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Memories Matter Bereavement Camp set for April 21 at Armory
new slt memories matter
Updated: Apr 11, 2018, 7:54 PM
Published: Apr 11, 2018, 7:57 PM

              Jessica Disque, 19, fondly remembers her grandma’s smile and her grandpa’s participation in her day-to-day life.

            Both grandparents passed away when Disque was a child but she recalls the comfort and understanding she received by attending Memories Matter Bereavement Camp.

            This year’s camp is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the National Guard Armory at the Expo Grounds just west of Great Bend.

            Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice (GBHH&H) created the camp and directs it every year for children ages 5-12 who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. The event is free of charge.

          GBHH&H is part of the St. Rose Health Center/Hays Medical Center family; St. Rose and HaysMed are part of The University of Kansas Health System.

            “Memories Matter helped me relieve some of the sadness that had built up,” recalled Disque, a Great Bend High School graduate. “I didn’t know my grandma too well but she was special to me in many ways.

            “I was only 3 years old when she died but I remember she had a smile on her face no matter what was going on.”

            Disque’s memories of her grandpa are clearer; he passed away four days before her 10thbirthday.

            “He was so special to me because wherever he went, I went,” she commented. “Papa was my best friend.”

            Disque attended Memories Matter for three years as a child and has served as a student volunteer. “I wanted to help other kids,” she said. “I would recommend it to other families because it helped me understand others were going through the same feelings.”

            Donita Wolf, GBHH&H manager, noted that even though the camp is designed for young children, a high school student who has lost a loved one may benefit from serving as a volunteer.

            “Even if they are now teenagers, Memories Matter can be helpful,” Wolf said. “We can all learn about grief at any age.”

            For the first time, the camp will be held at the Armory, which offers lots of indoor and outdoor space for activities. These include music, art projects, games, a puppet show and the creation of memory boxes to hold mementos of the loved one.

            “The Armory personnel have been really accommodating,” Wolf said. “They are going out of their way to make us feel welcome.”

            In addition to regular activities, campers will learn about the military vehicles and equipment at the Armory. The facility also has a gymnasium, classrooms and kitchen.

            In the past, the camp was held in September. Camp organizers hope the April date will be better for family schedules and school counselors, who collaborate with GBHH&H for the camp.

            “We want to accommodate as many families as we can because Memories Matter is important for grieving children,” Wolf said. “They will discover they are not alone in their grief.

            “Children are often the forgotten mourners,” she continued. “A death brings emotions and adjustments, and we can offer ways to cope. It is a heavy burden for children but they learn their feelings are a reflection of the love they have for the person. This has a profound impact.”

            In addition to Wolf, organizers include Larry Schumacher, GBHH&H chaplain; Cathy Soeken, GBHH&H social worker; John Grummon, former GBHH&H chaplain; and Sheryl Neeland, USD 428 counselor.

            For more information or to register, contact GBHH&H by calling 620-792-8171 or stop by the office on St. Rose’s first floor.
Police busy with Meth arrests
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Published: Mar 13, 2025, 7:40 PM

Great Bend Chief of Police Steve Haulmark issued a press release Thursday morning pertaining to the arrest of three individuals on drug and weapons charges.

At approximately 2:25 p.m., Monday, March 10, an officer with the Great Bend Police Department stopped a white in color Chevrolet Tahoe in the 800 block of Morphy Street in Great Bend, driven by Mitchell Anspaugh, W/M 63. Anspaugh was placed under arrest for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Great Bend Police K9 Niko responded to the stop to assist. A free air sniff of the vehicle was performed during which K9 Niko alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located methamphetamine, evidence of distribution, and drug paraphernalia. 

Anspaugh was transported the Barton County Jail on requested charges of Distribution of Methamphetamine (3.5-100 grams), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Drug Tax Stamp, and Driving While Suspended. Anspaugh was booked in lieu of $100,000 cash surety bond. Anspaugh was also booked on an outstanding Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for Failure To Appear. Anspaugh was booked on $1,000 cash surety bond for the warrant.

Later that same day, at approximately 5:47 p.m., officers from the Great Bend Police Department responded to United Parcel Services located at 2316 9th Street in Great Bend in reference to a suspicious package. Upon arrival, officers were notified that a package had been intercepted by staff and flagged as suspicious. Inside of the suspicious package, officers discovered 7.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden within the contents of the package. Shortly thereafter, the investigating officers were able to identify the suspect attempting to mail the package.

On Tuesday, March 11, officers from the Great Bend Police Department responded to a residence located at 2087 NW 60th Street, in Stafford County, in reference to the execution of a Narcotics Search Warrant. Upon arrival, officers apprehended the suspect from the UPS incident identified as Chandler Wieland, W/M 57. Officers also apprehended Lisa Rugan, W/F 56, at the residence. During a search of the residence, officers located over 100 grams of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, other controlled substances, evidence of drug distribution, as well as illegal and stolen firearms. 

Wieland was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. Wieland was booked on two (2) counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Use of Weapons, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and No Drug Tax Stamp. Rugan was also arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. Rugan was booked on one (1) count of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Felony Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Use of a Weapon, and No Drug Tax Stamp.  

These investigations are still ongoing. Anyone with further information regarding these or any other crimes is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crimestoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.