Stories from Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Beverage choices are plentiful. Just as with the foods we eat, making healthy choices in beverages is also important. Many people drink too many high-calorie, nutrient-poor beverages, such as soft drinks, sweetened teas and fruit drinks, sports drinks, and so-called "energy" drinks. Over-consumption of these sugary beverages may contribute to weight problems, since liquid calories don't seem to register very well in our brains...

Molly Foster Berry DAR met in the DAR Room in Memorial Hall, at 10 a.m., June 20, with Grace Hendrix as hostess. Coffee, fruit and pastry was served. The meeting was called to order by Regent Mary Ann French, with the usual protocol of the reciting of the Ritual, Pledge of Allegiance, and the American's Creed. The President's general message was read by the Regent...

The Senior Swingers were pleased to have the Community Center mostly to themselves for their dance Monday night. The dance at Buck Run Community Center went well with 64 present. There was several dances including the chair dance, "Put Your Little Foot", line dance, and a request for the Whistle Dance, which hadsn't happened for years.The couples did their trading partners as the whistle sounded. The girls did the Waltz Line Dance as they have been doing...

The City of Mapleton is hosting a fourth of July fireworks show in the Mapleton City Park. The show start at 9 p.m. and feature fireworks bought with donated funds. The celebration will take place Friday, July 4. The City of Mapleton wishes to thank everyone for their help in putting the show together...

There will be a Girl Scout sponsored trip to the Fort Scott National Historic Site. It is open to all girls, kindergarten through grade 12. They can tour the National Histoic Site grounds with an experienced guide, enjoy a picnic lunch, and make crafts influenced by history...

Community Advocates for Resources and Equality hosted the First Day of Summer Picnic, at Gunn Park, Thursday, June 24. Over 50 people, including clients, staff and friends enjoyed an evening of fun, food and fellowship. -- Submitted by Dola Cress President of CARE...

Melvin Clydeen Willard, age 73, former resident of 315 Ivy, and more recently of 1012 S. Margrave, Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, June 30, 2008, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. He was born February 15, 1935 in Mapleton, Kan., the son of Clyde Marion Willard and Mildred G. Harris Willard. Melvin was a graduate of Bronson High School and Fort Scott Junior College. He married Elinor Jean Rogers on September 21, 1964 in Iola, Kan. She preceded him in death on December 24, 2001...

Georgia Mae Anderson, age 91, resident of Fort Scott Manor Nursing Home, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Mercy Health Center Emergency Room. There was cremation and a graveside memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 8, at Oak Grove Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott...

BRADLEY -- Stephen Scott Bradley, Jr., a boy, was born at Mercy Health Center, in Fort Scott, at 6:30 p.m., June 3, 2008, to parents Carrie Wilford and Stephen Bradley, Fort Scott. He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces at birth. Maternal grandparents are Bill Wilford and Karen Wilford, Miami. Paternal grandparents are Dorthy Sweat, Fort Scott and Harley Bradley, Fort Scott...

The City of Fort Scott will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2008, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Monday, July 7, 2008. -- Submitted by Diane Clay, City Clerk The Bourbon County Courthouse and Transfer Station will be closed Friday, July 4, 2008, in observance of Independence Day. The courthouse will re-open for regular business on Monday and the Transfer Station will be open for regular business on Saturday...

Thomas Edward Blair, age 53, resident of 308 Osbun Street, Fort Scott, died at his home, Thursday, June 26, 2008, following a lengthy illness. There was cremation with memorial services to be held in Independence. Services are under the direction of Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott...

Topeka, Kan. -- While many Kansans make their way through summer heat, ballgames and high gas prices, other state residents have an added responsibility to clean up and rebuild from devistating storms that raked through central and northeast Kansas this past spring...

Rodney Daryl Wakefield, age 54, a resident of Prescott, Kan., died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kan. He was born August 3, 1953, in Newton, Kan., the son of Willard Bart Wakefield and Vera Duncan Wakefield. Rod first married Beverly Wheeler in 1983. ...

100 YEARS AGO (1908) County Assessor J.R, Connolly is still making additions to the county tax rolls. Seldom a week passes but what Jim unearths certain property which deserves a berth on the tax rolls, but which has always escaped. The rain which fell in torrents this afternoon was of course not needed. ...

According to a press release from the Crawford County Sheriff's Department, on Sunday night, Danny J. Hoag, 23, of Pittsburg, Kan., was driving a 1998 Dodge Durango southbound along the 600 block of South 260th Street north of Frontenac when a 9 mm handgun that he had in his car accidentally discharged, causing the bullet to enter and exit his left thigh. ...

An unusual combination of cannons, horses, dancing and baseball will be the highlight of Fourth of July programs this weekend at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. Fort staff have planned a celebration of America's independence that will take place Friday through Sunday with a series of talks, programs, games, demonstrations, guided tours, and other activities related to the purpose of the site, which tells the story of Fort Scott from 1842 to 1873...

A single $10 million gift will move a longstanding plan for a fine and performing arts center at Pittsburg State University a step closer to becoming a reality. PSU officials announced the gift, from an anonymous donor, at a news conference Tuesday. It is the largest single gift in the university's history...

Area residents and supporters of the Fort Scott Hurricanes recently pulled together, making a dream a reality for the local swim team. According to Hurricane Assistant Coach Jared Leek, the diving blocks that the undefeated swim team had been using during home meets, were outdated and in bad shape. ...

PLEASANTON -- It is now quicker and easier than ever for many area residents to refill their medication prescriptions. Jay Allen, a primary care physician with the Pleasanton Family Practice, recently announced the addition of new, cutting edge technology that will provide patients at the clinic with added access and convenience when filling their prescriptions...

The condition in which portions of First and Scott Streets remain may be leaving some residents wide eyed. Although this section of streets in the downtown Fort Scott area is currently torn up, Kissick Construction Project Superintendent Mike Eddings said the StreetScape Downtown revitalization program is on schedule. ...