Stories from Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Kay Kauble Burr, formerly of Arcadia and my neighbor for many years, sent me a fine article entitled "Where to go during an earthquake." I have a learned a lot from reading this, and thank her for her thoughtfulness in sending it to me. Another former Arcadian, though rural and attended Arcadia schools and a member of this church, has put together a spiral book all about "The Arcadia Christian Church" from the beginning to the present. ...

The commodity markets continue to be a puzzle as we settle into the marketing year for the 2011 harvest. I am not convinced that anyone has a really good handle on what might transpire through these post-harvest months, but at least for now there have been no radical market crashes -- though there have been plenty of ups and downs...

Consumers are more aware than ever about the quality and safety of the food products they purchase. Quality Assurance programs are the cornerstone of the livestock industry's quality and safety efforts. The overarching goal of quality assurance in all species is to deliver a healthy, safe and wholesome product to consumers...

Union State Bank is warning consumers not to fall victim to phishing scams. Phishing is a new twist on an old telemarketing scam but uses email. These criminals send emails to millions of people hoping that even a few will give away valuable information...

Merle Ray Webster, 85, resident of Orange Park, Fla., died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at the Kindred Hospital in Green Cove Springs, Fla. He was born June 2, 1926, in Metz, Mo., the son of Burley Webster and Vonda Ann Murphy Webster. He married Lenora Wright. She preceded him in death...

Ashley and Ryan Stone, Bronson, are pleased to announce the birth of their son Ryler Scott Stone on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, at 2:06 p.m. at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Ryler weighed 5 pounds, 15.5 ounces. Maternal grandparents are Jo and Butch Norman, Bronson, Kan...

Katie and David Shanholtzer, Girard, Kan., are pleased to announce the birth of their son Jettson Gary Shanholtzer on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at 12:03 a.m. at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Jettson weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces. Maternal grandparents are Bev and Steve Hammersmith, Wichita, Kan. Paternal grandparents are Becky and Gary Shanholtzer, McCune, Kan...

Amanda Agnes and Drake Dwight Downing, Fort Scott, are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Abbygail Agnes Downing and their son Drayden Dwight Downing on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at 7:27 a.m. (Drayden) and 7:28 a.m. (Abbygail) at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Drayden weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces and Abbygail weighed 6 pounds...

Brittany Pettibon, Mound-ville, Mo., and Luke Halsey, Fort Scott, Kan., are pleased to announce the birth of their son Easton Grant Pettibon on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at 12:11 p.m. at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Easton weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces...

Jamie and Cody Sanford, Kincaid, Kan., are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Lexi Mae Sanford on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at 1:15 p.m. at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Lexi weighed 6 pounds, 9.5 ounces. Maternal grandparents are Kim and David Johnston, Blue Mound, Kan...

Kayla and B.J. Pruitt, Fort Scott, are pleased to announce the birth of their son Easton Lane Pruitt on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at 6:20 p.m. at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Easton weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Maternal grandparents are Lorain and Mick Massa, Mulberry, Kan...

Robert W. Jackson, 72, a former resident of Fort Scott and more recently of Riverside, Calif., died Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at his home in Riverside. Services will be held in California.

100 YEARS AGO (1911) A number of farmers who have been in the city during the past few days have stated that the slaughter of quail since the season was opened on the 15th has been unprecedented, and that to avoid the extermination of this useful bird there are being organized over the county anti-hunting clubs, whose object is to supress hunting in general by others than those who reside on the farms, and to prevent the slaughter of quails. ...

Mercy Home Care has announced the selection of registered nurse Barbara Endicott as "Mercy Home Care Employee of the Year" for 2011. In celebration of the service's 33th anniversary and National Homecare Month, home health patients, co-workers and community members were invited to nominate and vote for staff members for the award...

Fort Scott National Historic Site will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24 -- Thanksgiving Day. Visitors may enjoy the fort grounds during daylight hours, but the buildings and visitor center will not be open. Administered by the National Park Service, Fort Scott National Historic Site commemorates Fort Scott's role in the opening of the West, Bleeding Kansas, and the Civil War. ...

All members of the Fort Scott Scottish Rite, 110 S. Main, Fort Scott, are asked to attend the regular stated meeting and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1. The dinner menu is turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry salad, hot rolls, pumpkin pie and tea or coffee. Those wishing to attend should RSVP by no later than Wednesday, Nov. 30. Call (620) 223-1330, fax (620) 223-3851 or email fsscottishrite@sbcglobal.net...

Kansas Jayhawkers often get a bad rap, but more of their story will be revealed as part of Fort Scott National Historic Site's 30th Annual Candlelight Tour, Dec. 2-3. Known for burning, pillaging and looting in Missouri during the Civil War,the Jayhawkers took the war to the civilian population, a FSNHS news release said...

A popular community Christmas event will return this year after last year's celebration was canceled. The reformed Gunn Park Event Committee is bringing back the Christmas in the Park event, scheduled for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Gunn Park...