The next Bourbon County Coalition General Membership meeting will be this Wednesday, September 3rd at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott Ave.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
September 3, 2025 1:00 PM
Scottview Conference Room
315 S. Scott Ave
The 120th Old Settlers’ Picnic festivities in Uniontown culminated with the parade on September 1.
Rain threatened, but did not happen for this annual picnic, which was much appreciated by participants.
Vendors lined the sidewalk in the town’s square, and children and their loved ones lined the streets waiting for the anticipated candy that is traditionally thrown to viewers of the parade.
The theme this year was Remembering the Past-Planning the Future.
The parade grand marshals were the Bill and Doris George family, with four generations on the haywagon, representing the legacy of this local farm family.
Other activities from August 29 to September 1 included a street dance, a 5K run/walk, a kids’ fishing derby, rodeos, a community church service, a car show, a baby contest, and numerous games and prizes, along with the annual recognitions.
The August meeting of Starlite FCE was held at the Presbyterian Village meeting room. Vice President Joyce Allen called the meeting to order and led the Club in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect. Seven members and one guest were in attendance. The members reported that they had volunteered 118 hours and had recycled 955 lbs.
Joyce announced that Glenda Miller’s birthday is this month.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Deb Lust presented the Treasurer’s report. She announced that the Club had received first place at the Fair on their scarecrow and second place on their hay bale. Terri Williams moved the treasurers’ report be approved, Deb Lust seconded the motion, motion carried. Karen Peery gave the Council report. She announced that Angela Carpenter had agree to be on the Bourbon County Council. Karen also reported that the Fall Follies will be held October 27th at 6:00 p.m. at the First Southern Baptist Church. Lori Nelson will be presenting the program on Christmas Traditions. Our club will be responsible for soups and cheese and crackers. Claudia Wheeler and Terri Williams volunteered to bring soup and Angela Carpenter, Deb Lust, Joyce Allen and Karen Peery will be bringing cheese and crackers. Karen also announced that the fall workshop will be held in Parsons on November 6th and that we are responsible to bring breakfast items. Next years membership forms were passed out and need to be brought back to the September meeting.
Old business consisted of having a Bake less bake sale. It was decided to do that in September.
Under new business it was announced that Karen Peery was willing to take over as treasurer and Angela Carpenter volunteered to be in charge of the Best Choice receipts for the club. Joyce asked for volunteers to bring cookies to the first responders September 11. Deb lust will be taking cookies to the Dispatchers. Claudia Wheeler the Fire Department, Joyce Allen the Sherriff Department, Karen Peery the EMT’s and Terri Williams the Police Department.
Karen Peery presented the lesson on Trustworthiness. Refreshment of Chocolate Delight, fruit and water was provided by Angela Carpenter and Karen Peery and enjoyed by all.
Prepared by
Terri Williams
Mary Blankenship, a beacon of light and love, born in Fort Scott, Kansas, on June 23, 1952 was called to her eternal home on August 27, 2025. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to so many throughout her 73 years of life.
Mary spent her entire life in the tight-knit community of Fort Scott. After graduating from Fort Scott High School in 1970, she quickly set out on her life long passion as a devoted wife and loving mother. Her dedication to nurturing the hearts and minds of children led her to own and operate Mary’s Little Lambs daycare for a decade, touching countless lives with her kindness and care.
Alongside her professional endeavors, Mary was a devout Catholic who lived her faith through her everyday actions and always trusted in the Lord’s plan. Her love for The Beatles, crocheting, reading, and above all, her role as a mom and grandmother were the simple joys that filled Mary’s life with immense happiness.
Married to her beloved husband of 49 years, Kregg Blankenship, Mary’s love and guidance shaped their beautiful family: daughters Michelle Heaton and Lori Blankenship, sons Mark Blankenship and the late Jeremy Blankenship, and foster sons Rick Chapman and John Zimmerman. Her legacy continued to flourish through her granddaughters Sam, Sarah, and Shenna, grandsons Damion and Alex, and the fifteen great-grandchildren who brought such joy to her heart.
Mary was a loving sister to her brothers Gerry and Larry Rogers, and was preceded in death by her sister, Barbra Loyd. Those who knew Mary will remember her as warm, selfless, and faith-filled. In every interaction, she echoed the love of Christ, embracing everyone with a warm smile and an open heart.
The Blankenship family finds solace in knowing Mary is now resting peacefully in the arms of her creator. Though we mourn the loss of such a remarkable woman, we celebrate the cherished memories and everlasting impact she had on all of us. Her spirit, a guiding light of love and faith, will live on forever more. Mary Blankenship was truly an embodiment of unconditional love and will be profoundly missed, but her spirit will continue to inspire all whom she touched.
Services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, September 11th, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church with interment following in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Fulton, Kansas. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM Wednesday the 10th with visitation following from 6:30 until 7:30 PM at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to The Beacon or Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Shin Goose-Egg
I’m old enough to remember when handheld hair dryers were nonexistent. And what a happy happy day it was when I purchased my first one! You’d think by now that I’d know how to properly handle this appliance, but the other day I was lacking some skill in stowing the electrical cord. When I finished drying my hair, I began to wrap the cord around the dryer and, for whatever reason, the ground-fault circuit interrupter banged against my naked shinbone with a mighty blow. “Oh, oh, oh,” I felt like I was impersonating a silly Jerry Lewis movie complete with his crazy antics and crossed-eyes! A couple of minutes later, I inspected my injury and discovered a hefty goose egg on my shin! The only goose egg I’d ever seen was on the forehead of my little nephew Dakota.
I most certainly did not intentionally hurt myself. When an unfortunate incident happens unexpectedly or unintentionally and results in damage or injury, it‘s considered an accident. Have you ever said something accidentally that hurt someone’s feelings? Or have you ever had someone say something to you that hurt your feelings? As Christ followers, we need to give the individual that hurt us the benefit of the doubt. Apostle Paul wrote that believers should bear with others and make allowances for them because we love them. “With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience” (Ephesians 4:2 TPT). This is when we want to say (but only think): “I’ve got one nerve left and you’re on it!”
Don’t be tempted to take something that’s said to you the wrong way — especially if you’ve got years of beautiful history and memories with the individual. We’re to overlook an accidental insult and love family and friends in spite of the stupid things they may say. “Hatred stirs up trouble on purpose; love overlooks the wrongs others do” (Proverbs 10:12 CEV). Love overlooks; love covers “word accidents.” You never know what troubles an individual might have on his/her mind. We simply must cut them some slack if we consider ourselves to be a Christ follower.
In 1977, I gave my mom the classic book entitled, “Wings of Silver.” I’m sharing three quotes from this great little wisdom book: “Be sure of this: you are dreadfully like other people.” “No person can ever be a complete failure, for he may serve as a horrible example.” “Nothing will make us so charitable and tender to the faults of others as to thoroughly examine ourselves.” No one is perfect, so we all need to extend a gentle hand of grace to all who’ve proven to be flawed human beings.
A good-natured person can be described herein: “Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 TPT). Believers need to develop thick alligator skin and not go through life with overly-sensitive feelings. Walking in love means we do our best to overlook offenses and focus on the positive attributes of the individual. Since I’m guilty of occasionally sticking both feet in my mouth, I can certainly overlook that same malady when someone else sticks their foot in their mouth.
The Key: If someone accidentally kicks you in the shins, just smile and try not to cross your eyes.
Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent
September 2025
When life’s challenges hit, whether it’s a sudden storm, an economic downturn, or a personal crisis, it is often our neighbors who step in first. Communities that thrive are not the ones without challenges, but the ones where people know how to come together, share resources, and lean on one another.
One of my favorite resources in the community vitality field is 13 Ways to Kill Your Community by Doug Griffiths. The book ties in perfectly here, as many of the “don’ts” he outlines demonstrate how quickly resilience can erode when people stop investing in one another. Griffiths reminds us that communities often weaken not because of external pressures, but because of internal choices: apathy, disconnection, or a lack of support. The opposite is also true: communities thrive when people choose to engage, invest, and care. True resilience is built when neighbors prioritize connection over isolation and cooperation over competition.
Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back after hard times; it’s about bouncing forward. Each challenge provides an opportunity for communities to adapt, learn, and grow stronger.
We’ve seen examples of this in action right here at home. When severe weather leaves families without power, neighbors check in on one another, offering meals, generators, or even a warm place to stay. During tough economic times, communities rally behind local businesses, hosting shop-local campaigns and finding creative ways to keep doors open. And when personal hardships strike, it’s often the casserole delivered to the doorstep, the shared ride to work, or the donation jar at the local café that makes all the difference.
Building resilient communities doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with simple, everyday actions:
Resilience grows when individuals shift from “me” to “we.” Each act of kindness and cooperation creates stronger ties, making it easier to withstand whatever challenges come our way. In the end, resilient communities remind us that while we may not be able to control the storms of life, we can control how we weather them together. A strong community is not built in a day; they are built every day!
For more information, contact Community Vitality Agent Amanda Clasen at any Southwind District office or [email protected].
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The SEKnFind Newsletter
August 2025
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Fort Scott, KS – The Southwind Extension District invites the public to attend Back to the Land: Traditions & Innovations in Small-Scale Farming, a free educational series designed for anyone interested in homesteading or small-scale agriculture. The program begins Wednesday, October 1st, and continues weekly through December 10th at the Fort Scott Community College Ag Building, with one special session at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on December 10th.
This hands-on series, led by Southwind Extension District agents and Kansas State University specialists, will explore practical topics to help participants build knowledge and confidence in self-reliant living, farming, and food production.
Session topics include:
All sessions begin at 6:00 p.m. and are free to attend.
“This series is designed for anyone from beginners to those needing a refresher on certain topics,” said Hunter Nickell, Livestock Production Agent. “Whether you want to grow more food, care for livestock, or preserve your harvest, you’ll walk away with practical skills you can put to use right away.”
To register or RSVP for meal count, call 620-223-3720.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer, dedicated to serving Kansans through research-based education, resources, and support for agriculture, families, and communities.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
September 2, 2025 – 6:00 P.M.
III. Invocation
VII. Appearances
VIII. Unfinished Business
Public Hearing:
Action Items:
The sophomore sat in my class, day one, and shared that when she tried out for middle school track, a teammate told her that she was fat. Another spoke about how classmates treated her after social services visited her home, and the claim of negligence spread throughout the community. Both girls were judged for falling short. But short of what?
We understand their pain, but what about the ones who had offended them? Aren’t we all guilty? Oh, maybe we don’t say it out loud, but we sure say it to ourselves. We fail to understand that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night might be a single mother who was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and run back to her night job. We forget that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested man who cannot make change correctly is a stressed, 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. As for that weird-looking bum? The one begging for money in the same spot every day (I mean, seriously! Why doesn’t he have a job? Everyone is looking for employees.). Do we stop to consider that he might be a slave to heroin, an addiction we can imagine only in our worst nightmares?
We roll our eyes at the old couple walking slowly through the store aisles, blocking our hurried-shopping progress, and we fail to recognize that maybe, just maybe, they are savoring this moment because, based on the biopsy report she received last week, this will be the last year they go shopping together. We stare at the obese, secretly wondering why they don’t walk instead of using the store’s mobile device, not even considering that perhaps they eat for emotional comfort due to the abuse they received as children.
The point is, it doesn’t matter what makes people different from us; what matters is that we arrogantly dare to look at them differently than God looks at them. Only if we never have judged someone can we claim innocence.
The other evening, Dave and I were with another couple, and we were talking about difficult people. The husband (“Ron”) shared a story about delivering a package to a company in which a sourpuss woman worked. Sure enough, Ron showed up near closing time and got an earful from the employee who was ticked that she had to process the package.
Instead of responding in an equally hateful manner, the next morning, Ron picked up a special coffee drink he found out the woman liked and surprised her with it. He said that he assumed she had had a bad day and might enjoy a pick-me-up. Every time he saw her after that, she greeted him with a smile and a hug.
Ron could easily have judged her attitude. After all, she had judged him, and he was just doing his job and didn’t deserve to be treated so hatefully. She had no right to unload on him when he had done nothing except what his job required. He chose not to pay back. He chose not to judge.
Deciding to give someone the benefit of the doubt is the way Jesus would have us handle this situation. Every situation. 1 Peter 3:8 is a verse we all should remember: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Not a bad place to start.
