Join the FSHS Quarterback Club
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Newsletter of Congressman Derek Schmidt
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Revised Bo Co Commission Agenda for Sept. 29
BOURBON COUNTY,
KANSAS
Bourbon County Commission Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
Map Qt_Bourbon_Bridge 19.2-Q.0
1302 Project Programming Request
I. Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Consent Agenda
Approval of 09.19.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $250,084.75
Approval August Financials
IV. Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which
would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
V. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
VI. Old Business
Budget Discussion
Roads Discussion
i. Lynne Oharah – 95th & Unique
ii. North Crawford Street
iii. Eagle Road
iv. 190th Street Benefit District
CIC Access – Milburn
Elevator – Milburn
108 W 2nd – Milburn
Crawkan – Milburn
Planning Commission announce terms – Beerbower
Resolution Review – Beerbower
i. Commission Meetings & Commissioner Conduct
VII. New Business
Credit App for Enterprise – Bill Martin
Resolution – Law Enforcement
Motion to move normal meeting from the 13th of October to the 14th
VIII. Department Updates
Public Works – Kenny Allen and Dustin Hall
i. KDOT Grant – Bridge 19.2-Q.0
ii. Transfer of Thomas Quarry
IX. Build Agenda for following meeting
X. Commission Comments
XI. Adjournment _____________
FUTURE 10/6/2025 10/14/2025 10/20/2025 10/27/2025
Vehicle Lease Program Credit Cards – Milburn Culverts Bitcoin Mining
Economic Development Gov. Deals – Beerbower 2025 Tri-Valley Agreement Noise Resolution
Juvenile Detention Contract Road Closure 140th Moratorium
Sanitation Worksession
Benefits Committee Letters
Elm Creek Quarry
Phone System
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS – FORM OF MOTION
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to
protect their privacy
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which
would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether
or not in consultation with the representatives of the body or agency
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of
corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of acquisition of real estate
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of
such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures
The subject to be discussed during executive session: ________________________________________
State persons to attend
Open session will resume at _____ A.M./P.M. in the commission chambers.
Heirloom Corn Sheller Will Be Moving From PHF
An heirloom corn sheller that has been a part of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta for many years, will not likely be there in the future.
The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta event showcases rural America in an earlier era. One can experience educational and historic exhibits, refreshments, and live musical entertainment all weekend this weekend.
The Kemmerer’s corn sheller been a part of the PHF since 2009 after it was taken back from the Illinois Agriculture Museum.
“It’s a 1-of-its-kind in the world.” said Jim Kemmerer Jr., grandson of one of the creators of the machine.
Jim and his dad, Jim Sr. thought that, eventually, neither of them would be demonstrating, and began a search of what to do next with it.
“Shortly after starting the search for a new home for the sheller, we found a couple of possible homes. One is the Iowa 80 of Walcott,Iowa, which is the world’s largest truck stop and has a fantastic truck museum! Or the Will County Thresherman’s Association (Will County, IL). The Will County group is similar to PHF. It’s also the county that the sheller was ‘born’ and used from, 1950 to 1995, and some of the members remember my grandfather and seeing the sheller in operation.”
“Due to the eagerness of the new home possibilities, the chance is very good that 2025 is the last year the sheller will participate in PHF,”Jim Jr. said.
For those who don’t know, a sheller was a farm machine that separates corn, grown on one’s farm, from the cob, husk, and dust.
“It does everything a combine does except pick the corn. Combines came after pickers and shellers. The name combine is short for combination, which a combine is a combination of a picker and sheller.”
Kemmerer is encouraging people to stop by to see the sheller at the event this weekend at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
About the PHF
The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta (PHF) is an annual Bourbon County event that takes place this year from October 3-5 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street in Fort Scott.
The event showcases rural American culture in an earlier time period.
To learn more: https://pioneerharvestfiesta.com/
The event kicks off with a parade of antique and classic farm implements and more, through Fort Scott’s historic downtown on Thursday, October 2, at 6 p.m., according to the PHF website.
All three days showcase steam engines, blacksmiths, food and Flea Market vendors, drag saw demonstrations, Tractors and Gas Engines on display, Baker Fan demonstrations, arts and crafts, straw baling, wheat threshing, corn husking and shelling, sorghum making, rock crushing, saw mill operation, Car Show, Tractor Pull (Antique & Classic), Garden Tractor Pull, and many more.
This year’s full weekend admission is only $5 per person and includes a collector button and the Friday Bean Feed at 5 PM. Children under age 12 are free.
Free admission does not include a collector button. Prior year’s collector buttons are available for purchase for $1.
History of the Corn Sheller Heirloom
The circa 1950 was built by Harold Kemmerer, Jim Sr.’s dad, and Lloyd Erickson from “junk and used parts.”
Harold Kemmerer was the owner and operator from Plainfield, Illinois.
Erickson was creator and patent holder of the first articulated four-wheel drive tractor.
“The sheller is a 1932 Le Moon truck lengthened four feet, with a 1944 Buda diesel from a Greyhound Bus from Chicago,” Jim Jr. said.
Farm Collector Magazine featured the sheller in an 2020 article
3-31-20 Farm Collector Homemade Corn Sheller Built to Work
View Jim Kemmerer’s YouTube channel to see videos from a corn shelling job in August 1985. This was a trial job after reclaiming it from the Illinois Agriculture Museum in 2008.
Other facts about the machine:
“Only four new items ever used on it,” he said. “New items and when installed were:
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- 1950, a Joliet Big 6 Corn Sheller and a transfer case.
- 1952, a Reeves Variable Speed Industrial Transmission which uses a wooden belt.
- 1965, a Frantz Oil Filter System. That was also the last time the oil was changed.
“It was used from 1950 to 1995, it has shelled between 14 and 16 million bushels. That can fill the world’s second-largest elevator which is located in Enid, OK,” Jim Jr. said.
Other facts about the sheller:
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- Motor has never been rebuilt, and it can be started with a flame.
- Still street-legal, with a maximum speed of 32 MPH.
- It can shell up to 1,800 bushels per hour.
- It weighs 13,480 lbs. 5 feet tall, 30 feet long when folded up, up to over 100’ long when used in a linear set-up.
- The only electric items are the lights and starter. No power steering or power brakes.
- It can be demonstrated with or without running corn through it. We have a binder of information to help with demonstrations. We also can hang signage from the sheller which explains history and components.”
- Kemmerer corn sheller videos can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NroTC5J44s&list=PLL3NXNyTZRWOX3jhAOqI-fA0PPJAgrpJ9&pp=gAQBiAQB.
Bourbon County Commissioner Meeting Agenda, 9/29/25
Bourbon County Commission Agenda and Information Packet Summary
Date: September 29, 2025, 5:30 PM Location: Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
09.29.25 Agenda
Agenda Outline
I. Call Meeting to Order
II. Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Prayer
- III. Approval of Agenda
- IV. Consent Agenda
- Approval of 09.19.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $250,084.75
- Approval August Financials
- Executive Session (Statutory consultation with an attorney)
- V. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda VI. Old Business
- Budget Discussion
- Roads Discussion
- Lynne Oharah – 95th & Unique
- North Crawford Street
- Eagle Road
- 190th Street Benefit District
- CIC Access – Milburn
- Elevator – Milburn
- 108 W 2nd – Milburn
- Crawkan – Milburn
- Planning Commission announce terms – Beerbower
- Resolution Review – Beerbower
- Commission Meetings & Commissioner Conduct VII. New Business
- Credit App for Enterprise – Bill Martin
- Resolution – Law Enforcement
- Motion to move normal meeting from the 13th of October to the 14th
- VIII. Build Agenda for following meeting IX. Commission Comments X. Adjournment
Detailed Summary of Information Packet
Executive Sessions and Future Agenda Items
- Executive Sessions (PDF Page 2): The form for a motion to enter Executive Session lists statutory reasons, including discussion of personnel matters, attorney consultation (which would be privileged), employer/employee negotiations, financial affairs/trade secrets, preliminary real estate acquisition, and security measures.
- Future Agenda Items (PDF Page 2):
- October 6, 2025: Vehicle Lease Program, Economic Development, Juvenile Detention Contract, Sanitation Work Session, Benefits Committee Letters, Elm Creek Quarry, Phone System.
- October 14, 2025: Credit Cards (Milburn), Gov. Deals (Beerbower), 2025 Tri-Valley Agreement, Road Closure 140th.
- October 20, 2025: Culverts.
- October 27, 2025: Bitcoin Mining, Noise Resolution, Moratorium.
Open Invoices by Department (Accounts Payable totaling $250,084.75)
This report provides the detailed breakdown of the accounts payable to be approved on the consent agenda.
Local Stamp Club Forms on Oct. 11
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 29
4-Barrel Carburetor by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom by Carolyn Tucker
4-Barrel Carburetor
I really enjoy walking down memory lane at car shows and looking at the gorgeous classic ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s cars on display. I have personal fond memories of these powerful beauties because the first car I remember my folks owning was a ‘59 Chevy Impala. And later, when I was in high school, I was permitted to drive their ’68 Chevy Caprice SS. Wowie zowie; this car was so classy she even wore skirts! Something unexplainable happened to me during those years that caused me to fall in love with glasspacks and 4-barrel carburetors.
As opposed to a 2-barrel, a 4-barrel is a more-complex carburetor commonly used in high-performance engines. It uses two primary and two secondary barrels to supply air and fuel to the engine which results in increased horsepower and performance. Only the primary barrels open at idle and low-rpm driving, but the secondary barrels open up during high-rpm driving, e.g., passing vehicles or just flooring it for the fun of it! Modern cars don’t have carburetors; they’ve been replaced by fuel-injection systems. Ah, for the good ol’ days when you ran out of gas and had to save a little bit to pour into the carburetor. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to!
At my age, I’m pretty much considered a “classic” because I’ve noticed that when I wake up in the mornings, I just don’t feel like I used to at 22. I’m basically just idling on a 2-barrel carburetor for several minutes. But as I meander to the kitchen, I know I’ll be strengthened, encouraged, and reinforced with power once I read my Bible and devotional books. As I spend time with my heavenly Father, He begins to pour fuel into my 4-barrel which enables me to get started and have the power I need for the day. Dad used to say, “You never know what the day holds when your feet hit the floor in the morning.“ And I might add, “So you better take time to fill up your spiritual gas tank so you won‘t run out of power.
Apostle Paul wrote that we believers are in a race. So we can think of ourselves as driving a race car. Every day we run laps, around and around, and it takes lots of focus, determination, strength, and power. So it makes sense that every morning we need to get our jump-start from Jesus (and a cup of coffee) to get us up and running at full throttle. Every believer finds his/her source of power in the Father, so we can commit our prayers to Him in confidence. Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Church of Ephesus and surrounding area churches: “May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality” (Ephesians 3:16 AMP).
There’s power in a 2-barrel, but I would most-certainly choose the mighty power of the 4-barrel. As Christ followers, it’s our choice. So why be puny when you can be powerful? The “inner man” is the true and enduring self — who we really are. So we need to keep our heart (inner man) tuned up so we can accomplish our calling and participate in the race of life at full power. Thankfully, we don’t have to try to live our lives on our own strength. “Now all glory to God, Who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).
The Key: In the words of Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor, choose more power.
Opening Soon: 4-H Enrollment!
Opening Soon: 4-H Enrollment!
As the largest youth development organization in the country, reaching 6 million young people annually, 4-H is uniquely equipped to ensure youth are ready for work and life after high school. 4-H is delivered by Cooperative Extension – a community of more
than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Additionally, our 4-H alumni network reaches every industry and is 35 million strong.
4-H is also the only organization with a scientifically proven approach to developing young people, backed by more than 20 years of longitudinal research in partnership with Tufts University. The data are clear: youth who participate in 4-H programs are more likely to succeed academically, engage civically, and contribute to their communities. They’re also more prepared to enter the workforce and navigate the complexities of life with confidence.
Across a nation 4-H will is working to continue to provide more high-quality positive youth development programs to assist in preparing youth with the skills to be ready for work and life. To go beyond the expected. To be Beyond Ready.
4-H Beyond Ready is a national movement to prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of the future. 4-H has been around since 1902. The world has changed significantly and yet, the impact of 4-H on youth has stood the test of time. 4-H has a tried-and-true, research-backed approach to helping kids reach their potential. Research shows that kids who participate in 4-H programs are more likely to make healthy choices, serve their communities, and live with purpose. They are also more likely than their non-4-H peers to feel competent, positive, and confident in what the
future holds.
Now is the time to join 4-H to help youth be Beyond Ready. Starting on October 1, enrollment opens for the new 4-H program year. All youth ages 5-18 are encouraged to enroll in the Kansas 4-H program through K-State Extension – Southwind District. Enrollment will close for those youth eligible to participate in competitive events within the 4-H program on December 1. And all adults who want to volunteer should plan to enroll at this time too!
Have questions about 4-H, don’t hesitate to reach out to K-State Extension – Southwind District, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Jennifer Terrell at [email protected] or 620-223-3720. All are welcome to visit the following websites as well, southwind.ksu.edu or kansas4h.org.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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FSHS Thespians Host 8th Annual Royal-Tea & Friends Party
The Fort Scott High School Thespians host their 8th Annual Royal-Tea & Friends Party from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 18 in the FSHS Commons and Courtyard.
Children can join their favorite princesses and princes, superheroes and villains, and other characters. They are invited to take photos with favorite characters as they make crafts, have treats, and play games. Fort Scott High School Thespians will be dressed in character and leading the event. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume as well.
Tickets for the Royal-Tea & Friends Party are $6 per child and all must be accompanied by an adult (no fee for adults). Tickets may be purchased online in advance at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door.
For more information, please see the Fort Scott High School Thespians Facebook page or contact Angie Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622.
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