January 31, 2026 | By Paige Feikert
DERBY — Once an older person falls, the chances of it happening again are almost twice as likely. But an innovative fall prevention program here is bucking that statistic. So far, none of the Derby seniors who’ve been helped by the Fall Prevention Coalition have experienced a second fall. “When we started this whole thing, I […]
| By Sherry Howerton
For more than 40 years, Wichita psychiatrist Ralph Bharati has used his expertise to help unlock the doors of the minds of those experiencing mental health issues, helping thousands of patients over the decades. So after a long and successful career, what were his thoughts when he turned 80 last year? It wasn’t of vacations, […]
| By Joe Norris
HAYS — For as long as teenage boys’ bedrooms have had windows, young gentlemen have been sneaking out at night to meet up with a girl. Hays isn’t the only Kansas town where that’s happened. But it may be the only town in America where multiple generations have all attempted to hook up with the […]
| By Ted Ayres
“Deadbeats, Dead Balls, and the 1914 Boston Braves,” by Martin H. Bush (The Kent State University Press, 2025, 373 pages, $32.95) Serving as vice president of academic resources at Wichita State University, Martin H. Bush was largely responsible for creation of the Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art, which opened on the WSU campus in […]
| By Bob Rives
CASSODAY — Ever drive the Kansas turnpike and long to stop and walk across the Flint Hills, at least part of them? There is a new way to do just that. It’s a series of walking trails through a three-and-a-half square-mile area east of Cassoday known as the Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie Preserve (not to […]
| By Dale Goter
When my neighbor recently informed me that Kansas residents 75 years and older can hunt and fish for free without a license, I decided it was time to take up fishing. At 78 years of age, it’s useful to find things to do, so I went to the website of the Kansas Department of Parks […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
Editor’s note: Our quiz master Nancy Wheeler gave us two love-themed quizzes to pick from for February. We liked both too much to choose, so here they are. The answers appear on page 23. Movie romance What movies gave us these memorable lines about love and which actors delivered them ? 1. “You had me […]
| By The Active Age
The city of Wichita will hold a special 1% sales tax election March 3. Voting is open to voters who live within the city limits. Registration to vote in the election runs through Feb. 10. Voters can vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 3. Early in-person voting is available at the Sedgwick […]
| By The Active Age
Northwest Lions Chili Feed The Northwest Lions Club will host its annual chili feed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Ability Point, 2919 W. 2nd St. Tickets are $10; it’s $5 for kids ages 5-10 and free for 4 and under. The meal includes all-you-can eat chili, dessert, chips and coffee […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Call it strategic eating. When one reaches a certain stage of life, and one’s metabolism is no longer that of a teenager, but one still enjoys the occasional indulgent meal, some strategizing comes into play. One eats lightly for lunch, say, and not-so-lightly later. Or vice versa. But, of course, the light meal must be […]
| By Joe Stumpe
“I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.” —Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire” The Active Age is more fortunate than Tennessee William’s famous character, Blanche DuBois. This publication has depended on the best kind of friend — its readers — for support since its inception in 1979. Early last year, even that seemed […]
| By Starla Criser
Seniors on the Go is growing. The group was formed to support local cultural organizations and to help older adults take part in their events and programs. Its next monthly meeting is at 1:30 p.m. at Linwood Senior Center. Here are four upcoming events members plan to attend: • “Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” 8 […]
| By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, What are the most popular ages that people start taking their Social Security retirement benefits? I’m turning 62 later this year and trying to decide when to start taking my benefits. — Born in 64 Dear 64, You can sign up to begin your Social Security retirement benefits any time after age […]
| By The Active Age
The Active Age will celebrate Mother’s Day by giving away a stunning diamond necklace donated by Mike Seltzer Jewelers. Everyone who donates at least $25 to The Active Age between now and May 5 will be entered in our drawing for the necklace, which is valued at $500. Each $25 donation gets you another chance […]
| By Diana Morton
Roxy’s Downtown, 412 E. Douglas, cabaret-style theatre. The Golden Girls. The girls are back for their ninth season. Join Tom, Scott, Kyle, Monte and Christine for all-new episodes of The Golden Girls where zaniness abounds. Jan 23 – March 7. Doors open at 6:30 pm; show begins at 7:30 pm Wed-Sat. and Sat. matinée 2 […]
| By The Active Age
Comfort Care endowment Comfort Care Homes has completed a $25,000 endowed fund with the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita to support ongoing Alzheimer’s and dementia research. The fund grew out of a partnership between the school and Comfort Care which includes having medical students work directly with people living with dementia in real-world care settings. “Supporting research and […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Allen Goodwin remembers the thrill of piloting a Lear Jet Model 23 made in Wichita during the 1960s. “Those of us who flew 23s for a living — it was a beautiful piece of engineering,” said Goodwin, a former test pilot for Learjet. “You either wanted to fly this one or a G2 (Gulfstream II). They […]
December 30, 2025 | By Joe Stumpe
Two Sedgwick County residents in their 60s learned recently that online dating can be expensive — when the other party is a scammer. After meeting the victims separately through a legitimate online dating platform, this fraudster began texting them and eventually persuaded them to send money in the form of cashier’s checks to various banks […]
| By Joe Stumpe
ANDOVER — Neighbors were skeptical when Tom Hanson said he’d like to join their bridge group. “In the beginning, they thought it would be too difficult, too much to remember, and they just didn’t see how somebody without sight could do that,” said Hanson, who’s been blind since he was 6. That was all the […]
| By The Active Age
Cheryl Adkisson won The Active Age’s drawing for a diamond necklace generously donated by Mike Seltzer Jewelers. “Merry Christmas!” Adkisson said after the news sunk in that she’d won. “I’ve never won anything.” The Active Age thanks Mike Seltzer and everybody who donated at least $25 for a chance in the drawing. Adkisson’s name was […]
| By The Active Age
Peterson Elementary School celebrated 150 years of educating youngsters with displays, refreshments, a history lesson (naturally) and tours of Little Red, the best-known building on campus. Peterson, at 9710 W. Central, is the oldest school in Wichita USD 259 operating at its original location, although it started out as a county school known by another […]
| By The Active Age
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging has found two providers to take over congregate meals and home-delivered meals previously provided by Everfull, a Hutchinson-based nonprofit. One is Senior Services, Inc., which already operates Meals on Wheels in Wichita, delivering about 700 to 750 meals to homebound seniors daily. Senior Services will begin providing congregate meals […]
| By The Active Age
Three new members have been added to The Active Age’s board of directors, bringing with them backgrounds in law, business, public policy and senior-related services. Laurel Alkire is the former executive director of Senior Services, Inc., which operates the Meals on Wheels program in Wichita, four senior centers (Downtown, Linwood, Orchard Park and Northeast) and […]
| By The Active Age
Three Kings’ Day celebration Wichitans can take part in an event modeled on Three Kings’ Day, celebrated in Hispanic culture as the end of the Christmas season. “And, by the way, we will have three live camels,” said Elizabeth Brunscheen-Cartagena, family life and resource management agent with K-State University Extension. The free event is from […]
| By Joe Stumpe
The results are in, and the McCormick Spice Flavor of the Year for 2026 is black currant. While buttered toast is probably where most of the berry winds up — in the form of jam — that jam has a few more tasty uses as well. For instance, it can be turned into a glaze […]