Pauline Mae Norris, age 94, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at Franklin House Assisted Living in Ft. Scott. She was born May 3, 1925, in Hepler, KS, the daughter of Charles Oscar Cowan and Grace Olive Boileau Cowan. She graduated from Blue Mound high school with the class of 1942.
Pauline married Everett Wayne “Soapy” Norris on May 19, 1946, in Mapleton, KS. He preceded her in death on May 3, 1995.
When younger, she worked for Key Work Clothes as well as helping on the family dairy farm in Devon, KS. They moved to Ft. Scott in 1986. Pauline enjoyed making rag rugs.
She was a member of the Devon United Methodist Church where she was very active in earlier years. She later transferred to First United Methodist in Ft. Scott.
Survivors include her son Jeff Norris and wife Vera, Ft. Scott; two sisters, Charlene Bruns, Ft. Scott, and Mary Dahmer, Nevada, MO; a brother, Bill Cowan and wife Norma, Nevada, MO; three grandchildren, Lindsey Norris, Ft. Scott, Sara Wells and husband Eric, Lawrence, KS, and Paul Norris and wife Cierra, Lecompton, KS; thgreat-grandchildrendren, Sebastian, Remy and Oaklee; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Bradley Norris; four sisters, Metta Walker and husband Mark, Irmal Smith and husband Louis, Ruth Walker and husband Jake, and Opal Brillhart and husband Ed; a brother Floyd “Buck” Cowan; brothers-in-law Glenn “Plute” Dahmer and Maurice Bruns; and her parents.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, October 19th, in the Mapleton Cemetery, Mapleton, KS.
The family will gather at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:00.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Gideons International 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.
Margaret Marie Haas was born on September 3, 1924, to Charles and Pearl Niemeir in Bourbon County, Kansas. She was the eighth of ten children. Marie attended Center School through the 8th grade and graduated from Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott, Kansas in 1942. As a young girl, Marie’s family began attending church services at the First Christian Church in Ft. Scott, Kansas. At the age of 15, Marie accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized on October 29, 1939.
After graduating from high school, Marie worked as a secretary for the Western Insurance Company in Fort Scott, Kansas. On June 17, 1945, Marie married Raymond G. Haas (Electrician’s Mate, Second Class Navy) at the First Christian Church in Fort Scott, Kansas, and together they had three children, Esther Ann Jenkins (Randy) of Lancaster, PA, Steven Ray Haas (Sandra) of Riley, Kansas, and Ronald Charles Haas (Sandra) of Birmingham, Alabama. Marie and Raymond were married for 64 years until his death in September of 2009.
Together, Raymond and Marie lived a full life in the Fort Scott area where they farmed and raised their children. Marie and Raymond were extensively involved in their church at Bethel Community Baptist Church. During their retirement years, Raymond spent much of his time helping his neighbors in need while Marie enjoyed babysitting and working with the Awana program at Bethel where she assisted the young children with learning Bible verses. Marie and Raymond also enjoyed traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren. In 2007, Raymond and Marie moved to Birmingham, Alabama to live with their youngest son Ron Haas due to the declining health of Raymond. After Raymond’s death, Marie remained in Birmingham until April of 2019. While in Birmingham, Marie was faithful to attend Glen Iris Baptist Church.
Marie was lovingly known as “Granny” to her family and many, many others both young and old. She was known for her sweet smile that could be easily transformed into a giggle by the antics of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Marie loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and wouldn’t miss the opportunity to be present for any sporting event or music recital in which they participated. Marie leaves a legacy of quiet faithfulness and service to her family, friends, and to her Savior. She will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing her.
Marie passed away at the age of 95 on October 13, 2019. She is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond G. Haas, four brothers and four sisters. Marie is survived by one sister, Lois Hixon of Denver, Colorado, three children, twelve grandchildren, forty-four great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 P.M. Friday, October 18th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Bethel Community Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 666701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
In three weeks voters will be electing government representation.
In addition, there will be a question to consider on the ballot.
In the November 5, 2019, General Election you will be asked to approve removing a census count adjustment.
“The amendment question seeks to do away with a census count specifically for college students and military personnel to be counted where they come from and not where they are at the time of their vote,” according to a report on KSN TV, Wichita, Oct. 14, 2019. For the whole report click below:
Following is how the amendment will appear on the ballot, followed by the Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab’s explanation of the question.
This is how it will read:
Constitutional Amendment
Vote Yes or No
Explanatory statement. The
purpose of this amendment is to
eliminate the adjustment of
the census taken by the United
States census bureau regarding
nonresident military personnel
and nonresident students when
reapportioning the Kansas senate
and house of representatives.
A vote for this proposition would
eliminate the adjustment of
the census taken by the United
States census bureau regarding
nonresident military personnel
and nonresident students when
reapportioning the Kansas senate
and house of representatives.
A vote against this proposition
would continue in effect the
requirement for the adjustment of
the census taken by the United
States census bureau regarding
nonresident military personnel
and nonresident students when
reapportioning the Kansas senate
and house of representatives.
Shall the following be adopted?
1. Reapportionment of
senatorial and representative
districts. (a) At its regular session
in 1989, the legislature shall by
law reapportion the state
representative districts, the state
senatorial districts or both the
state representative and
senatorial districts upon the basis
of the latest census of the
inhabitants of the state taken by
the authority of chapter 61 of the
1987 Session Laws of Kansas. At
its regular session in 1992, and at
its regular session every tenth
year thereafter, the legislature
shall by law reapportion the state
senatorial districts and
representative districts on the
basis of the population of the
state as established by the most
recent census of population taken
and published by the United
States census bureau of the
census. Senatorial and
representative districts shall be
reapportioned upon the basis of
the population of the state
adjusted: (1) To exclude
nonresident military personnel
stationed within the state and
nonresident students attending
colleges and universities within
the state; and (2) to include
military personnel stationed within
the state who are residents of the
state and students attending
colleges and universities within
the state who are residents of the
state in the district of their
permanent residence. Bills
reapportioning legislative districts
shall be published in the Kansas
register immediately upon final
passage and shall be effective for
the next following election of
legislators and thereafter until
again reapportioned.
(b) Within 15 days after the
publication of an act
reapportioning the legislative
districts within the time specified
in (a), the attorney general shall
petition the supreme court of the
state to determine the validity
thereof. The supreme court,
within 30 days from the filing of
the petition, shall enter its
judgment. Should the supreme
court determine that the
reapportionment statute is invalid,
the legislature shall enact a
statute of reapportionment
conforming to the judgment of the
supreme court within 15 days.
(c) Upon enactment of a
reapportionment to conform with
a judgment under (b), the
attorney general shall apply to the
supreme court of the state to
determine the validity thereof.
The supreme court, within 10
days from the filing of such
application, shall enter its
judgment. Should the supreme
court determine that the
reapportionment statute is invalid,
the legislature shall again enact a
statute reapportioning the
legislative districts in compliance
with the direction of and
conforming to the mandate of the
supreme court within 15 days
after entry thereof.
(d) Whenever a petition or
application is filed under this
section, the supreme court, in
accordance with its rules, shall
permit interested persons to
present their views.
(e) A judgment of the supreme
court of the state determining a
reapportionment to be valid shall
be final until the legislative
districts are again reapportioned
in accordance herewith.
KEY POINTS
The following is provided by Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason, who sent info from the Kansas Secretary of State to explain the amendment.
Kansas is the only state in the nation that adjusts its census numbers.
Adjustment is estimated to cost $835,000 in 2020.
In the 2010 adjustment, approximately 13,000 people, out of 2.9 million, were affected.
Eliminating the adjustment would give lawmakers an additional legislative session to complete redistricting.
Legislative and State Board of Education districts would be drawn using the same numbers as congressional districts.
The Legislature supported eliminating the adjustment with bi-partisan super majorities.
Summary:
A Proposition to amend section 1 of article 10 of the constitution of the state of Kansas.
In 2019, the Legislature passed a constitutional amendment (SCR1605) with a bipartisan super majority to eliminate a provision in the Kansas Constitution requiring Kansas to adjust census numbers for military personnel and college students. Intended to slow the impact of urban migration from rural Kansas to the more populated, eastern half of the state, the requirement has, historically, had the opposite effect by marginally increasing population numbers for urban areas.
The adjustment is antiquated, burdensome and expensive because it requires the Secretary of State’s office to contact every college student and member of the military residing in Kansas to determine their official residence. Keep in mind, the U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for counting individuals where they reside in the United States. They expend significant resources in communicating with Americans on the importance of the Census. Kansas is essentially asking students and military personnel the same question – at a cost of at least $835,000 – in a manner contradictory to what is asked by the Census Bureau.
Agencies Warn of Seasonal Increase in Vehicle-Deer Crashes
TOPEKA – Mating season and the quest for more secure habitat have deer on the move this time of year, increasing the chances of deer-vehicle collisions.
Typically, the greatest number of deer-vehicle crashes are in mid-November when the rut, or mating season, peaks. In addition to the rut, deer are also on the move in mid-fall seeking new food sources and shelter as crops are harvested and leaves fall from trees and shrubs, leaving them less secure than in their summer habitats.
“Wet weather this year may cause some deer to cross roads in new places and the additional vegetation growth could make deer harder to see until they are in the road. The approaching breeding season increases deer movement, and the cooler weather, along with young deer dispersing to find new home ranges, mean more deer may be crossing the roads.” said Levi Jaster, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Big Game Coordinator.
According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 10,734 (16.5 percent) of the 64,933 vehicle crashes reported in 2018 were deer-related (crashes in which a deer and vehicle actually collided, or the presence of a deer was a contributing circumstance). Although crashes involving deer occur throughout the year in every Kansas county, the highest number of crashes typically occur where there are the most vehicles. Sedgwick County had 418 deer-vehicle crashes reported in 2018, the most of any county, while Butler County followed with 384 reported deer-vehicle crashes.
“In addition to potentially causing human injuries and loss of life, deer collisions often cause significant vehicle damage that can lead to large expenses for the vehicle owner if not properly insured,” said Shawn Steward, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Kansas. “Of the animal strikes reported by AAA Insurance policy holders during the five year period between 2014 and 2018, the average cost per claim was nearly $4,300.”
“If you are unfortunate enough to have a deer enter the highway in front of your car, it is best to hit the animal and not swerve to avoid it,” said the KHP’s Lt. Adam Winters. “Often, we find more serious crashes occur when you swerve to miss the deer, potentially losing control of your vehicle, leaving the road or veering into oncoming traffic.”
The agencies recommend the following to help motorists avoid crashes with deer:
Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk, when deer are more active.
If you see one deer, watch for others, as they seldom travel alone.
Reduce speed and be alert near wooded areas or green spaces, such as parks and golf courses, and near water sources such as streams and ponds.
Deer crossing signs show areas where high numbers of vehicle/deer crashes have occurred in the past. Heed these warnings.
Use bright lights when there is no oncoming traffic and scan the road ahead of you to watch for deer.
Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer—the most serious crashes sometimes occur when motorists swerve and collide with another vehicle or run off the road and hit an obstacle.
Always wear a seat belt and use the appropriately-fitted child safety seats—they are your best defense should you be involved in a crash.
Honk your horn with one long blast. A long blast on your horn may frighten large animals, such as deer, away from your vehicle. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) advises against relying on devices such as deer whistles and reflectors, which have not been proven to reduce collisions with animals.
If you do strike a deer, here are some additional tips:
Slow down, move your vehicle to the shoulder if possible, and call for law enforcement. KHP dispatch can be reached at *47, Kansas Turnpike at *KTA, and local law enforcement at 911. Make sure you tell the dispatcher if the animal or your vehicle is still in the road.
If you hit a deer or other animal, do not worry about removing the animal. Law enforcement can remove the animal from the road when they arrive. Don’t go near a wounded animal. A frightened and wounded animal can be unpredictable.
Turn on your hazard lights and remain buckled up inside your vehicle. You are more protected this way, should a secondary crash occur.
If you must be outside your vehicle, make sure it is as far off the road as possible, and do not stand between your vehicle and another one. Keep children buckled, and in car seats in the vehicle. Be vigilant and watch traffic to ensure they aren’t getting close to you.
Anyone involved in a vehicle-deer crash resulting in personal injury or property damage that totals $1,000 or more is required to immediately report the crash to the nearest law enforcement agency. Failure to report any traffic crash is a misdemeanor and may result in suspension of driving privileges.
A salvage tag is required to remove a deer carcass, or any part of the carcass, from the crash site. Tags can be issued by KHP troopers, sheriff’s deputies, or KDWPT game wardens.
Eugene Ware Youth Choir, a vocal ensemble made up of 4th and 5th grade performers, will sing at the Friday Night Concert at the Heritage Park Pavilion (1st and Main) this Friday, October 18th from 7-8PM. In case of rain, the performance will take place at the Presbyterian Church
Pansy Viola “Diana” Tucker, age 82, formerly of Ft. Scott, KS, more recently of Shreveport, LA, died early Monday, October 14, 2019, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. She was born September 10, 1937 in Ontario, OH. The daughter of Harry Albert Danals and Pansy Viola Rutter. She married Carl Dean “Tink” Tucker, on February 6, 1953 in Largo, FL, he preceded her in death. Pansy worked for Peerless products for several years, but most of her career was spent as an over the road truck driver. Her favorite seasons were fall and the Christmas season. She enjoyed traveling, casinos, fishing, and going country cruising. Pansy’s enjoyed spending time with her family.
Survivors include her children, Brenda Prudhomme, and husband Budd, Shreveport, LA., Rick Tucker, and wife Tedena, Fort Scott, Teresa Giddens, and husband Randy, of Fort Scott, and, Doug Tucker, Branson, Mo.; thirteen grandchildren, Melissa “Missy” Mendenhall, David Bruce Prudhomme, Stephanie Anthony, Heather Engstrom, Michelle Call, Mandy Giddens, Laramie Giddens, Mariah Tucker, Emily Tucker, Phoenix Tucker, Danny Tucker, Russell Shadden, and John Shadden; fourteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Zelda Thomas, Largo, FL., and Linda Clark, Pinellas Park, FL.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by ,her husband “Tink”; a daughter, Tammy Louise Tucker; her parents; five brothers, Wilbur, Dick, Albert, Wayne, and Everett Danals, four sisters, Orthella Danals, Jacqueline Wilson, Betty Briner, and Mary Ellen Patton.
Funeral services will be held 12:30 PM Monday, October 21, 2019 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:30 until service time at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Pansy Tucker Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Ronald Dean Brown, Sr., age 74, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2019, at his home. He was born April 1, 1945, in Ft. Scott, the son of Robert D. Brown and Edna L. Sharpless Brown.
Ron graduated from the Hume High School and later received his BS Degree in Psychology from Pittsburg State University. He married Hazel L. Swank, on December 3, 1963, at the United Methodist Church in Hume, Missouri.
In earlier years, Ron worked for the Ft. Scott Police Department and Bruce Marble and Granite Works. He also worked in the insurance and real estate business.
He was later called into the ministry and received a degree in Theology from St. Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri. Ron pastored the Methodist churches at both Devon, Kansas and Mapleton, Kansas for several years. He was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Ron enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed attending family get togethers and spending time with his granddaughters.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel, of the home; a son Ronald Dean Brown, Jr. and wife, Susan, of Inman, Kansas; a daughter, Kim Cassity, and husband, Andy, of Olathe, Kansas and two granddaughters, Dr. Karsen R. Brown, DVM, of Peculiar, Missouri, and Grace Cassity, of Olathe, Kansas. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert E. Brown, Jr. and Bernard Brown and two sisters, Wilma Baker and Audrey Beal.
Rev. Gary DeMott will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the West Liberty Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association 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.
It is almost time for 63rd Annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta which is held on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, across the street from Fort Scott Community College on South Horton Street, each year.
October 18, 19 and 20 are the show dates with a parade downtown on Thursday, the 17th at 6 pm.
“We are using equipment 50 to 100-years-old to demonstrate how our forefathers annually harvested their farm crops,” Allen Warren, president of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta board said. “We also demonstrate how our forefathers crushed rock for the early gravel roads.”
Vendors with some of everything, including old tools will be positioned around the fairgrounds.
Tractors will be on display and also gas engines.
The featured tractor this year is the Ford and the featured engine is a Hercules.
Also included in the harvest fiesta are quilt shows along with arts and crafts vendors. They will be housed in the buildings on the fairgrounds.
Quilts to be exhibited should be brought to the Myers Building from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 17.
“If these times do not work for you, please let me know or if you have any questions,” Jackie Warren, quilt event coordinator said. She can be reached at 620-224-8161.
“The quilt show is always fun, viewing the beautiful quilts and visiting with the vendors who are always ready to help you chose a new project,” she said. “This year’s vendors are Erica with Nine Patch Quilt Shop of Nevada, Carolyn with Heavenly Kneads & Threads of Humboldt, Cassino with Country Creek Peddlers, John Newland with Hot Fix products and Bobbi Schroeder with her quilting machine.”
“Bring some handwork with you and join the others who are hand quilting and embroidering and maybe, there will be someone crocheting and knitting. Lots of visiting and learning new procedures going on.”
Don’t forget the Arts and Crafts that will be in the 4-H Building.
Any questions about the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, please call Allen Warren, 620-224-7761
The 2020 dates of the show will October 2, 3, and 4.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be held in the 4-H Building at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds Oct. 17.
The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta officers are Allen Warren, president Larry Richard, vice president; Delphine Parks, treasurer; and Betsy Readinger, Secretary.
The mission of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is:
“To create and maintain an organization of persons who are interested in all aspects of equipment, machinery, and other technology characteristic of rural American culture particularly during the period encompassing the first half of the twentieth century; to provide for the collection, preservation, display and management of artifacts and/or documents contemplated above; to provide and/or promote educational and charitable activities and programs which fulfill the above purposes, and thereby advance the cultural betterment of humankind; and to receive, administer, and distribute funds in connection with any activities related to the above purposes; provided, however, that the organization shall only engage in activities that are in the purview of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 amended.”
Post 25 Color Guard presenting colors at the recent FCE Conference in Fort Scott.
Post 25 Scuttlebutt
Membership
American Legion Fort Scott Thompson-Harkey Post 25 is in 2nd place in 2nd District membership. Department membership numbers have Post at 64 members or 84.21%.
Our 2020 membership goal is 76. We are currently 12 members short of 100%. Help Post 25 reach 100% by renewing your membership or recruiting a new member.
Post 25 received the “Early Bird” award for attaining 75% membership by September 15th. Thanks to the members who helped Post 25 reach this milestone. I believe that only two 2nd District Posts received this membership award.
With the signing of the LEGION Act, any honorably discharged Veteran who served one day of active duty since December 7, 1941 can now join the American Legion. Please reach out to any eligible Veterans you may know and ask them to join the Fort Scott American Legion. Many eligible Veterans have never joined the American Legion simply because they have never been invited.
You can easily renew online at www.legion.org. It’s safe and secure and takes less than five minutes
You can also mail in your $40.00 renewal to the Post 25 Finance Officer.
Darrell Spencer
1183 185TH ST
Fort Scott, Ks, 66701.
I can also arrange to meet with you to pick up your renewal. I’m retired so I can easily work around your schedule to meet you, but no 3 AM meetings please!
Fundraising
Post 25’s recent Taurus raffle earned $635, which pays for two Legion program scholarships for local high school students.
Mrs. Doris Ericson picking the winning ticket for the Taurus fundraiser
As Myra and I travel to other 2nd District American Legion Posts in her position as 2nd District Vice Commander, we have observed that other Posts have unique ways of fundraising to support their Veterans and children and youth programs. One Post does an annual pancake feed. Another Post has the concessions at their community’s high school athletics events. A third Post offers community bingo as a fundraiser.
As your Post Commander and in consultation with the Executive Committee, we have scheduled a “Toy/Comic Books/Sports Cards Show.” For a few hours work on a Saturday, we will be able to raise enough money to support at least one of our children and youth programs.
Darrell Spencer and Post 25 Color Guard will operate the concession stands to generate funding for items needed by the Post 25 Color Guard.
Marilyn Matthews, Post 25 Adjutant, has pulled together a team to collect admissions and promote community awareness of the Fort Scott American Legion.
Volunteers are needed to help set up the tables at Buck Run for the toy show. Plus, Volunteers are needed to be available during the show from 9 am – 3 pm. Please let me know of your willingness to help make this Post 25 fundraiser a success.
Upcoming Events
October 17, 2019. Blood Drive at Buck Run Community Center. 1 – 7 pm. Call 620-223-5946 to schedule an appointment.
October 18, 2019. Blood Drive at Buck Run Community Center. 9 am – 1 pm. Call 620-223-5946 to schedule an appointment.
November 2, 2019. Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Vintage Toy/Comic Books/Sports Cards Show from 9 am – 3 pm. See attached flyer for more information.
January 31 – February 2, 2020. Department of Kansas Midwinter Forum at Fort Scott.
Informational Items
Additional shuttle drivers are needed. The VA-provided shuttle now transports dialysis patients to Pittsburg on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays plus area Veterans for VA hospital appointments on Mondays and Thursdays. Call or email me for more information on becoming a shuttle driver.
Auxiliary Unit 25’s first outreach program is to provide support to Veteran mothers of newborn babies at the Topeka VA Medical Center. They are currently collecting needed items for newborns and all donations are greatly appreciated. Diapers, body wash and shampoos, blankets and clothing are among the items requested. Call Unit 25 Vice President Marilyn Gilmore at 785.214.5618 for more information or to donate items.
A special thanks to Mrs. Dorothy Taylor for providing the photos and video.
Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.
