Harper Directs Finale Concert Dec. 11
Pittsburg Youth Chorale
FINALE CONCERT
Tuesday, December 11th
6PM
Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center
Pittsburg Youth Chorale is under the direction of MJ Harper, composed of 4th-6th grade musicians from Southeast Kansas. The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire. Participants perform at community events. If you would like us to perform for your event, please contact:
MJ Harper at [email protected] or 620-719-6633.
Cindy at Palapa by Patty LaRoche
There was an interesting exchange at the Palapa, our poolside gathering spot, the week before Thanksgiving. Six women started the conversation by trying to decide when “Black Friday” was held here in Mazatlán. No one would miss out on the big-bargain, tug-of-war.
“It begins today.”
“No, it starts next Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.”
“That’s when it starts in the United States, not in Mexico.”
Back-and-forth the discussion went, until Cindy, my smart-but-dingy friend, spoke up. “I thought that happened at Easter, not Thanksgiving.”
I couldn’t help myself. (Actually, I could, but I didn’t.) “Well, since one deals with the Pilgrims and one deals with Jesus, there’s really quite a difference.” Everyone started laughing, even Cindy, until she thought about our conversation for a few seconds.
“I probably missed that part in our youth group. I think the nuns didn’t like us because we went to public school and just showed up once a week for religion classes. They would rap our knuckles with a ruler when we didn’t pay attention. I got smacked a lot.”
Several chuckles later, Cindy became serious. “I just always get sad on Black Friday.” Surely she wasn’t talking about shopping, so if this sadness was about the day Jesus died, I was touched.
“Yea,” she continued, “because that’s when my friends were injured in a terrible car wreck. It was just a couple of days before Easter. I’ll never forget it.”
What in the world? “Actually,” I said, “the Friday before Easter isn’t called Black Friday. It’s called Good Friday, and it’s the day Jesus died.”
Cindy looked at me like I had just fallen off a turkey truck. “Well, what’s so good about that?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Good grief, Cindy,” I laughed. “I’m surprised you have any knuckles left.”
I love unplanned conversations about Jesus, for that’s where he seems to make the greatest impact. Just mentioning his name reminds people that he is real and a part of my life…which is why I don’t understand Christians who are paralyzed at the thought of including him in their everyday conversations. How many opportunities they miss! (Trust me, I’ve missed more than I can count.)
2 Timothy 4:2 reminds us to be prepared to talk about God, no matter whether the time is favorable or not. After Peter healed a man, he took advantage of the awe-struck crowd by sharing the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. That was not his intent. He had set out that morning to pray in the temple, but then this unexpected opportunity presented itself. Peter could have walked through the throng of people, shaking hands, perhaps signing an autograph or two, but he didn’t. Recognizing a chance to remind people what Jesus had done for them, he began sharing the highlights of what he knew about his Savior.
Granted, Peter’s talk ended with many people turning their lives over to Jesus, and mine ended up in laughter, but I think every mention of Jesus or God counts. After all, you’ve gotta start somewhere, right?
Santa at Walmart Dec. 7-9
Come visit Santa Claus at the Fort Scott Wal-Mart at the below days and times.
December 7. Friday. 4 – 8 pm.
December 8. Saturday. 10 am – 2 pm.
December 9. Sunday. 1 – 5 pm.
There is no charge to take a photo with Santa. However, donations are accepted on behalf of American Legion Post 25’s children and youth programs.
Special Events In Fort Scott Dec. 7-9
State Poetry and Art Contest
Kansas Department of Commerce Announces the National Career Development Poetry & Art Contest
The Kansas Department of Commerce is partnering with the National Career Development Association (NCDA) to participate in the 53rd NCDA Annual Poetry and Art Contest.
The contest theme is “Using Careers to Break Barriers, Empower Lives & Achieve Equity.”
The National Career Development Association promotes career development through its annual celebration of National Career Development Month. Every November, career development professionals are encouraged to celebrate with career related activities including the annual Poetry and Art Contest.
Entries will be judged on how they celebrate and inspire career development with a positive tone while emphasizing the national theme.
ELIGIBILITY
Every adult and student enrolled in school is eligible, as well as adult practitioners who are not in school. Contest divisions areas include:
o Primary – grades K-2
o Intermediate – grades 3-5
o Middle – grades 6-8
o Senior – grades 9-12
o Adult Student – ages 18 and older, enrolled in school
o Open Adult – ages 18 and older (student teachers, parents, professionals, etc.)
REQUIREMENTS FOR POEMS
Poetic Form: Acceptable poetic forms, e.g. cinquain, free verse, diamante, haiku, limerick, metered, rhyming, blank verse
Size: Submit each poem on a single sheet of paper 8.5″ x 11″ in 12-point font.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ART
Lettering: Simple bold lettering is preferred. Captions are to be used to convey the theme, attract attention, and to achieve goals of clarity, vigor and originality. All lettering will be considered part of the design.
Media:
Category 1 (C1): Standard use of ink, pencil, poster paints, magic marker, acrylics, and oils.
Category 2 (C2): Use of photos, clipart, graphic art software, collage, cut and pasted paper, and mixed media.
Size: All art must be created in 8.5″ x 11″ format, including matte, to be eligible.
All state award winners will be notified and sent to NCDA by Feb. 20, 2019
The winning entries for each division will be recognized on the NCDA website in May 2019 and displayed at the Annual Global Career Development Conference in June. National winners will also receive a special certificate and a congratulatory gift from the NCDA
Please submit any entries to [email protected] by January 14, 2019
Submissions may also be sent by mail to:
Kansas Department of Commerce, Poetry and Art Contest
1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 100, Topeka, Kansas 66612
Obituary of Deborah Underwood
Deborah Louise Underwood, age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at her home.
She was born September 5, 1953, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Ezequiel Santana and Esther Rebecca Mark Santana.
She married Steven Underwood on October 2, 1971, in Lebanon. Deborah had worked the majority of her life in food service. She had managed restaurants throughout the United States and had most recently been employed by G & W Foods in Ft. Scott. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her two daughters, Stephanie Kaylor and her husband, Matthew, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania and Jennifer Kitch and her husband, Robert, of Branson, Missouri; six grandchildren, Zachery and Samuel Kaylor and Rebecca, Jessica, Austin and Chase Kitch and five great-grandchildren, Elija, Ryan, Isiah, Aniston and Evelyn. Also surviving is her brother, David Santana, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Her husband, Steven, preceded her in death on December 28, 2013. She was also preceded in death by her parents.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 10th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Deborah Underwood Memorial 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.
Dr. Larry Seals Earns Fourth Five-Star Excellence Award
Patient satisfaction scores rank him/team in the nation’s top 10 percent
Forget about a three-peat: Dr. Larry Seals and his team take it another level.
For the fourth consecutive year, Seals and the Mercy Clinic Fort Scott OB/GYN team have earned the Professional Research Consultants, Inc. (PRC) Five-Star Excellence Award for Provider Services and Overall Care.
Once again, Seals has been recognized for scoring in the top 10 percent nationally for “excellent” responses in patient satisfaction surveys.
Like a legendary sports teams, consecutive awards take commitment and hard work. Going into his 32nd years in practice – and thousands and thousands of beautiful babies delivered in his hands – Seals gives all the credit to teamwork.
“I’m happy because my nursing staff does a great job of treating patients with superb clinical skill and unmatched compassion,” Seals said.
Seals attributes his practice’s success to putting patients first.
“When precious life in your hands, it’s important to empathize and share genuine care for everyone,” he added. “Every day we give our best to those who trust us for excellent medical care and understanding.”
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Funds Still Available to Assist with Mammogram Costs
Patients who cannot afford a mammogram because they are uninsured or underinsured will benefit from a $3,000 donation from Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott.
Between now and Dec. 31, 2018, patients who are due for a mammogram and have not received the screening are encouraged to take advantage of this offer at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott. Funds donated by Mercy Health Foundation are used to provide mammograms and breast imaging for patients who meet certain criteria such as those not insured, or insured but their coverage does not include mammograms.
Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information about digital mammography or to schedule a mammography appointment online, visit mercy.net/ScheduleMammo or call Mercy’s Imagining Services at 620-223-7015.
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Mercy Health Foundation—Fort Scott, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, raises money and community awareness for Mercy Hospital. It is dependent on the support of individuals, corporations and foundations to help Mercy meet community health care needs. Mercy Health Foundation invests its philanthropic support in facilities and the advancement of technologies and programs to enhance Mercy’s ability to provide excellence in health care. For more information, visit mercy.net/giving.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Dec. 6
Collins Begins Political Career
Ken Collins, 102 E. First St., Mulberry, is the newly elected Second District Kansas State House of Representative.
“The district covers most of Crawford County, except Pittsburg, and the eastern edges of Neosho and Allen Counties along with the western edge of Bourbon County including Bronson and Uniontown,” Collins said.
Collins has been transitioning from citizen to a representative since being elected in November.
Orientation began last Sunday with social events and meetings.
Election of House leadership positions took place this week, Collins said.
He will be in his Topeka apartment at the beginning of January, he said.
“But I plan to come back home most weekends. It is important to me to not lose touch with the people of the district,” he said.
Constituents may contact Collins at his cell phone number,620-240-0778 or personal email [email protected].
“I will also have an official email address that will be available on the Kansas.gov website,” Collins said.
“I hope to have regular updates and I plan to continue the Facebook page that I established during the campaign. It can be accessed on Facebook by searching for @kansasdistrict2.”
His priority is to see that US HWY 69 continues to be upgraded to four lanes all the way to the south of the Arma/Franklin bypass, he said.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Dec. 5
Click below for the daily reports.