December 29, 2023 | By Joe Stumpe
PARK CITY — Karen Corbin hates to think what would have happened if she hadn’t heard about Habitat for Humanity’s home repair program. “My home was bad — really bad.” Her house, built in the 1940s, suffered from what she called “severe issues.” “I will tell you that because so much of the siding was […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Don’t schedule your trip just yet, but Amtrak passenger service appears closer to returning to Wichita for the first time since 1979. The Federal Railroad Administration announced last month that an Oklahoma City-to-Newton route has been included in its corridor development program, which is guiding expansion of passenger train service. The agency allocated $500,00 to […]
| By The Active Age
A Wichita cooking club seems to have discovered the secret to longevity: spread the work around and don’t take themselves too seriously. The Wichita Wenches Cooking Club first got together in 2002 at the suggestion of Betty Graham. “I like to cook,” Graham said. “I have a lot of good friends. We were sitting having […]
| By Vicki Schmidt
Last year, I shared with Kansans that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I also shared that I expected to make a full recovery. Following surgery and several radiation treatments, I am thrilled to share that I am now cancer free. However, I must say I do not think I will ever fully recover […]
| By Sharon Van Horn
I am delighted to have been elected president of The Active Age’s board of directors for 2024. We have a dedicated group of officers: Susan Armstrong is the new vice president, and Diana Wolfe is continuing as treasurer. We are so appreciative of Tim Marlar’s leadership as president during the last two years and happy that he […]
| By Ted Blankenship
Recently, Dorothy and I went to dinner with friends. I was fascinated by the car we rode in. It wasn’t “your father’s car” but rather a luxury conveyance with a dashboard of lights resembling the Aurora Borealis. It reminded me of how much automobiles have changed over the years. When I was six years old […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
Can you identify these actors, singers and sports figures who shared their talents with us before passing away in 2023? The answers appear below. 1. What basketball coach led the Indiana Hoosiers to three national championships before moving to Texas Tech? 2. What daugther of a “king” released her debut album, To Whom It May […]
| By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve been talking to my mobility challenged mother, who lives alone, about automating her house with some smart home products to make it more convenient. She’s very interested but we’d like to get your opinion as to which types of smart devices are most helpful for seniors aging in place. — Searching […]
| By Diana Morton
Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Words & Music Tribute Concert Series presents Here’s Little Richard. Little Richard laid the foundation for rock and roll with his music and charismatic showmanship and is also credited for changing American culture and bridging its racial divide. Songs include Tutti Fruitti, […]
| 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 Paul Weigand. Donations may be made by calling 316-942-5385; through our website, […]
| By Monica Cissell
We made it through the holiday season, and for many of us that meant indulging in heavy comfort foods, tasty baked goods and a few more libations and holiday cheer than usual. The cold weather may have been keeping us indoors and less motivated to exercise. January is the time to get our diet and […]
| By Greg Dane
As a licensed independent insurance agent, my primary focus is serving seniors who are Medicare eligible. I would like to respond to the Savvy Senior column “Look out for misleading Medicaid Advantage ads” in last month’s issue of The Active Age. Yes, be leery of Medicare Advantage ads on TV, social media and direct […]
December 24, 2023 | By Joe Stumpe
Meals on Wheels is seeking volunteers to deliver meals this Tuesday through Friday (Dec. 26 -29). Due to the holiday season, the program has received cancellations from numerous volunteers who typically deliver. Because volunteers go into the homes of vulnerable seniors, the program can’t take walk-in volunteers who have not completed reference checks and orientation. […]
December 7, 2023 | By The Active Age
More than 9,000 Wichita children need winter coats, according to a news release Thursday from HumanKind Ministries. The nonprofit is asking the community to help provide a coat for every child expected at its annual Operation Holiday campaign. Each year, Operation Holiday—the region’s largest holiday assistance program—provides between 12,000 and 15,000 individuals with basic needs […]
November 29, 2023 | By Amy Geiszler-Jones
Hanging around trains seems to be in Ed Pavey’s blood. No, the Valley City resident didn’t follow his father and grandfather to work for the railroads. Indeed, his father advised against it. “One of the things that Dad always told me was, ‘You can do whatever you want in life, but don’t go to work […]
| By The Active Age
A veteran group of artists and art advocates were recognized last month for making Wichita a better place to live — and a more prosperous one, too. “It’s obvious that our city benefits from the aesthetic beauty and cultural enrichment derived from artistic pursuits, but what you may not realize is that the arts are […]
| By The Active Age
Each year since 2009, the Docking Institute of Pubic Affairs at Fort Hays State University has surveyed Kansas adults regarding various issues. Here are findings of the 2023 Kansas Speaks fall survey, which was conducted from Sept. 20 to Oct. 10, 2023. A representative panel of 485 Kansas residents age 18 and older were surveyed […]
| By Diana Breit Wolfe
“A couple of walnuts and maybe an orange or piece of candy.” That’s what my dad said when I asked what he received as a Christmas gift when he was a kid. Born in 1904, he was one of nine siblings who grew up on a farm in Pfeifer, Kan. My mom, born in 1908 […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Julie Mason-Comitini was working the day shift at Merle’s Place in the 1980s when she started picking up a pool cue to pass the time. “I would just shoot pool by myself,” she remembers. “One of the guys said, ‘Hey, you play pretty good. Why don’t you play on our pool team?’” Mason-Comitini didn’t just […]
| By Ted Blankenship
At a recent dinner party, I mentioned that when Dorothy and I lived in Coffeyville, we not only had to contend with copperhead snakes but large, hairy spiders, too. I was referring to tarantulas. “Ah, we don’t have tarantulas in Kansas,” said someone at the table. Well, it turns out that we have lots of […]
| By Jim Miller
Misleading Medicare Advantage Ads: What to Look Out For How Seniors Can Get Help Paying for Everyday Needs How an Incentive Trust Can Influence Your Heirs How a Health Savings Account Can Boost Your Retirement Savings Misleading Medicare Advantage Ads: What to Look Out For Dear Savvy Senior, I’m currently enrolled in original Medicare but […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
Answer the following questions that all have the word “king” embedded in them in some way: 1. What American Baptist minister was a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement and was assassinated in 1968? 2. What American singer and jazz pianist is perhaps most famous for his rendition of “Unforgettable?” 3. What Saturday morning […]
| By Diana Morton
Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Elf, The Musical. Back by popular demand, this production is becoming a holiday tradition. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is an […]
November 20, 2023 | By The Active Age
A professional women’s softball league is coming to Wichita for the first time. According to a news release from Visit Wichita, Wilkins Stadium, home of Wichita State Softball, will play host to AU Pro Softball’s AUX competition next summer. The competition will feature 18 games across two weeks with the world’s best athletes competing to […]
November 9, 2023 | By The Active Age
Oxford Senior Living has entered into a contract to purchase the former Kansas Masonic Home. According to a news release, the transaction is expected to close by the end of 2023. The campus, located in Wichita at the intersection of Maple and Seneca, will be rebranded Oxford Vista. “We see an unmet need in the […]