Ward Kraft Job Fair April 10
March Madness at Eugene Ware Elementary
It takes practice and lots of it, to do anything well, including reading.
That in a nutshell, is what the Fort Scott Community College Basketball Team told the students at Eugene Ware Elementary during an award assembly Wednesday afternoon.
During the month of March, students have been competing with other classes in reading the most minutes.
The classroom winners of each grade level were given a poster of the FSCC Basketball Team along with a promised extra recess, during the assembly held in the school gym.
The winners were: Carrie Southwell’s 3rd grade class with 3, 220 minutes of reading, Joyce Flanner’s 4th grade with 3,002 minutes and Jill Couch’s 5th-grade class with 2,232 minutes.
During the assembly, students were randomly picked from the audience to participate in a basketball throw challenge.
The winner of that challenge was Quadar Moreland, a fourth-grade student. Because of his win, all 4th-grade students were given autographed posters of the team.
Brenda Hill, an instructional coach at Ware, and Mary Mauer, a teacher, collaborated on the idea of capitalizing on basketball’s March Madness national competition to encourage students to practice reading.
Below are photos of the afternoon assembly.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 9
Happenings in Fort Scott April 9-15
What’s Happening in Fort Scott from April 9-15 provided by the Chamber of Commerce:
09 |
USD 234 Board of Education Meeting 5:30 pm
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10 |
Story Time – Hosted by Fort Scott Public Library at 10:00 am. Enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and snacks related to our theme in the downstairs event room, along with a play table for before and after the stories. All story times welcome any-age children and teens. Hope you can come. Tell your friends!
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10 |
Kiwanis Meeting- FSCC Heritage Room- 12:00 pm
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10 |
T.O.P.S. Meetings Held at BRCC 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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10 |
FSCC Hounds Men’s Baseball vs Allen County -2:00 pm
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10 |
Cruise Night 2018 hosted by Tri-Valley Foundation 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation’s annual fundraiser. The evening includes a dinner, music, door prizes, and both live and silent auctions. All money raised from the evening goes toward our mission of providing quality and affordable homes as well as aid in the delivery of services to our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the counties of Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson in Southeast Kansas. Any donation would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration.
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10 |
Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County meeting, Old Congregational Church, Board meeting at 6:30, program at 7 pm
Ken Lyon will present a power-point presentation on the WWI Bourbon County soldiers. Come learn some history on these brave men of the early 1900’s.
We will have great fellowship, refreshments, and a door prize, hope you can attend!
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11 |
Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center, 9:00 am – 10:00 am. Come drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run. Staff will provide the bingo cards, the caller, and coffee. Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission.
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11 | Story Time – Hosted by Fort Scott Public Library at 10:00 am. Enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and snacks related to our theme in the downstairs event room, along with a play table for before and after the stories. All story times welcome any-age children and teens. Hope you can come. Tell your friends! |
11 |
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church – 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
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11 |
Adult Coloring Program Hosted by the Fort Scott Public Library 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The coloring isn’t just for kids! Coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks provided.
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11 |
TAG- Teen Advisory Group – Community Service -Fort Scott Public Library – 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
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11 | Mercy Hospice Bereavement Support Group 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott
Call Melissa George, Chaplain for more information 620-223-8533
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12-26 | Gold Canyon Candle Sales Begin Today-Fort Scott Middle School Fundraiser. Call the Middle School PTO for more details. |
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Chamber Coffee – hosted by KOMB FM 103.9 at Arnold Arena on the campus of FSCC., 8:00 am
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12 | Kiwanis Pioneer Club – FSCC Heritage Room -12:00 pm- 1:00 pm |
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FSCC Hounds Men’s Baseball vs Johnson County. This is to be a doubleheader. Games will start at 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm.
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12 |
Thursday Card Players, Buck Run Community Center, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
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13-14 |
Livestock Sale, Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., 10:00 am – You don’t have to be a buyer just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
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13-14 |
7th Annual Home, Sport, Farm, Garden Show hosted by KOMB 103.9 at Arnold Arena on the campus of Fort Scott Community College
* Hours:
Friday, April 13th, 5-8pm
Saturday, April 14th, 9am-3pm
There will be 56 inside booths and more outside!
Come to shop the wide variety of vendors and enter to win hundreds of prizes!
Call KOMB FM at 620-223-4500 for more information.
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13 | Lady Hounds Softball vs Independence 2:00 pm at the FSCC Softball Field |
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Theology on Tap- 7:00 pm. “Are you worried about robots replacing you (or your grandchildren)?” 510 E. Eddy, Fort Scott
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14-15 |
Little Britches Rodeo at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds
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14
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FSCC Kids Fair. 9:00 am – 12:00pm
Free Event at College
Right across from the soccer fields, outdoors. Going on the same time as the home show
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14
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Lady Hounds Softball vs Cowley County 1:00 pm at the FSCC Softball Field |
14 |
The Southpaw Preachers hosted by Crooner’s & Liberty Theatre. 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm 113 S. Main Fort Scott.
This powerhouse band draws their inspiration from hard-hitting funk, soul, R&B, and rock. Southpaw blends both original music and covers into their diverse sets and is known for folding a uniquely asymmetrical sound into well-loved songs.
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15 |
Perry’s Pork Rinds is offering free delivery to Ft Scott on Sunday, April 15th from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm for any pre-orders placed online. www.perrysporkrinds.com
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16 | Fort Scott Boys Varsity 18 Hole Golf Match at Woodland Hills Golf Course |
16 | The Chamber Board Meeting, noon at Papa Don’s |
Left behind by Patty LaRoche
“Grandma, is that a fanny pack you’re wearing?”
“Yes, Mo, it is.
“You’re really wearing a fanny pack?” (Underwear on my head could not have embarrassed her more.)
“It’s easier to travel without lugging around a purse.”
Jenn, Mo’s mother, intervened. “There’s nothing wrong with a fanny pack, Mo.”
Mo’s eyes widened. She was embarrassed. This grandma wasn’t cool.
We were in Ireland celebrating Jeff, my oldest son’s, St. Patrick’s Day birthday. Fortunately, I was prepared for the “sleet and snow” forecast for our seven-day trip (four in Ireland and three in Scotland).
Galoshes, poncho, umbrella. Check
Sweatshirts, under layers, coat, gloves, winter hat. Check
Swimsuit—in case our hotel had a jacuzzi and to further embarrass my grandkids. Check
Jenn, her children Drake and Mo, and I decided to brave the sleet and take the Dublin city bus tour. There were a few problems locating the starting point, like how our map was confusing and every passerby I asked spoke French or Chinese. When we finally spotted the “Easy-On-Easy-Off” bus a block away, I began sprinting to make sure we weren’t left behind. No doubt my attempt at running was not a proud moment for my grandkids. Must have been the fanny pack…or the multiple layers of clothing I was wearing…or perhaps a combination of the two.
Waving like a wind-up toy, I scampered towards the bus, alerting the driver we needed to board. As we neared, the driver opened the door and hollered for us to hurry up. What do you think we are doing? I wanted to answer and had I any breath left, I might have. Leading the charge, I collapsed into a seat in the middle of the bus. My family followed.
The driver–paid to pretend he likes tourists–wasn’t a fan. He turned and asked to see our tickets, tickets that we should have purchased a few blocks away and not here at a traffic light that had turned green but because some crazed grannie and her family were running straight towards the front of his bus neither this driver nor those behind him made the green light. Mo and Drake were mortified.
I didn’t care. I did what I had to do. We would not be left behind. Which is never fun. And sometimes, eternal.
Chances are unless you were born in the last decade, the words “Left Behind” ring a bell.
Left Behind is a series of 16 best-selling religious, fictional novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, dealing with the end times. People were fascinated by the books, as proven by the 80 million copies sold, and for many, it was the first time they realized the seriousness of the end times. Why? Because too many Christians are embarrassed to share the truth of Scripture. Jesus wasn’t. In Matthew 24:40 he simplifies what will happen when the end comes: “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.”
Husband and wife will be shopping at Walmart. One will be gone. One, left.
Two friends will be driving on the freeway. One will be gone. One, left.
People will be worshipping in church. Some will be gone. Some, left.
The determining factor? The way they have glorified God by loving Jesus and each other. It won’t matter what color, what race, what gender. It won’t matter how many miracles they performed or what church they attended, and it certainly won’t matter if they are wearing a fanny pack around their waist or underwear on their heads.
In spite of what their grandkids think.
Pick of the Week: The Courtland
Fort Scott High School Track Meet At Paola
Photos submitted by Brian Wade
Fort Scott High School participated in the Paola Invitational Track Meet April 5.
The following photos are spotlights on some of the Fort Scott athletes who participated.
Beckham Appointed to Kansas Hospital Association Committee
FORT SCOTT, Kan. (April 6, 2018) – Mercy lead dietitian Sherise Beckham, MS, RD, LD, has recently been named to the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) Healthy Kansas Hospital Committee.
The vision of KHA is “Optimal Health for Kansans.” In her role, Beckham will serve the committee as one of only two representatives from the southeast region of the State of Kansas.
The Healthy Kansas Hospitals Committee has been established to look at hospital policy and environments across the state to determine best practices health systems can implement to model healthy cultures—basically to set the “gold standard” of what hospitals can aspire to do. Hospitals in many communities are seen as the anchor organization and can lead the way (by example) to healthier lifestyles, communities and increase the quality of life.
Beckham’s responsibilities on the Healthy Kansas Hospitals Committee include:
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Exploring opportunities that provide greater access to healthy food and beverage options for hospital employees, patients, and visitors.
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Helping to establish strong community norms for healthier living and are willing to learn more about making healthy food/beverage policy changes to help all employees and patients live longer and better lives.
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Providing information that has the potential to establish a corporate culture which encourages key leadership strategies for a healthy food and beverage environment.
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Assisting in overall implementation through web tools to assist in vendor and food policy changes, assistance for food service staff implementing changes, and opportunities for shared expertise and interaction with peers.
To learn more about the Health Kansas Hospitals Committee, visit kha-net.org.
Elks Fish Fry April 7
Ward Kraft Offers Careers, Not Just a Job to Their Employees
Jude Ward and Harold Kraft had a vision in 1972 of opening a company that would allow people a chance to grow financially and career-wise.
Mr. Ward and Mr. Kraft started up a printing company that would not only outperform the competition but would help create more opportunities for people who wanted a career and not just a job. Now over 45 years later, that “legacy” continues as Ward Kraft still stands at the top of the list when it comes to employers in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Ward Kraft employs 340 people.
That thirty-five percent of their current workforce has been employed at the company for ten years or more shows that Ward Kraft is a place that a person can call a career and not just a job.
What started out as a forms company in the early seventies has evolved into a company that specializes in forms, labels, plastics, and specialty products; working out of three divisions at their campus in Fort Scott.
Competitive wages (with wages ranging from $10.40 to $22.00 depending on the work area and skill level), good benefits, stability, advancement opportunities, and a good working environment are a just a few of the reasons the employees at WK have made the company their working home for so many years.
Dee Covey, who has been with the company for over 12 years says, “I have been blessed to have an awesome job. I work with great people who believe in teamwork and a boss who is very understanding and always listens to me”.
When asked about Ward Kraft and the longevity of their members, President of Manufacturing Phil Quick (a 28-year member) said, “I feel we keep good members at WK because of the work environment, and family atmosphere. Our managers and members care about doing the right thing for the customer, and the team. Attitude and effort are the main ingredients for being successful at WK.”
During the company’s annual Christmas dinner, service awards were handed out to members that were celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service.
Celebrating 5 years: JoAnn Dugan, Ashley Farmer, Daniel Gauthier, Bryan Hughes, Brad Matkin, Mike Pyle, Richard Racer, Wayne Racy, Cindy Schroeder, Scott Smith, Chris Thurston, and Jay VanBuskirk.
Celebrating 10 years: Roberta Anderson, Ryan Kraft, Thom McCreedy, and Reva Dent
Celebrating 15 years: Ken Ash, Lisa Hull, Matt McClellan, Ben Morrell, Bob Piotrowski, Dana Ruhl, Jeanette Sisseck, Joshua Smith, Steve Williams, and Teresa Zimmerman.
Celebrating 20 years: David Budd, Sara Griffith, Michelle Heaton, Twila Milburn, Carey Mooney, and Randy Thurston
Celebrating 25 years: Billy Cowen, Steve Denton, Billy Hill, Bill Meech, and David Zimmerman
Celebrating 30 years: Mark Christy, Melinda Collins, Jesse Crum, Ray Mauck, and Joy Wiltse
Celebrating 35 years Gary Bosley, Danny Harper, Dennis Harper, and Roger Kraft
Celebrating 40 years: Patty Gauthier and Jerry Parsons
Celebrating the retirements of Jimmy Tucker (31 years of service), Danny Harper (35 years) and Joy Wiltse (30 years).
Ward Kraft, Inc. is part of the WK Holding Company which also includes local companies FS Munitions, KW Cattle Co., ReproLogix, 4 State Sanitation and Recycling, and Christian Learning Center.
Ward Kraft will hold a job fair on April 10th at the Empress Event Center, located at 7 North Main, from 10 am to 2 pm and will be looking for people who want to be part of their team.
Positions that are available are production members, sales personnel, and office staff to name a few. WK staff will be present to talk to prospective members about these opportunities and to answer any question you may have about the company.
Ward Kraft management believes the employees have made the last 45 plus years possible and successful and are still committed to hiring the “Person Not the Position”.
USD 234 Hires New Superintendent, Ted Hessong
Ted Hessong, currently superintendent of USD 456, was hired Tuesday evening by the USD 234 Board of Education. He will begin June 2, 2018, and was hired on a two-year contract as the new superintendent in Fort Scott’s school system.
The following is a FortScott.Biz interview with Hessong.
What motivated you to get into education?
“My mom was a teacher at Fort Scott Middle School, which was a great example of what a teacher should be. I was also active in sports and I wanted to be a basketball coach since 7th grade.”
Education?
” I graduated from Fort Scott High School and earned an Associates Degree from Fort Scott Community College. I got my Bachelor’s Degree in Science Education from Pittsburg State University. I also received my Master’s in Building Leadership and District Certification from PSU.”
Experience?
” My first two years in education I was a science teacher and coach at Pleasanton Junior/Senior High School in Pleasanton, Kansas. I then accepted a position at Frontenac Junior High and High School teaching science and coaching, where I did my student teaching. I spent 17 years at Frontenac School district, where I went from a teacher to assistant principal for the 6th-12th-grade building. I then became the first junior high principal at Frontenac because we separated the junior high from the high school. The last five years at Frontenac I was the high school principal following the retirement of one of my mentors, Joe Martin. The past two school years I have been the superintendent at Marais des Cygnes Valley School District, which is composed of the communities of Melvern, Quenemo, and Olivet in Kansas.”
Family?
“I have three children.”
What interested you in the position in Fort Scott?
“Fort Scott has tremendous respect throughout the state of Kansas as a top-notch district. I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to return to my hometown to lead the district that really gave me my start in education.”
What do you feel you bring to the district?
“I feel my leadership experiences have prepared me to lead Fort Scott in a variety of areas to provide the best opportunities for the students of Fort Scott to experience success.”
What assets do you see in USD 234?
” The biggest asset Fort Scott has to offer is the teachers, staff, and students at Fort Scott. All these groups are what make Fort Scott an excellent school district.”
Any concerns?
“No concerns at this time.”
Any interests besides education, hobbies?