Vol 39 • No. 3
www.theactiveage.com Kansas’ Kansas’Award-winning Award-winningTop Top55+ 55+News NewsSource Source
February 2018
Bob Love:
Helps students reach success By Rob Howes His father has been gone for years. His mother was just laid off. He needs $180 to pay for two makeup classes at Southeast High so he can graduate and get a job. Where is this student going to get that kind of money? Photo by Debbi Elmore From Bob Love, that’s where. Left is the new kitchen and staff area. Behind the sign will be the “Think about it, man,” Bob says. renovated Downtown Senior Center and other programs. “All that stands between a kid and a high school diploma is $180.” Bob finds the money. He has friends who help, and he uses his own money. Robert (Bob) Love III was the By Debbi Elmore Wheels (MOW) staff are in construcsecond oldest in a family of 17. There The remodeling and construction tion trailers on the southeast edge of were a lot of lean years growing up. He projects for the Downtown Senior the parking lot at 200 S. Walnut. says he learned how to survive on few Center and Meals on Wheels kitchen Senior Employment, Roving Panresources. have relocated a lot of people who try and In-Home Respite went to the He lived the narratives that often work for the various programs operat- Northeast Senior Center, 2121 E. 21st. define the kind of poverty that sends ed by Senior Services. The center director and volunteers, you to bed hungry. The Love family But it’s still been business as usual. as well as the center’s programs, relospent some of their years on welfare. Administrative and Meals on cated to West Side Baptist Church, Bob was a gifted athlete, and his 304 S. Seneca. basketball talent put him through This journey toward the ultimate college. He graduated in 1975 with a goal of new or up-to-date areas began B.A. from Washburn University. with some comical moments and more Bob’s first USD 259 job was at than one unexpected challenge. Lincoln Elementary on South Topeka, The Meals on Wheels kitchen which is now closed. staff remained on location to conMuch like a counselor, he was tinue producing 900 meals a day for tasked with helping students get whatSee Center, page 3
Bob Love helps students at Southeast High School ever they needed to succeed in school. One day his principal asked him to look in on some boys who had been caught stealing pop from the teacher’s lounge. As punishment, they were being kept inside during lunch. Bob responded by joining them each day for lunch and conversation… not condemnation. One day he asked, “Who’s in the See Bob Love page 10
By Amy Geiszler-Jones For 70 years, Joe Flask has enjoyed smelling the roses – and every other flower. His one-man floral shop in Halstead, simply named Halstead Floral, is marking its 45th year in business, with the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday being its busiest time of the year. Flask, 84, is reportedly the oldest operating florist in the U.S., according to an article in the industry trade
duce and flowers he helped grow. “In the eighth grade, I decided I wanted to be a florist and that's what I've been ever since,” he said. As a high school freshman, he provided the floral arrangements and displays for the wedding of his high school's secretary. Later while in high school, he worked at the local flower shop. “I knew what I wanted, and I went after it,” Flask said, about his career See Florist page 9
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Wichita, KS 67276 Permit 1711
Noise, critters, temp spaces, trailers worth the end result
Photo by Rob Howes
ACTIVE AGING PUBLISHING, INC 125 S West St., Suite 105 Wichita, Ks 67213
Halstead florist may be U.S. oldest
Questions about services?
magazine Floral Review. His interest in flowers is rooted in his childhood in Ohio, where his mother and father were avid gardeners on their one-acre property, growing vegetables for the practical purposes of feeding the family and growing flowers to bring some enjoyment and color to their lives. “I grew by it naturally,” said Flask. The family's property was right along the highway, so as a teenager, Flask set up a roadside stand, selling the pro-
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