May 1, 2023 | By Teresa Schmied
I’ve heard the phrase “trip of a life” many times. I even consider myself to have taken a few trips that were especially memorable. However, nothing compares to the one I took last fall see my grandson, Dexter, in Germany. I’m blessed to be the grandmother of 10 grandchildren, or “my littles,” as I call […]
| By Jim Miller
Fun part-time job idea for retirees Dear Savvy Senior, As a 68-year-old retiree, I’m interested in finding a fun part-time job that can occupy some of my time and generate a little extra income. Can you write a column on low-stress part-time jobs that are popular among retirees? Part-Time Retiree Dear Retiree, Working part-time […]
March 31, 2023 | By Joe Stumpe
After 32 years of providing child day care, Ava Cunningham has seen and heard just about everything from her pre-school charges. Still, she smiles when asked why she does it. “I just love kids,” she said. “They’re so innocent. They’re like sponges.” As Cunningham talks, three 3-year-olds — Valentine and twin sisters Zarayah and Zariah […]
| By Bonnie Bing
Editor’s note: Bonnie Bing found some interesting correlations between Spring’s fashion trends and artwork at Mark Arts, the community art center at 13th and Rock Road. When it comes to the new season, let freedom spring. Spring fashion is full of every favorite look from the past you can think of. Florals, stripes, brights, neutrals? […]
| By The Active Age
Senior Services of Wichita is currently experiencing extremely low volunteer numbers. The program delivers between 750 to 850 lunch time meals each weekday to homebound, isolated seniors. “We are considering placing a temporary hold on adding new clients until we can catch up” said Laurel Alkire, executive director. Delivery routes typically take 90 minutes […]
| By The Active Age
New exhibit has museum hopping How does the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum build its collection? You can find out in a new exhibit at the museum called “Why We Collect, What We Collect.” The museum, located in the former City Hall at 204 S. Main, began its collection with a donation from the Pioneer Society […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
Use these clues to identify a dozen famous ships. The answers appear on below. 1. Built to showcase mankind’s technological brilliance, what British luxury liner struck an iceberg In the North Atlantic and sank on her maiden voyage in 1912, killing over 1,500 people? 2. What was the name of the English two-masted sloop that […]
| By The Active Age
PARK CITY — You wouldn’t think a siren would have fans, but sirens like the Thunderbolt have likely saved many lives. That’s why the oldest one operating in Sedgwick County drew a crowd to its rededication ceremony here last month. The siren blares from Fire Station 32, 7750 N. Wyandotte Way. The Thunderbolt sirens originally […]
| By The League of Women Voters Wichita-Metro
This year, elections at the local level include those for Wichita mayor, three City Council seats and three seats on the Wichita Public Schools’ Board of Education, with the primary election on Aug. 1 and the general election on Nov. 7. These are important positions whose decisions impact our daily lives in Wichita. Don’t […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Some cooks feel meatballs must be homemade. But the tasty little spheres actually are pretty time-consuming to form and brown or bake, not to mention they require a mixing bowl and pan. Here’s a shortcut using frozen meatballs that will save you work and produce a hearty plate of spaghetti and meatballs that would do […]
| By Ted Blankenship
When folks say you can still do something you haven’t done in a long time, they often add: “It’s like riding a bicycle.” Who thinks these things up? I rode a bicycle when I was younger, and I tried it again later and remembered everything except how to keep it upright. I learned early that […]
| By Diana Breit Wolfe
I have a story from my early childhood that keeps creeping back to me, and I re-live it in my mind from time to time. It’s about my grandma dying while she was babysitting me. But more about that later. Out of curiosity, I started asking others about their earliest childhood memories. Most of what […]
| By Monica Cissell
This time of year, many are thinking about getting healthy by eating better and increasing physical activity. Another key element to overall good health is sustained relationships. These relationships can improve health by helping us fight illness, speeding recovery time and prolonging life. Humans have an internal need to be socially connected. When those needs […]
| By The Active Age
The answers to last month’s ticket contest quiz were: 1.) “Solitary Man.” 2.) “The Johnny Cash Show.” Of 74 readers who entered the contest, 72 got both answers correct. The winners of the drawing for tickets to the Neil Diamond-Johnny Cash Tribute Show at the Orpheum were Michael Sampson, Ron Turner, Kathleen Jenkins and Stephen […]
February 28, 2023 | By Patti Sullivan
When people say the military gets two recruits for the price of one, they are referring to military spouses. Although not officially part of the military, the military spouse enlists on the day she — and now sometimes he — says “I do.” The Retired Officers Wives Club in Wichita is comprised of such spouses. […]
| By Jim Kuhlmann
Once upon a time there was a fourth grader who took piano lessons for four years and, like most fourth-graders, did not practice much. A great-uncle loaned him a set of drums to try out. Hello! In fifth grade this kid bought his own trap set on layaway at Bennett’s Music Store on East Douglas […]
| By The Active Age
It’s been a “year of firsts” for Susan Armstrong, and now she’s notched another one: She’s joined the board of The Active Age. “I’m excited,” she said. “I really do love The Active Age.” Armstrong retired recently from Armstrong Chamberlin, the marketing firm she started 40 years ago, and has now launched a new career […]
| By The Active Age
Elvira Crocker, a journalist, communications specialist and activist, and Louis Sturns, a Texas lawyer and judge, were inducted into the Wichita State University Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the school last month. Both cited the pivotal role that higher education played in their lives. Crocker grew […]
| By Joe Stumpe
When it comes to exercise, my super-fit mother-in-law follows a simple philosophy: Some is better than none, and more is better than some. I think that’s one reason why she survived a life-threatening medical scare in her mid ‘80s and is back to walking several miles a day (some other good habits, such as eating […]
| By Family Features
Eating right doesn’t mean giving up meat and other favorite foods. What it really means is enjoying them in moderation, prepared in ways that don’t add excess calories or fat (but still qualify as tasty!). Follow other common-sense steps — such as getting exercise and plenty of sleep, avoiding stress and not smoking — and […]
| By Ted Ayres
“Can’t We Talk About Something Pleasant” by Roz Chast (Bloomsbury, 2014, $19) Originally published in 2014, “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant” won Roz Chast a National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography and was also a finalist for the National Book Award. Of course, awards are nothing new for Chast, a staff cartoonist for The […]
| By Ted Blankenship
I am one of the few Americans not concerned about the cost of gasoline because the eye doctor told me I should give up driving. What? Just because I can’t see the road? What can an old guy like me do when he needs a bolt or some nails? Send his wife to the store? […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
Identify the key person’s name that is mentioned in the following tunes. The answers appear on page 16. 1. “You got me rockin’ and a rollin’/Rockin’ and a-reelin’” (Beach Boys). 2. “I’m begging of you please don’t take my man” (Dolly Parton). 3. “Take a sad song and make it better” (Beatles). 4. “Hang down […]
| By Diana Morton
Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Murder on the Orient Express. Ken Ludwig’s clever adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic boasts all the glamour, intrigue and suspense of her celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace. 8 pm Thu-Sat, 2 pm Sun, now-Mar 5. […]
| By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, I had dental insurance through my work for many years but lost it when I retired and joined Medicare. Where can retirees find affordable dental care? -Uninsured Al Dear Al, Unfortunately, about two-thirds of U.S. retirees don’t have dental insurance today. Without coverage from traditional Medicare, and with […]