December 1, 2025 | By Joe Stumpe
An article in last month’s issue about seniors leading political protests in downtown Wichita generated phone calls and emails from some readers who thought it was biased against President Trump. In case other readers felt the same way, I thought I’d let you know my thoughts on the subject. First off, I appreciate and take […]
| By The Active Age
McCormick Museum holiday fun The McCormick School Museum, 855 S. Martinson, will host several holiday events this month, including its annual holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5, featuring musical performances by USD 259 students; holiday open house weekend from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 6-7; and carol singing, hot cider […]
| By The Active Age
Share the Season is a community program that assists people during a time of hardship in their lives. The program offers hope and help to working families who have experienced difficult circumstances resulting in financial strain and emotional stress. Often an illness, car accident, layoff or other unexpected situation can put a family into crisis. […]
| By The Active Age
Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January. Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1 percent. The COLA was 2.5 percent in 2025. Nearly 71 […]
| By Dr. Mehmet Oz
As head of the Medicare program, I encourage everyone with Medicare to take advantage of this year’s Open Enrollment period. This is your once-a-year opportunity to take a fresh look at your coverage for the year ahead. As a physician, I’ve seen firsthand how the right health plan can improve both the quality of care you receive and your […]
| By The Active Age
The Active Age The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature has released its list of priorities for the 2026 Kansas legislative session. They include the legalization of medical marijuana, Medicaid expansion and more money for senior-related services. In a news release, the KSHL said it’s clear that a majority of Kansans support most of these priorities, based […]
| By Suzanne Perez KMUW
The holiday season is here, and if you’re looking for fun things to do during family get-togethers, you might consider a new card or board game. Here are some recommendations from Gwen Ottenberg, owner of Imagine That Toys in Wichita, who’s been selling games for more than 25 years and playing them even longer. Prime […]
| By Suzanne Hogan KCUR
Kansas City will host six FIFA World Cup soccer matches in the summer of 2026. This is the first time Kansas City will hold a global sporting event of this scale, with about 650,000 people expected to come into town for the games. What is the World Cup? The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a 104-game tournament […]
| 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 Kenneth Dill. Donations may be made by calling 316-942-5385; through our website, […]
| By Joe Norris
ROSE HILL — In “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” movie, nobody loves Christmas more than Clark Griswold. When he throws the switch on his gleefully over-decorated house, it fries the city’s electric grid. In Rose Hill, Kansas, nobody loves Christmas more than Michael Russell. He calls his place The Griswold House of Rose Hill. But that […]
October 30, 2025 | By Joe Stumpe
Joe Walsh has come home before, but never quite like this. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer — born at Wesley Hospital (now Wesley Medical Center) on Nov. 20, 1947 — is bringing his annual VetsAid concert to Intrust Bank Arena on Saturday, Nov. 15. Money raised by the event will be distributed to […]
| By The Active Age
Drive past Douglas and Broadway at noon on a Monday, Wednesday or Saturday, and you’ll see them: a group of protesters waving signs and airing grievances with the current presidential administration. They chant in unison. They wave at passing cars. They raise their fists in solidarity with motorists who offer approving honks. Nearly all of […]
| By Joe Norris
In 1904, thousands of New Yorkers were paying a nickel to ride under the streets of Manhattan on the city’s first subway. That same year in St. Louis, people were forking over 50 cents to see the first Olympic Games ever hosted in America. But in Wellington,Kan., the most exciting attraction of 1904 cost nothing […]
| By The Active Age
Michelle Scofield took up a new sport in her mid-60s and no, it wasn’t pickleball. It’s powerlifting, one of the most intense forms of weightlifting. In competitions, participants have three attempts to lift their maximum amount in three different lifts: bench press, squat and deadlift. Scofield seems to have a knack for it. In her […]
| By The Active Age
For decades, friends of longtime Wichita Eagle columnist Bonnie Bing suggested she publish a book of her work. One person, Lisa Corbin, was rather insistent. “She was on it like a bonnet,” Bing said. “She would not shut up.” Corbin, a close friend whom Bing has known since Corbin was a child, said she “felt […]
| By The Active Age
The new executive director of Senior Services, Inc, is a little more familiar with the nonprofit organization’s operations than some new hires might be. Wyatt Sheeder was invited to join the board of directors of Senior Services last year. When its longtime executive director, Laurel Alkire, retired in May, Sheeder applied for the job and […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Found just in time for an Oktoberfest dinner, this Bavarian-style pot roast proved tasty enough to make any time of year. Like many classic German dishes, and the accompanying recipe for cabbage, it uses a combination of sweet- and-sour ingredients to achieve its savory goodness. Otherwise, it’s a typical braise, using long, slow cooking in […]
| By The Active Age
Get your holiday shopping and noshing done at a number of special local events. Here’s a look at some of those scheduled for this month and early December. Prairie Pilot market Art and crafts, fresh baked pies and cakes, savory snacks and more will be offered during the Prairie Pilot Club of Wichita’s annual Holiday […]
| By The Active Age
Pet Pals fundraiser Like chili and pets? Senior Services, Inc. is hosting a chili cookoff to raise money for Pet Pals, which provides food for the pets of Meals on Wheels participants. The event is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Downtown Senior Center, 200 S. Walnut. Admission is $5 and best […]
| By Diana Wolfe
As a young married couple in 1967, it felt strange to be just the second owners of a big house built in the previous century. But we had sold our first, much smaller house for twice what it cost and were in the market for another good deal. The house we found, near Lincoln and […]
| By Joe Stumpe
The Active Age is starting Memorial and Celebration sections of the newspaper on a trial basis. Reader response will dictate whether we keep them. Over the years, as the price charged by daily newspapers to print obituaries rose, The Active Age has received requests that we publish them. We believe we can provide a service by publishing […]
| By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, What simple tips can you recommend for making a home age friendly? My husband and I are in our late sixties and want to remain living in our home for as long as possible. — Homebody Hanna Dear Hanna, Many older adults, like you and your husband, want to stay living in […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
Sometimes overlooked in our mad dash toward Christmas and New Year’s Eve, November holds its own among months for significant historical events. Use these clues to identify events that happened during the 11th month. The answers appear on page 30. 1. On Nov. 24, 1859, what famous work by Charles Darwin was published for the […]
| By Diana Morton
ICT Rep, Turnverein Hall in Old Cowtown Museum. The Past, A Present Yet to Come. How did Charles Dickens come to write the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol”? In this witty new play, an ambitious young family man plans an elaborate trick on his old miser of an uncle, Ebenezer Scrooge. To help, he enlists […]