The sign atop the new John Deere Tech Program building at the intersection of Horton and 23rd Streets. The building is located on the easternmost segment of the main campus of Fort Scott Community College..
The public opening of the new John Deere Tech Program at Fort Scott Community College was held at the site Feb. 9.
A hamburger lunch was provided by the college.
Attending were prospective students, local residents, business corporations, FSCC staff and Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce members.
Attendees of the Fort Scott Community College John Deere Tech Program grand opening eat in the largest building of the tech complex. This building is the old National Guard Armory at Horton and 23rd streets.The college provided a hamburger lunch for attendees of the John Deere Tech Program official opening.
Following the lunch were speeches and a ribbon cutting sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
FSCC President Alysia Johnston speaks to the crowd at the public opening of the new John Deere Tech Program building, completed in December 2017.
Tours were given prior to the event for those interested.
FSCC President Alysia Johnston left, gives a tour of the renovated welding shop located north of the new tech program building. At right is FSCC Board of Trustees Member Dana McKenney.
A building north of the new John Deere Tech Program building was renovated for welding classes instruction. The program began in August, with Brandon McAdam, as the instructor.
The John Deere corporation supplies new and used tractors for training the students, said Dale Griffiths, tech program instructor.
Additional old tractors are supplied by dealers and individuals, he said.
Currently, there are 23 students in the program, mostly from Kansas and Missouri, Griffiths said.
“Ninety-five percent of the students will have a job waiting for them,” Griffiths said. “Technicians are the most demanded field in the ag. equipment business.”
Classes are in session from Monday through Thursday, Griffiths said.
“Most kids will travel back to work at their dealers,” he said.
In this program, students are required to work through a qualified dealership that provides paid internships throughout the program’s two years, according to information provided by FSCC.
After completing the program, students receive an associate of applied science degree and can transfer to Pittsburg State University to complete a four-year management option.
Many students choose to stay with their sponsoring dealerships to begin their career as a technician.
Federal loan and grant programs are available to students who qualify. For more information contact the financial aid office at 620-223-2700 or visit fortscott.edu.
District Court is located on the third floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse. Public records are available of court documents.
Joseph Banker, a former youth pastor at a Fort Scott church, was sentenced Feb. 2 for sexual exploitation of a child.
“The judge granted our request for probation,” Chris Meek, Banker’s defense attorney said in an interview.
“There were victims who made statements (during the sentencing) and their parents,” Meek said.
“My client’s wife and my client made statements to the court.”
“It was emotional,” he said.
“I absolutely think that the judge made the correct decision,” Meek said.
Following the Feb. 2 sentencing, Judge Amy Harth requested the court have another meeting, Bourbon County Prosecuting Attorney Jackie Spradling said in an interview.
Meek, Spradling, and Harth have been corresponding via email since the sentencing, Meek said.
“Judge Harth gave the wrong probation during the sentencing (Feb.2),” Meek said Monday. “It should have been 36 months for probation and the post-release supervision is 60 months.”
“Judge Harth inadvertently put 60, it should’ve been 36 months,” Spradling said. “We’ll have to redo that….there is no date for undoing that (yet).”
Banker pleaded No Contest to:
Sexual exploitation of a child to promote performance with a child less than 18 years old, with a violation date of Aug. 1, 2009.
Sexual exploitation of a child to promote performance with a child less than 18 years of age, with a violation date of Nov. 1, 2009.
Both of these charges are Severity Level 5 Person Felony.
The following charges were dismissed:
Electronic sexual exploitation of a child 14 to less than 16 years of age, violation date Sept. 21, 2009.
The offender must register with each registering law enforcement agency in the county or location of jurisdiction. Each time the offender must be photographed, pay a registration fee of $20, and complete the registration form with all information and updated information required for registration as provided in K.S.A. 22-4907.
The offender is required to report four times a year in person to the registering law enforcement agency in the county or location of the jurisdiction where they reside, maintain employment, or attend school. After initial registration, they must report in their birth month and every third, sixth, and ninth month occurring before and after.
The offender must register in person upon any commencement, change or termination of residence location, employment status, school attendance or other information within three days to the registering law enforcement agency or agencies where last registered and provide a written notice to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
The offender’s driver’s license and identification card shall indicate that they are a registered offender. If maintaining a primary residence in Kansas, they must surrender all other driver’s licenses and identification cards from other states, territories, and the District of Columbia, except if they or an immediate family member is maintaining active duty in any branch of the United States military.
If this is the offenders first adult conviction, they must register for fifteen (15) years unless a longer term is specified or present term limits are amended by statute for any of the following:
Sexual battery, Adultery if one party is less than 18 years of age, Patronizing a prostitute if one party is less than 18 years of age, Lewd and lascivious behavior if one party is less than 18 years of age, Capital murder, Murder in the first degree, Murder in the second degree, Voluntary manslaughter, Involuntary manslaughter, Criminal restraint if the victim is less than 18 years of age, Any act which has been determined beyond a reasonable doubt to have been sexually motivated, Conviction of any person felony and the court makes a finding on the record that a deadly weapon was used in the commission of such person felony, Unlawful manufacture or attempting such of any controlled substance or controlled substance analog, Possession of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, red phosphorus, lithium metal, sodium metal, iodine, anhydrous ammonia, pressurized ammonia or phenylpropanolamine, or their salts, isomers or salts of isomers with intent to use the product to manufacture a controlled substance, Unlawful sale of or distribution of a controlled substance. This time period does not include any time incarcerated in any jail or correctional facility or any period of non-compliance with the requirements of the Act.
If convicted as an adult of a second or subsequent offense(s) covered by the Act, they are required to register for life. Any conviction for an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation requires registration for the same term as the underlying offense.
If this is a first adult conviction, they must register for twenty-five (25) years unless a longer term is specified or present term limits are amended by statute for any of the following:
Criminal sodomy if victim is 16 or more years of age but less than 18 years of age and a member of the same sex or an animal, Indecent solicitation of a child, Electronic solicitation, Aggravated incest, Indecent liberties with a child, Unlawful sexual relations, Sexual exploitation of a child if the victim is 14 or more years of age but less than 18 years of age, Aggravated sexual battery, Promoting prostitution if the prostitute is 14 or more years of age but less than 18 years of age. This time period does not include any time incarcerated in any jail or correctional facility or any period of non-compliance with the requirements of the Act.
If convicted as an adult of a second or subsequent offense(s) covered by the Act, they will be required to register for life. Any conviction for an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation requires registration for the same term as the underlying offense.
The offender must register for life if convicted of any of the following crimes:
Rape, Aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, Aggravated indecent liberties with a child, Criminal sodomy if the victim is 14 or more years of age but less than 16 years of age or animal, Aggravated criminal sodomy, Aggravated human trafficking, Sexual exploitation of a child if the victim is less than 14 years of age, Promoting prostitution if the prostitute is less than 14 years of age, Kidnapping, Aggravated kidnapping, Any person who has been declared a sexually violent predator pursuant to K.S.A. 59-29a01 et seq. Any conviction for an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation requires registration for the same term as the underlying offense.
If the offender travels outside of the United States, they will report in person to the registering law enforcement agency and provide written notice to the Kansas bureau of investigation 21 days prior to any such travel. They will provide an itinerary including, but not limited to, destination, means of transport and duration of travel.
If the offender uses the internet, they are required to report to the registering law enforcement agency any and all: email addresses; online identities; information relating to membership in any and all personal web pages or online social networks; and internet screen names.
Pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2250, if a sex offender fails to register or fails to report a change in residence, employment, or student status, and travels in or moves across state lines, the offender can be charged with a federal crime and punished by up to ten (10) years imprisonment.
If the offender receives an expungement for the crime that required registration, the registration obligation does not terminate.
USD 234 Superintendent Bob Beckham is retiring effective June 29.
Beckham gave the Board of Education notice at a meeting last Tuesday.
Beckham worked his way up from teacher to the athletic director, then the principal, then four years ago assumed the superintendency of the district.
The following is from an interview with fortscott.biz.
Why are you retiring?
“I always told myself that I would know when it was time for me to retire, I just know it’s time now.”
How far into your contract are you?
“In June I will have fulfilled my current contract.”
Will you give a short synopsis of your career?
“After graduating from Pittsburg State University I taught and coached five years at Altoona-Midway High School. I came home in 1989 and taught biology and social studies and coached at Fort Scott High School for nine years. I served as the athletic director for seven years, then as the high school principal for eight years. I will have completed my fourth year as the superintendent in June.”
Why did you become an educator?
“Like all educators, I chose this profession to invest in young people – to help them reach their full potential.”
What are you looking forward to in retirement?
“I will be going back to work, just not sure in what capacity yet.”
Jeff DeLaTorre was hired as Fort Scott High School Activities/Athletic Director at a USD 234 Board Meeting Tuesday.
Currently, he is the assistant principal at the school.
He will assume his new duties July 1.
The following is an interview DeLaTorre had with fortscott.biz.
What do you see as the strengths and challenges of the school you will be helping lead?
” Fort Scott High School has a great tradition of having successful athletic and activity programs. We have great kids and strong community support. My goal is to help those programs remain strong and maintain success and to continue to give our community a sense of pride in our high school.”
What is your career experience?
“I taught Physical Education at Yates Center High School from 1995-2000. Also coached basketball, baseball, and football. Moved to Fort Scott in fall of 2000. Taught World History and PE until 2005. Taught full-time PE from 2005 – 2011. Became the Assistant Principal in 2011 and have been in that role since then. Have been the head boys basketball coach at FSHS since 2000. In my time at FSHS I have also coached football, tennis, and baseball.”
What is your education?
” I graduated from Chanute High School in 1990. Graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Earned Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pitt State in 2009.”
Your family?
” I have been married to my wife Angie for 21 years. We have two sons – Kaleb (20 and a sophomore at Neosho County Community College in Chanute), and Jacob (16 and a sophomore at FSHS).”
Hometown: Chanute
Why did you choose education as a career?
” I always enjoyed working with kids and looked at education as an opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives. I also had several teachers and coaches growing up that had a strong impact on me, and I liked the possibility of having that same impact on my students and athletes that I would work with.”
Photo Credit: FSCC. Student Dylan Giager and Carpentry Instructor Kim Coates at the 53rd annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in 2017.
February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.
Carpentry, heating and air conditioning, masonry and welding classes at the Career and Technical Education Center in Pittsburg, which offers Fort Scott Community College classes have seen a rise in enrollment, according to Kris Mengarelli, CTEC Executive Director.
“I do not have a current number of high school students for this spring, but (I do) for Fall 2017 – I know enrollment is up for the Spring semester,” he said.
Mengarelli is glad to see the increase.
“There are significant opportunities in the trades workforce,” Mengarelli said. “Trade businesses are in need of skilled workers to fill the demand of a workforce that is moving toward retirement. In addition, according to Association for Career and Technical Education, students involved in CTE courses are more engaged, graduate at higher rates and go on to post-secondary education.”
The statistics for the fall semester at CTEC that Mengarelli produced:
In heating and air conditioning, there are 10 male students whose average age is 23. None are high school students. The students are from Bourbon, Crawford, Allen, and Anderson counties.
For masonry, there are 17 students, 15 males, and two females with an average age of 18, from Crawford, Cherokee, Montgomery counties and two out of state students. Eight are high school students from Pittsburg, Girard, and Southeast.
For construction trades, there are 23 students, 20 males, and three females with an average age of 18. They are from Crawford, Labette, Allen, Anderson, and Cowley counties and two out of state students. Nine are high school students from Pittsburg and Girard.
For welding, there are 61 students, 57 males, and four females with an average age of 21. They are from Crawford, Cherokee, Bourbon, Johnson, Anderson, Linn, Miami counties and out of state.
There are 32 high school students in this group, from Pittsburg, Frontenac, Northeast, St. Mary’s Colgan, Southeast, and Girard.
For more information contact:
Kris Mengarelli
CTEC Executive Director [email protected]
(620) 232-5644
Chris Sterrett
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC) Instructor [email protected]
(620) 232-5644
The theme for CTE Month is Celebrate Today, Own Tomorrow! This month provides CTE programs an opportunity to demonstrate how CTE makes students college and career ready and prepares them for high-demand career fields, according to a Kansas Department of Education press release.
CTE in Kansas helps meet the needs of business and industry through the development of the foundational knowledge and skills aligned to the Kansas workforce.
Kansas has 16 Career Clusters for students to choose from, and there are 35 Career Cluster Pathways, according to the press release.
A Career Cluster is a group of occupations similar in skill set and training.
Career Cluster Pathways are focused on specific areas of study leading to a particular area of industry or business. These occupations fall within seven career fields in Kansas — agriculture; business; design, production, and repair; family and consumer sciences; health; media and technology; and public services.
Kansas schools have 2,606 pathways across these fields.
Jared Leek speaks to the Chamber Coffee attendees at Crooner’s Lounge.
Jared Leek, the owner of Crooner’s Lounge and the Liberty Theater, hosted the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee Feb.1.
Crooner’s Lounge is located at 117 S. Main and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m.
He said a full-service bar is offered along with steak, seafood, chicken, pasta and fresh oysters.
E-3 Meats, produced by Adam and Jennifer LaRoche are featured at the restaurant.
The theater is next door north, and Leek also owns the building south of Crooner’s, which houses office space for businesses.
Upcoming events:
February 9-10 there is a Catholic Symposium at the Liberty Theater.
Sunday, February 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Crooner’s Lounge, there will be Valentine Cupcake Decorating Event, Leek said.
Each guest will decorate one-dozen cupcakes, pre-baked by Crooner’s Cakery. Frosting, frosting tips, candies and edible decorations will be provided. Cost is $30/person.Reservations required. Limited availability. Purchase tickets using the link to Brown Paper Tickets.
February 14, the Gary Thompson Band will be performing at a special Valentines Dinner at Crooner’s, reservations required.
February 16 En Power and Light and Flagship Romance will be performing, with reservations required.
The Baloney Ponyz will perform March 10, and on March 17 the theater is hosting St. Patty’s on the Patio starting at 5 p.m.
Leek said the theater is booked consistently in May and June for weddings.
Theater season tickets are sold for $100 per person, typically sold as a table of four, for $400.
Contact Jared Leek to make reservations by calling (620) 224-9787.
John Tidwell, left, talks with Bill Pollack following the Kansas Humanities Council Presentation Thursday at the Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College. At right, Melody Leavitt waits to speak to Tidwell.
Kansas University Professor John Edgar Tidwell spoke to a room full of people Thursday during the Kansas Humanities Series Lunch and Learn at Fort Scott Community College’s Gordon Park Museum.
The event was in celebration of Black History Month.
Tidwell gave some history on how President Abraham Lincon, with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and Dr. Martin Luther King, in the March On Washington in 1963 helped to change America.
“They led the way to freedom,” Tidwell said.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the nation, it captured the hearts and imagination of millions of Americans and fundamentally transformed the character of the war. After January 1, 1863, every advance of federal troops expanded the domain of freedom. Moreover, the Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom, according to https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation
“There were creed and practice differences,” Tidwell said of American history.
During the March On Washington For Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, Dr. King gave a powerful speech that helped the progress of the Civil Rights Movement.
The most memorable part of the speech was after Mahalia Jackson, the black Gospel singer, shouted out “Tell them about the dream!” Tidwell said.
King then set aside his written speech and spoke spontaneously to the approximately 250,000 people gathered that day.
Jackson was on the platform that day of the march, as a singer.
Here is a clip of that speech:
Black women were at the forefront of the movement, he said, but “they were marginalized and doubly oppressed by racism and sexism”.
Tidwell encouraged the audience to “try to find ways to sustain mutual respect” in the current era of American history.
“Find one thing you see right and work towards that,” he said.
“What can we learn from Lincoln’s struggle with slavery and Dr. King’s efforts to set forth a dream rooted in the American Dream?” Tidwell asked.
“History can be a great teacher. One lesson we can learn is that we are only as free as the respect we show others. In my view, the world we now live in is best described as uncertain.
“No, it is not the world of Dr. King’s separate drinking fountains, segregated classrooms, the real estate practice of red-lining, and other acts of racial discrimination.
“As made clear by the recent outcome of the presidential campaign, our world is beset with an enervating discourse rooted in divisiveness, intolerance, and discord. The moral imperatives of civility, mutual respect, and common sense have been sacrificed to political cant and ethnocentrism.
“The politics of insincerity and expediency have become poor substitutes for compassion and statesmanship.”
“I want people to understand that once they have sympathy and empathy for others, that will translate into an improved engagement with our history, our traditions and all those things that make us, us,” Tidwell said in a later interview. “I want this speech to inspire a little bit for how they can work together on a goal that will enhance everybody’s situation, not just their own”.
The audience eats lunch and converses before John Tidwell speaks for the Kansas Humanities Council Series presentation at Fort Scott Community College.
Woodland Hills Golf Course Advisory Board, from left clockwise: Fort Scott City Clerk Diane Clay, John Leek, Kenneth Holt, Shannon O’Neil, Jon Kindlesparger, Steve Harry, Mitch Quick and Jon Garrison. The board had its quarlerly meeting Feb. 1 at the clubhouse.
The Woodland Hills Golf Course Advisory Board met Feb. 1 at the course clubhouse.
On the agenda was raising revenue for the course.
“It’s a good golf course,” Shannon O’Neil, clubhouse manager said. “Greens fees, we are 50 cents less than Girard, a couple bucks less than Four Oaks. ”
“We are trying to catch up with area courses,” Jon Kindlesparger, golf course superintendent said in a later interview.
“The season cart (rental) is the biggest discrepancy,” O’Neil said. When a large group plays they’ll all have one cart, he noted
O’Neil said renting a cart is a good deal for the golfers.
“It’s just like having your own cart, (but) based on availability. I can’t promise a cart in a tournament,” he said.
Currently, the golf cart season rental fee is $350 per year.
Following discussion by the board, it will seek approval from the city to raise the fee to $425.
Additional fee increases, if approved by the city commission:
Nine-hole greens fees will increase from $10 to $11, weekday; weekend fees from $12 to $15.
Single memberships will increase from $400 to $440; family memberships (a family of four) from $550 to $595.
Staff of the golf course will attend Tuesdays Fort Scott City Commission meeting to seek approval for fee increases. Pictured are the current prices.
O’Neil said he would like to change the procedure for memberships.
“I’d like to have them due all at the same time,” he said. “If all are due at a certain date, as a business I can see if what we are doing is growing the business. It’s easier from a management perspective. I’d like May 1 to be the (renewal) date.”
Jon Garrison, finance director for the City of Fort Scott agreed with the proposal and said it would be pro-rated the initial year.
The city owns the approximately 148- acre golf course.
O’Neil and Kindlesparger were asked by Garrison to attend the next city commission meeting, Feb. 6 to seek approval of the fee increases.
Another item on the agenda was the new golf cart barn that is in the preliminary stage.
Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, is the firm hired to design the barn.
“I hope he gets the specs together, then we can go out to bid with it,” Garrison said.
“I hope it will be constructed this spring,” O’Neil said in a later interview. “It will be a Morton Pole Barn. We’ll house 30 rental carts. We’ll sell 10 season cart passes a year.”
The barn will be located straight north of the clubhouse, “where the old clubhouse used to be,” O’Neil said.
Some of the statistics for the course:
There are 127 memberships.
There were 9,100 rounds of golf played on the course last year, of those, 5,100 were played by members, 4,000 were green fee rounds.
There are three full-time employees, six part-time employees during the season which runs April through October.
The new clubhouse was completed in February 2016.
There are 25 tournaments a year.
Uniontown and Fort Scott High Schools play at the course.
“We are unique here, a member of those golf teams can play here for free,” O’Neil said.
Fort Scott Community College is starting a girls golf program this year and will play at Woodland Hills, as well, he said.
The board is comprised of Steve Harry, Kenneth Holt, John Leek, Mitch Quick and Jeff Sweetser.
The board meets quarterly or as needed.
“We’ve got a good board,” Garrison said. “They use the course.”
“They are emotionally and financially invested,” O’Neil said.
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott and Peerless Products Inc. are collaborating to tackle diabetes in our community.
Approximately 15 employees are taking advantage of the pilot program at Peerless presented by Mercy employees, with meetings set each Friday for one hour.
Peerless management gives the employees the time to attend during their workday and pays the fee of those who choose to participate in the diabetes prevention program, according to Cindy Davis, Director of Health and Wellness at Peerless.
The pilot program runs for one year. Classes meet for one hour, once a week, for the first six months, and then decreases in frequency to monthly maintenance sessions, according to a press release from Jody Hoener, Mercy Clinic Quality and Community Benefit Liaison.
“We welcome the program and support our employees attending, with that health issue,” Davis said, who has been at her job for approximately one month.
The diabetes prevention program, led by Hoener, and Mercy’s Registered Dietician Sherise Beckham, uses an evidence-based approach proven to motivate and support individuals in making practical, real-life, lasting change.
The prevention program is not a diet and is not a well-intended, short-lived weight loss program, it’s a lifestyle change, according to Beckham in the press release.
“We want Peerless Products to be the employer of choice,” Coby Jones, Peerless Products owner said. “We are creating a worksite environment where Peerless is a place where living healthier lifestyles is easier to do,” according to the press release.
The Mercy Diabetes Prevention Program, a new service provided by Mercy Hospital, is funded through a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. It is part of the Center for Disease Control National Diabetes Prevention Program.
The American Medical Association reports the burden of Type 2 Diabetes as substantial with $69 billion in lost productivity and $176 billion in direct medical costs, according to the Mercy press release.
Typically, one in three employees has prediabetes, and it is a reversible condition.
Working outside of hospital walls, Mercy is taking steps to improve the culture of health and wellness through The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, with grant funds provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas through its Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative, according to the press release.
Bourbon County was selected as one of the first eight Pathways communities in 2016, according to the press release.
Mercy is building relationships with many community stakeholders through the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative.
The Mercy Diabetes Prevention Program is part of the community-wide initiative to implement policy and environmental change in order to improve the quality of life, encourage economic development, increase awareness and community engagement in leading healthy lifestyles, and support tobacco-free living.
Fort Scott High School Art Instructor Ellen Kendrick explains the process of the setting up the components necessary to display art in the new gallery at the school. Senior Art Student Berkley Chavis is at right.
Walking the halls of Fort Scott High School, visitors notice the glassed-in area with art displays near the entrance to the school.
In the recent building renovation, the planners designated a gallery space for student artwork, FSHS Art Instructor Ellen Kendrick said.
Kendrick said all the components for displaying student artwork came together just before Christmas.
“To have this space is amazing,” Kendrick said.
The January exhibit was photography and ceramic art by students.
Berkley Chavis shows her two photography projects, one of a horse and one a dog.Kayley Reyes shows her two pieces. The one at left is entitled “Broken”, the other is unnamed, she said.
Seniors who have their photos displayed in the gallery currently: Ethan Burrel, Grace Keating, Kaley Reyes, and Berkley Chavis.
Senior Emily Hill shows her ceramic artwork in the gallery Tuesday morning.
Art students who have pottery in the gallery are Emily Hill, Berkley Chavis, Kharsyn Dwyer, Blaice Hopkins, Denton Fritter, Madison Cook, Kelsie Nelson, Andy Bryant, Kaidon Shelton, and Ashton Nolan.
Kendrick said the gallery display will change each month.
The February exhibit will be more ceramics and drawings, instead of photographs.
She said her family helped with the gallery lighting and display furniture.
“Jack and I set the lights in place,” she said. “Jack and Sam made the pedestals.”
Jack and Sam are her sons.
“John (her husband) helped with the lighting system as well. I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.
Submitted photos. Fort School High School Choral Director Meredith Reid leads a choir rehearsal Tuesday, accompanied by Pat Harry on the Steinway piano.
Fort Scott High School Choral Director Meredith Reid began a fundraising project to restore the school’s 1925 Model L Heirloom Steinway piano last summer.
The cost of the restoration is $30,000, and Reid’s fundraising has secured $15,000 so far.
“We could get rid of this and get another piano of lesser value,” Reid said. “But this is such a gem.”
The piano is not stuck away in a corner somewhere.
“We use it every day,” Reid said. “We have over 100 high school kids in the choir and we have choir every day. These students are who it is impacting.”
“Pat Harry is our accompanist, she is the best of the best,” Reid said. “Really she is more than that. She is a collaborator both musically and educationally. It’s appropriate to give her the best.”
The high school orchestra class also uses the piano and students use it for practice after school, especially at this time of the year, music contest season.
“It’s a testament to our community and our program to have a Steinway,” Reid said.
The Steinway piano has been in the school district for over 40 years.
There is a mystery surrounding the origins of the piano because no one knows who donated it to the school.
“I talked to Allan Drake (the school’s former business manager) to see if he had any file on it,” Reid said. “I then asked the school board office, they couldn’t find any documentation since there is no purchase history.”
“We talked to former music teachers Charlotte and Larry Swaim,” she said. “Larry knew it had been donated when he first started teaching in the 1970s.”
Whatever the origins may be, the importance to the school’s music program is invaluable.
“It’s an acoustic piano, which means it hits the strings inside the instrument which creates the sound,” Reid said.
It’s a “far superior sound” than a digital sound on an electric keyboard, she said. “The (piano)soundboard is solid spruce. You can’t recreate that in something that’s digitalized.”
“There is a lot more nuance for the accompanist,” Reid said.
The school Steinway is American made, with each part being handmade, she said.
“Each (piano) has a serial number,” she said. “They can tell you all the details. Steinway still keeps records of it.”
A piano technician visited the school Friday.
“He said the Steinway brand is created in such a way as to be rebuilt,” she said. “Not all pianos were made that way. The lesser pianos don’t last that long.”
“It seems like we are putting a lot of money into it, but if we buy a lesser brand, we’ll have to replace it because I won’t last as long,” she said.
“We have received grants from the Bourbon County Arts Council, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, and the City of Fort Scott, she noted. “Currently, we are looking for more support from organizations, businesses or individuals to donate in any amount to the project. The full project will cost $30,000. We now have $15,000 raised and need $15,000 more.”
Reid’s goal is to raise the funds to send the piano to be restored at the end of the school year in May, and “potentially get it back by next Christmas,” she said.
The fine arts are at the heart of our community in Fort Scott, and restoring the Steinway grand piano will continue this legacy for decades to come in both the community and the school, she noted.
A brand new Steinway of this size would cost $78,400, she said.
“We need $30,000 to completely restore our Steinway. It will be playable for another 50 years at least.”
Reid’s phone number is 620.238.0673 or email her at [email protected].
Ben Workman is the new interim director at the Keyhole.
The Keyhole is the first in a series of interviews about the 2018 United Way of Bourbon County grant recipients.
Donations to United Way stay local, according to its brochure, and the organization focusus on education, income and health.
The community is asked to be a part by contributing to employee campaigns at their place of employment, make a one-time donation via email, or donate on-line at http://bit.ly/bourboncountyuw.
Ben Workman is the interim director of the Keyhole, since December 5, 2017.
Workman said the Keyhole is a place to provide Christian-oriented recreation, social and education opportunities for area youth.
“The Keyhole (board) wants the kids in our area to be productive members of society, through Christian values,” Workman said.
“The entertainment side is a draw to the kids,” he said.
“We have goals of youth to respect authority, love each other and love their parents,” Workman said. “That’s the pastor side of me.”
Workman is pastor of Cornerstone Bible Church and also is a current board member of the Keyhole.
Other board members are Dona Bauer, Tim Harper, Judy Hood, Marge Madison, Kenny Felt.
The facility is located across from Fort Scott High School at 1002 S. Main. Phone number is 620-223-4700.
The Keyhole, 1002 S. Main focuses on youth.Hours of the Keyhole.Rental policy of the Keyhole.What the Keyhole offers youth at the facility.
Rental policy of the Keyhole.Hours of the Keyhole.What the Keyhole offers youth at the facility.
