Great Bend - CHAMPION
CHAMBER AWARD PROGRAMS
The Chamber’s Annual Banquet and Awards is a celebration designed to recognize community leaders and accomplishments of the past year and welcome incoming Chamber leadership of the organization. At the event, community awards are presented to recognize the hard-working individuals, volunteers, and businesses in our community. Awarded during the evening are the Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Nex-Gen Leader of the Year, and Legacy Award. New in 2022, the Chamby’s, a new award recognizes our Chamber Ambassadors.
First Ever Chamby Awards
The Chamby Awards, introduced 2022, recognize Chamber Ambassadors in a fun way for their time and commitment to our chamber members.
• Most Chamber Calls – Kris Sundahl, Edward Jones
• “Hosted the Mosted” AND Ribbon Cutting Champ – Brad Shirer, Retired
• Lifetime Ambassador Achievement Award
– Jan Westfall
SRCA RECEIVES LEGACY AWARD
Last fall, a colorful mural depicting the historic Sunflower Rod and Custom Association dragstrip and the first National Rod and Custom Association race there in 1955, went up in downtown Great Bend. This was a art installation was facilitated by the Barton Arts Movement (BAM).
• Srca 1955 nationals
• SRCA starting line
• SRCA receives award
Operated solely by its volunteers, the Sunflower Rod & Custom Association was honored with being named the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Legacy Award. This group of dedicated volunteers and racers have sacrificed time and money over the past 70 years for a sport they love and a passion or preserving Great Bend’s historic drag strip located west of Great Bend.
“The SRCA which consists of all volunteers, competitors, and multitude of local and national sponsors make improvements to this facility to maintain and preserve its historical presence in NHRA drag racing,” said Mike Carlson with the SRCA. “We do this to promote our community and family values, to promote education and safety and a great place to race safely and off the streets.”
A look back…
Events either held, or planned, at the SRCA dragstrip include:
• NHRA first Nationals
• NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
• NHRA Summit Drag Racing Series
• NHRA National Dragster Challenge
• NHRA King of the Track
• NHRA Sunflower National Open
• NHRA Ignite Super Quick Series
• NHRA Summit Junior Dragster Challenge
• NHRA All Access Challenge
• NHRA TV Challenge
• NHRA Kansas State Championship
• AHRA first Nationals
• Hot Rod Magazine Drag Week
• Rocky Mountain Race Week
• Rocky Mountain Superchargers Series
• Rocky Mountain Nostalgia NSS/AFX
• Colorado Flat Headers
• Horsepower on the Plains
• 409 National Convention
• Sammy Mathews Charity Race
• Big Bend Bike Rally
• Speed Scene Live TV first Nationals
• Wichita Pontiac Uprising
• Injected Barnstorming All-Stars Tour
• Midwest Drag Racing Series
BRYANT FUNERAL HOME NAMED 2021 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
For demonstrating excellence in the marketplace, a positive response and exceptional customer service in the face adversity to the likes they’ve never known, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2021 Business of the Year is Bryant Funeral Homes. Chamber President Megan Barfield and Executive Committee Members Jerry Renk and Shelly Peacock presented Bryant Funeral Home with the award at Bryant Funeral Home’s main location at 1425 Patton Rd, Great Bend, KS.
Accepting the award was Owner and Funeral Director Michael Nicholson, alongside Chad Jerke, funeral director. A grateful and humble Michael Nicholson shared, “Our service to our community is not measured by gold, but by the Golden Rule, which is a basic rule of ethical conduct. We are greatly honored and completely overcome with gratitude to have been nominated and selected to receive the Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award for 2021. We are humbled to have our commitment to our community recognized.”
Nicholson and Jerke shared that they have been extremely challenged since mid-2020, which is a sentiment that can be echoed by every community, every business, every family, and every person. “This challenge was met by our staff, with the outstanding support and love of our community, families we have served, and especially our spouses and families at home,” comments Michael Nicholson.
“We would be remiss if we did not thank the funeral directors, staff, and pillars of our funeral home who have gone before us and who have inspired us and paved the road of integrity, dedication and professionalism.”
Those local pillars started the journey of what would become Bryant Funeral Home when Great Bend merchant, J. Lester Cox, opened a furniture store and funeral parlor in downtown Great Bend in 1899. He started his business, Great Bend Furniture Company, on the northwest corner of the intersection of Main Street and Broadway Avenue. He later moved his business to the 1400 block of Main Street.
In 1932, Cox closed the furniture portion of the firm to devote his attention to funeral service. He sold the funeral home in 1937 to William C. Cook, who had established Cook Funeral Home in 1933 at 1416 Kansas Avenue, and Frank Weber, Ellinwood. The name was then changed to Cook and Weber Funeral Home.
R. Raymond “Ray” Cornett joined the firm in 1939, becoming a partner in 1944. Cook and Cornett ran the funeral home continuously for more than thirty years, until Cook died suddenly while attending a funeral director’s convention in Kansas City, March 21, 1972. Cook’s heirs and Cornett sold the funeral home in August 1972 to Earl Bram, who owned the firm for three years. Cornett continued working for the new owner, and died February 18, 1974, while removing a body to the funeral home.
Gordon R. Brantley, Bill Nicholson, and Ted Ricke purchased the Cook and Weber Funeral Home from Earl Bram in August 1975. Brantley was manager of the firm with Nicholson and Ricke being silent partners. Brantley was joined a year later by long-time Great Bend funeral director, Larry Bryant, and the funeral home became Brantley-Bryant Funeral Home. Brantley sold his interest in the firm to Nicholson and Ricke in 1983. The funeral home then became Bryant-Christians Funeral Home, with Larry Bryant and Alan Christians operating the firm. In 2000, when Alan Christians moved to Lindsborg, the name was changed to Bryant Funeral Home, and Michael Nicholson, Bill’s son, took an active part in the business interests and is today the owner. A second funeral home is also owned and operated by Michael Nicholson; Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home located in Hoisington.
The BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD is an annual award presented by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce to showcase companies that demonstrate excellence in customer service, growth, and positive response to adversity. Businesses must also show community involvement and demonstrate innovative business practices in their area of expertise.
Previous “Business of the Year” Recipients
2020 |
Mind Sculpt Games
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2019 |
TCI Answering Service (Photo in Dropbox folder)
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2018 |
Keller Real Estate & Insurance Agency
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2017 |
Great Bend Children’s Clinic
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2016 |
Countryside Veterinary Associates
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2015 |
Eagle Communications
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2014 |
Great Bend Coop Association
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2013 |
Great Bend Regional Hospital
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2012 |
Rosewood Services Inc.
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2011 |
Tim Miller Enterprises
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2010 |
Kustom Floor Designs Inc.
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2009 |
Eldridge Fencing Inc.
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2008 |
Business Management Inc.
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2007 |
Great Bend Tribune
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2006 |
Central Kanas Medical Center
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2005 |
Venture Corporation
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2004 |
Adams Brown, Beran & Ball Chtd.
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2003 |
Great Bend Feeding Inc.
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2002 |
CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Inc.
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2001 |
Doonan Corporation
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2000 |
Farmers Bank & Trust NA
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1999 |
Dillons Stores
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1998 |
Stickney Distributing Inc.
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1997 |
Office Products Inc.
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1996 |
Fuller Brush Company
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1995 |
Becker Tire & Treading Inc.
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1994 |
Straub International
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1993 |
Marmies of Great Bend
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DR. PERRY SMITH NAMED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Teacher. Mentor. Involved. Sports Enthusiast. Devoted. Loving. Unforgettable. These words describe Great Bend Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Citizen of the Year.
Dr. Perry Smith always knew he was going to become a doctor and with a laser focus through high school and college, graduated from the University of Kansas. His wife, Krista, often asked what his backup plan was should he not get into med school. She laughs remembering, “There never was any kind of backup plan. He wanted to be in family medicine, and he wanted to serve a small community.”
“We picked Great Bend because it was equal distance between my hometown of Syracuse and his hometown of Inman.”
In the summer of 1980, new doctor, Perry Smith and Krista, came to Great Bend where they’ve resided ever since. Perry wanted to live and work in a community where he knew his neighbors and could be within walking distance to his office, which was newly constructed at Lakin and Polk Streets and known as the Family Care Center.
In his 41-year career Dr. Smith remembered his mentor Dr. Replogle and continued his belief in taking time with each patient providing individualized care and furthermore believed that was something students needed to see first-hand. He passed on the way he was mentored to hundreds of students who visited, even taking them to the Salty Dog games. Krista reminisces saying, “Perry was just the ideal family practice doctor. He just really and truly cared for each and every one of his patients. And his students witnessed that, often commenting on how many people knew Dr. Smith outside of clinic hours.”
Though he never kept track of just how many babies he’s delivered, one of Dr. Smith’s greatest joys was OB and being asked to deliver second and third generations later in his career. Dr. Smith practiced medicine and leadership beyond the walls of his clinic when providing medical care for Barton Community College athletes, volunteering at the Barton County Community Health Department Family Planning Clinic, serving as Chief of Staff for Central Kansas Medical Center, and provided proctoring to numerous medical students, residents, nurse practitioners and Physician Assistants in training.
Outside of family medicine, both Dr. Smith and Krista have always felt compelled to give back due to being blessed by the community of Great Bend. Dr. Smith has been a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church for more than 40 years, serving as an elder, leadership council, building and grounds team; the Great Bend Kiwanis for 40 years, the Barton County Historical Society, Brit Spaugh Zoological Society, Golden Belt Community Concert Association, Golden Belt Community Theatre, United Way of Central Kansas, 100 People Who Care, and a Barton Community College Hall of Fame inductee.
Dr. Smith retired from family medicine in 2021 but hasn’t stopped caring for the people in Great Bend and Barton County.
Citizen of the Year Award
Annually, the Chamber recognizes outstanding service by an individual who contributes to the quality of life in Great Bend. The award winner is also someone who gives of his or her time, talent, and energy to help the community thrive. Additionally, the award recognizes citizens who have excelled in their chosen professions and serve as role models in the community.
Previous “Citizen of the Year” Recipients
2020 |
Randy Smith
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2019 |
Mike Johnson
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2018 |
Barry Bowers
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2017 |
Mark Mingenback
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2016 |
Dan Bonine
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2015 |
Jim Johnson
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2014 |
Jan Westfall
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2013 |
Roger Murphy
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2012 |
Rick Ball
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2011 |
Glenn Opie
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2010 |
Wally Straub (posthumously)
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2009 |
Bob Dema
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2008 |
Sheryl Cheely
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2007 |
Bob Parish
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2006 |
Bill Berryman
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2005 |
Terry & MelEasa Stueder
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2004 |
Ron Koelsch
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2003 |
Danny Biggs
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2002 |
Jean Cavanaugh
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2001 |
Orville Huss
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2000 |
Mark Calcara
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1999 |
Leroy Dringmann
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1998 |
Don Whelan
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COACH LOERA NAMED NEXGEN LEADER OF THE YEAR
Established in 2012, the NextGen Leader of the Year Award aims to recognize a particular individual’s service to the community as an up-and-coming leader. The latest to be recognized by his peers is Jesus “Chuy” Loera, who definitely fills the bill.
Loera has coached the Great Bend High School boys soccer team since 2016, and the Great Bend Middle School boys soccer team since 2015. He also works at the high school as a family engagement coordinator.
For her part, Loera’s wife Anna is excited to see her husband recognized.
“I’m just so proud of him and how he has progressed in his coaching and his career,” she said. “He really has a passion for this and really loves being around youth.”
2020 NexGen Andrea Bauer noted, “Chuy invests a tremendous amount of time investing in Great Bend’s young people,” she said. “Beyond the duties of a coach, he creates opportunities for his team to explore careers, volunteer in the community, and make an impact.”
Often he’ll stop practice early or continue beyond “coaching hours” to address common life topics like manners, hygiene, accountability, respect for women, mental health, and more. He also invites community members to talk with these young boys about potential career opportunities.
“Chuy has also implemented a mentoring program where his players visit elementary schools and pass on sportsmanship and life lessons to students,” she said.
“He understands that elevating the soccer program is an important way to encourage participation and growth for students, both on the field and in the classroom,” she said.
In the fall of 2021, he started a new position at GBHS as family engagement coordinator.
“Chuy understands how athletics and accountability and positively impact learning in the classroom and life,” Bauer said. In his six seasons as head coach, the GBHS boys soccer GPA has improved along with attendance and student behavior inside and outside the school setting.
“His ultimate goal is to support these young men by making them aware of opportunities available to them and to have the confidence to pursue these opportunities,” she said.
“Chuy has a positive and solution-driven approach to nurturing our community,” she said. “While he strives for improvement in communication, inclusion, and facility development, he works hard to highlight the positive programs, services, and opportunities available. He’s worked with community leaders and developed partnerships to help realize change and enhancements that benefit many.”
NextGen Leader of the Year Award
The NextGen Leader of the Year award is presented annually to an individual creating a meaningful impact as a rising leader. Nominees are leaders in their work environment, as well as in the community.
Previous “NextGen Leader of the Year” Recipients
2020 |
Andrea Bauer
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2019 |
Ryan Fairchild
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2018 |
Rachel Mawhirter
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2017 |
Jason Mayers
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2016 |
Regan Reif
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2015 |
Matt Hiss
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2014 |
Nels Lindberg
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2013 |
Kristy Straub
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2012 |
Cody Lee
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