Tag Archives: featured

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Tinkergarten Coming To Fort Scott

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Maria Whitson plays with her children Asher, Judah, and Malachi in Gunn Park last week.

The thought of a classroom without walls intrigued Maria Whitson.

Whitson, from Garland, first found out about an organization called Tinkergarten when a friend from Kansas City referred her saying she would be a good leader.

“When I went to their website, I lit up,” Whitson said. ” Being outdoors with a group of parents and children.  Playing and educating, growing together, all of it caught my attention.”

Founded in 2012, Tinkergarten is a nationwide play-based, outdoor learning class designed for children ages 18 months to 8 years, and their parents.

According to recent statistics, children’s free play time is declining, and it’s diminishing the chances to develop critical life skills, she said.

Free spring trial classes will be offered at 10 a.m. March 29 and 31 at Gunn Park.

Then classes will be held each Thursday, April 12 through May 31
 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

In a 5-part class each week Whitson will facilitate an expert-designed play scenario, allowing children of various ages and needs to explore, problem solve, communicate, collaborate, and create together, according to the Tinkergarten.com website. Parents and caregivers learn, too, and share insights into a child’s development.

To register go to Tinkergarten.com.

The cost is $140 per student for 8 sessions. An installment plan is available. There is a 30% discount for each additional sibling.

Some benefits of Tinkergarten provided by Whitson are:

●  Spending time outdoors provides children with a wide range of health benefits including social and emotional well-being. Research shows that time outdoors supports improved relationship skills, and reduces stress, anger, and aggression.

  •  80 percent of brain development occurs before the age of five. Children build foundational skills in their first five years that will affect the rest of their learning and life.
  •  In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, parents need to balance the screen time with outdoor time to raise healthy, well-adjusted kids.

“I’m bringing this incredible early-childhood education program to Fort Scott, to help children develop critical capabilities such as self-reliance, creativity, persistence and problem-solving skills, all proven benefits of play-based, outdoor learning, ” she said.

“I became a leader because I want to get my children outdoors more and be intentional about creating learning experiences with them.  The opportunity for me to lead a Tinkergarten class was exactly the motivation and training that I was looking for.  I am thrilled that I get to not only have that opportunity for my children and myself but also for other families.  I am so excited to be in a classroom without walls.”

 

Fort Scott

This Friday, Last Lenten Fish Fry in 2018.

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Community members are served during the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry on March 16.

The Knights of Columbus Fish Fry organizers have been offering fish during Lent for approximately 25 years at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

This Friday, March 23 is the last evening for the fish fry in 2018.

The fish fry is an observance of Lent in the Catholic Church.

Lent is the period preceding Easter that in the Christian Church is devoted to fasting, abstinence, and penitence in commemoration of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness, according to an online dictionary. It runs from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday and so includes forty weekdays.

“Catholics adhere to no meat on Fridays, as abstaining from meat is a part of Lent,” Mark McCoy, Knights of Columbus member said. “Christ gave his life for us, we are making a small gift back to Him.”

The proceeds from the fish fry go to helping agencies in Fort Scott such as the Beacon, Mother to Mother Ministry and Birthline, McCoy said. “A percentage goes to other helping agencies.”

“We have a great time doing it,” McCoy said. “And there is good food, fun, and fellowship.”

The women of the church bake desserts for the event.

“A lot of people get their dessert first,” McCoy said.

The Kennedy Gym at St. Mary’s Catholic Church was full of people Friday, March 16 for the Lenten Fish Fry.
Men from the Catholic Church serve fish, potatoes, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw and grilled cheese sandwiches for the community Lenten dinner each Friday evening before Easter. Women of the church provide desserts. Pictured from left Paul Milks, Larry Martin and Jim Bambick who served March 16.
Business, Fort Scott

Hoener’s Will Renovate 124 E. Wall: New Liquor Store And Apartments Are Planned

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The “Old Spoiled Brat building” on East Wall will be getting a new purpose.

The Hole in the Wall Liquor Store is moving.

The store, currently at 13 W. Oak will be moving to 124 E. Wall soon.

“Hopefully we will be able to start work in the next month,” Jody Hoener who along with husband Roy own the liquor store. ” We meet with our contractor this week to get our timeline nailed down.”

They have hired Hofer and Hofer of Humboldt to do the work of renovating what is known locally as the “Old Spoiled Brat Building” at the corner of Wall and Scott streets.

“Mike Hofer is a great contractor and an upstanding individual,” Hoener said. “I look forward to working with him and his crew.’

On March 6 Hoener was on the Fort Scott City Commission Agenda for consideration of bids and Community Development Block Grant approval for renovation of the property at 124 E. Wall.

Susan Galemore, a grant administrator for Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, informed the Commission that this project was recently rebid a second time, according to the city minutes.

The second round of bids produced three bids, with the low bid from Hofer and Hofer in the amount of $150,084. This amount is still about $50,000 over the projected budget for the project as the grant amount is $95,000, according to the city minutes.

City Finance Director Jon Garrison prepared a spreadsheet reflecting the grant in the amount of $95,000, the City of Fort Scott contribution of $30,000, and the Economic Development Grant in the amount of $3,000. The Hoener’s contribution is $49,759. The total project is $177,759, according to the minutes.

” (City Manager) Dave Martin and Jon Garrison at the City have made this project smooth and have been involved since inception,” Hoener said. “We all have the same goal to move our city and it’s economic growth forward. It’s amazing what can happen when everyone is working towards that same vision.”

The Hoener’s will also be adding housing opportunities to the community.

“Our plan is to move Hole in the Wall Liquor to the new building with apartments in the upstairs,” she said. ” In the back, the empty lot is ours too, we will create a patio space for tasting events.”

“We do not own the building at the location we are at now and wanted to make an investment in our community,” Hoener said. “This building (on Wall Street) is an eyesore to the gateway of our downtown and has been for half a decade. It needed to be fixed and what better way than to use our resources and business to work towards our downtown revitalization. (It’s a)Great location. ”

 

Fort Scott, Housing

Bartelsmeyers Given Approval For Alteration of Loft In Historic Downtown

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Bartelsmeyer’s loft apartment, pictured from the front, is above the Tribune Newspaper at 22-22 1/2 N. Main.

John Bartelsmeyer appeared before the Fort Scott Design Review Board Thursday to get approval for renovation of the alley side of he and his wife, Cindy’s loft apartment at 22-22 1/2 N. Main.

The City of Fort Scott Design Review Board met and approved alterations to John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer’s loft apartment. From left clockwise: City Clerk Diane Clay, John Bartelsmeyer, members of the board-Darren Crays, Shane Walker, Peggy Cummings and City Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt. Not pictured are board members Arnold Schofield and Rick Zingre.

The board approved the certificate of appropriateness for the alteration of the Bartlesmeyer property, which is in the historic downtown Fort Scott district.

The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of downtown Fort Scott. They meet on an “as needed” basis.

The Bartelsmeyers will add a garage on the first floor,  and add a bedroom, entryway, and deck to the second floor. Concrete block walls will be on the north and south side of the addition. The garage door will be dark grey steel, as will the trim around the window and door, with a light gray wall siding.

“We’d like to start (the addition) within a month,” Bartelsmeyer told the board at the meeting Thursday. “We’ve been working on this building for three years.”

The approval of the addition will be finalized at the March 20 Fort Scott City Commission meeting, City Clerk Diane Clay told Bartelsmeyer.

The future renovation depiction of the John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer loft apartment, from the alley behind. Zingre & Associates, PA of Fort Scott are the architects.

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Farmers Market Plans For Season, And Is Looking For Honey Vendors

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The Fort Scott Farmers Market group met at Presbyterian Village Thursday evening to plan for the 2018 season which starts the first weekend in May.

The Fort Scott Farmers Market group met Thursday evening to review 2017 and look to this season possibilities.

The market sets up stalls in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site at the north end of Main Street starting in May on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. until noon and Tuesday evenings from 4-6 p.m.

It continues until October.

Market stall fees are $5 per day and there is a $5 application fee to reserve a vendor space. Or there is a discounted fee of $4 per day if pre-paid in the amount of $108 for the 27-week market space.

A new president of the market was elected, Stacey Atkins.

Beverly Brown was re-elected as treasurer.

Stacy Atkins, left, was elected the new president of Fort Scott Farmers Market. Beverly Brown was re-elected treasurer.

Atkins was the secretary in 2017 and that position is still open.

Linda Bower, the president of Fort Scott Farmers Market for two years, leads her last meeting March 15. New officers were elected and plans were made for the 2018 season.

In 2017 the group facilitated:

  • Breakfast on the Bricks, where customers can purchase a breakfast on Saturday mornings while attending the market.
  • Several demonstrations of interest to the community, such as CPR and rain barrels.
  • Tuesday evening strawberry shortcakes social.
  • Once a month raffle drawing, starting in June, with market vendors contributing goods for the prize.
  • The Third Saturday Marketplace, working in collaboration with the City of Fort Scott, the market moved to historic downtown on Main Street once a month.
  • Special music that entertains while customers stroll through the market.
  • Children’s activities.

The group is looking for honey producers, at the request of community members.

Group member Vickie Shead said she has some honey but production has been difficult with the drift of herbicides that have helped to decimate her bee population.

Traditional offerings of this market are veggies, fruit, eggs, crafts, jellies/jams, baked goods, herbs, live plants, nuts,  and pottery.

This year Fort Scott Kiwanis has offered to do Breakfast on the Bricks the first Saturday in May, according to Mickie Kraft, a group member.

Group member Ronnie Brown told about the Bourbon County Food Alliance that he is a part of.

“They were talking about how they could help us, possibly furnishing entertainment, breakfast, public relations, and help with the business part,” Brown said. “They want to see this farmers market extended.”

Brown also mentioned Project 17, which is a regional economic development and community engagement initiative in the southeast region of the state, according to a K-State website.

“Bob Marshall helped initiate it,” Brown said. Marshall was a Kansas Senator from 2009 to 2013.

“Local food is a by-word now,” Brown said. “There is a lot to look forward to, a lot of enthusiasm.”

Newly elected President Stacey Atkins told the group about a program through a Pathways Grant that is seeking input from local food producers.

“On May 3, a Buy and Sell-Meet and Greet will be at 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall,” Atkins said. “This meeting will be to bridge the divide between local gardeners and retail food sellers.”

 

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County

Coalition Helps With Rent, Utility Assistance AND Swim Passes

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The Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition from left to right: Tisha Miller, Rhonda Hoener, DeAnn Welch, Bob Eckles, Sue Emmons, Shana McClure, Doug Altic, Billie Jo Drake. Submitted photo.

A local helping agency provides both a need and a want.

The Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition provides rent/utility bill assistance and additionally, family passes to the Fort Scott Municipal Swimming pool in the summer, with help from  United Way of Bourbon County.

FortScott.Biz is featuring each agency that was granted funding through United Way.

The contact person is Billie Jo Drake,  her phone number is 620-223-5946 and email address is bjducktracks @gmail.com

What service do you provide for our community?

“We have two programs:  rent and utility bill assistance and the family pool pass project.”

When are you open?

“We have no office or office hours.  People who are in need of assistance make their requests through the Beacon (Phone, 620-223-6869 · Address. 525 E 6th St; Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.)  Pool pass applications can be obtained at Buck Run Community Center Phone, (620-223-0386 · Address. 735 Scott Ave; Fort Scott, Kansas 66701) in the spring.”

What percentage of your budget is the United Way grant?

“It varies depending on other grants and donations, but this year it will be about 20 percent.”

Who are the board members?

Doug Altic, Bob Eckles, Sue Emmons,  Shana McClure, Tisha Miller, DeAnn Welch, and Billie Jo Drake.

Area News, Business

Craw-Kan Expanding Service In Bourbon County

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Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative, Girard, is extending its’  “Fiber to the Home” network into the city limits of Fort Scott.

“We will be offering ultra-fast fiber optic internet up to 1 gigabit, high definition cable TV services, and phone service to residences and businesses,” said Zach Adams, Manager of Marketing and Customer Service of Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative.

“We will be providing better, faster, more reliable services using the latest technology at extremely competitive prices,” Adams said. “We will not require residential contracts and do not charge equipment rental fees or installation fees on new customers.”

Internet pricing starts at $50 per month and cable TV packages as low as $39 per month, Adams said.
For current pricing and packages see the business website www.ckt.net

“We are already hooking up customers in select areas and taking orders in Country Club Hills and along Indian Road and West 23rd Street,” Adam said. “Keep an eye on your mailbox for notification of availability in your area!”

Craw-Kan is hoping to expand its customer base and the size of its network footprint, he said.

The current plan is to finish the main trunk line loop through the city and begin building in some neighborhoods along the way.

“Later this year we plan to begin building in the historic downtown district and industrial parks,” Adams said. “Next year we plan to announce a larger scale expansion that will reach a large number of residents.”

  ” We have served a large portion of rural Bourbon county for a long time,” Adams said. ” This is an extension into the city limits.”

The fiber is 100 percent buried, so there is no weather interference, Adams said. ” It is optic (light) rather than electrical so there is no electrical interference. It is a dedicated link, so no sharing with other users.  It provides the most bandwidth available into the home – no speed restrictions based on distance.  It is low maintenance and highly reliable – nearly 99.95% uptime. “
For more information, contact Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative at 620-724-8235

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Fort Scott Preschool To Expand

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The Fort Scott Preschool, at 409 S. Judson.

USD 234 is making preschool for students a priority, according to Nicki Traul, director of curriculum.

“We are very fortunate that students have many opportunities for preschool in Fort Scott,” she said.  “This initiative isn’t to compete with those other preschools.”

Many kindergarten students have not had any early childhood opportunities, Traul said.

“Our expansion is so that we can find those students and get them in a program,” she said. ” The district wants to see that every USD 234 child gets at least one year of preschool prior to starting kindergarten.  We need all the preschools in town to be able to do that.”

Traul is attempting to contact all preschool providers in town to establish an early childhood professional learning community.

“It helps us as a district to work with the other preschools,” she said.  “Why wouldn’t we want to help each other? ”

In an effort to collaborate with other Fort Scott preschools,  Traul has organized a meeting.

Invitations will be sent to area preschools for representatives to meet at 1 p.m. on April 12 in the Fort Scott Middle School Community Room.

Sandy Ellsworth, Greenbush Early Childhood Department, will facilitate the meeting.

The community is welcome to attend.

“We are excited at the opportunity to work with others in our community and the good that will come from that,” Traul said.  “Our students need to be our focus and our priority, as a community we need to support early childhood and help each other.”

The USD 234 preschool is located at 409 S. Judson, in back of the former middle school.

Traul said the USD 234 plan is to carve out classrooms from an existing gym at the preschool.

The gym is partially used for the cafeteria and storage currently.

Nicki Traul, USD 234 Director of Curriculum, tells about the expansion project of the Fort Scott Preschool in the pre-school gym, where the new classrooms will be located.
The Fort Scott Preschool gym is currently partially used for storage as well as the cafeteria.
Fort Scott, Schools

Middle School Flex Room Has Many Benefits

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Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert welcomes guests of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee to the school Thursday morning.

Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee social Thursday at the school.

An important purpose of the building is safety during tornados.

“We can fit 650 people in this space,” Weilert said. “We can get the student body in here in four minutes.”

The building was constructed of concrete with minimal windows for student safety.

But the school uses what is referred to as “flex space”, for other purposes, Weilert said. “There is a community space, an art gallery, and breakout rooms.”

The brightly painted and colorfully decorated large building can be divided easily for different purposes. It is located on the south side of the school

“This space encourages creativity and it’s good to get out of class once in a while, to change environments,” Weilert said.

The newly constructed space was added to the school in 2017 as part of a district-wide building improvement project.

USD 234 Business Manager Gina Shelton shows the community room that is available for organizations in the community to use. The room is located in the high wind building, completed in 2017 and has innovative technology.

Pictured below are members of the community who congregated in small groups before the announcement segment of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee.

During the coffee event, members can tell about upcoming community events or organizations for a $1 donation, which goes to fund the town trolley car.

At the conclusion of the weekly coffee, the host organization/business/school/church gets a platform to tell about the events or projects that are currently happening.

This is the dedication plaque that was placed in the community room of the new high wind building, completed in 2017.
Bourbon County

Bourbon County 4-H Fair, A United Way Agency

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FortScott.Biz is doing a series on the agencies that receive funding through United Way of Bourbon County.

The following is an interview with Diane Brillhart, treasurer of Bourbon County 4-H Fair.

Who is the contact person along with phone number?

Dale Griffiths – 620-215-3101

What service do you provide to our community?

“We provide a venue and structure for holding the annual county fair.  The County Fair is a place for our local kids to exhibit the projects they have been working on and teach others about things they have learned.  Our venue is also available for others in the community to hold events and activities.”

How many people are served?

“Everyone in the community can benefit from our facility.”

What percentage of your budget is the United Way Grant?

“Five percent.”

Who are the board members?

President Dale Griffiths, Vice-Pres. Mark Crystal,                                        Secretary  Lynda Foster, Assist. Secretary David Foster,                     Treasurer  Diane Brillhart, Assist. Treasurer Mark Brillhart, Merchant Superintendent Allen Warren,  Grandstand Superintendent  Stewart Gulager and Assistant Grandstand Superintendent Mark Leatherman.

United Way is primarily funded through donations from local businesses when employees agree to donate an amount through payroll deductions.

Gina Shelton, president of United Way of Bourbon County said the cost of a purchased soft drink, one dollar if it was payroll deducted by many people, would help the agency meet its 2018 Campaign goal of $50,000.

                                          

 

Bourbon County

SEKRS, Respite For Caregivers

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Southeast Kansas Respite Services worker Kathy Ogle visits with a client.

FortScott.Biz is providing a series featuring each  United Way of Bourbon County agency in the coming weeks.

United Way is primarily funded through donations from local businesses when employees agree to donate an amount through payroll deductions.

Gina Shelton, president of United Way of Bourbon County said the cost of a purchased soft drink, one dollar if it was payroll deducted by many people, would help the agency meet its 2018 Campaign goal of $50,000.

Diane Salyers is the contact for Southeast Kansas Respite Services (SEKRS) and she provided the answers in the following interview with fortscott.biz. She can be reached at      [email protected]

What service do you provide Bourbon County residents?

“SEKRS was organized to give parents/ family caregivers a rest or break from the constant care that is often required by a child, adult family member, or senior with special needs.  It is very difficult to find persons willing to assume the added responsibility of caring for someone with special needs. SEKRS hires individuals to go into the home and stay with the individual with special needs so the family caregiver can get away.”

“Our goal is to strengthen families and keep them together by giving them a break from the constant care and added stress families of individuals with special needs face on a daily basis.   Family caregivers need to know their loved ones are being cared for by skilled and competent caregivers. SEKRS provides that care.”

What are your service hours?

“Our office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, but our services can be at any time, including nights and weekends.”

What is your local address?

“We are located t 2601 Gabriel, Parsons KS 67357 and we cover the nine counties of Southeast Kansas.”

What percentage of your budget is the United Way grant?

“We requested $500 which is 10 percent of our budget.”

Who are your board members?

SEKRS Board of Directors  2017-2018

Scott Thompson -Chairperson

Director CLASS LTD

PO Box 266

Columbus, KS  66725

 

Tim Cunningham

Director Tri-Valley Developmental Services

PO Box 518

Chanute, KS  66720

 

Mike Dixon Acting Superintendent, Parsons State Hospital and Training

PO Box 738

Parsons, KS   67357

 

Matt Atteberry-Secretary

Director Labette Center for Mental Health Services

PO Box 258

Parsons, KS   67357

 

Dave Lindeman-Treasurer

Director University of Kansas Life Span at Parsons

PO Box 738

Parsons, KS  67357

 

Cindy Lane

Director Area Agency on Aging

PO Box J

Chanute, KS  66720

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Riverfront Park Pavilion Nearly Ready For The Public

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Schenkel Construction workers constructed the pavilion at Riverfront Park starting in fall 2017. It is nearly complete.

Riverfront Park Pavilion is almost ready for public use.

“We have to plant grass and landscape,” Jerry Witt, chairman of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority (FSBCRA), said.

The FSBCRA envisions the pavilion will be used for family gatherings or public concerts or meetings, according to  Witt.

There will be a grand opening this spring for the pavilion.

“We’re gearing towards a ribbon cutting following a Chamber of Commerce Coffee on May 17 at 8:45 a.m.,” Witt said.

“That evening at 6 p.m. there will be hot dogs, watermelon, and desserts,” he said. “Then a free country music concert at 6:30 p.m. Jason Richison, Kinley Rice and Rick Cook and the Seminole Band will be here.”

The $38,000 pavilion was funded by a matching grant where  80 percent was provided by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant, and the FSBCRA paying 20 percent through local fundraising, Witt said.

Schenkel Contracting, Fort Scott,  constructed the building purchased from Lester Building Systems of Minnesota, starting in early fall.

The 30 by 50 by 12-foot wooden frame, with commercial scissor trusses,  a steel roof and gable ends, has electricity and lights.

The pavilion is located east of the parking area just inside Riverfront Park in the Belltown Trail area, north of the Marmaton River.

The next project of the FSBCRA is an overlook structure, Witt said.

Members of Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority discuss updates on construction projects at Riverfront Park at the Carriage House in September. Clockwise from left: Danny Magee, Bob Love, Allen Warren, Jerry Witt and Jeff Sweetser. Not pictured are Betty Boyko, Dean Mann, Arnold Scholfield, Penny Barnes and Dave Martin and Brian Leaders, who are ex-officio members.

“We will be building an overlook at the convergence of  Mill Creek and the Marmaton River,” Witt said. “It will be a five-sided structure with some seating. It’s for educational and recreational purposes.”

Each side of the overlook will be 14 feet and it will be 24 feet across.

There will be a 40 foot American Disabilities Act compliant boardwalk leading to the overlook.

“The Westar Green Team is supplying the lumber and milling, the Riverfront Authority will supply labor,” Witt said.

Construction will begin in late spring or early summer, he said, with the contractor to yet be determined.

The FSBCRA is getting preliminary costs for possible lighting options in the park, Witt said.

In addition, the board is submitting a grant application for playground equipment, he said.

“It will be rustic logs and nature-type things for the kids,” Witt said.

The FSBCRA is regrouping for a historic bridge relocation to the park.

“We are looking at further grants,” Witt said. “We rejected the low bid because it was higher than the engineer thought it should be. The engineer thought it should $750,000, the low bid was $1.2 million, so we are starting over.”

The FSBCRA meets monthly.

For more information, contact Witt at 620-215-4817.

For a previous story on the FSBCRA, click here:

Riverfront Park Pavilion Work Has Begun

Riverfront Park Pavillion Coming Spring 2018