February 28, 2023 | 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. […]
| By Tammara Fogle
Wichita Community Foundation on the move The Wichita Community Foundation is on the move literally and virtually. The foundation is moving to Broadway Autopark (pictured at right) at the corner of Broadway and English in early 2023 from its current location in the Epic Center at 301 N. Main. A news release from the foundation notes that […]
| By Jim Miller
Simple Home Safety Solutions for Aging-in-Place A Checklist of What to Do When a Loved One Dies When Can I Change My Medicare Coverage? The Best Reacher Grabber Tools of 2023 What Happens if You Work While Receiving Social Security? Dear Savvy Senior, Falls and fires are the two things I worry most about for […]
| By Diana Morton
Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Murder on the Orient Express. 8 pm Thu-Sat, 2 pm Sun, Feb 16-Mar 5. Tickets $23-$25. Opening night ticket $18, Feb 16 only. 316-618-0444 Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley. Beauty School Melodrama by Carol Hughes. Dinner 6:15 pm, show begins 7:50 […]
January 1, 2023 | By The Active Age
If you’re visiting the East YMCA on a weekday between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., chances are good that you’re going to see three ping pong players —– Debi Takamoto, Quang Ly and Bao Chen — intensely battling just off the lobby where a recreational table is located. They’ll tell you they’re not that good and […]
| By Mary Clarkin
When Sigrid Trombley needed rides to medical appointments, she posted an appeal on Facebook. Friends came through, but she’d like to find a reasonably priced, reliable transportation service so as not to burden others. Diane McCartney was looking for the same thing when she sought an Uber reservation for a four-mile trip to the doctor. […]
| By Joe Stumpe
A Wichita man is looking for a few good volunteers to tell the stories of U.S. servicemen and women from Kansas who died during World War II. “Those people that gave their lives in service to our nation deserve the recognition,” Doug Rupe said. Rupe is Kansas coordinator for Stories Behind the Stars, a nonprofit […]
| By The Active Age
Jennifer Lasley has joined the board of The Active Age. Lasley joined Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA) in 2017 and was promoted to the Older Americans Act Program coordinator in November 2021. The Older Americans Act is a federal grant that provides funding to CPAAA and local organizations, including The Active Age, while […]
| By Jill D. Miller
By this time, New Year’s Day has come and gone. If you’re like most of us, you either neglected to make any 2023 resolutions or you did make one and have already broken it. Don’t give up now. It’s not too late. Discover the elegant minimalism of choosing one word to set as an intention […]
| By Jim Miller
Savvy Senior: Little known property-tax relief programs help seniors save Dear Savvy Senior, I recently learned about a property-tax relief program for seniors in the county where I live. Apparently, there are hundreds of these programs across the country that many retirees, like me, are eligible for but don’t know about. What can you tell […]
| By Ted Ayers
“Yours Truly,” by James R. Hagerty (Citadel Press, 2023, 202 pages, $25.00) This book is subtitled “An Obituary Writer’s Guide to Telling Your Story.” However, don’t let that dampen your interest or spirits. This book is lighthearted, encouraging and delightfully written. “Yours Truly” made me chuckle out loud on several occasions. Author James R. (Bob) Hagerty is […]