Fremar Foundation: Supporting Outstanding Local Artists
A foundation that is located in Leawood, Kansas, has roots in and supports Bourbon County artists.
The Fremar Foundation was established in 2010 by Karen Fremar as a charitable organization and began giving scholarships in 2017.
Fremar’s parents were Fort Scott musicians who had a music studio starting in the 1950s through the 1970s. Fremar began her career as an accordian artist here.
Those students that have received Fremar scholarships, where they are studying and what their degree is:
2017– Mayson Lane, Oberlin College Conservatory/UMKC,
Violin/Music/Health Science
2018 – Brenna Bower, Pittsburg State University, Trumpet/Political
Science
2019 –Jezeriah Simpson, Baker University, Art/Computer
Science
2020 – Levi Bin, Pittsburg State University, Vocal Music/Theater/Automotive Technology
2020 Patrick Schmidt, Wichita State University, Vocal Music/Music Education
2021 – Noah Martin, Ozark Christian College, Music and Worship
2022 – Laney Covey, Allen Community College, Digital Media/Visual Illustration and Animation
To learn more about the foundation and the students they have awarded:https://fremarfoundation.org/
The mission of the foundation has evolved, said Fremar, chairwoman and president of the Fremar Foundation. “It is currently to recognize the achievements and enable talented high school students in the Fort Scott area to continue with their artistic studies at the college level.”
“Initially we wanted to bring outstanding accordion artists from all over the world to perform concerts in Kansas City,” she said. But the cost was to high.
So her thinking changed.
“I was thinking that I would rather spend time and raise funds to support and recognize local young artists in all disciplines to help them on their artistic journey,” Fremar said. ” While we champion outstanding accordion art, we are not exclusive and support all musicians and artists.”
Tax advisor, Carol Hill, and financial advisor, Jordan Witt, both of Fort Scott, helped the organization develop a program to present scholarships in the area.
“Jordan was president of the school board at that time, and said that there was really nothing to recognize and financially reward the efforts of these talented young people in the area,” she said.
The critical part of the scholarship program is to recognize the achievements of these young artists in their creative work in high school, and encourage them to continue their art as they go into college and into life, she said.
“We find it thrilling to follow their careers, see their successes, and know that maybe we had some small part in recognizing and encouraging their talent and achievements,” she said.
“An added benefit is that Mayson Lane has now become a full-fledged member of Vivant! (the group of K.C. area musicians she performs with) and performs with us whenever possible.”
Annual Concert
Each year she spearheads a concert to provide more funds for the scholarships the foundation awards.
She is inviting people from Bourbon County to the concert at the Leawood United Methodist Church (near Ranchmart) at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 28. The free concert will last about one hour and refreshments will follow. It’s at this time the audience can meet the scholarship recipients.
“The concert will be varied and fun… plus, we’ll feature some amazing musicians,” she said. “We would be grateful for donations to our scholarship program.”
“I arranged all the scores we perform together,” she said. “The musicians in Vivant! are top professionals in their field.”
This year’s recipient Laney Covey, Uniontown, will be featured, she said.
“Laney will… provide an art show in the lobby of her works,” she said. “Jezeriah Simpson… at Baker University, now in his fourth year of receiving our scholarships, will be there and be introduced.”
Photos on the foundation website show many recognizable names and faces.
Continue reading Fremar Foundation: Supporting Outstanding Local Artists
Jerry and Judy Witt Celebrate 60th Anniversary
Judy and Jerry Witt – 60 Years
Jerry and Judy (Armstrong) Witt are celebrating their 60th anniversary Thursday, August 25th. They were married Saturday, August 25th, 1962, in the First Christian Church in Fort Scotty by Rev. Jim Grooms.
The Witts note that their faith, love, and commitment to each other have brought them many blessings over the past 60 years. They have five sons, Matt and wife Cherie, Aaron and wife Heather, Jared and wife Stephanie, Jordan and wife Randi, and Luke and wife Cherie. Their nine “precious” grandchildren are Henry, Oliver, Remy, Ivan, Ava, Lydia, Jack, Cole, and Jayden.
They will celebrate Saturday with a family dinner hosted by their sons and wives. Cards are welcome and may be mailed to the Witts at 9 N. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Chamber Coffee at Bo Co REDI on August 25
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Jerry and Judy Witt Celebrate 60th Anniversary
Judy and Jerry Witt – 60 Years
Jerry and Judy (Armstrong) Witt are celebrating their 60th anniversary Thursday, August 25th. They were married Saturday, August 25th, 1962, in the First Christian Church in Fort Scott by Rev. Jim Grooms.
The Witts note that their faith, love, and commitment to each other have brought them many blessings over the past 60 years. They have five sons, Matt and wife Cherie, Aaron and wife Heather, Jared and wife Stephanie, Jordan and wife Randi, and Luke and wife Cherie. Their nine “precious” grandchildren are Henry, Oliver, Remy, Ivan, Ava, Lydia, Jack, Cole, and Jayden.
They will celebrate Saturday with a family dinner hosted by their sons and wives. Cards are welcome and may be mailed to the Witts at 9 N. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Local Job Fair August 31at the FSCC Ellis Center
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 24
FSCC Trustees To Attend Visioning Session Today
There may be a majority of Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees members present at the Bourbon County R.E.D.I. Visioning Session to be held in the River Room, on Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. at 3 West Oak Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. Even though a majority may be present, no College business will be conducted.
Grant Opp For Rural First Responders
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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF BOARD OF EDUCATION August 23, 2022
A special meeting of the Board of Education, Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas, is hereby called to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the twenty-third day of August, 2022, at the River Room, 3 W. Oak Street.
The purpose of the meeting is a discussion with the Bourbon County Visioning Committee. There will be no action taken at this meeting.
By order of the President of the Board of Education of Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas.
Submitted by Board Clerk Gina Shelton
New Uniontown Jr/Sr High School Teachers: Zach Mason, Luke Davis
Zach Mason, 32, is a new junior/senior high physical education teacher at Uniontown.
He attended Fort Scott Community College, McPherson College, and Fort Hays University.
His teaching experience includes one year as a K-6 Special Education teacher at Dighton Elementary School, one year Special Education Para at St. John-Hudson Elementary School, and seven years K-12 Physical Education/Weights and Conditioning instructor at Crest Schools.
His hometown is Uniontown.
He and his wife, Megan Mason, have three daughters Markayla, Paxton, and Rory.
Outside of school he enjoys golf, softball, hunting, and spending time with family.
He wanted to become a teacher to help kids find the fun in staying active, he said. and his college track coach, Robert Spies, inspired him to teach.
The best part of teaching for Mason is “Seeing kids progress and do things they might have thought they couldn’t do.”
What are the challenges?
“Trying to get kids to understand that running and lifting are not the only ways to stay physically active. He wants students to understand that exercise as simple as walking, golfing, and bowling have health benefits.”
Luke Davis has been hired by USD 235 to teach math at the junior high school.
“Since Luke Davis still needs to complete a semester of student teaching, Ed Ramsey will also be in the room with him during the first semester,” USD 235 Superintendent Vance Eden said. “Ed is a retired teacher who moved to Uniontown a year or two ago. Last year he was a substitute teacher and substitute bus driver for the district. Luke will be providing the majority of the instruction. Once Luke graduates in the fall, he would then be able to assume the full responsibilities as the teacher.”
Davis graduated from Uniontown High School, before attending Pittsburg State University.