Tag Archives: featured

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Sports

Par Tee Girls Start Their Third Golf Season

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Some of the Par Tee Girls. Submitted photo.
The Par Tee Girls Golf League is a group of women who look forward to getting together regularly, enjoying companionship, and playing a little golf while they are at it, said organizer Diane Striler.
Diane Striler. Submitted photo.
“This will be the third year for the Par Tee Girl league at Woodland Hills,” Striler said. “Last year we had roughly 55 women sign up for the league from Fort Scott, Nevada, and the Mound City area.”
“We are a very casual league encompassing women of all skill levels,” she said.  “I encourage women to come out and play, even if they have never played before. A lot of our members are beginners. I always tell women if they want to learn to play, this is a great way to start.  If you don’t set the time aside to play regularly, it’s hard to improve.”
Submitted graphic.
Striler has golf lessons scheduled for April, before the league starting.
“So women can get a little more comfortable before hitting the course,”  she said.  “The lessons are only $20 each and are perfect for beginners and a great refresher for avid players.”
Their season goes from May 1 to July 31.
“Each week we have a different game that we participate in, whether it’s for the longest drive, straightest drive or longest putt, etc. Women can keep track of their scores if they want, but that is not required. I ask members to keep track of their putts though.”
“At the end of the night, we tally our putts and pay ten cents for each,” she said. “The winner of the game that night receives half of the putt money, and I save the rest for our banquet tournament on July 31.”
On July 31 there is a four-person best ball scramble.
“Afterward, we have a catered dinner and give out prizes for the top three teams, for games on each hole and we each receive a league gift.”
Submitted graphic.
“This year our league will also host three different dates when a restaurant or food truck will serve dinner at Woodland Hills,” she said. “Along with our league, the community will be invited to join us at the course for a night of good company, food, and some music.”
The dates scheduled are:  May 8th – Brickstreet BBQ,  June 5th – Taco Azul,  and July 10th- Aunt Toadies.
Striler will post more information as the dates get closer.
Some of the Par-Tee Girls. Submitted photo.
Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

FSHS Floriculture Students Start New Venture Selling Products They Make

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Fort Scott High School Floriculture Teacher Sydney Cullison’s students plan to create and sell some of the products they have learned to make.

“Students in floriculture are looking to create Easter-themed centerpiece arrangements,” she said. “This is a learning experience for students and each arrangement may vary slightly.”

This is a sample of a floral arrangement the students made. Submitted photo.

This is the first year for floriculture in FSHS.

“Our source of flowers is Flowers By Leanna,” she said. “She sells them wholesale to us. We have done a workshop there with her.”

“It’s the first time we’ve ever sold arrangements,” Cullison said. “We are testing the waters.”

“We plan to make corsages and boutonnieres,” she said.

“We are lucky to have several floral shops in town, some rural towns don’t, but we want to give the kids the experiences at the same time,” she said.

“The proceeds will be used for future floriculture things,” she said.

Orders for the Easter arrangements are due by March 17.

Each arrangement is $30. Flowers to be possibly included are: white easter lilies, tulips, stock, carnations, static, and leather leaf in a 5.5″ tall tin bucket with ribbon.

Cash or Check to Fort Scott FFA. Venmo @Sydney-Cullison

Delivery inside city limits is available for $5.

Pick up at FSHS Ag Shop.

Delivery and pick up on March 27 by 4 p.m.

Order Link: https://forms.gle/FjGKkCZYwtoD5P4K8

Left to right: Dakota Hazelbaker, Jaidyn Crumby, Blaiton Terry, Bradley Hicks. Submitted photo.

Sydney Cullison has taught agriculture at FSHS for three years and is also the FFA Advisor. She graduated from FSHS in 2015.

Sydney Cullison. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County, Schools, Sports, Youth

St.Martin’s Academy Rugby Players: David VS Goliath Story

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The St. Martin’s Academy Rugby Team.Top, from left to right: Finn Burch, Prosper Owen, Will Van De Ryt, Robbie Ritson, Joseph Moleski (Captain), Benedict Sullivan (Co-Captain), Berkely Nordhus, Ben Walsh, Colin Egger.
Bottom, from left to right: Sam Egger, Ben Skinner, Patrick Mulholland, Peter McDonald, Ethan Blakie, Liam Pluta. Submitted photo.

Saint Martin’s Academy is a Catholic boarding school for boys that combines classical academics with a practical work program on a sustainable farm. and is located southwest of Fort Scott.

It seems they have some athletes as well.

“We are the reigning Kansas State Rugby Champions, ” said school headmaster Daniel Kerr. ” Currently, we are ranked #9 in the country for all schools of any size according to the Goff Rugby Report.”

Saint Martin’s Academy rugby players, the Kingfishers, beat the Thomas Aquinas Saints, Overland Park, who had won state the previous 14 years in a row in May 2023.
“We are currently 9-1, having already defeated three reigning state champions: Missouri Champion SLUH (St. Louis University High School) by a score of 34-17; Pennsylvania Champs Gregory the Great by a score of 47-3; Tennessee Champs Germantown by a score of 44-7,” Kerr said.  “We will play reigning Oklahoma State Champs Bixby on March 16th on our home field.  Our one loss was to the #3 ranked Club Team, Woodlands by a score of 8-15.”
“We received … an invitation this year, a couple of weeks ago, from the governing body of USA Rugby and will be headed to Elkhart, Indiana to compete against the best teams in the country from May 23rd-25th,” Kerr said.  “Nearly all the teams there will be from schools with several thousand students.  For us to be in that league having only 68  students total is an extraordinary accomplishment.  Most of the teams will have more boys in their rugby program than we have in our entire school body.  It’s a true Hoosiers story – David vs. Goliath.”
The athletes ages are from 14-18, and are all students at St. Martin’s.

“To be a rugby player at St. Martin’s Academy is to be part of something larger than yourself,” said Coach John Prezzia.  “It’s to be a band of brothers; a small group of young men united in the forge of intense battle amongst each other, where they are truly, ‘ironing sharpening iron’. This creates a bond amongst them that is so tight, that every one of them is completely willing to sacrifice all of himself for the sake of each brother next to him, and the team as a whole”

“This unity of purpose and toughness is how we continually punch above our weight, and with only 68 boys total enrolled at the school, we can compete with the very best teams in the country,” he said. “We have just been invited to the National Tournament…and are currently in the planning and fundraising phase. The boys have worked unbelievably hard to get to this level, and are incredibly excited to compete with the best.”

We got the invite last Tuesday, and when I announced it to the boys, they just about brought the house down with their hooting and hollering,” Prezzia said. “It was a pretty special way to kick off this journey to try and bring a Rugby National Title back to Fort Scott.”

 

The St. Martin’s Academy Rugby Team prays before playing. Submitted.
John Prezzia has been the head coach of the Kingfishers, since 2022.
He was the assistant rugby coach at Gregory the Great Academy in Elmhurst, PA before taking the helm as head coach for the Kingfishers in 2022, Kerr said.
Prezzia is a native of Pittsburg, PA, where he wrestled collegiately for Wisconsin.  He and his wife Michaela were married last summer and are expecting their first child in April.
About Rugby:
“Rugby, a “barbarian’s sport played by gentlemen”, was invented in Rugby, England in 1823 when William Webb Ellis picked up a soccer ball and ran with it,” Kerr said.  “It is the progenitor of American football.  For example, the name ‘touchdown’ comes from the rule in rugby where you have to physically touch the ball down in the endzone for the score to count.  Rugby combines the fluidity and continuous play of soccer with the physicality and roughness of American football.  There are 15 players on the field and like soccer, they play both offense and defense as the ball changes possession.  Like American football, the aim is to carry the ball across the opponents goal line and touch the ball down in the opponents end-zone or ‘try zone’.  A ‘touchdown’ is called a ‘try’ in Rugby.  A try is worth 5 points and the subsequent conversion kick is worth 2 points.”
Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

Four Christian Learning Center Students Win $1,000 Scholarships Each In Solar Competition

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A Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative sponsored team from Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott was named Grand Champion at the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge held Feb. 5 in Topeka. Eleven teams from across the state competed at the event. Pictured from left to right: Science teacher (and Heartland member) Scott Cain, Ethan Hill, Ryan Koch, James Kobernat, and Sam Love. Submitted photo.

Scott Cain is a Science and Math teacher at Christian Learning Center, Fort Scott.

Recently, a team of boys that he taught won the top prize at the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge, a statewide solar energy competition founded by the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Ten80 Education, and Pitsco Education.

Sam Love (16), Ethan Hill (17), James Kobernat (17), and Ryan Koch (18) were the students who were a part of the CLC team, each winning a $1,000 scholarship.

Sam’s parents are Kelly and Jason Love, Fort Scott; Ethan’s parents are Garrett and Kaleigh Hill, Nevada, MO; Jame’s parents are Dan and Amy Kobernat, Fort Scott; and Ryan’s parents are Jason and Holly Koch, Uniontown.

 

From left, Christian Learning Center students Ryan Koch, Sam Love, Ethan Hill, and James Kobernat work on their strategy for optimizing solar production during the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge, held Feb. 5 in Topeka. The CLC team was named the Overall Champion at the event.

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative sponsored the team.

The boys were taught in a curriculum before the competition: how to wire circuits in series and in parallel, how types of circuits affect amps and volts, how to evaluate a site for optimal placement of solar panels, how to use latitude, time of year, and nearby obstacles, such as trees to angle solar panels for maximum output, how to consider the day-time usage of a household to calculate number of panels, where they should be located, and cost of installation.

“The competition involved several categories of scoring, said teacher Scott Cain.  “The highest total point scored was the winner.”

What the students were judged on:

  1. Skills challenges: a problem to solve and calculate.
  2. A slideshow presentation to a panel talking about what they had learned through the process of the semester and the curriculum
  3. Branding and Curb Appeal (how the teams constructed house looked, the matching t-shirts, etc.)
  4. A cooperative challenge solving a problem with other teams
  5. Keeping a logbook of the curriculum
  6.  Given daytime household usage and criteria of a house’s location, etc.,  the team designed a mount of the proper type of solar cells to reach a desired output, while maintaining a given range of volts.
Christian Learning Center.

About the private school, taken from its website:

The Christian Learning Center (CLC) was founded in 2000, by Mr. Harold Kraft. 

MISSION STATEMENT
“To educate and encourage students to live a Christ-centered life; to impart necessary skills to meet the demands of an ever-changing world; and to develop mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical strengths so that each child may live up to his or her God-given talents in the surroundings of a stable, Christian school environment.”

We fulfill this mission by assisting Christian parents in performing their Biblical responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go” and “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4).  All subjects are taught from a Biblical worldview.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Regional Economic Development Inc. Welcomes New Board Member Matt Ida

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The Board of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. recently added a new member: Matt Ida, president of Extrusions, Inc. in Fort Scott.

According to a press release from REDI, the mission of the organization is as follows:  They ” are committed to uniting community voices, forging strategic partnerships, and securing pivotal grants. From fostering business growth and tourism to championing development initiatives, we are the nexus of vibrant community transformation. Here, you’ll find the resources, leadership, and opportunities essential for a prosperous and resilient future.”

Ida joins the following members of the board:

  • Mark McCoy – chairman of the board
  • Misty Adams – secretary – Fulton
  • Payton Coyan -vice president
  • Bryan Holt – treasurer
  • Tim Van Hoecke – City of Fort Scott Commission
  • Clifton Beth – Bourbon County Commission
  • David Stewart – USD 234
  • Vance Eden – USD 235

“Since our inception, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones,” according to the press release, including:

  • “Partnered with Legacy Health Care to present $34,000 to Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service for the purchase of a Lucas device and a new ventilator.
  • Awarded funds for community projects, such as Kansas Rocks, Bourbon County Fair, Gunn Park bike trails, and ball field renovations in Bronson.
  • Secured grants for Bourbon County EMS for equipment, the Fort Scott Fire Department for a new All Terrain Vehicle, and the City of Fort Scott for automated external defibrillators and storm sirens.
  • Announced $800 Million in solar development.
  • Secured funding for the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Mural
  • Successfully recruited Kansas Renewal Institute.
  • Announced Project Fort Scott with the potential to bring in $114.3 Million in development.
  • Facilitated the creation of studies that included retail, housing, labor, health care, business environment, and many others. These studies create the bedrock of data that is essential in recruiting and attracting new business and development.
Hosted events for community and business development such as:
  • Wichita State University Center for Economic Development and Bureau of Research for a community outlook and economic forecast event.
  •  Held the inaugural rural workforce summit in Fort Scott, which brought professionals from all across the state to hear from seven industry-leading and nationally known economic experts.
  •  Co-hosted the Bourbon County Job Fair to assist the displaced workers from both Valu Merchandisers Company and the Timken Company as well as anyone looking for career opportunities.
  • County-wide strategic planning and community visioning session
  • Held ongoing meetings with both housing and childcare representatives along with professionals who specialize in those fields.”

According to the press release, looking ahead, the group is  focused on:

  • “Developing business community data.
  • Conducting annual business retention and expansion surveys.
  • Providing technical assistance to existing businesses.
  • Collaborating with Fort Scott Community College on technical training.
  • Organizing seminars and training for local businesses.
  • Exploring opportunities with the Department of Commerce.
  • Recommending training and education for start-ups.
  • Providing resources to entrepreneurs.
  • Facilitating attraction of new healthcare, housing, and business development projects.”

The REDI office is now located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., downstairs, just south of the stairwell and elevators.

Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. has a new office in the lower level at 401 Woodland Hills Bvld. The old Mercy Building.

To reach the REDI  team call the following numbers:

  • Rob Harrington – Executive Director: 620-215-0144
  • Tayton Majors – Business Retention and Community Initiatives Manager: 620-215-0821
  • Lauren Engstrom – Executive Assistant and Marketing Coordinator: 620-215-3546
Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.

For more information

bourboncountyredi.com

https://www.facebook.com/BourbonCountyREDI/

Fort Scott

Almost There! Fort Scott Downtown Welcome Sign Becomes a Reality

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The Welcome to Fort Scott sign is being installed this week. This is looking west on Wall Street near the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 231 Wall Street.
A rendition of the new downtown welcome sign. Submitted graphic.

A crew from T.L. Steel, Burrton, KS, has been installing the new welcome sign on Wall Street for the last several days.

The welders finished yesterday and the painters will finish today, then the electrical work to light the sign will start, T. L. Steel’s Project Manager Levi Robillard said.

Following that work, Jess Milburn of JCM Restore, LLC, Fort Scott will complete the stonework, using Bandera Stone from Bourbon County.

The new sidewalk and curb will then be poured,  by Marbery Construction, Fort Scott, who did the demolition of the site and will replace the sidewalk and guttering after the sign is complete.

The total cost of the arch is $120,000, which was paid for by grants from the Patterson Foundation and also Blue Cross and Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, through the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, said Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT Executive Director. The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fort Scott also aided the project.

Workers from T. L. Steel installed the sign on Wall Street to welcome people to the Historic Downtown Fort Scott District on February 29.

“We went through surveys and meetings, public input, which was very important for this project,” Carpenter said.

“An arch of this type has been a vision of the Chamber for several years to welcome locals and visitors to our community and establish the Downtown Historic District as a destination,” said Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsey Madison in a prior interview.

“We were ecstatic that the opportunity came about for the arch to be a placemaking project through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways grant spearheaded by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team,” Madison said.

“Several public meetings were held to gather community input on the design, culminating with approval from the Design Review Board of the City. The aesthetics of the arch will complement nearby historic structures including the beautiful Bandera limestone from right here in Bourbon County. This has truly been a group effort by all of the entities involved and we are excited to see it come to fruition,” Madison said.

The new Welcome to Fort Scott sign is being installed. This view is looking north on Wall Street to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce office.

 

Business, Fort Scott, Housing

Restoration of Historic Building at 6th and Main Is In The Works

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The historic building facade at 6th and Main is having its masonry restored by Mid-Continental Restoration, Fort Scott in this February 26, 2024 photo.

The historic building at 6th and Main Streets in Fort Scott is in the process of being restored.

The building is owned by Al and Luanna Niece and was purchased in June 2023, according to a prior interview.

Nieces Are Working to Renovate the Payne Building At 6th and Main

“It’s a total restoration of the building,” said Chase Halsey, Co-Vice President of Mid-Continental Restoration, Fort Scott.

Koehn Construction, Fredonia, is the general contractor of the project and Mid-Continental is a sub-contractor doing the masonry restoration, which includes the brick replacement, stone replacement, tuckpointing, and stripping of the building, and in addition, will be doing the new window installations, Halsey said.

Koehn Construction did the demolition of the interior and are “pouring concrete in the basement. Getting more of the fittings in. We are pouring the slab this week,” said Brandon Koehn, a manager at Koehn Construction.

Luanna Neice said she thought they were right on schedule “probably next week steele will go up on the inside.”

The building is two stories with a walk-out basement, Koehn said, and the inside had been destroyed by a fire.

Koehn said the building should be mostly complete by mid-summer.

A Mid-Continental Restoration worker is stripping the facade of the building in this February 26, 2024 photo at 6th and Main in Fort Scott.

The building will house two apartments on the second floor, an ice cream shop on the first floor, which is street level and the basement is slated to be a gentleman’s bar, according to Niece.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Youth

Blue Collar Awards Event March 9 Will Benefit Local Trades Scholarships

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The 2023 Blue Collar Awards, 2023. Submitted photo.
Advance Bourbon County is sponsoring a Blue Collar Awards event on March 9 at Memorial Hall, located at Third Street and National Avenue.
“The purpose is to raise money for scholarships for local students going to college in the blue-collar trades field,” said Josh Jones one of the organizers of the event. The scholarships will be awarded to Fort Scott and Uniontown students who apply and are eligible
For students wishing to be considered for a scholarship in the trades field see the application below:
According to the scholarship requirements, students must be high school seniors and will attend a college/trade school within 180 miles of Bourbon County. All scholarship monies will be paid directly to the school. Qualified trade programs re: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, construction, welding, fabrication, automotive and diesel mechanics. commercdriver’svers license, auto CAD/drafting, manufacturing technology, machining, masonry, robotics/drones, lineman, railroad training, carpentry, and major appliance technology.
The student must also write a paragraph describing their plans upon completing the program.
The awardee must present proof of enrollment to Josh Jones to claim their scholarship award.
Some of lyear’sears recipients. Submitted photo.
Local tradesmen are on a ballot for a community vote with winners recognized during the March 9 event.
“We are in the voting process now and on March 1st we will tally the votes and give out awards based on each category to local businesses,” Jones said.
The event will also feature a comedian this year, the Copenhagen Bandit.
The Copenhagen Bandit from his Facebook page.

To view a prior feature on Advance Bourbon County’s beginnings:

Advance Bourbon County: New Non-Profit

Entertainment, Fort Scott Community College, Youth

FSCC Spring College Rodeo is March 8-10

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To see how cowboys and cowgirls compete and hone their skills, the community is invited to Fort Scott Community College from March 8 to 10 to see, among other events,  calf roping, barrel racing, and bull riding in the rodeo arena.

The 45th FSCC Spring College Rodeo is this Friday through Sunday.

There are currently about 40 students on FSCC Coach Chad Cross’s rodeo team.

The FSCC Rodeo Team from its’ Facebook page.

“Our rodeo team is a group of student-athletes who came here to earn scholarships to rodeo just like a baseball or basketball player would,” Cross said. “They travel to 10 rodeos a year to hopefully earn enough points to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo in June each year. They spend a lot of their own hard-earned money traveling to rodeos, paying fees, and taking care of their own horses to compete at these rodeos.”

“Our rodeo will showcase student-athletes from over 20 schools in our Region (Kansas and Oklahoma) in events like Calf Roping, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding to name just a few,” Cross said.

The students don’t necessarily come from rural America, but the majority do, Cross said, but they learn skills that will help in life.

“The skills we hope to instill in them include responsibility, hard work, determination, and the ability to be humble, and we hope to mold respectful young adults who can become outstanding members in this community or wherever they choose to land in the future,” Cross said.

The events are Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. then Saturday, March 9 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and the ‘short-go’ at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students and children under 5 years old are free.

Tickets are only sold at the door, according to the Facebook page.

At a recent rodeo competition, Bryce Eck was the  Bareback Riding Champion according to the FSCC Rodeo Team Facebook page.
and Blake Steuck was the Saddle Bronk Riding Champion.
Quintonn Lunsford, Dylan George and Jence Griffith all finished in the top five.
From the Fort Scott Community College Facebook page, Nov. 2023.
Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Youth

Splashpad Bash: May 18 at the New Downtown Pavilion

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The Hello Summer Luau is May 18 at the new pavilion on North National Avenue. Submitted graphic.

The City of Fort is sponsoring a community event at the new Fort Scott Pavilion on North National Avenue, next to the new splash pad, on Saturday, May 18.

“The purpose of the event is to promote drug and alcohol (prevention) awareness while kicking off the summer for the grand opening of the Pavilion and the Splash Pad- which will be open the day of the event,” said Mary Wyatt, Planning, Housing, and Community Development Director  for the City of Fort Scott.

“The City of Fort Scott is sponsoring the event and is using the Drug and Alcohol Tax Fund which goes to spread awareness to the youth (and adults) to pay for the expenses, plus there are local businesses handing out free stuff and selling their items at the event,” said City Manager Brad Matkin.

“We are in the beginning stages of the project, and currently putting together a committee for the event,” Wyatt said. “After the committee’s first meeting, we will have more details and specifics confirmed that we can share, and will start reaching out to vendors (mostly, if not all, local) to determine their availability. It is the City of Fort Scott’s goal to help provide a safe and fun family-friendly event to start off the summer together as a community.”
There will be live music, vendors, and free activities for the kids Matkin said.

“The vendors will be starting at 3 pm with the bands starting at 6:30 pm,” said Matkin.

 

The northern end of the Gathering Place is seen from National Avenue and Stanton Street. The splash pad is behind the pavilion to the left in this photo.

“The plan is to have the splash pad open,” for this bash, Bailey Lyons, one of the committee members of the splash pad said.

The Gathering Place is the venue of the new pavilion and splash pad on North National Avenue at Old Fort Boulevard. Here are the rules for the splash pad.

“The Hello Summer bash will feature Beach Boys tunes under the pavilion from the live tribute band, Surfin’ USA,” Matkin said.

“Surfin’ USA features seven musicians from the Kansas City area. Their collective dedication to quality musicianship and soaring harmonies will be on full display as they are committed to accurately recreating the music of The Beach Boys,” according to https://www.surfinusashow.com/

Before Sufin’ USA, Vinyl Revival will be playing at 6:30 p.m. at the pavilion.

“Comprised of six professional musicians near the Kansas City area, members of Vinyl Revival have opened for artists such as: Little River Band, Doobie Brothers, Eddie Money, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall, Badfinger, The Guess Who, Joe Bonamassa, Blood Sweat & Tears, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Edgar Winter, Pure Prairie League, The Romantics, and Peter Frampton,” according to   https://vinylrevivalkc.com/

 

To view prior articles on the two new additions to downtown Fort Scott:

A new Downton Pavilion Is In the Works For Fort Scott

Construction of the Downtown Splash Pad Is Moving Forward

 

Looking northeast from National Avenue and Old Fort Boulevard.  The splash pad is in back of the pavilion.
Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Newly Formed Bourbon County Community Theatre Plans An Adult Prom on March 16

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A group of residents organized last summer to form a non-profit corporation that will be bringing education, community, and culture to Southeast Kansas through theatre productions, called Bourbon County Community Theatre.

“BCCT was formed in late June and has been working since then to get up and running so that the people of Bourbon County can soon have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy community theatre again,” said Delynn Abati, public relations person for the group.

The group’s first event is March 16 and is a prom for adults to fund future events and performances.

“We are hoping this prom for adults will become an annual night of fun, dancing, and community support,” she said.

This formal dance is for anyone age 21 and up and will be held in The Legacy Center on the lower level of the old Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.

“We will have a promenade beginning at 7:45 pm and the dance will run from 8-11 pm,” she said in a press release. “In addition to dancing, we will have non-alcoholic drinks, a charcuterie board, and a chocolate fondue bar included in the ticket price, as well as alcoholic beverages available for purchase from the bar, provided by Sharky’s.”

“We’re hoping to add to the fun (and success) of the night with some lighthearted music dueling,” she said. “Attendees can pay $1 to request and/or dedicate a song, $5 to request a song NOT be played for an hour, or $10 for a song to be banned for the night.”

Tickets can be purchased at BCCT.ticketspice.com (QR code provided below) or at the door on March 16.

Online tickets are $50 per couple or $30 for a single ticket. Tickets purchased at the door will go up in price to $75 per couple or $40 for a single ticket.

“Our BCCT board is so excited to be offering this event to the people of Fort Scott and surrounding areas and hopes that it will be a success for years to come,” she said.

The BCCT is accepting members.

“If you’d like to be a part of bringing community theatre back to Bourbon County, visit our Facebook page;  and fill out the Community Theatre Interest Form,” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552088270799he said.

Additionally, on the horizon is a Night of Living History performance.

“The Bourbon County Community Theatre is looking for people who would like to be involved in a committee for a Night of Living History performance,” said Abati.  “This will be a play (or similar event) telling some of the history of Fort Scott and its surrounding areas.”

The BCCT Board is comprised of:

Matthew Wells, President

Melissa Guns, Vice President

Recording Secretary, Sandra Abati

Correspondence Secretary, Katie Wells

Treasurer, Whitley Chesney

Production Coordinator, Tyler Parker

Public Relations, Delynn Abati

Rene Ludeman

Angie Bin

Alex Chesney

Danette Popp

 

Church news, Food, Fort Scott

Lenten Fish Fry Begins and Update on Catholic Church Construction

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Construction work continues on the new Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and the new parish rectory, changing the configuration of the church campus.

But the annual fish fry remains the same.

“Not much has changed on our fish fries,” Knights of Columbus  Member Calvin Barr said.  “As the saying goes, ‘why mess with something that is working?”‘

 

The annual Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry continues every Friday until March 22 at Kennedy Gym at 7th and Holbrook,  on the campus of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, and St. Mary’s Catholic School.

The Kennedy Gym is located at 7th and  Holbrook Streets, just behind St. Mary’s Catholic School, and is the site of the annual Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry.

The meal is from 5 to 7 p.m. and includes fried or baked fish, french fries or baked potato, vegetables, spaghetti with sauce, bread, dessert, and drink.

This is a freewill offering meal, but a minimum of $8 is asked for the meal, according to the flyer.

Barr gave an update on Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, which the Knights are a part of.

“Fr. Yancy’s new rectory is just about completed,” Carr said.  “The workers are finishing up the inside this week.”
The priest’s rectory, located at 720 Holbrook,  is nearing completion. Submitted photo.
The concrete pad for Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church’s new building has been poured.
The foundation for Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church has been poured. Submitted photo.
The metal frame is up, with the walls going up this week.
The metal frame is going up this week for the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Submitted photo.
To view a prior story on the construction:

Construction on the New Catholic Church and Rectory Has Started