Obituary, Submitted

Obituary Of Norma Jean Walker

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Norma Jean Walker, a former resident of Bronson, Kansas and more recently of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. She was born August 25, 1935, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Alvin Cooney and Velma Elizabeth Taylor Cooney. Norma graduated from the Uniontown High School. She married Sherman Allen Walker on January 10, 1953, in Huntsville, Arkansas. Norma was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved life… and took great pride in her family and her home. She enjoyed gardening and tending her flowers and especially spending time with her family and friends. She had attended the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown and was currently a member of the Hope Chapel. She loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him the best she could. Norma was always willing to help anyone, no matter the situation.

Survivors include a son, Craig Walker, of Bronson; four daughters, Pam Constans and husband, Paul, of Ft. Scott, Brenda Alter, of Lawson, Missouri, Kim Saleh and husband, Jay, of Kansas City, Missouri and Sara Slife and husband, Benjamin, of South Carolina; eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Sherman, preceded her in death on February 27, 2008. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Dean Cooney.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 28th at the Cheney Witt Bronson Chapel. Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County

Friends Of The Fort Host Churchill March 31

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The board of the Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site face the camera following the weekly Chamber Coffee Thursday. Front from left is Vonnie Rickerson, Marlene Braker, back from left is Martha Scott, Reed Hartford, and Kelley Collins. Not pictured is Joyce Gobl, Matt Wells, Katie Wells and Shaylynn Clements.

Members of Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site hosted the weekly Chamber Coffee Thursday to highlight their organization.

FFSNHS President Reed Hartford told the coffee attendees that they are a non-profit, separate from the historic site.

The organization can raise funds and spend money on advertising, two actions that the historic site cannot do, Hartford said.

In 2009 the group began to support activities of the site.

Some of their accomplishments are: promoting FSNHS as one of the wonders of Kansas, providing a community Fourth of July ice cream social, providing lunch for new citizens following the naturalization ceremony,  and providing refreshments at the end of candlelight tours.

Since 2010 the FFSNHS group has sponsored a Friends Fest as a fundraiser.

This year it is this Saturday, March 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Liberty Theater, 113 S. Main.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall.

The group is bringing reenactor Randy Otto as Sir Winston Churchill.

Randy Otto as Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill was a primary character in many major events of British history in the 20th century.

For more information, contact Martha Scott, 620-224-9924.

The sponsors of the event are City State Bank, Union State Bank, Landmark Bank and Jim and Connie Banwart.

The following is a gallery of coffee attendees interacting prior to the announcement segment of the event.

At each coffee, members give a donation to the Chamber of $1 and tell about an event coming up in the community. The group that hosts the coffee gets extra time to tell about their business or organization.

 

 

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Kansas Prevention Collaborative Grants

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The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) on Friday announced the release of new Requests for Applications (RFAs) for the Kansas Prevention Collaborative-Community Initiative (KPCCI).

Communities across Kansas are eligible to apply for one-year planning-phase grants that will help assess community prevention needs, build local capacity and plan prevention efforts. Communities that have previously completed a KPCCI planning-grant cycle will be eligible to apply for a three-year implementation-phase grant, which will support their prevention efforts and build their capacity to apply for federal Drug-Free Communities funding.

Grantees will use these funds to address the problems of underage drinking and produce sustainable system changes in their communities.

The grant initiative is designed to allow communities to address local alcohol and other drug use concerns, but also to explore how behavioral health concerns, such as suicide, problem gambling, and depression, can impact youth and adult drug use. Communities will utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework model designed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to assess their local needs, build capacity and create a plan during this planning phase.

KDADS Secretary Tim Keck recognized the importance of addressing substance abuse concerns locally and in an integrated fashion, “KDADS remains committed to supporting prevention efforts at the local level in Kansas. We lose too many of our youth to behavioral health problems tied to substance use, problem gambling and suicidal behavior.”

“These Community Initiative grants are one part of our statewide prevention system. KDADS’ Behavioral Health Services Commission works with partners to provide training, technical assistance, communication, support, and evaluation services to communities across the state. We encourage communities to get involved with behavioral health prevention efforts and become part of the Kansas Prevention Collaborative,” said Andy Brown, Prevention Program Manager at KDADS.

The communities awarded new KPCCI planning grants will receive $15,000 in prevention funding and be supported in their planning efforts by KDADS and its partners in the Kansas Prevention Collaborative (KPC). New KPCCI implementation grant recipients will receive $185,000 in prevention funding over three years. Total awards for all KPCCI grantee cohorts next year will be $602,000.

About the Kansas Prevention Collaborative

The Kansas Prevention Collaborative was created in 2015 in an effort to integrate and innovate behavioral health prevention efforts. A partnership of several different states, educational and provider agencies, the KPC’s goal is to expand prevention efforts to be more inclusive of mental health promotion, suicide prevention and problem gambling education and awareness, as well as to increase the availability of resources to adequately fund local-level prevention and promotion strategic plans. For more information, see https://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/behavioral-health/consumers-and-families/services-and-programs/kpc.

The KPC’s website can be viewed here: http://kansaspreventioncollaborative.org.

 

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Submitted

Job Of The Day From the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

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This feature is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

JOB OF THE DAY – FULL TIME – Flexo Press Operator – Liberty Labels
Liberty Labels is seeking applications for a Flexo Press Operator. Attention to detail a must. Must be able to read Job orders and follow specific instructions. Apply in person at 2146 Native Rd, Fort Scott. To download an application: http://ow.ly/rkdQ30j7H5X

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Submitted

Fort Scott Happenings This Week By The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

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27-28
Story Time – Hosted by Fort Scott Public Library at 10:00 am.   Enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and snacks related to our theme in the downstairs event room, along with a play table for before and after the stories. All story times welcome any-age children and teens.  Hope you can come. Tell your friends!
27
Kiwanis Meeting- FSCC Heritage Room- 12:00 pm
27 T.O.P.S. Meetings Held at BRCC 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
28
Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center, 9-10am. Drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run.  Staff will provide the bingo cards, the caller, and coffee.  Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission.
28
Adult Softball Organizational Meeting at Buck Run Community Center. Contact BRCC for Details 620-223-0386
28
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church – 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
28  Airport Advisory Board will meet at the Airport, 1862 Indian Road, Fort Scott
28
Adult Coloring Program Hosted by the Fort Scott Public Library 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  The coloring isn’t just for kids! Coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks provided.
28
TAG- Teen Advisory Group – Community Service -Fort Scott Public Library – 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
29
Chamber Coffee,  Tri-Valley Developmental Services 8 am
29
FSCC Junior / Senior Day 2018
29
Kansas Sales & Use Tax Workshop. 9:00am – 12:00 pm.  FSCC Greyhound Room, 2108 S. Horton.
29 Kiwanis Pioneer Club – FSCC Heritage Room -12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
29
One Family’s Orphan Train Experience. Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.  2401 S. Horton Ave.
29 Thursday Card Players, Buck Run Community Center, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
30
Good Friday
30 Livestock Sale, Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., 10:00 am – You don’t have to be a buyer just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
30
Youth Baseball/Softball Deadline. Contact BRCC at 620-223-0386 for more details.
30 -31
FSHS Thespian Rummage Sale. 8:00 am – 1005 S. Main, Fort Scott
31 Eggstravaganza Crafts for Kids pre-k through 5th grade at BRCC. $1 fee
31 Care to Share Bake Sale during the Ruddick’s Furniture Sidewalk Sale!
31 Free screening of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” 1:00 pm – A FREE screening of the classic Show Boat, a part of the Water/Ways Exhibit and will be held at the EMPRESS EVENT CENTER!. The daughter of a riverboat captain falls in love with a charming gambler, but their fairytale romance is threatened when his luck turns sour. Rated: PG. This screening made possible by a grant from the Kansas Humanities Council.
31  FSCC Hounds Men’s Baseball vs Neosho County – This is to be a doubleheader. Games will be at 1:00 pm &  4:00 pm
31 Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Friends Fest featuring “Sir Winston Churchill”  6:00 pm Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main St.
Upcoming Events!
Including:
  Fort Cinema Show Times
  FSCC Junior/Senior Day – March 29th
  2018 Friends Fest Churchill – March 31
  103.9 All Hit -Fort Scott Home, Sport,  
     Farm, Garden Show – April 13 & 14
  Job Fair – April 24th
  Kiwanis 3-Person Golf Scramble
  Festival of Arts & Ideas- April 27 -29
  Boots and Bling – April 28th
  Tumbleweed Festival – June 

Happenings in Fort Scott this week, provided by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.

 

Bourbon County, Submitted

Fescue Meeting to Discuss Endophyte Fungus

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Christopher Petty, M.S., Extension Agent Livestock Production and Forage Management, K-State Research and Extension, Southwind Extension District. 210 S. National, Fort Scott, KS 66701, (620) 223-3720 Work, (620)224-6031 Cell, [email protected].

Fescue grass greens up early in the spring, responds well to fertilizer, and provides lush green growth, making it a popular lawn grass. It’s also a popular pasture grass, but the thing that makes it work so well in your lawn can cause it to not work so well with your cow herd.

The Southwind District of K-State Research and Extension would like to remind you to join us on Wednesday, April 4, to learn more about fescue endophytes, their effect on cattle, and how to manage fescue. This program will take place at 6 p.m. at the Moran Community Center, located at 407 N. Cedar St. in Moran, Kansas, and will feature Southwind Extension District Agent for Livestock Production and Forage Management Christopher Petty, Kansas State University Southeast Area Livestock Specialist Jaymelynn Farney, and Kansas State University Southeast Area Agronomist Doug Shoup.

The meeting is sponsored by Multimin 90 and Ag Choice of Moran. An evening meal will be provided, free of charge, by our sponsors. Pre-registration is required, by March 30th to reserve your meal.

For more information, or to pre-register, contact the Southwind Extension District, Iola Office at 620-365-2242 or e-mail [email protected].

Obituary

Obituary Of Joe Robert Davis

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Joe Robert Davis, 78, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday evening, March 21, 2018, in Grove, Oklahoma.

He was born April 16, 1939, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of John Kenneth and Lucy Margaret (More) Davis. He married Linda Maggard October 29, 1995, in Miami, Oklahoma, and she survives of the home.

In addition to his wife, Joe is survived by his children, Joe Robert Davis, Jr. and wife Debi, of Great Falls, Montana, Kathy Dixon and husband Jim, also of Great Falls, Montana, Debra DeWitt and husband Richard, of Joplin, Missouri, Johnny Ray Davis and wife Terra, of Vaughn, Montana, Lena Cheevers, of Idaho, Mistie Cole and husband Johnny, of Carthage, Missouri, and Travis VanWey and wife Amber, of Grove, Oklahoma; sister, Kay Ballou and husband Larry, brother Kenny Davis, and sister Juanita Sinn, all of Fort Scott; thirteen grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a step-son, Corey VanWey.

Joe Davis, Jr., will conduct services 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 26, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Following cremation, interment will be at a later date at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Sunday afternoon, March 25, 2018, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Tinkergarten Coming To Fort Scott

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Maria Whitson plays with her children Asher, Judah, and Malachi in Gunn Park last week.

The thought of a classroom without walls intrigued Maria Whitson.

Whitson, from Garland, first found out about an organization called Tinkergarten when a friend from Kansas City referred her saying she would be a good leader.

“When I went to their website, I lit up,” Whitson said. ” Being outdoors with a group of parents and children.  Playing and educating, growing together, all of it caught my attention.”

Founded in 2012, Tinkergarten is a nationwide play-based, outdoor learning class designed for children ages 18 months to 8 years, and their parents.

According to recent statistics, children’s free play time is declining, and it’s diminishing the chances to develop critical life skills, she said.

Free spring trial classes will be offered at 10 a.m. March 29 and 31 at Gunn Park.

Then classes will be held each Thursday, April 12 through May 31
 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

In a 5-part class each week Whitson will facilitate an expert-designed play scenario, allowing children of various ages and needs to explore, problem solve, communicate, collaborate, and create together, according to the Tinkergarten.com website. Parents and caregivers learn, too, and share insights into a child’s development.

To register go to Tinkergarten.com.

The cost is $140 per student for 8 sessions. An installment plan is available. There is a 30% discount for each additional sibling.

Some benefits of Tinkergarten provided by Whitson are:

●  Spending time outdoors provides children with a wide range of health benefits including social and emotional well-being. Research shows that time outdoors supports improved relationship skills, and reduces stress, anger, and aggression.

  •  80 percent of brain development occurs before the age of five. Children build foundational skills in their first five years that will affect the rest of their learning and life.
  •  In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, parents need to balance the screen time with outdoor time to raise healthy, well-adjusted kids.

“I’m bringing this incredible early-childhood education program to Fort Scott, to help children develop critical capabilities such as self-reliance, creativity, persistence and problem-solving skills, all proven benefits of play-based, outdoor learning, ” she said.

“I became a leader because I want to get my children outdoors more and be intentional about creating learning experiences with them.  The opportunity for me to lead a Tinkergarten class was exactly the motivation and training that I was looking for.  I am thrilled that I get to not only have that opportunity for my children and myself but also for other families.  I am so excited to be in a classroom without walls.”

 

Bourbon County Local News