The Red Ram Motel on North National Avenue near U.S. Hwy. 54.
Fort Scott Community College closed on the purchase of the Red Ram Motel, 701 N. National Avenue, on May 30, 2018, for $90,000.
“The Patel’s (the former owners of the motel) donated $20,000 to the FSCC Endowment Fund,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said.
The FSCC plan is to repurpose and clean up the property to be used for student housing for the college, according to Johnston. The property will become a part of the campus and therefore tax exempt.
When complete, the new student housing will be called the Greyhound Lodge.
“We are getting a code footprint on it by Ag Engineering (Uniontown), when that is done we will send it to the state and the city,” Johnston said.
Currently, the college is taking bids for cleaning the property of trees and other unwanted items, she said.
“We had at least three people interested in the Red Ram Motel sign,” Johnston said. “Rhonda Dunn (Fort Scott’s Community Development Director) suggested using it for a fundraiser.
There are 21 units at the lodge, with the possibility of 42 students.
Each room will have a small refrigerator and microwave oven.
Students can still purchase a modified meal plan if they will be eating on campus, which is across town to the south of the lodge property.
A two-bedroom apartment on the property will be remodeled for an assistant coach to live in for security and supervision duties, she said.
The current lobby area will be turned into a computer lab.
Behind the lab will be a student laundry facility and behind that will be a student lounge with adjacent student kitchen.
The old swimming pool area will be converted into an outdoor eating area complete with grills, a gazebo, and picnic tables, Johnston said.
“The cost to students will be $300 per month, which includes everything except food,” Johnston said.
The lodge is expected to be ready for students in mid-August, Johnston said.
“It’s been fun to start the transformation,” Johnston said. “We hope to have a ribbon cutting at some point.”
Pastor Ben Workman and family stand in front of the newly purchased property of Cornerstone Bible Church, at Lowman and 6th streets in Fort Scott.
Since March 2018 there has been new activity at the long-vacant building at 6th and Lowman streets.
The old medical office building is being transformed into a house of worship by a Southern Baptist Church Plant, Cornerstone Bible Church.
The church is a Southern Baptist Cooperating Church, a part of the Southern Baptist Convention.
“From what I gather, it was a church plant to reach those without a church,” Pastor Ben Workman said.
The church plant was started about eight years ago.
Workman has been the pastor for five years.
“I came here as a single man, got married and have two kids now,” Workman said.
“They took a chance with a young seminary guy.”
The people met in a home for a period, then rented the Old Congregational Church at 502 National Avenue for a few years, he said.
“We loved working with the HPA (Historial Preservation Association) but couldn’t do anything in the building (to modify it) and we had to work around the events they have,” Pastor Workman said.
Presently the church has 16 adult members, average attendance is 25, Workman said.
The church body is in the process of renovating the former office building at 524 S. Lowman into a worship center with the help of the Oklahoma Baptist Association.
“They are doing a mission trip to come here providing labor and some materials for the renovation,” Workman said.
Members of the church will provide meals, hospitality and provide some labor for the reno project, he said.
The project will be June 18-22 at the church site.
The church is having a garage sale Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 to help raise funds for materials for the renovation.
On Saturday, the church will be selling biscuits and gravy for breakfast and a hot dog and chili lunch to help raise funds as well.
The church is having a garage sale to help with renovations to the property on June 8 and 9. They will also be providing a breakfast and lunch on June 9 as a fundraiser.
Bourbon County residents now have access to disposing of unwanted medications in Fort Scott during the local Walgreen Store hours.
This is thanks to a new partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Walgreens.
“Having access to this kiosk (in Walgreen) is a great way for those living in Fort Scott to safely dispose of their unwanted, unused or expired medications — prescription or over-the-counter,” Mary Beth Chamber, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas Corporate Communications Manager said in a press release. ” Properly disposing of medications can lower the incidence of misuse, abuse and accidental poisonings. This is especially important as we face a growing opioid epidemic in Kansas.”
There is no cost for the disposal.
The kiosk in Walgreens Fort Scott is located in the northeast section of the store, near the pharmacy window.
Walgreens Manager Vincent Ratliff shows how to deposit unwanted medicines in the recently installed kiosk at the store.
Accepted items for the kiosk: prescriptions, inhalers, liquids, lotions, pet medications, prescription patches, over-the-counter ointments, creams, aerosol cans, medications, and vitamins.
Instructions on what can be deposited in the unwanted medicine kiosk at Walgreens.
Not accepted are hydrogen peroxide, illicit drugs, needles, and thermometers.
The store hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Hours of the Fort Scott Walgreen’s store on U.S. Hwy. 69.
In addition to Fort Scott Walgreen, the kiosks are available in Walgreen stores in the following communities: Derby, Dodge City, Hays, Hutchinson, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, and Ottawa.
Since 2016 more than 270 tons of unwanted medications have been collected in the program, according to the press release.
A street fair view of North Main Saturday morning during the Good Ol’Days, the annual festival for Fort Scott.
A rain overnight cooled things down a little for Saturday’s Good Ol’Days events. The event is in its 37th year.
A street fair stretched from Third Street to Skubitz Plaza, a petting zoo, pony rides, motorcycle, tractor and automobile displays, a baby contest, the Red Garter Show, a carnival, a turkey calling contest, and lots of other entertainment was offered for the public’s enjoyment.
Boys ages 19 to 24 months strut their stuff in their age division at the annual baby contest held at Memorial Hall Saturday morning.Maddox and his dad, Matt Glades, enjoy the pony rides.Even grown-ups enjoyed the petting zoo.A broad ax demonstration at Fort Scott National Historic Site.A family enjoys the birds of prey demonstration at the Fort.Ticks were the subject of a station at the Fort.Storyteller Steve Otto entertains a group at the Fort Saturday morning.Two young archers get lessons from the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism employees at the Fort Saturday morning.Fort Scott Munitions had a marketplace of its own on East Wall at the store location.A long line waited to enter Fort Scott Munitions store Saturday morning.A car show was held at the Fort Scott Munitions location Saturday morning.
The Good Ol’Days kicked off Thursday evening with the talent competition and was in full-swing Friday evening.
With temperatures in the 90s and humidity high, the weather did not keep people from the annual event.
Following are photos from theTom Davis Dragoon Run, the parade, the Red Garter Saloon, the marketplace on North Main, the carnival, chicken dinner, and entertainment on Skubitz Plaza.
Have a look to see if you know anyone!
Children get paint tattoos from a vendor on North Main.Vendors line North Main street Friday from 5-10 p.m.Chicken Mary’s Chicken was enjoyed by people who had purchased tickets.Two runners in the Tom Davis Dragoon Run with kids in tow.
The Good Ol’Days parade had over 90 entrants.
The Red Garter Saloon show at the Liberty Theater was a place to cool off and relax following the parade.Cyrus Barr enjoys a carnival ride at Good Ol’Days Friday evening.Shades of Blue, a Kansas City band, entertain at Skubitz Plaza Friday evening.
Good Ol’Days continues Saturday with a full day starting at 8 a.m. with the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market at Wall and State streets and continues until the Brent Giddens Band entertains Saturday evening at Skubitz Plaza.
Children of all ages came to the Keyhole Wednesday for the free sack lunch.
Communities in Bourbon County have taken advantage of the government’s opportunities to feed children and youth for free this summer.
Fort Scott
The Kansas Food Bank Federal Summer Meal Program provides free shelf-stable food for area youngsters up to 18 years old at the Keyhole Youth Center, 1002 S. Main, across from Fort Scott High School.
The program started May 29 and serves lunch from noon to 1 p.m. and will continue until July 29.
A look at what is inside the free sack lunch offering at the Keyhole Youth Center.Fresh fruits are provided with the free sack lunch by The Beacon.On Wednesday, May 30, Diana Spencer and Joyce Gobl helped serve the free sack lunches at the Keyhole.
Community groups volunteer their time to help serve the meals: Mondays the First Methodist Church serves, Tuesday-Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, Wednesday-Pioneer Kiwanis, Thursday-City of Fort Scott, Friday-First Presbyterian Church and Community Christian Church.
On May 29, the first day of the food program there were 28 children who were served, according to Bethany Hartford, Keyhole director.
Hartford coordinates the meal program with Dona Bauer.
Uniontown
Uniontown’s Food Service Director Michelle DeMott is facilitating the Summer Food Service Program for USD 235. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The food is free to children birth to 18 years old, DeMott said.
“It is no cost, regardless of any financial standard,” she said.
Their program offers cooked breakfasts and lunches Monday through Friday and starts next Monday, June 4.
Breakfast is from 8:30 to 9 a.m. and includes such menu items as biscuits and gravy, breakfast pizza, waffles, cereals, donuts, cheese, and yogurt, plus milk and juice. Each day features a different menu.
Lunch is from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and includes the standard American diet offerings of hot dogs, spaghetti, tacos, hamburgers, and sandwiches.
The school has a summer school program, of which the food service is a part. But other children in the community may come for the food at breakfast and lunch, she said.
Additionally, the Uniontown High School weight-lift program and the volleyball practice students come to the meals, DeMott said.
The meals are provided at West Bourbon Elementary School, located at 602 Fifth Street.
Bronson and Redfield
Bronson and Redfield communities will also have meals available at the same time at the Bronson Community Center, 503 Clay, and the Marmaton Community Church, 102 Cedar in Redfield.
“We will have activities for the kids between breakfast and lunch at these sites,” DeMott said. “For those who would like to stay”
Community members volunteer to facilitate activities for the youth in these communities, she said.
“Some had parents not at home and who didn’t want to go home,” DeMott said.
The Fort Scott Public Library Reading Program filled the lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College Wednesday morning.
Music, dance, reading challenges, crafts, snacks and other fun activities helped the children get ready to set reading goals for themselves for the summer.
Following are snapshots of the morning.
Registering for the morning’s events at the Fort Scott Public Library’s Summer Reading Program kick-off.Upcoming activities for June at the Fort Scott Public Libary were handed out.
A coloring table and snacks were enjoyed by these children.The reading challenge table.Air guitar props for photographing children.Oliver Shelton plays in the pool filled with balls Wednesday morning at the library reading program kick-off.Children pick out prizes given following the activities at the Fort Scott Public Library Reading Program kick-off Wednesday morning at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College.
Barbara Ritter, one of the owners of the Brewhaus, shows some of the work being done in the new taproom of the microbrewery.
Boiler Room Brewhaus is expanding. The microbrewery is moving from 102 S. National Avenue to 10 S. National Avenue, the historic Downtowner Hotel.
“We ran out of space,” Ritter said. “Bryan (her husband and the brewer for the business)…didn’t have enough space. (He) couldn’t make it in advance to not run out.”
Bryan Ritter left, and his brother, Dan Ritter, Stillwell, Ks. work on the new bar in the taproom Tuesday morning.
There are additional advantages to the location at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street, “Two of the busiest streets in Fort Scott,” she said.
“It’s all on one level, more patrons will have easier access, it has handicapped accessible restrooms, visibility is pretty significant and there is a lot more room for cold storage, like a bigger refrigerator. We will now have a refrigerated room to put kegs in…trucks can come up to deliver grain, and more storage,” Ritter said.
The door to the brew room, the former kitchen of the Downtowner Hotel.The brew room will allow more beer to be made for the microbrewery, Ritter said.
“We’ll be able to make more of our own stuff,” she said. “We’ll have the ability to serve from four more taps. Although, it will take us a while to catch up, because of the move.”
Future plans also include an outside patio area for customers, under the carport on the south portion of the building.
Barbara Ritter shows the area that will be the outside patio space of the microbrewery Tuesday morning.
The Ritters, she and her sister-in-law Peggy Ritters are the owners, will have a “soft” opening at the new location Friday, June 1 at 4 p.m. “to celebrate with people and say thanks for all your help and support,” she said.
Ritter also wanted to thank Bobby and Denise Duncan for letting them start their business in their building, Ritter said.
Josh Jones, the owner of the Downtowner building has been repairing and updating the new site for them.
“He’s done all the painting, replaced glass, changed locks, plumbing and took up all the carpet and sanded the floor,” Ritter said.
Charles Corpstein is painting the exterior of the Boiler Room Brewhaus Tuesday morning. He is employed by Josh Jones, he said.
Saturday, June 2 is the public ribbon cutting at 1:45 p.m. just before they open at 2.
Hours for the microbrewery remain Thursday-Friday from 4-10 p.m.
Saturdays from 2 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m.
Contact them at 620-644-5032.
The old neon sign is being refurbished by Darren Crays, Ritter said.
The Ritters lobbied for a change in local law, so they won’t have to have 30 percent of their profit in food sales at the microbrewery.
Liquor by the drink laws in Kansas from information provided by Ritter.
As of January 2017, 66 counties (shaded in medium pink above) in Kansas require there be 30 percent of profits in food sales on the premises to be able to sell liquor, 33 (light pink) counties don’t have that requirement and six counties (dark pink) are “dry” counties, and have no liquor by the drink.
Currently, Bourbon County requires 30 percent food sales in a business that sells liquor.
“It has been approved to put it on the November 2018 ballot to say you do not need to have 30 percent food sales to sell alcohol,” Ritter said.
Fort Scott Pharmacy employees, from left, Taylor Cation, pharmacist; Ashley Shelton, technician; Julie Pellett, pharmacist.
Fort Scott Pharmacy, located in the northeast corner of Price Chopper Grocery Store at 2322 S. Main, Suite B, is open for business as of today, May 29. The phone number is 620-644-9444.
Hours of the pharmacy: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed on Sunday.
Hours of the Fort Scott Pharmacy in Price Chopper.
Julie Pellett, one of two pharmacists, worked as the inpatient pharmacist for Mercy Hospital for 16 years.
Taylor Cation, a 2012 graduate of Fort Scott High School and most recently from Kansas University with a degree in pharmacy in 2018, is the second pharmacist.
“Taylor shadowed us at Mercy,” Pellet said. “She was one of my favorite students to do that.”
“I’ll do my boards this summer, by the middle of July I’ll know my results,” Cation said.
Ashley Shelton is the pharmacy technician, with eight years experience working for the former Woods Supermarket pharmacy as a technician.
The pharmacy is located inside the grocery store and has a drive-through window on the north.
The pharmacy is located on the northeast part of the Price Chopper Supermarket building at 2322 S. Main, Suite B.
“We offer personalized care, more flexibility, competitive pricing and friendly service,” Pellet said.
“We offer compounding more than other chain stores,” she said.
Other services:
daily medicine packs, to organize medicine for patients
synchronization of all meds to be due and filled at the same time, to avoid several trips
auto refilling of prescriptions
free delivery
Daily medicine packs make taking multiple prescriptions organized. They are individually packed and dated.
“Stop by to input new patient information, transfer prescriptions or just meet the staff,” Pellett said.
The pharmacy doesn’t sell over the counter medicines, but can assist and advise the public on purchasing the right product, she said.
“However we don’t sell them through the pharmacy,” Pellett said.
The Iola Pharmacy Group is the owner of the pharmacy.
“They’ve been a retail pharmacy for over 40 years,” she said. “We are the only independent pharmacy in Bourbon County.”
The pharmacy has a lease agreement with Price Chopper, she said.
“We are excited to launch our business, “Pellett said. “We’ll be in the Good Ol’Days parade (to let people know they are in business).
Courtesy photo. A necklace created by Mindy Bartlett.
If one is looking for a relaxing evening with friends or family, the Bourbon County Arts Council (BCAC) Art Walk is an option.
From 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 25, the art walk will be located at the Liberty Theater Patio, 113 S. Main. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the office lobby just south of Crooner’s Lounge, next door to the Liberty.
Food and drink may be purchased at Crooner’s Lounge and delivered to the patio.
The patio event is intimate and relaxing, Deb Anderson, president of the BCAC, said.
“The artists feel more comfortable with that environment,” Anderson said.
Courtesy photo. Paul Milks, photographer.
Artists who are scheduled this evening are Paul Milks, photographer, Fort Scott; Bobbie Kemna, potter, Fort Scott; Carleen Shatto, maker of handmade soaps, Drexel, M0; Mindy Bartlett, jewelry maker, Fort Scott; Sandy Smith, potter, Fort Scott; Lucy Gladbach, painter, Missouri; Ken Anderson, elk antler decor, Fort Scott; Dee Ann Davis, cut coin pendant creator, Fort Scott and Toni Thornton, maker of dream catchers, Fort Scott.
Courtesy photo. Handmade soap created by Carleen Shatto.
Any artist interested in showcasing their artwork can call Anderson at 620-223-8650 before 2 p.m. today to reserve a table to sell their wares, she said.
The BCAC is hosting four Art Walks this summer, whose purpose is to showcase local artists, Anderson said.
They will all be Friday evenings at the Liberty Theatre Patio: June 15, July 27 in collaboration with Mercy’s Wine Stroll, and September 14.
“August is just too hot to have it,” Anderson said.
Additionally, the BCAC is sponsoring music concerts at 8 p.m. at the Liberty Theater Patio on June 23-featuring Ben Taddiken, July 14-The Whiskey Raccoons, August 18-Flagship Romance.
The 12-member board of the BCAC consists of Anderson, Terri Floyd, Deb Halsey, Elaine Buerge, Bre Martin, Laura Meeks, Tedena Tucker, Ray Streeter, Danny Magee, Rob Shaw and Chris Woods.
Membership is currently at 103, she said.
They meet at 6 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Presbyterian Village’s Community Room.
The BCAC’s mission is to promote and expand the arts in Bourbon County, Anderson said.
Darby Toth with some of her winnings as a speech and debate student at Fort Scott High School.
2018 Fort Scott High School graduate Darby Toth is a National Speech and Debate Student of the Year nominee, she was notified last week.
Toth has qualified all four years of high school to attend the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Florida, this year June 15-23.
But this year she is one of five finalists for National Speech and Debate Student of the Year.
While at the national tournament this year, Toth will interview with selected debate coaches to find out her placement.
The honor is a dream come true, she said.
“I want to thank all my coaches,” Toth said. “Amber Toth, Travis Toth and Sarah Bahr for giving me the tools…and an avenue for this to happen, because this truly is a dream becoming reality.”
Two of the speech and debate coaches are her parents, both teachers at the high school.
Amber Toth taught debate, forensic and speech, Travis Toth teaches history.
“It’s a family rule,” Darby said. “You have to try (speech and debate) for one year.”
It has become one of her passions, she said.
Speech and debate have had “amazing” effects on her and has allowed her to follow her other passion: social justice, Darby said.
Through her high school years, Darby has honed her communication and goal-setting skills learned in speech and debate.
She helped organize a formal dress drive at her school as a sophomore.
“We got winter formal (dress) donations for anyone who couldn’t afford it,” she said.
Following Hurricane Harvey’s devastation of south-east Texas, Darby used the skills to help raise almost $5,000 for schools in Texas, she said.
She took it upon herself to start a sexual harassment awareness campaign when she learned that issue was a problem for some students at FSHS.
“It was definitely a challenge to get students, administration, and teachers on board,” she said. “It took a pretty detailed mapping of a plan…..they plan next year to have a sexual harassment awareness speaker come speak to the entire student body. We have several posters up around the school. Our counselors are more aware that it is an issue in our school and are working with the students.
“There were some kids who were not being appropriate in the classroom, physically,…they faced repercussions for what they did.
“I felt I needed to be a voice for people who felt as if they didn’t have one because I knew what happened in the classroom wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg. I heard personal stories of girls, whether in or out of the high school. They are suffering in their personal life.”
An AXA Achievement Scholarship was awarded to Darby’
“It’s a $1,000 grant to the high school… it’s used for teacher professional development,” she said. “I gave Mr. (Shawn)Thomas (FSHS Principal) all my research on the subject, Restorative Justice. Instead of a zero-tolerance program, it’s more restorative, therapeutic based…I asked that (the grant) be used for Restorative Justice.”
This topic includes focusing on the reasoning behind student actions, then mediating and working through it, she said.
The AXA Achievement Scholarship is awarded to students because they have demonstrated ambition and self-drive.
For more information on this scholarship click here:
She had a 4.0 Grade Point Average at FSHS in mostly honors classes and received an Ellis Foundation Grant, Peterson Scholarship, Garvey Scholarship, a Kansas Honor Scholar among others.
Darby is a four-time Speech and Debate National Qualifier, District Top Point Earner for two years, state champion in oration, state runner-up in impromptu speaking, number one debater/forensicator in Kansas, District Student of the Year, ranked in the top ten nationally, and recipient of the Debate and Forensics Scholarship-chosen by a panel of teachers.
Toth will attend Washburn University with a psychology major and leadership minor in the fall.
“I would like to work with children, especially the impoverished,” she said. “Starting my own practice would be cool… Working in a school would be cool. Which would provide an avenue to coach debate/forensics.”
New entertainment acts and hours of the street dance are what’s different this year at the 37th Annual Good Ol’ Days Festival May 31 through June 2.
The theme this year is “Fins, Feathers, and Furs”.
“The street dances will be from 7 to 10 p.m., with the carnival and beer tent open until 11,” Kellye Barrows, vice chairman of the festival’s board, said.
Formerly the dance went until 11 p.m. but the new time will allow people to leave more leisurely, Barrows said.
For all performances at Skubitz Plaza bring a lawn chair. No coolers or glass containers are allowed. And no pets, please.
Performing on Skubitz Plaza for the street dance on Friday, June 1 is Shades of Blue, from Kansas City. These five young musicians share a love of blues and rock and roll, according to information provided.
Also on Friday night, the street fair and marketplace on North Main Street will be open from 5 to 10 p.m.
Wade Henry, “entertainer extraordinaire”, according to Barrows will perform Saturday morning from 10-11 a.m. and again 1-2 p.m. at Skubitz Plaza. Henry is a juggler, unicyclist, ropewalker, fire eater, equilibrist, magician, speaker and comic.
Saturday evening, from 3 to 6 p.m. Stone Country, a country-western band from Girard will perform at Skubitz Plaza. The group is comprised of Shana Lynette Stone, Dan Duling, Jeff Culver, Rick Eaves, Rick Duling and Fort Scott native, Jason Richison.
From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 2 the 2nd Annual BBCO Outdoor Expo will be located from 1st to 3rd streets on North Main Street.
Adam LaRoche, Buck Commander, and Duck Commander are partnering for this event. A full schedule of events will be available at the festival.
Activities At The Fort
Fort Scott National Historic Site will be featuring presentations on canoeing/kayaking and youth archery instruction provided by the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally there will be a broad-ax/hewing carpenter display by Jim Bailey with the National Park Service.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. live birds of prey will be on display by Operation WildLife at the fort.
A story-time will be provided by Steve Otto from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bring a blanket for an old-fashioned picnic. Visit the food booths downtown, then bring your lunch to the Fort and enjoy some shade, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
An old-fashioned mattress race will be run at the fort from noon to 12:30 p.m.
There will also be a timed visit of “Buddy The Bison.” Buddy Bison will be one of the attractions of Good Ol’ Days at Fort Scott this year and is the grand marshal of the parade.
