Mirror, Mirror on the Wall by Patty LaRoche

I find it difficult to be around married couples who constantly correct each other’s stories. Recently, Dave and I spent a couple of days with such a twosome. They both love the Lord and are bold in their faith, but that didn’t keep them from annoying me.
Conversations went like this:
He: So, we were on a 32-foot houseboat when we nearly rolled over. We were…
She: It was a 30-foot houseboat.
He: Okay, but we were terrified that the storm—that came fast and out of nowhere…
She: We had a warning. We saw the clouds in the distance but didn’t know it was as bad as it was.
He: You’re thinking of the time we were in our sailboat and we…
She: No. Remember, we had Jenn with us and she was five years old and she was hiding under the kitchen table. The sailboat was another time.
He: No, it wasn’t. When the lightning flashed, we were alone on the 32-foot houseboat.
My head was ping-ponging back and forth as I attempted to make eye contact with the person speaking.
The fact was, I didn’t care what kind or size of boat they were on. I could see the frustration in the husband’s face who couldn’t say anything without being admonished.
The wife, for some reason, didn’t seem to mind as much when she was set straight.
But I did.
I understand that we are to love those who frustrate us, but is there a point where we speak up…in love, of course? Usually, I can make a joke to point out other’s offensive behaviors, but if they aren’t close friends, is that my place?
Our goal is to become more like Christ. To “nit-pick” makes us nothing like him. So, shouldn’t I help this couple by pointing out how annoying their pattern is and how they will never have really close friends because they are so irritating? I need wise counsel on this. I turn to God’s Word.
As I search Scripture for answers, I am directed to Matthew 7:3-5: Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Not the resolution I’m seeking, but I shouldn’t be surprised.
It seems that every time I set out to correct someone else’s flaws, I have to look in a mirror. This time, however, I can disregard Matthew’s writing because correcting my hubby is not one of my problems.
Dave and I are to go to dinner with this couple tonight. We discuss ways we can address this annoyance.
“Dave, maybe I could just come out and say, ‘Remember when you brought up the 32-foot houseboat that almost rolled over and were immediately set straight?”
“Well, Patty, you could do that, except the conversation started with his wife talking about an almost-accident she had on a jet ski when the storm came in.”
“Absolutely did not happen that way. Remember she said it was 30-feet long?
“Maybe we’re not the ones who should try and help.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports September 1
Letter to the Editor by Pete Allen
I noticed in the agenda for the next commission meeting under item 10 of “New Business” is a proposal for discussion “Consideration of Old Fort Boulevard/Skubitz Plaza Maintenance and Beautification Project” proposed by Mayor Wells.
It is my belief that for Fort Scott to succeed as a tourist town, we must put our best foot forward and this would be a project that would fit in with our comprehensive plan toward promoting tourism for economic benefit.
When I went downtown last June and walked the bricks from 3rd Street to the Old Fort, I was appalled and embarrassed by the filth on the street, the dips and low spots in the bricks, the grass and weeds growing in the bricks and gutters, and I noticed the theme of the GOD’s was “walk the bricks”.
And then I walked the alley behind the buildings, and I saw filth and potholes that would break the leg of a horse if he stepped in it, and I wondered how we could ignore common housekeeping and maintenance.
It has been 50 years since Skubitz was built and the lack of maintenance shows the city has just been incapable of maintaining anything. I think back to the years when we had a water truck with spray nozzles on the front and every so often following a good sweeping it was used to wash the bricks and gutters into catch basins, getting the downtown ready for the inevitable and welcomed crowds of people coming to shop, socialize, and partake of movies and activities on Friday and Saturday nights.
My thanks to Mayor Wells for recognizing a need and for acting.
I just hope the other commissioners will recognize the need and push for this much-needed project. (I can even remember when farmers were chastised for bringing their muddy trucks to town and parking on the clean streets!)
Pete Allen
Southeast Kansas Library System Newsletter for Summer 2023
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Birth Certificates in Kansas Must Reflect Biological Sex of the Person
Kobach statement on Foster v. Stanek order
TOPEKA – (August 31, 2023) – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach today issued the following statement in response to the Court’s order in Foster v. Stanek:
“The Court’s opinion was well reasoned and thorough. The trans activists in this case attempted to nullify state law. The Court held that SB 180 means what it says – birth certificates in Kansas must reflect biological sex. As long as I am attorney general, the laws of Kansas will be enforced as written. The Legislature decided that birth certificates must reflect biological reality, and they were quite clear in how they wrote the law. Today’s decision is a rejection of the activists’ and Governor Kelly’s attempt to twist the English language beyond recognition. The Court has told the Governor what the law clearly means. We now expect the Governor to follow the law and cease changing birth certificates to something other than biological sex at birth.”
Bo Co Coalition Will Meet on September 6
The regular general membership meeting of the Bourbon County Coalition will be held on Wednesday, September 6, in the Conference Room at the Scottview Apartments, 123 S. Scott, at 1:00 p.m.
At present, the program has not been confirmed. Cheri Walrod has been asked to talk about Core Communities but she may not be able to come until October. If she can not make it next week, we will hear from her in October. Billie Jo Drake will let the membership know before the meeting if there is a program.
Bourbon County To Receive $1Million for Bridge on 60th Street, South of Uniontown
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has made bridge funding awards to projects including one in Bourbon County.
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Splash Pad Closed Today Reopens For the Weekend, Then Closes For the Season
Per City Manager, Brad Matkin, Management Action #5 of the Water Warning Plan:
The City of Fort Scott Splash Pad will be closed Wednesday 8/30, Thursday 8/31, and Friday 9/1 reopening on Saturday 9/2, Sunday 9/3, and Monday 9/4 from 8am to 7pm. After Monday at 8pm the Splash Pad will be closed for the season.
Here is the plan in its entirety as it has been posted:
Water Warning Plan
DROUGHT RESPONSE
Effective 8/30/2023
The City of Fort Scott addresses its short-term water shortage problems through a series of stages based on conditions of supply and demand with accompanying triggers, goals, and actions. Each stage is more stringent in water use than the previous stage since water supply conditions are more deteriorated. The City Manager is authorized by ordinance to implement the appropriate conservation measures.
Water Warning
Goals:
The goals of this stage are to reduce peak demands by 20% and to reduce overall weekly consumption by 10%.
Triggers:
This stage is triggered by any one of the following conditions:
- The City’s storage has fallen below 70 percent capacity and will not recover within a normal amount of time.
Education Actions
- The City will make news releases to the local media describing present conditions and indicating the water supply outlook for the upcoming week.
- Water conservation articles will be provided to the local newspaper.
Management Actions: What measures the city will do
- The City water supplies will be monitored closely.
- Leaks will be repaired within 24 hours of detection.
- The City will monitor its use of water and will curtail activities such as hydrant flushing and street cleaning.
- The City will curtail its water usage, including operation of fountains, watering of City grounds and washing of vehicles.
- The City of Fort Scott Splash Pad will be closed Wednesday 8/30, Thursday 8/31, and Friday 9/1 reopening on Saturday 9/2, Sunday 9/3, and Monday 9/4 from 8am to 7pm. After Monday at 8pm the Splash Pad will be closed for the season.
- Water will be drawn from the City’s reservoirs as needed.
Regulation Actions:
- The public will be asked to voluntarily make efficient use of indoor water, i.e., wash full loads, take short showers, do not let faucets run, etc.
- Outdoor water use, including lawn watering and car washing will be restricted to before 10:00 am and after 9:00 pm.
- All consumers will be asked to limit or eliminate nonessential water uses including, but not limited to the following uses:
- Watering lawns, shrubs, trees.
- Washing automobiles.
- Filling swimming pools or using water in fountains and evaporative air conditioning systems.
- Refilling of swimming pools will be allowed one day a week after sunset.
- Outdoor watering will be restricted to use of a hand-held hose or bucket only.
- Excess water use charges for usage of water over the amount used in the winter will be considered.
- Waste of water will be prohibited.
As of right now, the City water supply is not affected by the “Water Emergency” set by the Governor of Kansas. That emergency was to allow the counties noted to request water to be taken out of “state” water sources. The City of Fort Scott owns Lake Fort Scott and Cedar Creek is not a state-owned lake, so permission is not required.
Lake Fort Scott, Cedar Creek, and Rock Creek are the three sources we use to get water for the City of Fort Scott river intake system.
As of right now, Cedar Creek has a good supply of water, but we are taking water from this source daily, and we have not taken water from Lake Fort Scott. If we are forced to take water out of Lake Fort Scott, we will issue a Water Warning Stage #2 which will require additional water restrictions.
We are in a drought situation that must be taken seriously, and the City of Fort Scott will do whatever possible to maintain good levels of water for the citizens. Please help us by following the restrictions that have been imposed.
If you have any questions, please contact me at the email address below.
Thank you,
Brad Matkin
City Manager
City of Fort Scott
Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening of Maker Space: A Place to Enhance Artistic Talents
The Bowman family of eight live in the Museum of Creativity at 102 S. National.
Jonathon and Lorina Bowman moved to Fort Scott with their six kids and started a venture called the Museum of Creativity which offers games, crafts, Barbie exhibits, legos, model trains, and more for youth and all ages. They live on the top floor of the multi-story building.
There is also a retail store on-site with ready-to-make craft kits and all kinds of “fun items,” Lorina said.
Today, August 31, there will be a grand opening and ribbon cutting for a Maker Space in the museum at 5:30 p.m.
“One of our main goals has always been to provide more opportunities for all ages to get creative by learning new skills and enhancing each individual’s talents,” Lorinda said.
Cost for using the Maker Space will be included in the museum entrance fee which is $2/child and $1/adult.
Parents are asked to please stay in the space with their children.
Or text – 209-204-9743Ribon Or follow them on their Facebook page.
Maker Space Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Museum of Creativity
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the evening ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the grand opening of the new Maker Space, according to a press release from the chamber.
Remarks and the cutting of the ribbon will take place at 5:30 p.m. while guests are welcome to come and go from 5 to 8 p.m., according to the press release.
Refreshments will be available along with craft kits to purchase. Featured projects for the evening will be bracelets and sensory bottles to assemble for those interested.
The Tucker Family Band “70s Elvis, Hawaiian Style” Concert is Sept. 8

The Tucker Family Band “70s Elvis: Hawaiian Style” Concert
held at The Fort Scott River Room
Raised on good music with a lot of soul, the Tucker Family Band (TFB) will present their “70s Elvis: Hawaiian Style” show at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 8, at the River Room (upstairs with elevator access), 3 W. Oak. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The band is comprised of Carolyn Tucker (keys and vocals), daughter Mariam Tucker Self (vocals and saxophone), son Aaron Tucker (drums and vocals), Stephan Moses (lead guitar and vocals), and Jessica Bergen on the electric bass. Everyone in the five-member band has many years of experience playing and singing in a variety of venues.
Elvis Presley made entertainment history in 1973 with his global “Aloha from Hawaii” live via satellite television special. The TFB show will feature several songs from Elvis’ Hawaiian concert such as See See Rider, Burning Love, Steamroller Blues, I Can’t Stop Loving You, Hound Dog, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, A Big Hunk o’ Love, plus more of the Band’s favorites such as Proud Mary, Little Sister, Never Been to Spain, Polk Salad Annie, Moody Blue, and more.
“All these individuals have been making music since they were youngsters. So when all that experience, talent, and family unity joins together musically, the band is really tight,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “You won’t want to miss this unique show of lively, classy Elvis covers. The show is free (tips appreciated) and sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.”
Sound is provided by Dave’s Music Gear and Jim Butler.
SOUTHWIND 4-H MEMBERS WIN 2 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

4-H members from the Southwind Extension District excelled at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes event on August 19-20 in Kansas State University’s Weber Hall. Participants from the Southwind Extension District were MaKinlee Bloesser, Hailey Shadden, Marley Sutton, McKinley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, Emery Yoho, Chanlynn Wrestler, Carly Dreher, Kyser Nemecek, Brady Hurt, Tate Crystal, Carla Nemecek (coach), Byron Fry, and Reegan McDaniel. The Southwind District is especially proud that 4-H members represented 4-H Clubs from Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson Counties.
4-H members learned gained new knowledge and worked on livestock skills to be competitive in the Sweepstakes event which consisted of blending scores in four contests. Southwind Extension District completed the weekend by being named the 2023 Reserve Champion State 4-H Sweepstake Team. The top ten individual Sweepstakes winners for Southwind were Tate Crystal 3rd; Reegan McDaniel 4th and Carly Dreher 9th after excelling in all contests.
The Livestock Quiz Bowl started with a qualifying exam. The twelve teams with the highest average scores advanced to the quiz bowl competition. Southwind #1 (Crystal, Dreher, Hurt, Nemecek) was seated first after the test and was later named the 3rd Overall Quiz Bowl Team. Southwind #2 (Fry, Yoho, McDaniel, Wrestler) earned 6th best team.
The Livestock Judging contest consisted of nine judging classes and four sets of reasons with 212 contestants and 41 teams from across Kansas. Southwind #1 (Dreher, Crystal, Hurt, Nemecek) was 1st in Sheep; 1st in Hogs; 3rd in Cattle, and 1st in Reasons and named Champion Team Overall. Individual livestock judging results are as follows:
- Brady Hurt – High Individual Reasons; 2nd Sheep; 6th Swine; 3rd Overall
- Kyser Nemecek – 2nd Reasons; High Individual Sheep; High Individual Swine; 5th Overall
- Carly Dreher – 3rd Reasons; 6th Sheep; 3rd Swine; 8th Overall
- Tate Crystal – 9th Reasons; 10th Beef; 10th Overall
The Meats Judging contest was based on the identification of thirty retail cuts, six placings classes, and three sets of reasons. The Intermediate Meats Judging Team continues to shine and was named Champion Team for the second consecutive year. Members include Hailey Shadden, Marley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, and MaKinlee Bloesser and they were 1st in Placings; and 1st in Retail ID. Individual intermediate meats judging results are as follows:
- Marley Sutton – 4th Retail ID; 5th Placings; 3rd Overall
- Hailey Shadden – 1st Retail ID; 4th Overall
- MaKinlee Bloesser – 5th Retail ID; 7th Placings; 5th Overall
- Kendyl Bloesser – 6th Retail ID; 4th Placings; 6th Overall
- McKinley Sutton – 3rd Placings; 9th Overall
Senior Meats Judging results include: Southwind #1 (Fry, Crystal, McDaniel, Dreher) was 4th in Placings, 3rd in Reasons, 4th in Retail ID and Third Team Overall. Individual senior meat judging results are as follows:
- Byron Fry – 5th Retail ID; 4th Overall
- Reegan McDaniel – 7th Reasons
- Brady Hurt – 10th Reasons
In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, wool evaluation, and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on evaluating quality assurance protocols and judging wool. Out of 30 teams and 156 individuals, Southwind #1 (Crystal, Dreher, Hurt, Nemecek) was 4th in Exam, 2nd in Practicum; and Reserve Champion Team Overall. Southwind #2 (McDaniel, Wrestler, Yoho, Fry) was 3rd in Exam, 4th in Practicum; 3rd Team Overall. Southwind #3 (Sutton, Sutton, K. Bloesser, Shadden) was 6th in Practicum and 11th Overall Team. Individual Skillathon results are as follows:
- Reegan McDaniel – 4th Exam; 5th Practicum; 4th Overall
- Tate Crystal – 4th Practicum; 6th Overall
- Hailey Shadden – 9th Overall
This group worked hard and studied a great deal of material to prepare for four state contests. To be named the Champion Livestock Judging Team, Reserve and 3rd Skillathon Teams, 3rd & 6th Quiz Bowl Team Teams, Champion Intermediate & 3rd Senior Meats Judging Teams, and Reserve Champion Sweepstakes Team at the state contests shows how hard these 4-H members pushed each other to “Make the Best Better.” The Southwind District is grateful for the support of their parents and very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to future growth and learning.
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K-State, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.









