March 1, 2024 | By Amy Geiszler-Jones
When Robert Weems Jr. joined the faculty of the Wichita State history department in 2011, one of his first research projects was to document some of the city’s black entrepreneurs and their businesses. People like the Rev. John Henry Van Leu who at the turn of the century was one of the largest landowners in […]
| By The Active Age
Potato bake cooking The McCormick School Museum is holding a potato bake fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 16, with the spuds being cooked in a 1950s-era boiler (shown above). Organizers say there’s evidence that potatoes were cooked in the boiler during the museum’s time as a school. The dinner includes potatoes with toppings, a […]
| By The Active Age
You could say that giving blood got into Raymond Grier’s blood. A World War II veteran who turned 97 in February, Grier donated a total of 40 gallons of blood before “retiring” as a donor last month. “My uncle got me into it early,” Grier said. “His boss called him up once and said ‘send […]
| By Ted Blankenship
With the recent increase in air travel has come an avalanche of lost luggage. This is nothing new. For years, I’ve apparently had an ID on me visible only to airline employees that tells them to “ship his luggage away as far as possible and don’t tell him where it is (if you know).” I […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
March 8th is International Women’s Day, so it is a great time to review your knowledge about famous women in history. Can you identify these trailblazers? Answers appear below. 1. This Polish-French physicist’s work won her a Nobel Prize in physics in 1903 and a second Nobel in chemistry in 1911. 2. This “Lady with […]
| By Diana Morton
Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. The Full Monty. Inspired by the Chippendale Dancers, six unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, N.Y., set out to make some quick cash by showing off their “real man” bodies. Ten-time Tony nominee. 8 pm Thu-Sat, 2 pm Sun, now-Mar 10. Tickets $23-$25. 316-618-0444 […]
| By Diana Breit Wolfe
I was surprised when a stranger reading The Active Age saved me $300 at a car repair place. Here’s what happened: Last August I noticed fluid on my garage floor. My stepson, David, who knows cars, couldn’t find a leak. Neither could the guy who changed the oil and checked fluid levels. So, I drove […]
February 27, 2024 | By Joe Stumpe
As lovers of all things old, Larry and Cathy Mong were thrilled with the home they bought for $50,000 in Wichita 23 years ago: a 1906 Victorian in south central Wichita, less than a mile from the heart of downtown. The neighborhood was a little rough, but the Mongs had seen similar neighborhoods in the […]
February 22, 2024 | By The Active Age
Property valuations in Sedgwick County are higher than years past due to several factors, appraiser Mark Clark said in a news release. Clark cited a strong real estate market and sales ratio compliance requirements. His office will mail out valuations for real property with a change in value or classification on March 1. “My […]
February 20, 2024 | By Ainsley Smyth KLC Journal
Are you struggling to find quality affordable housing? Interested in becoming a homeowner? Concerned about homelessness? In hopes of inviting the public to share their stories, opinions and questions about affordable housing, the Wichita Journalism Collaborative will host a community listening session later this month. The event will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. at the […]
February 7, 2024 | By The Active Age
The Wichita Public Library is presenting a series of programs this month to highlight Black History Month. The free programs take place form 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd St. The schedule includes: · February 8: The Wichita African American Business History Project · February 15: African American Journalism · February 22: Black Aviators […]
February 1, 2024 | By Joe Stumpe
For years, Denise Johnston’s life followed a familiar pattern. Come spring, she and her husband, Rusty, would start preparing for women’s senior softball tournaments. A roster would be assembled, practices held and the team would travel to tournaments from California to Florida. Denise played and Rusty coached. Their team was known as the P’Nut Batters, […]
| By Amy Geiszler-Jones
Susan, a retired nurse in her 60s, is tired of being what she calls “a bandit” whenever she crosses into Kansas carrying what the state classifies as cannabis contraband. But the gummies have been the only thing that has helped her get nighttime relief from the rheumatoid arthritis she’s lived with for the past 30 […]
| By David Kamerer
You’re at a restaurant and have just been seated. But there are no menus in sight. Instead, there’s a square graphic somewhere on the table with black and white dots. It’s a QR code, short for Quick Response code. Invented in the 1990s, these codes proliferated during COVID when we decided to minimize touching physical […]
| By The Active Age
It’s a festival for fawning over fetching felines for sure, but the Wichita Cat Fancy Show is something more, too. Every year, organizer Mary Beth Wegele notices the crowd around the Friends of Felines’ booth. The Friends are dedicated to helping the area’s population of feral and abandoned cats, which according to some sources is […]
| By Joe Stumpe
It’s hard for Vietnamese food to stand out in Wichita because: 1.There’s so much of it. 2.Virtually all of it is so good. Nevertheless, the annual Vietnamese New Year’s dinner at St. Anthony Catholic Church manages the feat thanks to scores of parishioners who combine their culinary skills for a unique event. From noon to […]
| By The Active Age
A Wichita Granny Basketball team was in the international sports spotlight last month thanks to a little improvisation by one of its members. The ICT AeroBelles were playing an exhibition game during halftime of the Jan. 5 Wichita State Shockers game at Koch Arena when AeroBelle Carolyn Hatfield “flopped” — a basketball term for trying […]
| By The Active Age
Oil Museum weather re-dos EL DORADO — Two events originally scheduled for January at the Kansas Oil Museum have been delayed until this month because of weather. The museum’s annual Family Fun Day will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 3. It’s free for members and $1 for non-members. The museum’s Volunteer […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. Correctly answer this quiz and The Active Age will enter you in a drawing for chocolate donated by The Spice Merchant. To enter, email the answers to joe@theactiveage.com (please put “February quiz” in subject line) or mail to: The Active Age, 125 S. West St., Suite 105, Wichita, KS, 67213. […]
| By Ted Blankenship
If you’ve watched an old movie recently, you’ve seen men wearing hats. And I don’t mean a cap with the bill pointed backward, but a fedora. Don’t know what a fedora is? Then you aren’t an old codger. A fedora is a felt hat with a wide brim, indented crown and ribbon above the brim. […]
| By Ted Ayres
Since 1993, I have been keeping (and sharing with friends and family) a yearly list of the books read during the previous 365 days. Last year, I read 157 books, an all-time high for me (my previous high total was 141). I enjoyed some favorite authors such as David Baldacci, C.J. Box, Scott Turow, Michael Connelly, […]
| By Diana Morton
Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. The Full Monty, Unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, N.Y., decide to make some quick cash by imitating the Chippendale Dancers. 8 pm Thu-Sat, 2 pm Sun, Feb 22-Mar 10. Tickets $23-$25. Opening night ticket $18. 316-618-0444 Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain. Arsenic […]
| By Al Higdon
As a regular monthly reader of The Active Age for many years now, I’ve noticed the quality of articles and its overall content unquestionably getting better and better. Perhaps, like me, each issue you’ve found yourself gravitating to your favorite author(s) and first seeing what he or she has to say that month. Consistently producing […]
| By Jim Miller
How to Close Social Media Accounts of a Deceased Loved One Essential Topics You Need to Discuss with Your Aging Parents Are You at Risk of Developing Glaucoma? What You Need to Know About Medicare Spouse Coverage How to Fight Back Against Age Discrimination How to Close Social Media Accounts of a Deceased Loved […]
| By Monica Cissell
Sleep is as essential to good health as diet and exercise. Lack of sleep can raise the risk of disease and disorders and can impact cognitive functioning. But experiencing good sleep can become more difficult as we age. Understanding the importance of sleep and learning tips for better sleep may help you stay healthier and […]