Winter Weather Awareness Day in Kansas will be Thursday, Nov. 15. That day would be an ideal time for Kansans to take stock of their emergency supplies and review their home emergency plan.
A home emergency supply kit should include enough nonperishable food and water for each person to survive for a minimum of seven days, a safe alternate heat source, blankets, flashlights and batteries, a battery-operated weather radio, essential medicines, and other items needed for health and comfort should the power go out.
Vehicles should be equipped with emergency kits, too, particularly if you are planning to travel long distances. These kits should include weather appropriate clothing; bottled water for everyone; nonperishable, high-energy snack items; flashlights and batteries; a battery-operated radio; blankets; a compact snow shovel; extra medications; signal flares and other emergency supplies to allow you to survive until help can arrive. It is also advisable to fill your gas tank before you start on a journey, check engine fluid levels and tire pressure, and make sure cell phones are fully charged.
Emergency plans and preparations should also include family pets. During winter storms, bring outdoor pets inside, if possible, or ensure that they have a draft-free enclosure with straw type bedding that is large enough to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold their body heat if they must remain outside. Always make sure that your pets have access to food and non-frozen water.
USD 234 First Grade teachers were awarded a grant to allow students a chance to visit and learn about Fort Scott businesses. They are holding a photo-opportunity check which lists the amount handed out at the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant Awards on Nov. 1. Stephanie Witt, president of the FSACF is far right in the photo.
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation presented grant awards to 15 entities November 1 during the Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, held at Landmark Bank.
Interest from money given the FSACF is distributed each year to 501 3C organizations, said Stephanie Witt, president of the foundation.
“This year, over $32,000 in grants is given out,” she told coffee attendees.
USD 234 received a grant for project-based learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math programs that challenge middle and high school students to create and design elements to help the community. Angie Kemmerer, far left, heads the project.Fort Scott High School’s tennis program will get a new backboard for the tennis courts with a grant from FSACF. Allison Gorman accepted the check.USD 234 was awarded a grant for career exploration mentoring for students paired with community members. Lindsay Madison, left, accepted the grant award.Eastern Kansas Adult Education at Fort Scott Community College was awarded a grant to provide scholarships for 20 high school dropouts to obtain their GED. Aubrey Duft, left, accepted the award.USD 234 was awarded a grant to study empathy and share their findings with the community. Michelle Brittain accepted the from Witt and Greg Motley, a FSACF member.Another USD 234 grant provided money for new Fort Scott High School band instruments. Aaron Shockley accepted the check.Tri-Valley Developmental Services received a grant to purchase two new wheelchairs.Care to Share received a grant to support cancer victims. Teresa Davenport, left, accepted the award.The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes received a grant for interactive magnetic boards to educate children who visit the center. From left Norm Conard, Witt, Tina Rockhold and Motley.Chad Cross accepted the Fort Scott Community College grant to make the Arnold Arena compliant with the American Disability Act regulations.Christa Horn accepts a check for the Bourbon County CASA of the 6th Judicial Court.Peggy Niles accepts a check for the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Inc. to allow repairs and upgrades at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau received a grant to provide a veteran’s celebration. Larry Gazaway and Allyson Turvey accepted the check.Janet Tucker accepted a check for the “It’s My Very Own Bags of Love” project made available by the KS-NE Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.
Eugene Ware Youth Choir will perform this Saturday, serenading while strolling at the Veterans Day Parade starting at 5 p.m. down Main Street.
“This ensemble is made up of 4th and 5th-grade ladies and gentlemen that rehearse once a week after school,” Mary Jo Harper, Eugene Ware Youth Choir Director said.
“We will also be performing a Veterans Day Assembly at 9 AM at t Monday at the Eugene Ware Auditorium.”
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Invites You To Attend Mercy Hospital’s “Coping With The Holidays” Program on Thursday, November 15th, from 2-3:30 PM
Fort Scott Public Library has eliminated fines on overdue items.
This does not mean that people should keep items out forever. When items are nine days late, library accounts are restricted so that no additional items are checked out until all items are returned.
When items are 30 days late, we will bill for the full cost of the item. After an item is charged to the patron’s account, we will not adjust charges if the item is returned later.
We will not be mailing multiple overdue notices anymore.
We will mail one notice when items are 23 days overdue; a week later we will mail an invoice.
We encourage our patrons to provide email addresses in order to receive emailed overdue notices, to set their library accounts to send them texts or emails when items are due, and to log in to their library accounts to check their account status.
We made this decision after comparing our income from fines for eight months to the amount we were spending on postage, supplies, and staff time. We spent more than twice as much money as we received.
After the library board approved the new policy in October, library staff removed existing fines from all accounts.
Charges for lost, damaged, or unreturned items remain.
Banners of local veterans line Main Street in downtown Fort Scott. Call the Fort Scott Visitors and Convention Office at 620.670.2750 for more information.
Veterans Day festivities take place November 9-12, throughout the county. All veterans are invited.
Area schools have been providing Veteran’s Day Assemblies to honor those who have served their county for several years, and continue in 2018.
On Friday, November 9 at 9 a.m. Winfield Scott Elementary School will have a Veteran’s Day Program in the gym.
Fort Scott Middle and High School students will have their program in the high school gym from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. the same day. Guest speaker is Nick Trim, an Air Force Veteran.
St. Mary’s Catholic School will have a Veteran’s Day program at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Veteran’s Memorial on Skubitz Plaza in front of Fort Scott National Historic Site, weather permitting.
A new Bourbon County School, St. Martin’s Academy, will present a public faculty lecture on Friday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, located at National and Wall Street.
Patrick Whelan, the headmaster at the boy’s Catholic school, will be giving the lecture, entitled Warfare in Epic Poetry. Whelan is a Marine veteran and still serves as an officer in the Marine Reserves in addition to pursuing a Ph.D. in combat trauma in literature.
The presentation event starts with a mixer /cocktail hour at 7:30 p.m. Whelan will speak at 8:30 p.m. and allow time for questions.
On Monday, November 12, Eugene Ware Elementary School will have a vet’s program at 9 a.m. in the gym, while USD 235 will also have their program at 9 a.m. in the high school gym on Nov. 12.
Fort Scott Community College is offering free haircuts to veterans Nov. 9-12. The haircuts are provided by the cosmetology department. Call this number for an appointment: 620-223-2700 Ext. 5220.
The First Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration spearheaded by the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau includes the following, taken from its’ website:
Friday, November 9th
5 pm – 8 pm: Opening Reception “In Honor of Company ‘G’” @ Boiler Room Brewhaus, presented by Peerless Products. Finger foods and your first drink of the evening are free. All veterans that register will also receive a free goody bag with a special gift and information.
Saturday, November 10th
10 am: Special Veterans Day Program @ Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall – speakers include 12th District Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson, Gold Star Mother Jennifer Jackman, Carl Jowers of Thomas-Harkey Post 25 American Legion, and Commander of the American Legion Department of Kansas Dan Wiley. Special music will be provided by the Fort Scott High School Orchestra.
2 pm: Performance of “Bright Star” @ Fort Scott High School. Adults $7 Kids $5. Veterans will be recognized during the performance.
5 pm: Live Local Bourbon County presents the Veterans Day Parade through Downtown Fort Scott. TFO will provide trailers and rides for all veterans who can not, or do not want to, walk the parade route. Live Local BB will be serving up a hot dog meal beginning at 3:30 pm at the pavilion downtown! The staging area is located at Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS.
Fort Scott City Clerk Diane Clay decorates the exterior of city hall, 123 S. Main on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the Veteran’s Day Celebrations this weekend.
7 pm: 1800’s Remembrance Grand Ball @ Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall, presented by The “Friends” of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Sunday, November 11th
9 am: Church Services @ Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton
11 am: Services @ US National Cemetery #1 with 12th District Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson. Organized by VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart
Noon: Lunch @ VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart for Free Will Donation.
While in Fort Scott for the Veterans Day Celebration, don’t forget to purchase your “Buddy” Poppy and “Wear it proudly.”
