Travelers can book a stay in Costa Rica at a home owned by Doug Harter of Pawnee Rock, the founder of WyRica Adventures. WyRica hosted Thursday’s Great Bend Chamber Coffee.
Harter established WyRica in honor of his late wife, Amy Mull Harter. “Among all our global destinations, Costa Rica stood out as our unrivaled favorite,” he shared on the website, wrrica.com.
Travelers can book a stay in a four-bedroom, four-bathroom villa as well as “unforgettable fishing experiences” on his boat, “Amy’s Dream.”
“We can coordinate everything for you and make it an all-inclusive package or you can just rent the house,” he said. The business has handled over 3,000 charters since opening 10 years ago.
Customized packages can include whale and dolphin watching, white-water rafting, all kinds of nature, meals provided by a private chef and more. Packages start at $1,200 per person, not including airfare.
Harter described Costa Rica as an ecologically diverse paradise. The villa, Casa WyRica, is nestled atop Manuel Antonio’s scenic hills and boasts views of the Pacific Ocean and the mountains. The boat offers offshore fishing for marlin and yellowfin tuna and inshore fishing targets roosterfish and more.
“We use bait on our boat that is bigger than most fish we catch in Kansas,” Harter said.
Costa Rica is a social democracy with a low crime rate, he added. The national motto is “Pura Vida,” a Spanish phrase meaning “pure life.” It can be a greeting or a description of happy living – positive, relaxed and easygoing.
Chamber announcements
• The new Catholic Charities Golden Harvest Thrift Store, located at 2410 Main, needs volunteers as well as shoppers.
• The fall catalogs for Great Bend Public Library events are available for free at the library. There are calendars for September through November. Yet to come this month, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, is “Creating and Formatting Documents With Confidence,” from 6-8 p.m. This hands-on course is an introduction to Microsoft Word.
• Sarah Arnberger with the Center for Counseling and Consultation said that as the new school year starts, the Center wants to break the stigma around mental health and is asking others to help spread the word. Go to their Facebook page facebook.com/thecentergb and post your favorite “Break the Stigma” phrase, such as “therapy is brave,” “mental health is health,” and “you are not alone.”
“We want to spread this message as far and wide as we can, so that people know there is a resource for them, no matter what their station in life, and what they can afford or not afford, it is available in our community,” she said.
• Avast Ye Java Coffee Company offers Coffee Club memberships. Details can be found on the website avastyejava.com. The coffee company will be at the Blessed Bike Rally on Saturday in Jack Kilby Square.
• Jason Eades from Massage at Eades said he’ll also be at the Blessed Bike Rally and that vendors, including crafters with items to sell, can take part at no cost for a space. Come to Jack Kilby Square at 8 a.m. Saturday and find a spot. “If you do well they will ask you to give back,” he said. Freewill donations to sponsors Cross Winds of Kansas Bikers Church are accepted.
• The new River Bend Run Club will have its first meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Park. They will meet and proceed to run/walk 5K. Follow the group on Instagram.
• The Great Bend Kiwanis Club will have a Chamber ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Walnut Bowl. They will celebrate 85 years in Great Bend.
• The next Chamber Coffee will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Ruhe Rituals day spa, 1519 Main St. The program starts at 9:30 p.m.
