Bourbon County Arts Council’s annual art walk is seeking artists to display their work.
The annual art walk is on June 25 from 5-8 p.m. at the Liberty Theater/Crooners Lounge patio 113 S. Main Street.
“Items sold must be creative, original pieces, no national companies,” said Deb Anderson, spokesperson. “Artists are responsible for their own display needs and setup.”
The BCAC Wine Stroll in 2017
The mission of the council is: To foster, promote and increase the knowledge, appreciation, and practice of the arts.
The cost to display/sell their art is $15 for non-member of the council, free to council members.
Food and drink for the art walk is available to purchase from Crooner’s Restaurant.
In the event of inclement weather the event would be canceled, Anderson said.
For more information contact Anderson at [email protected] or 224-8650 or Terri Floyd at 224-7221.
Current members of the council are Anderson, Floyd, Cindy Bartelsmeyer, Elaine Buerge, Bre Eden, Steve Floyd, Deb Halsey, Laura Meeks, Linda Noll, Tedena Tucker, and Chris Woods.
“The Legend of Mulan” production will be featured on May 28 and 29 at Fort Scott High School. This is the first “normal” drama production of the school year, according to FSHS Drama Teacher Angie Bin.
The playwright, Kathryn Schultz Miller describes the show as an epic journey over mountains, rivers, through hills and valleys of fear and courage and human emotions of a girl who wants to make her mark and leave the world a better place, according to Bin in a press release.
Angie Bin from her Facebook page.
For two weeks, 40 students, first through ninth grade, have spent preparing for the production.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on May 28 and 2 p.m. on May 29 at the
Fort Scott High School Auditorium.
The character of Mulan is played by 8th grader Ashley Cannon. Other notable characters include Captain Cheng, portrayed by freshman Mykael Lewis; Pika the Rabbit played by 6th grader Abel Chaplin and 7th grader Chrislen Newman; Imoogi the Dragon played by 7th graders Izzy Budd and Ana Rupprecht; and Momo, the Emperor’s Assistant, played by freshman Kaiden Clary, according to the press release.
The camp and show are directed entirely by FSHS Thespians.
FSHS Senior Christina King is the director, assisted by sophomore Regen Wells who also serves as stage manager and choreographer Kinsley Davis, a junior.
Technical staff include sophomore Lexi Hill – lighting designer, senior Khris Patel – sound designer, senior Breena Cox – music
director, sophomore Silvia Moreno – props and set designer, and junior Izzy Carreno – music operator. Many other Thespians serve as acting coaches and leaders.
Adults are $8 and children are $6. There may be tickets available for purchase at the door, but seating is limited. Masks and social distancing are required. Doors open 30
minutes prior to showtime.
About Drama Camp
Campers learn all aspects of performing. From Facebook.
Teacher Angie Bin started Tiger Drama Camp in 2014 as a way to teach younger children about the art of theatre both on the stage and behind the scenes.
“Several years ago we decided to expand the camp into a full production,” she said. “The first week is focused on introducing students to ways to use their bodies and voices on stage and how to design the technical elements of the theatre such as lighting, sound, costuming, make-up, and set design. The second week is focused on technical and dress rehearsals to prepare for the public performances.
“The camp is led by high school drama students who also utilize the production as a fundraiser to assist them in traveling to the Kansas State and International Thespian festivals or Broadway Tours in New York City,” Bin said.
“We have found that holding drama camp at the end of May is ideal as it does not interfere with other recreational activities or high school camps,” she said. “It also allows our high school drama students to begin designing the set and costuming before the school year ends. It is a great way for the students to jump-start their summer activities.”
The COVID-19 Pandemic affected how Bin taught drama students.
“We were initially set to produce ‘The Legend of Mulan’ last summer, but were unable to due to the pandemic,” she said. “Our performances this year have been very different from our normal production year.”
“We decided to shift our musical from the fall to the spring this year and were unable to hold our annual children’s Christmas show,” Bin said. “Our fall production was ‘The Monologue Show (from Hell)’ which allowed our students to rehearse in small numbers and as students were quarantined, they were able to still participate by video or through Zoom.”
“Instead of mounting a full-scale musical in the spring, we opted for a musical revue with individual solos and small group numbers and performed it in conjunction with our annual ‘Royal-Tea Party.’ ‘The Legend of Mulan’ will be our most normal production of the year, although students and audience members will still be masked.”
Upcoming FSHS Drama Events:
FSHS Musical Auditions – Aug. 30 – 31 at 7 p.m.
Ranked the Musical – Nov. 9, 11, 13 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.
Children’s Christmas show auditions: Nov. 15 – 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Children’s Christmas show performances: Dec. 10- 11 at 7 p.m., Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.
Voters at Bourbon County Clerk’s Office in a prior election…
Next Tuesday, June 1, is the last day for candidates to file for the upcoming Bourbon County elections. The deadline is noon.
“We have the paperwork for anyone wanting to file,” Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk said.
As of May 25, the following have filed to run:
For the Fort Scott City Commission – Matthew Wells and Michael Hoyt.
For the Bronson City Council – Clearsia Botts.
For Uniontown Mayor – Bill Marlow.
For Redfield Mayor – Wilma K. Graham.
For Redfield City Council – Kirby Martin and Michael Beerbower.
For Mapleton Mayor – Ronald B. Burton Jr.
For Mapleton City Council – Mike Blevins and Homer Wisdom.
For USD 234 Position #4 – David Stewart
For USD 235 Position #6 – Tyler J. Martin
For FSCC Board of Trustees- John Bartelsmeyer and Bill Meyer.
The following is information for the 2021 Bourbon County Election and the positions up for election supplied by the county clerk.
All the filing deadlines, for each entity, is noon June 1st, 2021.
The filing location is the Bourbon County Clerk office, 210 S. National, Fort Scott.
The General Election will be on November 2, 2021.
In the city of Fort Scott, there are three city commission members, two of which are for four-year terms and one for two years. The filing fee is $20 or petition signed by not less than 25 qualified electors of Fort Scott and state filing fee of $50.
If more than 9 qualified candidates file there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
Up for election in Bronson is the mayor position and two council members, all four-year terms. There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 10 qualified electors of Bronson for Bronson.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for Mayor or more than 6 qualified candidates file for Council, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
Those positions up for election in Fulton are the mayor and five council members, all four-year terms.
The filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 5 qualified electors of Fulton.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for mayor or more than 15 qualified candidates file for council then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For Uniontown and Redfield the positions of mayor and two council members are up for election, all four-year terms. There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 20 (10%) of qualified electors of Uniontown for Uniontown.
A petition signed by no less than 10 qualified electors of Redfield for Redfield.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for mayor or more than 6 qualified candidates file for council, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For Mapleton, the mayor and two council members are up for election, all four-year terms.
There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 2 qualified electors of Mapleton for Mapleton.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for Mayor or more than 6 qualified candidates file for council, then there will be a Primary on
For the Southwind Extension District, there are 2 positions, both for four-year terms. There is a filing fee of $20.
For the Fort Scott School District, there are three positions, all for four-year terms.
The filing fee is $20 or a petition signed by no less than 50 qualified signatures of registered voters in the position for the USD #234 District.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for any one position, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For the Uniontown School District, there are three positions, all four-year terms.
There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 50 qualified signatures of registered voters in the position for the USD #235 District.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for any one position, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For Fort Scott Community College there are three positions, all four-year terms. The filing fee is $20.
If more than 9 qualified candidates file there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
Any person wishing to file for any office must be a qualified elector of the corresponding city or school district.
If filing by petition, the petition must be turned in within 180 days after the first signature was collected, but no later than noon on June 1st, 2021.
On June 26, a new sport will be added to the offering at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.
A roller skating rink will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, in the small gym at the center.
The cost will be $3 if one owns their own skates and $5 if skates need to be rented, according to Fort Scott Mayor Josh Jones.
“It was (Fort Scott Commissioner) Pete Allen’s idea,” Jones said. “The sponsor’s are the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Community Foundation awarded a grant for (purchasing) the skates”
“I think it’s great we are trying something new for the kids,” Fort Scott Recreation Commission Director and Buck Run Community Center Manager Tom Robertson said. “To bring back roller skating to Fort Scott is an awesome thing.”
The recreation center is providing staff for the skating rink.
There will be staff to check people in and those to hand out skates, and additionally a safety person on the floor “to help those who fall and for help following the safety rules,” Robertson said.
While aimed at the youth of the city, there might be older residents who would like to try the sport again for nostalgic reasons, Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier said.
“Any additional options we can offer the community, make it more attractive,” he said.
“I think we can occasionally step in and partner with another entity such as the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation,” Frazier said.
“A lot of people have worked on bringing this to the community,” he said. “A lot of credit goes to Ally Turvey (Fort Scott’s Community Development Director.)”
“We have a pool, parks, a golf course…I think we are serving our community through these,” Frazier said.
Submitted photo. Jose Montanez creates a special haircut.
The Fort Scott Barber Shop will have an open house on Tuesday, May 25 at 9 a.m.
“We are ready to roll,” owner Jose Montanez said.
“There will be a drawing for free haircuts and shaves.,” he said.
“We also have vouchers ready to give to the city manager for all city personnel including police, EMT’s and firemen,” he said. “Free haircuts and shaves for 120 people.”
Jose Montanez is the owner of the shop and the other two barbers are his children: his daughter, Jaylisha Montanez, and son, Giancarlo Montanez.
His wife Mayra does bookkeeping for the business “and everything else,” Jose said.
The family has had a barbershop in Overland Park, Kansas for 20 years.
“Jose won an award for best barbershop in the midwest and the Trailblazer Award of Kansas City,” she said. “Jose started training other barbers.”
The barbershop specializes in straight razors, which give a clean, direct shave to the face, Mayra Montanez said.
Mac Stoughton has a plan is to open an axe bar/ throw house, at 212 East First Street, behind Doctor Patterson’s office.
Mac Stoughton. Submitted photo.
“As of now, we are planning to open around the end of June beginning of July,” he said. “We will have available two double lanes and four single lanes and also a knife lane.”
“There are no age requirements as long as there is a parent or guardian present,” Stoughton said. “We had a 12-year-old on our team that destroys most men, Ella Campbell. If you are over 18, you’re good to go.”
“We are planning to operate from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and Monday and Tuesday will be league night,” he said. “Saturday and Sunday we will open from 1 p.m. to midnight, as of right now. Depending on how many sign up for a league.”
“We will be doing a weekly league that will consist of seven weeks of gameplay and on week eight, a tournament,” Stoughton said. “To see who has what it takes to be number one!”
“The leagues will consist of a standard hatchet, hatchet duals, big axe, and knife throwing,” he said.
“The cost will be $20 per person per hour, 12 and under $15 per hour per person,” he said. “I’ll have a group rate upon request and also private parties available.”
“Walk-in customers will be able to experience the zin of slinging steel and if you have never thrown…. no worries we can teach you,” Stoughton said.
“We have thrown with the best in the world,” he said. ” When you arrive at M’axe you get to pick a lane and we will coach you and get you started on how to throw.”
“We want to make everyone’s experience fun!” Stoughton said. “The sport of ax throwing goes way further than just the competition… this sport instills sportsmanship and is not just for the athletic or talented …. this sport is anyone’s and almost all ages.”
“If you can score high enough to rise to the top, you could have the opportunity to go to the ax-throwing U.S. open or the world finals (competitions). “I have been to 2020 world finals and the 2021 U.S. open, and man what an experience!”
” Axe throwing is new and it can be dangerous,” he said. “It’s part of the beauty of the sport. So… throw better!”
A bullseye landing for this axe thrower. Submitted photo.
USD 234 has a slate of personnel retirements this school year which ended May 13, an unprecedented year in education because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The following teachers responded to an email request to feature them on fortscott.biz.
Kyle Parks. Submitted photo.
Kyle Parks was the Fort Scott High School Agriculture Instructor
from 1983-2021.
“My entire career was at FSHS,” Parks said. “I truly enjoyed working with youth that had ties or interest in the agriculture field. They are more mature, responsible and just a blast to be with compared to the non-ag students. I also enjoyed the teachers and admins at the high school. They are a great bunch to work with.”
For Parks, the last year with the COVID-19 Pandemic has been a challenge.
“The Covid and Zoom (classes) and other newer technology was a struggle for me,” he said.
RoAnn Eden. Submitted photo.
RoAnn Blake has been a third-grade classroom teacher at both Winfield Scott and Eugene Ware Elementary Schools in Fort Scott from 2008 until 2021.
“The best part of teaching was seeing the students every day and sharing with them in their successes,” she said.
*The most challenging was making sure each student’s needs were met, even with all the bumps in their paths.”
Sondra Ruhl. Submitted photo.
Sondra Ruhl taught Special Education at Eugene Ware Elementary School from 2012-2021.
“In 1987, I worked as a paraeducator at Winfield Scott Elementary School for 12 years,” she said. “Then I moved to the high school where I worked for three years. I then went back to college and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I was hired in Missouri and taught Special Education for eight years while getting my Masters Degree in Special Education Teaching. In 2012, I was hired to teach Special Education at Eugene Ware where I have been for the last 9 years.”
“The best part of teaching is seeing my students have that ‘Aha’ moment when they were finally able to understand a concept that used to be hard for them,” Ruhl said.
“The most challenging part of teaching is all of the paperwork that goes with teaching special education,” she said. “This year has been the biggest struggle with Zoom meetings and the challenges that came with COVID teaching.”
Donna Davis. Submitted photo.
Donna Davis has been a special educator at Winfield Scott Elementary School from 1995 to 2021.
“I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University in psychology/special education in 1982,” she said. “I began teaching special education grades K-2 in Missouri from 1982 to 1995. I received my master’s degree in early childhood special education from Pittsburg State University in 1994. I came to Fort Scott in 1995 to teach the special education preschool and finished my teaching career as the first-grade special education teacher at the end of this 2020-21 school year.”
For Wilson, the best part of teaching has always been the children. “Watching them learn and grow has given me great joy throughout the years. I have always loved my job and I will truly miss it!”
A challenge has been teaching during the pandemic, she said.
“Missing out on the end of the 2019-20 school year was very difficult for both the students and teachers.”
Martha Clements. Submitted photo.
Martha Clements was the 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
from 1989-2021.
“I have taught all 32 years as an FSMS 7th-grade social studies teacher,” she said.
“The best part of teaching for me was being able to share with my students a subject I had been excited about since I was their age,” Clements said.
“Teaching was the challenge I pursued and I have truly enjoyed that challenge.”
Ronda Peterson. Submitted photo.
Ronda Peterson has taught for 36 years.
She taught eighth-grade math for 19 years (2002-2021),
5th grade for three years (1998-2002), and 4th grade for 14 years (1985-1998).
“The best part of teaching was being around kids,” she said. “They are so full of energy! I loved it when I saw student’s eyes light up when they realized they grasped the concept. I also enjoyed watching students helping their friends understand different concepts.”
“Teaching is a profession where students learn but those working with children also learn. I have a greater appreciation for the saying, ‘You learn something new every day.’ I hope I continue to learn something new every day in my retirement. My colleagues also made going to work one of the best parts of teaching!”
This school year has been a challenge for many teachers.
Not only did teachers have to learn to teach distance learners through Zoom meetings and the troubles that go along with loss of internet or connections to students, we were also to continue to have live in-class learning. There was a lot of struggling with this type of learning and we had to adapt sometimes several times a day.”
“There was a lot of new technology we were forced into mastering, whether we wanted to or not. Wearing masks 100% of the time was difficult at best. Many times, we had to remind students to pull their masks up, even though we did not want to wear masks either. Trying to socially distance 14-year-olds is a task many people would find impossible to do.”
“I am sure I will miss teaching….the students, the colleagues, the field trips, the good times. But I am thinking I am going to enjoy retirement….time with family and time to relax.”
Patty Giltner. Submitted photo.
Patty Giltner was the 7th grade English Language Arts teacher 6th-8th grade English as a Second Language teacher at Fort Scott Middle School from 1995 until 2021.
” I have been teaching in Fort Scott for 26 years,” Giltner said. “Prior to that, I was employed by Tri-County Special Education and worked as a para-educator in Fredonia schools for 13 years.”
“One of the best things about teaching was having the opportunity to spend my days teaching and building relationships with all of my students over the years,” she said.
“One challenge of teaching was making sure I provided the best possible learning experiences for all of my students while meeting their individual needs.”
At the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner on April 29, the City of Fort Scott honored Craig Campbell with the Mayor’s Citizenship Award.
Mayor Josh Jones thanked Campbell for the many volunteer hours he has given the community and his willingness to help others, in presenting the award to Campbell.
“Fort Scott is a better place to live, work and play because of you,” Jones said. “You are the definition of what a public servant is!”
Campbell is a Fort Scott native and has worked for Mercy Health Systems for 21 years, according to a press release from Jones. The first 15 years he served as the director of the hospital pharmacy. The last six years as the Mercy Pharmacy Performance Improvement Director for 35 hospitals and 27 retail pharmacies. He will retire from Mercy on June 30th, 2021.
Campbell has been involved with the Good Neighbor Action Team for about ten years, which has helped improve over 200 local properties, according to the press release.
“During the East Wall Street Blitz, there were close to 300 volunteers who worked on 32 properties painting, repairing porches, install energy-efficient windows and doors, and hauling over 30 loads of yard debris,” Jones said in the press release.
“In 2021 they are focusing on grants for older citizens who meet income guidelines to be used for bigger projects and working with the Codes Department when issues arise where they can assist,” Jones said.
Campbell and his wife, Jane, have four children: Ryan, Brett, Trevor, and Jenna.
Campbell is a graduate of Southwest Oklahoma State University School of Pharmacy.
He is a board member of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, a board member of Bourbon County C.A.S.A., and a board member of the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
He also serves as an Elder on the Session at the First Presbyterian Church.
Stephen Toal in front of the mural he created at Gunn Park for the public to enjoy. Submitted photo.
Stephen Toal saw some graffiti on the wall of the lower level under the No. 1 Shelter House at Gunn Park and decided to use his artistic abilities and do something about it.
“Someone had written some hate graffiti on the wall and I felt the need to cover it with something positive,” Toal said.
“I had spoken with Josh Jones (Mayor of Fort Scott) about doing the project,” Toal said.
One can have a picnic and feed the ducks while enjoying the new mural under the largest rock shelter house in the park, Shelter House #1.
He used his own art materials and spent about 10 hours on the project, he said.
Stephen Toal described himself as ” a long time resident of Fort Scott, a husband, father of three and three step-children.”
Steven Toal and his wife, Stacy, Submitted photos.
Toal also said he is a “recovering addict/alcoholic, who has been clean and sober three years”
“Art is a way to express myself and helps me stay clean,” he said.
The colorful mural is a depiction of springtime, Toal said.
Selected Fort Scott students will be offered extra learning opportunities this summer. Transportation will be provided free of charge to students and additionally, food service will be provided free of charge to students, according to USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong.
“We will have Extended School Year (ESY) for special education students (Pre-K – 11), Extended Learning Opportunities for general education students (Pre-K-11), and JumpStart for preschool students,” Hessong said.
“ESY is a program we have offered in the summer for several years for special education students,” he said. “Special education staff work with students based on their individual learning needs.”
“This summer will be the first time in a few years, we have offered extended learning opportunities for general education students,” Hessong said. “With the use of ESSER II funds provided by the federal government, we will be providing summer learning opportunities to get a jump start to next school year.”
ESSER Funds were established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act,(CARES) the core purpose of the ESSER II Fund is to provide direct money to states and districts to address the areas most impacted by the disruption and closure of schools caused by COVID-19, according to the website https://www.nj.gov/education/ESSER
Students will focus on academic target areas based on academic data collected during the school year, Hessong said.
“This academic data comes from the MAP assessments our district utilizes as well as state assessment data from this current school year,” he said. “The ESSER II funds allow us to provide these learning opportunities to address academic gaps identified for individual students to help them be more prepared for promotion to their next grade level.”
” Each building will have general education staff provide the learning opportunities for identified students,” Hessong said. “This is not mandatory for identified students, but we hope parents and students understand our goal is to strengthen their child’s academic progress going into the next school year.”
“For several years USD 234 has provided a JumpStart summer program for preschool students going into Kindergarten,” he said. “The preschool receives a grant that provides funding for the JumpStart program. Identified preschool students are provided an opportunity to get a head start going into kindergarten, which will help them to be better prepared to be successful in kindergarten.”
Summer offering schedule:
Dates: July 20 – August 6
Location: Middle School (except for JumpStart)
Days: Monday – Friday
Time: 8 a.m. – noon.
Format:
Preschool – 8 – 11 a.m. at the preschool.
Jumpstart – at Winfield Scott Elementary from 8 to 11 a.m.
Primary (K-2) – 8 to 10 a.m.
Intermediate (3-5) – 10 a.m. to noon.
Middle School – 8 a.m. to noon.
High School – 8 a.m. to noon. (credit recovery)
Nedra Barr started her insurance career at age 16 in Fort Scott, and this week announces that she is bringing her new business home.
“I started my insurance career in Fort Scott while in high school,” Barr said. “After a great career in the insurance industry, I started developing software that served this market. I’ve designed various software products serving this industry. It’s very exciting to develop the Spyder (her new company) product. It will help producers and home offices modernize, digitize, standardize and simplify their business.”
She is the Cheif Executive Officer of Spyder, Inc., and Sharon Ross, Charlotte, SC, is the Chief Operating Officer, with Bob Peacock, Denver, CO the Chief Technology Officer of the business.
Sharon Ross from the Spyder, Inc. website.
Bob Peacock, from the Spyder, Inc. website.
“All three of us are software executives in the insuretech/fintech industry,” Barr said. “I am an award-winning software executive. I have won a Top 50 Tech Visionary award in 2019, a Top 50 Tech Leaders award in 2021, and last week named one of the most impactful women in technology,” she said.
“Once our offices are ready, I will be spending lots of time in Fort Scott as well Sharon and Bob,” Barr said.
The office is located at 102 W 2ndSt, Fort Scott, with hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact Barr at 620-531-0368.
“The first two Spyder products will be released in June,” she said. “The first two products will be cybersecurity device certifications and a document storage solution that is purpose-built for the insurance industry. Additional products will be coming in the fall timeframe as well.”
Barr has led teams and guided technology firms for many companies, including SunGard Insurance Systems, Insurance Technologies, Experian, and Docupace Technologies. Most recently, Nedra was Chief Revenue Officer for Skience,
” We are excited to get our software company going strong to contribute to the economic growth and employment of Fort Scott,” Barr said. ” We believe we will be hiring employees in the fall timeframe. We will work closely with the Healthy Bourbon County initiative and the Chamber of Commerce to contribute to the well-being and beautification of Fort Scott.”
