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VOL 36 • NO. 7
www.theactiveage.com Helping our readers live healthy, fulfilling and active lives.
June 2015
Muslims in America 500 years
By Dr. Gretchen Eick Muslims have been part of the Americas for 500 years. A hundred years before British Pilgrims colonized North America, an African called Estavanico, whose Muslim name was Istafan, walked from Florida to New Mexico with Spanish Conquistador Cabeza de Vaca. He, de Vaca and two others were the only survivors of what started as a Photo by Caleb McGinn 400-person army of conquest that set Three combines sweep across a wheat field east of Bentley in northwest Sedgwick County. These off from Cuba in 1528 to explore the machines are very different from combines in the 1930s and 40s, drawn by a tractor or even a Florida coast. After nearly nine years team of horses. See page 3 walking west, they found soldiers from New Spain in today’s New Mexico. Five years later, Estavanico/Istafan arrived in Kansas, part of Coronado’s By Elvira Crocker (Editor’s Note: The active age 1541 expedition. Today Coronado What’s a person in his/her 60s recently convened focus groups of those in Heights, near Lindsborg, marks where called? Senior, elder or sexagenarian if their 50s, 60s and 70s. . This month we they sat atop their horses looking over they are between 60 and 69. offer a snapshot of those in their 60s and the prairie. Whether they live in Sedgwick, how they feel about various subjects at good old Midwestern way of life. Estavanico/Istafan was not an Butler or Harvey counties, some are this time in their lives. ) Many of them seem to be getting aberration. Muslims from Africa, still in the labor force, others are their second wind. called Moors, had governed much of transitioning into retirement and still Take the retiree who left his Spain for 780 years. Spain’s expulsion others are remaking themselves in broadcasting role after 35 years — and of its Muslims and Jews in 1491, and their search for relevance. then remade himself as an educator King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella’s In Kansas 18 percent of the about eight years ago. He taught seizure of the property of both groups, population -- 520,000 -- are in their middle school for three years, and then financed the journeys of Columbus. 60s, according to the U.S. Census moved to an alternative high school in Their expulsion also propelled (2012). Valley Center. many of them to join private armies They are living longer and healthier He is able to use his wisdom organized by individual conquistadors lives than their parents by adhering to to help youngsters acquire some looking for fortunes from exploring today’s notions of good diet regimens of their own, and to help them the Americas. Africans routinely and keeping mind and body active. understand that “their decisions have accompanied Spanish, Italian and Indeed, no matter what your body consequences.” Portuguese soldiers of fortune who is saying to you, there are those who The father of five and grandfather arrived by ship to explore this New believe that 60 is the new 40. of seven is also a seasoned child-sitter. World and claim territory for Spain’s And if our focus group is any He’s involved in his church and has monarchs. indication, they seem to be a physically been a Big Brother to a young man Fast-forward more than a active group, whether it’s walking, who was matched with him in the century. When the British took New running or playing golf. 2nd grade and is now a sophomore at Amsterdam from the Dutch in 1664, They are clear about why they live Wichita State University. Muslims were part of the Dutch in the area: They love the clean living, Another educator who recently settlement that the Brits would call the fact that they don’t have to lock retired says she is trying to find her New York City. their doors, the good schools, the ease “groove” in retirement by doing “less By then English entrepreneurs of mobility, the affordability and the ACTIVE AGING PUBLISHING, INC 125 S West St., Suite 105 Wichita, Ks 67213
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Wichita, KS 67276 Permit 1711
Relevance: key to those in 60s
See 60s, page 18
Questions about services?
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging or call your county Department on Aging: 1-855-200-2372
See Muslims, page 6
Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800- 279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655