Opinion

Selfie by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

Dave noticed her from our Mazatlán deck and pointed her out to me.  She, the mother of three youngsters, sat in her lounge chair nearby while her kiddies played in the pool.  For fifteen (15!!!) minutes, she took Selfies, which, statistically speaking, were some of the 93 million taken that day.

First, she checked the sunlight.  Then she twisted sideways.  Swished her hair.  Puckered her lips.  Moved her bangs.  Crossed her legs.  Uncrossed her legs.  Raised her eyebrows. Tossed her head.  Showed her pearly whites.  Closed her mouth.  Turned the other direction and started over.

You name it.  She tried it.  This mother was determined to find one photo that made her look stunning, oblivious to her young kids in the pool. Dave found it fascinating that she was so picky about finding the perfect pose to impress…well, someone. (Perhaps just herself?)

Surely one of the Selfies in the first minute should have done the trick, right? I mean, even I can probably find one picture that makes me look younger, skinnier and sexier quicker than that.                      Okay, I can’t, but you know what I mean.

Talk about self-consumed neediness!  The woman’s search to appear perfect screamed volumes of insecurity. Goodness, she has three children.  If ever an excuse existed to have crows’ feet, eyebags and unruly hair, this was it.  Relish it.  Be empowered by it.  Use it.

Like I do.

But then, for some reason, I started thinking of myself, and yes, I know, that that in itself is a form of neediness.  Haven’t I been known to delete album photos that for some silly reason make me appear 30 pounds overweight?  Or magnify my double-chin? Or show my bald spot?

Yes to all of the above.

But that’s not the worst of it.  Not only am I needy in the physical realm, I’m needy in the spiritual realm even more, even though I want to want (read that again) everything in my life to be about loving God first and looking forward to life with Him in eternity. You know, loving the cross more than the crown.

Don’t I agree with Paul’s writing in 2 Corinthians 5:8? “…we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”  Paul would never have taken a Selfie.  His purpose on earth had nothing to do with how he looked to others.  It was all about pleasing Jesus and meeting him face-to-face in Heaven.

I’ve been thinking that someone should invent a Sacred Selfie to reveal our spiritual lives…sort of a wake-up call for Christians who just might need to get into the Son-light to examine their priorities.

Then again, maybe that’s what the Bible is for.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Donald Daily

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Donald Dwight Daily, age 64, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Sunday, May 1, 2022, at his home.  He was born September 18, 1957, in Clearwater, FL, the son of Harry and Gwendolyn Martin Daily.

Donald worked as an over the road truck driver for most of his life.

He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Ft. Scott.

Survivors include two sons, Tanner Daily, Iola, KS, and Lakota Daily, Ft. Scott, KS; a daughter, Rebekah Daily, Sedalia, MO; two stepsons, Jerry Foss, Tillamook, OR, and Robert Johnson, OR; two stepdaughters, Bobbi Grey, Towanda, KS, and Wanda Patton, Ft. Scott, KS; a brother, Dio Daily, Springfield, MO; a sister, Barbara Daily, Tahlequah, OK; 21 grandchildren; and 24 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Daily, and his parents.

 

There was cremation.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, May 12th, at the First Southern Baptist Church in Ft. Scott, KS.

Burial will take place at a later date in Drumright, OK.

Memorials are suggested to the Donald Daily Memorial Fund 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.

Obituary

Obituary of Dorothy Hofman

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Dorothy Mae Hofman, age 84, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was born June 1, 1937, at the family farm near Fulton, Kansas, the daughter of Fred Wiley and Opal Duncan Wiley.  She first married Merle Large on December 24, 1952.  Together they had eight children.  Merle and Dorothy later divorced, and she married Ed Hofman.  Ed later preceded her in death.

Through the years, Dorothy worked at various grocery stores and restaurants, but her primary job was taking care of her children.  She enjoyed decorating cakes and crocheting.  She made many afghans which were donated to area charities.  She was a member of the Elks Lodge and the V.F.W. Auxiliary and enjoyed participating in their charitable endeavors.

 

Survivors include six children, Dianna Brown (Russell), Auxvasse, Missouri, Curtis Large (Tammy), Beardstown, Illinois, Joyce Mills (Robert), Ft. Scott, Kansas, Gena Surratt (James), Meredosia, Illinois, Chuck Large (Beth) also of Meredosia and Fred Large of Ft. Scott, a son-in-law, Jim Brown also of Ft. Scott, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two brothers, Dale Wiley (Marie) and Lloyd Wiley all of Ft. Scott.

In addition to her husband, Ed, Dorothy was preceded in death by a son, Tom Large, a daughter, Susan Brown, a grandson, Aaron Brown, two brothers, Don and Larry Wiley and a sister-in-law, Jean Wiley.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 10th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the West Liberty Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday prior to the service at the funeral home.

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.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

 Who says breast cancer awareness is only for October? 

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Sliding fee discounts and financial assistance is available to eligible patients, as stated on the front door of the CHC/SEK Clinic in Fort Scott.

CHC/SEK Fort Scott to host mammogram screening event

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is hosting Mammo Mania, a mammography screening event for women age 40 and older who have not received a recent mammogram.

The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 at the Fort Scott main clinic located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd Fort Scott.

Women in Southeast Kansas rank far below state and national averages in receiving this life-saving screening, and having the service available within the clinic helps remove barriers many women have in receiving timely breast cancer screenings. Likewise, the walk-in event will give patients an option on when they can arrive.

Because CHC/SEK believes every woman should have the best quality mammogram available, every patient receives a 3D exam.  A physician’s referral is also not required. The screening is available to eligible women regardless of ability to pay.

CHC/SEK uses the Hologic Genius system that screens the breast in 4 seconds for a much less compression time, with less radiation exposure than many conventional mammography machines. The Genius exam is also superior for denser breasts, that that can hide early signs of cancer in a traditional mammogram. 

In addition, the Hologic Genius scans potentially reduce patient callback by up to 40 percent compared to 2D, sparing the emotional and economic toll of additional testing, including biopsies when there could be nothing wrong.

For more information people can call 620-223-8484.

                                                                
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

New President for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta and A Swap Meet May 6-7

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Craig Shikles. Taken from Facebook.

For those looking for unique items, this weekend the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta (PHF) Swap Meet will be happening at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street.

“You can find tractor parts, crafts, lots of odds and ends,” PHF President Craig Shikles (Pronounced “Shy-kullz.”) said. “It is coinciding with the (Fort Scott) town wide yard sale.”

“We will be serving biscuits and gravy with real gravy, not from the box,” he said. “For lunch we will be selling hot dogs and brats, tips and also home made desserts.”

“We will be located in the cattle barn at the fairgrounds,” he said. “So no matter what weather, we will be under cover.”

The swap meet will be Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta

The first weekend in October is the traditional annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, this year Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2.

The event kicks off with a parade of antique, classic farm implements and more through Fort Scott’s historic downtown on Thursday, September 29 at 6 PM.

Experience educational and historic exhibits, refreshments and live musical entertainment all weekend. All three days are alive with steam engines, blacksmiths, food and flea market vendors, drag saw demonstrations, tractors and gas engines on display, Baker Fan demonstrations.

The public is invited to also enjoy  arts and crafts, quilt show, straw bailing, wheat thrashing, corn husking/shelling, rock crushing, saw mill operation, and many more  events!

Kick off fall in the four-state’s region by attending the 66th annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in  Fort Scott.

About the New President

Shikles, 67, was elected president in December 2021 of PHF.

“I had been president before,” he said.

He is retired from Missouri State University as a custodial foreman in the residential life department, he said.

Shikles became a part of PHF about 30 years ago, following a interest in steam engines, he said.

He is a licensed steam engine operator, one of three at the PHF.

“Steam engines are unique,” he said. “You put water in them…and they become alive. Wood is the fuel. It’s an external combustion engine. You start with cold water and it takes four hours to get them up to 360 degrees steam. They are really powerful.”

 

From the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta website.

 

Contacts for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta

The PHF meets at 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Yeager Building at the fairgrounds. Dues are $10 a year.

Government

Newly Created Position at KDOT Filled

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Alexander named KDOT Transportation Electrification Manager
Tami Alexander has been named the Transportation Electrification Manager for the Kansas Department of Transportation. The position was recently created to help the agency focus on strategic planning for electric transportation and to administer federal program funds. Alexander started her new role on May 2.

Alexander previously worked for Metropolitan Energy Center, a nonprofit organization, as their Senior Program Coordinator and served as the Central Kansas Clean Cities Coordinator. She was responsible for programs within the transportation department on alternative fuel infrastructure and vehicle deployments and also educated the public and governments on electric vehicles (EV) and EV charging equipment.

“I am passionate about promoting the economic and environmental benefits of alternative fuels and vehicles and working with rural and urban communities to help them plan and implement projects that support their goals,” she said.

Alexander has bachelor’s degrees in mathematics-statistics and geology and a master’s in environmental science, all from Wichita State University. She is a Kansas native and lives in Wichita with her husband and their three children.

Tami Alexander
Obituary

Obituary of Helen Farney

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HELEN PHILIMENA FRIEDEN FARNEY WENT TO BE WITH HER LORD AND SAVIOR, MAY 2, 2022 AT THE AGE OF 93 YEARS, 6 MONTHS, AND 24 DAYS. SHE WAS BORN ON OCTOBER 8TH, 1928 IN THE FAMILY HOME NORTH OF BURLINGTON, OKLAHOMA, THE 3RD CHILD OF FRIEDA AND JEFF FRIEDEN.

HELEN WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HER HUSBAND, HUBER BENJAMIN, THE LOVE OF HER LIFE, PARENTS, FRIEDA AND JEFF FRIEDEN: BROTHERS, HAROLD (KEARNEY, NEBRASKA), JOE (KIOWA, KS.),AND  SISTER MARIE TUCKER(KIOWA,KS.): BROTHERS  IN LAW: DALE TUCKER, DWAINE REEVES, AND JEFF GROOM.

HELEN IS SURVIVED BY HER TWO CHILDREN: SON TOM AND WIFE GAY LEE (KIOWA, KS) AND DAUGHTER ALETA BANWART AND HUSBAND DON (FORT SCOTT, KS)

GRANDCHILDREN: BRANDON THOMAS(MARIANNA) FARNEY, KRISTEN JILL (EDGAR) FLAVELL (COLWICH, KS),  JUSTIN RAY BANWART , ALESHA DAWN (JARED) MARTIN , FORT SCOTT, KS, AND ALYSSA LEE (LEVI), OLATHE, KS.

GREAT GRANDCHILDREN:  SHANIA TRISTIN FARNEY, LIMESTONE, TN,  BRIAN BENJAMIN (JENNIFER),HAZELTON, KS, JOSEPH THOMAS (MALORIE) FARNEY, SHARON, KS:  BRAYDEN LEIGHTON, &  CHANDLER RAY FLAVELL, COLWICH, KS,:  MADELYN ALEXIS (AUSTIN)LATSHAW, KANSAS CITY, KS, EMMA ROSE,  & CEDRIK JARED MARTIN ( FT SCOTT),  AVA GRACE AND LILA JOANN ARNOLD, OLATHE, KS.

GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN:  MANHATTAN ELAINE LATSHAW(MADELYN AND AUSTIN),  AND SOPHIA MARIE FARNEY,(BRIAN AND JENNY)

HELEN IS SURVIVED BY 2 SISTERS:  ROSEANN REEVES(WICHITA, KS.) AND MARILYN SUE GROOM (OREGON) AND 2 BROTHERS:  IVAN JAMES (TEXAS), AND JEFFREY (HOWARD, KS). : SISTERS  IN LAW: EILEEN FRIEDEN(KEARNEY, NB) AND MILDRED FRIEDEN(KIOWA,KS) AND MANY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

HELEN ATTENDED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND GRADUATED FROM BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL IN 1946.

AS A YOUNG WOMAN, IN HIGH SCHOOL, SHE HELPED THE NEIGHBORS BY WATCHING THEIR CHILDREN,

CLEANING THEIR HOMES ETC. FOR THE GOING RATE OF $3.OO PER WEEK.  AFTER GRADUATION , SHE WAS ASKED TO DRIVE HER AUNT AND UNCLE, PETE AND MARIE FARNEY, TO ILLINOIS.  WHEN THEY RETURNED HOME, HER DAD HAD A JOB WAITING FOR HER BEGINNING THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AT THE FIRST STATE BANK IN KIOWA.  1946 WAS AN IMPORTANT YEAR TO HELEN AS SHE WAS BAPTIZED IN THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN  BURLINGTON, OK.  TWO YEARS LATER SHE MARRIED HUBER BENJAMIN FARNEY, THE LOVE OF HER LIFE, AND MOVED TO THE FARNEY HOME EAST OF KIOWA.

HELEN WORKED AT THE BANK OF KIOWA , DORIS FASHION SHOP, AND FISHER-WOOD HARDWARE, WHERE SHE WAS TOP SALESWOMAN DURING CHRISTMAS AND WON A BEDROOM SUITE.  LATER IN LIFE, SHE WORKED AT KIOWA HOSPITAL AS A SPECIAL, WHEN NEEDED TO CARE FOR TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS THAT NEEDED EXTRA CARE DURING THE NIGHT.

HELEN AND HUBER ENJOYED TRAVELING TOGETHER.  THERE WERE MANY ROAD TRIPS, AND TRIPS TO VISIT THEIR SIBLINGS.  A HIGHLIGHT WAS A MEMORABLE TRIP TO SWITZERLAND WITH ANNIE AND AARON YAUSSI(HUBER’S SISTER AND HUSBAND)

IN AUGUST 1985, HELEN AND HUBER OPENED THE COUNTRY CORRAL ANTIQUE SHOP.  THEY ENJOYED ATTENDING ANTIQUE SHOWS AND AUCTIONS,  COLLECTING MANY SPECIAL ITEMS TOGETHER.  HELEN HAD A VAST KNOWLEDGE AND EYE FOR UNIQUE ANTIQUES AND APPRECIATED THEIR VALUE.   SHE RETIRED IN 2012 AFTER HAVING OPEN HEART SURGERY.

OVER THE YEARS, SHE ENJOYED COOKING MANY MEALS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.  SHE COULD PUT A MEAL TOGETHER AND ON THE TABLE IN 30 MINUTES.  SHE WAS A GRACIOUS HOSTESS.  FOR MANY YEARS, HELEN HOSTED A CHRISTMAS BRUNCH FOR THE LADIES OF THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

SHE ENJOYED SHOPPING FOR OTHERS AND TAKING FOOD TO THEIR HOMES WHEN THEY WERE ILL. HELEN WAS WELL KNOW AROUND KIOWA FOR HER FAMOUS FUDGE.  THOSE, LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE GIFTED WITH THE FUDGE, HAVE NOt FORGOTTEN THE DELICIOUS CONFECTION.

HELEN LOVED HER CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN, BABYSITTING, ATTENDING THEIR SPORTS AND MUSICAL EVENTS. IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HER TO BE PRESENT FOR HER FAMILY.  SHE HAD A WAY OF MAKING EVERY DAY INTO SOMETHING FUN AND SPECIAL.

 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, May 5th at the Apostolic Christian Church in Ft. Scott, Kansas.

A second service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 6th at the Apostolic Christian Church in Kiowa, Kansas.

Private burial will take place in the Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery in Burlington, Oklahoma.

Memorials are suggested to either the Ft. Scott or Kiowa Apostolic Christian Church or to Ft. Scott Christian Heights School 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.

Bourbon County

Kiwanis Prayer Walk Tomorrow, May 5

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Sending on behalf of Chamber member Kiwanis Pioneers of Fort Scott.
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Join the Prayer Walk for the

National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 5th

4:30-6:00pm

Riverfront Park

Sponsored by Kiwanis Pioneers

Overflow parking available at Twister Trailers
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The public is invited to stroll the loop and stop at four designated reflection points to pray.

On May 5th, Americans from all walks of life will unite to lift up our country in prayer for the National Day of Prayer. Our nation has endured tragedy and pain, but we know prayer has carried us through these days and the hand of God will move us into a brighter future.

The theme for this year’s event is

“EXALT THE LORD WHO HAS ESTABLISHED US.”

Thank you to our Chamber Champions listed below.
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Schools

Graduation Season Starts: New Generation Preschool (For the Last Time)

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New Generation Preschool graduates sing “Moving Up To Kindergarten” for their parents and grandparents on May 3, 2022.

It’s May, the time for graduations throughout the county.

On May 3,  the 15 New Generation Preschool students performed songs for their loved ones during a graduation ceremony.

The graduates were featured on a bulletin board at the entrance to the preschool.
The list of all the preschool graduates.

Amy Boyd, director of the childcare facility, introduced the teachers and thanked them for all they have done for the children during the year. Preschool teachers are Cynthia Witham, Angel Harper and AnnaMarie Simon.

Just before the graduation program started, Linda Logan, a trainer and program coordinator for Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children, presented Boyd and Beth Nuss, administrator of the New Generation, with a recognition of their 32 years commitment to young children.

Amy Boyd, left and Beth Nuss, right, were given recognition from the Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children organization. Linda Logan, KAEYC coordinator and trainer, middle, presented the recognition before the final preschool graduating class program on May 3, 2022.

Boyd and Nuss are retiring.

“As of May 13, we are finished with this building,” Nuss said in an interview. “New owners will start in about a week after that.”

The New Generation staff offered a child-centered and developmentally appropriate program for children ages two weeks through grade school age.
“The last two years through the COVID-19 Pandemic have been challenging with children and staff continually in and out of care due to precaution, quarantine, and illness,” according to a sign on the door of the childcare facility at 1502 Scott Avenue in March.
“Workforce challenges, in general, have made it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain qualified employees.”
“We have appreciated the partnership with USD234 operating preschool out of our facility the past three years,” according to the sign.
New Generation, Inc. opened its doors on September 1, 1990, seeking to provide quality care of children and offered both daycare and preschool services.

 

New Generation Daycare and Preschool.

 

 

Bourbon County Local News