Vol 37 • No. 8
www.theactiveage.com Kansas’ Kansas’Award-winning Award-winningTop Top55+ 55+News NewsSource Source
July 2016
Garden of gifts and friendship
Photo by Rob Howes
Sharron Major and Jacki (middle left) in her Casita.
Women: On the road
ACTIVE AGING PUBLISHING, INC 125 S West St., Suite 105 Wichita, Ks 67213
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Wichita, KS 67276 Permit 1711
By Elvira Crocker Have you ever had the urge to walk out your front door, get into your vehicle and then explore every nook and cranny of this vast land we call the United States of America? You are not alone.
Every year thousands are responding to that call of the road, many doing it with mobile homes — small and large. Two women with Wichita roots, both in their 70s, responded to that urge. One recently launched her adventure; the other is a seven-year veteran. Before setting out in March, Sharron Carr Major, a South High graduate, said she was “a little scared.” Her first challenge was to drive her new vehicle with a trailer attached. “Learning how to back up the trailer, pull it up hills and, in general, learn how to maneuver the two vehicles?” Quite a switch from her VW bug. She joined the Wandering Individuals. Its president, Maynard Magee, says the group is composed of single travelers who visit the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Magee, who has been on the road for 40 years, says Major fits his characterization of folks who like to travel. “They are men and women who have the curiosity to go out and explore See Traveling, page 10
Questions about services?
By Nan Duncan Joe and Alice Schmiedbauer, with their young family, moved into their new Westlink home in 1966. There were wheat fields at Central and Tyler and north of Ninth Street. Today there are subdivisions all the way to 37th Street North. Joe found only clay soil in which to plant his new vegetable garden, so he began to amend it. He used lawn clippings, manure, kitchen garbage and leaves. Soon Alice was freezing, canning and serving fresh vegetables at the table. She made a remarkable salsa. Over time, their children moved away. Then, after 57 years of marriage, Joe’s beloved Alice died. He continued to garden. The process of planting and nurturing seeds to produce food helped alleviate his loneliness and grief.
Photo by Rob Howes
Joe Schmiedbauer stands tall in his garden. See Garden, page 20.
July 4, 1826, remarkable American coincidence
By Tom Emery Few dates in American history have been so profound. On July 4, 1826, as the nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died. The loss of two of the first three Presidents, as well as two of its founding fathers, is one of the most remarkable coincidences in the history of the nation. The two men are inextricably linked to the Revolution. Both were among the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Adams
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging or call your county Department on Aging: 1-855-200-2372
and Jefferson were on the Continental Congress’ Committee of Five to compose the document. Both debated who should take the lead, and Adams finally persuaded Jefferson, claiming that a Virginian “ought to appear at the head of this business.” Adams also assessed himself as “obnoxious, suspected and unpopular,” while adding that Jefferson “can write ten times better than I can.” Jefferson then drafted the document. Despite their mutual efforts for independence, Adams and Jeffer-
See 4th of July, page 20
Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800- 279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655