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Vol 42 • No. 8
Celebrating citizenship
www.theactiveage.com Kansas’ Largest Newspaper
July 2021
Woman behind 'Bob Boxes' merits honor
Immigrants of all ages embrace U.S.
By Debbi Elmore As a young man, Swapan Kumar Chaudhuri dreamed of coming to the United States. “I was envious of Americans and all the opportunities here,” he said. Chaudhuri realized his ambition in his late 30s. Since his arrival from Canada in 1996, he has earned a master’s degree from Wichita State University, landed a job in information technology in McPherson and met and married his wife. The couple live in Newton, dividing the distance between her job in Wichita and his further north. Chaudhuri’s adopted land has lived up to his expectations. “It’s the greatest country in the world,” he said. “There is so much economic
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See Citizens, page 6
Fun in the sun
Play it safe outdoors this summer Members of the Greater Wichita YMCA enjoy a water fitness class. By Monica Cissell Outdoor activity is good for the body and soul, but too much sun and heat can be dangerous. That’s especially true for older people, people with underlying medical conditions and people taking certain medications. Follow these tips to reap the benefits of fresh air and vitamin D without overdoing it: • Consider a conversation with a
Inside: Win new books
physician if exercising outdoors is a new endeavor. • Exercising with a buddy or keep a cell phone close in case of emergencies. • Exercise in the morning when temperatures are cooler. • Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Thirst is not a good indicator of hydration; if you are thirsty, dehydration may already
See Summer, page 9
By Joe Stumpe The number of older residents served by the Kansas Food Bank is on the rise. A few years ago, about 7 percent of the people served by the food bank were seniors. Today, that figure is about twice as large. “We have many seniors who are living on limited incomes that can’t make ends meet,” said Debi Kreutzman, community relations manager for the food bank, which serves 85 Kansas counties. “They may receive a 1.3 percent increase in Social Security but the cost of living has gone up triple that. And food prices right now. That kind of makes a perfect storm to where our seniors truly need that additional help.” Kreutzman was honored for her work on senior hunger last month, receiving the 15th annual Irene Hart See Hunger, page 8
Wichita's medical school marks 50th year
By Bonnie Bing Ask someone to name institutions of higher learning in Wichita and they’ll quickly come up with Wichita State University, Friends University and Kansas Newman University. There’s another four-year school with a shorter history but no lack of impact on the area and state: KU School of Medicine Wichita. The medical school is 50 years old this year. One measure of its importance is that by 2008, half of the physicians practicing in Sedgwick County were graduates of the school or one of its residency programs. Wherever they ended up, the school’s graduates say the communitybased, hands-on approach taken by the
See Medical, page 7
Questions about services?
After renovations and additions, the campus of KU School of Medicine Wichita is barely recognizable as a former county hospital.
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