Bourbon County, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History, Kansas

Native American Program Series Starts March 18 at Fort Scott NHS

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Photo credit: Dr. Tia Edwards.

Fort Scott National Historic Site (FSNHS) personnel are collaborating to bring stories of  indigenous tribe’s histories to Bourbon County.

“We want to help share the stories of tribal partners, a lot of it is the Osage Tribe,” said Carl Brenner, program manager for interpretation and resource management at the Fort. “We are trying to tell the story with the background of everything that was here in Kansas, the Fort is just a part. It’s a bigger story than Kansas and the Fort. It’s the story of the growing pains of a nation.”

The first program, in a series the Fort is bringing to Fort Scott, is this Saturday.

The series of events will be of authors, historians, artisans, and Native American Tribal members, which will  continue through the fall of this year.

Colonialism and the Osage in Kansas

FSNHS is hosting historian and author, Dr. Tia Edwards, this Saturday, March 18 from 11 a.m. to noon in the theater of the infantry barracks.

“She will discuss how nineteenth century U.S. Indian policy functioned as settler colonialism, displacing Indigenous nations across the eastern United States, including the Osage who were expelled from their Missouri homelands and confined to a reservation in Kansas,” Brenner said.

Photo of this person
Dr. Tia Edwards from the Johnson County Community College website.

 

Dr. Edwards is a historian and director of the Kansas Studies Institute at Johnson County Community College, according to the press release.

Her book Osage Women and Empire was published by the University Press of Kansas in 2018. She is an officer in the Kansas Association of Historians (KAH) and the Kansas Association for Native American Education (KANAE).

She has collaborated on many projects including recording veterans’ oral histories, preserving the Quindaro ruins in Kansas City, KS and rematriating a sacred boulder in Lawrence to the Kaw Nation.

Indigenous Histories Series

The Fort is collaborating with local entities to bring the histories of indigenous peoples to Fort Scott. The Lowell Milken Center, Hedgehog INK bookstore and Fort Scott Community College is collaborating with the Fort for this series.

 

Speakers

The Lowell Milken Center will have Billy Mills, an Oglala Souix, on April 12.  Mills was a 1964 gold medal winner at the Tokyo Olympics, who inspired America with his win.

Billy Mills. Taken from the Olympics website.

To view his story:

https://olympics.com/en/athletes/billy-mills

 

 

On April 15, Isaias Mc Caffrey,  author of Last Stand at Rebel Creek: The Osage as Union Allies in Civil War Kansas will be at the Fort.

Isaias McCaffery, taken from the Humanities Kansas website.

 McCaffery is a professor of history at Independence Community College. His presentation explores the Osage tribe’s contributions to the Union Army cause in Kansas during the Civil War.

Ballet

Wahzhazhe, the name the Osage people call themselves, will perform a contemporary ballet that tells their history from pre-contact years to present day, according to https://www.osageballet.com/. This event will be July 21-22 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College.

Photo from the Wahzhazhe website.

“From the hand-painted scenery, to the original score , which features the use of traditional drums, to the exquisitely detailed costumes, the world of the Osage comes to life in vivid color, a mesmerizing blend of historical accuracy and raw emotional symbolism,” according to its website.

In addition to the ballet, there will be an exhibit of historic photos of the Osage people.

This event is partially funded by Humanities Kansas. Donations for this project are welcome to the Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Fort Scott National Historic Site: Part of the National Park System.

The FSNHS exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.during the winter months, which ends March 31. 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.

 

 

K-State Extension

Planning for Life:  Advance Directives

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Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.

 

One thing we can count on is life changing all the time.  I was recently asked to present on Advance Directives and was reminded what an important topic it is.  Though not always easy, providing some clarity for your family can be a great gift to them when an illness or injury does occur.

 

Advance directives are legal documents that give family, friends, and health care providers information about your end of life wishes. Having advance directives in place can help avoid confusion and stress in an emergency.  It is not an overreaction to think about this and honestly, anyone 18 or older should consider putting these directives in writing.

 

The most common advance directives are:

  • durable power of attorney for health care,
  • living will, and
  • pre-hospital do not resuscitate

 

In Kansas, an attorney is not needed to complete these documents but you must have witnesses sign them.  Advance directives can be a difficult topic to both contemplate and discuss. Here are some steps to help.

  • Gain more understanding of each option from your physician, health care providers, financial providers or your attorney.
  • Take some time to contemplate your goals and wishes. One way to help others understand your wishes is to think about what your idea of good and bad critical care would look like for you.
  • Discuss your personal preferences with family, friends or a religious advisor. At any point, you can change your preferences, and revise your documents.
  • Designate several health care agents. If you only choose one, it may be the person who was injured or ill with you.  These individuals can be designated in a particular order so only one person acts as the official agent at any one time.

 

To help people in thinking and talking about these issues, the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, created a research based online resource called PREPARE, which is available in English and Spanish.  This is a nice resource that breaks it down into several steps.  You can watch/read about each step at your own pace so that it is not overwhelming.

 

Kansas specific and form fillable directives and wallet cards can be found here:  http://bit.ly/KSdirectives

Read more at:  https://bit.ly/3jtrb3q

 

For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or by calling 620-244-3826.

 

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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.

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of Rodell “Rodie” Darling

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Rodell Richard “Rodie” Darling, age 96, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away on  Monday, March 13, 2023 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas

 

Rodell was born on October 25, 1926 in Fort Scott, he son of Reid and Olive Dorn Darling.   He attended the Fort School system and was a U. S. Army veteran during World War II.  After serving in the Philippines following the Japanese surrender, Rodell was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946.  He then returned to Fort Scott and began his life anew.  He was married to Mary Elizabeth McKee in Uniontown, Kansas on April 29, 1950, and they became lifelong companions.

 

Rodell worked at several jobs in and around Fort Scott during his life but the one for which he was most well known was that of being a serviceman for the Gas Service Company; a job that he very much enjoyed having for 33 years before retiring in 1989.

 

In earlier years, Rodell was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed fishing as well as hunting quail and squirrels and even the occasional prairie chicken.  Beginning in the mid-1970s he and Mary became accomplished square dancers and participated extensively as members of the Iza Stompers Square Dance Club.   Over the years he also liked to walk throughout Fort Scott; something for which he is still remembered by some.  Like his wife Mary, Rodell’s biggest joy in life was his family.

 

Survivors include his son, Rodell Clay Darling (Virginia); two grandchildren, Linden Reid Collins (Austin) of Dallas, and Elizabeth Hope Darling (Ryan) of Pittsburg; and three great grandchildren, Eden Darling of Pittsburg, Ruby Darling Collins and Reid Yeager Collins, also of Dallas, and many nieces and nephews.

Rodell was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Sue Collins, his sister, Vivian Lugliani, and his brother, Wallace Darling.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 21st at the Cheney Witt Chapel, burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.   Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Charles “Frankie” Durossette

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Charles Franklin “Frankie” Durossette, age 51, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Overland Park, KS.

He was surrounded by his entire family as he was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven.

Frankie grew up in Fort Scott, where he met and married the love of his life, Melissa Jane Blaufuss. He met Melissa “cruising” town and fell in love with her right away.  They married, September 9, 2000.

Frankie was the manager and head mechanic, alongside his wife and parents, at 3D Auto Repair.

While he was an excellent mechanic, he enjoyed many things in life.  He enjoyed hunting, shooting firearms, fishing, coaching, and cheering for his boys at all sporting events.  Frankie was proud of all three boys.

At home, he was a master at all things.  Frankie and Melissa just built their dream home together. At home he enjoyed cooking and grilling. He could build or fix anything.  We were truly blessed with a great man.

 

Frankie and Melissa have three boys, Cody, Wyatt, and Caleb, their most precious possessions. Frankie was born April 6, 1971, to Frank and Mary (Michalek) Durossette. He is brother to: big brother, Billy, wife Christi Durossette, little brother Kevin, wife Autumn Durossette and Wes, wife Amber Blaufuss. Frankie is uncle to: Josh, wife Tab, Jake, Sophie, Kasen, Cash, Ellie, Kierstyn, Emersyn, Kynley, Kane, and Kaizley.

Frankie was excited to add Grandpa to his title soon. Frankie was preceded in death by Paternal and Maternal grandparents, Grover William and Maxine Lavon (Gibson) Durossette, and Edward and Ethel Mary (Murphy) Michalek.

 

 

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Friday, March 17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Frankie Durossette 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.

Obituary

Obituary of Willa Cable

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Willa Ann Woody Cable went softly into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, March 11, 2023, after a very brief battle with brain cancer. She was born August 17, 1944, to Mable Smith Woody in Fort Scott, KS, She grew up on a farm east of Savonburg, Kansas where she was raised by her mother and maternal grandparents, Emmett and Myrtle Smith.

 

Her affection for the outdoors was nurtured by her Grandpa Smith as they worked side-by-side with cattle, horses, and mules. This love of nature continued throughout her life. She found joy in gardening, hunting, and fishing. She travelled extensively throughout North America particularly enjoying visiting historic sites and national parks.

 

As a teen, Willa met Jesus and things only got better. Jesus walked with her step-by-step throughout her life. In May 1959, she met the love of her life, Charles Cable. They married on March 3, 1962, in Humboldt, KS.

 

When her two children were in school, she went back to school and attained her degree in nursing. As an LPN, she worked for many years in local nursing homes. This was one of the many ways that she faithfully served the Lord and touched the lives of those around her.

 

Willa’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Charles, two children, Bob (Lori) Cable of Fort Scott, Cherri (Paul) Walrod of Eudora, KS; eleven grandchildren: Loryn (Andrew) Woodworth of Bloomington, Indiana, Seth (Rachel) Cable of Overland Park, KS, Landon Walrod of Almagordo, NM, Samuel Cable of Kansas City, MO, Jamison (Sierra) Walrod of Shawnee, KS, Natalie Cable of Kansas City, MO, Jintry (Will) Phillips of Emporia, KS and Simon, Sami, Karly, and Kolson Walrod of Eudora; and five great-grandchildren.

 

She was known for her strength, wit, and heart for God. She will be greatly missed.

 

There was cremation. Services will take place at later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201, S. Main St. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

Expansion of Services, Hours at CHC Start April 17 At New Facility

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The CHC Fort Scott buildilng at 2322 S. Main.

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas  Ft. Scott Clinic opened in January 2019 to fill the primary care gap when Mercy Hospital closed in December 2018, after over 100 years in the community.

On April 17, the new facility at 2322 S. Main will be open to the public, following the move from the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills.

To view details of the move:

More Space & Services In One Location For CHC Starting April 17: Other Tenants Staying

With the move to a new facility,  residents have services not previously offered, including expanded clinic hours, expanded Walk-In Care, expanded pharmacy, telehealth and behavioral health services, according to a press release from CHC.

Benefits of the the new services at the new facility:

A Larger More Efficient Medical Clinic

The new location expands to 36 exam rooms including, telehealth, according to the press release.

It features updated furnishings and efficient design to save steps for both patients and the staff.

There is an integrated model of care with a wide array of enabling services including behavioral health via telemedicine, patient navigation, and care management.

The medical staff include Dr. Sarah Bradshaw, Dr. Holly Gault, Dr. Pankaj Gugnani, MD, and Dr. Maxwell Self. Advanced Nurse Practitioners include Amanda Stice, Kayla Tinsley and Whitney Dickerson.

 

Specialty Care offered within the clinic:

Diabetic Care: APRN Becky French-diabetic care and education.  

Pulmonology:  Paden Shaffer APRN-pulmonology  and sleep disorders/CPAP management.

Pain Management and Infectious Disease: Dr. Julie Stewart. 

Wound Care:  Dr. Michael Nagle. Todd Carl, APRN

Freeman Orthopedic clinic:  Greg King, FNP

 

A Larger Walk-In Care Clinic

The new Walk-In Care service features a larger waiting area, more privacy and expands to eight exam rooms. There were three at the prior one. Hours of operation are 7 AM- 7 PM every day.

 

Expanded Imaging Services

Advanced diagnostic imaging equipment is under one roof including digital x-ray, ultrasound, mammography, bone density, and a newly purchased 64-slice Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner.

 The CT is an important addition to the clinic  providing a detailed look at what is happening inside of the patient’s body, according to the press release.

“In an urgent situation, having CT locally is important so patients can be scanned quickly to rapidly assess their condition,” according to the press release. “CT scans can often be difficult to access and quite expensive for patients. Having CT in-house makes these scans accessible and affordable. For patients receiving discounted charges through the sliding scale program for uninsured and underinsured patients, the cost of a CT scan can be as low as $50 including the physician’s read.”

Expanded Pharmacy

Apothecare Pharmacy is a subsidiary of CHC/SEK, and is now open to the public providing a full range of prescriptions, according to the press release. “The Apothecare staff include Kelsey Burford, PharmD, Cetra Horton, PharmD, Adam Malone, PharmD, Blake Martin, PharmD, Julie Pellett, PharmD, and Darin Treiber, PharmD. They work directly with the medical staff to ensure patients get the medications they need, affordably, quickly, and safely.”

Apothecare pharmacy is open 7 AM-7 PM, seven days a week, with a convenient drive-through pick-up window and to-your-door delivery within 15 miles. Apothecare accepts most insurance plans Medicare, Medicaid and private commercial plans.

Laboratory 

Outpatients requiring laboratory services will find the new space and expanded  7AM-7 PM Monday-Saturday hours more convenient.  “We want patients to be able to stop in for a quick lab draw and be on their way,” said Baily Davis, CHC/SEK Fort Scott Practice Manager.

 

Wellness Center.

“CHC/SEK has long recognized that ‘health’ and ‘wellness’ go hand in hand,” according to the press release. They will continue to cultivate a culture of health and wellness for both patients and staff.

The center features cardio and strength equipment and is staffed by Physical Therapist and Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, Jessie McGown, DPT; Registered Dietitian, Patrick James, RD; and Chiropractor, Dr. Dave Miller, DC.

There are individualized treatment plans for each patient to best meet their health and wellness goals, which includes teaching and supporting healthy eating habits, improving overall strength and mobility, and  pain management, according to the press release.

 

Teaching Opportunities  

“Since its beginning, CHC/SEK has focused on education,” according to the press release. “To have a thriving… community, rural America needs to train and retain future healthcare workers to replace the retiring workforce, and meet increasing healthcare needs.”

“The new clinic will allow space to collaborate with teaching institutions for students to train alongside staff. CHC/SEK supervises approximately 250 students (medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, behavioral health, etc.) per year, and has an accredited family practice residence program with Kansas University for training and retaining rural physicians.  

 

Group Therapies

Expanded meeting space will allow group therapies for addiction treatment, diabetic education, tobacco cessation, and SNAP-ED classes to offer to patients and the community.

 

2022 CHC Service to the Community

Last year,  the clinic saw more than 60,000 patients, including medical, behavioral health, wellness and support services.

During 2022, staff provided more than 1,700 mammograms, Apothecare Pharmacy filled more than 70,000 prescriptions and the clinic provided more than 4,500 COVID-19 tests and administered more than 8,000 immunizations.

Help For Uninsured, Underinsured

CHC/SEK offers a sliding scale discount for uninsured and underinsured patients  based on the household’s annual income and the number of individuals living in the household. All patients seeking care at CHC/SEK are eligible to receive services regardless of income or ability to pay.

Sliding fee discounts and financial assistance is available to eligible patients.

 

 

 

Government, Kansas

Phone Coaching to Stop Smoking Plus Nicotine Replacement Therapy

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Limited Time Only Kansas Tobacco Quitline Offers 8 Weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy

TOPEKA – For the first time in the twenty-year history of the Kansas Tobacco Quitline 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, (KDHE) is offering all phone coaching enrollees eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy while supplies last.

Participants who are 18 years and older that want to quit smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco and enroll in the phone coaching program can choose a lozenge, gum, or patch that will be mailed directly to their home if they enroll by midnight on Sunday, April 30.

“We want all tobacco users to know that although quitting is hard, they can do it,” said Matthew Schrock, cessation coordinator. “Individuals who smoke often try to quit several times before succeeding, but proven treatments and services are available that can improve your chances to quit for good. We encourage all Kansans to try to quit, and if they want free help, take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Kansas Tobacco Quitline is a free, 24/7 resource available to Kansas residents to help them quit smoking. The Quitline provides help, such as counseling, a personalized Quit Plan and quitting support by phone and through online services. A survey of Quitline users highlighted that 90% of participants were satisfied with the Quitline coaches and counselors. The Quitline can be reached by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee hosted by Briggs of Fort Scott on March 16

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Chamber Coffee hosted by Briggs of Fort Scott

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the weekly Chamber Coffee on Thursday, March 16th at 8am hosted by Briggs of Fort Scott, 1819 S. Main St. in the Ford Showroom.  Briggs will be celebrating their 7th anniversary in the community and 40th anniversary corporate-wide with additional locations in Manhattan and Topeka.  Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to door prize drawings.

The primary focus of Briggs is on building relationships with their customers and to make the car buying experience fast, easy, and hassle-free.  Brands sold out of the Fort Scott dealership include Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Wagoneer.  In addition, they offer Fiat, KIA, Nissan, and Subaru at the other locations.  Briggs also offers a variety of automotive maintenance and repair services on all the brands they sell and more.

Chamber Coffees are held each Thursday at 8am for members to network, make announcements, and learn about the host business or organization.  Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information or to inquire about available dates for hosting a Coffee.

 

Government

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter

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Leading Effort to Tackle National Security Threats from Foreign Tech
As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and Senate Committee on Commerce, I joined my colleagues Senators Mark Warner and John Thune to introduce the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act. This bipartisan legislation will address the ongoing threat posed by technology, like TikTok, from foreign adversaries by further empowering the Department of Commerce to review, prevent and mitigate information communications and technology transactions that pose undue risk to America’s national security.

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Foreign adversaries are increasingly using products and services like TikTok to collect information on American citizens, posing a threat to our national security. This legislation would give the Department of Commerce the authority to help prevent adversarial governments from controlling harmful products and services in the U.S., providing us the long-term tools necessary to combat the infiltration of our information and communications systems. The government needs to be vigilant against these threats, and additionally a comprehensive data privacy law is needed to make certain Americans are able to control who accesses their data and for what purpose. I urge my colleagues to support the RESTRICT Act and to work with me to enact a comprehensive data privacy standard.

You can read more from WIBW here.

You can watch my full remarks on the RESTRICT Act here.

Continue reading U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter →

Government

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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March 10, 2023

 

Property Tax is on many Kansans minds as the valuation notices were recently mailed.  Many will be protesting the increase.  The directions for protest are on the valuation letter.  Previously when property evaluations were increased your property taxes automatically increased – not anymore.   In 2021, the legislature expanded Truth in Taxation for property taxes by establishing policy that local governments have to notify taxpayers and vote before they can collect a dollar more than the previous year, i.e. go above the Revenue Neutral Rate, sometimes referred to as Senate Bill (SB) 13.    It keeps the property taxes revenue neutral, the same as last year.  The Revenue Neutral Rate notice is a letter mailed by the County Clerk between August 20 and September 20, which includes the date, time, and location local governments will be voting on any proposed property tax increase.  Property owners should show up at these meetings and hold the government responsible for tax increases.

The Property Valuation Department will be testifying in the Senate Tax Committee next week to investigate what is happening with property valuations in Kansas.  There has to be a better way.

 

Exempting Sales Tax on manufacturer coupons passed the Senate unanimously.  In Kansas, when a person uses a manufacturer coupon sales tax is charged on the entire purchase, including the coupon amount.  SB 53 would exempt the coupon amount from sales tax.

 

Fairness in Women’s Sports passed the Senate 28 to 11.  The bill establishes that only biological females could participate in women’s sports.  Since it was a House Bill (HB), 2238, and there were no amendments by the Senate, it was sent to the Governor.  Hopefully, she will not veto the bill as she has for the past two years.

 

Kansas Attorney General would be authorized to prosecute any alleged crime that occurs in two or more counties.  It passed the Senate 35 to 3.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

Bourbon County Local News