With temperatures in the 50s and a sunny day after several cloudy November days, today was a great day to take advantage of the trails in the city’s park systems.
Happy Trails
Extension Master Gardeners Donate Time to Communities
Submitted by Krista Harding
You may or may not be aware of a group of volunteers in your community providing horticulture information to the public. I am speaking of the Extension Master Gardeners. Extension Master Gardeners come from all walks of life, but they have two things in common and that is their love of gardening and the joy of sharing with their communities.
Currently there are 21 certified Extension Master Gardeners in the Southwind District. These individuals were trained by state specialists from Kansas State University and have been through forty to fifty hours of instruction in all aspects of horticulture. After training, the Master Gardeners volunteer an equivalent number of hours back to their communities as was received in their training.
In the Southwind Extension District, many of the gardeners received their training in 2008, 2010, 2013 or 2015 so they have several years of experience as Master Gardeners under their belt.
There are a number of Master Gardener volunteer service projects currently happening in Southwind Extension District communities. This year, 684 hours of volunteer service was completed. According to most recent data from the Independent Sector (a coalition of charities, foundations, corporations, and individuals that publishes research important to the nonprofit sector), the estimated value of volunteer time is $24.14 per hour. That calculates to $16,500 worth of service to our local communities!
Here are some of the projects that the Master Gardeners have worked on this year:
Pepper and Tomato Variety Trials – A K-State research trial on peppers and tomatoes was conducted at the Elm Creek Community Garden in Iola and the community garden in Fort Scott with many different varieties. Various individuals in the community were able to sample and evaluate the produce at Farmers Markets.
Flower Trial – An annual flower research trial was conducted at the courthouse in Iola. The trial showed that not all flowers can withstand the brutal climate in Kansas. All plants were labeled so people could see which varieties did well and which ones did not. It is hoped that the general public noted which plants performed well and which plants did not and will make future plant purchases accordingly.
Programs and Presentations – the Master Gardeners gave many public presentations this year including how to grow herbs, container gardening, vegetable and berry production, attracting hummingbirds, and establishing native prairie plants. In addition, there were Master Gardeners writing blogs, newspaper columns and helping youth with various horticulture projects. This is a very brief listing and does not include every public presentation that was given nor the countless contacts made with the general public, friends and neighbors!
Community Work – various volunteer projects were completed in Humboldt, Chanute, Moran, Iola, Uniontown and Fort Scott. Most of these projects centered around community beautification efforts.
As an Extension agent, I called upon the Master Gardeners many times this year to assist me with programs. They were always eager to help and share their expertise. The Master Gardeners are very knowledgeable individuals that love their communities and want to give back to them. If you would like to know who the Master Gardeners are in your community, please give me a call and I would be happy to visit with you.
A Master Gardener training class will be offered in the fall of 2018. If you are interested in taking the class, please contact me and your name will be put on a mailing list.
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.
Obituary: Josephine Brillhart
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Josephine Brillhart, age 91, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 6, 2017, at the Medicalodge of Fort Scott.
She was born November 25, 1925, in Humboldt, Kan., the daughter of William Johnson and Lucy Mary McClanahan Johnson. She married Raymond D. Brillhart on April 29, 1943, at Fort Scott. Josephine had been employed by Peerless Products for more than 20 years. She enjoyed quilting, dancing and playing cards as well as traveling and shopping. She was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.
Survivors include her three children, Jo Ann Hudson and husband, Blake, of Fort Scott, Rev. Terry Brillhart and wife, Fran, of Riverview, Fla., and Randy Brillhart and wife, Ann, of Wichita; eight grandchildren, a step-granddaughter, 18 great-grandchildren and a great-great- granddaughter. Also surviving is a sister, Violet Hale and husband, Bob, of Fort Scott. Her husband, Raymond, preceded her in death on December 6, 1998. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Jeffrey Erie; five sisters, Betty Jameson, Dolly Wheeler, Beulah Morgan, Florence Smith and Blanch Past and a brother, Charles Jackett.
Rev. Terry Brillhart will conduct funeral service at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 10, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary: Auston Charles Lewis
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Auston Charles Lewis, age 86, of Greenfield, Mo., passed away Monday, November 6, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Springfield, Mo.
He was born on August 1, 1931, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Henry and Ethel Atkins Lewis. Auston married Fannie Wood in 1949, they later divorced. He then married Lila Hayes, on June 11, 1955, she preceded him in death on November 23, 2009. He then married Linda Thompson on January 12, 2015. Auston was self-employed doing roofing and carpenter work.
Auston is survived by his wife, Linda Lewis, a son, Perry Lewis, of Greenfield, Mo., two daughters, Teresa Cozart and husband, Bryan, of Little Rock, Ark., and Jennifer Thompson and husband Chris of Apple Valley, Calif.; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is also preceded in death by his parents, a son, Tim Lewis, and a daughter in-law, Kathy Lewis.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Marmaton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Body-Worn Cameras For Police Department
A few weeks ago the Fort Scott Police Department began wearing body-worn cameras.
“We upgraded to a system that has both body cameras and car cameras,” FSPD Chief Travis Shelton said. “We always had car cameras.”
“We budgeted for them, approximately $65,000, and received them about three weeks ago,” he said.
Each of the five FSPD officers will additionally have a spare camera for charging purposes, Shelton said.
The cameras were purchased to give several benefits to the police department, Shelton said.
“We can better document calls for service, there is officer accountability, better evidence collection, we can document crime scenes,” he said.
Shelton said body-worn cameras also:
- enhance officer and public safety,
- enhance officer ability to document and review statements and actions for internal reporting requirements for courtroom preparation,
- preserve video and audio information for current and future investigations,
- are an impartial measurement for self-critic and field evaluation during duties conducted by an officer,
- enhance public trust by presenting factual representations in the form of video/audio recordings.
In an emergency situation, when the patrolman turns on the car’s emergency lights, the body-worn camera automatically comes on, Officer Derick Burke said.
“It’s linked to the car camera,” Burke said.
No-shave November
The public may notice that some FSPD officers have beards, Shelton said.
In an effort to boost department morale, officers can grow beards this month, Shelton said.
“It’s ‘no-shave’ November at the Fort Scott Police Department,” he said.
Election Results 2017
The following are the unofficial results of the November 7, 2017 elections.
FSCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES: John Bartlesmeyer, 1,141; Elizabeth Meyer, 680; Tina Rockhold, 904; Kevin Wagner, 656.
USD #234 SCHOOL BOARD POSITION 4: Geoff Southwell, 418; David Stewart, 704.
USD #234 School Board Position 5: Gary Billionis, 922
USD#234 School Board Position 6: Jamie Armstrong, 953
USD #235 School Board Position 4: Brian Stewart, 242
USD # 235 School Board Position 5: Mike Mason, 241
USD #235 School Board Position 6: Tyler Martin, 255
FOR MAYOR BRONSON: Alan Stewart, 57; Lee Roy Whitcomb, 20
FOR CITY COUNCIL BRONSON: Clearsia Botts, 64; Geraldine Reeder, 61; Charlotte Stewart, 43; Kathaleen Stewart,29; Michael Stewart. 50
CITY COMMISSION FT. SCOTT: Cheryl Adamson, 439; Carol MacArthur, 329; JoLynne Mitchell,544; Robert Nichols, 632.
FOR MAYOR FULTON: No Candidate Filed
FOR CITY COUNCIL FULTON: No Candidate Filed, 45 write-ins
FOR MAYOR MAPLETON: No Candidate Filed, 7 write-ins
FOR CITY COUNCIL MAPLETON: No Candidate Filed, 11 write-ins
FOR MAYOR UNIONTOWN: No Candidate Filed, 26 write-ins
FOR CITY COUNCIL UNIONTOWN: No Candidate Filed. 30 write-ins
FOR SOUTHWIND EXTENSION DISTRICT: Ethan Holly, 761; Terri Williams, 1037
FOR MAYOR REDFIELD: Clarence “Ed” Guss, 20
FOR CITY COUNCIL REDFIELD: Michael Beerbower,30; Wilma Graham,17; Clarence “Ed” Guss,20; Kirby Martin, 31; Richard A. Smith, 25.
Veterans Ride Free In Observance of Veterans Day
Submitted by Larry Gazaway
In observance of Veterans Day, the City of Fort Scott says, “Thank You”, by offering free tours of Fort Scott on Dolly the Trolley to our veterans and active duty service men and women.
The special free tours will be available this Friday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Veterans Day Saturday, tours will be given from 1 a.m. until 3 p.m. These 50 minute narrated tours take you down the historic brick streets of Fort Scott, past Fort Scott National Historic Site, U.S. National Cemetery Number One, Victorian homes and much, much more.
Tours begin and end at the Fort Scott Tourism Center located at 231 E. Wall in Fort Scott. Call 620.223.3566 for more information. Seating is limited. All tours are available on a first come, first served basis.
Obituary: Wanda Lea Kraft
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Wanda Lea Kraft of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at her home.
Wanda was born to George and Alice Miller on April 23, 1932, in Gridley, Kan. Wanda married Harold Kraft on November 5, 1950, in Wichita, Kan. Wanda and Harold later moved to Fort Scott and made it their home. Wanda loved God and her family and enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wanda was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, George and Alice (Scales) Miller; her husband, Harold Kraft; and one son, Gary Kraft. She is survived by her two siblings, Daryl (Kathy) Miller of Overland Park, Kan., and Sandra Todd of Conway, Ark., as well as her four children: Nancy (Tom) Sinn of Greenville, S.C.; Jan (Tom) Byler of Fort Scott; Roger (Chris) Kraft of Fort Scott; and Diana (Roger) Davis of Fort Scott. Wanda is also survived by ten grandchildren: Tommy (Shannon) Sinn, Tena (Todd) DeVaney, Ted (Tricia) Sinn, Kim Byler, Rachel (Nathan) Wells, Ryan (Alivia) Kraft, Megan (Ian) Goodyear, Haley (Mark) Bellmyer, Kelsey (Caleb) Bellmyer, and Marley Davis, as well as sixteen great-grandchildren with one more on the way and many nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Evergreen Cemetery. The service will be conducted by Wanda’s grandson, Ted Sinn. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Christian Learning Center or Tri Valley Developmental Services and may be left in 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.
Obituary: Colen James Milburn
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Colen James Milburn, age 84, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, November 3, 2017, at his home.
He was born March 6, 1933, in Fort Scott, the son of Alfred Milburn and Hazel Taylor Milburn. He married Bonnie Harold on July 22, 1986, at Las Vegas. Colen had worked as a Fort Scott barber for 60 years. In earlier years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, hunting and horseback riding. He also liked going on drives in the country and taking trips to the casinos. He was a past member of the First Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Bonnie, of the home; two sons, Michael Milburn and wife, Twila, and Duke Milburn and wife, Pam, all of Fulton, Kan.; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister Marcella Bates, of Wichita, Kan. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Kirk Milburn, two brothers, Marion and Harold Milburn and six sisters, Cora, Lillie, Valeria, Earlene and Pearlene Milburn and Velma Cleveland.
Pastor Steve DeMott will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 12, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Exercise Your Right, Vote Today
Bridal Veil Park Proposal from Fort Scott High School Students
In 2015 Fort Scott High School students Gabrielle Allen, Olivia Houston, Austin Bolinger, and Morgan Stoughton, under the instruction of teacher Amber Toth, put together a proposal for renovating Bridal Veil Park.
This was a semester long team project requiring students to research and implement solutions to community concerns in the City of Fort Scott.
Their school project included an analysis of what could be done with a virtual budget.
The student project to renovate the park included playground equipment, a walking trail, some new lighting, four new picnic tables, 14 new trees, and benches, with a total cost of just under $75,000
It also included an analysis of the ongoing costs. The project was presented to the Fort Scott City Council.
With the recent discussion about the future of the park, the four students have graciously allowed us to share their proposal for the park. The proposal can be downloaded here.
Library Teens November Events
Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library Youth Librarian, and Assistant Director
Fort Scott Public LibraryTeen Advisory Group events for November:
November 8, 4-6 p.m., the teens will have their monthly games and snacks night in the library’s event room.
November 15, 4:15 – 5 p.m., the teens will create and share (if they want) creative writing short stories or poems. This will be the first teen creative writing night, in celebration of National Novel Writing Month.
November 29, 4:15 – 5 p.m. the teens will meet with at Common Ground Coffee for free treats while discussing this month’s Book Club story, “The Watsons go to Birmingham” by Christopher Paul Curtis.