Timberlynn “Kedrin” Quinlan, 67, of Fort Scott, KS passed away at 7:19 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family, following a long battle with MS. She was full of love, she was stubborn, she was fierce, and she was the Queen of sarcastic humor. She was a wife, mom, and Grammy who filled our souls with her love and spirit.
She was born February 26, 1953 in Kansas City, MO to Robert and Doris Julian. She grew up in Independence, MO. and attended high school at Fort Osage, MO.
She was united in marriage to Dr. Gregory H. Quinlan on February 16, 1976.
She was a graduate from Kansas City School of Nursing and worked in Pediatrics at Lakeside Hospital and University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, MO. She was the Administrator at her husbands’ ophthalmology practice in Dodge City and then at Quinlan Eye Center in Fort Scott until her health declined. She was a member of ASCRS and ASOA and an active member of Mary Queen of Angels Church in Fort Scott, KS.
She is survived by her husband of the home, her son and daughter -in- law Sean and Jessica Quinlan, Ft. Scott, daughter and son-in-law Kellie and Mitch Patterson of Eudora, along with two grandchildren Cail and Kierra Patterson of Eudora, KS.
Graveside services will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery, near Topeka, KS on Thursday, April 30, 2020.
Memorials are suggested to the National MS Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Jessie (Endicott) Wiggins, age 94, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.
She was born November 19, 1925, at Garland, Kansas the daughter of William Oscar Endicott and Josie May (Birdsell) Endicott. She grew up around the Cherry Grove Church area and was a member. Jessie attended Gish school graduating with the class of 1942.
Jessie worked for Key Industries for over 46 years and retired on December 28, 1990.
Jessie married Junior Terrel in 1946 and later divorced.
She then married the love of her life, Charles Russell Wiggans. They were married on December 28, 1954. Charles preceded her in death on April 6, 1998.
She enjoyed going on trips after retiring to some of the places her mother enjoyed visiting.
She also bowled in National tournaments in both St. Louis and Las Vegas. She was the President of the Fort Scott Women’s Bowling Association.
She and Charles enjoyed camping with the Noble Mobile Unit, and Mirza Nobelles. Jessie held offices with #13 Eastern Star, Olive Chapter, Daughters of the Nile, Pittsburg Chapter, Daughter of the Nile, Fort Scott Chapter, and she was a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Survivors include a daughter, Rosella Jeanette Rock, of Fort Scott whom Jessie formally adopted on April 26, 2012. She thanks God for Rosella who was Charles’ daughter from a previous marriage.
Survivors include five grandchildren; Charles Rock of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Gene Parker, Travis Parker and wife Dawn, Shelle Goans and husband Shawn, and Christopher Parker all of Fort Scott; thirteen great-grandchildren, twelve great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Besides Charles, she was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, two brothers and one great-grandson, and one great-great-granddaughter.
Private burial will take place on Thursday at the Large Cemetery.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Shrine Transportation 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.
I’m not the best one to start talking about technology. Believe me, I am learning with everyone new ways to communicate and reach others at a distance through technology. Covid-19 has forced us to learn new communication strategies.
Some of our older adults may have felt some sort of isolation prior to the social distancing recommendations we have received lately. Living in rural areas can contribute to isolation. Others of us may enjoy that extra space. However, when family, friends, and neighbors pass on or move away, those feelings of isolation can be amplified for those feeling left behind.
Let’s look at some ways that we might use the time we have with this stay-at-home order to keep connected and strengthen distance relationships.
Start using or learn new technology. If we have a smartphone, a computer, or an iPad, we might already have access to some video technology, such as Skype, Zoom, or Facetime. A live video conversation is the next best thing to being there in person. If you’re like me, you may need the assistance of someone from a younger generation to talk you through the steps of doing the process, but after a time or two of doing it, you’ll get the hang of it. It can be very rewarding to connect through a video conversation.
If technology isn’t your thing, then pick up the phone and catch up the old-fashioned way. A quick text or email are great ways to stay in touch between conversations.
Engage Family and Friends. Encourage members of your social group, faith group, or volunteer group to support each other or reach out to those who are socially isolated. Just a quick check-in with them can mean a lot. Involve kids by having them create artwork that can be shared with grandparents, older neighbors, or other isolated individuals you may know. You never know how important it may be to someone to know that they were thought of that day.
If you want to step it up a notch, consider hosting a digital dinner with family or friends. Everyone joins online from their respective homes and eats together with family discussions. Some of our best discussions take place over the dinner table.
If you don’t relish the idea of watching each other eat, try playing games over video or read books to young ones. To encourage staying active, create an online exercise group where all meet at the same time by a video process. Research shows we are more accountable to our exercise program when we exercise as a group rather than individually.
Quality relationships that have developed with close family, friends, and neighbors help provide ongoing joy, excitement, support, and purpose. Maintaining meaningful relationships take a conscious effort. While we may not be able to carry on some of those relationships in person, now, more than ever, it’s important to follow through in sustaining those connections.
Whatever you do, check in on the well-being of family and neighbors who are more isolated at this time. Hopefully, they are sticking close to home as directed. A check-in call or running a quick errand for them could be what it takes to lift spirits right now.
For more information on overcoming feelings of isolation, contact the Yates Center Southwind Extension District Office at 620-625-8620.
Kathi Hall teaches via a video to her Fort Scott Junior High students.. Submitted photos.
The pandemic has changed the way students are taught across the world and locally as well.
USD 234 in Fort Scott started its’ continuous learning plan on March 30.
Fort Scott Middle School Sixth-Grade Reading and Language Arts Teacher Kathi Hall said the teachers met for several days over Zoom during that week to select essential subjects to be taught.
There would be digital learners and paper packets offered to the students for at-home learning, it was decided.
“We contacted each parent and found out the best way for their continuous learning through our Tiger Dens,” she said. “We started sending lessons on April 6.”
Tiger Dens is a social and emotional learning class that all the students have in middle school, she said.
Hat Day for Kathi Hall’s Zoom Reading Class meeting on April 21. Submitted photos.
Students who needed paper packets were because of no internet service, no device nor wanting to borrow one from the school, or their parents wanting them to only have paper packets, she said.
” I think this was one of the most challenging aspects of continuous learning because we as teachers didn’t have the opportunity…. to contact that student through their school email,” Hall said. “We do contact them through their parent’s phone or email to check-in!”
Teachers at FSMS continue to collaborate weekly and plan.
“Our teachers meet several times in the week in Zoom to connect, discuss any concerns or celebrations, and just continue to collaborate,” she said.
Teachers are available for their students and parents through their email or cell phone.
“Most of our teachers are teaching from home through their digital platforms such as Google Classroom, Zoom, and other educational apps that our staff agreed would be the best for the students,” Hall said. “We have had one or two teachers who have spotty or glitchy internet services because of where they reside so they will use their classroom.”
“When I think about the good that comes from our Covid19 situation and continuous learning with students not being in classrooms, there isn’t a whole lot of specifics that I can list as good.” she said. ” However, in any situation, you can find the good. I will say that one of the things that comes to mind is the way our school and district has pulled together as a strong unit.”
“Our lunch and transportation staff made a plan, organized it, looked it over for improvements once it was implemented, and then made it a better plan for our community to receive lunches in a safe and functional way,” Hall said.
“Our teachers and staff have pulled together in a tight organized way to make a plan to reach out to students and connect in a way no one has had to do before.”
Hat Day during a Zoom meeting in Kathi Hall’s class at Fort Scott Middle School. Submitted photos.
“Our tech team has been working seamlessly in providing support, devices etc…for our district,” she said.
“For us at the middle school, our two principals have been on top of things supporting us and the parents/students in a way that feels amazing,” Hall said. “This is so different, new, and uncharted waters for everyone. Yet in a matter of days we begin to see the right decisions made and executed for everyone involved.”
“We definitely have challenges and I am speaking on behalf of our staff that this isn’t an ideal way to educate our students in a long term setting,” she said.
“One of the main challenges is student participation,” Hall said. “Students at the age that we teach, rely on accountability. Their young minds need interaction, sociability, and academic practice (sometimes guided practice).”
“As teachers, it is challenging not to see the faces of our students as well,” she said. “We love our jobs, we are in the profession to change children’s lives through academics, social, and emotional connections.”
“Another challenge we can’t overlook is there are fears and problems (concerning Covid19) in a student’s home with parents out of work, reduced hours, family sick or ill, etc,” Hall said. “The social and emotional well being of our students is a concern. For some students, the school was a safe haven to escape their home lives of whatever is going on that is out of the norm and their control.”
The district is providing learning opportunities for students, not focusing on grades.
“The students who are connected digitally are having feedback on their assignments,” she said. “The teachers are ‘grading the assignment’ and giving feedback through our Google Classroom or email. The paper packets will be looked at once they are turned in.”
Today Governor Laura Kelly announced her administration had reached an agreement to resolve a challenge to actions she took to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Kansas.
“My highest priority has been, and will continue to be, keeping Kansans safe during this pandemic,” Kelly said. “While I am confident that we have the law on our side, the agreement with these two churches will allow us to move forward and focus our efforts on mitigating the spread of the disease and working to restart the economy.”
The settlement comes less than a week before Governor Kelly is expected to make a decision on whether to open the state back up or keep in place the mass gathering and disease mitigation restrictions. Under the agreement, the two churches agree to comply with safety protocols put in place by the court.
“Since this case was filed on April 16, Ford County has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases going from 51 positives to 419,” Kelly said. “I know this is a difficult time for everyone, but I want to take a moment and thank all of the first responders and medical staff for their sacrifice. They are on the front lines of this disease and they are true heroes.
“Our job is to not make theirs harder. And, our advice to all Kansans remains the same – stay home and stay safe. We are bending the curve, but we must continue to be vigilant in our mitigation efforts.”
Online grocery shopping and pickup has proved to be a blessing at our house. “Thank you” to Walmart, G&W Foods, Dollar General, and all the businesses that are stepping up to the challenges we now face. Due to fear and panic, it has become necessary to put a limit on the number of food and supply items that people purchase.
In times like these, we look to Jesus for hope. So even though a few items may not be available in the stores, we can be thankful there are no limits on God’s supply of grace. There is no end or limit to His goodness toward us. He is inexhaustible, immeasurable, unfailing, everlasting, infinite, and supreme. His supply never runs low. He provided everything we would ever need before we were born. Let’s look at seven encouraging scriptures to remind us of how God is not restricted in supplying the needs of believers:
There’s overflowing hope for you: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NLT).
God’s love for you is unconditional. “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love“ (Romans 8:38 NLT). God’s love will never leave you.
There’s abundant mercy for you. “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5 NKJV).
There’s incredible grace for us. “…So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7 NLT). We are rich in God’s grace.
He satisfies the longing soul with goodness. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness“ (Psalm 107:8,9 NKJV).
God’s power working in us is able to accomplish infinitely more than we think. “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). Believe that God’s power is at work in your life.
Rest assured that God‘s arms are big enough to hold you safe and steady. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7 NKJV).
The Bottom Line: Take as much as you need from God’s storehouse!
TOPEKA – Kansas Secretary of Labor Delía García confirmed today that the Spanish language feature of the GetKansasBenefits.gov website officially launched this week.
Unemployed Kansans can file their weekly claims, check the status of their claims and view FAQs all in Spanish just by clicking the Español button at the top of the page. The first stage of the launch was late last week followed by additional translated content earlier this week. KDOL will continue to update the site to provide more Spanish language resources as they are developed.
“When I joined the Kansas Department of Labor as the new secretary last year, I wanted to increase availability of materials in Spanish,” García said. “With the launch of the Spanish language website, we should be able to help more Kansans get questions answered and apply for benefits online. That is even more important during this crisis when call volumes are at unprecedented levels.”
For more information, or to apply for unemployment benefits, go to GetKansasBenefits.gov.
Due to health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, this will be the first-ever decennial census that has been delayed. The U.S. Commerce Department officially stated it is “seeking statutory relief from Congress for 120 additional calendar days to deliver final apportionment counts.”
Under this plan, which must receive congressional approval, field data collection and self response will be extended from the original July 31 date until October 31, 2020. Apportionment counts would then be delivered to the President on April 30, 2021, and the redistricting data to be delivered to the states by July 31, 2021.
Governor Kelly applauds federal coronavirus relief, conveys need for flexibility
Governor Laura Kelly sent a letter to members of Kansas’ federal delegation to commend them for supporting the latest coronavirus emergency relief package, which provides economic support for small businesses, hospitals and COVID-19 testing capacity. The letter also conveys the urgent need for additional federal support in the form of direct, flexible state aid.
“Although federal aid made available up to this point will enhance Kansas’ immediate coronavirus response efforts, it lacks the flexibility necessary to adequately meet the needs of Kansas communities for the duration of this pandemic,” Kelly said in the letter. “COVID-19 will continue to impose unprecedented economic and public health challenges for at least another 12 to 18 months, and I write to urge your support for additional relief in the form of direct state aid.”
Kelly said it is critical to understand that the $1 billion budget shortfall Kansas faces today as a result of the coronavirus is far different than what happened as a result of the Great Recession, which resulted in $1 billion worth of cuts.
“Although those cuts were brutal, they occurred gradually. This gave communities time to adapt and prioritize, so they could limit the damage to Kansas families as much as possible,” she said in the letter. “That is not the situation Kansas faces today. Never before has the state confronted such a rapid, steep fiscal drop due to unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances.”
Kelly thanked the federal delegation for its work on behalf of the people of Kansas, but expressed that she is gravely concerned that states are prohibited from using COVID-19 relief funds, such as those included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to supplant lost general fund revenue.
“As we continue to navigate these uncharted waters, my administration will remain in close communication with you and your respective staffs,” the Governor said in the letter. “Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require additional information as you negotiate the next round of emergency relief.”
Jimmy and Carolyn Tucker, Fort Scott, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this month. Carolyn Ann Hayward became the bride of James Paul Tucker, April 18, 1980, at the Bethel Freewill Baptist Church, El Dorado Springs, Missouri. The late Rev. Fidell Bridges and Rev. James D. Tucker, father of the groom, solemnized the marriage vows. Pianist and soloist Mike Jamison performed songs If, Wedding Song, and The Lord’s Prayer.
The couple has two married children, Mariam and Levi Self, and Aaron and Cynthia Tucker; also three granddaughters Lydia Mae, Felicity Ann, and Vivienne Hope Self.
