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Jesse Hazen spent the last eight years working for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles as a research and development mechanic.

“Before that, I was a race mechanic for an amateur racer in Phoenix,” Jesse said.
He recently opened a new motorcycle service shop at 223 N. National and is the owner-operator.
Old 54 Cycles is a full-service shop.
“I am Harley-Davidson, Yamaha and Suzuki certified, but can work on it all,” he said. ” We work on American V-twins, import motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, and side-by-sides. We are in the process of getting part supplies. We can do anything from tire changes, services all the way to full builds.”
“Quality work, growth, and exposure are our number-one priorities,” Jesse said.
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and closed on Sunday.


The Fort Scott LandBank members will meet at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, at City Hall, 123 Main, in the City Commission meeting room to discuss a grant project with another local entity and also a request for bids for the Eagle Block building at 10-12 N. National Avenue.
There will be an update on the Eagle Block Building, FS Landbank Manager AllysonTurvey, said. “This discussion will include a request to go out for a Request For Proposal for the interior demo work.”

“A request for proposal is a written request asking contractors to submit specifications and prices that fit the customer’s requirements”, according to Request for Proposal Law and Legal Definition | USLegal, Inc.
Also at this meeting, the members will have a presentation from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, which has budgeted $4,000 for LandBank projects that tie in with HBCAT initiatives, according to Turvey.

“The HBCAT Board decided to include Landbank’s package in our Neighborhood and Physical Environment Pathway,” Jody Hoener, leader of the HBCAT, said. “We have allocated $4000 of our Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Grant Funds towards it.”
Hoener provided the following information from Pathways to Healthy Kansas:
“LAND BANK Focus Area & Pathway:
“Activity Summary: Land banks acquire, hold, manage, and develop problem properties (e.g., vacant lots, abandoned buildings, tax-foreclosed) property and transition them to productive uses such as affordable housing developments, community-focused commercial buildings, community gardens or green spaces.
“Land banks can also demolish abandoned or unsafe buildings.
“State and local governments can support land banks by allowing low or no-cost purchases of tax foreclosured property, clearing titles and/or forgiving back taxes, holding land tax-free, or negotiating property transfers that address community needs.
“Land banks are generally governmental entities created and managed at the local or regional level.
“Land banks policies can be adapted to prioritize projects of nutrition, physical activity and other health promoting activities.
“Activities could include building support for a policy, exploring options necessary to pass policy changes or further expanding land bank policy to include health and equity priority goals related to the health focus areas. Local governments would be required to implement one of the following tracks:
1) pass a new policy
2) improve or expand existing policy
3) enforce an existing policy.”
Although there will be a majority of the city commissioners present, no city commission business will be conducted, according to a press release from the City of Fort Scott.
The meeting will be made available via the city’s Youtube channel at the City of Fort Scott.
Fort Scott City Commissioners are a part of the Landbank members and include Josh Jones, Kevin Allen, Pete Allen, Randy Nichols, and Lindsay Watts. Additional members are Jim Harris-a Bourbon County Commissioner, who was selected to be Vice-Chairperson of the group; Turvey-who is also the Fort Scott Tourism and Community Development Manager and Susan Bancroft-Fort Scott Finance Director, who is the treasurer of the Landbank, and Gregg Motley-Director of the Bourbon County Economic Development Board, Inc.
Josh Jones was selected to be the chairperson of the group.

An annual part of the ritual of spring is the Easter egg hunt.
This Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. that ritual in Fort Scott will be at Gunn Park, as in years past. Ages for children who can participate are toddler through grade 5.
Parents can look for signs at the entrance of the park that will direct traffic to shelter house no. 2, which is located between the first and second lake.
The hunt is facilitated each year by the Fort Scott Kiwanis and support from the community.
“This event to me is our most fun event of the year,” Ralph Carlson, spokesman for Kiwanis, said. “To see the excitement and joy on the faces of our children hunting Easter eggs and visiting with our Easter bunny is amazing.”
“I have been in the Kiwanis Club since 1969 and this Easter Egg Hunt was started before I became a member of the club,” Carlson said. ” Last year the hunt was at a later time of day so parents should pay attention to this earlier time of 10 a.m.”
“One might ask why we do this every year,” Carlson said. “I am reminded of the 30 years or so the Fort Scott High School performed Handel’s Messiah at Easter time. We had a 500 voice choir, directed by Carl Clinesmith. The choir was so large that we performed from the elevated seating and the audience sat on the main floor facing the elevated seating.”
This, too, was an annual ritual for over 30 years, Carlson said.
“It’s a spring wake-up,” he said.

Fort Scott Kiwanis has 27 members.
“The Kiwanis Club has help from our supporters, Big Sugar Lumber, Heidrick’s True Value, R and R equipment Inc., Don Spirits, Diehl Banwart and Bolton, Merle Humphrey, Fort Scott Cinema, Marsha’s Deli, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, Papa Don’s, and Citizens Bank.”
Sponsors will be recognized at the egg hunt, he said.
“We could not do it without the dedicated and sustaining help from our friends,” Carlson said.


Bailey Lyons is a lady on the move.
“After more than three years as a realtor in Bourbon County, I decided to launch my own independent brokerage,” Lyons said. “It was a dream of mine to open…in my hometown.”
Lyon’s real estate business has grown over the years from repeat business and word-of-mouth introductions of friends, family, and neighbors, she said.
Lyons Realty Group’s new office is at 8 E. Wall St., in the recently restored Tribune Building. The office is part of the LaRoche family’s investment in the block of storefronts at Wall and National Avenue.
Katie Hueston is the business’s office administrator.

“We invite you to stop in and visit anytime,” Lyons said. “Stay tuned for more details regarding a grand opening in the very near future.”
She can be reached via phone at (620)266-9448, or email at [email protected].
Born and raised in Fort Scott, Lyons values this community.
“Growing up in this wonderful community was a blessing,” she said. I want to see it grow, thrive, and evolve, and I love playing a small part in that. The many benefits of small-town, Midwest living is not lost on me, especially since I have chosen to raise my family here. It is a true joy to help people fall in love with our little gem, and allow other families to call this place home.”
“Up until I found my calling in real estate, I worked in banking and finance, a background that compliments real estate and one that I capitalize on to help my clients as they work through the loan process or contemplate financial decisions.”
“I care about giving clients sound advice they can trust and truly want the best for them,” she said.
She works with a team of professionals that include marketing, lenders, home inspectors, title companies, financial advisors, and attorneys.
Bailey and husband Nate reside in Fort Scott with their four children, Addison-19 years old, Jhett and Jaxon-7 , and Lute-3.
Lyons and her family have played an active role in the community and the new business will carry on that tradition, she said.
“At Lyons Realty Group, we want to give back to the community that supports us,” she said. “Our business wouldn’t exist without the support of this community. It’s our goal not to express in words how much we appreciate that support, but to display it in action and deed.”
She is dedicated to getting top dollar for clients while making the process “enjoyable, smooth and stress-free.”
“Buying or selling a home is a deeply personal endeavor,” she said. “Our clients deserve the full service and attention that only a team of experts can consistently provide.”

“Working with us, you will have personal attention, professionalism, honesty, integrity, and extremely hard work ethic,” she said.
Lyons said she loves what she does.
“I hope that shows,” she said. “I am sincerely grateful that I get to work with wonderful clients, in a wonderful community. It is truly an honor and a pleasure.”
Lyons attended The University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in both finance and accounting, as well as her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
She has worked in Tulsa and Kansas City but ultimately made her way back to Fort Scott.
Activity This Weekend
This weekend the new business is a part of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest.
“Bring the kids and have them draw their dream house in front of Lyons Realty Group’s new downtown office,” she said.

Two area food vendors are planning an event on March 27 at the Tractor Supply parking lot, on South Main Street in Fort Scott.
The Blue Spoon, Pittsburg, and Perry’s Pork Rinds, Bronson, are partnering for a second annual Spring Pop Up Event.
Blue Spoon


The Blue Spoon is a food truck whose specialty is a variety of macaroni and cheese dishes and was created in Pittsburg, by Brenda Davis.
Davis began her food truck venture in July 2017. Christina Oberle is a partner in the business.
“It became very well-liked and instead of a hobby it became a success,” Oberle said.

“The name (The Blue Spoon) just came to us… we thought and thought and thought,” Oberle said. “Brenda wanted to create a memory and have our customers walking away remembering who we are. With that, the Blue Spoon was formed and the logo created,” Oberle said. “Every dish is served with a blue spoon… if the dish needs a fork, well it’ll be white.”

“We specialize in mac ‘n cheese (dishes)… all varieties,” Oberle said. “Plain to Chicken Mac, to Chops and Cheese, which is a grilled pork chop in a bowl of mac ‘ cheese, and soon to be released, Lobster Mac.”

“We have a great variety, eleven flavors, at big events,” she said. “We also serve fresh-cut fries, nachos, and funnel cakes. All with varieties… nothing plain Jane here, we even put it on a sandwich!”
Oberle lived a few years in Fort Scott, working at Lifetouch and Woods Grocery.
“I came to know a lot of people there and wanted to share our awesome food with Fort Scott,” Oberle said. “A few years ago we got into the Good ‘Ol Days and last year we were able to do the wonderful pop-up with Perry’s Pork Rinds! They are wonderful people and through this journey, we have had the great honor of meeting many entrepreneurs like them!”
The food truck is currently part-time, Oberle said.
“You just never know when this can become a full-time gig,” she said.
Perry’s Pork Rinds

Perry’s Pork Rinds is a family-owned business, with the husband and wife team of Thaddeus and Kelly Perry.

They make small-batch pork rinds in the following flavors:
Original, Spicy, Ranch, BBQ, Cinnamon Sugar, Chili Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream & Onion, Chili Lime, Garlic Parmesan, Shoe String Cracklings, Bacon Cheddar.
They recently expanded their business with a new product: fudge.





a picker is an early bird who hunts swap meets, estate sales, thrift stores, etc, and scoops up the good deals – often for resale in antique shops or on eBay.




A local helping organization has a good problem.
Too many people wanted to contribute to their upcoming garage sale.
They have worked to solve the problem.
Care to Share, a local helping organization for cancer patients and their families, is having two garage sales in the coming weeks.
“We have had many ask if they could add to our garage sale at 106 Washington when we posted it,” said Lavetta Simmons, secretary/treasurer of the group. “It was a full garage with the Marsh’s belongings. So, we have scheduled another one, and we invite anyone that would like to come to set up their own space to join us, and have their own sale and collect for their own sale, for a small donation to help cover rental expenses for the day.
Or, we will take your donations for Care To Share Cancer Support Group/The Sharing Bucket.”
The first garage sale is at 106 S. Washington, Fort Scott. Household items donated by Donnie and Barbara Marsh will be for sale.
The Marsh’s are Simmons in-laws who died recently.
“They were always involved with Care to Share,” Simmons said. “We’ve moved things into the garage, that the family is selling.”
The sale is scheduled for Saturday, March 27 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The Marsh garage doors open on the west side of the garage, in the alley.
“Miscellaneous items from Donnie and Barbara Marsh’s many years together, with their wishes to donate to Care To Share Cancer Support Group to fill The Sharing Bucket,” Simmons said.


The group is providing bags to fill with items, then you make an offer for the bag.
The second garage sale will be Saturday, April 10 from 8 a.m. to noon at Buck Run Community Center, located just east of the Fort Scott Aquatic Center on Main Street.
For more information contact. Lavetta Simmons-620-224-8070.

The group has an office at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas facility on South Horton Street. CHC donated to office space to Care to Share. Housed in the space are wigs, bras, books, Ensure products, walkers and other personal items for cancer patients. One can meet by appointment to see the items.


“Clint Anderson, the Bourbon County Appraiser, will speak on the topic of GNAT projects and the impact on assessed valuations of the property,” Campbell said. “AndJeremy Frazier, Fort Scott City Manager, will speak on his experience with a similar organization in Cushing, OK.”
“I am willing to meet with citizens in small groups if unable to attend the first meeting on the 18th,” Campbell said.
For over a decade the Good Neighbor Action Team has been helping Fort Scottians with painting, helping rid yards of debris, building handicap ramps, and other needed projects.
The team provides help for those who are not able to do the job themselves.
GNAT has tried to handle the project workloads using the model of Habitat For Humanity, Campbell said.
Work project recipients are asked to provide family and friends to assist GNAT workers.
For example, if GNAT provides five people, the recipient will need to bring five people to help with the project, he said in the prior feature.
In addition, proof of income is required with one of the following: income tax return, pay stubs from the last two paychecks, a Vision card or Healthwave card.


The FSCC Spring Rodeo is from March 12-14, at the southern side of the college, located at 2108 S. Horton.
There are four hundred contestants from 20 colleges who will participate, said FSCC Assitant Rodeo Coach Caitlyn Wiswell.

Tickets go on sale on March 10 at 2 p.m. To secure a ticket contact the following number, 913-259-8453. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Schedule of events:
Limited fan space is available with the FSCC COVID-19 regulations listed below.
Fort Scott Community College will allow spectators to attend athletic events up to 25% fan seating capacity.


Marti Wells-Smith is not a stranger to pain and loss.
Her only child died an unexpected death in 2019.
A Fort Scottian for 18 years, Wells-Smith has written a book that relays her innermost thoughts and emotions concerning her son’s death.
She hopes it will help someone else with loss.
“Lamentations of the Heart – Mingled with Peace and Joy, was recently published through MSI Press, and soulfully combines contemporary poetry with nonfictional prose to reach out to others who have experienced similar pain and loss,” she said in a press release.
Written from a Christian perspective, it is a book that provides comfort and hope in the healing process, she said.
The book has true stories of people she has met both in Fort Scott and in other communities where she grew up and lived.
Wells-smith has a bachelor of arts degree in English and sociology from Pittsburg State University and has worked as a writer and in varied positions in radio, authoring numerous human interest stories, articles, and poems over the years, she said.
She has also worked in social services, and served on a variety of boards, including Shirley Yeager Animal Friends Foundation and Mother to Mother Ministries.
She assisted with crisis services, providing resources and support for individuals and families in need through Southeast Kansas Mental Health.
She continues to raise funds for Paws and Claws with a booth at the Treasure Hunt Flea Market in downtown Fort Scott.
The book is available locally and online.
Lamentations of the Heart is available at Hedgehog INK!, also in downtown Fort Scott, with a book signing to be announced in the near future.
The book is also available through MSI Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
The author can be reached at her website: martiwellssmith.com.
A poem from her book:


New this year because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the annual Knights of Columbus Fish Fry planned a drive-through pickup of the food served.
There are only two dates left for the event, both on Fridays from 5-6:30 p.m. March 12, and March 19.
Because of the pandemic, all the workers will be wearing masks and gloves to serve the meals.
But as in the past, it will be at 702 Holbrook, at Kennedy Gym, which is a part of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s organization, that has a “great tradition of fish fry’s nationwide,” Mark McCoy, spokesman for the group said.
The meal had to be simplified this year because it is a drive-through, McCoy said.
“Meal #1 will be catfish, french fries and coleslaw, Meal #2 is catfish, cod, fries, and coleslaw and Meal #3 is baked cod with fries and coleslaw,” McCoy said.
There will be no home-made desserts this year that have been provided by the ladies of the parish in past Lenten fish fry meals.

Logistically, it would not work, McCoy said, since the drive-through was new this year.
The annual Lenten fish fry is also a community event where lots of conversations happen between attendees, McCoy said.
“We look forward to going back to sit down dining” in the future, he said.