Entertainment, Fort Scott

Friday Night Free Concert: Prairie Sunflower Strings

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Submitted photo.

The Fourth of July celebration will continue Friday at the Heritage Park Pavilion – folk style.

The Prairie Sunflower Strings will perform several patriotic songs beginning at 7 p.m. at 1st and Main streets.

The musical group plays traditional folk music and has put together a collection of patriotic music for the season. A few traditional songs will also be added into the mix.

Members of the group are Jean Strader and Cherry Nelson on mountain dulcimers, Marilyn Adcock on autoharp and vocals, Sandy Hemphill on guitar, violin and vocals, and Jack Hemphill on guitar. The musicians have been playing together for about five years.

“This is a group of very talented musicians and vocalists who are always a delight to hear,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Their sound is unique and gets to the heart of what local music is about.”

Sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Friday Night Concerts are free. Bring lawn chairs as seating is limited. In the event of rain or extreme heat, the concert will be moved to Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall St.

Sound support is provided by Dave’s Music Gear and Jim Butler. The concert series is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

Government, Kansas

Kansas Tax Receipts Exceed Estimate

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Governor Kelly Announces June Total Tax Receipts Exceed Estimate by Over $17M, Closes Fiscal Year Nearly $26M Ahead of Projections


TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that total tax collections for June 2023 were $989.0 million. That is $17.3 million, or 1.8%, more than the estimate and $70.2 million, or 7.6%, more than June 2022.

“Time and again, we have seen our monthly revenues exceed estimates because of my administration’s success in attracting businesses, expanding our workforce, and growing our state’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This past legislative session, I fought for responsible tax cuts on groceries, property, and Social Security to put this money back in the hands of working Kansans. Come January, I am committed to partnering with legislators to get Kansans relief.”

Individual income tax collections were $379.0 million. That is $4.0 million, or 1.1%, less than the estimate but $14.3 million, or 3.9%, more than June 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $226.2 million. That’s $26.2 million, or 13.1%, more than the estimate and up 52.7% from June 2022.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $303.5 million. That is $1.5 million, or 0.5%, more than the estimate but less than June 2022 by only 0.1%.

Kansas will end FY 2023 with total tax collections of nearly $10.2 billion, which exceeds the FY 2023 revised estimate by $25.9 million.

Click here to view the June 2023 revenue numbers.

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Fort Scott Community College, Jobs

Link for FSCC President Candidates Interview Link

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The community forum for Fort Scott Community College’s presidential candidates can be viewed at the link below.

 

https://www.youtube.com/@fsccgreyhounds9969

FSCC President Interviews and Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees

The FSCC Board of Trustees will be holding a special board meeting at 6:00 pm on each of the dates below. The special board meetings are being held to conduct interviews with finalists for the president
position. Although a public meeting will be called to order, the board will adjourn to executive session each time for the purposes of conducting each interview. No action is expected to follow any of the executive sessions.

July 5, 2023 Jason Kegler
July 6, 2023 Vincent Loffredo
July 10, 2023 Tiffany Evans

Each candidate’s on-campus interview will follow the schedule below:
10:00 Tour of campus
11:30 Lunch with Executive Council
Dick Hedges Administrative Building (closed meeting)
1:30 Community Forum (will be streamed – check for link on our webpage)
Bailey Hall Round Room (south side)
3:00 Employee and Student Forum (will be zoomed for employees – watch email for link)
Bailey Hall Round Room (south side)
5:30 Dinner with Trustees
6:00 Interview with Trustees

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Chamber Coffee at FS National Historic Site on July 6

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Friends of Fort Scott

National Historic Site

Thursday, July 6th

8am

Fort Scott National Historic Site

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, July 6th at 8 a.m. hosted by Friends of Fort Scott NHS. The Chamber Coffee will be at the Fort Scott National Historic Site and will be in the park’s Theater on the second floor of the Infantry Barracks just west, to the left, of the Visitor Center. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to a door prize drawing.

Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s mission is to be a friend of the National Historic Site and their primary purpose is to support the National Historic Site in a partnership through activities that may include fundraising, volunteerism, education, advocacy and research. To do that they need to raise funds and they raise funds through their Flag Subscription Program.

 

They are promoting the Wahzhazhe Osage ballet which is to be preformed at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of the Fort Scott Community College on July 21st at 7:30pm, and July 22nd at 3:00pm and 7:30pm. The rich history of the Osage Nation is brought to life in a stunningly beautiful stage performance using traditional drums, costumes, and contemporary dance. The heart-pounding drumbeats, rhythmic dancing, and compelling stories of Wahzhazhe are sure to delight dancing enthusiasts and history fans of all ages.

 

Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2022 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

 

Click here for their Facebook page!

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Government

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter

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Announcing Federal Investment for KU Cancer Center
On Thursday, I announced a $43 million federal investment to plan and help build a new cancer research facility at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. This funding will play a critical role in supporting the center’s research and development and translating the findings into effective treatments for patients.

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In addition to the $43 million in federal funding, the event also featured an announcement regarding the single largest private donation made to the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Kansas Health System. The Sunderland Foundation, a family foundation focused on improving the quality of life in Kansas City through philanthropic donations, announced a $100 million donation to the University of Kansas Health System and University of Kansas Medical Center to further the research, patient care and expansion of the institution.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center is a nationally recognized leader in the fight to treat and cure cancer, and last year I announced it was awarded the National Cancer Institute’s comprehensive cancer center designation, opening up new avenues for federal investments and research. With this new facility and the comprehensive designation, the University of Kansas Cancer Center will be able to recruit the best talent from around the world and expand its legacy and capabilities to conduct innovative research to cure and treat cancer.
Continue reading U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter →

Area News, Youth

American Legion Boys State of Kansas Concludes 2023 Session

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High school students from across the State of Kansas participated in the 85th session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, held June 4-10 at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This was the 31th consecutive year the Kansas Boys State program was held at K-State.

 

The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Kansas Boys State provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.

 

Among the highlights from the week, Samuel Houston, a resident of McPherson, Kan., and a senior-to-be at McPherson High School, was elected Kansas Boys State governor.

 

Adiel Garcia II, a resident of Olathe, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Spring Hill (Kan.) High School, and Creytin Sanner, a resident of Junction City, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Junction City High School, were elected to represent Kansas Boys State at Boys Nation, Friday, July 21 through Saturday, July 29, at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.

 

Kyle Wheatley, Fort Worth, Texas, was named Advisor of the Year. Wheatley, a 2003 KBS delegate and 2004 graduate of Wichita (Kan.) Northwest High School, serves as a KBS associate director and bank advisor.

 

Ethan Doherty, Denver, Colo., who served as a county counselor for Powell County, was named Counselor of the Year (counselors with four or more years’ experience). He was a 2016 KBS delegate and a 2017 graduate of Girard (Kan.) High School. Theo Wagnon, Topeka, Kan., who served as a House of Representatives counselor, was named New Counselor of the Year (counselors with three or fewer years’ experience). He was a 2020 KBS delegate and a 2021 graduate of Seaman High School in Topeka.

 

Josef Kuehnen, Olathe, Kan., a senior-to-be at Olathe South High School, received the William “Bill” F. Stahl Outstanding Justice Award, given to the outstanding member of the Boys State of Kansas Supreme Court as voted on by his Supreme Court peers. The award is presented in recognition of outstanding commitment to justice under the law and dedicated service to Boys State of Kansas. Stahl, of Junction City, Kan., passed away in September 2015 and was a longtime supporter of the ALBSK.

 

Kalo Hineman, Scott City, Kan., a senior-to-be at Scott Community High School, was named the Outstanding Senator (representing Eisenhower County), and Jaxon Blubaugh, Silver Lake, Kan., a senior-to-be at Silver Lake High School, was named the Outstanding State Representative (representing Eisenhower County).

 

Shawn Sullivan, Leavenworth, Kan., a senior-to-be at Leavenworth High School, was named the American Legion Department of Kansas winner of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. As the state winner, Sullivan receives a $1,250 scholarship and his application moves on to the national level where he could receive a $5,000 award as a national runner-up or $10,000 scholarship as a national scholar.

 

The 86th session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas is tentatively scheduled to be held the week of Sunday, June 2, through Saturday, June 8, 2024, again at Kansas State University. For information on becoming a delegate (high school sophomores and juniors in the 2023-24 academic year), nominating a delegate or sponsoring a delegate next year, visit https://ksbstate.org.

 

The following is a list of this year’s ALBSK delegates (listed by zip code/city of residence; all cities in Kansas unless noted). Those delegates denoted with a star (*) were elected by their Kansas Boys State city as its outstanding citizen:

(Name, Year in School for 2023-24 Academic Year, High School; Kansas Boys State position – all cities/high schools in Kansas unless noted)

 

64012 — Belton, Mo.

  • Chase Rothhaas, senior-to-be, The Barstow School, Kansas City, Mo; City of Shelton Councilman

 

64152 — Kansas City, Mo.

  • Boston Orth, junior-to-be, LEAD Innovation Studio; City of Shoemaker Councilman

 

66006 — Baldwin City

  • Grayson Coffield, senior-to-be, Baldwin High School; KBS Media
  • Parker Massey, senior-to-be, Olathe West High School, State Treasurer

 

66007 — Basehor

  • Nishan Thomas, junior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Eisenhower County District Court Official

 

66013 — Bucyrus

  • Luke Torrez, senior-to-be, Spring Hill High School; KBS Media

 

66027 — Fort Leavenworth

  • Levi Hanlen, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Powell County Representative
  • Ethan Herken, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Kennedy County Representative
  • Connor Torres, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Bramlage Councilman

 

66030 — Gardner

  • Braeden Fitzgerald, senior-to-be, Gardner-Edgerton High School; Powell County Commissioner
  • Ashton Lang, junior-to-be, Gardner-Edgerton High School; Department of Education and Culture Official
  • Isaiah Lang, junior-to-be, Gardner-Edgerton High School; Eisenhower County District Court Official

 

66043 — Lansing

  • Caleb Baltazar, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Bramlage Councilman
  • Paul Curtis, senior-to-be, Lansing High School; Seitz County Commissioner and KBS National Guard
  • Jack Corrigan, senior-to-be, Lansing High School; Seitz County Representative

 

66044 / 66047 / 66049 — Lawrence

  • Levi Bates, senior-to-be, Lawrence Free State High School; City of Shelton Councilman
  • Sebastian Borjas, junior-to-be, Bishop Seabury Academy; Seitz County Commissioner and KBS National Guard
  • * Mason Hadl, senior-to-be, Baldwin High School; Seitz County Commissioner

o   Hadl was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Werring

  • Jake King, senior-to-be, Lawrence Free State High School; City of Krupco Councilman
  • James Loyless, senior-to-be, Lawrence Free State High School; City of Gardner Councilman
  • Max Mitchell, senior-to-be, Eudora High School; Seitz County Commissioner
  • Jack Sartorius, senior-to-be, Perry-Lecompton High School; Powell County Representative
  • Brandon Sikes, senior-to-be, Lawrence Free State High School; Department of Human Resources Official
  • * Hayden Slough, senior-to-be, Bishop Seabury Academy; Kennedy County Commissioner

o   Slough was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Shelton

  • Drake Spurlock; senior-to-be; Bishop Seabury Academy; Eisenhower County Commissioner

 

66048— Leavenworth

  • Jaden Daniel, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Seitz County Representative
  • Quintin Hoppe, senior-to-be, Pleasant Ridge High School, Easton; Kennedy County Representative
  • Trey Johnson, junior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Krupco Councilman
  • Grady Mathews, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Gardner Councilman
  • Luke Monroy, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; City of Werring Councilman
  • Shawn Sullivan, senior-to-be, Leavenworth High School; Lieutenant Governor

 

66053 — Louisburg

  • Colton Prettyman, junor-to-be, Louisburg High School; Department of Natural Resources Official

 

66061 — Olathe

  • * Henry Bailey, senior-to-be, Olathe North High School; Eisenhower County Commissioner

o   Bailey was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Klassen

  • Austin Chase, junior-to-be, DeSoto High School; Dole County Representative
  • * Evan Faimon, senior-to-be, Olathe West High School; City of Whorley Councilman

o   Faimon was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Whorley

  • Dylan Harker, senior-to-be, Heritage Christian Academy, Olathe; KBS Highway Patrol Officer
  • Adiel Garcia II, senior-to-be, Spring Hill High School; Attorney General

o   Garcia was elected to represent Kansas Boys State at Boys Nation

  • Joey Geisler, senior-to-be, Blue Valley Southwest High School; Senate Majority Leader and Kennedy County Senator
  • Jackson Gwartney, senior-to-be, Olathe West High School; City of Thomson Councilman
  • Reid Kalkman, senior-to-be, DeSoto High School; City of Shoemaker Councilman
  • Jakob Kuehnen, senior-to-be, Olathe South High School; City of Whorley Councilman
  • Josef Kuehnen, senior-to-be, Olathe South High School; Supreme Court Judge

o   Kuehnen received the William “Bill” F. Stahl Outstanding Justice Award

  • Ricky Nosworthy, senior-to-be, St. James Academy, Lenexa; City of Klassen
  • Isaac Shilling, junior-to-be, Olathe West High School; Department of Education and Culture

 

66067 — Ottawa

  • Aiden Demoret, senior-to-be, Ottawa High School; KBS Highway Patrol Officer

 

66071 — Paola

  • Johnson Martell, senior-to-be, Paola High School; City of Krupco Councilman

 

66080 — Richmond

  • Marcius Englund, senior-to-be, Central Heights High School; City of Raymond Councilman

 

66086 — Tonganoxie

  • Gavin Shupe, senior-to-be, Tonganoxie High School; Powell County Commissioner

 

66109 — Kansas City

  • Thomas Hapke, senior-to-be, Piper High School; Speaker of the House and Kennedy County Representative
  • Grayson Lamb, senior-to-be, Piper High School; Eisenhower County Representative
  • Logun Nigh, senior-to-be, Lawrence Virtual School; Seitz County Representative

 

66202 — Mission

  • Wilson Biles, junior-to-be, Shawnee Mission East High School; Dole County Commissioner

 

66203 — Shawnee

  • Sam Wilson, senior-to-be, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; City of Werring Councilman

 

66205 — Westwood

  • Rocco Marrello, senior-to-be, Bishop Miege High School, Department of Human Resources Official

 

66207 — Prairie Village

  • Julius Lopez, senior-to-be, Bishop Miege High School; Powell County Commissioner

 

66208 — Mission Hills

  • Dean Patterson, junior-to-be, Pembroke Hill School, Kansas City, Mo.; City of Werring Councilman

 

66209 — Leawood

  • Gavin Nelson, junior-to-be, Blue Valley North High School; Dole County Senator
  • Landon Nelson, junior-to-be, Blue Valley North High School; Eisenhower County Representative

 

66211 — Olathe

  • Trenton Rogers, senior-to-be, Olathe West High School, Department of Education and Culture Official

 

66213 / 66214 / 66221 — Overland Park

  • Samuel Olson, senior-to-be, Olathe North High School; Dole County Representative
  • Kevin Colerick, senior-to-be, Blue Valley Northwest High School; City of Whorley Councilman
  • Matthew Newbold, junior-to-be, Pembroke Hill School, Kansas City, Mo.; Dole County Representative
  • Cody Peng, senior-to-be, Blue Valley Northwest High School; Secretary of State
  • Matthew Stevens, senior-to-be, Blue Valley Southwest High School; City of Krupco Councilman

 

66215 / 66220 — Lenexa

  • Logan Grosserode, senior-to-be, Home School; Eisenhower County Representative
  • Hayes Schoenfeldt, senior-to-be, Olathe Northwest High School; City of Thomson Councilman

 

66216 / 66218 / 66226 — Shawnee

  • Garrett Dykes, junior-to-be, DeSoto High School, Seitz County District Court Official
  • Adam Poe, senior-to-be, Rockhurst High School, Kansas City, Mo.; Department of Economy Official
  • Sebastian Smith, senior-to-be, Mill Valley High School; Eisenhower County Commissioner
  • Mason Van Allen, senior-to-be, DeSoto High School, Kennedy County Commissioner

 

66224 — Leawood

  • Jack Graves, senior-to-be, Blue Valley High School; City of Klassen Councilman and KBS National Guard
  • Joshua Murphy, junior-to-be, Blue Valley High School; Department of Economy Official
  • * Chetan Thomas, senior-to-be, The Barstow School, Kansas City, Mo.; KBS Media

o   Thomas was named Outstanding Citizen for the City of Krupco

  • Luke Wakeman, junior-to-be, Blue Valley North High School; Seitz County Commissioner

 

66409 — Berryton

  • Grant Bryan, senior-to-be, Bishop Seabury Academy, Lawrence; Department of Economy Official

 

66440 — Hoyt

  • Jackson King, senior-to-be, Royal Valley High School; Powell County District Court Official

 

66441 — Junction City

  • Noah Fields, senior-to-be, St. Xavier Catholic School; City of Whorley Councilman
  • Travis Leasure, senior-to-be, Chapman High School; Seitz County Representative
  • Creytin Sanner, senior-to-be, Junction City High School; House Majority Leader and Powell County Representative

o   Sanner was elected to represent Kansas Boys State at Boys Nation

 

66442 — Fort Riley

  • Joseph Knell, senior-to-be, Junction City High School; Supreme Court Judge

 

…

Obituary

Obituary of Richard Lucas

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Richard (Dick) Lucas was born in August 1944 in Mapleton, Kansas, and passed away in May 2023 in Burleson, Texas. He spent most of his childhood in Ft. Scott, graduating from Ft. Scott High School in 1962. After serving in the US Navy from 1962-1965, he married his childhood sweetheart, Linda Moore, in September 1965. Four children soon followed: Rick in 1967, Deborah in 1968, Rebekah in 1970, and Rachel in 1972. Dick spent nearly 40 years working in the IT field, moving with his family around the country from Texas to Colorado, Missouri, and Minnesota, then back to Texas where he lived for the last 28 years. He loved gardening, tinkering with electronics, riding his tractor, researching and debating current events and politics, and taking solo road trips to camp out and to explore nature and history. He was master of Dad Jokes and loved to laugh and make others laugh, especially his wife Linda; in their 57 years of marriage, they both said that was the most important thing.

Dick is survived by his children Rachel Price, Becki Lucas, Debi Lucas, and Rick Lucas; daughter-in-law Linda Donner and son-in-law Eli Price; two grandchildren, Noah Lucas and Sydney Abrisz; four great-grandchildren, Hailey, Emerson, Aria, and Audrey; brother, Ronald Lucas; and numerous nieces, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in passing by his father, Joseph Lucas; his mother, Lavon Loar; and his stepdad, Eldon Loar. In Dick’s final days, he was surrounded by his beloved wife and children, whom he loved with all his heart.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 7th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Lucille Griffith

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Lucille Mae Griffith, age 97, of Fort Scott, KS, formerly of Uniontown passed away Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Credo Assisted Living Center after a brief illness. She was born April 28, 1926 in Cleona, PA, the daughter of John H. Funk and Rosa “Rosie” Kreider Funk. Lucille graduated from Cleona, PA schools.

She worked at Bethlehem Steel as a lathe worker for a short time before attending a 3-Year nursing program at the Pennsylvania School of Nursing in Philadelphia and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1948.

Lucille work at Pennsylvania Hospital and then moved to Denver, Colorado to work as an RN at Denver Hospital. Lucille was a volunteer for USO (United Service Organization) where she met her husband Charles “Charley” Konantz Griffith who was in the Air Force. Charley was transferred to Nebraska Airforce Base near Omaha and Lucille and Charley were married in Nebraska on June 2, 1951.

Lucille was proud of her work as a nurse at Newman Young Clinic, Mercy Hospital, and the Uniontown school district. She was a member of the Uniontown Methodist Church and later a member of Faith Christian Church in Fort Scott. Lucille was an excellent cook and enjoyed sewing, knitting, and visiting with friends. She was a member of Uniontown Eastern Star and taught knitting to 4-H members.

Lucille and her husband served as volunteers for the Red Cross Disaster Teams and worked the aftermath of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and tornados.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Anna Alt, and her special sister-in-law Alice Ramsey. Lucille is survived by her four children, Bill Griffith, Cindy Bartelsmeyer (John), Mary Wynn (Rick), Sara Griffith, 11 grandchildren Aaron Griffith, Lisa Zimmerman, Grace Lundy, Marty

Manwiller, Amy Peterson, Chris Bartelsmeyer, Joy Rhea, Charity Strozier, Nathan Wynn, Andrea Rowe, Megan Messer, 21 great-grandchildren, her sister Marian Heffner, brother Melvin Funk, brother Richard Funk, and many nieces and nephews.

There was cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place in the Uniontown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation 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, Youth

Young Entrepreneurs Series Spawns An Anonymous Benefactor

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Judah Whitson at the cash register at Fort Scott Farmers Market.
Judah Whitson mans the cash register at his family’s booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market. He makes and sells mini-donuts at five-years-old, with help from his family.

A subscriber who has been reading the Young Entrepreneur Series on fortscott.biz was touched and wanted to support each business with a $50 grant.

The benefactor wishes to remain anonymous.

This is what he wrote:

“I always stop at the local kids’ lemonade stands. When I was growing up in Fort Scott, I remember the postman buying a cup of lemonade from me. For some reason that stayed with me.

“Selling Grit Magazine door to door, making birdhouses and selling them door to door, having a Tribune newspaper route back when you paid for your batch of papers up front, delivered them, and then collected monthly. If anyone stiffed you, you were out the dough. All of those things were great life lessons for me growing up in Fort Scott. That’s why I really like your program of highlighting young entrepreneurs”

If your child has been highlighted in our Young Entrepreneur Series, please contact [email protected] for the grant money.

The Young Entrepreneur Series is featuring youth under 18 years old who have a business in product or services.

To recommend a young entrepreneur in our community, please send contact info, email or phone number to [email protected]

 

Opinion

Little Mower Girl by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom

 

Around third or fourth grade, I was watching my Dad push mow the yard. I thought it looked like fun so I asked him if I could give it a try. He gave me some instructions and away I went. That was the beginning of my fun affair with a lawn mower. Fast forward to 2020, we purchased a 60” zero-turn Bad Boy mower. The only instructions the salesman gave me was, “Make sure it’s on full throttle when you engage the blades.” In fact, all the mowing, from start to finish is accomplished at full power — the speed of the mower varies, but the power of the engine is full on.

 

The definition of “full throttle” is holding nothing back, with great intensity, full speed, as much speed and energy as possible, the maximum setting on an engine, an all-out effort. That’s a pretty good definition of a true Christ follower. I’m not referring to burning the candle at both ends or running on fumes. We need to make sure we’re not overworked and under-joyed as we give God everything we’ve got. Crashing and burning accomplishes absolutely nothing for the Kingdom of God. But it does give the onlookers something to talk about. The goal is to love God and others and do His will in a balanced “all or nothing” lifestyle.

 

Believers can’t cut the grass or the mustard if we’re not living at full throttle for God. A compromising Christian who has one foot in the world and one foot in God’s Kingdom  is simply going to bog down and wimp out. Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). Because Jesus left the splendor of heaven, died on Calvary’s cross and rose triumphantly for us to have an abundant life through Him, the least we can do is give Him our all. Believers should be prepared to roll up their sleeves in their service for Christ. Let’s determine to be a powerhouse for God, not a playhouse.

 

God never cuts corners and Christians shouldn’t either. “Whatever you are doing, let your hearts be in your work, as a thing done for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23 WNT). God wants us to joyfully serve Him with our whole hearts; He’s not pleased with half-hearted effort. To half obey is to disobey. A yard that’s half mown still looks tacky. I think the following motto is superb: “Do your best and God will do the rest.” The Great God Jehovah won’t do what you can do, but He will sure do what you can’t do.

 

Before I hop on the mower, I always check the fuel gauge. Believers need to do a fuel check every day. Spending time with God, reading His Word, and communing with Him in prayer is what fills our spiritual gas tank which then enables us to do whatever comes our way that day. “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]” (Philippians 4:13 AMP). This amazing strength is inside believers and goes to work when the task before us is difficult. The time spent in filling the tank is never wasted because it enables us to reach way down within ourselves when the mowing gets tough. When life hands you an acre of tall grass, just mow at a slower speed, keep it at full throttle, and don’t stop until it’s finished.

The Key: Stay at full throttle, do your best, and you’ll finish your task.

Bourbon County Local News