Stories from Friday, December 10, 2010

According to Mr. Webster, one of the definitions of "guardian" is "A person who guards, protects or takes care of another person, property, etc." Therefore, one would expect a "guardian" to be a benevolent person who does good things and is kindly and charitable and is regarded as beautiful, good and innocent as an "angel." This is not what one would expect to be or of a combat soldier or Civil War general. ...

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13 is referred to as the "love chapter of the Bible." Although typically recited at weddings, author Sharon Jaynes has given these words a new twist, a Christmas twist, and her words are a piercing reminder of how displaced our attention might become during the holiday season, if we lose sight of love...

Abundant Grace Church opens its doors to the public for the annual Christmas Open House from 6:30 -- 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 14. The church is located at 123 S. National in Fort Scott, formerly the historic St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. "We invite everyone in our community to come enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas," Abundant Grace Pastor Steve Miles said...

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office is investigating a late-night aggravated burglary at 912 N. West St. in Arma, a news release said. The resident, a 73-year-old woman, called about 1:53 a.m. Thursday from a neighbor's house and reported that she was awakened by an unknown person(s) breaking into her house by kicking in the back door and rummaging through items in her house, including her purse, looking for money...

UNIONTOWN -- The Country Mouse Christmas House Shopping Event for pre-school through sixth-graders (ages 4-12) will be held at Fellowship Hall of First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown Dec. 11. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. for pre-school through second grade and 10:30 a.m.-noon for third grade through sixth grade...

Fort Scott National Cemetery will be one of more than 100 locations nationwide participating in Saturday's Wreaths Across America. The wreath-laying ceremony is aimed at honoring and remembering the nation's veterans. The Civil Air Patrol, veterans service organizations and local citizens coordinate the event to honor each branch of the military, plus the Merchant Marine, prisoners of war and those still missing in action, a news release said...

Darren Henson has joined Mercy Health System of Kansas as the Vice President of Mission Services, serving both Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott and Mercy Hospital in Independence. At Mercy, Henson will be responsible for spiritual leadership and administrative duties to promote the mission of the Sisters of Mercy at the Independence and Fort Scott facilities and within both communities. ...

Road work that has caused the closure of the 700 block of National Avenue is ahead of schedule. Fort Scott Director of Public Works Eric Bailey said work on the storm drainage and retaining wall on either side of National Avenue just south of the Seventh Street intersection is "going very well."...

Since 1921, the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club has been raising funds for local youth while bringing the community together. For the 89th consecutive year, the club held its annual pancake feed Thursday at the Scottish Rite Temple in downtown Fort Scott. Club President Bob Eckles said the event has become a tradition, not only in Fort Scott but throughout the region. Groups in Pittsburg and Iola also have long-standing traditions of pancake feeds...