Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott’s Economic Director, gave a press release that details loans to local businesses who are struggling financially.
The Kansas Department of Commerce CDBG Program has drastically changed the requirements of the Revolving Loan Fund program, according to information provided by Pruitt.
The City of Fort Scott is encouraging immediate use of the Revolving Loan Fund to support the working capital needs of businesses in Fort Scott, she noted.
The City’s CDBG Revolving Loan Fund has up to $260,000 directed towards small businesses with the highest risk of closing and/or laying off workers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose of this program is to retain existing jobs.
There is a maximum of up to $10,000 per business to stimulate job retention.
Employers are asked on the following forms to fill out a job certification form for each employee being retained.
Rayma Ridge joins with dancers in the street of Uniontown on Wednesday evening. Courtesy photo.
Rayma Ridge said she was influenced by scenes of people around the world who started singing from their windows or balconies while being quarantined because of the pandemic.
She works from home and has a disc jockey business (Rayma’s D.J. Services) as an extra job.
“I’m an extrovert,” Ridge said. “This (stay-at-home order in Bourbon County) is hard on me. I’m sure it’s hard on others.”
All of her disc jockey events were canceled for April because of the order to stay home.
So Ridge decided to put her d.j. skills to use for her neighborhood.
“I got permission from the City of Uniontown,” she said. “I had to ask all my direct neighbors if it was fine. All of them were cool with it.”
So Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. on Third Street in front of Ridge’s house, she put up her speakers and a sign that said “Quarantine Block Party” and began playing kid-friendly music.
Uniontown people dance in the streets courtesy of Disk Jockey Rayma Ridge.
“I picked an evening that it wasn’t going to rain so people could be outside to enjoy it.”
Soon children and some adults were in the streets dancing, socially distancing of course.
Papa Don’s Serves Uniontown
Brita Bolton and two employees served 25 families at the Uniontown Square who had called in an order to Papa Don’s on Wednesday evening.
Although Ridge did not know it, Papa Don’s Restaurant, Fort Scott, had put out on social media that they would bring orders at 7 p.m. to Uniontown’s square.
Those people also got to enjoy the music from Ridge, who was just down the street.
Brita Bolton, owner of Papa Don’s said they served 25 families at the drive-through in Uniontown on Wednesday.
Protective Masks Being Made
Ridge has also devoted time to making protective masks for area essential businesses and medical personnel.
“I’ve been making masks, there is a Facebook group, Masks For SEK,” she said.
Some of the masks for essential workers and medical personnel that Ridge has made. Courtesy photo.
Community Christian Church, across from Fort Scott Community College on Horton Street. File photo.
Members of Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton, will be feeding families in need as a drive-by.
The first meal offering was last night.
“We served 159 people last night,” Gayle Sackett, a member of Community Christian Church said.
Community Christian Church members prepare the to-go boxes for the free meal offered the community on March 30. Submitted photo.
“We will be serving on Monday night from 5 to 6 pm. Everyone is welcome. Enter the church parking lot across from Fort Scott Community College. Drive along the south side of the building then turn left. No need to get out of your car. We will hand your meal through your car window.”
Names will be taken of anyone eating a meal, she said.
Community Christian Church members prepare for the drive-by recipients on March 30. Submitted photo.
The church members believe there is a need for families currently, with many people losing jobs, she said.
“There is a greater need, right now,” Sackett said.
“It’s the same principle as the Feeding Families In His Name,” she said.
Feeding Families In His Name, a ministry of the First Methodist Church has been offering a free meal on Wednesday evenings for nine years, Jean Tucker, coordinator, said.
First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National. File photo.
“When Gayle Sackett called me, the group wanted to go under Feeding Families umbrella,” Tucker said. “I am so excited they are doing this.”
FFIHN is a 501 3c organization that receives food commodities from the Department of Agriculture and goes through the Department of Children and Families.
“CCC is using our commodities, they will augment that with other donations,” Tucker said.
First Methodist Church is located at Third and National Avenue.
Access to the free Wednesday evening meal is behind the church in the alley between Main and National Avenue. That meal is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
There, individuals and families will be served to-go boxes.
Tucker wanted to thank the volunteers that help.
“We have a very dedicated group of volunteers,” she said. “Just a few come to cook.”
The need for meals is increasing, as evidenced by the number of people who have received free meals in March at the Methodist Church.
“Two weeks ago it was 180 people, last week 210, this week we are planning for 230,” Tucker said.
Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative, Girard, is giving several area high school students and staff who may not have internet connectivity at home, a place where they can connect for free.
This is an effort to help with aiding students and staff in online school work as physical access to schools has been shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Zach Adams, Craw-Kan Marketing Manager said.
As of March 30, Craw-Kan has hotspots located at LaRoche Baseball Complex in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park, south of the city and the new Fort Scott Central office building, located south of Family Video on National Avenue and in Uniontownon on the north side of the town square.
The Craw-Kan Central Office Building on South National Avenue. Photo courtesy of Craw-Kan.
“We have plans to add additional wifi hotspots to other rural Bourbon county communities this week as wifi equipment becomes available,” he said. “The SSID (name) of the wifi connection that you will see on your device will be ‘Craw-Kan Free WIFI’ .”
The LaRoche Baseball Complex in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park, located just off HWY. 69 south of the city. Photo courtesy of Craw-Kan.
“This map is the go-to,” Adams said. More hot spots will be added.
“Craw-Kan deployed a large number of our staff last week to bring as many wifi hotspots online across our very large service area,” Adams said. “As of March 30, 2020, we had 24 different hotspots available in about 10 or so school districts across Southeast Kansas and a couple in Southwest Missouri.”
The Craw-Kan building on the north side of Uniontown’s square. Photo courtesy of Craw-Kan.
“They are fully open public wifi hotspots and no password is required,” he said.
One has to be near the hot spot to use it.
“While we are using high power outdoor wifi transmitters, you must still be within range to use the internet at one of these hotspots,” Adams said. “The range of these radios differs by locations, however, most reach a 150 – 300 ft radius around the hotspot. Basically they are designed to be drive-up/walk-up access and we do ask that anyone using the hot spot exercises proper caution and maintains social distancing guidelines recommended by the State of Kansas. “
“While we implemented this program to assist in online education, the general public would be allowed to access these wifi hotspots for other uses,” he said. “However, we do reserve the right to block traffic that would be considered abuse at our discretion. This is not designed for people to sit in their cars and watch Tiger King on Netflix or stream all the Star Wars movies on Disney +. We will be monitoring traffic/bandwidth usage and can block usage by service (or individual device) if needed to maintain the integrity of the connection for student educational usage.”
This is part of a series highlighting educators who will retire this school year.
In spite of the world crisis, life goes on, and FortScott.Biz will continue to feature stories of local interest.
Ronda Bailey, 63, has been an educator at Fort Scott Community College for 36 years, teaching English, music and education.
She is retiring this year.
The best part of teaching for Bailey has been being with the students, she said. ” I love the classroom. I love seeing them succeed when they never thought they would; or sharpen their skills. Also, I enjoy watching them discover who they are and what they want to do with their lives.”
” I am heartbroken that I will not get to have the remainder of this year with the students who were in my classes, but I also know that some of them will be in my life after this is over. Many of my former students stay in touch, and I love it. I am excited for the all-school reunion at Uniontown later this year.”
How did you become an educator?
“I remember sitting in my seventh-grade music class in Bronaugh listening to my band teacher Betty Jo Laflen. As I sat there, I realized I wanted to do what she did. I am excited that this fall, I will be substituting for Bronaugh’s current band director while she is on maternity leave. It is exciting for me to go back to the room where my career started.”
Did someone inspire you to teach?
“There were many, but four come to mind. The first was my Aunt, Florence Mason. She taught in many of the one-room schools in Bourbon County. She took me with her to school one day. I believe that was the day I thought teaching could be fun. I already mentioned Betty Jo Laflen. I told her that I wanted to do what she did. She then mentored me. She encouraged me by having me take solos to contest, perform in ensembles at Bronaugh and PSU, and take voice, piano, and clarinet lessons. She continued in that mentor role throughout my career. Sharon Pruitt was the band director at Bronaugh after Mrs. Laflen resigned. Sharon has been a mentor too, and she was piano teacher my senior year. She prepared me for college. All of these women were positive role models that I was fortunate to have in my life. The last person taught me community college teaching, band directing, and recruiting was Robert Estes. He would explain the how and why he directed a composition a certain way, how to organize a music festival and much more. My Aunt Florence died several years ago, but the other three are still very much in my life. I am blessed.”
What have been the greatest challenges?
“Leaving Uniontown School District and leaving Fort Scott Community College.
The Uniontown school district, parents, and children accepted me with open arms. It was a time of great music there. We all worked toward a common goal, and we were successful marching, competing in contest competitions, and learning to love music. It was a wonderful time in my life, and it was so hard to leave..
” Leaving FSCC is a challenge too. FSCC has been in my life for nearly 40 years. I walked on that campus a scared girl from Bronaugh who did not think she could achieve her dream of teaching, but FSCC was the perfect fit. I was in every music ensemble, second runner-up homecoming queen representing Christians on Campus, and student government. I was the Greyhound Express editor, and Bernita Hill, the sponsor, taught me so much about journalism and English. I have taught, in some capacity, at FSCC thirty-six years. Walking out that door for the last time is hard.”
Thoughts on retiring?
“As I said previously, I am going to be a substitute at Bronaugh, Mo. I am excited to have my first summer without teaching summer classes for the first time in fifteen years. I want to read some of the good books that I have not had a chance to read for a while and sew some.
“Hopefully, this pandemic will pass soon and my husband and I will be able to travel some. Until then we will work on our cattle ranch.”
Bailey received an AA from FSCC in 1976, a BSED K-12 instrumental and choral music education from Missouri Southern State University, a master’s in music and also an English certification for 7-12 and Advanced Studies English from Pittsburg State University, in addition, she attended Baker University for Advanced Studies English.
Bailey’s hometown is Bronaugh, Mo. She is married to Roger and they have a daughter, Taylor.
Bailey has been involved in the community in the following ways: Bourbon County Arts Council Member, Bourbon County Fair Fashion Revue Superintendent, Bourbon County Fair Extension Unit Sewing Judge, Progressive Mother’s Club Member, and past president and vice president, Gordon Parks Center Board, member of Community Christian Church and worship accompanist.
This is part of a series highlighting educators who will retire this school year.
In spite of the world crisis, life goes on, and FortScott.Biz will continue to feature stories of local interest.
Karen Mix, 61, 30-year kindergarten teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School is retiring.
“I have been blessed to work at the USD 235 district,” Mix said.
She substituted in the district for three years, taught fifth-grade for one year, then began her career in kindergarten.
“There is so much satisfaction in teaching kindergarten,” Mix said. “It is amazing what these little ones can achieve in a year. The gains they make in knowledge, self-confidence, and social skills…I have gone to work to do a job that I love to do! I have been able to sing, dance, laugh and have snacks every day! Plus, I have actually gotten paid to do it! I can only hope that I have touched my students’ lives in as many ways as they have mine.”
” I felt it was important to teach kindness and respect for each other,” she said. ” We said the Golden Rule every day, I always told them that it was not just a 5-year-olds rule but a rule for all your life!
I think sometimes a kindergarten teacher’s role in a child’s life is not always understood by many people. Many times I have been the first role model they have met since leaving their parents. I have so many roles in class…drying tears, hugging fears away, fixing girls hair, zipping, tying shoes, teaching them to look, listen, learn and have fun. It has been a crazy ride and I have loved every minute of it!!!
Mix received her education from Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott Community College, then Pittsburg State University and finally Walden University where she earned her Masters Degree in Reading.
Her second-grade teacher who became her aunt, Hazel Ploeger, inspired her to teach, she said.
Her hometown is Independence, Mo. but she moved to Fort Scott, when 17 years old.
Mix married her husband, Mike, at 19 years old and they bought the farm they have lived on since.
“We have two sons, Evan married to Marci, one grandson, and twins due in April. And our youngest son, Matthew.”
Mix has been involved in her community as a member of the Fulton United Methodist Church.
One of the greatest challenges in teaching for Mix was keeping up with the many changes that the state requires of schools, she said.
Retirement?
“I am looking forward to spending more time with my husband and my grandchildren,” she said.
Fort Scott Public Library Director Lisa Walther is working to get access to reading books from your cellphone or computer during this time of social distancing.
You can sign up for a library card.
“If you already have an account with us and need assistance getting ebooks, please email me and I will try to troubleshoot for you, Walther said. “If you DO NOT have an account with us, go to our catalog at www.seknfind.org and create an account. I will adjust that account so you will be able to check out from our electronic resources. If you have a library card, you already have access. Our intent is to provide access to those of you who don’t have an account.
This is for Bourbon County residents only, she said.
The following is a press release sent by Walther.
“If you don’t have an account/card with us, we now have a way for you to access our online ebook resources. Go to www.seknfind.org and create an account. Be sure you make note of your password and that your email is correct. I recommend that you sign in and change your password.
If you want access on the day that you create your account, email me at either [email protected] or [email protected] Please include your full name in your email. If you wait, I will run a report every morning and convert accounts at that time.
““I will edit your account so that you have access to our digital resources hoopladigital and sunflowerelibrary Then I will send you an email with your digital account number and your username. If you have a particular username that you prefer, please let me know by email. The system automatically assigns a name: firstname.lastname. but I can change that if you wish.
See our website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org for links and more information. Since this is an experiment, it’s likely we’ll add updates as questions and problems arise.
At this time, we are limiting our digital accounts to Bourbon County residents.
If you already have a card with us, please don’t create a new account. Email me with your question, and I’ll try to resolve it. Please include your name and card number in your email.
If you are interested in the Kansas Library eCard, I can set you up. Email me with your name, including middle initial, birthdate, and verify that you live in Kansas.”
Brady Masters, Fort Scott, gives change to a coffee customer at the new Common Ground Coffee Co. ‘drive-through window, which opened March 23.. Courtesy photo.
Common Ground Coffee Co. moved locations a few blocks down and around the corner and is now located at 12 E. Wall.
A new drive-through window was opened yesterday, March 23 and can be accessed in the alley east of the coffee shop.
“We were closed March 7th-10th and reopened on Wednesday, March 11th,” Kaitlynn Davis, events planner for the coffee company said. “If you give our Facebook profile a follow at Common Ground Coffee Co., you will be able to find our… menu.”
Menu on the wall of Common Ground Coffee Company. Kenny Felt Photography.
They are not open for the dine-in option currently, because of the emergency disaster declaration from the government due to COVID 19 virus fears.
There is online ordering or a take-out menu can be picked up at the drive-through window, Brady Masters, an employee said.
Approach the new drive-thru window from First Street in the alley between National Avenue and Main St.
“You will have to dodge some holes, poles and a dumpster but it will be worth it,” according to the Common Ground Coffee Company Facebook page.
“All you have to do is give Common Ground Coffee a call at 620-223-2499, and we will be more than happy to serve you,” Davis said. The hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Common Ground Coffee Company, 12 E. Wall. Kenny Felt Photography.
“The current up to date menu for Common Ground Coffee Company is on our website, which is Fscommonground.com,” Davis said.
“We have 17 hard-working employees…” Davis said. “All of our employees are put through a training process that takes place in Kansas City, Kansas. They all learn specialized skills in Kansas City that they bring to the coffee shop and use to serve our beloved costumers.”
Common Ground Coffee Company, 12 E. Wall. Kenny Felt Photography.
The owner of Common Ground is the Fort Scott Nazarene Church, the owners of the newly restored building in which it is housed are Adam and Jennifer LaRoche, Davis said.
Common Ground is a non-profit organization owned by Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene. They strive to unite the community by providing a “Common Ground” experience.
“All who wish to stop in, newcomers and regulars alike, are welcome as they partner with us to benefit our community with all profits made,” according to its’ Facebook page.
Common Ground Coffee Company, 12 E. Wall. Kenny Felt Photography.
Did You Display Art Work At the Former Coffee Shop Site?
The former coffee shop space had many artist’s paintings displayed. The paintings were not able to move with the shop.
See their Facebook page for photos of the artwork that is looking for its’ owner.
Larry Shead, 69, instructor at Fort Scott Community College will retire in May.
A teacher of computer science classes at the college for the last 20 years, Shead worked in private business, then as principal of a local school and began his career at FSCC in 2000.
Even though his college degree is in mathematics, his involvement in his church got him into eduction.
“When our church started Faith Christian Academy and our children attended there, I was involved as a parent,” he said. “Later, I was involved as the principal of the school.”
” I have several preachers and teachers in my ancestry.,” Shead said. “However, my children are the main reason I got involved in education. I believe that children get a much better education when their parents are involved in their education. All of my grandchildren are being home-schooled by their parents. They are very involved.”
“When my family moved to Garland from Joplin, in 1978, I had a job as a computer programmer at the Western Insurance Companies,” Shead said. “After that, I worked for Midwestern Distribution for a short period, then Farm and Home in Nevada. I got more into education after that as the Principal of Faith Christian Academy for 10 years. I taught at FSCC as a night time adjunct instructor while working at the Western. In 2000, I began as a full-time employee at FSCC and soon became the Computer Science teacher when Dennis Smirl retired.”
Shead attended Arcadia High School, then graduated from Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, before earning a Bachelor of Science – Mathematics from Kansas State College of Pittsburg. and also attended Ozark Christian College for one year. He received a Master of Arts in Education from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK.
His hometown is Arcadia, KS and has been married to his wife, Vickie for 47 years.
They have four married children-Mark (Haley) Shead, Fort Scott, Michael (Chrisi) Shead, Chichicastenango, Guatemala; Maria (Clayton) Whitson, Garland, KS; Mitzi (Joel) Ray, Tulsa, OK and 20 grandchildren.
His community involvement is Faith Church on the prayer team; Bourbon County Republican Central Committee; Christians on Campus Faculty Sponsor; and International Student Coordinator at FSCC.
The best part of teaching for Shead is graduation, he said. “Seeing these young people having completed their associate’s degree, or certificate and moving on to the next phase of life!”
The greatest challenge for Shead has been keeping students attention., he said. “This age of gadgets has many distractions even in the classroom.”
” Some people ask me what I will do when I retire,” Shead said. ” I tell them, I have a farm. I will not lack for something to do. As my wife and I made a short trip recently, we made a list of items we need to do on our farm. Also, our family in Guatemala has a new baby we have not seen. We plan to make a trip to see them. Hanging out with grandchildren is big on the list, too.”
Loren and Regena Lance, owners of Mildred Store in Allen County. Submitted photo.
Loren and Regena Lance are contemplating duplicating what they have done to the Mildred Store in Allen County, in downtown Fort Scott. They have a grocery store in the town of Mildred, population 26.
See the end of this feature for how to give input to the Lance’s.
The Mildred Store in Mildred,KS, population 26.
“Loren and I purchased the Mildred Store six years ago this coming June,” Regena Lance said. “We purchased the existing store because we saw a community need. We have taken a store in the middle of basically nowhere and made it a hub to the community and developed it into a destination business.”
Produce offered by the Mildred Store. Submitted photo.
“We feel after nearly six years in business we have an idea of how to be competitive and provide a great service to our community,” she said. “We would hope to be able to duplicate this in Fort Scott, if we decide to pursue this opportunity.”
Mildred Store is known for sandwiches and live music that happens monthly.
Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.
” Several people from Fort Scott visit our Mildred Store, especially on the third Saturday of the month which is our ‘Music Night’ and had commented on how nice it would be to have a store like this in the downtown area of Fort Scott,” Regena said.
“After thinking it over and discussing it with employees of the city of Fort Scott, we have decided to give it further consideration,” she said.
Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.
“The situation in Fort Scott is similar to what we saw in Mildred,” Regena said. “There is a need in a community that could be fulfilled by a small store that stocks all the basic goods and a few specialty items. We are not trying to compete with any other existing businesses in Fort Scott just hoping to fill a void that has become apparent in the downtown area.”
Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.
Location
No location has been determined yet, she said, but the future grocery store would be in downtown Fort Scott.
When
“If we do decide to move forward with this venture we will be looking a late spring start up,” she said.
Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.
Community Input Sought
“We are looking for community input on what they would like to see in a future store, as far as staple goods, store hours and any other possible suggestions,” Regena said. ” We would like to invite anyone interested to come visit the Mildred Store to see how we could model a new store off of our existing one. Mildred Store is open seven days a week Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
“Music night is this Saturday night starting at 6:30 if anyone is interested in coming to see what’s happening in Mildred,” she said.
To comment ideas for staple goods and store hours, use the store’s Facebook page: Mildred Store or call the store at 620-439-5424.
Bryan and Barbara Ritter stand in front of the renovated area of the Broiler Room Brewhaus on Jan. 9.
Barbara Ritter, owner of Boiler Room Brewhaus at 2 S. National, has been extra busy since the new year began.
Her sister, Peggy, is a co-owner with Barbara and her husband, Bryan is the brewer.
Bryan and Barbara were doing the final touches of a recent reno last week.
Fort Scott’s first microbrewery is located on the busy corner of Wall Street and National Ave. The Ritter’s feature beer tastings, by the glass and take out.
Since having the business rebranded in the fall, they realized they needed to take some time to do some new things in the microbrewery.
They have expanded their tap selection.
“We are going to have six of our brews on at a time,” Barbara said. “We have been canning our beer since fall.”
They have been doing some decorative changes as well.
“Basically, we did a lot of painting,” Barbara said. “Walls, doors, vanities, tables…in nostalgic colors.”
Nostalgic colors were added to fit with the mid-century design of the building.The restroom vanity was painted.
Since the building was built in 1960, “we have added some elements from that time period,” to the decor, she said.
The Ritters are looking for vintage photos of the Downtowner Hotel, which now houses the microbrewery.
“If anyone has any vintage photos of the Downtowner or people, that they would be willing to share…to purchase or display,” Ritter said, please contact them at 913.636.4892 or 620-644-5032.
“This building was completed in February 1960,” she said.
A vintage photo of the Downtowner in the 1970s. Paul Milks found the photo and one of the Goodlander Hotel in the Bourbon County Genealogical Society library.The Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 South National Avenue, Jan. 9, 2020.The Goodlander Hotel was the original building on the site. It was demolished for the construction of the Downtowner Hotel, Ritter said.
The Ritter’s moved their business to the new site at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street on June 1, 2018.
The old logo is gone and has been replaced with nostalgic ones:
Barbara Ritter displays some of the new logos on the glasses, etc.
Taco night is each Thursday at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, catered by Crooner’s Lounge.Snacks and drinks are served each time the microbrewery is open.
Though the microbrewery doesn’t serve meals, they have menus from restaurants where people can order food and have it delivered or can bring it into the Brewhaus, she said.
“There is also a $5 taco bar catered by Crooner’s Lounge on Thursdays, $5 and you can eat all the tacos you want,” Barabara said.
They will also be offering some new appetizers.
Each Friday is karaoke from 7-9 p.m., and Sundays there are team trivia games from 5-7 p.m.
“We are looking to add a music bingo game, possibly on Saturday evenings,” she said. “We will try it once to see how it goes.”
“We are hoping to have musicians coming once a month,” she said. “There are three in the works so far for the next couple of months.”
Heather Fink did the lettering on the doors of the Boiler Room Brewhaus.
Currently, they have four part-time employees and two full-time.
“We are looking for one more part-time, one day a week,” she said. “Possibly an older employee with a good work ethic, who is looking for something to do.”
“We’ve had a really good year,” Barbara said. “Almost one-half of customers are new to Fort Scott. Fifty-one percent are local people.. We have a variety of people of all ages.”
“People say this is a cool little town,” she said. “This town has a lot to offer.”
