New Clothing Pop-Up Shop Opens in the Liberty Theatre Lobby
Rachel Pruitt has opened a new Christmas pop-up shop in the lobby of the Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main in downtown Fort Scott. She has named the pop-up Better in Bourbon.
“We will be open the remainder of the year, with new product arriving weekly,” she said.
Her products are women’s and tween girl clothing, gift items, and accessories. For those who don’t know: a tween is no longer a little child, but not quite a teenager.
Pruitt is following a lifelong ambition, after many years spent in the apparel business.
“During college, I was the first Kansas State student to intern at the Atlanta Apparel Mart,” she said. “Upon graduation, I worked for fifteen years in wholesale apparel based in Kansas City which involved traveling to several cities supporting NCAA Division I sports and later relocated to Nashville.”
“My next chapter lasted over 20 years in corporate marketing which included another relocation to Chicago,” she said. “After having the opportunity to live in several other cities, I found a sense of ease returning to Fort Scott. Life is simpler in a rural community, and I consider myself fortunate to have the perspective to realize life is ‘better in Bourbon’.”
“It seems there is so much focus on what is wrong today, a rapid spread of negativity,” she said. “Over the last year, I’ve attempted to refocus my energy on what is right, on things which are positive. With unwavering support from friends and family, I am returning to a lifelong passion.”
“This pop-up boutique is in the lobby of the beautiful Liberty Theatre due to the generosity of the owner, Jared Leek,” she said. “It will be open through the end of the year, Wednesday through Saturday from noon until 7 p.m., adjusting hours to coincide with special events. I am optimistic the pop-up will justify the need to look for a permanent space.”
She opened the shop on November 27.
Contact Pruitt on the following:
Facebook: Better In Bourbon
Instagram: @better_in_bourbon
Website: betterinbourbon.com
AD: FSCC Community Read Discussion Today, Dec. 1 at 2:30 p.m.
You are invited to the Campus & Community Common Read Discussion Event to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 2:30 p.m. in the Fort Scott Community College Library in Bailey Hall, 2108 S. Horton.
This event is brought to the students, staff, and local community of Fort Scott Community College by a Humanities Kansas grant which offered opportunities to discuss two books, A Choice of Weapons by Gordon Parks and The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore.
Both are books related to culture and diversity.
The event is scheduled to be approximately 30-45 minutes long.
Description of event:
- The FSCC Campus and Community Read is a semester-long book club that first read and discussed Gordon Parks’ A Choice of Weapons. This reading ended with guest speakers during the Gordon Parks Celebration. Topics discussed were culture and diversity topics faced by Gordon Parks.
- The second book read and discussed was The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. Dr. Jason Kegler spoke about culture and diversity related to the book as well as his experiences in southeast Kansas.
A wrap-up and discussions of future community read events will happen.
FS City Special Meeting Dec. 7
There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021. It is anticipated the Commission will adjourn into Executive Session at this time.
This meeting will be held at the Landmark National Bank building on the 2nd floor, at 200 S. Main Street. This meeting is open to the public, but the Executive Session is not.
Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott National Historic Site on Dec. 2
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, December 2nd at 8 a.m. hosted by Fort Scott National Historic Site, located at 1 Old Fort Blvd.
The Chamber Coffee will be in the park’s theater on the second floor of the Infantry Barracks just west, to the left, of the Visitor Center.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be provided by The Friends of Fort Scott.
This year will be the 40th annual Candlelight Tour. The tour centers around peace on the frontier with five stops around the site.
The entire tour is outside this year, so they encourage visitors to dress for the weather.
Also, a reminder that masks are required in all federal buildings and anywhere social distancing cannot be maintained.
The only exception will be at the Chamber Coffee event while people are eating and drinking.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Emergency Water Assistance Program Starts Today
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Madison Completes Third Year at Institute for Organization Management
A Leadership Training Program Produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that Lindsay Madison, President & CEO, of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, has recently completed her third year at Institute for Organization Management, a four-year nonprofit leadership training program at Athens, Georgia.
“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”
Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at four different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.
Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. We educate the public on the conditions necessary for businesses and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.
Mary Bell (Isabel) Tallman
Mary Bell (Isabel) Tallman, 93, formerly of Fort Scott, passed away November 24, 2021, at her home in Scottsdale,
Arizona. She was born April 9, 1928, in St. Paul, Kansas. She married Harry “Charles” Tallman October 13, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kansas and he preceded her in death February 10, 1991.
She is survived by a daughter, Nancy Ann Burns of Scottsdale, Arizona, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, and a daughter, Mary Kathleen Laven.
Rev. Ken Ansel will conduct graveside services at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 2, 2021, at the Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Obituary of Marita Bigelow
Marita Lynne Bigelow, 79, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday morning November 30, 2021, at her home. She was born July 20, 1942, in Fort Scott, Kansas the daughter of Preston “Pete” Lafayette and Dorothy Lavella (Pottorff) Barr.
She married Galen C. Bigelow, Sr. on June 7, 1960, in Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death October 8, 2020.
Marita graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1960 and stayed in Fort Scott until 1970 when they moved to Dodge City, Kansas.
The family lived in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, from 1975 until 1978, moving back to Fort Scott, and then moved to Moran, Kansas in 1981. She and Galen owned and operated Bigelow’s Dairy Spot Restaurant in Moran until 1990 when they moved back to Fort Scott.
Marita worked at Mercy Hospital for seventeen years in the business office as a cashier, retiring in 2008.
She attended Bethel Community Church.
Marita is survived by her children, Michelle McKay and husband Eric, Teresa Fly and husband David, both of Fort Scott, Galen C. Bigelow, Jr. and wife Trena of Elsmore, Kansas, and William “Bill” Bigelow and wife Michelle, of Moran, Kansas; a brother, Joe Barr and wife Rita, of Fort Scott; two sisters, Charlotte Stewart and husband Alan, of Iola, Kansas, and Charlene Keating and husband John, of Fort Scott; a sister-in-law, Janice Barr; eleven grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband Galen, she was also preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Darrel Barr.
Pastor Ben Heffernan will conduct graveside services at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Scott, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Catherine (Felt) Boyd
Catherine Diane (Felt) Boyd, age 76, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021, in Springfield, MO. She spent her final days surrounded by the love and support of her Kansas and Missouri family.
Diane was born July 24,1945 to Martin Joseph and Helen Louise Maher in Kansas City, MO. Diane spent summers in Fort Scott with her grandparents where she met and married Marcus Leon Felt.
She graduated from Ursuline Academy, Paola, KS in 1963.
Diane was a member of Beta Sigma Phi.
While in Fort Scott, Diane worked as a legal secretary for Nuss and Farmer Law Firm. She then worked for Frisco/Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad where she retired in Fort Worth, TX in 2009.
Diane was a member of Willow Park Baptist Church.
In her retirement, she enjoyed being active in her Joy Fellowship class. Diane traveled to Israel with her church, where she fulfilled a dream of being baptized in the Jordan River. She held dear the time spent with her church family.
Left to cherish her memory is, her husband, Gerald Mungon (Weatherford, TX); daughters, Kimberly Felt (Nevada, MO) and Angela Craggs (Virginia Beach, VA), sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Paul Willard (Vassar, KS), niece, Traci and nephews, Brian and Shawn. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Derek, Amanda, Kandyce, Bethany, and Aaron along with 11 great grandchildren.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents and 11-month-old son, Martin Leon Felt.
The family will receive friends from 11 AM until Noon on Wednesday, December 1st, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Private family burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Willow Park Baptist Church @ www.willowparkbaptist.org. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
The FS Christmas Parade Route Extended
A new Fort Scott Christmas Parade route will happen this year.
The 2021 annual parade is Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. and this year will start line up in front of Central Communications, 2 N. National Avenue, the radio station. Participants will line up north of that site, extending to possibly Twister Trailer, across the bridge over the Marmaton River. Each entry is to be in place no later than 5:50 p.m. that evening.
“We feel like people go to a lot of work on their entries,” Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison, said. “We wanted to give them more blocks for people viewing their entries. In the past, it has been four blocks.”
Floats, foot units, horse units, car/trucks, golf carts, marching bands or other entries will start at Wall Street and National Avenue, head south on National, to Third Street, turn left on Main Street, then north on Main until Skubitz Plaza is reached, where the Fort Scott Mayor’s Christmas Tree will be lighted immediately following the parade. Josh Jones is mayor this year.
The theme is Marching Into Christmas.
Entries are encouraged to feature toy soldiers to showcase the new downtown decorations.
“We looked at Christmas decor availability and felt that these complemented the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the history of Fort Scott,” Madison said.
Briggs Automall of Fort Scott is sponsoring cash prizes of $75 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place.
The deadline to enter the parade is Monday, December 6, 1 p.m.
Click here for printable entry form.
Click here to enter online.
Following the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree, children may visit with Santa in Papa Don’s Restaurant, 10 N. Main. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras to take photos of their kids with Santa.
While waiting to visit with Santa, Fort Scott High School Pride Club students will be providing crafts that children can make.
The Chamber is booking for its annual Christmas Light Trolley Tours from Dec. 10 to Dec. 23 at 5:45 and 7 p.m. each evening.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for kids and includes hot cocoa and cookies and a festive glow necklace. Pre-paid reservations are required.
For more information contact the Chamber office at 620.223.3566.
AD: FSCC Community Book Read Concludes Dec. 1 at 2:30 p.m.
You are invited to the Campus & Community Common Read Discussion Event to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 2:30 p.m. in the Fort Scott Community College Library in Bailey Hall, 2108 S. Horton.
This event is brought to the students, staff, and local community of Fort Scott Community College by a Humanities Kansas grant which offered opportunities to discuss two books, A Choice of Weapons by Gordon Parks and The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore.
Both are books related to culture and diversity.
The event is scheduled to be approximately 30-45 minutes long.
Description of event:
- The FSCC Campus and Community Read is a semester-long book club that first read and discussed Gordon Parks’ A Choice of Weapons. This reading ended with guest speakers during the Gordon Parks Celebration. Topics discussed were culture and diversity topics faced by Gordon Parks.
- The second book read and discussed was The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. Dr. Jason Kegler spoke about culture and diversity related to the book as well as his experiences in southeast Kansas.
A wrap-up and discussions of future community read events will happen.