125th anniversary

Flu shots

The Barton County Health Department will begin doing seasonal flu shots daily starting on Monday, Sept. 19, during regular clinic hours for anyone age 6 months and older. No appointment is necessary. Persons under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian, no physician's order needed. Pregnant women may receive the traditional inactivated influenza vaccine. Cost for influenza vaccine shots will be $24 or Medicare/Medicaid Card or Insurance assignment. Intradermal flu shots will also ...

FHSU’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center to host ‘Mad about Monarchs’

At Mad about Monarchs from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 24, visitors can capture monarchs at the Fort Hays State University's Kansas Wetlands Education Center, northeast of Great Bend on K-156.

The American Tenors to open new Golden Belt Community Concert season

The Golden Belt Community Concert Association will inaugurate its 2011-12 season with a performance by the American Tenors, whose repertoire includes classical opera and hits from Broadway musicals, as well as music from the Great American Songbook and Neopolitan favorites.

Grabast family begins journey home

By Brenda Grabast BEIJING, China - Derek had his final stem cell placement on Thursday morning after his therapies. He is sitting up so big and tall now. It's awesome to watch him work hard and laugh with the therapists. After the lumbar puncture, Derek is supposed to lay flat in his back without moving for six hours. Well, Thursday he wasn't cooperative at all. I kept telling him that he would get sick if ...

Affordable housing grants available in Russell County

TOPEKA - Russell County residents will have access to part of a $100,000 grant to help families in northwest Kansas securing safe, affordable housing. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation announced Tuesday than 10 non-profits and public housing authorities statewide will receive approximately $1.1 million in Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA).

Breanne Julian Fund

A fund has been established for 19 year old Breanne Julian of Hutchinson, who recently underwent an evasive surgery to remove a large tumor from her liver. The tumor was pressing against several of Bre' s vital organs. Breanne is the daughter of Rick Julian, granddaughter of Dick Julian and Pat Julian, and step-daughter of Erika Julian.

Chamber Coffee

This week's Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be hosted by United Way of Central Kansas, at CPI Annex, 1809 24th, at 9:30 a.m., Thursday. Ambassador in charge will be Jim Vopat with greeters Erin Powers and Shay Kasselman. Coffee, doughnuts and door prizes will be available.

August Marriage and Divorce Filings

August Marriage Licenses Tyler Wayne Marvin, Great Bend and Amy Diane Melton, Great Bend Travis Alan Cox, Cheney and Emma Elizabeth Smith, Great Bend Todd Edward Gunderson, Ellinwood and Halie Danielle Krom, Ellinwood Michael Joseph Srader, Ellsworth and Jennifer Ann Irsik, Ellsworth Thomas James Garrett, Great Bend and Staci Lynn Kitch, Great Bend John Davis Howard III, Hoisington and Breann Taylor, Hoisington Jose Carlos Barrera-Velazquez, Great Bend and Elizabeth Segura, Great Bend Manuel Wilfredo Canas, ...

Attic Treasures Roadshow returns to Great Bend

Attic Treasures Roadshow returns to Great Bend next week, Sept. 13 thru 17 at the Highland Convention Center. At last year's event local residents brought in rare collectibles from World War I, World War II, the civil war, rare guitars from the 50's and 60's, rare coins, and much more.

GBHS student Jun Rui Chen has art exhibit

A trip to his native China provided Great Bend art student Jun Rui Chen with new material for his second exhibit at the Great Bend Public Library. Chen, 15, is a sophomore at Great Bend High School, but his friends were raving about his artistic ability back when he attended Riley Elementary School. Last Friday, he and his parents joined local artist Bev ...

Chris Cakes to deliver entertainment with Sunflower pancake dinner

The annual Sunflower Diversified Services pancake dinner promises to offer good food and entertainment for everyone who attends, said Connie Oetken, director of development. The event is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4100 Broadway. "Chris Cakes is always popular, not only for the menu, but also for flipping the pancakes quite a distance," Oetken said. "And this year the Encore Sound deejay ...

Chamber of Commerce Coffee

This week's Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be hosted by the First Assembly of God, 601 Patton Road, at 9:30 a.m., today. Ambassador in charge will be Eric Gotsche with greeters Connie Oetken and Erin Powers. Coffee, doughnuts and door prizes will be available.

Zoo News: New perimeter fence going up at Brit Spaugh Zoo

The Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo is being staffed 24 hours a day this week while the city replaces the perimeter fence along Main Street with a "newer, nicer, 8-foot chain link perimeter fence," Zoo Director Scott Gregory said. The work began Tuesday and should be done by Friday. Meanwhile, the Raptor Center is closed ...

Great Bend artist exhibits ‘magical, mystical’ creations

The magical, mystical art of Lisa Winter Hayes, Great Bend, will be featured at the Barton County Arts Center, 1401 Main, Great Bend, through the month of September. An opening reception will be held Sunday, Sept. 4, from 2:-4 p.m. The public is invited to attend and meet the artist. Hayes' creativity began at an early age: "I remember finger painting when I was five and the ...

Sweet donation

Jim Johnson, Sunflower Diversified Services executive director, left, accepts a donation of $365.30 from John Clayton, Ellinwood Knights of Columbus Grand Knight. The K of C donated proceeds from its recent Tootsie Roll fundraiser to the non-profit agency. Johnson expressed gratitude on behalf of people with developmental disabilities and delays who receive Sunflower's services.

American Legion posts to help Great Bend veterans

Military veterans in Great Bend and surrounding areas are invited this week to visit Argonne Post 180, 1011 Kansas Ave., to learn more about the organization. State headquarters staff from the American Legion will be in town Thursday through Saturday to discuss veterans' benefits and service to the community. Paul Sanford, Kansas membership chairman, said all wartime veterans are invited to learn more about the American Legion and veteran benefits. Membership and veteran information staff ...

Shafer Gallery hosts Winter Wonderland

Those visiting the Shafer Art Gallery last Sunday could walk in a winter wonderland, yet stay completely protected from the harsh elements of the Kansas cold season at the "Big Holiday Show – Holiday Open House" reception.

Bank contributes for 17th year to assist local Charities

Farmers Bank and Trust gave away $5,350 Wednesday to 34 area charities at their 17th Annual Holiday Charity Coffee.

Holiday Art Open House

Student artists from Bickerdyke and Simpson Elementary Schools in Russell will host Holiday Art Open House, an exhibition of holiday inspired artworks, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Deines Cultural Center, 802 N Main Street in Russell.

Dance by Design presents Winter Wonderland

Dance by Design presents Winter Wonderland, a winter dance recital with a whimsical twist. This 8th Annual Winter Show has tap, jazz, and lyrical dance routines performed by local youth from Great Bend, Hoisington and Larned. Owner/Instructor Lee Ann Bashor says, "This adventure will take you down the rabbit hole and off to a curious land. I'm so proud of all my dancers. They have worked hard and we want to share our joy of dance."

Studio 653

On Friday student artists enrolled in the ART 653, Professional Development course will host Studio 653, an exhibition in Moss-Thorns Gallery of Fine Art in Rarick Hall on the FHSU campus. All are welcome to join these student artists and their instructor in a celebration of their achievements in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program.

Great Bend Children’s Learning Center holds food drive for local food bank

Great Bend Children's Learning Center held a food drive for the local food bank the past couple weeks. The kids were very excited to help out families that may be in need this holiday season. The kids brought in a total of 366 items to donate.

Program deals with holiday grief

Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice will offer a free community program, "Getting Through the Holidays When a Loved One Has Died." It is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 in the Thelma Faye Harms Room in the basement level of St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center in Great Bend.

Golden Belt Community Foundation announces November Grant recipients

The Golden Belt Community Foundation recently completed the November competitive grant cycle awarding $17,694.42 to charitable organizations in Barton, Pawnee, and Stafford counties.

Tree of Life supports hospice patients at Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice

While the Thanksgiving and Christmas season is a time for gathering with family and friends, it is also a time for remembering loved ones who have passed away.

St. Rose offers Blue Christmas memorial service to public

The Rev. Angela DeVore realizes that sometimes people are not feeling particularly merry at Christmas time. Instead, they may be feeling blue because of a significant loss in their lives.

Every Christmas Story

Last year, Great Bend Community Theatre's holiday gift to the community was "It's A Wonderful Life, a Radio Show." This year director Sally O'Connor will deck the halls with "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)." The play opens Thursday, Dec. 5, with nightly shows at 8 p.m. through Dec. 7, and ends with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave. The box office will be ...

Fall exercise classes forming at GBRC

For those wanting to avoid adding pounds during the holidays, the Great Bend Recreation Commission is forming its late fall exercise classes.

Girl gives birthday gifts to zoo

Nine-year-old Haley McCormick recently surprised Brit Spaugh Zoo Director Scott Gregory with a donation for the zoo.