Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
As I backed the Chrysler out of the garage, I looked to my left and saw a piece of trash in the pasture that had blown across the fence. When I returned home, I spotted it again but didn’t bother to take the time to retrieve it. After a couple more days of repeating this scenario, it finally dawned on me what I was actually seeing. As I walked toward the “trash” with my tape measure, I squatted down and measured an amazing 11”-diameter toadstool. Judging only by looks, things are not always what we think they are.
The next day, I had an entertaining conversation with my mother-in-law. It was Sunday and I had gone to the 9:30 a.m. service, returned home, ate lunch, and changed into work clothes because I wanted to pick up the sticks in my yard. But first, I grabbed my mother-in-law’s mail and headed to her house across the lane. When I entered the back door around noon, she looked at me and asked, “Didn’t you go to church today?“ I grinned and responded, “I went to the early service.” I don’t blame her for assuming I hadn’t gone to church because I looked like the grapes of wrath from the top of my head to my dirty tennis shoes. I was a Christian incognito — just like the disguised toadstool.
I’ve always been fond of the Old Testament account where the prophet Samuel is at Jesse’s place trying to find the right son to anoint as the next king of Israel. Like the rest of us, Samuel thought a king should have a certain “look” about him. “…Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, ’Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ’Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:6,7 NLT). (The heart is the center of our inner life, the place of thinking, feeling, and choosing.)
The outward appearance of a believer is all anyone can literally see. So we need to remember that our everyday born-again lifestyle needs to correspond with our born-again heart that obeys God and loves others. It’s good protocol to do a self-checkup on our heart quite often. What kind of facial expressions do we carry around? Have you ever had someone ask, “Why are you looking at me like that?” I have, and it wasn‘t a compliment either. The Bible describes our facial expressions as our countenance. What’s in the heart will show up on the face. “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance…” (Proverbs 15:13 NKJV). And after Cain murdered his brother, “So the Lord said to Cain, ’Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?’” (Genesis 4:6 NKJV). Either way, your face will surely show it.
Just as Jesus taught His followers 2,000 years ago, we find that it’s still all about the heart. “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT). At that time, the religious leaders were only concerned with outward appearances and were completely neglecting inward purity, which was/is a big “No No” to Jesus. He spoke to them bluntly, “…You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy — full of greed and self-indulgence! …First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too” (Matthew 23:25 NLT).
The Key: Next time you wash the dishes, do your part and examine your heart.
Bandera Stone is a natural stone quarrier and fabricator based in Bourbon County since 1988. We operate a cut stone mill & quarry in Redfield, a quarry near Bronson, and have recently opened a showroom in Uniontown. We provide crushed rock to farmers, ranchers & homeowners in the western half of the county, and ship building stone throughout the United States.
We are continuing to expand and have IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for FULL – TIME EMPLOYMENT, NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED. We will provide training to operate a variety of stone fabrication tools and equipment. You will create products that last a lifetime and take pride as they are displayed and help beautify homes, businesses, parks & recreation facili ties, public buildings and more in our local area and across the country.
We offer: • Competitive Pay Rate • Paid Vacation & Holidays • Health Insurance (BCBS — low cost to you, low $500 deductible) • Dental & Vision Insurance • Retirement Plan • Work locations in Redfield & Bronson
APPLY: email your resume to [email protected] or call 620 – 223 – 3920 or in person at 103 3rd Street in Uniontown or 101 W 4th Street in Redfield.
What do you most look forward to about the holidays? For many, including myself, the answer may be holiday foods. Many families have incredible traditions centered on traditional foods that they only get to enjoy a few times each year. These holiday celebrations and traditions are important and should be cherished. At the same time, you may be wondering how you can make your traditional holiday recipes healthier.
Many favorite holiday foods, like pumpkin pie or green bean casserole, actually start with a healthy first ingredient. By focusing on that vegetable or fruit, you can reduce the large amounts of fats and sugar usually found in our traditional holiday recipes. To do this, consider switching from a traditional green bean casserole to a green bean sauté, from traditional mashed potatoes to yogurt mashed potatoes, from a traditional pumpkin pie to a crustless pumpkin pie, or from a traditional apple pie to slow cooker baked apples. Some of these recipes still contain more calories than we should regularly consume, but they are more healthful alternatives as compared to the traditional recipes because they increase the nutritional value and fiber while decreasing the calories, added sugar, and sodium.
With all of this, it is essential to highlight the importance of adapting this based on what is important to your family traditions and culture. There may be some recipes which are important for your family to enjoy as is. If this is the case, consider if you can make just one swap to a healthier recipe for a different item.
To learn more, consider attending my “Healthy Cooking for the Holidays” program at the Erie Library on November 16th at 10 AM. Attendees will dive deeper into this information and practice making one of the recipes. This program is free, but an RSVP is required by calling 620-365-2242.
For more information about healthy holiday cooking, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.
There will be no Bourbon County Commission meeting on Nov. 8 because of the election.
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM 123 SOUTH MAIN STREET NOVEMBER 7, 2022 12:00 P.M. I. ROLL CALL: J. Jones T. Van Hoecke M. Wells K. Harrington II. CONSIDERATION: 1. Approval of financial services from BakerTilly 2. Approval of Special Use Permit III. Adjournment:
There will be a joint City/County Commissions Meeting on November 22nd, 2022, at 12:00 PM. It will be held at the Empress Center.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
ON THE HOUR FROM THE CHAMBER!
Friday 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Saturday 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott!
Fort Scott National Historic Site
Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm
Donations being accepted for Wreaths Across America through 11/22, click here for info.
11/4 ~ Elks Lodge Paint Night Class, click here for info.
11/5 ~ Battle at the Fort 14U Fastpitch Softball Tournament, Cullor Field, 2108 S. Horton St., starts 8am, click here.
11/5 ~ First Saturday Storytime at Hedgehog.INK! Book Store, Downtown Fort Scott, 10:30am, this Saturday featuring “Sing and Dance in your Polka Dot Pants”, 16 S. Main St.
11/5 ~ Care to Share Cancer Support Group Quarterly Meeting, 10:30am, 902 S. Horton.
11/5 ~ Paint & Pizza by Happy Snappy Art at Papa Don’s, 11am, click here for info.
11/5 ~ Chili Feed & Bake Auction at Fort Scott Christian Heights School, dinner 4-6pm, auction immediately after, click here.
11/6 ~ Breakaway Buckle Series @ Taylor Ranch, 2pm, click here for info.
11/6 ~ Mary Queen of Angels Fall Festival, Turkey Dinner & More, 4-6pm, Kennedy Gym
11/7 ~ FSCC Greyhound Great Reamon will be at the Greyhound Legacy Center, Downtown Fort Scott, 12pm-7pm, click here for info.
11/8, 11/10, 11/12 ~ FSHS presents The Addams Family School Edition, click here for info.
11/10 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by the VFW, 1745 S. National Ave.
11/10 ~ Kiwanis Pioneers Chili Feed, drive-thru only at First United Methodist Church, click here for info.
11/10 ~ Holiday Open House Shopping Event, Downtown & Around, 5-8pm, click here. See flyer below, hop & shop on the trolley as it goes store-to-store, 19 stores participating!
11/10 ~ Pizza Republic celebrates the US Marine Corps Birthday, all invited for a cutting of the cake ceremony at 7pm. See below for more info.
11/11 ~ American Legion Veterans Day Reverse Parade – Starts at Memorial Hall and routes around to Fort Scott school buildings, 9am.
11/11 ~ VFW Ceremony – All veterans, active duty, and the public are welcome to attend this event at the Fort Scott National Cemetery #1, 900 E. National Avenue, 11am.
11/11 ~ Immediately following the ceremony – VFW Luncheon, – Join us for lunch at VFW Post, 1745 S. National Avenue. Free-will donation is welcome.
11/11 ~ Memorials & Monuments Trolley Tour – Military monuments & memorials will be featured on this trolley tour in historic Fort Scott at 2pm on both Friday & Saturday, departing from the Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, 231 E. Wall Street.
11/11 ~ Military Meet & Mingle, Dinner & Auction – Veterans and active duty, plus friends & family will have the opportunity to meet and mingle at the VFW (1745 S. National Avenue). Discounts for veterans & active duty. 6pm dinner, Doors open at 7pm for Social Hour, 8pm Live Auction. Only 30 seats for dinner.
11/11 ~ Pizza Republic Presents Outlaw Jim and the Whiskey Benders, 8pm. The concert benefits the E3 Veterans Foundation. Suggested $5 donation. 17 S. Main St, Fort Scott.
11/11 ~ FSCC presents “All I Want for Christmas is Big Foot”, 7pm, click here for info.
11/12 ~ The Veterans Day 5k Fun Run starts at 8 AM. Includes a competitive 5k Run, a family fun 5k Run/Walk, or a 10k Challenge (3.2k Run, 1.8k Row and 5k Bike). Event proceeds to benefit local veteran’s organizations. For entry fees and more info visit: www.Facebook.com/SmallvilleAthletics.
11/12 ~ Memorials & Monuments Trolley Tour – Military monuments & memorials will be featured on this trolley tour in historic Fort Scott at 2pm on both Friday & Saturday, departing from the Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, 231 E. Wall Street.
11/13 ~ Holly Jolly Holiday Market, 9am-3pm, Buck Run Community Center. See below for more info.
11/21 ~ FSMS Fall Extravaganza Shopping Event, 5-8pm
12/1 ~ Christmas Parade, click here for entry form or to register online.
12/3-4 ~ Candlelight Tours of the Fort Scott National
Historic Site, tickets now on sale by calling 620-223-0310.
12/3-4 ~ The Artificers 6th Annual Christmas Show
12/10 ~ Christmas in the Park, Gunn Park
12/9-23 ~ Christmas Light Trolley Tours, booking now! Tours each night at 5:45pm, 7pm, and 8:15pm! $8 adults, $5 kids, or book the whole trolley for $125 to tour with only your friends, family or co-workers!
Click here for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
First Saturday Storytime @ Hedgehog.INK!
Mary Queen of Angels Fall Festival this Sunday
Holiday Open House coming November 10th
United States Marine Corps Birthday
Come for a Cake Ceremony at Pizza Republic
Pizza Republic presents Outlaw Jim
and the Whiskey Benders in concert!
VFW Activities ~ Veterans Day Weekend
Limited # of Steak Dinners Avail. for Friday Night
Holly Jolly Holiday Market ~ November 13th
Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
Betty Jean Button, age 82, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, November 4, 2022, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott. She was born January 17, 1940, in Ellis, Kansas, the daughter of Henry Kutina and Stella Parsons Kutina.
Betty married Ronald Button on January 17, 1955, at Ft. Scott. Betty along with her sister-in-law, Rose, completed beauty school in Nevada, Missouri. Betty worked as a beauty operator in Ft. Scott for many years. Later in life, she worked for Wal-Mart in Ft. Scott. Betty liked to travel and watch gameshows.
Survivors include her three children, Johnny Button, of the home; Teresa Vanderpool (John) of Uniontown, Kansas and Cheryl Russell (Larry) of Ft. Scott, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Michael Russell, Justin Russell, Nick Russell (Jessy), Josh Vanderpool, Cody Vanderpool, Menda Candido (Jurandir) and Kayla Bunnel (Jeremy) and eleven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie, on April 20, 2018. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Ruby, twin brothers, Floyd and Lloyd, and a granddaughter, Melissa Russell.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 9th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Shelter 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.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas at Fort Scott is pushing forward the opening date for their new facility.
They moved into the former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital in February 2019 and will move into the former Price Chopper building in February 2023 as plans now stand.
“Due to delays in receiving some materials, including most of the doors and pieces of the heating/cooling system, and some unanticipated design changes, it now appears that CHC/SEK’s opening of our new facility in the former Price Chopper building will be delayed until sometime to February 2023,” CEO Krista Postai said.
“We will be combining both the main clinic and Walk-In Care Clinic into the same facility along with our pharmacy, complete with drive-through window,” she said. “We are especially excited about the installation of a new CT scanner in this facility along with 3-D mammography, conventional x-ray, ultrasound and bone density testing equipment making it one of the best-equipped health centers in the country.”
“Once fully relocated, we do expect to sell our Walk-In Care building, which is being listed with a local realtor,” Postai said. “Proceeds from the sale of this building will be directed toward the cost of renovating the new clinic.”
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in December 2018.
To view information on the transition of Mercy Clinics to CHC view:
CHC/SEK Finalizes Plans for Transition of Mercy Clinics
Meanwhile new additions are being added to the CHC staff.
“Recruitment for an additional psychiatric provider in Ft. Scott is also underway, with plans to also add therapy and addiction treatment services once the new clinic opens,” she said.
“We were pleased to welcome Dr. Frank Miller, a well-known and respected chiropractor, to CHC/SEK,” she said.
Dr. Miller was owner of Back to Health Chiropractic in Ft. Scott and in making the move, Dr Miller said, “With the collaboration of other medical disciplines, I believe I will be able to serve my patients with a higher quality of care. The mission of CHC/SEK is right in line with my own and I also believe that I will be able to serve a larger segment of the community than I could in private practice.”
“Toward that end, our new facility will have an expanded area for Wellness Services including Dr. Miller’s practice,” Postai said. “He is now accepting appointments at our Main Clinic; former patients are most welcome.”
“Also joining us in Ft. Scott in our Walk-In clinic is APRN Michael McNellis,” she said. “Originally from Overland Park she received her BSN from MidAmerica Nazarene University and her MSN from Rockhurst University.”
“Effective November 1, CHC/SEK assumed responsibility for Ascension/Via Christi’s Care Van service,” Postai said. “We’re spending the first few weeks getting familiar with their vehicles and new scheduling software we acquired and will be expanding the service – which is transitioning to state-supported public transportation. This means it will take riders other places besides medical facilities. Starting in Crawford County, it will be available in both Bourbon and Cherokee counties as soon as our additional vehicles become available. We will publicize its availability through the media including our Facebook page once we expand.”
Also, November 1, CHC opened a new clinic in Garnett, Kansas. Dr. Ross Kimball MD, former owner of Pheasant Ridge Family Medicine in Garnett, transitioned his practice over to CHC/SEK full-time this week.