Obituary

Obituary of Mary Alice Longfellow

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Mary Alice Longfellow

Mary Alice Longfellow, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Friday morning, May 10, 2019, at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, MO.

She was born November 7, 1947, in Topeka, KS, the daughter of Maurice and Jane Dunlap Tharp.

She married Daniel Longfellow on June 18, 1993. Together they enjoyed camping and spent one entire summer reenacting the Old West era throughout Kansas. Mary worked as a CNA for Ottowa Retirement Village until her retirement. She was an all-around good person who will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her husband Daniel of Ft. Scott; two daughters, Paula Christine Roadcap, Topeka, KS, and Sharon, Georgia; a stepson, Richard Longfellow, Ft. Scott; two sisters, Betty Jane White, Montana, and Donna Bea Nabus, Ft. Scott; four grandsons; and one granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph William Dunlap, Ronald M. Tharp, and Lewis E. Tharp; a half-sister, Sharon Lee; and her parents.

Rev. Rod Hillhouse will conduct graveside services at 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 15th, in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott.

Friends may gather at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 9:45. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Opinion

Timothy’s Momma by Pastor James Collins

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“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”

2 Timothy 1:5

Timothy was born in the 1970s to a girl who was still a child herself. Timothy’s biological mother was a young, pretty, naive, teenage girl. One night, she made a mistake. Timothy was the consequence.

Timothy’s father was the all-American boy. He was handsome and charming; the most popular boy in high-school. Timothy’s father was an honor student and a star athlete. He was going places in life. A wife and a baby didn’t fit into his plans. So, Timothy’s father left him before he was even born, and he was branded a bastard. He had no daddy. On his birth certificate, the block was left blank where his father’s name should have been.

Timothy’s mother was a child herself. She was young and couldn’t raise a child. She made the decision for Timothy to be adopted by his grandmother. On the very day he was born, Timothy was taken from the hospital, and loved, and cared for by his grandmother. Timothy’s grandmother became Timothy’s momma.

Momma loved Timothy so much. She had always wanted a son, but God had seen fit to give her three girls. As the years went by, she thought that she would never have a son, but just like Abraham’s wife, Sarah, who was blessed with a baby boy in her old age — God blessed Timothy’s Momma with a baby boy in her old age.

Momma was so blessed by her boy. She wiped his nose and his backside too. She held him at night when he was sick. She loved Timothy and raised him like he was her own child.

When Timothy was in school, he made Momma a present. He took an empty Campbell’s Soup Can and glued un-cooked macaroni noodles on it. Then he painted it gold and gave it to momma. She took the ugly can, placed it on the kitchen table, and put flowers in it. Whenever anyone would come to the house, she would brag and say, “Look at the beautiful vase that Timothy made for me.” She couldn’t have been prouder if it were made of real gold.

One day, Timothy came home crying from school with a bloody nose. He had been in a fight. A boy he thought was his friend had beat him up. Timothy asked, “Why did Joey hit me? He was supposed to be my friend.” Momma sighed as she cleaned him up. She wiped away his tears. Then she picked him up and sang, “What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” Timothy never forgot that.

Momma was a fine Christian woman. She did everything she possibly could to see that Timothy was raised in a Christian home. He went to Sunday School and church. He learned the Bible. He learned about faith in Jesus. He learned to pray, “God is Great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food” before every meal. He prayed every night, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” Momma taught Timothy to pray.

Timothy’s earliest memories are of Momma singing to him. She sang, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children, The Old Rugged Cross, Nothing but the Blood, Amazing Grace, and all the classic hymns. She also had old record albums of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, Buck Owens, George Jones, and Charley Pride singing Gospel Music. She played those records all the time. They were scratchy and old, but they sounded like Heaven to Timothy.

Momma wanted Timothy to be a preacher when he grew up. She used to talk to him about it. She said, “God has put it on my heart that you will take the Gospel around the world.” She dressed Timothy like a preacher in his little suit and took him to church. As the preacher was in the pulpit, she whispered to Timothy, “Someday, you’ll be a great preacher.”

Momma was very sick. Timothy didn’t know it, but she was slowly dying. One day, Timothy overheard her praying, “God, let me live to raise Timothy. Life will be so hard on him without me to take care of him.”

Unfortunately, she didn’t live. She died on Mother’s Day in 1981. Little Timothy was devastated. His life was turned upside-down. For the next several years, he was shuffled from one foster home to another. He became bitter, heart-broken, and angry with God.

Two thousand years before Timothy was born, the Apostle Paul wrote to another young man named Timothy. Paul told Timothy that his faith was planted by his mother and grandmother. The Bible also speaks about training up a child in the faith and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The seeds of faith that Timothy’s Momma planted grew. After years of struggle, Timothy found his way to the Lord. He gave his life to Jesus Christ and was saved. Later, God called him to the ministry. Just like Momma had dreamed, Timothy became a preacher.

Today, I, James Timothy Collins, am the man I am because of the Grace of God and the love of a Christian Momma.

The point is: A Christian Mother is truly a blessing. As you have been reading this story about my momma, you have been thinking about your own. If she is still living, call her. Wish her a “Happy Mother’s Day.”

Better yet, go see her.

If your momma has passed on, say a prayer thanking God for blessing you with such a wonderful woman to raise you.

I thank God for mine.

Pastor James Collins serves at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. He can be reached at www.thepointis.net.

Opinion

The Bottom Line by Pastor Jimmy Tucker

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Jimmy Tucker. Submitted photo.

The Bottom Line

by Jimmy Tucker

A Mother with No Name

One of my clearest childhood memories is of my Mother reading Bible stories to me at bedtime. My favorite was the story of Samson because I loved hearing about his great strength and mighty deeds as a warrior for God. My Mother would get all of us in bed, then pull up a chair and read from a big thick children’s Bible storybook. Samson’s story, along with many others, inspired me to be strong in the Lord. I believed these true accounts and they helped me establish my faith in God at a young age. I’m thankful that my Mother’s faith was lived out in front of me and my brothers and sisters.

Betty Bergen Tucker, 1950. Submitted.

I want to focus on Samson’s mother mentioned in the book of Judges, chapter 13. I can’t give you her name because she was only referred to as Manoah’s wife. She was unable to become pregnant, so they had no children. She is one of the eight women mentioned in the Bible who was barren and later became pregnant with a miracle baby.

One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines” (Judges 13:3-5 NLT).

This was the best news she’d ever heard, so she ran and told her husband. Since Manoah missed the appearance of the angel, he prayed that the angel would come back and give them more instructions about the son who was to be born to them. God answered Manoah’s prayer. When the angel of the Lord reappeared, Manoah asked him what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work. The angel then repeated the requirements he had given to Manoah’s wife. So we find that Samson’s success began with his mother’s obedience to God’s instructions. If his mother hadn’t taken her assignment seriously, her son would not have been the great deliverer God needed.

At the end of their meeting, when the angel of the Lord ascended in the fire, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. Manoah said to his wife, “We will certainly die, for we have seen God!“ But his wife said, “If the Lord were going to kill us, He wouldn’t have accepted our burnt offering and grain offering. He wouldn’t have appeared to us and told us this wonderful thing and done these miracles” (Judges 13:22,23 NLT).

Samson’s mother was filled with faith and wisdom, and God chose her as the one to give birth to Samson. There was no doubt in her heart that what the angel of the Lord said would come true. “So the woman bore a son, and she called him Samson. The boy grew, and the Lord blessed him. The Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him…” (Judges 13:24,25 MEV).

The Bottom Line: A mother who brings up a child to be strong in faith is well-known to God, even if she is “nameless” to the world.

Pastor Jimmy Tucker

(620) 223-1483

Diamond Community Church

10:45 a.m. Worship

Government, Kansas

Gov. Kelly’s First Legislative Session

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Governor Kelly highlights progress to rebuild Kansas
Outlines successes of first legislative session of her administration

Highlighting the significant progress made to rebuild Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly outlined the major accomplishments of her first legislative session as governor during a press conference this morning.

 

“We came into quite a mess in January. We’ve worked tirelessly to rebuild our state, so we can efficiently and effectively deliver the services Kansans expect,” Kelly said. “A lot of progress has been made, but we still have work to do.”

 

Kelly highlighted funding for public schools as her most notable accomplishment. The passage of bipartisan legislation resulted in $90 million more for schools, in addition to the $800 million added over the last two years. These investments have the potential to put an end to the cycle of litigation around this issue.

 

“As I’ve said, I will be the education governor Kansas deserves,” Kelly said. “This legislation represents a significant investment in the future of our students and our state.”

 

The governor also noted the steps taken to repair Kansas’ foster care system. The Legislature endorsed the governor’s budget proposal to align Kansas guidelines with the Family First Prevention Services Act, allowing the state to draw down millions in federal funds to help families before they need support from the foster care system.

 

“I’m pleased that the Legislature approved funding for 42 new social workers, so we can reduce caseloads and better serve vulnerable children and their families,” Kelly said.

 

Kelly also began the process of reducing transfers from the “Bank of KDOT,” the money from the state’s highway transportation program. Previously, this fund was used by the Legislature in past years to pay for programs unrelated to the transportation needs of the state.

 

“The State Highway Fund is one of Kansas’ most important job-creating tools,” Kelly said. “After years of fiscal crisis, we are finally using the state’s infrastructure dollars to fund infrastructure projects, instead of paying for failed tax policy.”

 

The governor also established the Office of Rural Prosperity during this first legislative session.

 

“Those are just a few of many highlights from this legislative session,” Kelly said. “And to top it all off, as promised, we accomplished all of this without a tax increase.”

 

The governor also noted key areas of concern during the press conference. She emphasized the importance of continued fiscal restraint, the corrections emergency left to address, and the disappointing lack of a Medicaid expansion vote.

 

“Because of Senate leadership, thousands of Kansans will go without healthcare for yet another year,” Kelly said. “For some, a year without healthcare can very well mean the difference between life and death. I want Kansans to know they have a champion in the Governor’s office who will keep fighting alongside them until we win this fight – no matter how long it takes.”

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott by The Chamber

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Care to Share (“The Sharing Bucket”) will be hosting the 5th Annual “TaTa” Ride on June 15th, 2019 and an “AR-15 Gun Raffle”. Raffle tickets are $5 each and on sale now! ATF Regulations apply. Contact Stacey Wright for tickets or more info. (See flyer below)
Win a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico! Drawing tickets are $5 each, or 3 for $10. All proceeds go to the Good Samaritan Program, which directly benefits Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own.

Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St. (See flyer below for more info)
Hedgehog.INK now has gardening books on the sale rack in the front of the store – These books are FREE, for a donation to Tri-Valley Horticulture Therapy Program (see flyer below for more info)
Hedgehog.INK is celebrating Mother’s Day! Bring in an APRON (yours, your mother’s, grandmother’s, or one you bought at a garage sale) to be displayed in the store from May 1-15th. Be sure to label it in some way with your name
All cookbooks will be on sale for $50% off!!
Artist of the Month at Hedgehog.INK – Art by Uniontown students will be on display in the store throughout the month of May
Walgreens is looking for sponsors to donate noses to the local schools in Fort Scott to help spread the word for Red Nose Day. This is a great charity opportunity, and a way to increase awareness about childhood poverty. Noses this year are $2.00, and will come in a blind mystery bag containing one of five unique superhero noses.

Contact Vincent Ratcliff, manager of your local Fort Scott Walgreens, to purchase noses or to get further information (PLEASE SEE FLYER BELOW)
Benefit Bass Fishing Tournaments & Raffles for Class of ’91 Grad Chad Elmer – Entry fees will go toward’s Chad’s upcoming expenses and prize money. Raffles include fishing and outdoor gear, ammo, an AR15 gun, and more! (See flyer below for complete details)
10-11
Town-wide Garage Sale sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce- Maps will be available Thursday, May 9th through Saturday, May 11th at the following locations: Bids and Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, 5 Corners, all Pete’s locations, and the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St.
10-11
Pioneer Harvest Swap Meet – Bourbon County Fairgrounds, 2102 S. Huntington Blvd. in Fort Scott – Doors open at 8am

12th Annual Swap Meet, sponsored by Pioneer Harvest Fiesta

Flea market & garage sale items, antique gas engines & related parts, antique auto parts, farm tractors & tractor parts, farm equipment & accessories, literature, books & manuals. Something for everyone!

The grounds will be open Thursday, May 9th for setup. Camping available with electric ($20 per day)

Free admission to buyers, $10 booth fee. Contact Allen Warren at: 620-224-7761
10-11
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
10 Friday Night Concert in the Park – Sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce – Heritage Park Pavillion, 1st & Main, 7-8pm

This Friday night at the Heritage Park Pavilion (1st Street and Main) will feature the Sekanaires Quartet. The quartet members are Ray Mauck, Curtis Ramsey, Steve Bell and Ralph Carlson. The quartet was formed in the early 1960s and has made seven recordings. The concert will start at 7 pm and will move to the Common Grounds Coffee shop in the event in inclement weather. This is the 2nd show of the new season

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]

Bring your lawn chair as seating is limited
11 Benefit Bass Fishing Tournaments for Class of ’91 Grad Chad Elmer – Check-in 5:15 a.m. @ 223 N. National Ave., tournament starts at 6 a.m. sharp, weigh-in 3 p.m.
@ 223 N. National Ave.

Everyone who knows Chad Elmer and and for those of you who may not… He was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and they found a couple spots on the liver. He is under going some pretty aggressive chemo therapy treatment

There are three tournaments: May 11th, June 15th, and July 27th

Entry will be $25/person. 50% of the entry fees will go to Chad to help with his up coming expenses and the other 50% will go to prize money

There will be raffles at each tournament, including an AR15 gun raffle (see flyer below for complete information)
11 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
11 Storytime at Hedgehog.INK! “Pirates Ahoy!” – 16 S. Main St., 10:30-11:30am, the second Saturday of every month

Storytime and special activity with the Fort Scott High School Thespians

Visit: https://www.facebook.com/hedgesbookstore/  (See flyer below)
12 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus –
10 S. National, 3-5pm

Exciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of 5 members on a team)

$5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team. Pre-register at the tap room
13 Uniontown Regional High School Tournament
13
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Accent Dental, LLC, hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce – 204 State St. in Fort Scott

The event will begin at 5:15pm, with remarks and ribbon cutting at 5:30pm. Refreshments will be served. (See flyer below for info)
14-15 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,  201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
14 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center, 3-4pm
14 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
14 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Tuesday evenings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
14 USD 234 Board of Education Meeting – 424 S. Main St.,
5:30-6:30pm
14 Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County Meeting – Old Congregational Church, 502 S. National Ave., Board meeting at 6:30pm, program at 7pm

We will have great fellowship, refreshments, and a door prize – hope you can attend!
15
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,  308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
15
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
15
GEDTAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month
Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
15 Presbyterian Good Sam Dinner and Auction – Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton

Auction at 5pm, dinner from 4:30 to 6:30pm

Chicken Mary’s dinner and homemade desserts! Chance to win a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Meal tickets are $9 in advance, $12 at the door. Carry-out is available

Drawing tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Tickets are available at Presbyterian Village or the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St.

All proceeds go to the Good Samaritan Program, which directly benefits Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own (See flyer below for more info)
15
GED Graduation 2019 – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton, 6pm
Fort Scott Community College will conduct its annual Adult Basic Education/General Equivalency Diploma graduation at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 in the auditorium of the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the FSCC campus, 2108 S. Horton St. The ceremony is for students who have completed the GED program this past year.  A reception will immediately follow the graduation
16
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter
Location: 8 N. Judson
16 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the opening of the Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter’s new location at 8 N. Judson St. The event will take place Thursday, May 16th, immediately following the Chamber Coffee, which begins at 8 a.m. at the same location

The new Paws and Claws location at 8 N. Judson St. in downtown Fort Scott will serve as a cat shelter, an office, and an intake and adoption area
Please join Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter May 16th, 2019 for the Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 8 a.m., with remarks and ribbon cutting immediately following
16
Business Basics: Quickbooks, presented by Kansas SBDC at PSU – FSCC Bailey Hall, Room A-130, 2108 S. Horton St., 8:30am-4:30pm

Business owners and entrepreneurs seeking information on growing their business through proper financial management. This program is appropriate for those who have started or are thinking about starting a business

Learn some of the essentials of navigating Quickbooks desktop software. We’ll cover basic accounting and multiple topics including: -Cash vs. accrual -Financial statements -Chart of accounts -Sales receipts -Invoices -Receiving payment/making deposits -Understanding banking and credit card statements -Budgeting (See flyer below for more info)

To register, please visit:
16 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm-1pm
16
Farm Pond Management class offered by Southwind Extension District – Community Building, 105 N. Prairie Ave., Hepler, KS, 5:45-8pm

5:45-6pm: Registration
6-6:45: Fish Management & Stocking – Connor Ossowski, Fisheries Biologist
6:45-7:15: Sponsored Meal
7:15-8pm: Aquatic Weed Control – Charlie Lee, KSU Wildlife Specialist

RSVP by May 13th. To register for this FREE event, please contact Chris Petty at [email protected], or Jeri Geren at [email protected], or call K-State Research and Extension, Wildcat District – Girard office at 620-724-8233 (See flyer below for more info)
16 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm

Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
16
A Star is Born (or Died) – Boiler Room Brewhaus,
10 S. National Ave., 7-9pm

Join us at The Boiler Room Brewhaus on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 for karaoke fun.  Cheer on your local, favorite star!
17-18 FREE Bourbon County Dump Day, Residential Only, Includes Tires – 2286 Noble Rd., northeast of city limits

There will be no charge to haul solid waste or construction and demolition materials to the landfill from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 17 and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18

Residents will not be restricted on the number of tires brought to the landfill
17-18
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
17 Art Walk, hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council – Liberty Theatre Patio, 113 S. Main St., 5-8pm
17 Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavillion, 1st & Main St., 7-8pm

This Friday night at the Heritage Park Pavilion (1st Street and Main) will feature the Sekanaires Quartet. The quartet members are Ray Mauck, Curtis Ramsey, Steve Bell and Ralph Carlson. The concert will start at 7 pm and will move to the Common Grounds Coffee shop in the event in inclement weather

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]

Bring your lawn chair as seating is limited
18 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
18 Kiwanis 3-Person Scholarship Scramble – Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2412 S. Horton, 9am-2pm

8am registration, 9am shotgun start. $60 per player/$180 per team. To register, contact Shannon O’Neil at 620-223-5060
18 Marriage Night – Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton (enter on east side of building), dinner at 5pm, livestream from 6-9pm

Join us for a one night simulcast event to dedicate time for your marriage, packed with laughter and lessons you can apply immediately to your own marriage. We’ll be hearing from two great couples- Francis and Lisa Chan and Les and Leslie Parrott-with standup from comedian Michael Jr.

$15/person. Call 620-223-1500 to register

Watch a YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzJ_fv6RCm0
19 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus – 10 S. National, 3-5pm

Exciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of 5 members on a team)

$5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team. Pre-register at the tap room
19 Steinway Thank You Concert at Fort Scott High School – 1005 S. Main St., 3-5pm

Please join us in a special concert of thanks to all the donors who funded the restoration of the Fort Scott High School Steinway grand piano

The concert will feature various musical artists, both students and adults, from the school and community
Most importantly, we will unveil the completely restored Steinway for the concert

The concert is free and open to the public
19 Chamber Board Meeting – Papa Don’s, 12-1pm
20 Community Book Club – location to be determined,
7-8pm

This month’s book is “At Home”, by Bill Bryson. Email Sara Coon at: [email protected] for location
21-22 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,  201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
21 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
21 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
21 Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living (3rd Tuesday of every month) – 820 S. Horton, 2-4pm

Residents and the public are invited the 3rd Tuesday of each month for Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living
21 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Tuesday evenings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
21
Tractor Safety Training offered by Southwind Extension District – FSCC John Deere Tech Building, 2223 S. Horton St., 5-9pm

Youth who are planning to do farm work for someone other than a parent or guardian, are are 14 or 15 years of age must attend a tractor safety course. Attendance is required to satisfy U.S. Department of Labor requirements. These requirements allow youth to be employed at certain hazardous farm tasks. Individuals must complete 20 hours of tractor driving (on their own) in order to receive a completed certificate

Register by calling the Southwind Fort Scott Office at 620-223-3720 no later than May 17, 2019 (See flyer below for more info)
21 City Commission Meeting – City Hall, 123 S. Main, 6-7pm
22 Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center (2nd & 4th Wed. of each month) – 735 Scott Ave., 9-10am

Come drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run.  Staff will provide the bingo cards, the caller, and coffee.  Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission
22 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,  308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
22
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
22
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month
Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
23-26 Dave Regan Tournament (FSHS) – LaRoche Baseball Complex, 4805 Campbell Dr.

Email Josh Regan for more information: [email protected]
23
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Niece Products
Location: 3904 Liberty Bell Rd.
23 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm-1pm
23 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm

Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
23 Author Talk and Book Signing with Carol Russell – Hedgehog.INK!, 16 S. Main St.

Meet and greet author Carol Russell. Carol Russell is a freelance writer; she has written four books and has had many articles, devotions, and children’s stories published. She will be introducing her new book, “Jackson’s Run”

There will be an author talk, Q & A and booksigning. Her book will be available for purchase in the bookstore. Light refreshments will be served
23
A Star is Born (or Died) – Boiler Room Brewhaus, 10 S. National Ave., 7-9pm

Join us at The Boiler Room Brewhaus on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 for karaoke fun.  Cheer on your local, favorite star!
Save the Date:
– May 24-27 – Symbols of Sacrifice at Fort Scott National Historic Site
– May 24 – Flicks on the Bricks (Despicable Me)
– May 24 – Friday Night Concert in the Park (The Sekanaires Quartet)
– May 25 – Woodland Hills Memorial Weekend Scramble
– May 25 – Farmers’ Market
– May 25 – Carter Sampson @ Boiler Room Brewhaus
– May 26 – Dunn Memorial Golf Outing
– May 26 VFW Post 1165 Dedication of the U.S. Navy Memorial at Fort Scott National Cemetery
– May 27 – Team Trivia at Boiler Room Brewhaus
Click here for full events listing on our website.
Obituary

Obituary of William “Rodney” Graham

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William ‘Rodney’ Graham, 62, Fort Scott, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at his home, Fort Scott, KS.

Rodney was born May 23, 1956 in Fort Scott to Paul A. Graham, Sr. and Naomi Clounch. He lived in Fort Scott as a young child prior to moving to Iola, KS where he attended public schools. He graduated from Iola Senior High School in 1974 where he was a high school football standout.

He furthered his education by attending Baker University, Baldwin, KS, where he played football. He worked at Win-Vent, a division of Extrusions, Inc, Fort Scott.

He enjoyed fishing, working outdoors especially yard work, BBQ grilling, and had a passion for watching Nascar racing, and all athletic events.

Rodney married Glenda J. Johnson July 28th, 1978. With this union, their blended family became one.  They divorced in 2018.

He is survived by his mother, Naomi Clounch, Iola, KS, four sons, Bo Graham and wife Jamie, Fort Scott, Chris Harris and wife Amie, Anthem, AZ, Tyrone Harris and wife Gabriela, Neosho, MO, and JB Johnson; two sisters, Teresa Clounch, Hays, KS, and Gena Clounch, Iola, KS, one brother, Paul Graham, Jr., Los Angeles, CA.;  seven grandchildren Jordan Harris, Kayla Harris, Tiana Harris, Drake Sweeton, Raine Harris, Tyrone Harris Jr, Maddox Moss, and Blakely Graham; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul, A. Graham, SR., stepfather Eugene. E. Clounch, JR, two brothers, Thurman Graham and Nathaniel Graham.

There was cremation

. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday May 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorial are suggested to the Blakely Graham Scholarship Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Donna Needham

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Donna Ruth Needham’s journey to our Lord ended peacefully on May 7, 2019, in Fort Scott, Kansas. Her journey began June 21, 1931, in Wichita, Kansas.

Donna was a graduate of Wichita North High School. She earned her B.S. in education at Pittsburg State University. There she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha and gained lifelong friends as she did everywhere she was. After teaching at Hutchinson High School (1954-1962), she moved to Fort Scott and began her teaching career at Cottey College. She earned her Master’s in Education at Pittsburg State University. She retired from Cottey as Professor Emerita in 1997. While there, she oversaw the physical education program and served as chair of the Social Science division. In 1996, Donna received the Missouri Governor’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

Donna focused on all things water-related! She taught synchronized swimming, competitive swimming, diving and water safety. She was especially skilled at working with those who feared the water. She was also a certified trainer for the American Red Cross. It was not uncommon to see Donna with her friends in her beloved boat on Fort Scott Lake where she loved to water ski and frequently taught others to water ski.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Thelma (Warne) Needham, and her sister Faye Shogren.

Survivors include her nephew Michael Shogren (Debbie) of Wichita, Kansas, niece Donna Robbins (Kevin Fessman) of Derby, Kansas, nephew Scott Shogren (Wendy) of Wichita, Kansas, and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Donna’s sense of humor, honesty, generosity and infectious laughter endeared her to everyone she met. She will be greatly missed by dear friends! She will be especially missed by Lisa Proctor of Nevada, Missouri, Karen Polon and Ed Hyde of Nevada, Missouri, Mary Ann Benage of Fort Scott, Kay Roberts of Columbia, Missouri, Becki and Kent Roberts of Fort Scott, and Janie Harrison of Conway, Arkansas. We are grateful for the care and comfort that she was given at Presbyterian Village.

Her faith and her church Mary Queen of Angels were the light in the darkness we call life.

Following cremation, the Rosary will be prayed at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Fort Scott. 

Father Yancey Burgess will celebrate the funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. with burial following in the St. Mary’s Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

  Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School or Cottey College and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Bourbon County, Health Care

Health Department Moving Soon And A New Area Director

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Rebecca Johnson, SEKMCHD Director.

The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department, with a facility currently housed in a modular office building on the Bourbon County Courthouse square, is moving.

“We hope to be completed by the end of May,” Bourbon County Commissioner Jeff Fischer said.

“Every day we are getting closer to moving in,” Rebecca Johnson, SEKMCHD Director said. Johnson assumed the position on April 1, 2019.

“There will be lots of possibilities for health care related agencies to use the facility,” Johnson said. “We are looking into a telemedicine possibility.”

The new location is at 6th and Horton Streets and will provide more than twice the size of the existing building, Fischer said.

The Bourbon County employees will remain the same: Alice Maffet-public health nurse, Kristi George-administrative assistant and head billing clerk, Gayle Green, Healthy Start Home Visitor and Johnson.

“I’ll be working there primarily,” Johnson said.

Chardel Hastings, the previous SEKMCHD director, is stepping into the position of Woodson County Public Health Nurse, Johnson said.

 

Jeff Fischer, District 2 Bourbon County Commissioner.

In December 2018, SEKMCHD purchased the building from Cornerstone Bible Church. The structure was originally built by Mercy Hospital in 1992 to provide health care services.

 

A building permit was granted to modify the western side of the building, replacing interior walls and providing the ability to secure the SEKMCHD space from the commons areas that include the waiting room and reception area, Fischer said.

 

Walls and doors were installed to create three new office spaces and two examination rooms, he said.

 

“Painting is going on right now,” Fischer said. “Once that is done, the electrician and cabinet folks can come in.”

 

The electrical, plumbing and cabinetry work has yet to be completed.

Opinion

Martha, Again By Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

Last December I wrote about the Biblical account of Mary and Martha, sharing that I am a Martha personality (the woman who was frustrated because her sister sat at Jesus’ feet while she prepared the food). This past week I stepped even closer into understanding her aggravation when our friends Jack and Lael came to visit Dave and me here in Florida. Their family friend, Spencer, portraying “Scar” in the touring Broadway production of Disney’s Lion King, was performing 30 minutes away. He was able to get us discounted tickets.

About a week before their visit, Lael called and asked if Spencer could hang out at our house the day before we saw his performance. It had been years since we all attended the same church in Texas, so when he arrived shortly before lunch, I was surprised to see a mature, good-looking young man instead of a much shorter, scrawnier teen I remembered.

While in the kitchen finishing lunch preparations, I could hear some of the conversation in our living room. Dave, Jack and Lael were asking about Spencer’s Broadway connections and experiences. HELLO! I am the theater person. I am the one who would kill (okay, wound) to soak up information from someone who actually had “made it” in New York. Occasionally Lael would saunter into the kitchen to see if I needed help, but a real martyr suffers in silence, so I told her to go back to her friend, that I was fine.

I wasn’t.

I heard words like “audition,” “theatre schedule,” “Scar’s mask,” “choreography,” all reminding me that I was missing out on information that would energize me and give me insight into the field that I loved. I never would have an opportunity like this again. (Actually, I wasn’t even having it this time.)

When enough was enough, I marched into the living room and announced, “I now have renewed empathy for Martha when Mary got to sit at the feet of Jesus and take in all he had to share. Not that Spencer is Jesus, but I want you all to know this is really, really hard.” Everyone—especially Spencer– cracked up.

Over lunch, Spencer patiently answered my dozens of questions. I wanted details. What did he do in his audition that the other 30 did not? What other roles had he played? Which was the most challenging? How long did it take for the makeup artist to create his character and how many costumes did he have? I hung on his every word.

But the best was to come. Spencer invited us backstage following the matinee performance we attended the following day. I almost hyperventilated. First, we met the man who tended to the puppets between shows. With a Masters degree in puppet design, he demonstrated the hand levers that worked Zazu, the bird puppet. Spencer’s head mask was next. Strapped to his finger was a tiny control with buttons that regulated its large movements. Backstage was insane with its organization of the costumes, scenery, props and animal mechanisms. When Lael invited Spencer to grab something to eat with us before his evening show, he said he would love to. (No doubt to answer my remaining questions, I told myself.)

Lion King’s next stop was Miami, only two hours away. I thought about going again, but this time had been up close and personal. Miami would not be.

I knew the difference. So did Martha. Her house guest wasn’t just anyone. It was Jesus who might not return to their home again, and she was missing out on hearing the Good News from the One who knew it best. I understood her pain. I could relate! My time with Spencer taught me a powerful lesson, one I won’t ever forget.

Next time, I will order pizza.

Bourbon County Local News