Archive By Author - Veronica Coons
Longing for Open Space
January is a heavy month. It's cold, you have to start working on taxes, people get colds and flu, and its dark. Luckily, its not as dark as it was in December. At least when I've left work, I've been able to spy bits of Kansas sunset through the branches of slumbering trees and around the rooftops of the houses on these city streets.
Riley teacher simulates discrimination with Red Ribbon day
"Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches had bellies with stars. The Plain-Belly Sneetches had none upon thars. Those stars weren't so big. They were really so small. You might think such a thing wouldn't matter at all." -- from The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss This week, in honor of Martin Luther King day, Mary Rossman, a second grade teacher at Riley Elementary School in Great Bend, hopes to teach her students what he and others like him ...
Slipping it in
When I was growing up, my mom made a point of going to the grocery store by herself, rather than dragging us along. There were several reasons, but mostly because she didn't like listening to all the pleading to get snacks that weren't on the list.
Tree board, city extends rebate and removal offer in 2013
For many homeowners, now is the time to plan improvements to the landscape. Spring is only a few months away. Members of the Great Bend Tree Board are already looking toward 2013 for encouraging even more residents to take advantage of the city's initiative to improve the condition and variety of tree species contained in Great Bend.
Keeping House
Saturday, Barton County Habitat for Humanity will host the fourth annual Barton County's Got Talent show at 7 p.m. at Grace Community Church, 210 McKinley. Director Rachel Mawhirter said this is the all volunteer organization's main fundraiser for the year, and the outcome will help determine how soon the next build will happen. It will also help kick off a new service for Habitat applicants who are struggling to maintain their homes.
Planning for Action
Two weeks into the new year, and many have already forgotten their resolutions for 2013. But many have not, and Barton County Extension FCS agent Donna Krug offered suggestions for how to take the first step towards meeting these goals Wednesday. Over the noon hour, she presented a talk, "An action plan for healthy living," at the Great Bend Recreation Center. Each person in attendance left with a plan to take one simple step which ...
Award-winning board meeting
January is School Board Recognition Month, and the administration, faculty and staff of USD 428 made a point of doing just that at Monday night's school board meeting. Each board member received a gift of a pie.
Vernon speaks out on reading scores and school funding
At the USD 428 Board of Education meeting Monday night, Superintendent Tom Vernon prepared board members for some of the questions they will likely receive from patrons. He also addressed recent developments with the Gannon Decision concerning school funding by the state.
Doyle D. Folkerts 1928-2013
Doyle D. Folkerts, 84, died Jan. 13 at Kansas Heart Hospital, Wichita. Born March 21, 1928 at Rush County, he was the son of Carl and Anna Marie (Steitz) Folkerts.
Roberts, Moran, Huelskamp weigh in on Fiscal Cliff
A week ago, President Obama and Congress avoided sending the country over the fiscal cliff, at least for a few months. Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran and House Representative Tim Huelskamp have issued their statements about their positions on the last second agreement.
Preparing for a “Point in Time”
They live in cars or trucks with all their belongings, parked along the road or in parking lots. They live in abandoned houses, mobile homes or other buildings. They live in campgrounds in rickety trailers or tents. Sometimes, they can only find the shelter of a bridge, overpass, or dumpster. And if they aren't spending their days or nights working or going to school, they may be walking from place to place, resting in libraries, ...
Paperboys, 5 cent stamps, prayers and more in 1963
The Great Bend Tribune ran a half-page advertisement in January, 1963 for newspaper delivery boys: "Buying at wholesale , selling at retail, and figuring his own profits -- the newspaper boy puts into practice everyday what he is learning at school. That is why many boys become better students after they have a newspaper route. And calling on prospects and signing up new subscribers does much more than teach salesmanship -- it develops poise and ...
Gymnasium construction starts
Great Bend Middle School principal David Reiser sent notices out to parents on Tuesday, Jan. 8 advising them that construction of the new gymnasium and multipurpose room/storm safety shelter addition to the middle school located in the current south parking lot began Monday.
Great Bend sixth-grade basketball team takes second in Dodge Round Robin
The 6th grade Great Bend Panthers boys MAYB basketball team brought home a trophy Saturday, Jan. 5 from the round robin tournament at Dodge City High School. Eight teams made up two pools, with each playing a round robin, with records in pool play to determine seeding in championship play. Great Bend won against the Southard Cyclone, Hays Cavs White and the Liberal Indians. They lost their championship game to Hays Tribe, which ultimately put ...
Prairie Enterprise Project faces “most crucial” time
Editors note: It's no secret that the biggest driver of the rural economy is small business. In fact, small businesses and entrepreneurs are the vehicles that bring diversity and quality of life to rural communities all over Barton County and surrounding counties. One important resource, the Prairie Enterprise Project, has helped to pave the way for several small businesses for the past decade. Due to the elimination of tax credit sales by the State of ...
Articles By Author - Veronica Coons
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.
Letting the dogs out
Saturday morning, leashes will be rattling and tails will be wagging all over the Great Bend area. Pooches will bound out the door and into the car as their owners make their way to Veterans Memorial Dog Park for the first ever Bark for Life Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, sponsored by local Relay for Life teams, precedes the annual event coming up on June 7.
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