Obituary

Obituary for Mary Frances Townsend

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Mary Frances Townsend, age 88, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 12, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott.

She was born January 10, 1930, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Dewey E. McFadden and Virginia Crick McFadden.

She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1947. She married Howard Eugene Townsend in 1950, at Blytheville, Arkansas.

Mary graduated from the Mercy School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. She was employed by both Mercy Hospital and Newman Young Clinic and retired in 1991. She was a long-time member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and later St. Francis Anglican Church. She enjoyed traveling and genealogy and especially working in her yard and tending her flowers.

Survivors include her children, Debra Ramsey of Uniontown, Kansas and Mike Townsend (Tammy), of Ft. Scott; four grandchildren, Lisa Stich (Aaron) of Springfield, Missouri, Michael P. Townsend of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Brandon Boyd of Ft. Scott and Steve Ramsey (Courtney), of Colorado Springs, Colorado and five great-grandchildren, Alden, Lake, Landree, Aiden and Denton. She was preceded in death by her husband and a brother, Ernest McFadden.

Father David Lewis-Dix will conduct a Requiem Mass at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the COPD Foundation 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.

Mercy Hospital

Mercy Hospital Update by Reta Baker

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Reta Baker. Courtesy photo.

On October 1, 2018,  Fort Scott Mercy Hospital President Reta Baker announced the closing of the hospital  at years end.

Mercy Hospital has been a part of the community since 1885, and the news sent shock waves into Bourbon County and all of Kansas.

Baker has been working on transitioning to a new medical care system in Fort Scott in these specific areas:  a medical clinic,  an ambulance service, a patient transportation service, an emergency room service, therapy services and home health and hospice services.

 

The following is an update provided from  Baker, following a request from FortScott.Biz.

“New models of care are becoming a reality for many rural communities,” Baker said. “It is not an easy change. At the Kansas Hospital Association meeting this week it was reported that 73% of the rural hospitals report having a negative operating margin, and over the upcoming year we will see many more communities faced with this change and we may be in a position to be the cutting edge example of doing this successfully.

 

“These new models of care have at least at least three components, we are striving for five:

 

  1. A clinic that is designed to meet the needs of the community.  Mercy has assured this need is met through the transition of all clinic operations to the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK).  They are a primary care clinic with expanded services to support dental and behavioral needs of communities they serve. CHC/SEK is in the process of interviewing and hiring as many of our current staff as they can accommodate.  The following list of providers have confirmed that they will be continuing their practices with CHC/SEK:
  • Dr. Katrina Burke, who will continue to provide prenatal care and deliver babies at Via Christi in Pittsburg.
  • Dr. Maxwell Self, who will continue to provide support to the Home Health and Hospice.
  • Dr. P.K. Gugnani, who will continue to provide an important role in our occupational medicine efforts.
  • Beth Newkirk ARNP will practice part-time at the FS location.
  • Pam Moyer, ARNP, will be joining CHC/SEK in the FS location, she has worked convenient care and is currently working in the ER.
  • Christine O’Dell, ARNP, who will continue to practice at the Convenient Care Location.
  • Hannah Born, ARNP, will be practicing with CHC/SEK at the Pittsburg location.
  • Amber Hunziker, ARNP, will be practicing with CHC/SEK in the Pittsburg and Arma location.
  • Amanda Stice, ARNP, will continue her practice with CHC/SEK.

 

The following list of providers are continuing to consider their options:

 

  • Dr. Larry Seals has not decided where his office will be located but intends to remain in the area, and will be delivering babies at Nevada Regional or Via Christi.
  • Dr. John Fox has not decided where his office will be located but intends to remain in the area, once he makes his choice this will be shared with the community.
  • Greg King, ARNP, has not decided where his office will be located but also intends to remain in the area, once he makes his choice this will be shared with the community.

 

 

  1. A strong ambulance service. Mercy has been contracted by (Bourbon) County to provide the ambulance service since 1991.  Mercy is working with the county to transition ownership of the ambulances and equipment to the county.  The county will engage the City (of Fort Scott) under the structure of the fire department to operate the ambulance.  It is expected that the same highly trained staff will provide the service seamlessly to the community.

 

  1. A transportation system to facilitate patients being able to get to provider appointments as well as to those that require a specialist.  Through CHC/SEK, facilitating transportation to physician appointments if they have no means of transportation, is a service they do provide.

 

  1. An emergency room is an added component we are striving for and consider a high priority but is not always present in rural models.  Mercy is in discussion with an entity for the provision of an emergency department.  This entity is in the process of completing due diligence to determine whether it can be a feasible and sustainable investment for them. As with the other services, Mercy is facilitating to remain in the community all of the equipment to operate the ER would be transitioned to this entity.

 

  1. Therapy services of physical, speech and OT which is another added and the fifth component to the model of care. A group of therapists has formed a company “I Am Rehab” to provide physical and occupational therapy as well as the continued (Health For Life) fitness center facilities for the community.

 

“Mercy has offered and is willing to work with the city and county to facilitate a smooth transition of EMS and ambulance services.

 

“Home health and hospice services will continue but transition around Feb. 1, 2019, to the new name of Integrity. A large percentage of the providers will stay with the new management. The service area will remain the same and perhaps expand.”

 

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber After-Hours Event: Nate’s Place Today

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Chamber of Commerce After-Hours Event at Nate’s Place – TODAY, November 13th at 5:15pm
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Invites you to an After-Hours event TODAY, November 13th at Nate’s Place of the Lyons Twin Mansions, 750 S. National (at the corner of 8th and National) from 5:15 pm to 7 pm. Chamber members Nate’s Place and Highway 3 are co-sponsors of the event which will be a fun evening of networking, drawings and fun.
Nate’s Place will be unveiling their recent kitchen remodel and furnishing upgrades made possible in part by a Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Pathways grant. Highway 3, owned by sisters Erin Vann and Trisha Newton, will be promoting their customized products available on www.shophighway3.com. There will be a two-dollar admission for a Chamber half-and-half drawing.
For more information contact the Chamber at www.fortscott.com or at (620)223-3566
Government, Kansas

November is National Adoption Month

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Adopted Teen Shares Her Story at Adoption Celebration

 

TOPEKA – Kimberly Allen-Thompson spent most of her life in foster care, aging out of the system. But, that wasn’t the end of Kimberly’s story because at age 18, she was adopted by her forever family, the Thompson’s.

The Thompson’s had adopted Kimberly’s younger siblings, and while she was already legally an adult, she chose to become adopted and have a family to turn to, no matter what.

Kimberly and the Thompson’s were present at the 42nd Annual Governor’s Conference in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, Adoption Month Reception on Nov. 8, to share their story about adoption and kick-off National Adoption Month with Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and Kansas Children Service League (KCSL) staff.

Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., signed a proclamation on Monday, Oct. 22, designating November as Adoption Month. Throughout the month, DCF, and its contractors and community partners are taking part in a series of events to call attention to the need for more adoptive and foster families. Currently, there are approximately 500 children available for adoption in Kansas. Of those 500 youth available, 125 are 15 years or older. In FY 2018, 766 children were adopted from foster care.

Helping youth achieve timely permanency has been a focus for DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. Recently, DCF met internally and with contractors to identify and remove policies that were serving as a barrier to timely permanency. DCF also reviewed all cases where a youth was awaiting adoption and created working plans to safely finalize as many adoptions as possible in 30, 60 and 90 days. As a result of the many initiatives to streamline the adoption process, DCF anticipates finalizing approximately 1,500 adoptions in FY 19, double the number of adoptions from the previous fiscal year.

“When I arrived at the agency, remedying the adoption process was one of my top initiatives because timely permanency is vitally important for the child and the family. In my 25 plus years in child welfare, I have seen thousands of adoptions finalized, and each story and each family is unique,” said Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. “But at the end of the day, each adoption finalized means a youth found their forever family.”

DCF’s contracted service providers and several courts around the state will celebrate National Adoption Day on Nov. 17, when many adoptions across the state will be finalized. As the final step of the adoption process, these events are often emotional culminations of months of effort. Media are invited to the following adoption finalizations:

  • Saturday, Nov. 17: Shawnee County Courthouse, Topeka, 8:30 a.m. – Approximately 35 children’s adoptions will be finalized, KVC Kansas
  • Saturday, Nov. 17: Johnson County Courthouse, Olathe, 9 a.m. – Approximately 19 children’s adoptions will be finalized, KVC Kansas

DCF also encouraged faith organizations to educate their members about adoption on Adoption Sunday, Nov.12.

To learn more about children who are currently available for adoption, visit www.adoptkskids.org or call 877-457-5430. On the website, you can view photos and read profiles of each child available for adoption.

 

Left (left to right): Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel listens as Kimberly Allen-Thompson shares her adoption story and talks about her journey through the foster care system.

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Entertainment, Fort Scott

Free Friday Night Concert at Common Grounds

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This Friday night, Nov. 1 “Take A Note”  will be the featured, according to Ralph Carlson, the coordinator of the free, weekly concerts.

The concert will be held at The Common Grounds Coffee Shop Friday at 7 p.m. Come early as seating is limited.

“The group, led by Dr. Buck features a seven-member band from Iola, Kansas,” Carlson said.  “The group does Gospel, classic country and traditional music. They have been a favorite with the Friday night crowd.”

Bourbon County

Flags Subscription Project Underway

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Volunteers place a flag in front of the Daughters of the American Revolution office as part of the Friends of FSNHS, Inc. U.S. Flag Project.

FRIENDS OF FSNHS KICK-OFF NEW FLAG PROJECT

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. kicked off a new fundraising project by posting U.S. flags at 57 locations around the city this past Veteran’s Day.

The U.S. Flag project is a subscription service where the Friends of FSNHS will place a flag at your residence or business on five holidays throughout the year for a fee of $35.

The holidays include: Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, and Veteran’s Day.

It is not too late to get your flag for the 2019 season. Applications can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber Office or by e-mailing [email protected].

Gift subscriptions are also available and include a gift card perfect for holidays or birthdays. Please allow a week for processing and delivery of gift cards.

All proceeds are used to support and promote programs at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

Area News, Schools

Pittsburg Youth Chorale Performs Nov. 26

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Pittsburg Youth Chorale perform the pre-parade prelude

Pittsburg Youth Chorale will perform a pre-Christmas parade prelude at Signet Coffee Roasters, 109 N. Broadway, on Monday, November 26 beginning at 6 PM.

This vocal ensemble, directed by Fort Scott Music Teacher MJ Harper, is comprised of area singers in 4th-6th grade that meet once a month at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center.

The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire.

Warm your heart and your body with some holiday cheer before the parade begins!

Submitted by  Mary Jo Harper

Bourbon County

Formation of Safe Families Organization Nov. 13

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There will  be an informational meeting, to form a new helping organization starting in Bourbon County, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Senior Citizens Center site, 26 N. Main.

Allen Schellack, Compassionate Care Pastor with the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and director of the Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries Outreach Center, is coordinating the event.

The outreach center is located above the Senior Citizens Center at 26 N. Main.

Schellack can be reached at 620-223-2212.

Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main.

“Tina Westbay, SE Kansas Coordinator for Safe Families will be leading the meeting and answering questions,” Schellack said. “This is the grassroots meeting for Bourbon County and we hope to recruit families, churches, and the general public.”

“Our goal is to provide ‘a circle of support for families’,” Schellack said. ” Safe Families is working with CarePortal and is launching in five southeast Kansas counties, Topeka and Kansas City metro area.”

“This started in Chicago approximately 15 years ago and is in 30 states of the US, the UK, and Canada, and has proven beneficial in providing families with children with support services before they get to a point where legal interaction is needed,” he said.

Allen Schellack

Training will be provided at a later time depending on interest, he said.

Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Dismisses Early Because of Winter Storm

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USD 234 will dismiss early today.

All schools will follow the early release schedule.

There will be no after-school child care and no afternoon preschool.

All evening activities will be canceled.
Winfield Scott Elementary School will dismiss at 1:06 pm.

Eugene Ware Elementary School will dismiss at  1:01 pm.

Fort Scott Middle School will dismiss at  1:11 pm.

Fort Scott High School will dismiss at  1:11

pm.

Bourbon County, Recipes

Linderhof’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

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There are so many chocolate chip cookies out there including the one on the Nestle’s Toll House Semi-Sweet Morsels package.  And they are a classic cookie.
But the one that we use at Linderhof has a “secret ingredient” and makes, in my opinion, the best chocolate chip cookie in the world!      You can add nuts if you’d like (I’d do about a cup) and sprinkle with sea salt if you’d like, but we prefer them with just the chocolate chips.

 

LINDERHOF’S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 c. butter, at room temperature
¾ c. brown sugar
¼ c. sugar
3.4 oz. package vanilla instant pudding
2 large eggs
1 t. Vanilla
2 ¼ c. flour
1 small package semi sweet chocolate chips
1 t. Soda
½ t. Salt

 

Preheat oven to 350.

 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

 

Beat together the butter and sugars until creamy.    Add in pudding mix, eggs and vanilla. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.     Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips (and nuts if you use them).

 

Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoons onto a prepared baking sheet.  (and if you’d like to top with sea salt — sprinkle it on before you put them in the oven.)    Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until slightly golden and set. Remove cookies from oven and let cool on baking sheet for two minutes.     Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.

 

Martha Meinsen Scott is a Fort Scott foodie who creates from her home, called Linderhof.

Bourbon County Local News