FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Time is running out to get discount tickets for Wahzhazhe: An Osage Ballet. This moving story of the Osage people is coming to Fort Scott, Kansas for three performances July 21-22, 2023. Discounted early bird prices are only available until May 31. Tickets can be purchased online at www.osageballet.com/events or by clicking on the get tickets button on the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Facebook page. Persons needing assistance with online purchases can do so, in person, at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The heart-pounding drumbeats, rhythmic dancing, and compelling stories of Wahzhazhe are sure to delight dancing enthusiasts and history fans of all ages. The Fort Scott performances will be held Friday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 22 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site in partnership with the National Park Service are hosting Wahzhazhe as part of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s educational programming. Contact [email protected] for more information.
John Dewey Kirby, age 61, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Wednesday, May 24, 2023. He was born November 23, 1961, in Wichita, KS, the son of William and Mary Elizabeth Long.
John was a bull rider for over 20 years on the rodeo circuit.
More recently he worked maintenance for Lake Chaparral in Mound City, KS.
He enjoyed anything outdoors, camping, woodworking, and listening to rock music.
John always had his trusty dog “Bo” by his side.
He loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.
John married Chastity Mackley on November 12, 2022, in Fort Scott.
Survivors include his wife Chastity of the home; a son Dustin Erikson; a daughter, Cherokee Erikson (Clint Szuwalski); and 3 grandsons, Hunter, Gunner, and Kaiser.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
There was cremation. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the John Kirby Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
TheCommunity Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) will host the 2023Estate Planning Forumin the large conference room of The Foundry at Block22indowntownPittsburgon Tuesday, June13.
Thefull–dayForum, hostedannuallyin partnership with Foulston Siefkin LLP of Wichita,is open to Southeast Kansas attorneys, CPAs, insurance professionals, and financial advisors.Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and the first session will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Attendees willlearn about new developments in the field of estate planning, earnup tosix hours of continuing–education credit, andenjoya free lunchfrom Chatterscourtesy of CFSEK.
This year’s Forum includes sessions on legal ethics;a comparison of probate–avoidance devices; drafting advice to minimize family disharmony; drafting support and discretionary trusts; and recent developments in estate planning, including the effects of recent changes on charitable giving.Sessions will be taught byFoulston Siefkin’s Tim O’Sullivan, JD, LLM, and Corey Moomaw, JD, LLM.
The Forum has been approved for 6 hours of CLE credit (including one hour of ethics credit) and 5 hours of insurance CE credit. It also offersa recommended5 hours of CPE credit for accountants and5 hours of PACE credit for qualifying financial advisors.
Registration is required for this event.Professionaladvisorswho want to attendthe 2023 Estate Planning Forumcanregister by completing the online form at SoutheastKansas.org/forum2023/, emailing j[email protected], or calling (620) 231–8897. ***
Pictured are people painting the initial labyrinth lines in fall 2022 at the vacant lot across from First Presbyterian Church at 308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.
In nearly every culture, walking labyrinths are a single path to a center used for prayer and meditation, or just a brief walk, according to Pastor Christopher Eshelman of Fort Scott First United Methodist.
“We find examples all over the world, from petroglyphs to indigenous basket weavings, stamped coins and labyrinths themselves,” he said. “In this sense, a labyrinth is not a maze or a puzzle – there are no dead ends (and no Minataur!).”
Building a labyrinth in Fort Scott, was Eshelman’s idea.
“Walking labyrinths is one of my favorite spiritual disciplines and I’ve been building them for several years – everything from temporary chalk on concrete or painters tape on a gym floor to mowing them into fields or, in this case, arranging stone to form the path boundaries,” he said.
The Fort Scott Labyrinth was completed last month, and will be dedicated on May 28 at 11:45 a.m., right after the Methodist church service is over.
Pictured is the completed labyrinth with benches. Submitted photo.
“It just really got finished in the last month or so and we are formally dedicating it on Sunday, May 28th with a brief ceremony, he said. “We added the benches and sign a few months ago using funds from a grant given by the Healthy Congregations program of the UMC’s Great Plains Conference. Anyone can use the space.”
The labyrinth is a place to meditate.
“It’s a personal favorite practice and it is a way of transforming the space from an abandoned lot into something beautiful,” Eshelman said. “This site, where people once bought food to nourish their bodies now serves as a space to nourish mind and spirit. It is a great way to engage people in walking, exercise, and spirituality as well as deepening the connection and cooperation between our two congregations.”
The labyrinth is sponsored by First Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church.
The Presbyterian Church logos, left and the Methodist Church Logo, right. Submitted graphics.
“The Presbyterians now own the land, which was the former site of Whiteside’s Grocery at 3rd and Crawford,” he said. “The Whiteside’s are longtime members of First United Methodist, where I now serve as pastor. With permission of their Sessions board, I and a few volunteers initially laid it out with marking paint and then gradually added stone – some is debris from the site and some is stone gathered and donated from nearby fields and projects by one of our members. What was once scattered now contributes to a place of wholeness.”
Memorabilia from Whiteside’s Grocery Store, now the site of the labyrinth. Submitted photo.
“It is a space where you can, quite literally, center yourself,” he said. “It really is what you make of it and what you bring to it. There is no wrong way to walk a labyrinth so long as you are respectful of the space and others who use it. One of my favorite experiences was a time I was trying to very seriously instruct a group of Cub Scouts in the ancient practice… and they did not care. They just wanted to play. When I finally got out of the way and let them runs and skip, they immediately started playing follow the leader and exploring the space. It was wonderful. Our design copies one that was laid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France between 1200 and 1220AD and used as a pilgrimage spot.”
Join us on Sunday, June 11th at 10:30am to hear about Rev. Darryl Burton’s story about Faith and how he helped others who feel lost and hopeless.
Rev. Burton was wrongly convicted and spent 25 years in a prison for a crime he did not commit. Burton founded Miracle of Innocence, an organization to help others who have been wrongfully convicted.
For more information please contact 620.223.3180
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
This week has been a tough one for my friends and their families. I grieve because of what they are enduring. Some I cannot share. Some I can.
My friend Joyce died. Unexpectantly. In her last text to me, two days before her death, she wrote this: “I’ve got my eyes on The Prize…Jesus…” Little did Joyce know that she would meet her “Prize” a short time later. The day before, she had asked her friends to send her cards so she could post them on the wall in her care facility room. If Joyce was praying for you, you can be sure she never missed a day.
My girlfriend “Sarah” phoned and reacquainted me with the term “mean girls” who obviously are alive and not well. I don’t understand what makes them tick. Her granddaughter “Jessie,” a student at a new school, had made friends with three girls. After moving several times because of her parents’ divorce and remarriages, this was the first time she had close friends. Jessie’s invitation to prom gave her renewed confidence. All four girls would meet at Jessie’s house to dress for the prom where Jessie’s mother, thrilled about her daughter’s excitement, created a potato bar for the girls and their dates.
When Sarah arrived at her granddaughter’s house to take pictures, the mood had changed. Jessie’s date had phoned and said that he was not able to drive and asked if Jessie’s dad could drop her off at the prom. Strange, but what else could she do? When none of the friends arrived at her house, Jessie called them. No one answered. Sarah made excuses and attempted to encourage her granddaughter that this “obviously” was some goof-up. Jessie needed to go to the dance where, surely, everything would be explained.
Fifteen minutes after Jessie was dropped off at prom, she called her dad, asking that he pick her up. None of the girls were talking to her, and her “date” acted as if she didn’t exist. My friend cried for three days and then called me. “I have some advice,” I said. “Drive up to Jessie’s school and greet the three girls when they leave. Ask them what pleasure they had in destroying your granddaughter’s confidence and belief that they were her friends. And then meet her “date,” and knock him unconscious. (And yes, I know that this is not what Christians do…but remember, even Jesus got angry.)
The next night, a text came from one of my five college friends who meet up annually for a reunion. She had been on a date-night with her husband. He choked on a piece of steak and died. Waiters had attempted the Heimlich but to no avail. What a horror for my friend to watch!
I tried to find blessings out of such sadness. Joyce had been struggling for the past year with health issues. Jessie didn’t need “friends’ like these mean girls. My sorority friend’s husband had been dealing with early-onset-dementia, had to move out of his house and was grieving because of it. God knew all of that…and more.
How does one know how God is working? Because He’s always working. His permissive will allows things to occur that we do not understand. When I opened my emails today, this appeared: “God absolutely longs to help us in our hurt.” He does that by offering Heaven to those who love Him and accept the gift of His son. When I think of my two friends’ deaths, I know that their last breath here on earth became their first breath in eternity. They loved Jesus. They are so much better off than we are.
Their physical and mental deficiencies are no more. No pain. No sorrow. Only pure joy. As for my friend’s granddaughter, I pray that God leads her to a “real” friend…hopefully one that will last and love her unconditionally. A perfect friend like Jesus.
National History DayState Championsfrom Fort ScottSet to Present at the Empress Events Center Southeast Kansaswill send two projects totheNational History DayChampionshipin College Park, Maryland June 11–15.
Four groups from theBourbon County community attended the State National History Day Championships in Topeka in April.
The two groups from Fort Scott who are State Champions competing at Nationals in June will present their projects at 7:00 PM on June 1stat the Empress Events Center. This presentation will allow the students to practice sharing their projects and raise funds for their trip to College Park, MD. This event is open to the public.
The following studentsare the State Champions andwill be sharing their projects on June 1st:
Kenlee Eden, Blair Felt, and Kodie Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center will participate inthe Junior Group Documentary category, coached byMegan Felt and Rachel Wells.Their project is entitled Blazing a Trail for the Forgotten.It is a documentary based onJean Purdy, the first embryologist in history. Jean’s efforts in helping biologist Dr. Robert Edwards and gynecologist Dr. Patrick Steptoe led to the first IVF baby being born in 1978.
Taly Banwart, Holly Crain, and Abby Jacobs from Fort Scott ChristianLearning Center will participate in the Senior Group Performance category, coached by CLC history teacher Dan Kobernat. Their project is entitled A Love Larger Than Life.It is a performance based on Dr. Leila Denmark and her efforts to eradicate whoopingcough by creating the pertussis vaccine. Dr. Denmark’s vaccine was the 11thvaccine ever developed.
History Day encourages students to express their knowledge of and interest in history through creative and original dramatic performances, media presentations, historical papers, website design, or three–dimensional exhibit projects. The research and study for district, state, and national competitionstake place throughout the entire school year.
The national competition involves the top 2,000 students from across the nation, chosen from over 800,000 who compete in order to advance from local to state to national competition. All 50 states and several countries will be represented at the National competition. The themethis year is“Frontiers in History: People, Ideas, and Events.”
The Lowell Milken Center is located at the corner of First and Wall Streets.
The Lowell Milken Center provides critiques and helps with research for National History Day Unsung Hero projects from Kansas and throughout the United States.
Photo credit: National Park Service. Staff and community members set up the Field of Honor in 2022.
Symbols of Sacrifice, an annual event at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, was started about 10 years ago to commemorate those killed in wars the U.S. has fought in.
The first event was organized by the late Anne Emerson and the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site and was on Sept. 11, 2013.
“The Symbols of Sacrifice event began in 2013 (http://www.friendsofthefort.com/2013/08/symbols-of-sacrifice.html) with events around September 11th developed by the Friends of Fort Scott NHS,” said Carl Brenner, FSNHS Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management. “It has occurred on September 11th until 2018 when it was moved to July 4th for that year. Beginning in 2019 we moved the event to Memorial weekend to be more inclusive of everyone who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free.”
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and originated in the years following the Civil War, becoming an official federal holiday in 1971, according to a FSNHS press release.
The Field of Honor with its approximately 7,000 flags commemorate the ultimate sacrifice members of the United States Armed Forces have made to keep this country free, according to the press release.
Volunteers Needed
Members of the community are invited to join the Fort Scott National Historic Site park staff in placing the flags for the “Symbols of Sacrifice” Field of Honor on Friday morning, tomorrow, May 26, according to the press release.
Volunteers, individuals and groups, are asked to plan on working from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. Volunteers are also asked to help remove the display on Tuesday, May 30, according to the press release.
To find out more and to become involved, please contact the park at 620-223-0310, email us at [email protected], or just come out and help.
Symbols of Sacrifice continues the entire Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 26 through, Monday, May 29, and the Field of Honor will be open throughout the weekend, according to the press release.
There will be guided fort tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is an all-weather event.
Fort Scott National Historic Site
About the Fort
From April 1 to September 30, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its summer hours of operation.
The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site in partnership with the National Park Service invite you to a special performance of Wahzhazhe: An Osage Ballet. There are three performances: July 21 @ 7:30 pm, and July 22 at 3 pm and 7:30 pm at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Arts Center in Fort Scott, Kansas. For tickets, scan the QR code below
Wahzhazhe brings to life the rich history of the Osage Nation in a stunningly beautiful stage performance using traditional drumming, costumes, and contemporary dance. This professional dance performance has been performed at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. and during Pope Francis’ visit to the Philadelphia Festival of Families in 2015.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
