This is part of a series featuring new educators in Fort Scott.
There are 26 new educators in USD 234 this year.
Sarah Hendricks and Anna Kim are two new teachers at Eugene Ware Elementary School.
Sarah Hendricks. Submitted photo.
Sarah Hendricks, 22, is a new fourth grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School in Fort Scott.
She received a Bachelors in Science for Elementary Education at Kansas State University and taught second grade last year at Pleasanton.
She is from Olathe.
Her husband is Caleb Hendricks, who is the head football coach for Pleasanton.
Hendricks interests outside of school are traveling, “going on runs with my dog and watching my husband coach football,” she said.
Since a small child, she knew she wanted to be a teacher.
“It was something I knew that I always wanted to do, so it is a dream come true to be able to do this job,” she said.
“I had great teachers growing up so I always wanted to be like them,” she said.” I learned from them, but I also knew I was loved and cared for at school, I want to do the same for my students.”
For Hendricks, the best part of teaching is getting to know all of the kids and making connections with them.
“I strive to be someone who students look up to and go to whenever they may be having a difficult time whether it’s in academics or not,” she said.
“The biggest challenge in teaching for me, is knowing that I can’t fix everything in my students’ lives,” she said. “It’s hard not to bring work home.”
Anna Kim. Submitted photo.
Anna Kim, 35, is a new fifth grade teacher at Eugene Ware.
Kim is a hometown girl, that has landed back in Fort Scott.
She went to school in Fort Scott from kindergarten through high school then earned a B.A. in Cross-Cultural Ministries from Manhattan Christian College (2009) and M.A. in Teaching from Kansas State University (2022).
“I have been teaching in different ways for twelve years, primarily in China,” she said. “I coordinated a volunteer English teaching program for Chinese migrant students, taught third grade at an international school, and English as a Second Language at a Chinese elementary school. I have also taught online and been a substitute teacher.”
“My husband, Jong Kim, is running a restaurant in the Philippines, but will join us in Fort Scott soon,” she said. They have two kids, Naomi (6) and Josiah (3).
My parents, Curt and Kelly Toll, have taught and coached in Fort Scott in the past. My twin brother lives in Colorado with his wife and daughter.
Her involvement with the community centers around spending time with family. “I also attend and teach Sunday School at Community Christian Church,” she said.
How did you become a teacher?
“For my first official teaching job, the school my husband worked for in China called me in and said, ‘We need a third grade teacher!’ I said, ‘Absolutely not! Not me!’. They said, ‘You’re hired.’The first year was very challenging, but I slowly adjusted and realized I really enjoyed teaching children.
Is there someone who inspired you?
“My mom has been a teacher my whole life. She has always made learning fun and made kids feel special. She is definitely a model of the teacher I want to be.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“One of the best parts of being a teacher is seeing students grasp something that was challenging. Building pride and confidence in students is priceless. Another fun aspect is that every day is different. Kids are hilarious and unpredictable.”
What are the challenges?
“Students today face hardships at home, with friends, and on social media like never before. Teachers are not only responsible for the academic success of students, but also for their overall well-being. It is a huge responsibility.”
Dave Gillen and Patty Mowen are the co-directors of The Beacon Food Pantry of Bourbon County. Submitted photo.
The Beacon Food Pantry of Bourbon County is seeing an increase in need.
“We have seen a uptick in new families this summer,” Dave Gillen, director of the pantry said. “New families have been the larger families. I believe with the increase in prices of everything their money does not go as far. “
The pantry is running low on a few things and are paying more for things they must purchase for food baskets.
THE BEACON IS IN NEED OF A FEW ITEMS:
Specifically, the Beacon is in need of boxed marcaroni and cheese, Ramen noodles, boxed cereal and spaghetti noodles.
The Beacon is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It is closed Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
The phone number is (620) 223-6869.
It is located at 525 E. Sixth Street, Fort Scott.
The Beacon is a not-for-profit organization, a food pantry serving Bourbon County, Kansas, that also provides financial assistance.
From left: Bret and Sara Holder, Pat McDonald and Kim and Robert Coon are the investors in Pizza Republic.
A new restaurant and pub is on the horizon for downtown Fort Scott, called Pizza Republic.
“We want to make sure people have good options,” Bret Holder, the president of the new business venture said. “You’ll get a great meal and it’s a place for the whole family.”
Robert and Kimberly Coon, owners of 17 S. Main, the old Kress Building, are partnering with Pat McDonald and Bret and Sara Holder, all of Fort Scott, and Dennis Moon, Houston, TX, Sara’s uncle, to open the new business venture by September 1.
Demolition is taking place inside 17 S. Main, in preparation for the new restaurant, Pizza Republic.
Bret Holder is the president of Pizza Republic, and has 20 years of corporate law experience, he said. “I am setting the vision, and making sure it’s going,” he said.
Pat McDonald just moved from Kansas City Northland, and has previous restaurant ownership experience: PatMacs in Kansas City. He is also an investor, chief chef and manager, he said.
Moon is the treasurer of the new venture, Holder said.
The Coons have been facilitating the reno of the first floor, 5,000 square foot of space, that will be divided into a family dining area, a bar, a large kitchen and an office space.
In the family side will be arcade games, a juke box, 10-plus big screen TVs and space for live music on occasion.
“It’s a big thing coming,” Robert Coon said. “The new floor plan requires a lot of reconstruction. The restaurant and pub will take up the entire first floor.”
“Kim and I have a residential construction crew, that we are having them take time off from that, to work on this,” he said. “We’ve been working non-stop.”
Demo workers are employed by Robert and Kim Coon, from left, Noah Terry, Drake Garcia, and Dacoda Garcia, all of Fort Scott.
The idea for the business has been percolating for some time.
“Bret and Pat approached me quite some time ago, but I wasn’t open to the idea because the building was already rented,” he said.
A sushi restaurant business was formerly the renter of a portion of the first floor.
“The sushi restaurant closed on July 5,” Coon said.
The new restaurant plans to employ 15-20 people, Holder said.
The ideal candidates for employment are “go-getters from Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College and others,” Holder said.
Holder, a veteran, said the reason he moved to Fort Scott “was to help veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome with Adam LaRoche.”
Adam LaRoche, retired from major league baseball, along with his wife, Jennifer, both of Fort Scott, are the founders of the E3 Ranch Foundation. Together, they are committed to put God’s love into action, through supporting combat wounded veterans, fighting against sex-trafficking, and providing support during humanitarian crises globally, according to their website.
In the future, Holder sees opportunities for veterans getting training at this restaurant for future franchises.
“The plan is open other restaurants, in other towns,” Holder said.
Lynne Oharah resigned from the Bourbon County Commission as the District 1 Commissioner on July 13, 2022.
“I served seven and one-half years as commissioner,” Oharah said. “I enjoyed being a commissioner and I feel we did a lot of good things. I want to thank all of my constituents for putting up with me…and I sincerely wish Bourbon County the best of luck in the future.”
The resignation came about because the commission could not find a person to fill the position of Bourbon County Medical Facility Director at the former Mercy Hospital building which the county now owns, Oharah said, so he applied. The facility now houses Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Clinic and Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, I Am Rehab and a beauty salon.
Oharah started as the new director on July 13, 2022.
“The reason I resigned was that we could not find anyone to fill the Bourbon County Medical Facility Director position,” he said. “Some of my background was managing central offices, telephone switching offices in Western Kansas, for 10 years. Larger offices in places like Dodge, Garden City, Scott City and Liberal. The medical facility is the same concept, just more regulations, so it’s a good fit.”
The facility is 177,00 square feet and there are two other employees who work to keep the building maintained.
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Clinic, 401 Woodland Hills, just off Hwy. 69 south of Fort Scott.Ascension Via Christi operates the emergency department at the former Mercy Hospital building.
The Bourbon County Republican Committee will meet on Thursday, August 4 from 6 to 8 p,m. at the Empress center, 7 N. Main St. to decide on a new county commissioner.
“Voting is by committee members, one man and one woman from from the 18 different precincts,” Mark McCoy, chairman, said. “We will select one person that night and send to the governor’s office for approval. To be eligible the candidate must reside in the first commission district and be a member of the Republican Party.”
The first district is north and west of Fort Scott to the Allen and Linn County lines.
Bourbon County Commission Districts map taken from the county’s website.
John Bartelsmeyer in front of his jewelry store on North Main in Fort Scott.
John Bartelsmeyer, Fort Scott’s jeweler, is training the next generation of jewelers.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry specializes in retail jewelry sales, engagement rings, custom jewelry designs, and repair or restoration of all types of jewelry.
Krysta Hulbert has been working for him since 2010, and has been learning ring sizing, general jewelry repair, chain repair, welding with a torch and engraving.
Krysta and Wyatt Hulbert. Submitted photo.
Her husband, Wyatt, has been coming in on his days off his regular job to learn some of the trade as well.
“Wyatt is learning ring sizing and in the near future-diamond setting, stone setting and making pendants,” Bartelsmeyer said.
Jeweler John Bartelsmeyer works on a piece of jewelry.
Bartelsmeyer started learning from his dad, Bart, at Newberry Jewelry. His dad had apprenticed as a watchmaker.
“In 1963, my dad bought the shop from Newberry’s widow,” he said.
“I had already been working with him after school on Saturdays.”
“So, I have been doing it for 60 years,” he said.
Through the years, Bartelsmeyer not only learned from his dad, but took jewelry seminars and schools and most recently gleans from You Tube, on the internet.
He credits Elmer Smith, who was a Fort Scott Community College welding instructor, with helping him learn to be a metalsmith, and eventually Bartelsmeyer helped teach the class.
“I love to move metal,” he said. “He taught me techniques I use everyday.”
Bartelsmeyer restores heirloom jewelry and also crafts chains out of gold and silver.
“I love what I am doing, I think it’s because of the smile on the customer’s face,” he said. “I get to work on beautiful things for beautiful people.”
The Bartelsmeyer Jewelry store, looking to the street.
The store features new and also estate sale jewelry.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is at 22 N. Main, Fort Scott and can be reached at 620.223.2070, email: [email protected] or website: bartelsmeyerjewelry.com
Kort Stock looks at the chickens in the poultry section of the Bourbon County Fair on Monday evening.
The Bourbon County Fair runs until July 22 at the fairgrounds on South Horton Street in Fort Scott.
The 4-H Building was quiet on Monday evening, but entries had been judged and many young people went home with a ribbon for their entries in a variety of departments.
Meanwhile, animals were being weighed in the Show Pavilion on the fairgrounds.
Carson Wunderly and her dad, Fred, line up a cow to be weighed on the first night of the Bourbon County Fair.
The community is encouraged to come to see the results of the work that 4-H Club youth have completed for the year.
“I know it’s going to be warm, but I hope everyone comes out to support the kids,” Mark Crystal, vice president of the Bourbon County Fair Board, said. “There are a lot of nice looking animals, and they have put a lot of work into getting the animals ready for judging.”
In addition to animals, produce, crafts, and other departments can be viewed for both 4-H youth and community members.
Temperatures are forecast to be over 100 degrees for the next week.
“It wouldn’t be the Bourbon County Fair if is wasn’t the hottest days of the year,” he said.
Rachel Martin, who has two daughters in 4-H, Juley and Katie, puts up a fan in the cattle area at the Bourbon County Fair.
Animal owners keep fans on them and provide water to keep the animals from overheating.
New this year is the Chicken Mary’s Dinner that will be served by the Fort Scott Future Farmers of America Organization.
“It’s $9 for a chicken dinner on Thursday night, July 21, at the Huebenet Pavilion,” he said. Chicken Mary’s is located in Yale, near Pittsburg and is well known for its’ chicken meals.
Also new this year is a circus for the community on Thursday, which will be set up in the grandstand arena, he said.
The King Ryder Circus will be from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and includes jugglers, daredevils on motorcycles and a clown, according their information on Facebook. Cost is $5 to $15.
“They called and wanted to know if they could come,” Crystal said.
The fair schedule:
The Barnstormer 4-H Club won overall grand champion in table display.Dakota Foulk won the 4-H Woodworking Top Exhibit and also the Woodworking Overall Champion.Macie Hueston won 4-H grand champion in flower arrangements.
Rachel Martin, who has two daughters in 4-H, Juley and Katie, puts up a fan in the cattle area at the Bourbon County Fair.Lexi Marchiano won overall champion and 4-H Photography Top Exhibit With 8 or More Years in the Project.Davina Foster won overall champion with her health and wellness exhibit.Hailey Shadden won 4-H Misc. Overall Champion Reading Notebook.Kristy Beene won 4-H Misc. Overall Champion Club Officers Notebook.Gwen Fry won 4-H Fiber Arts Overall Champion.Macie Hueston won Overall Champion Junior Age 7-9 in Constructed Clothing and Textiles.Gwen Fry won Clothing Construction Senior Overall Champion.Makiah Woods won Constructed Clothing and Textiles Over All Champion, Intermediate Age 10-13.Alexa Fuhrman won 4-H Visual Arts Overalll Champion, Senior.Davina Foster won Overall Champion in Energy Management.McKinley Sutton won the 4-H Visual Arts Over All Champion Intermediate Age 10-13.Davina Foster won 4-H Home Environment Over All Champion.
Krystle Mayginnes and her family. Submitted photo.
This is part of a series profiling new educators in Bourbon County schools.
Krystle Mayginnes, 35, is the new Winfield Scott Elementary School Assistant Principal.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Secondary Education from Kansas Wesleyan University, a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State University, and currently is in her second year as a Educational Leadership Doctoral student at Baker University.
Mayginnes has taught 11 years of secondary language arts.
She and her husband, James have an 11-year-old daughter, Klaire and a 2-year-old son, Jimmy. Salina is where she grew up.
Mayginnes has a variety of interests when not in school.
“I love to volunteer at the library and animal shelter,” she said. “As a family, we enjoy being outdoors including fishing, camping. My husband and I love to attend Bluegrass Festivals whenever we are able. Personally, I love to read and enjoy talking about and collecting books.”
Why did you become an educator?
“I have always had a love of school. My mom always talks about how when I was little I used to play school with my siblings, and I was always the teacher. I went into leadership because I think that teaching is the most noble profession, and I want to be a part of helping teachers become the best that they can be while also helping students.”
Did someone inspire you?
“I have always been inspired by the teachers/professors that I have learned from throughout my educational experience including my teacher colleagues who have helped me become a better teacher and a better leader.”
What is the best thing about being an educator?
“The best thing about being an educator is that I get to hang out with kids all day. Our youth are such a precious commodity, and I get to be a part of helping them discover who they are, and who they want to become.”
What is a challenge?
“I think the most challenging thing about being an educator is that there are lots of things that we cannot control in the world. We have students who are coming from all different backgrounds and experiences, and we have to teach them all.”
A swine farm is being constructed along the county line next to Bourbon County
The company, Monarch Sow Farm, is owned by Perdue Premium Meat Company, headquartered in Salisbury, MD, and is located in Neosho County. Their harvest facility is in Sioux Center, Iowa.
“The property is on the county lines of Neosho, Allen, and Bourbon; but in Neosho County,” said Jim Magolski, PHD, Perdue’s Senior Director of Hog Quality and Protocols. “The property is south of Alabama/250th Road, west of York/10th Road, and north of 39.”
The 240 acres of land was purchased in March 2021, and construction began February 2022. The site will be completed in August of 2022, according to Magolski.
“We birth (farrow) and raise baby pigs until they are old enough to be weaned from their mothers,” said Magolski.
“The farm, when fully populated, will house 1600 sows across five barns, three barns comprised of large pens bedded with straw for gestation and two barns of individual birthing pens for the moms and piglets that is also bedded with straw and wood shavings; all raised in accordance to production protocols that exceed industry standards,” he said. “Our program is part of a farming system that helps support new and young farmers, independent family farmers and generational farmers that are looking to grow sustainably, humanely raised pigs.”
“This farm is on the Bourbon County line, but is actually in Neosho County,” he said. “As an antibiotic free production system, biosecurity and the distance to other swine is a key component of this type of production model’s success. The combination of low pig density, an ideal climate for our open air barns, quality work force, ample access to bedding (straw), and close proximity to our network of independent family farms made this area an ideal location to expand our business while investing in a community we look forward to being a valued member of.”
“The piglets from this farm will be sold to farmers in the region to raise on their land as part of our weaned pig program,” he said. “This program has helped farmers find a way to make a living in agriculture, particularly young farmers who do not have the time to dedicate to farrowing. Today we have over 600 producers in our network across the Midwest, including over 30 producers in eastern Kansas.”
Employees are needed for the farm.
“We’re hiring!” he said. “We pay well above minimum wage and have many growth opportunities within a larger company. Ultimately we will have 12 employees at the location.”
Brandon Smith, 44, is the new plant manager at Labconco, in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park.
Labconco, 2500 Liberty Bell Road, Fort Scott.
Smith started on May 9, 2022, replacing Mike Lakeman.
He oversees the daily operations of the plant, with 72 employees.
Smith served in the U.S. Navy for eight years, and has been at the Labconco headquarters in Kansas City, MO for 16.5 years, before coming to Fort Scott.
Labconco is celebrating its 97th year in Kansas City, MO and 34th year in Fort Scott, Smith said “Labconco designs and builds high-quality laboratory equipment.”
“Continuous product innovation keeps researchers safe and meets their exacting and ever-evolving needs for efficiency and performance in chemical and biological ventilation, particulate enclosures, sample preparation, forensics, washers, and water purification,” Smith said. “Labconco’s employees are dedicated to the safety of people and the scientific process, and to the prospect of a world made safer through science.”
Labconco: A Part of the COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine Research
Labconco has played a big part in the pandemic, Smith said.
“Our biological safety cabinets, which are manufactured in the Kansas City location, and fume hoods, which are manufactured here in Fort Scott, were used in the research and development of the various vaccines currently being used now,” he said. “A large part of our customer base is medical and pharmaceutical research. We are an international company, so our products serviced not just nationally, but globally as well.”
The business has also dealt with the supply disruptions of the pandemic.
“We are constantly dealing with supply chain disruptions to this day since the pandemic started,” he said. “Most of our suppliers have increased their lead times, for various reasons, which in turn has produced new challenges and obstacles on our end with keeping up to the customer demand.”
As You Are Ministry is located above the Fort Scott Barber Shop, the tallest building in this photo.
Mayra Montanez has a heart for the disadvantaged, because at one time she was one.
She is the daughter of an Assembly of God pastor in Puerto Rico.
And life happened.
“I was a single parent on my own, and needed help,” she said. “I know how it feels to have limited resources and have pride…to be employed and not have enough money to go to work.”
To this day her heart is touched by the issues of others.
“In the winter, I wake my husband up, it’s snowing, and we will go look for people on the streets,” she said. “It breaks my heart.”
Montanez started the process of of non-profit 501 3c designation last fall, called As You Are Ministry. She has received calls from the community for people in need.
The second floor of the family owned business, Fort Scott Barber Shop, is being transformed to help meet the needs of the community, little by little.
Last month, the family installed a heating and air conditioning system with a separate power line to the second floor of their business building. They recently got a website going.
They have been working on the second floor of the building, for ministering to the community. It has a gathering place, a kitchenette, her office and the future bathroom/shower room.
The third floor is another step down the road, with the idea of providing temporary housing for those who need it.
Mayra Montanez tells about the community gathering place for those who need a place to cool off in summer or get warm in winter.
“You can warm up, or cool down,” in the gathering place they have prepared, she said. There is also a kitchenette to provide some refreshments to those who gather.
“The next step is a bathroom,” Montanez said. “We have no plumbing up here.”
A kitchenette is provided in the community gathering place.
Then, if someone got their water cut off or is homeless, the ministry could provide a bathroom service.
“Sometimes when things happen in life, where their money didn’t go as far the month, we can help,” she said.
“We want to meet people where they are,” Montanez said.
Some of the products/services they can currently provide, besides the community gathering place:
translation from English to Spanish for legal documents
notary public service
currently in place of a shower: body cleansing wipes, clean clothes and dirty clothes washed
providing hotel lodging for a few nights if needed, because of the weather.
Her husband, Jose, and their children are highly involved in her ministry and helping people, she said.
The goal is to “help people who sometimes need a little push to move forward, no judgement,” she said. “From there they can do it. We want to be able to help those who need a little or a lot of help. If we can, we will.”
As You Are Ministry is located above the family’s barber shop at 118 E. Wall.
Mayra Montanez shows the third floor that she hopes will eventually be temporary housing for those in need.
They have someone who is willing to do the labor for free for the bath/shower room, if the Montanez’s will provide the materials, she said.
They have applied for a grant through the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team for the toilet and sinks.
If they aren’t approved for that, they will have to wait a little longer, but she is hoping to have it done by winter, she said.
Today, July 12, is the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation.
This year a constitutional amendment known as “Value Them Both” will be on the ballot during the Kansas primary election on August 2, 2022.
This year, the constitutional amendment will be on ALL ballots.
“There is a nonpartisan ballot that will be for everyone other than Democrat of Republican voters, with only the amendment question, so that everyone that is registered will have the opportunity to vote in the 2022 Primary election,” Bourbon County Clerk Ashley Shelton said.
Value Them Both Amendment will be on the
State of Kansas Official Primary Election Ballot.
On August 2, 2022 the following question will be on the ballot for all registered voters.
Regulation of abortion.
Because Kansans value both women
and children, the constitution of the
state of Kansas does not require
government funding of abortion
and does not create or secure a
right to abortion. To the extent
permitted by the constitution of the
United States, the people, through
their elected state representatives
and state senators, may pass laws
regarding abortion, including, but
not limited to, laws that account
for circumstances of pregnancy
resulting from rape or incest, or
circumstances of necessity to save
the life of the mother.
Vote:
O Yes
O
Explanatory statement.
The Value Them Both Amendment
would affirm there is no Kansas
constitutional right to abortion or
to require the government funding
of abortion, and would reserve
to the people of Kansas, through
their elected state legislators,
the right to pass laws to regulate
abortion, including, but not limited
to, in circumstances of pregnancy
resulting from rape or incest, or
when necessary to save the life of
the mother.A vote for the Value Them Both
Amendment would affirm there
is no Kansas constitutional right
to abortion or to require the
government funding of abortion,
and would reserve to the people of
Kansas, through their elected state
legislators, the right to pass laws to
regulate abortion.
A vote against the Value Them
Both Amendment would make no
changes to the constitution of the
state of Kansas, and could restrict
the people, through their elected
state legislators, from regulating
abortion by leaving in place
the recently recognized right to
abortion.
Marsha Lancaster. Submitted photo.Marsha’s Deli, a sandwich shop, is located at 6 W. 18th Street in Fort Scott.Brian Lancaster is the new owner of Marsha’s Deli.
Marsha Lancaster can’t be replaced.
But her nephew, Brian Lancaster, purchased her business, Marsha’s Deli, and with the help of long-time employees Carla Hambric and Lisa Bradley, will continue her legacy.
“Marsha can’t be replaced,” Lancaster said. “Marsha had established a truly wonderful business and we were lucky enough to be a part of it. My wife, Amanda, and I were interested in continuing the legacy.”
Marsha died in September 2021, and Brian and Amanda became the owners on July 1, 2022. Brian is the full-time manager and his wife maintains her job as a partner at Diehl, Banwart and Bolton, CPA.
“It will be the same food,” Lancaster said. “Carla and Lisa have helped with the recipes.”
Carla Hambric worked with Marsha for over 30 years and Lisa Bradley, over 20.
“The recipes weren’t written down,” he said. But he is working with the two long-time employees to learn them and write them down for future reference.
“Having good help is part of it,” Brian said. “It couldn’t have happened without their help.”
There are eight employees currently, including high school and college student employees who work on the weekends .
The hours of operation for Marsha’s Deli is 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The delivery service is 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.