Summer School and Free Food Start in June at USD 234

USD 234 School District halls are quiet right now, but in June some students will be back for more learning.
Destry Brown. Submitted photo.
“Summer school will be held during the month of June for students from preschool through high school,” said Superintendent Destry Brown. “Part of the summer school activities is for students with Individualized Educational Programs. We call this the Extended School Year. The other part for Kindergarten through 8th grade is an enrichment summer school for any student who wants to come. The high school kids will be working on credit recovery during summer school.”
“The elementary students and all the Extended School Year students will be at Winfield Scott. Elementary School,” Brown said.  “The preschool students will be at the preschool. The middle and high school students will be at the middle school.”
Winfield Scott Elementary School, 316 W. 10th Street, Fort Scott.
“Breakfast and lunch will be served daily at Winfield Scott and the Middle School and is free to all students and any other children from birth to 18. We will also be sending food home for the weekends for any student who wants or needs it.”
“Students not attending summer school may come to Winfield Scott or the Middle School at 11 a.m.”
Winfield Scott Elementary School is located  at 316 W. 10th and Fort Scott Middle School is located at 1105 E. 12th.
Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.

 

Southeast Kansas Library System May Newsletter

The SEKnFind Newsletter
May 2024

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

How to end a love story : a novel
by Yulin Kuang

A best-selling author with writer’s block heads to L.A. for the film adaptation of her book where she must collaborate with a screenwriter who was involved in the tragic accident that bound them together 13 years prior. Original.

The hunter’s daughter
by Nicola Solvinic

A decorated sheriff’s lieutenant serving a rural county, Anna Koray, who is secretly the daughter of a notorious serial killer, finds her suppressed memories returning when a new serial killer emerges, copying her father, and must use her father’s tricks to stop him before everything she’s built for herself is destroyed.

The last murder at the end of the world : a novel
by Stuart Turton

On an isolated island where 122 villagers and three scientists live in peaceful harmony, one of the scientists is found brutally murdered, which triggers a security system, giving the islanders only 107 hours to solve the murder or be smothered by the fog that destroyed the planet.

April May June July
by Alison B. Hart

Four estranged siblings meet up at a family wedding and are shocked to discover the presence of their father, who went missing while serving overseas, leaving the family members to each confront their complicated pasts. 40,000 first printing.

The husbands : a novel
by Holly Gramazio

“A novel about a woman who one day comes home to find her attic is magic and producing an endless supply of interchangeable husbands”

Love, lies, and cherry pie : a novel
by Jackie Lau

Forced to work together for her sister’s wedding, writer Emily Hung and sweater-vest-wearing engineer Mark Chan fake a relationship to put an end to her marriage-minded mom’s meddling, but soon their fake dates become all too real, making her realize an argyle sweater isn’t so ugly after all. Original.

The gathering : a novel
by C. J. Tudor

When a boy is found with all the blood drained from his body, Detective Barbara Atkins must determine if a member of the Colony, an ostracized community of vampyrs, is responsible, or if she’s dealing with a twisted psychopath as she uncovers secrets darker than she ever could’ve imagined.

The Honey Witch
by Sydney J. Shields

On the tiny isle of Innisfree, 21-year-old Honey Witch Marigold Claude, who is cursed never to find true love, is determined to prove to Lottie, a notorious skeptic, that magic is real but soon begins to care for her in unexpected ways, placing her home, her magic and her heart in danger.

Floating hotel
by Grace Curtis

Tells a story of misfits, rebels, found family—and a mystery that spans the stars.

Rednecks
by Taylor Brown

Dramatizing the 1920 to 1921 events of the West Virginia Mine Wars, this powerful story of rebellion against oppression follows a Black WWI veteran and coal miner as he leads a miners’ revolt and a Lebanese American doctor who risks his life and career to treat the sick and wounded miners.

The year of the locust : a thriller
by Terry Hayes

A Denied Access Area spy for the CIA, Kane journeys to the borders of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, where violence is the only way to survive, to exfiltrate a man with vital information, but instead meets an adversary who will take the world to the brink of extinction.

Beans, bourbon, and blood
by William W Johnstone

In a new series, Western legend Luke Jensen teams up with chuckwagon cook Dewey “Mac” McKenzie to dish out a plate of hot-blooded justice.

New Audiobooks

You Like It Darker
by Stephen King

Delving into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal, the legendary storyteller and expert in short fiction presents this exhilarating collection of 12 tales, many never-before-published, about fate, mortality, luck and the folds in reality where anything can happen.

Table for two : fictions
by Amor Towles

“The millions of readers of Amor Towles are in for a treat as he shares some of his shorter fiction: six stories set in New York City and a novella in Los Angeles. The New York stories, most of which are set around the turn of the millennium, take up everything from the death-defying acrobatics of the male ego, to the fateful consequences of brief encounters, and the delicate mechanics of comprise which operate at the heart of modern marriages. In Towles’s novel, Rules of Civility, the indomitable Evelyn Ross leaves New York City in September, 1938, with the intention of returning home to Indiana. But as her train pulls into Chicago, where her parents are waiting, she instead extends her ticket to Los Angeles. Told from seven points of view, “Eve in Hollywood” describes how Eve crafts a new future for herself-and others-in the midst of Hollywood’s golden age. Throughout the stories, two characters often find themselves sitting across a table for two where the direction of their futures may hinge upon what they say to each other next. Written with his signature wit, humor, and sophistication, Table for Two is another glittering addition to Towles’s canon of stylish and transporting historical fiction”

The demon of unrest : a saga of hubris, heartbreak, and heroism at the dawn of the Civil War
by Erik Larson

“On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln became the fluky victor in a tight race for president. The country was bitterly at odds; Southern extremists were moving ever closer to destroying the Union, with one state after another seceding and Lincoln powerless to stop them. Slavery fueled the conflict, but somehow the passions of North and South came to focus on a lonely federal fortress in Charleston Harbor: Fort Sumter. Master storyteller Erik Larson offers a gripping account of the chaotic months between Lincoln’s election and the Confederacy’s shelling of Sumter-a period marked by tragic errors and miscommunications, enflamed egos and craven ambitions, personal tragedies and betrayals.”

New Nonfiction

Co-intelligence : living and working with AI
by Ethan Mollick

“From Wharton professor and author of the popular One Useful Thing Substack newsletter Ethan Mollick comes the definitive playbook for working, learning, and living in the new age of AI The release of generative AI-from LLMs like ChatGPT to image generators like DALL-E-marks a new era. We have invented technologies that boost our physical capabilities and others that automate complex tasks, but never, until now, have we created a technology that can boost our intelligence-with an impact on work and life that researchers project will be greater than that of steam power or the internet. Mollick urges us not to turn away from AI, and instead to invite AI tools to the table.”

The cure for burnout : how to find balance and reclaim your life
by Emily Ballesteros

Combining scientific and cultural research, a burnout management coach and TikTok influencer shares the tried-and-true strategies she successfully implemented with clients around the globe to demystify burnout for our post-pandemic world—and set us on a path toward a life of personal and professional balance. Illustrations.

Beyond getting by : the financial diet’s guide to abundant and intentional living
by Holly Trantham

The team behind The Financial Diet website presents a guide for women who want to transition to a life where money is a tool for achieving what they want and not just a reflection of their worth. Illustrations.

Amphibious soul : finding the wild in a tame world
by Craig Foster

One of the world’s leading natural history filmmakers shows how we can reinvigorate our lives by developing a deep connection to the Earth, nurture our individual wildness and deepen our love for all living things. 200,000 first printing.

ADHD Is awesome : a guide to (mostly) thriving with ADHD
by Penn Holderness

The couple behind the massively popular Holderness family videos share their story of living with ADHD by rejecting traditional views and embracing creative and life-affirming solutions that focus on how ADHD can often be beneficial.

Hello tiny world : an enchanting journey into the world of creating terrariums
by Ben Newell

“Hello Tiny World will inspire a wide readership to discover the tiny wonder of a different kind of container gardening in their own homes–no outdoor space needed. How can terrariums teach us about the environment? Can working with plants improve our mental health and well-being? How do we learn to express ourselves and our creativity through these wondrous mini ecosystems? Hello Tiny World is Ben Newell’s exploration of these questions as he weaves in his own personal experiences, alongside practical projects with photographed step-by-steps allowing readers to delve into the detail of how to make various terrariums–from beginner terrariums and terrariums on a budget, to more creative and ambitious projects. Those curious to learn about ecology and living sustainably as well as those interested in how plants can help our well-being, mindfulness, and creativity will all be served by this book, alongside horticulturalists who have yet to discover terrariums”

Open wide : a cookbook for friends
by Benny Blanco

The pop music super-producer, artist and actor who’s obsessed with food and cooking for friends teaches you everything you need to know, from kitchen basics to throwing the greatest dinner party of all time, through a crazy collection of recipes that will make cooking your new addiction. Illustrations.

Special Kansas Legislature Session Will Convene

Governor Kelly Announces Special Session
of the Kansas Legislature


TOPEKA
— Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that she will use her constitutional power under Article 1, Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution to reconvene the Kansas Legislature for a special session on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

“I am committed to working with the Legislature to deliver responsible, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “A special session provides the opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on comprehensive tax relief that does not threaten Kansas’ solid fiscal foundation. By working together, we can swiftly come to a compromise to put more money back into Kansans’ pockets.”

Governor Kelly will issue the proclamation officially convening the Legislature for a special session in the coming days.

Obituary of Deborah Baxley

Deborah Sue Baxley, age 67, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at the Ascension Via Christie Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. Debbie was born March 20, 1957 in Fort Scott, the daughter of Cecil Otis Lancaster and Vivian Louse Towel Lancaster. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1975. Debbie was employed at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, then she went to work for her sister Marsha at Marsha’s Great Plains Deli. At the Deli you could find Debbie out front at her table taking orders and visiting with the customers as they came in. She spent many hours at the ballpark watching her brothers play, then when the nieces and nephews started playing she would go to all their games as well. She had great pride the last several years getting to spend time with her own grandchildren and taking them out to eat and driving around.

Debbie is survived by her daughter Shelly Rowe (Dan) of Fort Scott, Kansas, two grandsons, Anthony and Christopher Rowe; two brothers Tom Lancaster (Kay) and Don Lancaster, both of Fort Scott, one sister Carolyn Washburn (Gary) of Eagle River, Alaska; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Vivian Lancaster, a sister Marsha Lancaster, and a grandson, Tucker Rowe.

A private family graveside will take place the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date.

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

 

Signup to Enter the Good Ol’ Days Parade Today! Lavetta Simmons Will Be the Grand Marshall

Lavetta Simmons. Submitted photo.

At the Good Ol’ Days Parade, on May 31 at 6 p.m. Lavetta Simmons will be honored as the grand marshall.

Deadline to get an entry into the parade is 1 p.m. today.

The following tribute about Simmons is from her family member Sidney Zimmerman.

Lavetta Simmons is the true meaning of doing for others before doing for yourself, according to Sidney Zimmerman.

“She dedicated 15 years to the Care Share Cancer support group, providing empathy, love, and support to cancer fighters/survivors and their families. Sometimes she was the only listening ear available.”

“Lavetta played a pivotal role in many people’s lives and has built a legacy, providing a strong foundation for Care to Share to continue growing and providing services in the community.

“If asked, Lavetta would say something along the lines of  ‘It has nothing to do me, I didn’t do it alone or I couldn’t have done it without out my family and friends’ And although she is correct, she did not do it alone, but without her relationships with family and friends and strong community presence, many tasks would have been unmanageable.

“As we honor her, she wants to thank the businesses, community members, and individuals who have made Care to Share a success.

“To those who trusted in her the first few years, as the organization grew, to our long-standing supporters- her priorities were God, Family, and  Care to Share.”

Youth Rummage and Bake Sale at First Baptist Church This Weekend

Youth Fundraiser!
Rummage & Bake Sale at First Baptist Church Youth Center
123 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott on
Friday, May 31, from  8 am-2 pm and  Saturday, June 1, 8 am-3 pm

Furniture, Outdoor Gear, Electronics,
Dishes, Home Décor, Clothing, Bedding Books, Toys,
Kitchen, Vinyl & Tapes And Much More!

FACE PAINTING FUN FOR YOUR KIDS!
YUMMY BAKE SALE ITEMS FOR EVERYONE!

The youth are raising funds for a Mission Trip with a Rummage Sale this weekend, Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 in the church basement.   LOTS of items – free will donation unless marked.

Obituary of Joanna Woody

 

Joanna Woody, age 96, a former resident of rural Bronaugh, Missouri and more recently of the Presbyterian Village in Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, in Ft. Scott.  She was born February 29, 1928, in Vernon County, Missouri near what was Swartz, Missouri, the daughter of Willard Earl Foster and Pearlie Wilma Hawkins Foster.  Joanna attended grade school at Eureka and McGugh country schools.  She later attended Bronaugh High School through her Junior year.  Her family moved to rural Redfield, Kansas and Joanna graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1946.  Joanna married James R. “Jim” Woody on April 19, 1946, after he returned home from serving in World War II.  They settled on a farm in Vernon County.  Joanna joined the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Garland where she and her family attended when she was a child.  After her husband’s conversion, they both joined and help start Pleasant View Baptist Church.  After the church disbanded, they moved their membership back to Mt. Zion where Joanna is still a member.  Over the years, she served as pianist and Sunday school teacher and also helped with Vacation Bible School.  In earlier years, Joanna served as a 4-H cooking and sewing leader when her children were members. She was also a member of TOPS for over twenty years.  She will be remembered for her homemade pies, dill pickles and pickled beets.  Joanna’s desire was to serve her Lord in any way she was able and to see her children and grandchildren accept Christ and live for Him.

 

Joanna is survived by her children, Linda VanSickle (Gary) of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Gloria Guzman (Frank) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Dr. Michael Woody (Linda) of Carthage, Missouri, Cynthia Leech of Grandview, Missouri, Dedra Woebbecke (Michael) of Shawnee, Kansas and Marty Woody (Gayle) of Bronaugh, Missouri.  Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Muriel Woody of Webb City, Missouri; twenty-one grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.

Joanna was preceded in death by her husband, Jim on January 19, 2008.  She was also preceded in death by two sons, Willard Woody and Rev. Ron Woody, a brother, Calvin Foster and two sisters, Barbara Fay Simmons and Virginia Flo Willard and a grandson.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 31st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Zion Mission Department or Samaritan’s Purse 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 of David Troutman

David Dee Troutman, age 79, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was born May 3, 1945, the son of Vernon Troutman and Verna Clark Troutman.  Dave grew up in Niotaze, Kansas and graduated from the Caney High School.  He then served with the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Japan.  Following his military service, Dave worked as a police officer in Las Vegas and also worked as a truck driver and mechanic.  Dave married Beverly Jo Duff on July 14, 1973, at Thayer, Kansas.  Together, they had three sons, Tyler, Matt, and Justin.  Dave took a job with the Social Rehabilitation Service and the family relocated to Ft. Scott.  He was a member of Community Christian Church.  He enjoyed reading and studying the Bible as well as listening to music.

 

Survivors include his three sons, Tyler Troutman of Independence, Kansas, Matthew Troutman (Jessica) of Independence, Missouri and Justin Troutman of Joplin, Missouri and four grandchildren, Evan, Salma, Meriam and Autumn.  Also surviving is a sister, Nancy Beyl (Frank) of Claremore, Oklahoma.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, on July 22, 2006.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard and two sisters, Linda and Geneva.

 

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 30th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Community Christian Church 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.

FS City Vacancies

The City Clerk is now accepting Letters of Interest for several vacant positions.  City Hall does appreciate the time investment advisory board commission members make; therefore, only serious candidates need submit their OWN letter.  All letters will be verified by the City Clerk and all applicants must appear before the City Commission before they are appointed.  All positions are voluntary and will not be compensated.

 

CITY COMMISSIONER (1) opening to finish out the remainder of a vacated seat that expires December 31, 2024. The successor to be determined by election in November 2024. DEADLINE MAY 30, 2024, AT 5:00PM.

 

PARKS ADVISORY BOARD – (1) opening to finish out the remainder of a vacated seat that expires December 31, 2024. The position is a (2)-year term and may be renewed after the upcoming expiration date if you wish to continue to serve on the board and the reappointment is approved. The function of the Parks Advisory Board is to provide suggestions to the City and Manager and the City Commission regarding the parks within the City of Fort Scott. Currently this board meets quarterly or on “as needed basis” for (1) hour on Thursday afternoons at City Hall. The next scheduled meeting is July 11, 2024, at 4:00PM at City Hall.  DEADLINE IS JUNE 28, 2024, AT 5:00PM.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION – (1) opening to finish out the remainder of a vacated seat that expires December 31, 2026.  The position is a (3)-year term and the candidate for this vacated position must be a City resident. The Planning Commission is under the authority of K.S.A. 12-744 et seq. and City Ordinance No. 3762, for the purpose of recommending and advising the Governing Body of the City on matters pertaining to the planning, zoning and subdivision administration of all legal territory and property inside the Cit limits of Fort Scott. Currently this commission meets bi-monthly (every other month) and “as needed” if necessary for timely matters requiring a decision prior to a scheduled meeting. Meetings generally last (1) hour and are currently held on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00PM at City Hall. Times and dates are amendable to meet the schedules of commission members. The next bi-monthly meeting is scheduled for July 22, 2024, at 4:00PM at City Hall.  DEADLINE IS JULY 19, 2024, AT 5:00PM.

 

LIBRARY BOARD – (1) opening for a (4)-year term. This board meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Fort Scott Public Library.  For further information about the Library Board, please contact the library director, Jennifer Gum-Fowler at (620) 223-2882. OPEN UNTIL FILLED.

 

Please submit ALL Letters of Interest to the City Clerk by the deadlines indicated either in person at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street or by email [email protected]PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE CONTACT INFORMATION. All letters will be verified, and all candidates must appear before the City Commission when scheduled by agenda. If letters cannot be verified, they will not be considered. For questions, please contact Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at [email protected] or (620) 223-0550 ext. 507.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

 

Mi Ranchito Restaurant Opens At 17 S. Main

Mi Ranchito Restaurant, 17 S. Main, on May 23, 2024.

Mi Ranchito Restaurant, 17 S. Main, has opened this holiday weekend, according to owner, Rubler De La Torre.

They opened Sunday for family and friends and on Memorial Day to the public.

“The restaurant looks beautiful,” De La Torre said. “We are very happy with how it turned out.”

They are accepting applications for all positions: cooks, servers, hostesses and bartenders.

One can apply in the restaurant to Hernan Pineda, the restaurant’s general manager.

“You can also apply on Facebook Messenger, at Mi Ranchito Fort Scott,” he said.

The restaurant hours will tentatively be Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“That could change, depending on the business,” De La Torre said.

Rulber De La Torre,  from the Kansas City area, is no stranger to the restaurant business. He has two restaurants in Olathe, two in Overland Park, one in Lenexa, one in Mound City, and one in Gladstone, MO.

De La Torre said restaurant favorites are street tacos and mango chicken salad. Specialties are cream cheese enchiladas,  Jalisco chimichangas, pasta and steaks.

To view the menu: Menu MC & FS (3)(1)

Rubler De La Torre (In the hat) and family. Submitted photo.

The Historic Downtown Fort Scott building at 17 S. Main has seen many different businesses but is known by long-time residents as the Kress Building.

This new restaurant follows the Pizza Republic Restaurant which closed in January 2024.

Robert and Kim Coon, doing business as Coon Rentals LLC, are owners of the building,

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News