Tag Archives: featured

How to Save Money at the Gas Pump

March 16, 2022 Loretta George 1 Comment

Union Station at Uniontown has gas today at $3.79, the same price as Fort Scott gas stations.

Drivers are getting a lesson in how events around the nation and the world can have an impact on what they pay at the gas pump. Today’s U.S. national average cost per gallon is $4.30, in Fort Scott, it is $3.79 according to American Automobile Association (AAA) https://cluballiance.aaa.com/public-affairs/fuel-price-finder

According to the AAA fuel price finder above, in the Fort Scott gas station locations of 5 Corners, Pete’s and Casey’s all have gas today for $3.79 as well as Union Station in Uniontown.

Those who would like to save money at the pump have some vehicle driving tips to help them reach that goal.

A call to AAA, Topeka, resulted in the following tips from Shawn Martin, AAA Retail Sales Associate with additional tips from Consumer Reports:

Drive the speed limit. “Your driving habits can play a significant role in fuel economy, according to a Consumer Reports story https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-tank-of-gas-a2642110189/. Consumer Reports measured gas mileage while driving at a steady 55, 65, and 75 mph in a Nissan Altima and Toyota RAV4. They found that reducing speed from 65 mph to 55 mph improved fuel economy by 6 mpg in the Altima and 8 mpg in the RAV4. The penalty of cruising at 75 mph, rather than 65 mph, was almost 7 mpg in the Altima and 6 mpg in the RAV4. Higher speeds exact a toll on fuel consumption. Another way to look at it: Speeding up from 55 to 75 mph is like moving from a compact car to a large SUV. Beyond fuel concerns, speeding is, of course, a safety risk.

No sudden acceleration. “Avoid hard acceleration and braking whenever possible. In our tests, frequent bursts of acceleration and braking reduced an older Toyota Camry’s mileage by 2 to 3 mpg. Once up to speed, maintain a steady pace, according to the web article. “The harder you accelerate, the more fuel you use. Unnecessary braking wastes the fuel you used to get up to speed. Drive smoothly and anticipate the movement of traffic. Smooth acceleration, cornering, and braking also extend the life of the engine, transmission, brakes, and tires.”

Download an app that tells of the best prices for gas near your location.

Apps and websites such as https://www.gasbuddy.com/home or check out the AAA gas prices page online or use the AAA Mobile app if a member.

Additional fuel economy tips from Consumer Reports:

Keep at least a half-tank of fuel during cold winter months, and when there is a risk of shortages, say, due to a lack of gasoline delivery drivers to meet travel demands, or when a major storm is imminent. This tip also goes for holiday road trips, when roads can be congested and slow-moving. Having plenty of gas onboard can ease stress and give you more flexibility with when and where you fill up, according to Consumer Reports.

If you can minimize or combine errands or other activities, you will preserve the gas that you purchased and reduce overall consumption for the region, helping in some small way to reduce the gas scarcity.

Pay attention to aerodynamics. Remove roof racks when they are not being used. At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag.

Check your tire pressure. Tires lose about 1 psi a month. Having tires with lower pressure than what is recommended on the doorjamb sticker can affect performance, tire longevity, and fuel economy.

Using air conditioning does consume gas. In mild weather, if you can get by without it, even if you open the windows, it will give incremental savings. But once it gets hot, having AC on to cool the cabin and lower humidity is a wise investment in your comfort and ability to stay alert while driving.

According to Consumer Reports, if in the market for a more fuel-efficient car, HERE are Consumer Reports vehicles with the best MPG.

2022 Honda Insight
2022 Toyota Prius
2022 Hyundai Ioniq
2022 Hyundai Elantra
2022 Toyota Corolla
2022 Honda Accord
2022 Toyota Camry
2022 Hyundai Sonata
2022 Kia Niro
2022 Toyota Avalon”

Area News

Free Grant Writing Training Offered April 19 In Pittsburg

March 15, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

The Foundry is located in Block 22, Pittsburg, Ks. from its Facebook page.

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is offering a grant writing training workshop to SEK area non-profits which include 501 3c organizations as well as government, religious and educational institutions.

The training event will take place on Tuesday, April 19 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at The Foundry meeting room, located in Block 22, 402 N. Broadway in Pittsburg.

CFSEK is partnering with The Center of Community Supports at Greenbush Education Service Center to offer this workshop at no cost to the SEK community, according to a press release from the community foundation.

Sherri Stephens is the CFSEK Program Director. Submitted photo.

“Grant writing is one of the services of our foundation,” Sherri Stephens, CFSEK Program Coordinator, said. “We hope this training of writing a grant proposal will make it easier.”

Monica Murnan, Greenbush Director of Community Support Services, will share information on organizational readiness, proposal development, needs assessments, budgeting, and managing funded projects.

Monica Murnan. Photo credit: KLC Journal.

Murnan has a 25-year history of successful grant writing and management in the areas of community-based services, health care access, collaborative early childhood projects, and education-based programs for kids and families, according to the press release.

CFSEK staff will share some CFSEK grant-specific information as well.

Learn some “must do” and “please don’t” strategies along with some organizational tips for gaining funds for your organization/entity’s work, according to the press release.

To register https://southeastkansas.org/grant-writing-april-2022/?fbclid=IwAR1nRJ918afK5BCocJYga6k4ELsY49xko2XGG_t1BMhFUBqaWOGFdkCBlmY

Email [email protected] with any questions.

Fort Scott, Youth

Joshua Kobernat: New Keyhole Ministry Director

March 14, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Joshua Kobernat, 19, is the new director of the Keyhole Ministry, 1002 S. Main Street, Fort Scott.

“The ministry provides the community a safe space for youth from 6th to 12th grade to hang out,” Kobertnat said. “The Keyhole has video games, TV, board games, puzzles, a basketball court, and concessions.”

They have special gatherings as well.

“Our next event will be a St. Patrick’s day party on March 17,” Kobernat said. “We’ll be giving out free food and playing games to win prizes. We also hope to start up a weekly Bible study in April.”

Kobernat graduated high school in 2020 and took a year of Bible college at Heartland Baptist Bible College, Oklahoma City, OK.

He is the oldest of ten children of Dan and Amy Kobernat.

“They serve the community through Bethel Community Baptist Church and Christian Learning Center,” he said.

He also is a member of Bethel Community Baptist Church, whose members provide the community with the Living Nativity and other Christmas events and also offers the Reformers Unanimous ministry for those who are struggling with addictions.

He has served with assisting his church’s Vacation Bible School and taught Sunday School classes.

Kobernat started on March 2.

“The majority of my job involves overseeing the students that come in, as well as scheduling and preparing for events,” he said.

“I have always loved working with the youth,” Kobernat said. “I think that the Keyhole is a unique establishment through which these students can be themselves and I am blessed to play a small role in their lives.”

The facility is located across from Fort Scott High School at 1002 S. Main. The phone number is 620-223-4700.

The current board members of the Keyhole are Amber Goodbody,

Ryan Goodbody, Emily Diebolt, Judy Hood and Marge Madison.

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum, History

“The Learning Tree” Trail Project Selected For National Humanities Alliance Foundation Initiative

March 11, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Kirk Sharp is the director of the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Submitted photo

The Gordon Parks Museum has become a part of a National Humanities Alliance Foundation’s initiative, Fort Scott’s Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp told the Chamber members attending last week’s coffee.

The National Humanities Alliance (NHA) is a nationwide coalition of organizations advocating for the humanities on campuses, in communities, and in Washington D.C., which was founded in 1981.

“We received word on January 10^th that The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail is being considered to be selected and would make a compelling profile on the NEH for All (NHA’s initiative) website,” Sharp said in an interview with fortscott.biz. “Further discussion soon followed.”

To learn more about The National Humanities Alliance Foundation’s initiative, NEH for All, view the profile website https://nehforall.org/projects/gordon-parks-fort-scott.

“This means everything to the museum, as this is an excellent opportunity to help further our outreach of this project nationwide and to keep the legacy of The Learning Tree film and Gordon Parks alive,” Sharp said. “This will also help tremendously to bring more visitors from across the nation, to not only to visit the trail and the Gordon Parks Museum but to spend time in Fort Scott and possibly visit other great attractions within our community.”

“The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail project is just one of six profiles selected in the state of Kansas and is one of the 260 profiles thus far, selected nationwide, that the (organization) spotlights as exemplary projects,” he said. “We are very honored, thankful, and thrilled that the National Humanities Alliance Foundation selected our Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail as one of the spotlight projects across the nation.”

“With funding from Humanities Kansas, the state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Gordon Parks Museum set out in 2019 to create The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail. Based on Gordon Parks’ semi-autobiographical novel about growing up in Fort Scott, The Learning Tree was also the first major motion picture directed by an African American. This historic sign trail celebrates Parks and commemorates the filming of The Learning Tree in the city,” according to the website.

Fort Scott, Schools

Gugnani Earns a Perfect ACT Score

March 10, 2022 Loretta George 1 Comment

A Fort Scott High School senior has scored a perfect score of 36 on the American College Test. The test is a standardized one used for college admissions in the United States.

Shekhar Gugnani, 18, took the ACT in February of 2021.

“Shekhar is the first student in Fort Scott High School history to achieve a perfect score of 36 on the ACT,” Fort Scott High SchoolJr. and Sr. Counselor Josh Messer said. “He has also taken one of the most rigorous course loads possible while in high school. He has taken numerous classes through Fort Scott Community College during his high school career.”

“Shekhar is also a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, Messer said. “This distinction is based on his scores on the PSAT test he took as a Junior. To be a finalist, he is in the top 7,500 of students to take the test in the nation. He will find out if he is a National Merit Scholarship recipient later this month.”

He is the son of Sonia and Dr. P.K. Gugnani.

The following is from a fortscott.biz interview with Gugnani:

What did you do to prepare for the ACT?

“It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I started taking a lot of practice tests, focusing more on evaluating my weaknesses and trying to increase my score. After taking a practice test, I would sit down, look at what I missed, and then try to learn the concepts so I wouldn’t miss a similar question. It took a lot of rigorous training and holding myself accountable for every mistake, but in the end, it was all worth it.”

Did you take it more than once?

“Yeah. The first time I took it in high school was as a junior in October 2020, and I scored a 34. I retook the test in February of the following year (2021) because the test was free for all juniors. That was the test that I scored a perfect 36 on.”

What are your future plans?

“I’m still weighing my options on what college I plan to attend, but I know that I want to pursue a career as a doctor. I hope to one day gain admission into medical school, complete residency, and settle down to practice medicine.”

Are there people who have helped you attain this honor?

“Absolutely. I would say my primary influences were definitely my parents since they always pushed me to be the best version of myself. They motivated me to take practice tests, and sometimes they even helped me find my errors or come up with strategies to pace myself on the test (since it is timed). My teachers were also really influential, specifically my previous AP Calculus teacher, Jeff Armstrong. He was always willing to lend a hand wherever he could, and a lot of his trigonometry lessons helped greatly on the exam. I’d also like to thank my brothers, Neil and Raj, as well as my close friends, for always providing moral support throughout all of my endeavors.”

When will you find out about the National Merit Scholarship?

“I was already named one of 15,000 finalists in the program in February; starting this month, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will designate about half of those people as scholarship winners, receiving $2,500 each. Being a finalist, some colleges will offer their own scholarships just for attaining this status.”

What will that mean to you?

“Regardless of the scholarship, being a finalist is a huge honor to me. It not only solidifies my name in this exemplary academic program, but it gives me a sense of accomplishment, knowing that my hard work has paid off. I came from a small but mighty town, and together with those around me, I was able to rise up and achieve national recognition.”

Bourbon County, Business, Food

Freedom Farm Is Working Towards Agri-Tourism and Collaborations

March 9, 2022 Loretta George 1 Comment

Kylene and Gary Palmer with their family. Submitted photo.

As a family unit, Kylene and Gary Palmer and their daughters, are in the process of turning their farm near Fort Scott into a business model that is a resource for consumers and producers.

Many of the plans on Freedom Farm are “projects in motion”, said Kylene.

“We haven’t ‘arrived’ yet, she said, but they do have thoughtful plans and projects that they are currently seeking grants to build.

“We want to build a resource and outlet for local farmers that have sustainable practices to sell straight to consumers,” she said.” We are working on formulating the structure for a co-op that is both beneficial to the consumer and producer.”

“We are constructing a central hub at our farm to host farm tours, educational programs, a small market for local farmers and a certified kitchen as a resource for farmers, among other things,” Palmer said.

“We are super excited about the grant we received from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team,” she said. “We plan to use those funds to build a freezer/cooler in order to have space to ramp up production of our meat and eggs.”

They have dreams of a small, by appointment only, on-farm restaurant.

“The idea there is less about a restaurant and more about connecting consumers to local farmers,” she said. “We would love to have guest chefs from our local community and surrounding areas to keep things new and exciting and really make it a community offering.”

Agricultural bus tours are on the horizon for Freedom Farms.

“We have been doing much building and property maintenance to work towards that goal of hosting agriculture bus tours as one of the stops here in Bourbon County,” she said. “We are signed up for the Big Kansas Road trip in May for anyone wanting to stop by and visit or ask questions.”

“One of the many ways the certified kitchen would be put into use would be to offer on-farm lunch to the bus tour participants,” she said. “We would love to work together with local farms to achieve that goal.”

Currently, Freedom Farm produces and sells eggs, pastured poultry, lamb, and a minimal amount of goat.

Chickens at Freedom Farms. Submitted photos.

“It is a family affair, ” she said. “I do most of the day-to-day chores along with help from our children. My eldest daughter has started her own lamb herd and another daughter is in the beginning stages of growing her goat herd. Gary oversees the planning and marketing and is involved every day after work hours. Everyone is involved at many different levels and we hope to employ others as we grow.”

Business, Fort Scott

Dancers Purchase Downtown Scottish Rite Temple

March 8, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

The exterior photo of the Scottish Rite building from 1926 shows storefronts on the ground floor. Submitted photo.

Tracy and Kathy Dancer, Fort Scott, have purchased the

Scottish Rite Temple at 110 South Main.

The couple is investing in the historic downtown building to make it an asset to the community once again, she said.

“We see this as an opportunity to invest in Fort Scott and repurpose a historic building,” Kathy said. “The building has been dormant since 2014 and there has been no maintenance or activity in the building since it was sold by the Scottish Rite.”

They purchased the building from the Bourbon County Commission property tax auction that was conducted in January.

“Currently, we plan on providing micro-retail spaces for small retail businesses,” she said. “Micro-retail spaces are a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs to have a retail space without committing to a large store or the overhead associated with a stand-alone storefront.”

“The building will also support pop-up shops and small seasonal stores,” Kathy said. “We have had many community members also ask us to consider a cafe or pie pantry so we are considering incorporating those into the space as well. Ideally, we will be able to use the theater for events and as a rentable venue in the future.”

Currently, they are not seeking grants to help with the project.

“If grant funding becomes available that is a good fit for the space and the community, we would consider applying but at this time we have not applied for anything and our plan does not rely on grant money.”

“Right now our initial plans are to restore utilities and water service
so we can better assess the condition of the building and mechanical systems,” she said. “Once electricity and water are in place, we can begin to better evaluate the interior and formalize plans to repurpose the ground floor space.”

“The building is part of the historic downtown district so we will be applying to the State Historic Preservation Office for their approval of restoration and renovation plans before we can begin work,” she said.

The theater is on the second floor of the Scottish Rite Temple. Submitted photo.

History of the Building

“The building was constructed by the Scottish Rite Valley of Fort Scott and was completed in 1926,” she said. “The building hosted meetings for the fraternal organization as well as community events. There was a dining hall on the ground floor and a large theater on the second floor. The building still has many original features in the theater and lobby area as well as the original air chest pipe organ.”

The Scottish Rite theater lobby with original pillars. Submitted photo.

“If anyone would like to follow our progress and plans, we will be posting updates on our social media on Facebook and Instagram at @110SouthMainFortScott,” she said

Bourbon County, Business

Lassoed Memories Opens New Studio:Grand Opening March 12

March 7, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Lassoed Memories-Erica George Photography is located at 116 S. Main. Submitted photo.

Erika George, 26, owner of Lassoed Memories – Erika George Photography has opened a new studio in downtown Fort Scott.

She started her business in 2016 and provides portraits, family photos, headshots, children, newborns, boudoir, Western lifestyle, and weddings photo sessions.

She chose the new location for her business, at 116 S. Main because of the ambiance.

“It is the old Common Ground Coffee Company and the old Hound Nutrition location,” she said. “I loved all of the different walls and aspects of the building. There is lots of room for different types of sessions within the area.”

George will be hosting a grand opening at the studio on March 12 from 2-4:30 p.m.

As a part of her grand opening, she will be offering $30 mini-sessions, local vendor shopping booths, and giveaways, she said.

“I love to connect with other people and capture memories that they can hold onto forever,” she said. “I especially love kid’s sessions and to interact with all of the different ages! I meet all different types of people and get to interact with all ages through many steps of life and love every minute of it!”

To contact George, phone: 620-381-4783 her Facebook page: Erika George Photography or by email: [email protected]

Bourbon County, Church news, Food, Fort Scott

Knights of Columbus Annual Friday Fish Fry Starts Today

March 4, 2022 Loretta George 1 Comment

The men of Knights of Columbus Council #796 serve the Lenten meal in February 2020.

The Knights of Columbus will host their annual Lenten Fish Fry each Friday starting today.

The March 4th & 11th meals will be drive-thru only.

“The first two (Friday meals) will be a practice run since we only did two last year,” Mark McCoy, spokesman for the group said. The COVID 19 Pandemic prevented more meals served.

The drive-thru starts at 5 pm and serves until 6:30 pm.

The ladies of Mary Queen of Angel parish bake wonderful desserts and many varieties of cakes, pies, and cookies will be offered.

A row of homemade desserts are offered at the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2020.

The menu is:

1 – Catfish, French fries, and coleslaw

2 – Catfish, cod, French fries, and coleslaw

3 – Cod, French fries, and coleslaw

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Government, Health Care

CHC/SEK Update: $8 million Reno Has Begun

March 4, 2022 Submitted Story 1 Comment

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has begun the renovation of the old Price Chopper store at 2322 S. Main, which will be fully operational by December 31, 2022.

“We have completed the interior design of our new clinic in the Price Chopper building and renovation started,” CHC/SEK Cheif Executive Officer Krista Postai, said.

Krista Postai, President and CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Submitted photo.

A graphic floor plan of the new CHC/SEK Fort Scott Clinic. Submitted.

Postai sent a graphic on the reconfigured building and explained the color designations.

In the above graphic the entrance is shaded pink, with the CHC Walk-In Care area in the space where the Price Chopper Donut Shop was, she said. Walk-In Care has its own entrance and waiting area.

Behind the walk-in area is the Wellness Center, which will have offices for staff including a chiropractor.

“That space will also have a shower,” Postai said. “Walk-In staff will also be able to exit the building for drive-in testing and vaccinations with dedicated parking for this purpose, should it still be needed in the future.”

“The main entrance will remain where it currently is with a spacious waiting area with a receptionist and check-in area,” Postai said. “The lab (blue shaded area on the graphic) is immediately inside next to the entrance for those coming in just for lab work.”

“The yellow space will be dedicated to the imaging ( department), including our new 64-slice CT Scanner, 3-D mammography, ultrasound and x-ray,” Postai said. “Our bone density unit will also be housed here. Centrally located it will be easily accessible from Walk-In Care, as well as the main medical clinic, which is the lighter purple shaded area in the graphic. This portion is laid out in pods with exam rooms plus a nursing station for each. There is space for current staff, plus extra pods have been created for the recruitment of additional medical providers.”

The pharmacy (at the bottom) – will have a large space for over-the-counter items and a drive-through. It will be accessible from the lobby and from an exterior entrance.

“The green area off the lobby will be dedicated to behavioral health services and the blue area behind that for telemedicine/specialty services.”

“To the far right (in light blue) is the back of the building which includes the staff entrance, break room, administrative offices, conference and classrooms, which will be available to Fort Scott Community College Nursing Students, and storage space,” she said.

“While this is our design, it may be modified as we go if we encounter something unexpected which almost always happens during renovation,” Postai said.

The renovation of the building is still on schedule and is expected to be fully operational by December 31, 2022, she said.

“The estimated cost of the project is $8 million, including the building, which CHC/SEK is funding itself,” Postai said. “A portion of the equipment has been purchased with American Rescue Act funds which CHC/SEK received in 2021. This is the single largest investment in our history which we feel is critical to adequately handle the needs of our Bourbon County patients.”

The new clinic will be in the former Price Chopper building that left the building empty after a year’s business in Fort Scott failed to produce the income needed to sustain it.

FORT SCOTT PRICE CHOPPER TO CLOSE DOORS

The Price Chopper building, 2322 S. Main.

Renovation began Feb. 2022 on the future CHC/SEK Fort Scott Clinic in the former Price Chopper building on South Main Street.

On Feb. 23 there were several work crews inside the building at 2322 S. Main.

Jason Nutter, president of Nutter Electric, one of the crews, said his workers were “doing some demo work. Some electric stuff is being disconnected in preparation for walls being built.”

He said his crew will be there for approximately two weeks.

Others working simultaneously are framers, plumber and heating/ventilation/airconditioning crews, he said.

All together Nutter estimated about 16 people were working inside the building that day.

Wound Care Clinic Will Open In March

“The Wound Care Clinic is opening later this month in Ft. Scott,” Postai said. “We are pleased we could bring this service back.”

The current location of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.

About CHC/SEK Fort Scott

CHC/SEK Fort Scott provides healthcare to anyone, regardless of their insurance or financial circumstance, according to information received from CHC.

In 2021 they had 71,000 patient visits in their Fort Scott clinics, have provided 1,400 mammograms, filled 57,700 prescriptions, given 8,769 COVID-19 tests and 7,972 COVID-19 vaccines.

They are investing $8 million dollars to create a modern clinic for everyone in Fort Scott.

More than 100 people are employed who live and work in Bourbon County, and have invested $6.3 million in the community in 2021.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Housing, Jobs

Labor/Housing and Retail Studies To Be Conducted By Bourbon County Eco Devo

March 3, 2022 Loretta George 4 Comments

Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

There is a shortage of workers and also quality housing in the county.

The Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) organization is working to address that problem.

The Landmark National Bank houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. It is located at 200 S. Main, Fort Scott.

“We are conducting a labor and housing study that will be used to help create programs that will allow REDI to help our current employers and the communities within Bourbon County to attract people,” Robert Harrington, director of REDI said.

“We know that there is a shortage of workers and quality housing within our county,” he said. “We are hopeful that after these reports are published we will get a lot of information that we can use to help find solutions for both issues.”

Looking for Retailers That are Needed

REDI is also facilitating a retail survey at the same time.

“We will use (this study) to help give us an idea of what new retailers the citizens of Bourbon County would like to see and the information we would need to attract such retailers,” he said.

The retail survey can be viewed at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QNFYCH3

REDI Consultants Conduct Interviews, Send Surveys

REDI recently hired Goldstone Consulting, Moberly, Missouri, and O’Brian and Associates, Joplin, Missouri, who will be conducting the interviews and putting together the studies after they accumulate all of the information, he said.

“They will also be giving the REDI Board a strategic plan based on the data we receive,” he said REDI is paying for the study

“The consultants that we hired will be conducting interviews with several of our business owners in the upcoming months as well as surveys being sent out to Chamber members and citizens across the county,” Harrington said.

“We are also hopeful that we will be able to send these same surveys out to students in the two high schools and the community college so that we can get a perspective of our younger generation on their needs and wants as well as hopefully entice them to stay and live and work here at home,” he said.

“The studies are being paid for by Bourbon County REDI and the results will be given to my board of directors by August of this year,” he said.

Art, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Young Mom Turns Creative Outlet into Business

March 2, 2022 Loretta George Leave a comment

Genna Gilbert, 23, is a stay-at-home mom who is turning a creative outlet, arts and crafts, into a business to benefit herself and her family.

The business is called Made With Love by Genna.

She started doing artwork at 16-years-old to “get away from reality,” Gilbert said. “Painting/crafting helped me escape and get away from all the negativity that was going on in my life at the time.”

Then people started noticing her art and asking her to do some painting for them.

That began the process of selling her work. This year she made it an official business, she said.

She paints on metal, resin, glass, clay, and wood, creating items from earrings, drinking cups to windows. “A lot of things, custom artwork,” she said.

She does most of her work at her dining room table, with her husband Dante assisting her with paperwork and “cutting wood,” she said.

In the near future, she is hoping to put items online and in addition, have painting sessions for children and adults.

To contact her see her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MadeWithLoveByGenna or email her at [email protected]

Fort Scott Biz