Sheila and David Baglin were the recipients of a $100 gift certificate to Luther’s BBQ because they were the 100,000th meal that Feeding Families In His Name has served in a random contest.
Pictured is Jean Tucker, coordinator of the ministry, left, with the lucky couple.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Partners in Empowering Youth for Suicide Prevention believes that every young person deserves to be safe from suicide and that the best way to reach youth in Kansas is to provide opportunities for them to reach out to their peers, thus the Youth Suicide Prevention Art Contest was created. The contest, which ended April 5, 2021, was open to Kansas youth in grades 6 through 12 and 28 youth from across the state dedicated their time and talents to developing messages to reach other youth with their submissions.
“We are pleased with the incredible quality of submissions for the contest. Every person who entered clearly put great thought and effort into their submission,” Steve Devore, President/CEO of Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ said. “We look forward to sharing them across the state to raise awareness of the possibility of hope and healing while working to provide enough support to Kansas youth so that no one ever walks alone in crisis. We anticipate all entries will resonate with youth but there were top prizes awarded for the three grade categories by youth judges.”
The agencies involved in the Kansas Partners in Empowering Youth for Suicide Prevention include the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, in collaboration with the Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
There is something each of us can do, follow these tips to help prevent youth suicide.
If I am a teen, I can…
Encourage friends that getting help for life’s ups and downs is okay.
Share stories about times getting help has worked.
Talk to my doctor during my annual well visit.
Break the stigma by encouraging discussion of mental wellness.
Be an example of kindness and connection to those around me.
If I am a parent, I can…
Be willing to listen without judgement.
Be the one to help my child seek mental and physical care when needed.
Store my firearms and prescription/over-the-counter medications safely at home to reduce the likelihood they will be used in a suicide crisis.
If I am a school employee, I can…
Be willing to listen without judgement.
Download the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale screener tool and champion protocol changes for successful implementation within my school or district.
Recognize social emotional learning initiatives that focus on building social skills especially problem-solving skills are effective upstream efforts to reduce suicide and other risky behaviors in students.
Implement evidence-based screening for depression and suicide for the entire student body.
If I am a community member, I can…
Be willing to listen without judgement.
Make resources for safe storage or disposal of means for suicide available (e.g. trigger locks, prescription take back initiatives).
Enroll in training like Mental Health First Aid or Applied Suicide Intervention Skills.
Participate in training like (ASIST) or Question. Persuade. Refer (QPR) to be able to better identify when youth are struggling with thoughts of suicide.
Practice good self-care; share my coping mechanisms with those around me, tell stories of seeking help and gaining recovery.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please text KANSAS to 741741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
These trainings are all KDHE approved for child care licensing hours, and all participants will receive certificates of attendance. Please email Rachelle Soden at [email protected] with any questions, or to schedule a training for your specific group/date/time.
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) announces a grant funding opportunity for communities through a request for application (RFA) process for the Kansas Prevention Collaborative-Community Initiative (KPCCI) to reduce and prevent substance abuse in identified communities and enrich prevention efforts across the state through the implementation and sustainability of effective, culturally competent prevention strategies.
Grantees will use these funds to create a comprehensive, community-based strategic plan to address the problems of underage drinking, youth marijuana use, or ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs), shared risk and protective factors, and produce sustainable systems change in their communities. Communities will utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) model designed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to assess their local needs, build capacity and create an implementation plan.
“Community-driven grants are an important piece of our statewide prevention system,” said KDADS Secretary Laura Howard. “KDADS’ Behavioral Health Services Commission works directly with community partners who apply for and receive these funds to provide essential training and support. We encourage communities to apply for this grant opportunity and become part of the statewide team working to prevent substance use in Kansas.”
The KPCCI grant is funded by SAMHSA “to prevent and reduce substance abuse in identified communities and enrich prevention efforts across the state through the implementation and sustainability of effective, culturally competent prevention strategies. Through the advancement of technological supports, learning processes, technical assistance, direct consultation and other resources, grantees will be supported through each of the five steps of the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF).”
The RFA is directed at newly established coalitions in existence for the past six months ready to incorporate the SPF’s sustainable guidance and evidence-based strategies:
The planning phase: determining what works to address prevention needs and how to do it well based on data;
The implementation phase: delivering evidence-based intervention as intended, supported by KDADS and its partners in the Kansas Prevention Collaborative (KPC).
Communities ready to start the process or who have already started the planning stage and are ready to progress to the implementation phase are eligible to apply for funding. KDADS strongly encourages those eligible to apply.
“The KDADS prevention team continues to support positive community outcomes with this grant. For many years the communities involved in this meaningful work have played a pivotal role in the state’s prevention efforts,” said KDADS Children’s Services Director Gary Henault. “Our grantees and community partners committed to serving others continue to have a positive impact on the communities they serve.”
About the Kansas Prevention Collaborative:
The Kansas Prevention Collaborative was created in 2015 to integrate and innovate behavioral health prevention efforts. A partnership of several different state, educational and provider agencies, the KPC’s goal is to expand prevention efforts to be more inclusive of mental health promotion, suicide prevention and problem gambling education and awareness, as well as to increase the availability of resources to adequately fund local-level prevention and promotion strategic plans. For more information, see https://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/behavioral-health/kpc.
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5/27 & 5/28 – 6A State Baseball Tournament @ LaRoche Baseball Complex, click here for bracket.
5/28 thru 5/31- Fort Scott National Historic Site Honor the Fallen, Memorial Weekend “Symbols of Sacrifice”, Click here to join the FSHS in placing the flags for the Field of Honor Friday morning at 9 am & learn more about this event.
5/28 – WW II Sailor Returns Home, William Barnett. Graveside service at 1:30 p.m. open to the community & visitors, park outside the National Cemetary gates and walk/be escorted to service.
5/28 – Museum of Creativity Open Play Session Click hereto view all the crafts, games, exhibits we will be having from 10 am -2 pm & 4 ~ 8 pm. 209.275.2372
5/28 & 5/29 2021 Merchant Madness Sidewalk Sales Downtown & around Fort Scott!. Clickhere to see all the participating retailers. Two or more stores will also be doing an in-store drawing for a special gift.
5/28 & 5/29 Trolley Tours depart from The Fort Scott Chamber, 231 E. Wall St. 50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott, leaving from the Chamber & Visitor Center Fridays (11 am, 12 pm 1 pm and 2 pm) & Saturdays (10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm) throughout the summer. $6 adults, $4 children.
5/28 & 5/29 FSHS Tiger Drama Camp Performs “The Legend of Mulan” Friday at 7 pm, and again on Sat. at 2 pm. Click Here to read the full details of showtimes, location, and fees.
5/28 – 7 pm Friday Night Concerts at Heritage Park Pavilion ~ Rick Hite on the Guitar & Vocalist. Click here to see more details on this event.
5/28 & 5/29- Livestock Sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page
5/28 – Friday Night Karaoke at The Boiler Room! 7 PM. The Boiler Room Brewhaus.2 S. National Ave.
5/28 | 6/3 – Fort Scott Cinema Showtimes
Now showing: A Quite Place2, Cruella & Those Who Wish Me Dead. Click here to view showtimes.
5/29 – Farmers’ Market, 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort.
5/29 thru 5/30 – Dave Regan Memorial 14 U Baseball Tournament @ LaRoche Baseball Complex. So, give a welcome to baseball players & families! Click here for 14U bracket.
5/29 – Woodland Hills Memorial Weekend, 4-Person Scramble. See the full schedule here.
5/29 – Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Memorial day all weekend! Visit www.ksrockspark.com for more info.
5/31 – American Legion Post 25 Memorial Day Services. Click here for the event schedule.
5/31 – Memorial Day @ 4 pm at The Fort Scott National Historic Site. Patriotic music by Pat & Steve Harry, followed by the final flag retreat for the weekend.
Looking Forward to a week of upcoming events!
6/2 – Chamber After Hours Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Lyons Realty Group at 5:15 pm. Everyone welcome! Clickherefor details of this event.
6/3 – Chamber Coffee hosted by Good Ol’ Days Committee at 8 am, Skubitz Plaza.
6/3 thru 6/6 – Midwest Showcase Tournament I @ LaRoche Baseball Complex. Clickhere to see more details about this event.
6/4 – Extrusions/Win-Vent Customer/Employee Appreciation Golf Outing @ Woodland Hills Golf Course. See the full schedule here.
6/3 – Good Ol’ Days Talent Show |6 pm at Memorial Hall. Tickets $6. Purchase at the door or in advance at The Fort Scott Chamber.
6/4 – Good Ol’ Days Chicken Dinner |4:30~6 pm. Tickets $8 at The Fort Scott Chamber.
6/4 – Good Ol’ Days Parade celebrating 40 Years of Family, Friends & Fun @ 6 pm. The deadline to register (free) in Parade is 6/3 at 1 pm. Click here to apply online or forms are available at The Fort Scott Chamber.
6/4 & 6/5 – Good Ol’Days Parade celebrating 40 Years of Family, Friends & Fun! Click here to see details on vendors and festivities.
Leah Bowman, administrative assistant, Allyson Turvey, Fort Scott Community Development manager, Carla Farmer, FSACF chairperson, and Tom Robertson, Buck RunCommunity Center director. Submitted photo.
The City of Fort Scott recently announced plans to open a roller skating rink for individuals of all ages to enjoy.
Leading up to this decision, volunteers and others researched the concept of a roller skating rink to determine if it would be a viable venture in Fort Scott.
When it was determined that there was community support for a roller skating rink, the opportunity to purchase 120 pairs of skates and a rack presented itself to the City.
In response to a grant application received by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, a special mid-year grant for $5,900 was awarded to the City toward the purchase of 120 pairs of skates and a rack.
“The Foundation annually holds a granting process beginning the first of August culminating with the announcement of the grants at a Chamber coffee in November,” said Carla Farmer, FSACF chair. “On several occasions in past years since the Foundation was established, we have awarded a mid-year grant that meets the criteria of addressing a compelling need in the community and/or the timing of the request cannot be delayed until the annual granting cycle. The Foundation Board recognizes that not all needs in our community present themselves during the granting cycle and we are pleased to be able to respond to this special request.”
FSACF awarded $36,250 to 18 not-for-profits in 2020 during its 12th annual granting cycle. The funds for these grants are derived from interest earned each year from the Foundation’s unrestricted endowment. Several of the organizations receiving funding included U-234 third grade music program, Lowell Milken Center Ft. Scott Front Line Heroes, Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition rent/utilities assistance, Care to Share, First United Methodist Feeding Families In His Name and Compassionate Ministries ID and Winter Warming Project.
Gregg Motley, granting committee chair, along with his committee, reviewed the application and final approval was made by the Board.
“When we have an opportunity to support the other positive things happening in our Community, we believe we are truly fulfilling the mission of the Foundation,” Motley stated.
For more information on the Foundation, visit FSACF.com or call 224-6500.
“The Legend of Mulan” production will be featured on May 28 and 29 at Fort Scott High School. This is the first “normal” drama production of the school year, according to FSHS Drama Teacher Angie Bin.
The playwright, Kathryn Schultz Miller describes the show as an epic journey over mountains, rivers, through hills and valleys of fear and courage and human emotions of a girl who wants to make her mark and leave the world a better place, according to Bin in a press release.
Angie Bin from her Facebook page.
For two weeks, 40 students, first through ninth grade, have spent preparing for the production.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on May 28 and 2 p.m. on May 29 at the
Fort Scott High School Auditorium.
The character of Mulan is played by 8th grader Ashley Cannon. Other notable characters include Captain Cheng, portrayed by freshman Mykael Lewis; Pika the Rabbit played by 6th grader Abel Chaplin and 7th grader Chrislen Newman; Imoogi the Dragon played by 7th graders Izzy Budd and Ana Rupprecht; and Momo, the Emperor’s Assistant, played by freshman Kaiden Clary, according to the press release.
The camp and show are directed entirely by FSHS Thespians.
FSHS Senior Christina King is the director, assisted by sophomore Regen Wells who also serves as stage manager and choreographer Kinsley Davis, a junior.
Technical staff include sophomore Lexi Hill – lighting designer, senior Khris Patel – sound designer, senior Breena Cox – music
director, sophomore Silvia Moreno – props and set designer, and junior Izzy Carreno – music operator. Many other Thespians serve as acting coaches and leaders.
Adults are $8 and children are $6. There may be tickets available for purchase at the door, but seating is limited. Masks and social distancing are required. Doors open 30
minutes prior to showtime.
About Drama Camp
Campers learn all aspects of performing. From Facebook.
Teacher Angie Bin started Tiger Drama Camp in 2014 as a way to teach younger children about the art of theatre both on the stage and behind the scenes.
“Several years ago we decided to expand the camp into a full production,” she said. “The first week is focused on introducing students to ways to use their bodies and voices on stage and how to design the technical elements of the theatre such as lighting, sound, costuming, make-up, and set design. The second week is focused on technical and dress rehearsals to prepare for the public performances.
“The camp is led by high school drama students who also utilize the production as a fundraiser to assist them in traveling to the Kansas State and International Thespian festivals or Broadway Tours in New York City,” Bin said.
“We have found that holding drama camp at the end of May is ideal as it does not interfere with other recreational activities or high school camps,” she said. “It also allows our high school drama students to begin designing the set and costuming before the school year ends. It is a great way for the students to jump-start their summer activities.”
The COVID-19 Pandemic affected how Bin taught drama students.
“We were initially set to produce ‘The Legend of Mulan’ last summer, but were unable to due to the pandemic,” she said. “Our performances this year have been very different from our normal production year.”
“We decided to shift our musical from the fall to the spring this year and were unable to hold our annual children’s Christmas show,” Bin said. “Our fall production was ‘The Monologue Show (from Hell)’ which allowed our students to rehearse in small numbers and as students were quarantined, they were able to still participate by video or through Zoom.”
“Instead of mounting a full-scale musical in the spring, we opted for a musical revue with individual solos and small group numbers and performed it in conjunction with our annual ‘Royal-Tea Party.’ ‘The Legend of Mulan’ will be our most normal production of the year, although students and audience members will still be masked.”
Upcoming FSHS Drama Events:
FSHS Musical Auditions – Aug. 30 – 31 at 7 p.m.
Ranked the Musical – Nov. 9, 11, 13 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.
Children’s Christmas show auditions: Nov. 15 – 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Children’s Christmas show performances: Dec. 10- 11 at 7 p.m., Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.
The 2020-21 International United Miss Kansas Teen Katelyn Burks will be attending this year’s Good Ol’ Days Festival as a part of her summer tour. Burks is excited to kick off the weekend by hosting the Fort Scott Talent Show. Burks also plans to ride in the parade June 4 and sign autographs at the festival June 5.
Burks began her pageant journey five years ago and is eager to represent the state of Kansas at the International United Miss pageant July 2021 at the Seaview Resort in Galloway, NJ.
Burks is a freshman studying communications and marketing at Oklahoma Baptist University where she is building the skillset to spread her platform Connect the Dots: Creating real relationships and connections with those around us.
International United Miss is a scholarship-style pageant system dedicated to the girls and women who represent it. They pride themselves in recognizing the incredible accomplishments of their Queens and competitors, achieved both on and off the pageant stage. The experienced directors (who together have over 35 years of dedication to the pageant community) along with their staff have worked diligently to create a pageant organization focused on the competition aspects that really work the best and that delegates enjoy the most. Beauty is not only on the outside, but the inside as well which is why they have based their system around the aspects of personal judges’ interview, community service and involvement, as well as poise and personality during on stage competitions.