The Great Bend Kiwanis Club met Wednesday, June 3, for the first time since March and conducted the election of officers. Members also learned more about the club’s U.S. flag project and heard from guest speaker Khris Thexton, superintendent of Great Bend USD 428.

Perry Smith, Dave Holste, Mark Bartezko and Johnathon Pike were elected to board seats for 2021-2023, joining board members Rob Bauer, Barry Bowers, Leroy Weathers and Paul Snapp. Jay Luerman and Barb Esfeld were reelected as treasurer and secretary.

Returning officers are president Frankie Pelster, president-elect Will Rains and immediate past president Kate Wary.

Pelster announced that anyone joining the club between now and September won’t have to pay the 2019-2020 dues.

The group meets at noon at Walnut Bowl, practicing social distancing. For lunch this week, individual servings replaced the buffet.

Pelster also announced that the Kiwanis Club will be on the Chamber Chat at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 8 on the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page or YouTube Channel. A few local legislators are also expected to join the program.

Project chairman Bowers said club members placed 106 U.S. flags around town, including 34 on the Broadway islands, on Memorial Day as part of the new flag project. The flags will be placed again on Flag Day, which is June 14.

Great Bend residents can have flags placed in front of their homes on five patriotic holidays. The cost is $40 per year. Flags will also be placed on Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Individuals and businesses may also sponsor flags that go on green spaces such as the Broadway islands. Sponsors will receive a 4-by-6-inch plaque, Bowers said.

The deadline to sign up in time for a Flag Day flag is June 10. For more information send email to GBKiwanisFlags@gmail.com or find the club on Facebook @greatbendkiwanis.