February 2023

Wichita's 'Queen of Bohemia' celebrated in New York City

By Joe Stumpe

Society wifeturned-gossip columnist Zoe Anderson Norris stirred up early Wichita with her sharp pen. As it turns out, she was just getting started.

Norris went on to become one of the most prolific writers of her time as well as a colorful New York City personality known as the “Queen of Bohemia.” Now, the author of a forthcoming biography of Norris wants to rescue her from the relative obscurity into which she fell after her death in 1914.

“I’m fueled by the fact that she constantly wrote about how women’s stories don’t get told,” Eve Kahn said.

“She was misquoted and misportrayed in the press, and she ranted about it.”

Kahn’s book about Norris has been accepted by an academic press and is expected to be published next year. In March, Kahn is staging an exhibit and will speak about Norris at the Grolier Club in Manhattan, the country’s oldest and largest society for bibliophiles and graphic arts enthusiasts.

Kahn is a former antiques columnist for The New York Times who’s also written about art, architecture and design for it and other publications. She first learned about Norris in 2018 when she visited the home of a New Jersey physician and noted collector of American periodicals. He handed

See Queen, page 6

All in the family

Family owned farms buck trend of consolidation

By Joe Stumpe

NEWTON — As Margaret Goering watches her husband, Larry, amble across their barnyard in boots, jeans and John Deere ballcap pulled low, she knows he’s right where he wants to be.

“He’s an outdoor farm person,”

she said of her husband. “As long as he’s physically able, he’s going to farm.”

“Well,” Larry, 77, said, “you just get it in your blood.”

That’s no exaggeration. Five generations of Goerings have farmed See Family, page 8

Health official renews call for vaccination, masks

The Active Age

Older adults should get the updated (bivalent) booster COVID-19 vaccine and mask up as necessary in light of data showing those residents are still most at risk of hospitalization and death, a health official said.

“It is still the case that the older the person, the higher the risk there is,” said Adrienne Byrne, director of the Sedgwick County Health Department.

Hospitalization rates among people 60 and older peaked in early December, after Thanksgiving get-togethers, and statewide data showed a similar rise in Kansas after

Christmas.

“This data shows that adults 70 years and older are twice as likely to be hospitalized with COVID than adults 60 to 69, who are in turn twice as likely as adults 50 to 59,” Byrne said.

Byrne also cited a Washington Post report that nine out of 10 deaths from COVID are now among people 65 and older, the highest rate ever. During the first year of the pandemic, that group made up about 80 percent of deaths, a percentage that fell as that population became “highly vaccinated,” Byrne said.

But less than 40 percent of people 65 and older have received the updated vaccine, which became

available in September.

The free vaccine is available at numerous pharmacies and clinics around the area. Uninsured adults can receive it at the health department’s main clinic at 2716 W. Central. Call (316) 660-7300 to make an appointment.

Masks also are still recommended when older adults are around other people, especially larger groups, Byrne said, adding that the best protection is offered by K95 masks, which feature a particulate-filtering respirator. They are available at some local retailers and on Amazon. A surgical mask merely protects other people from us, not the other way around, she said.

Zoe Anderson Norris found fame, if not fortune after leaving Wichita.

Margaret and Larry Goering plan to turn their Harvey County farm over to their grandson, Jacob.

Wichita Community Foundation on the move nearer recent downtown developments including Fidelity Bank’s Rise Car Park, which houses Grow, First Mile Cantine and Rise Farms; the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine; and WSU Tech’s Niche. The foundation also recently revamped its website, wichitafoundation.org.

The Wichita Community Foundation is on the move literally and virtually. The foundation is moving to Broadway Autopark (pictured at right) at the corner of Broadway and English in early 2023 from its current location in the Epic Center at 301 N. Main. A news release from the foundation notes that the move puts it

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Delano concert Feb. 12

The Delano Brass ensemble will present a free concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at West Side Baptist Church, 304 S. Seneca. The 28-piece brass-and-percussion ensemble will perform music by Ralph Vaughn Williams, Arthur Pryor and John Phillip Sousa.

Bethel College releases

Life Enrichment schedule

NORTH NEWTON — Faith, politics and music are some of the topics to be explored during Bethel College’s Life Enrichment series this month. The series is designed for adults 60 and older; the cost is $30 per semester or $3 per week. Registration is on the day of the event. Below are the schedule, topics and presenters. For more information, contact the college at (800) 522-1887 or (316) 283-2500 or visit bethelks.edu.

Feb. 2: 9:30 a.m., “Faithful Journeys,” A.B Stokes, Bethel head football coach; 10:35 “The Impact

of Social Media on Youth and the Classroom,” Brian Skinner, 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year, North Newton; 11:30 a.m., “KanCare Expansion — The Movement too Urgent to Be Ignored,” April Holman, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas.

Feb.9: 9:30 a.m., “The HMC Way,” Sara Kelly, Outreach Coordinator, and Re’An Will, Health Ministries, Newton; 10:35 a.m., “The Miracle of Chase Kear: The Story of Chase Kear’s Pole Vaulting Accident,” Paul and Paula Kear, Colwich; 11:30 a.m., “On Two Wheels at 15,000 Feet,” an MCC Learning Tour in Bolivia, Joe Smucker, Newton.

Feb. 16: 9:30 a.m., “Let’s Hop Over the Gate!” Jennifer Isaacs, assistant director of Wren House, Valley Center; 10:50 a.m., “Writing East of Liberal: Broadening My Perspective of the Land,” Raylene Hinz Penner, lecturer emeritus, Washburn University.

Feb. 23: 9:30 a.m., “Moving a House to Make a Home,” Omar Galle, professor emeritus, University of Texas, and Zona Platt Galle, retired master of social work, North Newton; 10:35 a.m., “Aphasia: Loss of Language, NOT of Intellect?” Harold Regier, church-related social justice ministries, North Newton; 11:30 a.m., “Tale of Western Music through Lyrics and Melody,” Jeff Davidson, Eureka.

Celebrations

90th Birthday card shower

Uthona (Toni)

Tole will celebrate her 90th birthday March

12. She is a lifelong Wichita resident who attended East High and Friends University followed with a long career in the dental field. Card may be sent C/O Cindy Montgomery, 15874 SW Ponderosa Rd., Rose Hill, KS, 67133

Lawmakers slate $15 million for new mental hospital in Wichita area

Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Republican and Democratic legislative leaders joined with Gov. Laura Kelly last month to unanimously endorse allocation of $15 million for planning of a minimum 50-bed psychiatric hospital likely to be located in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services asked the State Finance Council to release cash for development of the state’s third hospital for the seriously mentally ill. State hospitals at Larned in western Kansas and Osawatomie in eastern Kansas have been overwhelmed by demand for services.

Nearly 20% of patients admitted to the state hospitals in Osawatomie and Larned come from Sedgwick County. The volume of mentally ill patients in emergency rooms at Wichita hospitals has become so great the safety of nurses and staff has been questioned. Sedgwick County Jail inmates wait months for mental health evaluations at the state hospitals.

“I understand the need down there,” Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said. “It needs to be done.”

The Active Age, published the first of each month, is distributed in Butler, Harvey and Sedgwick counties.

To subscribe, call 316-942-5385, write The Active Age or visit theactiveage. com.

Editor: Joe Stumpe joe@theactiveage.com

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Gov. Kelly wants to end food tax, expand Medicaid in new budget

Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly’s proposed budget would end the state sales tax on groceries in April and expand eligibility for Medicaid while adding $500 million to a state’s rainyday fund. The state currently has a $2 billion budget surplus, and Kelly’s budget would increase spending 3.2% over the budgeted adopted by the Legislature last year.

Kelly wants to terminate the state’s food sales tax April 1 rather than continue a three-year phase down that would zero out the 4% sales tax on

groceries in January 2025. Colorado and Nebraska are at zero, while Missouri sits at 1.2% and Oklahoma at 4.5%.

Other highlights of Kelly’s budget include:

• A four-day back-to-school sales tax holiday the first weekend of August, starting in 2023, that could save families and teachers $5.5 million annually.

• Raising the state income tax exemption on Social Security benefits to $100,000, a bump from the current $75,000. If added to state law, the proposal would save retirees about $20

million annually.

• Expanding Medicaid. Kansas is among 11 states that haven’t broadened eligibility for health services through Medicaid. The states of Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado and Nebraska previously approved expansion. Kelly estimates Kansas would receive $370 million to $450 million from the federal government in the initial two years after expansion of Medicaid. The move is opposed by House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover.

• 5% salary raises for state employees, excluding the legislative

Silver Haired Legislature election to be held next month

By Monica Cissell

If you’re interested in advocating for older adults, the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature may be right for you.

The SHL is a unicameral assembly composed of 125 representatives from across Kansas. This group develops bills and resolutions that are presented to the Kansas Legislature and governor as recommendations for state policy. Participants experience the political process as they identify priority concerns of Kansas’ older adults.

The 2023 SHL elections will be held in March. Any Kansan aged 60 and over who is a registered voter may file to represent his or her county. The term

of office is two years, and members may be re-elected continuously.

Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA), which serves Sedgwick, Harvey and Butler counties, will accept applications from all three counties. Butler County has one delegate, Harvey County has one delegate and Sedgwick County has six delegates (one of whom is designated at-large).

“I became involved because I wanted to help my fellow senior adults,” said SHL legislator Donna Lehane.

“SHL allows those all across the state of Kansas who have become actively involved with this organization to

speak up for seniors.”

The candidate filing deadline is Feb. 17, with the election scheduled for March 17. Voting options will include online, mail-in and limited in-person locations.

You can find more information

and judicial branches.

• $220 million to meet state and local government matching-fund requires to secure federal money for infrastructure projects.

• $107 million in new funding for higher education statewide.

• Increasing by $500 million the state’s budget stabilization fund. She proposed setting aside

• Adding $5 million to elevate placement rates for foster homes and launch a five-year plan to bring state spending on K-12 special education programs in line with state law.

about the SHL on the CPAAA’s web site at www.cpaaa.org. Contact Monica Cissell at CPAAA at mcissell@cpaaa. org or call 316-660-5229 for the candidate application packet or for more information.

Monica Cissell is director of information and community service for CPAAA.

Queen

From Page 1

Kahn a bound volume of a magazine called The East Side, which she found was full of sympathetic sketches of New York’s poor immigrant population in the early 1900s — “incredibly rare for the time,” Kahn said.

Intrigued, she wanted to learn more about Norris, who published the magazine and wrote virtually everything in it.

“I asked myself, ‘What’s been written about her?’” Kahn said. “The answer was almost nothing. There was one article about how she had predicted her death in 1914, which was the least of her accomplishments.”

Once she started researching Norris in earnest, Kahn discovered a woman who seemed to have lived several lives in the span of one relatively short one.

Born into a well-connected but impoverished family in Kentucky, Norris first came to Kansas with her brothers and widowed mother in the 1870s, homesteading near Ellsworth. She returned to Kentucky to attend college, then married and settled in Wichita by 1887.

Her husband, Spencer Norris, opened a specialty grocery store at Main and Douglas, while the family lived on fashionable North Market. The store was known for everything

from its milkshakes to fruit and cigars.

Then, as Kahn puts it: “He cheats on her, and she busies herself throwing parties. She simply becomes a prominent society hostess.”

Actually, Norris busied herself in various artistic endeavors, as Kahn’s research shows. She and her daughter, Clarence, performed in piano concerts at what was then Garfield (now Friends) University, taught art at Lewis Academy on North Market and, with other members of the local ceramics club, exhibited painted china at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

Norris threw parties for the Conversazione Club — formed to cultivate “refined and interesting conversation” — and was known for bedecking her home with flowers while entertaining members of the Levy, Eaton, Murdock and other prominent local families.

The Norrises divorced in 1898 — the house on Market was sold to cover Spencer’s debts — and Zoe began writing a gossip column for Marshall Murdock’s Wichita Eagle in the early 1890s under a pseudonym, Nancy Yanks.

Kahn called it both vicious and hilarious.

“She slammed everybody. Musicians, attempted writers, prohibitions, cheating men, all the different censors, all the people who were trying to beat back vice in Wichita.”

They appear to the first published words of many hundreds of thousands that would come from her.

“There’s no sign of her having written a word until she started contributing this gossip column to the Eagle,” Kahn said. “Where she got the idea, I don’t know.”

Norris also began writing fiction and journalism for other publications, apparently doing well enough at it to take her daughter, Clarence, on a year-long trip to Europe. They then settled in New York City, where Norris’ prodigious production seemed only to

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increase.

Norris wrote fiction and poetry for dozens of publications such as Frank Leslie’s Monthly, Harper’s Weekly and Munsey’s, while her journalism appeared in the Times and other New York newspapers.

All three of Norris’ novels have strong Wichita or Kansas connections. "The Color of His Soul," published in 1902, portrays a hypocritical socialist orator whose character was based on Courtenay Lemon, whose family had lived in Wichita at the same time as Norris. The book was suppressed after Lemon “literally came forward and said ‘I’m the role model for this horrible character,'” Kahn said.

Some copies of the 29 issues of The East Side, published by Zoe Anderson Norris. More than 100 artifacts related to Norris will be part of an exhibit at the Grolier Club in New York City March 2-May 15. The exhibit will also be available online at grolierclub.org.

death.

“I can tell you that Zoe knew the Lemons well and her version of the story is that Courtenay Lemon agreed to be portrayed in her novel but then withdrew support when she refused to share royalties,” Kahn said.

Her next book, "The Quest of Polly Locke," followed a young Kansas woman as she toured Europe alone in search of love.

Her last book, "The Way of the Wind," which appeared in 1911, is a tragedy about a farmer who owns valuable property at the future site of Wichita, apparently inspired by the city’s boom-and-bust days that Norris witnessed first hand.

Norris published The East Side every other month from 1909-1914, documenting poverty, corruption, sexism and more, sometimes going undercover for stories and depleting her savings to keep the publication going. “She dressed as an immigrant musician on the street to see how police would treat her, how philanthropists would treat her,” Kahn said. When not working, she founded and partied with a group of fellow eccentrics called the Ragged Edge Klub, earning her royal nickname. She died in 1914, at age 53, shortly after writing about a dream she’d had in which her dead mother foretold Zoe’s

Kahn, who visited Wichita in 2021, credits Jami Frazier Tracy, curator of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, and local historian Jim Mason for making the research mission a success. “Jim Mason, he drove me around patiently for days.” Among other sites, she visited Murdock’s house at the Old Cowtown Museum, the historic former county courthouse where Norris’ divorce was granted and family graves at Maple Grove Cemetery. Kahn said she doesn’t know of any relatives of Norris living in the area today.

Although newspapers noted Norris’ death, Kahn believes she’s not well known today because of her relatively early death and the fact that her personal papers were, characteristically, in disarray. After attempting to read “everything written by her and everything written about her,” Kahn offers this description:

“She was high-keyed emotionally. She had good days and bad days, and she writes vividly about her mood swings. She was impractical. She called herself a lazy Southerner. By the time she introduced The East Side, which focused on desperate poverty, she was at the ragged edge of poverty herself.” She apparently only visited Wichita once after leaving and had a love-hate relationship with the place where she got her start writing.

“She never stopped writing about Kansas, either complaining about it or remembering it.”

Contact Joe Stumpe at Joe@theactiveage.com

Wichita Foot & Ankle Wound Center, LLC

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Christopher Surtman, DPM

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Podiatric Services & Wound Care

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Kahn

Photo courtesy of Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum Zoe Anderson Norris came to Wichita with her first husband, Spencer, seen here with his delivery wagon.

‘River of the Gods’ takes readers on perilous journey

“River of the Gods,” by Candice Millard (Doubleday, 2022, 349 pages, $32.50)

By Ted Ayres

Candice Millard made a name for herself as a scholarwriter with books on Winston Churchill, James Garfield and Theodore Roosevelt. In her new book, she tackles one of the best-known expeditions of all time, the search for the Nile led by Sir Richard Francis Burton. The book offers a true and dramatic story of the harsh realities of exploration and discovery in East Africa in the mid-1800›s.

Millard, of Overland Park, is a former editor and writer for National Geographic. She now works out of a corner office of her husband’s publishing company in Overland Park. For “River of Gods” she traveled extensively, with stops in Kenya,

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Zanzibar, Tanzania, Uganda, the kingdom of Buganda, Edinburgh, London and Cambridge.

The principal protagonists in this book are Burton, a famed explorer, writer, poet, anthropologist and one of the world’s most accomplished linguists, speaking more than twentyfive languages and at least another dozen dialects; John Hanning Speke, whose life as an explorer began in earnest when he met Richard Burton and joined his expedition; and Sidi Mubarak Bombay, who served as a principal guide with Burton and Speke and was considered to be among the most accomplished guides in the history of African exploration at the time of his death.

Determined to find the source of the White Nile, the Royal Geographical Society sponsored the Burton and Speke expedition, which covered a three-year period from 1856 to 1859.

Burton and Speke were required

to oversee porters, serve as negotiators and interpreters, administer medical care and navigate safe passage through hundreds of miles of unmapped land. While Burton and Speke were accomplished men, they were also both egotistical, temperamental and overly ambitious and the physical and mental challenges, jealousies and

misunderstandings that arose along the way did not facilitate the type of leadership required for ultimate success.

Africa and the Nile have always been fascinating and somewhat mysterious topics for writers. Millard’s research and writing will take you on an extraordinary true-life adventure in the comfort of your own home. Safe travels!

Family

From Page 1

east of Newton in Harvey County, and a sixth is getting ready to take over.

The Goerings’ property is recognized as a “Century Farm” by the Kansas Farm Bureau, a designation that is awarded to farms of at least 80 acres that have been in the same family at least 100 years. Harvey County has 55 Century Farms, Sedgwick County 53 and Butler County 33.

The first of Larry Goering’s ancestors to settle on the farm was his great-great grandfather, Carl Heinrich Tangeman, who was born in 1821. A blacksmith in Prussia, Tangemen fled the country to avoid being drafted into its army a second time. Intending to join two brothers who were already in New York City, Tangeman instead saw his ship blown so far off course in a storm that it ended up landing in New Orleans. After his wife and two small children died of smallpox, he managed to reunite with his brothers, then moved west to farm in Ohio for 32 years. A cousin of Larry’s found Tangeman’s tale so dramatic that she turned it into two historical novels.

In 1879, Tangeman sent his eldest son to Kansas looking for cheaper land. That son — Paul George Tangeman — got off the train in Newton and bought

80 acres with his father’s money. The next year, Carl, who had remarried, arrived with his wife and eight remaining children.

“They built the barn first and lived in it a year or two while they built the house,” Goering said. The house stood until tornado damage claimed it in the early 1960s.

Although eldest sons typically inherited their family’s land, Tangeman and his second wife decided to divide theirs equally among their six boys and three girls. Tangeman acquired enough to give all of them 80 acres in the same township section.

Larry Goering is descended from Tangeman’s second son. Goering said none of his siblings were interested in farming, while he knew from a young age that he wanted to. Today, the Goerings and their son, Kevin, own 1,000 acres in the township, renting some of it to other farmers. When he was acquiring land, Goering said, “I was looked at like you are an idiot” for paying $300 per acre. Last year, the average value of Kansas farmland was $2,630 per acre.

The farm has gone through several manifestations through the decades. Goering’s grandfather raised Shetland

ponies there for sale to lawyers, bankers and other well-heeled residents of Newton.

“They all wanted ponies for their kids to ride up and down Main Street in Newton,” Goering said.

His parents operated it as a dairy farm, hauling milk cans to the old Steffen Dairy in Wichita. That ended after a tornado took down the silos. When he took over the farm, Goering focused on raising wheat, milo and soybeans. He added hogs to the mix for a few years and raises beef cattle today along with crops.

Unpredictable weather, bad harvests, competition from large growers and fluctuating commodity prices influenced by numerous factors prove a constant challenge.

Or, as Goering puts it, “Figuring out how to make the income match expenses and have a little left over.”

“In the eighties was when a lot of farmers gave up,” he said. “They couldn’t make the payments.” With the price of land today, Larry said, it’s impossible for somebody to buy land solely with income from a farm. Instead, much land is owned by investor landlords who lease it to farmers, most of whom have other jobs for health insurance and additional income.

Larry taught vocational agriculture for 38 years at high schools in Marion, Moundridge and Newton, often hiring students to help on the farm. Margaret worked for the Harvey County Health Department after the couple’s children were grown, making home visits and checking on child care operators.

The physical nature of farming — which for the Goerings includes maintaining tractors and combines in their own shop — isn’t seen as a negative. “There were a couple times I came home (from teaching), farmed all night and went back and taught school,” Larry said. “The kids didn’t know I’d been up all night. It didn’t happen much, maybe three times.”

Margaret, who grew up on a farm in northeast Kansas and met her husband at Kansas State University,

hauled grain to Newton and helped with other farm chores when their children were young. She even tried her hand on a tractor one year, but after some crop rows came up crooked, she said, “They don't have me plant wheat anymore.”

“She keeps the books, pays the bills, asks where the next check is coming from,” Larry said. “And feeds people.”

Kevin Goering works as a design engineer for John Deere in southeast Iowa but returns here regularly to help farm. Larry remembers him taking apart a toy tractor as a toddler to see how it worked.

Century Farm such as the Goerings’ are likely to become rarer in the future due to the growth of large-scale farms. Kansas’ most recent agriculture census, completed in 2017, counted 58,569 farms that year, compared to 68,579 in 1987. Over the same period, the number of farms of 2,000 acres or more grew from 5,056 to 6,447.

Unlike many farm families, however, the Goerings have a plan for keeping their farm in the family for at least another generation: their grandson, 20-year-old Jacob, will eventually take it over when they go to live with a daughter near Hillsboro.

Jacob, asked when he knew he wanted to farm, shrugged and said, “It’s all I ever wanted to do.”

Margaret notes with pride that Jacob’s sisters can operate a tractor and combine and that Jacob “knows how to run everything on this farm.”

“It’s a great place to raise kids,” Margaret said of the farm. “They learn responsibility. They have chores, and they learn to appreciate life.”

For a list of all Century Farms in Butler, Sedgwick and Harvey counties, visit theactiveage.com.

The Kansas Farm Bureau is accepting applications for its 2023 Century Farm program. Details for qualification and applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices and at www.kfb.org/centuryfarm

www.theactiveage.com

Courtesy photo

Descendants of Carl Heinrich Tangeman, center front, still farm the Harvey County land he acquired in 1879. Tangeman divided it between his nine children.

“It’s a great place to raise kids. They learn responsibility. They have chores, and they learn to appreciate life.”

- Margaret Goering

The catty truth about our feline friends

By Ted Blankenship

A while ago I wrote a column on how to train your dog. I got to thinking that maybe I slighted you cat people. To make amends, I’ll give you some pointers on how to train your cat.

Despite what you may think, cats can be trained. You just have to get them to do what they wanted to do before you started training them.

But on the assumption that your cat refuses to do even that, let’s go over some commands that will give you, the “master,” a fighting chance.

Let’s begin with “sit.”

Assume a commanding stance,

look the cat in the eye or eyes and forcefully say, “Sit!”

If your cat sits, it’s because he or she has been sitting the whole time you were giving the command. Now you can try “come,” which means the cat is to trot over to your side immediately.

The cat will not come to you at all, but will probably lie down and stare at you.

If this continues, you might try thumping your pet on the head (lightly,

of course.) The cat will bite you.

Some cat owners have had success with the “play dead” command, but don’t try this if there is a mouse nearby because if your cat obeys at all, it won’t be for long. If the mouse does not leave promptly, he or she will not have to play dead.

Actually, I’m kidding. I did some reading and found that felines can

be trained. Just don’t treat them like dogs. Cats aren’t pack animals. Dogs like to be a part of the family and will do what they think you want them to because they think it will please you.

Cats, say the experts, respond more to affection and food.

And remember, they know how to get it from you without doing much in return.

Contact Ted at Tblankenship218@ gmail.com.

SENIOR RESOURCES

Next month we will focus on Retirement and Assisted Living.

Working Statewide So Communities Are Livable for People of All Ages

By 2030, one out of every five people in the United States will be age 65 or older. By 2034, the nation will have more older adults than children under 18 for the first time ever. That’s why AARP is working with local leaders nationwide to help towns, cities, counties, rural areas and even entire states become more livable for people of all ages.

Learn more about AARP Livable Communities by visiting aarp.org/livable.

"I want every advertiser to know I'm sure my clients have increased due to advertising in The Active Age. I recommend every business connected to our aging population use The Active Age newspaper."

Kathy Adkins MSN/ED RN Dementia Specialist

CPAAA is here to help guide older adults and caregivers by providing information, assistance and support. 855-200-2372 • CPAAA.org

Serve others, impact lives

Partners in Caring at Ascension Via Christi o ers volunteers the opportunity to make a di erence in the lives of our patients and their families. Volunteers are an essential part of our care teams. From retirees giving back to the community to students exploring healthcare careers, we have a place for everyone to showcase their talents and giving hearts.

Our volunteers enjoy benefits such as a complimentary cafeteria meal on their work day, free flu and other vaccinations, discounts at our gift shops, opportunities to attend hospital-sponsored community events and comprehensive volunteer training.

For more information, call Ascension Via Christi Volunteer Services at 316-268-5172.

7920 W Kellogg Dr #200 Wichita, KS 67209

316-352-7305

Serving the Wichita Area with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Complete

Lifelong Learning

Wichita State University is o ering six new Lifelong Learning courses this spring. The courses are FREE* for Kansas residents 60+ years old, if enrolled by February 8, 2023. All courses will be o ered in-person and online. In-person classes will be held at 1-3 pm at the Wichita State University Metropolitan Complex located at 5015 E. 29th St. North. Online classes are available. Students who select this option will receive a link via email each week to view the class on their own device. Students can choose to watch the link live during the class time or can watch the recording at their convenience.

Spring 2023 Courses+

Art of the Northern Renaissance and the Dutch Golden Age | Mondays, Feb. 27 & March 6, 20, 27

How Do Other Countries Handle Issues that Divide the U.S.? | Tuesdays, Feb. 28 & March 7, 21, 28

History of U.S. Foreign Policy | Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 22 & 29

When the Earth Shakes: The Geology of Earthquakes| Fridays, March 10, 24, 31 & April 7

The Origins of Musical Storytelling: A Global Perspective | Mondays, April 10, 17, 24 & May 1

The History of Detective Fiction | Tuesdays, April 11, 18, 25 & May 2

Registration opening soon!

www.theactiveage.com

Direct Cremation ~ $875 Funeral Director Available to speak with you 24/7!

“Offering over 65 years of dedicated service”

Cantucci: Crispy Tuscan treats are a slam dunk

Here's an Italian import perfect for dessert or your next coffee break. Cantucci are Italian almond biscuits that originated in the Tuscan city of Prato. They’re delicious dipped in dessert wine, coffee or cappuccino. The recipe comes from Nonna Siriana Fumi of Tuscan Women Cook, a week-long cooking class held in Tuscany. Although you can make these using all-purpose flour, blending in some cake flour produces a more tender result.

Cantucci

3¼ cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup cake flour

1½ cups granulated sugar

2½ tsp baking powder

4 whole eggs

2 egg yolks

Grated zest of 1 whole orange and 1 whole lemon

7 oz. lightly toasted almonds or hazelnuts

Egg wash (1 whole egg lightly beaten)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Stir together flours, sugar and baking powder in a large bowl. Transfer mixture to a worktable. Make a well in the center and pour eggs and zest. Knead the mixture until it starts to come together. Add almonds and knead until you have a firm, flexible dough. (This may also be done in a stand mixer using the dough hook.)

Divide dough in half. Roll each one into a log approximately 2 inches wide. Place them on parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Brush each log lightly with egg wash.

Bake until the dough is slightly golden, about 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes before cutting logs on the diagonal approximately ½-inch thick. For firmer cookies, return cut slices to the oven, reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake for 8–10 minutes.

Makes 4 dozen.

Note: To toast almonds, preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place almonds on a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Roast 10-15 minutes.

Chocolate-Dipped Cantucci

12 oz. bittersweet or milk chocolate, chopped into chunks

1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable oil

One batch Cantucci cookies (see recipe left)

Directions: Melt chocolate and oil in a bowl set over simmering water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or non-stick parchment paper.

Dip one end of each cantucci about 1½ inches into the melted chocolate. Hold the cantucci over the bowl until it stops dripping then place on the prepared baking sheet.

Allow the chocolate to firm and set at room temperature but in a cool place.

CustomFittersonSta !

Diabetic Shoes Wheelchair/Scooter Repair

Compression Socks Breast Pump

Lymphedma Products Nursing Bras

Mastectomy Products Footcare Available

Donate for chance to win Botanica family membership

Donate at least $50 to The Active Age, and you could win a family membership to Botanica. The Active Age will hold a drawing for a family membership each month for the next six months from among people on our “Honor Roll” list of donors. This month's winner is Herbert Cohlmia.

Donations may be made by calling 316942-5385; through our website, theactiveage. com; by mail to The Active Age, 125 S. West St., Suite 105, Wichita, KS, 67213; or in person at the same address.

ID these spots of high interest

By Nancy Wheeler

It’s ski season, and many people are headed off to their favorite mountain resorts. However, mountains are famous for a variety of reasons. How many of these can you identify? The answers appear below.

1. At 29,032 feet, it is the highest mountain on earth and was first scaled by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

2. For a century, this Alaskan mountain was known as Mount McKinley but it was changed to its native name by President Barack Obama in 2015.

3. Subject of a 1936 Hemingway short story, this volcanic mountain in Tanzania is the highest peak in Africa.

4. Located on the French-Italian border, it is the highest peak in Europe although its name is commonly identified now with high-end pens and watches.

5. This 13,000-foot peak overlooks Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland, and the climb up its north face has claimed the lives of more than 60 climbers.

6. The eruption of this Washington

stratovolcano on May 18, 1980 remains the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in U.S. history.

7. This active volcano about 100 miles southwest of Tokyo is the country’s tallest peak and is considered one of Japan’s three sacred mountains.

8. Known for its access by Cog Railway, this scenic Colorado peak was named for an explorer and inspired Katherine Lee Bates’ iconic anthem, “America the Beautiful.”

9. This Alpine mountain overlooks the village of Zermatt, Switzerland, and is one of the highest summits in the Alps and Europe.

Thursday,

LEAVING A LEGACY

Thursday, March 9th | 1:30 pm

Club Room at Larksfield Place

David Gear, MHS, has been leading our residents on discussions that explore ways to enrich our lives in our senior years. Join us as we talk about legacies. Your legacy is more than money, property, or fame. During our time together you will have the opportunity to begin to identify and shape your unique legacy going forward through reminiscing and reflection of your past.

David Gear

LUNCH & LEARN AT LARKSPUR

Tuesday, March 22nd

11:00 am

Larkspur Bistro, 904 E Douglas Ave. Larksfield... Larkspur... it’s easy to get the two mixed up! Come be our guest at Larkspur Bistro and enjoy their legendary cuisine while you learn about Larksfield’s maintenance-free apartment homes, community amenities and friendly residents & staff.

Sonja Seidl Kirsten Awe

1. Mount Everest

2. Denali

3. Mount Kilimanjaro

4. Mont Blanc

5. (The) Eiger

6. Mount St. Helens

7. Mount Fuji

8. Pike’s Peak

9. The Matterhorn

The Active Age needs your help updating our calendar! Please call Joe at 316-942-5385 or email joe@theactiveage.com with your current schedule.

Calendar of eventS

SedgwiCk County Senior CenterS

Note to readers: Senior center schedules and other events normally listed on this page are expected to be affected by the coronavirus through February. For information, call the numbers listed below.

BEL AIRE

7651 E Central Park Ave

744-2700, ext 304

www.belaireks.org

BENTLEY/EAGLE

504 W Sterling, 796-0027

CHENEY

516 Main, 542-3721

CLEARWATER

921 E Janet, 584-2332

DERBY

611 N Mulberry Rd, 788-0223 www.derbyks.com

DOWNTOWN 200 S Walnut, 267-0197

www.seniorservicesofwichita.org

EDGEMOOR

5815 E 9th, 688-9392

GARDEN PLAIN

1006 N Main, 535-1155

GODDARD

120 N Main, 794-2441

HAYSVILLE

160 E Karla, 529-5903

KECHI

Kechi City Building, 744-0217, 744-1271

LA FAMILIA

841 W 21st, 267-1700

LINWOOD

1901 S Kansas, 263-3703

www.seniorservicesofwichita.org

MCADAMS GOLDEN AGE

1329 E 16th, 337-9222

MT HOPE

105 S Ohio, 667-8956

Butler County Senior CenterS

ANDOVER

410 Lioba Dr, 733-4441

www.andoverks.com

AUGUSTA

640 Osage, 775-1189

BENTON

Lion’s Community Bldg, S Main St

CASSODAY

Cassoday Senior Center

133 S. Washington, 620-735-4538

DOUGLASS

124 W 4th, 746-3227

EL DORADO 210 E 2nd, 321-0142

Senior wedneSdayS

www.seniorwednesday.org

Feb. 1

10:30am Wichita Art Museum 1400 W. Museum Blvd., $2 admission. No Senior Wednesday.

1:30 pm Museum of World Treasures

835 E. 1st St. No Senior Wednesday.

Feb. 8

10 am Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 Zoo Blvd. (316) 2668213, $4 Hungry Hungry.

1:30 pm Advanced Learning Library, 711 W, 2nd, (316) 261-8500, Free. Lost Theaters of Wichita

Feb. 15

10 am Ulrich Museum of Art, 1845 N. Fairmount. Faculty Biennial Artist Talks: Tim Stone & Tyler Stonestreet.

Feb. 22

10am Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main. Info unavailable.

1:30 pm Mid American all-Indian museum. 650 N Seneca (316) 3503340, $2 + tax admission; FREE for MAAIM members. Info unavailable

danCeS

Augusta Sr Center, 640 Osage. . Info: 755-1189

Derby Sr Center, 611 Mulberry.

El Dorado Jam & Dance, Senior Center, 210 E 2nd.

Goldenrod Golden Age, 1340 S Pattie.

Linwood Golden Age, 1901 S Kansas.

Minisa Golden Age, 704 W 13th. Info 617-2560.

Mulvane, 101 E. Main (Pix Community Center Second Tuesday of every month at 7-9pm.

Oaklawn Activity Center, 4904 S Clifton. Nick, 529-2792. Info: iamgary48@yahoo.com.

Orchard Park Golden Age, 4808 W 9th.

Park City Sr Center, 6100 N Hydraulic. 1st and 3rd Saturday 7-9:30 p.m. Info: 755-1060

Prairie Wind Dancers: Plymouth Congregational Church, 202 N Clifton. Joyce, 683-1122.

Village Steppers Square Dance, Oaklawn Activity Center, 4904 S Clifton.

Westside Steppers Square Dance, 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at the Sedgwick County Extension Building at 21st and Ridge Road. Inf: Sheldon Lawrence (316) 648-7590.

Wichita Solos Square Dance, For Info email: Curtis, wichitasolos@yahoo.com.

MULVANE

632 E Mulvane, 777-4813

NORTHEAST

2121 E 21st, 269-4444

www.seniorservicesofwichita.org

OAKLAWN

2937 Oaklawn Dr, 524-7545

ORCHARD PARK

4808 W 9th, 942-2293 seniorservicesofwichita.org

PARK CITY

6100 N Hydraulic, 744-1199

VALLEY CENTER

VC Community Center 314 E Clay, 755-7350

LEON

112 S Main, 745-9200 or 742-9905

ROSE HILL

207 E Silknitter, 776-0170

TOWANDA

317 Main, 776-8999

Open 10:30 am-5 pm Mon, Wed, Fri

WHITEWATER Legion Hall, 108 E Topeka

Harvey County

BURRTON 124 N Burrton, 620-463-3225

HALSTEAD 523 Poplar, 835-2283

HESSTON

Randall & Main, 620-327-5099 www.hesstonseniorcenter.com

GRAND CENTRAL 122 E 6th, Newton, 283-2222

www.grandcentralseniorcenter.com

SEDGWICK 107 W. Fifth, 772-0393

tranSportation

Sedgwick County

Sedgwick Co Transportation, 660-5150 or 1-800-367-7298. Information: 8 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri; closed most holidays. www. sedgwickcounty.org/aging.

Butler County Transit

Weekday transportation in El Dorado, Augusta and Andover. Rides to Wichita on Wed, Thu. Information: Augusta, 775-0500; El Dorado, 322-4321; toll free, 1-800-2793655. 48-hr notice required.

Harvey County

Transportation reservations or information: 316-284-6802 or 1-866-6806802. Round-trip: $8 Newton (wheelchair only), $12 Harvey County, $20 outside Harvey County. AVI to Newton: Tue, 12:304:30 pm from Burrton, Sedgwick, Halstead, Hesston, Walton.

NOTE: AGING PROJECTS, INC. PLANNED TO MAKE FRIENDSHIP MEALS AVAILBALE THROUGH PICK UP AND DELIVERY IF NECESSARY. FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MEAL SITE OR CALL 316-686-0074

Friendship Meals

Aging Projects serves a hot, nutritious meal weekdays for persons 60 and older in Sedgwick, Harvey and Butler counties. Reservations are necessary. For locations and reservations, call 620-669-8201

WEEK OF FEB. 1

Wed: New Englan stew, green beans, peaches, dry fruit w/ walnuts, bread.

Thu: Meatloaf, scalloped potatos, carrots, blushing pears, roll.

Fri: Southwest chicken bake, mixed fruit, garlic bread.

WEEK OF FEB. 6

Mon: Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, green beans, pineapple, garlic bread.

Tue: BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, broccoli, peaches, roll.

Wed: Ham & Beans, potatoes w/onions, parslied carrots, plums, cornbread.

Thu: swiss steak, baked potato/ margarine, pears, mixed fruit, cake, roll.

Fri: Chicken fajita salad, lettuce, cheese, chips, mexican rice, banana, pineapple bread (pudding).

WEEK OF FEB. 13

Mon:Creamy chicken & vegetab;e casserole, tomato salad, pears, bread.

Tue: Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes/cream gravy, green beans, starwberries, white cake, roll.

Wed: Ham salad on bun, split pea soup, pineapple, crackers, dry fruit w/walnuts.

Thu: Chicken & noodles over mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, peaches, pistachios

Fri: Calico beef & beans, combinationn salad w/ dressing, stewed apples, cornbread.

WEEK OF FEB. 20

Mon: Chicken &rice casserole, broccoli, mandarin oranges, garlic bread.

Tue: Chili, crackers, combination salad w/ dressing, strawberries, cinnamon roll.

Wed: ASH WEDNESDAY

Tuna noodles casserole w/ peas, stewed tomatoes, mixed fruit, bread.

Thu: Liver & onions in gravy, OR beef cutlet in gravy, mashed potato w/gravy, green beans, pears, roll.

Fri: Pimento cheese spread on bun, cream of tomato soup, crackers, potato wedges, spiced peaches.

WEEK OF FEB. 27

Mon: Pork & noodle casserole, cooked cabbage, plums, bread.

Tue: Cranberry meatballs, baked potato/margarine, peas, peaches, roll.

* Milk is served with all meals. Meals fall within the following ranges: Carlories 650-750; protein 25 grams or higher; fat 20 to 30 percent of calories; calcium 400 mg or higher; sodium 1,000 grams or less; fiber 9 grams or higher.

FUNDING MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT, KDADS AND CENTRAL PLAINS AREA AGENCY ON AGING

WE INSTALL TOP QUALITY

Walk-in Showers & Bathtubs

Huge Discount Pricing Safer Bathing! 316-633-9967

www.bathroomheadquarters.com

F CEMETERY PROPERTY FOR SALE F

Single Plot – Resthaven Cemetery –Garden of the Cross 46A1 $4500 OBO

Email: arkpegram@cox.net OR 479-644-6680

Serious inquires only

Resthaven, Garden of the Cross. 2 plots, last plots in area, side by side. $3,400 each plus trans-fer fee. 316-641-0889

WHITE CHAPEL-Sec. #3 3 adjoining plots

$3,000 + trans. fee

For details 405-831-3476

White Chapel, Nativity area, Single plot $1,200 plus transfer fee. 316-641-0889

Lakeview Gardens, Masonic Section. Lot #113Block B - Graves 1 & 2 side by side. Selling Together for $2,895 ($5,790 regular) Seller pays $295 transfer fee. 316-393-8798

2 adjoining plots at Resthaven in Garden of Love, Lot #106. $5,795 each includes transfer fee. Cash or certified check only. Call Shelly 316-841-5891.

Whitechapel Memorial Garden, 4 spaces, $3,000 plus buyer pays transfer fee. 316-737-2614

Lakeview Gardens, Garden of the Apostles Lot 16, spaces 5&6 along with 2 Eternal Rest caskets

$4295- Transfer fee included (316-648-1338)

Vintage 36” cherry drop down desk, 1890’s era. 4-drawer, very nice appraised at $2,500 Sell $1,250

3 Wheel scooter with charger & cord, 300lb. max, 5 mph, excellent condition $850 Call 316-733-1050

FOOT CARE IN YOUR HOME

Cheryl Rosine ~ The Foot Lady ICMT RN

• 316-312-2025 • Benjamin Jones ~ CNAICR

• 316-932-8524•

$40 : In-home, Sedgwick & surrounding counties

Diabetic, thick toe nails, ingrown & callous care

Foot Care in home. Home visit $40.00 Call Francine at 316-943-4360. Leave a message.

F FURNITURE F

Downsizing?

Don't have an Auction, or Estate Sale. We Buy Entire Estates. Call Kelly 316-283-8536. Furniture Warehouse 200 Main Newton, KS

FT/PT General/Office Receptionist needed at busy outpatient Mental Health office. Pay/Hours vary. Dependable and open to learning. Call Serena at 316-687-0006 for more information or email office. affpsych@gmail.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO DELIVER MEALS ON WHEELS

Routes are open each weekday to deliver a lunchtime meal. Thursday & Friday has the most open routes. If interested please visit our website at https://seniorservicesofwichita.org/ meals-on-wheels/ and fill out then submit the application online at the bottom of the page. No walk ins please. All volunteers must be prescreened prior to delivering routes.

Center Manager – El Dorado Heritage Plaza

Meals On Wheels/Friendship Meals

M-F 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Wonderful opportunity working with older adults. Experience with food service helpful, some record keeping. High school diploma or GED required. Some benefits available.

Apply: 211 N Gordy, El Dorado Call: 316-321-3291 EOE

Center Manager – Wichita

Orchard Park Senior Center

Meals On Wheels/Friendship Meals

M-F 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Wonderful opportunity working with older adults. Experience with food service helpful, some record keeping. High school diploma or GED required. Some benefits available.

Apply: 940 N Tyler, Ste 209, Wichita KS Call: 316-686-0074 EOE

Sub Transporter – Wichita Area

Meals On Wheels/Friendship Meals

M-F 8:15 am – 12:15 pm. Current driver’s license required as well as good driving record. Must be 18 years old and able to lift 40 lbs. High school diploma or GED required.

Apply: 940 N Tyler, Ste 209, Wichita KS Call: 316-686-0074 EOE

Cook – Hesston

Meals On Wheels/Friendship Meals

LIFT-RITE GARAGE DOORS

Scheduled maintenance, repair, sales on all garage doors.

*Springs-Torsion & Extension

*Garage Door Openers, Doors & More Chris (316) 619-1196 or Linda (316) 841-5252

Derby, Haysville, Mulvane, Rose Hill, Wichita

Exterior & Intereior. House painting, siding, decks, fences. Build, repair and stain. Free Estimates and references. See us on angieslist.com. Keith Kimball 316-250-2265 or 316-789-9639 Be Blessed. Thank you

MOBILE GLASS REPAIR

Windows * Patio * Doors

Windows won’t stay up, Crank Outs, Patio Rollers and Lock Latches, Morris Glass & Service, 316-946-0745

Molina Electric - Wichita Lic #1364 Comm. or Residential wiring. Service calls. New electric service. Troubleshooting. Cell 316-461-2199.

K & A Maintenance Experts

CNA, HHA & Hospice 35 yrs experience

Render medicine, vitals, Cleaning and taking to and from appointments. Barber/Hairdresser/Cosmetologist Personal Care

316-650-2490

Prairie Express Courier and Delivery Services

• Will deliver packages, crates, parts, etc.,

• Transport people for errands such as grocery store, airport, doctors’ appointments, etc.

Call/Text 316-640-6327

Alpha Electric

Dependable Electrical Service

Call Greg at 316-312-1575

Insured, Lic. #1303

CUSTOMIZED ESTATE SALES

GREATER PROFITS WITH LESS STRESS Insured with 20 years experience

Free Consultations

316-806-7360 Julie

IPK Enterprises Estate Sales. Know your options, you have many. Please call us for a free consultation. 316-806-3435.

Alpine Hauling and Junk removal

Free Estimates

Serving Wichita and surrounding area Call Dan 316-516-3949

Hauling Handyman Brush, Junk /Trash Removal MISC. ODD JOBS, NO JOB TOO SMALL Honest & Reasonable. 316-807-4989.

Private Duty Aide with light house keeping. Availability evenings and weekends.

References upon request.

Cynthia CNA/HHA 316-992-6711

Private Care Wanted

Registered nurse with 30 yrs medical experience

18 years hospice case managment experience 316-612-2997

Male & Female Caregivers. 4-6 hrs/Day, 15/hr. Can cook, clean, run errands and take to doctors appointments.

Call 316-516-2149 or 316-249-0372

M-F 7:00 am – 2:00 pm. Experience with food service purchasing and preparation helpful. Scratch techniques desirable, some benefits available. High school diploma or GED required.

Apply: 112 W Sherman, Hutchinson KS Email: apitediger@gmail.com

Call: 620-669-8201 EOE

Dave’s Improvements General Contractor Lic #7904

Roofing, Siding, Doors, Gutters, Windows, Storm damage repair, Senior Discount. 316-312-2177

Handyman RX- We have a remedy for almost all of your “fix-it” jobs! Light carpentry including deck and fence repair, indoor misc. repairs and installations, lawn mowing “LG or SM”, Yard & Garage clean-up, mulching, hauling miscellaneous,hauling dirt, sand, and rock/gravel upto 3.5 tons. What you need done I can probably handle. Call for HELP!

Brian 316-217-0882. Free Estimates

Cowboy Construction

Remodeling, siding, decks, fences, windows, doors and more. 20 years locally owned. Free estimates. Senior discounts.

Todd Wenzel 316-393-4488

We specialize in the following Wheel Chair Ramps • Landscaping • Remodeling Decks • Safety Hand Rails

FREE

All General Maintenance and Repairs Please call Jesse at 316-854-7642

F FOOT CARE F

S

Steps, porches, patios, sidewalks, driveways & garage floors. Also 4-inch steps with 18-inch landings for seniors.

Steve 992-6884

SENIOR

Tree Trimming Junk Removal

Impact Lawn Care

F SERVICES F

Need help on your electric scooter, power or lift chair, stair or platform lift or hand controls? Call Howard Distribution at 316-648-1694. Howard is a certified service center and dealer for Best Bath walk-in tubs, Bruno, EMC, Golden Tech, Pace Saver, Pride and Ricon. Working for you since 1987.

316-737-3426 or 316-631-5984 WWW.JESUSLANDSCAPINGKS.COM

All Season Clean Up Lawn Care Quality Lawn Care • Yard Clean Up Tree Trimming • Gutter Cleaning Fall through Spring raking. Free estimates, senior discounts. 316-409-8780.

Hauling Handyman Brush, Junk /Trash Removal MISC. ODD JOBS, NO JOB TOO SMALL Honest & Reasonable. 316-807-4989.

Christian Lawn Care

Mowing-$20, verti-slicing, core-aerating, overseeding, new lawns, mulching flower beds, fall cleanup, leaves, shrub trimming and removal, gutter cleaning, hauling. Pampas trimming & cleanup.Senior discount.

Steve 316-685-2145

Westside Lawn Service Fall cleanup. SNOW REMOVAL Bush and hedge trimming, bed work, mulching, gutter cleaning, odd jobs and hauling. Free estimates. 316-339-4117.

Brush, Limbs, Debris, Hauling and Junk Removal. Leaf removal. Free Estimates. Call David at 316-213-8880.

Mike E. 316-708-1472

SNOW REMOVAL BRICK, BLOCK AND STONE repair. Garage clean out, gutter cleanup, hauling, roto-tilling.

APPLIANCE REMOVAL

Freedom Lawn Services

Residential/Commercial

Snow Removal

Spring/Fall Leaf Cleanups

• Hedge trimming • Mulching Locally owned and operated with over 15 years of combined experience.

(316) 670-3023

F PAINTING F

Affordable

F TREE SERVICE F

Felipe Tree Service

Evergreen trimming. Tree removal. Brush hauling. Splitting. Deadwooding. Free estimates. 12 years experience. 316-807-4419

Bruce’s Tree Service Complete Tree Trimming & Removal Gutter Cleaning and Leaf Rake Trees * Shrubs* Hedgerows * Evergreens Senior Discounts. Insured. Over 30 years exp. ALL FARM & RURAL AREAS Firewood Call 316-207-8047

STUMP GRINDING Brock 316-765-1677

Active Aging Proof Approval

Please check your ad carefully and check off the applicable boxes and initial to indicate your acceptance

____ Check offer

____ Check name,

pruning - tree removal - stump grinding - debris/ brush haul off - chemical sprays - emergency services - firewood - consultations - demolitions Professional

February Theatre

By Diana Morton Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Murder on the Orient Express. 8 pm Thu-Sat, 2 pm Sun, Feb 16-Mar 5. Tickets $23-$25. Opening night ticket $18, Feb 16 only. 316-6180444

Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley. Beauty School Melodrama by Carol Hughes. Dinner 6:15 pm, show begins 7:50 pm. Feb 3-Mar 18. Tickets $26-$30; Show only, $20. 316-2630222

Roxy’s Downtown, 412 ½ E. Douglas. The Play That Goes Wrong. Thur-Sat, 8:00 pm, Sun, 2 pm, now through Feb 5. Tickets $20-$30. 316-265-4400

Two Gentlemen from Verona. Thur-Sat, 8:00 pm, Sun, 2 pm, Feb 16-Mar 3. Tickets $20-$30. 316-265-4400

Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain. Leading Ladies. 8 pm Th-Sat, 2 pm Sun, Jan 26-Feb 5. Tickets $15 or $13 for military/seniors/students. Opening night ticket $11, Jan 26 only. 316-686-1282

Contact Diana Morton at dianamorton12@sbcglobal.net

For Valentine's Day and beyond, give yourself some love

By Jill D. Miller

It’s hard to ignore that February is the month for love. Flowers, chocolates and romantic gifts are all around us — in stores, on signs and in ads. But what if you’re single, divorced or widowed with no partner to shower you with gifts? No need to feel alone and unloved. I’ve found the solution: self-love.

I’ve been single for several years now, and I’m more than okay with that. I did the math and figured out that I’ve been paired up 87 percent of my adult life, so a bit of time off isn’t the end of the world. This time alone has given me the chance to know myself better and love who I have become. The reinvention has been worth the struggle. The only relationship we’ll have throughout our entire lifetime is with ourselves, and we owe it ourselves to make that relationship a great one.

Sometimes the most challenging thing about being single is feeling like no one has your back. Without a partner to have as a sounding board to discuss what you are thinking and working on, help make big decisions, or give you a reality check, you can feel like you’re in it alone. However, you’ll find people in your life are ready to help if you will just reach out.

It isn’t easy to learn to love ourselves, with all our flaws. These are some strategies that have helped me: Follow the “Joy Suck” rule

For many years, I’ve tried to live by the rule that if something is sucking the joy out of my life, it’s got to go. This gets especially hard when it’s someone you love. Prioritizing our love for ourselves before anything else makes the

was a bit uncomfortable, but the way it has affected my attitude is profound.

Make love songs about you

Jill Miller

action we need to take obvious. Life is too short to be miserable, and if something is sucking the joy out of our life, you can change it. Prioritizing our love for ourselves before anything else makes the action we need to take obvious. Life is too short to be miserable, and if something is sucking the joy out of your life, you can change it. Learn to be uncomfortable

When the worst thing I can imagine happens in my life, it always amazes me that it turns out not to be the worst thing that could happen. It often means I get new coping skills or that something new opens up in the place of what’s gone, or that I get to reinvent myself to make my life even better than it was before. Desperately holding on to the status quo so I didn’t have to feel uncomfortable for a brief time was killing my potential for overall happiness.

Tell yourself 'I love you' One day it dawned on me — I tell people I love them all the time, but when was the last time I said that to myself? Since that day, I look myself in the eyes in the mirror at least once a day and tell myself, “I love you.” At first, it

At one of the saddest times in my life, I was driving down the street when a love song came over the radio. I can’t remember what the song was, but I remember thinking, “This is a love song from me, to me.” Since that time, I have listened to love songs differently. Music is incredibly healing. Songs like “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor have been healing anthems in my life more than once, and “Stand” by Sly and Family Stone always gives me strength.

Work on resting happy face

We’ve all heard of “resting bitter face” (maybe under a slightly different name), which is when we tend to look perturbed when we’re just relaxing. I’ve decided to try “resting happy face.” Every time I think about it, I try to slightly turn up the corners of my mouth and smile rather than automatically having a slack expression on my face. I’m amazed at how it makes me feel. Just smiling raises my spirits.

Build your support network

We don’t have to depend on only one poor soul for support. We can spread the love around and choose a whole team of people based on their strengths and needs. Whether we’re single or not, we need to have multiple “Touchstones,” people who bring

us comfort and help us feel safe and loved. We need “Sounding Boards,” to discuss ideas with, “Frolickers,” who are just fun to be with, and “Truth Tellers,” who help us face the truth, whether we ask them to or not. If there are gaps in your safety net, it’s time to fix it. There are lots of groups you can join to find your support network.

Give these tips a try. You may grow a new, deeper level of peaceful love and understanding for yourself. Don’t be surprised if these feelings for yourself extend to other people in your life. Realizing a greater love for yourself will help you love others more deeply.

Jill D. Miller is a business consultant who created the Finishing School for Modern Women in 2015.

Savvy Senior: Simple home safety solutions for aging in place

Dear Savvy Senior, Falls and fires are the two things I worry most about for my elderly father who lives alone. Do you have any suggestions on what we can do to help keep him safe, and keep an eye on him from afar?

Dear Concerned,

-Concerned Daughter

Of course! There are a number of small adjustments and modifications you can make to your dad’s home to help protect him from falls and fires, both of which cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year. Eliminate tripping hazards: A good place to start is to pack away your dad’s throw rugs which are common

tripping hazards or use carpet tacks or double-sided tape to secure them. You may also need to adjust your dad’s furniture so there are clear pathways to walk through and position any electrical or phone cords along walls and out of the way.

For hardwood steps, consider attaching a nonslip tread to each one to provide traction and help him see the edge. For added protection in the bathroom buy some nonskid rugs for the floors and use adhesive nonslip treads or a mat with rubber suction inside his tub or shower stall.

Improve his lighting: Check the wattage ratings on your dad’s lamps and light fixtures, and install

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the brightest bulbs allowed, and add supplementary lighting if necessary.

Purchase some dusk to dawn nightlights for the bathroom and in the hallways that light up when the sun goes down. And mount some motion sensor lights outside the front and back doors and in the driveway that automatically come on when he comes and goes after dark.

Get grab bars: Install them where he enters the shower or tub and on a wall inside the stall, but don’t use grab bars that attach with suction. Instead, have wall-mounted bars put in by someone who can affix them to the wall studs. It’s also best to choose bars whose surfaces are slightly textured and

easier to grip.

Ensure railings are stable: Wherever he has steps – stairways, entryways or basements – he needs sturdy railings. Ideally, they should be on both sides of the steps.

Prevent cooking fires: Several affordable products can help prevent home cooking fires. BurnerAlert discs attach to a stove’s knob and continuously blink or beep after the stove has been in use for a preset amount of time. Ome smart knobs can control a stove’s heating settings from an app. The more expensive iGuardStove sensor shuts the stove off when it doesn’t detect motion for five

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It could be a simple trip to the mall, a ride to the movies or just a visit to a friend’s home. The little things in life can make a big difference.

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Install smoke alarms: Buy one for each floor. Nest and First Alert are smart devices that will also send alerts to your phone to let you know when a problem is detected.

Add fire extinguishers: Get extinguishers for each level of your

dad’s house and in the garage.

Consider a medical alert: A medical alert device that comes with a wearable SOS button that would allow him to call for help if he were to fall or need assistance.

For more tips, get a copy of AARP’s “HomeFit Guide” (see AARP.

org/HomeFit), which has more than 100 aging-in-place suggestions that can help make your dad’s home safer

and easier to live in.

For more Savvy Senior tips, visit theactiveage.com.

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