Community Progress 2023

2023 Community Progress

New daycare in design stage

BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com

The Great Bend City Council last October approved a conditional use permit for a group daycare center to operate at 4507 Farmers Plaza Lane at the request of Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Arnberger on behalf of Advancing Barton County Childcare Inc.

Farmers Plaza is located across from the 10th Street-K-96 junction.

Now, although there is no set timeline, this effort is moving along nicely, Arnberger said.

“The childcare project is progressing in a positive way,” she said. “As most know, we have secured the land for this project and are currently in the design phases with our team of architects. We are now officially hiring for our

childcare director position and are positively awaiting the right applicant to take this project to the finish line.”

Through the development of this center, there have been many productive conversations with community members, existing childcare providers and other entities throughout Barton County, she said.

“They will also pick up the mantle and create more childcare opportunities. We are forever grateful for these partnerships and look forward to many more.”

The property was purchased from Farmers Enterprises Inc. by ABCC. The site is currently vacant.

The facility will be a 501c3 non-profit under the umbrella of GBED called Advancing Barton County Childcare Inc. They would hire a director to run this center and then the

subsequent centers in other county communities.

They are building new instead of retrofitting an existing building. To meet stringent Kansas Department of Health and Environment standards, this makes more sense.

The cost will be about $1.2 million. Most of the funds have been raised.

Last year, ABBC, in partnership with the Golden Belt Community Foundation, received a Community Service Tax Credit Program grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce. In addition, the City of Great Bend (through economic development funds) and Barton County and contributed, along with private donors, have kicked in money.

The facility will provide services for 59 children.

Search underway for the childcare director City of Salina

The City of Salina has been in business since 1858. We are an extremely stable and progressive employer that offers competitive, new salary ranges effective in 2023 and excellent benefi average length of service for our employees is 10 years. We offer multiple career tracks with a commitment to excellent service and performance.

The City of Salina aggressively maintains 300 miles of sewer lines, 85 miles of storm sewers,

288 miles of water lines.

The City also maintains 28 parks, 2 golf courses, a water park, a water plant and a wastewater plant. Our police department and fire department have been nationally accredited.

The fire protection is superb with an ISO rating

1 and the worst being 10).

The City of Salina employs 480 people on a regular basis and an additional 300 during the summer to accommodate the summer programs offered through the Parks and Recreation Department.

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Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Arnberger addresses the Barton County Commission about the planned new daycare in Great Bend last March.

The ripple effect

From tires, and hot water tanks, to buckets, a lot of debris has blown into or built up into the Shop Creek stream bed. Shop Creek is one of the tributaries that feed into Cheyenne Bottoms. Mandy Kerns, the Program Specialist at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, has partnered with The Nature Conservancy to help clean up a section of Shop Creek that feeds into the Nature Conservancy Preserve of Cheyenne Bottoms. Kerns noted, “We will be working on the portion of Shop Creek that crosses NE 20th Ave near The Nature Conservancy headquarters and one of the entrances to the TNC Cheyenne Bottoms Nature Preserve.” She continued, “We are giving two options to participants as to where we will meet. They can meet at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center at 9:30 a.m. and ride in our KWEC van or carpool over or meet at the TNC Kiosk

just south of Highway 4 on 20th Ave at 10 a.m.” TNC will be providing a trailer for the clean-up efforts. Participants can specify where they plan to meet on the registra-

tion link: https://forms.gle/ SjpUTJ3ZTJ254N4r5

The date is set from 10 a.m. to noon on March 10. The Nature Conservancy will treat participants to

Dilly & Doc Creative Studio

Dilly & Doc Creative Studio is home-town hub for creativity and inspiration!

Born out of a love for crafting and desire to bring the local area a crafting resource including custom chalk paint product and wide variety of colors for all your D.I.Y. (Do it yourself) needs, the Brack’s started their chalk paint line in 2012. Now located at 1119 Main Street in Downtown Great Bend, the store is 5-years old and carries a wide variety of retail items including home décor, furniture, custom chalk paint, and craft supplies. Everyone is welcome to come in and create re-gardless of your experience or skill level. Embarking on their ‘next

side his wife, Phyllis Brack to provide customers with custom furniture refinishing, assisting with private events, and co-hosting Dilly & Doc’s seasonal POP-UP Markets. You can learn more about

website at DillyandDoc.com or by following them on Facebook.

The store is a great place to host private events, including birthday parties, Girl’s Nights, and more.

lunch and refreshments at their headquarters. Kern explained that the activity directly stems from her visits to area middle school classrooms for World

Wetlands Day programs. The theme for 2023 is “It’s Time for Wetland Restoration.”

Kern noted, “During my program, we talk about the importance of wetlands and

Cheyenne Bottoms, learn about seven benefits of wetlands, and then groups sculpted reasons on why now is the time to restore wetlands. At the end of the presentation, students are asked what could they, as middle school students, do to make a difference. They are then challenged to take bold action and attend our wetland cleanup day as a chance to create a ripple effect toward healthier wetlands.”

Kern would like to have any community-minded service groups or individuals join in the clean-up. March 10 is the Friday before spring break. “Most area schools are off but, unfortunately, a few districts are not that day,” she noted. “We are also counting this activity as our March WILD activity. WILD is geared toward school-age kids and their families. The mission is to get kids off screens and out appreciating nature.”

Front Street Merchant

Front Street Merchant is Claflin’s top spot when looking for the next fashion-forward outfit or a good cup of coffee. This boutique caters to the fashion needs of both men and women. They sell clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, men’s grooming products and other items. This is also a great spot to get the necessary Oilers gear.

Over the last three years, Front Street Merchant’s owner Cheryl Hickel has worked tirelessly to provide a friendly store environment for her customers. Located at 200 W. Front Street in Claflin, they are open Wednesday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, they are open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For any further information or questions contact Hickel at Front Street Merchant at 620-786-5411 and follow their Facebook page to stay updated on their newest arrivals.

With the current drought, a lack of water in Shop Creek will make cleanup easygoing. When the water returns, the wetland will appreciate less garbage in the waterway.

Loft grant effort seeing success

There is still a chance to apply for loft grant funds

BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com

It’s been a couple years in the making, but the Great Bend Economic Development Inc.’s downtown loft project is picking up steam, GBED President Sara Arnberger said.

“We have three large projects in progress, one has been officially awarded their loft grants, the other two will be submitting for their grants in the coming months,” she said. “We have several smaller projects that are in process.”

But, there is still room for more. “I would still like to encourage any property owner, investor, etc. who has interest in the project to reach out and we would be happy to connect them to a building or project,” she said.

“As we watch downtown communities, such as Emporia’s, thrive with upper level housing we are excited to get these projects underway and watch our community thrive in ways we hadn’t before imagined,” she said.

In April of last year, the owners of the former Masonic Lodge building in the 2000 block of Lakin were the recipients of the grant.

In July 2021, the Great Bend City Council approved spending half of the city’s $2,271,654.71 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for a downtown rehabilitation project to assist in sprinkler system installation and other improvements to downtown lofts. Arnberger proposed using half of those funds to reimburse owners of multi-story buildings in the downtown district on an application basis. The

up to $1 million with half coming from each of the ARPA payments. Under the plan, the city would establish a defined area in the downtown corridor in which there would be a cost-sharing program. It calls for reimbursing 50% of the cost upon proof of sprinkler installation and other stipulations, and then structuring the other 50% of the cost as a forgivable loan. That loan would be forgiven if the valuation increased enough over a

recommendation would be 15 years for commercial space and 20 years for residential.

Building owners have to spend at least $50,000 on each structure they seek funding for, Hayden said.

The ARPA money has to be spent by Dec. 31 of 2024.

For questions about the loft project or how to participate, one can go to www.gbedinc.com/housing. For more information, email director@gbedinc.com or call 620-796-2407.

Magna Dry LLC.

We purchased the Magna Dry name in 1991. Starting out we offered Liquid Dry Cleaning for Carpets and Upholstery. Within the first year we added Water Restoration to the company.

In 1994 we sold Magna Dry to one of our employees. In 1994 Desh and I purchased a trucking company hauling livestock. In 1996 the employee asked if we would like to buy Magna Dry back. Not a hard decision due to the fact we wanted to keep the Magna Dry service in the Great Bend area. Our family ran it buy word of mouth for several years. In 2013 our son, Cody was hit by a drunk driver in Phoenix. We sold our trucking company and moved to Phoenix for 6 months. After a couple years of therapy and hospitals we brought Cody home. Needing

an income we started advertising Magna Dry full time. In 2015 we added new services to Magna Dry. We kept the Liquid Dry Cleaning for carpets and upholstery, but added a steam unit as well. We added an Air Duct Cleaning system, more Water/Fire Restoration equipment for our 24/7 Emergency. Magna Dry currently employees 17 people.

12 full time and 5 part time.

Magna Dry offers commercial cleaning of local businesses along with Janitorial Solution products for home and office.

Jan Westfall heads up our

Magna Dry Janitorial Solutions selling everything from toilet paper to trash bags. We have rented the shop at 2646 Main St. in Great Bend for the last 5 years. Magna Dry LLC is moving to 1722 Main St. at the first of February 2023. We purchased the Blades Hair Salon/Elliot Transfer building between Pro Green and Brantley Chiropractic. Stop in anytime to see our line of cleaners and office products.

To set up a consultation on Carpet cleaning, Air Duct cleaning, Construction Clean up, Mold remediation and/ or mold testing. Call (620)282-2267, visit our website at magnadrygb.com or send an email to magnadrycc@gmail. com.

Thank you for the support from Todd, Desh, Cody and Shailey Clark along with the Crew from Magna Dry.

ALL MONTH LONG

Off DINE IN 20% Just mention this coupon

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Great Bend Economic Development Inc.’s downtown loft project is advancing.

PHOTO

The owners of the former Masonic Lodge building in the 2000 block of Lakin were the recipients of the City of Great Bend’s

downtown loft grant. Other grants are in the works.

Good ideas flow from combined meeting

BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com

From budgeting woes to shortages in housing, workforce and childcare, there are many daunting issues facing both the Great Bend City Council and the Barton County Commission. But, both bodies meeting in their second-annual joint meeting held on a March evening said cooperation will only make these challenges easier to overcome.

Many of the topics that arose have been or are being addressed.

“It’s up to everyone to make this county a good place,” said Ward 2 Councilwoman Jolene Biggs. “We have a lot of good things going.”

“Your constituents are our constituents,” District 2 County Commissioner Barb Esfeld said, echoing Biggs’s

sentiments. “We’ve just got to keep working together.”

“I know it hasn’t always been this way,” said County Operations Director Matt

Patzner of the cooperative spirit. This hasn’t always been the case and he said it was refreshing to see. The event, held in the

Great Bend Events Center’s Fort Zarah Room, fell just a day shy of one year after the first-ever combined meeting. The success of

that first session spawned the idea of holding them annually.

The agenda was rather loose. It included:

• The workforce problem is the number one issue plaguing the county and it has many parts, said commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson, District 3. “Workforce development is tricky,” he said.

• Great Bend Economic Development’s effort to establish a new childcare center was talked about at length Housing

• The housing shortage was another key issue. The city’s loft project, rehabilitating dilapidated houses and possible incentive programs to help with this, and the construction of new housing developments were discussed.

Community Development Block

Grants, the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and revolving loans were bandied about as partial solutions. But many owners are unaware of these and more publicity needs to be done.

• All were in agreement of the need to lower mill levies, or at least stand pat. The challenge is balancing paying for services in a world where prices and inflation continue to rise.

“People are being taxed out of their homes,” said District 2 Commissioner Barb Esfeld, who retired last year as county appraiser. “We have to think outside the box.”

Looking at some surrounding counties where values went up as much as 30%, Barton County fared pretty well, she said. Still, “we can’t ask the taxpayers for more money.”

City cuts Main Street Program ribbon

Program gives Great Bend access to resources for downtown development

BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com

In April, Great Bend was one of three Kansas cities to rejoin the Kansas Main Street Program, which aims to preserve downtowns. On a June afternoon at the corner of Williams and Forest, officials gathered for a ribbon cutting to mark the occasion.

The Main Street Program falls under the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Community Development Division. Great Bend Economic Development Inc.

President Sara Arnberger had been working on getting the city back into the program to help bolster ongoing projects,

including the murals and the downtown loft program.

“I hope this community can see how much of an effort we’ve put into downtown revitalization and making sure that this really is the best eyes to our community that we can put forward,” Arnberger said. “Having an organization that has that same goal in mind, and is a lot larger than us and can provide support and partnership, means the world. It just means that we can move further faster.”

Locally, the Main Street designation is housed with the Great Bend Alive arm of GBED, she said.

This is not a funding

organization and tries to build capacity in communities. However, it does occasionally have grants available.

Now that Great Bend is back in the program, it can remain involved as long as it wants, There is no charge to participate other than continued efforts to improve.

Great Bend had been a part of Main Street back in the mid 1990s. But, for whatever reason, it dropped out.

Main Street initially launched in 1985. Then, in 2012, Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration ended the program. It was restarted in 2019 by Governor Kelly with support from the Legislature.

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Great Bend Mayor Cody Schmidt, right, makes a point during the Great Bend City Council-Barton County Commission joint meeting in March at the Great Bend Events Center. Commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson is on the left.

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Scott Sewell, director of the Kansas Main Street Program, joined Sara Arnberger, president of Great Bend Economic Development Inc., in cutting the ribbon announcing Great Bend’s re-entry into the program. Also pictured are state officials, GBED staff and board, community leaders and representatives from the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce.

Great Bend Economic Development board set goals for next decade

At the beginning of 2023, the Great Bend Economic Development Board and staff reflected on the organization’s previous strategic plan and top priorities. The board took a fresh look at the plan and priorities with the help of current, outgoing, as well as new board members.

On Jan. 25 the group tackled the next 10 years, knowing GBED’s board would be reviewing these after two to three years. The mission of the organization is simple, to improve the economic quality of life for working families of the community. However, the execution of that mission takes several different approaches, initiatives, programs and partnerships. The group not only looked at the organization but also the programs, projects, and, again, who those partners are to move the needle.

The top five areas of focus include workforce, business recruitment and expansion, entrepreneurship, downtown development, and quality of life. Workforce was at the top of mind for many at the table. Workforce is not only getting employers the people they need, it also encompasses housing and childcare.

Great Bend Economic Development’s Board consists of business professionals from the public and private sectors, with representation from the city and county as well. The 2023 board includes Dennis Neeland (former operations manager for Great Bend Co-op, Coldwell Banker Real Estate full-time independent sales associate), Kevyn Soupiset, (physical therapist at Advanced Therapy and City Council Member), Shawn Hutchinson, (owner of Satellite Pros and Central Plains Security, and county commissioner), Paul Snapp (president/CEO at First Kansas Bank), and John Worden, PharmD, MS, BCPS (interim Great Bend Campus administrator and executive director system integration for Clinical Operations at The University of Kansas Health System). Plus, the addition of new board members Ryan Fairchild (tech specialist at Innovative Livestock Services Inc. and cofounder at Dry Lake Brewing) and MelEesa Stueder (owner/corporate officer of Stueder Contractors). Also, in attendance and contributing to the conversation were Mark Calcara, GBED past-board chairperson (attorney at law at Watkins Calcara), and Tony Szot (VP of manufacturing at Superior Essex).

Sara Arnberger, GBED president, began the strategic planning session with a discussion on why each board member is volunteering their time and energy toward the organization. With a mix of ages and industries present, answers varied from multi-generational Great Bend residents as well as those that moved here for personal or professional reasons.

Mark Calcara, a fourth-generation Great Bend resident, shared that this community has provided him with a living and a wonderful place to live. He was happy to see his grown children come back to the community and make it a great place with a vibrant economy and quality of life. Ryan Fairchild shared that after he and his wife decided that they would be staying in town to start a family, more and more, he wanted to see how he could be involved, to be a part of the solutions for growth.

Dennis Neeland shared that he did not expect his daughter and son-in-law to move back. Now that they have and they have chosen to raise a family here, Dennis is hoping to help the community grow with his work on the GBED board.

Kevyn Soupiset said that he came to the area because his spouse is from here. Now, after

20 years in Great Bend, he said that they have grown roots here and there is no reason to leave. He not only wants to give back to the community but also to see the city flourish with the hopes that the next generation will make this area home.

Shawn Hutchinson, a third-generation business owner, said that the people make a difference in Barton County. This area is supportive of entrepreneurs and businesses. He is doing everything he can with the time he has, as we all have limited time to do the work.

MelEesa Stueder, who grew up in Great Bend, recalled days of shopping downtown Great Bend as an all-day event. Hitting the shops from north Main and heading south, with a lunch stop being part of the day too. After she graduated from college, she had no intention of coming back to the area, but after she got married, they moved back because of her husband’s startup business which has grown into a successful business that their grown children have moved back to work.

Paul Snapp noted that our area has something unique, a town large enough to be viable but still has the small-town appeal. His motivation comes from GBED’s unique structure of working with the city and county and helping to create more cooperative progress.

John Worden stressed that with great partnerships, the community can thrive. He went on to say that communities are a three-legged stool, needing health care, schools, and a strong workforce. He is hoping to contribute to the effectiveness of the organization so we can move forward faster.

After much discussion of the programs, projects, and priorities, the organization including staff and the board members agreed on the direction and progress being made toward that end. New partners were identified, as well as new committees being formed to help “do the work.” As a staff of two, GBED relies heavily on its volunteer committees and partnerships.

Next month’s newsletter will include an update from the Great Bend Alive Board Retreat with Revitalize or Die’s Jeff Siegler. To stay up to date with GBED, go online to www.gbedinc. com, scroll down, and download this month’s newsletter, then subscribe so you don’t miss out on anything.

About GBED Great Bend Economic Development’s goal is to sustain Barton County’s long-term economic health and vitality through the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses and development that enhance property values, increase personal income, and positively contribute to the citizens’ quality of life of Barton County. GBED leads the charge in creating workforce initiatives to sustain our current employers as well as initiatives that will help to support new employers that move to the community. Employers and jobseekers are encouraged to reach out to GBED with questions and concerns and GBED will either pair you up with a workforce partner to help you accomplish your goals, or work with you one-on-one to create solutions and positive outcomes. Together we will create a strong and sustainable workforce pipeline that will enable us to continue to grow Barton County.

For more information about GBED visit www. gbedinc.com call 620-796-2407, or email marketing@gbedinc.com.

Great Bend Economic Development’s board members tackle strategic planning for 2023 and beyond at a recent meeting.

Council backs quality of life effort

BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com

There is a new mountain bike-hiking trail in Great Bend. The City Council last October gave its blessing for the project.

It is the brainchild of a group of local cyclists who also developed the trail at Lake Barton. The nearly twomile loop will encircle Rotary Lake (formerly known as MacArthur Lake) at Seventh Street and MacArthur Road in the southwest part of town.

Golden Belt Bicycle Company owner Todd Van Skyke and fellow cyclist Jake

Morris addressed the council about the project. Using a slide presentation, they took those present on virtual ride around the lake, up and down embankments and weaved through the trees.

“Great Bend would be one of only a very few towns in

Kansas that would have a single-track mountain bikehiking trail in city limits,” Van Skyke said. “This trail will be accessible to people of all ages, all skill levels, children to adults.”

The cost to the city would be nothing, he said.

Stueder Contractors

There’s no place like home and at Stueder Contractors, we would add a warm or cool home depending upon the season! Familyowned and operated for 38 years, Stueder Contractors Inc. has grown and expanded to serve with quality, value, and speed. Terry and MelEesa Stueder started Stueder Contractors, Inc., in 1984 with Terry and one other employee. The company has grown to now 22 employees and a fleet of service vehicles. Stueder Contractors is a full-service company in the Heating, Cooling, Refrigeration, Plumbing, Electrical, Pool/Spa, Bathroom Remodeling, and Water Treatment business.

“Our team is the key to our success,” said Terry Stueder. “Highly trained and the most experienced crew you’ll find in Great Bend and the surrounding area. Many of our staff pride themselves in having their master certifications in their trade.”

With the knowledge and experience to

handle all your residential or commercial repairs and needs, Stueder Contractors is looking forward to continuing to deliver dependable service at a price you can trust. If you’ve been with us since the beginning, or your first call is today, we thank you and look forward to serving you.

We also know how important it is to make our community a great place to both live and work. We take pride in giving back to our community and being a good neighbor. Visit our website or Facebook page to see more about what we’re doing in the community and get tips for seasonally maintaining your home. Stueder Contractor’s showroom, located at 3410 10th Street in Great Bend is open Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.; however, our emergency service line is ALWAYS open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, including holidays. Learn more by visiting www. Stueders.com.

“We would take care of any maintenance and any cost to build the trail,” he said. “Trail maintenance after we build it is going to be extremely minimal. It will consist of basically of mowing and other care that is already being done.

“It’s a great use of land that’s not being utilized currently,” he said. “And it’s a free quality-of-life improvement for Great Bend.”

It has also been a draw for FFA students from Great Bend High School looking for

volunteer projects, Van Skyke said. They have helped clean up the site.

Furthermore, Morris said

“if any other volunteer groups want to come in and do that, they would be welcomed.”

“I’m all about quality of life free of charge to the city,” said Mayor Cody Schmidt.

The item required no action by the council.

The only issue had been three homes that sit just south of the lake, across MacArthur Road. The road runs east and west on the south side of the property is the city limit boundary and the residents had some concerns, said Ward 3 Councilman Cory Urban, but those have been assuaged.

In February 2018, the Great Bend Rotary Club sort of adopted the lake in hopes of making it a more popular attraction and an integral part of the city’s park system. The council also approved changing the lake’s name to Rotary Lake.

Improvements so far have included a concrete slab with picnic tables and a grill.

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Pictured a view of Rotary Lake in southwest Great Bend showing picnic tables. There is a new bike-hike trail in the works at the location.

Kansas Earth & Sky is a growing Ellinwood business

Kansas Earth & Sky Candle Company began in 2016 and has since grown into a leading home fragrance candle organization. Located in at 23 N. Main Street in Ellinwood, they are now offering Hot Wax Saturdays.

Hot Wax Saturdays Crafters are welcome to bring their own vessel to the candlemaking workshop. Walk-ins are welcome.

Every Saturday at the studio, the store has three different fragrances of hot soy wax on tap. Participants are encouraged to bring in a unique vessel, or choose from the store selection.

• First, shop the local antique stores here in Ellinwood to find the perfect

glass, metal, or ceramic vessel. Or bring back a favorite Kansas Earth and Sky Candle Co. glass, or any other candle vessel to refill with a favorite fragrance. Typically, if it can hold boiling water, it can be a candle. No shot glasses or thin wine glass; vessels will be inspect-

ed before pouring.

• Please wash and clean out all vessels before class.

• Allow about 45 minutes for the candle to cool.

• Reservations are not required, however, for groups of six or more, please call the shop to confirm.

Barton County Farm Bureau has been strengthening agriculture and the lives of residents through advocacy, education, and service for more than 100 years. They regularly award $500 scholarships to graduating high school students and support a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter at Barton County Community College. Additionally, BCFB helps organize and set up the local Ag Day, which included more than 350 fourth graders in 2022. They also hosted a two-day grain entrapment rescue class for area first responders and grain elevator personnel last year and donated safety equipment valued at more than $5,600. We also regularly hold conversations with our elected officials at the local and state level.

These activities are just a small sampling of what the Association does for the community. The Association is made up of 1,900 Barton County members and was awarded the Platinum Award at the State’s Annual Meeting, being recognized for the many accomplishments in 2022.

BCFB also has a local benefit program for members which provides added value to the

great customer service and products available through Farm Bureau Financial Services. To learn more about BCFB, visit us at 4210 Eighth St. in Great Bend or call 620-792-2236.

Call 1-800-950-8742 to subscribe today!

Quality of life tax paying dividends

First projects coming to fruition

BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com

Many of the first projects to emerge from the .15% quality of life sales tax approved by Great Bend voters in November 2021 have come to fruition last year, and others are in the works, Interim City Administrator Logan Burns said.

Most recently, the automated bathroom locks at Veterans Memorial Park were installed. The bathrooms at Vets are open from 6-7 a.m. to 9-10 p.m. and will also be open all year around.

Next, Burns said the lights have been selected for the Vets Park walking trail. “So we’re looking at the availability on those lights, see if we can get those ordered,” he said. And then the next projects they are looking at completing will be the lighting, a splash pad with the location yet to be determined, skate park repairs, dog park improvements (perhaps making separate areas for large and small dogs), and then the Brit Spaugh Park projects.

The Brit Spaugh project (the development of the south end of Brit Spaugh) is a cooperative effort with the Great Bend Recreation Commission. This could involve outdoor basketball and pickleball courts, a playground, soccer field

community.

Burns suggested the council set a work session at some point to discuss the logistics and planning.

“There are several projects and I think it’s just a matter of getting together and see what we’re going to do.”

The Great Bend City Council voted last October on the first projects to be funded by the quality of life sales tax. They are part of a 10year quality of life capital improvement plan. A committee was formed and a community survey seeking public input was taken. Many of those responses were fitted into this plan. completed or are in the at Vets, which has been

Good Times Roll Limousine and Party

Good Times Roll (GTR)

Limousine and Party Services is who you’re gonna see and where you want to be in 2023! In May 2021, Ruth Joiner began this business with one traditional limousine and a dream. Dean Nuss, with previous experience running a successful DJ and limousine service in Minnesota, had a dream of getting back into the party business. In June 2021, Ruth and Dean merged

an outlet for relaxation and fun, for all ages, no matter what the occasion! We specialize in providing

crawls. We look forward to expanding our services in 2023, to include singles

Great Bend Pilot Club celebrates 35 years

The Great Bend Pilot Club celebrated it’s 35th year strong in friendship and service in the community. With noon meetings and after-hours meetings opening their mission to everyone.

Proceeds from their geranium sales enable them to do many projects for this community: donations to the Barton County Food bank; donations to the GBHS Hygiene Closet; KCSL Healthy Families Christmas Party; made quilts and fleece blankets for children in foster care; Cookies for Recovery Out Loud; participated in Mental Health Awareness Day; presented

programs on bicycle helmet fitting and gave helmets away; helped the United Way with Stuff the Bus; one of the sponsors of the Great Bend Public Library Summer Reading Program; gave out candy bars on Make a Difference Day; delivered Pick Me Up items to Great Bend first responders: Great Bend Police Department, Fire Department, 911 Center and the Sheriff ’s Department; as well as provided Autism workshops. They also raised funds for The Alzheimer’s Association and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

dinners, ultimate bar crawls, special events and MORE! Customers can build a personalized are located at 1702 Main

Monday-Friday

done.

• Better lighting on the Vets Park walking trail, which is in the works.

• Reviving the sidewalk improvement cost-share program, which has been done.

• The fishing habitats (working with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks)

• Additional Christmas lights with the goal of making this a “Christmas City.”

• Funds for what is known as the Brit Spaugh Project (the development of the south end of Brit Spaugh park in cooperation with the Great Bend Recreation Commission). As for the Brit Spaugh initiative, this could involve outdoor basketball and pickleball courts, a playground, soccer field and restrooms.

Other projects include:

• Dog park updates (perhaps making separate areas for large and small dogs).

• Extending the hikebike path (possibly as far

• Improvements to Brit

• A paintball course (possibility to be located at the Expo Complex).

range (perhaps located in conjunction with the Funding for all of these was included in the plan e tax translates into 15 cents for every $100 spent, and will bring in about $565,000 annually.

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Pictured is the City of Great Bend’s 2022 Party in the Park. This is one of the showcase quality of life events for the

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Shown is a stretch of sidewalk near downtown Great Bend. The City Council approved a cost-share program to help property owners repair their sidewalks.

Blight abatement ongoing as Hoisington priority

BY MIKE GILMORE mgilmore@GBTribune.com

HOISINGTON — A longstanding commitment to address blighted or nuisance properties in Hoisington continues as a top priority heading into 2023.

The program has origins in the previous decade, beginning with five blighted residences scheduled for demolition in 2011 along with more than 70 requests for property improvement issued by the Hoisington Police Department in an effort to reduce city blight.

In 2022, the Hoisington City Council addressed a number of abatement resolutions, with more on the way in the new year.

Adding into the mix is the possible demolition of the city’s Windgate Apartment Complex, to make way for future development of the property.

The city had acquired the apartment site on north Vine Street, which consists of five structures, with the intent that at least two of the buildings could be renovated into daycare facilities. More than $400,000 was raised toward the daycare proposal, but the council nixed the idea last May. Instead, funding that includes about $75,000 in asbestos abatement costshare offered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment would be used for the buildings’ demolition.

Demolition costs originally reached about $352,000, but that number has increased by the time the process is completed, Mitchell said.

Original cost to the city as purchased was $200,000, which has since increased to $662,000.

“It’s likely that the governing body will look at moving forward with the demolition of all five buildings,” Mitchell noted. “We are still looking for some final numbers on the project.”

In the meantime, Mitchell said the three main needs the community has heard for growth and development are workers, housing and childcare.

“We’re going to try to

attack one angle of that by creating housing lots,” said Mitchell. “We still need people who are interested in building homes in our community. That is the next piece in this solution, but we are trying to create additional housing lots.”

Other ongoing projects requiring attention will be the ongoing engine project at the power plant; reconstruction of Second Street; a columbarium proposal and water line replacement. Also included are improving the parking lot at the city swimming pool and replacing the city’s five existing tornado sirens with those that have battery backup-capabilities.

Plans are in the works to demolish the Windgate Apartments at north Vine in Hoisington when funding and abatement issues are addressed.

Hoisington Chamber shares mission

Since 1957, the Hoisington Chamber’s mission has been to promote economic growth, serve as a voice for the business community, and enhance the quality of life for Hoisington and the surrounding trade area.

Hoisington Chamber Coffees are scheduled for every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. by Chamber member businesses. Karen Baldyga, Hoisington Chamber executive director, notes that attending a Chamber Coffee is a great way to get to know the community, meet new people, and find out what’s going on in Hoisington and the surrounding area. “We hope you will join us,” Baldyga noted. “There is no cost to attend the coffee and guests are always welcome, so invite a friend.”

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TRIBUNE FILE PHOTOS

Dolores Kipper, Hoisington code enforcement officer, updates the Hoisington City Council on nuisance abatement efforts at a recent meeting.

Kiwanis flags lead to park project

Next event is the Barton County Spelling Bee

BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com

The upcoming Barton County Spelling Bee and plans to renovate a neglected city park are among the many youth-oriented projects sponsored throughout the year by the Great Bend Kiwanis Club.

This year’s bee, which is also known as the Donald H. Humphreys Barton County Spelling Bee, will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at Great Bend High School. The spelling bee is the favorite event of club president Jay Luerman, who noted the public is invited to attend.

Other officers this year are Suresh Maharjan, vice president; Frankie Pelster, treasurer; Barb Esfeld, secretary; and Dan Soeken, past president.

Founded in 1915, “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time,” according to the group’s defining statement. The group is involved in many projects aimed at making the community better, especially for youths. Other annual projects include the Easter Egg Hunt and the Halloween Costume Drive, followed by the Halloween Downtown Boo Parade the Saturday before Halloween. The club also helps bring the Wet & Dry Parade and the Anything That Floats competition to Party in the Park.

Every year, the Kiwanis of Great Bend members select two students from the area out of a large group of applicants to receive scholarships for their future endeavors. The 2022 recipients were Allison McReynolds and Bradley Heine.

Flag project and park

Approximately 150 American flags go up along Broadway Avenue and McKinley Street five times a year during federal holidays, thanks to a patriotic fundraiser initiated by the club in recent years. The flag project has taken the place of the annual Pancake Feed as the group’s only fundraiser of the year, with sponsorships paying for the flags. For more information how to sponsor a flag, send email to gbkiwanisflags@gmail.com.

Last year, the Kiwanis of Great Bend started working toward revitalizing a city park located on the 281 Bypass. The triangular-shaped park is bordered by Frey Street on the west, the bypass on the east and Park Street on the south.

Kiwanian Barb Esfeld said the club has saved over $30,000 from its flag project receipts and recently received $50,000 from Eagle Radio toward this project. To do everything on the “wish list,” including adding a restroom, paved off-street parking and playground equipment, would cost $350,000 and would take several years.

“We are meeting with the city administrators to go over where we’re at and the plans so we can then meet with the city council,” Esfeld said. Although little has been done to improve the park over the years, “it’s used a lot.”

a “Kiwanis” park, Esfeld said. Rather, this will truly be a community effort. The Great Bend Recreation Commission has 501(c)(3) nonprofit status so it can accept tax-deductible donations to the project, The Pilot Club wants to add a

with autistic children in mind, and the Rotary Club and Great Bend Public Library have discussed adding a “reading and walking path” around the perimeter of the park, she said.

Aktion Clubs

Great Bend’s Kiwanis Club

capable, caring leaders through the vehicle of service.

Currently, the Rosewood Miracle Workers Aktion Club is conducting a blanket drive as a way to help children in need. Now through March 31, club members are accepting new blankets, quilts and homemade blankets. They are also accepting monetary donations, which will be used to purchase additional blankets. Once the drive is completed, donations will be delivered to the Family Crisis Center and to the Barton County Health Department. All donated blankets and monetary donations can be delivered during regular business hours to one of two locations in downtown Great Bend: Rosewood Furniture Gallery, 1607 Main; or Rosewood Bargain Barn, 1215 Main.

New members wanted

also sponsors two Kiwanis Aktion Clubs, hosted by Sunflower Diversified Services and Rosewood Services. Aktion Club is the only service club for adults with disabilities, with more than 10,000 members worldwide. Club members become competent,

Anyone interested in joining the Great Bend Kiwanis and serving children in the community is invited to attend a luncheon meeting at noon Wednesday at Walnut Bowl, 3101 Washington St. For more information contact Barb Esfeld at 785-483-1384 or email barb.esfeld6566@ gmail.com.

TRIBUNE PHOTO

Great Bend Noon Kiwanis officers and board members for the 2022-2023 year were installed on Sept. 21, 2022, during the weekly meeting at Walnut Bowl. Pictured are, from left: Terry Turner, Suresh Marharjan, Perry Smith, Matt Althouse, Immediate Past President Dan Soeken, Treasurer Frankie Pelster, Secretary Barb Esfeld, President Jay Luerman, Arlen Schroeder and Paul Snapp. Not pictured: Rob Bauer and Haley Ruble. Linda Keller from Lyons, the District 8 Lt. Governor of Kansas Kiwanis, installed the officers.

TRIBUNE PHOTOS

(Top) The Easter Bunny gives a child a high five at the 2022 Kiwanis Easter Egg Hut at Veterans Memorial Park. The Kiwanis Club of Great Bend sponsors several events for youths every year. (Right) Kiwanis Club of Great Bend members place American flags along Broadway Avenue at Veterans Memorial Park five times a year, celebrating Flag Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.

Sunflower EEC continues success in early childhood development

When McKinley Phillips looked back on the past year, she noted several changes that she hopes lead to the continued growth of Sunflower Early Education Center. Phillips was named director of the EEC in 2022, while Alli Adams became director of Incredible Years Preschool.

“In addition, our ABA program is at full capacity, with new kiddos being taken off the pending list as we continue to hire more staff,” Phillips reported. “This year, we plan to see continued growth in our programs.”

ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis; it is designed for children up to age 5 with a medical diagnosis of autism.

“Sunflower EEC has grown in the number of clients and we have a waiting list for Incredible Years Preschool, as well as our ABA program,” Phillips noted. “I’d like to see these programs continue to thrive so we can serve more children and families in our five-county area.”

EEC, 1312 Patton, is home to three specific programs – early

intervention, Incredible Years Preschool and ABA. All programs focus on the development of children from birth to age 5 or when they start kindergarten.

“For developing children, the first few years of life are often the most important in terms of brain development and future success,” Phillips said. “Children who fall behind developmentally as toddlers often continue to perform at a lower level than their same-age peers once they get to school.

“Through our earlyintervention program, we begin the process of closing that developmental gap as soon as we can. We give parents and families the tools to work with their children at home so they are empowered to help their children thrive.”

Incredible Years is designed for children ages 2-and-a-half to 5 who learn about the social skills needed for a successful transition to kindergarten.

“Our preschool helps children acclimate to a routine day at school, focus on tasks and interact with peers in small increments, while building their

kindergarten-readiness skills,” Phillips summarized.

Much like the preschool program, ABA provides children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) the opportunity to attend a learning center where life skills are taught.

“These include preschool readiness, toileting, dressing and social skills,” Phillips explained. “Many of our ABA kids also attend Incredible Years for peer-topeer interactions.”

Last year, the EEC served 161 children in the earlyintervention program; 10 in ABA; and 30 at Incredible Years.

“We have record numbers of referrals for early intervention this year, and record numbers of children qualifying for our earlyintervention program,” Phillips said. “Along with this are record numbers of children with autism concerns.

“Our early-intervention program has been very busy helping get these kiddos connected with a developmental pediatrician for diagnosis and subsequently placed on our ABA waiting list.”

Parents play an active role in the EEC’s programs and “many of them are thrilled to see their children closing the developmental gaps previously seen,” Phillips commented. “Parents enjoy being included in their child’s intervention team, while feeling empowered to continue advocating for their child.”

Phillips emphasized that the EEC’s staff deserves much credit for the success of the three programs.

“We have a dedicated staff that truly believes in helping all children live life to their fullest potential,” she said. “Each staff is committed to support not only the children we see but also their families. This teamwork leads to continued success in life.” Sunflower EEC serves infants and toddlers in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.

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Alyson Burkhart, autism specialist, helps a child with fine motor skills by using scissors at Sunflower Early Education Center. The child is in the EEC’s Applied Behavior Analysis program.

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New exhibits in development at Barton County Historical Society Museum

BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune

The Barton County Historical Society started the new year with two new exhibits in development at its museum, Executive Director Richard Lartz II announced at the annual meeting on January 23. He hopes both will be completed by April.

The first is the “Great Bend Aspect” exhibit, which refers to the designation for proto-historic Wichita Native American sites in central and southern Kansas dating from A.D. 1425 to 1700. This exhibit looking at the archeological history of the area includes items excavated by Robert Button, Lartz explained.

Robert Button’s detailed artwork is also featured in the second exhibit in development, an allnew treatment of the Cheyenne Bottoms display. Button’s bird carvings are featured along with information about the historic bird tagging efforts of Frank Robl, the Ellinwood man known as the “duck man.” In 1923, he began banding ducks and geese that he found at Cheyenne Bottoms.

“One thing we’re looking to do with these new exhibits is to have experiential components to them so the museum is more than just a place to come and look at ‘old stuff ’ but a place where you can interact with it too,” Lartz said.

The re-imagined Cheyenne Bottoms exhibit will be an interactive thunderstorm room that viewers can change with the flip of a switch.

Volunteers wanted

Volunteer coordinator Karen Naylor reported that the Barton County Historical Society Village

and Museum had 30 volunteers in 2022 and she invited more community members to get involved this year. “We could definitely use some more, especially on weekends,” she said. People are needed from 1-5 p.m. every day of the week except Monday. Greeters are needed at the front desk but there are other opportunities to help.

For anyone who is interested in learning more about the museum and how to help, the annual volunteer orientation program will be held at 1 p.m. on April 6.

Missing Bill King

Dr. William King, the outgoing board treasurer, was unable to attend the annual meeting due to ill health and he passed away on Jan. 25. Second Vice President Justin Engleman gave the treasurer’s report, noting the Barton County Historical Society received over $33,000 on Giving Tuesday, with $29,000 coming directly to the museum from Dr. King and the rest going into the BCHS endowment at the Golden Belt Community Foundation.

This past week, Lartz commented on the passing of Dr.

“Dr. King did so many good things for this organization,” he said. “There is never a proper way to thank someone for doing so much.”

King was board president when Lartz became the museum director in 2021, he noted. Dr. William King and his wife Mary provided funds that furnished the museum library.

“The world needs more people like Dr. Bill King.”

Officers elected

Officers elected at the January 23 meeting included Carl Helm continuing as president, Rickee Maddox is first vice president, Justin Engleman is second vice president, Layne Shirk is treasurer

United Way of Central Kansas

United Way’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. We do this by focusing on health, education, and financial stability - three core tenets that we believe are the building blocks for a successful community. We do this in two different ways. The first is through funding our Community Partners. Our partner agencies provide a wide variety of services which are utilized by many in our community-many of whom you may not even expect. You never know who is receiving home health care through ElderCare, or who is receiving counseling through Catholic Charities, or maybe they are in a bad situation at home and need services from Family Crisis Center. Odds are that someone you know has utilized a service provided by one of our Community Partners.

The second way is through our Community Impact work.

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides a free book each

month for kids age 0-5. If you haven’t already, you can sign up online or by visiting your local library.

• Reality U is an interactive financial simulation for 8th graders. UWCK hosts this twice a year for students across Barton and Pawnee Counties.

• Box of Love provides Valentine’s day boxes for homebound seniors. Each box contains some basic items and also homemade cards from local schools and daycares.

• Laundry Love takes place 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m.2:00 p.m., providing up to five free loads of laundry at Discount Laundry in Great Bend. This is not just about laundry though. It is about making connections and coming to those in need rather than them having to seek out services.

United Way also offers programs that are available to everyone.

211 is an information and referral service that can connect you to nonprofit and government human services. Call 211 or text your zip code to 898211.

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and Veronica Coons is secretary.

New board members accepting two-year terms are Kenny Eaves, Mark Mingenback, Karen Naylor and Larry Klusener. A one-year term will be held by Robert Yarmer.

Upcoming events

A few of the upcoming programs and events include:

• Program on the Dockum Drugstore Sit-in by Prisca Barnes at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20

• Program about Ellinwood by Robert Yarmer at 7 p.m. on March

27

• Great Bend Chamber Coffee and Spring Exhibit Opening on April 6, with Volunteer Orientation at 1 p.m.

• Program on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the Great Bend Aspect by Richard Lartz at 7 p.m. on April 24

About the museum

The Barton County Historical Society Village and Museum is located at 85 South U.S. 281, just south of the Arkansas River Bridge in Great Bend.

Currently, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Beginning April 11, the spring and summer schedule will resume with the museum open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It is closed on Mondays.

Carl Helm, shown here at the Barton County Historical Society meeting, will continue as board president for another year.

Richard Lartz II speaks at the Barton County Historical Society’s annual meeting on Jan. 23, 2023.

Williams “Bill” King, M.D.

GPS Kids Club

GPS Kids Club was established in 2014 as a not-for-profit organization, licensed by the state of Kansas, to provide care for children, Kindergarten through 12 years. We have recently added GPS Kids Care 1 & 2, state licensed daycare homes, providing care for children, ages infant through preschool. Both programs are DCF certified, open Monday through Friday. We currently employ fifteen people.

GPS Kids Club After-School and Summer Care Program is licensed for 120, providing care for an average of 45 school age children daily. This program provides care before school, after school and full-time care for summer and no school days. School year hours, before school, are 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. After school hours are 3:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

GPS Kids Care 1 & 2 provide full time care for 16-20 infant through preschool age children daily. Our operating hours are 6:00 a.m. –6:00 p.m. GPS Kids Care 1 was established in partnership with Clara Barton Hospital specifically for Clara Barton employees.

The mission of GPS Kids Club & Care is to provide quality supervised care for children, in

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Dayton Security, Inc.

Dayton Security, Inc. (DSI), a family owned and operated security company has been in Barton County Kansas for 50 years and currently serves 20 plus central and western Kansas counties with the latest in technology and old fashioned customer service.

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In September 2022, while attending an alarm conference in Denver, Norman received the “Top Performing Partner Award” for Dayton Security, Inc. from the CEO of Alarm Connections. DSI was one of 9 recipients there from across the country. The attrition awards ranged from 9.75 to 4.62 with DSI attaining a 6.44.

Central KS Dream Center Inc.

meeting people where they’re at. Our goal is to be the hands and feet of Christ when meeting the needs of our community that we’re so blessed to be a part of. God has been doing a new thing here at the CKDC and we are excited to see where He is taking us. rive Youth Program grows we are creating a 2nd step and transition program for the youth that come through the program in order for them to have the opportunity to walk out the skills and discipling that they learned in their teen challenge curriculum. We are also completely revamping our Men’s Program and can’t wait to see where God is taking it. While these new things are happening God is still moving on our outreach side with baby blessings, commodities, the

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