Tag Archives: featured

Bids and Dibs: Largest Resale Boutique In Kansas

December 7, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

December 2022. Bids and Dibs, a resale boutique. Submitted photo.

A local consignment store is celebrating 10 years serving the community, and has acquired some recognition.

In conjunction with the anniversary, they are hosting the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8.

To learn more about the special deals/discounts:

Bids and Dibs 10th Anniversary Celebration Kick Off Dec. 8 At Chamber Coffee

Angela Simon opened Bids and Dibs on December 3, 2012 inside 19 S. National Ave.

Opening day of Bids and Dibs in December 2012 at 19 S. National Avenue. Submitted photo.

On Halloween day 2018, Jason and Angela Simon purchased 108 S. Scott Ave.

Bids and Dibs opened its doors at the Scott Avenue building in January 2019.

“Bids and Dibs started as a local online auction platform,” Simon said. “That original business model evolved into full-service resale. Our services include: transparent consignment- where every consignor has access to their account online and their account balances never expire. Balances can be used as cash or credit at anytime.”

Bids and Dibs offers full consignment services, outright buys, and estate liquidation services to the community.

“Outright buys are where people can bring items in for sale and receive a cash offer based on brand, condition and current needs of the store. “

“Customized Estate liquidation… (is another) service,” she said. “No two situations are the same. People will contract with us to help them downsize the family home, moving out of town, or cleaning out the personal effects of a loved one that has passed. This service is especially popular with families that live outside the Bourbon county area who need to downsize or clear out things for a loved one who can no longer do it for themselves.”

Bids & Dibs, Inc. employs on average 10-14 people at any given time.

“We have plans to add an additional two full-time employees during 2023 to handle the expansion of our online sales,” Simon said.

Employees of Bids and Dibs. Submitted photo.

Upgrading Technology in January 2023

“When we started 10 years ago we purchased the best consignment software in the industry,” she said. “Unfortunately that company did not keep pace with available technologies and we have now outgrown that point-of-sale service. In January 2023, we will be upgrading our systems to a cloud based service that will allow our consignors 24-hour access to their accounts that update instantaneously.”

“We have always offered online access to consignors, but our current system needs to be backed up and restarted before it shows current reliable data to the consignor. It is not always possible for us to do that as frequently as some users would like.”

“Our new system will allow them to watch in live time as we process and sell their items. It will also grant us the ability to add inventory offsite. That feature will make processing estates much faster. It will also allow multiple family members to follow along in the process. This is very valuable tool to families who live outside the local area. “

“Even in the most tight knit of families, contentions can arise when you’re dealing with estate items. Our service helps families work through these issues by being a neutral and transparent third party.”

Distinction in Business

Bids and Dibs received the small business of the year award from the Fort Scott area Chamber of Commerce in 2019.

“Besides the local Chamber, we are members of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Stores (NARTS) and NextLevel Resale. Due in large part to the resources and mentorship these groups provide, Bids & Dibs has become the largest resale boutique in Kansas that offers consignment, outright buys and estate liquidation.”

“Bids & Dibs will start leaning into this distinction in our marketing efforts for 2023 and beyond. Resale has became one of the largest growing industries in the world. The popularity of buying sustainably in North America has made destinations out of resale stores. Our marketing goal is to bring more outside dollars into the Bourbon County community, thus putting more money directly into the pockets of our consignors.”

Fort Scott

Third Street Park and Downtown Arch Prospective Plans Can be Viewed Dec. 8

December 6, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

A previous community input meeting. Submitted photos.

The Fort Scott community is invited to be a part of the improving of a park and a downtown arch coming in the near future.

The Third Street Park and Downtown Arch Unveiling Party is Thursday, December 8 at 6 p.m.

The Third Street Park is located on the east side of Fort Scott.

The event will be held at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s office at 104 N. National and there will be a virtual option.

“If you are unable to attend, please consider voting online,”Rachel Carpenter, Director of The Center for Economic Growth, a part of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT), said.

Twigs and Berries will be catering the event and there will be four $25 Walmart Giftcard giveaways.

For more information please contact Rachel Carpenter at [email protected]

This is a third public forum hosted by HBCAT to give community members and residents a voice in the decision making process for the plans for the Third Street Park and a downtown arch-way.

A prior community input event. Submitted photos.

“We feel strongly about connecting our neighborhoods, creating a sense of place, and empowering each of our community members to contribute to positive change,” Carpenter said.

Several plans will be unveiled that incorporate input from previous meetings.

“After a year of formal public events and meetings, and hearing from individuals who are passionate about the project and location, we have options to vote on,” Carpenter said. “All of these plans have been derived from community input. The steering committee, made up of individuals in Fort Scott who live, or have lived, near the project, carefully considered all feedback and created a draft to present to the community.”

At the Dec. 8 meeting, more community input is sought.

A prior community input event. Submitted photos. From left: Juliane Walker, Wichita State University Community Engagement Specialist who facilitated the conversations at the public forums, Rachel Carpenter, Director for Center for Economic Growth and Jody Hoener, President and CEO of HBCAT.

” At this unveiling party we will have the community vote on key elements related to these projects,” she said. “We will ask the participants to vote on which downtown arch design they prefer and ask participants to submit and vote on a name for 3^rd Street Park. The name of the park doesn’t have to change, and it shouldn’t if the name has an emotional tie to residents who grew up near there.”

” We want to give people who haven’t had a say so in the past a chance to be part of the decision-making process—a place to voice how they would like to see things in their neighborhood playgrounds and parks,” she said.

“So, this unveiling party will kick off a voting campaign on the name of the park,” Carpenter said. “There will be an option to the leave the name the same. Here is your chance to contribute to projects and try to capture the deep history and culture of Fort Scott. There will be opportunity to provide open feedback on the projects as well.”

“From the City of Fort Scott, City of Uniontown, and countywide trails master plan, PedNet Plan, to our annual community perception surveys, we make hearing directly from the community a priority in shaping and implementing our plans,” Carpenter said. “As a result, we have so much to show for it and continue to expand our projects and services.”

Funding for this event is being provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as a part of Bourbon County’s Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant and also the Patterson Family Foundation. The event will be conducted in collaboration with the Wichita State Engagement Institute.

Carpenter can also be reached at 620.215.2562.

Bourbon County, Business

Jingle Bell Mart 2022

December 5, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Jingle Bell Mart, 2021. Submitted photos by Sue Reinecke.

Bourbon County Christmas shoppers, here is a stop.

The 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Holiday Mart is Saturday, December 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street. The event is hosted by the Bourbon County Fair Association.

Discovery Music Studio students will be playing throughout the day for your listening enjoyment

Jingle Bell Mart, 2021. Submitted photo.

The list of vendors includes:

Vendor	Person	Products
Returning
Happy Little Candle Factory	Lori Craig	Homemade Candles, Wax Melts, Chapstick
Flying P Ranch	Abbie Powell	Jewelry and Western Accessories
	Micki Kraft	Home Sewn Items
Tessie’s Nails	Tessie Tucker	Color Street Nails
Blue Dog Winery	Sarah Johnson	Bottles of Wine and Wine Related Merchandise
Locust Hill Lamancha	Sue	Goat Milk Products

New
Plexus	Samantha Bauman	Health and Wellness Products
Tupperware by Melinda	Melinda Miller	Tupperware, and wood craft items
Scentsy	Lakin Brittain	Scentsy Products
Donna Jo’s	Donna Jo Beerbower	Homemade Fudge and Baked Goods
Be-You-Tiful Designs	Kristi Beene	Vinyl and Sublimation
ButterBone Bakery, Paolo, KS	Randi White	Home Baked Dog Treats
Buckin’ A Ranch	Karleigh Arndt	Clothing, décor, accessories
2 Crafty Twisted Sisters	Shawna Holstine	Crafts, Tumblers, Christmas Décor
Twigs and Berries	Suzanne Griffin	Cotton Candy and more
Mmm Flavor Shop	Emelia Whiteaker Addi Foster	Hot Beverage Bar
Discover Music Studio	Audry Eberhard	Music throughout the day

There will be a tasting of Blue Dog Winery samples (with valid identification).

MMM Flavor-Emilea Whiteaker will be hosting a hot cocoa and tea bar with other products.

Mayla Foster at the 2021 Jingle Bell Mart. Submitted photo.

Locust Hill Lamanches, which sells goat products, will be hosting the goat cheese tasting table.

Also fudge, cotton candy and other food items will be available for sale.

Dog treats from Butter Bone Bakery will also be available for furry friends.

Bourbon County, Youth

Child Court Advocates: Voice of Neglected or Abused Children

December 2, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

As of November 2022, there are 36 Bourbon County children who have been abused or neglected and need a volunteer to advocate for them in the court system.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.

” Bourbon County CASA has been providing CASA volunteers to the children of Bourbon County for over 32 years,” said Christa Horn, director. “CASA Volunteers undergo extensive background checks and over 30 hours of training to become certified. CASA’s are assigned by the court to advocate for and be the voice of children who are involved in the court system due to abuse and neglect, through no fault of their own.”

“Currently 36 children who have been victims of abuse or neglect are assigned CASA Volunteers,” Horn said. “Over 980 children here in Bourbon County have benefited from having a CASA volunteer by their side, fearlessly advocating for their needs. Sadly there are at least 36 more children who need a CASA volunteer.”

“Children can be referred by interested parties, attorneys and DCF/or it’s private contractor and then are assigned by the Court,” she said.

“CASA volunteers meet with their assigned child(ren) on a consistent basis getting to know the child and their circumstances perhaps better than any other professionals involved in the case,” Horn said. “They gather information from all individuals involved in a child’s life, from parents, foster parents, teachers, therapists, doctors, family members, case worker. CASA then submits written reports to the court at each court hearing detailing events and facts in a child’s life and case and makes recommendations on what is believed to be in the child’s best interest. CASA volunteers remain assigned to their child until the child is reintegrated back home or reaches permanency through adoption, permanent custodianship.”

The amount of time spent as a CASA volunteer varies.

“Hours vary case by case, but on average a volunteer will spend 6 to 8 hours a month devoted to their assigned case,” she said.

“Currently Bourbon County CASA has 23 certified volunteers,” she said. ” Volunteers are assigned only one child or sibling group at a time, allowing them the time to focus on only one case at a time.”

Contact Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, Fort Scott. Phone: 620-223-2407 or 620-215-2769; Email: [email protected]; Program Director Christa Horn

Tomorrow is the deadline for an annual fundraiser for CASA.

You are cordially invited to a Christmas Celebration

to benefit Bourbon County CASA on Friday, December 9th, 2022

7-9 pm.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres and a full bar will be provided.

The holiday party fundraiser will be at the Cullor Lake Home

810 195th Street, Fort Scott.

Reservations are requested by Friday December 2nd.

Giving Levels:

Sponsor: $25 per person, $50 per couple

Guardian: $50 per person, $100 per couple

Guardian Angel: $75 per person, $150 per couple

Friend: $125 per person, $250 per couple

Benefactor: $500 and over

Mail your RSVP and giving level payment to:

Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, Fort Scott, KS 66701

or call Christa Horn at 620.215.2769 with any questions.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

Candlelight Tour Is Sold Out

December 1, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

The post hospital is lit up durng the 2021 tour. NPS Photo: Carl Brenner

The Fort Scott National Historic Site 41st Annual Candlelight Tour is completely sold out.

The tour is Dec. 2nd and 3rd.

“This year… we are commemorating several important milestones of our nation’s history,” Carl Brenner, FSNHS Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management, said. “Each milestone highlights a different portion of the Fort’s history as well.”

Tickets went on sale on November 1 and sold out on November 27.

Fort Scott High School drama students and other volunteers will portray different scenes, vignettes, during the evening in which ticket purchasers will stroll the promenade on the grounds of the fort.

The vignettes, in order, are:

The Bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail which is set in 1843. The army is preparing to go out on campaign along the trail. In this vignette: Luke Leighsing (Santa Fe Trader), Josh Sherwood (Lieutenant), Tracy Dancer (Sergeant), Frankie Ruggerro (Corporal), Jericho Jones (Private).
175th Anniversary of the Mexican American War, which is set in 1847, celebrates the safe return of soldiers from the war. In this vignette: Kiara Thompson (Mrs. Curtis), Sylvia Stapleton (Miss Jones), Emma Guns (Mrs. Simpson), Cooper George (Corporal Clark), Austin Stapleton (Private Smith), Matt Wells (Musician).
165th year of Bleeding Kansas, which is set in 1857, actors prepare for the Grand Ball celebrating the opening of the Fort Scott Hotel. In this vignette: Diane Bernheimer (Elizabeth Wilson), Jan Elder (Eliza Campbell), Wayne Young (Mr. Wilson).
160th year of Civil War Ladies Union Aid Society-Emancipation Proclamation, which is set in 1862, where the women are comforting the solders. In this vignette: Dee Young (Mrs. Weatherwax), Cassie Edson (Mrs. Mary Martin), Emily Endicott (Mrs. Laura Phillips – head of the Christmas committee), Regen Wells (Miss Sarah– Christmas committee member), Karen Primeaux (Mrs. Smith), Ronda Hassig (Mrs. Redfield)
150th year of Post of Southeast Kansas,1872, the scene is a railroad agent in a squabble with landowners: Casey Gomez (Walter ), Katie Wells (Elizabeth), Ivy Bailey (Charlie), Steve Powell (John)

Additional High School drama students helping in other areas are: Ayla Roberts, Tobi Larrabee, Mykeel Lewis, Tuesday Glessner, Alexis Tourtillot, Lily Brown, and Chris Newman.

Fort Scott National Historic Site is located at 1 Old Fort Blvd. Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. To find out more, or become involved, please call 620-223-0310 or email [email protected]. Other activities, events, and a more in-depth history may be found at www.nps.gov/fosc.

Business, Fort Scott

Dancers Open Pop-Up Shop Dec. 1

November 30, 2022 Loretta George 2 Comments

Tracy and Kathy Dancer will give a preview starting Thursday of the micro retail concept that they will be creating next year at the former Scottish Rite Temple at 110 S. Main.

Kathy Dancer stands in front of the Scottish Rite Temple entry at 110 S. Main, Fort Scott.

The pop-up business is being operated by Bourbon County Handcrafted doing business as 110 South Main Mercantile and Market, which is owned by the Dancers. Attendees will enter through the main entrance / lobby of the old Scottish Rite Temple.

The pop-up will be open December 1st, 2nd, 3rd from noon until 8:00 p.m.

“We might add days since we have additional artisans and producers wanting to be featured in the space,” Kathy said.

Micro retail site is coming

“The idea for the 110 South Main Mercantile and Market pop-up was born from the micro retail/ retail incubator concept,” Kathy said. “Next year, we will be offering retail spaces for small businesses that are either just getting started or operating on a micro level and do not need their own dedicated space.”

“The pop-up will give the community a chance to preview the micro retail concept that we will be implementing next year at 110 South Main,” she said. “We want feedback from the community about the products we have sourced for the pop-up and what artist and handcrafters they would like to see in the future.”

Items for sale

“Most of items featured in the pop-up are handcrafted in Kansas,” she said. “We are featuring Kansas products such as jewelry, perfumes, beard care products, candles, candies, and preserves.”

“We also have items produced outside of Kansas, but featuring Kansas themes such as clothing, bison artwork, and children’s books,” she said.

“Finally, we are bringing in some products that we will be offering in the cafe and distillery space next year including craft drink mixes, custom pint glasses, and fudge,” Kathy said. “The pop-up shop will also have pieces from local and area artisans including dimensional wood art, handcrafted accent furniture, epoxied glass, and hand embellished decor items.”

Tracy Dancer is a software architect and also currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserves. Kathy is a former school administrator and currently works in educational consulting.

They purchased the historic building in January 2021.

They are currently renovating the cafe space in the building, with hopes of an opening in 2023.

To view a prior story on the Dancers and the building:

New Life For The Former Scottish Rite Temple

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Jaworski Assumes Leadership of Fort Scott National Historic Site

November 29, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Jill Jaworski, selected as the new superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site, has moved to Fort Scott this month.

Her college education gave her a lead into the National Park Service.

Jarworski earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with emphasis on Outdoor Education and Recreation from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

“My original position (with NPS) was at Jewel Cave National Monument working as an Interpretive Park Ranger/Cave Guide for an internship for college,” she said. “That led to a seasonal position at the same park the following summer after I graduated college.”

She worked for two seasons at Jewel Cave National Monument and as a General Park Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park.

“Then September 11^th occurred, and I transitioned to a career as a Law Enforcement Park Ranger for the next 21 ½ years before accepting the Superintendent position at Fort Scott National Historic Site,” she said.

At Fort Scott, Jaworski is returning to her mid-western roots.

“I was born in a very small, rural town in Nebraska and raised in Omaha where my parents and two of my siblings still live,” she said. “I also have a sister and her family who reside in Leawood, KS. The majority of my ancestors who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1800s were farmers in Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, and Ohio.”

Extensive Experience

Jaworski has over 20 years of experience in NPS assignments including interpretation, emergency services, and law enforcement, according to a NPS press release.

Prior to Fort Scott, Jarworski served as the acting superintendent at Appomattox Court House National Military Park and Booker T. Washington National Monument.

As Chief Park Ranger, she has extensive experience in managing special park uses, events, permitting, and emergency response. At Cape Lookout National Seashore, she has served as a park ranger at Cumberland Island National Seashore, Castillo De San Marcos National Monument/Fort Matanzas National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, White Sands National Monument, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park.

Jaworski’s background in complex park operations including cultural resource management and resource protection and her strong collaboration and team building skills will be an asset to Fort Scott, according to a press release from NPS.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, walking her dog, researching genealogy, and playing pickleball and tennis.

Carl Brenner remains the Supervisory Park Ranger for Interpretation and Resources, after serving as interim superintendent.

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Christmas Fun at the Parade This Thursday, Dec. 1

November 28, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

A Christmas parade is happening in the downtown historic district this Thursday, December 1.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce organizes the Christmas Parade each year with Briggs Auto of Fort Scott sponsoring the prizes for the parade, according to Lindsay Madison, CEO of the chamber.

Deadline to enter a group in the parade is Tuesday, November 29 at 1pm. It is FREE to enter the parade.

What is happening Thursday evening:

> Parade starts 6 pm at Wall and National, goes south to Third Street, east to Main, North on Main to Skubitz Plaza.

> Parkway Church of God Kettle Corn will be setup at 1st & Main before and after parade, box $2, Bag $5.

> Complimentary hot cocoa by Fort Scott Recreation in front of Hedgehog.INK! Book Store

> Lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree immediately following the parade, north end of Main.

> Christmas Crafts by Fort Scott High School Thespians & Visits with Santa and photos by Walgreens at Papa Don’s Restaurant after the parade.

> Make-your-own Ornament Kits free at 110 S Main while supplies last, appropriate for ages 10 and under.

> Bourbon County Revival live music at Hare & Crow Barber Shop with refreshments following parade.

> Sharky’s North Pole Pop-up Bar open 5pm to 10/11pm with festive atmosphere and drinks!

Link to enter parade: https://fortscott.com/events/details/christmas-parade-it-s-a-gingerbread-christmas-in-the-fort-25850

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Youth

Want to Support Splash Pad Project Coming in 2023?

November 25, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

A splash pad is coming to town, thanks to some leaders who took the initiative.

“This idea has been in strategic plans and will add to the revitalization of downtown Fort Scott,” said Bailey Lyons, who along with Josh Jones and Kelly Barr have spearheaded the drive for funds.

Last week at the Fort Scott City Commission meeting, Lyons announced that with the help of two big donors, they are within reach of the project.

“We plan to break ground in the Spring and open by Summer 2023,” Lyons said. “We thought it would be a wonderful addition to our community. It will be a wonderful outdoor recreational amenity that offers a fun play option for all. It will be a gathering place accessible to people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds. We saw other communities like ours installing splash pads with great success, and wanted to bring one to Fort Scott.”

For those who might not know, a splash pad is a recreational outdoor play area with sprinklers, fountains, nozzles and other devices that spray water. Also known as a spray pool, there is little to no standing water in the space.

It will be placed at the west end of Skubitz Plaza, off of North National Avenue.

The site was picked because of accessibility, parking, and infrastructure and also is at the north end of the historic downtown area with dining, shopping and other attractions.

Fort Scott Parks and Recreation Department will provide maintenance, with the city also providing water and electricity.

So far, about $180,000 has been raised for the space, with $20,000 more to fund raise.

Two of the biggest donors have been a Timken Foundation Grant of $75,000 and a Walmart Foundation Grant of $40,000.

Chicken Mary’s, a well known restaurant north of Pittsburg, is the latest to help with fundraising.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, one can pick up a chicken dinner or supper in Fort Scott that must be pre-ordered by Dec. 4. The meal is $10 per plate and tickets must be ordered by calling 620.224.7795.

“We also have the comedy show, and we are about to roll out a fundraiser to raffle off an ATV,” Lyons said. ‘We will be pushing out regular donation giving levels…that will allow people to donate to get us to the finish line.”

The splash pad will not raise taxes, Lyons said.

Business, Fort Scott

New Phone Number For Renting River Room

November 23, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor of the building at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s north side.

On November 1, Luther’s BBQ Restaurant at 3 W. Oak, closed.

The building’s second story business, the River Room Event Center, has a new phone number and will honor any reservations that were made, according to Al Niece, owner of the building.

The River Room new phone number is 620.820.0536 and their email is [email protected]

“There were some reservations in place for some events (at the River Room), I am honoring them all,” Niece said. “The River Room is one of the largest event centers in the area.”

New Business Soon

Niece feels confident that the lower floor restaurant space will be leased soon, he said.

“We are weighing options for a business there,” Niece said. “We are talking with several groups.”

To view the prior story on the opening of Luther’s:

Luther’s BBQ Opens

KDOR Executed Tax Warrants and Seized Assets

On November 1, 2022, agents from the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) accompanied by the Fort Scott Police Dept. and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Dept. executed tax warrants and seized the assets of Luther’s BBQ LLC for nonpayment of Liquor Enforcement Taxes and Sales Taxes: totaling $38,783.96, according to a press release from the KDOR.

The warrants were filed in Bourbon County.
The types of assets seized include all known bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory, as well as personal property belonging to the owner. The business was sealed closed with a public notice posted on the outside.

“Luther’s BBQ LLC has paid all outstanding judgements and assets have been released to the business,” according to an email from KDOR on November 9.

KDOR’s policy and practice is to work with taxpayers in delinquent status to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements, according to the press release. It is only after these efforts and multiple failed collection attempts that the Department is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing such actions as bank levies, till taps, and ultimately asset seizure to ensure compliance with the law.

KDOR’s responsibility to recover delinquent taxes not only ensures fairness for individuals and business owners who do pay their taxes, but also ensures that money is lawfully collected to fund state and local programs on which Kansans depend, according to the press release. These programs include education, highways, public safety, and human services.

Customers, employees or others that may have items at the business may contact the agent assigned to
this case at 785-250-5084.

Bourbon County

Heartland REC awards $2,000 to Hammond Community Building

November 22, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Linda Minor-Hammond Community Center Board Member, Doug Graham-Heartland
Communication Specialist -, and Alice Helton-Hammond Community Center Board Member.. Submitted photo.

Linda Minor wrote a grant that was awarded for the Hammond Community Center$2,000 from Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative for roof and HVAC repairs.

“I am a Hammond Community Center board member,” Minor said. “The building has been struggling financially with upkeep.”

The Hammond Community Center, 2275 Soldier Road, rural Fort Scott, is about 30 years old.

“Hammond Community Center is the only community center left in the Osage Township of Bourbon County,” she said. “The facility has been serving the Hammond area since the closing of the Hammond School. The center is often used for birthday parties, reunions, and wedding receptions along with the monthly meetings of the Northeast Scott 4H Club.”

The Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative’s Concern for Community Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for capital improvement projects throughout the cooperative’s service area, according to a Heartland press release. Applications are accepted during a defined application period each year.

The Hammond project was one of 10 selected to receive a funding boost through Heartland’s Concern for Community grant program, according to a Heartland press release.

“I often say that we’re not in the business of selling electricity, we’re in the business of powering rural lifestyles,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO. “Part of that is supporting the communities our consumer-members live in and around. This grant program is a great way to do just that.”

The Concern for Community program provides grants of up to $5,000 for capital improvement projects throughout the Heartland service area, which covers parts of 12 counties in eastern Kansas. Capital improvement projects are those that involve investment in structures or equipment that will last for many years.

As a non-profit, member-owned cooperative, Heartland issues capital credits to members each year, but sometimes those capital credits go unclaimed. Because those monies were intended to be returned to the communities from which they came, Heartland’s Board of Directors decided to use those unclaimed funds for community grants and started the Concern for Community program in 2019.

This year, 10 applications out of 26 received were approved for funding by the Heartland board. Heartland distributed a total of $37,000 in Concern for Community grants this year.

Other Heartland REC projects selected for funding are as follows:

Cato Historical Preservation Association, Inc. was awarded $2,500 for painting at the Cato Christian Church between Fort Scott and Pittsburg.
Crawford County Fair Association was awarded $5,000 for new lights and wiring at the fairgrounds outside Girard.
Crawford County Fire District # 4 was awarded $5,000 to help purchase a virtual fire extinguisher training system to be shared with area fire departments and businesses.
Fairview Chapel outside Moran was awarded $2,500 for new bathrooms.
Hammond Community Center in rural Fort Scott was awarded $2,000 for roof and HVAC repairs.
Jayhawk USD 346 was awarded $2,500 for new curtains for the auditorium.
Linn County Fair Association was awarded $5,000 for new animal pens at the fairgrounds in Mound City.
Moran-Marmaton/Osage Fire Department was awarded $2,500 for new hoses and nozzles.
Mound City Historical Society, Inc. was awarded $5,000 for roof repairs on historical buildings.
Woodson County Fair Association was awarded $5,000 for renovations to the swine barn at the fairgrounds in Yates Center.

Applications were accepted in the month of September and selected by the Heartland Board of Directors in October. Heartland plans to reopen applications in summer 2023 for the next round of funding.

About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes consumer-members in 12 counties, including Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.

Heartland REC traces its roots back to three original rural electric cooperatives: Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company, Sugar Valley Electric Cooperative Association, and Sekan Electric Cooperative Association. Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company joined with Sugar Valley in 1975 to form United Electric Cooperative; United Electric Cooperative joined with Sekan Electric Cooperative Association in 1996 to form Heartland.

Food, Fort Scott

Schwalm Family Continues Thanksgiving Meal to the Community

November 21, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Marjory Schwalm has been preparing a Thanksgiving meal for the community for 27 years. She and her some of her family, about 25 people, show up to help her.

Thanksgiving Day all family members help in different ways: some cook, some assemble the foods in take-away containers, some help with the delivery, then there is clean up.

This year they will continue the drive-through or delivery service for their Thanksgiving meals.

There is no charge for the meals, she said.

Most years, she gets enough in free will donations to cover all the supplies.

The family serves out of the Elk’s Club building at 119 W. 19th, with Elk Club members helping to deliver the meals.

Thanksgiving day, her son, stands at the east side door and partakers line up in their cars inside the orange cones that direct traffic to the pick up site.

“People drive up and tell how many meals are needed,” she said.

They also deliver meals.

“We send a lot to the high rise apartments,” Schwalm said.

“There are a lot of one-to-two people families that can’t cook big turkey dinner…so we provide,” she said. “Some elderly can’t drive so we deliver to anybody that needs it.”

They make about 700-800 meals for the community.

“Everyone has found out that this is a pretty good way to get a Thanksgiving meal without having to do all the work,” she said.

To call Schwalm, 620.224.6769.

The hours of service on Thanksgiving Day are from 11 a.m. to about 1-1:30 p.m.

She starts making to-do lists and lists of items to buy for the meal, months ahead.

Usually she goes to Sam’s Club in Joplin, MO for supplies, but this year, she is so thankful that Sam’s Club delivered to her.

After the meals are delivered or picked up on Thanksgiving Day, the family sits down for a meal together, she said.

“My family always got together for Thanksgiving, but now we fix for anyone that needs a meal,” Schwalm said.

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