Stories from Friday, May 16, 2008

Raymond Joseph Finland, 85, of Pleasanton, Kansas died Tuesday, May 14, 2008 at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott, Kan. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, May 19, 2008 at the Coffel-Schneider Chapel, Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation will be from 3-4 p.m., Sunday at the chapel...

Six members of Fort Scott Community College's baseball team received honors recently from the Jayhawk Conference. They were awarded with places in the All-Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division team. First Team honors went to third baseman Trevor Geist, outfielder Zach Caldwell and second baseman Jason Houston. All three were also named to the All-Region VI team, which featured the best players in both divisions of the conference...

LANE -- Dexter Benton Lane, a boy, was born at Overland Park Regional Medical Center at 6:49 p.m., on Monday, May 12, 2008, to parents Brian and Rebecca Williams, Fort Scott. He weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce and was 21 inches long at birth. He joins one sibling, Addyson, a sister. ...

SMITH -- Cass Matthew Smith, a boy, was born at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt, Kan. at 2:12 p.m., on Friday, May 9, 2008, to parents Matthew and Erica Smith, Protection, Kan. He weighed 6 pounds, 8.7 ounces and was 19 and one-fourth inches at birth. ...

Police Report Charles, Goergia I.,54, Nevada, Mo., was arrested at 2:10 a.m. May 7 by Fort Scott Police for driving under the influence and transporting an open container and released the same day on a $750 bond. Evans, John W.,26, Fort Scott, was arrested at 5:38 p.m. May 7 by FSPD for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and released the same day on $2,000 bond...

100 YEARS AGO (1908) One of the most peculiar robberies that has ever occurred in this community was perpetrated last week when a headstone was removed from a grave in Mount Zion Cemetery, south of Fulton. It is possible that it was the work of mischievous boys, but the more sober minded of the cemetery stockholders discredit this theory. ...

Beverly Davis, Addi and Ansley Foster drove to Topeka, Saturday, May 3, where Beverly attended the reception and banquet for David Rake, the new Worthy Grand Patron of Kansas O.E.S. Addi and Ansley visited with Addi and Ansley visited with Addi's sisters and her grandparents. They returned home on Sunday...

James Murgo preached at the Diamond Community Church, April 27, because Pastor Stephen was absent. Tierra Durbin and Doug were congratulated on their recent engagement. Several people from this area attended the Garland Fire Department openhouse, April 26. ...

Sunbeam Christian Preschool held its graduation and programs on Monday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m. The morning class marched in, sang several songs including "A Great Big Wonderful God" and recited eight memory verses. After introducing themselves, the children portrayed the story of Jonah. Gavin Pytlowany portrayed God, Lawson Hall had the part of Jonah. Group one sang the "ABC Song." Group two sang "Twinkle. Twinkle."...

Devon Fleming is prepared for college. The 18-year-old Fort Scott High School senior is one of 21 graduating FSHS seniors who will receive scholarships this year through the Ellis Foundation Scholarship Program. The Fort Scott-based Ellis Foundation has provided scholarships to eligible students, most of whom come from low-to-moderate income or single-parent families, since 1997...

About 40 years ago, Jack Gilmore could have chosen to leave Fort Scott. And at that time, if he would have followed the advice of some local residents who urged him to teach somewhere else, he might have done just that. But the 75-year-old Fort Scott Community College instructor, who recently announced his retirement, and his wife decided to stick around. With that decision, Gilmore would ultimately go on to leave behind a lasting teaching legacy at the two-year college...

Special to The Tribune Immediately following the Legislative Wrap-up Forum on Saturday, May 17, at 9 a.m., at the Fort Scott Inn, District State Representative Shirley Palmer and House Minority Leader, Dennis McKinney, Greensburg, Kansas, will conduct a Town Hall meeting at the same location...

Special to The Tribune The Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance would like to invite the public to the Fort Scott High School Baccalaureate services for the 2008 graduates. These services are slated for Saturday, May 17, at 4 p.m., in the high school Gymnasium. The 2008 Graduates of FSHS are the "Guests of Honor" and several of those Graduates will be participating in the program through the Orchestra, Choir, and even reading of scripture and prayer...

Thirty-six area residents have earned their General Educational Development (GED) diplomas through classes offered at the Fort Scott Community College. Fourteen of the students appeared Thursday and accepted their diplomas from FSCC staff. It was the first time in three years the college held a graduation ceremony honoring the achievement. "It's good to have graduation again," said DeAnn Welch, director of the Maximized Individual Learning Laboratory (MILL) at the college...

Eugene Ware Elementary Principal Billie Jo Drake doesn't just show up for work each day, she puts her heart into her job, continually encouraging the students at her school to do the very best that they can. On May 16 and 17, Drake, who has been the principal at Eugene Ware since 2000, will be awarded the Pittsburg State University Alumni Association's Meritorious Achievement Award. ...

Editor's note: The following five articles were written as a tribute to Jack Gilmore by co-workers and colleagues of the 40 year Fort Scott Community College biology professor. A MAN OF THREE SEASONS The following series of articles pay tribute to dedicated teaching and to a teacher who not only taught his courses, but who stayed the course for 49 years of commitment to excellence: Jack Gilmore...

In the book "No Excuses," written by Jay Rifenbary, each chapter begins with a relevant poem. The author is unknown for the following poem from the Introduction: To laugh is to risk appearing a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk...