April 1, 2024 | By The Active Age
An angel in her book Yesterday morning, my friend and I were having breakfast at Mokas Cafe on McLean. My friend choked and could not get her breath. In a panic, I yelled to the cafe workers for help and immediately a gentleman who was eating there came over very calmly and did the Heimlich […]
| By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, Do you have any suggestions on divvying up my personal possessions to my kids after I’m gone without causing hard feelings or conflict? I have a lot of jewelry, art, family heirlooms and antique furniture, and four grown kids that don’t always see eye-to-eye on things. Conflicted Parent Dear Conflicted, Divvying up […]
| By The Active Age
It’s hard to miss Antoine Brown when he’s out in his 2007 Cadillac Biarritz, which he is quite a bit. The fuchsia paint job and gold-striped Vogue tires see to that. Brown says he acquired the car about a decade ago. It’s not unusual to see it parked outside Mort’s in Old Town, where Brown […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Saved by concerned citizens from possible demolition, Century II is starting to look like its old self again. Make that its new self. Restoration work on the downtown landmark’s iconic blue dome is nearly done, with completion expected by the end of summer. Nearly gone is the pale turquiose shade that’s loomed over the convention […]
| By The Active Age
A burn ban will be in effect for Sedgwick County during the month of April. According to a news release, new open burn permits will not be issued during the month of April, and no current permit holders will be allowed to conduct open burns after March 31, 2024. Open burns can resume after May […]
March 22, 2024 | By The Active Age
Sedgwick County Fire District 1 (SCFD 1) is encouraging residents to take preventive measures to protect their property from the threat of wildfires. On Monday, March 25 at 11 a.m., Fire Marshal Brad Crisp and the crew of SCFD 1 Station #32, 7750 N. Wyandotte Way, Park City, will demonstrate several easy ways to reduce […]
March 7, 2024 | By The Active Age
TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly has removed all 55 Kansas counties previously categorized as being in emergency drought status. In an executive order, she placed 15 counties in warning status and 62 in the less severe watch status. “While drought conditions have improved greatly in recent months, many counties continue to be negatively impacted by the […]
March 1, 2024 | By Bonnie Bing
New season, new look. We won’t forget the frigid days of winter, but it’s time to enjoy warm spring breezes and sunny summer days. Are you ready for a new look? Well, ladies, here is your chance to get a new hair style and makeup tips that will make you feel brand new. And if […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Spend a few minutes in Cathy and Larry Mong’s house, and you won’t be surprised to learn it doesn’t have an internet connection. The Texas transplants have a passion for objects from bygone eras, especially if they still serve a useful purpose. And Larry has a talent for bringing them back to life. Antique electric […]
| By Annie Calovich
Laura Nutter was turning the soil for a new garden on the grounds of the VA hospital when it already started to accomplish its goal. Richard Manning, a Marine veteran, was going through counseling in Building 5 at the hospital at the time and would come outside and sit on a step overlooking the then-empty […]
| By The Active Age
Rachel Wingfield knew she needed to get back to exercise after cancer and chemotherapy, but it wasn’t easy. “I’d been doing nothing but sitting in my chair,” she said. Not anymore. She’s taking part in Livestrong, a free 12-week program offered to cancer survivors. It’s led by trainers with the Greater Wichita YMCA, but a […]
| 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 […]