December 29, 2023 | By Sharon Van Horn
I am delighted to have been elected president of The Active Age’s board of directors for 2024. We have a dedicated group of officers: Susan Armstrong is the new vice president, and Diana Wolfe is continuing as treasurer. We are so appreciative of Tim Marlar’s leadership as president during the last two years and happy that he […]
| By Ted Blankenship
Recently, Dorothy and I went to dinner with friends. I was fascinated by the car we rode in. It wasn’t “your father’s car” but rather a luxury conveyance with a dashboard of lights resembling the Aurora Borealis. It reminded me of how much automobiles have changed over the years. When I was six years old […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
Can you identify these actors, singers and sports figures who shared their talents with us before passing away in 2023? The answers appear below. 1. What basketball coach led the Indiana Hoosiers to three national championships before moving to Texas Tech? 2. What daugther of a “king” released her debut album, To Whom It May […]
| By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve been talking to my mobility challenged mother, who lives alone, about automating her house with some smart home products to make it more convenient. She’s very interested but we’d like to get your opinion as to which types of smart devices are most helpful for seniors aging in place. — Searching […]
| By Diana Morton
Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Words & Music Tribute Concert Series presents Here’s Little Richard. Little Richard laid the foundation for rock and roll with his music and charismatic showmanship and is also credited for changing American culture and bridging its racial divide. Songs include Tutti Fruitti, […]
| By The Active Age
Donate at least $50 to The Active Age, and you could win a family membership to Botanica. The Active Age holds a drawing for a family membership each month from among people on our “Honor Roll” list of donors. This month’s winner is Paul Weigand. Donations may be made by calling 316-942-5385; through our website, […]
| By Monica Cissell
We made it through the holiday season, and for many of us that meant indulging in heavy comfort foods, tasty baked goods and a few more libations and holiday cheer than usual. The cold weather may have been keeping us indoors and less motivated to exercise. January is the time to get our diet and […]
| By Greg Dane
As a licensed independent insurance agent, my primary focus is serving seniors who are Medicare eligible. I would like to respond to the Savvy Senior column “Look out for misleading Medicaid Advantage ads” in last month’s issue of The Active Age. Yes, be leery of Medicare Advantage ads on TV, social media and direct […]
| By The Active Age
To say that Wichitan Hazel Stabler, perhaps best known as a member of the Wichita school board, is currently experiencing some of the highest and lowest moments of her life is an understatement. First, a pinnacle of achievement for the fashion designer: She’s been invited to present a show at Paris Fashion Week. The Milan […]
November 29, 2023 | By PJ Griekspoor and Bonita Gooch The Community Voice
By PJ Griekspoor and Bonita Gooch The Community Voice Pastor David Chiles of Paradise Missionary Baptist Church has a front-row seat to the explosive building spree on Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus and adjacent private property. Corporate offices are being built on Innovation Campus and hundreds of new market-rate apartments have been built in the […]
| By Amy Geiszler-Jones
Hanging around trains seems to be in Ed Pavey’s blood. No, the Valley City resident didn’t follow his father and grandfather to work for the railroads. Indeed, his father advised against it. “One of the things that Dad always told me was, ‘You can do whatever you want in life, but don’t go to work […]
| By The Active Age
A veteran group of artists and art advocates were recognized last month for making Wichita a better place to live — and a more prosperous one, too. “It’s obvious that our city benefits from the aesthetic beauty and cultural enrichment derived from artistic pursuits, but what you may not realize is that the arts are […]
| By The Active Age
Each year since 2009, the Docking Institute of Pubic Affairs at Fort Hays State University has surveyed Kansas adults regarding various issues. Here are findings of the 2023 Kansas Speaks fall survey, which was conducted from Sept. 20 to Oct. 10, 2023. A representative panel of 485 Kansas residents age 18 and older were surveyed […]
| By Diana Breit Wolfe
“A couple of walnuts and maybe an orange or piece of candy.” That’s what my dad said when I asked what he received as a Christmas gift when he was a kid. Born in 1904, he was one of nine siblings who grew up on a farm in Pfeifer, Kan. My mom, born in 1908 […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Julie Mason-Comitini was working the day shift at Merle’s Place in the 1980s when she started picking up a pool cue to pass the time. “I would just shoot pool by myself,” she remembers. “One of the guys said, ‘Hey, you play pretty good. Why don’t you play on our pool team?’” Mason-Comitini didn’t just […]
| By Ted Blankenship
At a recent dinner party, I mentioned that when Dorothy and I lived in Coffeyville, we not only had to contend with copperhead snakes but large, hairy spiders, too. I was referring to tarantulas. “Ah, we don’t have tarantulas in Kansas,” said someone at the table. Well, it turns out that we have lots of […]
| By Jim Miller
Misleading Medicare Advantage Ads: What to Look Out For How Seniors Can Get Help Paying for Everyday Needs How an Incentive Trust Can Influence Your Heirs How a Health Savings Account Can Boost Your Retirement Savings Misleading Medicare Advantage Ads: What to Look Out For Dear Savvy Senior, I’m currently enrolled in original Medicare but […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
Answer the following questions that all have the word “king” embedded in them in some way: 1. What American Baptist minister was a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement and was assassinated in 1968? 2. What American singer and jazz pianist is perhaps most famous for his rendition of “Unforgettable?” 3. What Saturday morning […]
| By Diana Morton
Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Elf, The Musical. Back by popular demand, this production is becoming a holiday tradition. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is an […]
November 3, 2023 | By MATTHEW KELLY
After a month of searching, a temporary location for Wichita’s emergency winter shelter has been identified. The City Council will vote Tuesday on a $685,000 package to support a no-barrier 24/7 shelter for up to 250 people at 2220 E. 21st St., a city-owned property that used to house the Fundamental Learning Center. The facility […]
November 1, 2023 | By Melanie Jenney
Eighty years after enlisting to fight in World War II, Ralph Hall is still on the move. Well, in a manner of speaking. He goes bicycling just about every day, but these days he rides a stationary bike at the Downtown YMCA. His motivation? “Stay strong and healthy,” Hall, 97, said. For those who regularly […]
| By Mary Clarkin
Property tax refund options for older homeowners are growing thanks to new state and local programs. But homeowners must know about the programs and fill out the correct paperwork to take advantage of them. This year marked the rollout of Kansas’ property tax “freeze’’ for qualifying homeowners. Called the Seniors or Disabled Veterans Refund (SVR), it is designed to keep an eligible homeowner’s […]
| By The Active Age
As the new volunteer state president of AARP Kansas, Tracee Adams plans to spread the word about all the organization has to offer. “AARP has, gosh, so many benefits,” Adams, of Wichita, said. “I know a lot of people just see the discounts, which are a benefit, of course. But we would like to make […]
| By Beth Bower
When I got married to an officer in the U.S. Air Force — I was enlisted personnel — I don’t know how many times I was asked, “Do you have to salute him in bed?” No. But if I met him anywhere on base, I did. You might think that’s funny, but for many dual-military […]
| By The Active Age
Can you spell fun? The Wichita Public Library will hold its first adult spelling been from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 at the Advanced Learning Library. Teams of one to four contestants will compete in single-error elimination rounds of increasing difficulty, with the top three teams earning prizes. Teams are encouraged to coordinate their outfits […]