It seems to me that our Golden Belt Community Concert Association has had an ongoing, unwritten wish list of situations that need to be addressed, yet keep waiting to be resolved. We don’t put them on a list, but as we go along putting together concert schedules and making sure our seasons run smoothly, we see needs that could become opportunities to make things better. This year we have given extra attention to a few of those situations, and people have stepped up to help make a difference.

One of those situations, of course, was the need for refurbishing the performers’ dressing rooms. We are thankful that Terry and MelEesa Stueder became aware of the opportunity to make things better and stepped up – thanks also to two of our officers, Roger and Leesa Butler, who helped facilitate the refurbishment project completed by Stueder Contractors, and to the Great Bend Recreation Commission, which provided the materials for the flooring. Completing the project was definitely a group effort.

Another wish that we had discussed for a few years was the possibility of having transportation to concerts for our out-of-town members who do not feel comfortable driving on the highway at night. Our board felt the association was not equipped to take on the responsibilities for a project of that magnitude. Finally, GBCCA president Harlen Jerke decided to approach some local agencies that might be able to help us.

As a result of Jerke’s efforts, Shelby Zuniga, Sunflower Diversified Services’ executive director and CFO, and Christina Jimenez, Sunflower’s director of transportation, arranged our first ever Catch-a-Ride to our final concert of the season last spring. Also facilitating that project was Kathy Copp, site director for Friendship House in Hoisington, who arranged for six Hoisington GBCCA members to be picked up from the Friendship House parking lot to attend that concert. The cost of the ride for each of them was a whopping $4, round trip.

Now, conversations are ongoing for the possibility of expanding the Catch-a-Ride transportation to our members in Ellinwood and other communities in Barton County.

With another one of our wishes, we found out that sometimes just the mention of a need could bring about an immediate response. Some of our members raised a concern about the need for a safety railing near the northwest entrance to the auditorium. Within a week, Chris Umphres, executive director and superintendent of the Great Bend Recreation Commission, had ordered the necessary materials and made sure a sturdy railing was installed.

As we prepare for our new season to begin in October, we are grateful for the people in this community who have helped make these wishes come true.

And someday, maybe even our wish for an air-conditioned auditorium could come true.

Linda Jerke is 2nd vice president and publicity chair of the Golden Belt Community Concert Association. She served as Great Bend Tribune Localife Editor for 22 years and was a communications specialist in the Office of College Communications at Barton Community College for 17 years before her retirement in 2011. She can be contacted by email:lindajerke@gmail.com.