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Vol 42 • No. 6
www.theactiveage.com May 2021 Kansas’ Award-winning Top 55+ News Source
Job blossoms into passion
Take me out to new downtown ballpark, at last
Marty Miller leads growth at Botanica
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By Joe Stumpe Marty Miller was walking near Botanica’s gorgeous new Grand Lawn one afternoon last month when three female visitors ambled across his path. “Hey, Marty!” one said. “Man, we had no idea all this was going on.” “We approve!” another added. A whole lot has been going on since Miller became executive director of Botanica 13 years ago, from the addition of land, gardens and features such as the Grand Lawn to the growing of membership and revenueproducing events in an attempt to become self-sufficient. It’s been accomplished while keeping the place’s original focus intact: On the day Miller ran into the visitors, 66,000 tulips turned Botanica into a riot of color. City Councilman Bryan Frye calls Miller a “driving force” who’s “not afraid of taking on new ideas and
Prize-packed Transitions guide inside
Photo by Joe Stumpe
Marty Miller says improvements to Botanica “wouldn’t have happened without community support, strong volunteers and a good staff.” challenges.” say no to him." “He brings such enthusiasm with Leading a nonprofit botanical every project, it’s nearly impossible to See Botanica, page 26
By Bob Rives History and memories and records are the stuff of baseball. And so it seems appropriate to introduce Wichita’s new Riverfront Stadium with a bit of each. In April 1914, Chicago’s iconic Wrigley Field opened with a former Shocker pitching for the home team. He was Claude Hendrix, who had pitched for Fairmount College — precursor of Wichita State University — before signing a professional contract. Hendrix tossed a 9-1 victory over Kansas City. Last month, almost exactly 107 years later, WSU freshman pitcher Jace Kaminska accomplished a similar feat, pitching the Shockers to a 9-1 win over Houston to open the $90 See Stadium, page 7
Tea Room tales
Restaurant in the Innes store was place to dress up, practice manners
By Bonnie Bing Ask many longtime Wichitans if they ever dined at the Innes Tea Room and you’ll see a big smile and hear a resounding, “Yes!” Jean Ann Especially if they’re Cusick female. Next you’ll hear the word “special” many times while they describe the experience. I wholeheartedly agree with them. The first fashion show I saw was when my mom took me to the Innes Tea Room for lunch. This 10-yearold couldn’t believe the elegant surroundings, how nice the wait staff
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Jane Knight treated everyone and Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Society how delicious the food was. When the models The Innes Tea Room inspires fond memories. pale pink skirt that floated when she came down the runway, turned is still a vivid memory many I was sure I had gone straight to decades later. fashion heaven. It’s fun hearing others talk about The blond model with chic French twist hairdo, white high heels and See Innes, page 8
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