Tag Archives: featured

Something New: Art In The Yard Sept. 15

September 10, 2018 Loretta George 2 Comments

Local artist Bobbi Kemna has created something new.

Bobbi Kemna on the front porch of her pottery studio facility.

Turning from pottery, for which she is locally known, Bobbi Kemna has been working for several months to create a one-day festival event for artists to display and sell their wares.

The day will be full of art of all kinds: pottery, fabric, paintings, metal, jewelry, furniture, music, theater, and food.

“This is for artists and art enthusiasts,” Kemna said.

She is hosting the event called Art In The Yard 2018 at her home on Saturday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kemna lives at 1366 215th Street, which is north of Hwy. 54, just west of the Hwy. 69-54 junction.

There will be a free trolley ride to pick up attendees at the Boiler Room Brewhaus parking lot, 10 S. National, starting at 10 a.m.

Additionally, there will be a designated vehicle parking just north of the festival site.

The event will feature artists from the area and also Wichita, Kansas City, and Joplin, MO, Kemna said.

“It will be a fun day with artful stuff to purchase,” Kemna said. “No fee is charged to come.”

The Fort Scott Bus Depot building was moved to the Kemna property years ago. Kemna has decorated the outside with art.

“I’m excited about it,” she said. “I want it to be a launching pad for artists. Some don’t know how to market.”

About 25 artists have said they will be there with metal, fabric, wood, pottery, jewelry, furniture, music art as well as food vendors.

“The musicians will be playing for tips, please be generous,” Kemna said.

BBQ food, homemade cookies and cupcakes, and soft drinks will be sold.

Local artists Barbara Ritter, Mary Eastwood, Paul Milks, Barbara Gibson, Lucy Gladbach, Jean Strader, David and Barb McCord, Diana Stoughton, Tonya Miller, Jeff Tinsley, Nick McGee, Susan Porter, Danny Hereford, Jeremy Rider,Jeremiah Richards, Patrick Kerr, Betsy Reichard, Dylan Renfro and Dee Davis will show and sell their artwork.

Friends and family are giving their support and helping out during the festival, she said.

Fort Scott High School theater teacher Angie Bin and her thespian students will perform and sell drinks as a fundraiser for the group.

Musicians will be playing in different spots in the yard.

Carsen Felt, director of the Fort Scott High School orchestra will be bringing 30 students to perform.

Students from St. Martin’s Academy will perform.

“One plays the bagpipe,” Kemna said.

Kemna inside her pottery studio facility on her property. It is where she creates and showcases her work.

For Kemna, the festival is a fulfillment of a vision she had when she moved into the 1895 circa property called “Anatomy Hill, 20 years ago, with her husband, Harry.

Kemna has the story of her property history on display in her pottery studio facility.

It is a vision she shared with her husband, now deceased.

“Of tents, arts and people, the whole yard full,” Kemna said. “It’s been 20 years to get here.”

For more information about some of the artists, look on Kemna’s Facebook page: Art in the Yard 2018.

Kemna can be reached at 620-223-4583 or [email protected]

Kemna wants to acknowledge Sammie Emery’s part in encouraging her as an artist, she said.

Emery had a pottery class that Kemna attended. At first, Kemna didn’t think pottery was for her.

But with Emery’s encouragement, she kept attending the class, until one day Kemna found “Clay had wrapped itself around my heart.”

Business, Fort Scott

Hedgehog, INK! Coming To Downtown

September 7, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

Dick and Jan Hedges stand in front of their bookstore that will open soon. Submitted photo.

Jan and Dick Hedges are not ones to sit back in retirement.

A new project they are taking on: Hedgehog, INK!, a bookstore coming to 16 S. Main in historic downtown Fort Scott.

“When I was a little girl, I wanted to open a bookstore,” Jan Hedges said. “Dick and I are loyal to the community. We looked downtown and kept hoping someone would open some retail store. We decided ‘why couldn’t we’?”

“It’s our community service project,” she said with a laugh.

The name of the store, Hedgehog, INK! came from a nickname of her husband, Dick Hedges.

“Dick has often been called Hedgehog. They are cute and whimsical and that is what the store will be,” she said.

“The INK is because it’s also for writers, we want to encourage people to write,” Jan said.

There will be a table in the bookstore where people can meet for reading or writing groups.

A small area in the store will have a typewriter for poetic inspiration, she said.

There will be a designated children’s corner, as well.

Accepting books now

Hedges is accepting “gently used” books currently.

“We will come and pick up books…I can come to look at them to see if they are books suitable to the store,” she said. Contact her at 620-728-9001.

Some people are donating books, “Which is awesome,” she said.

When the store opens, store credit will be given for books.

They will be setting up the store starting in mid-September, following the completion of the renovation of the building they are renting from Jared Leek.

People can wait to bring books in and get store credit when they are setting up.

“The opening will hopefully be mid-October,” she said.

Fort Scott Community College

Students Move In Greyhound Lodge by Briana Blandamer

September 6, 2018 brianablandamer 2 Comments

Students have moved in FSCC’s Greyhound Lodge, with the renovation of the former Red Ram Motel ongoing.

Greyhound Lodge, formerly known as Red Ram Motel, is in the final stages of renovation.

Fort Scott Community College began the renovations on the old motel at the beginning of the summer to create more off-campus housing for students.

As the final touches are being made, students were able to begin moving into the lodge on Tuesday afternoon, September 4.

The students moving into the Lodge are primarily rodeo team members, with the exception of a few track athletes and the John Deere program students.

Pictured is Tanner Phillips in his room. He is a Bareback Rider on the FSCC Rodeo Team.

Cory Brown, one of the FSCC Rodeo coaches, was hired to be a Residential Assistant at Greyhound Lodge.

Cory Brown shows the Greyhound Lodge Commons Area, which is yet to be furnished.

Brown said the college has plans to add TVs, couches, and a pool table in the common room to create an area for the students to meet. There will also be a computer room for students to do studying and homework.

An empty room at the Greyhound Lodge. The beds are stackable if desired.

A microwave and small fridge are in each two-person room.

In addition to the computer and common rooms, there is a laundry space and kitchen area.

The lodge is comprised of bedrooms with attached bathrooms.

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

New Children’s Book on Irena Sendler Coming

September 6, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee, which was hosted by the Lowell Milken Center, drew a big crowd Thursday, Sept. 6.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes hosted the weekly coffee for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Sept. 6.

Director Norm Conard said this the 12th year in Fort Scott for the center and the third year in their new facility at the corner of Main and Wall Streets in the historic district.

About 10,000 visitors came to the center last year, he said.

Cathy Werling, an administrative assistant at the center and children’s book author, announced that she is completing a book on Irena Sendler.

“It will open with Megan (Felt, the program director at LMC for Unsung Heroes) and her daughter, Blair,” Werling said. “About Megan going on a trip to do a performance (of Life in a Jar). It tells the story of Irena Sendler. Blair learns Irena was a brave person who stood up for what is right.”

Werling, is the author of Why Did Grandpa Cry? and Why Did Sergeant Stubby Go To War? which also featured unsung hero stories.

Center staff, from left, are Megan Felt-program director, Addison Brown-admin. assistant, Madison Shelden-admin. assistant, Cathy Werling-admin. assistant, Joyce Davenport- admin. assistant and Norm Conard, executive director.

Area News, Mercy Hospital

New Ambulance Needed By Mercy Hospital

September 5, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

Christi Keating, executive director of patient care services at Mercy Hospital, speaks at the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee August 30.

A new ambulance is needed at Mercy Hospital.

“It will be replacing a 2013 model with over 210,000 miles,” Christi Keating, Mercy’s Chief Nursing Officer, said.

Mercy Hospital hosted the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee August 30 which gave Mercy a chance to tell the crowd about the need.

The new ambulance will be an inter-facility transport, Keating said.

The ambulance will ensure a commitment to the health and safety of this community and surrounding counties, according to information provided. It will improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of patient care in emergency situations. And it is a pro-active move to meet the needs of patients and their families.

There is match challenge currently underway to fund the $97,310 ambulance.

Almost $40,000 is currently needed with the hope of an order date of Sept. 10 for a fall delivery of the ambulance.

The match is 1:1 until the goal is reached, Tina Rockhold, Fort Scott Mercy’s Community Relations Manager, said.

To donate, call Rockhold at 620-223-8094 or go online to mercy.net/donate

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott CEO Reta Baker said the Mercy Health Foundation takes a project each year.

In the recent past, the foundation raised $100,000 for new ultrasound equipment.

“This year, the new ambulance is the project,” Baker said.

She told the Chamber weekly coffee attendees that the foundation is comprised of “younger people than most communities, who are more innovative than most communities.”

The foundation board is made of up of: Jared Leek – Chairman, Chris Petty – Vice Chairman, Darcy Smith – Secretary, Bryan Holt – Treasurer, Alysia Johnston, Mark McCoy, Bill Michaud, JoLynne Mitchell, Colleen Quick, Becky Tourtillott, and Reta Baker.

Baker said she is “excited about the future of Mercy.”

Below are photos of a poster that was part of the presentation given at the weekly coffee.

Bourbon County, Entertainment

2018 Old Settlers Picnic

September 4, 2018 Loretta George 1 Comment

The UHS Class of 1958 was in the parade.

For 113 years people have been gathering on Uniontown’s square to celebrate Labor Day.

Vendors dot the treed park, children and adults play games, groups sell food and drink for the annual picnic. There is also recognition of the oldest present at the picnic, the longest residency in Uniontown and who drove the farthest to attend.

Through the years other events have been added, a children’s fishing derby, a talent show, rodeos, and community church service.

And there is a parade.

The 2018 Old Settler’s Picnic was September 3 this year.

Mary Bruner was honored as the grand marshall of the parade, which always fills the town square perimeter with visitors.

Pictured is the Bruner family throwing candy to children during the parade route.

The parade was filled with children, past and future Uniontown High School graduates, fire volunteers, motorcycles, old machinery, floats, politicians, and horses.

Children line up in Uniontown’s Old Settler’s Picnic parade.

Allen Drake, class of 1965, left, and his wife, Billie Jo Drake, class of ’68, pose with a former Uniontown High School teacher, Larry Lambing. Lambing taught from 1959 to 1965 at UHS.

The Uniontown High School Band entertains during the Old Settler’s Picnic Parade on Labor Day.

The Pledge of Allegiance begins the parade during the Old Settler’s Picnic Monday in Uniontown.

The Uniontown High School class of 2021.

Uniontown Fire Volunteer Katie Towne drives a firetruck in the parade.

The drums and flag squad bring up the tail of the UHS band in the parade.

Fort Scott, Schools

James Wood Selected For USD 234 School Board

August 31, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

James Wood was selected to fill Position 1 by the USD 234 School Board on Monday, August 27.

“There were two community members who submitted letters of interest that qualified to fill Position 1,” USD Superintendent Ted Hessong said. ” The other person was Jeff Madison. At the special board meeting held at the district office on Monday, Mr. Wood and Mr. Madison were interviewed by the sitting board in an open session. At the conclusion of the interview, a motion and a second were made to appoint Mr. Wood and the board voted him in to fill the position 6-0.”

This vacant position was open because of the resignation of Vanessa Poyner, earlier this year.

“Mr. Wood will begin filling Position 1 at the September 10th USD 234 School Board meeting,” Hessong said.

Wood, 43, grew up in Fort Scott, graduating from Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community Collge, then joined the Marine Corps for four years, he said.

He is the manager of the Holmtown Pub, 206 N. National Avenue.

His community involvement:

“I organize a Christmas party every year for foster kids and their families,” Wood said. “I play Santa.”

He is also a member of the Fort Scott Middle School VIP group and has helped with the Good Neighbor Action Team, The Sharing Bucket and the Wreaths Across America groups, he said.

Wood is a widower with a son in 7th grade at Fort Scott Middle School.

“I am honored and excited to be a part of the school board and staff to make a difference in the community,” Wood said.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Toursim Center Interior Remodeled

August 30, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

Allyson Turvey is the Fort Scott Convention and Group Sales employee. She stands in front of the wall that once had a small window with an office inside. The room now has a bigger window and is the office of Larry Gazaway, the director of the Tourism/Visitor Center and Turvey.

An increased focus on tourism for the City of Fort Scott has brought about the renovation of the interior of the Tourism/Chamber of Commerce Center.

The center is located at 231 E. Wall Street.

“Now when someone hits the door, there is someone there to greet them,” Allyson Turvey, convention and group sales said. “It really needed to open up.”

The Chamber section of the building also needed more visibility, so a hole was placed in a wall so the administrative assistant can view the lobby. Lindsay Madison is the executive director of the Chamber, Hannah Reel is a part-time administrative assistant. The Chamber is currently searching for another staff person.

The Chamber’s administrative assistant office is located inside this space behind the window. The lights were turned off in the office in this photo.

Some fresh paint and a reconfiguring of the display areas were part of the process, as well.

The new retail area features souvenirs and books with local area interest. Turvey said the center is looking for local products to display and sell.

Paul Milks Photography has some artwork on display for sale in the lobby area. Pictured is a fall scene of Rock Creek. Milks will be one of the featured artists at the Art in the Yard Festival, September 15 in Fort Scott, Turvey said. At right is a poster with the upcoming Veteran’s Weekend in November schedule of events.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has several posters on display. At eye level are travel brochures from the area and other parts of the country.

These are the hours of the Tourism Center and Chamber Office, both under one roof at 231 E. Wall.

The Tourism Center and Chamber Office are located at 231 E. Wall, just west of the Hwy. 69 overpass.

The Tourism/Chamber of Commerce Center is conveniently located on Wall Street, near a Hwy. 69 turn off.

Decorator finishing touches will be provided by area merchants who will allow their furnishings and accessories to be seen and used in the center, according to Turvey.

“Fort Scott tourism is managed by the City of Fort Scott, which administers tourism operations by maximizing the utilization of transient guest tax revenues to advertise and promote Fort Scott lodging, activities, attractions and events, operate a Tourism Center providing concierge services and visitor information, and facilitate any other related programs to attract individuals and groups for overnight stay in the community,” according to the tourism website.

To learn more: http://www.visitfortscott.com

and http://fortscott.com/

The Tourism phone number is 620-670-2750.

The Chamber phone number is 620-223-3566.

Business, Fort Scott

Jared Leek Opens Front Door Real Estate at 14 S. Main

August 29, 2018 Loretta George 3 Comments

Jared Leek shows the inside of his newly renovated building office space at 14 S. Main, Front Door Real Estate.

Jared Leek saw some downtown buildings that were vacant and decided to make a difference. He is already the owner of the Liberty Theater and Crooner’s Lounge in historic, downtown Fort Scott.

Most recently, he purchased the building whose storefronts are 14 and 16 S. Main.

“I purchased because I saw an opportunity to take a building vacant for several years and grow the downtown,” he said. “And grow my real estate business.”

His Front Door Real Estate office will be located at 14 S. Main.

Crystal Mason and Lisa Ward are working with Leek at the realty.

Leek has been renovating the building for a month and is working on the finishing touches and internet service currently.

The Front Door Real Estate business contains three offices and a conference room along with a lobby.

“In the very back there is an old dance studio,” Leek said. “That space will be available to rent.”

It would be suitable for a yoga or dance studio, he said. “And we will build to suit.”

The landline number to Front Door Real Estate is 620-224-9787, which connects with Leek, Mason and Ward’s cell phones.

He is anticipating an early September opening.

Leek received a downtown revitalization grant from the City of Fort Scott to help with the renovation of the old building which was once Dr. Charles Parson’s Chiropractic Office.

“It’s (the grant) for downtown business owners,” Leek said. “You can apply for it every year for heating, cooling, windows, doors…anything with the structure, to help preserve the buildings”

In addition to his businesses, Leek is the manager of the River Room Event center, just above the old Buffalo Grill on National Avenue.

“That space is available for rent for up to 750 people,” Leek said.

The River Room Event Center has a full bar, caterer’s kitchen, dance floor, bridal suite, handicapped-accessible restrooms, and an elevator, he said.

The Buffalo Grill, which is on the first floor, beneath the River Room, has been shown to several interested parties for possible restaurants, “But nothing is in stone yet,” Leek said.

Another building long vacant, the old Kress Building, is for sale across from Front Door Real Estate and is listed by the real estate business.

At 16 S. Main, Jan and Dick Hedges will be opening a bookstore, called Hedgehog Ink in October, Leek said.

Fort Scott Community College

Greyhound Campus Cookout Aug. 29, 11:30 a.m. by Briana Blandamer

August 28, 2018 brianablandamer 2 Comments

Classes are in full swing, athletics have officially begun and the activities here at Fort Scott Community College continue, giving students opportunities to leave their dorm room, meet new people and enjoy the year together!

On Saturday, FSCC football opened their season with a hard fight against the Highland Scotties. The Greyhounds lost 29-28.

The Greyhound football team will have a chance to turn their season around with their first home game of the season. Come out to see the battle against Coffeyville Community College at 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 1.

The FSCC Volleyball team will face the Cowley College Tigers here in Fort Scott at 6:30 pm on Wednesday. Come help support the lady Greyhounds!

This Wednesday, August 29, there will be a Greyhound Cookout outside of the Bailey Hall commons area from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. There will be free food, drinks and chance to win a $50.00 Walmart Shopping Spree! The winner of this giveaway will be announced at the volleyball game that evening. You must be present to win.

Enjoy another week, Greyhounds!

Uncategorized

Arby’s Canopy On S. Main

August 28, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

Arby’s Training Coordinator Debbie Smith, middle, and District Manager Debbie Cardwell, right, help Chelsey Mills, Fort Scott, apply for a position at the canopy on Main Street Monday morning.

Arby’s personnel have set up a canopy in front of their restaurant at 2101 S. Main to attract people who might be interested in working there.

“We don’t have access to the building yet,” said Debbie Cardwell, Arby’s District Manager from Carthage, Mo. “This gives us a little more traffic.”

The building renovation is nearing completion, with a goal of September 24 to be opened, said Debbie Smith, Arby’s Training Coordinator from Joplin, Mo.

All crew positions are open, Cardwell said.

“We’ll be out here Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon…until we have access to the building,” Cardwell said.

Interested people are invited to stop by to apply for the positions.

Debby Smith and Debbie Cardwell, Arby’s personnel from Missouri, visit with prospective employee Chelsey Mills, Fort Scott, when she stopped by the Arby’s canopy on South Main Street on Monday.

Fort Scott, Schools

Nicki Traul: New Assistant Superintendent at USD 234

August 27, 2018 Loretta George Leave a comment

Nicki Traul is the new assistant superintendent at USD 234.

The former director of curriculum and instruction has taken on new duties in the Fort Scott School District.

Nicki Traul is now the assistant superintendent at USD 234.

“Mrs. Traul will continue to lead in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment,” Superintendent Ted Hessong said. “She will also continue to oversee the preschool with the assistance of a lead teacher at the preschool. She will now be the lead for our special education department as well as the go-to person for the elementary principals, because of her elementary background.”

When Hessong came to the superintendency this year, he saw that Traul was doing the duties of an assistant superintendent.

“In my review of the district to prepare myself for my transition to USD 234,” he said. “I decided Mrs. Traul was doing the duties of an assistant superintendent and we needed to designate her with this title to put in her a true role as an administrator for the district.”

“I am excited about the new opportunity and am looking forward to working with Mr. Hessong,” Traul said.

USD 234 enrollment finalization is this week, Hessong said.

“There was an issue with our online enrollment system,” Hessong said. ” It is my understanding the system became overwhelmed because several of the districts across the country who use this online enrollment system were enrolling on the same day.”

Fort Scott Biz