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Gordon Parks Museum receives Irby Endowment Award

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With the Dr. Pratt and Pauline Irby Endowment Fund Award – courtesy of Janet Braun, Bob Irby and Mary Rio, all siblings of the benefactors – Gordon Parks Museum officials were able to purchase a 43–inch touch– screen display and tablet kiosks with stands and software, available for use by visitors of any age.


“We are very thankful to receive this very kind donation and award from the Irby family in honor of Dr. Pratt and Pauline Irby,” said museum executive director Kirk Sharp. “The touch–screen displays with the large viewing screen help the museum to engage visitors in different ways. This helps give visitors of the museum a more modern approach to learning, viewing and appreciating the collection and works of Gordon Parks.”


The interactive display, which allows visitors to view photos, videos, interviews, music and more, Sharp said, will be available for use in the meeting room/lobby area of the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center during the annual Gordon Parks celebration Oct. 6–8.


Museum visits and tours can be scheduled for a later date by calling (620) 223–2700, ext. 5850, or by sending an email to [email protected].

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Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Homecoming Candidates 2022

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Front Row Left to right; Ranse Keating, Embry Metcalf
2nd Row Left to right: Jescie Comstock, Lanie Krokroskia, Tobyn Schubert, Ellie Smith, Lillian Westhoff
3rd Row Left to right: Nathaniel Adams, Kaleb Bailey, Sam Deloney, Hayden Harris, Eli Kellogg

The Fort Scott High School Homecoming festivities will be as follows:

A Pep Assembly will be held on September 30 at 10:00 AM at the High School Gym.

The Coronation Ceremony will be at 6:30 PM before the Football game with the Labette County Grizzles that evening.

Game time is 7:00 PM.

Submitted by

Bert Lewis

Student Council Sponsor, Senior & Junior Class Sponsor, Key Club Sponsor, Ed Rising Sponsor,  and Scholars’ Bowl Coach
Fort Scott High School
1005 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701
620-223-0600
Health Care, Kansas

Top 7 Ways YOU Can Help Prevent Suicide

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Throughout the United States, September is observed as Suicide Prevention Awareness Prevention Month. And, while it may seem pretty apparent that suicide is a national problem, it may feel like it’s a problem only for the mental health community to solve. However, that’s not true at all. Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center therapists have a few tips for helping someone who may be considering suicide or is in a mental health crisis leading them toward hurting themselves.

  1. Be Proactive. Having a conversation with someone about their mental health will probably be uncomfortable. However, it can make a HUGE difference. Instead of waiting for someone you see struggling to ask for help (which they may never do), ask them some questions and start up the conversation.
  2. Exhibit genuine interest and ask questions. Questions might include:
    • “It seems like you’re not yourself today. Do you want to talk about what’s wrong?”
    • “I’ve noticed you’re a little down. Can we talk about how you’re feeling?”
    • “You look like something might be bothering you. What’s on your mind?”
  3. Encourage them to keep talking and offer support. As the conversation gets started, really listen to your friend or family member. Hear what they have to say. Express concern about their worries and empathize with them. Offer support. Statements could be:
  • “I can imagine how tough this must be for you.”
  • “I’m so glad you’re telling me about what’s going on and how you’re feeling. Thank you for sharing with me.”
  • “I’m right here with you. Nothing changes how I feel about you.”
  • “Wow – this situation sounds difficult. How can I help you get through this?”
  1. Be direct with questions about suicide. Trust your instincts if you get the feeling someone is considering harming themselves or committing suicide. Research indicates saying “suicide” will NOT push someone to action or put the idea in their head. Do NOT pass judgment. Examples are:
  • “Are you thinking of doing something to end your life?”
  • “Does it sometimes get so tough you are thinking of killing yourself?”
  • “Do you have plans to hurt yourself?”
  1. Talk it through. Even though it’s scary to think your friend or family member is mentally preparing to take their own life, it’s up to you provide a calm voice. Stay with them. Help them remove lethal means. Encourage them to seek help. Assist them in finding resources.
  2. Don’t assume they’re talking to others. It’s a mistake to think they’re sharing their situation with others. You might be the only person your friend or family member has confided in. Take their words seriously and never discount their concerns. Help them create a safety plan. Assist them in putting together a list of people they can talk to for help, including mental health professionals and loved ones who can offer support and love.
  3. Be patient. It’s hard for someone to talk to you about their problems. They may need encouragement and patience along the way as they share their emotions. Many people experience shame, anxiety and despair as they share their suicide thoughts with others. You may not have the right words – or even know what to say at all when they share their thoughts. Sometimes, it’s enough to just sit and be with someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis that is making them consider suicide.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If someone you know is exhibiting warning signs of ending their life, encourage them to reach out for help. One resource is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline3, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, is now an easy-to-remember 24/7 resource for reaching trained crisis counselors who can help with suicide, mental health and substance use-related crises. (988 replaces a longer and harder to remember 10-digit phone number.) Much like calling 911 in an emergency, people in crisis or those having thoughts of suicide may call or text 988 for immediate assistance during anytime of the day or night.

About Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center

The mission of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is to provide, advocate and coordinate quality mental health care, services and programs for people in its service area. Our vision is to improve the qualify of life in southeast Kansas. We offer services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho and Woodson. Our core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination and 24/7 crisis intervention services. For more information, visit www.sekmhc.org.

 

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Government, Kansas

KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment

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KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2023-2026 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp.

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Oct. 5. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-3254.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
Business, Kansas

Kansas Small Business Grant Program Starts

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Small Business Research & Development Grant Program

TOPEKA – Today Governor Laura Kelly announced a new program that will help Kansas small businesses innovate, bring new products and services to market, and compete at a global level. The Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grants, which were approved by the 2022 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kelly, are being made available through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“These grants enable small businesses to enter new markets and stay ahead in our rapidly changing economy,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “My focus since Day One has been to strengthen the Kansas economy. By spurring innovation, we’re helping Kansas companies reach new levels of growth and prosperity.”

The Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grants are designed to assist Kansas small businesses in advancing a product or service to commercialization; modifying a product or service to enter a new market; or gaining a new client by leveraging higher education facilities, equipment, and expertise.

Prospective grant recipients will work with a Kansas public higher education institution to conduct research and development and receive a 50/50 matching grant up to $25,000.

“Coupling the research and development power of the Kansas higher education system with individual companies will prove transformational in our state’s already strong business climate,” said Lt. Governor David Toland. “This is a classic example of how good public policy can positively influence economic development.”

The grant program is open to Kansas registered businesses headquartered in Kansas with 50 or fewer full-time employees with at least 60 percent of its workforce, including contracted staff, in Kansas. For every dollar received from the Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grant, the company must contribute a dollar of its own resources. Up to 50 percent of the match may be an in-kind contribution if it is provided by a public higher education institution and approved by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Approved projects must be completed within one year.

The fall 2022 application window is open now through October 17 and grants will be announced in November. For more information and to complete an application, please go to: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/rdaccelerationgrants/ or click here.

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Government, Kansas

Kansas Water Photo Contest & Student Research Poster Submissions Being Accepted

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Photos and Student Posters Featured at Water Conference

 

Kansas is home to an abundance of beautiful natural resources, and Kansans are encouraged to capture the most vital of these: water. The Kansas Water Office (KWO) is accepting photos to be featured in conjunction with the 2022 Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas in November. The photos need to pertain to water or water use in Kansas. Examples include all bodies of water, irrigation, agriculture, recreation and fun, or other water infrastructure.

 

The top winning photo from each category will be featured at the 2022 Governor’s Water Conference. The winners also be featured in several of the KWO publications throughout the year. October 28 is the deadline to submit photos at [email protected].

 

Student research will also continue to be a feature during the conference. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit abstracts on their water-related research to be presented as posters. Any research that involves water quantity, quality or water education is eligible and cash awards are available. The submission deadline is November 2.

 

For more information about both contests as well as tentative conference agenda and speakers, please select Governor’s Water Conference at kwo.ks.gov under the News & Events section. Conference registration is required.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 Preschool Screening on October 7

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DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
September 23, 2022

USD 234 Preschool Screenings

USD 234 will provide preschool screenings for children up to the age of 5 years on October 7 ,2022. Children may have vision, hearing, speech./communication, motor skills, socialization skills, and general development screened.


Appointnents may be scheduled by calling Tammy Catron, Fort Scott
Preschool Center,223-8965, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The deadline for scheduling an appointment is September 30, 2022.

The purpose of the screenings is to locate and identifr children with
possible developmental delays who may need special education preschool and/or related services.

Opinion

Thinking Inside the Box By Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

“One thing no one ever talks about when it comes to being an adult is how much time we debate keeping a cardboard box because it’s, you know…a really good box.”

I don’t know who said that, but that person must have been eavesdropping yesterday morning when Dave and I “straightened up” our garage, an activity I always dread because it has the potential to drastically change my mood.  Especially when Dave points to my stash of cardboard boxes, resting harmlessly—yet potentially useful—on a high shelf that requires a ladder to reach.  I know what you’re thinking: “Gee, Dave, it’s not like she has them stuffed in your car or anything.”                                                                                                                                      I appreciate your support.                                                                                                                  For the most part, I’m Dave’s gopher on these sorts of tasks.  I go for his tools or help him lift something heavy or remind him to drink water or hold the dolly or measuring tape or whatever it takes to serve my man.  I say very little because this is his domain, except of course when he attacks my boxes. My words never change: “Dave, one never knows when one might need a microwave box or a thimble box or anything in between.”                                                                         Dave’s response makes no sense.  “So, shouldn’t those boxes have a shelf life of three or four years and then be thrown out?”  Really!  If you are a forward thinker like I am, you can predict what will happen.  The day after I leave my boxes for the trash man, some emergency will arise and I will need what I just tossed.  I’m not sure what that emergency might be, but it surely could happen.  One needs to be prepared.                                                                              I am a preparer. Probably to a fault. If leaving for a trip, I pack days ahead of time.  That way, I can change my mind numerous times and still manage to get where I’m going without something I need.  I make food items as far ahead as I can, meaning I will make only two trips to the grocery store the day that meal is scheduled.  If my Zoom Bible study leader gives a homework assignment due in a week, I am ready to go days before we meet. I will have forgotten half of what I’ve learned, but, by golly, I can raise my hand when asked if we read the assignment.  I’m never late. If I’m late, I’m probably dead.                                                                          Still, I sort of admire people who fly by the seat of their pants.  They have less angst than I, as they don’t get uptight about last-minute preparations. “What if” is not in their vocabulary, whereas it is my mantra.  Because of that, you would think that I would be ultra-prepared to meet my Maker.  Luke 21:36 should be a scripture I never would forget: Be alert at all times. Pray so that you have the power to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand in front of the Son of Man.                                                                                                                                          I need to be confident that when it’s time to go Home, I will have done everything necessary to be assured of spending eternity with Jesus. I will end well.  Feeding the poor.  Praying.  Writing an encouraging note.  Praying.  Running an errand for an invalid.  Praying.  Maybe even taking all my boxes to the trash can, just to please my husband.                         Naah, not that last one.                                                                                                                 Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”  Next time Dave suggests I part with my stockpile of boxes, I plan to tell him that.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

Obituary

Obituary of Daryl Giltner

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Daryl Wayne Giltner, age 76, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, September 22, 2022, at his home. He was born October 11, 1945, in Parsons, KS, the son of Elmer and Cleda Wigelsworth Giltner.  Daryl worked with his father in the family shoe shop in Parsons until he later took ownership. There he learned to work with leather and later worked with his sons. He worked for several auto dealerships through the years and co-owned Giltner Motors in Fredonia, KS. He worked for Modern Home Center in Pittsburg, KS, as well as Farm Bureau Insurance during his career. Daryl enjoyed sports, especially basketball and racquetball. He liked motorcycles, boats, racing cars, and basically anything with wheels and a motor. He enjoyed spending time at the lake. He loved spending time with his family most of all.

 

Survivors include his wife Patty of the home; 6 children, Pam Martin and husband Rich, Camdenton, MO, Louie Giltner and wife Julie, Franklin, KS, Terry Giltner, and wife Romi, Chouteau, OK, Brandon Giltner, Ft. Scott, Noah Giltner and Molly, Abilene, TX, and Zach Giltner and wife Jamie, Durant, IA;  a sister, Peggy Shoemaker and husband Merle, Derby, KS; 13 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren and one on the way; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Sonny Giltner; a sister, Sharon Jones; and his parents.

 

Pastor Michael Wriston will conduct memorial services at 1:00 PM Wednesday, September 28th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial of cremains will follow in Springhill Cemetery, Parsons, KS. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347,201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission: Special Meeting To Approve Severance Agreement with Zellner

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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.  This meeting will be held to approve the severance agreement for Kelley Zellner.

 

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel.  This meeting is open to the public.

Bourbon County Local News