Tag Archives: featured

Sharing Ideas For Downtown Fort Scott

 

Lindsay Madison at the Christmas Parade 2017 which the Chamber of Commerce sponsors.

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison has been the executive director since October 2010.

On January 11, 2011, Madison initiated the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet.

“I started it to provide a platform for downtown business owners and any interested party to network for ideas related to downtown,” Madison said.

The Meet & Greets are held the first Tuesday of each quarter from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. unless otherwise announced.

Usually, approximately 18 to 25 people attend, with the host business invited to tell about their business and any future events, she said.
” City representatives (Dave Martin or Rachel Pruitt) usually give a city update and a Fort (Scott National Historic Site) representative usually announces upcoming fort events,” Madison said.

Some of the projects and ideas that have come out of the meetings include:

  • A new downtown shopping brochure was completed in 2017.
  • The Toy Soldier Project was started Christmas 2017.
  • Businesses are encouraged to decorate windows for special events, i.e. patriotic for Symbols of Sacrifice, Naturalization Ceremony, etc.
  • There is a discussion about co-op advertising opportunities for retailers to go together on, i.e. TV ads, etc.
  • A new parking sign was installed on Wall Street in the city parking lot where the depot is located, to promote additional parking downtown.
  • A short-term parking sign was installed in front of Papa Don’s, following discussion of the group.
  • Ideas for downtown events and promotions are discussed, such as 10% off items on Kansas Day if shoppers wear a sunflower, the Halloween parade, the Christmas parade, and Downtown Open House events, Sales Tax Holiday (first weekend in August), 3rd Saturday Marketplace events, including when to hold the events.
  • Informing attendees of grants/incentives available to downtown businesses.
  • A scarecrow contest was held in the past to create fall decorating.
  • New downtown banners for the light poles were the result of discussion at the meetings.
  • Ideas for new murals, for instance, to replace Star Emporium mural at the north end of Main Street.
“We are always soliciting new ideas and volunteers to help organize any type of events or promotions,” Madison said.

On January 9 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. the meet and greet will gather at Papa Don’s Restaurant, 10 N. Main to share ideas once again for the downtown area.

The goal of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is to be a premier chamber of commerce in the region, acknowledged for leadership effectiveness, member-focused services and success, and being a go-to resource for business and community, according to its website.

For more information:

http://fortscott.com

 

A Healthier Workplace

Fort Scott Firefighter Colten Hoggatt works out at the Fort Scott Fire Department fitness room Wednesday. The City of Fort Scott has implemented a wellness policy to incent its employee’s  to get fit.

Recently, the City of Fort Scott Commissioners implemented a  policy to engage employees in becoming more fit.

This was in response to the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team challenging businesses to develop wellness policies, Deb Needleman, human resources director with the city, said.

Other entities challenged to promote wellness and physical activity were Fort Scott Community College, Mercy Hospital, USD 234, USD 235, Peerless Products Inc., McDonald’s Restaurant, Landmark Bank and Ward Kraft Inc.

“Fort Scott Community College passed their policy recently, too,” Jody Hoener,  administrator for the Bourbon County Healthy Pathway Grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas Insurance, said. “I talked to (FSCC President) Alysia Johnston, who said they have started painting the room where their (fitness) equipment will be,” Hoener said.

“We are setting up policies to encourage employees to exercise at least three hours per week,” Needleman said. “We’ll be rolling the policy out in January to our employees.”

For her part, Needleman has started CrossFit training.

“The policy will encourage me to do CrossFit three times per week,” she said. “But any moderate physical activity that gets the heart rate going,” will work.

If she continues her fitness program for the whole month, “The following month I’ll get an incentive, a $20 reimbursement in expenses,” Needleman said.

This money can be spent on “fitness club membership, shoes, a new tire for a bicycle or anything related to physical activity”, she said.

The outcome of the policy implementation is expected to be an increase in the level of activity which is intended to help the bottom line of each entity that participates.

“When you have healthy activity, employees are more productive, there are lower health care costs and lower employee absenteeism and higher employee retention,” Needleman said.

For the incentives, employees must meet the criteria set forth in the policy, and Needleman acknowledges that not everyone will.

The policy is not mandatory, Needleman said.

Still, the city has set aside $9,000 to $15,000 in its’ budget to incent employees to get more active.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team will survey the city staff in August or September 2018 to find out if the level of activity has increased and thereby are approaching or meeting national standards, Needleman said.

“We will look at and re-evaluate the policy at that time,” Needleman said.

“We were about one-half of the national standard,” when surveyed prior to implementation of the policy,  she said.

Increasing activity is the goal of year one of the policy, Needleman said.

“Year two, we will look at nutrition,” she said. “Healthy eating, food choices in the workplace.”

“Year three we will look at tobacco cessation,” she said.

Each worksite is eligible for $10,000 to implement a wellness policy  Hoener said.

Firefighter Colten Hoggatt, 25, pictured, works out even on his days off for about one hour, he said. The fire department has a separate building on site that it uses as a fitness room.

Fort Scott Fire Department Captain Dale Bolinger said the fire department currently tracks physical activity of each employee and that information is included in their employment evaluation.

 

New Catholic Boarding School To Open 2018

Daniel Kerr, president of St. Martin’s Academy shows the newly poured foundation to the first building in construction at the school.

Years in a Pennsylvania boarding school created a passion and vision for education for a local Fort Scottian.

Daniel Kerr’s experience altered him.

“It was a life-changing experience,” Kerr said.

Since that time Kerr has had an interest in developing a boarding school that would incorporate farming into the school curriculum and  has been working towards that vision and laying the groundwork.

“This is not a reform school,” Kerr said. ” This will be for kids of high character and goodwill. There is a fairly rigorous application process and an in-person interview with parents and prospective students.”

Thus plans were begun for constructing St. Martin’s Academy, a boys Catholic boarding school.

The Kerr Family Estate deeded to St. Martin’s Academy about five acres of land west of Fort Scott on Indian Road.

Daniel Kerr met with the bishop and vicar-general of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita to tell them of his vision.

“They are enthusiastic and have been supportive of our plans,” he said.

In October 2017 construction began of phase one, Theotokos Hall.

Kevin Klassen Construction, Kansas City, is the main contractor, Kerr said. The architect is Greg Madeen, Durango, CO, who does alternative energy construction and design.

This month the City of Fort Scott granted the school a land use permit.

Also this month, the footings for the first building were laid.

The footprint of the hall is 74 feet by 36 feet, with a full basement, first floor, and loft area, totaling over 6,000 square feet, Kerr said.

Theotokos Hall is the first and largest building and will be constructed of native oak timbers and stone.

“Overall, the school campus will be situated on five acres with access to 200 acres,” Kerr said. “We live on the property and built a house here. Kerr is married with children.

The school will be using passive solar and hope to have a windmill for electrical and also active solar, he said.

Theokotos Hall will serve the needs of the school for the first year before becoming the permanent dining hall and hearth. It is slated for completion in July 2018.

Eventually, there will be five separate buildings on the site.

St. Martin’s Academy Plan 2017

By 2022 there is a plan to complete construction on the crowning feature of the campus, a  chapel made of native stone.

Patrick Whelan, who will be the new headmaster, has moved to Fort Scott with his family and has been working on the school’s curriculum development and educational compliance, along with recruiting students, Kerr said.

“We are blessed to be able to work together for about 15 months of preparation leading into the first academic year,” Kerr said.

“We’ll be applying for grants, benefactors, and financial partners interested in investing in a bold new adventure in education,” Kerr said.

Some upcoming events for St. Martin’s Academy:

Feb. 9 -10 the academy staff will be hosting the Third Annual Prairie Troubadour Conference in Fort Scott. This year’s topic is “Field and Family: Reflections on a Healthy Human Ecology”, according to information provided. To learn more and to purchase tickets http://prairietroubadour.org/

F.O.R.T Leadership Camp will be offered April 16-22, 2018 and again June 11-17, 2018 for boys ages 12-14. Cost is $500 per session. The young men will learn to build a fire, make a shelter, forage for food, race kayaks, serve mass and butcher a hog, according to information provided. Visit: SaintMartinsAcademy.org/#camp.

For more information view the academy’s website at http://www.saintmartinsacademy.org

This photo shows the foundation wall of the first building being built at St. Martin’s Academy on December 20. The Fort Scott Lake overflow area can be seen from the school.

St. Martin’s Academy is located at 1994 Indian Road, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. The phone number is 620-223-2704.

Landmark Bank Expands

Workers from Hornbuckle Framing LLC, Ottawa, work at Landmark Bank Wednesday. From left, Dane Broddy, Nick Nicnew and James Montgomery, all of Ottawa.

Landmark Bank, located at the corner of Main and 23rd Streets is expanding space.

“This is to make it more inviting for the customer,” John Leek, South Branch Landmark manager said. “Our transaction volume is in the top three daily that Landmark has statewide.”

“I think there is a misconception that we are drive-through,” Leek said. “We open accounts. I do consumer loans as well.”

There are eight employees at the south branch location.

 

Leek said he is “excited” about the expansion and looks forward to the completion.

“We apologize for the mess,” he said.

The addition to the existing building measures 26 by 30 feet or 834 square feet.

Two offices, storage and enlarging the teller area and front lobby are part of the plan, according to Jim Daniels, Loyd Builders Inc. Daniels is the superintendent who was on site Wednesday.

Hornbuckle Framing LLC is a sub-contractor for Loyd Builders, Daniels said. The framing crew was working to frame the addition.

The expansion began about three weeks ago.

“We are hoping by the beginning of April, we will be done,” Daniels said.

Lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.

Drive-through hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8  a.m. to 2 p.m.

The bank’s phone number is 620-768-2374.

The contractor’s plan for the expansion.

KState Extension: Low-Cost Tree and Shrub Seedlings Now Available

Submitted by Krista Harding, Southwind Distrist

The Kansas Forest Service is offering low-cost conservation tree and shrub seedlings for purchase again this year. These seedlings are to be used in conservation plantings, such as home/livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, Christmas tree plantations, firewood lots, habitats for game birds and wildlife, barriers to reduce noise pollution, blocking ugly views, marking property lines and creating habitat for songbirds.

These plants are 1 or 2 years old, and their sizes vary from 5 to 18 inches, depending on species. Most of the trees are bare-root seedlings, however some are available as container-grown seedlings such as Ponderosa pine and Southwestern white pine. Some of the deciduous trees that are available include: bald cypress, black walnut, bur oak, cottonwood, hackberry, redbud and sycamore. Shrubs available include American plum, choke cherry, lilac and sand hill plum.

This is not a complete listing of available trees and not all trees are recommended for this area. The Kansas Forest Service also offers tree “bundles” for purchase. The bundles offer a variety of trees designed to attract songbirds or quail. For example, the Songbird bundle contains 18 trees and shrubs selected for their attractiveness to songbirds. The Songbird bundle does not contain sufficient plants to meet all of the needs of songbirds, but once established, the bundle will create a small island of plants that will provide some year-round cover and supplemental food during late summer, fall and winter. This will attract birds for your enjoyment.

Not certain what you would like to order? Then stop by the Extension office and pick up a brochure that has color pictures of various trees and shrubs at maturity. Orders for conservation trees are accepted now through the first full week of May, with shipments beginning in March. However, I recommend that you order early to ensure availability of trees. Order forms and price sheets are available at the Southwind District Extension Office in Erie, Iola and Fort Scott, or can be mailed or e-mailed.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244- 3826.

YAT Receives Check From Gunn Park Trails

YAT members receive a check from Gunn Park Trail members at the site of the multi-sensory play area in Ellis Park Wednesday afternoon. From left: front is Frank Halsey, Gunn Park Trails organizer; Diana Mitchell, YAT member; and Penny Pollack-Barnes, Tri-Yak-Athon Race coordinator. In back from left are Tom Robertson, Eric Bailey and Larry Fink, all YAT members.

Slow but sure progress is being made on a playground for children in the community.

Youth Activity Team members met at the future site of a multi-sensory playground at Ellis Park in Fort Scott Wednesday to receive a  $2,500 check from representatives of Gunn Park Trails to add to the fundraising efforts to build the playground.

Frank Halsey, who has blazed trails at Gunn Park for about a decade and in the last five years initiated the annual Tri-Yak-Athon contest, was there with the check.

The Tri-Yak-Athon is a race for bikers, runners and kayakers, which this year was turned over to Penny Pollack-Barnes to help coordinate. Gunn Park Trails members host the Tri-Yak-Athon.

Barnes presented the check, which was proceeds from the Tri-Yak-Athon in October, to the YAT.

The YAT members present to receive the check were Eric Bailey, Larry Fink, Diana Mitchell, and Tom Robertson.

Halsey said this is the first money raised for a cause by the Tri-Yak-Athon.

“We appreciate what you’ve done,” Mitchell told Halsey.

The goal for the playground is $180,000 and with this check, $39,000 has been raised, Mitchell said.

The playground equipment will eventually be at the south end of Ellis Park, west of the basketball court and near the UMB Pavillion.

“We have a lot more fundraising to do,” she said.

The YAT have a list of fundraisers they have sponsored through the years.

In 2007 the YAT initiated a Miles of Pennies community fundraiser for the Guinness Book of Records; in 2008 they sponsored a Jason Aldean concert for the city; in 2009 they sponsored a Luke Bryan concert, Mitchell said.

Then the group took a few years off.

In 2011 both Aldean and Bryan and the Duck Dynasty family came for the last concert.

 

The planned multi-sensory playground will be located in Ellis Park at the south end.

Patty LaRoche: The Gift of Giving

Last week I wrote about Akrasia, the state of acting against our better judgment. We “almost” do the right thing but then come up with a kajillion excuses as to why we shouldn’t follow through. During this Christmas season, I have come up with 15 ways we can be a blessing to others. I can think of no better way to turn our “almosts” into action.

  1. Give a compliment, especially in crowded lines where nerves are frayed.
  2. Call the Customer Service Line listed on your receipt and take time to give an employee credit.
  3. Donate blood.
  4. Shop local. Adopt a family and deliver presents for them to open on Christmas day. Once a month, surprise them with a gift card, movie tickets or a bag of groceries on their doorstep.
  5. Find a neighbor with a need and meet it. Trim their tree. Shovel their snow. Weed their garden. Wash their windows.
  6. Speak to a school counselor to obtain the name of students in need. Adopt that student anonymously and meet his/her needs during the school year.
  7. Serve at a homeless shelter or volunteer at a nursing home.
  8. Have your children run cold drinks out to your garbage man, postman or school bus driver.
  9. Bake goodies for the local police and fire department…once a month.
  10. Surprise a homebound person with a pizza.
  11. Pay for someone’s gas (hint: better a Volkswagen than a semi-truck).
  12. Offer to take down the Christmas lights for the elderly or a single mom.
  13. If you know of a wife, mother, or family of a soldier serving overseas, come up with ways you can fill their loneliness and meet their physical needs.
  14. Give a gift of sponsorship to feed a child, provide clean water for a community, rescue a child from sex slavery, or whatever it is you or the gift receiver are most passionate about.
  15.  Share what Christmas is really about.  If you do nothing else on this list, do not neglect this last one.  Believe it or not, lots of people know only that Jesus was a baby, there was no room in the inn and the angels sang.  That’s about it.  They don’t know why He came.  They don’t know who He came for.  You need to share with them the truth.

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

It will be the best gift you ever can give.

Hartman Spine And Joint: Two Focuses of Medicine

Husband and wife chiropractors, Dr. Heather Davis and Dr. Grant Hartman with their billing employee, Jenny Guilfoyle and receptionist, Joy Fleming.

Hartman Spine and Joint is a team of husband and wife, both chiropractic doctors, but who focused on different areas of chiropractic service.

Grant Hartman’s diploma from Logan University hangs on the wall of his practice.

Both graduated from Logan University, St. Louis, Mo.

Dr. Grant Hartman treats musculoskeletal conditions.

Following sport injury issues at Fort Scott High School, Hartman received help through chiropractic medicine. He graduated in 2008.

“I had back problems in high school in football and track,” Hartman said. “A chiropractic doctor was able to help.”

Additionally, his grandfather Ron Billiard had extensive back problems.

“I always said if I could help only one person so they wouldn’t have to go through what he went through,” Hartman said. “That’s what motivated me.”

Conditions that Dr. Grant Hartman treats.

Dr. Heather Davis, a 2006 graduate of FSHS, focused on different issues.

“I was a bodybuilder and did well,” Davis said. “But my health was devastated. I started seeing a functional medicine doctor.”

After six months of seeing improvement in her health, she changed her focus at Logan University to functional medicine.

Dr. Heather Davis’ diploma hangs on the wall of her office. She graduated magna cum laude.
A sign in the doctor’s office explains functional medicine.

The office has two employees, Joy Fleming and Jenny Guilfoyle.

Receptionist Joy Fleming schedules appointments, takes patient payments and coordinates referrals to other doctors as part of her duties at Hartman Spine and Joint.
Jenny Guilfoyle works on billing for Hartman Spine and Joint which includes insurance, billing, statements, and helping patients understand their insurance coverage.
Treatments available at Hartman Spine and Joint.

Trailer Park Sold, Property Will Be Developed

Fort Scott Estates trailer park is being cleared. The property is located on Horton, across from Fort Scott Community College.

Two Dogs Barking Real Estate, owned by Patrick Wood and Jake Gross, recently purchased Fort Scott Estates trailer park at 2170 S. Horton.

Demolition on the property was by Johnny Walker, who was hired by the previous owner, Ted Shadid.

The house that is on the property will be moved to another location, Wood said.

“Originally we purchased the property to build apartments,” Wood said. “But since then some other things are in the works that are bigger.”

Wood and Gross also own the Garrison Apartments, at 1731 S. Horton, across from Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

Almost all the trailers were out of the Fort Scott Estates park on Dec. 11 in this photo.
Kevin Asbury works on his mobile home Dec. 11 in preparation for moving it from Fort Scott Estates trailer park on Horton.

Sign Up Today: Sunshine Boutique $95 Gift Basket

Sunshine Boutique owner Georgia Brown, left, with friend, Rita Emmerson.

Walk into the Sunshine Boutique, 18 E. Wall, and the aroma of coffee is noticed first.

“I have coffee on all the time,” owner Georgia Brown said. “And we offer samples of hot chocolate or tea.”

“I want people to come in and feel comfortable shopping,” she said.

Sunshine Boutique offers tuxedo rental, decorating for weddings, and wedding cakes.

In addition, “All kinds of cakes, cookies, and pies,” Brown said.

But the business is most known for its’ shop full of boutique items.

See the photos below for some of the items that can be purchased in Sunshine Boutique.

Many people may not know that Brown does corporate giftings where she picks out, wraps and delivers gifts to the business. The wrap and delivery are free to customers.

Starting today, The Sunshine Boutique is offering a special give away to subscribers of FortScott.Biz. Georgia Brown is offering a gift basket valued at $95.

The winner will be chosen from among subscribers to FortScott.Biz who sign up by Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. See more details below the photos.

Georgia’s husband, Donnie, prepares to deliver corporate gifts to a local business.  Gift wrapping and delivery is a free service of Sunshine Boutique.
Brown likes to do business with companies that help others. Those businesses include some of the  dips, coffees, teas, and boutique items she sells, she said.
Angels, Christmas stockings, candles and Christmas decorations are sold at Sunshine Boutique.
Shoppers can find wall decor and table decor at the store.
Purchase Fiesta ware and Christmas decorations at Sunshine Boutique.
Unique dips and mixes can be purchased at the store.
Shelves of handmade unbreakable nativity figurines by Fontanini are featured.
One of the Fontanini nativity scenes that Brown sells at the shop.
Many specialty loose leaf teas are offered at Sunshine Boutique.
Georgia Brown grinds coffee beans for the gift basket giveaway.
Many varieties of coffee beans can be purchased and the beans ground by owner Georgia Brown, in the store.

The Sunshine Boutique is offering a special give away to subscribers of FortScott.Biz. The owner is offering a gift basket valued at $95.

The winner will be chosen from among subscribers to FortScott.Biz 

So make sure you signup by CLICKING HERE if you don’t already get our emails.

We’ll draw a winner on Dec. 20 at 10 a.m.

Be sure to watch your emails because you’ll have 24 hours to respond before we select a new winner.

Some details about entering the contest:

  • You have to be subscribed to the list to enter. That means you’ll need to type in your email address and then confirm the subscription.
  • You can enter from this link or use the form on the right-hand side of the page.
  • You’ll need to come to Fort Scott to claim the prize. If you live in Alaska, this might not be cost effective for you.
  • The winner will be announced and have their picture posted to the site. This probably isn’t a good contest for people in the witness protection program.
  • If you are under 18, you’ll need a guardian to accept it on your behalf.

Uniontown Music Students Entertain The Community

A large crowd listened to Uniontown Junior/Senior High Band and Choir students perform the annual winter concert Friday evening.

The junior high choir is under the direction of music instructor Rhonda Allen.

The sixth-grade band, junior high band, and the high school choir are under the director of music instructor Neva Rowland.

Principal Mark Calvin welcomes the crowd that filled the Uniontown High School Gymnasium Friday evening for the junior/senior high winter music concert.
The sixth-grade band played “Hot Cross Buns”, “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Good King Wenceslas”.
The sixth-grade band is directed by the teacher, Neva Rowland.
Allison Chamberlin and Skyler Coulter play the drums accompanying the junior high choir performing “Wade In The Water.”
The junior high choir sing “Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow”, under the direction and accompanied by teacher Rhonda Allen.
Junior High Choir Teacher Rhonda Allen tells the audience how proud she is of the progress of the students.
The junior/senior high choir sing “Sleigh Ride” directed by teacher Neva Rowland and accompanied by teacher Rhonda Allen.
Donavan Beerbower and Emily Vallely perform solos during the song “Sing On! Dance On!” with the high school choir.
The senior high choir sing “Benedictus” directed by teacher Neva Rowland.
The junior high band play “Theme From the 1812 Overture.”
The junior high band play “A Classical Canon.”
Music teacher Neva Rowland gave some history of each of the music selections prior to the student’s performance
The high school band performs “At Mornings First Light.”
The high school band gets ready to perform “Trails Of Glory”.

KState Extension Office to Offer Winter Programs

Submitted by Christopher Petty

Southwind Extension District farmers and ranchers have learning opportunities available this winter.

Southwind Extension District Agent for Livestock Production and Forage Management, Christopher Petty, will be offering several programs of interest to farmers and ranchers in and around Bourbon, Allen and Neosho Counties during the upcoming winter months.

On February 13, beginning at 6 p.m. the Southwind and Wildcat Extension Districts will host a Winter Ranch Management Series meeting at the community building in Helper, Kan. Topics may include heifer selection, fall burning pastures for weed control, and bud box animal handling systems. Cost to attend will be $10 payable at the door.

On March 3, beginning at 3 p.m., the new K-State Research and Extension Sheep Specialist, Dr. Allison Crane, will be at the 4-H building in Fort Scott to meet with area sheep producers. She will discuss what Kansas State University offers by way of services to sheep producers. This program will be free to the public.

On April 4, the Southwind District will host a fescue meeting. We will discuss fescue endophytes, fertilization and other management considerations. This will be an evening program with the location to be determined and will feature Southeast Area Agronomist Doug Shoup, among others.

Additional tentatively scheduled programs include a January program featuring Kansas State University Poultry Specialist, Dr. Scott Beyer. Dr. Beyer will explain what it would look like to be a contract poultry grower, should a large poultry processing facility move into Kansas.

The longstanding coffee series meetings may also continue this winter. Come enjoy a free coffee, tea or pop, and learn about current ideas and happenings in the cattle industry. This brief, informal gathering is tentatively scheduled to take place this winter at the café located in the Southeast Kansas Stockyard in Gas, Kan.

These programs are in various stages of planning. To keep up to date with the most current details of these programs including the dates, times, locations and fees, check out the livestock link on the Southwind District website located at http://www.southwind.k-state.edu.