Tag Archives: featured

Church news, Food, Fort Scott

FLAG Church Hosts Food Distribution on Oct. 1

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Fort Cinema,224 W 18th St, Fort Scott is the  Family Life Assembly of God Church distribution site for free food.
Family Life Assembly of God, Fort Scott Campus, is hosting a  free food distribution for the community from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fort Cinema parking lot, 224 W. 18th Street, on Saturday Oct. 1st.
Participants will have to be in a vehicle and come through the Fort Cinema parking lot, according to Pastor Grady Proffitt.
FLAG workers help distribute food in an earlier distribution. Submitted photos.
“We have resources to supply food and essential household items to 75 family units,” Proffitt said. “There will be a fruit and vegetable box, along with bread, and other foods and essential household items.”
Workers hand out food in a prior food distribution.
Convoy of Hope, Springfield, MO, is the sponsor source of this distribution.
Workers in a prior distribution. Submitted photos.
“Our mission is to help with essential needs of families in our community,” Proffitt said. “We are blessed to have many partnerships within our church, and we want to use those to the best of our abilities. Our church mission is to help people love God and love others. We choose to use what God gives us so others may be blessed.”
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God Church meets in Fort Cinema. Submitted photos.
The church has been established in Fort Scott for about one month, meeting in the Fort Cinema movie theater.
Fort Scott Family Life Assembly of God in worship. Submitted photos.
” We had 91 people attend our launch Sunday, and have been blessed since,” he said. “FLAG Church has been commissioned to plant a campus in Fort Scott. We aim to not steal or take away from other churches here in town, but add to the Church by reaching those who do not have a church home. We want to encourage others that already have a church home to keep going. There are many great churches in Fort Scott! We are excited to be a part of what God is already doing here in this community.”
The church mission is led by four core beliefs: Salvation, Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Jesus, Pastor Proffitt said. To learn more about their beliefs: https://www.flagchurch.com/about.
“Within the pursuit of our mission, God has done many miraculous works throughout our gatherings,” Proffitt said. “Since the beginning of August, on Thursday nights, we have seen five physical healings on those in attendance. We seek to gather, connect, and pray for more of God’s miraculous signs and wonders just as He did in Acts 2. God is truly doing something amazing!”
The sermon is broadcast from the Pittsburg Family Life Assembly of God Church. Submitted photos.
  Sunday morning service is from 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. and includes live worship, corporate prayer, kids services, and a Gospel centered message.
A gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co.. Submitted photos.
They also host a Campus Gathering at Common Ground Coffee Co. every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Pastor Grady Proffitt and wife, Jacque Proffitt. Submitted photos.
FLAG Fort Scott is led by Pastor Grady and  and his wife, Jacque Proffitt.
“We moved to Fort Scott in June,” he said. “We have had seven years of ministry experience and are thankful we can be a part of this great community! FLAG Fort Scott is definitely a place you want to check out!”
 

To contact Proffitt:

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, History

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Kicks Off This Evening with a Parade

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The 66th Annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, a celebration of rural America’s technology of the past, starts tonight with a parade of antique, and classic farm implements and much more.

The  parade will be on Main Street through Fort Scott’s historic downtown on Thursday, September 29th at 6 PM.

Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on south Horton Street, will be a scene of educational and historic exhibits, entertainment, vendors, food and arts and crafts.

Quilts displayed during the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta 2015.

New this year is a large model train display with little people in villages, according to Craig Shikles, president of the PHF board. It will be there at 9 a.m. on Saturday throughout the day. Other officers of the board: Larry Richard, Delphine Parks and Betsy Readinger.

Over 320 local students will be coming to the fiesta on Friday, according to Del Parks. “They will be able to do some hands-on stuff, she said.

There will be drag saw demonstrations, Baker fan demonstrations, tractors, gas engines, straw baling, wheat thrashing, corn husking/shelling, rock crushing, and saw mill operations on display.

The full weekend admission is only $5 per person and includes a collector button and Friday Bean Feed at 5 PM. Hours the fiesta is open: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Children under age 12 are free, however free admission does not include button. Prior year Collector Buttons available, $1.

There will be many food vendors including a chicken and noodle dinner provided by the First Southern Baptist Church, chili dogs provided by the local Eastern Star organization and biscuits, gravy and coffee will be sold at the information tent for breakfast at the Eddy Street entrance to benefit the PHF organization.

On Saturday evening, there will be a bull riding and mutton busting event to enjoy, although it is not a part of the fiesta, it will be located on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

Music to Enjoy

Ralph Carlson and Floyd Feezell have organized a great lineup of talent for the music entertainment at the fiesta.

On Saturday at 10 a.m. a band including Larry and Judy Snow, from Mound City, will be performing. The Snows play for dances and concerts in this area. At 11 a.m., the Hemphill Family Band will be performing. Jack, Sandy, Brad, and Kristen also perform in the area. They play different styles of music, but they do lots of country pieces.

At noon, there will be an open mike session. People who wish to perform may bring CDs with which to sing or bring their own instruments and/or voices to participate. The sound system will be controlled by David Oas.

At 1 p.m., a string group, The Prairie Sunflower Strings, will perform. The group consists of mountain dulcimers, autoharp, fiddle, guitar, and bass guitar. Members of the group who are local are Jean Strader, Marilyn Adcock, Joyce Love, Sandy Hemphill, and Jack Hemphill. Cherry Nelson, from Columbus, also performs in the group on the dulcimer. This group will also play at 3 p.m.

David Prickett, a local guitar player,will perform at 2 p.m. He plays and sings a wide variety of music. The music should conclude at approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday.

On Sunday morning, there will be a church service under the same tent. Rev. Joel Crippen, minister at the First Southern Baptist Church, will be leading the service.

Following the church service, there will be another open mike session. All are invited to attend and/or perform.

The community is encouraged to come out and listen the music while looking at all of tractors and enjoy shopping at the vendor booths both Saturday and Sunday.

Church news, Entertainment, Fort Scott, History

Older Adults: Adventures In Learning Starts Oct. 14

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Christopher Eshelman is pictured with his wife, Robin. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott’s First United Methodist has made plans to provide educational and social opportunities that bring older adults together for personal growth.

Shepherd’s Center is a program to counteract the negative effects of loneliness and isolation by connecting older adults to empowering programs that foster friendships, according to a press release from the church.

The program in Fort Scott will begin on Friday, October 14th, with a session from 11:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church at Third and National Avenue.

This kickoff event is free to attend.

Pre-registration is required in order to receive a free lunch from Marsha’s Deli. One can preregister by calling or visiting the church, during office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon or visit www.firstumcfsks.org/shepherdscenteroffortscott to register online. The church phone number is 620.223.1950.

Shepherd’s Centers of America is a network of interfaith community-based organizations designed by, with and for older adults, according to https://www.shepherdcenters.org/shepherds/#history

The  Adventures in Learning program is the signature program of Shepherd’s Centers that supports personal growth and discovery with courses, cultural enrichment workshops, hobby, and recreational opportunities, according to the press release.

Subjects often cover a wide range of topics: computer and technology, finance, literature, music and art appreciation, world religion, “how-to,” politics, current events, historical events and figures, foreign languages, hobbies, and so much more. Most class instructors are retired older adults, with a number of special interests presented by community experts.

“We got enrolled in the Healthy Congregations program through our church conference and we were going through our assets and needs assessment processes here and we kept seeing loneliness, isolation as concerns… and unused space in our building as an asset,” Pastor Christopher Eshelman said. “It clicked. We made some contacts and found the Wichita, Topeka, and National organizations very helpful in getting us started here in Fort Scott.”

The inaugural Fort Scott event features keynote speaker Patty LaRoche with a presentation entitled “Aged to Perfection.”

Patty LaRoche. Submitted photo.

Afternoon sessions to choose from:

Cathy Werling  will present on the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes and how it has inspired her.

Cathy Werling. Submitted photo.

 

Larry Shead will present on using technology to connect with family and friends.

Larry Shead. Submitted photo.

 

Ronda Hassig will be discussing her book “The Greatest Test of Courage.” Copies will be available for purchase.

Ronda Hassig. Submitted photo.
Brief introductions on each of the speaker’s talks are on the registration page: https://www.firstumcfsks.org/shepherdscenteroffortscott

In between these sessions, there will be snacks and plenty of time to connect with other attendees.

The event will close  with Eshelman facilitating a discussion of future plans for our Shepherd’s Center / Adventures in Learning program.

“Your ideas for topics and presenters will be welcome as we shape this program to meet local needs and interests,” he said.

The next session will be March 10, 2023 and with a plan to offer three or four total events in 2023, then continuing to expand in years to come.

This program launch is being made possible by First UMC’s participation in the Great Plains UMC Conference’s Healthy Congregations program which provides grants to help churches identify needs and work to improve spiritual, physical, social, and emotional health in their congregations and communities.

​”I served on staff at both East and West Heights United Methodist Churches in Wichita and both hosted similar Shepherd’s Center programs,” Eshelman said. “I wasn’t directly involved, but the energy in the building on the days of their sessions and the way the programs so clearly helped older adults both in the church and from the community as a whole, stay active and connected to one another really stuck with me. So many memories of smiling faces and great conversations.”

“We are delighted to offer this resource to the Fort Scott community and excited to see the program grow,” he said.

 

Shepherd’s Centers are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year after being founded in Kansas City in 1972.

 

Bourbon County, Government, Health Care

WIC Program: Weekly at The Health Department Starting Oct. 5

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SEK Muliti-County Health Department, located at 6th and Lowman Streets, Fort Scott.

A program geared to all aspects of a mother and young child’s life will start weekly appointments in Fort Scott, next Wednesday.

The Women’s, Infants and Children (WIC) federal program is for low-income pregnant women and  follow up care,  and also for children five years and under who are at nutritional risk.

The program will start on  October 5 by appointment in Fort Scott at the Southeast Kansas Multi County Health Department, 6th and Lowman Street.

Rebecca Johnson, SEKMCHD Director.
Some of the benefits of the program, according to the US Dept. of Ag website
  • Supplemental nutritious foods. Examples of WIC foods include milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, juice, fish, whole grains, cereal, peanut butter, beans (dried or canned), fresh fruits and vegetables, infant formula and baby food.
  • Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics.
  • screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services.

“WIC has been available to the county for years now by the Crawford County Health Department, but will be now located in one location rather multiple locations,” said  Becky Johnson
Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer at the SEK Multi-County Health Department. “Since the Bourbon County Health Department moved to a much larger building, we have been working to acquire other services here at our new location.”

“Previously WIC was at Buck Run Community Center, Mercy Hospital and for the last couple of years it has been at our new location about three days a month,” she said.” We are excited to have it housed in one location and are very glad to be able to provide this program to our residents.”

 

Monday, 7:00am To 5:30 pm
Tuesday, 7:00am To 5:30pm
Wednesday, 7:00am To 5:30pm
Thursday ,7:00am To 5:30pm
Note: Closed for lunch from noon-12:30pm.

The health department can be reached at (620) 223-4464.
Also offered for women at the health department is a mother’s support group:

Breastfeeding Help

“We also will be starting training for a new service next month which is the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program through WIC,” she said. ”

“Breastfeeding Peer Counselors (BFPC) are women in the community with personal breastfeeding experience similar to WIC participants including: age; language; similar ethnic/cultural background; current or previous WIC participation; and an enthusiasm for breastfeeding. Peer Counselors provide education and support for WIC mothers. Programs vary but in general peer counselors are available to WIC clients both inside and outside usual clinic hours and the WIC clinic environment,” according to https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1433/Breastfeeding-Peer-Counselor-Program

Holly Fritter. Submitted photo.

“Our Breast Feeding Peer Counselor, Holly Fritter, has been working for us since 2019 as the Home Visitor for Bourbon County,” Johnson said. “Home visiting for families with young children is a longstanding strategy offering information, guidance, risk assessment, and parenting support interventions at home.”

“The typical ‘home visiting program’ is designed to improve some combination of pregnancy outcomes, parenting skills, and early childhood health and development,” Johnson said. “Holly works out of our Fort Scott office, but will also cover Allen, Anderson and Woodson Counties for the BFPC Program. These programs are an asset to our counties, as it is free to the clients, and provides much needed support and guidance to mothers and families. ”

Other Services Provided by the Health Department

 

Women’s Health – Breast Exam, Pap Smear, Lab Work, Sexually Transmitted Disease testing, Blood pressure screening, hemoglobin, blood sugar & birth control if desired.


Immunizations – Call to schedule an appointment. We are not having walk-in days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


KanBe Healthy Screening – For Kancare eligible children up to 18 years of age. Full physical, hear & vision screenings, developmental screenings and lab work.


Maternal Child Health Home Visitor – Provides home visits to pregnant mothers and parents of newborns. Provides parents with resources and referrals for various assistance programs they are eligible for. They also provide a breastfeeding support group meetings, call for dates and times.


Adult Physicals – Basic adult physical provided by registered nurse for employment purposes. Physicals also provided for State of Kansas foster care or adoptions.


Childhood Physicals – Physicals for public schools, daycares, Headstart or preschool. Full physical, hearing & vision screens, lab work. No Athletic Physicals.

 

Blood Pressure & Glucose Checks – We will monitor blood pressure/blood glucose and keep a record for you.

 

Pregnancy Tests – Provided for $15.00. Referrals to SRS, WIC, HSHV, and family doctor are provided.


Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing & Treatment – We will test for and treat gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.


Lab/Blood Draws – Cholesterol, diabetes, drug screens, pregnancy, CBC, Thyroid, prostate. Lab tests are on a cash basis and with a physician order. Please call for full list and pricing.

Fort Scott, Government

Diane Clay Retires as City Clerk On Oct. 1

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Diane Clark, Fort Scott City Clerk, sits at her desk at city hall.

Diane Clay’s first job with the City of Fort Scott was as Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt in March 1998.

Her last day on the job is October 1, 2022.

“I have been employed for 24 years…with the City of Fort Scott,” she said.  “I have been City Clerk 23 of those years.”

For many, Clay was the first contact with the city that citizens had.

And for this reporter, she was always helpful and timely in her responses to questions.

The best part of the job for Clay has been helping citizens and working for the city commissioners, she said.

No job is without challenges, and for her,  “Changes are a challenge and there has been lots of them.”

Indeed, there have been five new city managers in the last two years, and a high turnover rate of city commissioners.

Clay said her duties as city clerk included:

  • All licensing – Cereal Malt Beverage, Drinking Establishment – Liquor Stores – Electrician – Plumbers – Trash – Fireworks – Golf Cart – UTV
  • Preparing city commission agenda packets
  • Taking and transcribing minutes from all meetings as well as 12 advisory board meetings.
  • Keeping the city website up to date
  • Posting all street closings/notices on Facebook and city website
  • Plus many, many more

Besides the city clerk, Clay has been the Municipal Court Clerk for the city, whose duties include:

  • Attending court and taking accurate recordings of the court sessions.
  • Inputing actions into the city’s software
  • Keeping accurate accounting of payments made on cases
  • Preparing a court docket twice monthly
  • Preparing reporting statements to the State of Kansas

Clay became a Certified Municipal Clerk in November 2003 and a Master Municipal Clerk in June 2008, through Wichita State University.

In 2018, Clay was named Outstanding Court Clerk for the State of Kansas.

Plans for retirement?

“Travel and relax!” she said.  “My husband and I have a daughter and son-in-law and a precious 4-year-old grandson that live in Joplin Missouri.  We will spend more time with them I’m sure.”

In addition to her family, Clay has been a constant at her church.

” I have taught Sunday School at Grace Baptist Tabernacle for 49 years!” she said.  “I have sung in the choir for probably 49 years also, and been very involved in the church and will continue to do so.”

Lisa Lewis will assume the Fort Scott City Clerk position on Oct.1 and has been training for the job from Clay for three months.

 

Fort Scott, Government

Zellner Resigns, New Interim Jeff Hancock is Hired as FS City Manager

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Fort Scott City Hall.
Kelley Zellner. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott City Commission has been on “a little rocky road,” new Interim Fort Scott City Manager Jeff Hancock said in a phone interview today.

The rocky road referred to is the  high rate of change in city managers and commissioners over the last few years.

But he sees “a bright future for the city,” he said. “Fort Scott has a lot going for it.”

Zellner Departs

The Fort Scott City Commission met on Sept. 22 to approve the severance agreement for City Manager Kelley Zellner, who resigned  to pursue an employment opportunity in Caney, KS.

Zellner is receiving a payment equal to 30 days pay and accumulated vacation and sick days. The exact amount is still being calculated at the time of publishing this story, according to Hancock.

To view the severance:

DOC092222-09222022141426

Management Partners Consultant Jeff Hancock Signs A Contract for City Manager

Jeff Hancock. Taken from Linkedin.com

On Sept. 20, the City of Fort Scott hired Hancock as interim city manager, and appointed Brad Matkin, current Human Resource Director, to also become assistant city manager. Matkin’s salary was increased to $85,000 annually.

Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

Hancock, from Camdenton, Missouri, is a consultant for Management Partners,  and will provide interim city manager services and assist with recruiting a new manager, if desired.

Management Partners will invoice the city $7,000 per month, plus travel expenses and Hancock will be onsite in Fort Scott, 24 hours per week. Hancock will usually work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, according to City Clerk Diane Clay.

“I’ll be on call 24/7, even though I’ll be working in Fort Scott three days a week,” Hancock said.

“Under the city manager form of government, the city manager makes pertinent decisions quickly at times,” Hancock said. “Having a professional (interim city manager) is a protection for Fort Scott.”

“The city commission will use me until it’s the right time,” he said. “I anticipate three to four months. I haven’t had a chance to dialogue with the commission about this yet.”

To view the agreement:

4684001_FortScott,KS_interim_CM_MgtServices_exec_22 09 21

Hancock has previous experience as Fort Scott’s interim city manager, when Dave Martin resigned in October 2020 until the hiring of Jeremy Frazier in February 2021. Frazier resigned in August 2021 and an interim city manager, Mark McCoy, was hired until Zellner was hired in December 2021.

To view prior stories on these events:

Dave Martin Retires As City Manager, Effective Oct. 30, 2020

Former FS City Manager Jeremy Frazier is Given Severance Package

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott

New Specialty Food Shop Opens

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Sisters Emelia Whiteaker and Addi Foster have started a specialty food store from an office at the South Main strip mall, and are calling it Mmm Flavor Shop.

Addi Foster. Submitted photo.
Emelia Whiteaker is the owner of Momentum Indoor Training. 2018 photo.

“After a major health diagnosis in the family, I started doing my continuing education credits as a Certified Athletic Trainer on nutrition,” Whiteaker said.  “Unfortunately, a lot of the herbs, spices and grains were not available in the quality needed to get the nutritional value.”

Whiteaker reached out to friends who are Registered Dieticians and Certified Nutritionists to see where they get their spices and dried herbs.

“This led me to a small family-owned wholesaler in Arizona,” she said.  “Our wholesaler freeze dries as much of their herbs that they can, and they order straight from the farms insuring a higher nutritional content.  Everything just kept going from there.”

Chai Latte Oatmeal – made with no additives or preservatives just oats, fresh ground spices and dry milk powder. They also have flavors that are dairy free. Submitted photo.

“In April, we launched our products at the Home Show in Fort Scott,” Whiteaker said. “Throughout the rest of the spring and summer we have been doing vendor shows and markets.”

The business office is in the area on the backside of Tractor Supply Store, that Whiteaker has her athletic training business in.

“We have a converted office space inside Momentum Indoor Training that we use as our prep room, she said.  “Our ultimate goal is to have Mmm Flavor Shop support an exercise pool for those individuals who have chronic health diagnoses that benefit from aquatic exercise which is not covered by most insurance.”

They just finished work on their website.

“We launched our website this month www.mmmflavorfs.com or we will take text orders through direct message on Facebook or text messages at (620) 224-8442,” she said.  “If we don’t have it in stock we can usually order it and get it within a week.”

Coriander. Submitted photo.

The products of the business include  spices, dried herbs, house made spice blends, non-wheat flours, ancient grains, rices, dried beans and lentils, instant oatmeal, ready-to-make-packets, dried fruits, and nuts.

“We mix most of our spice blends, insuring there are no additives or preservatives.” Whiteaker said.

” We also have superfood powders such as spirulina, spinach, acai berry, and more,” she said.  “In October we will be adding herbal teas, Turkish teas, and homemade candies.”

Spirulina is a superfood that is full of anitoxidants and anti-inflammatories, it can be added to smoothies, tea, and dishes to increase nutritional content. Submitted photo.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Outdoor Blues Festival This Saturday: Plans In Place

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Cecilia and Cory Bryars. Submitted photo.
This Saturday Sept. 24, gates open for a music concert at a residence at 2006 Maple Road, just west of Fort Scott. Plans are settling into place for the event, which was announced several weeks ago.
New comers to the Fort Scott area from Kansas City, Cory and Cecilia Bryars, have planned  the blues festival on their property  to benefit a local helping organization, Care to Share.
In addition to the blues concert, there will be food with proceeds going to Care to Share:
–Hot dogs, chips, and chili
–Smash Burgers from  4-8 p.m.
–Funnel cakes
–Chili Frito Pie
–Huge bake sale–pies, cookies, more
–Water (and if you care to share bring a case to donate)
–Coolers are welcome!
There will be other booths and vendors, with proceeds to Care to Share and the booth vendor, featuring metal art, pottery, mums, spices, birdhouses, face painting and the Kansas City Blues Society and more.
 The gates open at 1 p.m., and the musicians will play from 2-10 p.m.
Preliminary work has included having enough parking for those wanting to attend.
“There is lots of parking at the venue and neighboring yards,” Cory Bryars said. “Just follow the signs when you get there.”
“Also Dolly the Trolley ( local tourism trolley car) will shuttle from Twister Trailer (on North National Avenue, just across from Riverfront Park) to 2006 Maple at the following times– 1:15-4 p.m., 5:30-8 p.m., 8:30-10:30 p.m or when everyone  gets back at their cars,”he said.
If planning on staying the duration of the concert, concert goers are asked to take the trolley.
“If you are staying for quite a while, please take the trolley, which will free up venue parking for people only coming for a short while,” Bryars said.
All the details are located on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1483547988817371.
The event is free. However they are asking donations to support Care to Share a local cancer survivor support group.
“Our mission statement is to provide friendship and support through emotional and financial assistance to individuals who are cancer fighters and their caregivers…because we care to share,” Lavetta Simmons, a spokesman for Care To Share said in a prior story.
“We are 100% volunteer individuals, no paid employees, so everything donated goes 100% right back into our community for our cancer fighters. Last year we were able to care and share 1,134 times for a total of $65,711.69 with our cancer families.”
No tickets  are required and the event is free.
Donations to Care to Share are appreciated, Bryars said.  “The event page also has a link to donate even if you can’t be here and want to support a great cause.”
 
The primary event activity is  four top-quality  blues bands playing from 2-3:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., 8-9:45 p.m.
To learn more about the event organizer:
Blues Festival Coming to Fort Scott Sept. 24
Business, Fort Scott

Ann Stark Retires After 43 Years at Atkins Insurance

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Ann Stark from her Facebook page.

After 43 years at a downtown Fort Scott business, Ann Stark has retired.

“My last day was May 27,” Stark said. “The co-workers had a retirement party for me on August 19.”

Ann Stark and Patty West from Facebook.

Stark has worked at Atkins Insurance Agency since 1979.

“I was hired by Ron Dodson in February 1979,” she said. “My first position was clerical, customer service.”

“I liked the small office and meeting clients one-on-one,” Stark said.

She then earned a license in property, casualty, life and health insurance in 1980.

After Ron Dodson died she and Patty West  purchased the business from his widow.

“We kept the same phone number and same customer service,” she said. “It was working, why change it?”

Through the years she took classes to improve her service to the customers.

“The laws and policies change and you are required to take continuing education classes every two years,” she said.

And this year marked her 43rd year with the business.

Stark says she does miss the interaction with her clients, since her retirement.

“You know their kids and grand kids,” she said. “I also miss working with Patty West and Chrystal Cowan, they are mother and daughter.”

But Stark said she is enjoying spending more time outside and being able to go see her grand kids more frequently, with her husband, who is also retired.

 

 

 

Church news, Fort Scott

New Pastor at First Southern Baptist

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Joel Crippen. Submitted photo.

Joel Crippen, 61, began serving the congregation of First Southern Baptist Church in Fort Scott in July as pastor.

Crippen earned a degree from Southern Indiana Baptist College and a general Bible diploma from Bethany Bible College, Dothan, Alabama. “I’ve also attended lots of conferences and seminars,” he said.

He started preaching with six years of youth ministry at Osage City Baptist Church (Kansas), then pastored the same church for 15 years. He also helped plant a church in Linden, KS, called Mercy Baptist Church.

He and his wife, Donna, have four daughers and 17 grandchildren. They have one daughter at home who is a freshman at Fort Scott High School.

Donna and Joel Crippen. Submitted photo.

The Crippens have fostered 100 children in 10 years, he said.

“That was a big part of our ministry,” he said.

Donna has been a postal worker for 27 years and is stationed in Waverly, KS. “She has put in for a transfer to a local post office, and has been driving back and forth on the weekends,” Crippen said.

For Crippen, he most enjoys helping people spiritually.

“Jesus reached out,” he said. “I like getting to know people and talking about Jesus. I’m a people person.”

A challenge for him is coming into a new community and getting to know people, he said. “It’s a huge undertaking.”

His personal vision is “reaching the next generation for Christ,” he said.

The church is located at 1818 Main Street and can be reached at 620.223.2986.

Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. followed by worship at 10:50 a.m.

There are about 60 people in Sunday morning services, he said.

There is also an evening Bible Study at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

In addition there is a women’s Bible study at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and a Trail Blazers Youth Program at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday for ages 3 years through 12th grade.

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Sports

Metcalf and Hall are selected as Wrestling Middle School Coaches of the Year

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John Metcalf. Taken from the USD234 website.

John Metcalf, a Fort Scott Middle School Physical Education teacher and student support employee, has received the Middle School Coach of the Year award from the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

He  will be receiving the award on October 8 in Salina.

“I have coached middle school wrestling for five years,” he said.
“We have around 50 kids come out each year for middle school wrestling.”

“I enjoy coaching the sport of wrestling because wrestling is a one on one sport,” he said. “So the happiness on a kids face when they know they are the only reason that they won is amazing!”

“I kind of always coached wrestling,” he said. “Since I was in high school, I would show up and help out with the kids club practices whenever I could make it. While I was at Fort Scott Community College I was offered to help start the wrestling program as an assistant wrestling coach at Uniontown. I coached there for one year before I went to Pitt State for college.”

“I didn’t get back into the coaching side of wrestling until I graduated in 2018,” he said. “I then got a job at Fort Scott Middle School as a para and also got hired as an assistant middle school wrestling coach with my dad who was the head coach at the time.”

“This past year my dad retired and I was then hired to replace him as the middle school head wrestling coach,” he said.

Kathi Hall, taken from the USD234 website.

Kathi Hall is a 6th Grade Language Arts, Reading, and Social Studies Teacher at Fort Scott Middle School and she helps coach wrestling.

“This is my fourth year coaching wrestling,” she said. “I did become an assistant coach because of the increase in girl athletes in wrestling. The count of female athletes in the program varies but you can be sure that they increase each year.”

“I have always been around wrestling for the last 28 years, since my three adult boys wrestled from the time they were 5, 7, and 9 in kids club and then in high school,” she said.

Church news, Fort Scott

Upcoming Fundraisers for Catholic Church Building Fund

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Inside structure damage from the fire. Courtesy of Shane Walker.
The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church fire took place Monday August 29 about 9:10 p.m. and destroyed the roof, the majority of the pews, the floor and all heating, ventilation and air-conditioning in the church, according to spokesman Mark McCoy.
“Some of the stained-glass windows were damaged,” he said.
The pipe organ was destroyed.”
However the statutes, the main crucifix and the altar used for saying Mass, were saved, he said.
Church is being held in Kennedy Gym until the building is rebuilt.
“We are consulting with construction experts to evaluate our options, no decision either way has been made yet,” McCoy said.
Parishioners have begun fundraisers to help with the rebuild/reconstruction of the church.
Fundraisers
Spaghetti Dinner by Knights of Columbus
“We encourage the people of our parish family and the community to come enjoy food prepared by our brother Knights and at the same time support our fundraiser,” Calvin Barr said on his Facebook page. 
A spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, garlic bread, dessert and drink meal will be offered for a free-will donation this Friday, Sept. 16 from 5-7 p.m. in Kennedy Gym, 604 S. Holbrook.
Hand Made Rosary To Be Auctioned for Fire Rebuild
Jana Walker is putting up for auction a rosary that she made. It can be viewed on her Facebook page.
Jana Walker is having a fundraiser for the church building fund. Submitted.

“I made the rosary,” Walker said. “People are welcome to share the Facebook post, although, they must click on my original post. I circled the example in red. Once they are on the original post they can comment with their bid.”

Submitted photo.
Mary Queen of Angels Church fire on August 29. Submitted by Stephen Toal.