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Vol 44 No. 5
www.theactiveage.com Kansas’ Largest Newspaper
April 2023
‘The best mind game’
Dealt a blow by the pandemic, Wichita Bridge Club makes a bid for a comeback
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By Amy Geiszler-Jones Every Tuesday morning, Wanda Lonnon tries to help fellow members of the Wichita Bridge Club get better at the challenging but addictive card game. Projecting various hands on an overhead screen, Lonnon offers tips and strategies before the players move to tables where they’ll spend the next three hours or so playing. “Can I be criticized if I make that bid?” one participant asked on a recent Tuesday, expressing the fear that likely crosses every lessexperienced player’s mind. “Oh, you can always be criticized … but if you make a mistake, it’s not like you’re on the floor dead,” Lonnon replied. “You pick yourself up and go
on.” The same could be said for the game of bridge itself. Once one of the United States’ most popular pastimes, with numerous books and newspaper columns devoted to it, bridge suffered in popularity as more forms of entertainment became available. But those who play the game say the mental stimulation it presents is unique. “It really is the best game to keep your mind sharp,” said Mike Grommesh, noting that he’s also played Spades, Hearts, Whist and poker. Some researchers believe bridge may delay or reduce the severity of dementia, although so far there’s no definitive proof. A 2017 study by a Scottish University found statistical evidence that bridge players See Bridge, page 7
Ava Cunningham cares for Valentine, Zarayah and Zariah in her Northeast Wichita home.
Laughs & lessons at daycare
By Joe Stumpe After 32 years of providing child day care, Ava Cunningham has seen and heard just about everything from her pre-school charges. Still, she smiles when asked why she does it. “I just love kids,” she said. “They’re so innocent. They’re like sponges.” As Cunningham talks, three 3-year-olds — Valentine and twin
Spring fashion hits the Mark By Bonnie Bing Editor’s note: Bonnie Bing found some interesting correlations between Spring’s fashion trends and artwork at Mark Arts, the community art center at 13th and Rock Road. When it comes to the new season, let freedom spring. Spring fashion is full of every favorite look from the past you can think of. Florals, stripes, brights, neutrals? Yes! Long skirts, short skirts, kneelength dresses, long dresses? Yes again. Bermuda shorts, short shorts, capri length pants, culottes? Those get
sisters Zarayah and Zariah — take turns somersaulting around the floor of her front room in northeast Wichita, combing a Barbie doll’s hair and perusing a children’s book. It’s playtime, a little break before the lunch of goulash and bananablueberry bread that Cunningham has cooking in the kitchen and the nap
See Daycare, page 8
the nod, too. If you love skinny pants, you’ll find them in a variety of colors, but if you prefer wide legs, there are plenty of those, too. And yes, the straight leg is back. Neutral tones are here in every category, just waiting for you to add a pop of color, like magenta and other bright pinks. Every shade of coral carried over from last spring. Crisp white eyelet is back in the dresses and tops category. Loose jackets of silky fabrics, linen, polyester blends and knits slide over whatever See Fashion, page 4
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