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Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Diabetes Prevention Program Begins At Peerless

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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, Schools

A New Art Gallery Displays FSHS Student’s Artwork

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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.

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Steinway Piano Restoration Project Has A Mystery

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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].

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott

The Keyhole Provides Christian Oriented Youth Activities

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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.
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

United Way 2018 Campaign For Bourbon County Agencies

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Gina Shelton, president of United Way of Bourbon County speaks to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Thursday during its weekly coffee.

The United Way of Bourbon County kicked off its campaign at the Jan. 25 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, which was hosted by Mercy Hospital.

Gina Shelton, president of the local United Way Board, said the best way to help in the fundraising is a payroll deduction.

She said the cost of a purchased soft drink, $1 if it was payroll deducted by many people, would help the agency meet its 2018 Campaign goal of $50,000.

The agency helps these entities in the county:

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition Board provides rental and utility payment assistance and provides family season passes to the Fort Scott Aquatic Center.  Telephone: 620-223-5946

Bourbon County Senior Citizens provides Meals On Wheels to the elderly, general transportation and distributes commodities. 620-223-0750

Bourbon County 4-H Fair provides the annual fair and collaborates with the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce on special events, as well as partners with Fort Scott Community College for parking during the annual rodeo. 620-547-2571

Kansas Legal Services provides legal representation to obtain restraining orders, provides advice on custody and child support and coordinates services with Safehouse and others. 620-232-1330

Keyhole Youth Center provides youth with games, TV, pool tables, ping pong and regular parties and get-togethers. The facility is located across from the Fort Scott High School. 620-223-4700

Mother to Mother Ministries helps women build friendships across economic barriers as well as self-esteem and parenting skills. Diapers, baby supplies, and food to mothers in need are also provided. 620-224-0809 or 620-215-0924.

Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance Hospitality Fund assists transients in their travel through the area by providing gas, food, bus transportation, rooms and auto repairs, as well as meet other physical needs of Bourbon County residents. 620-223-3862

Southeast Kansas Respite Service provides people to come into the home to give caregivers a break. Also provided are cleaning services, errands, and transportation services. 620-421-6550 Ext. 1642

Tri-Valley Developmental Services provides employment and retirement services, residential services and horticultural Therapy Programs. 620-431-7401

The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas provides financial aid with assistive technology and medical equipment and assistance with selecting the technology, along with specialized seating systems for wheelchair users. 316-688-1888

Members of the United Way Board of Directors are Shelton, president; Dee Anne Miller, vice-president; Alene Jolly/Jodi Johnson, secretary; Devin Tally, treasurer; Jessica Werner; Vickie  Chaplin; Amanda Lancaster; Mitzi Davis; Mert Barrows: Cindy Bowman;  and  Charli Bolinger.

Fort Scott

GNAT Seeking Volunteers To Benefit Multi-Sensory Playground

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Thursday morning Chris Yoder and sons Melvin, Willard, and Joseph work on the roof of the house at 1311 S. National. The Yoder family was hired by Diana Mitchell to stabilize the structure which is being rehabilitated as a fundraiser for a multi-sensory playground.

Craig Campbell, with the Good Neighbor Action Team, is seeking volunteers to clean up a property.

The house, at 1311 S. Main, is a being totally rehabilitated, then it will be sold as a fundraiser to help provide a multi-sensory playground for the community, Campbell said.

“Groups are invited to bring shovels, buckets, gloves, hard-soled shoes and protective eyewear to pick up the debris and put it in the dumpster,” he said. “It’s loosely organized, you don’t have to schedule to put up the debris and put it in the dumpster.”

“Be careful of the roofing debris,” Campbell said.

Campbell spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee attendees during the announcement portion.

The dumpster is provided by Kevin “Skitch” Allen, Campbell said.

Allen purchased the Hester Rolloff business including the dumpsters being used, Allen said in a later interview.

Currently, the house is being stabilized and the roof being replaced, according to Chris Yoder, Devon, who along with his three sons have been working on the house the last week.

Diana Mitchell is spearheading this Youth Activities Team project, the rehabilitation of the house. The GNAT is helping with the volunteer clean-up of the project.

 

Airport, Fort Scott

Design Of Airport Runway Expansion In The Works

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The Fort Scott Airport Advisory Board discuss improvements at the facility Wednesday morning at city hall. From left, clockwise FS City Clerk Diane Clay, Bill Waldren, Matt McGhee, Greg Post, Mary Pemberton, Jim Gladbach and Kenny Howard, airport manager.

Fort Scott Airport is in the design stage of expanding its runway.

The FS Airport Advisory  Board met Jan. 24 for an update from Kenny Howard, the airport manager.

“We signed a contract for the design of the (runway expansion) project,” Howard told the board. “That part of the project should be done in April.”

The runway expansion designer is Olsson Associates, Lincoln, Nebraska.

“It will be paid for by the city and private donations,” Howard told fortscott.biz.

The design plan will estimate the cost of the runway expansion project, he said.

Once the cost is projected, grants will be sought to fund the expansion project, Howard said.

The current length of the airport runway is 4,400 feet, the proposed runway expansion would increase that to 6,150 feet, according to Howard.

In addition, the city has applied for a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to rehabilitate the runway lights, Howard said. The estimated cost of that project is $290,000.

Howard said approximately 600 aircraft took off and landed at the facility last year.

Pilots file and cancel their flights using their cell phones, he said.

Most air traffic at the facility is between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A property owner near the airport, Kenneth Merriman, told the board “the noise decibel is pretty bad over my house.”

Merriman lives one mile south of the airport.

Howard said a noise analysis done on the airport shows the noise is staying on the airport property.

“People that have concerns can come out and talk to me,” Howard told Merriman. He said 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the best time to reach him at the airport.

Fort Scott

Planning Commission Business: Zoning

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The Fort Scott Planning Commission: from left facing the camera, Pam Hightower, Mitch Quick , Diana Endicott, Mark Lewis, Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt and Darcy Smith. Not pictured: Carol MacArthur and Mark McCoy. Not present:  Jared Leek and Geoff Clark. With back to the camera is city clerk Diane Clay, left and administrative assistant Allyson Turvey, right.

The Fort Scott Planning Commission met Jan. 22 at city hall to recommend a new member and review the five-year comprehension plan they have been working on.

Members of the commission are Geoff Clark, Mark McCoy, Diana Endicott, Carol MacArthur, Pam Hightower, Jared Leek, Mitch Quick, Mark Lewis and Darcy Smith.

The group reviewed three chapters of the plan and made arrangements to finalize it and present it to the Fort Scott City Council in early March.

The group also discussed letters of interest to serve on Planning Commission from two interested residents, Josh Jones and Frank Adamson.

In the end, Jones was selected to serve.

“Tell Frank it’s nothing against him,” Diana Endicott, chairman of the group, said.  The group decided since his wife is on the city council it might cause issues.

The group will meet February 1 to discuss zoning the old trailer park property, Endicott said.

The function of the planning commission, according to the city’s website is to:

  • Review and adopt (as well as update) the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Fort Scott
  • Establish zoning districts and allowable uses
  • Review zoning regulations within the City
  • Review requests for special permits or conditional uses within certain zoning districts in the City

The Commission also reviews site plans for planned areas and is responsible for zoning within the three-mile limit of the City of Fort Scott.   They meet on an “as needed” basis.
There are 10 members who serve three-year terms. Seven members must reside within the city limits, three may live outside the city limit.

Business, Fort Scott

6th at Lowman Street Closed For “Tiny House” Water Line Work

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The tiny houses at 6th and Lowman Streets will likely be completed April 1, the owner said.

The tiny houses at 6th and Lowman Streets will be completed April 1, according to Mike Rogers, the owner.

This is a little ahead of schedule, he said.

Monday evening crews were finishing the sheetrock and today the inside painting will begin Rogers said.

Also today the City of Fort Scott will be laying water and sewer lines to the four houses, he said.

That work will close 6th Street at Lowman Street until water/sewer work is completed, estimated to be Wednesday afternoon, if all goes as planned.

There are four houses with 782 square feet each. Each house has two bedrooms and one bathroom, with appliances included.

There will be a small yard with privacy fence and designated off-street parking for each unit.

Rogers said a “ballpark estimate” for each rental is $650 per month including appliances, trash, and lawn care.

To inquire about renting, call 620-223-5598 or email [email protected]

To see the previous Fort Scott.Biz story:

New “Tiny” Houses In Production

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Presbyterian Village Talent Show Entertains Community

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Jeff Elliot plays a rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” on the piano during the Presbyterian Village Talent Show.

Presbyterian Village, an assisted living facility, hosted a talent show Friday afternoon.

Members of the community were invited to showcase their talent, along with some employees and residents of the facility.

A crowd filled the dining room of Presbyterian Village to enjoy the entertainment.

The following are photos from the event.

Chip Pridey sings a solo.
Jack Clark plays “Maple Leaf Rag”.
Fred Hixon left, the master of ceremony for the show introduces Marilyn  Adcock who sang several songs and played the autoharp, accompanied by her husband Lyle, on the tambourine.
Shirley Carey sings and plays the piano.
Melissa Wright sings “Pontoon”.
Adriel Koller prepares to sing “Follow Me”.
Avis Stradley reads a poem entitled “The Dinner”.  She stated she first recited it for her high school class in 1944.
Lorna Smith plays “Sweet By and By” and “Tennesee Waltz” on the accordion.
Christy Roberts entertains the Presbyterian Village guests Friday afternoon at the talent show.
Annie Brock, 14 years old, plays the piano during the talent show.
Trula Finley plays several songs on the piano.
Greg Turner sings a solo.
Rhonda Allen plays “Glowworm”.
Presbyterian Village Life Enrichment Director Anicia Robinson serves refreshments following the talent show.
Bourbon County

WIC Switching To Electronic Benefit Cards

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An electric benefit card, which looks like a credit card, is coming to WIC recipients.

WIC stands for Women, Infant, Children and is a government program to provide needed services to low-income families.

Starting Feb. 7, the program will switch from special checks to a benefit card, according to Linda Timme, the nutrition service coordinator at the Crawford County Health Department (CCHD).

Linda Timme is the Crawford County Health Department Nutrition Service Coordinator.

CCHD is the service provider for WIC in Bourbon County.

“Right now we have printed checks that have food items on them, provided through the WIC program,” Timme said.

The switch to a benefit card is to simplify for both clients and program administrators, Timme said.

“It will be good for our clients, easier to use at the store,” she said. “And it will be easier for us. We’ve been talking to our clients about this change.”

WIC provides food, healthcare referrals, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotions and support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and additionally to infants and children to age five years old, who are found to be at risk nutritionally, according to the website: wic.fns.usda.gov

There is a state WIC website to see if one will qualify for the program: www.kansaswic.org.

The CCHD offers weekly clinics in Fort Scott. Three times clinic services are offered at Buck Run Community Center and one clinic is offered at Mercy Hospital.

The next clinic is at Mercy.

“At clinics, they are asked to bring proof of income and residency in the county,” Timme said. “They must show an ID, and also IDs for children.”

“First we decide if they are qualified, then health screenings are given,” she said. “We have risk factors to see if they qualify. Then we issue benefits. People go home with checks to purchase food on the list.”

Foods provided are specific, Timme said. Eggs, milk, cereal, juice, fresh vegetables and fruit and whole grains.

Clients must call for an appointment, Timme said.

The number is 620.231.5411.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are offered on the WIC program.

Fort Scott

After-Prom Preparations

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Fort Scott High School Prom is April 21, 2018.

Students of area high schools are beginning to look for that special outfit to wear to the annual spring event.

Parents also are making preparations.

Parents of junior class students are currently working to make an after-prom party for the students.

The object of the party is student safety.

“If you are a parent or a business owner, or possibly a friend of Fort Scott,” Sabrina Terry, spokesperson for the group said. “Each of us has different roles that we are trying to play in keeping the kids safe as well as have fun on prom night!”
“As parents, we put together a fun-filled evening of events that the kids can participate in, in order to have fun and stay safe,” Terry said. “Our goal is to keep our kiddos doing fun and appropriate things prom night.”

Business owners and friends of Fort Scott have donated to help with the costs of putting together the after-prom event, she said.

“If you are willing to help out please just let me know,” Terry said.

“We still need a lot of prizes that will be given out throughout the night by drawing tickets. The tickets will be given to each of the kids throughout the night by playing different games and just entering the after-prom party.”

“Right now the after-prom party is up in the air as far as where it will be held,” Terry said.” The options are Buck Run (Community Center) or Fort Scott Middle School.”

“As far as what will the juniors and seniors participate in when they go to the prom party that is also up in the air depending upon what the committee decides,” Terry said. “However we do know that there will be obstacle courses that they will race through, dodgeball, nine square, etc.”

Prizes will be handed out throughout the evening.

“We have big prizes such as TVs,” she said. “However at this point, we are short on money so we do fundraisers to build up our funds so that we can go buy prizes to keep their interest. The goal is to keep them there so that they don’t create their own parties that have negative things or outcomes.”