May 1, 2024 | By Diana Breit Wolfe
Last month, I attended the AARP Smart Driver Course. I’ve been driving Wichita streets and U.S. highways for 66 years, since I was 14. But I was still impressed with how much new stuff there is to learn about our roads, signs and car safety. The husband-and-wife volunteer presenters —Tom and Brenda Gibson — keep […]
| By The Active Age
Mary Clarkin took first and second place in the Seniors Story category of the 2024 Kansas Press Association awards for articles in The Active Age. Clarkin won first place for “How old is too old?” (July 2023), a look at how older voters view the leading presidential candidates, and second place for “Seniors grapple with […]
| By Monica Cissell
The Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA) celebrates the theme of this year’s Older Americans Month, “Powered by Connection,” by focusing on the impact that meaningful connections have on our well-being. “It’s not only about having someone to chat with, it’s about the potential that connections have in enhancing mental, physical and emotional well-being,” […]
| By The Active Age
Remember that time Festus broke some of Quint’s equipment, and they rode to Wichita to get it fixed only to fall for the same saloon girl who happened to be on the run from a jealous boyfriend? You might if you were a fan of “Gunsmoke,” the longest-running western in TV history. Although primarily set […]
| By The Active Age
Read with interest your story on vintage Wichita architecture (“Mid-century modern buildings worth saving,” April 2024). In the 1990s, I was assistant vice president and head of the real estate division of the Intrust Bank trust department. One of several buildings around Wichita with heritage architecture that I dealt with was the iconic Vickers gas […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
The answer to each clue in this month’s quiz contains the word “Great.” How many can you identify? The answers appear on page 20. 1. This Australian coral system is composed of over 900 islands and stretches for over 2,300 kilometers. 2. Linus is disappointed in this 1966 American Halloween television special based on the […]
| By Diana Morton
Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. “Harvey,” family-friendly classic about the relationship between Elwood P. Dowd and his invisible, furry best friend. Th-Sat, 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. Now through May 12. Tickets $23-$25. Opening night ticket $18. 316-618-0444 Guild Hall Players, St. James Episcopal Church, 3750 E. […]
| By Ted Blankenship
Back when I was about seven years old, I was kicking a big rubber ball around with LeRoy and Dickie, the boys next door. Their Doberman was chasing the ball with us and appeared to be in a nice enough mood. The next time I kicked the ball, the dog bit me. I don’t speak […]
| By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, What gardening tips can you offer to older seniors? I love to putter around and work in the garden, but my back and knees have caused me to curtail my gardening activities, which I miss greatly. Older Gardner Dear Older, There’s no doubt that gardening can be hard on an aging body. […]
| By Caleb Sanderson
El Dorado — Bob Peterson is retiring after 43 years teaching in the Butler Community College Theatre Department. Peterson exits following his last Butler play, “Harvey.” Peterson’s career began in 1972 as a Topeka High School teacher. Award-winning actress Jayne Houdyshell, who won a Tony Award for her role in “The Humans,” was one of […]
| By The Active Age
Meals on Wheels highlighted Wichita Mayor Lily Wu and City Council Member Dalton Glasscock visited Senior Services, Inc. recently to bring attention to the Meals on Wheels program. The program delivers hot meals to about 800 people on weekdays and has a waiting list of several hundred people. “If you’d like to help, these programs […]
April 30, 2024 | By Matthew Kelly/The Wichita Eagle
When Kyra Cano got the call that she had been approved to move into the Central Landing senior housing community, she was overjoyed. “I got in by a miracle,” Cano, 84, said. She moved in in February as one of 16 applicants selected from a waiting list of more than 100 to live in a […]
April 23, 2024 | By The Active Age
The Wichita Library is now offering Experience Passes that allow families to explore area museums and other attractions for free. Attractions are listed below. There may be additional fees for special exhibits or add-on experiences. Experience Passes do not cover the cost of concessions or gift shop purchases. Botanica (701 N. Amidon) Cosmosphere (110 N. […]
April 1, 2024 | By Joe Stumpe
Century II is just the most conspicuous example of much distinctive mid-century modern architecture in Wichita, including shopping centers, churches, gas stations, office buildings and more, architect and history buff Dean Bradley says. The post-World War II building style was influenced by everything from the proliferation of automobiles to new building materials and even the […]
| By Bonnie Bing
Like a spring shower, requests came pouring in for the Active Age’s Spring Makeover Contest. To make it happen, hair stylists and makeup artists at three salons gave three lucky contestants a new hairstyle and fresh makeup techniques. Here are before-and-after photos, what the stylists had to say and how the women felt about the […]
| By Deanna Harms
Have you ever thought about writing a book? If yes, I encourage you to do it. You don’t have to have an agent or a publisher, you can go it alone through one of the many options now available. I recently helped my mother publish her memoir through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, and the experience […]
| By Nancy Wheeler
The Active Age primarily serves readers in Butler, Harvey and Sedgwick counties. This month’s quiz tests readers’ knowledge of all three. Answers appear below. 1. The economy of this county changed almost overnight when an oil well was discovered in 1915. 2. Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and editor William Allen White spent the majority of his […]
| By Joe Stumpe
Move over, marinara. Step back, salsa. There’s a new sauce in town that’s just as deliciously versatile. Aji verde, also known as Peruvian green sauce, comes together in five minutes and is delicious on chicken, fish, vegetables, rice and many other foods. The quantity of jalapenos called for in the recipe might suggest it’s on […]
| By Ted Blankenship
When I was a reporter in another town, I covered the two local hospitals and became friends with the head nurse. That is, I thought she was a friend until she gave me a Siamese cat. When this cat grew up, he was huge. And, as any Siamese owner will tell you, even a small […]
| By The Active Age
An angel in her book Yesterday morning, my friend and I were having breakfast at Mokas Cafe on McLean. My friend choked and could not get her breath. In a panic, I yelled to the cafe workers for help and immediately a gentleman who was eating there came over very calmly and did the Heimlich […]
| By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, Do you have any suggestions on divvying up my personal possessions to my kids after I’m gone without causing hard feelings or conflict? I have a lot of jewelry, art, family heirlooms and antique furniture, and four grown kids that don’t always see eye-to-eye on things. Conflicted Parent Dear Conflicted, Divvying up […]
| By The Active Age
It’s hard to miss Antoine Brown when he’s out in his 2007 Cadillac Biarritz, which he is quite a bit. The fuchsia paint job and gold-striped Vogue tires see to that. Brown says he acquired the car about a decade ago. It’s not unusual to see it parked outside Mort’s in Old Town, where Brown […]
| By The Active Age
A burn ban will be in effect for Sedgwick County during the month of April. According to a news release, new open burn permits will not be issued during the month of April, and no current permit holders will be allowed to conduct open burns after March 31, 2024. Open burns can resume after May […]
March 1, 2024 | By Joe Stumpe
Spend a few minutes in Cathy and Larry Mong’s house, and you won’t be surprised to learn it doesn’t have an internet connection. The Texas transplants have a passion for objects from bygone eras, especially if they still serve a useful purpose. And Larry has a talent for bringing them back to life. Antique electric […]
| By Annie Calovich
Laura Nutter was turning the soil for a new garden on the grounds of the VA hospital when it already started to accomplish its goal. Richard Manning, a Marine veteran, was going through counseling in Building 5 at the hospital at the time and would come outside and sit on a step overlooking the then-empty […]