Kansas chocolates offered at Heart of Kansas

There is something new and sweet at the Heart of Kansas Mercantile, one of the MyTown stores. The shop, which specializes in products made in Kansas, is now featuring chocolates produced by the Sweet Granada, a candy shop in Emporia.

Jil Johnson receives Mary Kay vehicle

In honor of her career achievements, Jil Johnson of Great Bend has earned the use of the exclusive Mary Kay pink Cadillac. Johnson took delivery of a 2011 Cadillac SRX at Dove Cadillac dealership in Great Bend.

KWEC guided tours of Cheyenne Bottoms

To better educate visitors on the unique Cheyenne Bottoms history, management, wetlands and wildlife, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center of Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum of Natural History is now offering guided van tours.

Rosewood earns excellence award

In establishing his Excellence Awards by Executive Order in August of this year, Governor Mark Parkinson made it possible for outstanding service providers for individuals with disabilities to be nominated and recognized. Rosewood Services and Sandy Smith of the Rosewood Furniture Gallery were thus recognized in a recent celebration in Topeka.

New CKMC lab equipment means quicker test results

The way it stands now, a patient is tested by hospital lab technicians and learns it could take up to a week before results are available. That is about to change. Central Kansas Medical Center is installing two new chemistry analyzers in its lab that will cut the waiting time for many test results down to 24 hours. "We understand the stress of waiting for test ...

Christmas party

Two local businesses hold chamber ribbon cuttings

As a sign of business activity locally, two businesses recently held Great Bend Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting events.

Maurices names new store manager in Great Bend

Maurices has named Tasha Sailer as its store manager at Great Bend, 3511 19th. Sailer will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the women's fashion store, including sales performance, visual presentation, and personnel recruitment and training.

Chamber holds numerous ribbon cuttings

Several local businesses have held Great Bend Chamber of Commerce ribbon cuttings in November.

Distinguished Insurance Agency award

Local American Family Insurance Agent Frank Callahan earns Distinguished Insurance Agency distinction from J.D. Power and Associates

CKLS Retirement party

Joanita Doll Masden, CKLS Talking Books Department Head, retired after 21 years. She began her career in 1989 with the department. Joanita was an influential force for Talking Books advocacy, and worked continually to promote the service. While with Talking Books, Jo was a witness to the evolution of changing technology; from records, to cassettes, to Digital Books. The medium may have changed, but the quality of service that Joanita strived to achieve remained a ...

Family Crisis Center receives check

Family Crisis Center in Great Bend recently received a check from Great Bend Regional Hospital to the organization's mission over the holidays. Each year at this time is especially hard for the agency to keep up with the demand of families needing help.

Rosewood Horse Ranch visitors

Rosewood Horse Ranch recently hosted two young visitors from the Netherlands. Ginger Stam, from Zeeland, and Arnoud Meutstege, from Doetinchem, were accompanied by Ramona Hornbaker, local tour guide, during their central Kansas visit. The two young visitors are spending six weeks in the United States to obtain information for a program an organization wants to start "back home."

Long-time practice

Dance by Design Christmas Spectacular 2010

Dance by Design presents Christmas Spectacular 2010 at 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Barton Community College Fine Arts Auditorium. This show features dancers from almost 3 years though adult. Routines run the gamut as well, including tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop and even a little salsa. This is the 5th Annual Christmas Show for Dance by Design and audiences can expect to hear some traditional Christmas music along with a couple new seasonal hits. ...

Food Bank donation

On a recent afternoon visit to the Barton County Food Bank the volunteers were scurrying about trying to assist local residents who were overflowing the waiting room, many with children in tow, hoping for emergency food assistance. It clearly demonstrated the urgency of ongoing needs still existing for local families in Barton County as well as the critical commitment needed from the community for ongoing financial support for this worthwhile endeavor.

Completely Kids combines storefronts with The Gallery

Completely Kids announced the store will be combining efforts with The Gallery in downtown Great Bend, starting June 1. The new shop-within-a-shop will still carry all their customer favorites. "We want to thank our customers for 10 years of support," owner Dana Long said. "We hope that they'll enjoy the new combined shopping experience inside The Gallery."

Jazzercise encouraging kids to get up and dance

Fitness should not be a chore. In fact, it can and should be fun, says Charise Oelger, Great Bend Jazzercise instructor. Kids can learn this valuable life lesson and channel their inner Bieber during the Junior Jazzercise "Kids Get Fit" program at the Jazzercise Great Bend Fitness Center, Saturday, May 11 from 9:30-10 a.m.