Tag Archives: featured

FSHS Ensemble Spreads Christmas Cheer

 

Pastor Dusty Drake leads the attendees of Monday’s Community Christian Church Christmas luncheon in applause in recognition of Fort Scott High School Music Teacher Meredith Reid at the conclusion of the student’s performance.

Fort Scott High School Select Ensemble entertained guests of Community Christian Church’s annual Christmas luncheon December 11.

The ensemble is under the direction of Meredith Reid, music instructor at FSHS, and is accompanied on piano by Pat Harry, a retired music teacher.

“Mrs. Harry is the former FSHS choir director who built up the choir to immense proportion,” Reid said.

Eighteen students from sophomore to seniors were selected for this group of 18 members

The performance at the church is leading up to the music department’s  big fundraiser for the year this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the high school. Money raised goes to purchase music,  outfits, travel, and clinicians, Reid said.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students k-12 grade, and there will be refreshments following.

The school auditorium will be decorated by Ellen Kendrick’s art students.

Reid’s dad, Dan Duling, will be performing also during the fundraiser Sunday afternoon. He is in a band called Stone Country that includes Shana Lynette Stone, Rick Duling, Jason Richison and Jeff Culver.

“My dad’s band is doing this for free,” Reid said.

Reid said the student singers love to perform and she sees going out to the public as a way to give back to the community.

In addition, “The kids love getting out of class and today they get to eat,” Reid said with a smile.

The church provided a lunch of soups, sandwiches, appetizers, desserts, and drinks to the students and members of their congregation and invited guests.

The church sanctuary was transformed into the dining area for the annual Christmas luncheon provided by the staff.

A Christmas luncheon is an annual event where the church staff provides food for the congregation.

Members of the staff are Pastor Dusty Drake, Children’s Minister Paul Martin, Youth Pastor Ian Johnson, Pastoral Care and Women’s Minister Marcy Reynolds, and church secretaries Jamie Beckham and Jennifer Addington.

 

Facing camera: Luke Martin, Gunnar Brown, Aaron Emery, Tyson Bolden,  and Micah Self singing “Mary Sat A-Rockin'” by Greg Gilpin, under the direction of music instructor Meredith Reid.
Morgan Rohr and Micah Self singing “Baby It’s Cold Outside”.
Marissa Allen, Katie Button, Missie Woolsey, Miriam Mix, and Aztreia Milton singing “Frosty the Snowman”, under the direction of Meredith Reid.
Marissa Allen, Katie Button, Aztreia Milton, Miriam Mix, Missie Woolsey, Morgan Rohr, Addy Labbe, Lane Bohlken, and Sam Racy singing “Let It Snow.”
Sam Racy and Lane Bohlken singing “Mary Did You Know” arranged by Pat Harry.
Pastor Dusty Drake, center left, speaks to the attendees of the annual church open house Monday prior to the ensemble performance. From left: Levi Bin, Luke Martin, John Gauthier, Greg Lorenz, Gunnar Brown, Aaron Emery, Tyson Bolden, Micah Self and Meredith Reid, the ensemble director.
John Gauthier, Levi Bin, and Greg Lorenz singing “We Three Kings” arranged by Pat Harry.
Levi Bin, Luke Martin, John Gauthier, Greg Lorenz, Gunnar Brown, Aaron Emery, Tyson Bolden, and Micah Self singing “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy” arranged by Pat Harry, under the direction of music instructor Meredith Reid.
From left (back row) Miriam Mix, Aztreia Milton, Morgan Rohr, Addy Labbe (front row) Marissa Allen, Lane Bohlken, Sam Racy (boys L to R) Levi Bin, Luke Martin, Greg Lorenz, Aaron Emery, Tyson Bolden, and Micah Self singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” arranged by Mac Huff, under the direction of music instructor Meredith Reid.
Students and teacher watch fellow ensemble members perform from the side of the stage at Community Christian Church.
The Fort Scott High School Select Ensemble entertain Community Christian Church members and guests.

 

Werling Tells Story Of Why Reinhardt Cried

Cathy Werling reads the story of unsung hero Ken Reinhardt Saturday at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

Cathy Werling read her story entitled “Why Did Grandpa Cry” to an audience of children and adults December 9 at the Lowell Milken Center.

The public reading and signing of books was an event to showcase the first in a series of children’s books that Werling will write, highlighting unsung heroes in history.

Werling said the first story is about black students who tried to go to a white school and were treated badly, except by two white students.

The story is told through the eyes of the granddaughter of one of the white students, decades later.

Following the reading by Werling, she signed books for those who purchased them and a drawing for prizes took place.

Cathy Werling signs Macie Stephan’s copy of “Why Did Grandpa Cry?”

Werling’s book tells the story of Ken Reinhardt, during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s on a level that children can understand.

Reinhardt is an unsung hero whose story is featured at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in downtown Fort Scott.

Pictured are, from left Mayla, Davina, Ansley, and Tabor Foster, the children of David Foster. They are standing in front of the display of the unfolding story of unsung hero Reinhardt at the Lowell Milken Center.  David Foster is the farthest right in the upper photo.

Attending the event were the children of David Foster, one of the Uniontown High School history students who discovered the story of Reinhardt for a class project. They sat quietly, intently listening to Werling tell the story.

“Why Did Grandpa Cry” is the first of 12 children’s books about unsung heroes that will come through the Lowell Milken Center.

“The next story is about a dog named Stubby,” Werling told the audience. “A soldier took care of Stubby, then Stubby became a hero.”

 

 

 

The Grinch at Fort Scott High School

Area children from kindergarten through eighth grade, under the tutelage of Fort Scott High School Thespians, entertained the audience at the high school auditorium Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
From left: Cindy Lou Who is portrayed by Gianna Gorman, the Grinch portrayed by Remy Witt and Max, the dog is portrayed by Matthew Eaton.
The Fort Scott High School Auditorium filled up Saturday afternoon prior to the first showing of How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

Fort Scott High School Thespians along with local children from kindergarten to eighth grade provided an enjoyable rendition of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” Saturday and Sunday in the high school auditorium.

Forty-four children and youth presented the play to a large crowd on Saturday afternoon.

There were nine scenes and three songs performed under the direction of Angie Bin.

Student directors were Darrick Green, Kaitlyn Hanks, and Hunter Adamson. Acting coaches were Ivy Bailey, Katie Button, Alex Gorman, Karina Kentilal, Grant Coffman and Mackenzie Peoples.

Music directors were Mary Gladbach and Katie Button.

Choreographers were Addy Labbe and Mesa Jones.

The set designer was Mary Gladbach.

Lighting director was Alyx Brooks, lighting assistant was Lexi Bailey.

Sound designer was Dominic Cannon, the sound tech was Levi Bin.

Costume, make-up and hair designers were Ally Heenan and Haley Dugan.

Costume, make-up and hair crew was Carlee Studyvin.

The Grinch logo designer was Grant Coffman.

The Grinch was portrayed by Remy Witt;  Max, the dog-Matthew Eaton; Cindy Lou Who-Gianna Gorman; Lou Who-Zachary Cox; Betty Lou Who-Lillian Collins; Mayor of Whoville-Jericho Jones; Assistant to Mayor Raywho Rose-Bareigh Farr; Clerk Vanessa Raywho-Tina Rameriz; Shopper Zoe Spagawiggle-Zoe Newman; Sue Who-Annabelle Gorman; Drew Who-Payton Bowling; Policeman-Casey Gomez.

The story was narrated by Harley Button-Emma Bin, Claywho Winkle-Connor Davenport, Kinsley Button-Kinsley Davis, Piper Schmockendocker-Piper Fulton, Abigail Winkle- Tuesday Glessner, Mook Jazzleberry-Courtney Shelton, Jenna Schmockendocker-Cadence Tuck, Emmersyn Jazzbleberry-Lydia Witt, Jessica Winkle-Berkley Wood.

The Whos were portrayed by Toni Jazzleberry-Maddison Buckman, Tanny Jazzleberry-Raidan Buckman, Zaria Spagawiggle-Zaria Byrd, Brynn Winkle-Brynn Casper, Ella Winkle-Kodi Casper, Melissa Boo Button-Mesa Casper, Lucas Button-Kaiden Clary, Pettywigsnatcher Winkle-Megan Connor, Gaby Winkle-Macey Conner, Lily Button,-Breena Cox, Paisley Schmockendocker-Bryn Crisler, Window Schmockendocker-Peighton Head, Willow Schmockendocker- Lexi Hill, Annabelle Schmockendocker-Anna Laugenstein, Sammy Jazzleberry-Kaitlyn Leavell, Abi Winkle-Avery Marsh, Christy Spagawiggle-Chrislen Newman, Mila Spagawiggle-Mila Newman, Ajax Schmockendocker-Khris Patel, Mary-o-berry Button-Allie Thomas.

 

 

The Watts Of Smallville Are Superman “Nerds”

Submitted photo. Aaron and Lindsey Watts, owners of Smallville Crossfit Fort Scott.

Aaron and Lindsey Watts are Superman “nerds”.

That’s why they named their business Smallville Crossfit Fort Scott.

“Smallville is a small town in Kansas, where Superman grew up,” Lindsey said.  Aaron was called Clark Kent/Superman while serving in the army, she said. Lindsey was from Fort Scott, Aaron lived in Fort Scott for a while when younger.

In December 2016, Aaron was honorably discharged from the army, following seven years of military service. He was stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C. and also Fort Campbell, Kentucky and served in Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan.

“At Fort Campbell, we found Crossfit,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia in the seventh grade.

“Doctors told me all the activities you weren’t supposed to do,” she said. “I was taking 5 to 10 pills, two to three times a day. Nothing was helping.”

“I would sleep all the time.”

When Aaron and Lindsey got married eight years ago, they started “putting on weight,” she said. Aaron then started fitness training and together they started doing bodybuilding-type workouts.

“I found when I put stress on my body I felt better, less pain, less fatigue,” she said. “That intrigued Aaron. He learned about things to do in fitness. We’d go to the gym four to five times a week.”

Lindsey’s health improved.

That inspired Aaron to be a fitness coach in thinking about a job following his army career.

Lindsay always wanted to own a business, someday.

On June 1, 2017, they purchased the fitness business at 13 S. National Avenue. Lindsey is the business manager, Aaron writes the fitness programs and is the gym manager, with both husband and wife coaching the Crossfit members.

There are over 100 members currently.

CrossFit packages are $90 for unlimited contracts, $80 for student unlimited and a 10 class punch card for children for $80.

Two beginners classes will be offered in January. A beginner class is $50 for a one week class.

“We go over nine foundational movements and diagnose our athletes and find restrictions and teach them the movements they are capable of,” Lindsey said.

New hours for the business as of December 1: Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes start at 5 a.m. with the last class at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday have fewer classes offered. Saturday is open gym from 8 to 11 a.m. most Saturdays. Fit Kids is offered Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Aaron writes programming and training for the volleyball and baseball teams at Fort Scott Community College, as well.

For more information contact the Watts at 620-719-9602 or check them out on their Facebook page Smallville Crossfit.

 

 

 

Patty LaRoche: Dealing with Customs’

Every day, thousands of people cross the border between the United States and Mexico with no problema. Passports are checked, a few questions are asked, and sometimes the driver is told to open his/her trunk. Within minutes, cars are leaving one country and entering another.

My husband Dave and I understood the protocol.

Sort of. Entering Mexico for an extended stay, drivers register their vehicle at the border, pay $600 for a windshield sticker and drive south, where they then may legally drive in Mexico. When they leave Mexico for the final time, they turn in the sticker for a refund. Easy enough.

Unless their names are Dave and Patty.

First, some background. This past summer while in the U.S., we sold the stickered mini-van. Dave removed the sticker so we could turn it in, register a different vehicle and enter Mexico. Once in the Customs’ office, we waited 30 minutes in the car registration line before explaining to the young gal what we were doing. She made no attempt to understand my Spanish. Or my Charades. Fortunately, a bi-lingual man came forward to interpret. The news wasn’t all that bad. We needed to drive around to the other side of Customs to a small guard shack where we would turn in our sticker.

Which is what we did. Which is where that guard said we needed the sticker AND the mini-van (something about the VIN number). Dave explained that we sold it. “You have to have it to re-register.” “But we sold it.” “You have to have it to re-register.” “But we sold it.” The agent sent us back to Customs. We now found ourselves in the miles-long, bottle-neck of Thanksgiving traffic heading into the U.S. We could see ahead to the cross-road we needed—the empty cross-road—but had at least an hour’s wait to get to it.

My typically-patient husband’s next question shocked me. “What do you think would happen if I drove over the grassy field to get back to where we started?” I told him the guards with the assault rifles would probably blow out our tires. Or our brains.

No problema. Putting the car into gear, Dave took off across the field. We were Bonnie and Clyde, had they lived another forty years. Fortunately, the guards were tending to more important things, like emptying out pick-up beds looking for illegal Americans. Or perhaps they were simply amused at two old fogeys bouncing along the moguled terrain.

Back at the car registration window, we waited in line, found someone who spoke English, and asked him to interpret to the cranky young gal. She didn’t care. No mini-van? No car registration. It finally was determined that we could register this car in my name but Dave could never, ever register a vehicle in his name until he presented the mini-van at the border. Ever!

I think this is a problema.

Sometimes there are systems in place with which we might not agree. Telling the Customs’ agents that we are really nice guys, listing our works in ministry, even showing gifts we are taking to the orphans would do no good. The protocol is in place, whether we like it or not. We should have figured out ahead of time what those rules are because now it’s too late.

Isn’t that the same with our eternal lives? The Bible makes it clear there is a protocol for getting into Heaven, and it has nothing to do with being really good guys or doing missionary work. It’s black and white and has no loopholes, no matter what I might think, no matter how much I might protest or try to explain why I didn’t spend some time on earth figuring this out.

In John 14:6-7a, Jesus explains this to his disciple Thomas. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. There will be a time when it will be too late. And that, as we all know, is a problema none of us want to face. Thanks to God and His mercy, getting into Heaven is a lot easier than getting into Mexico.

Building Effective Community Board Leadership Skills in Chanute

Submitted by Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District

K-State Research and Extension is conducting a series of Community Board Leadership workshops designed to provide basic training for members of community-based boards across the state on February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2018.

“Informed and committed board members are the key to healthy, effective boards and committees in our Kansas communities.  K-State Research and Extension’s Board Leadership Series will provide an opportunity for board members to learn the basics of being a good board member,” said Trudy Rice, extension community development specialist. “Whether you are a member of a church board, a township board, a United Way agency board, or a rural water board, this training is appropriate for you.”

The series will kick-off on February 6, with Conducting Effective Meetings. During this session, participants will learn about their roles and responsibilities as a board member, basics of parliamentary procedure, and strategies to make meetings more productive and effective.

On February 13, the topic will be Fundraising, Fund Management, Legalities and Ethics. This session will explore a board’s options for raising and managing money, understanding such things as articles of incorporation, bylaws, and policies.

The February 20, session will cover Understanding Fellow Board Members and Conflict Management. Participants will explore how personalities and generational differences affect the decision-making process, and learn how to manage conflict in a way that is productive, not destructive, to the board.

Strategic Planning will be the final topic on February 27. Participants will learn about establishing a common mission and vision for the board, and how to plan priorities for the future.

All sessions will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Workshop participants will meet at host sites throughout the state to take part in web-based instruction and locally facilitated discussion. The Southwind Extension District will be hosting this valuable training at the Alliance Room in Chanute, Kan.

Pre-registration for the event is required by Wednesday, January 10. The $40 registration buys a seat and light lunch for all four sessions. Individuals may choose to attend on their own or boards may buy a seat and send a different board member to each session. Boards sending multiple members may negotiate a group rate. Registrations may be sent to Southwind Extension District or contact Carla Nemecek at 620-365-2242 for more information or to negotiate group rates.  Registration includes snacks, lunch, four educational sessions, and Board Basics materials.

 

Fort Scott’s Christmas Parade

Fort Scott Parks and Recreation Department served free hot cocoa and cookies to parade attendees Tuesday night.

About 50 parade entries and a large crowd braved temperatures in the  30s Tuesday evening to enjoy the 2017 Fort Scott Christmas Parade.  The event was sponsored by Briggs Automall and hosted by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.

The theme was “Christmas Vacation” and new this year was a decorated golf cart category.

 

 

Mayor Jolynne Mitchell waits with Santa before the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree following the end of the parade.
Children could make craft items while waiting for Santa at Papa Don’s Restaurant, with the help of Fort Scott High School Pride students.
Santa was available to listen to children’s wishes at Papa Don’s Restaurant, with a free photo provided by Walgreens. A book was given to each child courtesy of USD 234.
Brita Rygmyr, manager of Papa Don’s Restaurant; Lindsay Madison, executive director of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, and Santa Claus share a moment before names were drawn for the lucky-draw.

 

 

Fort Scott’s Price Chopper To Open Dec. 13 According To CFO

The cover sheet for the Price Chopper Fort Scott plans.

Citing “unforeseen issues” at the delayed store opening, Dennis Riley, Chief Financial Officer of Price Chopper, said the new grocery store will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday, December 13, not December 6.

“Barring any other unforeseen issues, we will open Dec. 13,” Riley said. “We wish it would have been sooner… Everything will be open and operating and ready for the citizens of Fort Scott .”

“Late August is when demolition began,” Riley said. “It’s been a top to bottom remodel and a relocation of the flow of the store.”

The store is similar to the Price Chopper in Paola, Riley said.

“We have a heavy emphasis on fresh foods,” he said. “We are proud of our meat department and our produce department.”

There will be a cut fruit and salad bar where people can dine in, Riley said.

The Dunkin’ Donuts area has a drive-up window feature.

Price Chopper Fort Scott currently has 120 employees and is located at 2322 S. Main Street on the city’s south side.

The site was formerly Woods Supermarket.

Barry Queen is the owner of the store and has family ties to the Fort Scott area, Riley said.