Ocotober Tiger Newsletter
–by Pam Hutchison
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How To Kill Anything by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
I was shopping in a very small store out of town and overheard two friends talking. Both ladies knew I was there and obviously didn’t care. “Betty” asked “Susan” if she had quit coming to church. Susan answered, “No, not yet anyway.“ After a few more exchanges, Susan said, “Well, I’m a good person, I don’t go out and sin, I don‘t…blah blah blah.” Then both women proceeded to criticize and complain about the worship music that they hated. Then they began to tear down the young pastor. They freely talked as if I wasn’t there hearing every word. I assure you, God heard every word too.
As I was subjected to this negative barrage of words, I became disheartened and greatly saddened. I realized that both of these dear ladies had no idea what God thought of their conversation. Although Susan considered herself to be a forthright individual, she was completely clueless that God was offended and displeased with her conversation. God is all about love because He is love. He is full of mercy and lovingkindness, and I heard none of those life-giving attributes in the words being uttered. The young pastor needed their prayers, support, and encouragement — not their criticism and judgment. Like an F5 tornado, these destructive attitudes and words will kill anything in its path.
I have the capacity to be just a hop, skip, and a jump away from doing the very same things that annoy the socks off of me. So every day I need to be purposely mindful of that unruly member of my body (the tongue). “With our tongues, we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women He made in His image” (James 3:9 MSG). “And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” (James 3:10 NLT).
It’s human nature to look at ourselves through rose-colored glasses. “…I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves” (Romans 12:3 NLT). Like a gunnysack full of rattlesnakes, I want to stay away from being proud and holier-than-thou. Jesus opposed the attitudes and actions of the “religious” people because of their pride and self-righteousness. “There are people who think they are pure when they are as filthy as they can be” (Proverbs 30:12 TEV).
“Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give You a tenth of my income.‘ But the tax collector stood at a distance and…prayed. He beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ’O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:9-13 NLT).
I must keep a critical mouth closed and a loving heart open. Let’s always take the high road and choose love because Jesus said it wins. And the apostle Paul said love was the greatest of anything.
The Key: Let’s use our mouths to speak love and life because we don’t want to kill anybody around us.
FortFest Fills Riverfront Park With Activity
The annual Fort Fest continues until tonight at Riverfront Park, on North National Avenue.
The event highlights Blues bands from across the area.
At 1 p.m. the Howard Mahan Band with Miki P entertained guests. At 3 p.m. Sister Lucille, at 5 p.m. the Arkansas Brothers, and at 7 p.m. the Divas on Fire. People were enjoying the Blues musicians on lawn chairs and blankets.
In addition, arts and crafts, food and drink vendors, a cornhole tournament, a BBQ contest, along with a kid’s fair and petting zoo, and other happenings kept attendees entertained and fed.
The event benefits Care to Share a local helping organization that provides support to cancer fighters and their families.
Bo Co Commission Agenda for Oct. 2
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
October 2, 2023 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 9-25-2023
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $416.24
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- County Clerk
- Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-Real Property Relief Application-202 Holbrook
- Susan Walker, CFO
- Approval of Open Enrollment Letter
- Approval of Disability Insurance-Assurity
- Approval of Cancer Insurance-Prosperity
- Approval of Northwestern Mutual Life Options
- Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(4)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Attachment:
Fall Means Pioneer Harvest Fiesta
Fall has arrived and that means it is time for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta.
A parade on Thursday evening, October 5 at 6 p.m., starts the busy weekend.
Come join us at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds with activities for all ages. Groups of school children will be there on Friday to see how their ancestors had to work hard to harvest their crops, saw the wood, crush rocks and more. Demonstrations will be throughout the show, October 6, 7, and 8.
Live music and a Sunday morning service will be in the entertainment tent.
The quilt show will be in the Myers Building. Quilts can be brought for display on Thursday, October 5, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The quilt show will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday during Pioneer Harvest Fiesta and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Please call Jackie Warren for more information 620-224-8161.
A car show is being added to Pioneer Harvest Fiesta!
The 25-year-old or older vehicles will be on exhibit Saturday, October 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., parked at the north end of the fairgrounds.
For more information, please call President Craig Shikles, 417-425-4552 or Vice President Larry Richard, 620-249-4385.
If you would like to be a vendor, call Delphine Parks, 262-416-6720.
Habits to Live a Healthier Life
The secret to living healthier, happier and longer lives has been out for many years now. Decades-long research from explorer Dan Buettner reports areas of the world where people seemed to be living longer and healthier and termed the locations ‘Blue Zones’. His recent Netflix documentary gives a visual and is now trending as a top streaming pick.
The five original Blue Zones are in Italy, Costa Rica, Greece, Japan and California, with Singapore being added later.
So why do people in these areas live so long and so well? The answer is simple — lifestyle. Their lifestyle includes a healthful diet, daily exercise, and a low-stress style of living that focuses on family, purpose, religion, and meaning. Here are a few lifestyle aspects that Buettner has found in his research.
Move naturally. If you are like me and do not like to go to the gym, you might be inspired by this one. Those in the Blue Zones build movement naturally into their day by walking to the store, gardening, or sitting on the floor instead of lounging in a chair.
Downshift. This relates to stress relief. Here there is a lot of talk about mindfulness and reducing stress but in Blue Zones it seems to be a natural practice. For example, in Okinawa, Japan, people take a minute every day to remember their ancestors. In Loma Linda, California, people take time to pray every day. In Greece, it’s an afternoon nap. In Italy, a Happy Hour.
Plant Slant and the 80% Rule. Blue Zone diets include meat, however it’s about a tenth of the amount Americans eat. Incorporate more plant-based foods, such as beans and nuts and green leafy vegetables and try ways to add herbs for flavoring. Another principle allows your stomach to catch up to your brain by eating only until your 80% full.
Build that Social Network with Purpose. Blue zones have similar prioritization of family and community. A network of support and a sense of belonging is good for the body and the soul. This has often been found in a faith-based community, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be accomplished within an interest group or through volunteer project work. We do know that habits are often contagious so surround yourself with others that inspire you to live a healthier life style!
There’s no quick fix or one thing that will create this all-encompassing health change. It requires dozens of small steps that can move us toward a healthier life. We can start this within our home in small increments to improve connections, increase movement, and decrease stress.
For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or call 620-244-3826.
# # #
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.
Proposed Evergy Settlement Agreement If Approved: Approximately $5 More Per Month for Kansas Central Customers
A Proposed Settlement Agreement Has Been Filed in the
Evergy Rate Case, Now It’s Up to Commissioners to Decide
TOPEKA – This afternoon, the parties in the Evergy rate case filed a unanimous settlement agreement with the Kansas Corporation Commission covering all issues in the case. The parties include KCC staff, Evergy, the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board, and a variety of groups representing industrial, commercial, educational, and environmental interests. The Commission still needs to evaluate the proposed settlement, and may approve, reject, or modify the agreement.
The Commission will conduct its hearing on the settlement agreement on Monday, October 9, 2023 at its Topeka office. The hearing will be livestreamed on the Commission’s YouTube channel. Limited public seating will also be available in the hearing room. At the hearing, Commissioners will have an opportunity to hear from parties’ witnesses and ask questions before deciding whether or not to approve the agreement. A Commission order is due by December 21, 2023.
In its Application, Evergy sought a net revenue increase of $204 million (9.77% increase) for Evergy Kansas Central (formerly Westar) and a net revenue increase of $14 million (1.95% increase) for Evergy Kansas Metro (formerly KCP&L). Under the settlement agreement, Evergy Kansas Central would receive a net revenue increase of $74 million (3.54% increase), and Evergy Kansas Metro would receive a net revenue decrease of $32.9 million (4.53% decrease). If the settlement agreement is approved, the average monthly impact to residential customers will be an increase of $4.64 per month for Evergy Kansas Central customers and a decrease of $6.07 per month for Evergy Metro customers.
A link to the proposed settlement agreement is available here .
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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Flood of ’86 Remembered: Author John Freed at Hedgehog INK on Oct. 3
John Freed was a graphic arts and photography instructor at Fort Scott Community College in October 1986, when the levy on Mill Creek burst.
Mill Creek feeds into the Marmaton River in the current Riverfront Park area.
On October 3, 1986, after nearly 20 inches of rain in 3 days, the Marmaton River crested at 52.5 feet, breaking the previous record set in 1915, according to information on the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce website.
The Fort Scott Cattle Sales Company released 250 head of cattle from their pens, according to the website. These cattle swam in the water, and three ended up on the roof of a home in Belltown, the area east of the cattle sales company.
The area between the Marmaton River Bridge on North National Avenue and U.S. Highway 54 was covered with several feet of fast-moving water.
Freed started taking photos of the historic event on the afternoon of October 3.
This was the beginning of his publication of the book, which is mostly a photo album with stories and poems from residents about the historic event, entitled the ’86 Flood. We Booked It Just For You.
He sponsored a photo contest for the book and over 1,500 photos were submitted by community members.
The stories of the flood were from local Fort Scott students and a few adults.
“Kids wrote the stories,” Freed said. “The superintendent of the schools made it mandatory that elementary, middle, and high school kids had to write an article for the book. The Catholic school students contributed as well. Fort Scott Community College students sent a few articles.”
“A few Panamanian students attending FSCC saw a bunch of Kansas National Guard helicopters that brought flood victims to the college because it was higher ground,” he said. “They thought America was being invaded. They wrote some stories. Theirs are written in Spanish, translated by the college Spanish instructor.”
“I resigned from FSCC and started my print shop a short time after the flood,” he said. The print shop was located on Main Street, in a space now occupied by Papa Don’s Pizza.
The book was a long-term project.
“I designed it, put it together,” he said. “It took weeks and I had considerable help from volunteers,” Freed said.
Freed judged the photos, and local English teachers judged the stories, and prizes were awarded to students for their contributions to the book.
The book was published in 1987.
In commemoration of the flood stories, he is promoting the book again at an author’s event at Hedgehog INK Bookstore at 16 S. Main Street on Oct. 3 from 2-4 p.m. There will be copies of the book for sale for $8.95, the original cost of the book in 1987, the year it was published.
“I want to encourage people that wrote in the book, to come a get a copy, if they don’t have one,” Freed said.
KS Hearing for Proposed Seed Law on Oct. 19
MANHATTAN, Kansas — A public hearing will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, to consider the adoption of proposed regulations that govern the administration of the Kansas Seed Law. The hearing will be held in person at the Kansas Department of Agriculture at 1320 Research Park Dr. in Manhattan, as well as via video conferencing system.
KDA is proposing four new regulations along with amendments to two existing regulations, all of which implement revisions and offer clarification to the Kansas Seed Law. The new regulations define terms, set guidelines about analysis to determine violations, establish a list of restricted weed seeds, establish a list of prohibited weed seeds, and clarify rules for seed labels.
For the most part, these changes implement revisions that were made to the Kansas Seed Law during the 2022 legislative session and also make minor clarifications. The only change imposed by these regulations that has the potential to have a practical effect on the agricultural seed industry is the addition of Caucasian bluestem and yellow bluestem seeds to the list of restricted weed seeds. This addition is proposed to help safeguard the agricultural industry from the threat of invasive weeds which is part of the agency’s mission to protect plant health.
KDA welcomes public input on any portion of the proposed regulations — especially the addition of the new species, including those species of Old World Bluestem — to the list of restricted weed seeds. Input can be shared on the public comment portion of the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/
Public comment will also be possible at the public hearing both for in-person and online participants. Anyone desiring to participate via video conference must pre-register at the Public Comment webpage to be provided with a video link.
Any individual with a disability may request accommodation to participate in the public hearing and may request a copy of the regulations in an accessible format. Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least five working days prior to the hearing. For more information, including special accommodations or a copy of the regulations, please contact Ronda Hutton at 785-564-6715 or [email protected].
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WHAT: Public hearing on proposed Kansas Seed Law regulations
WHEN: Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Kansas Department of Agriculture
1320 Research Park Dr., Manhattan, Kansas
Or virtual: via video conferencing system
Hearing for Proposed Seed Law Regulations.pdf
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