FORT SCOTT – The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Holiday Lights tours for the 2014 holiday season.  The tours will run from December 12 to January 8 in the evenings (Monday – Saturday) by group reservation only; minimum of 6 riders.  The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under.  Tours are a great activity for groups, businesses, families, and other organizations; maximum of 12 adults per tour. Tours take place on the current trolley substitute, a festive and handicap accessible shuttle. Proceeds from tours will benefit the fund for a new trolley.

The trolley adventure is sure to be entertaining as “Elves” from the Fort Scott Community College theatre department will be leading passengers in Christmas carols and other entertainment, including local comedian Kevin Allen (Skitch) throughout each tour.  Glow necklaces will be presented to each rider and complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be served before each tour.

Homes, neighborhoods and businesses in the Fort Scott area are encouraged to get in the spirit by festively decorating with Christmas lights and other exterior decorations.  This year the Chamber will have a selected committee that will take the tour prior to December 19^th to award the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place light displays.  Contestants do not need to officially enter with the Chamber.  The committee will be judging all properties in the city limits.  Those winners will be presented with a 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd place award as well as a Chamber Bucks certificate.

To make reservations for the 2014 Holiday Lights tour, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566.

Fort Scott, KS — If you don’t travel to the south end of town very often, you most likely haven’t been watching the progress of The LaRoche Baseball Complex. Ground was broken in May 2014 and the complex is set to be completed by 2015 Spring baseball schedule. The first game is set for April 2nd. Here area  few renderings:

Adam and Jennifer LaRoche had the vision to create a top-notch baseball complex for Fort Scott High School, so they would not have to work their practice schedules around a shared field with the Fort Scott Community College. In an open letter, (you can read here), the LaRoche family writes about how baseball and great coaches have impacted their lives and want to help build a complex that will continue to provide opportunities to others.

The price tag for the complex is around $2 million, which the LaRoche family has provided up front to get the project started. Dave Martin, City Manager, (along with other agencies) are looking for sponsors to come alongside and sponsor the building project.

Any community members are welcome to contribute to the building fund. If you are looking for a major place to contribute, there are many ways. You can click here to see amounts need to sponsor different components. If you are looking for smaller way to contribute you can click here for a complete list, including seat sponsorship. All of these can be paid over a three year period.

LaRoche vision is eventually to host concerts, tournaments and other revenue producing events to boost local economy and help with upkeep costs for the field.  A joint agreement between the school and the city, will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the ball field.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, please contact Cathy or Marlene at the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation
PO Box 901
Fort Scott, KS 66701
620-231-8897

General inquiries can also be sent to Lindsay Madison:
Executive Director
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Center
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS  66701
Phone:  (620) 223-3566  Fax:  (620) 223-3574
Email:  [email protected]

Fort Scott, KS — Construction has begin on the James B. Tedesco Memorial Skate park expansion. The construction crew arrived in Fort Scott on November 25th and have been doing the preliminary dirt work and set up a few forms for the expansion areas. The park is located at 4th and Scott street and you can view their Facebook page here.

The park was originally constructed in April 2012 and now with a generous gift from Steve Tedesco, a businessman from Colorado, has made the expansion possible. Construction is hoped to be completed by the end of the year.

Construction pictures:

Current park pictures:

Fort Scott, KS – This weekend is packed full of great events going on. Already, this short article space will not be enough to cover all that is going on. Hopefully, you will have a chance to get out this weekend and participate in some of the activities.

This will be the 35^th year the homes have been available for touring. The event is sponsored by the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County (HPA). The tour dates are December 6^th and 7^th, Saturday, 11am-5pm and Sunday, noon-4pm. Admission is a $12 donation and you can pick up a ticket and map at any of the homes.

In brief, there are four homes on the tour this year. You can click here to see the homes and the addresses ahead of time, but you will have to show up in person to really appreciate the beauty and the hard work these home-owners have done to showcase these remarkable homes.

We were able to catch up with two home owners to get a sneak peek inside the homes. Erica Schuber-Chikly, 816 S. Crawford, has just recently completed remodeling of her home, established in 1888. Here are a few pictures:

Also, Joyce Gobl was kind enough to allow us a few early pictures. Joyce and her sister, June Seaver were both working hard to put the finishing touches on over 19 trees located within the home Joyce doesn’t take credit, but said June is really the master designer of the presentation of the trees. Here are just a few pictures:

The two other homes include an 8,000 square foot home, re-purposed from a business built in 1922 and a three story Victorian brick home built in 1884.

Not only are you able to enjoy the beauty and the history of these homes and hear the stories, your ticket fee will continue to support the efforts and programs of the HPA. When you are finished with the tour, you can stop by the Middle School (1105 E 12^th St) , where HPA is sponsoring, “The Stocking Stuffer.” FREE ADMISSION. If you still have some shopping left to do, gift items and crafts are available for purchase along with baked goods and a brisket lunch. Hours: Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 11am-4pm

If you have an event or something you think we might be interested in writing about, please send us an email: [email protected]

Fort Scott, KS — Tuesday night hundreds of people gathered to the Historic Downtown Fort Scott to watch the annual Holiday parade hosted by the the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The parade started at 6pm on Main Street from 3rd Street  to Skubits Plaza.

Following the parade, the Mayor’s Tree Lighting ceremony commenced. A few remarks were made by Cindy Bartelsmeyer in Skubits Plaza before several prizes were given away. Local businesses, Walgreens, Radio Shack and  Walmart, were kind enough to donate prizes for the drawings. The lighting of the tree wrapped up the outdoor activities.

During the parade, everyone was able to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission and after the Tree Ceremony, kids were welcomed by Santa at Papa Don’s. The first 200 children were given a free book donated by Greenbush. If you weren’t able to make it, here are a few pictures to tide you over until the next Fort Scott Parade!