On behalf of the USD 234 School District, we would like to invite you to the 2022 Early Childhood Trunk-or-Treat. This year’s event will be held on Friday, October 28 from 4:30-6:00 PM at the Fort Scott Preschool Center gym. All children ages birth-six years old and their families are invited to attend. A grant through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is helping support this year’s Early Childhood Trunk-or-Treat.
If you are a family resource provider or a community partner, we invite you to attend and set up a table from which children can trick-or-treat. During this time, you may also provide brochures, resources, and/or helpful information related to your program. Our goal is to inform families about the resources available in our community. If you are a preschool or childcare provider, please share the attached flyer with your families. We also welcome you to set up a table for your program.
If you plan to attend our event, please complete the form below by Friday, October 21st so we can have a table reserved for your organization.
TheCity Commission will meetfor aspecialmeetingat4:00p.m. onThursday,October6th,2022,atCityHallintheCity Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.This meeting will be held todiscuss improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This meetingwill be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meetingisopen to the public.
Lindsay Madison, standing right, leads discussion at the Fort Scott Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet event on Oct. 4
Downtown Fort Scott has experienced much improvements in the last few years.
Historic buildings have been and are being brought back to life, some for business storefronts and some for residences. There has hardly been a month where there wasn’t a dumpster in front of buildings downtown where construction going on.
All the new businesses and residences create problems that local city, businesses and organizations are working to solve.
At the quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on Oct. 4, hosted by City State Bank, there was discussion of the downtown parking situation.
The need is real: more available and easily accessed parking for downtown businesses and residents.
The two recently renovated buildings, Union Lofts at 20 S. Main and Fort Scott Lofts at 8 E. First, need approximately 120 parking spaces for residents. In addition there are a growing number of other downtown apartments.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division has been having conversations to come up with solutions, Lindsay Madison, executive director of the Chamber said.
“No solution will make everyone happy,” Bailey Lyons, chair of the the division told the attendees. We are looking at the most cost effective ways.”
There is a small unpaved parking lot in back of the Union Lofts, at First and National Avenue that has not been developed, “but funding is not available, is my understanding,” Madison said.
There are currently public parking lots behind Moe’s Breads on National Avenue, south of Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel, 201 S. Main and on Skubitz Plaza at the north end of downtown.
Some solutions for the parking situation on Main Street, from information provided by Madison are:
Enforcement of the 2-hour parking that is already in place. The ticket amount is being discussed by the city.
Reinstall parking meters. This is not a popular choice, based on feedback.
Have no parking allowed between the hours of midnight to 6 a.m.
Give designated spots, with car stickers, in downtown area public parking lots for the downtown residents.
Build parking garages large enough to hold all the apartment resident’s cars, business employees cars and overflow parking.
“No solution will make everyone happy,” Bailey Lyons, chair of the the division told the attendees. We are looking at the most cost effective ways.”
For Lyons, the possible solutions are “Divert and assign spots for residents and business employees, and have better signage to identify public parking lots.”
Also on the Downtown Meet and Greet Agenda:
The Fort Scott National Historic Site annual candlelight tour is the first weekend in December, with tickets set to go on sale on November 1.
The annual Downtown Halloween Parade is Oct. 29, with festivities starting at 10 a.m. and the parade at 11 a.m. Hot dogs will be provided after the parade for participants.
Downtown Holiday Open House is Nov. 10-12, with the kick-off event from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 10.
Small Business Saturday Bonanza in November 26.
Cocoa and Caroling Night Shopping is Friday, December 9 from 5-8 p.m.
Madison listed several business resources available in Fort Scott:
The Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Event, today from 5-7 p.m. at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Office, north of Luther’s BBQ on North National. There will be tips to affording health insurance.
Also at this location is the Small Business Development Center, with Dacia Clark as the contact.
Bourbon County Regional Economic Development offers business entrepreneurship mentoring with Mark McCoy, by appointment.
E-Community Loans are available at 4% for 10 years, minimum loan is $5,000 maximum is $45,000. Contact the Chamber.
Governor Laura Kelly announced that small businesses can now apply to receive COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief. In June, Governor Kelly signed bipartisan House Bill 2136, investing $50 million to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two downtown building construction updates
Lyons gave an update on the building on the west side of downtown Main Street that she and her husband are renovating.
She said they are working with the state on the historic building which is a slow process, and have addressed structural issues.
“We are going to tackle the first floor first,” she said. “It is a possible build-to-suit for interested businesses.”
Kathy Dancer gave an update on the Scottish Temple that she and her husband have purchased.
She envisions a cafe and retail spaces in the building.
“I am guesstimating 18 months until we get the cafe going,” she said.
There will be a future story on this project on fortscott.biz.
About the host
City State Bank President John Hill told attendees that the bank was chartered in 1920, and in 2018 the downtown branch location was remodeled. They have two locations: 1012 Highway 69 or 202 Scott Avenue Fort Scott. and can be reached at 620-223-1600.
“We are a $55 million dollar institution, with 97% in Bourbon County,” he told the attendees.
The Chamber Coffee will kick off the 19th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration to be held this weekend for which the full schedule of events may be found on gordonparkscenter.org. The Celebration is in honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker. Kirk Sharp, Executive Director of the Museum, and the committee work throughout the year to bring in artists, speakers, programs and events that have enriched our community and world for all ages. A highlight is the annual presentation of the Choice of Weapons Award which was established in Parks’ honor. Recipients this year will be Adger Cowans and William C. Rhoden.
Click here to view the schedule of events for the entire weekend of festivities.
TOPEKA – Data released today by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) shows that under Governor Laura Kelly’s Administration, statewide adoption numbers are up more than 35% compared to the Brownback and Colyer Administrations. This increase is credited to initiatives that expand training, resources, and awareness for foster care staff and prospective adoptive families.
“My administration is doing everything we can to make it easier for Kansas families to provide a loving, stable home to children who need one,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By providing vital resources for families and deepening relationships with our providers, we’re making it possible for more Kansas children to be adopted. I couldn’t be prouder of these numbers.”
From 2011 to 2018, the average number of adoptions in the state sat around 730. However, under the Kelly Administration, close to 1,000 children on average are being adopted each year.
The increase in adoptions has contributed to the 17% decrease in the number of children in the Kansas foster care system under the Kelly Administration.
Adoption Numbers by the Years, 2011-2022
2011
761 adoptions
2017
758 adoptions
2012
777 adoptions
2018
766 adoptions
2013
620 adoptions
2019
1,210 adoptions
2014
666 adoptions
2020
998 adoptions
2015
765 adoptions
2021
846 adoptions
2016
755 adoptions
2022
948 adoptions
DCF created Adoption Accelerator positions in 2019 and expanded them in 2022 to identify, track, and monitor youth who experience barriers to adoption. These specialized staff conduct home studies, share resources for completing adoption procedures, and aid case management teams to support adoption finalization.
“We have removed barriers in the adoption process for children with special needs by updating policies and growing eligibility,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “The adoption assistance and subsidies available for families who are trying to adopt children with special needs are vital.”
DCF also recently revised adoption subsidy policies for children who are on Technology Assistance waivers and Intellectual/Developmental Disability (I/DD) waivers and need specialized medical care. These children are eligible for monthly subsidies designed to ensure their families can continue to support their specialized needs.
“Over the past three years, we have also grown our partnerships in the community,” Howard added. “DCF’s partnership with The Kansas Post Adoption Resource Center is important as adoptive and kinship families often find the need for support grows in the years after adoptions are finalized.”
DCF has worked to bring together different partners to take a systemic, all-hands-on-deck approach to preparing families to meet the needs of children in foster care. Partners include the Kansas Post Adoption Resource Center (K-PARC), which supports families who have adopted children or who are providing permanent care because of a kinship placement; Adopt Kansas Kids; and the four Child Welfare Case Management Providers.
Individuals who are interested in adoption can learn more from Adopt Kansas Kids. The program raises awareness about the need for adoptive families for children currently in foster care as well as educating potential families and connecting them with more information. Discover more at www.adoptKSkids.org.
TO BENEFIT CASA PROGRAMS IN 3 STATES DURING OCTOBER Pump N Pete’s Corp of Erieis hosting a pledge card fundraiser and other activities on behalf ofCourt Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA)duringthe month ofOctober.Pete’soperates 54 convenience stores and fuel stations in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and thisspecialefforttargeting the increase of services by CASA to abused and neglected children in the court systemwill benefit6individual CASA Programsin those areas;CASA of the 31stJudicial District, CASA of the4th,Bourbon County CASA and Tri–County CASAinSoutheastKansas;Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma and CASA of Jasper County in Missouri.
“Pinwheels for Prevention–Partners for Children” is an easy, stress free and funway tohelp children in state custody. Pete’s cashiers will ask you todonate andall you do is say YES! You get to sign a Pinwheel Pledge Cardand hang it in the store tocommemorate your donation.It you donate $5 or more at one time you get a raffle ticket good for a chance at winning a$25prize in each store and the winners from each store will go on to a GRAND PRIZE DRAWING at the end of Octoberfor $250 at the Pete’s Corporate Office in Parsons.
The fundsraisedare used to recruit, train,prepareand supportVolunteerAdvocateswhoarespecially trained by CASA and appointedbyCountyJudgestohelpchildrenwho have been abused or neglected and found tobein need of careby the court. The Advocates partner with the children, speak up for their best interest in courtand guide them successfully through their time in foster care.Once appointed, the CASA is always there for the child until he or she is releasedfrom custody.CASAs focus on the needs of the children and them spending less time in foster care, also getting services that benefit them.
Fundraising proceedshave also been usedin emergenciesandto pay for athletics, music lessons, summer camp, winter coats, Christmas gifts, adoption gifts, life books, special equipment and special clothing forchildren in the CASA programs.
CASA programs are non–profitand must raise their own funds to operate The Pinwheel Fundraiser is in its 10thyear and Pete’s Corporation hasmade it a competition between stores, area managers and district managers, even offering corporate incentives to all employees to do their best for CASA. From there the managers and employees have gotten very creative and have taken the competition to heart! All stores do something specialor host an eventto supplement the fundraiserand many do some truly zany things. Several managers have taken cream pies to the face if the storereachesaset goal oroffered to get dunked in a water tank for extra money;others have thrown a BBQor pizza partywhenemployees post so many pledge cards.Thereweredueling bake sales between stores inthe same town; car washes that got drowned by rain but continued anyway; body painting; dance–a–thons; characters greeting customers; lotto winnings donated by employees and customers and public competition to have the most pinwheels on the wall!
At the endCASA awardstrophiesand publicly recognizes the top6Pump’n Pete’s Storesinseveral categories and representatives from eachCASA programare on hand to congratulate them. A media event is planned for December 14thin Parsons, KS.
CASA and Pump’n Pete’s inviteeveryone to join the fun and help unfortunate children at the same time.
Children who did nothing wrong but wound up in foster care anyway.Donations to CASA are fully tax deductable and CASA is recognized as a 502(c)(3) charity by the IRS.
Photo of George Washington Carver as a teenager. Credit Photo as: NPS Photo
Exploring the African American Experience
Fort Scott Kan. – The public is invited to the Exploring the African American Experience Project videography discussion on Friday, October 7, at the Ellis Fine Arts Center theater on the Fort Scott Community College campus at 9 a.m.
There will be discussions about video and movie making, how to find inspiration, and some insight of technical aspects. Featured panelists include David Parks, photographer, filmmaker, author, and son of Gordon Parks; Robin Hickman-Winfield, Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions and great-niece of Gordon Parks; and Eli Reed, award-winning photographer, photojournalist, and author.
The stories of Gordon Parks and George Washington Carver highlight the struggles and ability to overcome adversity. The Exploring the African American Experience Project engages local high school and Fort Scott Community College students to research the little known and under told stories of other progressive African Americans and leaders from the Fort Scott area. Students will create audio recordings or videos to share these stories in their ‘voices’ through social media and short films hosted by the National Park Service, Gordon Parks Museum, and their schools. Exhibits will be developed from their work. This ongoing project is designed to expand beyond Fort Scott students.
From April 1-October 31, 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 Fort Scott High School Thespians host their 5th Annual Royal Tea Party from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 15 in the FSHS Commons.
Join your favorite princesses and princes, queens and kings and other members of the royal court. Take photos with your favorite characters while you make crafts, have treats, and do activities. Over thirty Fort Scott High School Thespians will be dressed in character and leading the event. Attendees are encouraged to join us in dressing as royalty.
Tickets are $10 per child and all must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be purchased online in advance at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. The event is a fundraiser for students attending the KS State Thespian Festival in January.
For more information, please see the Fort Scott High School Thespians Facebook page or contact Angie Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622.
Abbie Tomasi visits with Jasmine (Christina King). Submitted photo.
Steven Joe LaRue, age 72, resident of Bronson, KS, died Saturday, October 1, 2022, at KU Medical Center, Kansas City, KS. He was born on October 21, 1949, in Iola, KS, the son of Charles and Elaine Johnson LaRue.
He married Mary Jo Hall on December 7, 1969, in Bronson.
Steve worked for Diebold Lock and Key in Minneapolis, MN for 10 years. After moving back home, he worked for Diebolt Lumber in LaHarpe, KS, for the next 30 plus years. All during this time he was also working as a locksmith.
Steve loved his 1950 John Deere tractor. He even had it parked outside his window these last few months so he could view it in the background of the hummingbird feeder.
In earlier days, he was very involved in his children’s activities, especially sports. He also enjoyed calling bingo.
Steve never met a stranger and always had a joke to tell. Every morning he would play several “oldies” including “Wake Up Little Suzie.” He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, the Masons, and the Shriners.
Survivors include his wife Mary Jo; 3 daughters, Sherry Dwyer and husband Terry, Linwood, KS, Linda Zibert, LaHarpe, KS, and Donna Kovacic and husband Jeff, Stark, KS; 2 sons, Donald LaRue and wife Janet, Overbrook, KS, and Dean LaRue, Linwood, KS; 3 brothers Larry LaRue and wife Mary Ann, Michigan, Roy LaRue and wife Amy, Florida, and Ray LaRue and wife Tami, Moran, KS, 6 grandchildren, Diana and husband Tyler, Julia and husband Chad, Bryson, Wade, Abby, and Orin; 3 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Hunter Kovacic; and a granddaughter, Makala LaRue.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, October 6th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Wednesday evening at the Carriage House, 310 S. Main St., Ft. Scott.
Memorials are suggested to the Steve LaRue Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Russell Charles Snyder, 87, of Fort Scott, left this earthly home to join his loved ones in Heaven on Saturday evening, October 1, 2022 at Medicalodges Fort Scott. He was born March 10, 1935 to Lawrence and Dora (Russell) Snyder at rural Redfield, KS.
Russell had many adventures as a young teenager, traveling the country by foot and train, working for various farmers. He married Clara Fern Wise on September 1, 1955. To this union they lovingly added two children, Shelly and Charles.
Through the years, Clara and Russell had many fur babies with which they shared their lives. They always doted on their fur children and were very saddened when any of them were lost. Russell cherished their memory and loved to talk about them.
Clara preceded him in death on February 25, 2011 and was always fondly spoke of and remembered by Russell.
He served in the Korean War with the United States Army from January 1958 to December 1959 gaining numerous memories from his time stationed there.
He drove an over the road truck most of his adult life, hauling various products and obtaining many stories along the way. Later he worked for Peerless Products of Fort Scott until his retirement at age 62; he then hauled cattle and worked at Fort Scott Livestock Company until his full retirement at age 75.
He very much enjoyed sharing anecdotes of his life and journeys around the country. There was never a time when visiting with Russell that you didn’t leave without hearing, very colorfully, quite a few of his life reminiscences. He has left his family with a multitude of stories to continue sharing and remembering with joy and laughter, as they hear his voice retelling them repeatedly.
Those left to celebrate his life include a son, Charles and wife Kerri of Fort Scott; a daughter, Shelly Shoemaker of Joplin, MO; four grandchildren, Jordan Snyder, Lakin Snyder, Christopher Snyder, and Jacob Snyder all of Fort Scott; three step-grandchildren, Kori Shoemaker and partner Jerry Morgan, Kyli Gates and husband Jason, and Kade Colegrove all of Fort Scott; one great-grandchild, Oaklynn Snyder of Fort Scott; three step-great-grandchildren, Joeli Morgan, Rystan Morgan, and Breckett Gates all of Fort Scott. A wonderful friend and neighbor, Fred Mitzner and wife Ermalea of Fort Scott. Along with three nephews and a niece, Rick Snyder and wife Judy of Iola, KS, Wayne Hall and wife Julie of Sedan, KS; Mary Jo Larue of Linwood, KS and Larry Snyder and wife Danita of Pleasanton, KS.
Those Russell joins in God’s loving arms include his wife, Clara; his father and mother; a brother, Lloyd Snyder and his wife Treva; a sister, Marybelle Hall and her husband Joe; two nephews and a great-nephew.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow at the Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St. Fort Scott, KS. 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
