Whaddaya Know: What one-time Wichita radio personality became one of the nation’s most honored playwrights? (Answer p. 23)
Vol 40 • No. 7
www.theactiveage.com Kansas’Award-winning Award-winningTop Top55+ 55+News NewsSource Source Kansas’
Riding high Floodwaters detour but can't dampen fun on steamboat cruise
By Ted Blankenship
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If you’re thinking about a steamboat river cruise, I suggest doing it when the river isn’t at flood stage. A large river boat will float well enough in high water, but if it has tall stacks to dispose of engine fumes (and most do) the craft will not fit under many bridges. I discovered this on a week-long cruise from Memphis to New Orleans down the Mississippi River swollen from water dumped into it from upstream flooding on the Missouri and other tributaries. Nevertheless we enjoyed a region famed for its food and music. See Steamboat, page 14
June 2019
Aging funds to be cut?
By Joe Stumpe The Sedgwick County staff has presented a 2020 budget that would cut spending on aging programs and services by 2.3 percent, from about $10.9 million to $10.7 million. It’s unclear what, if any, programs would be affected. About half the reduction would be the result of personnel turnover and a one-time bonus pool that employees had this year but that will not be available next year. The rest is based on estimates of federal funds that Sedgwick County receives through the Older Americans Act. It’s possible that the county’s aging services budget will be increased as the county commission works through its budget process this summer. Residents are invited to speak to the commission on July 24 and Aug. 5. At the commission’s May 13 budget hearing, Commissioner Jim
See Aging, page 8
Newton store like stepping back in time By Nancy Carver Singleton NEWTON —In a world full of change, Newton shoppers have been able to count on one thing: Phil Anderson III will usually be there to greet and assist them at Anderson Book & Office Supply as he has since joining the family business in 1958. “Customers ask me how long I’ve been here and when I tell them 60-plus years they can’t believe it. We kind of laugh about it,” Anderson, 86, said. Asked what he enjoys about so many years in retailing he said, “It keeps my mind active. I know a lot of the customers. Since I am the oldest retailer on Main Street, I get a lot of people asking questions about historic things.” His store is also the oldest retail business in Newton. The store has
Questions about services?
Photo by Rob Howes
Phil Anderson III amid the array of merchandise at his Newton store. “What we hear from many customers is ‘If you don’t have it, we know it is not available.’ So that is good,” he said.
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging or call your county Department on Aging: 1-855-200-2372
See Anderson, page 7 Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800- 279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655