Archive By Author - Veronica Coons
Christmas of Sadness
The saddest Christmas experience I ever had was helping a friend bury her 16-month-old son the day after Christmas. He died on Dec. 22, 1999. I learned about it the next day, late at night, after I finished tucking my youngest daughter, one years old that day, into bed. I went downstairs to check my e-mail, and there it was – he most solemn letter I've ever read, from a distraught friend who knew no ...
Great Bend to apply for national designation
A steering committee made up of representatives from the City of Great Bend and several local organizations is making preparations to apply for the designation as one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People," awarded by the America's Promise Alliance each year.
Small Change is big money for Humane Society
"Happiness is a warm puppy," Charles Schultz, creator of the comic strip Peanuts, said.
CHRISTMAS CHOIR
Wednesday afternoon, the GBHS A Cappella Choir and Madrigals Pops Singers put the finishing touches on the 2012 Christmas Vespers concert. Dressed in robes, the group of 110 were picture perfect for videographers taping the program at Barton Community College.
John Keenan answers “Where I went wrong”
"Failure has been my greatest teacher," John Keenan said Tuesday afternoon at Perks Coffee Shop in Great Bend. The 28 year old Great Bend High School graduate was dropping off a stack of his newly cut CDs with uncle Greg Keenan, who will make them available to the public. The journey to create the album of songs, along with younger brother Mark and friend Scott Martz has been both illuminating and life changing.
What to wear when -and if- Cliff arrives
I won a jackpot on Thanksgiving. I didn't even have to pay a buck to do it either--who says you have to play to win? We visited mom, now retired for two years this New Years Eve. As it turns out, she's taken to retirement very well, and plans to make a career of it. Because of this, her wardrobe needs have changed slightly, which is where my jackpot comes in.
Trains deliver Christmas magic
Rich Fox, a member of Great Bend's model train club, has been busy recently sharing the Christmas spirit by transporting and setting up model trains around the city. A few weeks ago, he brought an HO gauge set out to Waters True Value Hardware. He brought an "old timey" steam locomotive G gauge to the Shafer Art Gallery, and a slightly more modern version that looks like an old narrow-gauge railroad to the Barton County ...
Volunteers sought for upcoming homeless count
The lack of homeless shelters in most rural towns and counties may give the wrong impression. Homelessness in rural America simply looks different than it does in urban areas. While higher concentrations stand outside church basements and temporary nightly shelters in downtown USA for all who drive by to see, the rural homeless are far more likely to be isolated, hidden, and voiceless.
Antique horse glider a “Ghost from Christmas Past”
While digging around for Christmas decorations for Sunday's Ghost of Christmas Past community open house at the Barton County Historical Museum, director Beverly Komarek rediscovered two pieces from the museum's collection, a toy wooden sleigh, and a circa 1890 horse glider. As it turns out, the horse fit with the sleigh just right. A engraved metal plate on the lower cross rail of the glider reads "Converse."
Bank recognizes area charities for work
Christmas came a little early for some of the area's helping organizations on Wednesday morning a the Farmers Bank and Trust. Representatives, board members and volunteers from over 30 charitable non-profits attended the bank's 16th Annual Holiday Charity Recognition Coffee.
Santa strolls to Workshop Monday night
Unseasonably warm weather made it easy for Santa and Mrs. Claus to make their way over to the Great Bend City Auditorium Monday evening for the 16th Annual Santa's Workshop sponsored by student organizations at Great Bend High School.
Wait a few weeks before bringing home that new pet
The Golden Belt Human Society is unique in that it is both an animal shelter and the pound. In most places, these jobs are separate. That means employees at the shelter have a tough job to do.
Demolition bid approved by USD 428 BOE
Board members of USD 428 convened at Great Bend Middle School at noon Tuesday, Nov. 27 to move forward on their plans to expand parking at the high school. At the Nov. 12 meeting, they voted to purchase the property at 1723 Morton Street for the land value, $9,000, for that purpose. With the closing on the transaction set for Tuesday afternoon, Assistant Superintendent Dan Brungardt presented a quote submitted by Stone Sand Company, Great ...
Holidays are here
The Saturday after Thanksgiving in Great Bend came complete with sunny skies, sunny weather, and little to no wind, an inviting setting for holiday shopping and reveling.
Out of the Morgue
Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.
Articles By Author - Veronica Coons
Perfect attendance pays off
Perfect attendance is a rare accomplishment for most students. It takes planning and preparation, with illnesses and bad weather to contend with from time to time, to make it in to school every day on time. But for those who achieve it, it's nice to be recognized for the effort. Dale Shaner wanted to do that for USD 428 students. He had an idea, and after sharing it with his wife, Karen, and some friends, the group put the idea into action.
Tornado-safe room building starts
Workers began pouring the foundation of the new Great Bend Middle School tornado safe room Tuesday morning, less than a day after the devastating F4 tornado that struck Moore, Okla., tore the roofs off two elementary schools, injuring many and killing nine confirmed at the time of this writing.
GBHS 2013 grads strive to “have a life worth living”
Great Bend High School principal Tim Friess welcomed family and friends to the graduation ceremony at Panther Stadium Sunday, where he announced the 206 graduates of the Class of 2013. The sun broke through clouds briefly late afternoon, making it possible for the ceremony to be held outside, despite the threat of impending thunderstorms.
First Steps: Aging out of foster care
This is part one of a three part series focusing on youth aging out of foster care.
Important new addition to museum collection
SRCA board member Butch Fry made an important donation to the Barton County Historical Society Museum Saturday afternoon. He presented his SRCA 1964 Record Holder jacket.
The day the sculptures rolled in
Whether it was dragsters, street rods, Mopars, or vintage cars that struck their fancy, visitors and exhibitors alike were drawn to the Second Annual Barton Historical Society Museum Rolling Sculpture car show Saturday afternoon, May 18.
Edna I. (Craig) Logan Francis, 1913-2013
Edna I. (Craig) Logan Francis, 99, formerly of Claflin, died Friday, May 17 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Born Nov. 5, 1913 near Caldwell, she was the daughter of Homer Francis and Katie Elmira (Siebenthaler) Craig.
TLC Twisters bring comfort to shelter dogs
The TLC Twisters 4-H club at TLC Discoveries built eight dog beds which they presented to the Golden Belt Humane Society last week. The beds, made of donated PVC pipe and nylon material, will provide a place for puppies and smaller dogs to relax off the cement floor. They are easily hosed off, and are quick drying, making them ideal for a kennel environment.
Out of the Morgue
Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.
Spring and music in the air
The Panther Jazz Band pumped up the audience at the GBHS Panther Bands Spring Contest Concert Monday night with their opening rendition of Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock. It was a night to celebrate the accomplishments of the high school music program and a select group of accomplished musicians who competed at the state level earlier this spring. Senior band members also recognized and thanked their parents for the support offered through the years of ...
More sleep time? USD 428 gives a nod
High schoolers may get a few extra zs next year thanks to a proposal approved at the USD 428 board meeting Monday night. But not for teachers. Board members approved a series of late starts for the high school during the 2013-2014 school year that would give teachers the time they need to collaborate, but take away two hours of student contact time a month
Salad days
With high hopes that the area has seen the end of frost for the year, a full-house turned out to learn the how-tos of container gardening at the Great Bend Rec activity center Thursday.
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