Obituary

Obituary of Alvin Pellett

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Alvin Elwood Pellett, aged 94, passed away on September 6, 2024, in Decatur, Texas. Born on July 25, 1930, Alvin affectionately known as Al, was raised on a farm, and learned the value of hard work early in life. His strength and determination were evident when he played football at Ft. Scott Junior College. His athletic prowess continued in the Air Force, where he also served in Vietnam as a reconnaissance analyst. His commitment to his country was a significant part of his identity and remained a source of pride throughout his life.  Al was not only a veteran but also an avid sports fan, often spending time with fellow veterans at the VFW, where he forged many lasting friendships. In retirement, he and his beloved wife, Brenda, settled in Rhome, Texas, enjoying a quieter life together.
Alvin is survived by his wife, Brenda Pellett, his son, Daniel Pellett, and his daughter, Bari Gaylor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Pellett Jr. and Bertha Pellett, his brothers Harlan and Loren Pellett, and his sister Eloyce Parker.
A service to honor Alvin’s life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 26th at the Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel.  Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the V.F.W., an organization that was very dear to Alvin’s heart.  Donations 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 gues

Business, Fort Scott

Susan Eldridge Retires After 41 Years at Union State Bank

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Union State Bank announces the retirement of Susan Eldridge, who has been an integral part of our team since May 1, 1983. Susan, who has served primarily as the bank’s Cashier, will be retiring after an impressive 41 years of dedicated service.

Susan Eldridge’s tenure with Union State Bank has been marked by her unwavering commitment to excellence, customer service, and community involvement. Her extensive knowledge and steadfast dedication have greatly contributed to the success and reputation of our institution. Her retirement marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

To honor Susan’s remarkable career and celebrate her contributions, Union State Bank will be hosting two special receptions in her honor:

  • Uniontown Reception: Tuesday, September 24th, 2024
    • Time: 1 – 3 pm
    • Location: Union State Bank, 204 Sherman Street, Uniontown
  • Fort Scott Reception: Thursday, September 26th, 2024
    • Time: 1 – 3 pm
    • Location: 1009 S. Clark Street, Fort Scott

Both receptions will offer an opportunity for friends, colleagues, and community members to extend their best wishes to Susan and to join us in celebrating Susan’s remarkable career and to wish her well as she embarks on her well-deserved retirement.

For further information, please contact Stevia Ratcliff at (620) 223-0066.

About Union State Bank

Union State Bank has been a cornerstone of the Uniontown and Fort Scott communities, offering personalized banking services and financial solutions for decades. Our commitment to exceptional customer service and community involvement remains at the heart of our mission.

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Outpost 13 West Opening on September 23

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From left: John and Cindy Bowman , Carissa and Alex Bowman, owners of the new  food business venture Outpost 13 West, at 13 W. Oak.

 

The Bowman family, Cindy and John and their son Alex and his wife Carissa, own both Brickstreet BBQ and across the street, the NuGrille Restaurant, at the corner of National Avenue and Oak.

In 2021 they purchased the property west of Brickstreet BBQ to save it, Cindy Bowman said.

On September 23, they will open Outpost 13 West, a Southwestern cuisine restaurant at 13 West Oak Street.

John, Cindy, Carissa and Alex Bowman stand in front of their new business, Outpost 13 West in a newly remodeled historic building at 13 West Oak.

The Bowmans found after they purchased the it,  that it is a 152-year-old historic building.

The oldest record found for the building was 1862, according to records found with help from personnel at the Old Fort Genealogical Society of Southeast Kansas Inc, located at 221 S. National.

The Oulds family built it as a livery stable that was used by the government military, at Fort Scott, and was the corral, used to contain the animals that the U.S. federal fort needed.

The  3,000 square feet building by 2021 was in “pretty bad shape,” said John Bowman.

The building at 13 W. Oak prior to renovation. Submitted photo.
The 13 W. Oak St. building after renovation by the Bowmans.

The arches are a noticeable architectural feature in the renovation.

“The arches are original, but they were closed in and we reopened them,” Cindy said.

The venture will be a build-your-own Southwestern cuisine food line, “you pick it, we will build it,” Alex said.

Southwestern cuisine includes tacos, burritos, etc. with choices of meat and toppings.

The choose-your-own food line at Outpost 13 West.

In addition, there is a separate bar that serves ice cream, slushes,  and desserts.

Ice cream, slushes and desserts will be offered at this separate bar.

There will be 15 employees in the new business, with some being moved from Brickstreet BBQ to help.

September 23 will be the official opening of Outpost 13 West.

Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To contact the restaurant: 620.224.2419. or [email protected]

Inside Outpost 13 West on September 13, where preparation was happening for the restaurant opening on September 23.

About the original building owner

The Bowmans found that before S.A. Oulds came to Fort Scott in 1852, he went to South Australia to the gold mines and made $150,000 there. “He returned to his family in Ohio where he farmed, then traveled south and west to this location where in 1862 he started this livery stable in Fort Scott,” Carissa said.

Cindy said that concrete posts have been added to the front of the building, so vehicles can’t get too close, as a safety measure.

Government, Kansas

KDOT employees celebrate service anniversaries

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The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in October. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.

 

Those celebrating 35 years:

  • Lora Kowach, CIT Program Manager, Longford                                                

 

Those celebrating 30 years:

  • Kevin Hennes, Public Service Executive II , Topeka
  • David Schwartz, Special Projects Engineer, Topeka

 

Those celebrating 25 years:

  • Brian Briggs, Database Administration Supervisor, Topeka
  • John Cukjati, Engineering Technician Specialist, Hutchinson
  • Perry Huffman, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Oakley

 

Those celebrating 20 years:

  • Dominic Harrington, Highway Maintenance Superintendent, Hoyt
  • Michael Hernandez, Network Service Technician III, Topeka
  • Roy Whitcomb, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Kincaid

 

Those celebrating 15 years:

  • Leah Ogden, Public Service Administrator I, Topeka

 

Those celebrating 10 years:

  • Jaylon Ashburn, Equipment Operator Specialist, Troy
  • Jennifer Cavanaugh, ROW Property Appraiser II , Topeka
  • Kevin Diers, Equipment Operator, Osage City
  • Mark Massey, Applications Developer II, Topeka
  • Chelsea Milner, Engineering Technician Senior, Burrton
  • Lisa Mussman, Public Information Officer I, Phillipsburg
  • Brian Varnadore, Equipment Operator, Alma
  • Karen Williams, Equipment Operator Senior, Mapleton

 

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

LMC 2024 National Discovery Award Winners

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September 18, 2024

Vol. 8

Announcing the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

2024 National Discovery Award Winners!

Dr. Toni Guglielmo of the Lowell Milken Family Foundation (pictured on the right) presented the 2024 National Discovery Award Grand Prize to Harmony Yan-Li from Irvine High School (CA) on behalf of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

For its 2024 National Discovery Award competition, the Lowell Milken Center in Fort Scott has awarded over $25,000 in cash prizes to elementary, middle and high school students. This annual competition is designed to inspire students to develop primary and secondary research projects that share the powerful historical impact of unsung heroes whose stories are little-known.

California’s Irvine High School student Harmony Yan-Li was surprised with the news that she is the $6,000 Grand Prize winner of the Lowell Milken Center’s annual National Discovery Award competition. Dr. Toni Guglielmo of the Lowell Milken Family Foundation presented the award to Harmony in front of a group of classmates, family, school officials, and her supervising teacher, Jennifer Harrington. Together, they celebrated and viewed Harmony’s inspiring Unsung Hero documentary, Turning from Tragedy: The Unsung Story of Frances Kelsey and the Thalidomide Scandal.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard shared his thoughts, “Harmony Yan-Li’s project will be proudly shared in our Hall of Unsung Heroes. Her powerful documentary about pharmacologist and physician Frances Kelsey masterfully relates the courage of Dr. Kelsey in taking a bold stand against the use of Thalidomide in the United States, averting a further crisis for women and their unborn children.”

A memorable moment from our Zoom meeting as Rehan Mathew Koshy learns he is the 2024 National Discovery Award First Place winner.

The $3,000 First Place prize was awarded to high school student Rehan Mathew Koshy from Walter Payton College Prep in Illinois. His documentary, Ensign Jane Kendeigh:  Angel to the Rescue, shares the story of Unsung Hero Jane Kendeigh, the first female US Navy flight nurse to land in Iwo Jima during WWII. Rehan’s supervising teacher was Allison Gillick.

Kaitlyn Choi and Madison Choi, students at Jericho High School in New York, were the winners of the $2,500 Outstanding High School Project award, presented to them by LMC Executive Director Norm Conard. Kaitlyn and Madison’s website, Being (Judy) Heumann:  Champion for the Rights of the Disabled, emotionally relates the determination of Unsung Hero Judy Heumann to represent the rights of disabled people in our society. Brian Dussel was their supervising teacher.

The $2,000 Outstanding Middle School Project award was presented by LMC Executive Director Norm Conard in New York to Jericho Middle School student Jay Patel for his documentary, The Color of Blood:  Dr. Charles Drew, An Unsung Hero in Blood Preservation. Charles Drew’s transformation in blood preservation and the establishment of blood banks helped save millions of lives during World War II and continues to save lives today. Teacher Michelle Vevante supervised his project.

More photos from the Jericho H.S. and M.S. presentations will be featured in a future newsletter!

LMC Program Director Megan Felt awarded the Founder’s Award to students Anna McLaughlin and Danika Szopinski from Seaman High School in Topeka, KS. Their documentary, Bela Hazan:  The Courier Who Redefined Resistance and Changed History, shares the important but unknown story of a young Jewish victim of the Holocaust. As a courier and member of the Jewish Resistance, Hazan smuggled information, money, and other goods to ghettos during the Holocaust. Susan Sittenauer was their supervising teacher for the project.

The Outstanding International Project was awarded to high school students in Cherkasy, Ukraine. Their website, Oleksandra Shulezhko:  The story of a woman who saved more than a hundred children during World War II, is a powerful testament to the efforts of the Ukrainian teacher who courageously sheltered and saved dozens of Jewish children during the Holocaust. Feature coming soon!

The $1,500 Outstanding Elementary School Project award was presented to Christian Learning Center students Charlee Wells and Hadley Wells by LMC Program Director Megan Felt in Fort Scott, KS. Their documentary, Etching Voices:  An Unsung Hero in the Recording and Music Industry, shares the story of Unsung Hero Emile Berliner, whose invention of the gramophone greatly impacted the accessibility and affordability of recorded music for people throughout the world. The supervising teacher was Rachel Wells.

LMC Program Director Megan Felt is pictured with students Danika Szopinski and Anna McLaughlin, creators of the 2024 National Discovery Award Founder’s Award-winning project on Unsung Hero Bela Hazan, alongside their teacher, Susan Sittenauer, a 2014 LMC Fellow.

Hadley Wells and Charlee Wells, students from Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott, Kansas, proudly display the check they were awarded for winning the Outstanding Elementary School Project.

In addition to these outstanding 2024 Discovery Award entries, other students and teachers were honored for their excellent work. The following seven projects received  Certificate of Excellence awards:

  • Student Aprameyan Ramanujan, Spring Hill Elementary in VA, (Teacher Shvetha Ramanujan) Warrior on Wheels – Judith Heumann, the Mother of the Disability Rights Movement
  • Student Jackson Mehmen, Nashua-Plains Middle School in IA, (Teacher Suzy Turner) Dr. Norman Borlaug:  Scientist and Humanitarian
  • Students Rayan and Rumaisa Hasan, Jericho Middle School in NY), (Teachers Laura Suchopar, Marci Kivo and Michelle Vevante) Jean Heller:  The Unsung Hero Who Paved the Way for American Bioethics
  • Student Ananya Kavi, Jericho Middle School in NY, (Teacher Pamela Travis)

    A Heart of Gold:  The Heroic Work of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams

  • Student Charlie Stones, Washburn Rural High School in KS, (Teachers Lindsey Dowell and Alice Bertels) March 19, 1966 (Unsung Hero Don Haskins)
  • Student Claira Morgan, Loup County High School in NE, (Teacher Megan Helberg) Percy Hobart:  The Mind That Helped Win World War II
  • Students Makenna Hatten and Andrew Ritter, Moriarty High School in NM, (Teacher Amy Page) Remembering Angkar:  How Dith Pran Risked Death to Record the Cambodian Genocide

Additionally, the following were also recognized:

  • National Outstanding Discovery Award Teacher:  Chris Dier, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans, LA
  • Outstanding Teacher Awards:  Megan Helberg, Loup County Public Schools, (NE); Tami Lunsford, Newark Charter School, (NJ); Miranda Spina and Jayda Pugliese, St. Mary Interparochial School (PA)
  • Outstanding School Award: Jericho High School and Middle School (NY)

    Jericho Teachers: Michelle Vevante, Theresa Cantwell, James Lawlor, Laura Suchopar, Pamela Travis, Marci Kivo, Brian Dussel, Sarah Espinal, Konstantine Kovoros, Randi Sambursky, and Dr. Eric Sandberg

Chris Dier from Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, LA, and a 2023 LMC Fellow, was named the National Discovery Award Outstanding Teacher. Chris was recognized for his exceptional contributions to the Discovery Award competition and for student engagement.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard pictured with students from Jericho High School and Middle School, recipients of the 2024 National Discovery Award Outstanding School Award. Their dedication and teamwork as a district earned them this prestigious recognition.

LMC’s Discovery Award provides a unique opportunity for US and International students in grades 4 through 12 to research primary sources and use their talents to develop projects that showcase the power of one person to make positive change in the world. “Real heroes tower and guide,” said LMC Founder Lowell Milken. “But their stories need to be discovered and heard. When we do, we have the opportunity to motivate new generations to aspire to values that are essential during the challenging times we face individually, as a nation, and as a world community.”

Submissions for the next competition season are due July 1, 2025. Project work may begin immediately.

Established in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC) discovers, develops, and communicates the stories of unsung heroes who have profoundly and positively impacted history, yet are largely unrecognized by contemporary generations. The LMC has reached over 3,300,000 students and 44,000 schools in all 50 states and countries worldwide. Learn more about LMC and the Discovery Award.

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Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

FSHS Thespians Host 7th Annual Royal-Tea & Friends Party

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The Fort Scott High School Thespians host their 7th Annual Royal-Tea & Friends Party from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 12 in the FSHS Commons and Courtyard.

Children can join their favorite princesses and princes, queens and kings and other members of the royal court. They are invited to take photos with favorite characters as they make crafts, have treats, and play games. Over thirty Fort Scott High School Thespians will be dressed in character and leading the event.  New this year: the inclusion of superheroes, villains, and other cartoon characters. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume as well.

 

Tickets for the Royal-Tea & Friends Party are $5 per child and all must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be purchased online in advance at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door.

 

Featured characters are the stars of the FSHS Fall Musical – Frozen Jr. They include Junie Fisher as Elsa, Chris Newman as Anna, Theodore Bowman as Olaf, and Mykael Lewis as Kristoff. FSHS performs Frozen Jr. on Nov. 12 and 14 at 7 p.m. and on Nov. 16 at 2 and 7 p.m.

 

For more information, please see the Fort Scott High School Thespians Facebook page or contact Angie Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622.

Business, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Hosted by Brickstreet BBQ on September 19

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Join us for Chamber Coffee!

Thursday, September 19th, 8am
Hosted by Brickstreet BBQ

3 W. Oak St.

In the Downtown Historic District!

Click here for their Facebook page.

Click here for their website.

_____________

We hope to see you there for Networking * Community News * Refreshments!
Brickstreet BBQ is going on a year and a half of operation with its delectable in-house smoked meats and sides. Their non-barbecue items have been a huge hit as well for locals with wraps and fresh salads. They are moving right along into Fall with soups, bread bowls and pumpkin spice desserts.

They just received fantastic news that Brickstreet’s America’s Best Restaurants premiere date will be late October!

See their menu below!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Youth

Local Students Win LMC Outstanding Elementary School History Project

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CHRISTIAN LEARNING CENTER STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR DISCOVERING UNSUNG HERO WHO IMPACTED HISTORY

 

FORT SCOTT, KS, (September 18, 2024) – For its 2024 Discovery Award competition, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott has awarded over $25,000 in cash prizes to elementary, middle, and high school students. This international competition is designed to inspire students to develop primary and secondary research projects that share the stories of unsung heroes who have impacted history, yet their stories remain largely unknown.

 

The $1,500 Outstanding Elementary School Project award was presented to Christian Learning Center students Charlee and Hadley Wells by LMC Program Director Megan Felt in Fort Scott, KS. Their documentary, Etching Voices: An Unsung Hero in the Recording and Music Industry, shares the story of Unsung Hero Emile Berliner, whose invention of the gramophone greatly impacted the accessibility and affordability of recorded music for people worldwide. (Teacher Rachel Wells)

 

Sharing his thoughts, LMC Executive Director Norm Conard said, “Charlee and Hadley’s documentary highlights the importance of the invention of the gramophone, making us aware of Emile Berliner and his significant impact on our ability to access the music we love.”

 

LMC’s Discovery Award provides a unique opportunity for U.S. and International students in grades 4 through 12 to research primary sources and use their talents to develop projects that showcase the power of one person to make positive change in the world. “Real heroes tower and guide,” said LMC Founder Lowell Milken. “Their stories need to be discovered and heard, motivating new generations to aspire to values that are essential during the challenging times we face.”

 

Submissions for the next competition season are due July 1, 2025. Project work may begin immediately.

Established in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC) discovers, develops, and communicates the stories of unsung heroes who have profoundly and positively impacted history yet are largely unrecognized by contemporary generations. LMC has reached over 3,000,000 students and 30,000 schools in all 50 states and countries around the world. Learn more about LMC and the Discovery Award. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

 

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Virtual Statewide Job Fair Highlights Booming Opportunities for Jobseekers

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TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for talent to take part in the final Virtual Statewide Job Fair of the year, hosted by KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 25.

“The reliable and resourceful Kansas workforce is attracting a record number of companies to our state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “And having so many new jobs is creating opportunities for Kansas jobseekers looking to take the next jump in their professional careers.”

The Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers, and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers might request to engage in a video interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click here.

About KANSASWORKS:

KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at KANSASWORKS.com. State employment opportunities can be found at jobs.ks.gov.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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Bourbon County Local News