Karlene Kay Spencer, age 70, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at the Via Christi Hospital Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.
She was born September 15, 1948, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of William Karl Murn and Frances Rebecca Greer Murn.
Karlene graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and the Ft. Scott Junior College. She worked for several years for the Western Insurance Company.
She married Dr. Richard Spencer on October 12, 1971.
In earlier years, she was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. She latter attended Parkway Church of God (Holiness). She enjoyed playing the piano. Karlene was a devoted wife and mother. She faithfully cared for her son, Jonathan throughout his illness.
Survivors include her husband, Richard “Dick” Spencer, of the home.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jonathan, her parents, Bill and Becky Murn and her in-laws, Virgil and Dorothy Spencer.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, July 5th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Red, Bite and Blue: KDHE Recommends Mosquito Bite Prevention Over Fourth of July Holiday
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends Kansans take preventive measures against mosquito bites over the Fourth of July holiday. Floods throughout the state have caused an increase in mosquito populations. Mosquito surveillance in Reno, Sedgwick and Shawnee counties has shown an increase Culex species mosquitoes which can transmit West Nile virus and other viruses that can affect humans. This species of mosquitoes is most active at dawn and dusk.
“West Nile virus can be spread to people through bites from infected mosquitoes, but it is not contagious from person to person,” said KDHE Secretary Lee Norman, MD. “Symptoms range from a slight headache and low-grade fever to swelling of the brain or brain tissue and, in rare cases, death.”
Since 2002 there have been 677 cases and 35 deaths in Kansans from West Nile virus. To date, there have been no cases of West Nile virus reported to KDHE in 2019. People who have had West Nile virus before are considered immune. Cases are most common from mid-July through late September.
KDHE has developed West Nile virus risk levels to help guide prevention efforts for both communities and individuals. These risk level reports will be posted weekly at; http://www.kdheks.gov/epi/arboviral_disease.htm. All six regions of Kansas are currently at moderate risk level.
KDHE recommends the following precautions to protect against West Nile virus:
When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Follow the directions on the package.
Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
The elderly or immunocompromised should consider limiting their exposure outside during dusk and dawn when the Culex species mosquitos are most active.
Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
West Nile virus in horses can be fatal. The virus can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Approximately 33 percent of horses infected with West Nile virus will die. A West Nile virus vaccine for horses is available and owners are encouraged to vaccinate or booster their animals.
KDHE maintains an Arboviral Disease Surveillance web page that is updated weekly: http://www.kdheks.gov/epi/arboviral_disease.htm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides this web page with additional information about West Nile virus and preventing mosquito bites: http://www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes/. For questions about West Nile virus or other Arboviral diseases, contact the KDHE Epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.
Last summer, and again at Christmastime, friends of Ben and Kathleen Clinesmith joined them in presenting two classical chamber music concerts at Fort Scott’s Presbyterian Church; support for both events was enthusiastic. From those concerts grew the idea of creating an annual chamber music concert series that could take place with area musicians, as well as musician friends from around the country.
With the generous support of individuals, local foundations, Key Charitable Trust, and the Bourbon County Arts Council, the newly launched
Fort Scott Chamber Music Series
debuted this year with its first concert last month. The series will continue with its second concert this Sunday, July 7th, and a third concert will be coming sometime in the fall.
The first concert featured the newly restored Steinway piano at the high school, played by competition winning pianist, Baolong Zhang.
This second concert will take place in the Presbyterian Church sanctuary at 7pm and will include flute, harp, cello, bass, and voice. The Kansas City Symphony featured soprano Vanessa Thomas (who will appear on this concert) last December during their series of holiday concerts.
Fort Scott has a rich musical heritage; music has been valued and supported in our community.
With this history to build on, a chamber music series will add to the life, education, and culture for all area residents.
To read about the individual performers for the upcoming summer concerts, click HERE
Community members interested in downtown Fort Scott meet throughout the year to talk about downtown issues at the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet.
On July 2, the meet and greet was hosted by La Hacienda Restaurant and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, with the City of Fort personnel and attendees giving updates on happenings.
Mirna and Jose Santana, owners of La Hacienda, thanked the attendees for supporting the restaurant for the nine years they have been in Fort Scott.
“We try to do our best,” Mirna said.
Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison led the meeting.
Madison talked about the First Impressions program that Kansas State Research and Extension provides to improve a community’s image and quality of life for its’ citizens.
Fort Scott was visited this last winter by a K-State First Impressions visitation team and presented the public with a “snapshot of what they observed,” Madison said, which she had copies of and handed out to attendees.
She highlighted some of the findings.
“Go out and look at the front of your business,” Madison said. “Are the windows clean? What types of things are in the window? Make sure they are welcoming and inviting.”
“Offer something to make you stand out,” she encouraged the business owners.
The findings discouraged using detering signs such as “no public restroom'” “don’t touch”, etc., she said.
Cross marketing each other was encouraged.
“When they ask if you have something, say ‘no, but so and so down the street has it,'” Madison said.
Another issue is vacant buildings noticed by the K-State group.
“We’ve made huge progress in the last few years, but we still have some vacant buildings,” Madison said and invited sharing of ideas for potential businesses be given to her.
Lindsay Madison leads the downtown meeting on July 2.
Market assistance is offered by the Chamber, one on one, Madison said. She encouraged a web presence, Google business listings ,a free Google website, and a good business profile on fortscott.com.
Other happenings:
Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Championship is July 13-14 at Gunn Park and businesses are encourage to get their items by July 9 to the Chamber of Commerce for the 100 swag bags that will be distributed to participants. Volunteers are needed with no race experience necessary. There will be a public concert in a “beautiful setting,” Madison said.
August 2-4 there will be a sales tax holiday by some of the local businesses.
July 17 a workshop “Get Productive with Google’s Digital Tools” from 11 a.m. to noon at the Lowell Milken Center. Sign up on fortscott.com.
Grants are available for painting facades of downtown businesses, for up to $500 from Steve Buerge.
July 19 will be a downtown movie night on Skubitz Plaza, featuring Sgt. Stubby, August 16 the movie featured will be Beauty and the Beast.
Hedgehog INK, a local bookstore, is hosting a writing festival on October 19.
The second Art in the Yard Festival will be Sept. 14 with more vendors and is free. Contact Bobbie Kemna at 224-7480.
Fort Scott Paws and Claws Animal Shelter sells pet food and pet supplies and is located downtown. There will be fundraiserfor Paws and Claws at the Boiler Room Brewhaus July 27 at 7 p.m. featuring the Wayward Bettys, with $10 tickets available at the Chamber office, the animal shelter and Kate Sweetser.
Bid and Dibs owner, Angie Simon, asked for ideas for increasing sales for retailers in June. “June is terrible for retailers,” Simon said.
The Union Block renovation is underway and will produce 25 market value apartments when complete.
The Stout Building demolition started on July 1.
Mid-Continental Restoration is restoring the storefront at Wall Street and National Avenue.
Lori Lovelace is opening a laundry mat business on National Avenue which will include clothes alterations and a clothing pantry.
Peerless Products is opening a warehouse space in Nevada, MO, “But it won’t impact Fort Scott at all,” Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt, told attendees.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will build a health care facility on six acres on Horton, west of the present Mercy Building, Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin said.
Via Christi is looking at the land on the east side of the property of the former Mercy Hospital for a future emergency department option, Martin said.
The city and Bourbon County’s public works departments are beginning to “work with each other,” Martin said.
July 26 at Crooner’s Lounge, Flagship Romance will be performing.
July 4 at the Fort Scott National Historic Site there will be a full day of activities including an ice cream social by the Friends of the Fort at noon.
The annual naturalizaiton ceremony will be Sept. 20 at the Fort.
Riverfront Park Authority has purchased and will be installing lighting for the trail soon.
July 4, there will be a Burke Street Parade with refreshments following at Nate and Bailey Lyons home on Burke Street and Shane Walker providing hot dogs.
Fort Scott Street Department employee Chad Brown is working on a plan to repair brick streets in the city, Martin said.
The city has a group working on National Avenue renovation, Martin said.
Westar Energy is completing a merger with Kansas City Power and Light and will become Evergy in October 2019.
Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative will begin fiber optic installation on Fort Scott’s east side next year.
The tiny houses project north of Hwy. 54, has all the monthly rentals rented and are currently working on the Airbnb segment.
Mark Calvin, a new New York Life Insurance Company agent, introduced himself to attendees.
Certified Diabetic Educator Nancy Evans, RN/BSN will lead the next meeting of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas’ Diabetic Education class on Tuesday, July 9 at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in the diabetic education room at CHC/SEK, 3011 N. Michigan in Pittsburg. Special guest Brenda Brennan, ARNP will also be present to answer your diabetes-related questions. There is no charge to attend, and the meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about managing diabetes. For more information, contact Nancy Evans at (620)240-5027 or [email protected].
Submitted by Carl Jowers, American Legion Commander
July 4. VFW Post 1165 Incoming Commander Deb Lust and fellow Legionnaire asked us at last night’s Post 25 general membership meeting for assistance in placing flags along Fort Scott’s parade of Flags on July 4th.
Flag placement starts at 7 am at both:
National and East National
Margrave and East National
This can be a family and friends event and for Legionnaires, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion counts towards the Legion’s Americanism programs.
Family and friends of Veterans are also welcome to participate.
Flag retrieval starts at 4 pm.
Also on July 4. American Legion Post 25 Hot Dog giveaway at Fort Scott Wal-Mart from 11 am – 2pm or the dogs run out. Stop by for a free hot dog, bag of chips and a drink.
Download ebooks, audiobooks, comics, TV episodes, movies, music, and more. All you need is your library card login and a valid email address. Ask us if you need assistance.
Be a guest presenter, author, artist, or volunteer at our first-ever LibraryCon event! On July 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., we will welcome local authors & artists to the library to show (and possibly sell) their work. We will also host a variety of activities throughout the library, relating to fandoms of books, movies, TV shows, video games, and more! If you like to cosplay (dress up in a costume), read to children, make balloon animals, create with kids or teens, have creative writing or art skills to share, or enjoy celebrating your favorite characters and stories, contact Miss Val to tell us how you can help! We will need people to work at a variety of activities and our food area to help the event be a success. If you are interested in helping or would like bring food or drinks, please contact us by calling the library or emailing Miss Val at [email protected].
LibraryCon: July 20th, 10:00-2:00
Join your fellow fans, authors, artists, and Fort Scottians on July 20, 10 am -2 pm, for a library-wide celebration of Stories & Fandoms for all ages!
Guests & Events Include:
Cookie Decorating & Story with The Cookie Momster
Book Signings with Local Authors Cathy Werling and Pastor James Collins
Kids’ Creative Writing Workshop with Professor Harold Hicks from 1-2
LEGO Creation Station ~ R2D2 Droid ~ Talking Chewbacca
Summer reading continues this week with juggler Brian Wendling Wednesday morning at 10 at Ellis Fine Arts Center. We will have a regular week of story programs with the theme Animal Tales, on July 9 & 10, followed by the Rare Jewels of the Rainforest Bird Show on July 16 at the Ellis Center. Following that will be two more regular weeks with the themes Earth & Biology (July 23 & 24) and Superheroes & Scifi (July 30 & 31). LibraryCon will take place on July 20, 10 – 2 at the library as well. Our summer reading program will wrap up on August 7 with a pool party from 7:15 – 9:15 pm at the Fort Scott Pool.
Note: There will be NO regular programs at the library the weeks of July 3 or July 16, due to performances at the Ellis Center. If you would like to volunteer at or donate to a program, please let Miss Val know at [email protected]. We NEED volunteers like you!
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Join our free early literacy program and steer your baby or preschooler child toward academic success! Studies show that children who are read to from an early age develop better vocabulary, make more connections in their brains, and form the needed skills to read by themselves much quicker than their average peers who are not read to. Sign up by stopping in at the library for your first reading log, welcome letter, and other paperwork. Take a look at our awesome readers here.
