Category: Latest News

Things to do: New exhibit has museum hopping, Symphony returns to Botanica, Choral society hits Broadway, Evening gardening classes offered, Antiques fair never gets old, Wichita Jazz Festival tickets on sale, Keep your car keys, ‘Bright’ in Newton

March 31, 2023 | By The Active Age

New exhibit has museum hopping How does the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum build its collection? You can find out in a new exhibit at the museum called “Why We Collect, What We Collect.” The museum, located in the former City Hall at 204 S. Main, began its collection with a donation from the Pioneer Society […]

April quiz: How shipshape is your nautical knowledge?

| By Nancy Wheeler

Use these clues to identify a dozen famous ships. The answers appear on below. 1. Built to showcase mankind’s technological brilliance, what British luxury liner struck an iceberg In the North Atlantic and sank on her maiden voyage in 1912, killing over 1,500 people? 2. What was the name of the English two-masted sloop that […]

Thunderbolts still sounding off

| By The Active Age

PARK CITY — You wouldn’t think a siren would have fans, but sirens like the Thunderbolt have likely saved many lives. That’s why the oldest one operating in Sedgwick County drew a crowd to its rededication ceremony here last month. The siren blares from Fire Station 32, 7750 N. Wyandotte Way. The Thunderbolt sirens originally […]

Make your voting plan now for 2023 elections

| By The League of Women Voters Wichita-Metro

This year, elections at the local level include those for Wichita mayor, three City Council seats and three seats on the Wichita Public Schools’ Board of Education, with the primary election on Aug. 1 and the general election on Nov. 7. These are important positions whose decisions impact our daily lives in Wichita. Don’t […]

Shortcut spaghetti and meatballs pack big flavor

| By Joe Stumpe

Some cooks feel meatballs must be homemade. But the tasty little spheres actually are pretty time-consuming to form and brown or bake, not to mention they require a mixing bowl and pan. Here’s a shortcut using frozen meatballs that will save you work and produce a hearty plate of spaghetti and meatballs that would do […]

Ted’s bicycle staying in the garage for now

| By Ted Blankenship

When folks say you can still do something you haven’t done in a long time, they often add: “It’s like riding a bicycle.” Who thinks these things up? I rode a bicycle when I was younger, and I tried it again later and remembered everything except how to keep it upright. I learned early that […]

Healthy relationships for better health

| By Monica Cissell

This time of year, many are thinking about getting healthy by eating better and increasing physical activity. Another key element to overall good health is sustained relationships. These relationships can improve health by helping us fight illness, speeding recovery time and prolonging life. Humans have an internal need to be socially connected. When those needs […]

Ticket contest winners announced

| By The Active Age

The answers to last month’s ticket contest quiz were: 1.) “Solitary Man.” 2.) “The Johnny Cash Show.” Of 74 readers who entered the contest, 72 got both answers correct. The winners of the drawing for tickets to the Neil Diamond-Johnny Cash Tribute Show at the Orpheum were Michael Sampson, Ron Turner, Kathleen Jenkins and Stephen […]

Lots of Little Free Libraries installed in south Wichita — one for each letter of the alphabet

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 […]

Kansas Oil Museum opens new center with full weekend of history

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 […]

Shop Kansas Farms rolls out new website in celebration of Ag Day

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 […]

Homeless told to move on. They’re used to it.

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 […]

Officers’ wives relished roles

| 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. […]

After brief intermission, beat goes on for vintage drums

| 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 […]

Marketer, author Susan Armstrong joins board of The Active Age

| 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 […]

Crocker and Sturns enter WSU college Hall of Fame

| 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 […]

Four-square fitness: Strength, endurance, balance and flexibility are all important

| 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 […]

Meat your new healthy dinners

| 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 […]

Big Read book takes on not-always pleasant subject

| 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 […]

March quiz: Name the name in that tune

| 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 […]

March Theatre

| 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. […]

How to cover dental care in retirement

| 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 […]

Get to know the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature

| 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 […]

Things to do:‘Old school’ potato bake on way,Meatless Mexican dinners back

| 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 […]

How one Kansas City nonprofit is providing a solution for homeless veterans

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. […]