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Vol 43 • No. 1
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www.theactiveage.com December 2020 Kansas’ Award-winning Top 55+ News Source
Holiday recipe contest winners start on Page 16
Oh, Christmas trees!
One fresh-cut Christmas tree led to thousands for couple
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Bob and Susan Grelinger started Windy Knoll Tree Farm in 1986.
By Nancy Carver Singleton It was a slow Sunday in December some years ago when big, wet snowflakes started falling at Windy Knoll Tree Farm northeast of Derby. “We got so busy in a short time because of the heavy snowfall,” recalled Susan Grelinger, who owns the cut-your-own tree farm with her husband, Bob. “Everybody wanted a memory.” Snow or not, Windy Knoll has been making memories since the Grelingers started the business in 1986. The Christmas season isn't the only memory making time , although that’s the busiest month, of course. Bob Grelinger tells of a family buying a tree in July to celebrate their son being home on military leave and another family getting one in February to decorate their new home. Early in their own marriage, it was Susan Grelinger who decided she wanted a fresh Christmas tree. They cut one from a farm near See Tree farm, Page 27
Happy Holidays from your friends at the active age
As clusters mount, one deadlier than reported
By Mary Clarkin When Sedgwick County announced Sept. 1 that Meridian Rehabilitation and Health Care Center was a COVID-19 cluster with 18 cases but no deaths, the families of some residents knew the situation was even worse. Two residents, Roseshell Adams and Jack Van Es, had been infected by the virus by the time they died in late August, although they also suffered from other health issues, their families say. “I wanted her out of there,” said Ella Adams, niece of Roseshell Adams. The virus was moving through Meridian in July, according to Adams. Her aunt died at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis during the last week of August. Teri McCammon, Van Es's niece, said her uncle went to the hospital briefly but returned to Meridian and received hospice care before dying Aug. 31. In mid-October, Sedgwick County reported nine COVIDSee Covid, Page 6
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