Monday was Leonard Kaiser’s final meeting as a board member of the Great Bend Recreation Commission, at least for now. The outgoing board member received a plaque for 17 years of service.
Although individuals can’t serve more than two back-to-back four-year terms as a rule, Kaiser was appointed to complete another’s unfinished term once or twice, extending his tenure well beyond the norm. According to wording on the plaque presented by Dr. Marc Huslig, board president, “His vision has enhanced recreational opportunity in Great Bend.”
“I’ve enjoyed it very much,” Kaiser said. “Without the programs the recreation commission has in place, our community wouldn’t be near what it is.”
Huslig noted Kaiser’s extensive community involvement. “If we had more people in the community as passionate as Leonard is, this town would be amazing.”
In January new board member Bruce Hofeling will be sworn in. Hofeling also served back-to-back terms before leaving the board in December 2012. When he was selected for a new term, GBRC Executive Director Diann Henderson said several people had expressed interest in serving on the board, but only Hofeling submitted a completed application.
The board held a five-minute executive session Monday to discuss administrative personnel.
Henderson also reported that the upgrade to the GBRC accounting software has been completed, but they are still working out some computer/printer issues.
Program coordinators reported on November activities. Some of the most popular were bowling for people with special needs; an American Education Week program at the Great Bend Senior Center, with USD 428 students singing; National Memory Screening Day; indoor sports, utilizing all available gymnasiums; and Santa’s Workshop, which drew a crowd to the Municipal Auditorium and the Carl Soden Recreation Center.
This month special populations will make crafts that can be given as Christmas gifts, and learn to make gingerbread cookies. They will have a Christmas dance featuring Santa Claus.
Senior citizens will continue to have exercise classes and educational programs, including a Friendship Meals open house and Christmas dinner at noon Thursday at the Senior Center, 2005 Kansas Ave.
Entries are still being accepted for snow sculptures and the longest pheasant tail feather.
Adults and youths can participant in basketball, and adult volleyball is also under way.
Henderson reported there were 4,295 enrollments in November for 1,024 hours of supervised activities. There were 9,479 participants (counting each time a person participated in an activity), of which 3,158 were spectators.