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Gardens grow community involvment
www.theactiveage.com May 2026 Kansas’ Largest Newspaper Printed at Valley Center, KS
Vol 47 No. 6
New Andover 'downtown' takes shape
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By Joe Stumpe ANDOVER — A real estate development that’s changing the face of Andover might not have happened if Mike Lies hadn’t taken the long view. The retired periodontist didn’t Mike Lies get discouraged when his first attempts to buy some well-positioned agricultural property on the city’s east side failed two decades ago. He was patient when city officials initially expressed skepticism over his plans. And he didn't panic when the coronavirus pandemic threw a costly wrench into the whole project. “The COVID deal really slowed us up and made everything a lot more expensive,” Lies said. “It changed the whole paradigm.”
From left, Betty Bak, Emily Judson and Kris Rogers harvest greens at the Riverside Garden.
The SkyLofts apartments and a park help anchor The Heritage, a 110acre development in Andover. Senior housing will open there soon. But, he added, “We just kept restaurants, businesses and chugging along.” recreational opportunities within easy The result is The Heritage, a walking distance of each other. The 110-acre mixed-use development development stretches from Kellogg in that puts homes and apartments, See Andover, page 8
By Joe Stumpe For an organization called Wichita Community Gardens, Inc., community seems just as important as the thriving garden they’ve created in Riverside. Yes, the tomatoes, peppers, lettuces, cucumbers, fresh herbs and more are a mouth-watering sight along Amidon Avenue during the growing season. Not to mention the beautiful flowers. But the group has a handful of other projects that spread its impact around the neighborhood and city. As part of its Riverside Pollinator Project — designed to boost the bee population — members planted native pollinators along the garden’s easement and at the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Central Riverside Park. See Garden, page 13
Derby opens $7.3 million senior center
By Amy Geiszler-Jones DERBY — One of the area’s most active senior centers is likely to become even more so now that it’s moved into a new $7.3 million, 13,750-square-foot home. That’s the consensus of those who’ve checked out the Derby Senior Center, which opened April 20 at 1315 S. Rock Road. “This is a premier senior center that’s built for the next 30 years,” said Steve McIntosh, a member of the city’s Senior Services Advisory Board. “I just see it being used a lot.” Previously located at the Derby City Hall on Mulberry Street, the new facility came about after the Cross of Glory Lutheran church donated its building and six acres of land to the city. Derby officials decided on
See Derby, page 6
The new Derby Senior Center has indoor and outdoor features that its predecessor lacked.
Questions about services?
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging/Sedgwick County Department on Aging: 316-660-7298 or 1-800-367-7298
Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800-279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655