Tag Archives: featured

New Presbyterian Village Director: Marla Heckman

Marla Heckman. Submitted photo.

Marla Heckman, 52, is the new Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Executive Director.

Heckman is new to Fort Scott.

“My husband, John,  was born in Fort Scott,” she said. ” We were planning on retiring and moving here someday.  There was some property that was going up for sale close to our family, so we decided to change our plans and move back sooner.”

Heckman started on September 5, 2023, as the   Executive Director, “overseeing this wonderful community.  I am so excited to work with the amazing TEAM here,” she said.

She received her education from the University of Oklahoma and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.

Heckman has 36 years in Healthcare-Independent Living, Assisted Living, Residential Care, Skilled Nursing, and Long-term Care.

“I served on the board for Care Providers Oklahoma, as well as, the Oklahoma State Department of Health Informal Dispute Resolution panel,” she said.

In her spare time she  “loves spending time with family and friends.”

“I have never lived anywhere but Oklahoma, so I am excited to start some new hobbies, maybe gardening and having some chickens,” she said. “I look forward to being involved in the community and helping whenever possible.”

She has four children and 13 grandchildren.

 

Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott.

Heckman replaces Ginger Nance as the executive director.

 

Fort Scott’s New Community Development Director: Mary Wyatt

Mary Wyatt, 37, is the new Fort Scott Community Development Director, with an office located at City Hall.

City Manager Brad Matkin said that the city had a community development director four years ago and believes the position is important.

Fort Scott City Hall.

In her job, she will involved in projects for community venues such as the golf course, airport, Memorial Hall, Buck Run Community Center, Lake Fort Scott, LaRoche Stadium, and the Heathly Bourbon County Actions Team’s Downtown Arch Project.

Additionally, she will be working with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development and representing Fort Scott in Topeka, City Manager  Matkin said.

“I sit on some event planning committee boards and volunteer for community events like the Gordon Parks Festival, and will be the facilitator for the city meetings of several advisory boards,” she said. “I research and apply for grant funding to make improvements to our community, I also assist our City Manager  and Tourism Department on projects.”

“Her personality will be a great fit for not only our staff but with the citizens of Fort Scott,” Matkin said. “She is from Fort Scott and knows what the citizens want and need. She has goals set for herself and is a self-starter and that is very important in a position like this.”

She graduated from Fort Scott High School and Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in Health and Human Services

I worked over a decade of my career at Medplans/Firstsource here in Fort Scott as a Claims Analyst, then promoted to Quality Analyst, four years of my career at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott and Olathe Health as an Insurance Specialist, then promoted to Patient Access Supervisor,” she said.  “Most recently my husband and I started our own business in June of 2022, Wyatt’s HVAC & Home Solutions, LLC.”

“Going back to school to get my college degree was where I found my passion and niche in public health and safety,” she said.

“My husband David and I have two children, ” she said. “Our son Daxton just turned 15 and is a freshman at Fort Scott High School, he plays soccer for the Fort Scott Tigers. Our daughter Alayna is 12 years old and is in 7th grade at Fort Scott Middle School and plays volleyball there.”

My birthday is on Halloween, so I’m into all things spooky… Halloween, fall candles, scary movies, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and Halloween costumes of course!” she said.  “I’m also signing up to volunteer to help the Chamber of Commerce out with our Fall Festival here in town. I love to cook and bake, and I love crafting as well.”

Matkin said Wyatt stood out from the other candidates because she has dealt with the public, has been in management, and has experience working on saving time, money, and resources.

I have a very strong and innate sense of empathy and compassion for all people of all backgrounds who are struggling, misunderstood, marginalized, and underrepresented,” she said.

She has lived in Fort Scott most of her life.

“That helps me to connect to and understand the needs of many different groups of people here,” she said. “This job entails a lot of meetings, research, number crunching, data, financial analysis, etc. that’s necessary to get the job done, but what gets me out of bed every day is my love and empathy for our community.”

“I also bring determination and perseverance to this position with the city and I’m not afraid of digging into hard work to get things accomplished. I come from a long line of blue-collar, salt of the earth, came up from nothing, earn-every-penny-we’ve-ever-had type of a family.”

“I have been on my own and working full-time since I was 17 years old, she said. “I haven’t had an easy life, I’ve had to work hard, fail, try again, fail, get up, and keep trying to accomplish my goals, but one thing about me, I never give up. I will never stop working towards making the City of Fort Scott a better place to live for our citizens. I will never throw in the towel, I will always get up every time I’m knocked down, and I will contribute everything I have in me in my time here with the city, to work towards a healthier and happier future for our community.”

Matkin decided not to fill the FS Human Resource Director position, instead spreading that out throughout the staff, “so the money from that position will fund the Community Development Director position. I will continue doing some of the delicate HR functions as well as my City Manager functions.”

The salary for the Fort Scott Community Development position is $52,500 – $70,000 range, he said.

 

 

 

Former Mercy Building Now SEK Mental Health and Ashley Clinic

Sites B and C are now for the SEKMHC.

Yesterday, September 11, a mental health and medical care clinic opened in the former Mercy Hospital building.

“All services with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center will now be offered at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.,” said Dawne Burchett, SEKMHC Manager of Prevention and Promotion. “We are very excited!”

The center will be serving from Suites B and C and hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact: 620.223.5030.

Crisis services are available 24/7 at 1-866-973-2241.

The Ashley Clinic is providing clinic service in Suite A.

The Ashley Clinic has had two doctors seeing patients in Suite A since the summer.

Dr. Jason Robinson, a urologist, has been seeing patients in Fort Scott since 2016. Starting in August, he has seen patients on the first Wednesday and the second Friday of each month.

Dr. Yi Ying Law, a general surgeon,  started seeing patients in July in Fort Scott in the afternoon on the second and fourth Monday of each month.

Contact information for them is: 620-431-2500

Partners in Health Care

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) and Ashley Clinic joined to create a more accessible, efficient, and effective model of care for the citizens of Kansas, according to a previous press release.  The focus: leading integrated, whole-person care and breaking down barriers for patients.

One of the most challenging aspects of whole-person wellness is that individuals often see providers for their physical and mental health in different locations with different systems of care, according to a prior press release. With this partnership,  there can be continuity of care where all providers can work as a team to help people achieve better health outcomes.

In the ever-changing healthcare environment, SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic are committed to providing resources to their employees and becoming a preferred employer in the community, according to the release.

Ashley Clinic

Ashley Clinic, founded by Dr. Samuel Ashley and his son Dr. George “Ed” Ashley in 1938, has a long-standing history of making quality healthcare accessible in Southeast Kansas. Services provided include e-visits, convenient care clinics, laboratory services, imaging services, immunizations, diabetes education, specialty clinics, sneak peek 3D/4D sonograms, and a pharmacy with locations in Chanute and Humboldt.

SEKMHC

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, established in 1961 as a non-profit organization, employs evidence-based practices and a whole-person approach to provide individualized treatment to clients for better overall health. They offer services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho, and Woodson. SEKMHC has offices in seven southeast Kansas communities: Iola, Chanute, Humboldt, Fort Scott, Pleasanton, Garnett, and Yates Center.

Core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, addiction counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination, and 24/7 crisis intervention services.

SEKMHC became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in 2022. Find more information at sekmhc.org

 

 

New WBE Part-Time Principal: Anita Lightcap

Anita Lightcap is the new part-time West Bourbon Elementary School Principal in Uniontown.

“I started at WBE the first week of August,” she said. “I work Thursday and Friday and every other Wednesday. Mr. Tracy Smith works Monday and Tuesday and every other Wednesday.”

West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown, KS

She retired in July 2021 from Tahlequah Public Schools in Tahlequah, Oklahoma as the Executive Director of Elementary Education. Tahlequah is a 6A school district and home to the Cherokee Nation.

Lightcap received her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City and a master’s from Arkansas State University.

She taught school in Dodge City USD 443 at the high school level and the elementary level before returning to her hometown of Tahlequah to finish her career.

“I believe the best thing about a career in education is knowing that you are helping educate the leaders of tomorrow,” she said. “Few things in life compare to seeing a child’s eyes light up in that moment that they understand a concept that’s being taught.”

Another great thing is “helping students see themselves as learners and having a growth mindset, believing that they can improve through effort and persistence,” she said.

The greatest challenge in education is meeting the needs of all students with the available resources, she said.

Lightcap lives just outside Kincaid.

New Bo Co Undersheriff: Kevin Davidson

Kevin Davidson, 50, will step into new duties officially as the Bourbon County Undersheriff on September 18.

As the next in line, under Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Davidson’s duties are monitoring the day-to-day activities of the sheriff’s office, along with scheduling of personnel.

“Generally, keeping the train on the track,” he said.

There are currently 19 employees in the sheriff’s office.

Davidson enjoys “getting to make a difference in the community, bringing a positive attitude in law enforcement. Trying to make the community a safe place for our kids.”

He became a narcotics detective in October 2021.

He says he works with some good colleagues, and they “have been able to eliminate a lot of narcotics in the community. Recently they helped take out 10,000 fentanyl pills in Crawford County that had connections to coming back to Bourbon County.”

Davidson’s office is at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, 293 E. 20th, Fort Scott. The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office phone number is 620 223-1440.

The jail is known as the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, Fort Scott.

He graduated from Pleasanton High School, attended Highland Junior College where he played football, and attended Pittsburg State University for a period.

Davidson has been in law enforcement since June 2014 at the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, then the Fort Scott Police Department, then returned to the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office.

He has five children.

Davidson is replacing Ben Cole as the undersheriff.

 

 

 

 

Nance Shifts Careers as of Sept. 15

Ginger Nance. 2023. Submitted photo.

Ginger Nance has been the Executive Director at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village for 20 years.

“My last working day at the Village is scheduled for Sept 15th as I will be retiring… and shifting my focus to care for others in a new, different career way,” she said.

Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott.

The executive director’s job entailed leading and directing all operations of the site: budgeting, marketing, fundraising, staffing, resident care, dining and environmental services, policy and regulations, and “extending a helping hand to anyone in need,” she said.

“The very best thing about the job, hands down, is that it gives me the ability to make lasting, meaningful, relationships with people from all walks of life,” she said.  “Getting the chance to meet new people and rekindle relationships with others whom I’ve known since childhood is wonderful!”

A challenge for Nance was the pandemic.

“As with any occupation, there are always challenges,” Nance said.  “One of the biggest challenges during my career was managing all the issues surrounding the COVID pandemic in senior living.  Probably my best and my worst attribute, at the same time, is that I care so much about our seniors and the families that we serve.”

During these years of COVID, the state and federal governments set many extreme restrictions to protect the resident’s lives.

“For a long period during the pandemic, senior living organizations were mandated to not allow people to enter the building for any reason,” she said. “This was heartbreaking to all!  We worked as a team and included the families in trying to come up with solutions so they could still be involved and active in their loved ones’ lives.”

” For the first time in senior living, we learned to use Facetime…and sent out weekly communication updates to family members.”

“We created visiting areas with glass separations that were heated using amplified microphones for the hearing impaired. We set up the spaces so they could enjoy a meal together, a cup of hot chocolate, or whatever they desired to do during their visits.”

“I have never been more challenged, yet so very proud, of the amazing team that we have at the Presbyterian Village!” Nance said. Before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and every day since it ended, I am reminded of how fortunate Fort Scott is to have the Presbyterian Village in our community, as I watch the team at the Village care for our seniors. Their care and commitment go far beyond receiving a paycheck. I’m so very thankful that I could be part of such a great team for so many years.”

New Career

Nance feels the time is now to step out in faith in a new career to help people differently.

She has had conversations with senior citizens living in their homes, isolated, feeling helpless, because their physical condition wouldn’t allow them to get outside or even move about easily in their own homes.

“Often the senior would express… that one of the biggest barriers to the idea of making a move to downsize and either move to a smaller, more manageable home, or an assisted living was the idea that they didn’t even know where to begin,” she said.

They didn’t know how to go about downsizing their belongings and/or selling their home, which would stop them, due to fear or physical inability, she said.

“I understand their fears and their concerns and I would like to be available to help people through this process in a kind, patient, understanding way, always keeping them in the driver’s seat every step of the way,” she said.

“For this reason, I am currently offering my services as a ‘Rightsizing Specialist,’ to help seniors and other adults with these types of issues they are facing,” she said.

Services she will offer the community is downsizing, upsizing, or simply “right-sizing” to find a home that meets the current needs of their life.

“We all know that one shoe doesn’t fit all and my goal is to offer my assistance on an individualized basis for each person,” she said.  “The options: live auction, estate/tag sales, private sales to individuals,  charity donations, assistance with packing, boxing, and the moving process, as well as assistance with buying and selling your home, if desired.”

She is licensed in both Kansas and Missouri and recently joined the Stutesman’s Action Realty team, with offices located in Fort Scott, Nevada, and Lamar, Missouri.

“I very much want to remain active in my hometown, where my family roots are, and I want to continue to build lasting relationships with people from all walks of life,” she said. “The passion I have to help others is the fuel that continues to drive me as I work to build a new business line to offer to our community.  If you know someone who could benefit from my help, please give me a call, and let’s talk (620) 224-6173.”

 

 

HBCAT Grant: Hulbert’s Jewelry LLC

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.

This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The Healthy 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.
Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert. Submitted photo.
Hulbert’s Jewelry, LLC,(doing business as Bartelsmeyer Jewelry) owners, Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert became owners of the local jewelry story in historic downtown Fort Scott on July 5, 2023.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is located at 22 N. Main, Fort Scott.

Krysta noted however,  that the jewelry store has been a part of Fort Scott’s history since 1904.

“Wyatt and I are thrilled and honored to be able to continue the tradition of this long-standing business in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas,” she said. “We are dedicated to upholding the same commitment to quality customer service, and craftsmanship, to ensure that the store will endure through another generation. We hope to have the support of the whole community as we step into a new and exciting future!”

Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert with some congratulation cookies received after taking over ownership of the jewelry store. Submitted photo.

“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, I have been the familiar face that greets you at the door for the last 13 years working for John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer,” Krysta said. “I truly enjoy my job and have had the amazing opportunity to develop many wonderful relationships with the people in my community because of working at Bartelsmeyer Jewelry. As John and Cindy started to consider retirement, I began discussing the possibility of buying the jewelry store with my husband Wyatt.”

It took about a year to finalize the sale to the Hulberts.

“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, you will find a curated collection of new gold and silver jewelry, from delicate necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to bold statement pieces and permanent jewelry,” she said. “We carry a wide array of estate jewelry, and our designs encompass a range of styles to suit every taste. We also have a sparkling selection of engagement rings and diamond jewelry, as well as a Custom Design Program that can make your unique vision into a tangible, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.”
Submitted photo.
They also provide maintenance of jewelry.
“The store’s jewelry repair service encompasses everything from minor fixes to intricate restorations.” she said. “We offer ring repair, sizing, and soldering; stone setting and tightening; prong re-tipping; watch repair and battery replacement, jewelry appraisal services, and customized engraving.”
They also buy and sell gold and silver jewelry, coins, and bullion.
“We were so excited to be selected as one of the grant recipients!” she said. “We will be using the grant money for some much-needed tool and equipment updates, including a specialized diamond tester that will help us distinguish lab-grown diamonds from naturally mined diamonds. This will allow us to offer peace of mind to our customers as we dive into a new era in the diamond market.”
The jewelry store address is 22 North Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Contact info: Store Phone: 620-223-2070, Store Website: www.bartelsmeyerjewelry.com, Store E-mail: [email protected]

Skubitz Plaza Mural Completed

Ist Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment mural. August,2023.

The local historic depiction of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment is completed.

The mural faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the place of the mustering of the regiment during the American Civil War.

St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc worked on the mural for a week in August with temperatures over 100 degrees.

The new mural was created by Cbabi Bayoc, pictured here in a submitted photo.

“The project took six days to complete,” Bayoc said in an interview. “I started spray painting the sketch on Monday and made final touches on it Saturday afternoon. The only long day was Wednesday which was crucial in getting it done on schedule.”

He worked from afternoon to evening because of the location of the mural on the north side of the building. That week of August 2023 the community experienced over 100 degrees daily.

“The heat was a definite factor,” Bayoc said. “It cut my days shorter than I am used to spending on murals of this scale. Also the rail and the steps made for some interesting body maneuvering to get the soldier on the left and the banner bottom middle done.”

Bayoc describes his work and its meaning.

“I chose the soldier with the flag because black folks always hoped going to battle for the country would gain their rights and respect as citizens,” he said. “The ad (To Arms! To Arms!) was crucial because putting guns in the hands of black soldiers was crucial to the (Civil War/slavery) times and foreshadowed their being the first regiment to see battle. I like the line created by the rifle and what it adds to the design. Their name and regiment number flank the left side and of course, elements from the battalion flag provide the backdrop.”

 Fort Scott left a good impression on the artist from St. Louis.

“The folks we interacted with were warm and inviting,” he said. “My wife and I thought the downtown was gorgeous. We look forward to returning in October.”
The revealing and acknowledging of the mural will be during the annual Gordon Parks Museum Celebration the first weekend in October.
To learn more about that event:
 

The public is invited to join the “Free To Serve” mural unveiling on Friday, October 6 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

This is in honor and tribute to the regiment’s sacrifice and willingness to serve during the Civil War.
The mural is located at the north downtown building at 9 South Main St, near Skubitz Plaza, facing the Fort.

“We will veil the mural before out-of-town guests arrive for the Gordon Parks celebration for a more grand reveal, but until then the mural is available to be photographed,” Rachel French, coordinator of the project for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division said.

 

The Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Rural Prosperity awarded funding for the project, along with several local benefactors.

Uniontown’s Old Settlers Picnic Is Today

The 117th Old Settlers Picnic continues today with a kid’s carnival, lunch, games, and car show.

Here are some moments caught before the parade:

The kid’s carnival area is being set up by Old Settlers Picnic volunteers.
Vendors fill the Uniontown Park Square.
Cars and other vehicles gather at the West Bourbon Elementary School parking lot for a car show. Winners are announced at 2 p.m. today.
Children begin to line up for the children’s parade, which is a half hour before the regular parade.

Onlookers line the streets of Uniontown Square before the parade begins.
The children’s parade was at 10:30 a.m.
Uniontown Cheerleaders gather to walk in the parade at the staging area in the high school football parking lot.
Football boys wait at the staging area for the parade.
The Fort Scott Community College parade entry waits at the staging area for the parade.
Uniontown High footballers wait on their float for the parade to begin.
The class of 1973 waits on the back of Steve William’s trailer, in line for the parade.

Undersheriff Cole Is Leaving Law Enforcement

Ben Cole. Submitted photo.

Ben Cole has been the Undersheriff for Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years.

Before that, he worked at the Fort Scott Police Department for five years.

He is leaving law enforcement on September 8.

As undersheriff, Cole was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the department, reviewing all criminal reports, assisting with investigations, and supervising 16 personnel including deputies and support staff.

His colleagues are the best part of the job for Cole.

“The people that worked for me,” he said. “They have always been so supportive, easy to work with, and ALWAYS willing to go above and beyond to help grow this department. I will for sure miss them all. I have had the pleasure of meeting several great sheriffs across the state at different conferences and so not seeing them or being able to pick their brains, or being involved in the law enforcement activities, I will miss that as well.”

“Law enforcement has changed so much in the last 15 years and the challenge has always been keeping up with new laws and new ways to solve crimes that take place within our community,” he said. “And keeping staff, as no one wants to get into law enforcement because of the way society is and what they see on TV. And sometimes the pay is not worth the risk that we all take in law enforcement.”

Cole will continue coaching golf.

“I am going to continue to be the assistant golf coach at Fort Scott Community College,” he said. “I will find something else to do to keep me busy, but for now just going to relax and play more golf.”

Cole’s official last day will be September 15.
“My last day in the office will be September 8th but will still be available to the newly appointed undersheriff for questions up and until the 15th,” he said.
Kevin Davidson was promoted from detective to undersheriff, he said.

 

Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening of Maker Space: A Place to Enhance Artistic Talents

 

The Bowman family of eight live in the Museum of Creativity at 102 S. National.

Jonathon and Lorina Bowman moved to Fort Scott with their six kids and started a venture called the Museum of Creativity which offers games, crafts, Barbie exhibits, legos, model trains, and more for youth and all ages. They live on the top floor of the multi-story building.

There is also a retail store on-site with ready-to-make craft kits and all kinds of “fun items,” Lorina said.

Today, August 31, there will be a  grand opening and ribbon cutting for a Maker Space in the museum at 5:30 p.m.

“One of our main goals has always been to provide more opportunities for all ages to get creative by learning new skills and enhancing each individual’s talents,” Lorinda said.

“We know how frustrating it can be to take over the dining room table to get crafty,” she said. “Using our space minimizes that need and allows the table to be used for its intended purpose.”

Cost for using the Maker Space will be included in the museum entrance fee which is $2/child and $1/adult.

Parents are asked to please stay in the space with their children.

“The main wall will have a large array of craft supplies and tools ready to be put to good use,” she said. “To assist in future purchases of materials so we can keep everything stocked up, we will have a donation jar for anyone who wants to contribute to that cause.”
“For your convenience, we will also have a wall with a variety of preassembled craft kits (in all different skill levels) for sale,” she said. “After purchasing a kit, you can choose to use our room to create it or if you have what you need to complete it at home, you can grab it to go.”
“Please join us in our ribbon cutting where we will finally open this space up for all to use,” she said. “All guests will get a tour of the possibilities this room can provide. This event will be free but please let us know if you are planning to attend!”
“We will have refreshments available,” she said. “The Chamber of Commerce will begin the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
Our featured projects for the evening will be to make bracelets and sensory bottles.”
For more info:
[email protected]
Or text – 209-204-9743Ribon  Or follow them on their Facebook page.
View their Facebook page for a lemonade fundraiser for children with cancer and another event called September Service Stretch.

 

Maker Space Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Museum of Creativity

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the evening ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the grand opening of the new Maker Space, according to a press release from the chamber.

Remarks and the cutting of the ribbon will take place at 5:30 p.m. while guests are welcome to come and go from 5 to 8 p.m., according to the press release.

Refreshments will be available along with craft kits to purchase.  Featured projects for the evening will be bracelets and sensory bottles to assemble for those interested.

 

HBCAT Grant: Bee Better Health Club

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.

This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
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.
Wesley Haven. Submitted photo.
The BEE Better Health Club owner, Wesley DeHaven started his business on June 19, 2023.
“I started a health club because I recognized how much diet and exercise can benefit one’s life in a positive manner,” DeHaven said.
“I provide group fitness classes for all ranging from 1st graders all the way up to seniors within the community, nutrition coaching, and affordable personal training services.”

He is currently in the process of getting multiple certificates from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

He currently has the club at  2542 Hackberry Rd. Fort Scott,  with plans to build closer to town in the future.

“The grant money will used to install electrical, plumbing, and bracing in the walls for various types of equipment,” he said.
Members performing “Seated Knees to Chest” during an ab finisher. From left to right: Paulette Albright, Rhonda Bowles, Wilma Hibdon, Joe’ Fritter, Kaleb Bailey, Sondra Newton, Estevan Deboer, Ellie Trim, Dani Vonfeldt.

 

Contact info:
Facebook: @The BEE Better Health Club Instagram: @beebetter.hc
Phone #: (620) 644-8150

 

Pictured are from left: Ellie Trim, Dani Vonfeldt, Sondra Newton, Kaleb Bailey, Wilma Hibdon, Joe’ Fritter, Estevan Deboer, Paulette Albright, Rhonda Bowles   with a  range from 18-81 years of age.