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ChatterHigh US: Free College Exploration

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Submitted by Carl Repp, co-owner of the Shiney Studios.

Fort Scott is quickly becoming the Education hot spot of Kansas. This past August, ChatterHigh Communications Inc., named 2017 EdTech Partner of the Year at Canada’s National Education Summit, opened its U.S. national office in Fort Scott. It compliments the city’s growing education sector including; Lowell-Milken Center for Unsung Heros, the Ellis Foundation, Fort Scott Community College, and state of the art K-12 schools.

ChatterHigh US provides free college exploration learnings resource for grades 6-12 in schools across America. The resource is a fun, daily, gamified e-quiz that exponentially increases student knowledge about colleges and college programs. Each quiz question takes students deep into college websites to learn about unique and interesting programs.

“Seventy percent of Americans begin a 4-year college program but only twenty percent graduate with a degree, those numbers are not good enough,” says ChatterHigh’s Executive Vice-President, Carl Repp. “Our mission is to empower students to make mindful decisions and, in doing so, we want 100% of students enrolling in college. Our goal is to reduce drop-out rates and increase college persistence by helping students make the perfect college match.”

College enrollment is down across the nation and first-year drop out is higher than ever. The cost to the American economy is in the billions. Repp states that if we graduate more informed student from high school, who have enough knowledge to align their passions and interests to one of the thousands of unique college programs available to them, the likelihood of dropout will be decreased. This process needs to begin in middle school.

“Research is very clear about the behaviors students use to make college decisions. These behaviors, such as searching colleges within a 60-mile radius of their home or only searching colleges they know by name, dramatically reduce the chances of students making a mindful program match to their true passions and interests.”

Chatterhigh’s software allows students to earn points while engaging in learning. Students receive 10 question from colleges each day. A correct answer, found on the college webpage, will earn them 100 points. The points can be used by students to enter weekly draws for gift cards or to donate to the WE Foundation that builds classrooms around the world. Points are also collected in the school’s point bank which earns the school free Chromebooks for classrooms or enables schools to win cash in competitions like America’s Most Informed School – National College Exploration Championships.

“Wyandotte High School in Oklahoma just won the title of 2017 America’s Most Informed School and $1100 cash. Arlington Independent School District in Texas barely beat Dallas to win America’s Most Informed School District. In 30 school days, American students visited over 200,000 college web pages and over $7500 was distributed to the winners.”

Business, Fort Scott

Stained Glass Windows Discovered In Remodel Of Downtown Building

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Stained glass windows are discovered in the renovation of the building at Wall and Main Streets. Pictured is Randy Lafferty, R and L Contracting LLC, the contractor for the remodel.

Since November workers have been remodeling the building at 2 North Main for Dr. Timothy Crawford.

During the remodel which will house Crawford’s future dental office, some architectural features have been discovered.

Above some columns and above the southern windows of the building,  art-deco style stained glass windows were discovered.

“It was a good find,” Randy Lafferty, R and L Contracting LLC, said.

Stained glass windows that had been covered up are being restored to be showcased in Dr. Tim Crawford’s future office at 2 N. Main. Randy Lafferty shows the location of the stained glass above the southern windows of the building. The windows opened in for ventilation originally. Current plans are to put lights behind them to show them off, Lafferty said.
The original marble tiles on the front of the old vault will be showcased in the future dental office, Lafferty said.

In the interior, marble was found on the outside of an old vault.

“We are going to keep the marble work and try to find a clock to fit (in the round hole where a clock once was), Lafferty said.

The remodel will produce an office area with 3,000 square feet, Lafferty said.

“Including going to the next office over, west, the old barber shop,” he said.

There is no deadline for the remodel completion at this time, Lafferty said.

Crawford’s current office is located at 1115 S. Main.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

IF: Gathering Coming to Fort Scott Feb. 9 and 10

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IF we believe God is who He says He is, why don’t we act like it?  Why don’t we share His love?  Why do we feel awkward inviting someone to church?

IF: Gathering is a gathering of about 3,000 women in Austin, Texas, which is simulcast to a few thousand places around the world, including Fort Scott.  Some are large gatherings in churches or theaters.   Some are small gatherings in people’s homes.  Some are women at home with their kiddos watching whatever moments they can squeeze in.   The goal is to point women to Jesus and the local church as the place to continue their faith journey.

In 2017, IF: Fort Scott included women from eleven area churches.

Register online now (see link below) to join us on February 9 and 10.  We will meet at Community Christian Church on February 9 at 6:30 p.m. to watch the first session and meet our conversation groups.  New this year—Saturday’s sessions will take place in individual homes for a more intimate setting. Registration is requested by January 31.

Questions?  Please call Jennifer or Marcy at 620.223.1500  or email [email protected].

We want to give God away in the very places He’s put us, so we’re going to gather for the purpose of remembering why following God and making disciples matters.  We all get tired, we all wonder if what we’re doing matters, so IF: Gathering 2018 will be the reminder–it will be the celebration.  The work we’re doing to share the Gospel on the earth is worth it and God DOES move through the little things that nobody sees.  Join us.

IF: Fort Scott

February 9 & 10

Registration and details at

https://register.ifgathering.com/event/iffort-scott 

Suggested donation $25

Business, Fort Scott

Action Behind the Scenes Downtown

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Papa Don’s Restaurant Manager Brita Rygmyr shares a light moment with attendees of the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet Tuesday morning at the restaurant. In her comments, he said the restaurant has a special event room for rent with or without catering by the restaurant. In the background is Dav Mohler, office manager of Fort Scott Family Dental.

People with an interest in Fort Scott’s downtown area met at Papa Don’s Restaurant Tuesday morning to share news.

Here is a list of shared comments:

  • Holly Baker, Fort Scott National Historic Site Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management, will be leaving Fort Scott at the end of January for a position in Washington D.C.
  • Baker also announced a youth art exhibit will be displayed in February and March at FSNHS, and also shared the fort now has a mobile app for viewing the grounds with extra background history.
  • Bids and Dibs Consignment shop is seeking a place to give overstock items. “Anyone want to start a thrift store?” owner Angie Simon asked the group.
  • City Manager Dave Martin said the city is looking at ways to reduce tax amounts, indicating a visioning committee is looking at the issue.
  • Fort Scott Community Development Director Rhonda Dunn said one of her goals is to make Fort Scott a Christmas light viewing destination in the area. She stated she is soliciting unwanted Christmas lights and decorations for the project.
  • Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison announced the winners of the toy soldier decorating contest: Elaine Buerge, Deb Anderson, and Stacia Weilert. She said the downtown shopping brochure will arrive next week. There are leftover small business cloth shopping bags and doormats to give away, she said.
  • A Shiney Foundation representative announced there will be a feature film documentary 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at Memorial Hall, with a dance party following.
    The film is  FREE to the community.If the person would like to attend with a VIP package ( light meal, drinks, film and post party)  it is a 35$ ticket donation.
  • The Beaux Arts Center now is a Common Consumption Center, owner Denise Duncan announced.
  • A Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative representative said broadband services will be offered soon to businesses in Fort Scott, then to residents.
  • Dave Mohler, office manager of Fort Scott Family Dental, said the renovation of the building at 2 N. Main has uncovered some old stain glass windows hidden in the walls.
  • Owner Angela Simons said Bids and Dibs is undergoing a restructuring inside and a new security system installed. The business has over 1,200 consigners that contribute items she said.
  •  Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said this weekend a basketball tournament will be at the middle school, Buck Run Community Center and the high school.
Attendees of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce sponsored Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet listen as each attendee was given the opportunity to speak about the entity they represent.
Bourbon County

The Prairie Troubadour Tickets On Sale Now

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 Early Bird Pricing On The Prairie Troubadour Ends January 15

Friends of the Troubadour,

One month from today on February 9, the Liberty Theatre in Fort Scott, KS will come alive once again with the joyful bustle of Catholic conviviality as discussion continues on the good life.  The line-up to date: Bishop James Conley, Fr. Paul Check, Chris Check, Joseph Pearce, John Cuddeback, William Fahey and the inimitable Kevin O’Brien leading a conversation centered on Field and Family: Reflections on a Healthy Human Ecology.

Tickets are going fast this year so book your tickets before the early bird pricing ends on January 15 to secure your best rate and guarantee a spot.
Area News, Fort Scott

Cold Or Flu?

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Cold vs. Flu

Can you tell the difference?

 A runny nose. Muscle aches. Fever. Is it a cold or the flu?

Dr. Katrina Burke, family medicine physician at Mercy Clinic Fort Scott offers these tips to help you distinguish the difference between a cold and the flu.

“Flu is usually a sudden onset,” Burke explains. “Headaches, muscle aches, tiredness/weakness and exhaustion are common and often severe with the flu.”

“A fever is possible with both colds and the flu, but a temperature of 102 or above in children and adults that last 3 to 4 days is common with the flu,” she adds.

“A cold typically worsens over a day or two. Adults seldom have a fever with a cold. Infants and young children may have a fever with a cold but the fever usually subsides within a couple days.”

The best way to prevent the flu is good hand hygiene and getting the flu vaccine. If you become sick, stay at home, use over-the-counter medication for a fever and drink lots of water.

If you have questions visit your Mercy provider or Mercy Convenient Care located at 1624 S. National in Fort Scott.

 

Obituary

Obituary For Debra Sue Lowry

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Debra Sue Lowry, 62 went to be with the Lord on January 7, 2018. She was born May 20, 1955, in El Dorado, Kansas, the daughter of Patricia Ann (Long) Johnson and Harold ‘Smoky’ Long.
Debra married Donald E. Lowry on April 15, 1976; they later divorced.
Debra was a long time resident of Fort Scott, Kansas. She managed several restaurants in her lifetime including the Flamingo Café, the Colonial Restaurant, and the White Grill Restaurant.
In her earlier years Debra enjoyed drawing, cooking, swimming, and family gatherings and playing cards with friends and family as well as playing bingo. In her later years, she enjoyed the simple pleasures of having coffee with friends and spending time with family and living a quiet life.
Debra is survived by her mother and stepfather, Patricia and Kenneth Johnson of Fort Scott; three sisters, Teresa Stewart and husband, John of Moran, Ks., Tamaca Houk and partner, Clay Price of Bronson, Ks., Alisha Raines of Fort Scott, two brothers, Harold Long and wife Susie of Taylor, Mo., and Tommy Tucker of Fort Scott. Four children; Darrick A. Lowry of Nevada, Mo., Donna M. Lowry of Fort Scott, Darren E. Lowry and wife Penny of Nevada, Mo. and Denise Alfaro and husband Walter of San Antonio, Tx. She is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews, 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and many others who love her.
Debra was preceded in death by a brother, ‘Baby’ Long, her father, Harold ‘Smoky’ Long, a sister, Donna Kay Long, her maternal grandparents, Clayton and Leona Day, her paternal grandparents, Winnie and John Long, the love of her life, Donald E. ‘Donnie’ Lowry and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Debra will be missed deeply by all who knew her. Our loss is surely heaven’s gain.
Cremation was handled by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS.
Fort Scott

FSHS Thespians Attend State Festival, Earn Honors

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Submitted by Angie Bin

The Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 gleaned several honors from the annual KS State Thespian Festival January 4-6, at the Century II Center in Wichita.

Twenty-six students attended with Thespian Director Angie Bin and sponsor Mark Bergmann. In addition, six Fort Scott Middle School Drama Club members attended on January 6, with sponsor Mary Jo Harper.

The troupe earned the highest honor awarded to Thespians in Kansas, the Gold Honor Troupe Award. To achieve this, troupe Historian Karina Kantilal, a junior, presented a notebook documenting the group’s productions, community involvement, and activities. The FSHS troupe also received a plaque for its 10-year anniversary as a troupe.

State Board Representatives senior Xavier Watkins and junior Hunter Adamson helped organize and lead the festival. Adamson received the honor of being elected by KS Thespian Directors to serve as one of five State Board Officers for the coming year.

“Getting the opportunity to hold the position of State Thespian Officer is such an honor,” Adamson said. “In the year to come, I hope to advocate for the importance of theatre for young people and bring about an awareness of the strength of the theatre department.”

As part of Adamson’s duties, she will attend leadership classes at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Neb., in June and meet with the other officers throughout the year. She will then lead all state board representatives from Kansas schools to plan next year’s festival and will be in charge of the 2019 Festival.

Over the three-day festival, students also attended workshops and classes covering all aspects of theatre including acting, dance, technical theatre, theatre advocacy, stage combat and other related topics. Bin taught a workshop entitled “Let’s Play! Growing Theatre Kids,” using her research on children’s theatre to teach other schools how to cultivate a love for theatre among younger children in their communities.

Junior Darrick Green said, “I attended the Musical Theatre Stars dance workshop. It really showed me how profound these Broadway stars really are, how hard they have to work, how difficult choreography is and how much effort actually has to be released to achieve greatness.”

Students also watched productions of the top musicals and plays in the state, chosen to perform at the festival.

Junior Alyx Brooks remarked, “As usual, all of the workshops and plays were wonderful, however, one of my favorite workshops was a lighting workshop that helped me understand the different energies of lighting.”

Many students competed in individual events including sophomore Mesa Jones, junior Mary Gladbach, and senior Grant Coffman in Musical Solo; juniors Daniela Belcuore and Brooklyn Lyons in Musical Duet; and Brooks and Adamson in Duet Acting. The entire troupe competed in late night events including Improvised Acting, Speed Charades, and Creative Costuming.

The FSHS troupe plans to attend the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, June 25-30. Members are working throughout the year to earn the approximately $750 registration fee to attend.

Bourbon County

KState Extension: Regional Farmers’ Market Workshop Scheduled for Chanute

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Submitted by Krista Harding

The interest in purchasing locally grown food is strong. Many consumers are looking to buy farm-fresh items that have been picked at the peak of ripeness, in most cases that very day! Have you ever thought about trying your hand at selling a product at a local farmers’ market? If so, you will want to plan to attend the regional farmers’ market workshop planned for our area.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are hosting a farmers’ market workshop set for February 10, in Chanute at the Mid-West Fertilizer Agronomy Center – 3030 S. Santa Fe.

The farmers’ markets are a great avenue for growers to market their products. The market allows growers to have face-to-face interaction with consumers. However, there are legal, safety and financial considerations that growers need to understand before choosing to sell at a farmers’ market. The regional workshop topics will cover topics that growers need to know about before selling.

Highlighted workshop topics include:

 Vendor Marketing and Communications

 Growing in High Tunnels 101

 Regulations on Selling Meat, Eggs and Poultry

 Sales Tax for Vendors

KDA’s Division of Weights and Measures will also offer free scale certification at the workshop for attendees.

Registration for the workshop is now open and is $20 per participant. Registration includes lunch; however, lunch will only be guaranteed to those participants who register by February 1. Registration forms can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMWorkshop or at any of the Southwind Extension District office locations in Erie, Fort Scott and Iola.

Onsite registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and the workshops will begin at 9 p.m. and conclude by 3 p.m.

In addition to this workshop, local growers are encouraged to attend the 2018 From the Land of Kansas Annual Meeting and Farmers’ Market Conference on March 1 and 2, in Manhattan. Registration is open at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMConference and will close February 19.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

Area News, Fort Scott

FSCC Will Offer Women’s Golf, Track And Field In Fall

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Tom Havron, Fort Scott Community College Athletic Director and Dean of Students.

New opportunities for students to attend Fort Scott Community College on an athletic scholarship are here.

Woman’s golf and also men’s and women’s track and field programs will be offered in Fall 2018, according to Tom Havron, athletic director and dean of students, said.

“This is an opportunity for us to add to the student body and give students academic opportunities,” Havron said.

Ryan Pulsifer was hired as the new track and field coach.

“This is near and dear to my heart….I was a track and field coach for Neosho County Community College, Chanute,” Havron said.

“There is a possibility of using local talent on our team,” Havron said.
“Fort Scott High School has tremendous cross country and track teams. The local talent is  high.”

Track has potential to add 50 to 90 students to the student body, and up to 15 for golf, Havron said.

Jeff Tadtman, current head women’s basketball coach, is the new women’s golf coach.

“Tadtman has had some experience coaching golf in a previous position,” Havron said.

FSCC has already signed two high school students for this team and is aiming for eight, he said.

For college, women’s golf is played during  fall and spring semesters, Havron said.

“We were looking to add a woman’s sport,” Havron said. “Because of Title 9, it’s important to have things equal, to give opportunities to females.”

Havron said in addition to staff recruitment, people can apply for the athletic scholarships.

In addition to academics and sports, FSCC allows students opportunities to serve the community.

Havron said the athletic department prides itself on “producing a culture of community service.”

He cited such service as helping the middle school with several fundraisers, Beacon Adopt-A-Child, Angel Tree, reading programs at the elementary schools, line judges at the high school volleyball games, Upward Bound referees and shoe donations to a third-world country.

“We get multiple calls every month, people who need help,” Havron said. “The coaches are great to get this going.”

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News