Mid-Continental Restoration Inc. employees work on the exterior of the LaRoche buildings, formerly the old Tribune buildings on Wall Street at National Avenue, on Nov. 7. From left on the ground is Pat Shelton, equipment maintenance with MCR and Chris Fountain, foreman.
Work began on two historic side-by-side downtown buildings owned by Jennifer LaRoche on Nov. 5.
Stones on the facade of the buildings on Wall Street at National Avenue are being removed and examined to get structural issues repaired, according to Pat Shelton, Mid-Contenintal Restoration Inc., Fort Scott.
“We are doing restoration on the north side of the exterior,” Chase Halsey, MCR project manager, said. “We are taking down the stone, then rebuilding the wall and relaying the existing stones if they are in good shape.”
Some of the stones on the century-old buildings are missing or have deteriorated, he said.
“I don’t know the exact date the building was built, over one-hundred years ago, I would guess,” Halsey said.
Beau Casper is shoring up the roof trusses, Halsey said. Casper is a separately contracted with LaRoche, he said.
“That is so that when we reattach the stone veneer, it will be more stable than right now,” he said.
New stones will be made by Phoenix Marble Stone, Springfield, Mo., Halsey said.
“We are going to try to have it done by the end of the year,” Halsey said. “We are at the mercy of when the new stones are on site….and we are at the mercy of the weather as well.”
“The snow on the scaffolding makes us unable to work,” he said.
No interior work is being done at this time, Halsey said.
Bourbon County Arts Council members Deb Halsey and Elaine Buerge welcomed guests of the Chamber coffee Nov. 15.
The Bad Art by Good People 2018 Art Exhibition was the feature of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Nov. 15 at the Ellis Center.
Deb Halsey, board member of the Bourbon County Arts Council told guests the auction is this evening (Nov. 15)at 7p.m. at the Ellis Center located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Marty Read will be the auctioneer.
“This is the fifth year of Bad Art by Good People,” Halsey said. “It’s our number-one fundraiser. Ninety-seven people have painted for us over the years and let us auction it off.”
Chamber members look over the artwork Thursday morning.
This year’s artists are Laura Agee, Karen Billiard, Susan Carillo, Rhonda Dunn, Bob Eckles, Lucy Gladbach, Kristin Gorman, Emily Hinkle, Jody Hoener, Rebekah Houses, Linda Jackson, Casey Lewis, Laura Meeks, Susan Messer, Bryan Ritter, Addi Smith, and Clyde Wendel.
“There is a great variety of artwork,” Halsey said.
The exhibit is open for viewing at 7 p.m. this evening for voting on a favorite piece of work. Appetizers are served.
At 7:30 p.m. the auction starts.
Kale Nelson looks at the artwork at Ellis Center.
Some of the activities of the BCAC are providing scholarships for students pursuing art, Project Art at Fort Scott Middle School, the Gordon Parks Poetry Contest, musical concerts for the community and schools, Art Walks, and a summer patio concert series at Crooner’s Lounge.
“Come out and vote on your favorite piece of art and help us to continue to promote the arts in our community,” Halsey said.
Betty Boyko drinks coffee while looking over the artwork.
Bourbon County Arts Council Members are Deb Anderson, Tedene Tucker, Dan Magee, Ray Streets, Terri Floyd, Steve Floyd, Elaine Buerge, Rob Shaw, Laura Meeks, Breann Martin, Chris Woods, and Halsey.
The entrance to Nate’s Place is at the rear of the mansion at 8th Street and National Avenue.
From September 30 to October 12, Nate’s Place Resturant, closed down to do some updating in its kitchen.
The restaurant is located at 8th Street and National Avenue, in the southern mansion of what is known as Lyons Twin Mansions.
What initiated the update was a $5,000 grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative.
“With that grant, we added a new commercial freezer, a refrigerator, a warming table, new linen and silverware,” Shawn O’Brien, manager of the restaurant, said.
The new prep table at Nate’s Place, utilized by chef staff Daniel Barnett and Chip McElmurry in this photo.The new fridge at Nate’s Place as seen through the pass-through.
“Nate and Bailey (Lyons, owners of the restaurant) invested in a new tile floor in the kitchen, new paint, took out old cabinets and invested in new prep tables,” O’Brien said.
The bathroom of the restaurant was also renovated, he said.
“It was an exciting two weeks,” O’Brien said.
At that time the Lyons hired restaurant consultants to help with efficiency in the restaurant, he said.
During this time also the evening menu changed, adding two new entrees.
Following are the newly updated menus for the different shifts.
The menu’s also got a new look during the updating of the restaurant.
During this time the evening menu changed, adding two new entrees: house salad with chicken and a pasta alfredo.
On October 1, 2018, Fort Scott Mercy Hospital President Reta Baker announced the closing of the hospital at years end.
Mercy Hospital has been a part of the community since 1885, and the news sent shock waves into Bourbon County and all of Kansas.
Baker has been working on transitioning to a new medical care system in Fort Scott in these specific areas: a medical clinic, an ambulance service, a patient transportation service, an emergency room service, therapy services and home health and hospice services.
The following is an update provided from Baker, following a request from FortScott.Biz.
“New models of care are becoming a reality for many rural communities,” Baker said. “It is not an easy change. At the Kansas Hospital Association meeting this week it was reported that 73% of the rural hospitals report having a negative operating margin, and over the upcoming year we will see many more communities faced with this change and we may be in a position to be the cutting edge example of doing this successfully.
“These new models of care have at least at least three components, we are striving for five:
A clinic that is designed to meet the needs of the community. Mercy has assured this need is met through the transition of all clinic operations to the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK). They are a primary care clinic with expanded services to support dental and behavioral needs of communities they serve. CHC/SEK is in the process of interviewing and hiring as many of our current staff as they can accommodate. The following list of providers have confirmed that they will be continuing their practices with CHC/SEK:
Dr. Katrina Burke, who will continue to provide prenatal care and deliver babies at Via Christi in Pittsburg.
Dr. Maxwell Self, who will continue to provide support to the Home Health and Hospice.
Dr. P.K. Gugnani, who will continue to provide an important role in our occupational medicine efforts.
Beth Newkirk ARNP will practice part-time at the FS location.
Pam Moyer, ARNP, will be joining CHC/SEK in the FS location, she has worked convenient care and is currently working in the ER.
Christine O’Dell, ARNP, who will continue to practice at the Convenient Care Location.
Hannah Born, ARNP, will be practicing with CHC/SEK at the Pittsburg location.
Amber Hunziker, ARNP, will be practicing with CHC/SEK in the Pittsburg and Arma location.
Amanda Stice, ARNP, will continue her practice with CHC/SEK.
The following list of providers are continuing to consider their options:
Dr. Larry Seals has not decided where his office will be located but intends to remain in the area, and will be delivering babies at Nevada Regional or Via Christi.
Dr. John Fox has not decided where his office will be located but intends to remain in the area, once he makes his choice this will be shared with the community.
Greg King, ARNP, has not decided where his office will be located but also intends to remain in the area, once he makes his choice this will be shared with the community.
A strong ambulance service. Mercy has been contracted by (Bourbon) County to provide the ambulance service since 1991. Mercy is working with the county to transition ownership of the ambulances and equipment to the county. The county will engage the City (of Fort Scott) under the structure of the fire department to operate the ambulance. It is expected that the same highly trained staff will provide the service seamlessly to the community.
A transportation system to facilitate patients being able to get to provider appointments as well as to those that require a specialist. Through CHC/SEK, facilitating transportation to physician appointments if they have no means of transportation, is a service they do provide.
An emergency room is an added component we are striving for and consider a high priority but is not always present in rural models. Mercy is in discussion with an entity for the provision of an emergency department. This entity is in the process of completing due diligence to determine whether it can be a feasible and sustainable investment for them. As with the other services, Mercy is facilitating to remain in the community all of the equipment to operate the ER would be transitioned to this entity.
Therapy services of physical, speech and OT which is another added and the fifth component to the model of care. A group of therapists has formed a company “I Am Rehab” to provide physical and occupational therapy as well as the continued (Health For Life) fitness center facilities for the community.
“Mercy has offered and is willing to work with the city and county to facilitate a smooth transition of EMS and ambulance services.
“Home health and hospice services will continue but transition around Feb. 1, 2019, to the new name of Integrity. A large percentage of the providers will stay with the new management. The service area will remain the same and perhaps expand.”
There will be an informational meeting, to form a new helping organization starting in Bourbon County, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Senior Citizens Center site, 26 N. Main.
Allen Schellack, Compassionate Care Pastor with the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and director of the Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries Outreach Center, is coordinating the event.
The outreach center is located above the Senior Citizens Center at 26 N. Main.
Schellack can be reached at 620-223-2212.
Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main.
“Tina Westbay, SE Kansas Coordinator for Safe Families will be leading the meeting and answering questions,” Schellack said. “This is the grassroots meeting for Bourbon County and we hope to recruit families, churches, and the general public.”
“Our goal is to provide ‘a circle of support for families’,” Schellack said. ” Safe Families is working with CarePortal and is launching in five southeast Kansas counties, Topeka and Kansas City metro area.”
“This started in Chicago approximately 15 years ago and is in 30 states of the US, the UK, and Canada, and has proven beneficial in providing families with children with support services before they get to a point where legal interaction is needed,” he said.
Allen Schellack
Training will be provided at a later time depending on interest, he said.
USD 234 First Grade teachers were awarded a grant to allow students a chance to visit and learn about Fort Scott businesses. They are holding a photo-opportunity check which lists the amount handed out at the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant Awards on Nov. 1. Stephanie Witt, president of the FSACF is far right in the photo.
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation presented grant awards to 15 entities November 1 during the Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, held at Landmark Bank.
Interest from money given the FSACF is distributed each year to 501 3C organizations, said Stephanie Witt, president of the foundation.
“This year, over $32,000 in grants is given out,” she told coffee attendees.
USD 234 received a grant for project-based learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math programs that challenge middle and high school students to create and design elements to help the community. Angie Kemmerer, far left, heads the project.Fort Scott High School’s tennis program will get a new backboard for the tennis courts with a grant from FSACF. Allison Gorman accepted the check.USD 234 was awarded a grant for career exploration mentoring for students paired with community members. Lindsay Madison, left, accepted the grant award.Eastern Kansas Adult Education at Fort Scott Community College was awarded a grant to provide scholarships for 20 high school dropouts to obtain their GED. Aubrey Duft, left, accepted the award.USD 234 was awarded a grant to study empathy and share their findings with the community. Michelle Brittain accepted the from Witt and Greg Motley, a FSACF member.Another USD 234 grant provided money for new Fort Scott High School band instruments. Aaron Shockley accepted the check.Tri-Valley Developmental Services received a grant to purchase two new wheelchairs.Care to Share received a grant to support cancer victims. Teresa Davenport, left, accepted the award.The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes received a grant for interactive magnetic boards to educate children who visit the center. From left Norm Conard, Witt, Tina Rockhold and Motley.Chad Cross accepted the Fort Scott Community College grant to make the Arnold Arena compliant with the American Disability Act regulations.Christa Horn accepts a check for the Bourbon County CASA of the 6th Judicial Court.Peggy Niles accepts a check for the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Inc. to allow repairs and upgrades at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau received a grant to provide a veteran’s celebration. Larry Gazaway and Allyson Turvey accepted the check.Janet Tucker accepted a check for the “It’s My Very Own Bags of Love” project made available by the KS-NE Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.
Banners of local veterans line Main Street in downtown Fort Scott. Call the Fort Scott Visitors and Convention Office at 620.670.2750 for more information.
Veterans Day festivities take place November 9-12, throughout the county. All veterans are invited.
Area schools have been providing Veteran’s Day Assemblies to honor those who have served their county for several years, and continue in 2018.
On Friday, November 9 at 9 a.m. Winfield Scott Elementary School will have a Veteran’s Day Program in the gym.
Fort Scott Middle and High School students will have their program in the high school gym from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. the same day. Guest speaker is Nick Trim, an Air Force Veteran.
St. Mary’s Catholic School will have a Veteran’s Day program at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Veteran’s Memorial on Skubitz Plaza in front of Fort Scott National Historic Site, weather permitting.
A new Bourbon County School, St. Martin’s Academy, will present a public faculty lecture on Friday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, located at National and Wall Street.
Patrick Whelan, the headmaster at the boy’s Catholic school, will be giving the lecture, entitled Warfare in Epic Poetry. Whelan is a Marine veteran and still serves as an officer in the Marine Reserves in addition to pursuing a Ph.D. in combat trauma in literature.
The presentation event starts with a mixer /cocktail hour at 7:30 p.m. Whelan will speak at 8:30 p.m. and allow time for questions.
On Monday, November 12, Eugene Ware Elementary School will have a vet’s program at 9 a.m. in the gym, while USD 235 will also have their program at 9 a.m. in the high school gym on Nov. 12.
Fort Scott Community College is offering free haircuts to veterans Nov. 9-12. The haircuts are provided by the cosmetology department. Call this number for an appointment: 620-223-2700 Ext. 5220.
The First Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration spearheaded by the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau includes the following, taken from its’ website:
Friday, November 9th
5 pm – 8 pm: Opening Reception “In Honor of Company ‘G’” @ Boiler Room Brewhaus, presented by Peerless Products. Finger foods and your first drink of the evening are free. All veterans that register will also receive a free goody bag with a special gift and information.
Saturday, November 10th
10 am: Special Veterans Day Program @ Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall – speakers include 12th District Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson, Gold Star Mother Jennifer Jackman, Carl Jowers of Thomas-Harkey Post 25 American Legion, and Commander of the American Legion Department of Kansas Dan Wiley. Special music will be provided by the Fort Scott High School Orchestra.
2 pm: Performance of “Bright Star” @ Fort Scott High School. Adults $7 Kids $5. Veterans will be recognized during the performance.
5 pm: Live Local Bourbon County presents the Veterans Day Parade through Downtown Fort Scott. TFO will provide trailers and rides for all veterans who can not, or do not want to, walk the parade route. Live Local BB will be serving up a hot dog meal beginning at 3:30 pm at the pavilion downtown! The staging area is located at Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS.
Fort Scott City Clerk Diane Clay decorates the exterior of city hall, 123 S. Main on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the Veteran’s Day Celebrations this weekend.
7 pm: 1800’s Remembrance Grand Ball @ Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall, presented by The “Friends” of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Sunday, November 11th
9 am: Church Services @ Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton
11 am: Services @ US National Cemetery #1 with 12th District Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson. Organized by VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart
Noon: Lunch @ VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart for Free Will Donation.
While in Fort Scott for the Veterans Day Celebration, don’t forget to purchase your “Buddy” Poppy and “Wear it proudly.”
King Candidates, left to right, are Jasper Dunn, Tyler Cunningham, Ty Covey, Albert Maliko, Alonzo Hokes, Greg Lorenz (not pictured) Front row, left to right are Queen Candidates Tatum Brunkow, Taylor Krokroskia, Logan Mattingley, Leslie Damian, Jaylynn Jenkins, Yesenia Benitez. Courtesy photo.
It is Homecoming in Greyhound Nation!
The process has begun in search for the 2018 Homecoming King and Queen. “The candidates were selected by their perspective clubs or sports. After being chosen, they went through an interview process that narrowed down the candidates to the final twelve”, said Vanessa Poyner, who is in charge of the coronation process.
Queen Candidate, Taylor Krokroskia said, “It’s an honor to be chosen for the final six. All the candidates are great representatives of FSCC and I wish them the best of luck!”
The final King candidates include Jasper Dunn, Tyler Cunningham, Ty Covey, Albert Maliko, Alonzo Hokes, and Greg Lorenz.
The final Queen candidates include Tatum Brunkow, Taylor Krokroskia, Logan Mattingley, Leslie Damian, Jaylynn Jenkins, and Yesenia Benitez.
The king and queen will be chosen by popular vote of the student body. The election will be held on Friday, November 9.
King Candidate, Tyler Cunningham said, “Being a freshman, I don’t know many people yet, so I appreciate every vote I can get!”
The 2018 Fall Sports Homecoming football game will be against Dodge City Community College on Saturday, November 10 beginning at 11:00 am. The Coronation Ceremony for King and Queen will take place at halftime of this game.
Voters said yes to the question submitted on the Nov. 6, 2018 ballot.
There were 2,949 yes votes to 1,725 no votes to the question:
Shall the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink in Bourbon County be allowed in public places without a requirement that any portion of their gross receipts be from sales of food?
Fort Scott is the home of many talents and some of that talent is showcased in the Fort Scott High School production of Bright Star.
Bright Star is a musical play performed by Fort Scott High School students. There will be four performances: tonight, Nov. 6 and Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m.
“Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s.
Noah Martin performs as Billy Cane.
“When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives.
A transforming moment of the lives of Alice, Billy and Daddy Cane.
“Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies, and powerfully moving performances. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful,” says publisher Theatrical Rights Worldwide.
Mesa Jones and Levi Bin are lovers in this scene as Alice Murphy and Jimmy Ray Dobbs.
Adult admission is $7, children-$5 and can be purchased at the high school office, 1005 S. Main or at Common Grounds, 116 S. Main.
Doors open 30 minutes before the showtime.
Local musicians directed by FSHS Choral Director Meredith Reid accompany the play. The dancers are choreographed by Delynn Abati, assistant to the FSHS Dance Team.
The singing and dancing carry an intense plot line of two Southern love stories across the time frame of 1926-46.
Margo (Morgan Rohr) and Billy (Noah Martin) share feelings for each other.
The cast is as follows:
Mesa Jones is Alice Murphy, Noah Martin is Billy Cane, Caleb Watkins is Daddy Cane, Morgan Rohr is Margo, Gabrield Graham is Max, Madi Toth is Florence, Brooklyn Lyons is Edna.
Elijah Self is Daryl, Addy Labbe is Lucy, Mary Gladbach is Mama Murphy, Sage Hill is Daddy Murphy, Dominic Cannon is Mayor Dobbs, Levi Bin is Jimmy Ray Dobbs.
Lucy (Addy Labbe) flirts with Billy (Noah Martin).
Brian Stumfoll is Stanford, Mackenzie Peoples is Dr. Norquist, Carlee Studyvin is the government clerk, Kaitlyn Hanks is the well-dressed woman.
Tina Ramirez, Avery Dorsey, and Julia Allen are in the spirit ensemble.
In the singing/dancing ensemble are Brya Peterson, Taylor Jones, Zaria Byrd, Kathelra Murray, Karina Kantilal, Tacy Holston, Jenna Stockstill.
Other performers are Landon Doherty, Khris Patel, Shawn Barrager, Alexis Williams, Breena Cox, Jada Bailey, Wendy Monahan, Olivia Wilterding.
