Vol 38 • No. 9
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Restored 1914 gas station
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By Nancy Carver Singleton A century-old filling station provides an eye-catching scene on the Richard and LaJune Thrasher farm near Halstead. The 12-by-12 white station with its now bright red peaked roof came from Burrton three years ago. Richard Thrasher long admired it, making numerous offers to buy it over 35 years. “I’d watched it for years deteriorate, rotting away. When my wife spotted the For Sale sign it was an impulse. I just stepped up and bought it. “A lot of these old stations have been torn down. I didn’t want that to happen to this one.” The station was first south of town along the “Old Trail Road.” Recorded deeds show the land was sold in 1914 and sold again with improvements in
August 2017
Brain... Use it or lose it By Leslie Chaffin Those who study brain and mental functioning agree that you’re never too old to learn new things. The American Psychological Association reports that your brain is capable of regrowth and learning new Photo by Nancy Carver Singleton skills throughout your life. Richard Thrasher has two International trucks, a 1917 and a 1928 The key to keeping mentally alert model at his restored filling station near Halstead. is to get regular intellectual stimula1916. along the 13-mile route. tion and exercise. In 1926 a national highway act estabA mover told him the building would “Knowledge is knowledge; the lished U.S. 50 north of Burrton, so the collapse if placed on its side. Boards had more you use your brain, it can only station moved with it. rotted so much that windows were only be good for you,” said Michael YeoAnother highway act in 1956 took 10 inches above the floor. ung, director at Wichita State Univerthe right-of-way up to eight feet from the Thrasher cut the nails that held the sity South. business, which included the area with roof ’s trusses, then used a loader to get In Sedgwick, Butler and Harvey the pumps. It closed shortly after that. it on a trailer. Using the roof as a pattern counties, there are many opportunities Thrasher originally planned to move he spent the next few weeks building a to engage in mental aerobics. Whether the building intact, but the 14-foot roof platform for the station. auditing a college class or attending a was too tall to go beneath power lines See Station, page 3 program at your community’s recreation center, library or senior center, there are numerous free or low-cost learning opportunities. There also are online options such as free classes available through MIT. Five area residents have joined the area for 15 years. Her experience includes However, a side benefit of attending active age Board of Directors. Times-Sentinel newspapers, East Wichlocal classes and lectures is social Spike Anderson, Valley Center, is a ita News and WestSide Story, and Derby engagement. financial advisor and vice president at Reporter. She does in publishing, design Studies show that you can delay Morgan Stanley. He worked as director and production. the onset of mental decline from three for development and game management LaChalle Shay, also a Wichitan, has to 10 years by engaging in lifelong at Wichita State University for 10 years worked with people who have disabillearning pursuits. before joining Morgan Stanley, and has a ities for more than 25 years in many At WSU, Butler Community background in journalism and commusettings. She is now co-owner of Jobs U College and other area learning instinication. Make Possible (aka JUMP) to help those tutions adults aged 60 and older may Mary Corrigan, Wichita, served as with disabilities obtain and retain jobs. audit a class for free if there is room. an ex-officio member of the active age Dorothy Zook, Hesston, is a Licensed You have to enroll after the students’ board as a representative for the Central Practical Nurse. She worked at Halstead enrollment period is closed. Books or Plains Area Aging on Aging until her Hospital for 25 years, plus 10 more years other materials are the only cost. retirement this year. She was its program at area nursing homes. She was president WSU also offers Community manager for seven years. Since 1993 she of the state LPN Association, served on Education and Lifelong Learning has been an adjunct instructor at Butler the Kansas State Board of Nursing and programs. Community College. was a Silver Haired legislator. Community Education classes Shana Gregory has been a profesTo comment on this or other stories, taught by WSU professors and comsional writer and editor in the Wichita email fran@theactiveage.com See Learning, page 3
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Questions about services?
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging or call your county Department on Aging: 1-855-200-2372
Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800- 279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655