Progress Community 2015

PROGRESS 2015

Community Special to the Great Bend Tribune Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015

Inside • A meal with a smile, Page 2D • Zoo in transition stage, may be looking at changes, Page 4D • Youth Academy keeps students involved in community activities, Page 5D • Fitness, recreation opportunities conitnue to grow around county, Page 6D

• Video game addiction: Parents urged to take action, Page 8D • Mother of two reinvents herself with BCC program, Page 9D • Area historical societies enjoy teaching communities, Page 10D

2D

• GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

A MEAL WITH A SMILE Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious food and contact with outside world

BY DALE HOGG dhogg@gbtribune.com

Meals on Wheels is about much more than food.

Sure, the long-standing program delivers a nutritious meal, but, “it is also a safety check and the smile that serves as a lifeline to home-bound and socially isolated seniors,” said Linn Hogg, executive director of the Volunteers In Action/RSVP program.

It is Volunteers In Action/ RSVP that manages Meals on Wheels and its office handles all of the MOW intakes, volunteer recruitment and billing.

This combination of services goes well beyond fighting the battle against the hunger that threatens one in six of America’s seniors – it provides the support and peace of mind that enable them to remain safely and securely in their own homes as they continue to age, she said.

“Enabling seniors to stay in their own homes means they remain happier, extend their independence and can stay connected to their communities and surroundings that provide them comfort,” Hogg said. “The powerful side effect of this result is that it means seniors can stay out of expensive nursing facilities and hospitals – an outcome that saves taxpayers billions of dollars in health care and medical expenses alone.”

Meals On Wheels totals: • 139 people from Great Bend, Hoisington and Ellinwood received meals in

2014, many of these five days a week.

• 46 volunteers deliver those meals throughout the week. They have a substitution list of about 17 volunteers, but they are always looking for more.

• Meals are usually delivered between 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday in Great Bend, Ellinwood and Hoisington. Some businesses and school groups deliver from noon and 1 p.m.

MOW is a part of the two programs that fall under the Elder Care umbrella, said Gaila Nielsen, Executive Director of Elder Care, Inc. One is Home Services, which serves seniors in an eight-county region.

This allows the participants to stay in their homes instead of being in a nursing facility. Services provided includes attendant services, homemaker, respite care, nursing evaluations, medication and case management.

The other is Friendship Meals. From the Older Americans Act, Federal Health and Human Services money is channeled through the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging, which covers 28 counties in southwest Kansas.

The SWKAAA contracts with Friendship Meals to serve 15 central kitchens, one of which is in Great Bend at the Senior Center. The local facility covers the Great Bend center, and satellite sites in Ellinwood, Hoisington and LaCrosse.

DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

Above: It is the kitchen staff at the Great Bend Senior Center that prepares the Meals on Wheels meals each day.

The meals are delivered to people in Great Bend, Hoisington and Ellinwood.

Left: Meals on Wheels volunteer Paul Maneth picks up meals from the Great Bend Senior Center Monday morning to deliver to MOW recipients.

It takes a lot of volunteers to make this program happen and more help is always needed.

See MEALS, 3D

SALE $7.99 $

-2 You Pay

Ace 9" x 3/8" Supreme Roller Cover 3/Pk.

SALE 9.99 $ $

-3 You Pay

6

-2

3149465, 3149432 Limit 2 total at this price.

You Pay

3

49

The best tools for saving money. ®

You Pay

42904 Limit 2 at this price.

499 Ea.

1009919, 1207406 Limit 1 each at this price. *Instant Savings amount available as mail-in savings for non-Ace Rewards members. Where applicable by law, tax is charged on the sale price before application of Instant Savings. Instant Savings or mail-in savings available from 2/1/15 through 2/28/15.

Must present Ace Rewards card to receive Instant Savings.

Apply Today!

Visit www.acewardsvisa.com/ar93266 or see your local participating Ace Rewards retailer for more details.

Visit acehardware.com for store services, hours, directions and more...

The creditor and issuer of the Ace Rewards Visa Card is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and the card is available to United States residents only.

FIND US ON:

Ace stores are independently owned and operated; offers and/or Ace Rewards® benefits are available only at participating stores. The prices in this advertisement are suggested by Ace Hardware Corporation, Oak Brook, IL. Product selection/color, sale items, prices and quantities may vary by store. This advertisement may also contain clearance and closeout items and items at Ace everyday low prices. Red Hot Buys listed in the advertisement will extend through the end of the month. Instant Savings or mail-in savings listed in this advertisement are valid from February 1, 2015, through February 28, 2015. Cannot redeem Instant Savings and mail-in savings on same products. Some items may require assembly. Return and “rain check” policies vary by store; please see your Ace store for details. Product selection and prices at acehardware.com vary from those in this advertisement. Ace is not responsible for printing or typographical errors. Prices are valid through February 28, 2015, while supplies last.

DOERRS

ACE HARDWARE

602 Broadway, Larned, KS 620-285-2171

COOLING

8BUFS )FBUFST t 8BUFS 4PGUFOFST )VNJEJGJFST 3FWFSTF 0TNPTJT 4ZTUFNT 1SPHSBNNBCMF 5IFSNPTUBUT &MFDUSPOJD "JS 'JMUFST

Great Bend 1020 Frey 620-793-4208

Tide® Concentrated Laundry Detergent, 50 Oz.

Ace Professional Grade Duck Tape®, 1.88” x 60 Yd.

HEATING

Service and Repair of All Brands of Furnaces and Air Conditioners o d o es

SALE $6.99 $

Rayovac® AA or AAA Battery 30/Pk.

-2

PLUMBING

1309707 Limit 2 at this price.

99 Ea.

SALE $5.49 $

599

Larned 117 W. 5th 620-285-3966 Owner: Barry Stalcup

February 2015

Prices good Feburary 1, 2015 through February 28, 2015

1-800-937-3030 Toll Free and Emergency

Mon. - Sat. 8:30 AM - 6 PM; Sun. 1 - 5PM

Also providing Specialty Outreach Clinics

Serving Your Healthcare Needs Emergency Care Acute & Skilled Nursing Specialized Nursing Services GI Scopes . Cataract Surgery PICC Lines . Dental Surgery High Complexity Laboratory 64 Slice Low Dose CT Scanner .

Wide-Bore Short –Tube 1.5 Tesla MRI X-Ray . Bone Density (Dexascan) Ultra Sound . Digital Mammography Cardiac Nuclear Stress Testing Sleep & Diagnostic Center . EEG Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy Respiratory & Lymphedema Therapy

Patient Centered . . .

Community Driven . . .

923 Carroll Ave ~ Larned KS

620.285.3161

www.pawneevalleyhospital.com

GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 •

3D

DALE HOGG Great Bend Tribune

The Great Bend Senior Center houses the kitchen that prepares meals for Meals on Wheels.

MEALS, from page 2D Barton County Meals on Wheels is a separate non-profit that contracts with Friendship Meals to supply food. The MOW program is managed through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program office.

The meals are available to those 60 or older and the full cost of each meal is $5.25. Those who qualify are eligible to get them for a suggested donation of $3.25, but ac-

cording to the federal law, the customer doesn’t have to contribute.

To receive Meals on Wheels, someone has to qualify as home-bound, Nielsen said. “These are good meals,� she said. “There are six items covering all the food groups and are designed by Debbie Tillotson, registered dietician and Linda Black, food service supervisor at ElderCare Inc.

A Charming Collection of Vintage, Antiques and Eclectic DĂŠcor 620-793-7660 2025 Forest Ave., Great Bend

Hours: Tues. through Sat. 10am-5:30pm

One Block West of the Courthouse Home of Rust ‘N Rufes

“Some people are dependent on these,�

Nielsen said. They may split the lunchtime meal into lunch and dinner. “The meals enhance the variety of the food they get each day,� Hogg said.

There is also a social element. For some of the participants, their interactions at the center or with the person delivering their MOW food may be the only personal contact they have during the

course of a day.

The MOW Board of Directors includes: Rose Kelly, Alice Walter, Kim Kummer, Merle Evers, Dave Tinkler, Ray Fertig, Amy Hofeling, Teddy Williamson and Hogg. “The program is extremely important,�

Kelly said. “This could be the one time they have people in their home. It’s a comfort for them knowing someone is going to be there at a specific time

every day.�

There is the nutrition and the wellness check aspect, but there are often little things. Kelly cited a case where a meal recipient told the volunteer she couldn’t see very well and needed help threading two needles.

But, MOW is a two-way street. “It’s rewarding for the volunteers as well,� said Kelly who has delivered the same route on and off

for many years. “Everyone who delivers becomes really attached to the people on their route. We talk and know what’s going on in their families. It gives them a lift.�

Yvonne Strecker is the Meals on Wheels coordinator based in the Volunteers In Action/RSVP office. Her office hours are 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 620792-1833 or the general number at 620-792-1614.

We Deliver Quality You Can See, Year After Year.

Custom upholstery for furniture, vehicles, boats, campers. Choose from an extensive selection of fabric types, colors and patterns. t $BSQFU CJOEJOH o BOZ TIBQF t $VTUPN EFTJHO FNCSPJEFSZ t )FBU QSFTTJOH GPS VOJGPSNT U TIJSUT BUIMFUJD BQQBSFM t $VTUPN QJMMPXT IBUT KBDLFUT FUD t 4PGU HPPE OFFET GPS DIJMESFO BOE BEVMUT

If you have a need – come see what we can do for you! t r a l K an s a s Ce n

2200 Main Great Bend

C K C Ury C u stom U e ph olst

620-793-9138 1-800-793-9138

Sales and Installation of

KERN

FLOOR SERVICE

$PPMJEHF 4USFFU t (SFBU #FOE ,BOTBT 620-793-8305

DID YOU KNOW??

Your ur Friends at...

A division of

TUES.-SAT., 4PM - 2AM

GREAT BEND

The Elks Lodge

...offer these great services at affordable rates!

1120 Kansas Great Bend 620.793.3651

;OQVW\S `S\bOZ 7\QZcRW\U 9Sg QcbbW\U W\QZcRW\U 1VW^ 9Sga QO`^Sb QZSO\S` `S\bOZ Screen and window `S^OW`

:]QY @SYSgW\U

DAILY DRINK SPECIALS

;OabS` 9SgW\U

FREE POOL TUESDAYS

AZWRW\U AQ`SS\ 2]]` @SaQ`SS\

>W^S 1cbbW\U O\R BV`SORW\U

LARGEST DANCE FLOOR IN BARTON COUNTY

5ZOaa QcbbW\U O\R 7\aS`b 1][^cbS`WhSR >OW\b @S^OW`a 1]Z]` ;ObQVW\U B]]Z AVO`^S\W\U STOP BY YOUR PRIDE AG RESOURCES ACE HARDWA W RE IN GREAT A BEND TODA DAY AND ASK ABOUT THESE SERVICES!!

4903 10th Street Â’ 5`SOb 0S\R Â’ $ %'! !% & ;]\ AOb %(! O[ $^[) Ac\ O[ "^[

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT HOTTEST COUNTRY NIGHT CLUB IN THE AREA RESERVED SEATING AND PARTY SPACE AVAILABLE

Come Visit Doug & Linda and the Crew!

206 N. 281 Hwy, Great Bend 620-282-9673

~ Weddings ~ ~ Business Meetings ~ ~ Parties ~ ~ Gatherings ~ Rooms available for groups of 10 to 300 Best dance floor in central Kansas Full service bar and/or catering services

4D

• GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

Zoo in transition stage, may be looking at changes

BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com

At a recent Great Bend City Council meeting, City Administrator Howard Partington suggested that Brit Spaugh Zoo needs some work and may see some downsizing this year. Council members commented that the zoo had become overgrown and didn’t have enough animals on exhibit.

City councilman Wayne Henneke said he agrees that down-sizing may be the answer. After years of attempting to gain accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Henneke said the zoo needs to concentrate its effort and resources elsewhere.

“We need to keep up the zoo to a standard that we like and that the people like,” Henneke said. “We will never be AZA accredited.”

While the comments at that meeting highlighted some concerns, they were part of a larger conversation about things the city needs to address. The zoo is also in a state of transition because Zoo Director Scott Gregory left at the end of 2014 to accept another job in Florida.

“As the zoo is an important part of the City, it is a good time to see what can be done to continue to make improvements to the zoo,” Partington later told the Great Bend Tribune.

“We want to concentrate on quality and not quantity.

Upgrading and filling up the exhibits with interesting and exciting animals is a current goal.”

One thing that was supposed to be initiated in 2014 but wasn’t was a master plan for the zoo.

“Staff had been talking to architects about a master plan, but that was unfinished,” Partington said. “We

COURTESY PHOTO Barton Community College

Dr. Penny Quinn, vice president of Barton Community College, holds an animal while sharing the stage with “Jungle” Jack Hanna, Oct. 16, 2014, at Barton Community College.

Children invited to ‘Animal Tails’ Children can hear a story with an animal theme and then meet one of the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo animals during “Animal Tails,” a new program hosted by Sarah Cruz, the zoo’s education director.

Upcoming programs are scheduled for at 10 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21, and again on March 7, at the zoo.

Program are free and are suitable for preschoolers.

will work to see that the zoo improves and moves forward in a positive manner,” he concluded.

While the city searches for Gregory’s successor, Zoo Curator Nicole Benz is handling the duties of both positions.

Jungle Jack and other highlights There were several high points for the zoo in 2014.

In April, Gregory signed a contract that would bring

2 21st Annual 0 Central 1 5 Kansas SPRING EXPO

“Jungle” Jack Hanna, the star of award winning animal television shows, to Great Bend in October.

Hanna made the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and himself famous after making his first of many appearances on “Late Night with David Letterman” in 1985. Tickets to the show in the Fine Arts Auditorium at Barton Community College sold out the week they became available. The show was held on the same day at Jack Kilby

Where else can you talk to over 5,000 potential customers in just 2 days?

Something For Everyone In the Family!

TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

Outgoing Zoo Director Scott Gregory and Zoo Curator (Interim Director) Nicole Benz are shown with the newest animal, a binturong (bearcat) named Poppy, in December of 2014.

Science Day at Barton, so Hanna’s staff came early and did a free show for the hundreds of area high school students who were there for the science fair.

“Meanwhile, the zoo population continues to grow,” the Tribune reported

last April. “Two cougar cubs will arrive soon. The lion cub and three grizzly bear cubs that were recent additions to the zoo have become the most popular exhibits.”

Gregory announced in November that he would

leave at the end of the year to become director of operations for the Wildlife Center of South Florida.

He’d come to Great Bend five years earlier, charged with continuing the work started by Mike Cargill to work on AZA accreditation. He was also charged with improving the facility’s safety.

“I think the biggest accomplishment was getting the zoo safe,” Gregory told the Tribune before he left.

“We did a lot of behind-thescenes work that the public never sees.”

The level of professionalism was raised, he added.

Whenever the zoo acquires a new animal, the staff considers whether it will serve to promote conservation or education, as well as entertainment. For new and existing animals, the staff now looks for ways to enrich their lives, with toys, puzzles or other forms of activity. “Five years ago, the terms ‘conservation’ and ‘enrichment’ weren’t used,” Gregory said.

Henneke, who was city clerk before retiring and becoming a city councilman, said Gregory did an excellent job, especially in preparing for the AZA inspection and then making the official request for accreditation.

“Scott did a fantastic job presenting it,” Henneke said. However, he said AZA didn’t like the zoo’s old fashioned enclosures and other things that may be beyond what the city can afford.

“These are my personal feelings,” Henneke stressed.

“Let’s make the zoo so it’s nice, to our standards. I think we have really good standards.”

The AZA continues to send animals to Great Bend’s Zoo and work with the staff in other ways.

Canterbury Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 2901 Canterbury Drive Hays, KS 67601 785.628.1079

Kurt F. Martin, DDS, MD Ronald L. Roholt, DDS, MD Craig E. Miller, DDS

Home Remodeling & Improvement, Lawn & Garden, Finance, Foods, Home & Personal Fashions, Electronics, Healthcare & Recreation!

Saturday, March 28 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

––––––––––– Sunday, March 29 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

$

Booth Space Only 195 Call 620-792-6044 today to reserve your booth!

See You There March 28 & March 29, 2015 at the Great Bend Expo Complex

Removal of Wisdom Teeth Dental Implants Removal of Diseased & Impacted Teeth IV Anesthesia Providers for Delta Dental & Blue Cross/Blue Shield We are the only full service oral surgery provider for western Kansas. We have been providing care to Western Kansans since 1968. From the beginning our simple philosophy has been to provide you with expert care in a safe and friendly environment.

Today we still live by these words.

Website: Canterburyoms.com

GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 •

5D

Youth Academy keeps students involved in community

BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com

Every summer, dozens of Great Bend students spend a day learning more about the inner workings of the city by attending the Great Bend Youth Academy.

School Liaison Officer Jefferson Davis teaches Drug Abuse Resistance Education classes to fifth graders and also coordinates two Youth Academies each year. Invitations for the 2015 Youth Academy will go out in May, to students who will be entering the seventh or eighth grade in the fall. “We always fill up,� Davis said. Forty to 50 students attend each Youth Academy, for a maximum of 100 per year.

Students can only attend the Academy once, but those who complete it are invited to Youth Academy Reunions each summer at Walnut Bowl through their senior years of high school.

The reunions offer free bowling and miniature golf, as well are the chance to ride go karts that were purchased by the city specifically for its youth programs.

Youth Academy itself usually starts with a trip to Great Bend’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Kids hate the smell but seem to take it as a kind of initiation.

Asked if future Youth Academies should visit the site, they usually always respond along the lines of, “You bet; it we did, so should they!�

From there, students travel to other city offices — the Street Department, the zoo and Great Bend Fire Station 2. In Brit Spaugh Park, the Great Bend Police Department does some demonstrations, including the K-9 unit and tactical team demos.

They travel to each department in a city vehicle.

Everyone usually has an op-

TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

A 2014 Youth Academy student poses in some police gear.

TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

Left: A hedgehog and a Great Bend Middle School student meet at the Brit Spaugh Zoo during the 2014 Youth Academy. Above: K-9 Rocco from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office plays with his trophy arm after a demonstration at the 2014 Youth Academy. The Great Bend Police Department also has a K-9, but was without one when this photo was taken. The new Great Bend K-9, Kia, arrived about a week later.

portunity to ride in a police car and a fire truck, but they also enjoy riding in a fourwheel drive vehicle used by the Street Department, or an undercover detective’s car.

The behind-the-scenes

look at city departments includes some hands-on fun, Davis said. Students may go up in a bucket truck, spray water through a 2-inch fire hose or operate a bulldozer. “And we also feed them lunch,� Davis said. “It

doesn’t cost them anything to participate.� Students also receive a T-shirt.

At the end of the day, students have a chance to become the teachers by

providing feedback to the adults. “These kids will sit down with city leaders and formulate plans and ideas for projects that will better the lives

of youth in our community,�

Davis said. The most recent city improvement that originated at a Youth Academy was the rock climbing wall that was added to the Wetlands aquatic center.

That was first proposed by a seventh grader.

During the 2014 “idea exchange� with City Administration Howard Partington and other city officials, the suggestions were many, from wildlife preservation to a city veterans memorial.

Others wanted a place to play paint ball, or improvements at the skateboard park. “The skateboard park, ice skating rink, BMX bike area, parts of the water park and other project have been brought up and discussed with our young adults that have attended a youth academy session,� Partington said. “We continue to discuss possible ideas and project with our attendees.

We have discussed and will be getting their ideas on what feature to add to the water park in the next few years.�

To date, more than 1,300 students have participated in Youth Academy, city officials estimate. “The first two City Youth Academies were held on Aug. 5th and 11th in 1999,�

Partington recalled. “We created the youth academy to bring awareness to these young adults that the city truly cares about them and wants to connect with them in many ways.�

Other cities have taken notice of Great Bend Youth Academy. The city has been asked to present information at a number of League of Kansas Municipalities meetings. “Hillsboro was the most recent community to come visit and then implement an academy like our,� Partington said.

PROVIDING THE LATEST IN VISUAL EXAMINATION, INSTRUMENTATION AND COMPUTERIZED VISION CARE

Providing Top-Quality Healthcare for Every Member of the Family We welcome Dr. Jean Pringle to our family of health care providers!

Now taking appointments.

Dr. Russell McCaulley, Optometrist

Accepting: MEDICARE t MEDICAID ALL MAJOR INSURANCE 620-792-5700

Dr. Nicole Miller, Optometrist

www.HeartofKansas.com

1905 19th Street t Great Bend

“We Care About Your Health�

Dr. Chad Premer, Optometrist

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

LOCATED ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE VISION CORNER, 10TH & WASHINGTON, GREAT BEND, KS

t 'SFF *O 5PXO %FMJWFSZ t 'SJFOEMZ 2VBMJUZ 4FSWJDF t 1BUJFOU 1SPGJMF $BSE BOE 5BY 3FDPSET 6QPO 3FRVFTU

Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Kevin Regier, R.Ph.

Medical Park Pharmacy 1309 Polk

620-792-1221

Great Bend

Independent Hometown Pharmacy

OfďŹ ce Hours: Mon-Wed: 8-5 Thurs: 8-7 Fri: 8:45-12, 1-5 Sat: 9-12

2601 10th Street Great Bend, KS 67530 Phone Number: 620-792-2020 Toll Free: 800-393-4470

6D

• GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

HEALTHY ACTIVITY Fitness, recreation offerings continue to grow around the county

BY VERONICA COONS vcoons@gbtribune.com

For the past few years, recreation commissions in Claflin, Ellinwood, and Hoisington have responded to data about the collective poor health of Kansas residents with pushes to offer more fitness and recreation opportunities to patrons and encourage more participation. Their efforts are paying off, as new wellness facilities are built or expanded, more children take part in sports, and more types of classes are offered to adults and kids alike in both fitness and the arts in 2014.

Claflin Rec and Fitness Center Claflin Recreation Center, located at 406 Main in what used to be the Claflin Elementary School, continued to grow its programming during 2014. New signage was added in the summer, emphasizing the multi-faceted focus of the facility. Classes are offered through the Claflin Recreation Commission, and a fitness center is also available by membership, helping to encourage the community to adopt habits that lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Yoga and tai-chi classes were offered for the second year, and Zumba and Boot Camp classes saw some interest . Members of the Claflin Rec Volleyball league also made good use of the gym for practices and games. T-ball and baseball teams, a continuing tradition in Claflin, made good use of the facility’s outdoor fields too.

In May, the CRC hosted the 4th annual Claflin 5K/10K Run/Walk, and plans are underway for the 5th annual event in May 2015.

The fitness center is available to on demand thanks to electronic key cards. Free weights, treadmills, and weight machines are available.

The community center, located on the east side of the building, opened in 2013, providing a place for seniors to meet for coffee, meetings to be held, and other community activities and classes.

Ellinwood Rec and Fitness Center In June, the Ellinwood Recreation Commission approached the Ellinwood City Council with a proposal to open its own wellness center, and work began finding a space and

COURTESY PHOTO

Claflin’s community recreation and fitness center can’t be missed now, with the addtion of a new sign.

working out the details of funding and staffing. By October, a location was chosen and Kyle Chamberlin was tapped to be the director of the Commission . After studying other successful wellness centers in the area, the plan began to evolve.

The Ellinwood Wellness Center, still under construction at the time of this writing, will be on the second level of the Sunflower Bank Building at 13 N. Main. Not only will there be space for fitness equipment, there will also be a separate space where yoga, aerobics and art classes can be held. Security video monitoring and key card access for patrons are in the future, Chamberlin said. Until then, staff will make the facility available from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Four treadmills, three cross trainers, one upright stationary bike and one recumbent stationary bike will be available. A full range of upper and lower body weight equipment is also expected.

The Wellness Center is expected to open early spring, and other programs offered by the commission will continue to be offered in different locations around town, Chamberlin said.

Hoisington youngsters learn the fundamentals of soccer, above. With more sports particiaption on every level, gym time is at a premium in Hoisington. Below, participants in the Claflin 5K / 10K Run Walk get ready to strut and stride. The race has become an annual May tradition in Claflin.

Hoisington Activity Center 2014 was a good year for the Hoisington Recreation Commission, and use of the Activity Center at 1200 Susank Rd. continued to look encouraging.

See JUMP, 12

Celebrating 121 years!

Stay in the Historic Located at the corner of Santa Fe and Main

Phone: 620-617-6915 Available for your short-term, long-term or group event needs.

We also have banquet space available!

Call us to host your private event in one of Barton County’s most beautiful landmarks!

Ellinwood Country Living ... a home away from home.

Memoryy Care and Home Plus t. .FNPSZ DBSF BOE E DISPOJD I J JMM JMMOFTT NBOBHFNFOUU t "TTJTUBODF XJUI NFEJDBUJPO BOE QFSTPOBM OFFET t #BMBODFE IPNF DPPLFE NFBMT t 8FFLMZ MBVOESZ BOE IPVTFLFFQJOH TFSWJDF t %BJMZ BDUJWJUJFT CBTFE PO ZPVS JOUFSFTUT t -JDFOTFE BOE DFSUJmFE TUBGG BWBJMBCMF t "EVMU EBZ DBSF BOE TIPSU UFSN SFTQJUF DBSF BMTP BWBJMBCMF

Laura Suppes, Operator — Kara Brauer, RN Consult 302 N. Main, Ellinwood, KS 67526 — 620-564-2100 ellinwoodcpsl@embarqmail.com

GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 •

7D

RECREATION, from page 6D Legislative coffees were held, allowing for elected officials to have free exchange of ideas with constituents. The center was also the location for fundraising efforts like “The Taste of Hoisington.� Rec and school sports practices kept schedulers on their toes. Travelling leagues also put pressure on court times, which has the commission looking seriously at expanding the hours of availability on Sundays in 2015.

The pool was shut down for part of the summer for repairs, but was reopened in August, allowing for water activities to resume. Yoga, taichi and aerobics instructors were also kept busy in Hoisington as in other Barton County communities.

Thanks to the partnership with USD 431, transportation in town

for kids during the summer was available, and eight field trips were taken outside the local area. In 2015, only six are planned, and they will be closer to home.

For adults, the commission offered casino trips, travelling to Kansas City, Dodge and Wichita several times, and the popularity of these trips continues. More trips are planned in 2015. In fact, the Rec and the schools plan to shop for a 28-passenger bus to increase the efficiency of transportation options for patrons and community members in the next year.

Baseball and softball facilities received new sod and new signs will be installed in February or March of 2015 when weather permits. The rec commission is also considering adding awnings to the dugouts in the near future.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Creativity abounds in Ellinwood (left).

The Ellinwood Recreation Commission promoted the arts through painting workshops for adults around the holidays. When the new Ellinwood Wellness Center is completed and opened to the public in early 2015, a new meeting room will be available for classes and workshops for the arts and other popular activities.

COURTESY PHOTO

Families gathered at the Hoisington Activity Center to learn and practice the fine art of jack-o-lantern carving in the fall.

TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

A new generation of Ellinwood Eagles keeps the tradition of Cal Ripken baseball alive. Dedicated coaches and sponsors from within the community continue to dedicate themselves to ensuring Ellinwood’s youth learn the skills they need to continue a winning reputation.

the corner The Two Shoppes on 6, Ellinwood, KS of Main & Hwy. 96-5

Draney’s Antiques

COURTESY PHOTO

Cal Ripken baseball lives on in Claflin with the Quivira All Stars, Kansas District Championship winners.

DDr. Aaron A D. D Sauer S

Board Certified Sports Injury Specialist

Perform at Your Optimum Potential Through Natural Chiropractic Care Call About Our Monthly New Patient Day!

620-564-2555 t 888-274-2555 /PSUI .BJO t &MMJOXPPE XXX TBVFSDIJSPQSBDUJD DPN

Thurs.-Fri.-Sat. 10-5 620-639-5329

Ellinwood Emporium

Fri. thru Tues. 10-5 620-564-2498

AN ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGEMENT & FUNDING SOLUTION National Billing, LLC P.O. Box 517 Phone 620-564-3790 105 North Main Toll Free 800-328-9153 Ellinwood, KS 67526 Fax 620-564-3792

HI-LA ENGINE, PUMP & SUPPLY, INC. 402 SOUTH MAIN ELLINWOOD, KANSAS 620-564-2360

4BMFT r 4FSWJDF r 3FQBJST

OilďŹ eld Engine & Down Hole Pump Repair Chuck Hamby, Co-Owner Mobile 620-786-4880

Greg Manning, Co-Owner Mobile 620-786-4545

8D

• GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

IS IT JUST A GAME? With video game addiction on the rise, parents urged to take action

COURTESY PHOTO

Cutline

Is my child addicted to video games?

The Pew Research Center (pewinternet.org/2008/09/16/ teens-video-games-and-civics/) estimated in 2008 that 97 percent of all teens, ages 12 to 17, play video games. Thanks to advancements in technology that statistic hasn’t changed much in more recent years.

Video game addiction is a growing concern in the United States, but with so many kids playing video games how is addiction detected?

K-State Research and Extension youth development specialist Elaine Johannes said the National Addiction Center (casacolumbia.org/) urges parents to look at their teen(s) around video games and first ask themselves, “Is my teen preoccupied with video gaming?�

Then, Johannes said skeptical parents should ask themselves more questions, such as the following, to determine if their

a game filled with a great deal of violent action, it can disrupt how the brain functions and the child’s ability to concentrate.

The real danger of video game addiction comes from spending five or more of a teen’s waking hours every day video

child is battling video game addiction. • Do they downplay their technology (computer, cell phone, tablet, etc.) use? • Does the child lose track of time? An example might be the child is staying up late and forgetting it is 2 a.m., when he or she should be sleeping. • Does the video game affect other parts of their lives? This could mean they have difficulty leaving a game to engage with family members visiting for holidays. • Does another member of the family notice this behavior, too? • Do they hide the negative feelings around the use of video games? • Do they try to excuse their behavior or hide it? • Do they use their money?

This does not mean spending birthday or Christmas money on the new video game that just hit the shelves. Are they using their

gaming—not necessarily playing violent games but just gaming in general.

Johannes said this could lead to lower satisfaction with life, lower satisfaction within relationships and what concerns her most, an increase in suicidal thoughts.

money to constantly make ingame purchases or playing gambling games? Online gambling can be another addiction for young gamers.

By talking to teens during the recently-completed Kansas Adolescent Health Needs Assessment, Johannes learned that teens are well-educated on behavior and probably know when they are addicted.

Because addiction at a young age can harm an individual physiologically, socially and mentally, Johannes said the issue should be dealt with immediately, and a professional should be contacted.

For more material about what parents should do if they notice their child might be addicted to video games, Johannes recommends the American Psychological Association’s website, apa.org and Common Sense media commonsensemedia.org.

Parenting against addiction Johannes served as project director of the recently-completed Kansas Adolescent Health Needs Assessment, the focus group interviews they conducted with nearly 400 Kansas teen-

agers revealed teens are not only playing video games at home, they’re also playing them away from the home on their cell phones and tablets.

This can make parenting against video game addiction difficult. “What was surprising

for us when we did our focus groups was that this gaming is going on in school,� Johannes said. “The use of cell phones, not as a phone or communication device, but as a gaming instrument is happening during the school day.�

She knows that new mobile technologies create obstacles for parents, but she stresses the importance of setting limits and controlling on the amount of time video gaming spent in the home. “If we as parents don’t attend to our child’s behavior in our house, even if they are 14 or 17 years old, we put them at risk,�

Johannes said, “because now they are not only able to play video games at home when we aren’t attentive, but they can also sneak it in during the day at school.�

She said parents can help prevent addiction in three steps: research video games, reflect on their own personal behavior and then have a conversation for a positive outcome, not a punitive one. • Step 1: Do some research “Video gaming is not going to go away,â€? Johannes said. “The Internet and technology are here to stay. We need to move within video gaming to understand it more. We need to be informed of it, not just try to avoid it or get overwhelmed.â€?

Johannes said that in the focus groups, Kansas teens bluntly told researchers their parents aren’t informed, and many of them are not aware of the ratings on the video games they play.

Every video game produced in the United States has a rating system based on difficulty of the game as well as violence, which is similar to those for television and movies. Parents should always check the ratings before purchasing a game or allowing their child to play a game, Johannes said. “If I’ve never looked at the game my son is playing, how can I remark about what he’s playing and understand what his world is like when he’s in that game?� she questioned. “We as parents need to find out more about these games, including the educational part of the game if there is one and what’s the real downside.�

See GAMES, 9D

Targeted Advertising Solutions

ONLINE

PRINT

MANHATTAN — Recent studies have shown that video gaming has surpassed watching television as teens’ favorite activity to defeat boredom, but this tradeoff could have harmful consequences.

K-State Research and Extension youth development specialist Elaine Johannes said there is a national concern about the addiction to video games, especially among the young adults. Johannes, an associate professor in Family Studies and Human Services at Kansas State University, referred to data collected in youth risk behavior surveillance surveys (cdc. gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/ index.htm) from 2007 to 2013 that shows an increase in video game use between both boys and girls, and the use is more than occasional.

In 2011, about 24 percent of teenagers used video games three or more hours a day, while in 2013, that statistic went up to 34 percent.

She warns that parents should know when youth have free time and limit the free time they spend playing video games. “There is a sweet spot,�

Johannes said. “Less than three hours per day, based on the game, may be developmentally positive. Between three and five hours, we begin to see some issues related to their social development and maybe even some physiological effects.

But, with more than five hours a day there is real harm and potential danger.�

The American Institute of Pediatrics recently published a study, completed in 2011, that tracked electronic gaming use and psychosocial adjustment—meaning how well adjusted that teen is to be with friends, to work within groups, to navigate through school well, or to get and keep a job.

Johannes said the study mentions some positive things that come with game use when it’s under three hours a day. The positives might include allowing the child to establish friendships, play challenging games with friends, and begin feeling comfortable around the technology or around games if they are not familiar with them.

However, she said once you get into the range of three to five hours a day, negative psychological impacts are more apparent. If the child is playing

As your community newspaper, we’re invested in helping local business owners attract customers and increase sales.

Let our advertising team put their expertise to work for you through a variety of marketing techniques customized to meet your business’s unique needs!

Call today, and let’s get started!

GREAT BEND ‡

GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 •

NEW IDENTITY

GAMES, from page 8D

BCC program helps Larned native, mother of two SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

“High school dropout� is one of many labels society could affix to Jana Parker’s identity.

However, the implied stereotypes do not define her character, and she’s out to prove it with nearly palpable tenacity found only in the heart of a determined mother.

Parker, a Larned native, dropped out of high school as a sophomore to help her sister raise a child in Wyoming while the child’s father was overseas. She had every intention of finishing high school, but the GED preparation programs she tried while in Wyoming and later after returning to Kansas lacked accountability and interaction with others — ingredients she knew were critical to her learning style and ultimately her success.

A few years went by, and Parker was pregnant with her second child when she was referred to Barton Community College’s Adult Education program, where she quickly passed the GED test to earn her high school diploma with oneon-one guidance from an instructor in a classroom setting. “I didn’t want my kids to grow up listening to me being hypocritical when I say ‘You need to get up and go to school,’�

Parker said. “I wanted to have finished school.

I wanted to do it for my family.�

Her completion of the GED exam in September of 2014 pales in comparison to the other achievements she accumulated

Johannes recommends the website, www.commonsensemedia.org, to parents wanting to investigate and read about the risks and benefits of a particular video game.

journey. She plans to ride this momentum to the University of Kansas Medical School, where she will study to realize her dream of becoming an Obstetrics and Gynecology Doctor.

COURTESY PHOTO

Jana Parker recently earned certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide while completing her GED requirements, and plans to continue her education.

during the process.

Parker earned certification in both Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Medication Aide through Barton, thanks to “Accelerating Opportunity: Kansas� (AO-K). This state-level program allows adult-education students preparing for the GED test the ability to take college-level industryfocused courses tuitionfree before finishing the exam, drastically reducing the amount of time and money it takes to

finish an industry credential and begin working.

Parker is already working as a traveling CNA. As if a high school diploma and two industry certificates were not enough, Parker did so well on her GED exam that she qualified for a 30-credit-hour scholarship to Barton, which is one of the highest awards Barton bestows based on GED exam results.

All of these events have created a snowball effect in Parker’s educational

For all your favorite wines & spirits shop at:

9D

• Step 2: Be a model Once parents understand the games that children are playing, Johannes said it is time to parent by modeling. “If we ourselves are staying up late playing video games, that might not be healthful,â€? she said. “We are using our cell phones during dinner, and the children in our families and communities are watching us.â€?

Johannes’ assessment indicated children and teens are asking for parents to model positive behavior by showing them how to properly handle boredom and down time.

More about the AO-K program The AO-K program at Barton consists of two pathways. One is focused on pre-health care and features CNA and CMA certification and Medical Terminology. The other is focused on giving students a head start in the college’s manufacturing skills program.

The program has two main goals: to accelerate education and make it affordable to get started. “Students can start taking college classes while preparing for the GED exam, that’s the accelerated part. Normally, people without a high school diploma can’t qualify for federal aid.

The best thing about the AO-K program is that the state pays the tuition for students without a high school diploma,� Coordinator of Adult Education Chris Lemon said. “It’s accelerated and free. It’s a hand up.�

Lemon encouraged anyone who is “stuck where they are� due to lack of financial resources to get started in the program. “There’s no time like the present,� he said.

For information on enrolling in the AO-K program, contact the Adult Education Center, 620-786-7560 or maloya@bartonccc.edu.

• Step 3: Have a conversation Finally, it is time to talk to children, Johannes said. This isn’t a time to punish or chastise, but rather to ask questions about why they are playing the games so often.

If a child is playing games because of sheer boredom, which often is the case, find other activities to occupy their time. But, if the child is using video games to deal with a feeling of being depressed, professional help may be needed. “Our suicide rates in this state are higher than the national average, and they aren’t going down,�

Johannes said. “We do have issues with depression in our youth. I think it’s important for that young person and parent to sit down, and if that young person is suffering from depression and is using video gaming as a way to self-medicate, then it is important to get help from a mental health professional.�

Johannes said most of all from her needs assessment she learned most children are really just asking parents to be there for them. “Instead of spending lots of money on things to occupy their time, kids want us to occupy their time,� she said.

More information on adolescent health is available at county and district extension offices and on the extension website www.ksre.ksu.edu.

Have news or story ideas?

FAX them to (620) 792-8381 attention Dale Hogg or email them to dhogg@gbtribune.com

&RPSOHWH IDPLO\ ZHOOQHVV That’s our bottom line.

168 W. 2nd, Hoisington 620-653-2991 Open Sundays Noon to 7 p.m.

Serving Central Kansas

At our clinics and hospital, our providers want to keep you and your family healthy.

We offer complete family care and a convenient acute walk-in clinic at our Medical Clinic, complete surgery care at our Surgical Services clinics, and comprehensive emergency, inpatient, and rehabilitative care at our Hospital.

PEST

Management, Inc.

620-786-0798 ★ Over 30 Years Experience ★ Licensed & Insured ★ Free Estimates TERMITE INTERCEPTION AND BAITING SYSTEM Doug Schremmer, Owner

Dr. Nathan Knackstedt

Dr. T. Scott Webb

Debra Brockel, PA-C

Phil Barnes, Kristin PA-C Ohnmacht, PA-C

ZZZ FODUDEDUWRQKRVSLWDO FRP &ODUD %DUWRQ +RVSLWDO &OLQLFV 250 W 9th, Hoisington, KS 67544

+RVSLWDO

0HGLFDO &OLQLF

6XUJLFDO 6HUYLFHV

2UWKRSHGLFV

10D

• GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015

Historical societies enjoy teaching public

BY JIM MISUNAS jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Bev Komarek has May 6 circled on her calendar.

That’s the next time the Barton County Historical Society museum comes to life with the delightful joy of third-graders from Barton County. “It gives kids a day out and gives kids and their parents a chance to see what we’re about,� said Bev Komarek, executive director of the museum. “It’s very beneficial to both them and us.�

Komarek mails out more than 300 quarterly newsletters that highlight events and activities sponsored by the Barton County Hisitorical Society Komarek said tying history to school children is an annual highlight. “You know you’ve accomplished something when a youngster comes back in and wants to show their parents what they learned and saw,� Komarek said. “It’s a great reward to engage tomorrow’s generation into history. I love working with education because you meet wonderful people from everywhere.

You hear what people are interested in and they share their experiences.�

Komarek said keeping about 300 students safe and engaged in lively activities is always a challenge.

Groups are limited to about 15 students. “The feedback we received is what we’re doing is perfect for the students,�

Komarek said. “Thanks to the volunteers who help, we’re able to coordinate the students in safe activities. They all enjoyed such activities as washing clothes the old-fashioned way and playing all of the games.

We receive thank-you notes from the students telling us what they thought. Everyone appreciates what we do.�

Last year, Kevin Baxter, an Eisenhower teaching assistant, told students about religion’s role during the pioneer days. Baxter serves as a pastor at Foundry Methodist Church in Great Bend. The historic Lutheran church was originally located south of Albert.

Baxter described how

students could tell the church whether a church was Protestant or Catholic. He spoke of the Negro churches and Negro spirituals. “Religion was very important to pioneers,� Baxter said. “It’s still very important today.�

Volunteers Rita Brack and Dotty Keenan introduced students to a popular activity of washing clothes with an old fashioned tub and wringer. “The washing machine fascinates them,� Brack said. “Every one of them have to wash something and they all want to run it through the wringer.�

The jail and the bag swings were other popular hands on activities, Keenan said. But the jail was originally built for novelty, not true incarceration.

Students also had fun playing tug-of-war — a game that was as popular in the pioneer days as it is today.

Komarek said student groups are always welcome.

A Victoria Grade School group visits every spring.

Out-of-state visitors stop by regularly.

The Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village south of Great Bend on U.S. 281 features furnished period buildings and collections which tell the story of this area from the Paleo Period through the Indian Wars to World War II and beyond.

Permanent and rotating exhibits include — Over 300 dolls, dating from the 1850s; dioramas and archaeological artifacts illustrating the Native American cultures; textile collections, quilts, lacemaking and wedding dresses; a salute to the Brit Spaugh Park and Zoo; medical and dental offices, beauty and barber shops, a general Store, Victorian parlor; Blacksmith’s Shop; antique tractors and agricultural implements; military artifacts from the Indian Wars through World War II. The Village features St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; School District No. 50; Waupun Windmill; Castleton Post Office; Dodge House; AT&SF Railroad Depot, Belpre; The Red

TRIBUNE FILE PHOTOS

Above: Lincoln Elementary students cram into the novelty jail at the Barton County Historical Museum Village during the third grade field trip.

Left: Third graders learn the importance of religion to pioneer settlers while visiting the historic Lutheran church at the Barton County Historical Museum village.

Barn; The Pole Barn; Blacksmith’s Shop; Cook-Becker Agriculture Building; and the Lustron Home.

Summer hours from April to October are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

For information, call 620793-5125

Young artists The Barton County Historical Society Museum also began a popular Watching Young Artists Grow exhibit, sponsored by the Barton County Arts Council. Last year, the exhibit featured some of the best works from grades

COURTESY PHOTO

Pictured are scenes from the Hoisington Historical Society, 120 E. 2nd.

K-8 in Great Bend. The works are labeled with the name and school of the artist, as well as the source of inspiration. “The coordination with The Barton County Arts Council and Historical Society working with the Watching Young Artists Grow project was a huge success last year,� Komarek said. “The schools and students really liked getting involved.�

USD 428 moved from the downtown Art Center to the museum, to expand the hours when the public can see the art. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5.

Great Bend USD 428 has three art instructors for grades K-8. Alisha Frazer is at Great Bend Middle School, and Shannon

Wedel and Melissa Watson visit the elementary schools. The teachers have selected some of the best pieces done by students during the year. “They study different artists and their different styles and techniques,� said Karen Neuforth, executive director of the Arts Center and research coordinator at the Museum.

Hoisington Historical Society The Hoisington Historical Museum, 120 East 2nd, is free of charge and open during the spring and summer months. The group sponsors a Hoisington Chamber coffee hour to publicize its work each year. Their goal was to preserve the history of Hoisington and the surrounding area by displaying items that provide a historical timeline.

Owners: Leon & Becky Steiner

HOISINGTON UI t SOMETHING DIFFERENT Serving Breakfast Mon. - Sat.

OPEN: Mon. - Sat.: 7 am to 10 pm, Sun.: 10 am - 10 pm

The friendly store with convenience and service.

818 North Elm Hoisington, Kansas 67544

GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 •

Items are typically donated on Labor Day weekend when school reunions are held, according to Lon Palmer, Hoisington Historical Museum president. “We always acquire items of old class photos and trophies each summer,� Palmer said. “One interesting item donated was a Hoisington High banner from the 1940s.

The granddaughter of the janitor donated it. We’ve acquired items from the old Opera House in town.�

Currently, this six room, one-bathroom structure is the home to the Hoisington Historical Society Museum. On display is a variety of memorabilia showcasing our proud history; from the birth of Hoisington, our many growing pains, our greatest achievements, up to the present day.

Highlighting a vibrant history for many of us that call Hoisington home.

Palmer said local members are proud of their restoration of the house and barn, which was submitted for recognition on the state’s historical list for being a turn of the century dairy. That request was turned down because of lack of documentation to satisfy state requirements.

The barn features numerous historical signs and bricks extracted from Hoisington’s Main Street. A new foundation has been poured in the barn. “Volunteers have done a lot of work on the barn and we’ve worked to make the outside of the museum building better,� he said.

School tours are also invited to schedule an appointment time to see the historical items.

The Hoisington Historical Society was founded

11D

COURTESY PHOTO

AT & Santa Fe Railroad Depot from Belpre is part of the display at the Barton County Historical Museum Village south of Great Bend just off U.S. 281

in 1996 with 88 charter members. The building was built in 1905 and has undergone extensive remodeling since being acquired in 1999.

For membership information, contact Lon Palmer, 620-653-2827; Donald Boese, 620-6534320; or Harold Larson, 620-653-4683. “We always appreciate the new members,� Palmer said.

Ellinwood Historical Society The Ellinwood Community Historical Society assisted in displaying the rich history of Ellinwood by helping fund the mural postcard crafted by artist

Tim Conway of Sacramento, Calif. Donations paid transportation and lodging.

The mural was painted on the south wall of what is known as the Dick Building at the corner of Main and Santa Fe in Ellinwood this past summer. Conway and the Ellinwood Historical Society designed the mural with four very different concepts, which attract the eye as one drives by with its mix of colors.

Involving movement and requiring experimentation, the mural shows vast fields of golden wheat with an oil derrick and the herds of cattle that were once driven through the area to meet the train. The significance

of the Santa Fe Trail to the population of the area also receives credit, as well as the contributions of the Wolf family who had the vision to construct the brewery, the mill and Wolf Park. The importance of Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is also acknowledged.

The background of the mural features of an oil derrick and the cattle industry with geese flying over to symbolize the hunting in the area, and the Kansas Wetland Center with Cheyenne Bottoms to the north, and the corresponding Salt Marshes or Quivira on the south

COURTESY PHOTO

The Barton County Historical Society Museum is featuring a display of Kansas Quilts of Valor in honor of U.S. military personnel.

(the Wildlife and Wetlands Byway). On the west side of the mural, a depiction will represent the Ellinwood Underground.

The individual postcard features will include the Wolf Brewery Wagon. It will represent the great contribution by the Wolf Family (John, Fred and Frederick) to the town of Ellinwood with the Brewery, the Mill and Wolf Park among many other things.

The second post card depicts a freight wagon to depict one of the many wagon trains which came through the area on the Santa Fe Road. The Santa

Fe Railroad and its importance in the settlement of the town will be the subject of the third post card.

The Ellinwood Underground offers tours by appointment of the Ellinwood Underground World.

The town once featured businesses and walkways below the ground level stores.

At the peak, there included 11 saloons.

Present-day tours are under the section at the Wolf building, which housed a harness maker, barber, and bathhouse. For information, call 620-564-2400 or 620-564-2498.

COURTESY PHOTOS

The underground tunnels in Ellinwood are a popular historical draw for tourists.

Privileged to help.

Kathy Burt, Agent 165 South Main Hoisington, KS 67544 Bus: 620-653-2332 kathy.burt.cn7v@statefarm.com

We’re honored to serve this community for 25 years.

My staff and I look forward to many more with you.

Thank you for your continued support and business.

Gabbi Turner PA-C, Dr. Walter Linder, and Lisa Stuckey PA-C

Radiology X-Ray CT Scan EKG Bone Density Weekly Sonograms MRI’s Monthly Mammograms Nuclear Medicine

Full array of Laboratory services Physical Therapy Evaluation & Rehabilitation Cardiac Rehab

Hoisington Main Street Toll Free 1-866-869-3740 “Four Generations Building Your Trust for Over 86 Years�

www.mchevy.com 1211030

State Farm OfďŹ ce, Bloomington, IL

Hoisington’s 119th

Hospital Services: Observation Care: SpeciďŹ c time for monitoring during testing and treatment responses Acute Care: IPVS OVSTJOH TUBGG $BSEJBD monitored beds, Adult & Pediatrics.

24 hr. Emergency Room: 4UBGGFE IPVST B EBZ

Specialty Clinics Richard A. Steckley, M.D. Cardiology Leonard Fleske, M.D. Orthop Ort hopedi edics cs Tamara Farmer, MSN, ARNP, BC Psychiatric Services

Skilled Care: SpeciďŹ c areas of continued treatment and monitoring; Rehabilitation from surgery or other injuries or illnesses Geriatric/Psychiatric Unit: Comprehensive program design des igned ed to meet the diverse mental health needs of older adultts

Extended Hours: Monday BN /PPO QN Tuesday BN /PPO QN Wednesday BN QN Thursd Thu rsday ay B BN N /PPO QN Friday BN /PPO QN Saturday BN BN

September 3-7, 2015 Join us for one of the largest parades in the state!

Visitors and locals can enjoy a weekend full of activities:

)FBEMJOFS $PODFSU t $IJMESFO T &WFOUT 1BHFBOUT t Demolition Derby t $BS 4IPX Street Dance t $BSOJWBM t 7FOEPST 5K Run/Walk t NVDI NPSF While in Hoisington drive the Wetlands & Wildlife Scenic Byway, tour Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge and drop by the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.

Enjoy all of the amenities that Hoisington has to offer!

For more information or for a full schedule of events call the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce at 620-653-4311 or visit our website at www.hoisingtonkansas.com

Midway Clinic 8 UI 4USFFU t ,JOTMFZ t Edwards Co. Hospital 8 UI 4USFFU t ,JOTMFZ t

Reaching Out

THRIFT SHOP Accepting donations during business hours:

Monday - Friday: 11 am - 4 pm Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm

158 South Main, Hoisington, KS If you are interested in volunteering please call: 620-792-1614

/ .BJO 4U t )PJTJOHUPO ,BOTBT

12D

• GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015