Coffee lovers were treated to brews by Avast Ye Java as the mobile business hosted the March 6 Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee.
Business owner Charles Fitz, Great Bend, said his supplier is Grindhead Coffee, based in Chattanooga, Tenn., which offers coffees from the Caribbean. Grindhead Coffees are pirate-themed specialty coffee trailers, which is why Fitz chose the name Avast Ye Java and wears a pirate hat as he takes his trailers to events. He also has over 500 followers on his Facebook page.
In addition to Fitz’s favorite – black coffee – he offers specialty coffees, lemonades, energizers and chia teas. The mobile shop is suitable for grand openings, business promotions, school fundraisers, weddings, family reunions, Christmas parties and corporate events. For example, his truck will be at Eagle Radio’s Home and Garden Show on March 22 at the Events Center, the Paws and Claw Car Show on May 10, and he’ll be at Final Fridays on Forest Ave., which kick off on April 25.
“We have over 50 different flavors,” he said. He also sells bagged coffee. “I can get either drip ground, French press ground, whole bean, espresso ground.”
There are some sugar-free options and alternatives to dairy milk (oat milk and almond milk). “I do have a chicory coffee,” he said. “And you can get anything hot or iced. Whether it’s hot or cold (outside), 60% of people like it iced.”
The business is open Monday through Saturday, usually in Great Bend. On Wednesday, they are often set up outside of the Great Bend USD 428 District Education Center/Little Panthers Preschool, 1809 24th St. He posts his location on social media sites. His website is avastyejaa.com; send email to avastyejava@gmail.com.
Ribbon cutting for Massage at Eades
Coffee goers were invited to stick around Thursday to learn more about another Great Bend business, Massage at Eades, located a 3800 Forest Ave. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony after Jason Eades described his business.
“I’ve been in business for five years,” Eades said. His wife Sarah keeps his massage room neat and organized, which allows him to focus on what he does best.
Eades was a certified nurse for 25 years. “I have taken care of four-month-old babies, 110-year-old men and 30-year-old hysterectomy patients as a nurse’s aide,” he said.
He offers custom massage therapy treatments with home or office visits and is available by appointment. To find available appointment times, send a text message to 620-786-6955. Find Massage at Eades on Facebook or email to calmateades@gbtmail.com. His website calmateades.wixsite.com/website lists all of his services and people can book an appointment online.
Chamber Announcements
• The BTI Grand Opening Celebration, with lunch, tours and prize drawings is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, March 8.
• Celebrate National Women’s Day from 1-4 p.m. today at Kelly’s Garden Sense.
• View the Vortex Art Exhibit at Barton’s Shafer Art Gallery, featuring 2D and 3D art from area high school students. It opens Monday, March 10 and will run through March 26. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. Vortex Day on March 26 will go from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will include fine arts workshops, plus an awards show for the exhibit judged by sci-fi ceramics guest artist John Hamilton.
• The Central Kansas Partnership Community Meeting will be from 1:30-3 p.m. Monday, March 10, at the Barton County Courthouse.
• Wednesday, March 12, is Irish stew or corned beef & cabbage night at the American Legion, from 5:30-7 p.m.
• Safe Tractor & Machinery Operation Training is for youths 14 and 15 seeking employment in production agriculture. It is a collaboration with K-State Research and Extension districts. One class will be offered April 5 in Ellsworth at Carrico Implement. Email Craig Dinkel, cadinkel@ksu.edu or call 785-472-4442.
• Spring gardening basics classes will be Saturday mornings, March 22 through April 22, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Great Bend Public Library.
• Join the Victory Garden of Barton County. Returning members, experienced gardeners and newcomers are welcome, 12:30-2 p.m. April 19 at the Barton County Historical Village, 85 South U.S. 281, Great Bend.
• The 25th Walk Kansas runs March 30 through May 24. Get out and get some exercise. For details contact the K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District, 620-793-1910.
• The Family Crisis Center’s Red Shoes Bunco & Bags fundraiser is March 28, followed by the Men’s Night Out Cornhole fundraiser on March. 29. Sign up on the website familycrisiskansas.com.
• The next Chamber Coffee will be at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, at Central Plains Computer Service, 608 South Patton Road. There will be a ribbon cutting next week for Keller Real Estate & Insurance Company.
