The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office is offering a class to help women learn how to use their strength when it matters most: a female self-defense class.
The idea originated with Kim Schwab, who is an administrative assistant at the BCSO.
“I have two daughters…it gave me peace of mind when they took classes,” Schwab said. Both daughters took classes in other cities.
“I came to the sheriff (Bill Martin)and asked him if there was one in Bourbon County, he said no, but he had always wanted to bring one,” she said.
So the sheriff’s office is sponsoring a female self-defense class on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Scott Middle School, 1195 E. 12th St.
“It is for women, 12 years and up,” Schwab said. “If a minor under 18, they must have a parent accompanying them.”
“I attended a class in Paola with a daughter, there were a lot of women over 60,” she said.
Registration is on the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or come by the sheriff’s office to pick up an application, she said.
Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, 293 E. 20th.
The first hour is classroom instruction, followed by an hour of hands-on self-defense techniques.
“I feel a lot more confident in a situation,” Schwab said. “Some techniques I’d never heard of, and they teach some preventive techniques.”
For more information contact Schwab at the sheriff’s office, 620-223-1440.
A $12 donation is appreciated to help pay for the instructors time, but not required to participate.
“I don’t mean to interrupt people. I just randomly remember things and get really excited.” I saw that plaque in a diner and knew exactly what it meant. If I don’t share my thoughts immediately, they will be gone…immediately. Still, I force myself to refrain because it’s downright rude to interrupt. I mean, how many times have you been telling a story when someone one-ups you or changes the subject and takes over the conversation? Without ever asking you to finish yours? I-R-R-I-T-A-T-I-N-G!
A newly-purchased sign, hanging in my step daughter’s kitchen, counters that quote.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did the middle of my sentence interrupt the beginning of yours?” Nikki purchased it, hoping a relative gets the point.
And no, I am not that relative.
I’m really not.
On the day of last year’s eclipse, I was at my friend Marti’s house. She was watching her granddaughter, Isabel, and was explaining the solar phenomenon to her. As Marti and I talked, Isabel exploded with random thoughts. Each time, Marti gently told her granddaughter that the adults were visiting and she needed to wait her turn. Isabel tried to be patient, and then she did what every well-mannered child does when she can wait no longer—she raised her hand and waved it frantically. Her behavior was delightful.
Many adults could learn from her example.
Of course, we all know that all interrupting is not always bad. Some news should not wait, like telling me that my grandchild is playing with matches or the neighbor’s dog is chewing on my patio furniture. In reality, life is all about interruptions, isn’t it? Henry Nouwen, a Roman Catholic priest and theologian, wrote, “My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, until I discovered my interruptions were my work.” I get it. Most of my articles are based on something happening I wasn’t expecting. Our life’s narrative is constantly being rewritten because of interruptions. In the past year, several of my friends have found that to be true. Cancer. A hurricane. An unexpected pregnancy. Divorce. Bankruptcy. Care of an elderly parent. Addiction. Mental illness. Death. The Bible is jam-packed with interruptions. A young girl’s life was interrupted to be told that she would bring the Messiah into the world. Jesus was constantly interrupted by evil spirits or arrogant religious teachers, moments that gave him an opportunity to remind his listeners of grace. Judas interrupted Jesus’ celebration of the Passover with his disciples and again with his prayer time in the Garden, all leading up to the incredible sadness after Jesus’ death being interrupted by the life-changing news that his grave was empty. And for those whose lives are based on that resurrection, there remains one final interruption for which we must be prepared. We find it in Thessalonians 1:16-17:For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Now, that’s an interruption we can’t afford to miss.
Inez Irene Sutcliffe, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at her home. She was born November 6, 1929, in Oskaloosa, Missouri, the second of six children of Willie A. Carpenter and Carrie E. Guss Carpenter. Irene graduated from the Liberal High School with the Class of 1947. In earlier years, she was employed as a telephone operator in Arcadia, Kansas and later worked for Key Work Clothes in both the factory and later in the office. While with Key she received several outstanding and meritorious awards. Irene married Frank A. Sutcliffe on November 2, 1964, in Miami, Oklahoma. She later worked as bookkeeper for his truck driving business. Irene was a past member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, V.F.W. Auxiliary, Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society. She loved family gatherings, her dogs and cats and flowers, especially roses.
Survivors include a brother, Bill Carpenter and wife Karen, of Liberal, Missouri and two sisters, Leota McClendon of Liberal, Missouri and Wanda “Jay” Dunn of Ft. Scott; and a sister-in-law, Jeanette Carpenter, Lamar, Missouri. Also surviving are eight nephews, Loren Readinger, Darren, Brian, Kevin, Justin, Nathan and Dustin Carpenter and Mike Dunn and four nieces, Linda Tenholder, Susan Jones, Debra Martin and Rhonda Dunn as well as numerous extended family members including Clara and Hannah Dunn who helped provide for her care. Her husband, Frank, preceded her in death on October 23, 1991. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, David Carpenter, a sister, Evelyn Jones and three nephews, Gary Dunn, Randall Readinger and Conner Tenholder.
Pastor Jeff Dillow will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the V.F.W. 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.
Governor Laura Kelly prioritizes revitalization of early childhood education efforts in Kansas
Governor appoints new Executive Director, Chair of Kansas Children’s Cabinet
Governor Laura Kelly today once again highlighted her commitment to expanding early childhood programing in Kansas and reinvigorating the efforts of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet. Kelly appointed former Rep. Melissa Rooker as the new executive director and Kim Moore as new chair of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.
“I worked closely with Rep. Rooker for many years and know her to be a steadfast advocate for Kansas children and families with a depth of knowledge on the issues impacting our children,” said Kelly. “She shares my commitment to expanding and improving early childhood opportunities across the state. I look forward to her leadership as we stimulate innovation and partnership surrounding early childhood programs.”
Rooker served in the Kansas House of Representatives for six years where she took a leadership role in education and early childhood issues. She was heavily involved in restoring critical funding for K-12 public schools. Rooker also fought for increased funding for early childhood education after years of neglect to Kansas’ prized early childhood programs.
“I’m honored to lead this work and help implement the governor’s vision for improving the health and well-being of our children and families,” said Rooker. “Early childhood programs are critical to the development and success of Kansas children. I’m eager to build on our progress by bringing new ideas and energy to the discussion.”
Kim Moore served as the president of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund in Hutchinson for over thirty years. In that role, Moore developed multiple-year grant making initiatives in diverse health fields including adverse childhood experiences, children’s emotional and social health, oral health, and child care generally. His efforts leveraged both public and private funds to enhance programs directed towards the health of young children and their families.
“I’m pleased to have Kim Moore engaged as chair of the Children’s Cabinet,” said Kelly. “He has broad experience in the area of advocacy and philanthropy to benefit the communities of Kansas. His commitment to improving the lives of our youngest Kansans and his partnership with other philanthropies make him the right choice to chair the Kansas Children’s Cabinet.”
“I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that high quality early intervention and support can have on children and families across the state of Kansas,” said Moore. “I look forward to working with the governor, Rep. Rooker, and the other members of the Children’s Cabinet to make sure all children in Kansas are safe, healthy and have the opportunity to succeed.”
The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund is directed by state statute to fund and evaluate key children’s programs across the state. For more information, visit kschildrenscabinet.org.
Bryan Ritter, brewmaster for the Boiler Room Brewhaus, speaks to the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet attendees on Tuesday morning. Bryan and Barbara Ritter, owners of the business, hosted the event.
The Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet meets several times a year to allow people interested in downtown Fort Scott to share ideas/events.
Bryan Ritter, who along with wife, Barbara, own the Boiler Room Brewhaus, hosted the Meet and Greet on Tuesday on Feb. 5.
The business sold 2,000 gallons of beer last year, he said.
“We do specialty beers, named after our animals on the farm,” Ritter told the group. “We ended the year in the black!”
Besides making and selling beer, they host events.
“We do birthday parties, music events, hosted charitable events,” he said. “Any civic organization that raises funds, we’d be happy to help.”
Their contact information: 913-636-4892 or 620-644-5032 or [email protected].
Others who spoke at the meet and greet:
Dick Horton, Southeast Kansas Community Action Program Director of Community Engagement, invited the attendees to give input to its regional assessment. To complete the community assessment: http://www.sek-cap.com/index.php/about.us/community-assessment
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said Project 17 has a user-friendly Wix platform available to businesses who have under $1 million in revenue.
Madison also said the Chamber is finalizing its Business Locator Map Pinpoints and Ads, with a focus on shop, dine, play and stay businesses.
She said there is ad space on the Skubitz Plaza Downtown Directory Sign, for $100 a year.
Madison said the KOMB 103.9 Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show is April 5-6.
Ally Turvey, from the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the bureau is continuing to sponsor the downtown family movie nights. This year the entertainment evenings will move to Skubitz Plaza and one of the four films featured is about Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.
The City State Bank Ribbon Cutting begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7.
Hedgehog.INK will have a book signing featuring author Gerri Hilger. (Editors note: the book signing will be rescheduled from Feb.7, due to weather.)There will also be a story time Saturday featuring author Joyce Love, reading her rendition of “The Three Little Pigs.” In addition, local artist Jean Solomonson will lead the children in card making.
Madison informed the attendees of the Google live stream”Give Your Website a Refresh” on Wednesday, March 6 from 11 a.m to noon at the Lowell Milken Center. Attendees will learn about search engine optimization and best practices for creating a search-friendly site.
Also, there will be a Bill Drury Seminar, May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon, with a focus on “Effective Leadership For First Line Managers and Supervisors,” Madison said.
There are grants available for downtown businesses to refresh a facade, see Rachel Pruitt with the City of Fort Scott for more information.
Carl Brenner, Fort Scott National Historic Site, said there are student position openings at the fort this summer.
Martha Scott, Friends of the Fort, said subscriptions are continuing for installing flags at residences/businesses in celebration of national holidays. The group charges $35 a year and will install and take down the flags.
Business owner, Jared Leek, said Valentines Day has been sold out at Crooner’s Lounge, but days before and after are available for reservations. He said on Feb. 16 Elton Dan, an Elton John impersonator will perform at the Liberty Theater. Leek also said that the Bourbon County Arts Council has six events coming this year downtown, the first one is March 9.
Pat Lyons, Lyons Twin Mansions, said they and the Courtland Hotel are part of a “Most Romantic Weekend In Kansas” promotion on Valentine weekend.
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin gave updates on healthcare, the Craw-Kan Cooperative broadband project, Mark McCoy’s group to unify the city/county governments, and parking issues downtown.
Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said Fort Scott Lofts, formerly Western Senior Living, now only require 20 percent of residents to be 55 years old and older.
Pruitt also said the Warrior Convoy parade through town, in connection with Adam LaRoche’s Wounded Warrior Hunt, will be May 1 this year.
Fort Scott Codes Director Rhonda Dunn said a possible U.S. Cellular cell phone tower downtown is in the design phase and stated it is a process that the public will be allowed input on.
Lee’s Paws and Claws Animal Shelter is having an online Facebook auction that includes several large appliances: computer, refrigerator, freezer. The auction closes today, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.
The Commissioners held a special meeting at 9 a.m. Feb. 7 to discuss the weather conditions.
Following discussion the following motion was made:
Commissioner Lynne Oharah made a motion not to close the Bourbon County Courthouse. If an employee doesn’t work, vacation time or take unpaid time off can be taken.
Commissioner Nick Ruhl seconded and the motion passed.
