From children to senior citizens, the Great Bend Recreation Commission has been helping people stay active and get ready for the holidays since Thanksgiving.
Last week at the Great Bend Senior Center, Kay Hallenbeck helped anyone who was interested make a Santa ornament from a pattern book. Starting with a felt triangle for the cap and a semicircle for a face, she added a doily for the beard, a fuzzy red pom pom for the nose and black beads or buttons for eyes.
Jean Wagner said she would use the Santa she made as a door decoration.
Smaller versions can be made into pins, Hallenbeck said. “It’s fun to create and do your own thing.” She said this is the last craft class she’ll be teaching at the Senior Center until February.
GRRC offers two “Kids Day Out” events for students 6-12 years old during Christmas Break. The events run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Great Bend Activity Center, 2715 18th St., this Thursday and Friday, Dec. 27 and 28. The cost is $15 per day and includes lunch and games at the Walnut Bowl. The Thursday group is full, but going into the weekend there were still a few openings for Friday. Anyone interested should call the GBRC office, 792-2604, on Thursday morning.
The office, Recreation Center, Wellness Center, Activity Center and City Auditorium will be closed this Monday through Wednesday, as well as New Year’s Day. On Dec. 31, they will be open from 8:30 a.m. until noon.
The year is winding down, but  in January Barton County Extension Agent Donna Krug will offer “Action Plan for Healthy Living,” a free one-hour program set for noon on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Great Bend Activity Center and at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, at the Senior Center. Krug will help participants set strategies to achieve a healthier life. A healthy snack will be provided.