Church news, Fort Scott

Upcoming Fundraisers for Catholic Church Building Fund

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Inside structure damage from the fire. Courtesy of Shane Walker.
The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church fire took place Monday August 29 about 9:10 p.m. and destroyed the roof, the majority of the pews, the floor and all heating, ventilation and air-conditioning in the church, according to spokesman Mark McCoy.
“Some of the stained-glass windows were damaged,” he said.
The pipe organ was destroyed.”
However the statutes, the main crucifix and the altar used for saying Mass, were saved, he said.
Church is being held in Kennedy Gym until the building is rebuilt.
“We are consulting with construction experts to evaluate our options, no decision either way has been made yet,” McCoy said.
Parishioners have begun fundraisers to help with the rebuild/reconstruction of the church.
Fundraisers
Spaghetti Dinner by Knights of Columbus
“We encourage the people of our parish family and the community to come enjoy food prepared by our brother Knights and at the same time support our fundraiser,” Calvin Barr said on his Facebook page. 
A spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, garlic bread, dessert and drink meal will be offered for a free-will donation this Friday, Sept. 16 from 5-7 p.m. in Kennedy Gym, 604 S. Holbrook.
Hand Made Rosary To Be Auctioned for Fire Rebuild
Jana Walker is putting up for auction a rosary that she made. It can be viewed on her Facebook page.
Jana Walker is having a fundraiser for the church building fund. Submitted.

“I made the rosary,” Walker said. “People are welcome to share the Facebook post, although, they must click on my original post. I circled the example in red. Once they are on the original post they can comment with their bid.”

Submitted photo.
Mary Queen of Angels Church fire on August 29. Submitted by Stephen Toal.
Bourbon County, K-State Extension, Kansas

Heart of FCE Award: Doris Ericson

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Heart of FCE Award


Doris Ericson, rural Hiattville, has been notified that she is the State winner of the Heart of FCE Award for 2021.

She was nominated by the Starlite FCE (Family and
Community Education) and represented Bourbon County.

After winning the District level, Doris was then declared winner at the State level. She will receive the state award for the
Heart of FCE at the October KAFCE State Conference in Newton, Kansas, October 3-5, 2022.

Doris Ericson has lived in Bourbon County since 1957. In 1962 she and her late husband Henry bought a farm, Cloverdale Angus, at Hiattville. Doris and Henry have six children who were members of the Hiattville 4-H Club. The first one entered 4-H in 1964
with the last child entering in 1980. 4-H was a major part of the children’s upbringing.


Their projects were livestock, cooking and sewing. Mom and dad were involved supporters of the 4-H program. Doris was a sheep leader for many years. If there was a 4-H event in the county the Ericson family was represented.


In 1990 Doris and Henry were inducted into the Kansas Master Farmer Homemaker group for their Extension, Agriculture and Community involvement.

In 2007 the Ericsons were awarded the title of “4-H Family of the Year”, in the State of Kansas.


Whatever happens in Hiattville, Doris is always ready to help. Building a fire station was one of the biggest projects. They provided food and labor. Doris and Henry were honored for their community service by being selected to be parade marshals for
the Hiattville Homecoming.


Doris joined the Bourbon County Garden Club after she became a Master Gardener. She says she has weeded, watered, and planted all around the pool of Fort Scott. She has helped beautify Heritage Park and downtown Fort Scott, filling planters and hanging baskets and taking her turn at weeding and deadheading the plants to make
sure they stayed healthy.


Doris volunteered to manage the dining room at the Bourbon County Fair. She bought supplies and ran errands. Cooking, making the early coffee and setting out things for the 4-H club that had breakfast duty; she was always busy. She held this
position for over 20 years. As a member of the Starlite FCE, Doris helps to clean and set up before the Fair. She has worked in the Prepared Foods Division for over 30 years,
entering exhibits and assisting the judge. She represents the FCE at the baked goods sale. This money funds the County FCE scholarship. For over 40 years Doris has taken entries to the Bourbon County Fair. She has collected many top ribbons and awards.
When the Fair closes Doris can be found helping to clean and put things up for next year.


Doris joined the Hiatville EHU in 1967. She was President and Secretary and then back to President when it dissolved in 1981. Joining The Starlite FCE in Fort Scott, she has been president twice , and in her words, “treasurer forever.” She is currently the
County Council representative and treasurer. For more than 45 years she has presented a lesson at the meetings. Doris takes an active part in the projects and meetings of the Starlite FCE donating her time and talents. She never misses an FCE gathering and
especially enjoys attending the Fall Follies and Spring Tea.
Doris is a member of the Friends Home Lutheran Church of Savonburg. She has served on the church board two times, and belongs to the womens’ organization,

 Doris is an active member and helps make quilt tops and tie quilts for the Lutheran World Relief. Her group of 4 women made and sent 15-20 quilts last year.


I am proud to present Doris Ericson, my neighbor of 53 years, for the Heart of FCE Award. She is a full time mother, farmer’s wife, and helper to anyone in need. She has done house and farm chores, raised children, and worked livestock, worked in the fields,
and then fed the harvest crews. Doris is always working. She is dedicated to her church ,family and community. She is a woman worthy of the Heart of FCE Award.


Submitted by :
Glenda Miller
President
Starlite FCE
1236 Fern Rd.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
[email protected]
620-547-2401

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, K-State Extension, Kansas

Family and Consumer Week is Oct. 13-19

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KAFCE WEEK – October 13-19, 2022


What is KAFCE you ask ? Kansas Association for Family and
Community Education. FCE was founded in 1936 under the name of
National Home Demonstration Council (HDU) during an international women’s conference held in Washington D.C. It became the driving force in providing rural women with education in basic life skills.


Today FCE continues to stress education, concerns of family and
communities.


This organization worked to promote public opinion for investing
funds to establish public health services, County Health Departments.

In the 1940s members prepared hot meals and took them to local classrooms.


They worked to raise public awareness to establish a school lunch
program.

Fostering rural reading programs, members took carloads of books into rural communities and supported bookmobiles.
Using easy to understand and easy to teach lessons named , “The
Hearth Fire Series,” rural women learned about a variety of topics ranging from consumer issues such as buying safe food, to health lessons, learning about mammograms and the pap test, to public policy areas, the Judicial System, to media awareness topics.


FCE is a recognized leader in the areas of children. The
organization was a force in getting rating symbols displayed at the
beginning of television programs. Addressing media sources – video
games, the internet, music, books, magazines, etc. – FCE tries to help
parents make purchasing and viewing choices appropriate for
their children by educating adults and youth to the pros and cons of
various media sources that the youth are exposed to in the 21st
Century – books, video games, cyberspace, music, movies, cell
phones and sexting.


FCE also works to instill values in elementary children to
build and promote character using storybooks to teach children
character values. Volunteers present these lessons in the schools at
the fourth grade level.

Leadership through education is the key, volunteerism is the
means. The mission of the FCE – past, present and future – connects
with families. FCE looks to the future to empower women to change
their lives, their families and their communities for the better with
three main goals in mind:
CONTINUING EDUCATION
DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY ACTION


Kansas FCE Creed


I believe in the principles of the Kansas Association for Family
and Community. Education which strives to promote a better way of
life for all families and communities in making the world a better place in which to live. Through leadership, may we have pride in our role as volunteer educators, be conscious of the needs of others, and be strengthened by our unity.


There are 82 Family and Community Units in the Southwind
District. Two of these units are in Bourbon County – Starlite FCE,
which meets at 2:00 on the third Thursday of each month in the
Yeager Building at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds (for more
information call Glenda Miller 620-547-2401) and Thursday Night Live FCE, which meets at 5:30 on the third Thursday of the month at
various locations (for more information call Lori Nelson
620-215-9373.) An educational lesson is presented at each meeting,
with refreshments and lots of good fellowship.


Come join us! Consider this your invitation to drop in and find
out for yourself what FCE is all about. Join with us as we strive to
strengthen families, through continuing education, leadership
development and community action. We welcome you !

Business, Clothing, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee, Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Varia

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Chamber Coffee, Grand Opening, & Ribbon Cutting hosted by Varia Quality Resale Clothing & Accessories

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee, Grand Re-Opening, & Ribbon Cutting hosted by Varia Quality Resale Clothing & Accessories, Thursday, September 15th at 8 a.m. at 114 E. 23rd St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing. Ribbon cutting will immediately follow.

Varia just moved to a new and expanded location and has over 4,000 items in stock! They are open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm.

Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.

 

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

Flu Shot Drive-Through Sept. 17 at CHC

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CHC/SEK-FORT SCOTT SCHEDULES SATURDAY SEPT. 17 DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC

By getting a flu shot now, you can protect yourself and your family and friends!

 

 

Flu season is coming, and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is offering a “drive-thru” flu shot clinic on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9AM – 2 PM. The event will be held in the parking lot at 2322 S. Main Street, the future location of CHC/SEK’S new clinic, presently under construction.

 

The drive-through flu clinic is recommended for everyone six-months of age and older, because it effectively decreases flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

There is no out-of-pocket cost for participants. It only takes a few minutes to get vaccinated. To help keep the vaccination line moving, please wear clothing where your shoulder is easily exposed. 

 

By getting a flu shot now, you will protect yourself and your family and friends!  

 

Flu vaccines and good hand hygiene are still the go-to recommendations for prevention; however, public health officials say it is just as important to contain the virus, which means staying home when you are sick.

 

Flu shots are also available at all CHC/SEK clinics on a walk-in basis or by appointment.   

 

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Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Local 4-Hers Win Third Place at Kansas State Fair Crops Judging

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Pictured left to right: Carly Kramer, Abigail Meiwes, Henry Kramer, and Kason Botts.
Southwind District 4-H Crops Judging Team Wins 3rd Place at the Kansas State Fair
On Saturday , September 10, 4-H’ers from the Southwind District 4-H program participated in the Kansas State Fair Crops Judging Contest. They competed as both individuals and as a team in the Senior Division. The participants were Carly Kramer, Abigail Meiwes, Henry Kramer, and Kason Botts. Carly and Abigail are seniors and to make a senior team, Henry and Kason agreed to judge in the older division. These members did a great job at the contest winning as the 3rd place team. Individually, Carly Kramer was 8th, Abigail Meiwes was 10th, Henry Kramer was 11th, and Kason Botts received 21st. Congratulations to our Southwind 4-H’ers!
Pictured left to right: Carly Kramer, Abigail Meiwes, Henry Kramer, and Kason Botts.
Bourbon County, Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott

Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation 3rd Annual Fort Scott Golf Classic Results

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The winners of 1st place A Flight Team of David Brown, Jarrod Brown, Tim Bradbury, and Tarrell Vann. Submitted photo.
2nd place A Flight Team from Labconco of Michael Harper, Shawn Marshall, Travis Schilling, and Chris Harper. Submitted photo.

 

Saturday, September 10th was a perfect day for the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to hold their 3rd Annual Fort Scott Golf Classic.  Our 2021 tournament was canceled due to a COVID outbreak, but this year we had no problem.  The Tournament was held at the beautiful Woodland Hills Golf Course in Fort Scott.  It was fantastic golfing weather; the day started in the 60’s but quickly warmed to 80’s.

 

Play began at 9 am with 19 teams.  Prizes were given out to 1st and 2nd places in A, B, and C Flights.  The winners were:  A Flight 1st Place went to the team of Tarrell Vann, Danny Brown, Jarod Brad, and Tim Bradbury; A Flight 2nd Place went to the team of Michael Harper, Shawn Marshall, Travis Schilling, and Chris Harper; B Flight 1st Place went to the team of Trentyn Moore, Tim Moore, Brett Scott, and Mark Bruder;  and B Flight 2nd Place went to the team of Dustin Hall, Matt Wheeler, Clint Lawrence, and Ryan; C Flight 1st Place went to the team of Wally Maples, Mike Prince, Jake Scott, and Michael Hatcher; and C Flight 2nd place went to the team of Marcus Alexander, Michael Alexander, Larry Alexander, and Landon Bennett.

 

 

Along with the two flights, prizes were handed out for the Longest Drive which went to Steve Sewell and Closest to the Pin which went to Dustin Fowler.  Players were also given the opportunity to try their chances with the “Trouble” Hole in One game on hole 11.

 

At the end of the tournament, door prizes were given out to several lucky golfers.  The door prizes included:  garden decor and gift bag from Heidrick’s True Value, coffee mugs and ballcaps courtesy of Kale Nelson State Farm, and Gift Certificates to G & W, Miller Feed, The Butcher Block, Sharky’s, Luther’s BBq and tickets to Grand Country Music Hall in Branson courtesy of Fort Scott Broadcasting.

 

Along with the door prizes, a silent auction was held for a fire pit courtesy of Niece Products of Fort Scott.

 

All money raised from the event goes toward the Foundation’s mission of providing quality and affordable homes for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the eight counties of Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.

 

“Without the generosity of our communities, this fun event could not have been held.  Thank you to all the golfers who participated as well as to our event sponsors: corporate, hole, and in-kind.  This tournament would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors.  Thank you to Heartland HomeCare; Ashcraft Pest Control; Atkins Insurance; Bourbon County Cars; Brigg’s Auto of Fort Scott; Cheney Witt Chapel; Don’s Spirits and Wines, LLC; Diehl, Banwart, & Bolton; H & H Agency; Heidrick True Value; Kansas Teacher’s Community Credit Union; Konantz-Cheney Chapel; John & George Masterson; Medicalodge of Fort Scott; Mertz Tax Service; Microtronics; Peerless Products; SEK Financial; Stewart Realty Co; Young’s Welding; and Wise Accounting.  It is friends like you that allow us to provide services to our neighbors with I/DD and to help them achieve the quality of life they seek.  Thank you.”  stated Special Projects Coordinator, Tricia Campbell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Library Teen Group Starts Today

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Valetta Cannon reads a Christmas book to children during the 2015 Christmas party
Submitted by Valetta Cannon
Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director
Fall is a perfect time to cozy up with a favorite book, take a stroll to watch nature change, or do both of those and more at your local library! Take a look at the upcoming programs the library is offering. All programs are free and open to the public (some programs have age limits). See you at the library!
 
Maker Monday 
Monday, September 19 at 4:15 pm
What can you make with a cardboard box? Show off your cardboard creation talents at Fort Scott Public Library for the first Maker Monday since early 2020. Boxes, cardboard scraps, special safe cutting tools, Makedo connectors, work tables, books filled with inspiration and instructions, and craft supplies will be provided, along with snacks. This event is for all ages, free, and open to the community. Families are encouraged to create things together.
 
Storytime 
Wednesday, September 21 at 10; Tuesdays at 10 for the weeks following.
Join Miss Val in the library’s event room for a themed storytime! Participants hear two to four stories, sing songs, make a craft, and enjoy snacks and drinks. Online storytime videos post in a private Facebook group for Storytime families and unlisted on the library’s YouTube page (families may email Miss Val at [email protected] for the link) on Thursdays at 10 am, so long as there is patron demand for the service. Reserve your curbside kit, complete with craft supplies and a snack, here: 
 
Teen Group
Wednesday, September 14 at 4:30 pm
Help decorate the library for fall, then enjoy refreshments in the event room. This event is for middle and high school students.
Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday is a hybrid meeting, with teens participating both in person and from home. Curbside kits which include supplies, snacks, and drinks, are available. Teens can also earn library loot, which they can spend on small prizes or save up for better ones, and reward books, for participating in the library’s ongoing teen reading challenge. Each 200 pages or 100 minutes of reading earns two loot and a book. To reserve a curbside kit, fill out this form: https://forms.gle/gTHh6Q1gjdVMhebi7
by 5 pm the Monday before the meeting your teen wishes to attend.
 
Marvelous Monday
Monday, October 10 at 3 pm
Homeschool families, meet and mingle with other local homeschoolers at Marvelous Monday events. At our next event, we will go on a scavenger hunt down Main Street. The middle and high school kids will have a more advanced list of items to find, and will begin making a collaborative newspaper for the group during this meeting. Homeschool families may submit their ideas and preferences for future meetings by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/6tZa2tRw8Y1b3w9a9
 
Teen Book Club
Monday, September 26 at 4:30 pm
6th – 12th graders, join Miss Valetta at Common Ground Coffee for teen book club! We will discuss our current and favorite reads, work on completing a custom book BINGO card for prizes, and enjoy delicious treats! This event is free and open to middle and high school students.
 
500 Books Before Middle School
Elementary-aged children now have a library literacy reward program of their very own. Each milestone your child reaches improves their literacy skills, increases their knowledge, and allows them to earn a prize and free book from the library. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/dPuXY8nhoicaUe5A7
Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment

Arkansas Family Purchases Safe Valley Outfitters

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Craig Whitmire and his son Caleb Whitmire are the new owners of Safe Valley Outfitters, Uniontown.

Craig Whitmire and his son, Caleb, have been coming to Safe Valley Outfitters, Uniontown,  since 2015 to hunt.

Safe Valley Outfitters is located off the Uniontown Square.

Craig is a businessman and farmer from Strawberry, Arkansas.

He and his son  liked it so much they came every year since, Craig said.

The Whitmire’s purchased the business from Ron Eldridge and Terry Kirby in January 2022.

“We feel fortunate to purchase it,” Craig said.

For those who don’t know, a hunter outfitting business provides equipment, supplies and guides for hunting trips, according to Webster Merriam Dictionary.

Caleb takes the hunters to the sites on the approximately 8,200 acres they have leased from local landowners for hunting.

“I show them where they (the wild game)  are and let them have at it,” he said.

“The landowners and farmers are a vital part of the success of this business,” Caleb said.

Caleb gets help from his brothers-in-law, Will Smith and Tyler Murphy to prepare the land for hunting.

The Whitmore family, from left to right: Tyler Murphy, Caitlin Murphy, Baylor Murphy, Will Smith, Madalyn Smith, Craig Whitmire, Josie Whitmire, Rena Whitmire, Caleb Whitmire and Kortni Whitmire. Submitted photo.

Craig has three daughters ranging in age from 25 to six years old.

“Caleb and the boys (son’s-in law) do scouting, they put up blinds, tree stands and cameras and put out corn (for the deer),” Craig said.

Whitmire said the family business is contributing to the local economy.

“We buy corn from local guys,” Craig said

They also have a bank account in town, eat in local eateries in Bronson and Fort Scott, which also adds to the local economy, he said. They will also pay taxes on the several buildings on the property site, on Uniontown’s square.

The Whitmires are farmers, and Strawberry, Arkansas is about the size of Uniontown, both with a population 300 people Craig said.

Whitmire has several other businesses.

“We run 1.2 million broiler chickens through the year,” Craig said. “We are contract growers through Poultry Egg Company.”

He also has a commercial hay business and a chicken litter business and in addition, a fabrication shop.

But the father and son enjoy hunting and are looking forward to having a successful outfitters business in Kansas.

First Hunt This Season

They had their first Youth Hunt starting on Labor Day.

A Kansas Youth Hunt is for 17 year olds and younger, who possess a valid deer permit and may hunt while under the immediate supervision of an adult 18 or older, according to Kansas Wildlife and Parks online information.

“We had seven hunters with their dads,” Craig said. “From our hometown area in Arkansas.”

They will have hunts until December, then turkey hunting season starts in April-May, he said.

They have packages for archery, muzzle loader, and rifle hunts that include lodging, meals and the guide service.

The lodge with the processing building to the right in the photo.

The lodge has six recently-remodeled bedrooms and an on-site processing building for hanging up the deer for butchering, Craig said.

A bedroom in the lodge of Safe Valley Outfitters.
The processing building for cutting up the deer.
The commons area of the lodge was recently remodeled and includes a fireplace, TV, eating area, lounging area and snack area.

The Whitmires purchased the building just north of the lodge for a home while they are here running the business.

The Whitmire home is located north of the Safe Valley Outfitters buildings.

Craig and wife, Reina, along with Caleb’s wife, Kortni are the cooks for the groups. Caleb and Kortni were married this last March.

Parts of the family will live on-site during the hunting seasons.

Upcoming hunters are coming from Alabama, New Jersey, Mississppi, Louisiana and Georgia, Craig said.

Most of their clientele have heard of the business through their Facebook page and some are repeat clientele.

“This area is a premier hunting location,” Craig said. “The area has a potential for trophy white tail deer. The ratio between bucks and does is really good.”

“The deer are bigger here,” Caleb said.

Contact information: 870.844.1898.

 

 

 

 

 

History, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Lowell Milken Center Celebrates New Park and 15th Anniversary

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RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY HONORS GRAND OPENING OF LOWELL MILKEN CENTER’S NEW PARK AS PART OF 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 

Event marks both official Grand Opening of a new LMC Park and commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony announces the new LMC park’s grand opening. From left to right: Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Program Director Megan Felt, former Executive Director of the National Teachers Hall of Fame Dr. Carol Strictland, son of WWII Unsung Hero Andrew Higgins Skipper Higgins(cutting the ribbon), Unsung Hero of the Rwandan genocide Carl Wilkens, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Chief Executive Director Norm Conard, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Founder Lowell Milken, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lindsay Madison, and Lowell Milken Center Park Committee Chair Beth Nuss.

On September 12, the official Grand Opening—including VIP speeches, a surprise award presentation, and a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony—welcomed 200 guests to a new park and outdoor exhibit space in the heart of the historic downtown district of Fort Scott, KS. The event was a fitting accompaniment to the 15th Anniversary celebration of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC).

The festivities began at 10 a.m. on September 12 with a special ceremony recognizing honored guests who traveled from across the country to attend. This included 24 teachers who had earned the distinction of being LMC Fellows, several living Unsung Heroes and their family members, longtime patrons of LMC and the many individuals who have played key roles in the support and development of the park. Special appreciation was given for the park’s major donor, the Lowell Milken Family Foundation, and for generous grants from the Sunderland Foundation and Timken Foundation. “As we enter this new era, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes continues to stand as a testament to the power of Unsung Heroes to change the world through project-based learning,” said LMC Chief Executive Officer Norm Conard.

In construction since June of last year, the LMC park is now a vibrant and much-anticipated expansion of LMC. The park features outdoor Unsung Hero exhibits with interactive story rails, a walking trail, an enhanced water feature, and beautiful landscaping with bench seating for guests to enjoy. The park provides a community space where visitors to the museum and Fort Scott residents alike can enjoy the tranquil scenery, learn about the Unsung Heroes profiled in the story rails, and gather for community programs and activities in partnership with other business in the downtown area.

 

Highlights of the Grand Opening event included reflections from LMC Founder Lowell Milken. “I believe that a center for Unsung Heroes could only have been borne out of a community that deeply values history, excellence and education,” he said. “Fifteen years later we can all take pride in knowing that educators, communities and students experience the powerful combination that can occur when history merged with project-based learning leads to the discovery of change-makers.”

 

Also speaking during the event were Chief Executive Officer Norm Conard and Program Director Megan Felt, who have been instrumental in LMC since its earliest beginnings. Remarks were also made by longtime supporters of LMC, such as Former Executive Director of the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame Carol Strickland, LMC Park Committee Chair Beth Nuss and Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Director Lindsay Madison. A surprise announcement capped off the special occasion when attendee Gracie Conrad, a high school student from Taylor, Nebraska, learned that she was the $6,000 Grand Prize recipient in the 2022 Discovery Award competition for her powerful documentary about Holocaust Unsung Hero Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk. Conrad’s documentary explores the courage and tenacity required for Goudsmit-Oudkerk to leverage her position as a daycare nurse in the Netherlands to help save more than 600 children from the Nazis.

Gracie Conrad, a junior at Loup County High School in Taylor, Nebraska, is stunned to learn that she has received the $6,000 grand prize in the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes 2022 Discovery Award competition. Her spellbinding documentary portrays the life and legacy of Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk, who, as a teenager, helped to save more than 600 children from the Holocaust. Next to Gracie is her proud mother, Maggie Conrad (with camera phone), and English teacher Megan Helberg (far left), who helped supervise the project.
Presentation of the Grand Prize Check: From left to right: Megan Felt, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung HeroesProgram Director; Megan Helberg, Lowell Milken CenterFellow and GracieConrad’steacherand project supervisor; Gracie Conrad, 2022 Discovery Award Grand Prize winner; Lowell Milken, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Founder; Norm Conard, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Chief Executive Officer.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests were invited inside LMC’s Hall of Unsung Heroes museum to partake in its exhibits, enjoy light refreshments and view several presentations by educators who have participated in the LMC fellowship program. Guests also had the unique opportunity during these presentations to meet the living Unsung Heroes or their immediate families who were in attendance, such as Carl Wilkens, an Unsung Hero of the Rwandan genocide; family members of Unsung Hero Chester Nez, one of WWII’s “First Twenty-Nine” Navajo Code Talkers; the family of Unsung Hero Andrew Jackson Higgins, who invented the Higgins boats used in amphibious landings in WWII and was credited by President Eisenhower as the “man who won the war”; and the family of Unsung Hero Gene Shoemaker, a pioneer in astrogeology and the only person whose ashes are buried on the moon.

The 15th Anniversary celebration will culminate in a Community Open House hosted by LMC on Tuesday, September 13, between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., welcoming everyone to this exciting new addition to LMC and the greater Fort Scott community. LMC is located at 1 South Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

For more information visit the LMC online newsroom.

About LMC

Established in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC) discovers, develops and communicates the stories of unsung heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on history, yet are largely unrecognized by contemporary generations. LMC has reached over 3,000,000 students and 30,000 schools in all 50 states and countries around the world. Learn more about the LMC and the Discovery Award. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Bourbon County Local News