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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!”
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.
Submitted photos. Elijah Knight and Jax Armstrong use interactive technology at the Gordon Parks Museum.
A July 2019 grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is helping to support interactive technology for youth and young adults, at the Gordon Parks Museum.
The museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
“The interactive technology tablet is up and running,” Museum Director Kirk Sharp said.
Submitted photos.
The museum purchased a tablet kiosk, a stand for the kiosk, and operational interactive software.
“It is designed to deliver content in an interactive setting for all of our visitors, especially younger audiences,” Sharp said. “This interactive software will not only provide information about Gordon Parks but will also allow the visitors to view photos, videos, interviews, review books, listen to music, create a drawing/painting, interactive trivia quiz game and much more.”
Submitted photos.
“It has been a goal of the museum board to offer an additional and more modern approach to learning, viewing and appreciating all of the collections and works of Gordon Parks,” Sharp said. “Providing interactive displays in different areas of the museum will benefit the viewer(s) by providing additional details and content to each supported exhibit. This tablet helps us achieve this goal.”
“This project helped to give us the ability to provide a more engaging way for the younger generation to learn more about our museum and keep visitors fully engaged,” Sharp said. “The interactive technology has helped make our museum more appealing to younger crowds and to encourage visitors return for future visits.”
“This project also supports our mission of using Gordon Parks’ remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness and the role diversity plays in our lives,” Sharp said.
Submitted photos.. Caleb Clay uses interactive technology at the Gordon Parks Museum.
“When the museum teaches about creativity, cultural awareness and diversity, it needs to be able to reach our visitors in creative ways, and by providing interactive technology, this will help us deliver on that objective,” Sharp said. “We want our visitors’ experience to be engaging, educational and interactive, especially for the youth so we can help to keep the Gordon Parks legacy alive for generations to come.”
The Fort Scott Aquatic Center is located at 723 S. Scott.
The hot days of June have many seeking ways to cool off.
The Fort Scott Aquatic Center is one option for cooling off.
However, because of the COVID 19 Pandemic, it has remained closed until staff worked on a plan to be able to open safely.
The center will open on June 22, Chasity Ware, the manager, said.
Chasity Ware. Submitted photo.
“With many days of the uncertainty of the COVID 19, a lot of research went into making a final decision to plan to open the facility, ” she said. “Once I had the facts of what we were capable of doing with restrictions placed upon us and then shared with the (Fort Scott) City Commissioners, their faith in me and my team of employees were given the go-ahead to open. Due to the many behind the scene hours to prepare the opening of the pool along with lifeguard training that had to be completed, we needed a little time. We also chose to wait until the phase-out plan per Gov. Kelly to help with even fewer restrictions.”
Precautions are in place
“The modifications will include but not limited to:
some masks being worn,
extra cleaning being provided,
no lounge chairs issued this season (we ask patrons to bring in their own chairs),
no 3 pm or 5 pm break will be provided,
and only pre-packaged foods will be served out of the concession stands.
We will initially limit our patrons to 250 each day for the first few weeks to help with gatherings as well.”
“Also NO pool passes will be sold,” she said. ” We can’t guarantee our season and know so much has already been missed we just didn’t feel the passes were going to be effective. If we were to close, we can’t imagine the nightmare for the refund/credit.”
“NO ONE will be allowed to come in and sit to watch anyone swim without paying,” Ware said. “We have to count them as part of the capacity number.
And one last thing, NO FLOATATION DEVICES of any sort. No padded suits, no arm wings, no life jackets.”
“There will be NO SWIM LESSONS, she said.
“We want to remind everyone to please pay attention to their symptoms and their children’s,” Ware said. “Please don’t attend the pool if you are sick, running a fever or overall not feeling well. Help keep others safe.”
Daily rates
Daily admission rates will apply: 3-14 years old-are $2, 15-62 years old- $3 and 63 years old and older- $2.
The center currently has 29 employees between lifeguards, office/concession personnel and managers.
“This number could change as the future moves forwards,” Ware said.
Pool hours, close date
Pool hours are 1 pm-7 pm Monday through Saturday and 1 pm-6 pm on Sundays.
The date to close will be no later than August 9 due to college lifeguards returning to college the first weekend of August and school for Fort Scott USD #234 is anticipated to start Aug. 12, she said.
“This could change as well as we move forward.,” Ware said. “We pray we have no outbreaks or other issues but are prepared to make decisions as needed. “
NO private pool parties
“We are sorry to say at this time there will not be private pool parties available this pool season,” Ware said. “We need the extra time to clean the facility. “
The center’s phone number is 620-223-8142.
Ware is the Fort Scott Aquatic Center Manager, in her 9th season. She was employed by Mound City Pool seven years prior to joining Fort Scott.
She is a Certified Lifeguard Instructor.
“I certify lifeguards for the Fort Scott Aquatic Center, Nevada, Iola, Pleasanton, and LaCygne pools. I have been doing that for six seasons now,” she said.
Jody Hoener, Bourbon County Economic Development Director. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener is working on securing leases in the former Mercy Hospital building on Fort Scott’s south end, in hopes of providing the county with a medical mall.
A medical mall is a facility offering comprehensive ambulatory medical services such as primary and secondary care, diagnostic procedures, outpatient surgery, and rehabilitation, except the overnight beds, according to merriam-webster.com.
“Bourbon County demographics show proportionately more elderly, more children living in poverty, lower incomes, and more chronic health conditions,” Hoener said. ” In addition, our community recently felt the impact of fewer health services (with the closing of Mercy Hospital in 2018). Rural health systems can overcome these challenges by creating linkages and efficiencies.”
“Access to robust and diverse health services is much more than a quality of life issue,” she said. “A vigorous and thriving health care system is essential not only for public health and welfare, but to enhance economic opportunity as well.”
Health organizations that currently have a part in Bourbon County health care have shown interest.
“We are currently working on leases with Community Health Centers of Southeast Kansas and Ascension Via Christi,” she said. “These leases will be ten-year long-term contracts,” she said. “Fort Scott Community College Nursing program will also be leasing space through an inter-local agreement.”
Other entities have “paused” conversations.
“Although we have been in talks with additional healthcare providers to occupy space, the COVID-19 pandemic has paused much of these conversations.,” Hoener said. “Recruitment activities will be a high priority with a goal of one additional anchor tenant in the next 3-5 years.”
The combined operation of many entities under one roof provides financial benefits to each involved, Hoener believes.
“The healthcare mall addresses many challenges local providers face in an innovative approach, creating synergy within the four walls, that will help each organization’s bottom line,” she said. ” In general, there are fewer healthcare providers in rural areas, and they operate on very thin profit margins. When compared to urban communities, our local health providers face unique challenges.”
Bourbon County’s vision for the community:
“Our vision is a healthy, safe, and thriving Bourbon County.,” she said. “A strong health care system is a critical piece of any community’s vitality and sustainability.”
The healthcare industry impacts the local economy.
“The healthcare industry is rapidly changing and has the potential to greatly impact access to these services in the future, ” Hoener said.
“Through the healthcare mall, we are becoming proactive in maintaining high-quality local health care services. In addition to health outcomes, healthcare services have shown to have an impact on:
Attracting and maintaining business and industry growth
Attracting and retaining retirees
Creating higher-paying jobs in a growing sector
Contributing to public finances, supporting essential public services”
” Americans are spending more dollars on healthcare,” Hoener said. “In 1970 healthcare costs accounted for 7.0 percent of the GDP. In 2017, Americans spent $3.5 trillion on healthcare, or 18.0 percent of the GDP. The projected GDP is 19.4 percent by 2027 (Kansas Health Association, 2019). Capturing a share of this economic growth will only help our community.”
“When residents spend health care dollars elsewhere, rather than purchasing the service locally, it can have a negative economic impact and result in loss of dollars within our local community,” she said. “Out of town trips to obtain healthcare services naturally offer opportunities to spend dollars outside of town that may have been spent locally.”
“Nationwide, employment in healthcare services increased 92 percent from 1990 to 2015. For Bourbon County, in 2017, health services ranked number 3 in terms of employment,” she said. ” Also, in 2017, the health care sector’s impact on retail sales was $19,308,000, county sales tax impact of $270,000, and a total impact of $65,378,000. (Kansas Health Association, 2017).”
“Industry and business leaders look for good health and education services when making location decisions,” Hoener said. “They also want to ensure the local labor force will meet their needs.”
” Attracting and maintaining retirees is also important as this is a special group of residents whose spending can provide a significant source of income for the local economy.”
The west end of the former Mercy Hospital is vacant. The county government is working to create a medical mall in the vacant section.
