Inspired Living July - August 2023

July - August 2023

The month of July always makes me think that summer is coming to a close and there’s a rush to get everything done that I wanted to do during the summer. An absolute plus is the weather has been cooler than normal summers, well anyway up to this point. Let’s keep our fingers crossed it continues.

This issue helps us get to know Sheriff Brian Bellendir, finding out he is a musician and auctioneer. We learn about Holly Johnson the GBHS Drama Instructor who reminds us “it will be okay.” We hope you read about Allene Owen who loves Great Bend and this area. She grew up in Ellinwood and continues to help make this community better every day. Enjoy a part of history by reading the article that was in the Great Bend Tribune, many years ago.

Readers submitted fun dessert recipes and they sound so good, I can’t wait to try them.

I am truly inspired by Glenna Achatz and June Price, completing a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. This was a physical and spiritual journey for them, walking 500 and 410 miles respectively. I thank them for sharing. There is so much more in this issue, I hope you enjoy it and the rest of your summer.

Do you have someone that has inspired you? Give me a call or email me as we would love to consider them for one of our next editions.

---- Judy Duryee

WALKING THE CAMINO

Two friends share a journey across Spain

PUBLISHER: .................Judy Duryee

EDITOR: ......................Susan Thacker

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHY: ....Hugo Gonzalez

GRAPHIC DESIGN: ..........Karma Byers

Hugo Gonzalez

Katie Joyner

SALES: .......................Tammy Mason

The information contained within Inspired Living is intended for educational purposes only and not intended to be used as medical advice or to diagnose or treat any ailment. Please consult your doctor prior to beginning any diet, supplement or exercise plan.

The publisher of the Great Bend Tribune and Inspired Living does not endorse any of the products or services promoted in this magazine and did not verify the accuracy of any claims made in articles or advertising. All materials contained in Inspired Living are copyright protected and may not be reproduced without permission.

COVER PHOTO BY HUGO GONZALEZ GREAT BEND TRIBUNE Glenna Achatz and June Sexson Price, share their stories on their Camino de Santiago trek across Spain.

Walking the Camino

Two friends share a journey across Spain

Story by Susan Thacker sthacker@gbtribune.com

he journey of over 900 miles starts with two friends each taking a single step.

In this case, the friends are Glenna Achatz and June Sexson Price, on separate but related treks across Spain. They followed different paths to complete the walk known as the Camino de Santiago.

Price bypassed a final mountain hike, completing a trek of about 410 miles. Achatz went out on her own for that part of the trip, making her walk about 500 miles.

Price made this journey on her own five years ago, shortly after retiring from her job at the Kansas Lottery Office at age 62. When she returned, some of her classmates from the Great Bend High School Class of 1974 expressed interest in joining her for a repeat trip. As fate would have it, only Achatz, part owner of Coldwell Banker Sell Real Estate in Great Bend, was able to join her this past spring.

ABOUT THE WALK

Also known as the Way of St. James, the Camino began as a medieval pilgrimage that in modern times has become both a physical hiking challenge and a personal spiritual journey. Today’s pilgrims can follow a network of connected hiking trails that are clearly marked with yellow arrows. There are several routes that all lead to the cathedral of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

More than 347,000 people from all over the world walked these trails to completion in 2019, according to statistics from the Pilgrim’s Reception Office. Price heard the number had reached 400,000 in 2022 and the numbers are up this year, even before the busy season in July. Those who walk the last 100 kilometers of the pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James on foot can receive a Compostela, a document of accreditation awarded by the church authorities. As they visit cathedrals and other places they pass through, or check into a room for the night, they receive stamps of verification on a Camino passport that serves as their credentials.

STAYING ON THE PATH

With numerous pilgrims on the trail and yellow arrows to mark the way, it is hard to get lost. Price repeated a piece of advice she’d learned on her first walk:

“If you have not seen a yellow arrow for a while, stop,” she said. Wait until you see another pilgrim, or turn around and walk back to where you see an arrow, so you don’t get lost.

Because of its growing popularity, visitors such as Achatz and Price were often in contact with other walkers, which was helpful if they missed a marker and needed to get back on track. But it also meant some days the Spanish hostels, called albergues, filled to capacity.

“There was what we called a race for the beds,” Price said.

The Camino is considered relatively safe for travelers, and about 51% of the pilgrims are women. There are other pilgrims on the main trails, which are well patrolled. Local business owners watch out for pilgrims, who are important to their economy.

Many choose to walk the journey alone, although the saying goes that you never walk alone.

“The Camino provides,” Price said, quoting another popular saying. “I used that term many times.”

REASONS FOR THE PILGRIMAGE

To get the Compostela, one must make the pilgrimage for religious or spiritual reasons, or at least an attitude of search.

“It’s a pilgrimage,” Price said. She first read about the walk years ago, and knew she would make the journey herself.

“I just had to do it,” she said. “It was in my heart. It is challenging and rewarding.”

“I went to be outside and walk,” Achatz said. But reading her daily posts on Facebook, it was clear that she spent time on the journey praying and sharing her Christian faith with others.

“I didn’t expect the experience that I had,” she said. “It became very much a spiritual thing for me.”

Five years ago, Price made the walk solo, free to experience the trail on her own terms and timeline. She made friends with dozens of fellow pilgrims, and her sons Joel and Trevor were among those cheering her on from home. Joel tracked her route over the internet and even helped her find her way to a hotel at the start of her journey.

“It was so different walking with somebody,” she said of this year’s trip. Time together and time alone each offered their own rewards.

THE FRENCH WAY

Achatz’s log starts with the trip to Kansas City on April 24 to catch a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, and then on to Madrid, Spain.

There are several routes for the Camino de Santiago, including some that start outside of Spain. Price and Achatz based their journey on the route known as the French Way, one of the most popular paths, that starts at St. Jean Pied de Port in southwestern France.

They began walking on April 27, a day expected to include seven to eight hours on the trail. It took them more than 11 hours. If someone would have offered them a ride, Achatz said she might have taken them up on it. “But the view was absolutely beautiful and finally a breeze came and cooled us off. I told June I could feel everyone’s prayers.”

The next morning they walked to a local coffee shop for breakfast and continued their journey. “The walk today was absolutely beautiful, felt like we were in a Fairy Tale Forest,” Achatz wrote. The last two hours were the most difficult and when they arrived there were no albergues, so they had to take a taxi to another town and stay in a hotel.

“We don’t want this to happen again so we might take tomorrow off to make reservations for every night hereafter,” she wrote. “When June walked five years ago she didn’t have to do this, so walking the Camino is very popular right now!”

COST AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Blisters are a hazard of the walk they experienced but were able to deal with. They each took two pairs of shoes, finding track shoes are better than hiking boots. They carried about 8 pounds of gear in small packs, sending larger backpacks ahead to the albergues.

“You don’t take anything you absolutely don’t have to have, because it’s got to fit in your backpack,” Price said.

One of the most expensive parts of the Camino is the travel to and from Spain. Travel sites say the albergues cost anywhere from 8 euros to 23 euros –usually around 10-11. Currently, 10 euros is equal to about 11 U.S. dollars.

The nicest albergues might have four beds in a room but others had 60 or more beds, sometimes bunked.

“You’re basically paying for a bed and a shower, and then you hand-wash and line dry your clothes, or you can pay to use a machine at some places,” Price said.

STARTING EARLY

The scenery was spectacular, the weather was perfect, and there were always new pilgrims who became friends. Achatz recalled a fun meal with some Australians and a woman from France who didn’t speak English. They took turns typing parts of the conversation into their phones for a translation.

Preparing for a long Day 7 on May 3 (17.9 miles), they woke early and left in the dark at 5:15 a.m., wearing head lamps. Usually they walked closer to 14 miles, sometimes less, arriving at their albergue in the early afternoon. They would take a shower and rest, dining with other pilgrims around 8 in the evening or later, following the Spanish custom.

“I thought a lot about my brother Mark today when we passed through an area of shrines of those they were talking for,” Achatz wrote. “I thought about how much he would have loved walking this with me; he loved nature.”

She knew she would follow a pilgrims’ tradition of leaving a rock in Santiago. “‘Because I can’ and he didn’t have the chance, makes me very emotional. So when I leave my rock in Santiago with the name Harmony on it, I’m leaving it in memory of Mark Harmony!”

On Day 21, May 18, she wrote, “The weather has been absolutely beautiful, very cool in the morning and we are taking our jackets off by 10 a.m. We had up and down hills today, nothing bad, WE ARE GETTING STRONGER! We stopped by a really cute cafe for morning coffee and chocolate croissants. I can’t explain the feeling of walking and hearing roosters crow, church bells ringing, birds singing, water flowing — we had it all today! We can see the mountains in the background, which I will be tackling tomorrow and several days after that. June and I are splitting up for the next 13 days. She doesn’t want to do the mountains and I really want to walk and do this. So we will meet in Arca and walk into Santiago together.”

The next day, the two friends hugged and continued their journeys on separate trails. Price said she took a couple of days off and then walked shorter distances so they could meet again the afternoon of May 30.

THE FINAL DAYS

They spent June 1 in Santiago. At 7:30 p.m. Mass they watched the famous Botofumeiro in action. This large censer hangs under the dome inside the Cathedral of Santiago and spreads incense as it swings. It weighs close to 117 pounds and is nearly 5 feet long. Four men stand on either side of the room and pull ropes to keep it swinging.

On June 2 they took a bus to Finisterre, a peninsula on the west coast of Spain, sharing a taxi with another pilgrim couple so they could watch the sunset from a lighthouse. The name “Finisterre” means “Land’s End” in Latin and the 2.4 mile walk from the town to the cape was considered the End of the World in medieval times.

“It was very moving and that is where I have decided to leave my rock,” Achatz wrote. She placed her “Harmony” stone near a cross and stopped to pray at the end of the earth in Spain.

Price also left a stone at Finisterre. Five years ago, she’d carried a rock on which she’d painted the names of her late family members. She threw that stone into the ocean.

This time, since her sister had passed away, there was one more name painted on her stone. “I tucked it between the gap in the stones in a building that overlooked the ocean,” she said. “If I do go back someday, I know exactly where that little stone is.”

Writing her blog entry that night, Achatz thought of the things she would miss when she returned home: Walking beautiful trails, stopping in villages and drinking coffee con leche, hearing people’s stories.

“But what I look forward to is kissing my husband, hugging my children and grandchildren, understanding what is on a menu at a restaurant, a normal towel after a shower, my own bed and pillow, the simple things in life!” she wrote.

“I’ve had the best of both; walking with a friend and walking by myself, both have been wonderful.”

“It’s challenging and rewarding,” Price agreed.

“I’ve had the best of both; walking with a friend and walking by myself, both have been wonderful.”

— Glenna Achatz

COOKING WITH Wines

Replacing a recipe’s cooking liquid with wine instead of water can add a punch of flavor to the dish, as long as you’re using the right wine for the job. Here are some tips and tricks for cooking with wines.

WHAT WINE GOES WITH WHAT FOOD?

Generally, lighter wines go with more delicate foods and bolder wines go with more intensely flavored foods. But you should also consider the preparation. Heavy spices, even in a fish or chicken dish, may need a more robust flavor to stand up to them. A creamy sauce, though heavy, may need a drier wine for balance. As with all cooking, remember to experiment and have fun, suiting your own tastes.

BEEF OSSO BUCCO

Serves 6.

Recipe is from Taste of Home.

½ cup flour

¾ tsp. salt, divided

½ tsp. pepper

6, 14-oz. beef shanks

2 tbls. butter

1 tbl. olive oil

½ cup white wine or beef broth

1, 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 ½ c. beef broth

2 medium carrots, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 celery rib, sliced

1 tbl. dried thyme

1 tbl. dried oregano

2 bay leaves

3 tbls. cornstarch

¼ cup cold water

For the gremolata:

1/3 cup minced fresh parsley

1 tbl. grated lemon zest

1 tbl. grated orange zest

2 garlic cloves, minced

1. In a large, resealable container, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Add the beef and shake to coat.

2. In a large skillet, heat the butter and oil. Add the beef and brown it. Transfer the meat and drippings to a six-quart slow cooker. Add the wine to the skillet, stirring to loosen

browned bits from the pan. Pour over the meat, then add the tomatoes, carrots, onion, celery, herbs and remaining salt.

3. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours or until meat is tender. Discard bay leaves.

4. Skim the fat from the cooking juices and transfer to a saucepan. Bring them to a boil, then combine cornstarch and water, stirring until smooth. Gradually stir the mixture into the juices. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for two minutes or until thick.

5. In a small bowl, combine the gremolata ingredients. Serve the beef with the sauce and a sprinkling of gremolata.

36 buttery crackers, crushed

1/3 c. melted oleo

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 6-oz. can frozen lemonade, thawed

1 14-oz. carton whipped topping

Mix crackers, oleo and powdered sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9x9 inch pan. Stir together sweetened condensed milk and lemonade. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over crust. Chill until ready to serve.

Submitted by:

Susan DeWald Bryant

Wash 2 lbs. fresh strawberries and slice off green stems. Lay cut-side down on a baking sheet and slice ain “x” cutting the berries about 3/4 of the way down. Set aside.

Cheesecake mixture:

1 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream

1 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until fluffy. Slowly fold in whipped cream until completely combined.

Scoop cheesecake topping into a piping bag, and pipe the filling into the prepared strawberries. Sprinkle with crushed graham crackers.

Chill for an hour before serving.

Submitted by:

Becca Shearrer

1 bag mini marshmallows

1 can crushed (or tidbits) pineapple in syrup

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

Drain pineapple placing syrup in saucepan. Mix pineapple, marshmallows, nuts in large bowl. Add all other ingredients to syrup and whisk over low heat until it thickens. Pour over mixture in bowl and mix well. Place in serving bowl, cover and chill until ready to serve.

Submitted by:

Sarah Krom

2-1/2 c. rice cereal

1 can coconut

1 c. chopped pecans

1/2 c. melted oleo

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 gal. sherbet

Mix first five ingredients, toast in 400 degree oven for 10 min., stir often. Spread 1/2 of mixture in bottom of 9x13 pan that has been buttered. Slice sherbet and place on mixture - 2 layers of sherbet and cover with rest of mixture and freeze.

Submitted by:

Kortney Traylor

badge Behind the

with Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir

Q. Sheriff Bellendir, how long have you been in law enforcement and is this what you always wanted to do with your life?

A. Even as a young kid I had an interest in law enforcement. I don’t know that I ever consciously chose it as a career path, but that is where I wound up. I started as a reserve Deputy Sheriff in 1982 and became a full-time Deputy Sheriff in 1986. I’ve held most every position at the Sheriff’s office at one time or another. I was Deputy Sheriff, patrol Sgt., jail administrator, patrol Lieutenant and finally Sheriff. I was elected Sheriff in 2012.

Q. What is the most memorable thing in your career?

A. Possibly the most memorable event in my career was being elected Sheriff. It was a three-way race in a hard-fought campaign. I’ve been involved in thousands of situations that were memorable, some good, some bad, some terrifying. This is one of those jobs when you go to work you don’t know what you will be doing before lunch.

Q. Have you ever given a relative a ticket?

A. So far I’ve lucked out. I have never had to issue a citation to a relative.

Q. What do you like to do in your off-duty time?

A few years ago, my friend County Commissioner Kenny Schremmer passed away. I had worked for him for several years in the auction business. After his passing I picked up where he left off so most of my off-duty time is spent dealing with auctions.

I’m also a musician. Years ago, I played in bands and enjoyed music. In the evenings I repair musical instruments at the local music store. I repair mostly brass and woodwind band and orchestra instruments. And yes, I can play most of them.

Q.Are there organizations or agencies outside the ce that you devote time to?

I don’t have a lot of free time, but on occasion I donate my auctioneer skills to local charities such as 4-H livestock auctions, Beaver Fire Department and Ducks Unlimited.

Q. If you could tell the public any one thing, what would it be?

A. “Think.” Your actions have consequences. We all are faced with making decisions on a daily basis some of these are important decisions some of them are not. Too many times we get involved in situations where citizens did not stop to think about the consequences of their actions.

Achieving a good and durable finish on outdoor furniture projects can be difficult. Good and accurate information is hard to find since most information available is provided by paint manufacturers, pushing their own products. Adding to the problem; the implementing of VOC limits in some states, has pushed a lot of the older, very effective products off the shelf.

There are a lot of very good products available, in both oil and latex for applications where an opaque or semi-transparent finish is acceptable. These finishes are loaded with pigments, which provide good UV protection. However, they completely hide the natural beauty of the wood. You don’t want to invest your time and money into a beautiful piece of cedar furniture, then basically cover it with paint. Attaining a translucent finish that is durable and highlights the natural wood grain, is where things get more difficult. With most clear finishes, the enemy is UV rays. Many of the more available translucent finishes will crack and peel after just a year in the sun.

Rule #1: Do not use polyurethane for projects that are subjected to sunlight. It works great for indoor projects, but not outdoors. Polyurethane has very little UV protection and will not last. I don’t care if the label says “Marine Grade”, it will not stand up to constant sunlight. I no longer even use polyurethane on indoor window sills.

If you have an outdoor project where you desire a gloss or high luster finish, you will need to find some “old school” varnish. These are getting hard to find, since they are solvent based and are considered high VOC.

You should look for the words solvent based and alkyd, not poly-anything. I have only been able to find a source by ordering online. Epifanes makes a good one.

I added acacia wood around my barbeque grill, that I epoxy coated, then protected with Epifanes alkyd varnish. It has been constantly exposed to the sun for about 5 years now, with no cracking or peeling. Another very good product is PPG Proluxe SRD. It is a penetrating stain made for log cabins, cedar siding, and cedar fences. Since it is a penetrating stain, it does not produce a shiny surface. However it protects and stands up to the sun very well. Be careful if you try to buy some of this. It was originally made by Sikkens, but they were bought by PPG several years ago. Since the PPG acquisition, they make another product with packaging very similar, but it is latex and opaque. Look for the word “transparent” and verify that it is oil based.

The cedar picnic table was finished with Proluxe SRD about 15 years ago. I just recently gave it a good brush down and recoated again.

I hope you find this information helpful. Please remember that even the best and most durable finishes will not last forever when exposed to the elements. But you should expect more than a year or two of service for your effort.

Matt Davis is a Great Bend High School graduate and currently lives in Early, TX. with his wife Sally (Schneider). They have two grown daughters (and their friends) that he enjoys teaching how to do DIY projects.

When you think summer you think trips to theme parks, camping, days at the lake, and vacations to new places, right? Well, all of these books offer the summer staples you're looking for with a touch of something… spooky, and maybe a bit terrifying. It’s another hot Kansas summer so why not cool yourself off with some of these spine-chilling reads, guaranteed to leave you in a cold sweat?

For those looking for theme park thrills this summer:

HIDE

BY KIERSTEN WHITE

“The challenge: spend a week hiding in an abandoned amusement park and don't get caught. The prize: enough money to change everything.

Even though everyone is desperate to win--to seize their dream futures or escape their haunting pasts--Mack feels sure that she can beat her competitors. All she has to do is hide, and she's an expert at that. It's the reason she's alive, and her family isn't.

But as the people around her begin disappearing one by one, Mack realizes this competition is more sinister than even she imagined, and that together might be the only way to survive.

Fourteen competitors. Seven days. Everywhere to hide, but nowhere to run. Come out, come out, wherever you are.” -Goodreads

For those who can’t wait to pitch a tent and roast marshmallows:

THE NIGHT WILL FIND US

BY MATTHEW LYONS

“School’s out for summer and that means one thing to Parker, Chloe, and their four friends: a well-deserved camping trip in the Pine Barrens, a million-acre forest deep in the heart of New Jersey. But when old grudges erupt, an argument escalates into the unthinkable, leaving one of them dead and the killer missing. As darkness descends and those left alive try to determine a course of action, the forest around them begins to change…

In the morning, more of the group has vanished and the path that led them into the woods is gone-as if consumed by the forest itself. Lost and hungry, the remaining friends set out to find help, only to realize that the forest seems to have other plans-a darker, ancient horror lies dead and dreaming in a lake in the center of the woods. And it’s calling to them.

Banding together to survive, the friends soon begin to understand the true nature of the horror

all of them will make it out alive.” -Goodreads

For those looking forward to days at the lake this summer:

THE LAKE

BY NATASHA PRESTON

“Esme and Kayla once were campers at Camp Pine Lake. They're excited to be back this year as CITs (counselors in training). Esme loves the little girls in her cabin and thinks it's funny how scared they are of everything--spiders, the surly head counselor, the dark, boys . . . even swimming in the lake! It reminds her a little of how she and Kayla used to be, once. Before . . . it happened.

Because Esme and Kayla did something bad when they were campers. Afterwards, the girls agreed to keep it secret. They've moved on--or so they say--and this summer is going to be great. Two months of sun, s'mores, and flirting with the cute boy counselors. But then they get a note. THE LAKE NEVER FORGETS. And the secret they've kept buried for so many years is about to resurface.”

-Goodreads

For those looking to get away from it all this summer:

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE COME HERE

BY JENEVA ROSE

“Grace Evans, an overworked New Yorker looking for a total escape from her busy life, books

an Airbnb on a ranch in the middle of Wyoming. When she arrives, she's pleasantly surprised to find that the owner is a handsome man by the name of Calvin Wells. But there are things Grace discovers that she's not too pleased about: A lack of cell phone service. A missing woman. And a feeling that something isn't right with the town. Despite her uneasiness and misgivings from Calvin's friends and family, the two grow close and start to fall for one another. However, as her departure date nears, things between them start to change for the worse. Grace grows wary of Calvin as his infatuation for her seems to turn into obsession. Calvin fears that Grace is hiding something from him.” -Goodreads

For those looking for some Stranger Things vibes this summer:

THE SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB BY CRAIG DAVIDSON

“Growing up in 1980s Niagara Falls--a seedy but magical, slightly haunted place--Jake Baker spends most of his time with his uncle Calvin, a kind but eccentric enthusiast of occult artifacts and conspiracy theories.

The summer Jake turns twelve, he befriends a pair of siblings new to town, and so Calvin decides to initiate them all into the "Saturday Night Ghost Club." But as the summer goes on, what begins as a seemingly lighthearted project may ultimately uncover more than any of its members had imagined.” -Goodreads

Books you can’t live without

LIBRARY EVENTS

There’s lots of family-friendly events taking place at the Great Bend Public LIbrary every month. Find more information by going to: https://libcal.greatbendpl.info/ calendar/ or check with the library at 1409 Williams

SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE WATCH PARTY

July 19, 10:30 a.m. All ages. Come dressed as your favorite Mario character. We will watch the new video gamemovie and enjoy some tie-dye popcorn.

ROLLING HILLS ZOO

July 26, 10:00 a.m. All ages.

A “What’s In My Backyard? Zoo to You” presentation jam-packed with fun! Will include an introduction to three live animals.

MINDFUL MONDAYS TWEENS

July 24 & 31, 10:30 a.m. 4th - 6th grades.

20

CITY BAND CONCERT

Members of the community are a part of this band that performs through June and July. This will be the last band concert of the season so bring your lawn chair & enjoy this free concert! 8:15 p.m.

Jack Kilby Square, Downtown Great Bend

22

HUDDLE UP!

WE’RE KICKING OFF 2024! UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL KANSAS KICKOFF EVENT

Show your support for numerous non-profit organizations in Barton and Pawnee Counties by enjoying a night out at this kickoff event. Columbus Club - Great Bend. Registration and tickets needed 620-792-2403 or unitedwaycentralks@hotmail.com

AUGUST

PARTY IN THE PARK

Join the fun during this last big party before school starts! Some events include Obstacle Mud Run, Wet/Dry Parade, Mud Volleyball, Inflatable Fun Zone, Car show, Concert, Wet/Dry Parade and MORE! 8:00 a.m.-Midnight Veterans Memorial Park, 4800 17th St. TerraceFacebook at Explore Great Bend. All Ages.

POP-UP ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

Child-directed play, stocked with loose parts and staffed by City PlayCorps playworkers. During Party in the Park. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. greatbendrec.com

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL KANSAS STUFF THE BUS EVENT

Calling all volunteers and donators - school supply drive on July 22, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Wal-mart or either Dillons locations. See unitedwaycentralkansas facebook page for more information.

19

ROLLING SCULPTURES CAR SHOW

OOZEFEST MUD VOLLEYBALL

Get down and dirty for this annual event during Party in the Park. $75.00 per team, for more info and to register greatbendrec.com

28

RECREATION CENTER EVENTS

Recreation Centers around the area offer lots of programs for families and individuals. For more information on programs in your area contact: Great Bend Recreation Commission: greatbendrec.com

Hoisington Recreation Commission: hoisingtonrec.com

Ellinwood Recreation Commission: ellinwoodrec.com

HAP DUMONT STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

July 14-16

Great Bend Sports Complex greatbendrec.com/ tournaments/baseball

24

BARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM

Shanna from The Center for Counseling will teach you how to focus on you while working on self and more. BIKE BREW Q A cycling event, brew expo and

“Rebels in Blue”, presented by Darren L. Ivey of Barton Community College, 7:00 p.m. Barton County Historical Society, 85 US 281, Great Bend

2529

Come out and see these beautiful vehicles. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Barton County Historical Society. 85 US 281, Great Bend

BARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM Program presented by Jason Lindstrom of Barton Community College, 7:00 p.m. Barton County Historical Society, 85 US 281, Great Bend

SEPTEMBER

PAWNEE COUNTY FAIR

The 30th Annual Pawnee County Fair is held at the Fairgrounds, North Toles Ave., Larned, KS. pawneecountyfair.com

SUMMER STREET STROLL

SUMMER STREET STROLL

Every Thursday through October. Farmers Market and more. 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Jack Kilby Square, Downtown Great Bend www.facebook.com/ gbsssfarmersmarket/

Barton Community College

FOUNDATION

BCC FOUNDATION ANNUAL AUCTION

Casino Royale is the theme of the 44th Annual Big Benefit Auction. Great Bend Events Center. For ticket information go to www.bartonccfoundation.org

KWEC GIFTS FROM THE GARDEN CLASS

July 23, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center offers classes and education programs for all ages. Check their website wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu for more classes.

Pressed flowers from KWEC’s flower garden and prairie will be used to create a pressed flower lantern. Register by July 17. Fee $10 must be prepaid by registration date.

August 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

“Decorative Macrame”. Weave a macrame plant holder. Register by Aug. 7. Fee $10 must be prepaid by registration date. Call the KWEC to register 877-243-9268.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center. 592 NE K156 Hwy.

14

HOISINGTON’S 127TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY CELEBRATON

From the Demolition Derby or the largest Labor Day Parade in Kansas on the 4th - there’s lots to do for the whole family. Check www.hoisingtonkansas.com for more information.

GREAT BEND ALIVEFINAL FRIDAYS ON FOREST

Get together with your friends for an evening of socializing downtown on Forest Avenue. Enjoy beverages, great food and music.

AUGUST 25 5:00-10:00 p.m. Tailgating and Back to School Theme!

Resilient Staying

Mental Health America recommends 10 tips for staying resilient — common sense activities that are practical, doable and can make a real difference in whether you will be able to roll with the inevitable punches that life throws.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Connections can help you with specific tasks, emotional support, providing perspective, giving advice and offering validation. Ways to form connections with others include enrolling in classes, joining clubs, volunteering and reaching out to others. Strengthen the relationships that you do have by scheduling time for them and doing what you can to enrich them. Consider joining a support group.

STAY POSITIVE

Cultivating optimism is good for both your mental and physical health. Stay optimistic by tracking your gratitude, writing about a positive future, looking for silver linings and avoiding negative thinking.

Taking care of one’s mental health is important for everyone

GET PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Exercise is not only good for you physically, but can boost your mood by decreasing stress, reducing anxiety and offering a greater sense of well-being. The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity five days a week plus strength training twice a week.

HELP OTHERS

According to research, people who consistently help others experience less depression, better health and greater calm. Helping can range from volunteering for a charitable organization to calling a friend to smiling at a stranger in the street. Look for a way to volunteer that matches your interests and values.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP

People who don’t get enough sleep suffer from higher anxiety, impaired memory and a greater risk of depression. Try setting a regular bedtime with a healthy

sleep routine. Drink less caffeine, especially in the hours before you sleep. Give yourself an hour before your bedtime to de-stress.

CREATE JOY AND SATISFACTION

Laughing can reduce pain and anxiety, and positive emotions can reduce stress hormones. Add humor to your life by reading joke books, collecting sayings that make you smile, listening to comedy podcasts or just finding things in your life to laugh about. Engage in leisure activities that you enjoy, especially if they involve spending time with others.

EAT WELL

Having a good diet can boost your energy, lessen the effects of stress and bolster mood-related body chemicals. Plan healthy foods, don’t skip meals, snack well and don’t over-diet. Limit alcohol and cut back on caffeine. There is some evidence that you can fight depression by eating foods rich in Vitamin B-12, folate and Omega-3 fatty acids.

There can be so much more to summer than swimming and suntanning

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have regular access to a luxurious pool or lazy beach. But you can still have plenty of summer fun with old standbys like Frisbees, volleyball or horseshoes — right in your own backyard. Here’s a look back at the fascinating history of these classic summertime games.

THROW A FRISBEE

One of the activities most associated with summer was actually discovered by happenstance. Walter Morrison and Lucille, his

future wife, began tossing a popcorn lid to one another out of boredom on Thanksgiving 1937. Finding it was fun, they brought a five-cent cake pan on a swimming trip and again began tossing it back and forth. When another beachgoer offered them 25 cents for the flying disc, Morrison realized he’d stumbled upon something that could perhaps turn a hefty profit.

He initially partnered with Warren Franscioni after World War II to make lighter, more durable plastic versions that served as the prototype for everything that followed. Later, after forming his own company called American Trends, Morrison introduced new versions called Flying Saucers and Pluto Platters. Wham-O subsequently bought Morrison’s company, and the new owners coined a name that stuck — the Frisbee. By the1960s, they were everywhere.

PLAY VOLLEYBALL

The game of volleyball is much older, having been invented in 1895 by William Morgan, an athletics director for the Holyoke, Mass.-based Young Men’s Christian Association. He developed an early version of the game when he couldn’t find another indoor sport for businessmen who weren’t interested in or physically able to play basketball. Official rules for volleyball followed over the next few years, under the supervision of the YMCA and the NCAA. By 1928, the U.S. Volleyball Association had been formed.

TOSSING HORSESHOES

This fun backyard game actually goes back centuries. The practice of throwing quoits, or iron rings, was enjoyed by both Roman officers and medieval peasants, who were said to have played their own versions of a game that closely resembled horseshoes. They may have only turned to horseshoes because they couldn’t find the proper iron rings. Settlers brought the tradition to the North American colonies, where it flourished. The National Horseshoe Pitchers Association was founded in 1926, and still oversees a series of championship tournaments.

MAKING THE MOST OF SOCIAL SECURITY

return on this investment

Rather than providing all you’ll need to retire, think of Social Security as a foundation for our golden years. If you’d like to make the most of this benefit, however, you’ll have to follow certain guidelines while sorting through the sometimes complicated process of applying.

WHEN TO BEGIN

Benefits can kick in as early as 62 years old for those who’ve paid into the program, but with reduced payouts. Retirement age for most Americans is pegged at 66. Your particular monthly payout is based on your income. If you wait until turning 70, however, your monthly benefit grows. Those who enjoy their work or who’ve started their own business may consider this option.

If you begin Social Security payments and then return to work, you will see your benefit shrink. Want to learn more? The U.S. Social Security Administration includes a retirement-estimating feature on its website where users can look up key details, including the age in which they’ll be eligible for full benefits and estimated monthly stipends.

HOW TO APPLY

You will need your Social Security number, of course, but also your birth certificate and paperwork detailing your income from the previous year, like a W-2 form or self-employed tax return. You’ll also have to update your status with the Social Security Administration should you decide to move, change your name, get married or divorced, begin receiving additional retirement income including pensions, expand your family through adoption or if there are any changes in your citizenship. Call the national toll-free number at 1-800-772-121, or visit your local Social Security office.

FAMILY BENEFITS

If you qualify through disability, members of your family may also be eligible for their own benefits, without cutting into your individual payments. Children must be minors, full-time students who are 18-19, or have a childhood disability. Spouses may also be eligible if they are 62 and older, but the payment may be reduced if they are also earning their own benefit. Spouses are also eligible if they reached retirement age but have not paid into the Social Security system. Both spouses and children may receive up to half of your full retirement payout each month. If you are divorced, your ex-spouse may qualify — even if you’ve remarried.

There are ways to maximize your

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

It’s impossible to know how many stray cats and dogs live in America, though estimates have played the numbers as high as 70 million. A fertile cat can quickly add to those numbers, producing two litters per year with as many as six kittens. Dogs, on the other hand may produce a litter with up to half a dozen puppies per year when fertile. This overpopulation can be addressed by spaying and neutering pets, a process that’s handled either by owners or through the shelter where strays arrive.

AT THE SHELTER

Those in shelters are almost evenly divided between dogs and cats. Thankfully, the number of those being euthanized as been declining more recently. The ASPCA reports that shelter adoptions are playing a big role in those improving figures. Tags and technological improvements like microchipping have also reunited more runaways to their rightful owners. More than 800,000 animals are being taken home annually, most of which are dogs. Some 4 million animals are adopted each year, with those numbers again being evenly divided between cats and dogs.

THE COSTS

Adopting a pet usually costs less than purchasing a cat or dog from a breeder, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Adoption prices also usually cover critical services like initial vaccinations, spaying or

neutering and sometimes even microchipping. There may be associated discounts for adopted animals with pet trainers and at local pet stores. In some cities, there are also additional municipal subsidies. Adopted pets are often house trained too, saving both time and money. Once you’ve taken your new furry friend home, Petfinder reports that every-day costs will be $500 or more annually.

A BIGGER PICTURE

Shelters play an important role in getting innocent animals off the streets, where they may continue creating more homeless animals, become injured, or die of illness or hunger. When you adopt a pet, you’re actually helping more than one animal. You’re making room for another cat or dog who may be homeless, while also providing critical financial support for the shelter’s important efforts.

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More than 6 million strays will arrive in U.S. shelters on any given year, according to the ASPCA. There’s something you can do to help.

Up Outside

Give your weather-beaten outdoor furniture a whole new look

After a few seasons, the sitting area in anyone’s backyard, patio or balcony space can begin to look grimy and old — particularly if you live in a more humid environment. But there’s no need to buy a whole new set of furniture. With the right preparation, the right paint, favorable weather conditions and a little elbow grease, you can get it all looking good as new.

CLEAN SURFACE

Make sure you have a clean surface, otherwise the paint won’t properly adhere to wood, metal or plastic. Wipe away all dust and dirt, as well as any rust or old paint flakes. Try to remove or smooth over any other imperfections. For wood, lightly sand before painting. Wash everything after each step. If hardware is in place, remove it and label everything for easy reattachment later.

RIGHT TOOLS

Make sure you have the right tools before work begins. For instance, brush-on paint may require a pan and stir sticks. You may also need rollers or smaller brushes to get paint in tight spaces within the furniture. Table tops and bulkier items are more easily painted with large rollers. Invest in gloves, painters tape or masking

tape, drop cloths and protective eye wear, as needed.

MANY CHOICES

There’s a difference between paints formulated for indoors and outdoors, and plastic furniture requires its own special products in order to bond properly. Make sure you buy the right version. Brush-on paints work best with primer, and make sure both are applied smoothly. Thinner coats go on more easier, while also drying more quickly. Two coats is usually a good rule of thumb on any painting project. There’s no need for primer if you choose a spray paint option. Keep the can the recommended distance from the furniture as you paint, working in bursts to avoid drips.

WHERE YOU PAINT

Check paint can guidelines for temperature ranges, then pay close attention to the weather forecast. Some formulations won’t adhere if it’s too hot or wet outside. Make sure you paint in a wellventilated area to avoid the accumulation of potentially toxic fumes. A shady spot will give you a break from the heat while encouraging the paint to dry more evenly. Don’t forget to hydrate!

Keeping MOSQUITOES Away

There are natural options instead of potentially dangerous chemicals

Some insects, like pollinators, are welcomed in any backyard or garden. But others are most certainly not — including pesky mosquitoes that seem to appear out of nowhere as temperatures rise each year. Here’s how to fight back, the natural way.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Disease-carrying mosquitoes are actually a huge problem globally, killing hundreds of thousands of people each year. That’s more than any other animal or insect. They feed on blood from unwitting host animals, then transfer sometimes deadly pathogens as they move from bite victim to bite victim. Among the most serious diseases associated with mosquitoes are malaria, West Nile virus and dengue fever, but there are many others.

Studies show that mosquitoes are more attracted to people with Type O blood, as well as pregnant women and people who are breathing heavily. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of timing. You’re most vulnerable to a bite around dusk and dawn, as mosquitoes virtually disappear during other parts of the day.

KEEPING THEM AWAY

Sprays, candles and bracelets are popular repellents, but often rely on chemicals to do the job. Zappers can be loud and unsightly. That’s why planting certain plants to keep mosquitoes away has become a growing trend. Marigolds and lavender, for instance, emit a smell that drives away these flying pests. Place these hardy plants in pots around your outdoor living space, and they will also produce gorgeous blooms.

Rosemary, sage and basil are typically only thought of as herbs used for in our kitchens, but they also keep mosquitos away. Allium likewise have a strong smell that they don’t like — but, unfortunately, you and your guests might not either, since this plant is part of the garlic and onion family. Citronella and bee balm are other commonly used natural alternatives. Lemon-scented plants have also proven to be useful for many.

OTHER OPTIONS

Sometimes using plants to make your outdoor space inhospitable to mosquitoes simply isn’t enough, in particular for those who live in humid climates. If you’re still being hounded, be on the look out for standing water in nearby places. They’re breeding grounds for more mosquitoes. Wear light, breathable long-sleeved clothing and cover your legs. Use overhead fans, if possible, to move the air around. Treat pools and water features to reduce the number of mosquito eggs, as well.

Teacher

Drama instructor Great Bend High School

BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com

Q: Why did you become a teacher?

A: I really liked high school and I thought it’d be really fun to stay. And I like teenagers –teenagers are kind of my thing. Theater wasn’t something that I really wanted to do as a profession, because of family, so I decided teaching would be the next best thing. When I went into the teaching field, I noticed how much I really loved being there and love the kids. When I was in high school, Dan Heath was my teacher and he seemed to love what he did and loved his job. I thought I could do that and it would be really fun. And that is the case; I love every minute of it.

Q: Did you always want to be a teacher?

A: No. I wanted to be a vet for a while, but that entailed a lot of math and I was not a math person. I also didn’t like the death part of being a vet, and so I decided that wasn’t for me. So I switched to teaching.

Q: What classes do you teach?

A: I teach stagecraft, theater basics and advanced theater.

Q: How do you inspire students in and out of the classroom?

A: I do a lot outside of the classroom because of theater. I treat them exactly like I do my family. We’re all just our own big huge family of theater people. A lot of them call me “Mom.” A lot of the students don’t really have family at home so they get it here. That would be my way of inspiring them.

Q: What are your pastimes outside of school?

A: School is my pastime – I mean theater. I am on the board at the Crest Theater and I direct the children’s play for the Great Bend Rec Center over the summer. Other than that, family is my pastime.

Q: What is you favorite quote or something you say all the time?

A: “It’ll buff.” That’s what I say all the time to anything; if the play isn’t going the way we want or if someone doesn’t know their line or something goes wrong, I say, “It’ll buff,” and then we move on. We’ll get through it and it will happen. It might not be happening right now, but it will be okay. The show must go on.

Holly Johnson

Barton County Early History Notes on

Until 1860 the territory that is now embraced by the State of Kansas, was shown on the maps as The Great American Desert. Footnotes on the maps were to the effect that the soil was desert wasteland, where only buffalo and wild Indian tribes could barely exist, and undesirable for settlement.

Kansas became a territory by an act of Congress in 1854 and was admitted to the union as a State on May 30, 1861.It embraces approximately 82,276 square miles, is 411 miles east to west and 208 miles north to south.

Barton County was created in 1867 and named in honor of Clara Barton, a prominent Civil War nurse. In 1872 it was organized as a county after census taker, David N. Heizer reported that sufficient number of inhabitants resided in the county to organize. The county was previously a part of Ellsworth County for judicial purposes.

Kansas Governor, James M. Harvey, appointed Thomas L. Morris, John H. Hubbard and George M. Berry County Commissioners, and William H. Odell County Clerk at Topeka, Ks., May 23, 1872. The county was divided into three townships, it being 30 miles square caused each township to be equal in size. The eastern township was named Lakin, the central township Great Bend and the western township Buffalo. Today the county has 22 townships.

The first county election was held July 1, 1872. On Sept. 2, 1872 a petition signed by 52 voters asked that a courthouse be built. Since the Santa Fe Railroad owned and paid taxes on most of

the Barton County land, that railroad built the first county courthouse. The settlers could not be taxed until patents for their land was received from the government. The Great Bend Town Company and the city council offered to lease to the county the public square, known as Lafayette Park for 99 years on which to build this courthouse and jail.

FIRST BRIDGE, 1873

On Jan. 27, 1873 bonds were voted in the amount of $40,000 to build a bridge across the Arkansas River at Great Bend. The bridge of 28 spans each 50 feet long opened for traffic by the end of that year. Also in 1873 a wooden bridge was built at Ellinwood across the Arkansas River, cost $15,000.

GRASSHOPPER INVASION OF 1874

The grasshopper invasion of 1874 left 150 families of the county destitute. County Clerk W. H. Odell was requested to ask the government of Kansas for help for these needy

destitute families. After it was estimated that $547,915 was needed, the Kansas legislature failed to provide, so, Mother Bickerdyke, Clara Barton and other famous people from the east responded to the appeal for help.

TOWNS INCREASE

Great Bend became a third class town on June 17, 1872 and was named by Hiram Bickerdyke because of the location on a big bend in the Arkansas River.

Hoisington became a town of third class in 1887 by combining the town of Hoisington, the Railroad Station of Monon, and the Post Office of Buena Vista.

Ellinwood became a third class town on April 22, 1878 and was named in honor of Captain John R. Ellinwood, a Santa Fe Engineer who helped lay out the townsite.

Claflin became a third class town in 1901 and was named in honor of Mrs. O.P. Hamilton whose maiden name was Claflin.

Pawnee Rock became a

third class town on May 2, 1887.

Albert became a third class town on November 9, 1929 and was named in honor of Mr. Albert Kraisinger, a citizen who helped many townsfolk.

Susank became a third class town on May 7, 1940 and was named such in honor of W.T. Susank families, the first settlers.

Galatia became a third class town on Jan. 3, 1921.

Olmitz became a city of third class on May 3, 1920.

The towns, unincorporated in Barton County are: Beaver, Boyd, Dundee, Heizer, Hitschmann, Odin and Redwing.

Lafayette Park is a tract 300’ wide and 666’ long located in the heart of downtown Great Bend. It is the first tract of land to be surveyed on the original townsite. Great Bend Township Company founded the city of Great Bend on Section 28T-19R-13W, which at that time was in public domain and belonged to the U.S. Government. A plat filed for record in the office of Barton County Register of Deeds by Mayor A. A. Hurd on Feb. 2, 1874 states: “That Lafayette Park is set aside as a Public Park.”

SANTA FE TRAIL

Coming from the east and going west through Barton County, the easiest direction would be as follows. It should be remembered the Hispanics traveled the trail, too.

Coming from Rice County the trail went through the Ellinwood area, coming to the first curve on Highway 96 - 56. It continued on through the south part of what is Ellinwood today and a campground area was close to the present Ellinwood Packing Plant.

Continue on in a westerly direction coming to the Walnut Crossing. This is south of the above mentioned highway and about one mile east of the Ft. Zarah Park. The Trail went by the sites of the Allison-Peacock Trading Post (1855-1868), the first Ft. Zarah (1864-1866), the Indian Agent’s quarters. There has been a block house, postal relay station, other dwellings and dug-outs. A toll bridge was built across the Walnut Creek. After the second Ft. Zarah was built (1866-1869), the Trail may have crossed the Walnut Creek there. This fort was on the north side of the highway about a quarter mile east of the Ft. Zarah Park.

The trail continued on through the area where Great Bend is today and old-timers said it ran through the lawn of the Barton County Court House. The trail ruts varied due to weather conditions and terrain etc. The trail went through Great Bend turning with the bend in the river continuing on toward Pawnee Rock. The trail passed to the south of the rock continuing on toward Ft. Larned in Pawnee County crossing Ash Creek.

U.S. TROOPS

U.S. troops were frequently stationed at the Walnut crossing to scout for hostile Indians, escort the mail and passenger coaches from Cow Creek crossing to Fort Larned and back, and to protect and escort wagon trains.

The soldiers made livable quarters by digging rooms in the creek banks, mounding brush and sod on top for a roof.

The officers usually lived in tents on the nearby prairie.

Why

Great Bend and this part of Kansas

BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com

When asked why she loves Great Bend and this part of Kansas, Allene Owen’s answer is a simple one.

“Great Bend and Central Kansas are beautiful places to live,” said Owen, who has been a hair stylist for over 50 years, served on the City Council and has been active in numerous organizations. “The people in our community are friendly, giving, caring and have wonderful values. Opportunities abound for those with the desire to work hard and think like an entrepreneur.”

She was born and raised in Ellinwood. In 1969, she started as a hairdresser, working there until 1976. “A friend encouraged me to accept an opportunity in Great Bend. Now, a total of 54 years later, I can’t imagine living and working anywhere else.”

Professionally, she is a licensed cosmetologist. “During the course of the day, I may do a hair cut, color or style. I may also do specialty facials or facial waxing. Occasionally, I may even work the front desk at Renue (Renue Salon, Spa & Fashion Boutique).

But, her involvement goes much deeper.

• Presently, she is on the board for the Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We oversee opportunities for tourism including all types of businesses and service organizations. We work closely with the Recreation Commission and school district on sports. Packets are available for the organizations with information on Great Bend and the surrounding area.”

• She sits on the Main Street board. “As part of that I am also on the GB Alive board. I enjoy thinking outside the box for ideas for our downtown area. I help set up on Final Fridays on Forest. If you haven’t attended one you are missing out. Family fun for all ages.”

• Owen is also a member of the Noon Lions Club, which is focused on eye care, both for individuals in Great Bend as well as recycling glasses nationally. “Each week we have lunch with an informative speaker. I have helped with many of their activities – including the Broadway Island redbud trees and the spaghetti feed.”

Allene Owen

• She is a past Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. “I helped with many events including the Great Bend Farm Show. Ambassadors also meet with members to get information on how the Chamber can help them. Chamber coffees are attended by the Ambassadors to help with the greeting and door prizes.”

• “I also am a member of the Prairie Godmothers. This organization is all about women helping women,” she said.

• “In the past I have served on the City Council helping guide the community,” she said. “During this time, I was involved with the

words, she said Great Bend has been very good to her professionally and personally.

“Professionally, I have had the ability to grow and enhance my skills. It has allowed me to make many friends. In fact, I still do two ladies’ hair that I did 54 years ago,” she said.

“Personally, Great Bend is a great place to build a network of friends and businesses,” she said. “Almost any question or need that I have someone in this network can assist me in whatever the request might be. There are lots of fun things to do in the community, some not so obvious, you might just have to look for them. I stay in Great Bend because it is home.”

Owen has a sister and a brother living in Great Bend and also has numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. “I also consider many

RILEY BRUNGARDT

Great Bend Tribune

The crowd waits for numbers to be called while volunteers get carts ready to help at the Golden Belt Humane Society’s Community Give Back Event at Brit Spaugh Park on Saturday, April 8.

Park Elementary School’s Multimedia Club deployed their drone and crew at the Great Bend Zoological Society’s Fall Food Fling featuring the new grizzly bear exhibit. While wind kept their drone on the ground during some of the event, IPads let students capture video and photos on the ground. Pilots and photographers on the project included Jorge, Trinity, Isaac & Diana.

“My interests are varied. I love to see my community grow and prosper.

– Allene Owen said. ”

SUSAN THACKER Great Bend Tribune

Final Friday on Forest, June 30, 2023.

Healthy babies start with healthy moms.

At The University of Kansas Health System, we want every baby to have the best start on life possible. Our obstetrics and gynecology team works to keep women at their healthiest through all phases of their lives. Here, we’ll make the health of you and your baby our priority.

Veerayyagari Annapurna, MD

Jodi Henrikson, MD

Micca Schneider, MD Haley Gleason, APRN-BC

Jonathan Pike, MD

Anna “Annie” Dagg, MD