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Contest is about more than beauty
Fourteen local men will don women's clothing for a good cause during the upcoming "Miss-ter Bourbon County" fundraiser for the Care to Share group and The Sharing Bucket.
A few of the contestants were on hand Saturday during the quarterly meeting of the Care to Share group at Mercy Hospital to talk about their involvement with the fundraiser, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
The group of men are each participating in honor of a cancer survivor.
Bob Goltra, dean of students at FSCC, will perform in honor of his grandmother, Marilyn Landers. He thanked the Care to Share group for their support of his grandma, both emotionally and financially.
"I appreciate what you've done for my grandma in her fight," Goltra told the group Saturday. "Because of her battle, she has added joy to other people's lives."
Goltra said when he was asked by organizers if he would participate in the contest, he agreed and said he thought it would be a nice event for him to don a tuxedo.
"I didn't know the emphasis was on the 'miss,'" he said. "But I found a dress, in less than an hour, for less than $50," Goltra added to a round of laughs. "So that's a challenge to all you ladies."
Goltra said he is "looking forward to the evening."
He spoke about his grandmother's tenacity.
"She's a survivor and thriver," he said. "I call her my grandmama."
Landers has survived cancer four times and is currently battling metastatic lung cancer.
Blake Lundberg, another contestant present at the meeting, is participating for his nephew, Ty Lundberg, who is now 2 years old and has battled cancer his entire life.
"My family has been greatly affected, emotionally and financially (by Ty's cancer)," Blake said. "I'm grateful for what I have and to give it away. I'm grateful for the help to make my nephew healthy; that's why I'm here."
Blake added that Ty is currently cancer-free.
Also speaking Saturday was cancer survivor John Findley, who has battled leukemia in recent years. Care to Share member Joy O'Neal said Findley is the only cancer survivor participating in the contest. Findley is participating in honor of his wife and caregiver, Connie Findley.
"I see how special this group is," John said.
Findley told how he dressed up last year for Halloween and talked to a cancer patient who had been receiving chemotherapy treatments.
"She said she had a really rough morning, but you made my day," Findley said. "If I can cause somebody to forget where they're at for a little bit and make them smile, it's worth it."
Another contestant, Michael Flater, said his family helps organize a chili feed fundraiser each year for Care to Share/The Sharing Bucket. Flater said his mom asked him if he wanted to participate in a fundraiser in which he would have to dress in women's clothing.
His response was, "Sure, why not?"
"The reason why I'm helping is I like to help people," he said. "I've been in the Scouts for several years and their slogan is 'Do a good turn daily.' It's important to do this."
Lavetta Simmons and Belynda Davenport have organized the contest. Simmons talked about some recent fundraisers for Care to Share/The Sharing Bucket and Relay for Life.
"If we can make someone laugh, it makes our day, too," Simmons said.
Simmons also shared some statistics with attendees of the meeting. She said so far in 2013, the Care to Share group has helped 516 people financially.
The "Miss-ter Bourbon County" contest will feature local men participating in a "beauty pageant." Contestants will be dressed in daily work wear and must also wear an evening gown, perform a talent and answer a question by the judges in the final round.
A winner, as well as runner-ups, will be chosen by local judges, including Fort Scott Mayor Cindy Bartelsmeyer, USD 234 Superintendent Diane Gross, FSCC President Clayton Tatro and Darcie Oursler.
Contestants include Goltra, Lundberg, Findley, and Flater, as well as Chris Howard, Steve Anthony, B.J. Pruitt, Bob Beckham, Andy Norris, Mike Hawley, Blake Davis, James Salters, Jack Householder and Chad Clayton.
Patty LaRoche will serve as emcee for the evening.
"It should be a fun, fun night," O'Neal said.
Tickets for the "Miss-ter Bourbon County" contest are currently on sale and can be purchased for $10 at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Iron Star Antiques and Spoiled Brat. There are 600 tickets available for the event.