There is a new community liaison with Core Community, a local helping organization that has a mission to engage the community to lift families out of poverty.
Deana Betts, the new Core Community Liasion, moved to Fort Scott this summer and began work with Core Community on July 8th.
Betts moved to the area after her husband accepted the pastor position at Lifetrack Church in Frontenac.
In discovering the organization and the opening for a liaison, she learned Core Community is a faith-based organization that helps people out of poverty.
“I liked that they are leading themselves out of poverty, with support. It’s more than just a class, it’s a pathway.”
The mission statement of the organization is “Engaging the community to lift families out of poverty.”
Classes for this second year of the organization in Bourbon County start on Tuesday, September 10 at the Nazarene Church, 1728 S. Horton Street with 16-17 people enrolled.
Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. will be a family-style meal provided by different organizations in the community. Following this, children will be directed to the childcare area with Angie Trim, the childcare coordinator and the people from last year’s classes will meet with the coach, Janice Lamb. The new class meets with teachers, Amy Harper and David Goodyear. The evening finishes at 7:30 p.m.
The first class graduated in May of this year.
Getting Ahead In A Just Get By World by Ruby Payne is the book that is worked through, in the 20-22 weeks of the classes.
Fall Festival
Larry and Vickie Shead have agreed to open the Shead Farm on Saturday, October 19 for a fundraiser for the Core Community organization. The farm has an annual community spring festival that has grown larger each year.
Vickie and Larry Shead, 2020, from her Facebook page.
“Our childcare coordinator Angie Trim helped the Sheads with their spring festival. I met with them and they said it’s the Lord’s farm. I asked them to pray about it, and they did and said yes,” she said.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the farm located at 2468 Calvalry Road, Garland, south of Fort Scott.
The cost is $5 per person, for families with over five members it’s $25 and there will be food, vendors, games, and raffles to entertain the family.
To learn more about Core Community or the Fall Fest, contact Betts at [email protected] or 785.488. 8411.
Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720
In the last week or so, I’ve had many calls about fall fertilizer applications on fescue and brome pastures and meadows. Much of the nitrogen (N) applied to tall fescue and smooth bromegrass hay meadows and pastures goes on in January or February in eastern Kansas but fall is the best time to apply phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for the spring growing season. The amount of N-P-K depends heavily on forage use such as grazing vs haying.
Normal N fertilization rates for established fescue and bromegrass hay fields are 90 to 120 pounds actual N per acre, or about 30 pounds of N per ton of expected yield. A summary of K-State N response data shows the average yields for unfertilized brome and fescue were about 1.4 tons of hay per acre, while maximum yields averaged 3.2 tons of hay with 140 pounds of N. Protein levels will also be increased at the higher N fertilizer rates, assuming timely harvest. In cases where producers are relying on high-quality hay as their primary protein source, they will want to push N rates to the upper end of the recommended range.Timing of N application is another factor to consider. While most growers apply all the N and any needed P and K for hay production in a single application in the spring, research in Kansas has shown that applying all the fertilizer in the fall will normally result in slightly higher yields, though the protein values will normally be slightly lower. Prior K-State research indicates that smooth brome responded to spring applications as late as April without effects on tonnage of dry matter produced and significantly greater crude protein levels than fall applications. Fall applications of N and P stimulate root growth and produce more tiller buds, resulting in more stems the following spring. Under normal conditions, tall fescue and smooth bromegrass pastures that are grazed in both spring and fall should receive about 100 pounds total N per acre, with 60% applied in the winter or early spring and 40% of the N along with any needed P and K in late August or early September. So, producers should plan on applying 60 to 70 lbs N per acre in late winter or early spring, starting as early as January in southeast Kansas or February in the central and northern parts of the state.
Both smooth bromegrass and fescue are efficient users of soil P and K. One of the reasons for this is the dense root system — two to three times more roots per unit of soil volume than corn or soybeans. As a result, these crops can grow and thrive at lower soil test levels than other crops commonly grown in Kansas. But both smooth bromegrass and fescue do remove about 12 pounds of P2O5 and 40 pounds of K2O per ton of hay, which will lower soil test values. Thus, these grasses will respond to P and K fertilization on soils with low or very low soil test levels. Recent work in northeast Kansas has shown response to applied P at soil test levels below 12-15 ppm. P and K application rates should be based on soil tests, as with most crops. In any type of fertilizer management program for tall fescue and smooth bromegrass, whether for hay production or grazing, needed phosphorus and potash should be applied in the late summer or fall for best results, along with a light application of N. Research with smooth bromegrass and fescue production has shown that fall applications of N and P, while these cool-season grasses are still actively growing, will help the grass develop a good root system for the winter, and develop buds for new tillers the next spring. P and K applied in late winter or early spring won’t provide the same benefits. One option for hay production not widely used is to apply all the N, P, and K needed for the following year in late fall, rather than early spring. Research has shown that the yields from a late- fall application are actually higher than from an early spring application, but the protein levels in the hay are slightly lower (a dilution of the N due to higher biomass production). The increased production from a late fall application is due to the stimulation of root growth and production of additional tiller buds.
One additional nutrient producers should be aware of for tall fescue and smooth bromegrass pastures or hayfields is sulfur (S). If the pasture or hayfield is receiving adequate nutrients and precipitation, but is dropping off in production, it could be deficient in S. Sulfur deficiency will cause a general reduction in forage production long before it results in visual deficiency symptoms. An application of S to a tall fescue or smooth bromegrass pasture or hayfield that is deficient in S can result in forage yield increases up to 500 to 800 lbs per acre. Sulfur is taken up by plants as sulfate. If a sulfur application is needed to correct a deficiency in a growing crop, a sulfate-S source should be used, such as ammonium sulfate or gypsum. Elemental sulfur sources can be used if applied far enough in advance of crop uptake needs to allow soil organisms to oxidize the S to sulfate. This will normally take several weeks to months, depending on soil temperature and moisture.
To determine whether P, K, S, and lime are needed on tall fescue and smooth bromegrass fields, producers should consider soil sampling. The best time to sample is in the fall, prior to fertilizer application. However, soil testing can be done in the spring. Samples for a P and K soil test should be taken to a 6-inch depth. A profile S test to a depth of 24 inches should be used to evaluate S needs.
Fall fertilizing also allows Producers to overseed their brome and fescue. One major factor which we all seem to be struggling with is the lack of moisture. It is important that when you overseed to try to overseed right before or right after a rain event to maximize the stand of new grass.
You can no till new seed into existing grass stands or if you wish to start over with a new stand of grass. Moisture is hard to come by right now if you plan to no till I would recommend doing so after a rain event if overseeding or right before in new stand.
The simplest and most common way to do it is to put in a fertilizer buggy with your fertilizer. There are some restrictions with doing it this way. First of all, you will need to check with your local fertilizer dealer to make sure they are ok with mixing in seed in their fertilizer blender. Second fescue and brome seed will not travel as far as the fertilizer… I would recommend a 50-foot double spinner spreader that you will have to half the rate and double spread it aka drive on 25ft centers to get an even seed distribution. Lastly do not spread on a windy day. The wind will have a significant effect on the seed spread pattern.
To conclude
Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Agenda for the City Council of Uniontown on September 10, 2024 at 5.30 p.m.
Personnel interviews followed by regular council meeting.
ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________
ROLL CALL:
___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Interview non-elected personnel –
Motion by _____________, Second by __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Bill Martin
FINANCIAL REPORT
Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of August 13 Regular Council Meeting and September 3, 2024 Special Meeting minutes
Wesley “Limber” Levoy Miles, age 84, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott. He was born August 11, 1940, in Worland, MO the son of Walter and Waneta Constable Miles.
Wes served in the U. S. Army. He married Kathleen Marie Hill on March 28, 1980. Over the years he worked for Coke, as a self-employed roofer, and for Klein Tools for 20 years until his retirement.
He enjoyed fishing and vacationing. Wes cared deeply for his wife and family and was a loving father and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife Kathy of the home; 3 sons, Les Miles (Anna) Fort Scott, KS, Robert Lorenz (Jennifer), Gurnsey, WY, and George Lorenz, Fort Scott, KS; 3 daughters, Connie Miles Davis (Mark), Gravette, AR, Chloie Miles, Fort Scott, KS and Tina Edwards, Fort Scott, KS; 14 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and a nephew, Frank Schubert.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Leslie Eugene Miles; a sister, Drucilla Schubert; a granddaughter, Amanda Davis; a great granddaughter, Emma Mae Miles; 5 Angel great grandbabies; and his parents.
Scott Center will conduct graveside services at 11:00 AM Tuesday, September 10th, at the U. S. National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Dave and I were visiting our son Andy where he coaches and lives in Arkansas during the baseball season. The team has a day off every Monday, and when they are home, the staff get together at the rented home of Nellie, one of the coaches. Last Monday, we were invited.
The photo shows what greeted us when we arrived. All of these rudimentary gadgets had a purpose to put on a spread that rivals any barbecue restaurant we have ever visited. Nellie cooked enough ribs, port roast, chicken wings and brats to feed the entire team, each meat with his secret spices and perfectly timed attention. He smiled the entire time and told me that he loves, loves, loves grilling.
No one was in a hurry, and because the grill was so small, the food was spread out over several hours. Occasionally the score of the Royals’ game was checked, or a phone call from home needed answered, but mostly, we just visited. The young staff loved talking to Dave about his time in baseball 100 years ago and how things have changed.
At the same time, my granddaughter Mo was in Guatemala with her church group. They had gone there to help with a pastor’s convention, but she fell in love with the Shead family who are missionaries there. The eight children are home-schooled and then come up with ideas to create activities.
“I think I’m going to build a tree fort,” said the eleven-year-old girl. “Want to help?” For the rest of the afternoon, Mo and her new friend built another fort. (They already had two.) The children hang together outside and are joined occasionally by the school children on recess who come to their yard to play. There are no cell phones or iPad or Xboxes. The kids are encouraged to use their imagination. They have learned Spanish as well as English and look forward to their Bible study time with their parents. Mo told me that she loved hanging with this family who didn’t need “things” to make them happy.
In both Nellie and Mo’s cases, simplicity was key. A dying art. In today’s culture, too many of us aren’t blessed; we are stressed. We forget what it is like to do without. Instead, we busy our time being frustrated about what we aren’t getting done. Proverbs 14:30 (NIV) says this: “A heart at peace gives life to the body.” Pastor/author John Ortberg adds to that proverb. “Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.”
If you’ve ever stressed about stress, you and I have that in common. In the noisy clamor of life, we flit from one thing to another and don’t give ourselves permission to just do nothing. Some of us are too busy to pray, the one thing we need to do that offers peace. Maybe we crave things we neither need nor enjoy, and we buy things just to “keep up with the Jones’s.” Of course, the Jones’s are doing the same, so we and the Jones’s all spend our days spinning on our competitive hamster wheels, getting nowhere.
It’s no wonder God made his message a simple one. We are all sinners. Christ died and was resurrected for our sins. If we make him our Lord and Savior, we spend eternity in Heaven. If simplicity is good enough for God, it should be good enough for us.
Uniontown held a Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting for the Uniontown Community Pickleball Court on September 1. Pictured are Councilwoman Danea Esslinger, Levi Ervin (cutting the ribbon), son of Councilman Jess Ervin, Councilwoman Mary Pemberton, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
The court was completed with the help of the entire community, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, Uniontown City Council, and Uniontown Ruritan Club. A grant facilitated by Healthy Bourbon County Action Team from Blue Cross/Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas contributed to the cost of the court; the equipment and benches were donated by community members; and Uniontown Ruritan Club is donating fencing for the north and south ends. The City of Uniontown wishes to thank all those involved with this project. The court is being used daily by the community.
Thomas Clark Johnson, age 90, a lifelong resident of rural Bronson, Kansas, passed away Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Allen County Regional Medical Center in Iola, Kansas.
He was born January 30, 1934, in Bronson, Kansas, the son of Thomas Johnson and Myra Warden Johnson. Tom graduated from the Bronson High School. He served in Korea with the United States Army from 1956 to 1957. Tom had worked for many years on the road crew for Bourbon County.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret.
There was cremation. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, September 7th at the Bronson Baptist Church.
Private burial will take place at a later date in the Bronson Cemetery.
The Bourbon County Arts Council 10th Annual Art Walk is this Friday, Sept. 6 at Crooner’s Restaurant from 5-8 p.m.
The purpose of the event is for local artists to showcase their work to the public and sell their art.
“The Art Walk is an event the BCAC loves to hold. It is a free relaxing evening the community can share with family and friends while viewing the outstanding Artwork in our area. You don’t have to travel a hundred miles to get quality pieces,” said Deb Anderson, spokeswoman for the group.
“They work so hard to develop this art,” Anderson said. “We also want to expose the public to the outstanding artists we have in our area. This is also the public’s opportunity to perhaps purchase items for themselves or to give as gifts for family and friends, connect art with a story. Christmas is just around the corner!”
All the displayed art will be for sale, and the art walk is free to the public.
