Progress community 2016

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 •

Community

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Great Bend Ellinwood Hoisington Claflin

MAKING A DIFFERENCE PROGRESS 2016

Special section to the Great Bend Tribune • Sunday, February 21, 2016

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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Kid-friendly changes come to GB BY RUSSELL EDEM Great Bend Tribune

RUSSELL EDEM Great Bend Tribune

Children enjoy the new My BackYard Playground equipment at the grand opening, which was held in December 2015.

GREAT BEND

Great Bend and Barton County saw many new improvements in 2015, but one improvement is very popular with the children in the community. This is improvement is the My BackYard Playground which is located at the Great Bend Activity Center. It took a group effort to make it a reality. “This playground illustrates how four partners: the City of Great Bend, USD 428, the McKinna Ann Hope Foundation and the Recreation Commission came together with a common goal in mind. To create a new playground in Great Bend for individuals of all abilities to play,� Director of the Great Bend Recreation Commission Diann Henderson said. “Thus, the My BackYard playground being the most modern inclusive playground in central Kansas.� Many people of the community came out to the grand opening of the playground to share in the excitement of a new place where families can get together and enjoy a day outside.

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 •

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Spotlight on Diann Henderson Name/Title Diann Henderson, Executive Director Great Bend Recreation Commission What city do you live in? I grew up in Great Bend and reside here.

Playground It features a walking path that is 1/8 of a mile long and will provide a place for adults to exercise while their children play. The entire playground is visible from the walking trail, allowing parents to watch their children as they exercise. The walking trail also promotes a way for children to exercise with their parents. Other features include: plenty of shade and benches, development of a sensory garden that encourages natural learning and relaxation; a memorial walkway that separates the 2-5 year old play area and the 5-12 year old play area; play components such as rock climbers, roller slide, spinners, a Cozy Dome, Smart Play Motion, Swoosh Slide, Net Plex, Flex Climber, Sky Port Climber, Omni Spinner, Bobbly Riders, Wee Saw and Topsy Spinner. The Smart Play Motion playground piece for 2-5 years olds provides 16 interactive developmentally appropriate skills which includes a tunnel, moveable puzzle pieces, wiggle ladder, sand play station with sifters and seats, leaf trail, race car hot wheel track that winds through the playground piece that allows children to send balls or

their toy cars down the track, sensory panels, bell ringing, steering wheel, alphabet panel and steppers. All-inclusive resort This truly inclusive playground balances physical accessibility, age and developmental appropriateness, and sensory-stimulating play for children of all abilities. My BackYard features such playground equipment as the Omni Spinner, Roller Slide and Wee Saw. The Omni Spinner is and updated version of the old fashion merry-go-round, the Wee Saw is a new take on the traditional seesaws, which are wheelchair accessible and developed for children with developmental delays to play in the same setting as other children. The Net Plex provides a futuristic climbing experience created from interconnected cables, net tunnels and climbing discs. The playground will include such features as rock climbers, gyro twisters and a variety of spinners. The ZipKrooz is the latest in a zip line that brings this fast growing recreation sport to a playground in an exciting and safe way. This playground feature includes three total zip lines including a ZipKrooz Assisted seat.

Family Members I am married to Ken Henderson, Head Athletic Trainer at Barton Community College. We have two children, John and Kelli and daughter-In-law Nicci. Hobbies I enjoy a good movie, cooking, gardening, working in my yard, going on walks, enjoy taking nature photos and sunsets. What drew you to this work. In college, I had interest in education, business and computer technology. This job allowed me to expand those interest. What do you enjoy most about what you do? It is the people. The ability to see the personal benefits derived as individuals participate in our recreational programs, enjoying our parks, biking, playing a sport or just a big smile on a child’s face as he slides down the roller slide at My BackYard Playground. How has it changed since you first began? The values of public park and recreation services have not changed much over the years. The public views their local park and recreation services as a vital part of their neighborhoods and their community. The newest trend in providing the services focus on conservation, health and wellness and social equity. Today’s public is older, better educated, ethnically diverse and very technology savvy. This has changed on how we currently deliver our services, and has altered how we communicate with the public, which was unimaginable 25 years ago.

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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Historical Society holds annual meeting BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com

Some 3,000 people visited the Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village in 2015, Executive Director Beverly Komarek reported at the annual meeting in January. That includes visitors from Canada, Spain, India and Mexico, 34 U.S. states and 59 cities in Kansas. Rose Kelly presided over the meeting and was elected to a two-year term as president of the historical society. She noted that 2015 improvements included the addition of heating and air conditioning at the historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Now the popular venue for weddings can be used year round. In addition to the HVAC system in the church, she said a new heating and air conditioning system was added in the back of the museum, “so we can be better stewards of our collections.” The church building was built in 1898 south of Albert, and was moved to the village grounds in 1967. It is one of several authentically furnished period buildings that house the historical society’s collections. “We had monthly speakers or activities in 2015,” Komarek said. Two hundred third graders attended Pioneer Day. Public schools from Great Bend, Ellinwood and Victoria visited the museum. The historical society also participated in the Air Fest at the Great Bend Municipal Airport, and sponsored the Rolling Sculpture car show and the Ghosts of Christmas Past open house. Conservators from out of state visited Barton County to help the historical society restore the B-29 Memorial at the airport and The Rifleman, a Civil War statue in the courthouse square. “We’ll continue to work with the county on identifying monuments for preservation and conservation,” Komarek said. She hopes to organize a monuments and memorial preservation committee. Plans for 2016 This year, the historical society is applying for a Kansas Humanities Grant in hopes of showing the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit, “Water/Ways.” The historical society has also agreed to work with the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau as that organization reorganizes. Komarek and crew hope to see bus tours return to the museum. Former BCHS president Robert Parrish said fundraising should be a priority in 2016.

COURTESY PHOTO

The former St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is part of the Barton County Historical Village and Museum at 85 South U.S. 281. It is a popular venue for weddings.

Spotlight on Rose Kelly Title: President of the Barton County Historical Society Q: How long have you lived here? Tell us about your family: A: “I’ve lived in Great Bend the biggest share of my life. I taught in the school district for 57 years (including 17 years as a substitute).” She has a daughter Debhra Fegan, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Q: Tell us about your hobbies and other memberships: A: “I love to read.” She serves on the board of directors for the Great Bend Public Library and Central Kansas

Kelly said new committees have been formed to share some of the burden of day-to-day operations. Historical society members can serve on the finance committee, building and grounds committee, or program committee. Joe Boley, who leads the programming committee, said upcoming presentations include: Larned attorney Ronald D. Smith, author of “Thomas Ewing Jr.: Frontier Lawyer and Civil War General (Shades of Blue & Gray),” will present a program at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, about Union generals of the Civil War.

Library System. Kelly is also past president of the Great Bend League of Women Voters and a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Q: What first drew you to service on the Barton County Historical Society board? A: “I taught history, and I’ve always been interested in history and the preservation of facts about Barton County. To see them tear down a building just kills me.” Q: What do you enjoy most about serving on the board? A: “To see the growth of the museum and the number of things that we have. I go on bus trips all the time and visit other museums. Our’s is head

• Dr. Donald Blakeslee,

archaeological anthropologist from Wichita State University, will talk about music of the Civil War, and

SUSAN THACKER GREAT BEND TRIBUNE

Rose Kelly presides over the 2016 annual meeting of the Barton County Historical Society. At that Jan. 25 meeting, Kelly was elected president for a two-year-term. and shoulders above a lot of Kansas museums.”

on military band music, at a future meeting. Karen Naylor, volunteer coordinator at the village and museum, will hold an orientation program

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Q: How has it changed over the years? A: “When it started we didn’t have the main Museum Building. We’ve added four buildings that we built and the Lustron Home.” (Editor’s note: Promoted as the most modern advancement in post-World War II housing, Lustron houses were constructed of metal panels. The one at the historical village is complete with authentic period furnishings.) Q: What changes do you anticipate in the next 5 to 10 years? A: “I would like to see the museum maintained the way it’s maintained now. It’s a huge effort. People like Ray ‘Jiggs’ Schulz and Charles Hulme were far-sighted. ... It takes people with that vision. People have to have a love for that.”

for returning and prospective volunteers at 1 p.m. on April 7. “Our volunteers are instrumental in keeping the museum going,” Kelly said.

While people who are interested in becoming volunteers will need this training, anyone may attend the orientation without obligation.

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About the museum The Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village is located at 85 South U.S. 281, just south of the Arkansas River bridge in Great Bend. Located on five acres, the village boasts several authentically 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. Summer hours (April-October) are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. From November through March, the museum is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free to members, or $4 for non-members 16 years of age and older. The Museum and Village began in 1964 on land donated by the Charles Hulme Estate. The Museum Building was constructed in four phases, starting with the completion of the original west wing in 1974. The latest addition to that building, the Ray Schulz Research Library, located on the south side of the Museum, was completed in 2006.

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 •

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Emergency manager protects public BY JIM MISUNAS jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Amy Miller evolved into her job as director of emergency and risk management for Barton County. When you hear Miller’s gentle voice, you know everything is going to be all right. She has worked as a county employee for 31 years since she started work with the Barton County health department. She transferred to the landfill and started work at the courthouse in emergency preparedness. “It was a job opportunity that opened. I thought I’d go do it for a while,� she said. “Barton County does not have a full-time person in emergency management. It’s a 50-50 split between emergency management and risk management, which covers safety, work compensation and insurance.� Since the mid 1990s, National Weather Service employees in Wichita have included county officials more directly in exchanging severe weather information. At one time, Barton County was part of the Concordia NWS coverage area. “We’re much more in contact directly with the National Weather Service in Wichita,� Miller said. “The

communication is vastly improved. Now, we’re able to reach the weather service directly. There is texting, the Internet and the 800 radio system. In the past, there wasn’t nearly as much communication between the locals and the National Weather Service.� The public benefits because severe weather warning are more readily passed to the public on radio, television and through phone applications. When severe weather is forecast, the NWS typically conducts a teleconference call advising local emergency managers the timing and potential threat prior to the time when watches are issued. “We like to get the word out of a potential threat,� Miller said. “Timelines are important because of school-dismissal time. Schools are advised is something may happen between 3 and 4 p.m.� Miller said severe weather is a year-round topic of interest. She always pays attention to potential severe weather, particularly from Pawnee County to the west. “People pay the most attention to tornado watches and warnings,� Miller said. “You always hope people pay attention to the warn-

ProďŹ le: Amy Miller Title Director of emergency and risk management Barton County Residence Great Bend Family Husband Alan; one daughter How have things changed? When I started we had one emergency operations plan. Now, it’s grown into many other plans that cover multiple topics.

ings. But flooding and winter storms are unique weather events that also involve risk. You can go from horrendous rain or to a severe ice storm in a matter of hours.� Miller said Barton County’s storm spotters are sheriff ’s deputies and local law enforcement employees. Many counties employ

What is best part of your job? I enjoy getting the information out there to get the public prepared for the weather. It’s telling people to be prepared and keep them safe.

volunteer firefighters as storm spotters. “There is a good system set up that works well in Barton County,� Miller said. “Our warning system is very good for Barton County.� Miller said ice storms create widespread havoc because of hazardous driving conditions, as well as the

potential loss of power to a wide area. “You always hope you don’t lose power. There have been people who have forced to stay at hotels for a week to 10 days,� Miller said. “You just have to wait your turn when the power is out.� If potential exists for road closing signs or road cleanup, Miller send advisories to county department heads, who are responsible for preparing their staff. “A lot of emergency management is after the fact. You want to pick up the pieces and get everything back to normal,� she said. “Sometimes, employees will check the roads and see what things look like. We know what potential lowwater spots are out there.� Any weather event that occurs during nightfall creates a higher risk. “Severe weather at night-time is especially dangerous,� she said. “The Hoisington tornado and the Joplin, Missouri tornado were night-time events. It’s hard to verify what’s happening at night. You see the storm on radar, but you can’t always know exactly what’s going on at ground level.� The goal of the emergency management is to reduce the loss of life; to

minimize property loss and damage to the environment; and to protect Barton County from all threats and hazards. The local emergency management program enhances the protection of the county, its communities and its citizens through planning, training and coordination of resources. Barton County’s emergency plan allows the county to more effectively respond to and recover faster from the effects of a major emergency or disaster. Miller serves as the county’s liaison with state and federal agencies responsible for emergency management. She is the direct communication link to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. In addition to emergency management functions, Miller serves as the risk manager administering property, vehicle, liability and workers compensation insurance, and safety issues. Emergency managers work with emergency services fire, EMS, law enforcement, public works, public health, hospitals and medical facilities, schools, utilities, private sector businesses and the Salvation Army and American Red Cross to create all-hazards plans.

BCC instructor embraces student groups BY JOE VINDUSKA Barton Community College vinduskaj@bartonccc.edu

Barton Instructor and Coordinator of Business Kathy Boeger has a reputation on campus for her positive energy and upbeat attitude. An email from Kathy has the power to uplift the spirits of the entire campus. It’s not surprising that with her sunny disposition and outlook on life, she’s made it a personal goal to enhance students’ lives through community service groups, which in turn benefit the community at large. “I’m a different person because of my husband and he’s one of the most positive people I’ve ever met,� she said. “I’ve just taken on his personality from way back, and life is too short to not be happy,� she said. “It’s hard not to be positive when you have kids out there doing really great things and learning. How can you not be happy about that or excited?� Boeger is a sponsor for Barton’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society and

the Community Service Organization. Both groups have completed numerous community service projects including food, supply and clothing drives, volunteering at the Healing Hearts Ranch, supporting local churches with their service projects, helping other campus groups with projects like Easter egg hunts and the veteran’s breakfast and volunteering to help the facilities plant do work on campus. While PTK members have to be selected, CSO is open to all students. Boeger said these projects benefit the recipients of the students’ efforts but the students also learn and grow. “These kids get to meet people they would never have met before, make connections and really see a different world,� she said. “These are good kids. They want to get out, do stuff, be involved, meet people and interact.� Boeger said community service projects and being community oriented is important and is something that has to be taught

because not all students are exposed to these concepts earlier in life. “I think a lot of the kids have never had this option,� she said. “Some of the inner-city kids find out that Great Bend is sort of a safe environment compared to what they’ve seen and they can see how people live and grow up, and I think that helps a lot and these kids go and do things and they will talk about the fact that they don’t have the same life at home and we have discussions about what they see and how they want to change things where they live.� Barton Executive Director of Business, Technology and Community Education Jane Howard said the Workforce Training and Community Education division understands the benefits of Boeger’s involvement, and her actions fit within the community-oriented nature of the division. “Supporting Kathy in her involvement with her students in both PTK and the CSO is a no-brainer for the WTCE Division,� she

said. “Kathy believes in and has dedicated herself to her students’ success both in

and out of the classroom. The activities these groups are involved in teach them

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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

BOEGER, from page 5 It teaches them to be compassionate and giving in their everyday lives as well. It is easy for students, staff and faculty to follow Kathy’s lead in making the world a better place one person at a time.� Working on these projects makes Barton visible in another way to the community, and Boeger said it’s great for community members to get more than a traditional idea of what a Barton student is and some of what Barton does. “I think the community needs to know that we don’t just teach in the classroom,� she said. “I think this helps them realize their money is going toward a really good thing. Some of these kids are getting an education they would not be able to get otherwise and donors of the Foundation are seeing that their scholarships are going to good use. These kids acknowledge this generosity and realize they need to give back to their community.� Boeger knows her efforts will develop students who are community oriented. “It’s part of our responsibility to teach lifelong learning and how to be a responsible person within

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CTE Month 2016 This feature is the third of four stories to be released by Barton Community College in February in celebration of Career Technical Education Month. The month is an annual celebration of CTE stories of leadership and excellence from classrooms across the country. It is intended to raise aware-

ness of the crucial role that CTE has in readying our nation for economic success and workforce competitiveness. CTE month will culminate with a Career Technical Education Fair from 1-3 p.m. on Feb. 29 in the Case New Holland Shop in the northeast side of the Technical building. The fair is available for 8th

and an nd d Yo Your ou ur Family ur Fam Fa m ly mil ly

grade students, high school students, current Barton students, community members and will feature demonstrations, hands-on-activities, refreshments, prizes and photo ops with the Barton mascot. To sign up, contact Denise Schreiber at 620-792-9324 or schreiberd@bartonccc.edu.

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Hoisington couple shows compassion through its art, foster care program SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

About a year and a half ago, the traveling fine arts exhibition “Estamos Aqui” (We Are Here) spent the summer at the Shafer Memorial Gallery in Great Bend. Highlighting work by 40 Hispanic artists, the exhibition is still touring the nation. Back in 2014, though, Hugo Gonzalez was one of the rare locals artists asked to contribute work to the Great Bend show. He submitted his charcoal series “Halftones,” five pieces depicting life situations that often hinder human efforts to achieve happiness. One of those pieces, “Forever Home,” depicted a tiny hand straining to reach the knob on a wooden door covered by tiny handprints. Those handprints are his 3-yearold son’s and the three foster children he and his wife, Angel, have cared for since November 2013. “I’ve wanted to foster for about 10 years,” said Angel. “I’d seen a boy in my oldest daughter’s kindergarten class who was hungry and dirty, and I just wanted to take him home and care for him. Someone told me that I should do foster care, but we just couldn’t do it then.” The young couple had their hands full. They were living in Hays, working fulltime, and already raising two little girls. In addition, Hugo was a full-time student at Fort Hays State University, studying graphic design. They had neither the time, nor the resources to

COURTESY PHOTO

Hugo and Angel Gonzalez, Hoisington, stand next to an art piece entitled “Forever Home.” The piece is part of Hugo’s charcoal series “Halftones.”

take in more children. They didn’t seriously consider fostering again until Hugo graduated and they moved to Hoisington. Angel, a department manager for WalMart, was able to transfer to the Great Bend store, and Hugo got a job at the Great Bend Tribune. It seemed as good a time as any to start fostering, so they sat down 13-year-old Jacquelyn, 11-year-old Isabelle, and their little brother Giovanni for a family discussion. “Our daughters were all for it,” said Angel. “Giovanni, of course, was only a year and a half, but now he’s thrilled. He loves them and considers them his brother

and sisters.” Hugo and Angel earned their license through Saint Francis Community Services and three months later received their first placement, a sibling set of three – a 2-year-old boy and girls ages three and five. “When we started this, we only intended to take on one child at a time,” said Angel. “But our worker called and said there was this sibling group and that they’d have to separate them if we couldn’t take them. So, I said okay – and we went from three kids to six overnight.” Right away, Angel noticed that one of the girls

didn’t understand sentence construction. Adults had rarely spoken to her, so she had a hard time comprehending syntax. In fact, tests showed that all three were learning delayed. Neither had the children experienced much structure in their lives, so there were also behavioral issues. Angel became a licensed education advocate so she could better help the children catch up in school, while she and Hugo began the patient application of structure and discipline at home. Gradually, the behavioral problems abated

and the children began to keep pace with their fellow students. All three now learn at a level consistent with their age and grade. “We’ve had some challenging moments, but it never occurred to us that we couldn’t handle it,” said Angel. “We just don’t treat them any differently than we treat our own kids. They follow the same rules we’ve used with our own for the last 14 years.” Hugo and Angel recently learned that their three foster children will soon be available for adoption. The court has terminated paren-

tal rights, and Angel already has an adoption packet in hand. Still, they haven’t decided if they’re ready to permanently double the number of children in their family. “We’re still discussing it,” said Hugo. “We’re about 70 percent towards reaching a decision.” For the Gonzalez girls and their brother, the decision is a no-brainer. “The girls want to adopt them,” said Angel. “So does Giovanni. A few months ago, we were talking about him coming out of my stomach when he was born, and he said it was just like (our foster son). I told him that it didn’t actually work that way, that (our foster son) wasn’t really ours. Giovanni started crying and said, ‘He’s ours; he’s my brother.’ I think he would be devastated if they left. “So, yeah, I think about six kids ... It seems like a lot, but we’ve done it for two years already.” Hugo is philosophical, and as an artist, he believes people are constantly in search of their better half – and that that better half is happiness. “That’s why all the figures in ‘Halftones’ are rendered only in part; their better half is yet to be found,” he said. If warmth and affection are any measure, the Gonzalez family and the children they foster have already found their better halves — by giving happiness to each other.

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• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

GBRH creates employee growth opportunites SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

Every successful business knows that its employees are its biggest asset, and Great Bend Regional Hospital is no exception. The leadership team at the local, physician-owned hospital has created strategic opportunities for its staff to continue their education to better their careers. And for some people, the tuition for college courses is 100 percent free to the student. “We have several partnerships in place that allow us to offer these unique educational opportunities to our employees,� said Adina Gregory, chief operating officer at GBRH. “One of these partnerships is with Barton Community College and the other is with the Kansas Board of Regents. We do everything we can to accommodate employees who want to advance their career and earn a higher wage, which in turn creates higher retention rates.� Since the 33-bed hospital opened in 2009, it has facilitated students from BCC’s nursing program. Students put in their necessary clinical hours working side by side with hospital staff, supervised by either a college instructor or by a nursing preceptor who is trained to supervise clinical students. At GBRH, first year students in the LPN program work in the Women and Children’s Center, providing obstetric and pediatric care. The second year students in the RN program rotate among the Emergency Room, Urgent Care, Medical/Surgical Unit and ICU to get a well-rounded clinical experience. “Our partnership with Great Bend Regional is really mutually beneficial for both the college and the hospital. Our students need opportunities to put in clinical hours, and the hospital’s staff has always been extremely accommodating and supportive of our students,� said Brenda Glendenning, BCC nursing instructor. “On the flip side, Great Bend Regional Hospital gets opportunities to groom and train nursing staff from day one and often has the opportunity to hire our students after they finish their degree, which meets a critical need for quality, well-trained employees.� For the employees who decide to pursue higher education after they are already employed with the hospital, GBRH tries to accommodate school schedules and

Spotlight on Christina Delgadillo

COURTESY PHOTO

Jessica Jaske prepares to start an IV at Great Bend Regional Hospital, where she works in the Medical/Surgical Unit.

facilitate opportunities for Kansas Board of Regents scholarships. Through Career Technical Workforce Grants, students can apply for up to $3,500 each school year for nursing service scholarships. The only requirement is that they have to work for a sponsoring business, which provides a portion of those funds. They also have to stay employed with that sponsoring business for at least one year for every year of financial support they receive. “We have matched Board of Regents scholarships for more than a dozen of our employees in the last five years, and we try to be accommodating with their shift schedules while they are in school,� Gregory said. “When they are finished, the employee can earn a higher wage and better provide for their families. Our goal is that their experience and commitment to our facility will last long after their service obligation has expired.� One of the hospital’s employees that took advantage of this program is Jessica Jaske, who works in the Medical/Surgi-

cal Unit. Jaske worked for Great Bend Regional for over a year as an LPN before deciding to go back to school and pursue her degree as a Registered Nurse. The Board of Regents scholarship made all the difference, she said. “The hospital sponsoring me through the Board of Regents grant program allowed me to work less and focus on my education while I was taking classes,� Jaske said. “In my opinion, the advantage of doing it this way, other than the free education, was having a guaranteed job after graduation and getting a more diverse range of clinical experience.� Jaske has worked for other health-care facilities in the area, and chose GBRH for a few key reasons. “In smaller hospitals, you just don’t get the same types of cases coming in, so you end up with less experience for surgical and medical knowledge,� she said. “We also have really advanced technology here, and a low patient ratio that makes me feel confident in my ability to care for all my patients.�

Great Bend Regional Hospital does a lot to “grow their own� and foster opportunities for advancement for its employees. Christina Delgadillo is a great example of a hard-working employee who wanted more for her family. “I started in housekeeping more than six years ago, and decided that I wanted to pursue my nursing degree,� Delgadillo said. “After I got my LPN, I decided to continue on and get my RN (and possibly go for my BSN). ... The hospital has always worked around my school schedule and helped me get the shifts I need to maintain a work-life balance.� Residence Has lived in Great Bend for 30 years. Family Husband Miguel Delgadillo and daughter Vanessa. Q: What are your hobbies? A: “Currently, just work and school.� Q: What first drew you to this type of work? A: “I felt comfortable in the hospital environment.� Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do? A: “I enjoy seeing different people day to day.�

Sunflower Diversified Services There is a Difference! THE CHOICE FOR GROWTH

We all know what is important to us – a place to call home, family and friends, and personal fulďŹ llment. The individuals served by Sunower are no different. In its 50th year, Sunower DiversiďŹ ed Services is a non-proďŹ t agency and the only business of its kind in central Kansas. No other organization provides comprehensive services for people with developmental disabilities and delays from birth through retirement. This is how we help people reach their goals: Children and their families t "MM FBSMZ FEVDBUJPO TFSWJDFT ZPVS DIJME JT entitled to t 5IFSBQJFT OFDFTTBSZ UP PWFSDPNF NPUPS language and educational delays that lead to greater self-sufďŹ ciency Adults and their families t 'JOEJOH BWFOVFT UP B IPNF PG ZPVS PXO BT you choose whether or not to share with a roommate or two t 0GGFSJOH BT NVDI TVQQPSU BT ZPV OFFE while you work and earn at your highest potential t *G ZPV DBOOPU XPSL QSPWJEJOH NFEJDBM BOE therapeutic supports necessary for more personal independence

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 •

9

Ellinwood’s progressive person: Becca Maxwell Title Assistant Vice President Sunflower Bank NA and Retail Service Officer Ellinwood/Great Bend What city do you live in? Ellinwood How long have you been there? 15 years Family members Greg Maxwell, Art Teacher, Mya Maxwell 12 years, Mette Maxwell 5 years. Hobbies USA Volleyball Certified Coach and Director for Velocity Volleyball Club for Central Kansas. I enjoy coaching and spending time with my daughters and most evenings and weekends you will find me sitting in the stands of a gym somewhere in Kansas cheering on my girls with their different sporting events they participate in. What first drew you to this type of work/service? Sunflower Bank’s mission statement is “Bringing out the Best in the Lives we touch‌ Creating Possibility.â€? With that vision I have been allowed to contribute to the general good of my community. I saw the need and benefit of creating a fitness center for our community after the establishment of the Ellinwood Recreation Commission and Sunflower Bank had an area/facility that I thought would be

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perfect for it. After my second pregnancy I was at risk for type 2 diabetes, so I focused on my diet and exercise and I was able to lose 70 pounds. With diabetes on the rise and one out of every three children and adolescents in Kansas considered to be either overweight or obese, I knew I wanted to make a difference in my community and take steps to get kids more active and healthy. That, and my own health experiences, instilled in me the desire to create an environment for others to focus on a healthy lifestyle at any age. What do you most enjoy about what you do? Our customers are the reason we are in business today. My position at the bank allows me to specialize in financial health but I think it is important to also focus on your personal well-being as well. My job has allowed me to dream big. I have been given the freedom to conceptualize and invent programs and write grants that are important for our community. For 10 years with Sunflower Bank I have had the opportunity to facilitate the Community Ambassador Program in both Ellinwood and Great Bend. It is a program for High School seniors in our communities in which we educate future leaders in financial and leadership skills, encourage them to learn about the community so after completing their higher education they consider returning home to give back as future or current members of our business community. How has it changed since you first began/what changes do you anticipate in the next 5-10 years? At Sunflower Bank, we have embraced the tough

times as opportunities to learn, to grow, and to change. We’ve experienced technology advances and the financial world is a different place now than it was ten, five or even one year ago. Customers are changing the way they bank – debit cards, e-statements, paying bills online, mobile banking- services that were only a vision 15 years ago. I anticipate that the next several years will be very similar to what we have experienced with technology, innovation and change in our workplace.

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• GREAT BEND KAN. TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Antiques, Collectibles & Tours

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Ellinwood opens wellness center 2015 saw the culmination of a fouryear effort by the Ellinwood Recreation Commission and volunteers in the community. The dream of opening a year-round fitness facility was realized the morning of May 1 with the grand opening of the Ellinwood Wellness Center. Commission chair Mel Waite and the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce greeted community members gathered in the facility’s all-purpose room to mark the occasion. It was expected the room will hold classes and special programs, and at some point in the future will also provide on-site babysitting. “The goal of the commission has always been to offer programing for our community,� Waite said at the opening. “We are not a profit-driven enterprise, and we depend on the partnerships we’ve created within our community to keep the cost accessible for everyone.� Memberships for single people are $25 a month, and for families, $35 a month. Waite thanked several corporate and

community organizations for their financial and in-kind contributions to the project, as well as a handful of individual donors. The facility offers a variety of cardio equipment, circuit and free weights stations. HB Communications, an area cable and internet supplier, donated several flat-screen televisions and will provide cable and wi-fi signal at no cost to the center. In the near future, the commission hopes to have wireless transmitters configured for each television so patrons will be able to choose which television they wish to listen to through the headphones on their personal wireless devices. “This is a huge asset for Ellinwood,� said then Mayor Frank Koelsch.

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11

BY VERONICA COONS vcoons@gbtribune.com

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 •

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Legos, Legos and more Legos at Rec BY RUSSELL EDEM redem@gbtribune.com

The Great Bend Recreation Commission hosts to many events and programs throughout the year. But in 2015 the GBRC hosted to a new program called Play Well TEKnologies, a Lego-inspired engineering camp. “The camp teaches children about engineering and in turn it teaches valuable critical thinking skills,â€? instructor of Play Well TEKnologies David Northup said. The children had the opportunity to build engineer-designed projects such as boats, bridges, mazes and motorized vehicles of their own design using many different types of Legos. They also explored many creative possibilities of the Lego building system. “We are hoping to be able to bring this camp back to Great Bend this year,â€? Recreation Program Coordinator Garet Fitzpatrick said. The camp started in 1997 in San Francisco, Calif., and is now offering their program in 27 states. In Kansas, Play Well TEKnologies is based in Kansas City. The instructors have varied careers and educational backgrounds – mechanical engineering, architecture, biology, art and law just to name a few. The goals of the company are to help children solve problems, explore the world and express themselves. The first session, for children ages 5-6 years old, is called “Pre-Engineering with Legos.â€? They focus mainly on basic designs and basic engineering concepts. They build boats, bridges, mazes and motorized cars and learn how these pieces work through engineering. The second session, for children ages 7-12, is called Engineering “FUNdamentals with Legos.â€? They focus on more advanced designs and engineering concepts. They apply real-world concepts such as physics, engineering and architecture though the building of arch bridges, skyscrapers, motorized cars and other engineering designs. According to Play Well TEKnologies • They teach approximately 100,000 students per year. They run their engineering programs in approximately 27 states, as well as in France. • The instructors teach year-round and make the curriculum their own, so that each program is a uniquely fun experience. • They bring over 20,000 pieces of Legos into each class/camp, and hundreds of projects, there is no limit to what you can build. • Play Well TEKnologies teaches through play. Kids explore, solve problems and express themselves through Legos. The curriculum is designed by engineers and refined by teachers, but the kids just think

Spotlight on Garet Fitzpatrick Title Recreation Program Coordinator What city do you live in? Larned How long? 10 years Family Members Wife with two children. Hobbies Hunting and sports What drew you to this work/ service? The enjoyment of doing a job were I get to create programs for people to have fun and to educate them in many different areas. What do you enjoy most about what you do? It is rewarding to create a program and see the smiling faces of the children and adults that are participating in the program. How has it changed since you first began? Technology What do you see changing in the next 5-10 years? Finding a way to get children away from the electronics and get them to do more stuff outside and to appreciate nature.

it’s fun. • Play Well TEKnologies is not a franchise organization. Play-Well’s founder and President Tim Bowen maintains a high level of quality by keeping our programs “in-houseâ€? and visiting in person with instructors from all over the country. • They partner with Lego Kidsfest on their national tour. Since 2008, They have been working with Lego Kidsfest, the only tour sponsored and run by Lego.

12

• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Early intervention can lead to better childhood, better adulthood SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

Infants and toddlers make progress every day at Sunflower’s Early Education Center EEC as a result of the non-profit agency’s varied programs. Sometimes the little ones learn new skills; other times they discover they are enjoying interaction with their peers for the first time. But these, and many other benefits don’t stop in early childhood. They continue through the school-age years and into adulthood. Sunflower Diversified Services owns and operates the EEC, located at 1312 Patton Road in Great Bend, which provides screenings and services to infants and toddlers in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. All services are free to families. “The advantages of early education will last our children a lifetime,� said Cathy Estes, Sunflower children’s services coordinator. “It affects every aspect of their lives.� When an issue is addressed early in life, a child’s developmental delay is at least alleviated and often overcome. “If we can intervene in those first months and years of life, special education may not be necessary

COURTESY PHOTO

Incredible Years Preschool students make “snow� during a science experiment. Many former Early Education Center youngsters are enrolled in the preschool. Sunflower Diversified Services owns and operates both entities.

later on,� Estes said. “The sooner we can assess and address a delay, the easier it is for a child to reach developmental milestones. “It has been proven that children who receive early

intervention do better academically and socially throughout their lives,� she continued. “They learn communication and other skills, which are invaluable in their personal and

professional lives.� Estes cited recent information from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, which concluded early experiences influence

the developing brain. A Harvard summary says, in part: “From the prenatal period through the first years of life, the brain undergoes its most rapid

development, and early experiences determine whether its architecture is sturdy or fragile. During early sensitive periods of development, the brain’s circuitry is most open to the influence of external experiences, for better or for worse. “During these sensitive periods,� the summary continues, “healthy emotional and cognitive development is shaped by responsive, dependable interaction with adults, while chronic or extreme adversity can interrupt normal brain development.� Estes said those few sentences reinforce the reasons the EEC provides a wide range of services for children with delays and disabilities. Sometimes the answer is just more socialization for a child who doesn’t have access to peers, extended family or mentors. “It could also entail our speech, physical and occupational therapists who help with communication, walking or feeding delays,� Estes said. “Our four early childhood special education teachers also provide excellent intervention for enhanced problem solving and reasoning. “These issues can often be overcome,� she added. “If they are addressed See EEC, 13

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Cathy Estes guides Joseph Cregger, left, and Kurt Byerly who are learning to hold a crayon like a pencil so they can enhance printing skills. The youngsters are in Director Shari Schneider’s class at Incredible Years Preschool. Estes has led the children’s programs at Sunflower Diversified Services for a decade and will retire this summer.

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Advertising gets people in your door. See what our business directory can do for you! Call 620-792-1211

GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 •

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Estes leaves legacy of support SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

A short time after Cathy Estes arrived at the Early Education Center, she re-discovered the importance of early intervention for children with developmental delays. And since then, she has dedicated the last decade of her professional life to helping families by leading the EEC, which Sunflower Diversified Services owns and operates. Estes had been a certified associate behavior analyst in Oklahoma before arriving at the EEC, located at 1312 Patton Road in Great Bend. She has a master’s degree in human relations/counseling. “I had worked with teens and adults but knew early intervention is crucial for children needing assistance,� Estes said. “Since 85 percent of brain development occurs during the first three years of life, it is easier to help youngsters overcome delays than it is to re-wire their brains later.� Estes is looking back on her early days and experiencing bittersweet moments. She will retire this summer. She and her husband, Frank, have raised a son and daughter, and have two grandsons. The Larned couple plan to pursue their artistic hobbies by moving to an art community in the South. She also is a painter. “I’m looking forward to our new life but I will really miss making a difference in children’s lives,� Estes commented. “Indirectly, through the work of our staff and the

freedom to be creative, I have helped make a difference in hundreds of young lives. “I am ultimately responsible to 13 staff members and about 120 families at any given time,� she said. “It will be strange to no longer have these responsibilities.� However, Estes quickly noted, she is leaving families in the capable hands of an exceptional staff. Each person is credentialed and skilled at supporting children and their families, she explained. One particular legacy Estes is leaving to her colleagues is stressing the importance of children’s social and emotional well-being. She and several other staff members have pursued their education in this field through the Kansas Association of Infant Mental Health. “We know the term ‘infant mental health’ is foreign to the layman, but positive relationships with peers and adults are vital to overall development,� she said. “We can detect early signs of social/emotional concerns even with infants. “It is crucial for youngsters to get support as early as possible,� she added. “Social/emotional stability is the foundation for all other learning.� Estes had always known EEC programs were making huge dif-

ferences in families’ lives but wondered if it was enough. Since the EEC enrolls children only up to age 3, she was concerned about the next few years in a child’s life. And an idea was born. That idea today is called Sunflower’s Incredible Years Preschool, which has been serving families for more than seven years. “It broke my heart to realize that once our little ones aged out of our programs, we could no longer help them,� she recalled. “They might not have had an alternative place to go until age 5, especially if they lacked social/emotional skills. “We didn’t want them to backslide; they needed to keep moving forward with kindergarten preparation,� she added. “Now Incredible Years offers to the community another affordable preschool where our staff and high-quality curriculum continue providing topnotch programs.� Incredible Years’ tuition is income-based; it serves children of all abilities. “The preschool and other programs are the result of me being a bigpicture person,� Estes commented. “I can look to our staff and see each individual’s strengths. Then we pull these strengths together. “Because of this, no one is overwhelmed,� she added. “One person cannot be all things to all people. The staff fills in the pieces of my big picture to make the puzzle fit. Our team approach has been extremely successful and I know our team will continue this important work.�

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early enough, people don’t have to struggle later in life.� Even if a child has a permanent disability, the EEC can offer guidance. “Our professional staff can help minimize the problem by providing adaptive and coping skills,� Estes explained. “We can support children as they reach their highest potential, rather than accepting defeat. We have learned never to say never as young children always surprise

us with their remarkable abilities.� Estes also noted that all children are different and develop at their own pace. However, some guidelines should be considered. “There are specific age-related milestones,� she explained. “We can screen a child and talk with parents to discover if intervention is needed. If it is and our staff intervenes, the child will enjoy a more rewarding and productive life.�

14

• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Claflin museum reopens better than ever BY VERONICA COONS vcoons@gbtribune.com

CLAFLIN — Claflin’s history museum had to close unexpectedly in 2010 when the building, one of Claflin’s original structures, had severe structural problems. “One day, we arrived to find the upstairs had become the downstairs,” said Brad Miller, a member of the city’s historical museum board. On Saturday, May 30, Claflin’s historical museum officially opened for selfguided tours and a walk down Memory Lane as part of a once-in-five-years all school reunion, visitors received their first glimpse at the new and improved history museum, located on the second floor at the south end of the former Claflin school on the north end of Main Street. Support from the community and alumni of the high school also made it possible for the museum to install a stair lift, making the museum handicapped accessible. In recent years, the city has made space available in the building for a variety of purposes benefiting the community. Today, a wellness center is available to members 24-hours a day, yoga and tai-chi classes are taught, and practice space for team sports as well as a community room for events is available. “Instead of letting the building become a blight to our community, it’s become a blessing,” Miller said. The Friends of the Museum created a family-friendly space that allows visitors to enjoy a self-guided tour that includes the sights and sounds of Claflin through

TRIBUNE FILE PHOTOS

The Claflin history museum is located in an old school building on Main Street. Brad Miller (left), chairman of The Friends of the Museum, helped find Claflin’s history museum a new home.

COURTESY PHOTO

Doc Jury was an important historical figure for Claflin. He helped with the birth of 2,000 babies over his career.

the ages. Five spaces filled with photos, stories, and memorabilia include a room dedicated to Claflin’s Wildcats, the former mascot of the high school which is

now the home of the Oilers. Another room takes visitors on a trip through the history of entertainment, from pianos to radios to television.

A space dedicated to Dr. Jury, who served the people of Claflin over a 60-year career will once again be on display. Jury is credited with helping birth

2,000 babies over his career, Miller said. Miller is pleased the city agreed to allow the museum to locate in the space. “This museum offers

a great representation of Claflin and other northern Barton County towns, and it’s important to us to have it showcased in this way,”he said.

School district answers call for new phones By late spring Great Bend USD 428 will be better connected than ever. That’s because of a new $48,700 IWATSU phone system that will allow each classroom phone to call any other phone in the district. Great Bend High School and the District Education Center (DEC) are already on the system. “This will expand our phone capabilities by increasing features like direct calling, voice mail and call clarity,” said Khris Thexton, assistant superintendent and director of business and operations. “It will also update obsolete, discontinued phone systems. “We will be able to reduce physical phone lines into the district while becoming more efficient and reducing costs,” Thexton said. “The cost savings will recoup the new system’s cost in roughly three years.” The high school was the first building to convert to the new system followed by the District Education Center. Great Bend Middle School is next on the list with the elementary

schools and other buildings coming next. “GBHS was the first site for improvements and the hub of the phone system is located on their site similar to the district computer network,” Thexton said. “It was time for an update,” he said. “The DEC Norstar system and Helping Hands Toshiba phone system are over 30 years old and parts were no longer available. “DEC saw the biggest change because everything needed to be changed including handsets and the main switch because they were not compatible,” he said. “All sites except Helping Hands and DEC will not see anything different,” Thexton noted. “All sites will have their infrastructure updated, but the handsets will remain the same. “The old platform was DOS based and very cumbersome to maintain,’ he said. “The new version will be Windows based and offers the district features not available to us before.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Cathie McManaman, transportation secretary at Great Bend USD 428, tends to a call on the new IWATSU phone system put into place the last week of January at the District Education Center.

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GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 •

15

GBCCA entertains the Golden Belt SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

Founded in 1937, the Golden Belt Community Concert Association has a rich heritage of providing quality, diverse, musical performances to the residents of Barton County and the surrounding area. The association’s vision is to enrich the cultural awareness and appreciation of the performing arts for everyone in the communities served. The remaining shows for this season are “The Wonderful Wizard of Song,� coming to the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium on Monday, Feb. 29, and Mike Farris, on Thursday, March 17. “The Wonderful Wizard of Song,� a Matt Davenport Production, brings out pivotal moments in the life of Harold Arlen, one of America’s most influential songwriters. A cast of three men and two women backed by piano and bass will perform

many of his songs, including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow� and “That Old Black Magic.� Exhilarating rhythmand-blues vocalist Mike Farris has genre-defying style. His music has been described as “blue-eyed soul to soothe the spirit.� He performs with a five-piece band playing songs from Billboard’s top 100 hits of 1969. Through the decades Great Bend musician and history buff Joe Boley has been involved in the association for more than 50 years. He compiled the following information about its beginnings: During the early 1900s, the cultural atmosphere of the community was influenced by war-time patriotism, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression, as well as a plan by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to revitalize the nation and bring back those lost “happy days� with the

New Deal. In 1938, Great Bend was in the midst of an oil boom, the economy was thriving and a diverse population was being established. These attitudes of a booming economy and a unique population base may have influenced the citizens of Great Bend to organize an association that would bring professional musicians to the community. The organization to bring about this concept would be the Columbia Artist Bureau, New York City, an organization that was formed in 1927 by seven leading impresarios with ties to several stars. Their plan was to export musical culture to all parts of the country. In 1930, the Columbia Broadcasting System took over the new entity, named the Community Concerts Corporation. The Great Bend Community Concert Association, as it was then known, See GBCCA, 16

Justin Engleman, GBCCA president Lifetime Great Bend resident Justin Engleman lists his hobbies as genealogy, cooking and baking, and playing trumpet in the Great Bend Municipal Band and Prairie Winds Concert Band. Q: What first drew you to serving on the GBCCA board? A: “I love music and enjoyed attending the concerts. Shortly after joining the association I was asked to help with the annual campaign. Then I was asked to take the position of membership chair-

man and held that position for 14 years. I became the president two years ago.� Q: What do you most enjoy about what you do? A: “The most important part of what we do is to bring live, professional entertainment to the Golden Belt. In today’s technological society, it is important to remember to unplug and enjoy social time with friends and attend a concert, and furthermore learn something while attending the concert. It is also important to remember our

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COURTESY PHOTO

Mike Farris will present the final Golden Belt Community Concert Association production of the 2015-16 season March 17 at the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium.

history – almost 80 years – and to carry on the tradition that was started by Mrs. M. F. Russell and those 11 others who served on the first board of directors. They saw a need to bring top-quality entertainers to Great Bend, and there still is that need; therefore, helping to select the performances is a great privilege for all of our 35 board members.�

Q: How has it changed over the years, and what changes do you anticipate in the next 5-10 years? A: “Little has changed in the way we operate the association since its beginnings in 1937. One of the major changes has been to go from a predominantly highbrow series to one of popular music. While we still have a wide genre of offerings each year, we try to have something that meets the needs of each member – anything from a classical pianist to a country western singer to a big band. I see us continuing to bring top-flight entertainers to the Golden Belt far into the future.�

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16

• GREAT BEND (KAN.) TRIBUNE • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

GBHS gears up for Community Day The fourth annual Great Bend High School Community Day will take place on Wednesday, April 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students and teachers will be scattered throughout Great Bend working on different projects that

includes everything from painting to sorting and picking up trash throughout the community. The event is designed to help make the community better by everyone giving back. This event, organized by

GBHS Student Council, cannot take place without the community’s support. For more information, contact Andrea Stalcup or Abby Sandmann, student council advisers, at the high school, 620-7931521.

COURTESY PHOTO

Shelby Deist, Great Bend High School Student Council senior class representative, addresses members of the USD 428 Board of Education and provides details of the fourth annual GBHS Community Day at the January meeting. Also pictured are Art Baker, Tim Friess and Christie Gerdes.

GBCCA, from page 15 was organized in 1937 with Dr. M. F. Russell’s wife, Ethel, as president and 11 other charter board members. The first concert was held in February 1939, when the Mozart Boys’ Choir of Vienna performed in the Great Bend High School Auditorium. The other concert that year was Metropolitan Opera soprano Josephine Antoine. The association continued on until the end of the 1941-1942 season. The concert association stopped performances during World War II and began offering cultural presentations again in the fall of 1947. Following World War II, the association had a membership of 773 adults and 145 student memberships. The structure of the community concert association has gone through only a few changes throughout its history.

for concert selection and administration. The Golden Belt Community Concert Association celebrated its 75th season in 20122013. Over the years, the Golden Belt Community Concert Association has afforded the citizens of

The New York Association of Community Concerts founded the practice of subscription concerts so as to guarantee a substantial amount of money to provide professional quality entertainers. Several years ago, family memberships were established to bring in additional members at an economical price. The local name has changed to Golden Belt Community Concert Association and reciprocal agreements with Dodge City, El Dorado, and Garden City are still honored.

In 1986, the patron program was inaugurated to bring in additional income. Columbia Artists no longer contracts with Community Concerts organizations. The Great Bend association now contracts with Live on Stage Inc., a Nashville, Tennessee, based organization for its concert selections and full range of services. The Great Bend concerts are still given in the renovated Municipal Auditorium with a board of directors responsible

central Kansas the ability to see live, high-class musicians at a price affordable to everyone. Some of those artists include the Robert Shaw Chorale, the Boston Pops, William Warfield, Mantovani, Paul Lavalle and the Band of America, Fred Waring

and the Pennsylvanians, Duke Ellington, and Arthur Fiedler. A few artists have appeared in Great Bend multiple times, including Ferrente and Teicher, Peter Nero, Mr. Jack Daniel’s Original Silver Cornet Band and Dorothy Warenskjold.

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