Future teamwork? Fort Scott hosts Nevada chamber for after-hours mixer.

Julie Lewis of Nevada and Bill Brittain of Fort Scott mingle at the Fort Scott-Nevada chamber after-hours event Tuesday at the Buffalo Grill in Fort Scott. At left is Gina Ensor, executive director of the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce. More than 60 people attended. (Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

For the first time most could recall, the chambers of commerce in Fort Scott, Kan., and Nevada, Mo., held a joint Business After Hours event at the Buffalo Grill on Tuesday.

Approximately 63 people -- 20 from Nevada and 43 from Fort Scott -- attended, and organizers hope this could be the start of more teamwork between the two entities -- and cities. Historically, the two towns -- and two states -- have not always gotten along, going back to the days before the Civil War. But this event offered a more positive spin.

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said the after-hours had been in the works for about two months.

"We thought it would be a great opportunity for business people to network from both communities," Madison said. "I think Nevada has a great turnout, and I think it's great for them to see what Fort Scott has to offer, as well as for us to get to know their community better."

Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gina Ensor has been on the job since July 18. She and her husband, James, who works for Progress Rail in Fort Scott, moved to Schell City from Branson, Mo., to raise their two daughters.

"I thought it was amazing," Ensor said of Tuesday's mixer. "We had a great turnout from Nevada and a great turnout from Fort Scott. I'm very pleased with the comments we got" from members of both chambers.

Madison and Ensor said they have talked about working together moving forward.

"Lindsay and I have talked and we are both very excited about this. We definitely will be doing more things in the future. I have let her know we would like to host the Fort Scott members in Nevada next time ... Who knows where it could lead? We look forward to a great friendship and great partnership with the Fort Scott Chamber," Ensor said.

Madison said the two chambers had talked before about working together on tourism aspects. "It works well if we work together," Madison said. "... They can see our attractions here, as well as the Bushwhacker Museum ... and the other things they have to offer."

The next business after hours will be from 5:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Fort Scott Professional Building, 710 W. Eighth St. Hosted by Midwestern Holdings and Landmark National Mark, it will celebrate the effort that went into keeping the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services office open here.