Lavender Patch Fest II June 15
This year, Lavender Fest II is this Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $5, with children five-years-old and under free.
Activities include live music from Bob Pavey Lovett and Red Letter Edition, a bluegrass/gospel band that has played at Silver Dollar City.
They are back by popular demand, Betsy said.
There will be a demonstration from Martha Scott on making lavender wands/bottles and little lavender baskets.
“You also have the opportunity to make your own or buy one from her,” Betsy said.
Betsy Reichard will be giving demonstrations on making lavender wreaths and present “I have lavender, now what do I do?” she said.
Tours of the lavender fields, as well as info on how to plant lavender, will also be given.
“In addition, we will have lavender plants available to plant,” Reichard said. “For those who would like to take a bundle home, we will once again have you-pick lavender bundles for $5.”
There will be outdoor games, picture taking opportunities, and the chance to sit, relax, and enjoy time with friends and family. she said.
What is the Lavender Patch?
“The Lavender Patch is a small family owned lavender farm located just east of Ft. Scott city limits on Locust Rd,” Reichard said. ” We have over a thousand lavender plants and 20 varieties. Our farm is a Kansas agritourism farm and we welcome visitors to walk through the fields, take pictures, pick a lavender bundle and visit our gift shop our hours of operation which is 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday in June and in July it will change to 9 to noon. Thursday through Saturday, people may also call and an appointment can be made for other days and times.”
When did it start?
“We decided to start our lavender farm in 2009 and spent the year researching, connecting with other lavender farms, and making plans. In 2010 we planted our first few plants to see if this is what we wanted to do. In 2011 we moved so did not do anything addition with the lavender but in 2012 we started planting in mass with lots of help from family and friends. Through the years we have had our struggles and just to get plants to live was our goal! However, in 2016 we switched to a new area on our farm and are having much more success!”
Why a lavender farm?
“We bought this property in 2008 since we had always wanted to live in the country. In 2009 we went to California to see Davin’s brother Daryl, his wife Erlinda and their family. Erlinda had visited a lavender farm in California and thought it would be a neat thing to do. Knowing that we had bought this property and that they (Daryl and Erlinda) planned to move back to Kansas, Erlinda had the idea this was something we could do together as a family. While in California, we all visited the same lavender farm Erlinda had gone to previously. We talked to the owners, toured their farm, and then started our research. While on that trip, we decided on the name The Lavender Patch although Erlinda was the one who originally came up with it. “
New this season?
“We have added more plants and replaced many that died this winter from winter kill. Lavender doesn’t like to have ‘wet feet’ so this rain we have had has been a challenge. We have had some of our plants that have struggled and others didn’t make it. We do have some new products in our gift shop, including some lavender scone, bread, and cookie mixes.”
Betsy Reichard can be reached at620-223-1364
Fort Scott Airport Advisory Board Meets June 19
The Airport Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, June 19th, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. at the City Commission meeting room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting is open to the public.
USDA Research Agency Relocating to K.C. Region From D.C.
Governor applauds USDA relocation announcement
Gov. Laura Kelly applauded today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to relocate major research agencies from Washington, D.C., to the Kansas City region, along with nearly 600 high-paying federal jobs.
“This is a significant win for Kansas and Missouri,” Kelly said.
The USDA’s Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced its plan to relocate to the Kansas City region after a competitive bidding process. The USDA received 136 proposals from 35 different states.
Kansas and Missouri submitted a joint proposal to the USDA. A decision on whether to locate on the Kansas or Missouri side of the Kansas City area is expected to be made in July.
“The decision today to move the USDA agencies to the Kansas City area is proof of the value of collaboration between our two states and our congressional delegation. When we all work together, we can accomplish a lot,” Kelly said. “While we’ll work hard to make sure the final location is on our side of the river, we know the new location on either side will meet the needs of the USDA and benefit Kansas and Missouri.”
The move will put USDA employees closer to farmers and other agricultural interests such as the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, the single largest concentration of animal health ventures in the world. The move from Washington to a lower-cost site also would save taxpayer dollars.
Kelly praised the USDA decision.
“We offered an ideal location for the USDA operations,” she said. “The new facilities will be strategically located close to a top agricultural research institution in Kansas State University. The quality of life we offer also was a strong consideration and selling point.
“The move will meet the needs of the USDA and benefit Kansas and Missouri. I thank Secretary Perdue, our team at the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas City Area Development Council for its hard in work in making this possible.”
Secretary of Commerce David Toland agreed.
“We’re thrilled that USDA has selected the Kansas City region, and we’re confident that our state’s numerous advantages will put Kansas over the top when USDA makes its final selection,” Toland said. “Kansas is on the cutting edge in the bioscience and agriculture industries with a cluster of prominent industry leaders located within our state. When it comes to research, technology and innovation, Kansas is the clear choice.”
“The size, scale and diversity of agriculture in this region makes Kansas City a perfect fit for these USDA agencies,” Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said. “In addition, the quality of life here in the heart of the country will be a perfect fit for the employees of these agencies and their families. We look forward to welcoming them.”
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture conducts research into food conservation, nutrition, and ways to enhance to the nation’s food supply. The Economic Research Service analyzes the farm economy, food safety and global trade, among other topics.
The ERS jobs pay an average of $120,000 per year, and NIFA jobs between $110,000 and $190,000.
Proposals from Indiana and North Carolina were among the other finalists seeking the USDA research agencies.
Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt
Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 continues to lead the Department of Kansas in membership at 153% with 78 members.
Post 25 Legionnaire David Bishard has transferred to Post Everlasting. Additional information on funeral services will be provided at a later date.
Your support for the Fort Scott American Legion baseball team is needed. This is our 1st Legion baseball team in several years and we are literally starting from scratch on equipment. Myra and I will match $1.00 for every $10.00 donation. Our fundraising goal is $3,000. Registration, insurance, baseballs and other incidentals are expensive.
Our goal in Fort Scott is to build an American Legion baseball program based on integrity and develop young men of character for our community. and our nation.
Please mail your donation for the Fort Scott American Legion baseball team to
American Legion Post 25
PO Box 25
Fort Scott, Ks. 66701
You can make a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/fort-scott-american-legion-baseball/donate/?upsell=cpgn_share. If you use GoFundMe, they ask for a platform “service” fee. It is up to you to adjust the “recommended” fee by selecting other.
You can also call me at 620-215-1688 to arrange a local pick up of your donation. No donation too small.
Upcoming Events
June 13. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm this evening. Tonight’s meeting is a “meet and greet” and will be the last one before the Auxiliary Unit is chartered in July. All eligible female family members of veterans are invited to attend.
June 13. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 7 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.
June 14. Flag retirement at The Fort NHS at 7 pm. Unserviceable American flags will be honorably retired during the ceremony. This event is open to the public.
Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.
VA Shuttle June Schedule
Mondays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Tuesdays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Wednesdays. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders.
Carl Jowers. Commander
Fort Scott American Legion Post 25
Telephone: 620.215.1688
Email: [email protected]
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 13
Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting June 13
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: June 13th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
10:00-Mercy Contract
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
Ultra High Speed Internet Now Available Through Craw-Kan
Craw-KanTelephone Cooperative, Girard, is offering ultra high-speed internet, high definition television and unlimited telephone service over 100% buried fiber optic FTTH network to residences and businesses inside the city limits of Fort Scott, mostly on the west side of town.
“Our first customers inside the city limits of Fort Scott we installed in early 2018,” Zach Adams, Craw-Kan Marketing Manager said. “We will attempt to complete the rest of the city limits of Fort Scott in 2020.”
Craw-Kan conducted a business study prior to coming to Fort Scott.
“After extensive study, it was determined that the demand for a new Internet Service Provider in the City of Fort Scott was adequate to make a successful business model,” Adams said. “Partnership’s with Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott proved helpful in making it easier for Craw-Kan to expand into Fort Scott. “
A landline purchase is not required.
“Customer’s in Fort Scott are not members of the cooperative and thus are not required to have landline telephone service and do not receive the benefits of cooperative membership,” Adams said. “It is required however that a customer subscribes to the internet if they wish to subscribe to our cable tv or telephone line.”
What are the costs involved?
“No installation for internet, cable tv (up to 3 TVs), no equipment rental fees and we provide remote management of our gateway router free of charge,” Adams said. ” Customer only pays for monthly service charges. All internet and telephone is unlimited usage – we do not bill overages or long distance.”
Residential internet service ranges from approximately $50 to $70 per month, cable TV service approximately $40 – $100 per month, plus extra for movie packages, according to the Craw-Kan website:
Call 620-724-4542 for more information or to place an order.
Luke George: 2019 American Legion Boys State Delegate
Action Urged For Veterans Of Vietnam War
Readers are asked to notify their government representatives about supporting an act to ensure benefits for illnesses associated with Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War.
“Disability benefits are increased in increments,” according to Carl Jowers, American Legion Post 25 Commander. “Approval of this bill could lead to military personnel who handled Agent Orange chemicals on Guam or stateside to become eligible for Agent Orange disability benefits next.”
Background:
The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, which would ensure veterans who served in the offshore waters of Vietnam during the Vietnam War are never denied benefits for illnesses associated with Agent Orange exposure. H.R. 299 would also expand much needed benefits for veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in Thailand and the Korean DMZ, as well as continue research on Gulf War illnesses.
This important bill now awaits consideration by the Senate, which failed to pass it last Congress.
Take Action:
Do not stand by as veterans suffer. Contact your Senators to demand they pass H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. The Senate must not delay while Blue Water Navy veterans sicken and die from diseases related to Agent Orange exposure.
Please show your support on social media:
On Facebook (copy and paste): I STAND with the VFW and call on the Senate to pass H.R. 299, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. Thousands of veterans who honorably served our country and now suffer from the wounds of war have waited too long for benefits they deserve! https://bit.ly/2QctydE
Chamber Coffee June 13 at Lavender Patch
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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
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Hosted by:
The Lavender Patch
Don’t miss Lavender Fest 2019 on June 15th
from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm!
Location:
2376 Locust Rd., Fort Scott
Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.
Visit The Lavender Patch’s web page by clicking HERE.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
June 20 – Bourbon County Garden Club
June 27 – Integrity Home Health/Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team
July 4 – No Coffee Program due to holiday
July 11 – Open – Call to schedule