This is part of a series on young entrepreneurs in this community.
To nominate a young entrepreneur, send contact information to [email protected]
Chloe Couchman sells homemade potholders and cookies at her booth at the June 3 Fort Scott Farmers Market.
Chloe Couchman, 9, from Bronson, started her business after her grandma, Diana Cooper, visited her some months back, she said.
“She gave me a pot holder kit and taught me how to do it,” Chloe said.
Since then Chloe has been selling her product by word of mouth.
“She has been at Bronson Ruritan,” said her mother Melanie Couchman. “She and her brother goes with her dad (Tony Couchman) and I to the Ruritan Club. She passed out some free ones and let them know she was selling them.”
“She also let her Grandpa Couchman and her bus driver know,” Melanie said.
Chloe said she likes the creative side of “making her own patterns” of potholders.
In addition, her business booth contains chocolate no-bake cookies to sell, made by Chloe.
“They are my favorite kind,” she said.
Chloe said she had a good day at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3, selling 10 potholders and 11 bags of cookies. Her Mom is pondering a booth herself to sell her baked goods that she creates, and if that happens, Chloe will be selling more of her creations there as well.
It is $5 to set up a booth at Fort Scott Farmers Market, which meets every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. at Skutbitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Left to right: Martin Hudecek-Ashwill, Martin Ashwill II (rear), Adam Ashwill, Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill in this 2017 submitted photo.
The 42nd annual bicycle “Race Across America” will pass through Fort Scott this week, according to a press release.
The bicyclists will cross the length of the American continent, over 3000 miles from Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean, stopping to sleep only when necessary. The average sleep time for a solo is 2-3 hours per day.
Along the route, they pass 54 time stations, spaced approximately 50 miles apart, where their crew must call RAAM headquarters to report the rider’s or team’s arrival time and any other important news.
The Fort Scott Time Station 30 is the 1,778.6 Mile mark.
“Our family runs the time station (Time Station 30) for Race Across America,” said Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill. “We’ve been doing it since 2015 and have entertained hundreds of cyclists and crews from all over the world.”
The family runs the time station from their house at 21 N. Caldwell, Fort Scott.
“We provide a place for the racers and crews to rest, get some food and water, use the bathroom, and we provide escort service to any stores they might want to go to and to Buck Run (Community Center)for showers,” Kristi said. We also fly their nation’s flag on Wall Street and cheer for them as they approach. It is a festive atmosphere and many racers and crew members have said this is the best time station on the route.”
The community provides for the visitors as well.
“Walgreens provides water, Fort Cinema provides popcorn, Taco Bell provides tacos, Dominos provides pizza, and the refrigerator is provided by Rent-A-Center, 4-States Sanitation provides trash bins,” she said. “In addition, Buck Run lets racers and crew members take showers there.”
“Martin also has a small repair shop here where he fixes their bicycles if they need him to,” she said. “He’s a bike mechanic and has an array of tools that the bike mechanic on the team may not have.”
Pictured is the kitchen of the Ashwill family. The family gets food donations from area businesses for the racers.
“Race Across America is an annual international 3000+ mile bicycle race that starts in Oceanside, California and ends in Annapolis, Maryland and runs right through Fort Scott,” she said. “The solos have to make it in 12 days while the teams have to make it in 9 days. There are various times for women and older riders and teams, but the finish times are all around the numbers given.”
This year their are 31 solos and 16 teams.
“One of the teams is a four-man team from Germany in the age category of 80-84,” she said. “They have nine days, 12 hours provided they leave with the solos.”
“The race starts on June 13 and we expect the first rider to arrive on June 18 or 19, depending on how things go in the desert.”
By June 22, all riders should be through the area.
“It gets so hot out there (in the desert) that sometimes the riders succumb to the heat and end up not finishing the race. The forecast for this year is that it’s supposed to be cooler and, if that’s the case, there won’t be as many DNF’s and this time station will be very busy. We are every year, but this will make it even more so.”
“DNF means Did Not Finish,” she said. “Nobody wants that, but it does happen often during this race.”
Martin Hudecek-Ashwill with Christoph Strasser from Austria.
The time station in Fort Scott will be staffed with enthusiastic volunteers and provide a festival-like atmosphere for spectators of all ages and the traveling group of racers and crews as they pass through the community, according to the press release from Ashwill.
The manned time station is located at 21 N. Caldwell and is an open house to all racers and crew, she said.
“Race officials are invited to take their sleep at the Time Station 30 house instead of spending money at a hotel or sleeping in their cars, which is the majority case,” Ashwill said. “In 2015 we opened our house for the event and the racers and crew loved it. It is the first time that the Race Across America actually had a house opened up to them.”
May-Brit Christiansen from Norway, Adam Ashwill, Johnny Stausholm, from Norway, Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill, Martin Hudecek-Ashwill holding the flag of Norway in this 2017 submitted photo. “Johnny was the rider and had to DNF in Arizona, but still drove to Fort Scott to see the time station and brought gifts for Adam,” Kristi said.
“This is the only time station that has been in RAAM movies, one of which was shown at the AMC Theater in Olathe,” Kristi said. “The movies have been on airlines and have been shown all over the world.”
The time station members with Stefan Schlegel and his crew from Germany in 2017. Schlegel had to quit the race at this time station for health reasons and threw a barbecue for the family and anyone who happened to walk by,
Camren Lamb plays guitar to draw people in to his booth to view his artwork at the Fort Scott Farmers Market on June 3, 2023.
This is first in a series of young entrepreneurs in the community. The series aims to highlight youth who are venturing out in their own businesses.
Please submit names of other recommended young entrepreneurs to be featured to [email protected]
Camren Lamb, 9, heard about entrepreneurship in January 2022, at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Dare to Dream program, an adult entrepreneurship event.
Camren is the son of Melanie and Larry Lamb, rural Fort Scott.
Melanie attended the event and Camren came also.
“I asked if I could make a picture, so I sold my first art,” Camren said.
He sells artwork and plays a newly purchased guitar as part of his business.
Dacia Clark, with the Small Business Development Center, taught him and others in a April 2022 childrens workshop about developing a business plan, and other marketing basics, Rachel Carpenter with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team said. The SBDC is housed in the HBCAT office at 104 N. National Avenue.
“Acton Children’s Business Fair provided the curriculum, and HBCAT helped coordinate the efforts,” Carpenter said.
In addition to selling his artwork, he plays music requests on his guitar for passersby.
“I played ukelele first, then guitar,” he said. The guitar was purchased from money he earned at the Children’s Business Fair in April 2022.
He doesn’t charge for for playing, he said.
“I use it to draw people (in to look at his artwork),” he said. “I take requests and tell them songs are free but I had a basket for artwork sales and people started putting money in for the music.”
He was selling at the Fort Scott Farmers Market for the first time on June 3. “This is my second time selling, the first time was at Buck Run Community Center at the Children’s Business Fair.”
Most recently he played guitar at the Shead Farm Festival, the Fort Scott Christian Heights Country Store and at the Friday Night Free Concert at the gazebo downtown.
He took ukelele lessons from Bob Solomonson and guitar lessons from Stephen Moses, he said.
Camren said this year his earnings will go to help the Show Me Christian Youth Home and he is also saving money for church camp.
Lucas Kelley is the new Buck Run Community Center Recreation Director. Submitted photo.
Lucas Kelley will assume the position of recreation director at Buck Run Community Center on July 1, with the retirement of Tom Robertson. Robertson served for 23 years in the position.
Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.
“He has been here since May 1, and will take over on July 1,” Robertson said.
“I feel so fortunate,” Kelley said. “Tom has done wonders with the rec. department, he has made it (the transition) easy on me.”
Kelley, 24, graduated from Houston, MO. high school and attended Fort Scott Community College on a basketball scholarship, where he earned an associate of science degree. He then went to Pittsburg State University where he earned a bachelors degree in exercise science in December 2021.
“All through high school I worked at the rec. department, then at FSCC I was assistant coach for one year and also refereed for some of the rec. programs here,” Kelley said. “I then moved to northwest Arkansas and worked in cardiac rehabilitation for a year, before moving to Fort Scott to take this job.”
He is married to Makayla Kelley.
For Kelley, the best part of this new job is “service, and getting to help people and get them involved through recreations.”
Kelley is working on making sign-up for leagues and payment of fees online, “So they won’t have to come to the building every time they want to sign up for something,” he said. “I’m in the process upgrading the system we have now.”
His community involvement so far has been with the Healthy Bourbon County’s Local Health Equity Team and also enjoys Bingo Nights at Memorial Hall to help support Veterans, he said.
The cover of Patty LaRoche’s new book: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection. Submitted graphic.
Twenty years in the making, Patty LaRoche has written a book entitled: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
LaRoche said for years, her friends have encouraged her to write her humorous stories about being rejected/humiliated.
Patty LaRoche. 2023
“As it turned out, everybody I met had their own anecdotes of not measuring up, and some even shared that they wished they could go back to their teen/early-adult years and not give other people the power to make them feel demeaned or unvalued.,” LaRoche said. ” If they could do that, their lives would have been more confident, more real.”
“As a high school teacher, I observed my students’ insecurities on a daily basis, but when a group of my senior girls asked me to lead them in a Bible study, I realized just how pervasive these problems were,” she said. “Could anyone escape the lies of the enemy (Satan) that they weren’t good enough? Between my own life, my friends’ lives and my students’ lives, I had plenty of stories to share.”
An excerpt from her book:
“When Dave pitched for the California Angels in the late ’70s, a young outfielder was traded to the team. His wife and newborn soon arrived. I’ll call her Carol. Carol’s entrance into the wives’ waiting room following the opening day game was legendary. She was stunningly beautiful and trendy, dressing much more chic (is ‘chicer’ a word?) than the rest of the wives. After meeting her, I introduced her to the other wives and arranged to sit with her the following evening. We hit it off.”
“Returning home from the ballpark a few days later, Dave told me that Carol’s family needed a place to live while their newly purchased house was being renovated. I welcomed the addition. After all, Carol was special. Not only was she a head-turner, she was multi-talented. From singing to playing the piano to dancing to being a competitive tennis player to loving Jesus, Carol was the full package.
“Her giftedness was recognized by everyone.
“Except Carol.
“The evening of the first day she moved in was proof. While I waited with my infant son to leave for the ballpark, Carol descended the stairs looking like a movie goddess. A goddess starring in a tragedy. In her opinion, her striking outfit had struck out. Handing me her sleeping baby in his carry-seat, she returned upstairs to start over. A fuss that was repeated . . .
three times.
“With each new ensemble, I bolstered my compliments, but they were incapable of undoing whatever negatives had been given permission to determine her value. This scene was acted out daily, and with each tearful entry, Carol’s mascara-dripping makeup needed to be reapplied. Needless to say, we didn’t make it to the ballpark for the singing of the National Anthem. Instead, we made a grand entrance, with Carol being the recipient of ogles and admiration. Fans saw her beauty. Other wives did too. Her attempt at perfectionism was her attempt to mask tremendous insecurities. And even though, in her mind, she was never enough, she pretended well and fooled a lot of people.
Which, as we all know, is exhausting.”
About Patty Laroche
“I grew up in Fort Scott but moved to Washington, D.C. to become a flight attendant (then, “stewardess”) in my early 20’s,” she said. ” It was then I met my husband and entered his world of professional baseball (where I soon learned that there were plenty of incidents of ‘not measuring up’ I would add to my repertoire).”
“Dave had two young daughters from a previous marriage, and together we had three sons,” she said. “After moving over 35 times in 50 years of marriage, we recently sold our part-time condominium in Mexico and will be moving yet again.”
“My pastimes include hanging with family and friends, writing, playing tennis/pickleball and laughing. Most of all, I love spending time with Jesus, and I give him all the credit for this book.”
LaRoche has written a weekly Christian column for the Fort Scott Tribune, the Fort Scott Biz and the Nevada Daily Mail for several years.
Where to purchase her new book:
Her website: Alittlefaithlift.com
Or one can pre-order through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Books a Million, after June 25.
The publisher is Carpenter’s Son Publishing, the publishing date is July 25, 2023.
The back cover of Patty LaRoche’s new book. Submitted graphic.
A live music karaoke night is planned at Memorial Hall on June 9, this Friday, to benefit the historic building.
Karaoke is a form of entertainment, offered typically by bars and clubs, in which people take turns to sing popular songs into a microphone, according to Oxford Dictionary.
Josh Jones and Cory Byers are spearheading the event to benefit Memorial Hall, which is owned by the City of Fort Scott.
“Proceeds will go to fixing up Memorial Hall,” Jones said.
Food, provided by Care to Share, a local helping organization, and drink will be available for sale, with Sharky’s Pub and Grub providing a full bar.
The band is Left of Center, playing classic rock and country music, according to the press release.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with live music at 7 p.m.
One can grab a few friends to sing together or sing alone. The entry fee is $10 per person.
Tables for six people can be reserved for $60.
About Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall, at the intersection of South National Avenue and East Third Street, (1 E. Third) is a performance and event center, and was built in 1925. It is one of the properties included in the Historic Downtown Fort Scott District.
The entrance steps were recently repaired by Mid Continental Restoration Inc. of Fort Scott.
To reserve Memorial Hall, call the City of Fort Scott at 620.223-0550.
In the lower level of the building, at 221 S. National, is a genealogy organization, the Old Fort Genealogical Society. This not-for-profit corporation is dedicated to preserving the history of the community with records, newspapers, books, photos, school annuals, city directories, obituaries, newspaper microfilm reels, and many other records.
A historic mural project commemorating the African-American troops that fought in the Civil War is moving forward in Fort Scott.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Division applied for and received a Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity grant for $5,250 to have a mural painted on the building that faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.
This mural will be replaced with a new one depicting African-American troops who served in the American Civil War.
“The 1st Kansas Colored Infantry mural will be facing the Fort Scott National Historic Site,” Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison said. ” It commemorates the infantry that was stationed at the fort.”
The grant application was made through a new Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which is a 501c3 entity, she said.
Rachel French, who is on the FS Chamber Downtown Division committee, served as the project coordinator, assisted by Taton Majors, with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. Other members of the downtown Chamber committee are Cathy Bishop, John Crain, Bailey Lyons and Angela Simon.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Committee 2021. Submitted photo. From left: Bailey Lyons, John Crain, Rachel French and Angela Simon. Not pictured is Cathy Bishop.
Deadline for proposals from artists interested in designing and painting the mural was May 31.
Selected artists proposals will be sent to Kansas University Professor of African American Studies, Randal Jelks, to ensure that all drawings are culturally sensitive, French said.
“Then he can make recommendations for possible revisions for design, after that, a local panel here will judge,” French said.
Names will not be attached to the art proposals for judging, to ensure fairness.
The local judges panel includes Trent and Kate Freeman, owners of a local art shop; Whitney Beth, a local art teacher; Katie Hueston, who has been involved in the coordinating of murals in the last two years in the historic downtown area; Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum; Carl Brenner, Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at Fort Scott National Historic Site; and Jerry Witt, owner of the building on which the mural will be painted.
“After they select a winner, we will reach out to the winner personally,” French said. “We will then make the announcement on Facebook and do a press release on June 19. After that, the artist can start and has to be done by September 1.”
According to French, other community stakeholders in this mural project are Rob Harrington with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.; Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin; Fort Scott City Commissioners Matthew Wells and Josh Jones; Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp; Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski, and Brenner, also with the fort.
The following is from the press release announcing the grant awards from the Kansas Department of Commerce:
“Awardees are in communities across the state with less than 15,000 population. The murals will highlight community gathering spaces and tourist attractions – and provide a welcome message for visitors and residents alike. Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community, with the smallest of communities allowed to match the grant with in-kind donations. Seventy-five percent of the grant funding will be gifted upfront as several of the city projects plan to start in the next few weeks.”
Tom Robertson, 55, has been the Buck Run Community Center Recreation Director since May 2000.
Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.
His last day on the job is June 30 ,2023.
Robertson said he has served the Fort Scott community to the best of his ability, developing relationships with many community leaders, and representing the Fort Scott Recreation Commission and BRCC with “high moral values and leadership.”
“Th best part of my job was to improve the quality of life for the Fort Scott families,” he said. “Dealing with all ages that want to be active, serving the community through offering of programs, events or facilities.”
The biggest challenges of his job?
“Finding quality, responsible volunteers and staff to carry out the programs that we offer,” he said. “And staying within a restricted budget.” Also working evening, weekends and holiday hours, ” when the patrons want to be active.”
Thinking back over the 23 years he feels his accomplishments are:
Working to not increase the mill levy, a tax.
Helping organize “Pennies in the Park” with the Youth Activity Team and also three concerts that featured Country singers Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. All money raised went to providing a sand volleyball court, outdoor basketball court, lighting at two ball fields, a walking trail at Ellis Park.
Hosting various district and state Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball tournaments.
Helping to secure a half-cent 10 year sales tax to build an additional phase to Buck Run Community Center and the renovation of the Fort Scott Aquatic Center.
Hosting community events: Corporate Olympics, corn hole and pickle ball tournaments, as well as others.
Renovating unused tennis courts to four lighted outdoor pickleball courts.
Serving on the Gunn Park Committee that hosted many Christmas in the Park events as well as Independence Day, Halloween and other holiday activities in the park.
There have been many changes in the Buck Run Community Center in his tenure:
The new phase of the center that included a fitness center, locker rooms, racketball court, additional office and lobby space in 2012.
The renovation of the center’s kitchen in 2020.
The renovation of the youth dance studio upstairs in 2020.
New services introduced in his tenure:
Youth indoor soccer, pickleball tournaments and open play, co-sponsored camps with the Fort Scott High School, corn hole leagues and tournaments.
An annual fundraiser for Adopt a Family, that included garage sales, corn hole tourneys and middle school dances.
The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Competitions for the community to become more health conscience.
Robertson has big plans for his retirement.
“I’m getting married the first day of retirement, July 1,” he said. “To Becky Colding from Chanute. She will be moving to Fort Scott. She has accepted the job of administrative assistant for the Bourbon County Public Works Department.”
He plans on staying active but also spending time with his family.
“I want to find a job that is rewarding but not stressful,” he said. “(And) being the best dad, grandpa, husband, son, brother and friend I can be.”
About the Fort Scott Recreation Commission
All employees of FSRC work for U.S.D. # 234, that levies taxes. The city of Fort Scott has contracted the FSRC to manage Buck Run Community Center. The FSRC has their own budget and board.
The mission of the Fort Scott Recreation Commission is to promote the development of a healthy and productive life for the citizens who reside in the USD #234 School District through broad based recreational opportunities, according to its Facebook page.
The Fort Scott Recreation Commission has a board consisting of five members serving three or four terms. These are non compensated positions. Tammy Hill is the chairperson, board membersare Adam Lancaster, Stewart Gulager, Mike Chipman and Susan Marbery.
The Bandera Stone company building is on the north side of Uniontown’s square.
The City of Uniontown received a $2,250 grant from the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity to have a mural painted in the town.
The grant for the mural was initiated by Mary Pemberton, who with her husband owns Bandera Stone, a dimension stone business in town.
Recently, they renovated a brick building on the north side of Uniontown’s square, at 103 Third Street.
“I have been considering a mural since we started renovations on the building,” she said. “I always notice murals when I travel and I think this location by the park is a perfect place to bring a little art to Uniontown.”
Mary Pemberton stands in front of the east side of the Bandera Stone building, where the mural will be painted.
The Bandera Stone building has a large exposed eastern side, which can be viewed from the city park, across the street.
Pemberton read about the grant opportunity from the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity and at first she wasn’t interested.
“But the promotion they do for the winners would get Uniontown some attention, not only locally but state-wide, so I decided to apply,” Pemberton said.
Danyell Miles, Fort Scott, is the artist selected by Pemberton to design and paint the mural.
Pemberton said they are finalizing all the details on the design but that it includes Bourbon County and Kansas iconic images with a special feature that pays homage to local authors.
“I have always been an avid reader so wanted to do something to incorporate books into the mural,” she said. “You’ll have to wait until the mural is finished and come see it in person to find this special feature. The mural is designed with a lot of elements that require you to spend a few minutes and look closely to really understand the significance of the details. The mural is also designed with selfie (photo) lovers in mind and will have one 3D element for photo opportunities. Danyell deserves all the credit for taking my unorganized ideas and putting them together to design a very unique and interesting mural.”
“Painting should start in late June,” Pemberton said. “We expect to have it completed in time for a grand reveal during the final Music in the Park event at Uniontown city park on August 11th.”
To prepare for the mural, the Pemberton’s had the brick wall tucked pointed and cleaned, plus put lighting along that side of the building.
The Grant
“Awardees are in communities across the state with less than 15,000 population,” according to a press release from Kansas Governor Kelly’s office. “The murals will highlight community gathering spaces and tourist attractions – and provide a welcome message for visitors and residents alike. Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community, with the smallest of communities being allowed to match the grant with in-kind donations. 75% of the grant funding will be gifted upfront as several of the city projects plan to start in the next few weeks.”
Uniontown, in the western part of Bourbon County, has a population of approximately 300 people.
Fort Scott also received a grant for a mural through this program.
That story will be featured in an upcoming feature on fortscott.biz.
Submitted photo of a pocket garden that club members have planted in Fort Scott.
Bourbon County Garden is a group of local gardeners that gather to learn, grow, and share in their passion of gardening, according to a press release from the club.
They have provided care of many of the downtown area garden spots.
This garden at the north end of downtown Main Street is one of projects of the Bourbon County Garden Club. From the club’s Facebook page.
Club meetings are the 4th Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. from March to October.
The Bourbon County Garden Club met at the Common Grounds Coffee Shop in this May 2022 photo. Taken from the clubs Facebook page.
“Our members take turns hosting our meetings, so the location changes depending on who is hosting,” President Austin Bolinger said.
Austin Bolinger is the president of the Bourbon County Garden Club. From the club’s Facebook page.
“We have 60 people on our email list, and about 1/2 of those are active in the club,” Bolinger said.
The list of members:
Aaron Houser
Jan Hedges
Janet Irvin
Dora Jasinski
Betty & Dale Johnson
Leah Lewis
Deb McCoy
Diana Morriss
Linda Noll
Clara Schofield
Norma Sellers
Priscilla Sellers
Ashlee Shakir
Kate Sweetser
Judy Wallis
Robin Whitlock
Stana Parsons
Judy Warren
Margaret Kerr
Helen Carson
Bill Hoyt
Darcy Sinn
Krista Harding
Ann Stark
Jenni Wilcoxen
Deborah Hyland
Pam Speer
Heather Wilson
Janette Danley
Martha Kraai
Barbara Woodward
Honey Bidwell
Barbara McCord
Delphine Parks
Austin Bolinger
Estevan DeBoer
Makensie Griffin
Sheryl Bloomfield
Jim Logan
Marcile Logan
Rachel French
Calista Rchards
Brenda Alter
Deb Lust
Doris Ericson
Paula Blincoe
Rondi Anderson
Sandy Areu
Whitney Beth
Karen Billiard
Maggie Brenner
Sharon Campbell
Kelly Collins
Maggie Davenport
Rita Emmerson
Connie Findley
Constance Gates
Martha Jane Gentry
Lindsey Gulager
Teri Hamilton
Rosemary Harris
Rhonda Hassig
The club sells plants at the first Fort Scott Farmers Market in May each year. Taken from their Facebook page.
Complimentary Pocket Garden Drawing Winners Announced
Recently the club awarded two community residents with consultation and installation of a pocket garden.
“Bourbon County Garden Club recently held a drawing to award a pocket garden to lucky Bourbon County residents,” according to the press release.
A pocket garden is an area on a homeowner’s property that is a gardening challenge.
“This might be a corner where curbs and sidewalks intersect, by a mailbox, or by a driveway and a pocket garden can beautify that area,” according to the press release.
The winners, Marianne Crane and Gabrielle Martin, will get an initial pocket garden consultation, along with the plants and installation of the plants in the garden. The maintenance of the garden is the winners’ responsibility.
“The benefits of planting a pocket garden include improving a problem area of your yard, collaboration with neighbors to create multiple attractive garden corners, pollination for bees and butterflies and engagement in a healthy outdoor activity,” according to the press release
About the club
Bourbon County Garden Club encourages growing plants in these areas that provide three seasons of bloom and fourth season of winter interest. Example pocket gardens in Fort Scott are located at Pine and Eddy Streets, 8th and Crawford Streets(all four corners), and 9th and National Avenue(SE corner).
For more information on planting a Pocket Garden or joining Garden Club, email Austin Bolinger at [email protected] or visit the Bourbon County Garden Club Facebook page.
Uniontown City Park. The flower garden at the northeast corner of the park is in memory of Doris George by Carol and Hershal George.
Movies/Music in the Park, sponsored by Uniontown Ruritan Club, will provide Uniontown school district residents with some free family fun this summer in the park on the town square.
“At the beginning of this year, we had a brainstorming session to consider various ideas for community service projects for 2023,” Mary Pemberton, one of the committee members, said. “Mauriel Whisenhunt and I suggested something that would highlight and make use of the beautiful city park, bring people together, and provide entertainment for all ages. One of our ideas was Movies in the Park. That idea was well received and expanded to include music. We decided to put on one Movie in the Park event each month and another separate Music in the Park night each month during June-July-August.”
Submitted graphic.
“Our schedule kicks off on June 9th with a Movie in the Park night,” Mary Pemberton, one of the committee members” said. Each movie night starts at 7 p.m. with games and activities such as: sidewalk games, corn hole, spikeball, dodgeball, washer toss, face painting and rock painting. Then at 9 p.m. seating begins for the movie – this is an outdoor movie showing, so bring your own chair or blanket.”
The group has planned music entertainment on alternating evenings this summer.
“Alternating movies and music means the next event, on June 23rd is a music night,” Pemberton said. “Music nights feature food trucks from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Musical performances are from 7-8:30. We have arranged for different genres of music each month – Mike Miller (gospel), Rick Hite (country/folk) and Ridge Runnerz (classic rock/country).”
“On June 23rd and July 14th there will be special performances by a mother/daughter duo who are both world class baton twirlers,” she said. “We enticed them out of ‘retirement’ for these performances and I witnessed part of a practice session when they were refreshing their skills and working out a routine. They are amazingly talented – you won’t want to miss this; baton twirling is an art you don’t see locally at this skill level and Kristi and Lexie are truly awe-inspiring.”
The movies, music, games/activities and entertainment are all FREE and Uniontown school district residents are invited, she said.
“We are also giving away free hot dogs/chip/drink at the first event, a free ice cream social in July, and free popcorn to munch on during each movie,” Pemberton said. “Tips for the musicians and/or free-will donations are accepted, but not required.”
Food trucks will be available on certain dates.
” Food trucks include Los Tres Pollitos on June 23; on July 14 the Ruritan Club is selling pulled pork BBQ sandwiches; and on August 11 the Hot Pink Heifer food truck is here,” Pemberton said. “Additionally, the Sunshine Shak will be here most evenings with sweets, snacks and drinks for sale.”
The complete schedule of events can be found on flyers posted at businesses around Uniontown and on social media.
For more information contact her at 620-224-9654 or stop by 103 3rd Street in Uniontown.
Ruritan Club Music in the Park Committee members are Pemberton, Mauriel Whisenhunt and Randy Rathbun.
“In addition, several Uniontown High School clubs are helping on the event nights,” Pemberton said. “The Uniontown High School FFA is grilling and serving hot dogs on June 9; the UHS Art Club is doing face painting and assisting with rock painting each movie night; UHS Cheerleaders are assisting with games and will perform at each movie night. We also wish to thank Rhonda DeWitt with the First Missionary Baptist Church for allowing us to use their movie screen and popcorn machine.”
“Ruritan is a nationwide service organization and our club performs a variety of services or projects each year that benefit the community and residents in and around Uniontown,” she said. “Last year we financed and built public restrooms which are located across the street from the park.”
The public restrooms are just across from Uniontown’s downtown park.
