Wednesday’s blustery winds didn’t deter organizers and contributors from participating in National Walk at Lunch Day at a new addition to the health and fitness of Great Bend area residents.
“What fun to be here at National Walk at Lunch Day,” noted Jim Blackwell, president and CEO of Clara Barton Medical Center in Hoisington. “We know these days it’s important for people to get out and be mobile, and Great Bend and Hoisington have great resources to get out and be mobile. We are happy to be a part of another addition to the health of the community.”
Blackwell noted that National Walk at Lunch Day on Wednesday was a perfect opportunity for the inauguration of the clinic’s walking trail ringing the grounds at 903 McKinley St. in Great Bend. Not only was the day dedicated to walking as one of the simplest, safest and most effective forms of exercise that reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, its corporate sponsorship is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Company that also has connections to Clara Barton’s success as a regional health-care facility.
The clinic, which is intended as a rural health family practice outreach location to the Clara Barton facility in Hoisington, will also allow surgical staff access to patients for pre- and post-operative appointments.
The Great Bend facility saw its first patient appointments on Tuesday, and will host a ribbon cutting and grand opening on Thursday, May 12.
In inaugurating the new space, Blackwell recognized contributors to the trail’s design, construction and amenities that also included a resting station donated by the Great Bend Tree Board. Blackwell then led contributors on a celebratory first lap.
Clara’s Corner Cafe, the hospital’s kitchen and patient dietary center, provided 250 sack lunches for walkers to take home.
Great Bend Tree Board
looks toward Arbor Day
The event also included a presentation by the Great Bend Tree Board, which Blackwell recognized as a contributor to the facility’s outdoor walking trail. The Board gave away 100 red bud saplings in recognition of Arbor Day on Friday, April 29 (today).
As a longtime advisory board to the City of Great Bend, the Tree Board’s mission is to help beautify the city by the planting of approved tree species. Toni Rice, a retired Great Bend schoolteacher, serves as board president. Other board officers include Lisa Whipple, secretary; Gary Pinkall, treasurer; and Doug Burt, city arborist. Jami Seirer is the board’s state forester, representing District 7 with an office in Hays.
Great Bend is nearing a 40-year benchmark as a member of Tree City, USA.
The board encourages residents to mark Arbor Day — the board’s biggest holiday of the year — by planting a tree in their own yard.
Property owners inside the Great Bend city limits are eligible for the city’s tree rebate program. The board developed a list of desirable trees and planting guidelines. By following board recommendations, residents can receive a 50% rebate on the cost of their tree, up to $75, and can claim two trees per year.
The city also has a dead tree removal rebate.
To be appointed to the tree board, applications are available at the City of Great Bend website. Seats are appointed by the mayor.
