Since the death of a loved one naturally evokes emotional, physical and spiritual pain, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice (GBHH&H) sponsors support groups throughout the year.

The next series of eight Monday evening grief sessions begins March 9 and runs through April 27. Each 90-minute meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 3520 Lakin. Entrance is on Lincoln Street.

“We offer support groups for bereaved family members and friends who have suffered a loss,” GBHH&H Chaplain Larry Schumacher said. “This is in addition to individual follow-up care for those whose loved ones were enrolled in hospice.

“Support groups provide a safe place where people can embrace their pain, work through the grieving process and attempt to move forward,” Schumacher continued.

While the chaplain and Social Worker Cathy Soeken will facilitate the group, Schumacher noted, “the effectiveness of a support group really comes from other group members who also are on the grief journey. If you feel you need support during this difficult time, or can contribute to someone else attempting to heal, you are invited.

“We hope we can work with you to provide assistance as you progress in the difficult journey of healing from your loss,” the chaplain added.

Anyone interested in attending the sessions or who wants more information is encouraged to contact GBHH&H by calling 620-792-8171.

GBHH&H is a non-profit agency that has been serving central Kansans since 1979; it is part of the St. Rose Health Center family. St. Rose specializes in primary care, and prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine & Urgent Care, Great Bend Internists, imaging, infusion clinic, WellnessWorks, one-day surgical procedures, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic.

Hays Medical Center and Centura Health co-own St. Rose.

Family Crisis Center, Inc.’s Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center has been awarded accreditation by National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process. As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) across the country, National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision.

The Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a program of the Family Crisis Center, Inc. Named in memory of the agency’s first director, the CAC was developed to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to child abuse investigation. Working as a true collaboration, children and their non-offending caregivers receive a more comprehensive approach to their case while receiving advocacy and supportive services to address the trauma associated with child abuse.

During the first 2 years, 240 children were interviewed, 60 children received forensic and/or medical exams, 190 children were referred and received mental health services and 310 non-offending caregivers received support and advocacy. As an Accredited Member of National Children’s Alliance, the CAC is dedicated to providing comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse.

National Children’s Alliance awards Accredited Membership based on a CAC’s compliance with 10 national standards of accreditation to ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims.

National Children’s Alliance updated these standards in 2010 to reflect the most recent evidence-based practices in the field of child abuse intervention and prevention. According to these standards, Accredited Members must utilize a functioning and effective Multidisciplinary Team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution, and treatment. National Children’s Alliance also considers standards regarding a center’s cultural competency and diversity, forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention, and child focused setting.

“I am so thankful for the professionals that have come together to make a difference in the lives of children. As an organization of individuals dedicated to responding to child abuse, we recognize the importance of accreditation from National Children’s Alliance and supporting the Multidisciplinary Team approach. Accreditation not only validates our organization’s proven effective approach to responding to allegations of child abuse, but also provides consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole,” said Laura Patzner, executive director.

The 21st annual Great Bend Jazz Festival will be held February 28, 7:30 at the Crest Theatre in Great Bend, KS featuring jazz vocalist Les Lankhorst from Salina, KS. He will perform with the Prairie Winds Jazz Combo made up of area musicians, Bill Clausing, Alto Saxophone, Tim Ehrlich, Tenor Saxophone, Marc Webster, Trumpet, David Koetting, Trombone, Kurtis Koch,Drums, Greg Pohl, Bass and Gayle McMillen, Piano.

Les began his musical career in music theatre at Salina South High School and is a graduate of Kansas State University where he continued honing his stage skills as a member of The K­State Singers.

His professional theatre career began in Kansas City, MO with roles in various musicals presented at The New Theatre and The Plaza Dinner Playhouse. He then moved on to New York City to appear in numerous workshops, musical productions and national touring companies as well as participating in film and television projects throughout the years.

His singing style is heavily influenced by some of the world’s legendary swing­jazz vocalists including Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, Harry Connick, Jr. and of course Frank Sinatra. Written reviews by noted critics relate that ‘Les Lankhorst delivers the goods, from swagger to swing to sweet to melancholy..he knows how to caress the lyrics until they begin to purr’.

Les currently travels the world performing his solo shows on cruise ships, in resorts and at numerous concert venues. His shows include, “Les Lankhorst in Red, Hot & Swing”, in Charlotte, NC, “The Rat Pack Is Back” and the “Rat Pack Live” in Las Vegas, “A Date with Frank & Marilyn” and many other productions. As a Performance Coach he has worked with The K-State Singers, Royal Caribbean singing group, and the vocal group from the television show, America’s Got Talent, The Texas Tenors.

At numerous times he has returned to his home area to headline with The Salina Symphony, created and starred in his annual solo Christmas show at Salina Community Theatre, performed various times at the Smoky Hill River Festival, Little Apple Jazz Festival in Manhattan, KS and various other jazz festival venues in the area.

Admission $15 adult. $10 student. For ticket information contact: Robert Feldt Law Office, 1314 Kansas, 620­-792-­3595 and at A440 Music Store, 1207 Main, 620-­796-­2335.

Topeka, Kan., February 12, 2015— The Ministry Against Domestic Violence of Great Bend has received the Community Ally of the Year Award from the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV).

The service group was awarded the honor during KCSDV’s 12th Annual Safe Homes, Safe Streets Awareness Day and Sunflower Safety Breakfast event in Topeka on February 12. Carol Dellinger and Sheila Hunt, members of the Ministry Against Domestic Violence, attended the event and accepted the award on the group’s behalf.

Since 1995, KCSDV has been recognizing outstanding advocates and allies who are working to enhance victim safety, to increase perpetrator accountability, and to prevent and eliminate sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in Kansas.

“I am so grateful for the work of the Ministry Against Domestic Violence,” said Laura Patzner, executive director of Family Crisis Center, Inc., the sexual and domestic violence advocacy program serving Barton, Rush, Ness, Pawnee, Stafford, Edwards, Pratt, Kiowa, Comanche, and Barber counties.

“They formed to make a difference and have done just that; creating awareness, supporting services and standing with survivors,” said Patzner.

Family Crisis Center nominated the Ministry Against Domestic Violence for the award. The Ministry Against Domestic Violence was formed when Father Chuck Dahm came to Great Bend to talk about the church’s role in addressing domestic violence. A group came together and made a commitment to understand the needs and work to help survivors find safety and to create an educated and safe faith community to respond to survivors within their congregations. What started as a conversation four years ago has turned into numerous acts of service and a steady commitment to survivors in Great Bend.

“The Ministry Against Domestic Violence continues to support the Family Crisis Center, helping advocates provide life-saving services to victims. It is this type of community service organization that deserves the Community Ally of the Year Award,” said Joyce Grover, executive director of KCSDV.

Other award winners at this year’s event included Steve Howe, Johnson County District Attorney, for the other Community Ally of the Year Award; Angie Blumel of Kansas City for the Juliene Maska Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award; Karen Pyles from Kansas City for the Volunteer of the Year Award; and the Art Circles project of the Family Crisis Services, Inc. in Garden City for the Project of the Year Award.

Two local siblings wanted to donate their dad’s memorial fund to a place that would do the most good for families trying to do the best for their terminally ill loved ones. They found such a place at Almost Home Inc., 1919 Van Buren.

The sister and brother decided on the non-profit entity after learning more about its residential, respite and hospice services, said Kim Sneath-Miller, daughter of Tim Miller. Tim passed away in 2012.

Kim and her brother, Sean, recently donated $10,000 to Almost Home in honor of their father. They and many others contributed to the fund, which was saved in a bank account until the right moment.

“We know he would be pleased, humbled and proud with this decision,” Kim said, referring to her dad. “This was a long-overdue and much-needed facility in Great Bend. We wish it had been available when dad was in need of a place for hospice care.”

Almost Home has two rooms designated for hospice patients, and it contracts with other agencies to provide the specialized care on-site. The rest of the remodeled home is devoted to full-time and part-time residential care, as well as respite services for caregivers.

“Most people never think their family will need a facility such as Almost Home,” Kim commented. “But you just don’t know; it is a great comfort that it is here if you need it. Almost Home gives its residents peace of mind, dignity and privacy, which would be difficult for families to maintain without help.”

Sean noted the memorial donation is a great way to honor his dad’s memory.

“He was always very giving to the community and other people,” Sean said. “He would have been on the front row of this effort.”

“Almost Home is truly a blessing,” he continued. “The staff helps the family, not just the patient. I cannot say enough about how they make you feel right at home in this close-to-home residence.”

Leilani Schenkel, Almost Home operator and executive director, said Almost Home is pleased to receive the contribution.

“We are honored the Miller family chose Almost Home to receive this donation in memory of Tim,” Schenkel said. “The members of our board of directors all agree that this memorial donation will allow Almost Home to help provide end-of-life care to those who do not have the financial ability to pay for the services completely on their own.”

On Thursday, February 19th, at about 10:17 a.m. Barton County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a reported injury accident on US 281 Highway at milepost 102.5. This location is South of Great Bend on the curves south of 20 road.

A 2005 Ford Explorer, operated by Lafe Kern, age 26, of St. John, was southbound. Investigation indicates Kern crossed left of center nearly striking a northbound vehicle. The first vehicle was able to avoid the collision. A second vehicle northbound on US 281 was struck head-on. Kern was alone in the vehicle at the time of the collision.

The northbound vehicle, a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, was operated by Heather Cash, age 29 of Pratt. There were three other passengers in the Cash vehicle. Candace Lampe, age 52, of Pratt and Cash’s two children ages 3 years and 8 ½ months. Both children were properly restrained in child restraint devices and had only minor injuries.

The adult passengers all required extraction by the Great Bend Fire Department and were transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital. All three adults were subsequently flown to Wichita area hospitals.

US 281 Highway was closed for approximately an hour and a half while emergency crews were present.

It is currently unknown why the Kern vehicle crossed left of center. The accident is still under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Kansas Highway Patrol, Great Bend Fire Department and the Kansas Department of Transportation.