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Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Community Grants Awarded

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2017 Fort Scott Area Community Foundation grant award recipients received checks Thursday during a presentation at the weekly Chamber of Commerce coffee.

Local helping agencies, businesses, and organizations were presented with grant awards Thursday morning as part of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, at the Landmark Bank in downtown Fort Scott.

“From the interest of the general endowment fund, we are handing out $30,000 today,” Blake Hudson, chairman of the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) board, said. “Last year $150,000 was raised for the general fund.”

Hudson said a new fundraising campaign is set to begin with FSACF.

This year, 29 entities submitted grant applications this year, with 18 funded, he said.

Grant committee members are Hudson, Stephanie Witt, Greg Mottley, Larry Seals, Patty LaRoche and adviser, Dave Martin.

LaRoche is committee chair of the granting committee.

Tri-Valley Developmental Services’ Tim Cunningham receives a check from Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Board Members  Blake Hudson and Patty Laroche.  Tri-Valley will replace several aging computers with the money.
John Lair, right, representing Special Olympics, received a check for purchasing medals for entrants in the special event.
Christa Horn, left, Court Appointed Special Advocates, received a grant for training new volunteers.
Reed Hartford, left, receives a grant award representing the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, to provide teen internships for the fort.
Cheryl Larson, left, representing Presbyterian Manors, receives a check to create an arbor and garden area for residents.
Meredith Reid, left, receives a check to help refurbish the local school district’s grand piano. She is representing Friends of U.S.D. 234.
LaShawn Noel, left, receives a check to purchase caregiver’s training journals for stressed-out caregivers. She is representing Mercy Hospital.
Elaine Buerge, right, receives a check for the Bourbon County Arts Council to help fund an art fair at the 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas.
Briann Martin, left, representing Fort Scott Festival of Arts, receives a check to help local and regional students become involved in the festival.
Lowell Milken’s Center for Unsung Heroes’ Jessica Schenkel receives a check to purchase local author Kathy Werling’s book on bullying, to be used in classrooms and libraries.
Representatives for Friends of Two Girls and a Zoo, left,  receive a check to promote the well-being and support of the zoo’s animals.
Representatives of the City of Fort Scott receive grant money for lights for the pickle-ball courts.
Lindsay Madison, left, receives a check to provide adult mentors with materials to partner with students interested in a specified career. She is representing U.S.D. 234 and the Chamber who collaborate in the program.
Janet Tucker, left, representing Kansas Seventh-Day Adventists, receives grant money to provide bags and comfort items for kids who are displaced from their home.
Jean Tucker, right, receives a check for Feeding Families in His Name, to help fund a free weekly meal provided for impoverished families.
City of Fort Scott’s Rhonda Dunn, left, receives a check to develop a Land Bank to help make decisions about property management in an effort to renovate dilapidated, tax-forclosed properties.
Lavetta Simmons, right, receives grant money to help meet the financial needs of families stricken with cancer. She is representing Care to Share.

The Beacon inadvertently did not receive a check at the coffee and will at a later date. The helping agency received a grant to add healthy food additions to the food pantry they facilitate.

Opinion

Patty LaRoche: Preparing for Death

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Occasionally I receive an email that makes me laugh out loud. That was my reaction when I read the following:

Two 90-year-old women, Rose and Barb had been friends all of their lives.

When it was clear that Rose was dying, Barb visited her every day.

One day, Barb said, “Rose, we both loved playing women’s softball all our lives, and we played all through high school. Please do me one favor: When you get to Heaven, somehow you must let me know if there’s women’s softball there.”  

Rose looked up at Barb from her deathbed and said, “Barb, you’ve been my best friend for many years. If it’s at all possible, I’ll do this favor for you.”

 Shortly after that, Rose passed on.

 A few nights later, Barb was awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to her, “Barb, Barb.”  

“Who is it?” asked Barb, sitting up suddenly. “Who is it?”  

“Barb – it’s me, Rose.”   

“You’re not Rose. Rose just died.” 

 “I’m telling you, it’s me, Rose,” insisted the voice.  

“Rose! Where are you?”   

“In Heaven,” replied Rose. “I have some really good news and a little bad news.” 

“Tell me the good news first,” said Barb.  

“The good news,” Rose said, “is that there’s softball in Heaven. Better yet, all of our old buddies who died before us are here, too. Better than that, we’re all young again. Better still, it’s always springtime, and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play softball all we want, and we never get tired.”  

“That’s fantastic,” said Barb. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams! So what’s the bad news?”

 “You’re pitching Tuesday.”

You’re at least smiling, right? Maybe even chuckling. How can you not? Still, the message is sobering. What if you and I substitute our names for Barb’s? What if we were told that we had less than a week to live? If you’re like me, all my time would be spent on relationships, hugging longer and more intentionally, making phone calls that should have been made months (years?) ago, having deeper, spiritual conversations with those close to me, asking forgiveness of those I’ve wounded.

Last week, I attended the funeral of Tim Bloomfield. Tim woke up Tuesday morning, having no idea it would be his last. He and his wife Sheryl were going to run errands. He called his brother, ended the conversation with “Later,” and hung up.

But there was no “later.” And the same will be true for all of us. Every second could be our “latest,” bringing us closer to eternity. We must prepare, and no, I’m not talking about getting our arm in shape for the Heavenly softball match. I’m talking about what Jesus referred to as “the greatest commandment:” Love God above all else, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

And that, Readers, is no chuckling matter.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Signs And Sidewalks To Increase In County

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Fort Scott High School Carpentry Instructor Larry Lawrence tells students of the work needed to complete the first kiosk the class is working on as a community project. From left are Cole Rogers, junior; Hunter Davis, senior; Averie Ryburn, junior; Caleb Rhoades, senior;  Lawrence, Tracy Watkins, senior; Tristan Stone, junior; and Cole Hall, sophomore. The classes are building information kiosks that will be placed on trails in Fort Scott and Uniontown.

New wayfinding signs will soon dot the walking/biking trails in Fort Scott and Uniontown.

With $7,500 received in late summer from The American Planning Associations  Kansas Chapter and Pathways to Healthy Kansas, the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team will provide information kiosks to be placed around the county, according to Jody Hoener, member of the team.

Hoener is also a member of the sub-committee tasked with pulling the kiosk project together. Also serving on the sub-committee are Todd Farrell, Frank Halsey, Lindsay Madison,  and Jerry Witt.

Each kiosk will have maps of the trail and the surrounding community placed on them for reference to walkers/bikers using the trails, Hoener said.

The 10- foot- long, four-foot-wide and nine- feet -high wooden signs with roofs will be placed at Riverfront Loop Road,  Bell Town Trail,  the new trail at Gunn Park, Ellis Park Trail,  Fort Scott Community College Trail, Industrial Park Trail, and in the western part of the county, the Uniontown Trail.

FSHS teacher, Larry Lawrence, works with students Averie Ryburn, Tristan Stone and Tracy Watkins on the rafters of the second kiosk in production at the school. To the left is the finished roof of the first kiosk.

The construction of the kiosks is being completed by Fort Scott High School Carpentry Classes, under the instruction of Larry Lawrence.

Lawrence was looking for community projects for his students to work on, he said.

This summer, Fort Scott Superintendent of Parks Todd Farrell called with the kiosk idea, Lawrence said.

Two carpentry classes have been working on them since school started, Lawrence said.

“We are building four (kiosks) right now, and maybe four in the spring,” Lawrence said.

“They gave me the initial plans and I created them in more detail on AutoCAD (computer-aided design),” Lawrence said.

Simon Ballou will do the artwork for the kiosks and Darren Crays will print and apply the work on plastic panels, Crays said.

“Frank Halsey is going to take them to his place (following completion),” Lawrence said. “He’ll keep them until the city is ready to put them up.”

New sidewalks to be unveiled Nov. 14

The proposed new sidewalks in Uniontown. Taken from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Facebook page.
The Fort Scott sidewalk plan to be proposed on Nov. 14, taken from the Health Bourbon County Action Team Facebook page.

In addition to wayfaring signs, the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team has been planning for more sidewalks in the county.

That team, along with PedNet will be at both the Fort Scott City Commission and the Uniontown City Council  November 14 to show the results of the sidewalk plans, according to its Facebook page. They will unveil the proposed non-motorized transportation plan from 5-6 p.m.  at the Fort Scott City Hall, 123 S. Main, and from 7-8 p.m. at Uniontown City Hall, 206 Sherman, on the east side of the square.

PedNet is a non-profit consulting firm specializing in Safe Routes to School, non-motorized transportation, and nutrition, according to the Facebook page.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Riverfront Park Pavilion Work Has Begun

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Work has begun on the Riverfront Park Pavilion.

A  seven-man crew from Schenkel Contracting, Fort Scott, began work on the Riverfront Pavilion Wednesday.

The pavilion will be 30 feet by 50 feet by 12 feet, Cory Schenkel said.

It is located near the parking area, at the entrance to the park.

The crew was putting up the building frame, with the roof slated for tomorrow, and the end wall following, he said.

The pavilion will have a concrete pad, lights, and some electrical outlets, and should be done in a few weeks, weather permitting, Schenkel said.

Schenkel will be completing the concrete work. Max Fanning, Fort Scott, is the contractor for the electrical work.

The pavilion, although it looks like it sits askew, runs north and south, Schenkel said.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Love Elected County Treasurer

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Photo submitted by Deb Martin. Monday evening Patricia Love was elected by the Bourbon County Republican Party to replace outgoing county treasurer, Rhonda Dunn.

Patricia Love, who has been Deputy Bourbon County Treasurer for five years was elected to replace outgoing treasurer, Rhonda Dunn, Oct. 30.

“Rhonda made such positive changes, I want to keep it going in that direction,” Love told FortScott.Biz. “If there are any questions, people can call me anytime at 223-3800, ext. 135.”

“I think this is the easiest transition for the office,”  Dunn said. “I’ve worked beside her for five years and she will do well.”

Next in the process, is for Love to be appointed by the governor.

The Bourbon County Republican Central Committee met at Fort Scott Livestock Market to discuss interested candidates and vote on Dunn’s replacement.

Thirty-three delegates from Bourbon County townships and Fort Scott wards, voted by secret ballot with Love declared the winner.

Two others, Mike Mason of Uniontown, and Ann Clarkson of Fort Scott submitted their names in to be considered for the position, Randall Readinger, chairman of the central committee said.

Love will fill out the remainder of Dunn’s term and then run for re-election in 2018 if she desires.

“Rhonda has done a fine job of training her office staff and Patty, as her deputy, has been involved in all that,” Readinger said.

Currently, there are six employees in the treasurer’s office.

Love said she will promote Sandy Tirri to deputy treasurer then hire a clerk to cross-train in both the treasurer’s office and motor vehicle department.

The annual pay of the treasurer position is $47,000, $10,000 of which comes from fees from the motor vehicle department, Dunn said.

Rhonda Dunn resigned as Bourbon County Treasurer Oct. 10, her last day is Nov. 3.
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Veterans Honored With Grand Ball

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Photo submitted by Dee Young of  2016 Labor Day Grand Ball.

U.S. military veterans can enjoy a dance, show off their uniform, or if they can’t fit in that uniform anymore, show off the medals earned while serving their country.  For veterans, the dance, a semi-formal ball, is free of charge.

Memorial Hall, 1 East Third, will be the venue for that dance to honor military veterans in a unique way on November 11 from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site (FFSNHS )decided to have a second ball, following the Labor Day Grand Ball they facilitated last year in honor of the centennial of the National Park Service.

“Everybody had a great time,” Dee Young, member of the Friends group, said of the ball last year. “People asked ‘When is the next one?'”

That began Young thinking about another event, this one to honor vets. She brought the idea to the Friends board, who decided a ball was a great way to honor veterans, she said.

Veterans who wear their uniform or bring military identification of some sort, a ribbon or medal, for example,  will get in for free.

Since the theme of Fort Scott National Historic Site is looking at life at the fort on the prairie in the 1840s, other attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate period clothing to the ball. Or, alternately semi-formal party wear may be worn.

Sweet and savory refreshments will be served and all proceeds go to the FFSNHS organization.

Don’t know how to dance like people in the 1840s?

1800s style dance lessons will be offered for free from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the day of the event, November 11, at the fort, in the Grand Hall.  Street clothes are appropriate for the dance lessons, Young said.

Submitted by Dee Young. Last year’s Labor Day Celebration Grand Ball.

Tickets for the ball: general public– $20 in advance/$25 at the door per person or two for $30 in advance/$40 at the door;  FFSNHS members– $15 in advance/$20 at the door; and children 12 and under and dance observers– $5. 

All proceeds go to the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Each year the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site provide a meal for the citizens following the U.S. Naturalization Ceremony on the grounds of the fort, they also serve ice cream at the fort’s Independence Day celebration and provide educational programs throughout the year as well.

Other 2017 activities the FFSNHS group helped with: the Native Neighbors event, a  Fort Scott Community Foundation grant to help with the 175th anniversary of the fort,  a grant for youth engagement at the fort through an Irby Family grant, a Sunflower Castle Home Tour, a Candlelight Tour in December, the Friends Fest 2017, Dancing With Our Stars 2017,Every Kid In A Park Grant,  and drinks during the solar eclipse.

Candlelight Tour

Tomorrow is the first day that tickets for the annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site go on sale. Tickets should be purchased early for choice of times. Usually, all tickets sell out, according to the fort’s website. This year’s tours will be offered December 1 and 2. Tours on December 1, will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 2, the tours will run from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 620-223-0310 or by coming to the visitor center at the fort. The fort is located at the north end of downtown Fort Scott. Tickets are $8. each and are non-refundable. Children 5 and under are free.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

New Pastors, New Wing At Fort Scott Nazarene Church

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Tyler and Megan Allen show the new Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene’s children’s wing just completed in September. There are a “cat-walk” area, a multi-story slide and sensory room for special needs kids in the room.

Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene has a heart for youth according to its new youth pastor, Tyler Allen.

In January the church members hired  Allen and his wife, Megan Allen. Megan is the children’s pastor at the church.

Tyler grew up in Parsons, while Megan hales from Stark City, Mo.

They have been in ministry in western Kansas and Ava, Mo. for the last five years.

In September Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene completed a new children’s wing.

Megan Allen stands near the front desk of the new children’s wing of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
The new children’s wing of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, completed in September is located on the south side of the church. The church is located at 1728 S. Horton.

“We have a sensory room to accommodate special needs children,” Megan said.

There is a children’s ministry for pre-school through sixth grade on Wednesday nights, she said.

In September Club 56 was launched for 5th and 6th-grade students.

On Sunday mornings the 5th and 6th-graders are part of the kid’s leadership team in children’s church, she said.

“They are helping with technology and lead worship and help younger kids,” Megan said.

Additionally, Tyler has an area specifically for teens, 7th through 12th grade, to meet.

Tyler Allen stands in the worship area of the teen ministry room at Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

A college ministry meets once a week at the church as well.

“Fort Scott Nazarene as a church has a vision for kids and teens and their families,” Tyler said.

Lead Pastor Virgil Peck.

The church also received a new lead pastor, Virgil Peck, in July 2016.

“I got a call,” Peck said. “We were looking for a community to allow our kids a place to grow up.”

Peck was a youth pastor for 15 years.

He and wife, Lisa, have two children, Hannah, 11 years-old and Trenton, 13.

The Peck’s spent four years in Carthage, Mo. and nine years in Iowa before coming to Fort Scott.

Peck was born in Fort Scott and still has a lot of relations here, he said.

Other ministries of the church:

The church organized and facilitates the Common Ground Coffee Company, 116 S. Main, in downtown Fort Scott.

Celebrate Recovery meets weekly at the church.

Jeff Dillow has been the worship and administrative pastor for five years.

For more information contact the church at 620-223-0131 or fortscottnazarene.org

The worship center at Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
The welcome sign at Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, 1728 Horton.

 

Bourbon County

KState Southwind Extension: Deer Hunting Program

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Submitted by Christopher Petty

Are you a deer hunter? Do you have land that you want to attract deer onto? If the answer is yes, then join us for an informational meeting on deer management for landowners.

Hi, this is Christopher Petty, Livestock Production and Forage Management Extension Agent for the Southwind District of K-State Research and Extension. I would like to invite you to attend this meeting on November 16, beginning with a meal at 6 p.m. at Coburn’s Kitchen in Stark, Kan.

The program will feature Kansas State University Extension Wildlife Specialist Charlie Lee, and will focus on habitat evaluation, food plots, feed supplements, diseases and antler growth.

A $10 fee payable to Colburn’s Kitchen will cover meals and materials. Space is limited, so call now to pre-register at the Southwind District – Erie Office at 620-244- 3826, that’s 620-244-3826.

Fort Scott

Schooling at home

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USD 234 Director of Curriculum Nicki Traul, looks over a computer a student turned in.

Options.

Additional options are what Nicki Traul, USD 234 director of curriculum says is a good reason to offer school classes at home for students.

“Students for all reasons; medical, parent choice, multiple reasons find that a brick-and-mortar school isn’t for them,” Traul said. “High school isn’t a good fit for everyone.”

One example Traul gave is supporting a student who had surgery and wasn’t able to attend school, she said.

USD 234 started offering home-school options to junior and senior high students one year ago.

The school district initially looked at home-school options for students who failed a course and had to retake it, she said.

“I had worked at Greenbush (Southeast Kansas Education Service Center), and had a background in virtual learning,” Traul said.

But lest students think this is an easy way out of not having to attend classes at school, Traul says this option is not for everyone.

“You have to be disciplined,” she said. “You have to put in 30 hours per week and at least six classes…about the same as a brick-and-morter school. You can be truant if not putting hours into the school work. ”

“We meet with the student and parents,” Traul said. “I want them to fully understand it’s not easy. They have to be self-driven.”

During an initial orientation, students learn “all the ins and outs of the system,” she said.

Full-time students are provided with a computer on which to do assignments, with internet service to be provided by the student.

The computer is turned in at the end of the year, she said.

The district uses a state-approved system, Edgenuity, which has teachers instructing a lesson.

Edgenuity is a  provider of K-12 online and blended learning solutions including online courses, credit recovery, intervention, and test preparation, according to its’ website.

The system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, she said.

Parents and students can meet with Traul at any point in the year.

A part of the program is letting students know if “they are on track or behind” in progress during the semester, she said.

Students must pay high school fees that other students are required to pay.

Funding for the initiative is from the U.S. Department of Education, rural and low-income school program.

 

 

 

Opinion

Patty LaRoche: Overlooking a Wrong

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Being wronged is never easy, no matter how menial the offense, because the chance to demonstrate our faith is always on the line. “I’m right, and you’re not” lurks like a caged animal desperate to escape. Because of my trust in Google Maps, I was in that cage last week.

Dave and I chose a four-star, Chinese restaurant—obviously so-ranked by starving reviewers– that, although eight miles out of the way, promised a grand buffet worth the drive. Clue one this wasn’t a popular restaurant was the lone car in the parking lot which, as it turned out, belonged to the hwc (hostess/waitress/cook). Multi-tasking at its finest. The menu wasn’t extensive—there was no buffet—but it had several chicken dishes, so I asked which ones had white meat. Simple question.

In her thick, Chinese accent, our hwc mentioned three, with General Tso being one. To avoid any language barrier, I spoke slowly. “General-Tso-is-white-meat?” She assured me it was. “Not-pressed- chicken-but- real-white-meat?” Yes, it was. Dave gave me his look which let me know I’d gone too far. In his opinion, we should not be fussy in a restaurant. Even if he asks for a hamburger well done and it arrives mooing and swatting flies, he won’t complain. If I, on the other hand, ask to speak to the management, he skedaddles for the bathroom.

While our entrees were being prepared, our hwc refilled three times the three sips we had drunk from our water glasses, brought Dave chopsticks and repeatedly asked if we would recommend the hot and sour soup to our friends. She was desperate and I felt sorry for her. I said I would.

But I won’t.

When our food arrived, Dave’s shrimp fried rice looked scrumptious. My “chicken” was a crusty shell encasing a pea-size portion of dark meat. DARK—white’s opposite. I munched on the two broccoli pieces and the rice, and because we were the only customers and our hwc was trying so hard, I opted to say nothing. I know. Shock! Shock! “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” I’m sure I heard angels applauding. Or perhaps it was Dave.

No, it had to be angels.

When our check was presented and my chicken leftovers removed from the table, I was flabbergasted by what came next from our hwc: “Why you order General Tso since you say you like white meat? Next time you come, you need order white meat.” Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

While I decided if what my heart was meditating on should stay there or be uncaged, Dave hastily pulled out his wallet, paid the bill and reminded me that we were in a hurry. (We weren’t.) I knew I had a choice. I could be honest and help this poor lady not make the same mistake in the future with someone less loving, or I could make Dave happy and remain silent. I opted to please my husband. After all, it was a long ride home. Too, when it came down to it, it could have been worse.

At least my chicken wasn’t mooing and swatting flies.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Brewery Is Coming

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The Boiler Room Brewhaus will be located in the Beaux Arts Center, 102 S. National.

Barbara and Bryan Ritter are turning a  homebrew hobby into a business.

“Over the past year several people have mentioned that we should do this,” Barbara said. “We brew beer at home and enjoy it. So we decided to go for it.”

Barbara Ritter did research and found that microbreweries are opening in small historic towns, she said.

The Ritter’s are leasing the southwest corner of the Beaux Art Center’s basement from owners, Bobby and Denise Duncan.

“We envision that it will bring in people to Fort Scott,”  she said. “They will see these old buildings and start putting money back into this amazing town. We see the brewery as bringing in new tourists.”

Bryan and Barbara Ritter hope to have a microbrewery open by years end.

Bryan Ritter will be the primary brewer.

“It will be craft beer, part of it from the water from Fort Scott Lake and the Marmaton River,” Bryan said. “The other part of the beer is grain and hops. Hops are what gives it flavor.”

The Ritters found a hops farm in Ottawa and other ingredients will be locally resourced, he said.

They will use honey from their farm in producing the beer, along with wildflowers, fruit, and nuts.

The Ritter’s have owned Black Dog Farm, near Garland, for five years.

So far in the process, city, county, and federal approval have been given the Ritters.

“The state has visited the premise,” Bryan said. “A few more things they need to receive from us. Then we can start the brewery.”

Because beer takes time to ferment, it will have to cook for a few months, he said.

“We are hoping around Christmas or New Years to be open,” Bryan said.

Fort Scott

Fort Scott Commemorates 175th Anniversary during 36th Annual Candlelight Tour

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Submitted by Fort Scott National Historic Site

“Life has a positive and negative side. Happy people ignore the negative side” Bangambiki Habyarimana

One hundred seventy-five years ago, soldiers established a fort atop a bluff overlooking the Marmaton River. Its purpose was to keep peace on the frontier and to contain westward expansion. To patrol the frontier, the army stationed dragoon and infantry soldiers at Fort Scott. These soldiers faced the challenges of boredom, isolation, the uncertainty of life on the frontier and the vast distances involved in patrolling the region. Nevertheless, they found ways to celebrate life and to make the best of their situation. They remained vigilant in their duties yet took time out to enjoy dances, dinner parties, evening socials, and camaraderie. They found a reason to celebrate at Christmas time, the 4th of July, and other occasions. Although isolated on the frontier, they sought excellence as they built “the Crack Post of the Frontier.”

Fort Scott National Historic Site will celebrate its 175th anniversary by presenting its 36th annual Candlelight Tour. The theme for this year’s candlelight tour is Happiness Amid Hardship. The tour will feature five scenes from the 1840s at Fort Scott, the years that it was an active military fort. Traditionally, the site’s candlelight tour has been “ghosted,” meaning that the reenactors in the scene do not interact with or even recognize the people on the tour. This year, Fort Scott staff is changing things up so that there is some audience participation in most of the scenes. Visitors might join in dancing at the dragoon barracks, participate in an evening social at the officers’ quarters, or discuss at the sutler store the reasons why they are going to become Oregon pioneers.

During the candlelight tour, over 700 candle lanterns illuminate the site and over 100 reenactors bring the fort to life. This year’s tours will be offered December 1 and 2, 2017. Tours on December 1, will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 2, the tours will run from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Ticket sales begin on November 1. You can purchase tickets by calling 620-223-0310 or by coming to the visitor center at Fort Scott NHS. Be sure to get your tickets early for your choice of tour times as this event usually sells out. Tickets are $8.00 each and are non-refundable. Children 5 and under are free.

From November 1 to March 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its winter hours of operation from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. For more information about the candlelight tour or other events at the site, call 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.