Veterans parade to honor female vets
By James Bower
Organizers of this year’s Veterans Day Parade in Wichita are encouraging female veterans to take part in this year’s event.
“Honoring Women Veterans” is the theme of the Nov. 5 parade. The idea came to Vietnam veteran Herb Duncan two years ago but was delayed by COVID-19 and bad weather. Duncan felt like male veterans are fairly visible but that female veterans often don’t get the recognition they deserve.
As of mid-October, 64 women had signed up to participate, including Katie Conkling, a 105-year-old World War II veteran of the Pacific theater. Veterans can register at
www.womenveteransofkansas.org/
The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Central and Main. The route runs south on Main, turns west on Douglas and crosses the Arkansas River before ending at Riverfront Stadium.
Many businesses offer free or discounted items and services to veterans on Veterans Day. A list of those doing so this year will be published at
www.VeteransBargains.com on or about Nov. 8.
Wreath Festival at museum
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum’s 39 annual Wreath Festival is set for Thursday, Nov. 19 through Saturday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, 204 S. Main. Admission is free.
As always, the event features artful wreaths, music and holiday exhibits, plus gift items, décor, baked goods, cards and books for sale. The festival’s traditional luncheon will not be offered this year, but carryout lunches will be available with a menu of cranberry chicken salad over greens, croissant and dessert for $16. Dine-in options without table service will be available. To reserve an order, call (316) 265-9314 by Nov. 14 or emailing wschm@wichitahistory.org.
Alternative Gift Market back
The Alternative Gift Mark, which raises money for nonprofit organizations around Wichita and the world, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Hillside Christian Church, 8330 E. Douglas.
Participants receive an ornament and greeting cards in exchange for donations. Also available for purchase will be lunch and snacks benefiting a Hillside CC mission, wall calendars offered by the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Kansas, upcycled products from Pockets for Change, fair trade items through Alegria and more.
Partners of this year’s market include Church Women United, East High’s National Honor Society, the Society of Women Engineers and 14 other organizations.
Donations can also be made at: https://alternativegifts.org/giving/crowdfunds/128
Dementia talk by consultant
Kathy Adkins, a registered nurse and dementia consultant, will present a 45-minute talk about dementia at South Rock Christ Church, 900 S. Rock Road in Derby, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. Admission is free.
A holiday to remember
Botanica’s A Holiday to Remember Garden Glow event will take place Thursday, Nov. 17 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The event kicks off the 2022 Illuminations season with a VIP preview and party featuring food and entertainment, a horse-drawn hay wagon and more.
Tickets are $60 for Botanica members, and $70 for non-members. Guests can also reserve a table of 8 for $750 and receive 16 Illuminations tickets.
Wichita Choral Society to Perform “Messiah”
The Wichita Choral Society will perform select movements from Handel’s Messiah at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27 at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Tickets are $10.
The Wichita Choral Society was established in 1945. Its annual Handel concert includes members of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.
