Rosie’s Cabin and Event Center, 563 Maple Rd. is reopening for business.
Rosie’s Cabin and Event Center, 563 Maple Rd., Uniontown. There is a large lodge, seen on the right, and a small cabin, on the left, middle. Submitted photo.
At Christmas time with their extended family, Kelsey and Kaley Blythe decided to reopen Rosie’s Cabin and Event Center. The property is owned by Kaley’s parents, Bud and LeeBelle Blythe.
“We live here (on the property), Kelsey said. “And have such a beautiful scene. It would be crazy not to (reopen) it.”
“Kaley and I were married here in April (at the lodge at Rosie’s),” she said. “I changed jobs recently, but something was missing.”
The couple decided to take on the reopening of the event center that been purchased by the Blythe family in 2016. The Blythe’s ran the center briefly before closing it.
Kelsey and Kaley Blythe at the wedding at Rosie’s Event Center Lodge in April 2018. Submitted photo.
Kaley and Kelsey Blythe live on the property in Rosie’s cabin but plan on renting it out as needed.
“We live in Rosie’s Cabin, but we will leave it on the table (to rent), like an Airbnb,” Kelsey said. “It can be rented out for people who are renting for the weekend. We are updating the small cabin so that people can use it as a dressing room and a honeymoon suite, if desired, even for those that are renting just one day. ”
The lodge can be rented for a marriage ceremony and reception of up to 200 people, she said. There is no cutlery provided, but a refrigerator, stove, and microwave.
Rosie’s Event Center Lodge can accommodate up to 200 people. Submitted photo.
Local vendors will provide decorations, food, photography, etc.
“The location is pristine for the community,” Kelsey said. “And will help other people (vendors) make money as well.”
“I will be the manager and coordinating the events, here,” Kelsey said.
June 1 will be the first event at the center for 2019, she said.
The gazebo near the lake, just off the front porch at Rosie’s Event Center. Submitted photo.
FORT SCOTT, Kan. (January 7, 2019) – Price Chopper will be closing its doors in Fort Scott, KS.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce our Fort Scott store will be closing”, said Barry Queen, Price Chopper owner. “We built what we believed the community wanted; a state-of-the-art store with superior quality fresh foods, selection and customer service. Neither myself, our valued and dedicated employees, the city, nor our loyal customers are to be blamed. Unfortunately, the business necessary to support store expenses simply wasn’t there.”
We want to thank our Fort Scott customers, employees and the business community for doing their best. We do not take this decision lightly and will work with our employees by either providing them jobs in our other locations or helping them find new positions in the community.
Additional details, starting January 9:
All merchandise will be marked 33% off regular price
Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until merchandise is liquidated
ABOUT PRICE CHOPPER
Price Chopper’s 53 grocery stores are locally owned by the Ball, Cosentino, McKeever, and Queen families, who oversee store operations on a daily basis. For 39 years, the owners and employees of Price Chopper have been committed to providing the highest quality products and top-of-the-line customer service to the thousands of customers they serve every day. For more information, please visit www.mypricechopper.com.
From left: David Shank, Janet Smith, Denny Gillard, Sarah Moore, and Hugo Dahlstrom.
I Am Rehab LLC is the new business that replaces Mercy Hospital’s Health for Life at 405 Woodland Blvd as of Jan. 1.
Hugo Dahlstrom is the occupational therapist. David Shank, Denny Gillard, and Janet Smith are the physical therapists. Sarah Moore is the office assistant.
I Am Rehab owners are Gillard, Shank, and Dahlstrom.
The rehab and fitness center is located on the lower level, north side of Mercy Hospital which will transition to Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas on Jan. 31.
“The fitness center is up and running,” Dahlstrom said. “People are coming in for occupational and physical therapy.”
The fitness center portion is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the purchase of an individual membership of $30 per month for individuals and $40 per month for families, he said.
To get an access key to the center, one needs to come to the office between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rich Wallace will continue to provide personal training, but is not employed by I Am Rehab LLC, Dahlstrom said.
Kansas State University provides nutrition classes which help with food choices and exercise for Bourbon County residents.
Malynda Payne currently teaches both Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program classes as well as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education for K-State. Mary Daniels also teaches SNAP-Ed programs in the area.
Recently, FortScott.Biz interviewed Malynda Payne about the classes. Her answers are below.
What is the purpose?
“EFNEP- Our program is hands-on and teaches new skills that you can use at home every day—from planning, shopping and cooking tips to simple solutions for healthy eating and daily physical activity. The program is designed to show families how they can prepare and eat more meals at home, bring more fruits and vegetables into their diets, make healthy drink choices, control portion sizes and many other healthy choices. These classes are provided for free.
SNAP-Ed programs are nutrition education programs provided at no cost to Kansas families with limited resources. Our goal is to provide nutrition education to individuals and families who receive food assistance or who are eligible to receive food assistance.”
Malynda Payne
Who is sponsoring it and who is the target population?
“The two classes that I am currently starting up in Fort Scott are an Eat Smart, Move More Class. This class is geared towards families that are wanting to learn how to cook and prepare healthy meals for their families and do this on a budget. Also, I am starting a class called Eat Smart, Live Strong. It is designed to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity for people 55+participating in or eligible for SNAP.
These classes are typically targeted for those receiving food assistance. However, I will never turn anyone away. As long as 50% of my audience is lower income, I can justify the class. That means if they are on disability, social security, live in public housing, receive food assistance etc. then I can classify the class as my target. They don’t have to actually be receiving food assistance. They only have to qualify for it and most older folks on Social Security would qualify.”
Mary Daniels
Where located:
“I have been holding my classes at the Professional Building in Fort Scott. Most people will know it as the Newman Young Clinic building. Mary Daniels offers a class the second Thursday of each month at the Scott View apartments at 2 p.m. and the third Thursday of each month at Calvary Crossing also at 2 p.m.”
When:
“Eat Smart, Move More is Each Wednesday 12:30-2 p.m.and the Eat Smart, Live Strong is each Friday morning 10:30-noon. Both of these classes are starting fresh so everyone that comes will be new! They will both be at the Professional Building 710 W. 8th Street.”
Why:
“We offer these classes to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food and lifestyle choices that prevent obesity
These classes are offered FREE of charge to those wishing to participate.”
Andrew Ables stands in front of his biology room Tuesday afternoon. He was recently hired as a new science teacher at Uniontown High School.
Andrew Ables, 30, was hired at a December USD 235 Board of Education meeting as the new Uniontown High School science teacher. He will teach biology, 7th-grade science, and advanced biology.
“We were unable to find a licensed teacher first semester,” said Brett Howard, USD 235 superintendent. This, following former science teacher Sarah Sutton’s departure to teach at Fort Scott Community College starting last summer.
The science position was left open.
There is a shortage of teachers in Kansas, Howard said.
The district turned to Southeast Kansas Education Education Service Center, also known as Greenbush, to fill in the gap.
Through Greenbush Blended Learning, school districts can provide subjects such as foreign languages, advanced mathematics, and sciences they would otherwise be unable to provide, according to its’ website https://www.greenbush.org
Ables hales from Norton, KS with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Fort Hays State University.
“I (taught) my first five years in Stockton, Kansas,” Ables said.
“My family situation changed,” Ables said. “I married a Fort Scott native. We couldn’t find a house in northwest Kansas. She already had a house here. There happened to be a job opening.”
He is married to Ashlee (Phillips) Ables and has two daughters: Caroline-four years old and Harper- six weeks.
Asked what motivated him to become an educator, he replied “Having an immediate impact on lives at one of their most important stages.”
His top priority for the classes he will teach is to prepare his students for college, he said.
Teacher in-service in USD 235 starts today, Jan. 2, and classes start on Jan. 3.
“The (Mercy Hospital) emergency room will operate as Mercy until Feb. 1,” said Tina Rockhold, whose last day as the communication director for Mercy Hospital Fort Scott was Dec. 28.
“The emergency room is open as usual until Jan. 31,” Reta Baker, Mercy Hospital Administrator, said. “The clinics are available and open until January 31, then will continue as Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.”
“Convenient Care is closed Jan. 1 (because of the New Year’s holiday) and will be open Jan 2, with the same hours and phone number,” Baker said.
The phone numbers will remain the same for the clinics, Rockhold said.
Mercy Convenient Care on National Avenue’s phone number is 620-223-8428. Mercy’s Clinic at the hospital is 223-8402. The Mercy Emergency Room can be contacted by phone through the main Mercy phone line at 223-2200.
The clinics scheduled transitions are as follows:
Mercy Clinic Family Medicine Linn County, located at 11155 Tucker Road, Pleasanton, Kansas, will transition to CHC/SEK effective January 1, 2019
Mercy Clinic Family Medicine Arma, located at 601 E. Washington Street, Arma, Kansas, will transition to CHC/SEK effective January 1, 2019
Mercy Clinic Fort Scott, located at 403 Woodland Hills Boulevard, Fort Scott, Kansas, will transition to CHC/SEK effective February 1, 2019
Mercy Convenient Care National, located at 1624 S. National Avenue, Fort Scott, Kansas, will transition to CHC/SEK effective February 1, 2019
Patients who plan to transition care the CHC are required to complete a medical release form.
This will allow past medical records to be uploaded into the CHC/SEK electronic health records so providers can view a patient’s medical history once they are seen as CHC/SEK patients.
Parents and guardians may complete a release of medical records for those patients less than 18 years old. A durable power of attorney designation is necessary to complete a form for anyone older than 18 who is unable to sign.
Filling out online takes about 10 minutes or less.
To complete a hard copy form, please contact Jessica Marsh at [email protected] or call 620-223-8515. Completed forms may be mailed to Jessica Marsh; Mercy Fort Scott Medical Records; 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.; Fort Scott, KS, 66701.
Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener is working on a strategic plan.
“The overall economic development goal is to increase the tax base and lower taxes,” Hoener said. “I’ve been looking at ways to increase the population, looking at strategic activities and programs.”
“I’ve been putting together a strategic plan for the county,” she said. “It’s a process though. I’ve had talks with business and community members.”
“We will partner with the Chamber of Commerce to complete a business retention and expansion survey,” she said.
She hopes to be able to engage and fit small, medium and large businesses in the strategic plan.
Bourbon County Collaboration To Replace Ambulance Service
Bourbon County residents were stunned when Mercy Hospital Fort Scott announced that they would be closing Dec. 31.
Since then Hoenor, along with other county and city officials, have been collaborating on the retention of an ambulance service to fill the void following the closure of the hospital.
The Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services ambulances will be stationed where they currently are: one station at the Fort Scott Fire Department downtown and one station at the Mercy location south of town, Hoenor said. Mercy donated four ambulance trucks.
“The idea is and the current understanding is that the current employees (will keep their job),” she said.
Mercy will be running the EMS until April 1, when the branding and signage will change, Hoener said.
“It’s been pretty fast, everybody understands the strong urgency to it,” she said.
Hoener’s office is located in the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue and she can be reached at 620-223-3800 or mobile 620-215-5725 or www.bourboncountyks.org
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin gave the attendees of the Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee an update on the 2018 happenings in the city on Dec. 20.
“We got a lot accomplished in 2018,” Martin said. “We had some things thrown at us, but I think we stepped up to the plate.”
The following, provided by Martin, are the completed projects that were a high priority:
Tourism:
The city welcomed more than 5,500 visitors to the new tourism office at the office shared with the Chamber of Commerce, 445 visitor tours on Dolly the Trolley since July, a new lavender festival event, a new Boos and Brews Event, a new Veteran’s Weekend Celebration, the assumption of operations at the La Roche Complex and a Division 1 World Series proposal, the county law change on 30 percent food requirements allowed for the local microbrewery business.
Emergency services:
The city installed the Nex Gen Att and Hosted ITI at the police and fire department, signed a contract with the county to collaborate on Emergency Medical Services and will provide the Human Resource assistance with the services, and added a police K-9 unit with no impact to the budget.
Human Resources:
As of December 2018, there are 97 full-time and 29 part-time employees of the City of Fort Scott. There are monthly KMU training sessions and continued education for all departments. The city is working with Craw-Kan Telephone on a phased upgrade to the IT infrastructure. The city provided a physical activity initiative for its employees and also updated the employee handbook. The city provided an FSA vendor administration transition.
There are four city personnel retirements: Jon Garrison on Sept. 9, Kenny Howard on Dec. 28, Johnny Keating on Jan. 3. 2019, and Shaun West on Dec. 20. There will be a reception for Howard on Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. at city hall and reception for Keating on Jan 3 at 2 p.m. at the fire station.
Promotions this year: Rhonda Dunn to Director of Finance, Jerry Morgan to Streets Supervisor, Jason Pickert to Police Captain, Jacob May and Clint Roberts to Fire Dept. Captain, Alex Schafer, and Clint Lawrence to FSFD Lieutenant Reserves to full-time.
Dav Mohler and Cody McGehee graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.
New employees are Robert Uhler, Director of Community Development; Seth Simpson, airport manager; Bill Rost, WWC maintenance.
Those who have taken the Certified Public Manager designation, a program to prepare managers for careers in government: 2001-Dave Martin, 2014-Paul Ballou, 2015-Travis Shelton, 2016-Dave Bruner, and Traci Reed, 2017-Jason Pickert, 2018-Chad Brown and Larry Gazaway, 2019-Robert Uhler and Michael Mix.
Streets and streets:
The city spent $200,000 on streets in 2018.
The 2018 Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter Program approved six grants in the amount of $12,000 with owner investment of $24,595.
Water utility:
The city maintained 220 miles of water and sewer lines, including 3,100 water connections, rebuilt pump no. 1 and the Fort Scott Community College booster update, added pickleball court lighting, generator load bank, and valve leash, PACP Certification, Vactor training from Key Equipment, added GIS map update, announced refusal to accept grease loads, and provided multiple repairs to the sanitary sewer system.
Community Amenities:
There was a new public golf cart shed constructed, expansion of Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative fiber network and updates at Lake Fort Scott.
Finance/Codes:
There were 309 building permits issued for revenue of $8,340.
The number of codes cases resulting in a letter or ticket was 473. There were 27 demolition projects: nine were torn down by the city at a cost of $31,043; ten were torn down by the owner which saved $35,000; four were owner repaired; four are in process.
The three officers and director have achieved Kansas Certified Code Enforcement Officer status.
Community Development:
A Fort Scott Landbank was established.
A new direction is being taken by the Food Alliance, with the possibility of a community food bank.
A healthcare task force was formed between the city and Bourbon County.
Economic Development:
Business assistance for relocation, expansion and new businesses was provided by Bourbon County Economic Develpment Council.
A City of Fort Scott Five-Year Comprehensive Plan was approved.
The city reapplied for Kansas Housing Tax Credits to support redevelopment of the Union Building, downtown. This project will add much-needed housing for the workforce.
The city approved nine Downtown Building Improvement Grants totaling $38,904 with an owner investment of $54,898.
The airport revenue increased 75-percent in jet fuel sales from 2017 to 2018. The airport received $286,522 in Kansas Dept. of Transportation Aviation Grants from the Ks. Airport Improvement Program. Grants were completed for future airport expansion.
CHC/SEK Welcomes Fort Scott Medical Providers Dr. Katrina Burke, Dr. Larry Seals, Amanda Stice APRN, Dr. Maxwell Self, Kristine O’Dell APRN, Pamela Moyers APRN and Dr. Pankaj Gugnani. (Not pictured are Hannah Born APRN and Amber Hunziker APRN)
(Pittsburg, KS) – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is preparing for a very busy new year as it will assume operations of five clinics in Bourbon, Linn and Crawford counties beginning January 1.
Following the news that Mercy Health System would be closing the hospital in Fort Scott, it was announced that CHC/SEK would take over operations of Mercy’s primary care clinics in Fort Scott, Pleasanton and Arma.
“Mercy recognized the impact that closing the hospital would have and approached us about preserving access to care in Bourbon and Linn counties,” said CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai adding that CHC/SEK also recognized the need. “We immediately began working with them on a transition plan.”
CHC/SEK will officially assume operations of the Mercy clinics at 601 East Washington in Arma and 11155 Tucker Road in Pleasanton on January 1. CHC/SEK will also transition the Mound City Family Care clinic — which is owned by the Mound City Medical Foundation and currently under the management of the Olathe Health System — on January 1.
Postai said transition of the Fort Scott clinics will begin on February 1 with Convenient Care at 1624 South National changing its name to CHC/SEK Walk-In Care.
“The hours and services will stay the same,” said Postai. “For most people, the only change they will notice will be the name on the building.”
The main clinic located inside the hospital at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. will be managed by Mercy until January 31. It will then be closed until February 4 when it reopens as part of CHC/SEK. Postai said the clinic will have the same hours and offer the same services.
“We will continue to provide primary medical care along with obstetrics, lab, x-ray and immunizations,” she said. “We also plan to continue to offer mammograms and provide space for specialists including the Cancer Center of Kansas.”
Postai added that CHC/SEK will also operate the retail pharmacy next to the main clinic. “The only difference patients should notice is lower costs for their prescriptions,” she said. “It will have the same hours and you will see the same faces as before.”
Postai said the question she hears most often has to do with staff, particularly which medical providers will be staying with the organization.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Katrina Burke, Dr. Larry Seals, Dr. Maxwell Self and Dr. Pankaj Gugnani from Fort Scott as well as Dr. Jay Allen from Mound City to our medical staff,” said Postai. “Dr. Seals and Dr. Burke will also provide delivery services at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.”
CHC/SEK Welcomes Rhonda Kellstadt APRN, Brad Young APRN and Kristyn Milburn APRN in PleasantonCHC/SEK Welcomes Kim Burns APRN in Arma
Postai added that several nurse practitioners will also make the transition including Amanda Stice, Pamela Moyers, Kristine O’Dell, Hannah Born, Amber Hunziker, Brad Young, Kristyn Milburn, Rhonda Kellstadt, Kim Burns and Kelsey Welch.
CHC/SEK Welcomes Dr. Jay Allen and Kelsey Welch APRN in Mound City
“We have also hired local Practice Managers who will be on-site to oversee the daily operations,” said Postai. “Amy Budy will oversee the Bourbon County clinics and Tesia Coffey will be in charge of the clinics in Linn County.”
Postai went on to say the addition of five clinics along with a combined total of more than 15,000 patients and approximately 75 staff members represents an estimated 35 percent growth for CHC/SEK.
“This is not only the largest undertaking in our 15-year history,” she said. “It is quite possibly the most significant.”
In the meantime, Postai said one of the biggest tasks CHC/SEK is working on right now is transferring all of the electronic medical records which can be very time consuming. “Every patient needs to sign a release form in order for us to do that.”
Postai encouraged all current patients of the Mercy clinics or Mound City Family Care to complete the forms which are available on CHC/SEK’s website at www.chcsek.org/medicalrecords.
About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing affordable, high quality medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and out
Pictured (front, L-R): Colleen Quick, Mercy Health Foundation board member; Krista Postai, CEO of CHC/SEK; and Daniel Creitz, CHC/SEK general counsel; (back, L-R) Bryan Holt, Mercy Health Foundation treasurer; Chris Petty, Mercy Health Foundation vice chair; and Jason Wesco, CHC/SEK executive vice president.
Access to numerous health care services will remain intact following the closure of Mercy Hospital due in part to a substantial donation from Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott. The foundation board agreed to donate $300,000 to Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas to ensure the continuation of essential health care services in Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
Mercy Health Foundation board members presented the check for $300,000 to CHC/SEK leadership on Tuesday, December 18.
Many services currently offered by Mercy will transition to CHC/SEK in Fort Scott effective February 1. The services include:
A primary care clinic consisting of Dr. Katrina Burke, Dr. P.K. Gugnani, Dr. Maxwell Self, and numerous nurse practitioners.
Convenient Care located at 1624 S. National will also transition to CHC/SEK effective February 1. Hours of the convenient care clinic will remain the same.
Pre-natal care will continue to be offered with Dr. Larry Seals and Dr. Katrina Burke.
Lab, x-ray, and mammograms.
Future expansion of services by CHC/SEK which will likely include dental care, behavioral health and transportation services.
Funds donated by Mercy Health Foundation will assist CHC/SEK with start-up costs associated to support a new electronic health record and documentation system, computers, phones, printers and other business-related devices necessary to manage a clinic.
Mercy Health Foundation—Fort Scott, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, raises money and community awareness for Mercy Hospital. It is dependent on the support of individuals, corporations and foundations to help Mercy meet community health care needs. Mercy Health Foundation invests its philanthropic support in facilities and the advancement of technologies and programs to enhance Mercy’s ability to provide excellence in health care. For more information, visit mercy.net/giving.
