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Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Transportation Service Is An Option For All Bourbon County Starting August 28

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The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is located at 104 No. National Avenue.

In recent months, a coalition headquartered in Fort Scott has been working to address transportation needs for all Bourbon County, including rural residents.

A service to meet these needs will start August 28 and is called BB-Go Transportation.

“BB-Go Transportation is an affordable option, $1 donation is suggested, but not required,” Rachel Carpenter,  the lead in the Local Health Equity Team (LHEAT), said. That entity is under the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team umbrella, whose office is at 104 N. National Avenue.

Rachel Carpenter is the lead for the Local Health Equity Action Team. Submitted photo.

“There is no restrictions on riders,” Scott Christiansen, Transportation Director at Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, said. “This is tax payer funded so there are no age or income restrictions.”

“The donations offsets what KDOT reimburses us for the service,” Christiansen said.

BB-GO Transportation will service anyone in Bourbon County on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the operation hours of 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The LHEAT partnered with Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, Inc. to expand their transportation program to Bourbon County.

A photo of a SEK-CAP bus taken from the SEK-CAP website.

To schedule a ride, call 620-724-6350. 

The rides are are a first come, first served basis.

To have the best selection of times, schedule 1 to 7 days  in advance.

Same-day rides given are based on availability.

BB-GO Transportation will be wheelchair accessible.

Drivers will be certified with the Kansas Department of Transportation and will meet all training and safety requirements.

The funding is through federal, state and local funds.

“The Federal Transit Administration and Kansas Department of Transportation 5311 Grant supplies 70% of the operating costs, and 30% comes from local matching funds from the Local Healthy Equity Action Team (LHEAT) grant through Kansas University Medical Center’s Communities Organizing to Promote Equity program,  Peerless Products, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, and Community Christian Church,” she said.

Jody Hoener is the Southeast Kansas Regional Community Lead for LHEAT.

“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s  coalition Local Health Equity Action Team  has been developing both upstream and downstream approaches to address the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in Bourbon County,” Carpenter said.

This service adds options for those without a car.

“Currently, there is only one option for public transportation in the county that services the City of Fort Scott,” Carpenter said.

The cost of this transportation service can hinder people from social activities, medical appointments, jobs, dining and education, she said.

 

 

Bourbon County, Schools

New WBE Principal: Tracy Smith

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Tracy Smith. Submitted photo.

After 38 years in the Uniontown School District, Tracy Smith, will serve as part-time West Bourbon Elementary School  principal for this school year.

“I have been in education for 44 years and retired  twice, but now one more year,” he said.

Smith is teaming with Anita Lightcup in principal duty-sharing.

“I’ll be on duty Monday, Tuesday and alternating Wednesdays,” he said. “Anita will be alternating Wednesday, Thursday and, Friday.”

Smith earned a Bachelor of Science from Ottawa University and a
Masters in Administration, from Pittsburg State University.

For him the greatest part of the job “is mentoring, helping and developing kids, teens, children in general to become good, productive members of our communities.”

“In comparison to ‘what it was like’ when I was a kid, or even a beginning teacher…it is a much different society….It is imperative that we create a loving, supportive environment where positive growth can happen. So, being aware of every child’s needs as they come into my building is my #1 priority, and then, I problem solve.”

Vance Eden is the Superintendent of the school district. Robert Onelio is the new principal at Uniontown Jr/Sr High School.

There are 10 new teachers in the district.

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Cohn’s Cafe to Open in Repurposed Historic Temple Building on September 1

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Tracy and Kathy Dancer purchased the Scottish Rite Temple at the Bourbon County Tax Sale in January 2022.

The former Scottish Rite Temple at 110 S. Main is being repurposed by Tracy and Kathy Dancer.
Tracy and Kathy Dancer in the entrance to 110 S. Main, now called Mercantile and Market and Cohn’s Cafe.

Since the purchase of the historic building in downtown Fort Scott, the Dancers  opened a Mercantile and Market at 110 S. Main in February 2023 and in the next few weeks will be opening a cafe in an adjoining room.

“The shop is called Mercantile and Market and Cohn’s Cafe,” Kathy said. “It was run from 1926 to 1948 by Sidney Cohn and his wife as a cafe, in the exact space.” The cafe is adjacent, south, to the mercantile.

For many years, the space was used for fundraisers for Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs.

This week, they will have a reservation only preview, no walk-in patrons, from August 22-26.

The grand opening to the rest of the public is September 1.

Kathy Dancer in the Cohn’s Cafe, at 110 S. Main.

The preview this week is to train new staff.

“This will be to train new staff on the menu,” she said. “To give our staff a chance to adjust things before we open. This is practice so when we do our grand opening, we will be prepared.”

There are 10 employees, not counting Tracy and Kathy.

The business phone number is 620-418-6209.
Hours are 8 a.m to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with cafe table service.
From 2-6 p.m. (during the mercantile hours)one can order take-away food and drinks.
On Sunday the cafe will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Customers will be able to call or text for reservations,” Kathy said.  “We will also accept call-in orders for grab-and-go from the cooler.
Customers will be able to pick up these orders until 5:45 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.”

 

The cafe will use locally sourced ingredients to make fresh breakfast and lunch dishes: quiche, crepes, bakery items, salad, soup, sandwiches, and other featured meals, plus drinks.

The meats, eggs, and veggies are lined up from local suppliers and the menu will be adjusted based on seasonal availability, she said.

The current Cohn’s Cafe menu.

On the horizon for the cafe are syrups made from local orchards and additionally a tea service.

Kathy will be starting a tea pot collection to begin a tea service in the cafe. Here are some of her antique tea pots on display in the cafe.

“It will be a pot of tea that comes with scones, biscuits, and tea sandwiches,” she said. “We will be starting a tea pot collection for our tea service.”

People will pay for the meal in the mercantile section, much like a Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

Following a conversation with a downtown resident, the cafe will be selling milk, eggs and bread from a cooler she purchased.

This cooler was purchased to sell milk, eggs and bread, at the request of a downtown resident.
Bourbon County, Business

HBCAT Grant: Organized By Karis

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This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.

The Heathly Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team located at 104 N. National.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The grant award ceremony is August 23 from noon to 1 p.m. at the HBCAT office, 104 N. National.
To learn more: GRANT CEREMONY: bit.ly/3qikzOq

 

Karis Poyner. Submitted photo.

 

Kris Poyner opened her business, Organized by Karis, in February 2023.
“I have always had a passion for organizing and cleaning,” she said. “I wanted to help people who can’t do it themselves.”
She provides organizing of closets, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, etc. weekly cleanings, bi-weekly cleaning, monthly cleaning, one-time cleans, move-out cleans,  and move-in cleans.
Contact  email is [email protected] and phone number is 620-704-9547
“I am going to use the grant money to buy better equipment so I can provide the best quality of services to my clients,” she said.
A before picture of a garage organization. Submitted.
The after photo. Submitted photo.
Art, Bourbon County, Business, Youth

Young Entrepreneur: Devlin Cole

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This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.

Following the first set of stories on young entrepreneurs in our community, an anonymous donor  wrote fortscott.biz that he wanted to grant each one of the featured youth with $50.

To view the prior story: Young Entrepreneurs Series Spawns An Anonymous Benefactor

If you know of a child, under 18 years of age, that is creating products or providing services to sell to the public, please send their name and phone number to [email protected]

Fortscott.biz wants to  encourage the youth who are learning business by doing it.

Devlin Cole.

Devlin Cole, 15,  started a leather works business about a year ago,  called DRC Leatherworks.

He hand stamps and hand cuts leather to make bookmarks, rings, bracelets, key rings.

His grandmother, Vicki Waldron, owner of ViCon, a sewing business, and he both got interested at the same time, and he works out of her shop on Maple Road, rural Fort Scott. His sister, Mackenna, has encouraged him in his business, he said.

“I started sewing when young,” Cole said. “I like hands-on personalizing and being a craftsman on something that is personal.”

He is currently creating a stock pile of leather work articles for the Children’s Business Fair on September 30.

“I used (his leather) bookmarks at school, when reading and friends noticed and ordered a few,” he said.

At a recent band event, some of his friends helped Cole select a name for his business and he has been working on pricing, business logo and a business email.

Submitted graphic.

Belts are $10, keychains and pendants are $5, bookmarks are $7, rings are $3, and bracelets are $4.

“That is the prices I have thought of at the current moment not 100% sure on the belts due to leather costs but the rest is pretty set in stone,” he said.

At a recent Children’s Business Fair workshop, he developed a busniness plan and got all his ideas on paper, he said. Next was cash flow and payment options.

He will be selling, along with other young enrepreneurs, at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on September 30.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Youth

Young Entrepreneur: Benjamin Shead

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This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.

Following the first set of stories on young entrepreneurs in our community, an anonymous donor  wrote fortscott.biz that he wanted to grant each one of the featured youth with $50.

To view the prior story: Young Entrepreneurs Series Spawns An Anonymous Benefactor

If you know of a child, under 18 years of age, that is creating products or providing services to sell to the public, please send their name and phone number to [email protected]

Fortscott.biz wants to  encourage the youth who are learning business by doing it.

Benjamin Shead. Submitted photo.

Benjamin Shead,13, has an online tutoring  business.

“Some classes I have guided other students in are geometry, Latin, sixth grade math, formal logic, algebra 1 and 2,” he said.

“Most of my clients contact me through Facebook,” Benjamin said. “I also take students when my sister’s (Katy Shead) schedule is too busy.”

“I started tutoring when my sister’s schedule was getting packed with students,” he said. “This showed me that I enjoyed helping other people in their educational trouble areas.”

“I tutor so that I can revisit material that I enjoyed learning but am no longer being taught,”  he said. “Tutoring gives me the ability to experience a class again, this time on a deeper level, the level of teaching the material. I also enjoy finding new ways to explain a concept and tutoring gives me a purpose for the exploration of these ways.”

“One subject I really enjoy tutoring is Formal Logic,” Benjamin said. “It is awesome to learn how to explain proofs by comparing them to a hidden treasure or something else that the student understands better than proofs.”

“While it is a lot better for kids to be tutored, if they need it, across the school year, I sometimes help kids in last-minute cramming sessions for math and logic finals,” he said. “These sessions provide a last-minute review, and it gives kids confidence to try their best on this last assignment.”

Benjamin lives just outside the Fort Scott city limits with his sister, Katy and parents Mark and Haley Shead.

Benjamin Shead works on collatz conjecture. Submitted photo.

Benjamin submitted this photo of him working on a math problem called a collatz conjecture.

Here is his explanation of collatz conjecture:

“The collatz conjecture is a theory about mathematics which is believed to be true but no one has been able to prove yet,” Benjamin said. “It states that if any odd whole number is plugged into the formula (3n+1)/2, if any even number is divided by two, and every number is plugged back into one of these formulas, a formula will eventually reach one.”

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Teachers: Woods, Hendricks

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This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in USD 234, Fort Scott.

Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :

August 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is the Fort Scott High School Open House at 1005 S Main St, Fort Scott.

School starts on August 18

 
Nicolas Woods. Submitted photo.
Nicholas Woods, 25, is a new history teacher at Fort Scott High School, teaching world, American, and local history.
He graduated from Pittsburg State University and did his student teaching at Carl Junction. This is his first year teaching.
“My past teachers motivated me to be a teacher,” he said. “I liked school, but at times I struggled with learning. I want to be there for the students that struggled like I did. I believe I bring a different perspective that students can appreciate and learn from.”
“The best thing about teaching for me so far is seeing a student who was struggling succeed,” he said. “That could be as little as a student passing a test or as big as boosting their grade by two letters. You should always celebrate success.”
“I would say one of the biggest challenges in teaching for me is connecting with students,” he said. “I feel I connect with students/people easily, but as a teacher you are not going to reach every student. There will be students that don’t like your class or even you for that matter and no matter how hard you try you won’t change their mind. The best thing I can do is give all students the tools and guidance they need to succeed and hope for the best.”
Woods hometown is Fort Scott,  and he is a 2016 high school  graduate.

His uncle Donald Woods was a custodian for the high school for many years and owned a moving business and late aunt Joyce Woods was a grade school teacher at Winfield Scott for many years, he said.

Woods hobbies include golfing, fishing , and playing basketball.

Caleb Hendricks. Submitted photo.

Caleb Hendricks, 27, is a new Winfield Scott Physical Education Teacher and Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Girls Basketball Coach.

He has six years experience in education, with  three years as a certified teacher.

He earned his  bachelors degree from Fort Hays State University and his hometown is Sterling.

 

“Growing up some of the most rewarding experiences I had were as a camp counselor, coach, and youth group leader,” he said. “Working with kids and seeing their growth and accomplishment in different areas has always given me a sense of purpose.”

“The relationships that I have made with both students and staff over the years is definitely the best part of being in education. That’s really what it’s always been all about for me. Being in a position that allows me to coach and connect with kids in that element has always been a very important thing for me as well.”

A challenge for him is growing and adapting to how kids and the world are changing, he said.

“Finding new ways to connect and relate with kids can be challenging at times for sure,” he said. “Having worked with both elementary and  middle and high school ages, though, I feel like that has helped me better understand where kids are coming from and the different challenges they face. Then I feel like I’m in a better position to support them the best I can.”

He is married to Sarah Hendricks, who is a 4th Grade Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School and they have a 4 month-old son, Braxton.

His hobbies include football, Fantasy Football, golf, coaching, basketball, home improvement projects.

 

Bourbon County, Schools

New Uniontown Teachers: Ericson and Martin

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This is a part of a series of new teachers in Uniontown’s School District.
The district’s open house is August 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The first day of class for students is August 16.
Tyler Ericson. Submitted photo.

Tyler Ericson will teach 4th grade at West Bourbon Elementary, in Uniontown starting this school year.

“The thing I love about teaching is…relationships with each of my students,” she said. “How they can come to me about anything, and they will not be judged… whether it be in or outside of school. I love seeing children learn, but most importantly having fun and being engaged while doing it.”

“A challenge for me would be change,” she said. “…starting over from a whole new school district, a new grade, and new colleagues can be overwhelming. Teaching primary and now about to teach 4th grade, it will definitely be different, but in a good way. I am excited to see what West Bourbon has in store for me!”

She  said she looks forward to taking part in school community activities that plan to make community members feel welcomed, respected, trusted, heard, and needed, to help promote student success.

Ericson hales from a big family in Kansas City and Oklahoma, she said.  In addition, she and husband, Ethan, have two sons, Julian and Jamison, and one daughter Journee.

Ericson earned her A.A in Elementary Education,  at Labette Community College and a B.S. in Elementary  Education from Pittsburg State University.

She taught second grade at Winfield Scott Elementary last school year; first grade at Winfield Scott from February 2022 to May 2022; and was a special education paraprofessional at Uniontown High School from January 2018 to May 2019.

She was substitute teacher certified by the Kansas Department of Education from August 2019 to May 2020.

Ericson worked in Early Childhood Centers in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area from the age of 15 to 24.

Christal Martin. Submitted photo.
Christal Martin will teach high school science in grades 10-12.
She received a bachelors in science degree with an emphasis in nursing in 2008 from Pittsburg State University, and is currently finishing a master’s degree in secondary education from Western Governor’s University.
She has worked as a Uniontown Junior High At-Risk Aide for the past three years.

For Martin,  the best thing about working with children is “Building connections with students, and watching them academically succeed,” she said.

A challenge this year will be learning to navigate through everything as a new teacher, she said.

She is married to husband, Seth, and  they have two sons, Caden and Casen.

Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Teachers: Singmaster and Feeback

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This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in USD 234.

Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :

Aug 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. is the monthly board of education meeting at 424 S. Main, Fort Scott.
August 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is the Fort Scott High School Open House at 1005 S Main St, Fort Scott.

School starts in the district on August 18.

 

Torrie Singmaster. Submitted photo.

Torrie Singmaster, 27,  is a new 6th grade math teacher at Fort Scott Middle School.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Ottawa University and will graduate with a Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction in May of 2024 from Ottawa University.

“I taught first grade at Winfield Scott Elementary for two years and one year at Humboldt Elementary School in fifth grade, she said.

“My favorite part of being a teacher is being able to watch students transform not only academically but personally as well,” Singmaster said. “I take pride in knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of my students.”

“After I became a mom, I wanted a career that would allow me to have more time with my kids,” she said. “I started subbing at the elementary school and immediately knew that education is the path I was supposed to take. I always enjoyed school growing up and that was due to the fact I had really amazing teachers along the way. I want to help students see their self-worth and be a safe place for all of my students to grow into the best versions of themselves.”

“The hardest part about being in education has been trying to figure out where I am the most successful as an educator,’ she said. “This will be the third different grade I have taught in my four years as a teacher. I was a para at the middle school for two years before getting my own classroom. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to transition to middle school and start this next journey in my career.”

She grew up in Fort Scott and she and husband Dakota, have two sons: William will be in first grade and Tyson will be starting preschool.

In their free time , they  enjoy golfing, playing cornhole, and driving RC cars and she also enjoys painting and doing projects.

Brennen Feeback. Submitted photo.
Brennen Feeback, 22, is a new special education teacher at Fort Scott High School.
“Growing up, I saw that the influence teachers could have on students’ lives, and I wanted to be someone that invested into these awesome students,” he said. “With my area of teaching, I think it is going to be really awesome to help each individual student find their different ways of success.”
“The biggest challenge that I will be facing is that this is my first year, but the group  (of educators)that I am going to be working with is very experienced and willing to help me,” he said.
Feeback graduated from Baker University this past May.
He grew up in Chanute, Kansas, but went to high school in Spring Hill. He just recently married his wife, Allisyn.
In his spare time he  likes watching “any sort of Missouri Tiger athletic activity, and doing any sort of activity that is outdoors,” he said.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Teachers: Deatsch, Turner

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This is a series introducing the 20 new Fort Scott teachers.

Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :

August 12 from 4-6 p.m. there is a Core Communities Poverty Simulation :https://advanceboco.ticketspice.com/core-communities-poverty-simulationat 1105 E 12th St, Fort Scott
Aug 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. is the monthly board of education meeting at 424 S. Main, Fort Scott.
August 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is the Fort Scott High School Open House at 1005 S Main St, Fort Scott.

School starts on August 18

Erin Deatsch. Submitted photo.
Erin Deatsch, 24, is a new kindergarten teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.
She taught for two years for Kansas City Kansas Public Schools as a kindergarten teacher.
Deatsch earned a BSE  from Emporia State University.
Her hometown Louisburg, Kansas.
“Teaching has always been what I wanted to do ever since I was a little girl,” she said.  “I was that friend that had the chalkboard and always wanted to play school. In high school I had some of the best educators who really cared about their students and I wanted to be that for someone someday.”
“In education sometimes you have students who have a rough home life,” she said. “Every child deserves a champion and someone who is consistently going to bat for them. I love being that person. Knowing I make a difference for these little kinderbabies (as I like to call my students). Watching them… from being shy and meek in their abilities to knowing what they are capable of and believing in themselves no matter how many mistakes that they may make.”
“The greatest challenge for teaching for me is the time management with my home life,” she said. “I want to do so much for my kiddos that I sometimes take work home and don’t spend as much time with my daughter as I would like. I want to be the best teacher I can be and do the most for my students but it takes a lot of preparation to be able to do that!”
She has a 2 year-old daughter, Eleanor.
In her spare time she “enjoys making memories with my loved ones by taking trips…and going to new places while my daughter competes in pageants! She loves them!”
Candy Turner, 43, is a new special education teacher at Fort Scott Preschool.
She has 17 years of working with children: five years teaching 4th grade in Nevada MO, five years working for Sek-Cap Head Start Birth- 5 year-olds, two years title math in Arma, three years teaching kindergarten, 1st grade at Pleasanton, two years at Galesburg teaching Kindergarten- 6th grade pull out.
In  2003 she earned a bachelors degree in Elementary Education  and in 2004 a masters in Early Childhood both from Pittsburg State University.
Her hometown is Fort Scott.
She has a son Landon, 16,  a junior at FSHS and a  daughter, London, an eighth grader at FSMS.
Outside of school, “I love watching my kids do what they love and spending time with my family.  I enjoy traveling and seeing new things.”
Her Aunt Mary Ann inspired her to be a teacher, she said.   “Over the years I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to ensure that every child had an opportunity to learn at their full potential in a fun, safe, caring environment.”
The best thing about teaching is  “Seeing students learn new things and celebrating their progress with them.”
A challenge for her is “Saying goodbye at the end of the year,” she said. ” Each child I work with becomes part of my heart and family so when they move on I miss getting to see them every day.”
Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Teachers: Krone, Rivera, Davenport

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This part of a series of features on 20 new teachers at Fort Scott School District 234.

School starts August 18.

 

Jane Krone. Submitted photo.
Jane Krone, 54, is a new school counselor at Eugene Ware Elementary School.
She worked five years as a school counselor at an Emporia K-5 elementary school and   three years as a para educator prior to that.
Krone also worked in child welfare for 20 years and had a private practice for a time. 
“I worked in child welfare for two decades and, sadly, saw things that cannot be unseen,” she said. “I wanted to reach the children earlier, before they entered foster care to see if I could help them and their families with resources and skills.”
“I love, love, love working with students” Krone said. “I enjoy teaching coping and resiliency skills. I love to watch them learn and grow as individuals.”
Krone received a  bachelor’s degree in psychology with a sociology minor in 1994, a master’s degree in counseling in 1997and a school counseling endorsement in 2018.
She is originally from Emporia and graduated high school from Hartford.
She is married and has two adult sons.
Outside of school, she enjoy remodeling her house and coloring.
Additionally, “I like creating things out of pallet wood,” she said.
Jacqui Rivera. Submitted photo.

Jacqui Rivera, 25, is a new second grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.

Rivera spent three years working in early childhood,the past two years as a first grade teacher.

“I can remember wanting to be a teacher since elementary school,” she said. “I loved getting to help others.  I had several experiences throughout high school where I was able to… work with elementary students, I thought it was the best thing ever! I had several teachers throughout my schooling who inspired me, and I wanted to be a great educator just like them.”

“My students learn and grow so much throughout the year that I get to be their teacher,” she said. “The best part is watching them finally have that ‘ah ha’ moment when something that they struggled with clicks for them, like learning how to solve that tricky math problem, or read that difficult sentence.”

She  received a bachelors of science in elementary education from Emporia State University.

She and her fiance, Zach,  live in La Cygne with their  two dogs, and two cats.

Gardner is her hometown.

“I come from a big family, I am the youngest of six,” she said.  “I have four sisters and one brother…I have 13 nieces/nephews.”

“My hobbies include spending lots of time outside,” she said. “I love photography and spending time at the lake, we also do a lot of fishing! I enjoy reading and spending time with family and friends in my free time.”

Annyssa Davenport. Submitted photo.

Annyssa Davenport is a new special education teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.

She earned her bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Services from Kansas State University and a masters in Elementary Education Unified at Ottawa University.

“I started out as a para for our district, after I decided to go back and get my Masters, then I started subbing,” she said. “I was very thankful to get a job teaching kindergarten in December in Archie, MO after I completed student teaching.This is my first year as a special education teacher.”

Her favorite thing about teaching is ” watching kids succeed,” she said.

“I was born and raised in Fort Scott and have lived here for a majority of my life,” she said. “I’m engaged to Brandon West and we are expecting our first child this fall.”

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Courtland Hotel: Working to Become Destination

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The Courtland Hotel, 121 E. First.

The owners of the Courtland Hotel and Spa have worked to make the place a destination.

Frank and Cheryl Adamson own the 117 year old hotel at 121 E. First in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District.

Frank and Cheryl Adamson from her Facebook page.

“We are a destination for couples because we have the ability to provide multiple services at a given time, that sets us apart,” said Cheryl, who is a massage therapist at the hotel/spa.

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic ended, she has hired another massage therapist and two nail designers to make this service accessibility possible.

“We offer massages, manicures, pedicures for married couples, mother/daughters, girlfriends, etc.” she said. “It’s a destination to come and relax and enjoy the charm and history of Fort Scott.”

“We are the place to be and the place to stay because we are in the middle of everything,” she said. “Fort Scott restaurants and shopping are all within walking distance.”

The Courtland Spa door is west of the main door of the hotel at 121 E. First.

Adamson has been a massage therapist for 26 years.

Bobbie Brown tells about the Cryoskin Therapy in her massage therapy space at the Courtland Hotel. Pictured is the Cryoskin machine.
This is the pricing sheet for Cryoskin Therapy.

The Adamson’s added massage therapist Bobbie Brown in 2020. Brown offers Cryoskin, a therapy with massage that reduces fat and tightens skin.

Brown said she offers pain management, sports injuries, facials, and deep tissue massage as part of her therapies menu.

She received her education from Colorado University through U.S. Careers in 2019, and also training from the National Laser Institute in Dallas.

Her hours are Monday-Saturday by appointment. Text for an appointment to 620-704-4256.

Joy Kuns gives a client a pedicure on July 26. Submitted photo.

Joy Kuns, 23, started at the Courtland Spa in June 2023 as a nail artist.

One of Joy Kuns nail design. Submitted photo.

She graduated from Fort Scott School of Cosmetology School and has four years experience as a nail artist.

Kuns hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Wednesdays off.

To schedule an appointment with Kuns, call 620.215.6831.

The following graphic is the list of services and their costs, that both Kuns and Townsend offer.

Pricing for nail design services at the Courtland Spa.
Sandy Townsend works on a pedicure for a customer on July 26.

Sandy Townsend, 43, is a nail artist at the Courtland Spa, since May 2023.

She has 14 years cosmetology experience, and four years as a nail artist. She graduated from the B Street Design School of Cosmetology, Manhattan, KS.

Townsend is available for nail services Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 on Saturdays.

Contact her at 620.215.1433.