The Tourism Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, August 26th, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main. This meeting is open to the public.
The Tourism meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
FS Commission Meets Aug. 24 for Budget Work Session
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss the 2022 budget. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
The work session will also be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Fort Scott Town-Wide Garage Sale Sept. 10-11
Mark your calendars for the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, September 10th and 11th. Now is the time to get your garage sale on the map.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce encourages residents in Fort Scott to do your Fall cleaning and make room for something new. Garage sales may be registered through the Chamber by 1 pm, Tuesday, September 7th for only $10. The registration fee lists your sale on the official garage sale map, two colorful balloons and enables the Chamber to advertise the sale throughout the region on the radio, newspaper, social media and the Chamber website.
Businesses are encouraged to advertise on the official garage sale map, which will be distributed to shoppers the week of the Town-wide Garage Sale. The maps will be distributed from local stores and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The cost to place a business ad or coupon is $25 for small ad and $35 for larger ad. The garage sale maps will be available and printed on Thursday, September 9th by 1 pm at 5-Corners Mini-Mart, Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, all Pete’s locations, and The Fort Scott Chamber.
Garage sales may be registered in person at the Chamber office, 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, located at 231 E. Wall Street or by phone using debit or credit card by calling (620) 223-3566.
K-31 section closed west of Fulton on Wednesday
Wednesday, Aug. 25, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close K-31 west of Fulton to replace a crossroad pipe. The closure is between reference points 131 and 132 and will be in effect from 7:15 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Traffic should use alternate routes. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road condition and construction details. Persons with questions may call KDOT Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon at (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 23
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports August 15-22
Friday Night Free Concert: Scarborough, Lundeen, Tucker, Carlson
The first half of this week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by local area musicians Doug Scarborough and Michael Lundeen.
Scarborough sings and plays guitar and Lundeen plays keyboard. The duo will feature country, folk, and gospel music. A self-taught guitarist at age 14, Scarborough will perform two of his original songs, “Dust on the Bible” and “You’re the One.” Lundeen began studying piano at the age of six and has a vast repertoire of hymns, gospel, 1930s music, and songs from his youth.
The second half of the show will feature Carolyn Tucker on vocals and keyboard, and Ralph Carlson on guitar. Both of these musician friends began playing at the age of nine; between the two of them they have 132 years of musicianship. Their set will include Latin guitar classics, gospel instrumental and vocal favorites, and some 1940s tunes.
“Come out and join us for a special opportunity to see friends and support the gift of music in our area. We are happy to offer a show with such a wide variety of songs in the downtown park pavilion,“ concert series organizer Ralph Carlson said.
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.
Rocks, Locks, and Cops by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
Well, it happened again. While driving down a Missouri country road, I met a truck and a rock hit my windshield with a loud clink. The next day I made an appointment at D & J Glass to see what could be done. Dan promptly started the windshield chip-repair process and I was impressed with his expertise. John, whom Dan good-naturedly described as a loiterer, was sitting on a shop stool so I began shooting the breeze with him like my Dad would have done. I watched Dan get in and out of the passenger side of the Chrysler a few times, and things were going quite well. I could tell the repair was about finished, so I offered to just go ahead and pay. When I tried to open the driver’s door to retrieve my purse, it was locked. I quickly checked the rest of the doors and they were locked too…including the tailgate. I looked at Dan and said, “The doors are locked with both keys inside.” Dan’s calm response was, “I guess I did that,” and I softly replied, “Yep.”
I planted myself on the other shop stool and we all waited for Officer Burke to respond to Dan’s S.O.S. call. Within a few short minutes, the friendly cop arrived and brought in his burglary equipment. As soon as he stepped into the shop, I was shocked to hear Dan tell him, “I didn’t do it.“ I quickly said, “I didn’t do it!“ I really don’t think Dan did it, however, I don’t think I did it either. Both of us were simply relieved to be able to blame someone else for the pickle we were in. Honestly, I think the Chrysler got scared, freaked out, and locked itself. During this episode, I was especially grateful that no one cussed, kicked the tire, or cried.
As I prepared to leave, I told John, “I love funny life stories like this because I like to see what spiritual analogy I can get out of ‘em.” John simply replied, “I’ll be watching for it in The Tribune.“
One day, sooner than we think, you and I will stand flat-footed before Almighty God and give an account of our individual lives. There will be no blame game then. Jesus said, “I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:36,37 NLT).
Because Jesus wouldn’t soften His words nor make His message more acceptable to His followers, many of His disciples left Him (see John 6:66). Jesus told the Jewish people gathered in the Temple, “My message is not My own; it comes from God who sent Me“ (John 7:16 NLT).
By inspiration of Holy Spirit, John the Revelator tells what will happen to all of us. “I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds….anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:12,13,15 NLT). The Word of God is not just a philosophy of religion. It is the sobering truth that cannot be changed just because it‘s offensive to some.
The Key: There’s no one to blame but yourself if your name isn’t in the Book of Life.
Obituary of Randell Gregg
Randell Scott Gregg, age 62, a resident of rural Ft Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly early Friday, August 20, 2021, at his home.
He was born March 21, 1959, in Odessa, Texas, the son of Charles L. Gregg and Joy R. Locke Gregg. Randy graduated from the Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
He married Barbara Diblasi on August 28, 1999.
In his younger years, Randy completed the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Lander, Wyoming. He loved the outdoors, camping, backpacking and being a mountaineer. He later worked for NOLS where he taught outdoor skills to the next generation. A lifelong learner, always teaching himself and others new skills such as woodworking, carpentry and photography.
Above all else, his favorite thing to do was explore the world with his beloved wife Barbara. They always shared a love for adventure. Randy and Barbara moved to Ft. Scott approximately twenty years ago to pursue a dream of organic farming. Randy enjoyed renovating their one hundred-year-old farmhouse. He was actively involved with the Ft. Scott Farmer’s Market.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of the home; his mother, Joy Gregg of Kansas City, Missouri; two sisters, Barbi Wood of Overland Park, Kansas and Drenda Hall of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; a brother, Mark Gregg, of Kansas City, Missouri and eight nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father.
Randy Gregg, a devoted son, brother and friend, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. A father figure and role model to many. His passing is a great loss to all those who
Agenda of Bourbon County Commission Budget Work Session
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: August 24, 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 WITH NO PUBLIC. MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ON YOUTUBE.
Call to Order
- Flag Salute
- 2022 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.
Obituary of Enos Zimmerman
Enos Doyle Zimmerman, age 91, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, August 20, 2021, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS. He was born August 22, 1929, in Isabella, OK, the son of William Andrew Zimmerman and Eda Mae Fuller Zimmerman.
He married Wilma Turner on July 19, 1948, near Hepler, KS. She preceded him in death on December 25, 2011.
Enos had a great sense of humor. One of his favorite sayings was “after 9:00 ain’t nobodies’ business what I do.”
He would always whistle while he worked or be singing. He loved his grandfather clocks.
Enos was ambitious, take on challenges that other didn’t think possible. Examples include building an A-frame solar house and all the challenges with it, building a garden tractor without a frame, and taking on building a church in his 80’s.
He was caring in his own way. He felt a responsibility to care for his family, especially his parents when everyone else moved away.
He studied the Bible often in his spare time and loved to tell you what he discovered in his studies. His favorite verse couldn’t be just one, so he chose an entire chapter, Psalm 23.
Survivors include four sons, Doyle Zimmerman and wife Rebecca, Ft. Scott, Donathan Zimmerman and wife Ruth, Tolar, TX, David Zimmerman and wife Teresa, and Darel Zimmerman and wife Crystal, all of Ft. Scott; 19 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Besides his wife Wilma, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, an infant, Elmer Zimmerman and Shelby Zimmerman; 2 sisters, Elsie Foster and Wilma Mitchell; 3 grandchildren; and his parents.
Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Wednesday, August 25th, at the Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to Emmanuel Baptist Church 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.
Education by Gregg Motley
If you have read any of my columns, you probably know that I am data-driven and look for trends and tendencies in the numbers. That probably stems from my accounting/economics degree and life-long vocation as a banker. However, if I have learned anything about life in my 42 years of being in business and a parent to seven, I know that statistics are not a great indicator of educational outcomes. One does not need an advanced degree to figure this out. Education is difficult, even for the most learned.
That being said, Bourbon County school districts rank fairly well statistically when compared to other SEK counties, especially in the area of pupil/teacher ratio: we are at 13.4 compared to a state-wide range of 9.0 to 26.3. Consistently, studies show that this is one of the top indicators of positive outcomes.
If a school rating system can be believed (I am not convinced), we are not so fortunate. Schooldigger.com ranks all 270 Kansas districts on various criteria, and rates them one star to five star, and puts them in ranking order. Uniontown ranked 155th, moving up 41 spots from the previous year, and achieved a 2-star rating. Fort Scott ranked 221st, moving up 16 spots, but only merited a 1 star. Whether or not these rating systems really mean anything may not occur to parents looking move to Bourbon County; they may only look at the number.
As it pertains to a community college, you may remember a previous column that references James Fallows’ 54,000-mile journey around the USA to learn why some small towns are succeeding where others are not. Having a vibrant community college was one of the consistent eleven factors he identified. Some complain about the additional tax burden, but I believe the college is a major positive in Bourbon County.
Most importantly, study after study shows that there is no more relevant factor to drive student achievement than parental involvement; it is not even close. None of us can or should go into every home in Bourbon County to make sure children are ready and motivated to learn. We all know that some children do not show up to school prepared (or even interested) to learn. We can’t expect a school district to fill in all parental gaps, no matter how well-funded they are, or how many advanced degrees their teachers possess.
What can we do? If Bourbon County is your home, consider that the schools are partly your responsibility. It does not matter if you are an empty-nester like me or never had children, the schools of the county, public and private, belong to all of us. Consider how you can get involved in our schools and community college to be a resource. Use the time, talent, and treasure God gave you to continue to invest in education. Don’t wait till they organize a program to suit you. Take the initiative in collaboration with the boards, administrations, and teachers, and let us all commit to this important economic development factor, education.