Tanya Glessner is a mother, grandmother, wife, and a child of God, she said.
“I am passionate about giving a voice to those who are struggling and doing their best to overcome addiction and grief,” she said. “I love mentoring and connecting with people.”
Her first Christian Inspirational book was published last week entitled The Light You Bring.
“I decided to write about my life to help share how God is able to take what seems to be a hopeless situation and use it for His glory,” she said. “No one is too far gone to be saved.”
“I chose the title The Light You Bring because we all carry God within us,” she said. “Every act of kindness, every loving word is God’s light reaching out from within us into someone else.”
“I actually began writing this book in prison,” she said. “I started journaling while I was incarcerated and pulled from there. This has been a work in progress over the last 10 years.”
She has another book in the beginning stages.
“I am also putting together some other things to begin writing a new book after the first of the year and I will be reaching out to the public for their God stories to add to it when I begin,” she said. “I will make a public post asking people to email their stories after the first of the year on my The Light You Bring Facebook Page:
Glessner retired from being a cosmetologist at the end of August.
“My husband and I wanted to make more time to focus on our coffee roasting company Crooked Cactus Coffee Co,” she said. “When he retires… we hope to open a little shop somewhere and sell our coffee. As of now we are roasting and selling from home.”
Rayma Ridge is the owner of Rayma’s Clean Team. Submitted photo.
Rayma Ridge, 31, opened her new business, Rayma’s Clean Team LLC in June, 2023.
She provides the area between Bronson and Fort Scott with cleaning and organizing services
“Through discussion with other community members, I recognized the need for residential housekeeping services,” Ridge said. “I have been doing some form of housekeeping/ organizing for friends and family members since I was about 14 years old.”
This got her thinking.
“With many years of experience and having recognized the local demand, I decided to get my LLC and start my own business,” she said. “I began with a small amount of clientele, but I was blessed to fill my books quickly! I have the best clients!!”
Currently, she has one employee in training, she said.
Before and after cleaning of Rayma’s Clean Team. Submitted photos.
Associated Wholesale Grocers, also known as Value Merchandisers, Fort Scott, contacted the Good Neighbor Action Team about work projects needed in the community.
The AWG volunteers paint the light poles in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza. All photos submitted.
Associated Wholesale Grocers, also known as Value Merchandisers, Fort Scott, contacted the Good Neighbor Action Team about work projects needed in the community.
Saturday, September 23, volunteers painted the light poles as Skubitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Submitted by Craig Campbell, with the Good Neighbor Action Team.
Organizers have planned a fun weekend the last few days of September, called FortFest 23, which is free and open to all.
The events kick off Friday night September 29 with a street dance in front of Sharky’s Pub and Grub at 16 North National Ave. in Fort Scott.
“The dance features two live bands, starting with Danny Brown and the Bourbon County Revival at 7 p.m., and then Left of Center featuring local artist Lori Hixon at 9 p.m.,” said event organizer and Care to Share supporter Cory Bryars.
Saturday’s events are in the north portion of Riverfront Park on National Avenue just north of downtown Fort Scott, he said.
The FortFest features Blues music.
“This is the second annual FortFest, and we intend on having bigger and better FortFest for years to come,” he said. “FortFest23 features four high-quality regionally and nationally acclaimed Blues bands, each with a different style and sound. For people unfamiliar with the Blues or who think it is a single type of slow depressing music, they have only heard a sliver of what the Blues is all about.”
The audience from a prior FortFest. Submitted photo.
“Dozens of the approximately 500 people who came to the first FortFest left saying ‘Wow—I didn’t know that was the Blues’ and have been talking about it ever since,” Bryars said. “Famous Blues Musician Willie Dixon said ‘The Blues is the roots, the rest is the fruits.’ SOOOO true. From country to rock and countless iterations in between, the Blues is at the core of most of the music America and much of the rest of the world loves.”
“Care to Share hosts FortFest with the financial support of dozens of businesses and individuals from throughout Bourbon, Crawford, and Linn Counties, and beyond,” Bryars said. The Care to Share FortFest23 Planning and GET-IT-DONE Committee include:
Teresa”TD” Davenport, Lavetta Simmons, Kathy Clark, Leah Lewis, Tammy Miller, Bobbi Kemna, Joyce Nickelson, Sidney Zimmerman, and Bryars.
“The City of Fort Scott is a generous supporter, and we will list all those who contributed in flyers at the festival, on Facebook, and in a follow-up thank you in various outlets,” he said. “Support those who Support Care to Share!”
The Blues musicians for Saturday, September 30 from 1 to 9 p.m. are:
1 p.m.- Howard Mahan Band. “Originally from Fredonia and now in Lawrence/KC—he has quite the interesting bio–#1 in his KU Law Class, scratch golfer, killer musician,” Bryars said.
3 p.m.- Sister Lucille, Springfield MO. “Tons of news on them online and recently at or near the top of Billboard’s National Blues rankings,” he said.
5 p.m.-The Arkansas Brothers, Jonesboro Arkansas. “Down-home classic Blues with a great harmonica and killer guitars. You might just hear some old country like Hank William Sr from these guys too. The Arkansas Bros could walk around Fort Scott and everyone would think they were from here,” he said.
7 p.m.- Divas on Fire, Fayetteville/NW Arkansas.”A group of powerful women with amazing vocals and harmonies and top-tier supporting musicians. They will have seven or even more band members wrapping up FortFest 23 with a sure-to-be-memorable performance. They will feature artists like Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Donna Summer as well good old hard-driving Blues and harmonies sure to please almost everyone.”
Other happenings that evening:
Car Show at noon from Rollin’ Nostalgia Car Club, Frontenac, and “anyone who wants to display their car is welcome,” he said.
Over 30 fine arts and crafts vendors start at noon.
A non-sanctioned BackYard BBQ Ribs Contest open to all comers—details on Facebook.
Varied food and drinks are available—Care to Share Bake Sale, smash burgers, walking tacos, pulled pork, pizza, funnel cakes, ice cream, sno-cones, and more.
Kids fair from noon to 6 p.m. hosted by Pittsburg State’s Care to Share Student Support Group—face painting, games for all ages
Corn hole tournament
Parking for the event: Twister Trailer across from Riverfront Park, along both sides of Maple Road as it heads east of National Avenue, and the Park Loop Road just south of the red bridge on National Avenue.
Parking is free and just a short walk to the event, and there will be shuttles running throughout the day, he said.
“Food and drink are charged by the individual vendors, and some of the events have a small participant fee, such as the corn hole tournament, BBQ contest, and car show,” he said. “In years past, there were small charges for some of the kid activities—more details on everything will be on Facebook. A portion of the fees will go into a prize pool for winners of the events, and a portion will go to Care to Share.”
People should bring chairs/or blankets to enjoy the events, bug spray, dancing shoes, and don’t forget a donation to Care to Share, he said.
The purpose of FortFest is to “build awareness of Care to Share, thank our communities, create energy in our communities, and raise funds for Care to Share to support cancer fighters in our communities,” he said.
Care to Share is a southeast Kansas cancer support group that is 100% volunteer and community-funded.
They want to thank the communities they serve for the financial and emotional support of their daily mission to provide emotional and financial support to cancer fighters, he said
Casey Bradbury, owner of Home Clean Home. Submitted photos.
Casey Bradbury, founder/owner of Home Clean Home, started her cleaning business over five years ago
“For the first few years family and friends would step in and help me when needed,” Bradbury said.
Last year she started adding more employees.
“Chelsea Davied has been with me for a year now. Kiley Foster and Jessica Colopy started about 2 months ago,” Bradbury said.
Home Clean Home offers both residential and commercial cleaning.
The business services all of Bourbon County as well as Nevada, Missouri, and surrounding areas.
Cleaning services are also provided to the southern suburbs of Kansas City upon availability.
“The best thing about my job is knowing that we can impact families’ lives in a positive manner,” she said. “Our goal is to provide extra peace of mind at the end of your day!”
“One challenge I face, that I like to view as more of a positive, is potential scheduling conflicts,” she said. “We work hard to build trusting relationships with our clients to better navigate these scenarios when they arise.”
Chelsea David and family. Submitted photoKiley Foster and family. Submitted photo.Jessica Colopy and family. Submitted photo.
The business can be found on Facebook at HomeCleanHomeBB, Instagram at homecleanhome_cleaningservice, and her number is 620.644.2534.
“Please contact us with any inquiries that you may have,” she said.
Kristin Bishop, 43, is the new First United Methodist Church Administrative Executive.
“My new role is a combination things – covering duties typical of office manager, treasurer, membership, and volunteer coordination – a little bit of everything to help the congregation live out our mission to know, grow in, serve, and share Christ,” she said.
First United Methodist Church at Third Street and National Avenue,
Bishop is a 1998 Graduate of Fort Scott High School, a 2000 graduate of Fort Scott Community College, and a 2003 Pittsburg State University graduate with a bachelor’s of science in Family and Consumer Sciences.
She has worked at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, New Generation Child Care and Preschool, BIDS & DIBS, USD 234, USD 235, and Big Sugar Lumber.
Her new job is a joy.
“I enjoy working in this environment,” she said. “The church, the sermons, and interacting with church members and community volunteers. It is a peaceful and productive place to be.”
“It is a blessing to work in this beautiful church building,” Bishop said. “I love the way the light shines through the stained glass windows and the intricate details that went into the design of this church a century and a half ago.”
“I find Pastor Christopher’s Sunday morning sermons to be engaging and thought-provoking,” she said. “There is always a takeaway from the sermon and a melody from the beautiful music to begin each week. I also enjoy working with members of the church and community volunteers alike. They walk into the church with kindness in their hearts and a mission in mind. They selflessly share their gifts, talents, and time. It’s inspiring!”
Kristin is married to Will Bishop, and they have two sons Winston (7) and Linden (6).
She enjoys reading, road trips, good coffee, and conversation in her spare time.
About The Church
Christopher Eshelman is the pastor of First United Methodist Church, Pat Harry is the organist and choir director, Sara Schnichels is the nursery coordinator, and Robert Wilson is the custodian.
Sunday school groups meet at 9:30 a.m. and Worship is at 10:30 a.m.
The church’s annual Christmas Candlelight Service will feature communion and real candles again this year, at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Outreach ministries of First United Methodist:
Feeding Families in His Name is a free weekly meal that averages about 500 served a week, with help from other churches.
They provide water bottles available for homeless folks, supplied by a resident.
There is a Shepherd’s Center program to help encourage friendship and lifelong learning among older adults that features a variety of speakers: The 2024 schedule is coming soon!
Community events such as the Chuck Crain concert coming up on October 8th at 6 pm.
Trunk or Treat for Halloween
First Annual Nativity Festival, with displays of Nativities and Creche from around the world on Dec 1st and 2nd,
The church hosts community meetings for K-State Extension, Pioneer Kiwanis, various sewing groups, a support group for Grieving Mothers starting later this month, and CORE Community beginning in November.
Beginning the last Friday of October, the church will offer a soup lunch for freewill donations as a fundraiser.
First Missionary Baptist Church of Uniontown is located at the intersection of Maple Road and Hwy. 3 at 100 Fifth Street.
The Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church (FMBC)has started a new service to their community.
“FMBC is a generous supporter of missions and we strive to
find opportunities to assist those in our community and beyond,” said Mission Board Chairwoman Marci Williams. “Hebrews 13:16 says ‘And do not forget to do good and share with others, for which sacrifices God is pleased.’ The current food pantry (was) located inside the church and (was) open one evening per month and by appointment.”
The church realized this was not convenient for everyone.
Beginning on September 15, the outside pantry, named the Blessing Closet, is available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Blessing Closet is located in the alley on the east side of the church at 100 Fifth Street, Uniontown, behind this white door.
“This will be located on the east side of the church in the alley and can be accessed from an outside entrance anytime night or day. We are hopeful this will benefit our community and increase our outreach efforts,” Williams said.
The church is located at 100 Fifth Street (also known as Maple Road in the county) at the intersection with Hwy. 3 on the town’s west side.
Food products such as canned goods, and boxed mixes (cake, Hamburger and Tuna Helper, etc.) will be in the closet.
In addition, the church believes there is a need to put personal care items in the Blessing Closet.
The contents of the Blessing Closet.
Personal care items such as deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, brushes, toilet paper, paper towels, soap, washcloths, and some laundry products.
“Motion lights will be located both inside and outside the closet for those who visit after dark,” she said.
The Blessing Closet is funded by our church through monthly offerings,” she said. “Many in our church have brought this project to completion.”
“Anyone in the area is welcome to utilize the Blessing Closet,” she said. “If additional assistance is needed, please contact FMBC at 620-224-7438.”
The banner can be seen on Maple Road on the north side of the church.
Third Street Park is just east of Hwy. 69 past the railroad overpass on the south side of the street. This is a view from Wilson Street looking up the hill, taken in May 2022.
A park on Third Street is in the process of new playground equipment being installed and stairs have been completed for better access.
A Building Up Our Neighborhoods Placemaking project has already repaired the bathrooms and existing structures, including the basketball goal. Last week stairs were made from the upper level of the park to the lower level.
Rachel Carpenter. Submitted photo. 2023
This week additional playground structures will be installed and mulched, Rachel Carpenter, director, of the Healthy Bourbon Action Team (HBCAT), who is spearheading the project, said.
Bales of mulch await the final installations of playground equipment at Third Street Park on Sept. 15.
A project that was identified by the community through public forums, surveys, and a steering committee is making enhancements to Third Street Park, located just east of the train tracks on Third Street, according to Carpenter.
“The community members were able to develop priorities that they wanted to see happen at the park, Carpenter said in a press release. Those priorities are:
Fixing the bathrooms
Fixing the existing structures
Fixing the basketball goal
Adding additional playground structures
Adding stairs
“Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis provided volunteers to fix the existing structures, the basketball goals, and paint the bathrooms,” she said. “The City of Fort Scott provided an additional $10,000 that will go towards fixing up the bathrooms, fixing the pavilion floor, and surfacing for the existing structures.”
“This week Playscapes will be installing the new playground structures and putting down the rubber mulch surfacing,” she said. “The playground structures include a Temple Trolley, a Swizzler, and two bouncers.”
Mitch Welch, of Playscapes, Yates Center, puts up caution tape on Friday afternoon, Sept. 15, to keep people off the equipment that is being installed.
Marbery Concrete just constructed the concrete stairs that will allow community members to access the playground easier from the ballpark down the hill from the play area.
Tyler Sharp, Marbery Construction, Fort Scott, lays straw to prevent erosion following the building of the concrete stairs from the upper-level playground to the lower-level ball field at Third Street Park on Sept. 15.
“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is addressing the Social Determinants of Health by building up Neighborhoods and Environment,” Carpenter said. “One tool to increase community vitality is through creative placemaking projects.”
“Through funding from Patterson Family Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, HBCAT started the Stronger Together: Building Up Our Neighborhoods placemaking projects.”
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office phone number: is 620-215-2562 and is located at 104 N. National, Fort Scott.
Candace Jobe, 37, has been the new MIS Clerk, Special Education Assistant, and U234 Board Clerk, since July 17.
“MIS and Special Education Assistant are the same thing,” she said. “I will be taking care of Paras and tracking training hours for them and helping our Special Education Teachers with various duties. Also, working in our Special Education Reporting Systems as well as assisting our Director, Tonya Barnes (she’s AMAZING) with any other tasks she has.”
USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main
“For Board Clerk I will be attending all board meetings, working with the Superintendent and Board President, recording minutes from board meetings, acting as custodian of records, and other duties as assigned to the clerk,” she said.
She grew up in Uniontown, school K-12, and graduated in 2005. “Being a part of a school has been my whole life with my Mom, Rolene Lowry, being West Bourbon Elementary School Secretary for 31 years and my Dad, Leon Lowry, as a Bus Driver/Custodian for 38 years,” she said. “I had the best of both worlds, working parents and stay-at-home parents. My brother also worked for the school district for over 10 years.”
After high school, she attended college in Oklahoma City and worked at the Bank of Oklahoma as a teller and then later in bond trading.
“We moved back closer to family and I worked at West Bourbon Elementary for the past nine years,” she said.
She and her husband, Joel, have two dogs, one of whom, Molly, gets to come to work with her every day.
“We are working towards her certification as a therapy dog and will be in the middle/high school to assist students and staff in any way needed,” she said.
“Being able to combine two things that I am VERY passionate about (kids and dogs) is something I can’t believe I get to do every day!”
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to work for USD 234,” she said. “Everyone has made me feel so welcomed and appreciated already. I don’t think any of the staff will ever know how much that has meant to me.”
Marla Heckman, 52, is the new Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Executive Director.
Heckman is new to Fort Scott.
“My husband, John, was born in Fort Scott,” she said. ” We were planning on retiring and moving here someday. There was some property that was going up for sale close to our family, so we decided to change our plans and move back sooner.”
Heckman started on September 5, 2023, as the Executive Director, “overseeing this wonderful community. I am so excited to work with the amazing TEAM here,” she said.
She received her education from the University of Oklahoma and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.
Heckman has 36 years in Healthcare-Independent Living, Assisted Living, Residential Care, Skilled Nursing, and Long-term Care.
“I served on the board for Care Providers Oklahoma, as well as, the Oklahoma State Department of Health Informal Dispute Resolution panel,” she said.
In her spare time she “loves spending time with family and friends.”
“I have never lived anywhere but Oklahoma, so I am excited to start some new hobbies, maybe gardening and having some chickens,” she said. “I look forward to being involved in the community and helping whenever possible.”
She has four children and 13 grandchildren.
Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott.
Heckman replaces Ginger Nance as the executive director.
Mary Wyatt, 37, is the new Fort Scott Community Development Director, with an office located at City Hall.
City Manager Brad Matkin said that the city had a community development director four years ago and believes the position is important.
Fort Scott City Hall.
In her job, she will involved in projects for community venues such as the golf course, airport, Memorial Hall, Buck Run Community Center, Lake Fort Scott, LaRoche Stadium, and the Heathly Bourbon County Actions Team’s Downtown Arch Project.
Additionally, she will be working with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development and representing Fort Scott in Topeka, City Manager Matkin said.
“I sit on some event planning committee boards and volunteer for community events like the Gordon Parks Festival, and will be the facilitator for the city meetings of several advisory boards,” she said. “I research and apply for grant funding to make improvements to our community, I also assist our City Manager and Tourism Department on projects.”
“Her personality will be a great fit for not only our staff but with the citizens of Fort Scott,” Matkin said. “She is from Fort Scott and knows what the citizens want and need. She has goals set for herself and is a self-starter and that is very important in a position like this.”
She graduated from Fort Scott High School and Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in Health and Human Services
“I worked over a decade of my career at Medplans/Firstsource here in Fort Scott as a Claims Analyst, then promoted to Quality Analyst, four years of my career at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott and Olathe Health as an Insurance Specialist, then promoted to Patient Access Supervisor,” she said. “Most recently my husband and I started our own business in June of 2022, Wyatt’s HVAC & Home Solutions, LLC.”
“Going back to school to get my college degree was where I found my passion and niche in public health and safety,” she said.
“My husband David and I have two children, ” she said. “Our son Daxton just turned 15 and is a freshman at Fort Scott High School, he plays soccer for the Fort Scott Tigers. Our daughter Alayna is 12 years old and is in 7th grade at Fort Scott Middle School and plays volleyball there.”
“My birthday is on Halloween, so I’m into all things spooky… Halloween, fall candles, scary movies, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and Halloween costumes of course!” she said. “I’m also signing up to volunteer to help the Chamber of Commerce out with our Fall Festival here in town. I love to cook and bake, and I love crafting as well.”
Matkin said Wyatt stood out from the other candidates because she has dealt with the public, has been in management, and has experience working on saving time, money, and resources.
“I have a very strong and innate sense of empathy and compassion for all people of all backgrounds who are struggling, misunderstood, marginalized, and underrepresented,” she said.
She has lived in Fort Scott most of her life.
“That helps me to connect to and understand the needs of many different groups of people here,” she said. “This job entails a lot of meetings, research, number crunching, data, financial analysis, etc. that’s necessary to get the job done, but what gets me out of bed every day is my love and empathy for our community.”
“I also bring determination and perseverance to this position with the city and I’m not afraid of digging into hard work to get things accomplished. I come from a long line of blue-collar, salt of the earth, came up from nothing, earn-every-penny-we’ve-ever-had type of a family.”
“I have been on my own and working full-time since I was 17 years old, she said. “I haven’t had an easy life, I’ve had to work hard, fail, try again, fail, get up, and keep trying to accomplish my goals, but one thing about me, I never give up. I will never stop working towards making the City of Fort Scott a better place to live for our citizens. I will never throw in the towel, I will always get up every time I’m knocked down, and I will contribute everything I have in me in my time here with the city, to work towards a healthier and happier future for our community.”
Matkin decided not to fill the FS Human Resource Director position, instead spreading that out throughout the staff, “so the money from that position will fund the Community Development Director position. I will continue doing some of the delicate HR functions as well as my City Manager functions.”
The salary for the Fort Scott Community Development position is $52,500 – $70,000 range, he said.
Yesterday, September 11, a mental health and medical care clinic opened in the former Mercy Hospital building.
“All services with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center will now be offered at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.,” said Dawne Burchett, SEKMHC Manager of Prevention and Promotion. “We are very excited!”
The center will be serving from Suites B and C and hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact: 620.223.5030.
Crisis services are available 24/7 at 1-866-973-2241.
The Ashley Clinic is providing clinic service in Suite A.
The Ashley Clinic has had two doctors seeing patients in Suite A since the summer.
Dr. Jason Robinson, a urologist, has been seeing patients in Fort Scott since 2016. Starting in August, he has seen patients on the first Wednesday and the second Friday of each month.
Dr. Yi Ying Law, a general surgeon, started seeing patients in July in Fort Scott in the afternoon on the second and fourth Monday of each month.
Contact information for them is: 620-431-2500
Partners in Health Care
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) and Ashley Clinic joined to create a more accessible, efficient, and effective model of care for the citizens of Kansas, according to a previous press release. The focus: leading integrated, whole-person care and breaking down barriers for patients.
One of the most challenging aspects of whole-person wellness is that individuals often see providers for their physical and mental health in different locations with different systems of care, according to a prior press release. With this partnership, there can be continuity of care where all providers can work as a team to help people achieve better health outcomes.
In the ever-changing healthcare environment, SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic are committed to providing resources to their employees and becoming a preferred employer in the community, according to the release.
Ashley Clinic
Ashley Clinic, founded by Dr. Samuel Ashley and his son Dr. George “Ed” Ashley in 1938, has a long-standing history of making quality healthcare accessible in Southeast Kansas. Services provided include e-visits, convenient care clinics, laboratory services, imaging services, immunizations, diabetes education, specialty clinics, sneak peek 3D/4D sonograms, and a pharmacy with locations in Chanute and Humboldt.
SEKMHC
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, established in 1961 as a non-profit organization, employs evidence-based practices and a whole-person approach to provide individualized treatment to clients for better overall health. They offer services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho, and Woodson. SEKMHC has offices in seven southeast Kansas communities: Iola, Chanute, Humboldt, Fort Scott, Pleasanton, Garnett, and Yates Center.
Core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, addiction counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination, and 24/7 crisis intervention services.
SEKMHC became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in 2022. Find more information at sekmhc.org
