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Volunteers Are the Mainstay of The Beacon
The Beacon, a local helping agency, depends on volunteers.
The Beacon organization was established in 1985 to serve Bourbon County residents in need.
Volunteer donations of services and talents are what it takes to make the Beacon a more attractive and inviting place for clients and the community, according to Carol MacArthur, chairwoman of the Beacon board.
“Joe Lee is a local artist who has worked inside and outside the Beacon volunteering his talent,” MacArthur said. “He does the signs and has painted a beautiful lighthouse mural inside the building.”
Lee recently created a new sign for the front of the building to replace one in need of repair.
Other Beacon volunteers include Wib Mowen who volunteers carpentry skills and helps with many other tasks, including helping Lee with his sign.
Hi wife, Patty Mowen is the assistant director of the Beacon.
This summer, Bro’s Cleaning Services, Fort Scott, power washed the whole building for free, MacArthur said. “The siding absolutely looks new.”
“Philips Lawn Care has mowed the last three years–again for free–to keep up the yard,” MacArthur said.
“Then we have Dave Gillen’s wife, Debbie,” she said. “Dave is the director. Debbie is the main coordinator for the signups for Adopt a Child.”
The Beacon is funded by donations from churches, civic organizations, schools, businesses, and individuals.
Also, each year the Beacon applies for various grants to help with food and monetary assistance.
They serve approximately 960 individuals a month and if a person is on food stamps, they are automatically eligible for services.
In addition to food packages, The Beacon provides non-food items like blankets, toiletries, laundry powder, and diapers.
To receive assistance, individuals must be willing to share information about their current income levels and proof of Bourbon County residency. Families in crisis are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Contact info:
525 E. Sixth Street, Fort Scott; phone 620.223.6869.
Chamber Coffee Sept. 2 Hosted By Stewart Realty
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 1
Friday Night Free Concert: Rick Hite
This week’s Friday Night Concert, Sept. 3, will be presented by Rick Hite of Fort Scott. Hite sings and plays guitar and mandolin, and performs a variety of music from the 1940s, 50s, 60s, including contemporary songs in country, bluegrass, and gospel stylings.
“Hite began singing in church as a youngster at age five and has been playing guitar since age nine,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “We really appreciate his willingness to return to the park pavilion and entertain our loyal crowd. Come out and join your friends for an enjoyable evening.”
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas of Parsons serves as sound technician each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
FS Golf Course Advisory Board Vacancy
The Fort Scott Golf Course Advisory Board has a vacancy.
There is one opening for a city resident.
The function of the Golf Course Advisory Board is to advise the City Commission in all matters referred to them regarding the Woodland Hills Golf Course. They will also independently evaluate all aspects of the operation of the Golf Course and make recommendations to the City Commission and City Manager. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this Board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on any of these boards, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by September 17th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
Bourbon County Commission Budget Work Session Sept. 2
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: September 2, 2021
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
- Flag Salute
- Budget Work Session
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
FS Design Review Board Meets Sept. 1
The Design Review Board will meet on Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider two items.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Old Settler’s Picnic Is On for Sept. 3-6
Uniontown’s Old Settlers Weekend is on for Sept. 3-6 after a hiatus of one year because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
There will be three rodeos, a kids fishing derby, a community church service, and a family game night preceding the day of the annual picnic on Labor Day.
Travis and Kellie Duncan pose following a win at the 2019 Old Settlers Ranch Rodeo. Submitted photo.
On Labor Day, vendors will line the town’s square, including food vendors to feed the crowd that usually shows up for the parade at 10 a.m.
The event has been going on in the small town of about 300 people for 115 years.
“The theme for this year is Hats Off For Hometown Pride,” said Shayla Knight, president of the Old Settler’s Picnic Committee, which meets year-round to plan the event
“We have rolled the theme over from last year,” Knight said.
“We are excited to be having Old Settlers Picnic this year.”
“All of our traditional events will be taking place, she said. “Saturday morning is the kid’s fishing derby.”
“Sunday at 10 a.m. is church in the park with Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church hosting our community. As always donuts and coffee will be available. Sunday evening at 6 p.m. we will be hosting a family game night in the park. Two years ago we started this and for the first time, it went very well. There is something for everyone on family game night! Cornhole, bubble gum contest, watermelon contest.”
There will be concessions available through the UHS Cheerleaders and other organizations and vendors.
“Monday are our traditional events featuring the baby contest, kid parade, parade, drawings, and kids games,” she said.
“Also this year will be the 2nd annual Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show,” Knight said. “Two years ago there was a great turnout and this year we are hoping for even more. Cars are welcome to participate in the parade if they choose to or just in the car show. Sara Roufs has been solely committed to the car show since day one and has exceeded all expectations. We as a committee appreciate the wonderful addition to the Old Settlers Picnic.”
“In addition, we will have bounce houses available for the kids,” she said. “We are still currently looking for volunteers to help man them. All volunteers must be 18 or older. We have a sign-up link on our Facebook page if anyone is willing to volunteer for an hour.”
“Overall we are happy to be able to hold this event this year and look forward to the fun weekend,” Knight said.
Contacts for the events are the fishing derby-Shayla Knight at 224-8493 or Kyle Knight at 224-8436; the rodeos-Wayne Hall 363-4206; vendor and craft registration and the baby contest-Hope Workman at 224-8196; the parade line-up- Becky Shinn at 223-9532, family night games and the children’s parade lineup-Rhonda Dewitt at 215-1939; kids games-Candice Clayton at 224-8945.
Flyers are available at Union Station, Uniontown City Hall, Uniontown Post Office, and HB Salon.
Those helping with the event are Shayla and Kyle Knight, Hope Workman, Tammy Davidson, Rhonda DeWitt, Wayne Hall, First Missionary Baptist Church, Marty DeWitt, the City of Uniontown, Bobby Rich, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, and Uniontown Ruritan Club.
FSCC Receives Humanities Grant For Community Reading Project
TOPEKA – Humanities Kansas awarded $1,481.00 to the Fort Scott Community College Library last fall to support a community read project. Susie Arvidson serves as project director. Due to various COVID restrictions, the event was postponed. FSCC is pleased to announce that the community read project will kick off the week of September 6, 2021.
This project encourages the FSCC campus community to interact with the local communities in a common book reading and discussions club. The books to be read are A Choice of Weapons by Gordon Parks and The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. Parks’ book was selected as this autobiography addresses the themes of racism, discrimination, and poverty and how the author chose to address and combat those issues. Moore’s book was selected as it addresses the issues of fate/choice, race, inequality, injustice, discipline, and violence culminating in the support of the theme of expressions of truth.
Readings will occur individually with a suggested reading timeline. Discussions will occur through in-person book discussions hosted on the college campus and various hosting locations throughout the community when possible. Synchronous virtual meetings are available upon request, as well as some discussion via social media. Finally, each reading and discussion will culminate with a guest speaker who will speak on the overall, central theme of culture and diversity.
The first book to be read will be the Gordon Parks book. The culminate during the Gordon Parks Celebration hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College. This event will be an informal book discussion with John Mason, Associate Professor, , Associate Chair, University of Virginia Department of History and Eli Reed, Choice of Weapons Honoree.
“Humanities Kansas believes that communities are strengthened through the exchange of stories and ideas,” said Julie Mulvihill, Humanities Kansas Executive Director. “This project brings the people of Fort Scott together to read, discuss, and share experiences, encouraging community connection and engagement on significant topics.”
If you are interested in participating you can contact Susie Arvidson at [email protected] or call 620.223.2700, ext. 3441.
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
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