The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Anne Dare and Rob Harrington were present for some or all of the meeting.
Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous week. Nelson seconded. All approved.
Eric Bailey stated that the sidewalk project was underway. They had to dig a little bit deeper than originally planned to find a solid sub-base. Will try to get the pour done this week if possible. We are in the final stages of getting the bean pad built. Had a meeting with representative from ADM to look at our area and waiting to hear back. Eric stated they had a dump truck tip over on its side. The operator was unhurt. We set the truck back up ourselves and added fluids and were able to drive it off. A little bit of cosmetic damage. Eric requested an executive session. Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(6) for preliminary discussion for acquisition of real property including three commissioners, Eric Bailey, Dustin Hall, and Justin Meeks for five minutes returning here at 9:09 a.m. Nelson seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with action. Nelson seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to allow Eric Bailey to pursue some road right-of-way with 3 different owners around 160th between Fern & Grand on a bridge we got a grant to redo the bridge so it’s approximately 3/4 of an acre. Nelson seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship including three commissioners, Eric Bailey, Justin Meeks, and Dustin Hall for ten minutes returning here at 9:21 a.m. Nelson seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with no action. Nelson seconded. All approved.
Section 1 Handbook – Discussion of approval. Discussion regarding Mission/Vision statement ended with decision to exclude statement. Ashley suggested references to the Mission/Vision statement throughout Section 1 be removed. Commission agreed.
Jim asked for an executive session. Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individuals nonelected personnel to protect their privacy job performance including three commissioners and Justin Meeks for 15 minutes returning here at 9:38 a.m. Nelson seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with no action. Nelson seconded. All approved.
An amended copy of Section 1 of the handbook was presented to the commission. Clifton made a motion to approve. Nelson seconded. Clifton stated he had some issues with the history part of this section. The statement “it is 638 square miles with open prairie comprising 90% of the area. The native forest comprised of remaining 10% of timber belt contains hackberry, hickory, oak, pecan and walnut trees.” Clifton stated he feels this is an untrue statement and should be removed. Clifton made a motion that part be redacted. Nelson seconded. All approved.
Justin Meeks was contacted by an attorney yesterday regarding assignment of lease for the hospital building. Justin requested an executive session. Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship including three commissioners and Justin Meeks for three minutes returning at 9:47 a.m. Nelson seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with action. Nelson seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to allow Justin to do the leases to finish up the lease assignment for the hospital building. Justin stated he is working on the deeds for the property of 201 S. Crawford. We are working on the deeds now and should be done next week and should be transferred into the county. I’ve been in it and it is in very bad shape. I think it should be scrapped. With your permission I’ll get with Eric to get in his que to get that ready to be torn down. Discussion regarding the future of the lot was had. A parking lot with a possible basketball hoop to give the youth a place to play. Justin continued with discussion of the Land Bank with shared services in that the person would work for the land bank but also help with tax sales. The Land Bank is requesting that the county supply an office space in the courthouse. I’m asking permission from the commissioners to allow this person to use office space and will also make it convenient to be close to the Deed’s office as deeds and abstracts are worked on. They plan to open this position in a few days. Jim made a motion to allow the Land Bank Manager to share Justin’s office with him. Nelson seconded. All approved.
Shane Walker – No Comment.
Public Comment: No comment
Commission Comment: Jim stated that he would like to schedule a town hall meeting in the River Room in January. One of the topics will be housing. I’m going to invite the city commissioners, contractors and real estate people. The public is encouraged to attend. Other topics can be included as well. Clifton made a motion to allow all three commissioners to attend a work session with the city commissioners. It will be an open meeting. It will be at noon with public welcome. There will be no action taken. Nelson seconded. All approved.
Brian Allen announced from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the hospital in the McAuley Room and discuss the flood plain maps for Bourbon County. Anyone who is concerned about their property are encouraged to attend. All public is welcome. This is Federal and State not Bourbon County.
Agenda (see attachments below) Bourbon County Commission Room 1stFloor, County Courthouse 210 S. National Avenue Fort Scott, KS 66701 Date:December 6, 2022 1stDistrict–Nelson BlytheMinutes:Approved:_______________ 2ndDistrict–JimHarrisCorrected: _______________________ 3rdDistrict–Clifton BethAdjourned at: _______________ County Clerk–Ashley Shelton MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOMBEGINNINGat 9:00AM. Call to Order •Flag Salute •Approval of Minutes from previous meeting •Eric Bailey–Road &Bridge Report •KDOR PVD Compliance (via phoneat 9:15am) •Renodry Representative •Approval of Accounts Payable •Jim Harris–Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1)todiscuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy •Susan Bancroft–Chief Financial Officer o2022 Budget Amendment oFinancials Ending 10/31/22 •Justin Meeks–County Counselor Comment •Shane Walker–ChiefInformation Officer Comment •Public Comment •CommissionComment •Susan Bancroft–Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy Justifications for ExecutiveSession: KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters ofindividualnonelected personnelto protect their privacy KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemedprivileged in the attorney–client relationship KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discussmatters relating toemployer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of thebody or agency KSA 75–4319(b)(4)To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
As of November 2022, there are 36 Bourbon County children who have been abused or neglected and need a volunteer to advocate for them in the court system.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.
” Bourbon County CASA has been providing CASA volunteers to the children of Bourbon County for over 32 years,” said Christa Horn, director. “CASA Volunteers undergo extensive background checks and over 30 hours of training to become certified. CASA’s are assigned by the court to advocate for and be the voice of children who are involved in the court system due to abuse and neglect, through no fault of their own.”
“Currently 36 children who have been victims of abuse or neglect are assigned CASA Volunteers,” Horn said. “Over 980 children here in Bourbon County have benefited from having a CASA volunteer by their side, fearlessly advocating for their needs. Sadly there are at least 36 more children who need a CASA volunteer.”
“Children can be referred by interested parties, attorneys and DCF/or it’s private contractor and then are assigned by the Court,” she said.
“CASA volunteers meet with their assigned child(ren) on a consistent basis getting to know the child and their circumstances perhaps better than any other professionals involved in the case,” Horn said. “They gather information from all individuals involved in a child’s life, from parents, foster parents, teachers, therapists, doctors, family members, case worker. CASA then submits written reports to the court at each court hearing detailing events and facts in a child’s life and case and makes recommendations on what is believed to be in the child’s best interest. CASA volunteers remain assigned to their child until the child is reintegrated back home or reaches permanency through adoption, permanent custodianship.”
The amount of time spent as a CASA volunteer varies.
“Hours vary case by case, but on average a volunteer will spend 6 to 8 hours a month devoted to their assigned case,” she said.
“Currently Bourbon County CASA has 23 certified volunteers,” she said. ” Volunteers are assigned only one child or sibling group at a time, allowing them the time to focus on only one case at a time.”
Contact Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, Fort Scott. Phone: 620-223-2407 or 620-215-2769; Email: [email protected]; Program Director Christa Horn
Tomorrow is the deadline for an annual fundraiser for CASA.
You are cordially invited to a Christmas Celebration
to benefit Bourbon County CASA on Friday, December 9th, 2022
7-9 pm.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres and a full bar will be provided.
The holiday party fundraiser will be at the Cullor Lake Home
810 195th Street, FortScott.
Reservations are requested by Friday December 2nd.
Giving Levels:
Sponsor: $25 per person, $50 per couple
Guardian: $50 per person, $100 per couple
Guardian Angel: $75 per person, $150 per couple
Friend: $125 per person, $250 per couple
Benefactor: $500 and over
Mail your RSVP and giving level payment to:
Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, FortScott, KS 66701
or call Christa Horn at 620.215.2769 with any questions.
On Keto, I am to fill my plate with kale, spinach, zucchini, a couple of hard-boiled eggs (which are just nasty) and some blanched almonds (also on the nasty list). Then I top all of that nonsense with a drizzle of olive oil. Yuck! Why don’t I just suck on a blade of poison ivy and call it good? Same difference.
Let’s face it. Discipline is hard work, even though it is the magic sauce that helps us get where we want to be. In college, I was one of the most disciplined gals in my sorority. When many of my friends skipped class to hang out at the bar and play the card game Pitch, I was frantically scribbling notes and asking questions and contemplating potential test questions. Play cards instead of being in a classroom? Not on my radar.
I have always been a disciplined employee. Show up early. Work harder than required. Take work home with me. My mother never preached that message, but she sure did demonstrate it, so I credit her with modeling for my two brothers and me how to be responsible.
In an odd way, being disciplined allows me to take steps to better myself…to feel as if I’m in control of my future. And that means never giving up. Pablo Casals was considered the greatest cellist to ever live. When he was 95 years old, he was asked why he continued to practice six hours a day. “Because I think I am making progress,” he answered. Of course, he wasn’t starving himself on Keto, so that comparison sure falls flat.
The aim of Christian discipline is to tame your body, soul and spirit in the way of godliness. 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a reminder that I have a Helper waiting to support me with my eating habits. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. In my case, I can substitute the word “craving” for “temptation” and be consoled that this is a battle I can win.
My problem is that I’ve never met an unhealthy food I didn’t like. And yes, I know that I need to put my faith where my food is, but won’t I hurt people’s feelings at the church potluck if I don’t at least “try” their goodies? And should I invite new Christians over for dinner and feed them wheat grass and beets? Are you feeling my pain?
A few weeks ago, I was to meet a saint-of-a-friend who was visiting from another state. We settled on Common Ground, and I asked if noon was okay so we could have lunch. I shouldn’t have been surprised by her response: “Oh, Patty, let’s just feast on the word of God.” My response shouldn’t have surprised her: “Can’t we do both?”
My friend had put John 6:27a (NLT) into practice: But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.
I’ll let you know how this Keto thing works out. So far, not so good…but there’s always tomorrow.
Donald (Don)Charles Madison, age 77, a resident of Wichita, Kansas, went to his Heavenly home, Tuesday, November 29, 2022. He was born November 23, 1945, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Charles W. Madison and Mary E. Alliston Madison. Don grew up in Wichita and graduated from East High School in 1963. He graduated in 1970 with a BS in Agricultural Economics from K-State University.
After graduating, he worked as feed salesman. While making a sales call at the Fursman Ranch near, Welda, Kansas, Don got acquainted with the rancher’s daughter, Sharon. A relationship began and they were married August 8, 1970 at the First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas. Don and Sharon made their home in Parsons, Kansas, and later owned and operated their own farm near Erie, Kansas from 1973 to 1982.
In 1979, began a career with the USDA. His career moved the family to Oakley and Seneca, Kansas, and finally to Iola, Kansas, where he remained until his retirement in 2006.
When he was twelve, Don accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Church was always an important part of his family’s life. While in Iola, Don was a member of the First Baptist Church where he served in several leadership capacities. After moving to Wichita, he became an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and volunteered his time with various ministries of the church. He was also a member of Gideons International for many years.
In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling and camping as well as woodworking but above all he enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s many activities. Don will be remembered for having a servant’s heart. He always put others’ needs above his own. His family finds comfort knowing that he is now in the presence of Jesus.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of the home and his three children, Joan Kramer (Tim) of Wichita, Tom Madison (Kitty) also of Wichita and Karen Traynor (Kip) of Walnut Cove, North Carolina, and eight grandchildren; Ashley Kramer, Catherine, Sam, and Elizabeth Madison and Robert, Rowan, Rachel and Rafe Traynor.
Also surviving are a brother, Robert Madison (Beverly) of Goodland, Kansas, and a sister, Maratha Nash (Paul) of Oxford, Kansas, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sylvia, and his in-laws, Bob and Francis Fursman.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 6th at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 S. Topeka Ave., Wichita, Kansas.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 A.M. until service time at the church.
The service will be livestreamed on the church’s website at ibcwichita.com.
A graveside service will be held later that afternoon at 2:30 at the Colony Cemetery in Colony, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to either Immanuel Baptist Church Future Building Fund or Gideons International 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.
Hunter Nickell Southwind Extension District Livestock Production Extension Agent 1006 N. State St. Iola, KS 66749 Office: (620) 365-2242 Cell: (620) 473-3298 [email protected]
Background
Throughout the summer and fall, the Southwind District has been in D2 (severe), D3 (extreme), or D4 (exceptional) drought. This has compromised pasture quality, reduced surface water availability, diminished cattle condition, and increased hay prices while reducing quality and quantity. This article discusses different cattle feeding methods to increase feeding efficiency and profitability.
Feeding Efficiency – Quantity and Quality
No matter the feeding method, bale waste is directly affected by how much hay you are providing cattle at one time. Providing a daily hay ration can reduce hay loss by 25% compared to providing two or more days’ rations at a time.
**Special Note** Forage analyses are an inexpensive technique to know what you are feeding your cattle. Forage probes can be checked out at any Southwind Extension Office. Additionally, we will help you select the proper analysis for your operation.
Feeding Hay on Pasture
Let’s evaluate four hay feeding methods for cattle on pasture. Many producers stockpile tall fescue in the Southwind District and feed supplemental hay while cattle are on pasture. While most fescue greened up with recent precipitation, not much growth has occurred. However, producers may still seek to feed cattle in pastures where water is available.
Method 1: Hay Rings or Round Feeders
The tried-and-true method to get hay to cattle. Almost every livestock farm has at least one of these, and it continues to be the most used method to feed hay. Feeding out of a hay ring is simple and takes little effort with a loader tractor.
Let’s consider that there are many bale ring types, each offering their own benefits and shortcomings. We are focusing on data from Oklahoma State University showing percent hay waste with three commonly used bale rings, and one “ideal” hay ring type that is not commonly used.
Type 1: Open Bale Ring. The open bale ring is the simplest bale ring. The open bale ring is a ring of metal tubing to hold the bale in place while cattle eat. This ring type has shown to result in 20% hay loss by weight as hay can fall out of the bottom and cattle can drag hay out for bedding.
Type 2: Poly-pipe Bale Ring. The poly-pipe rings are becoming very popular because of their durability, light weight, and maneuverability. Poly-pipe bale rings are functionally the same as open bale rings, thus resulting in similar losses.
Type 3: Sheeted Bottom Bale Rings. These bale rings feature a sheet of metal along the bottom half of the feeders, limiting hay from falling out of the bottom as the bale unravels. Most sheeted button rings also have stanchions on the top half to limit the number of cattle that have access to the bale at a given time. Sheeted Bottom Bale Rings with 16 stanchions resulted in 13% loss by weight.
Type 4: Modified Cone Feeders. In this study, an “ideal” bale ring was constructed. A “cone” was added to the top of a sheeted bottom ring. This cone only allows small amounts of hay to be dropped down the feeder at a time. This modified cone feeder had only 5.3% waste by weight.
Method 2: Unrolling Bales
Unrolling bales on pasture is another commonly used method to feed hay. It is as simple as unrolling a large round bale with a tractor, hydraulic bale bed, or using gravity to unroll down a slope. If you plan to unroll down a slope, plan to have all children and animals out of the way of where the bale is to unroll to prevent injury.
Unrolling bales has been nicknamed the “bed and breakfast” feeding method. As the nickname states, cattle will not only feed on the unrolled bale, but they will also take the opportunity to bed in the soft hay, further increasing waste. Simply unrolling bales can have varying amounts of wastage, depending on the amount of cattle being fed at one time. Studies by Kansas State University have shown 22-23% waste using this method. More cattle will create more competition and less waste; whereas, fewer cattle will create less competition and more waste.
Method 3: Unrolling Bales and Using Electric Fence
Using electric fences helps to alleviate waste experienced with unrolling bales on pasture. The idea is simple, unroll the bale as you normally would and then string a hot electric fence right down the middle of the roll.
You may have noticed a trend as we looked at feeding methods. As you add barriers to accessing the hay, you tend to limit waste. The idea of using electric fences over top of the bale role is relatively new, ergo little data are available to support this practice. If your operation utilizes electric fences, it may be worth trying.
Method 4: Grazing Bales
Grazing bales requires more preparation than the previous methods, but once the fencing is in place it is an easy and versatile method of feeding cattle. Grazing bales is spreading bales evenly throughout a field and limiting access to only a few bales at a time with an electric fence. This method can be very useful to producers who may not have access to a loader tractor or bale bed on a daily basis, or even for producers who don’t want to cold start their tractors every day this winter. By spreading the bales throughout the field, you only need equipment for one day Then you can move the fence on foot as needed.
Grazing bales can easily incorporate one or more of the aforementioned methods, whether it be moving one or more hay rings to the next bales to be grazed or unrolling the bales ahead of time and allowing access as needed. When bale grazing, waste can range from 5 – 15% with hay rings or 11 – 45% without hay rings.
Feeding in Dry Lots
Some cattle producers may choose to feed cattle in dry lots this winter for convenience, pasture health, or water limitations. Depending on lot size, many methods listed above can be repeated with similar results. For example, feeding with bale rings will result in 5.3 – 20% waste in a dry lot.
Many producers feeding in dry lots will use a bale processor or mixer to feed hay. Processed hay will decrease the selectivity of cattle, thereby decreasing waste. Feeding processed hay in a bunk line results in 8 – 11% waste.
Another option for producers feeding in a dry lot is feeding a total mixed ration (TMR). A TMR is a mix of feeds such as ground forage (hay or silage), grain, protein feed, vitamins, minerals, and other additives. When mixed properly, cattle are unable to select for certain ingredients, giving producers more control over feed intake.
Feeding a TMR in a bunk line will result in 2 – 10 % waste. While a TMR adds additional feed costs, a proper mix can decrease hay usage by 20 – 50% when compared to feeding hay in an open bale ring. For producers with limited hay resources and access to a mixer, a TMR may be a more cost-effective option for feeding cattle this fall.
Considerations for feeding in a bunk line: plan to need 28 – 36 inches of bunk space per cow, depending on cattle frame size. Also plan to feed cows, calves, and bulls separately to ensure each animal is eating the necessary allotment.
Final Thoughts
A drought can make it tough for cattle producers to turn profits with decreased amounts of quality forages, poor animal performance, and limited water. Changing how animals are fed can lead to serious savings. Switching from an open bale ring to a sheeted bottom bale ring could save over $10/ton of hay fed on $150/ton hay.
For more information, and to have your hay tested, contact Hunter Nickell (Livestock Production Agent) or Chad Guthrie (Crop Production and Forage Management Agent) at any Southwind Extension District Office.
Kansas Collects $642.3 Million in
Total Tax Collections for November
~~Collections Continue to Outpace Fiscal Year 2022 with 5.4% Growth~~
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Revenue today announced that total tax collections for November were $642.3 million, which is $15.4 million, or 2.5%, more than last November. Total tax receipts for Fiscal Year 2023 continue to outpace Fiscal Year 2022, with year-over-year growth at 5.4%.
Total tax collections for November were 5.3% below the estimate, which was recently raised at November’s meeting of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group to align with consistently strong revenues. The estimate for November and the remainder of FY 2023 was raised by $773.0 million.
Individual income tax collections were below the estimate for the month by 6.7%, or $21.1 million, with $292.4 million collected. Those receipts were 1.2% greater than in November 2021. Corporate income tax collections were $78,313, or 0.6%, below the estimate, with $13.2 million collected. That is $482,253 less than last November.
Corporate income tax collections for the first five months of FY 2023 are 7.0% higher than FY 2022 over the same period. FY 2022 was a record year for corporate income tax receipts.
Combined sales and compensating use tax collections at $304.9 million were $8.7 million, or 2.8%, below the estimate but $19.5 million, or 6.8%, more than November 2021, reflecting sustained growth in that revenue source.
“As for major tax sources, it is encouraging to see wage withholding tax payments, which is the principal component of individual income tax receipts, remaining stable and combined sales and compensating use tax receipts showing 6.8% growth over November 2021,” said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart.
Click here to view the November 2022 tax receipts spreadsheet.
Larry Gene Ruble, age 79, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died peacefully Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at his home, surrounded by family. He was born November 26, 1943, in Fort Scott, the son of Ray and Mildred Lucille Neth Ruble. He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1961. Larry attended Fort Scott Junior College for one year before beginning his career in the printing industry. He worked his first 10 years for Mid America Business Forms and the next 21 years with Ward-Kraft Business Forms until retirement.
Larry married Janie Mae Davidson on June 17, 1966, and enjoyed 37 years together, remaining friends the remainder of her life. Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed baseball, softball, team roping, bowling, golf, and playing poker (for over 50 years).
Survivors include a son, David Ruble and wife Angie, Minneapolis, KS; a daughter, Janette Boone and husband Cline, Shawnee, KS; a brother, Danny Ruble and wife Carol, Fort Scott; 7 grandchildren, Brooks Danahy, Claire Boone Lockwood and husband Braden, Cline E. Boone, Olivia Boone, Eleanor Boone, Wayne Ruble, and Mason Ruble; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his previous wife Janie, he was preceded in death by a sister, Patsy Dosstter, and his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 6th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Hammond Community Building and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
The post hospital is lit up durng the 2021 tour. NPS Photo: Carl Brenner
The Fort Scott National Historic Site 41st Annual Candlelight Tour is completely sold out.
The tour is Dec. 2nd and 3rd.
“This year… we are commemorating several important milestones of our nation’s history,” Carl Brenner, FSNHS Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management, said. “Each milestone highlights a different portion of the Fort’s history as well.”
NPS: Photo credit-Carl Brenner
Tickets went on sale on November 1 and sold out on November 27.
Fort Scott High School drama students and other volunteers will portray different scenes, vignettes, during the evening in which ticket purchasers will stroll the promenade on the grounds of the fort.
The vignettes, in order, are:
The Bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail which is set in 1843. The army is preparing to go out on campaign along the trail. In this vignette: Luke Leighsing (Santa Fe Trader), Josh Sherwood (Lieutenant), Tracy Dancer (Sergeant), Frankie Ruggerro (Corporal), Jericho Jones (Private).
175th Anniversary of the Mexican American War, which is set in 1847, celebrates the safe return of soldiers from the war. In this vignette: Kiara Thompson (Mrs. Curtis), Sylvia Stapleton (Miss Jones), Emma Guns (Mrs. Simpson), Cooper George (Corporal Clark), Austin Stapleton (Private Smith), Matt Wells (Musician).
165th year of Bleeding Kansas, which is set in 1857, actors prepare for the Grand Ball celebrating the opening of the Fort Scott Hotel. In this vignette: Diane Bernheimer (Elizabeth Wilson), Jan Elder (Eliza Campbell), Wayne Young (Mr. Wilson).
160th year of Civil War Ladies Union Aid Society-Emancipation Proclamation, which is set in 1862, where the women are comforting the solders. In this vignette: Dee Young (Mrs. Weatherwax), Cassie Edson (Mrs. Mary Martin), Emily Endicott (Mrs. Laura Phillips – head of the Christmas committee), Regen Wells (Miss Sarah– Christmas committee member), Karen Primeaux (Mrs. Smith), Ronda Hassig (Mrs. Redfield)
150th year of Post of Southeast Kansas,1872, the scene is a railroad agent in a squabble with landowners: Casey Gomez (Walter ), Katie Wells (Elizabeth), Ivy Bailey (Charlie), Steve Powell (John)
Additional High School drama students helping in other areas are: Ayla Roberts, Tobi Larrabee, Mykeel Lewis, Tuesday Glessner, Alexis Tourtillot, Lily Brown, and Chris Newman.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is located at 1 Old Fort Blvd. Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. To find out more, or become involved, please call 620-223-0310 or email [email protected]. Other activities, events, and a more in-depth history may be found at www.nps.gov/fosc.
