LLB Plumbing, located at 5810 Anchor Way, hosted the March 20 Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee as part of a grand opening celebration. There was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Owner Caleb Baxter said the business opened last September. He has almost a lifetime of experience in the plumbing business thanks to his family owning a business in Oklahoma. “I’ve been doing plumbing since I could walk,” he said. Baxter chose Great Bend because his wife is from here.
Joined by employees Chris Santana and Austin Amos, Baxter talked about the business that is available 24/7 at 620-797-7465 or by email at llbdraincleaning@gmail.com. They offer free estimates and are available for commercial and residential work.
“We love doing things other people don’t want to do,” Baxter said.
When it comes to a plumbing job, he said, “We do everything,” including the cleanup.
Kim Nollette Agency
After the coffee, Chamber members were invited to head over to the Kim Nollette Agency at 1925 10th St. for a second ribbon cutting. Nollette is an American Family insurance agent. The office is bilingual. Her insurance agency is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Call 620-698-8000 or email Knollett@amfam.com.
Nollette treated attendees to cinnamon rolls, “cruffins” and other items from Bake Me Happy, owned by Brenda McCulley.
Chamber announcements
• Eagle Media’s Home and Garden show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Great Bend Events Center. There will be free admission with food trucks and vendors.
• The screening of the documentary “Storm of Passion” will be at 7 tonight at the Barton Community College Fine Arts Auditorium. It is a fundraiser for the Barton STEM Club and Storm Chasing Team. Admission is $8.
• The Optimist Club Sloppy Joe Dinner is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at Walnut Bowl. Cost is $8 a plate with dessert. There will also be a silent auction.
• The FUEL Barton County Leadership Luncheon at noon Tuesday, March 25, at Walnut Bowl will provide information for first-time homebuyers. Lunch is free; registration is required.
• The deadline for a business to join the Grow Workforce Business & Career Expo is April 11. Businesses are encouraged to set up a table even if they aren’t hiring at this time, as it’s a good way to make your business more visible in the community. The event is set for April 16 at the Great Bend Events Center. Businesses can reserve a spot at www.gbedinc.com/growworkforce.
• Wheels and Squeals will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 5, in the Case New Holland Parking Lot and Building on the northeast corner of the Barton Community College campus. Designed for children 2-8 years old, it will feature touch-a-truck, planting flowers, baby animals and community booths.
• Barton’s 15th annual Sporting Clay Shoot will be on April 27 at Camp Aldrich. Registration and raffle tickets are available online at https://bartonccfoundation.org/fundraising-events/sporting-clay-shoot.
• The Great Bend Family Crisis Center’s first 5K will be at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, at Veterans Memorial Park. For more information, email rocioh@familycrisiscntr.org or call 620-792-1885. Before that, the fundraiser Red Shoes & Bunco Too! will be at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 28 at the Great Bend Events Center, followed by the men’s night out cornhole fundraiser on March 29, also at 6:30 p.m. at the Events Center. Learn more at https://handbid.app.link/RedShoes2025.
• The Sunflower Diversified Services Pancake Feed runs from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, at the Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4100 Broadway Ave. Cost is $8 per person, dine in or carry out. They are still selling raffle tickets for a Chevy Trax ACTIV and will be selling them at the dinner until 6:40 p.m. The drawing will take place at 6:45. Ticket holders do not have to be present to win.
• The next Chamber Coffee will be at Heartland Farm, located at 1049 CR 390, Pawnee Rock.
