March 23, 2023 | By The Active Age
Wichita Public Library, Wichita Literacy Coalition and several community partners have created and installed 26 Little Free Libraries throughout City Council District III – each one decorated after a letter of the alphabet, according to a news release from the city. And the little boxes full of books even talk, after a fashion. The Little […]
March 22, 2023 | By The Active Age
EL DORADO — The Kansas Oil Museum will host two history-related events in its new Energy Education Center this weekend. The entire season of “Kansas Crossroads—The Story of Wichita,” will air in half-hour increments beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday. Attendants are invited to come and go as they please, with refreshments available throughout and a […]
March 21, 2023 | By The Active Age
MANHATTAN – Kansas Farm Bureau’s (KFB) Shop Kansas Farms (SKF) rolled out a new website today in celebration of National Agriculture Day. The website, www.shopkansasfarms.com, features a searchable map so consumers can find food items from farmers near them. “Shop Kansas Farms is a trusted brand for consumers when it comes to buying directly from Kansas […]
February 28, 2023 | By Joe Stumpe, The Active Age
If you spotted what looked like a caravan of homeless persons’ belongings inching north along the Arkansas River this week, you weren’t alone. Motorists driving on Meridian stopped to photograph the scene, which consisted of about a dozen shopping carts piled high with bedding, clothes and more. Many passers-by probably thought the carts belonged to […]
| 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 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 […]
| By Monica Cissell
The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature is an important group of advocates in the state of Kansas. It’s composed of 125 representatives from across the state who work on behalf of adults 60 years and older during their two-year term. The KSHL develops bills and resolutions which are presented to the Kansas Legislature and governor as […]
| By The Active Age
‘Old school’ potato bake on way A St. Patrick’s Day potato bake is planned to raise money for the McCormick School Museum from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 18. The menu includes baked potatoes with toppings, salad and a variety of crisps and cobbers for dessert. The suggested donation is $10 for adults, $5 for children […]
February 21, 2023 | By Celia Hack and Simone Garza; KMUW/The Community Voice
The number of Wichita veterans who face homelessness is increasing. To see how one community is addressing the issue, KMUW and The Community Voice visited the Veterans Community Project in Kansas City, Missouri. The residents that greet you at the Veterans Community Project may not walk on two feet. They may walk on all four. […]
February 1, 2023 | By Joe Stumpe
Society wife-turned-gossip columnist Zoe Anderson Norris stirred up early Wichita with her sharp pen. As it turns out, she was just getting started. Norris went on to become one of the most prolific writers of her time as well as a colorful New York City personality known as the “Queen of Bohemia.” Now, the author […]
| By The Active Age
Older adults should get the updated (bivalent) booster COVID-19 vaccine and mask up as necessary in light of data showing those residents are still most at risk of hospitalization and death, a health official said. “It is still the case that the older the person, the higher the risk there is,” said Adrienne Byrne, director […]
| By Jill D. Miller
It’s hard to ignore that February is the month for love. Flowers, chocolates and romantic gifts are all around us — in stores, on signs and in ads. But what if you’re single, divorced or widowed with no partner to shower you with gifts? No need to feel alone and unloved. I’ve found the solution: […]
| By The Active Age
Here’s an Italian import perfect for dessert or your next coffee break. Cantucci are Italian almond biscuits that originated in the Tuscan city of Prato. They’re delicious dipped in dessert wine, coffee or cappuccino. The recipe comes from Nonna Siriana Fumi of Tuscan Women Cook, a week-long cooking class held in Tuscany. Although you can […]
| By Ted Blankenship
A while ago I wrote a column on how to train your dog. I got to thinking that maybe I slighted you cat people. To make amends, I’ll give you some pointers on how to train your cat. Despite what you may think, cats can be trained. You just have to get them to do […]
| By Ted Ayers
“River of the Gods,” by Candice Millard (Doubleday, 2022, 349 pages, $32.50) Candice Millard made a name for herself as a scholar-writer with books on Winston Churchill, James Garfield and Theodore Roosevelt. In her new book, she tackles one of the best-known expeditions of all time, the search for the Nile led by Sir Richard Francis Burton. […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
It’s ski season, and many people are headed off to their favorite mountain resorts. However, mountains are famous for a variety of reasons. How many of these can you identify? The answers appear below. 1. At 29,032 feet, it is the highest mountain on earth and was first scaled by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay […]
| By Monica Cissell
If you’re interested in advocating for older adults, the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature may be right for you. The SHL is a unicameral assembly composed of 125 representatives from across Kansas. This group develops bills and resolutions that are presented to the Kansas Legislature and governor as recommendations for state policy. […]