The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state years-of-service anniversaries in May. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.
Those celebrating 40 years:
Charles Baker, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Hepler
Thomas Weishapl, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Oberlin
Those celebrating 30 years:
Deallon Wildeman, Right of Way Property Appraiser Supervisor, Topeka
Those celebrating 20 years:
Matthew Bleier, Engineering Technician Specialist, Topeka
James Fetters, Equipment Operator Senior, Council Grove
Martin Harrington, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Norton
Joyce Davenport, right, President of Progressive Mothers Club of Fort Scott, presenting $200 to Janet Tucker for Bags of Love ministry on April 4. Submitted photo.
The local Fort Scott Progressive Mothers’ Club has been very active through the years, according to Shirley Palmer a member.
The local group recently presented Janet Tucker with a check for $200 to help with the project which helps children.
“At their recent meeting in April, Janet Tucker, Bourbon County chapter President spoke to the group and talked about It’s My Very Own BAGS OF LOVE project,” Palmer said. “It is championing the immediate needs of the displaced child.”
“This is a local mission project for Bourbon County,” Tucker noted. “Where a group of volunteer women meets each week at the Seventh-Day Adventist church to sew comforters and duffle bags.”
Locally, the group program is called It’s My Very Own, Bags of Love.
“When a child is removed from their home for reasons out of their control, a bag is filled with gender and age-appropriate items,” which is then given to the child, Tucker said.
When a child is removed from their home by the local protective service, often they can take nothing with them but the clothes on their back.
It’s My Very Own, is dedicated to providing a bag with personal care age and gender appropriate items for children from birth to 17 years old.
“These consist of basic body care items, stuffed animals, new toys, clothes, socks, p.j.’s, books, journals, diapers, baby care items, and then packed with lots of love and prayers,” Tucker said.
Items currently needed: large/small stuffed animals (can be gently used), new toys, puzzles, coloring books/crayons, journals, pens, craft kits, shampoo/body wash, toothpaste/toothbrush, deodorant, combs/brushes, hair bows, and seasonal items, according to information provided.
The supply list for duffle bags/comforters is colorful cotton/poly fabric, thread, twin flat sheets, high loft batting, thick cording, 1-inch buttons.
Needed items for children “aging out” of foster care: laundry detergent and basket, Clorox wipes, paper towels, all-purpose cleaners, dish soap/sponge, stain remover, dryer sheets, trash bags, tampons/pads, body wash/soap, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, towels/washcloths, small first aid kit, small lock box to keep important papers in, basic tool set, flashlight, batteries, planner for them to keep track of appointments, school supplies, blankets, basic cooking supplies, Walmart Gift Cards in increments of $25.
Also needed are prayers, monetary gifts and ink and paper for printing, stamps, blade replacements, sewing pins/needles, and volunteers.
For more information contact Tucker at 620-768-9356.
About Progressive Mother Club
The following is from a press release from Palmer:
“The local Progressive Mothers’ Club meets monthly, September-April, with the purpose of helping and promoting children and their activities.
The local group had a yearly membership of 24 people for many years and there used to be a waiting list for ladies in the community wanting to join. They met in homes for many years.
Today their membership is eighteen and they often still meet in homes of members or in a place in the community.
Through the years the local group has participated often in the Christmas Parades, Good ‘Ol Days parades, always promoting children. Their objective is to promote and to help children.
They have helped with the Mother to Mother ministry by donating items many times. They give money to each of the schools for needed items for children throughout the school years.
They often donate to families with children who have experienced house fires and who have lost everything. They adopt children of various ages at Christmas time and provide special Christmas gifts to them.
All in all, this club is a very caring and giving organization.
The Progressive Mothers’ Club was founded in March 1918 in Dayton, Ohio.
The purpose of the club was to bring together local mothers for social and educational functions that were meant to nurture and enhance their role as mothers.
The Progressive Mothers sought to provide opportunities for mothers to learn about child development, nurturing family environments, and the stresses associated with youth and families. The non-profit group prided itself on providing welfare and advocacy for all children.
The Progressive Mothers’ Club joined the Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1921, as well as later joining the National Federation of Women’s Clubs.
The official Progressive Mothers’ Club on the national level disbanded in 2003 but many Progressive Mothers’ alumni are still active and functioning in local clubs such as the Fort Scott group.
Joyce Davenport has been the local president the past two years. Shirley Palmer was installed as the new president for the Fort Scott group at their April meeting. Other officers are Donna Wilson, vice-president; Teri Campbell, Secretary, and Connie Finley treasurer.”
For more information about the club: contact Shirley Palmer at 620-223-4105.
KCC offers tips on what to look for when hiring a limo or bus service
TOPEKA – Limousines and party buses are popular modes of transportation for proms, weddings and other special events. If your spring or summer plans call for limo or bus transportation, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) encourages you to do a little research before booking.
The KCC, the agency that regulates motor carriers in the state, recommends that you check to be sure the transportation company you are considering has operating authority. That means they meet the applicable federal and state requirements for safety, insurance, operations and driver training. Services operating within the state are also required to file their current tariffs or rates with the KCC. Those can be found on the KCC’s website.
“Planning your next limousine, party bus or charter bus trip is an important decision. Take a moment to ensure the company you select has the appropriate State and/or Federal operating authority and a safe operating history. Looking before you book will help you have a safe and satisfying experience,” said Mike Hoeme, KCC Transportation Director.
There are several places to obtain more information about passenger carriers. Here are a few helpful links:
The 2nd Annual Confederate Memorial Service will be held at the National Cemetery at 10 am, Saturday, April 27.
Members of Sons of the Confederate Veterans (SCV) Major Thomas J. Key Camp #1920, will conduct the memorial service.
A joint Sons of Union Veterans (SUV) and SCV honor guard will present colors at the service
There are 14 Confederate Soldiers interred at the Fort Fort Scott National Cemetery. All were POW’s at Fort Scott and the majority were captured at the Battle of Mine Creek.
April has been recognized as Confederate History month throughout the South. While Kansas does not recognize Confederate History month, special permission was given by the National Cemetery Administration to conduct a memorial service for the Confederate dead in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.
This year’s memorial service was scheduled to coincide with Civil Wars Days at “The Fort.”
The memorial service is open to the public. Persons attending the memorial service can wear period clothing as desired.
There will be a rechartering of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 on May 3, 2019 at 7 pm. This milestone event will take place in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.
The American Legion Auxiliary is a standalone organization and offers programs to support Veterans and the community. For more information about the American Legion Auxiliary visit their national website at https://www.alaforveterans.org/
Any female who has an ancestor who served in the United States military is eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Additionally, female family members of Veterans and active duty military may also be eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary.
There is not an age requirement to join the Auxiliary Unit. Some Legion members have enrolled their daughters or granddaughters at birth to become an Auxiliary member.
Females interested in joining the American Legion Fort Scott Auxiliary Unit should call Myra Jowers at 620.215.1286 or email her at myrajowers#ymail.com about joining or to clarify their membership eligibility.
Veterans and Friends: Urge Congress to Pass the Retired Pay Restoration Act
Military retirees who have a service-connected disability rating below 50 percent have their retirement pay reduced, dollar for dollar, by the amount of disability compensation they receive. This demeaning tax, created by Congress to save money, forces those who have dedicated their careers to military service to make do without benefits they need to provide for their families.
Take Action: Contact your members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor the Retired Pay Restoration Act. Our nation is still at war. We must ensure that benefits earned through honorable service to this country are improved, not eroded.
Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner’s Tax Day Event Returns Over $370,000
Topeka—Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner made tax day a little brighter for thousands of Kansans by helping put money back in their pockets. With the help of several broadcast media outlets, the State Treasurer’s Office held an event Monday to bring awareness to the over $350-million in unclaimed property in the State Treasury and encouraging Kansans to get online and see if any of it belongs to them. Over 27,000 people went to kansascash.com to search, and $372,146 was returned to its rightful owners.
“It’s wonderful that we were able to match up so many individuals and businesses with their unclaimed property,” said LaTurner. “This was a very successful event, but there’s still more money to give back. We hope those that found money online will spread the word to family and friends about how quick and easy it is to search for themselves as well.”
Searches for unclaimed property can be done anytime on kansascash.com. Most claims made online can be paid easily via direct deposit. In 2018 a record $26.5-million in unclaimed property was returned to Kansans, and the office is on track to break that record in 2019.
Suzanne Street, 72, of Fort Scott, passed away at her home Saturday evening, April 13, 2019.
She was born June 27, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Carl S. and Martina D. (Kirker) Street.
Suzanne graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 63. She also attended and graduated from Pittsburg State University, and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She held a BA in Foreign Languages, and an MA in Spanish. She taught for forty years in Rich Hill, Missouri; Chanute, Kansas; Holden, Missouri; Tonganoxie, Kansas; Iola, Kansas, and Fort Scott, retiring in 2013.
Suzanne managed the bookstore at the Fort Scott National Historic Site and did volunteer work. She was a member of Area Women Educators (AWE), Iola Symphony Orchestra, and Fort Scott Area Orchestra. She traveled to several European countries with students and family.
Suzanne is survived by her sister, Carla J. Felt, of Fort Scott; nephew Carson Felt and wife Morgan, and great-niece Ryker Felt, all of Fort Scott.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Following cremation, the family will have a Celebration of Life Visitation Thursday evening, April 18, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
A private family interment service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Care to Share, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
