Glen Eldon Dyer, age 96, resident of Clarksville, TN, went to be with the Lord on May 14, 2018, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center after a brief illness. Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct graveside services at 11:00 Monday, May 21st, in the U. S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the U. S. Marine Honor Guard. Local services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.
Uniontown School District Receives $100,000 Grant For Fitness Center
West Bourbon Elementary School Principal Tyler Jackman received an email from the Kansas Department of Education in late winter about an opportunity to provide a fitness center in the school district.
He got the green light from Superintendent Bret Howard to apply for the grant and enlisted the help of other district employees.
“The application process was simple,” Jackman said. “They wanted to know what equipment we had, what condition it was in.”
Teacher Vance Eden created a video of the need in the district and interviewed several employees. Click below to view the video:
The grant application was due April 6, and on May 16 they received notice that the district received a $100,000 grant.
Governor Jeff Colyer and Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, announced three Kansas schools that were selected to each receive a DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center.
The multi-million-dollar physical fitness campaign named Lincoln Elementary School in Fredonia, Jardine Middle School in Topeka and Uniontown USD 235 in Uniontown as the state’s most outstanding schools for demonstrating leadership in getting and keeping their students fit.
“We are excited, this will be a great asset to our community,” Jackman said. “The community will have access.”
The proposed site for the fitness center is the former school library at the junior high school, which is being underutilized, Jackman said.
Installation begins this summer and a public ribbon cutting will take place in early September, Howard said.
School starts in the district on August 30 this year, he said.
National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils State of Kansas DON’T QUIT! Campaign initial requirements:
- The school must be a public or public charter school.
- The majority of students must be between the ages of 8-13 years old.
- The school must have a preexisting room on the school’s property that is available for equipment installation during the summer of 2018.
- The room must be approximately 900-1500 square feet.
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The proposed fitness center will be in the junior high wing of USD 235 campus.
Adin and Wilma Leach 60th Anniversary
Adin and Wilma Leach celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary April 28, 2018, at Barto’s in Frontenac with family and friends.
They were married April 26, 1958, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, Kansas.
Pictured are the five daughters of the couple. Their son, Alan, died three years ago of brain cancer.
From left: Mimi Turner, Ottawa, KS; Alison Leach, Fort Scott; Angie Plaisance, Peachtree City, GA; Wilma, Adin; Amy Stephens, Independence; and DeeDee O’Malley, Independence.
Fort Scott Police Department’s Daily Reports
The Fort Scott Police Department’s daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
Click here to view, then click to enlarge:
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 18
Discipline By Patty LaRoche
Helicopter parents, as I wrote last week, refuse to let their kiddies suffer consequences. These folks are the first ones in the principal’s/coach’s/ dance instructor’s office when their child complains about unfair treatment.
Not my mom.
No matter how many times in grade school I whined about how mean my teacher, Sister Deloris Marie, was to me, my mother never changed her tune: “Well, Patty, you must have done something to irritate poor Sister.”
“Yea, like breathe,” I reminded her and then added dramatically, “But when I come home dead someday, you will know who is responsible.” And then I went outside to play kick-the-can. In my mother’s eyes, I was guilty until proven innocent and had Sister Deloris Marie notified my mother of me misbehaving, there would have been double-trouble at home.
Then the unexpected happened. A classmate’s mother came to our house to share that her daughter was bothered by how Sister treated me. It was a Hallelujah moment. My typically non-interfering mother, now forced to resolve the issue, set up a visit with Sister Deloris Marie, expecting, I’m sure, to hear she had a grave sinner for a daughter. I feared that intervention, knowing that had I done even one teensy thing wrong, my kick-the-can days would be over. Things must have gone well because neither my mother nor Sister tortured me after that conversation.
Unlike Mom, some parents turn a deaf ear to complaints of their kiddos’ bad behavior. One of the most bothersome Biblical stories about ignoring the children’s sin involves the high priest and judge, Eli, and his two scoundrel sons and fellow priests, Hophni and Phinehas. In 1 Samuel we read the dastardly duo stole money from the offering and slept with women who served outside the sanctuary.
Eli confronted his boys. “What’s going on here? Why are you doing these things? I hear story after story of your corrupt and evil carrying on. Oh, my sons, this is not right! These are terrible reports I’m getting, stories spreading right and left among God’s people!”
At this point, I expect to read that Eli responded the way my mom would have, had she been alive in 1100 B.C. You know, like take away his sons’ camels for a week or force them to repay the treasury by sheering a few extra sheep or demote them from temple priests to keepers of the doves. Nope.
He does nothing.
So, God does. His message—“Judgment is coming because you refused to discipline your sons”– cannot be misinterpreted. Who of us wouldn’t be on our knees begging God for a second chance to do the right thing and discipline our children? Not Eli. His comment? “He is God. Let him do whatever he thinks best.”
Get a donkey prod for this guy! These are his heirs, his flesh and blood, and he doesn’t have the gumption to beg God for mercy! What is wrong with this man? This is no slap-on-the-wrist correction. God even directs a prophet to tell Eli that his sons both will die on the same day. Read 1 Samuel 4:10-18. The father dies a few hours after his sons. It is a discipline that never needed to happen, had Eli parented like his kids mattered…
which, of course, makes me appreciate a mother who cared enough never to let me get away with anything. Thankfully, she saved God a lot of time making His point.
Obituary Of Alvin Metcalf
Alvin Wayne Metcalf, age 71, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, May 16, 2018. He was born September 8, 1946, in Ft. Scott, the son of Wayne and Ellen Schubert Metcalf.
He graduated from Fort Scott high school with the class of 1964. He married Linda Lee Cox on November 10, 1964, in Ft. Scott.
Alvin served in the U. S. Army in Vietnam as Specialist 4th Class. He worked most of his career as a firefighter, retiring as Captain of the South Johnson County Fire Department.
He enjoyed coon hunting and raising greyhounds. He traded guns, knives, and dogs. He also drove the team bus for many out of town high school games.
Alvin was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife Linda of the home; a daughter, Kristen Metcalf, Lawrence, KS; a son, Clint Metcalf and wife Taira, Lawrence, KS; five grandchildren, Joseph Berkey, Keenan and Halle Gregory, and Amelia and Landon Metcalf; three great grandchildren, Emerald, Etain, and Eislin Berkey; two brothers, Delbert Metcalf, Ft. Scott, and Mike Metcalf and wife Debbie, Nevada, MO; a sister, Shirley Moberg and husband Henry, Melrude, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two grandsons, Kyle and Ian; and his parents.
There was cremation. Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct memorial services at 12:30 PM Friday, May 25th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the U. S. Army Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 11:30 AM Friday prior to the service. Memorial contributions are suggested to the KU Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Lees Paws and Claws and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Let The Fun Begin
Riverfront Park Pavilion is open to the public.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees were part of the ribbon cutting celebration at Riverfront Park Thursday morning.
The ribbon cutting was to officially open the new pavilion for public use.
The park is slowly but surely being improved under the leadership of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board.
Beginning in 2005, the board became official in 2007 when Governor Sebelius created the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board to oversee the revitalization of the park.
Since then several trails have been created in the park with help from the Kansas Wildlife and Parks along with the city and county.
The trails are well used because of all the shade provided by the established trees in the park, Jerry Witt, president of the board, said.
Now the covered pavilion has been built for public use.
The pavilion has electricity and is already scheduled for a wedding in September, Jerry Witt, president of the board said.
The next improvement to the park is a lookout structure to be built at the confluence of the Marmaton River and Mill Creek, which should be completed this year, Witt said.
Free meal and entertainment this evening (May 17)
Tonight the Riverfront Authority Board is hosting a free hot dog dinner to the public at 6 p.m.
“Price Chopper donated the hot dogs, buns and chips and everything to go along with that,” Allen Warren, a board member said.
At 6:30 p.m. local musicians Jason Richison and Kinley Rice, along with a country western band will perform at the pavilion.
Residents are asked to bring lawn chairs.
Parking will be at the Twister Trailer parking lot across the street from the park on North National Avenue, just past the red bridge.
Handicapped individuals may park in Riverfront Park.
For more information, click here:
Riverfront Park Pavillion Coming Spring 2018
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 17
Buy Local Food
By Sherise Beckham, Mercy Fort Scott dietician
Awh! Spring is finally here and summer is just around the corner. With all the flowers blooming and gardens growing, who doesn’t love this time of year?
As a dietitian, I am always encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables; however, we rarely talk about the origin of them.
For example, who grows your produce? Where does your produce come from? What is the timeline from when it was picked, transported, displayed in the store and now in your hand? Answers to all these questions vary, and in some cases, we might rather not know the answer.
However, we live in an amazing community.
Our community is surrounded by many farmers and growers right here in Bourbon County. Many sell their fruits and vegetables every week between May and October at the local Farmer’s Market.
By purchasing there, you can find comfort in knowing who grew it, how they grew it and when it was picked and purchased by you.
Local produce can also benefit your health and your taste buds.
Local produce is loaded with more flavor.
Usually, produce sold in stores is harvested prior to peak freshness and shipped to your location. The ripening process happens during transportation and storage, rather than on the vine.
Local farmers allow their produce to ripen on the vine and then picked when ripe. Once picked, they are sold quickly to you and me, which allows us to enjoy the best tasting tomato ever!
Local produce is also higher in nutrients. By choosing local produce, you are giving your body more of those nutrients that fruits and vegetables are packed with. Again, this goes back to the shorter time from harvest to your plate, and that the produce was picked when ripe, not prior to. When your local farmer picks the produce when ripe, the produce has been given the opportunity to grow and develop to its full potential.
Choosing to purchase local produce also supports our local economy and helps keep our dollars local. Purchasing local supports your local farmers and they use those dollars to reinvest in our community.
Choosing local also allows you to ask the farmer about their common practices in growing and harvesting their crops. The more you know, the more you can buy with confidence!
Fresh produce in Kansas is limited to a seasonal basis because of the area’s growing season, but we have all summer to enjoy the produce harvested close to home.
Next time you are planning your meals or grocery shopping, consider purchasing from our local farmers: you won’t be disappointed!
Memorial Day Activities At Fort Scott National Historic Site
Living History and “Highlights in History” Featured for Memorial Day Weekend at Fort Scott National Historic Site
Fort Scott, Kansas: For the Memorial Day holiday this year, you and your family are invited to visit Fort Scott National Historic Site to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a frontier military fort. Celebrate the weekend with living history programs, cooking demonstrations, and artillery firings.
On Saturday, volunteers and staff will present 1840s living history stations throughout the day at the Fort. Programs will focus on cooking, buying merchandise, and treating illnesses of the military garrison. Park Guides Dottie Messer and Paul Goodman will demonstrate what soldiers and people ate in the 19th century. Barry Linduff will do a presentation on the many goods available for soldiers and civilians in the Sutler store. Volunteers will present living history stations throughout the day throughout the Fort. At 2:00 p.m., come witness the power and sound of artillery. Kids of all ages are invited to join our soldiers in taking down the flag during flag retreat at 4:00 p.m.
Activities will continue on Sunday and Monday with more artillery demonstrations and programs focused on various historical events in which Fort Scott was involved. 1858: Bleeding Kansas Comes to “Fort Scott” will focus on the turbulent times Fort Scott citizens faced during the Bleeding Kansas era. In “Saws, Leaches, and Mercury”, the important role of Civil War medicine in the lives of soldiers will be highlighted.
On Monday at 2:45 p.m. will be a special Memorial Day program honoring Fort Scott’s fallen officers, followed by observance of the National Moment of Silence at 3:00 p.m. Throughout the day enjoy riveting period music of the 19th Century performed by the musical group “The Gum Springs Serenaders”.
The schedule of activities is listed below:
SATURDAY, MAY 26
10:00 a.m. – Cast Iron Skillets and Dutch Ovens: Cooking Demonstration and Talk
11:00 a.m. – Guided Tour
1:00 p.m. – “Crime and Punishment”- Guard Duty Talk
2:00 p.m. – “The Gun That Shoots Twice” – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 p.m. – “Plug, Port, and Peaches” – Post Sutler Talk
4:00 p.m. – Flag Retreat
SUNDAY, MAY 27
11:00 a.m. – Guided Tour
1:00 p.m. – “1858: Bleeding Kansas Comes to Fort Scott” – Guided Tour
2:00 p.m. – “The Gun That Shoots Twice” – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 p.m. – “Saws, Leeches, and Mercury” – 19th Century Medical Demonstration
MONDAY, MAY 28
11:00 a.m. – Guided Tour
1:00 p.m. – “The Gum Springs Serenaders” – Musical Program
2:30 p.m. – “The Gun That Shoots Twice” – Artillery Demonstration
2:45 p.m. – Honoring Fort Scott’s Fallen Officers
3:00 p.m. – National Moment of Remembrance
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
Bike Across Kansas Ends Ride In Fort Scott
BIKING ACROSS KANSAS WILL END THEIR 2018 RIDE IN DOWNTOWN FORT SCOTT
The 44th year of the longest-running bicycling event in Kansas history – a 559-mile ride across the Sunflower State – begins Saturday, June 9th. Biking Across Kansas is an eight-day affair beginning at the Kansas-Colorado line with a route of approximately 850 cyclists and support staff.
The event will begin at the Kansas-Colorado line west of Johnson City and make overnight stops in Montezuma, Ashland, Pratt, Clearwater, Burden, Fredonia, and Arma.
On Saturday, June 16th, the cyclists will arrive in Fort Scott. The route riders will follow is west on Jayhawk Road to Richards Road, which turns into Margrave. West on East National Ave. to Main, riding on Main, North to Skubitz Plaza where a welcome celebration is being planned.
On that celebration morning, residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, signs, and noisemakers to North Main Street, between Wall and Skubitz Plaza. There, the Fort Scott community will welcome the expected 850 cyclists as they complete their route across the state of Kansas. Beginning at 8:00 am that morning, the first 150 people to arrive to cheer on the cyclists will be given a free cowbell to ring as riders pass by!
After the finish, riders participating in the Biking Across Kansas event will complete the day with a picnic on the parade grounds at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
For more information log on to bak.org, visitfortscott.com, or call the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau at 620.223.3566.