Despite a few light showers on Wednesday, the Fort Scott Hurricanes swam against the Chanute Sharks in a swim meet at the Fort Scott pool. Fort Scott won the meet with 391 points to Chanute’s 333.
The Hurricanes will be swimming in Iola next Wednesday.
After serving as part of the team at Mercy Hospital since 2010, Dr. Amy Sachau worked her last day there on July 5, after deciding to transition away from full-time and work and closer to her hometown of Overland Park.
“We have felt so loved in Fort Scott,” Sachau says, adding the rural hospital was just what she was looking for after completing her family medicine residence. “It is an honor to have worked at Mercy Fort Scott, as I feel the focus truly is on the care of our patients.”
Sachau will be starting an employee health clinic for the Shawnee Mission School District, where she attended school. There she will be able to care for the large school district’s employees and their families while spending more time with her two daughters, age 8 and 10 years, and living within walking distance of her mother.
“It was an incredibly difficult, tear-filled decision,” Sachau says, saying she wants to take advantage of the time she has with her daughters as they continue to grow up. “My new position will be part time, and will not require working nights, weekends and holidays, so I can spend that time with my family.”
While looking forward to moving closer to home and spending more time with family, Sachau said she will miss the community of Fort Scott, its slower pace and the friendliness of the residents and hospital staff.
“I love my co-workers at Mercy, and in fact, this is the very hardest part of leaving,” Sachau says. “My staff bends over backwards for our patients—and for me—day after day, and I could never thank them enough.”
Mercy staff also spoke highly of Sachau and her care for her patients.
“It has been an amazing experience working for Dr. Sachau,” says Kyla Probasco. R.N., of the Mercy Clinic. “She has always provided exceptional care for her patients. Their love and appreciation for her has been very apparent the last few months and speaks volumes for her character.
“This community is really going to miss her. I consider it an honor to be a part of her team and have always been proud to say, ‘I am Dr. Sachau’s nurse.’ I am extremely sad that Dr. Sachau is leaving, but am so happy for her and her family and all of their future endeavors together.”
Rain dampened costumes, but not spirits at the annual 4th of July Burke Street Parade this year. Despite the heavy rain, many participants walked, biked and rode in the annual event.
Having provided in-home care for Bourbon and neighboring counties for almost six years, the owners of Care 4 U are now adding another business, Your Hometown Medical Equipment, which will sell medical items needed in the county, after other similar stores have closed.
Glen Pearson, Jr., and sister-in-law Rachel Pearson run Care 4 U and now the medical equipment store, after recently receiving the necessary licenses for the store.
Glen has been involved in aspects of the medical care field since serving at a nursing home when he was a teenager. Since then he has sold medical equipment in a prior business and then opened Care 4 U as a hobby, which has grown to include 50 employees who care for 45 clients, some for only a few hours a day while others require 24-hour care.
Most of those employees are from Fort Scott and must go through five background checks and screenings before they can help take care of Care 4 U’s clients. While the business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., they are also on call at any time. Care can be paid for through Medicaid or private pay.
“Here at Care 4 U, we do everything we can to keep you or your loved one at home,” Rachel said during a recent Chamber of Commerce event Thursday, saying they take care of their clients through medical care as well as house-cleaning and running errands.
Glen said through his time working with nursing homes, he often felt sorry for those who were taken there and then forgotten about or visited only rarely. In keeping them at home, Glen said the clients can be somewhere where they are more comfortable and where it is also more economical.
As Care 4 U continued to grow, Glen said he decided he wanted to get back into the medical equipment business as well, which led to Your Hometown Medical Equipment.
The store is to be open with the end of the long holiday weekend and can be found at the same location as the Care 4 U office, at 5 E. Wall Street.
Submitted by Tina Rockhold, Mercy Hospital
At 70 years old, Roxine Poznich simply isn’t ready to retire or let a cancer diagnosis interfere with her plans. So when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the square-dancing great grandma handled the do-si-do with the disease with determination.
The Diagnosis
Roxine’s cancer was diagnosed in late February.
“I wasn’t feeling bad, nor did I have any symptoms of any illness,” she said. “I’ve always been active and healthy so it never occurred to me I might have cancer.”
But she decided to take advantage of a heart and vascular screening that Mercy was promoting during National Heart Month.
“I thought it wouldn’t hurt to have that checked. When the radiology technician used ultrasound to check the arteries in my neck, ankles and abdomen for blockage, I certainly was not expecting her to find a softball-sized tumor just below my ribs.”
Roxine has worked as a level 2 histology technician at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott for 26 years.
“I see my co-workers in imaging services almost daily and I consider them my friends. Knowing that they were able to find the tumor makes me even more grateful for their expertise and the compassionate way they treat patients.”
The Care Team
“Learning I had cancer was a shock. I was nervous about my treatment, so I wanted to be somewhere I knew the people caring for me. Plus, I wanted to stay in Fort Scott so I didn’t have the extra burden of traveling out of town.
“I knew I could count on the team at Mercy’s Cancer Care Unit of Hope to provide the best care available. Dr. Nassim Nabbout, oncologist/hematologist with Cancer Center of Kansas, took me under his wing and explained to me the process for surgery and treatment. He was kind, straightforward and honest – exactly what I needed to tackle the disease.
“I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Nabbout and the Mercy Cancer Care Unit of Hope nurses. The care is as good if not better than if I had traveled to a large hospital or bigger city. Our community is so fortunate to have this clinic at the hospital.”
The Outlook
Fortunately, Roxine’s form of cancer is slow growing and treatment success rates are high. She was even able to work throughout her eight weeks of treatment except for the actual days she received the drug rituximab.
Once her treatment was complete, she was released and back to dancing again.
The Privileges of Partnership
Mercy has partnered with Cancer Center of Kansas since 2008 to provide oncology/hematology services in Fort Scott. Through the Cancer Center of Kansas’ relationships with such well-known programs as M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., the program offers Mercy Fort Scott patients the most current cancer research in detection, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, control and quality of life. To learn more about the physicians and treatments available at Mercy Cancer Care Unit of Hope, call 620-223- 8589.
The Fort Scott National Historic Site began to celebrate Independence Day over the weekend with the Symbols of Sacrifice memorial displaying thousands of American flags placed in honor of every American soldier who died for the United States since the Revolutionary War.
Other demonstrations were also given to fort visitors Saturday by volunteers dressed in period clothing. Further events and demonstrations will be available for visitors throughout the day on Tuesday. See here for another FortScott.biz article for details on the schedule of events.
Volunteers from scout troops as well as families and other individuals placed the flags Thursday and the flags will remain in place through Sunday, July 9. Fort staff invites volunteers to help remove the flags Monday, July 10.
Submitted by Krista Harding
Summer is officially upon us now, and it has brought some common plant problems with it. We have had plenty of moisture and to date, our plants haven’t really had to be “tough” yet this growing season. Now that the temperatures have risen and we are not getting rain quite as often, some plants are starting to show environmental stress.
I have started getting calls about Walnut and River Birch trees having problems. The trees have yellow leaves scattered throughout the canopy and some are dropping leaves. How do you know if this is a serious problem for a tree? Generally speaking, it depends on the tree species and if the leaves stay attached to it. If leaves have fallen from throughout the tree and resulted in a general thinning of leaves, this is not a serious problem. Trees will often set more leaves in the spring than they can support during the summer. Heat and drought stress will cause the tree to lose leaves that it cannot support with the available soil moisture. Remember that our plants haven’t had to be “tough” yet. We can have green leaves drop that appear perfectly healthy. As long as the leaf drop results in a gradual thinning of the leaves, this is not a serious problem and the tree should be fine.
Sometimes, virtually all of the leaves drop. Certain trees, such as hackberry, can drop all of their leaves and enter summer dormancy. We are a bit early in the summer for this to occur, but it may happen soon if we turn off really hot and dry. If trees are affected by summer dormancy, they should still have supple twigs and healthy buds. Usually the effect on the health of the tree is very minor and the tree leafs out normally next spring. However, if the buds die and the twigs become brittle, at least part of the tree is dead.
Trees that have leaves that die and remain attached to the tree is a serious problem. Sometimes this happens in what seems like just overnight. In a case like this, the tree couldn’t keep up with moisture demands and died quickly. I have seen one case of this already. I believe it was due to the cold snap last December 18, when we got very close to zero temperatures. Damage to underlying tissues is the root cause of this problem.
Another problem that is starting to appear this time of year is two tomato leaf-spot diseases. Septoria leaf spot and early blight are both characterized by brown spots on the leaves. Septoria leaf spot is characterized by small dark spots whereas early blight spots are much larger and have distorted “target” pattern of concentric circles. These diseases usually start at the bottom of the plant and work up. Mulching, caging or staking to keep plants off the ground will make them less vulnerable to diseases by providing better air circulation so the foliage can dry quicker. Mulching also helps prevent water from splashing and carrying disease spores to the plant.
In situations where these diseases have been a problem in the past (or even this year), rotation is a good strategy. Obviously it is too late for that this year. Fungicides are often helpful. The active ingredient Chlorothalonil is a good choice to use. It can be found in numerous products including Fertilome Broad-Spectrum Landscape and Garden Fungicide; Ortho Garden Disease Control; Bonide Fungonil and others. Be sure to start protecting the plants when the disease is first noticed. It is all but impossible to control these diseases on heavily infected plants. Read labels for harvest waiting periods.
Don’t forget that most of the Extension services are free of charge! If you are experiencing plant problems, don’t hesitate to give me a call for diagnosis.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at 620-244- 3826 or [email protected]
Fort Scott welcomed a new business to town in the past month with the opening of East Side Liquor store at 1516 E. Wall Street.
After a soft opening about a month ago, the store had a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday morning to celebrate the work of Lyle Brittain, Liz Monteil and their families to open the new store in the empty building.
“I think it’s incredible that a young couple would invest in an endeavor like this in Fort Scott,” Mayor JoLynne Mitchell said during the event. “I could not be more proud of this young couple and their dedication.”
City Manager Dave Martin said he admired the entrepreneurial spirit of the couple and is happy to see more young people decide to stay in Fort Scott.
“Congratulations,” chamber of commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said, adding she is glad to see another empty building put to use. “We’re excited to officially have you open.”
The store’s doors will be open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
“We are super excited,” Monteil said about their store opening.
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Eric Scott Lucas, age 56, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Tuesday, June 27, following a traffic accident.
He was born September 17, 1960, in Fort Scott, the son of Lewis “Bill” and Faye Cook Lucas. He worked most of his life as a self-employed mechanic. He owned and operated Eric and Sons shop, recently renamed Eric and Mandy’s in Redfield, Kan. He married Amanda Roberts on January 11, 1980, in Wichita, Kan. A self-proclaimed “gearhead,” Eric couldn’t pass a tool sale without stopping. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed an occasional prank. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a faithful husband who loved his family and his favorite dog, Biff. He was a member of the Mt. Orum Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife Amanda of the home; four children, Madgelene Harper and husband Danny, Uniontown, Kan.; Eric Lucas, Jr., and Sarah, Redfield, Kan., Sarah McCormick and husband Jeffrey, Lewis, Iowa; and Heath Lucas, Redfield, Kan.; his father, Bill Lucas and wife Charlotte, Humboldt, Kan.; a sister, Karon Schnichels, Fort Scott; 16 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son Ernest Owen Lucas; a sister, Melody Ann Lucas; and his mother.
Rev. Jeff Cokeley will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Cremation will follow. Memorials are suggested to the Eric Lucas Memorial Fund 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.
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Margaret Ann McDermed, age 81, a resident of rural Fort Scott, Kan., passed away early Thursday, June 29, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Fort Scott.
She was born March 5, 1936, in Girard, Kan., the daughter of Merritt Colegrove and Anabel Gooding Colegrove. Margaret graduated from the Girard High School. She married Paul McDermed on June 11, 1959, at Commerce City, Colo. Margaret helped her husband with the family dairy farm for several years. She was also worked for a time for Key Industries. Margaret was a member of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene. She enjoyed music and frequently provided music for Masonic organizations including Rainbow Girl, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth and White Shrine. She was a member of the Olive Chapter #13 Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Pioneer Court #2 Order of the Amaranth. She also volunteered her time with the Beacon. She was a devoted wife and mother who lovingly cared for her husband, Paul, for many years after his illness.
Survivors include three sons, Mark LaForte and wife, Joan, of St. Paul, Kan., Kevin McDermed, of Uniontown, Kan., and Todd McDermed and wife, Kim, of Fort Scott; nine grandchildren, Wade LaForte and wife, Alex; Seth LaForte and wife, Casey; Josh McDermed, Shyleen McDermed, Kenny McDermed, Jordan McDermed and wife, Megan; Trenton McDermed, Tyler McDermed, and Megan McDermed; and eight great-grandchildren. Her husband, Paul, preceded her in death on March 14, 2013. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Marvin, Francis and Merlin Colegrove, and a sister, Marilyn Thompson.
Pastor Jeff Dillow conducted funeral services at 10 a.m. Monday, July 3, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Girard Cemetery. The family received friends on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Cheney Witt Chapel with Eastern Star services being held at 4:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Gen. 1:26,27 (ESV)
If you skimmed this passage and missed its point, here it is: we are created in God’s image. Think about that. We matter. Last week I shared about my visit with “Greg,” a sex trafficking expert with “Deliver Fund,” who described what happens to girls taken into bondage. It made my skin crawl. He said that there is NO community unaffected by this crime. Surely he wasn’t serious. Nevada? Fort Scott? Where everyone knows who’s dating whom, what kind of surgery they’ve had and if they go to church or not? That’s just nuts.
Apparently not, because, well…let’s face it—we might know the latest gossip, but we pay little attention to what goes on right around us. Remember Ariel Castro, the man who for ten years imprisoned three women in his boarded-up, Cleveland, Ohio, home? Not one neighbor took the time to put the clues together that something was amiss…and there were plenty.
I asked Greg what people like me can do to help. Most importantly, he said, we need to pray for eyes to see. Greg knows that not everyone can be involved to the extent he is, but there are too many who just want to “scratch-their-action-guy-itch.” They volunteer to help but aren’t
committed. Fewer still want to take the time to be on the lookout for warning signs. Prime culprits are seedy motels with “a lookout” standing outside and convenience stores where men accompany young girls who make little eye contact and refuse to engage in conversation.
Greg wasn’t talking about me. Ask my husband. I live to catch a criminal. Once, after reading of the plane passenger who tried to light his shoe on fire, I alerted airport authorities to a man who had a cord hanging from the hem of his pants. It turned out to be part of his phone. (Or so I was told…um-hum.) Every time I see an adult carrying a screaming child, I immediately think kidnapping. I’m always on the lookout to save someone. It drives Dave crazy.
So, let’s say you aren’t as brave/foolish as I. There’s another way you can help. Yesterday I received an email from a relative. In lieu of a birthday gift, she asked for donations to Operation Underground Railroad, a foundation that rescues and rehabilitates kidnapped children. It is one of many, and all of them need financial support.
David Batstone, the founder of The Not For Sale Campaign, got involved when he found out that the staff at one of his favorite Indian restaurants in San Francisco were almost all slaves. This was discovered when one of the workers went home to find her roommate very ill. Not knowing what to do, she called her landlord, the owner of the restaurant. He arrived, then refused to call for help, and instead rolled the sick, unconscious girl in a carpet and loaded her into his van. Then he tried to force the first girl into the van. A brave woman heard the girl’s screams and called the police. It turned out that almost all the staff in the man’s several restaurants had been illegally trafficked from India, owed a “debt” to their “employer” for their transportation to America, and were paid minimal wages, which did not cover exorbitant rents that the owner charged for the slum-like apartments in which they lived.
The woman who called the police paid attention. As did David.
We need to do likewise. I’m not saying we turn into peeping toms who roam our neighborhoods with binoculars (although that would be a deterrent). Sex trafficking involves the dehumanization of life. It’s a slap in God’s face, the same God who made us in His image. To really make a difference we must open our eyes…and our hearts…and maybe even our wallets.
Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Donald Lee Struble, age 63, a resident of Fort Scott died Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Mercy Hospital of Fort Scott.
He was born July 11, 1953, in Key West, Fla., the son of Donald Lee Struble and Dorothy Irene Hubert Struble. He drove and maintained a truck for many years. Don was always very helpful and loved working on computers and cars, and could fix anything.
Survivors include his mother, Dorothy Struble of the home, two brothers, Ron Struble of Kansas City, Kan., Thomas Struble of Panama City Beach, Fla., one sister, Debbie Rather, of Mulvane, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Struble.
There was cremation. Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct a memorial service 1 p.m. Thursday, June 29, 2017, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorial are suggested to the Don Struble Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
