sale at Main Street Gallery and Flea Market. Submitted photos.

 

The business is located at 23 South Main in downtown historic Fort Scott.

Contact Rechelle McClellan at the store’s number (620)223-2210 for more information.

 

 

 

Food, Fort Scott

A Free Pantry Opens In a Fort Scott Neighborhood

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The Warner’s  Little Free  Pantry at 4th and Holbrook Street.
A couple of Fort Scottians saw a need in their neighborhood and decided to help meet it.
Chase Warner and Whitney Wratchford purchased their house last summer and immediately saw the need within their neighborhood for some food assistance.
“Chase and I have had this on our hearts since we first became homeowners in our community,” she said. ” We noticed immediately that our own neighborhood was in need of a little help. We were seeing children daily that would make comments like ‘Can I have a banana? I had Ramen Noodles for breakfast.’ And ‘My mom doesn’t have money to buy us dinner.’ We know that this problem isn’t just in our neighborhood but all throughout our community and when the Covid-19 pandemic really hit hard and people started to lose jobs we set out to put the pantry up as soon as the stay-at-home order lifted! Chase and I just really wanted to help and the best way was to provide food that any individual could choose from on their own time and when they feel comfortable.”
Warner’s Little Free Pantry is located at 4th and Holbrook Street.
“We ourselves are a working-class family and have at times in our lives struggled to provide as well and knowing the heartache that those parents and children are feeling just put our plan in motion,” she said. “I have since seen our pantry helping lots of people and lots of people helping fill the box! That is exactly how the pantry should work!”
They opened Warner’s Little Free Pantry on June 6, 2020.
It is a box on a stand that contains numerous items for the taking: food, hygiene items and other shelf-stable items that can stand Kansas temperatures housed in a box.
“Take what you need,” Wratchford said. ” Leave what you can. Above all be blessed! We ourselves donate whenever possible and just hope that others will decide to donate as well. The pantry is open for donations for nonperishable food items and various toiletries and household items. If anyone has any questions or concerns they can reach us via email, phone or on our Facebook page Warner’s Little Free Pantry.”
The inside of the Warner’s Little Free Pantry on Wednesday afternoon.
Wratchford stumbled across a grassroots movement and decided this would help fill that need.
The Little Free Pantry is a grassroots, locally sourced solution to local need, Wratchford said.  “Whether a need for food or a need to give, our mini pantry helps neighbors feed neighbors, nourishing neighborhoods. It is meant to meet immediate needs for families or individuals who are struggling to make ends meet. “
“Jessica McClard launched the movement in May 2016 in Fayetteville, AR,” Wratchford said. “Since that time there have been many families like ours, building and opening little pantries of their own…. We used wood we purchased for our fence and Chase and his dear friend Lincoln Brubaker built the box in a day! “
“The box sits on 4th Street between Holbrook and Eddy facing north., she said. “If you need to use GPS to find us you can program 314 W. 4th St. You can’t miss it!”
Bourbon County, Business

New Realtor In Town: Diane Striler

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Front Door Real Estate, 119 S. Main, Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
Diane Striler, 53, is a new realtor with Front Door Real Estate.
Diane Striler, a new realtor with  Front Door Real Estate. Submitted photos.
Her hometown is Mission, KS.
Striler began April 2, 2020, with the real estate business.
Her duties include working with clients to purchase / and or sell residential, commercial, lots, land, and lake property, she said.
Striler has always been in the sales industry.
“After college, I started my career with Maytag as a territory sales manager,” she said. “After this position, I continued to work in the appliance industry selling high-end luxury appliance lines including
Sub-Zero, Viking, and Bosch. Most recently I was a regional manager selling Daily Sports high fashion ladies golf apparel.”
” In sales, I have always sold a product that I believe in and have been proud to represent,” she said. “Transitioning to real estate, I have a passion to help people find the best home/land/lot or building for their specific needs. Everyone needs something different, whether it is to find their first home, or sell a current home to find one that is more suited for their current needs.  I want to be part of that! I want to provide a quality service to make the transaction seamless and positive. I want  my clients to be able to look back at the experience and have a positive memory.”
Striler earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Kansas State University
She is located at  Front Door Real Estate,  119 S Main Street.
Her contact info – Mobile 620-878-3630
                      Office  620-224-9787
                      Email – [email protected]
                                  [email protected]