The unofficial start of summer is here. Great Bend will get it started off right with a very busy weekend.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday are full of activities in town. From the Summer Street Stroll Friday to June Jaunt activities Saturday, wrapping up Sunday in Veteran’s Park.
In addition to the Summer Street Stroll, things kick off Friday with a Car and Motorcycle gathering and free movie at Jack Kilby Square.
All kinds of jumbo games will be featured in Jack Kilby Square Saturday including Giant Checker, Jenga, Connect 4, Kerplunk, Human Foosball and Battleship to name a few.
A new addition this year will be including the Renaissance Faire as part of June Jaunt. It will take place Saturday and Sunday in Jack Kilby Square.
Sunday will also feature a sand volleyball tournament and United Way BBQ at Veteran’s Park.
So start summer off right and enjoy a busy weekend in Great Bend.
Prep thoughts
The state competitions all came to an end over the weekend for prep sports. Highlighting the local scene was the runner-up finish for the Ellinwood softball team and the semifinal appearance for the Larned baseball team.
On the track, the top team performance locally came from the Hoisington boys, finishing seventh in 3A.
It has been a good athletic year for the local schools. Congratulations to all the athletes for their hard work and dedication during the past school year.
I am firm believer that success is measured in more than just medals and trophies. Don’t get me wrong, they are nice. Winning is nice. Everyone likes to win. But life lessons come in all outcomes.
Former Athlete/Coach update
I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Twelvetrees.
Several people in the area remember former Barton men’s soccer coach Oliver Twelvetrees. There are a lot of people who recall former volleyball coach Andrea Rasmussen.
Many will also know the two dated before they left Barton for Florida. They continued to do so until the past week. The two tied the knot in Las Vegas.
Congratulations to the Twelvetrees, you two make a wonderful couple.
Anniversary Extra
Speaking of marriage, I would like to wish my wonderful wife a Happy Anniversary. Our anniversary is Saturday, June 4. Being a bit of a history buff, I can always remember the date because it is two days before D-Day.
I definitely picked the right girl. She puts up with me and doesn’t complain too much. Not as much as she could anyway. Even when I pick on her a bit in this column.
So Happy Anniversary Crystal Ann. You are the best.
And Finally
Sometimes how old you are is not relevant. Some activities are fun no matter what the age. Things you just never seem to outgrow.
Like the annual water balloon fight at the Marzolf house. An event that takes place each summer not much after school is out. The event coordinators are Katelyn and Donovan. Their friend Madison has also been involved in every competition the past several summers. The fourth competitor seems to rotate with their friend Molli making her debut this year.
Now juniors in high school, the event started in junior high continues. They spend hours filling the water balloons with food coloring added. White T-Shirt are purchased and the teams are set for a water war.
It generally concludes with a picnic on the deck with hamburgers and hot dogs and stained shirts from the food coloring as keepsakes.
We all have some activities that we never grow too old to do. My wife still likes to color. My mother does to. Maybe it’s a peanut butter sandwich, my favorite. Maybe it’s a board game we played a child.
And why not? If we had fun doing it as a child and still like it then why stop.
Sometimes age is just a number.