written by: Donna Krug, District Director and Family & Consumer Science Agent – Cottonwood Extension District – Great Bend Office

A couple of weeks ago a lady asked my 3 ½ year old grandson what his favorite thing to drink was. He quickly answered “water is my favorite.” Of course my daughter was nearby and feeling pretty proud of his answer, knowing that a lot of kids would have chosen a sugary drink as their favorite.

With the hotter temperatures here to stay it is the perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of staying hydrated and making water your first choice. Drinking plenty of fluids each day helps to replenish essential body fluids, and more is needed as summer temperatures and humidity rise. We sometimes forget that 55 B 75 percent of the body’s weight is water; the brain is 70 percent water; blood is 82 percent water, and the lungs are nearly 90 percent water. Water is also responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells; cushions organs, tissue, bones and joints; removes waste; and regulates body temperature.

In high heat, humidity, and times of high activity, such as working outdoors or participating in athletic activities, water is lost through perspiration, which helps cool the body through the evaporation of fluids on the skin. Exposure to the sun or a sunburn will speed fluid loss, and so will drinking beverages containing caffeine or alcohol, which both act as diuretics. Fluid replacement is essential, but it is best to not wait until you are thirsty. Excessive water loss or dehydration can impair body function and lead to heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke that can be life threatening.

Water is recommended for the majority of the fluid replacement because it is readily absorbed; cool water is preferred because it is absorbed more readily than hot or ice water. Foods that have a high water content are also great to include. Consider choosing melons and other fruits, tomatoes and other vegetables, soups, smoothies, puddings, and gelatin salads. Sports beverages may be helpful for athletes who are exercising more than one hour and are in need of electrolytes and quick energy, but consider diluting them with water in order to reduce calories. Other sweetened beverages like sodas or energy drinks only provide empty calories to your daily food intake. Limit the consumption of these and other high caffeine choices as you strive for a healthier lifestyle.

The bottom line on staying hydrated is to drink fluids before you become thirsty. As we age our ability to sense thirst declines, leaving older people unable to rely on their thirst to prompt them to drink enough fluids. Infants and small children also need to be monitored closely to assure that dehydration does not occur. Little ones lose more fluids because they have a greater proportion of skin surface in relation to their size. Offer water frequently, each time a child passes through the kitchen and before, during and after play.

When Denise Vann began talking about how to communicate with people who have Alzheimer’s disease, she demonstrated the importance of facial expressions and body language to her audience at Cherry Village Benevolence.

“What if I had been standing here with my arms crossed and not smiling when you arrived?” asked Vann, outreach specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Kansas Chapter. “You could easily think I didn’t want to be here. Those with Alzheimer’s can read these signals too.”

Vann recently presented four educational sessions in Great Bend, covering communications, behaviors and some basics of the disease. Cherry Village, a long-term-care residence at 1401 Cherry Lane, sponsored the sessions for caregivers and the public. During her presentations, Vann discussed what to expect and how to adapt during the early, middle and late stages of Alzheimer’s.

“As the disease progresses from one stage to the next, those with Alzheimer’s will gradually decline,” she noted. “Eventually, they will have more difficulty expressing thoughts and emotions, which leads to frustration. Anticipating these changes can help everyone communicate more effectively.

“It is important to join their reality and accept what you cannot change,” Vann added. “And if you feel like frustration might get the better of you, take a short break. We are only human.”

In the early stage of Alzheimer’s, a person can still converse with others and engage in activities. However, they may repeat stories, feel overwhelmed by excessive stimulation or have difficulty finding the right word.

Vann’s advice includes: don’t assume anything because the disease affects each person differently; don’t exclude the person from conversations; speak clearly and directly; take time to listen; allow time for a response; and don’t pull away from the person.

The middle stage can last for many years but the person will have more difficulty communicating and require more direct care. Suggestions for this stage include: maintain eye contact; avoid criticizing, arguing or correcting; don’t hover over or stand behind them; ask ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions one at a time; and gently demonstrate tasks such as sitting or walking.

The late stage of Alzheimer’s may last for several weeks or several years. As the disease progresses, the person may rely more on facial expressions and tone of voice. Full-time care is usually necessary. Advice includes: continue to treat people with dignity and respect; avoid talking down to them; encourage non-verbal communication such as pointing or gesturing; look for the emotion behind the words; and use all five senses to communicate.

“It is okay if you don’t know what to do or say,” Vann commented. “Just you being there is most important.”

Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to visit www.alz.org/care. To see videos of common scenarios, click on Alzheimer’s Navigator.

“In addition, the Community Resource Finder suggests local resources and ALZConnected is a support group that connects you with other caregivers who can relate to your situation,” Vann said. “These are just a few highlights of our website.”

The Alzheimer’s Association helpline is available 24/7. The number is 1-800-272-3900.

BOOKED: Travis Good of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI with a bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: David Cannon of Stafford on Ellinwood Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, no bond.

BOOKED: David Cannon on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear, no bond.

BOOKED: Kyle J. Wiltshire of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for FTA, bond is set at $1,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Travis Good of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for DUI and possession of paraphernalia after he posted a $2,500 surety bond.

RELEASED: Julilah Rodriguez on Barton County District Court case, released back to Topeka Woman’s Correctional Facility.

RELEASED: Adam Shull of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation after he was granted probation.

RELEASED: Jeremy J. McFann on BCDC warrant for probation violation with a cash bond of $143.

RELEASED: Michael Hurd of Topeka on BTDC warrant for failure to appear, released by order of the court through Barton County and transferred to Ellis County on their charges.

RELEASED: Jason Battaglear of Great Bend on GBPD case for BTDC aggravated battery DV, charges was reduced by order of the court through Judge Richard Burgess to domestic battery. Suspended six months time already served.

RELEASED: Kyle J. Wiltshire of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for FTA after posting a surety bond of $1,000 through Dyn-O-Mite.

Golden Belt Community Foundation awards over $75,000 in scholarships to area students.

GBCF administers more than $1.3 million dollars in endowed scholarship funds for graduating high school seniors and current college students.  There were several new scholarship funds established this year with GBCF including: #MyHomeKS Scholarship Fund; Effie I. Bank and Roy Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund; Jeffrey Alan Bland Memorial Scholarship Fund; KU Honors Scholarship Fund; Ray A. Cheely Vocational Scholarship Fund; and the S. Larry Edwardson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The 2018 scholarships and recipients are:

#MyHomeKS Scholarship Fund

Students from the GBCF service area were invited to apply for a scholarship by uploading a video to social media answering one question: What makes my hometown great?  Scholarship funds were available to high school senior and current college student, 17-25 years old.

Braeden Corman – Fort Hays State University – Accounting

Britani Grabast – Wichita State University – Biology

Jordan Taylor – Wichita State University – Business Management

Allan V. Miller Family Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established by Chari Manry and family, in memory of Allan Miller.  Allan was a graduate of Ellinwood High School and attended Kansas State University.  As a local farmer and rancher, he profoundly cared about the local agricultural industry.  He was involved with the church, fair board, 4-H, and FFA.

Colton Churchill – Kansas State University – Biological & Agriculture Engineering

Cody Wondra – Kansas State University – Animal Science

Amy C. Harter Memorial Scholarship Fund

Amy C. Harter’s constant smile had a way of brightening up everybody’s day. Her strength, courage, spirit and love of Christ were the foundation of her in all she did for family and community.

Jordan Taylor – Wichita State University – Business Management

Bill J. McKown Memorial Scholarship Fund

Bill J. McKown had a passion for scouting and art. He worked as a Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, the summer after his freshman year in college at the University of Kansas. His gift for art was nurtured with lessons since the third grade. He sculpted a bigger than life panther that still stands under glass in the Great Bend High School hallway.

Anthony Martinez – Barton Community College – Nursing

Bob & Rosalee Roth Family Scholarship Fund

Robert and Rosalee Roth were married on September 11, 1954 in Wichita. They lived in Oklahoma City from 1955 – 1957 while Robert served as a 2nd Lt. in the US Air Defense Command.  They then moved to Larned to join Roth Equipment Company, a retail farm equipment store and lived there for 51 years where they raised their family. The Roth Family has strong ties to both Pawnee County and the University of Kansas.  Bob and Rosalee wanted to help Pawnee County students experience life as a Jayhawk.

Keelan Castro – University of Kansas – Physical Therapy

Cap Proffitt Memorial Scholarship Fund

Cap Proffitt graduated from Sterling High School.  Formerly of the Alden/Sterling area, he became an Ellinwood resident in 1989 and the manager of Barton County Feeders, Inc.  He attended the First Baptist Church and was a member of American Legion; Rotary Club, Kansas Livestock Association, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, GTO Association of America, Greater Wichita GTO Club, and was a board member and partner of Ellinwood Country Living.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and received the Purple Heart.

Katelyn Reh – Fort Hays State University – Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Carla M. Yahne Memorial Scholarship Fund

Carla was lifetime resident of Great Bend. Caring about her community, she was active in numerous organizations including Barton County Desk and Derrick Club, Kansas Oil and Gas Museum, Community Food Bank of Barton County, the Girls’ Home and American Legion Auxiliary. This scholarship honors Carla’s memory and dedication to our community.

Camryn Dunekack – Kansas State University – Biology

Charles Lischesky Scholarship

The Great Bend Rotary Club offers this scholarship to honor Charles Lischesky.  Charles was born in Wisconsin around 1875.  He moved to Great Bend and was the owner and operator of the Lischesky Dry Goods Company in the early 1900’s.  His wife’s name was Gertrude and they had one daughter, Alberta.

Rodrigo Miranda – McPherson College – Business

Chester Crane Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mr. Crane was a lifetime resident of Pawnee County, he was a retired clerk/maintenance person for Doerr Manufacturing of Larned for 60 years.  He was of the Christian faith, Charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Life Member of Disabled American Veterans. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Mason Burris – Cloud Community College – Wind Energy Technology

Alyssa Clark – Fort Hays State University – Radiologic Technology

Joshua East – Hutchinson Community College – Engineering

Hunter Fitzpatrick – Barton Community College – Elementary Education

Jordan Taylor – Wichita State University – Business Management

Effie I. Bank and Roy Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund

Effie Bank, the daughter of Thomas and Mattie Banks, was born in 1909.  She married Lowell Bank (no ‘s’) in 1933, and they owned Pawnee Printing in Larned, KS. One of Effie’s brothers was Roy Banks.  This scholarship was established to honor Effie Bank and her brother Roy Banks, of Larned.

Mason Burris – Cloud Community College – Wind Energy Technology

Ethel D. Holmes Scholarship Fund

Ethel Dell (Peppiatt) Holmes was born in August of 1892, on a farm near Ellsworth, KS.  She was an early day school teacher in a one-room school house.  Aunt Ethel was a woman of profound faith.  She passed away in 1995, at age 102.

Baleigh Fry – Kansas State University – Kinesiology

Christi Haberman – Wichita State University – Criminal Justice

Lindsey Newman – Emporia State University – Accounting

Paloma Sandoval – Fort Hays State University – Nursing

First American Baptist Church of Larned Scholarship Fund

The First American Baptist Church of Larned established this scholarship fund to support students that are active in their faith. 

Abby Kelty – Kansas State University – Dietetics

Megan Stelter – Barton Community College – Elementary Education

Frank W. Brinkman Memorial Scholarship Fund

Frank W. Brinkman was a Barton County resident deeply rooted in the banking industry.  In 1874, his father established the J.V. Brinkman & Co. bank in Great Bend.  The Brinkman family was known for their charitable acts.  Frank passed away in the spring of 1962.  In 1964, a scholarship fund was established to forever honor his legacy.

Paloma Sandoval – Fort Hays State University – Nursing

Jeffrey Alan Bland Memorial Scholarship Fund

Jeff Bland was a lifelong resident of Larned, Kansas, and graduated from Larned High School in 1978.  He was a junior at the University of Kansas at the time of his death.  He was an accomplished pianist, flutist, and athlete.  He was an officer of his fraternity and a member of KU Concert Band and KU Flute Choir.  Jeff’s love and life touched many people.

Megan Stelter – Barton Community College – Elementary Education

Kansas State University Scholarship Fund

Our KSU Scholarship Endowment Fund was established by alumni, both businesses and individuals, in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties who wanted to assist local students in obtaining a college education from KSU.

Olivia Baus – Kansas State University – Undecided

Chelsey Bieberle – Kansas State University – Feed Science & Management

Camryn Dunekack – Kansas State University – Biology

Baleigh Fry – Kansas State University – Kinesiology

Bailey Seltmann – Kansas State University – Industrial Engineering

Tyler Specht – Kansas State University – Marketing

KU Honors Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was established to honor elite Barton County students attending the University of Kansas. Recipients were in the top 10% of their high school graduating class.  

Maycie Hestand – University of Kansas – Human Biology

Gage Miller – University of Kansas – Psychology

Heather Schneider – University of Kansas – Psychology

Langford Engineering Scholarship Fund

The Langford family owned Doerr Metal Products, Inc. in Larned.  The company used to produce various sizes of livestock water tanks.  They established a to be awarded to a Larned High School graduate planning to major in Engineering with preference given to Mechanical Engineering, at a university in Kansas or Nebraska.

Joshua East – Hutchinson Community College – Engineering

Mingenback Family Scholarship Fund

The Mingenback family created this scholarship to honor the legacy of Dr. John Mingenback.   “Dr. John” as he was known, embodied the characteristics of a servant leader.  He was dedicated to the patient’s understanding of dental health and preventative care.  He felt the ultimate compliment, through his 47 years of practice, was coming to know three-to-four generations within a family who chose him to be their dentist.  Dr. Mingenback loved his patients, took an interest in their lives, eased their pain, and followed the Golden Rule throughout his career in the Golden Belt.

Parker Smith – Fort Hays State University – Human Biology

Paul J. Urban Memorial Scholarship Fund

Paul Urban graduated from Fort Hays State University and received his master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He was also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College of Fort Leavenworth.  He served during World War II and was in the active Army and Reserve for 33 years and retired as a colonel.  He taught for St. Joseph’s Military Academy and Great Bend High School for over 20 years.  Paul went into real estate in 1973, becoming realtor of the year, and teaching real estate classes at Barton Community College.  He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and served on various church councils.

Paulina Baray – Barton Community College – Biology

Jisselle Cortez – Barton Community College – LPN

Kyler Merten – Barton Community College – Math Education

Andrea Montes – Barton Community College – Business Management

Ralph & Elinor Haneke Memorial Scholarship Fund

Ralph and Elinor Haneke were passionate about education.  Ralph, an Ellis High School graduate, who enlisted in the Army during World War II instead of seeking higher education, was a successful, self-taught businessman and certified financial counselor.  He was dedicated to helping youth through his work in church, Boy Scouts, Lions Club, and Habitat for Humanity.  Elinor, a Great Bend High School and Fort Hays State University graduate; whose greatest love other than family were her students, became a 42-year veteran teacher for Great Bend public schools, working at Morrison Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and finally ending her teaching career at Great Bend High School teaching English.

Elsi Miller – Fort Hays State University – Biology

Ray A. Cheely Vocational Scholarship Fund

Ray Cheely graduated from Great Bend High School in 1971, attended Barton Community College and graduated with an accounting degree in 1975 from Fort Hays State University.  His business, Ray A. Cheely, Chartered specialized in small business accounting and consulting as well as personal accounting and tax returns. This scholarship is for Barton County residents pursuing a vocational, trade, or certificate program and that plan to continue to reside in the area after they complete their program of study.

Clade Anderson – Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture – Agronomy

Kaiden Jeffrey – North Central Kansas Technical College – Electrical Technology

Bradley Reif – Manhattan Area Technical College – Electrical Power & Distribution

Elena Taboada – Barton Community College – MLT & Nursing

Ryan Hugh Dunlap Memorial Scholarship Fund

Ryan Dunlap was a graduate of Great Bend High School, Barton Community College, and Southwestern College.  His lifework was as an athletic trainer and physical education teacher.  He was tirelessly dedicated to his family and students.  He took pride in the camaraderie of team sports and watching others succeed.

Lindsey Newman – Emporia State University – Accounting

Larry Edwardson Memorial Scholarship Fund

Larry Edwardson was born in Crisfield, MD and had an extensive career as a Certified Financial Planner in Great Bend. He has a profound appreciation for family and community. 

Lindsey Newman – Emporia State University – Accounting

Samantha C. Harter Memorial Scholarship Fund

Samantha (Sami) C. Harter was a vivacious, happy, fun-loving girl with a huge heart and kind spirit.  Her biggest thrill was riding horses.  She began riding at a young age and enjoyed training for English Saddle competitions.  Sami played guitar, piano, and loved to sing.

Keelan Castro – University of Kansas – Physical Therapy

Vida M., Dorothy C., & Vivian M., Archer Scholarship Fund

The Archer sisters were lifelong residents of Ellinwood.  They were born in the early 1900’s and were the daughters of Charles Quincy & Margaret Ewers Archer.  They had great heart, faith, and a real sense of community.  The Archer sisters deeply cared about a student’s ability to attain higher education.

Conor Bird – Kansas State University – Psychology

Micaila Curtis – McPherson College – Biology

Ashtin Heath – Wichita State University – Biology

Maycie Hestand – University of Kansas – Human Biology

Gage Miller – University of Kansas – Pre Law

Aaron Miller – Wichita State University – English Education

Kirk Reisner – Wichita State University – Exercise Science

Mykela Riedl – Wichita State University – Physical Therapy

Hunter Ruppe – Wichita State University – Business Management

Cheyanne Sanders – Kansas State University – Life Science

Natalie Sanders – Kansas State University – Life Science

Heather Schneider – University of Kansas – Psychology

Establishing a Scholarship Fund with Golden Belt Community Foundation

Donor commitment to providing educational funding for our area students helps to build a stronger community.  Endowed scholarships may be established with a minimum donation of $10,000.  A simple fund agreement is signed by the donor and foundation that outlines the specific fund criteria.  To setup a scholarship fund or for more information contact Sue Cooper at (620) 792-3000 or visit their website at www.goldenbeltcf.org/scholarships

WHO: Governor Jeff Colyer, Lt. Governor Tracey Mann

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey

Matt Teagarden, Kansas Livestock Association

Brad White, Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute

Brandon Depenbusch, Innovative Livestock Services

WHAT: Governor Colyer will speak at the announcement of Cattle Trail, a pilot project to develop a cattle disease traceability system.

WHEN: Saturday, June 30, 2:45 p.m. 

WHERE: Barton County Feeders, 1164 SE 40 Rd, Ellinwood, Kansas