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Spring is finally sprung
Barton County enjoys reprieve from rain
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Area children watch as bears at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo enjoy a dip in the pool on Saturday. - photo by Veronica Coons

For many around Barton County, Saturday was a welcome break from the rain, prompting many to get out and enjoy activities around the county. In Hoisington, families stopped by the Family Fun Fair in front of The Farm House on Main Street to shop and to enjoy the bouncy house, corn hole game, and the opportunity to pot up a flower to give to mom for Mother’s Day. The event to raise funds for renovations to the GPS Kids Club facility was organized by The Farmhouse, and was followed Saturday evening with a freewill barbecue and dance at the Hoisington Knights of Columbus hall.

In Great Bend, members of the Great Bend High School Jobs for American Graduates club did their part to ensure area dogs would be fresh and clean for mom’s big day with a pet wash at Brit Spaugh Park. JAG member Jerica Urban and friends organized the event to raise funds for Kans for Kids. Urban’s friend Caden White is a cancer survivor, and the inspiration behind this and other activities she’s undertaken to support organizations that lend a helping hand to those fighting the deadly disease.


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Rita, a four-year-old mixed breed dog belonging to Salem and Tyson Ryff, is patient as members of the Great Bend High School JAG club gently wash her Saturday afternoon at Brit Spaugh Park. She and her sister June were both adopted from the Golden Belt Humane Society.

It was a great day to visit the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, with many animals actively enjoying the pleasant weather for a change. Great Bend’s trio of bears were enjoying a dip in the pool around noon, much to the delight of area youngsters.


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Children at Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo were excited for the opportunity for a close-up with the bears Saturday afternoon. Many of the zoo animals were active, enjoying a break from the recent cold and rainy weather. - photo by Veronica Coons

Out in Pawnee Rock, Mayor Linda McCowan hosted her annual free flea market at her shop, the Santa Fe Mercantile.

“We doubled the population of Pawnee Rock,” she told the Tribune. Vendors from at least three counties set out their wares, attracting many traveling U.S. 56 stopping to check out the deals. It was a great day for yard and garage saling too, with many signs out, and many shoppers too.


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Vendors greeted shoppers at the annual free flea market in Pawnee Rock Saturday afternoon. Each year, Linda McCowan, owner of the Santa Fe Mercantile, invites area vendors to set up in her parking area along U.S. 56 the Saturday before Mother’s Day.