IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND OR LOVED ONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, THEN PLAN TO JOIN THE LOCAL ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION FOR THIS YEAR’S MEMORY WALK IN LARNED ON SATURDAY, (9/13).  REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT THE LARNED COMMUNITY CENTER IN LARNED WITH THE WALK SCHEDULED TO START AT 10:30.  THE ASSOCIATION IS ON THE MOVE TO END ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. 

(9/7 – 9/12)  BARTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY  (620-793-5125)

VISIT THE BARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM THIS MONTH AND EXPLORE THE RICH HERITAGE OF THIS AREA.  WHILE YOU’RE THERE, CONSIDER BECOMING A HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER.  SINGLE AND FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE, PLUS THERE ARE MEMBERSHIP LEVELS FOR BUSINESSES AND EVEN MAJOR BENEFACTORS.  GIVE THEM A CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION OR STOP BY THE MUSEUM ON SOUTH HIGHWAY 281, GREAT BEND. 

(9/7 – 9/12)  ELLIS HISTORICAL SOCIETY  (785-628-2624)

RESERVATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL BUS TOUR ON OCTOBER 5^TH, SPONSORED BY THE ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM.  THE TOUR WILL BEGIN NORTH OF HAYS WITH SEVERAL STOPS ALONG THE WAY BEFORE REACHING NICODEMUS TO SEE THE TOWN’S 5 REMAINING HISTORIC STRUCTURES.  A BBQ DINNER WILL BE SERVED BEFORE RETURNING TO HAYS.  COST IS $40 PER PERSON AND REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30^TH.  CALL THE ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. 

(9/7 – 9/13)  GREENWING EVENT  (620-617-4350)

THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF DUCKS UNLIMITED WILL SPONSOR ITS 2008 GREENWING EVENT FOR AREA YOUTH AGES 17 AND UNDER.  COME TO THE WEST PICNIC AREA AT VETERAN’S PARK IN GREAT BEND AT 1 P.M. ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14^TH.  LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED, LOTS OF PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED ALONG WITH A DUCK CALLING CONTEST AND HUNTING DOG PRESENTATION. 

(9/7 – 9/13)  HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL

THE HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL COUNCIL OF GREAT BEND IS SPONSORING A SPECIAL “BACK TO SCHOOL” FUND RAISER FOR ADULTS AT 7 P.M., SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13^TH AT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HALL ON SOUTH MAIN IN GREAT BEND.  THIS YEAR’S THEME IS “WE ARE FAMILY.”  THE EVENT INCLUDES APPETIZERS, A SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION, GAMES AND MORE.  TICKETS ARE $25 EACH AND AVAILABLE AT HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL IN GREAT BEND. 

(9/7 – 9/13)  KANSAS FOOD FOR LIFE  (620-793-7100)

KANSAS FOOD FOR LIFE IN GREAT BEND IS TAKING ORDERS FOR ITS SEPTEMBER FOOD DISTRIBUTION THROUGH SUNDAY, (9/14)  AT THE NEW FOOD FOR LIFE OFFICE ON NORTH WASHINGTON IN GREAT BEND.  THIS MONTH’S FOOD DISTRIBUTION WILL BE HELD FROM 11 A.M. UNTIL 1 P.M. ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27^TH.  KANSAS FOOD FOR LIFE SUPPLIES THE AREA WITH GROCERIES EACH MONTH AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES AND WITHOUT QUALIFICATIONS OR INCOME LIMITS. 

(9/7 – 9/17)  YOUTH EDUCATION CLINIC  (620-793-3066)

THE CHEYENNE PARTNERSHIP AND THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND PARKS WILL CONDUCT A YOUTH STEEL SHOT EDUCATION CLINIC FROM 8 A.M. UNTIL NOON, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20^TH AT THE CHEYENNE BOTTOMS WILDLIFE AREA OFFICE.  THE EVENT WILL FEATURE PATTERNING SHOTGUNS, PRACTICE SESSIONS AND TARGET RANGE ESTIMATION AND SHOOTING EXERCISES.  CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED AND REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 18^TH. 

(9/7 – 9/17)  SUNFLOWER SUNRISE CAMPAIGN  (620-792-1325)

THE SUNFLOWER DIVERSIFIED SERVICES FOUNDATION WILL KICK OFF ITS 8^TH  ANNUAL SUNRISE CAMPAIGN BY SPONSORING A PANCAKE DINNER FEATURING CHRIS CAKES FROM 4 UNTIL 7 P.M. ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18^th  AT ST. ROSE AUDITORIUM IN GREAT BEND.  TICKETS ARE $5 FOR ALL THE PANCAKES AND SAUSAGE YOU CAN EAT. THE SUNRISE CAMPAIGN IS THE FOUNDATION’S MAJOR ANNUAL FUND RAISER FOR THE YEAR. 

(9/7 – 9/17)  MEMORIES MATTER CAMP  (620-786-6592)

A SPECIAL ONE-DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 THROUGH 12 WHO HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, AT THE CAMP ALDRICH CONFERENCE CENTER NEAR CLAFLIN.  REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 17^TH.  PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMP ALONG WITH THEIR CHILDREN.  THE CAMP IS FREE AND IS SPONSORED BY GOLDEN BELT HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE AND CENTRAL KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER.  GIVE THEM A CALL FOR FURTHER DETAILS. 

(9/7 – 9/18)  HONOR FLIGHTS  (620-792-6224)

FUND RAISING EFFORTS CONTINUE THROUGH CENTRAL PRAIRIE RESOURCE, CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK TO SEND AREA VETERANS TO VISIT THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C.  TWO TRIPS WILL DEPART IN OCTOBER BUT MORE TRIPS WILL BE MADE IF ADDITIONAL FUNDING CAN BE SECURED.  ALL GIFTS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. 

(9/7 – 9/19)  STAR OF HOPE  (866-653-0321)    www.starofhope.org 

STAR OF HOPE INTERNATIONAL NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER TO PROVIDE CHRISTIAN AND HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMS TO HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE AROUND THE WORLD.  STAR OF HOPE IS A NON-PROFIT AGENCY WITH A LOCAL OFFICE ON MAIN IN ELLINWOOD.  PLEASE CONSIDER A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT TO HELP BRING HOPE TO THOSE WHO HAVE LITTLE. 

(9/7 – 9/19)  HAYS ARTS COUNCIL  (785-625-7522)

ON DISPLAY THIS MONTH AT THE HAYS ARTS CENTER IS AN EXHIBIT CALLED “FLOWERS: REAL & IMAGINED.”  THE EXHIBIT FEATURES A COLLECTION OF PAINTINGS, PRINTS, DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY FLORAL IMAGES ALONG WITH ACTUAL CREATIONS FROM LOCAL FLORAL DESIGNERS.  SEE THE “FLOWERS: REAL & IMAGINED” EXHIBIT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25^TH AT THE HAYS ARTS CENTER, 112 EAST 11^TH IN DOWNTOWN HAYS. 

(9/7 – 9/19)  MONARCH MANIA  (620-486-2393)

THE QUIVIRA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN STAFFORD COUNTY, INVITES YOU TO ITS 11^TH ANNUAL “MONARCH MANIA” EVENT FROM 9 A.M. UNTIL NOON ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20^th.  THIS FREE EVENT WILL FEATURE THE TAGGING OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES, ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, AND AN EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION ON BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS.  TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT “MONARCH MANIA, CALL THE QUIVIRA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE NEAR STAFFORD.   

(9/7 – 9/19)  DEINES CULTURAL CENTER (785-483-3742)

THIS MONTH, THE DEINES CULTURAL CENTER IN RUSSELL IS FEATURING ITS POPULAR “CHROME, SMOKE AND FLAMES” EXHIBIT THAT CELEBRATES ART AND THE AUTOMOBILE.  EIGHTEEN ARTISTS ARE BEING FEATURED IN THIS ENTERTAINING COLLABORATION OF PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS, SCULPTURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY.  SEE THE “CHROME, SMOKE AND FLAMES” EXHIBIT THIS MONTH AT THE DEINES CULTURAL CENTER, 820 NORTH MAIN IN RUSSELL.  ADMISSION IS FREE. 

(9/7 – 9/19)  HI PLAINS HUMANE SOCIETY  (785-625-5252)

SUPPORT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AT BARTON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE BY JOINING THE COUGAR BOOSTER CLUB FOR THE 2008—2009 SEASON.  BOOSTER MEMBERS RECEIVE PRESS RELEASES, GAME STATISTICS, INVITATIONS TO SPECIAL EVENTS AND DISCOUNTS ON BOOSTER CLUB MERCHANDISE AND APPAREL.  TO FIND OUT MORE, CALL THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AT BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE. 

(8/31 – 9/3)  BARTON UNITED WAY (620-792-2403)

THE UNITED WAY OF BARTON COUNTY NOW HAS AN EASY WAY FOR CONTRIBUTORS TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.  IT’S THROUGH THE ECO PROGRAM.  ECO STANDS FOR “EASY, CONVENIENT OPTION.”  WITH ECO, YOU CAN HAVE MONTHLY DONATIONS WITHDRAWN DIRECTLY FROM YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT AND DONATED TO THE UNITED WAY OF BARTON COUNTY.  FOR AN APPLICATION FORM, VISIT THE UNITED WAY OFFICE, 1125 WILLIAMS IN GREAT BEND. 

(8/31 – 9/5)  BENEFIT SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT  (620-566-7777)

THE 4^TH ANNUAL HAYLEE ZINK MEMORIAL CO-ED SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD SEPTEMBER 6^TH AND 7^TH AT THE CITY FIELDS IN ELLINWOOD. ENTRY FEE IS $125 PER TEAM AND REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 3^RD.  CONCESSIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE ALONG WITH RAFFLE PRIZES.  PROCEEDS FROM THE EVENT WILL BE USED TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT THE FIELDS. 

(8/31 – 9/5)  BARTON COUNTY FOOD BANK  (620-792-4001)

RECENT ECONOMIC TRENDS HAVE CREATED GREATER COMMUNITY NEED FOR THE BARTON COUNTY FOOD BANK.  THE FOOD BANK RELIES HEAVILY ON PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS AND NEEDS STAPLE ITEMS WITH AN EXTENDED SHELF LIFE, SUCH AS CANNED FRUIT, MILK, VEGETABLES AND JUICE.  YOU CAN DROP OFF ITEMS BETWEEN 1 AND 3 P.M. MONDAYS, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAYS AT 3007 10^TH STREET IN GREAT BEND.  MONETARY DONATIONS ARE ALSO WELCOME. 

(8/31 – 9/5)  LITTLE RIVER COMMUNITY FUND  (620-897-6413)

THE COMMUNITY OF LITTLE RIVER INVITES YOU TO ENJOY VENTRILOQUIST DAVID PENDLETON LIVE ON STAGE AT 7:30 P.M., SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6^TH AT LITTLE RIVER HIGH SCHOOL.  PENDLETON IS A 20-YEAR VETERAN ENTERTAINER AND ONE OF THE NATION’S TOP VENTRILOQUISTS. THE EVENT IS FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM THE LITTLE  RIVER COMMUNITY FUND AND PRESENTED BY THE CHURCHES OF LITTLE RIVER.  TICKETS FOR THE SHOW ARE FREE.

(8/31 – 9/5)  TEXAS HOLD-EM BENEFIT  (620-653-4913)

HOISINGTON KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MEMBERS INVITE YOU TO COMPETE IN A TEXAS HOLD ‘EM BENEFIT POKER TOURNAMENT AT 7:30 P.M., SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6^th AT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HALL ON NORTH MAIN IN HOISINGTON.  ALL PLAYERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING SNACKS TO BE SHARED AT A SNACK TABLE.  PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT AREA CHARITIES SUPPORTED BY THE HOISINGTON KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHAPTER.   

(8/31 – 9/8)  FREE COMPUTER CLASSES  (620-792-2409)

THIS MONTH, THE GREAT BEND PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL OFFER FREE COMPUTER CLASSES EACH TUESDAY FROM 3 UNTIL 5 P.M.  CLASSES WILL COVER USAGE OF THE COMPUTER MOUSE AND KEYBOARD, INTERNET EXPLORER TOOLBARS AND WAYS TO USE LINKS TO FIND INFORMATION USING SEARCH ENGINES.  MICROSOFT WORD XP CLASSES WILL MEET ON TUESDAY FROM 6:30 UNTIL 8:30 P.M.  CLASSES ARE FREE TO ANYONE WHO HAS A LIBRARY CARD AND A SIGNED COMPUTER AGREEMENT FORM.  CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED SO CONTACT THE GREAT BEND PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR MORE DETAILS. 

(8/31 – 9/12)  ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION  (620-285-6914)

IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND OR LOVED ONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, THEN PLAN TO JOIN THE LOCAL ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION FOR THIS YEAR’S MEMORY WALK IN LARNED ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13^TH.  REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT THE LARNED COMMUNITY CENTER IN LARNED WITH THE WALK SCHEDULED TO START AT 10:30.  THE ASSOCIATION IS ON THE MOVE TO END ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. 

(8/31 – 9/12)  BARTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY  (620-793-5125)

VISIT THE BARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM THIS MONTH AND EXPLORE THE RICH HERITAGE OF THIS AREA.  WHILE YOU’RE THERE, CONSIDER BECOMING A HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER.  SINGLE AND FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE, PLUS THERE ARE MEMBERSHIP LEVELS FOR BUSINESSES AND EVEN MAJOR BENEFACTORS.  GIVE THEM A CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION OR STOP BY THE MUSEUM ON SOUTH HIGHWAY 281, GREAT BEND.   

(8/31 – 9/12)  ELLIS HISTORICAL SOCIETY  (785-628-2624)

RESERVATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL BUS TOUR ON OCTOBER 5^TH, SPONSORED BY THE ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM.  THE TOUR WILL BEGIN NORTH OF HAYS WITH SEVERAL STOPS ALONG THE WAY BEFORE REACHING NICODEMUS TO SEE THE TOWN’S 5 REMAINING HISTORIC STRUCTURES.  A BBQ DINNER WILL BE SERVED BEFORE RETURNING TO HAYS.  COST IS $40 PER PERSON AND REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30^TH.  CALL THE ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. 

(8/31 – 9/13)  GREENWING EVENT  (620-617-4350)

THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF DUCKS UNLIMITED WILL SPONSOR ITS 2008 GREENWING EVENT FOR AREA YOUTH AGES 17 AND UNDER.  COME TO THE WEST PICNIC AREA AT VETERAN’S PARK IN GREAT BEND AT 1 P.M. ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14^TH.  LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED, LOTS OF PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED ALONG WITH A DUCK CALLING CONTEST AND HUNTING DOG PRESENTATION. 

(8/31 – 9/13)  HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL

THE HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL COUNCIL OF GREAT BEND IS SPONSORING A SPECIAL “BACK TO SCHOOL” FUND RAISER FOR ADULTS AT 7 P.M., SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13^TH AT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HALL ON SOUTH MAIN IN GREAT BEND.  THIS YEAR’S THEME IS “WE ARE FAMILY.”  THE EVENT INCLUDES APPETIZERS, A SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION, GAMES AND MORE.  TICKETS ARE $25 EACH AND AVAILABLE AT HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL IN GREAT BEND.