Shut The Gate by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Growing up as a country girl, I learned that when I opened a gate and walked through, I needed to immediately close the gate. Most farm animals are basically just waiting patiently to make a jailbreak. You might think they’re just minding their own business, chewing their cud, scratching on the side of the barn, or grazing, but they’re actually scoping out the joint. Several years ago, one of us didn’t chain the gate properly and our horses escaped. They didn’t go far, but they went far enough. They moseyed down the lane, looked both ways and crossed the highway, then went calling on the neighbor horses. Gates are extremely important to the owners of sneaky, conniving farm animals. When given half a chance, they’ll bust out of jail every time.
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks candidly about two different gates. “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT). Everyone has been given the right to make their own choices, aka free will. Jesus knows mankind’s tendency and He solemnly declared that few would choose the narrow gate that leads to an abundant life here and eternal life in heaven. When individuals choose the wide gate, they’re forfeiting Jesus’ gift of eternal life and taking Broadway Street to Hell.
In certain situations, I‘ve been known to say, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” This colloquialism means there’s multiple ways to accomplish a task or achieve the same end. (For cat lovers, this saying is referring to skinning a catfish.) For example, you can skin a catfish either before or after you fillet it.
Some individuals say, “There’s more than one way to get to heaven.” Nope. Jesus told Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me“ (John 14:6 NLT). There are two gates to choose from when entering either the Highway to Heaven or the Highway to Hell. The battle between right (Good Gate) and wrong (Evil Gate) has been going on since the Garden of Eden.
While standing at the Narrow and Wide Gates deciding which one to enter, it would be good to sit down and count the cost of choosing poorly. Jesus paid the entry fee for everyone to enter the Narrow Gate. The difficult way of this gate is definitely the road less traveled, but it’s certainly worth it. Jesus spoke encouraging words to His disciples, and the same message is for Christ followers today: “And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in Me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in Me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33 TPT).
After wisely choosing the narrow gate, life continues to be full of daily choices. We can choose to walk in holiness or selfishness, wisdom or folly, integrity or deceitfulness, love or hatred. The Holy Spirit lives inside believers to help us make right decisions. So we must learn to listen to Him so we won‘t make foolish choices.
The Key: When you come to the end of your journey, you won’t be sorry you chose the narrow
Bo Co Commission Meetings Moved To Thursday Mornings At 9 a.m.
The Bourbon County Commission meetings have been moved to Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. starting this Thursday, October 31, 2024. An agenda will be sent out on Tuesday for the meeting.
Thank you,
Jennifer Hawkins
Bourbon County Clerk
Letter to the Editor: Anna Miles
TRUMP PARADE
Attention: Ft. Scott, Kansas Trump Train parade participants, we will be having a Trump parade November 3, 2024 on Sunday at 2 pm.
We will be lining up in the Belltown area, starting any time after 1 pm.
Anyone from Bronson, Uniontown and Redfield areas can meet up and join in. Everyone is invited to show support.
We will be representing President Trump so let’s be respectful and follow the speed limit, stop signs and laws.
We discourage profanity and the F-word flags and anything inappropriate. We want this to be fun and family friendly and support Pres. Trump.
Trump Train will begin at 2pm, lining up in the Belltown area.
Venders, please check with the city and landowners if you want to setup.
Train starts at N. National south to E. National to Margrave.
Turn left going north on Margrave all the way to Wall St.
Then turn right, and go east on Wall St. and turn around at R&R equipment then go back to Wall St.
Going west on Wall St., then take Scott St. to 3rd St., then turn right on 3rd St.
Then go 1 block to Main St. turn left on Main St. to East National.
Turn right onto National, going north back to Belltown.
Fellow Trump supporter and Republican, Anna Miles
Trump-Vance 2024
The five Ps For Business Marketing
Supporting a youth-run lemonade stand can build the confidence of a child, help them understand the value of money, and learn important lessons about running a small business. Not only are youth earning cash, they are learning and practicing the important principles centered around the five Ps of marketing a successful stand or any business. The more time and effort youth can put towards promoting and marketing their stand before opening for business, the more likely they are to be successful. While Lemonade stands are usually available in the summer and early fall, with colder weather starting to show up, it creates different and new opportunities of turning a lemonade stand into a Hot Chocolate stand instead!
The 5 “Ps” of business marketing play a crucial part of if a business is going to be successful or if it will struggle to keep afloat. The 5 P’s, Product, Price, Promotion, Place and People all help individual businesses differentiate from their competitors.
Product-The most important aspect of any lemonade stand is the product. This is a fantastic opportunity for the young entrepreneur to explore product development. Things to consider include:
- How does it look and taste? Will they make it from a powder, use fresh ingredients or have a special recipe?
- Have they considered temperature? Keeping the lemonade cold can boost sales and bring return customers. Youth may consider floating a large piece of ice in their pitcher or serving it in a cup of ice.
- Can they diversify their product line? Some possible preferences may include low calorie, pulp-free, or even a flight of rainbow-colored Lemonade! Many enthusiastic entrepreneurs also sell additional products at their lemonade stand. These could include a tasty treat or even a handmade item.
Price- When thinking about price it is important to know who your customers may possibly be and what they might be willing to pay. The key thing to A few other things to consider might include:
- Look at what other stands are charging and where they may be set up. Also consider if they offer additional items that you may not.
- If you are planning on setting up in a location where a lot of foot traffic is available, you may look at wanting to charge more.
Promotion- How will you get the word out about your lemonade stand? The more time and effort you can put towards promoting and marketing your stand before opening for business, the more likely you are to be successful.
- Think about where you could hang signs up around your community to tell people where you will be located.
- Think about who else you could partner with. Maybe a friend or family member makes delicious cookies and already have customers that buy from them often. Ask them to join you in a partnership to bring already established customers to your stand.
- Don’t be afraid to tell your neighbors, family and friends that you are opening your lemonade stand and where it will be located. Invite them to share with their family or friends as well.
Place- The location of your stand may make the difference on if you meet or exceeding your overall goal. Make sure to find a safe location to hold your lemonade stand, and always make sure to ask for permission if setting up in a public place. A few things to ask yourself in determining where to set up:
- What day will you operate your stand?
- What time of day will you run your stand?
- If people have to drive to your location, will there be adequate parking available?
People- People refers to who is selling the lemonade to the customers and how the customers may perceive the worker. People usually base their decisions around the customer service that is provided by the seller. Things to think about:
- Are you friendly to your customers as they approach and when they are buying your products?
- Are you dressed nicely and clean clothes?
Be on the lookout for upcoming “Lemonade Day” workshops for youth in grades 3rd– 6th from Southwind Extension District and NetWork Kansas. Through “Lemonade Day” youth work through a four-session curriculum learning about setting Goals, making a business plan, learning cost breakdown, setting and following a budget, and taking a loan out all while developing a plan to have a successful Lemonade Stand.
For more information on Lemonade Day or money management for youth, please contact Amanda Clasen, Community Vitality Agent, at [email protected] or at 620-244-3826.
Ad: Vote Republican November 5th
Paid for by Bourbon County Republicans, Donna Banwart, Treasurer
The Artificers In November and December
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wreaths Across America Gets an Extended Date to Collect Donations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
What’s Happening in Fort Scott October 25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Questions to Decide on the Nov. 5 Ballot and Electioneering: What You Need to Know
Two questions will be decided by Bourbon County voters at the end of November 5th’s election, along with choosing the leaders at all government levels. At a recent Bourbon County Commission meeting Clerk Jennifer Hawkins laid out the Kansas Law prohibiting electioneering, following is the excerpt from the minutes.
Electioneering Not Allowed
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, discussed the upcoming General Election and went over what electioneering is.
“Jennifer stated that KSA 25-2430 outlines electioneering and defines it as
“knowingly attempting to persuade or influence eligible voters to vote for or against a particular candidate, party or question submitted, including wearing, exhibiting or distributing labels, signs, posters, stickers other materials that clearly identify a candidate in the election or clearly indicate support or opposition to a question submitted election, within any polling place, on election day or advance voting site, during the time period allowed by law for casting a ballot by advance voting, or within a radius of 250 feet from the entrance thereof.”
“Jennifer explained this means that there cannot be any t-shirts, hats, flags on vehicles, magnets on vehicles, pins, or other wearable advertisement containing a candidate’s name or slogan.
“Jennifer said that the statue exempts “bumper stickers that are affixed to a motor vehicle that is used to transport voters to a polling place or to an advance voting site for the purpose of voting.”
“Jennifer said that any political yard signs near a polling place cannot be within 250 feet of an entrance.”
Questions On The Ballot
County Question
“Shall the current number of Bourbon County Commissioner Districts set forth in KSA 19-203(a)(b)(c)(d) & (e), be increased to five (5) Commissioner Districts?
Yes or No
Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt said that the question is on the ballot because of a petition that was passed around the county to increase the number of commissioners.
The number of petition signers was not going to meet the deadline but was coming close to the required number, and the petitioner, Michael Hoyt, requested that the commission put it on the ballot for the voters to decide. In a 2 to 1 vote, Clifton Beth and Whisenhunt voted yes and Jim Harris voted no.
“I am hoping it will cause more discussion of issues,” Whisenhunt said. “There will be more discussion with five people talking about an issue instead of three.”
USD 234 Question
“Shall the method of election in Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas, be changed from the six-member district method of election, under which the school district is not divided into any member districts and all board members are elected at large?
Yes or No
Destry Brown, Superintendent of USD 234 provided the following ballot question explanation.
“The USD # 234 Board of Education is asking patrons to consider a change to how Board of Education members are selected. Currently, each member is chosen from a specific area within the district boundaries, and all voters within the district vote on every position.
“This was done years ago when consolidation was done and the
district wanted to have representation from the different school communities: Winfield Scott, Eugene Ware, and rural schools like Fulton.
“Today, all students in the district attend all our schools. No attendance center boundaries exist any longer.
“In recent years, we have had to fill positions on the Board of Education due to death, movement of members out of the district, changes in job responsibilities, and retirement.
The district has found it difficult to find people to run for the Board of Education based on these specific areas that were designated years ago. Consequently, we only have six board members right now.
“We are asking the community to consider changing all our Board of Education members to at-large seats.
“This will allow people in any area of the district to run for the Board of Education.
“Some concerns have been voiced that all the board members could be elected from one neighborhood. Theoretically, that could be possible. However, it has not occurred in the districts that use the at-large format. In fact, the makeup of those boards often are more diverse.
“What would that look like? Next year, the district will have four positions open.
“Anyone interested in becoming a board member can file for a position. Suppose six people decide to run for the board. Then, the ballot next November will list all six people, and voters will select four candidates they would like to have on the Board
of Education.
“The four with the most votes, then become board members no matter where they live within the district boundaries.”
Last Day to Apply For Advance Voting Mail Ballot Is Oct. 29
