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Business, Fort Scott, History

Fort Scott Broadcasting Celebrates 70 Years In Business

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Tim and Deb McKenney at the KS Department of Commerce  2023 awards ceremony. The McKenney family has operated the radio station in Fort Scott for 70 years. Submitted photo.

Seventy years ago,  KMDO1600 Radio signed on the air in Fort Scott.

From October 7 through 11, the station will celebrate its 70th anniversary featuring the music of the 50s through the 90s.

The McKenney family has owned and operated the local radio business for the past 70 years, providing contemporary hit music, news, weather, sports, and public service announcements to the community.

Celebration Week at The Radio Station Oct. 7-11

In October 2024, music of the different decades will be featured, and some former disc jockeys will be on the air in the studios again.

During the week of October 7-11, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the radio station will play special music from the different decades in which it has served the community.

On Monday, music from the 1950s will be featured, Tuesday will feature 60s music, Wednesday, 70s music, Thursday, 80s music and Friday, music from the 1990s.

The Trading Post is a daily program where one can buy, sale, trade or give away items.

Special Trading Post program for the anniversary celebration will be Tim  Mckenney and Ron Palmer on Monday, Oct. 7; Charlene Keating, Becky Allen, and Kirby Ham, on Tuesday Oct. 8; Gary Palmer and Deb Mckenney on Oct. 9th, and  Larry Gazaway and Pam Hutchison on Friday Oct. 11th.

The Beginning

Jim McKenney. Submitted photo.

Lloyd James (Jim) McKenney built several stations in the late 40s and early 50s, including the first stations in Carthage, Monnet, Cassville, and Branson, MO, and Iola, KS.

Jim McKenney built  KMDO-AM radio station in Fort Scott, signing on for the first time on Oct. 7, 1954, in the vicinity of where Tractor Supply is today, with six employees.

The old radio station. Submitted photo.

“Jim had five sons and a daughter,” Deb said.  “Several of the sons worked at KMDO in the early years, however, Tim, after starting on- air in 1969, worked there on and off until 1980, when he returned full-time and built 103.9FM (KOMB).  Tim has been manager of the radio stations since 1980 and owner since 1996.”

“The studios and transmitters were south of town on Hwy. 69 originally in the area of Tractor Supply,” Deb said.  “In 1990, we moved the studios and offices to the building we are now located in at 2 N. National and moved the tower and transmitters to a site where Walmart is presently located.  In 2006, we moved the towers from that site to two separate sites.  The KMDO tower is now located south of town in the industrial park and the 103.9FM tower is located about seven miles northwest of Fort Scott on 7 Highway.”

Deb started on the air at the station in the early 1980s and has worked with her husband in almost every function of the business since that time.

Serving the Public

They regularly broadcast city, county, and school talk shows in the Fort Scott area to keep people informed about current happenings in the area.

The radio station’s goal has been to serve the public interest, she said.

“We do that by broadcasting things of interest and/or service to our listeners,” she said.  These include local news, weather, sports, music and public service announcements.  We air weekly programs that inform listeners about what’s going on in our school systems, talks with our city manager about things going on in the city and talks with our county commissioners about what’s going on in the county. Broadcast Tiger games!  And of course, we play music for folks too!”

Through the years, technology has changed, “but our clients and staff have been faithful,” she said.

The rest of the current broadcast crew besides Deb and Tim is Darla Ramsey, the office manager;  Deana Wade, Angie King, and Angie Martin,  sales executives;  on-air personnel include “Downtown” Keith Brown, Charlene Bolinger, Carlos Muniz, and Jonah Cooke and they also have contract engineers.

Fort Scott Broadcasting is located at 2 N. National in Downtown Historic Fort Scott and can be reached at  620-223-4500.

State Recognition

In 2023, Fort Scott Broadcasting Co. Inc was recognized as the Southeast Kansas Regional Winner in Retail and Service by the Kansas Department of Commerce.

To The Stars: Kansas Businesses Awards is an annual awards program that recognizes businesses across the state for the valuable contributions they make to the Kansas economy and to the well-being of their communities, according to https://www.kansascommerce.gov/kansasbusinessawards/.

 

Fort Scott Broadcasting is the parent company of KMDO-AM, and KOMB-FM and is located at 2 N. National Avenue.

 

Bourbon County, Elections

New Leadership Elected For the Bourbon County Republicans on September 19

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Kaety Bowers speaking at the Bourbon County Republican meeting on September 19 She was elected chairwoman of the local party. Submitted photo.
Tim Emmerson speaking at the Bourbon County Republican meeting on September 19. He was elected vice-chairman of the local party. Submitted photo.

Kaety Bowers,  Mapleton, and Tim  Emerson, Devon, were elected chair and vice-chairman, respectively,  of the Bourbon County Republican Party at the annual leadership reorganization meeting at  Fort Scott Livestock Market last evening. Gayle Sackett was elected secretary and Donna Banwart, treasurer, both from Fort Scott.

They will represent the county at state Republican meetings and local monthly meetings, Emerson said.

Candidates are nominated and voted on at an annual reorganization meeting.

At the September 19 meeting, the whole slate of officers was elected in one nomination.  “There was no one opposing us,” said Emerson.

Bourbon County Townships, from the Bourbon County KS website.

The results of the election are reported to the state, he said.

According to the rules and regulations, Emerson said that the party leadership and precinct leadership must have a male and female representative.

Each precinct person represents their local township in Bourbon County.

At regular monthly Republican meetings, those running for office in upcoming elections may speak to the group.

“Usually, our meetings are quarterly, except in election years or when the group sees the need to meet,” outgoing secretary Deb Martin said. “We have Republican officeholders speak about their offices and current legislation action updates and other current political campaigns.”

On September 19, David Beerbower, county commissioner candidate; Tim Shallenberger, Kansas State Senator candidate and Rick James, Kansas Representative candidate in the November 2024 elections spoke to the group.

At monthly meetings there is also discussion on ways to help Republican candidates get elected, Emerson said.

“You go door to door to explain what the candidates stand for, that’s very helpful to candidates. Signs are put out for national and state candidates at people’s homes with good (visible, highly trafficked areas) he said.

 

 

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Outpost 13 West Opening on September 23

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From left: John and Cindy Bowman , Carissa and Alex Bowman, owners of the new  food business venture Outpost 13 West, at 13 W. Oak.

 

The Bowman family, Cindy and John and their son Alex and his wife Carissa, own both Brickstreet BBQ and across the street, the NuGrille Restaurant, at the corner of National Avenue and Oak.

In 2021 they purchased the property west of Brickstreet BBQ to save it, Cindy Bowman said.

On September 23, they will open Outpost 13 West, a Southwestern cuisine restaurant at 13 West Oak Street.

John, Cindy, Carissa and Alex Bowman stand in front of their new business, Outpost 13 West in a newly remodeled historic building at 13 West Oak.

The Bowmans found after they purchased the it,  that it is a 152-year-old historic building.

The oldest record found for the building was 1862, according to records found with help from personnel at the Old Fort Genealogical Society of Southeast Kansas Inc, located at 221 S. National.

The Oulds family built it as a livery stable that was used by the government military, at Fort Scott, and was the corral, used to contain the animals that the U.S. federal fort needed.

The  3,000 square feet building by 2021 was in “pretty bad shape,” said John Bowman.

The building at 13 W. Oak prior to renovation. Submitted photo.
The 13 W. Oak St. building after renovation by the Bowmans.

The arches are a noticeable architectural feature in the renovation.

“The arches are original, but they were closed in and we reopened them,” Cindy said.

The venture will be a build-your-own Southwestern cuisine food line, “you pick it, we will build it,” Alex said.

Southwestern cuisine includes tacos, burritos, etc. with choices of meat and toppings.

The choose-your-own food line at Outpost 13 West.

In addition, there is a separate bar that serves ice cream, slushes,  and desserts.

Ice cream, slushes and desserts will be offered at this separate bar.

There will be 15 employees in the new business, with some being moved from Brickstreet BBQ to help.

September 23 will be the official opening of Outpost 13 West.

Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To contact the restaurant: 620.224.2419. or [email protected]

Inside Outpost 13 West on September 13, where preparation was happening for the restaurant opening on September 23.

About the original building owner

The Bowmans found that before S.A. Oulds came to Fort Scott in 1852, he went to South Australia to the gold mines and made $150,000 there. “He returned to his family in Ohio where he farmed, then traveled south and west to this location where in 1862 he started this livery stable in Fort Scott,” Carissa said.

Cindy said that concrete posts have been added to the front of the building, so vehicles can’t get too close, as a safety measure.

Fort Scott National Historic Site, Government, Kansas

Over 200 Will Receive Citizenship in Fort Scott on Friday September 20

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 New citizens during the naturalization ceremony in 2015.

Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting the U.S. Federal Court proceeding by the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday, September 20 at 10:30 a.m.

“The park hosts the proceedings by providing the venue, and, working with the community and state, offers added value to the new citizens, their families, and the community,” said Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc.)

 

Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management
Fort Scott National Historic Site.

“This includes snacks for the naturalizing citizens before the ceremony, a beautiful and historic setting for the event, information about the community and its businesses, and the opportunity to fulfill the civic duty by registering to vote.” he said. “There are also a series of clubs, organizations, and state and local groups helping to make this happen (it takes a village). The Kansas Secretary of State’s office will have a representative here to register voters, new citizens or otherwise.”

What does one have to do to become a citizen?

“Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires naturalization applicants to demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language, and demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government (civics). To meet the requirements of Section 312 of the INA, applicants must pass a naturalization test to become U.S. citizens. The naturalization test consists of two components: an English language and a civics component. The English language component tests applicants on their ability to speak, read, write, and understand the English language. Applicants who fail one or both test components will have a second opportunity to pass both portions of the test, called a re-exam.  More info at www.uscis.gov/citizenship We have been running some of the questions on our Facebook page this week.”

Today’s questions on its Facebook page:

Wednesday’s Questions:
 Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
What is one reason colonists came to America?
 If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS

www.instagram.com/FortScottNPS

http://twitter.com/FortScottNPS

Jane Njeri Lifer smiles following the naturalization ceremony in 2017. In her hand is the certificate of naturalization.

The Ceremony

“Check-in begins at 9 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 10:30. Fort Scott VFW Post 1165, Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post, will be the Color Guard. Musical performances from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra, with welcoming remarks by Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. A keynote address will be made by Angela Bates, founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum,” he said.

Jill Jaworski, Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent. Submitted photo.
Brad Matkin, Fort Scott City Manager. Submitted photo.
Angela Bates,  founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum. Submitted photo.

 

“We are looking at 201 naturalized citizens from 57 different countries. One of the largest ceremonies in the National Park Service,” he said.

Countries represented are  Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo (Kinshasa), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

A prior Naturalization Ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic Site. Photo credit NPS.
Art, Bourbon County, Business

Bourbon County Clay: New Woman-Owned Business

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Kate Freeman. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County Clay, a new woman-owned business started by Kate Freeman officially became an LLC in  June of 2024.

“We have been working to build the business since we discovered the clay vein in 2017 on our family property in northwest Bourbon County,” she said. “We have worked diligently since then to reclaim and test the clay, dreaming of the day we could launch Bourbon County Clay.”

This business is separate from T.E. Freeman Studio LLC and The Artificers, which she and her husband, Trent, own, but will do business housed in the same building at  8 N. National Ave, Fort Scott.
Trent and Kate Freeman. Submitted photo
 Andrea Latham, Kansas City, KS is the studio apprentice and production supervisor.
Andrea Latham. Submitted photo.
“Andrea started apprenticing with us in Kansas City in 2020, and now travels to Fort Scott several times a month to work production for Bourbon County Clay LLC. The Artificers gallery also features Andrea’s work out of her own studio.”
The artists have created a handcrafted artisan coffee set as their first product from the clay in Bourbon County and also used locally sourced walnut wood in the design.
Submitted photos.
“Our first product is this handcrafted Bourbon County Artisan Coffee Set collection featuring a clay coffee pot, a matching pour-over, and two coffee cups, each with warm, smooth walnut handles,” she said.  “Every piece in this set is made from locally sourced clay and walnut, harvested from the heart of Bourbon County, ensuring that each item carries the spirit of the land. The natural tones of the clay are complemented by the rich, earthy hues of the walnut, creating a harmonious blend that is both functional and timeless. Perfect for those who appreciate the art of slow brewing, this set transforms your coffee ritual into a celebration of craftsmanship and local heritage.”
Submitted photos.
The business is currently offering a pre-sale of thirty sets.
“There will only be 100 sets of each glaze color offered,” she said. “All sets are categorized and numbered.”
Submitted photo.
“Bourbon County Clay is deeply rooted in the land we call home,” she said. “This is a tribute to the place we love, crafted by the hands of artisans connected to this soil. From the hands of our artisans to yours, each piece is a limited-edition work of art, created in small batches.”
Hours of operation for the business are Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located inside The Artificers in Historic Downtown Fort Scott, 8 N. National.
To contact her, call 913-574-7741
Fort Scott, Government, Housing

Buildings Scheduled for Demolition in Fort Scott: A Long Process

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Downtown Fort Scott, looking north on Main Street, city hall is on the right.

 

On September 3rd, the Fort Scott City Commission voted to demolish several blighted buildings.

The purpose and goal of the Fort Scott Codes Department is to enforce all codes, ordinances, and regulations adopted by the City of Fort Scott to ensure the safety and aesthetic value of all properties and establish a standard of property maintenance, according to the city’s website.

The city has a process to allow extended time for property owners to repair the buildings.

Properties in a state of deterioration are turned into the city by community members for the most part, said Leroy Kruger, who works in the codes department.

This begins a process that starts with a letter to the property owner asking them to repair the house up to city codes and to give the codes department a phone call, within 30 days of receiving the letter.

“If we haven’t heard from them, we send out a condemnation letter,” Kruger said.

“We give 30 more days, if we haven’t heard from them, we turn it over to the city commissioners, and they vote on it,” he said.

“The next step is to advertise (in the Fort Scott Tribune) that we are going to tear it down. Then we have a public meeting,” Kruger said.

“Homeowners or any interested parties get another letter to come and speak to the commission,” he said.

“If no one shows up, the next step is to tear it down.”

“We try to get three bids submitted to the commission (for demolition) and they decide who gets the bid.” he said.

Once torn down to ground level, if the owners want to sell the property, a special assessment fee is given them to recoup the cost of the demolition.

“There’s quite a few blighted properties in Fort Scott,” Kruger said. “We have to stay in a budget for the year. Usually, there are two to three properties at a time.”

At the September 3 Fort Scott City Commission Meeting six properties were submitted.

“If these six go through, we’ve done 10 or 11 properties this year. I think the six have eaten up our budget,” Kruger said.

The codes department office is located in City Hall at 123 S. Main Street and can by reached by calling 620.223.0550.

Norm Nation is the supervisor and lead codes inspector.

 

On September 3rd, the Fort Scott City Commission voted to demolish several buildings. Here are the addresses and photos of the buildings taken from Google Street View.

1721 E. Wall

323 W. Wall

1619 E. Pine

1105 Scott Ave

402 S. Lowman Street

418 Couch St.

Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott

The Kitchen Collective+Collaborative is September 19

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The Kitchen Collective+Collaborative is at 12 S. Main, The Parlor at Eighteen 65 is at 10 S. Main.
Two of the storefronts that have been in a renovation period for a few years are about to open.
The facility is not a restaurant. The renovated space will be the first of its kind in Southeast Kansas.
12 S. Main will be a culinary business incubator, said Rachel French, co-owner and operations manager of The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative
An incubator firm is an organization engaged in the business of fostering early-stage companies through the different developmental phases, according to investopedia.com
Bailey Lyons, Rachel French and Angie Simon are the owners of the Kitchen Collective+Collaborative. Submitted photo.
French, along with co-owners Bailey Lyons and Angie Simon are local business owners who have a passion for cooking.
A few years ago they were involved with the Dare To Dream, a local women’s entrepreneurial event. They saw many women who had a dream of a culinary business.
“We hope with our business knowledge we can come alongside and help springboard new or existing culinary businesses,” French said.
To that end, the two side-by-side businesses in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District were created to develop food businesses.
A view of two of the four food incubator pods in The Kitchen at 12 S. Main. Submitted photo.
12 S. Main: The Kitchen
At 12 S. Main, there are four incubator pods in The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative side. These are four sections in a kitchen, each all-inclusive in what a culinary entrepreneur would need to start their business.
“Our incubator kitchen allows food entrepreneurs, food growers, or producers to start or scale their business in a licensed commercial kitchen,” she said. “The cost of starting a business is astronomical. Our facility helps relieve that burden.”
“You must be licensed to launch your business from here, but we will help with that process.”
She said with a standard license, one can sell it directly to consumers, but can’t sell it to another business for that business to sell it, which requires a wholesale license.
Each food incubator pod has a stove, fridge, mixers, measuring utensils, and just about everything a culinary business needs, except the ingredients for the person’s cooking/baking.
“Our kitchens are available for rent to the general public. For instance, if you are hosting a large family dinner, but your kitchen is too small, you can rent one of our kitchen pods to prepare your meal,” she said. 
 
“If renting to launch your business, in addition to the kitchen pod you would have access to special dry good storage and additional refrigerators and freezers. You could also sell approved products on-site in our market area, still retaining your business’s branding. “
 
Even though not a restaurant, their vision is to sell grab-and-go food items, and take-and-bake items for dinner.
“Our goal is bringing healthy, convenient food options to Fort Scott and Bourbon County,” French said. Meals will be sold in 2 servings or 6 servings sizes.
The Kitchen will also offer culinary classes to the community and if anyone is interested in teaching a class, they can complete a form on their website.
For example: Jake Gross is planning on teaching how to smoke and prepare meats, she said.
With the pods at the back, at the front of 12 S. Main is the retail food area which has glass-front refrigerators to keep the food products that will be for sale. There will eventually be curbside pickup in the back of the business.
Hours will be Monday through Thursday 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Fridays they will close at 5:30. Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact French at 620.418.9284.
10 S. Main: The Parlor by Eighteen 65
At 10 S. Main, there is an event center, called The Parlor by Eighteen 65 for wedding receptions, birthday parties, etc.
Ribbon Cutting and Opening
The ribbon cutting for The Kitchen Collective and Collaborative is Thursday, September 19 at 4 p.m.
“On September 20, you can come in and get breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” French said. Opening day will be chicken/noodle with mashed potatoes and homemade snickerdoodle cookies by Jamie Beckham.”
Employees
All staff will be cooking, baking, catering, and also teaching classes at any one time in the facility.
Beckham was a restauranteur and baker in Fort Scott’s recent past.
Also hired by The Kitchen is Melissa Houston, a graduate of California Culinary Academy who has 30 years of experience and will be doing recipe development and cooking classes.
Madelyn Martin will be helping with catering and is locally known for her charcuterie boards.
Dawna Krebs will be taking care of the retail section and also baking, as will Grace French.
Fort Scott, Police

Suspect Is Not Apprehended In Knife Altercation

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Nicholas Juarez from the FSPD Facebook page.

Fort Scott Police Department

09/11/2024

Case Number 24-01504FS

 

On Wednesday September, 11th at approximately 0253 hours, the Fort Scott Police Department was dispatched to a residence in the 1800 block of Charles Street in Fort Scott.

Upon arrival at that location, FSPD officers learned that an altercation had taken place between a 16-year-old male and a 41-year-old male identified as Nicholas Howard Juarez.

 

Officers were advised the altercation had taken place at a residence in the 100 block of South Margrave Street in Fort Scott. During the altercation, the juvenile male sustained a laceration from a knife utilized by Juarez. The juvenile’s injury is not considered life threatening at this time.

Juarez is believed to have left the scene on foot and has not been located.

This is believed to have been an isolated incident however; Juarez should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Contact the Fort Scott Police Department or call 911 if you have information related to this incident or have information concerning the whereabouts of Nicholas Juarez.

Please note. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Church news, Fort Scott

Catholic Church Rebuild Is Nearing Completion: Fundraiser On Sept. 13

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Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in a recent photo. Submitted photo.

The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 714 S. Eddy, is nearing completion after the catastrophic fire that destroyed the old building two years ago.

Fire at Fort Scott’s Catholic Church Causes Extensive Damage

They are currently working on the intricate painting inside the dome of the church, Mark McCoy,  of the Parish Building Committee, said.

Workers inside the Mary Queen of Angels Church dome. Submitted photo.
Through these two years the congregation has been holding Mass in the Kennedy Gym, “beginning the first day after the fire on August 29, 2022,” said Calvin Joe Barr, a long-term church member.
The stained glass window at the front of the church from the inside. Submitted photo.
A contractor was hired, the Simpson Construction Company of Wichita, to rebuild the building and it will look like the old historic building that was built in 1864.
The original artifacts that were saved are being restored, with financial help still needed for this project by the professional restorer.
And the church parish has been fundraising.
The Knights of Columbus are having another fundraiser this Friday, Sept. 13 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Gym, located behind the church at 704 S. Holbrook.
Kennedy Gym, a wing of the St. Mary’s Queen of Angels Catholic Church, is located at 7th and Holbrook.

It will be a spaghetti and meatballs dinner with salad,  garlic bread, dessert and drink. (Spaghetti with sauce only available)

The meal is a freewill offering, with to-go meals at $8 minimum.

Everyone is welcome, Barr said.

All the proceeds go to the church building fund.

On Saturday,  November 24, 2024, the new church building will be dedicated by the Bishop  Carl Kemme of Wichita.
“It’s sure to be packed with past priests, the Bishop, and church parishioners and their families,” said McCoy.
The parish priest rectory has been completed as well, and Father Yancey Burgess moved in at the end of June, Barr said.

 

Bourbon County, Food, Schools, Youth

Hydroponics At Uniontown Junior High: Learning and Growing Produce For The School

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Students in the STEM class plant Swiss chard. L t R: Scarlett McCullough, Catherine Cox, Scout Eden
Students at the rural school in western Bourbon County now have the opportunity to gain knowledge in an up-and-coming farm business, hydroponics.
Alison Weston teaches botany/horticulture at Uniontown Junior High School this year, and as part of this class, hydroponics is being taught.
Alison Weston taken from the U235 Staff Directory.

Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil,  according to https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/hydroponics

“As a teacher, I love this unit because it is an awesome way to get kids involved and to grow a love for gardening and planting their own food,” she said. “I love gardening and this is a neat way to integrate that into the curriculum. I’d love to get a greenhouse going at some point.”

The hydroponics farm container on the campus of Uniontown High School. Submitted photo.

USD 235 was the recipient of a hydroponic shipping container farm through a grant awarded to the Kansas Division of Children and Families, USD 235 Superintendent Vance Eden said in a prior interview.

Hydrophonics is Coming to a Local School System

The Community Green Farms of Pittsburg, KS announced on September 11, 2023, that they would receive over $1,000,000 to bring seven southeast Kansas counties a vertical hydroponic container farm.

“The project is called a Leafy Greens Unit,” Weston said.
“The purpose is to help kids appreciate the food they eat and to help kids want to eat healthier by having the chance to grow their own food- there is a correlation between kids growing their own food and then wanting to try it,” Weston said.
Six botany students are involved in the production of greens, and eight students help in the Science Technology Engineering, and Math education class.
From left to right students Bradley Brown, Gus Welch, and Lily Robinson plant Swiss chard in STEM class. Submitted photos.
“The botany students are basically in charge. We are still coming up with a job schedule for them. Every day we take 10 gallons of Culligan Water into the reserve tank. Our city water has a pH that is inadequate, so this was the option chosen to get better quality water to the plants.”
Botany students work on the seedlings. (left to right) Jesse Jones, Colby Herring, Tater (Timothy) Ames, Kassen Woods. Not pictured in the horticulture class is Heston Stewart and Joseph Robinson. Submitted photo.
“We have seedlings that are watered twice a week by bottom-watering, upfront in the unit. They are planted in compressed coconut husks in trays- all soilless. No soil is used. After they have matured,  about 3 weeks, they are transplanted into the towers, which are the vertical hanging towers. There is wicking material that as the watering system from above drips down on the towers, the wicking material soaks it up and drains out of the bottom of the tower. There is a drainage system below the tower so as the whole unit is at a bit of a tilt, the water drains into the reservoir.”
Twice a month someone comes from Leafy Greens in Pittsburg to check on the fertilizers and pH solutions.
” They are diluted into the water and given to the plants throughout the day. The whole system is on an automated timer so it waters every couple of hours and the grow lights are turned on every couple of hours,” Weston said.
The plants are grown vertically. Submitted photo.
The students harvest twice a week and the two cafeterias serve them to the students at lunch.
They have been growing Monte Carlo Romaine and Swiss Chard for a few months.
“Mr. Eden, Officer Trim, and the custodians were taking care of the unit over the summer before I took it over with the botany/horticulture class. We also grow large-leaf basil, and oakleaf lettuce.”
“We are just now starting some experimental plants: eggplant, kale, marigolds, violas, onions, spinach, radishes, beets, and various lettuces.”
They are supplying to the school kitchen currently, but plan to branch out to other businesses soon.
Bourbon County, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Core Community Has New Liaison and A New Fall Farm Fest In the Works

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Deana Betts. Submitted photo.

There is a new community liaison with Core Community, a local helping organization that has a mission to engage the community to lift families out of poverty.

Deana Betts, the new Core Community Liasion, moved to Fort Scott this summer and began work with Core Community on July 8th.

Betts moved to the area after her husband accepted the pastor position at Lifetrack Church in Frontenac.

In discovering the organization and the opening for a liaison, she learned Core Community is a faith-based organization that helps people out of poverty.

“I liked that they are leading themselves out of poverty, with support. It’s more than just a class, it’s a pathway.”

The mission statement of the organization is “Engaging the community to lift families out of poverty.”

Classes for this second year of the organization in Bourbon County start on Tuesday, September 10 at the Nazarene Church, 1728 S. Horton Street with 16-17 people enrolled.

See their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/p/Core-Community-Bourbon-County

Betts explained the evening.

Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. will be a family-style meal provided by different organizations in the community. Following this, children will be directed to the childcare area with Angie Trim, the childcare coordinator and the people from last year’s classes will meet with the coach, Janice Lamb. The new class meets with teachers, Amy Harper and David Goodyear. The evening finishes at 7:30 p.m.

The first class graduated in May of this year.

Getting Ahead In A Just Get By World by Ruby Payne is the book that is worked through, in the 20-22 weeks of the classes.

Fall Festival

Larry and Vickie Shead have agreed to open the Shead Farm on Saturday, October 19 for a fundraiser for the Core Community organization. The farm has an annual community spring festival that has grown larger each year.

Vickie and Larry Shead, 2020, from her Facebook page.

“Our childcare coordinator Angie Trim helped the Sheads with their spring festival. I met with them and they said it’s the Lord’s farm. I asked them to pray about it, and they did and said yes,” she said.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the farm located at 2468 Calvalry Road, Garland, south of Fort Scott.

The cost is $5 per person, for families with over five members it’s $25 and there will be food, vendors, games, and raffles to entertain the family.

To learn more about Core Community or the Fall Fest, contact Betts at [email protected] or 785.488. 8411.

 

 

Art

Art Walk This Friday in Downtown Fort Scott

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A past art walk.
The Bourbon County Arts Council 10th  Annual Art Walk is this Friday, Sept. 6 at Crooner’s Restaurant from 5-8 p.m.
The purpose of the event is for local artists to showcase their work to the public and sell their art.
“The Art Walk is an event the BCAC loves to hold. It is a free relaxing evening the community can share with family and friends while viewing the outstanding Artwork in our area. You don’t have to travel a hundred miles to get quality pieces,” said Deb Anderson, spokeswoman for the group.
“They work so hard to develop this art,”  Anderson said. “We also want to expose the public to the outstanding artists we have in our area. This is also the public’s opportunity to perhaps purchase items for themselves or to give as gifts for family and friends, connect art with a story. Christmas is just around the corner!”
All the displayed art will be for sale, and the art walk is free to the public.
The artists this year are:
Lucy Gladbach & Marcy Haskell, Deerfield, Mo – Acrylic Paintings, Tie-Dye Clothing, Jewelry
Bobbi Kemna, Fort Scott – Pottery
Myrna Minnia, Leawood, Ks – Whimsical Witches
Carlee Shatto, Stilwell, Ks – Glass, Soaps
Daria Claiborne, Joplin, Mo – Pottery, Watercolor Cards, Totes with vintage accents
Kadra Nevitt, Fort Scott – Pastel
Brenda Hayes, Joplin, Mo – Mixed Media (Paintings, Fiber, Journals)
Dianne Miller, Joplin, Mo – Stained Glass and Fused Glass
Jim Miller, Joplin, Mo – Woodturning
The board of the organization:
Deb Halsey, Deb Anderson, Sheryl Bloomfield, Elaine Buerge, Terri Floyd, Steve Floyd, Trent Freeman, Lucy Gladbach, Kelly Nelson, Robin Whitlock