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

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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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