Rosewood Miracle Workers AKTION Club recently delivered supplies from its annual Coloring Book and Crayon Drive conducted last fall. A busy winter kept AKTION Club members from completing delivery until now, but the supplies were still right on time for drive recipient Clara Barton Hospital.
“The donations we receive from Rosewood AKTION Club annually are what we typically receive for the year for coloring books and crayons,” explained Michelle Moshier, director of Clara Barton Hospital Foundation. “We are so appreciative whenever they arrive. It means a lot to us that Rosewood AKTION Club donations are helping to make Clara Barton a brighter place, one page at a time.”
Mosier said the coloring books and crayons are provided at each clinic in Hoisington, Russell and Great Bend. They are also provided at the registration desk and on the nursing floor of Clara Barton Hospital.
“These supplies help to entertain the kiddos throughout the year,” she said. “All of our staff know where they are located to hand out to any child who is a patient or is here for a loved one. Whatever that scenario is, we have color books and crayons that help keep them occupied while they are here.”
Rosewood AKTION Club’s effort netted 376 coloring books and 328 boxes of crayons from last fall’s community drive. Rosewood Residential Employees chipped in $60 that went to the purchase of crayons for the drive.
“Our AKTION Club has been conducting this drive for a decade and we have probably averaged about 500 coloring books and crayon boxes each year during that span.” said Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor Frankie Pelster. “We are a bit below our average this time, but our numbers are still good when you consider we are bringing smiles to more than 300 children in need for the upcoming year. We thank the community for joining us in our most recent effort to provide supplies to CBH, which in turn provides such a wonderful service to children.”
Rosewood AKTION Club is an affiliate of the national Kiwanis organization that promotes service in action for people with developmental disabilities. The area club allows Rosewood representatives to be actively involved in the community and to positively impact the lives of others.
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Find more about Rosewood Services online, http://RosewoodServices.com
Follow us at facebook.com/RosewoodServices
For more information, contact Frankie Pelster, Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor, employmentspecialist@rosewoodservices.com, 620-796-2242.
March 20, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
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Great Bend Earth Day Celebration continues to grow, heading into its fourth year with more vendor participation expected this year compared to any previous year. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 26 at Great Bend Zoo. Already, there are more than a dozen vendors signed up to participate in the local event, organized to commemorate the worldwide Earth Day effort that raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources.
The Great Bend Zoo, Rosewood ECycle and Great Bend Dairy Queen are sponsoring, and invite other organizations and businesses to participate in the celebration. There is no charge for booth set-up. Any group promoting conservation, or providing children’s entertainment and education is encouraged to join.
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Several organizations that participated the previous three years have committed to the local come-and-go celebration, which occurs four days after the official 55th anniversary of Earth Day. In addition to involvement by the three sponsors, Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Heartland Farm, Great Bend Zoological Society, Women For Kansas, Sunflower Recycling Center, along with ‘Read With Me’ program members Luna and Glenn, are participating again. Though they are not expected to bring a character this year, Smoky Hills PBS is also returning with fun activities planned for children. Barton Community College STEM Club returns, along with Bart The Cougar. Kansas Children’s Services League, and Fuller Industries are joining the celebration this year, along with a car club, as well as a model train set-up. Additionally, food vendor Freaking Delicious Cheesecake Co. plans to participate this year.
“We’re thrilled to have the increase in vendor interest that we have this year,” explained Great Bend Zoo Director Ashley Burdick. “It’s also nice to have some of our same vendors back for another year. The mix of veteran and new vendors is sure to bring a diversified experience to Earth Day Celebration participants. It’s all shaping up to be a fun Earth Day at Great Bend Zoo this year.”
As the fourth annual event draws closer, Burdick encourages other businesses, organizations and food vendors to sign up prior to the April 1 deadline. Those wanting to participate can contact Burdick at 620-793-4226, or e-mail her at zoocurator@greatbendks.net.
In case of inclement weather, the Zoo will also offer indoor or covered vendor space.
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For more information, contact Ashley Burdick, Great Bend Zoo Director, zoocurator@greatbendks.net, 620-793-4226
March 14, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
Rosewood Miracle Workers AKTION Club is hosting the 9th Annual “Hippity Hop Easter Basket Workshop” on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rosewood Activity Center, 1607 Main Street, Great Bend, adjacent to Rosewood Gallery.
During the workshop, children can create their own Easter baskets, decorate Easter eggs, and participate in other fun activities, like coloring Easter pages. The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance, and children can take photos with him. Families have the option of taking free cell phone photos, or pay $3 to receive a printed photo with the Easter Bunny.
Beyond an exciting meet-up with the Easter Bunny, Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor Frankie Pelster said club members are working on an extra surprise for children to add to the already-fun event.
There is a donation request of $5 per basket for participants, which helps cover the cost of materials for the workshop. Any other proceeds raised from the workshop go toward Rosewood AKTION Club efforts in organizing future community projects.
“Easter Basket Workshop is always such an exciting time for our AKTION Club members because they get to prepare a special day that brings so much joy to children in the community,” said Frankie Pelster. “It’s always an eventful day when children get to spend time with the Easter Bunny. We’re looking forward to hosting this year’s event.”
Rosewood AKTION Club is an affiliate of the national Kiwanis organization that promotes service in action for people with developmental disabilities. The area club allows Rosewood clients to be actively involved in the community and to positively impact the lives of others.
Find out more about Rosewood Services online, rosewoodservices.com
Follow us at facebook.com/RosewoodServices
Access Rosewood AKTION Club Easter Basket Workshop Flier, rosewoodservices.com/assets/files/Easter-Workshop-AC-Flier3-25.pdf
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For more information, contact Frankie Pelster, Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor, employmentspecialist@rosewoodservices.com, 620-796-2242.
March 13, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
When teams take the floor next Saturday (Feb. 22) for the Special Olympics Kansas West Region Cheerleading and Basketball Tournament at Great Bend High School’s Panther Activity Center, there will be two distinguished hometown coaches in their midst. Storm Team’s Amanda Hammond and Carole Edwardson were recognized in Topeka last December for their stellar work with the area’s Special Olympics team.
Hammond was named Special Olympics Kansas “Coach of The Year.” Edwardson earned the West Region’s “Volunteer of the Year” award and she also took home a “Legacy” award for her longstanding effort with Storm Team.
{image_3} Special Olympics Kansas awards were presented during the Champion’s Luncheon at the enclosed Garfield Shelter in Topeka on Dec. 4. Hammond attended the event and received her award from Special Olympics Kansas President John Lair. In attendance to watch Hammond receive her award were her dad, Eric, and her sister, Anna. The event was a culmination that began 15 years earlier, starting with cheer coaching and evolving into coaching basketball and track and field.
“It was an honor to attend the luncheon with my family and receive the award,” explained, Hammond. “Coming from no experience to winning this award, we laughed about it, actually. I played sports a little bit in middle school; I wasn’t the star athlete; I did it for the social aspect. Learning to coach from the basic level allowed me to learn it and then break it down so that I could explain it better to my athletes. I am proud to win the award, but honestly, I’m even more proud that Carole won her awards.”
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The modest Edwardson was humbled when she learned about her recognition, immediately pointing out so many other people that have been just as involved with Special Olympics over the quarter-century that she has volunteered and coached. She opted to receive her award upon Hammond’s return from Topeka.
Edwardson got involved in Storm Special Olympics more than 25 years ago when her son, David, joined the program. She took on many roles for the organization over the decades, including serving as the teams Local Program Coordinator for many years. She relinquished that lead role to Hammond nearly two years ago, but she continues to volunteer during each respective sports season, which covers cheer and basketball, track and field, and bowling. She also serves on the Storm Special Olympics Board, along with Hammond.
It is fitting that the tandem has been recognized with awards during the same time period. The two are closely linked to the success of Storm Team’s past and future. Edwardson kept the team going through several lean years, serving most of those years as LPC. Hammond helped where needed over her years with the team and readily took the LPC baton from Edwardson when the time came. Both continue to advocate for Storm Special Olympics and are always on the lookout to recruit quality coaches to help lead the team far into the future.
“Involvement with Special Olympics takes work, but the outcome is so rewarding,” said Hammond. “In the hustle of the day when you are putting out fires, to be able to connect with your athletes at a different level, because you are linked together with a common goal, it brings you back to what the purpose is for what we do. It grounds you. I see the improvement with the athletes during every practice, every game and every season. It’s a journey that is about so much more than just competing to win. I’m honored to be a part of their growth and experience.”
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For more information, contact Amanda Hammond, Storm Team Local Program Coordinator, AmandaH@rosewoodservices.com, 620-793-5888.
February 14, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
Ten Rosewood Services employees achieved milestone work anniversaries in 2024 and they were recognized at the end of the year for their commitment to serving people with developmental disabilities. They represent a total of 95 years of service.
Rosewood Services caretakers Judy Shelton, with 25 years, along with her husband Ken, with 15 years of service, represent the longest-tenured Rosewood employees who were recognized. Achieving 10-year milestones were employees Dan Haselhorst, transportation; Amy Kilwein, benefits specialist; and Tandy Webb, equine therapy riding instructor. Recognized with 5-year awards were April Burhenn, residential; Michael Dawes, public relations director; Victor Jacobs, maintenance manager; Traci Maris, case manager; and Lakota Werner, residential.
“We’re always happy to recognize our employees who have shown a commitment over a long period of time to providing care and supports to our folks we serve with developmental disabilities,” said Rosewood CEO Tammy Hammond. “Employee retention speaks to the health and success of our organization. Each of the 10 individuals we recognize have displayed quality service as well as dedication to their craft. We are a stronger team today because of the attributes that each one of them brings to Rosewood Services.”
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Find more about Rosewood Services online, http://rosewoodservices.com
Follow us at facebook.com/RosewoodServices
For more information, contact Michael Dawes, Rosewood director of public relations, michaeld@rosewoodservices.com, 620-792-2536
January 31, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, Rosewood PR Director, 620-792-2536
MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
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Great Bend Earth Day Celebration is back for its fourth consecutive year. Great Bend Zoo, Rosewood ECycle and Great Bend Dairy Queen have scheduled the annual event for April 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.
Businesses, organizations and food vendors are encouraged to participate in the community celebration by contacting Great Bend Zoo Director Ashley Burdick at 620-793-4226, or e-mail her at zoocurator@greatbendks.net. There is no charge to participate as a vendor. The deadline for booth sign-up is April 1. Great Bend Zoo can supply tables for vendor booths. In case of inclement weather, the staff will also offer indoor vendor space.
The come-and-go event is geared toward children, but all family members are welcome to participate. Great Bend Dairy Queen will issue a coupon for a free small ice cream cone to the first 500 youth participants that day. In addition, there will be giveaways to the first 500 children in attendance.
“We’re excited to bring this event back and build on our successes over the past three years,” said Burdick. “Four years into putting forward this effort, I feel like our primary education mission and message at the Zoo – to teach conservation and conserving the wild spaces for animals – is getting out there. We’re figuring out fun ways to educate people, and hopefully those ways are making a positive difference in people’s daily lives and in our community.”
Despite the winter weather during last year’s event, Great Bend Earth Day Celebration was well attended with more than 650 participants. That’s far less than the record 1,600 people who participated in the inaugural event held three years ago. That year, attendance was spurred by nice weather, combined with Smoky Hills PBS providing an appearance by Curious George, who met and mingled with children. Clifford The Big Red Dog and Smoky Hills PBS, along with Bart the Cougar were in attendance last year, but cold weather kept attendance down.
Still, a record number of 11 vendors participated in last year’s event, providing diverse and interactive experiences for participants. Burdick said most of last year’s vendors have shown an interest in returning, as they recognize the valuable opportunity to be part of the event.
“I feel like we’ve been successful in getting people exposed to different businesses and organizations who are active with green efforts in our community,” explained Burdick. “As well, I feel like businesses and organizations greatly benefit by having an opportunity to get their messages out to so many people in a fun environment.”
Great Bend Earth Day Celebration occurs a few days after the official 55th anniversary of Earth Day, which is recognized as the planet’s largest annual civic event. The national day is celebrated each year on April 22. Events are coordinated globally to the impact of 1 billion people celebrating the day in more than 190 countries. The official theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Our Power, Our Planet.”
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Click on link for Great Bend Earth Day Celebration flier, http://rosewoodservices.com/assets/files/GBEDC-Flier1-25.pdf
For more information, contact Ashley Burdick, Great Bend Zoo Director, zoocurator@greatbendks.net, 620-793-4226
January 29, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
Rosewood Miracle Workers AKTION Club is conducting a blanket drive as a way to help children in need. Now through Feb. 28, Rosewood Miracle Workers are accepting new blankets, quilts, and homemade blankets. They are also accepting monetary donations, which will be used to purchase additional blankets.
Once the drive is completed, Rosewood AKTION Club members will deliver donations to two area agencies: Family Crisis Center and Barton County Health Department.
All donated blankets and monetary donations can be delivered during regular business hours to one of two locations in downtown Great Bend: Rosewood Furniture Gallery, 1607 Main; or Rosewood Bargain Barn, 1215 Main.
“This is our 11th year conducting this important community drive,” explained Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor Frankie Pelster, “Still, every year, the drive brings newfound joy and satisfaction to our club members because they know they are directly benefiting area children in need with gifts of warmth and comfort. Family Crisis Center and Barton County Health Department serve so many children across our region. We are hoping for tremendous involvement, once again, from the community to support our blanket drive.”
Rosewood AKTION Club is an affiliate of the national Kiwanis organization that promotes service in action for people with developmental disabilities. The area club allows Rosewood members to be actively involved in the community and to positively impact the lives of others.
Find more about Rosewood Services online, http://rosewoodservices.com
Follow us at facebook.com/RosewoodServices
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Graphic: Rosewood AKTION Club Blanket Drive
Access Rosewood AKTION Club Blanket Drive Flier at http://rosewoodservices.com/assets/files/RW-AC-Blanket-Drive-Flier1-25.pdf
For more information, contact Frankie Pelster, Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor, employmentspecialist@rosewoodservices.com, 620-796-2242.
January 3, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
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A “No-No” in baseball terms means that a pitcher accomplished an amazing feat by recording a no-hitter. In the sport of cookie baking, however, a “No-No” resulted in a home run for Great Bend Coffee business owner LaResa Likes. She was crowned this year’s Great Bend Cookie Contest Champion for serving her “No-No,” a caramel with chocolate chip cookie bar.
The 16th Annual Great Bend Cookie Contest was held in downtown Great Bend on Nov. 30 during Small Business Saturday. After many years of finishing in the top three, Great Bend Coffee, located at 2015 Lakin Ave., took the top prize this year by receiving 50 votes. Kustom Floor Designs finished runner-up with its Carmel Apple Cookie. A third-place tie went to Buckle (sugar cookie) and Rosewood Gallery (monster cookie), each finishing with 15 votes.
“We’ve been so close for so many years that it felt amazing to finally win this year,” said Likes. “Our No-No Cookie is actually called something else, but I can’t call it that, so I just renamed it. No matter what we call it, I knew this year’s cookie was a winning recipe.”
As is her usual process of selecting the year’s contest cookie, Likes began her quest two months earlier by baking contending recipes and having her friends, family and employees taste and evaluate them.
“I’ll admit that my husband (Eugene) has a strong influence on my choice of cookie to present,” explained Likes. “If he really likes the cookie, then I know I have something good.”
Choosing the No-No cookie from three finalists this year, Likes set to work two weeks ahead of the competition, baking small batches of the caramel and chocolate chip cookie bars and then freezing them. She had to plan precisely to account for the time she needed to run her busy restaurant and serve 73 family members during the Thanksgiving holiday.
In what has become a post-Thanksgiving tradition, nearly 230 cookie judges donated at least $10 for a cookie bracelet, which allowed them to visit nine Great Bend businesses and taste cookies before voting on their favorite one. This year, record proceeds went to the Community Food Bank of Barton County to help feed those in need during the holiday season and beyond. This year’s contest resulted in $2,285 being donated to the Food Bank. That’s $800 more than last year’s previous record.
Businesses participating in this year’s Great Bend Cookie Contest with Great Bend Coffee were Rosewood Furniture Gallery (Cookie Headquarters); Kustom Floor Designs; Buckle; Rosewood Bargain Barn; Forever Young (Kids Resale); Heart of Kansas/Ms. Pretty Pickles; The Wright Place; and Rosewood Wine Cellar.
According to Great Bend Cookie Contest organizers, bragging rights for “best cookie” are a fun part of the event, but the true impact is reflected on the proceeds raised to help those in need, within the community.
“We’re so happy for Great Bend Coffee to win this year; they put so much work into every year in baking delicious cookies for the judges,” said Anna Hammond, business development director for Rosewood Services. “We appreciate all the businesses who continue to participate in this holiday tradition for Great Bend shoppers. Because of them and our participating judges, representatives at the Food Bank were overjoyed to receive the much-needed funds, when we donated the proceeds. They were so thankful for the donation, and so are we. Thank you to Great Bend businesses and cookie judge shoppers for another successful and fun event.”
As part of activities wrapped into Small Business Saturday and the Home for the Holidays Festival, cookie contest businesses also donated prizes, which were awarded to cookie contest participants that evening during a drawing, following the Home For The Holidays Parade.
For Likes, the work to bake 250 cookies for the contest, even in years when she has not won, has been worth the effort that goes into planning, preparing and presenting her cookies to Small Business Saturday shoppers.
“We have a lot of people that day who come in for coffee and hot chocolate, especially when it’s cold,” explained Likes. “A lot of them come in and sort out their cookies so they can sit down with a hot beverage and do their tastings.
By far, it’s more traffic that day than a normal Saturday, so we are always happy to participate in the contest. A lot of people stop and eat lunch too, following their cookie outing, so it always turns into a very busy day for us.”
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Find more about Rosewood Services online, rosewoodservices.com
Follow us at facebook.com/RosewoodServices
For more information, contact Anna Hammond, Rosewood Services, 620-793-5888
December 7, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, PR Director, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
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The Santas Around the World exhibit, located at 1223 Main Street, is now open for the Christmas season. Twenty-five life sized Santas, representing countries and regions from around the world, appear in a winter wonderland of lighted trees and festive holiday décor in downtown Great Bend.
Additionally, the City of Great Bend provides a free opportunity for Santa Claus to visit with children at the exhibit location during the same regular hours that the Santas exhibit is open to the public.
The public can visit the international Santa display from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and from 1-6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. People can schedule appointments outside of those hours by calling Mike at Rosewood Studio (620) 792-2536, info@rosewoodservices.com. The Santas exhibit will be on display and Santa Claus will be available through Dec. 22.
The Santas Around The World exhibit is presented by Roots & Wings Foundation, which provides therapeutic, educational and recreational opportunities to people in need who have developmental disabilities.
There is no charge to visit the exhibit, but a freewill donation is suggested to provide funds to Rosewood Roots & Wings Foundation that go toward helping to maintain the ‘Santas Around the World’ exhibit. Also, a portion of the funds are donated to Great Bend’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program for helping to man the booth through the season.
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The multi-cultural Santas are a collection that span mostly six years of work and artistry by Great Bend artist Loretta Miller, beginning in 1999. Then, in the fall of 2022, the community’s longtime Santa Claus, Randy Smith, donated his late wife Sandy’s Mrs. Claus outfit to be used for the new addition to the exhibit. Miller’s completed work of Mrs. Claus was her first to the exhibit in 17 years, and the new sculpture was introduced to the public during the Christmas 2022 season. Following that season, Randy donated his Santa suit to the exhibit and Miller infused new life into Santa Claus for the 2023 season. Sadly, Randy passed away last February, but not before experiencing the joy of last holiday season, knowing his suit joined Sandy’s in “Santa Spirit” as part of the Santas Around The World exhibit.
“I knew when I donated Sandy’s Mrs. Claus suit for the exhibit last year that my suit would soon follow, once I completed my role as Santa Claus,” Randy explained last year, after five decades of morphing into Jolly Old Saint Nick. “Just like Sandy and me, our suits belong together.”
People can find out more about the exhibit by visiting the website, SantasAroundTheWorld.com.
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Find more about Santas Around The World online, https://www.santasaroundtheworld.com
Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/santasaroundtheworld
For more information, contact Michael Dawes, PR & Marketing, 620-792-2536
December 2, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
A local holiday tradition is turning 16 years old this month. Over the years, hundreds of shoppers flock to downtown Great Bend during Small Business Saturday to sample and judge sweet treats served by Great Bend retail stores. The 16th annual Great Bend Cookie Contest is scheduled for Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in conjunction with the “Home for the Holidays Parade and Festival.” As in previous years, all collected proceeds go to the Food Bank of Barton County to help feed those in need during the holiday season and beyond.
The cookie contest allows people to sample cookies from participating businesses and vote for the best cookie in town. A maximum 250 shoppers have participated in the event three of the past four years. Cookie contest organizers are anticipating large participation numbers again this year and encourage shoppers to get their voting bracelets by noon on Nov. 30, otherwise, they may already be gone.
The donation amount to enter is $10 per participant. Each judge can purchase up to three bracelets for the contest.
To vote for your favorite cookie, stop by Cookie Headquarters on Saturday (Nov. 30) at Rosewood Furniture Gallery, 16th and Main in downtown Great Bend, to pick up a cookie box and voting bracelet. All votes to be counted must be returned to Cookie Headquarters by 4 p.m. on Nov. 30.
Besides getting to sample amazing cookies and having a say in which business bakes the best cookie, cookie contest judges have a chance to win prizes during drawings that will take place at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, following the “Home for the Holidays Parade” in downtown Great Bend. Drawing winners must be present at the band shell of Jack Kilby Square in order to win prizes. Following prize drawings, the winner of the Great Bend Cookie Contest will be announced.
Businesses participating in this year’s Great Bend Cookie Contest are Rosewood Furniture Gallery (Cookie Headquarters); Kustom Floor Designs; Buckle; Great Bend Coffee; Rosewood Bargain Barn; Forever Young (Kids Resale); Heart of Kansas/Ms. Pretty Pickles; The Wright Place; and Rosewood Wine Cellar.
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Find more about Rosewood Services online, http://rosewoodservices.com
Follow us at facebook.com/RosewoodServices
Learn more about Great Bend Cookie Contest, https://www.santasaroundtheworld.com/cookie-contest
Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/santasaroundtheworld
For more information, contact Anna Hammond, Rosewood Services, 620-793-5888
November 21, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, PR director, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com