Good Changes At Common Grounds
Changes are coming for a local coffee shop.
Local farm produce is being purchased for menu items, some new equipment has been purchased to better serve the public and a change of location is on the horizon for Common Grounds Coffee Company, 116 S. Main.
Two ministries of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene are collaborating to bring area food that is produced locally to the public.
One part of the collaboration is Common Grounds, which is a ministry of the Nazarene church.
Stuffed green peppers, roasted zucchini, squash, and corn, along with tomato soup are on the menu of Common Grounds, using local produce.
These produce used for the menus are straight from a garden produced by AgPathway, which is another ministry of the local Nazarene Church. This ministry involves mentoring interested people in vegetable gardening.
In addition to AgPathway deliveries of local vegetables, Vicki Waldron, manager of Common Grounds, purchases food from the Fort Scott Farmers Market.
“This spring I started buying local produce from the local farmers market: potatoes for potato salad and onions,” Waldron said.
Motivating this change was the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team through a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant.
The HBCAT grant helped Common Grounds to purchase a refrigerated appliance that helps keep food cold and easily accessible.
“All we had before was a refrigerator,” Waldron said. “We kept opening it and couldn’t keep it cool enough.”
Additionally, the grant helped purchase a blender.
“A more environmentally friendly, quieter blender,” Waldron said.
Another big change for Common Grounds: a move to a different location in the near future.
“We are looking at, tentatively, to be in the new place by the first of the year,” Waldron said.
The new space will be on Wall Street and National Avenue, the former Fort Scott Tribune office.
Jennifer LaRoche is the owner of the building and is also on the Common Grounds board at the Nazarene Church.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports July 11
The Fort Scott Police Department daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
Click below, then click on the image to view it.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 12-13
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
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Dept. Of Commerce Launches Online Business Magazine
Kansas Commerce launches KansasCentral.com, an Online Business and Economic Development Magazine
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce announces the launch of a new online magazine loaded with news and feature articles on business and economic development topics in Kansas. KansasCentral.com is aimed to keep Kansans and anyone interested in starting, relocating or expanding a business in Kansas informed of topics and opportunities in the state.
“It has been exciting to see so many businesses decide to expand to Kansas or start new operations here in America’s heartland, creating thousands of new jobs,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “KansasCentral.com will not only keep everyone informed of breaking news of companies locating in Kansas but will share success stories of thriving businesses in our state.”
KansasCentral.com features three main content areas: News, Events and Features.
- The News section will constantly be updated with breaking business and economic development news, such as business expansions throughout the state and new or updated programs to assist businesses of all sizes be successful in Kansas.
- The Events section will highlight upcoming conferences, workshops, job fairs, etc. that will be beneficial to entrepreneurs, business executives, employers and job seekers across the state.
- The Features section will include success stories, video interviews, and articles about programs available through the Department of Commerce and other agencies that will benefit Kansas businesses or those considering locating in the state.
WATCH: KansasCentral intro video
Both the News and Features sections also offer the ability for readers to easily find information specific to industries they are interested in, such as Aviation, Agriculture, Bio-Science and Energy.
“There are many great stories to tell of why Kansas is the best place in the country to do business, along with a steady stream of good news to share,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. “We hope KansasCentral will quickly become a must-visit website for anyone interested in business and economic opportunities in our state.”
Swimming Pool Closes August 12
The Fort Scott Aquatic Center will close for the season Sunday, August 12.
“Other area pools close at that time,” FS City Manager Dave Martin said. “The week before school starts, our staff starts to have school activities.”
USD 234 has its’ first day of school August 23.
Inadequate Prayer by Patty LaRoche
People who work on taxes are geniuses. So are travelers who understand foreign exchange rates. You’ve met their kind. They read business books as bathroom literature instead of Chicken Soup for the Soul books as I do. As secretary for our condominium board in Mazatlan, I, the lone woman out of seven representatives, have given up trying to engage in conversations about currencies. I stick to my expertise: typing pretty fast and asking the men to dumb down whatever they are saying so I can make the minutes relatively understandable.
Three years ago when I was first elected, I tried to keep up when the former CEO’s discussed these money matters. My bi-line became “I don’t get it.” I don’t get it in the United States, and I sure didn’t get it in Mexico where the taxes and laws and pesos fluctuate like bouncy balls at a Chucky Cheese restaurant.
One year later, I liberated myself. I didn’t have to “get it.” Six men did. They had owned banks and wineries and medical companies and were entrepreneurs in up-start endeavors. Finances are their “thing.”
Mine is communication.
Including sharing Jesus. Not in an obnoxious, judgmental way (like I did as a baby Christian—I grimace when I think of how unbearable I was), but by using humor. For example, more than once I have reminded one board partner that he is moving up my prayer ladder when he uses profanity. He now corrects himself. And we all laugh.
But as we all know, there are times when humor is not the answer. Prayer is, and God has proven over and over that it is the most powerful communication tool He has given me.
Take Frank, for instance. Canadians Frank and Gale were delightful owners at our complex. Frank was a former hockey player and sometimes a tennis partner of mine. He suffered a massive stroke and was taken to a Mazatlan hospital. When I went to visit him, he was belligerent. Gale had stepped out of his room for a few minutes, and he demanded she return. There was no comforting him. This was not the happy-go-lucky Frank I knew.
When I learned that Gale had chartered a plane to take them back to Canada, I felt God nudge me to visit him one last time. There was no response when I asked Frank if I could pray for them, and for a moment, when Frank looked at Gale in panicked silence, the thought that I had over-stepped my bounds crossed my mind. Okay, it didn’t just “cross my mind.” It smacked me upside my head and let me know I had just completely offended two people I cared about. Gale was kind enough to repeat my question, and hesitantly, Frank said yes. We held hands, and I prayed. That was a year ago.
Through their best friends Rich and Carol and my email correspondence with Gale, I learned that things were bad. Frank had been in and out of the hospital and was down to 80 pounds. Recently Carol called me to share that—out of the clear blue—Frank asked Gale if she remembered me praying for them. In Gale’s words, “In our entire marriage (40+ years), we had never prayed. Frank said he wanted to pray. So, we did. And then he asked if a priest could come to baptize him, confirm him, and give him the Last Rights.” Gale made the call.
God took a simple prayer from someone completely inadequate and made an eternal difference. Within a few weeks, Frank passed away.
Risky? Only if I want to think of it that way. In reality, I risk nothing when I offer to pray. Instead, I offer others the greatest gift I can give and then let God do all the work.
(So much easier than explaining foreign currency.)
Changes Coming To Downtown Fort Scott
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet gathered Tuesday morning at Papa Don’s Restaurant.
The purpose of the quarterly gathering is to network and share ideas on events, promotions and anything related to downtown.
Downtown businesses and other community members tell about upcoming events and changes. The next meeting will be in October.
Following are the highlights of the meeting:
- FS Economic Director Rachel Pruitt said the Union Block Building renovation project is progressing, in addition, there are plans for the Stout Building coming down to become a parking lot. The Union project, when completed, will provide 40 apartments and some business spaces.
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Union Building, First and Main streets, Fort Scott. 
Stout Building, National Avenue and First Street. - The Buffalo Grill will have a grand opening for the River Room event center located on its second floor, Saturday, Aug. 11. The event is a week before school starts. Jared Leek is the manager of the business.
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The Buffalo Grill was purchased in May 2018 by Al Niece. - Jared Leek purchased the storefronts at 14 and 16 S. Main, which will be an office for Front Door Realty, owned by Leek, and a new bookstore, Hedgehog Inc., to open in October by Dick and Jan Hedges.
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14 S. Main and 16 S. Main are now owned by Jared Leek.
- The City of Fort Scott has spent reserve money on development of businesses, City Manager Dave Martin said, adding “We can no longer do that.” Martin also stated he “feels good about the budget next year.
- July 12 there will be an FS Planning Commission meeting to discuss the current city codes that don’t allow living areas on the first floor of commercially zoned buildings. It is open to the public.
- There will be downtown outdoor movies, facilitated by Larry Gazaway on 1) July 20-Star Wars Night- people are invited to wear costumes of favorite Star War characters; 2) and August 17-Despicable Me.
- A music group, The Whiskey Raccoons, will be at the Liberty Theater, hosted by the Bourbon County Arts Council, Saturday, July 14.
- Musician Ben Grace will perform at the Boiler Room Brewhaus on July 20.
- Two art strolls by the Bourbon County Arts Council are offered on 1) July 27-which also includes a wine stroll and concert by Blane Howard and 2) September 14.
- The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Parade is Oct. 18; the Fiesta is Oct. 19-21 at the fairgrounds.
- Fort Scott Holiday Open Houses are November 8 and December 13.
- Fort Scott Veterans Weekend Celebration is November 10-11. There will be a ball at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
- The FS Halloween parade is Saturday, Oct. 27.
- The FS Christmas parade is December 4.
- The Homes for the Holiday Tours and Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Candlelight Tour will be Dec. 7-9.
- Horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered Saturday, Dec. 15, starting at Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel.
- Becky Snelson provides nurse massage therapy from Suite 202 of the Shiney Studios, 123 National Avenue and is offering a massage special of $10 off any service in July, she said. She can be contacted at 913-424-8863.
- Art In the Yard, a new artists event, is September 15 at Bobbi Kemna’s, 1366 215th Street, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 20 artists are scheduled to present their wares, Kemna said. She is on Facebook.
- Gary Palmer can make coupons for businesses to include in trolley tickets envelopes for tourists.
- The downtown directory sign, on the north end of Main Street, is $100 per year, renewable in July and is available for promoting a business.
- The Bike-Share Program is providing 10 yellow bikes for residents and visitors for free. Several bikes are located at the Chamber office, 213 E. Wall; Fort Scott Community College-2108 S. Horton; Nate’s Place Restaurant-750 S. National; Peerless Products, 2403 S. Main. Participants must sign a waiver and show a drivers license. If under 18 years old, a parent must be present when the waiver is signed.
- The Timken Foundation has $55,000 in grants to give away to non-profits according to Lindsay Madison, Chamber director. Grants are given in arts and culture, civic and community, education, health and hospitals, human services and recreation categories.
- A new ranger has been hired and will be at the Fort Scott National Historic Site (FSNHS) on July 27. His name is Carl Brenner.
- FSNHS offers Trail Blazer Camps each summer for youth 9-13 years old.
- July 31 there will be a candidate forum at the Fort Scott High School auditorium. Questions should be submitted to the Chamber before the forum.
- Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative is constructing fiber optics in Fort Scott and plans to connect in the fall. Craw-Kan will be hosting the Chamber coffee on August 9 and needs to partner with a Chamber member to use their space that morning, since the business does not have an office in the city.
- There were 100 riders who participated in the Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Race at Gunn Park over the weekend. Promotion is needed to promote the bike/hike trails as a year-round activity, Chad Cosens said.
- Riverfront Park is beginning construction of an overlook of the Marmaton River and Mill Creek, to be completed this fall.
- Gary Palmer offers printing services for flyers, posters, coupons, etc., with a designer on staff.
- Smallville Crossfit is offering a lifting competition in the fall.
Diabetes Support Group at Mercy Hospital
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott will host a Diabetes Support Group on Monday, July 16 at 6 p.m. in McAuley Room C. The session topic is “Diabetes basics: Key behaviors to living healthier with diabetes.”
Patty Ryan, Mercy R.N. and diabetes educator, will lead the discussion and share details about options that may work for you.
The support group is open to the public. No registration is required and family members are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
To learn more about this topic or other important information regarding managing diabetes, join the Mercy Diabetes Support Group. The group meets the third Monday of every other month. The next meeting date is September 17.
For more information, contact Patty Ryan, R.N., at 620-223-8412.
Library Offers Fun!
Submitted by Valetta Cannon Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library Youth Librarian & Assistant Director
Rock Painting Party and Hunt
Join Miss Val and local rock-painting experts, Susan Carrillo and Dani Norris, for rock painting in the library and hunting for them around the library grounds on July 23, either from 2:30 – 3:30 or from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. You may register online through the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/NxYGIkCqzNyqux0r1 or on paper at any library kids’ program. Refreshments will be served and the party is free to attend.
Harry Potter Teen Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party
Middle and high school students, join Miss Val and Susan Messer at the Fort Scott Public Library on Harry Potter’s birthday, July 31, from 4 – 6 p.m. for a party to wrap up the 2018 teen summer reading program. Games, activities, and snacks will be offered based on themes inspired by the Harry Potter franchise. This party is free to attend.
Summer Reading Wrap-Up Pool Party
Summer reading attendees, read on to see whether you qualify to attend the wrap-up party at the Fort Scott Municipal Pool on August 7, from 7:15 – 9:15 p.m.
Attendees must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1) Attend at least four summer reading programs and meet reading goals for at least four weeks out of the summer (or have an immediate family member who meets this criterion).
2) Donate to (or be an immediate family member of someone who has donated to) the summer reading program.
3) Volunteer at (or be an immediate family member of someone who has volunteered at) a summer reading program.
We will swim, snack, and enjoy one another’s company as we wrap up another great summer together. This party is compliments of the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Municipal Pool, with food provided by donors and paid for in part by a grant from our local Wal-Mart, along with bottled water donated by our local G & W Cash Saver. Thank you to all who have helped to make this year’s summer reading program a success!
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report July 11
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
They can be reached at (620) 223-2380.
Click below, then click on the image to enlarge it:
Obituary of Glenn McReynolds
Glenn A. McReynolds, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.
He was born February 19, 1935, in Ft. Scott, the son of Oren J. McReynolds and Fannie Marie Bowers McReynolds.
He married Beverly Combs on April 8, 1962, at Miami, Oklahoma. She Glenn served with the United States from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict.
In earlier years, he had been employed by Lotterer’s Furniture Company. He later served for several years with the Fort Scott Police Department and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department. Following his career with law enforcement, Glenn worked in maintenance at the Medicalodge nursing home. He was a longtime member of the National Rifle Association.
Survivors include a daughter and son from a previous marriage, Linda Kniejski and husband, Dr. Michael Kniejski, of Savannah, Georgia and Dan McReynolds, of Twenty-Nine Palms, California and two grandsons, David and Stephen Kniejski. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews including Oren (Joyce) McReynolds, Gearold (Glenda) McReynolds, Carolyn Sue (Elbert) Ford, Ida (Tom) Ford, Fannie (Tommy) Roark, Dorothy (Jr.) Blessing, Mary (John) Seal, Helen Watson, Howard Sharp, Harold Sharp, David Eisenbrandt, Donna Eisenbrandt, and very dear friend Joyce Bradley.
His wife, Beverly, preceded him in death on June 24, 2009. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Don and Lee McReynolds; two sisters, Marie Davis and Ruby Sharp and a niece, Shirley Howell.
Rev. Dr. Dale Cummins will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 13th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Police Department and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.