August 30, 2019 | By Monica Cissell
Three of Wichita’s favorite locations will host the 34th annual Senior Expo on Sept. 26: Botanica, the Wichita Art Museum and the Advanced Learning Library. Organized by the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA), the free event provides seniors and caregivers with valuable information, free health screenings, new opportunities and unique and useful items […]
| By The Active Age
Too often, people experiencing age-related vision loss ignore the symptoms, hide them, or try to compensate for them with improvised inventions that fall short of providing true solutions. But taking a proactive approach to their eye health is the best way to remain active and able to participate in a full life. “For aging individuals, […]
| By Nancy Carver Singleton
NEWTON – People almost always have something to say when they spot Kelly Hayes’ collection of old lunch boxes. “The conversation, it brings back old memories,” Hayes said. “That is the biggest thing, people get a kick out of it.” Hayes has collected about 250 metal lunch boxes made in the 1950s through the 1970s. […]
| By Julie Schaar
The welcoming sights, sounds and smells of fall have arrived. What comes to your mind when you think of fall? Do you think of football games, fans cheering and charcoal grills cooking up delicious hamburgers? What about the thought of fall festivals, carnival rides and funnel cakes? Maybe you thought of walks along the river, […]
August 1, 2019 | By Joe Stumpe
Film caught stars, locals in ’69 action-drama BENTON – When a Hollywood movie crew arrived here to make The Gypsy Moths, the project seemed to have everything required for success: big-name stars, an acclaimed director and spectacular stunts. As it turned out, the 1969 flick bombed – unless you happen to be a big fan […]
| By The Active Age
One afternoon last month, a 56-year-old woman walked into The Health Connection, a CBD shop on Douglas Avenue. Within minutes, she’d spent about $80 on a couple of cannabidiol products she’d never tried before but which she hoped would ease pain caused by arthritis. “I work with two or three nurses who have used it,” […]
| By The Active Age
Linda Hitchcock screened the first phone call she received from the active age. No offense taken; lots of people do that with unfamiliar numbers these days. When we finally did connect, and she got the news that she’d won our Music Theatre Wichita ticket contest, Linda was doing the verbal equivalent of somersaults on the […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Turns out there is a cure for the summertime blues: Summertime food. This is the time of year when less work means more flavor in the kitchen; let freshly grown produce and other locally produced foods be the stars of simply prepared, simply delicious meals. These recipes come from an event hosted by the Butler […]
| By The Active Age
Editor’s note: Incorrect information about these classes was printed in the July issue of the active age. The Wichita Public Library will partner with the Sedgwick County Extension Horticulture and Master Gardener Volunteer Program to offer fall gardening series at the Alford and Westlink branches. A Whirlwind Look at Kansas Grasses Tuesday, July 30 (Alford); […]
| By The Active Age
Sedgwick County Manager Tom Stolz says it’s time for a comprehensive look at how programs that serve seniors are funded. “One thing I want to do in the upcoming six months is I want a top-to-bottom analysis for the (county’s) aging department, making sure we are comparative with other aging departments across the country of […]
| By Dale Goter
On Aug. 1, a dark chapter in the history of Wichita public golf will occur as city officials shutter L.W. Clapp Golf Park. The City Council, acting on staff recommendations, voted to shut down Clapp in favor of a grandiose plan for a “destination park” that has zero dollars identified to make it happen. […]
| By The Active Age
Musical afternoons The Thursday Afternoon Music Club has announced its schedule for 2019-2020. Unless otherwise noted, programs are held at 1:30 p.m. in Senseney Music Recital Hall, 2300 E. Lincoln. Memberships are $25 but not required to attend the concerts. The club, now in is 105th year, promotes fine music in Wichita and provides music […]
July 1, 2019 | By Tammara Fogle
An editorial from the board of the active age: It’s time. Over the past decade, the governing bodies of Wichita and Sedgwick County have made impressive investments in projects designed to improve the quality of life. Prime examples are Intrust Bank Arena, a new main library and a $75 million minor league ballpark to be […]
| By Joe Stumpe
While promoting Wicked Wichita, my book on the city’s early criminal history, I’ve been asked one question more than any other. And no it’s not : “will there be a sequel?” The question I get is: Is there anything in it about tunnels? At the risk of hurting sales, the answer is no, for the […]
| By The Active Age
Solve the word puzzle at right and qualify for a drawing to win four free tickets to Music Theatre Wichita, courtesy of the active age. To solve the puzzle, find and circle the names of the 15 Wichita streets listed below. The words can be found in any direction, including diagonally. Once you’ve completed the […]
| By Jim Mason
Editor’s note: Jim Mason wrote about preparing for his first BAK in the June issue of the active age. In this article, he tells what it was really like. A truck filled with bicycles and a bus loaded with bicycle riders left Wichita on June 7 at 8:00 a.m. headed for Goodland. A similar convoy […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Even experienced cooks can be intimidated by large, expensive cuts of meat like prime rib. It’s not just the cost. Because prime rib is usually a special occasion dish prepared for a group, the fear of failure can be daunting. The truth is that preparing prime rib is a cinch. All you need is an […]
| By The Active Age
Go Fourth A new memorial to the American Revolutionary War will be dedicated Thursday, July 4, at Veterans Memorial Park, 329 Veterans Parkway(west of Second Street and North Waco). The event begins at 10 a.m. with a presentation of colors by the Kansas Army National Guard. U.S. Rep. Ron Estes and others will speak. Connect […]
| By The Active Age
Fran Kentling, former editor of the active age, died in the same way she lived her life: without fear or fuss and absolutely ready for the next adventure if there happens to be one. In the short time since she received a terminal lung cancer diagnosis, Fran took to answering the phone, “Hello, I’m dying,” in […]
| By Martin Mendoza
I ran across a YouTube video of LGBT elders writing to their “younger selves” for National Coming Out Day, so I thought I would write one to myself. Dear Martin, Was that the last of the pills? Good, now sit down while I tell you why they won’t work. I know you’re hurting. I know […]
May 30, 2019 | By Ted Blankenship
Floodwaters detour but can’t dampen fun on steamboat cruise If you’re thinking about a steamboat river cruise, I suggest doing it when the river isn’t at flood stage. A large river boat will float well enough in high water, but if it has tall stacks to dispose of engine fumes (and most do) the craft […]
| By Nancy Carver Singleton
NEWTON —In a world full of change, Newton shoppers have been able to count on one thing: Phil Anderson III will usually be there to greet and assist them at Anderson Book & Office Supply as he has since joining the family business in 1958. “Customers ask me how long I’ve been here and […]
| By Amy Geiszler-Jones
Before there was Joyland, there was Wonderland, Wichita’s first amusement park built on a now long-gone island in the Arkansas River near downtown Wichita. If you’d love to go back in time to visit it—like independent filmmaker Sara Harmon did when she first heard about the park three years ago—you’re in luck. Harmon’s 20-minute documentary […]
| By Jim Mason
For years, I dreamed about participating in Biking Across Kansas (BAK), an organized, annual group ride that spans our state from the west border to the east each June. Last winter, I moved BAK off my bucket list and actually signed up. Since then, I’ve been riding as much as possible to increase my stamina, […]
| By Joe Stumpe
The Sedgwick County staff has presented a 2020 budget that would cut spending on aging programs and services by 2.3 percent, from about $10.9 million to $10.7 million. It’s unclear what, if any, programs would be affected. About half the reduction would be the result of personnel turnover and a one-time bonus pool that employees […]