August 5, 2014
Story by Brandon Steinert
Usually the Barton Foundation chooses an individual or family to honor with the Old Bill Honorarium. This year the Foundation Board wanted to honor the business community in Great Bend by choosing to honor the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce.
“It is not possible for us to honor each business that so generously supports our auction each year; so by honoring the chamber, which supports and promotes our entire business community, we feel we are honoring all of them as well,” Cape said. “In addition, the chamber is a loyal and long-time supporter of the auction. Each year the chamber honors individuals and businesses at its annual membership banquet; the Foundation is pleased to be able to reciprocate by honoring the chamber for its promotion and contributions to our community.”
Coordinator of Fundraising and Special Events Coleen Cape said the Old Bill tradition has netted nearly $190,000 for scholarships and program enhancements since it was started 33 years ago.
This year’s auction, themed “BARTON DYNASTY: Hunting for Bucks,” is set for August 23 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Great Bend. Contact event organizer Coleen Cape at (620) 786-1136 or [email protected] for tickets or more information. Tickets will be available until August 15.
Auction items will range from works of art and baked goods to hunting packages and much more.
Auction details
Tickets for the auction, themed “BARTON DYNASTY: Hunting for Bucks,” are still available through Aug. 15.
They can be purchased for $35 each or $280 per table of eight by calling the Foundation office at (620) 786-1136, or by sending an email to [email protected] .
The auction is the Foundation’s main fundraiser for academic scholarships and program enhancements. The event is set for 6 p.m. August 23 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, and the live auction starts at 8 p.m.
Who… err… What is ‘Old Bill?’
The Foundation’s Big Benefit Auction had a Western theme in 1981, and the Claflin Fire Department donated the buffalo head to add a bit of humor to the event.
“Old Bill” was sold to the highest bidder and brought in $700 the first year.
The work of taxidermy art was then donated back to the college and it was displayed at Camp Aldrich. It was auctioned the same way every year for the next two decades, raising tens of thousands of dollars for academic scholarships and program enhancements.
It wasn’t until 2002 that “Old Bill” was transitioned to an honorarium. Instead of bids, auction attendees make pledges toward the Foundation’s cause in the name of longtime supporters of the college. So far, honorees have been:
Buffalo Club Members
(listed by year of purchase)
1981 – Butch Peschka
1982 – Bob & Dotty Keenan/ D.J. Iannitti
1983 – Don & Delores Gibson/Don Kirkman
1984 – Roy & Marcia Westhoff
1985 – Ed & Bette Moses
1986 – Maloy & Pauline Breitenbach
1987 – Larry & Connie Shell/Danny & Darlene Biggs
1988 – Keith & Pat Bell/George & Phyllis Miller/Virgil Belford
1989 – Jerry & Lois Alban
1990 – Chuck & Ellen Pike/Illa & Phil Grossardt
1991 – Albert Gumbir
1992 – W. R. & Yvonne Robbins
1993 – W. R. & Yvonne Robbins
1994 – Lynn & Nancy Fryberger
1995 – M. E. & Margy Marmie
1996 – Max & Rosie Bennett/Larry & Mona Keenan
1997 – Dale & Yvonne Mitchell/Larry & Lynnae Partridge
1998 – Commercial Federal/Jomax Construction/Straub International/Ward Fee Yard/L.D. Davis Drilling
1999 – Rick & Lois Ball/John & Nancy Francis
2000 – Phil & Kim Grossardt
2001 – Alan Moeder & Gail Reser
2002 – Friends of Jimmie L. Downing
2003 – Friends of Jim & Jo Heaton
2004 – Friends of Dale & Donna Oliver
2005 – Friends of Don & Phyllis Whelan
2006 – Friends of George & Frances Tregellas
2007 – Friends of Keith & Marian Mull
2008 – Friends of Dan & Nancy Peschka
2009 – Friends of A. A. (Al) Yost
2010 – Friends of M. E. “Eustace” Marmie
2011 – Friends of Roger & Mary Lou Murphy
2012 – Friends of the Koelsch Family - June, Ron, & Debbie
2013 – Friends of Tim Miller
2014 – Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development
Old Bill is still around, residing in the upper level of the Barton Student Union.