Fort Scott Kan. – The Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Visitor Center and fort buildings will be closed, and no programs will be offered, on Christmas day and New Year’s day (December 25, 2019 and January 1, 2020) to allow staff to celebrate the holidays with their families.
Winter hours are in effect from November 1-March 31 at Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service. The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
A few years after we were married, Dave and I had a discussion about what makes each other happy. We began by sharing what we thought the other person wanted. My answer was easy. Since Dave eats tacos about 300 days a year, that was the way to his heart.
Not even close. “Patty, that doesn’t make me happy. What makes me happy is when you show me affection. Hold my hand. Hug me. Kiss me for no reason.”
What??? All these years, thinking I was earning wife-points with my Mexican cooking, my focus had been on making sure we never were without chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, spicy hamburger, grated cheese, tortillas and three kinds of taco sauce? And Dave would rather have had a hug? I asked Dave what he thought I needed from him, a no-brainer in his opinion. It was a squeeze of his hand while we were watching television or a morning kiss to start my day or a long embrace for no reason whatsoever.
WRONG! My husband knew nothing about my love language. And although those were wonderful demonstrations of Dave’s love for me, there were other things that would have, in my opinion, solidified his marriage vows: lend me a hand to rake leaves or weed-eat; offer to come alongside with meal preparation when guests were coming to visit; help write Christmas cards or thank-you notes; you know, basically, be my assistant when needed. (And yes, it does appear that one of us was requiring a lot more than the other.)
You see, we all are wired differently; Dave and I had assumed that what we desired was what our spouse desired. Do you see the problem here? All we needed to do was to ask instead of assume. That conversation, years ago, was central to my husband and me understanding each other better. But it did more than that. Over the years, it has pushed me to question what God’s love language might be. What does He want from me that I withhold because I don’t think it’s all that important? After all, He abounds in grace, so He will be happy with whatever I think is important, right?
I don’t think so. God wants my attitude to reflect the joy He has offered to me. He wants me to be selfless and not selfish. He wants me to be grateful and not grumble. When I rake or am working in the kitchen, God wants me to be thankful to Him that I have arms and legs and a yard and an oven and a clear-thinking mind (well, relatively speaking). He wants me to appreciate the heat pad that I will use on every part of my body the day after raking or weed-eating. He wants me to enjoy autumn and friends and a Christmas season that reflects the Gift He has given in His son. He wants me to be grateful for a husband who has stood beside me for 46 years. He wants me to recognize what a good, good Father He is.
During this Christmas season, I pray we all choose to understand God’s “love language” in a way that reflects what He has done in our lives instead of offering only what is convenient for us.
Merry Christmas, and may your 2020 be filled with opportunities to be the love language that God is to you.
Editors note: Due to technical difficulties the feature did not include part of the written story. Here is the complete story.
The LaRoche buildings located at 10 and 12 E. Wall. Jennifer LaRoche is the owner and contractor for the renovation of the two historic buildings in downtown Fort Scott. The two copper signs on the Wall Street side, one of the Tribune Monitor Newspaper and one of the Kansas Gas and Electric will be restored and lighted when all is complete, LaRoche said.
Business owner Jennifer LaRoche opened her buildings that are in the process of renovation, to the public for what was called a “Sneak Peek” on Dec. 18.
The buildings are located at 10 and 12 E. Wall St.
This was in celebration of Fort Scott’s downtown district’s historic designation 10th anniversary. Kate Sweetser, one of the original workers on the designation spoke to the attendees of the history of the designation.
12 E. Wall: Coffee Shop
The building which most recently housed the Fort Scott Tribune newspaper office, has been empty for a few years.
In January, the easternmost, one-story building at 12 E. Wall is slated to become the new location of Common Ground Coffee Company. The dimensions of the building are approximately 30 foot by 100 feet, LaRoche said
The coffee shop has two restrooms and a conference room along with an open space for drinking coffee and having a meal.
In addition, there is an outdoor seating area with a stage that is in the back of the adjacent building that will be a part of the coffee shop. The outdoor seating will be accessed through an opening in the coffee shop.
Vicki Waldron will remain the manager of Common Ground.
Kate Sweetser, center left, looks at the transom windows in the building at 12 E. Wall, as building owner, Jennifer LaRoche tells of the renovation of the original windows. Some glass was replaced by Gammon Glass, Nevada, MO. she said.
Kate Sweetser visits with Kirk Sharp during the LaRoche Buildings Sneak Peak on Dec. 18.Though nearing completion, the LaRoche building at 10 E. Wall, still has much to do, Jennifer LaRoche said during the “Sneak Peek” on Dec. 18. The public was invited to the event.The ceiling at 10 E. Wall is 80 percent original, LaRoche said. It was formerly covered by a drop-down ceiling prior to the renovation. LaRoche purchased the needed replacements from W.F. Norman Corp., Nevada, MO who still produces the same tile.Pictured is the future stage and outdoor seating space at the rear of 12 E. Wall, which will be accessed through the coffee shop at 10 E. Wall.Pictured is the significantly larger kitchen that will be available to the Common Ground Coffee Shop staff when completed.
10 E. Wall
At 10 E. Wall which is next on the list for completion, there will be an office on the first floor for LaRoche, upstairs there will be two apartments and E 3 Ranch Offices. On the National Avenue side of the building will be three storefronts, she said.
“I don’t know what is going in there yet,” LaRoche said.
Casper Enterprise, Stoughton Inc., Allen Electric, Extrusions Inc. and Mid-Continental Restoration Co. have all done work for LaRoche on the project.
LaRoche: Not Done Renovating
LaRoche said she will take a break following the completion of the renovation project.
But she is not done renovating.
“I really love uncovering all the things people have covered up,” LaRoche said. “I love making it look like it did in the pictures 100 years ago.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2020-2023 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.
The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp
The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes Jan. 1, 2020. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-2252.
This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Office of Public Affairs, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).
Luther Salisberry of the new Luther’s BBQ stands in front of the signs on the building and the door of the new restaurant on Dec. 12.
David Lipe and Luther Salisberry are the owners of Luther’s BBQ, which opened at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s northside this week.
The restaurant crew is working on a few “kinks” in the process of opening, according to its’ Facebook page, but had a “soft opening” on Dec. 16.
Hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except Sunday when the restaurant will close at 7 p.m.
The phone number of the business is 620-644-9880.
Approximately 30 employees have been hired, both full and part-time, according to Tina Lipe, David’s wife.
Lipe and Salisberry have signed a five-year lease from building owner Al Niece which includes the River Room Event Center on the second floor of the historic building.
To rent the River Room contact David Lipe at 816-392-2825.
The new restaurant will seat about 150 people, while the River Room Event Center about 500, Lipe said in an earlier interview.
Luther’s BBQ restaurant is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s northside. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.
The restaurant’s specialty will be burnt ends and additional food specials during the week, Lipe said.
Also available will be pork chops, ribs, steaks, smoked brisket, and pulled pork, he said.
Mirrored after Q39 and Stack Jack Restaurants in the Kansas City area, they hope to make it a gourmet, upper-end style barbeque, Lipe said.
The door of Luther’s BBQ has opened to the public.From left is Alex Hudson/general manager of Luther’s BBQ, Luther Salisberry/owner, David Lipe/owner. Submitted photo.
Congratulations! With the help of the entire community, we were able to place a wreath on every grave at Fort Scott National Cemetery on December 14, 2019.
You have done an amazing job this year helping to share the mission to “Remember, Honor and Teach”. This program would not exist without your hard work and commitment.
We want to help kick off a great start to 2020 for everyone with a matching wreath campaign from Wreaths Across America Headquarters.
Starting December 14, 2019, and running through January 15, 2020, for every 2 wreaths sponsored ($15.00 each) through a local Wreaths Across America Fundraising Group, Fort Scott National Cemetery will receive an ADDITIONAL 3 wreaths (total 5 for 2).
This is a great way to help meet our 2020 goal to again be able to place a wreath on each grave at Fort Scott National Cemetery.
Donations can be left at Stewart Realty Co., 1707 S. National, Fort Scott, or mailed to Wreaths Across America, c/o Diann Tucker, 746 215th St., Fort Scott, KS 66701 (620-224-7054). Please make checks payable to Wreaths Across America.
Special thanks to Jennifer LaRoche for offering this Sneak Peek as part of celebrating 10 years, to the day, of Fort Scott’s Downtown Historic District being accepted for listing in the National Register of Historic Places on December 18, 2009.
The 110-year-old building with a stone facade is an excellent example of historic restoration done right ~ a meticulous attention to detail which will help ensure it will be a viable venue for another century & beyond.
The building has been empty for several years and after extensive restoration will become the new location of Common Ground Coffee Co. in early 2020.
