November 2023 by the active age

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November 2023

Homestead refunds ‘here for us to take advantage of’ Mary Clarkin This year marked the rollout of Property tax refund options for older homeowners are growing thanks to new state and local programs. But homeowners must know about the programs and fill out the correct paperwork to take advantage of them.

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Teresa Harper, who lives in south Wichita, qualifies for a Homstead property tax refund.

Kansas’ property tax “freeze’’ for qualifying homeowners. Called the Seniors or Disabled Veterans Refund (SVR), it is designed to keep an eligible homeowner’s taxes from increasing year to year. Over 10,000 claims for this refund have been filed across the state in 2023, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue. The popularity of the SVR tax refund program will spread in 2024 as it becomes more widely known, predicted State Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, chief architect of the property tax freeze legislation. Also in 2024, the city of Wichita will conduct a pilot property tax refund program to help low-income homeowners who receive assistance from one of the state’s Homestead tax rebate programs. The city’s contribution could reduce the property tax for some homeowners to zero. Spurring state and city tax property tax refund programs is the desire to enable low-income or See Homestead, page 7

ALW thrift shop volunteers include, left to right, Susan Ensz, Vicki Hye, Kay Saindon, Carla Cantrell, Connie Dietz, Mona Hobson and Susan Hussey.

Volunteers earn PhDs in retail By Joe Stumpe Susan Hussey finished her career in education as principal at Chisholm Trail elementary school. Then, she says, she got “a PhD in retail.” Hussey is chair of the Assistance League of Wichita’s thrift shop and one of about 50 volunteers who keep the store at 2431 E. Douglas running. At a time when some of the city’s

thrift shops are closing or struggling, the league’s operation is busier than ever. On a recent Thursday morning, a steady stream of people dropped off donated items at the store’s back rooms, where they’re sorted into labeled plastic bins for storage.

See Thrift, page 6

WWII vet keeps wheels turning

By Melanie Jenney Eighty years after enlisting to fight in World War II, Ralph Hall is still on the move. Well, in a manner of speaking. He goes bicycling just about every day, but these days he rides a stationary bike at the Downtown YMCA. His motivation? “Stay strong and healthy,” Hall, 97, said. For those who regularly spot him at the Y, Hall’s dedication to exercise is inspiring. For those who get to know him better, his tales of nearly a century of living are a reminder of life’s twists and turns. Hall was born and raised in

Attleboro, Mass., once known as “The Jewelry Capital of the World.” There wasn’t much money around during the Great Depression but his dad was creative, painting a dairy’s barn in exchange for milk and taking his seven kids skating when the low-lying swamps around Attleboro froze over. Hall’s mother, who’d been born in Newfoundland, worked in a laundry. At 16, Hall dropped out of school to operate a kick press in one of the town’s jewelry manufacturers (soon converted to producing gun parts and Purple Hearts). The next year, he was accepted into the U.S. Navy, following

Ralph Hall keeps fit at the See Fitness, page 8 Downtown Y.M.C.A

Questions about services?

Central Plains Area Agency on Aging/Sedgwick County Department on Aging: 1-855-200-2372

Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800-279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655

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the active age

November 2023

Tracee Adams named state AARP president As the new volunteer state president of AARP Kansas, Tracee Adams plans to spread the word about all the organization has to offer.

“AARP has, gosh, so many benefits,” Adams, of Wichita, said. “I know a lot of people just see the discounts, which are a benefit, of

course. But we would like to make people more aware of the various opportunities for engagement.” Adams lists wine tastings, movies, an ice cream social and a food truck festival as some of the AARP activities she’s enjoyed. “One of our top issues is isolation as you get older,” she said. “I really appreciate the work they do to bring people out of their homes.” Driver safety classes and online safety sessions are other services offered by AARP. Adams noted that the organization also plays an important advocacy role the shaping public policy that affects older adults. Adams is founder of Hawthorn Capital, an investment and wealth management firm. She originally Veterans Day Lists with Hundreds of FREEBIES

volunteered to help AARP Kansas with retirement planning seminars as a way to grow her investment business. Then, she said, “They lassoed me into Tracee Adams doing some other things, which I happily enjoyed.” Adams is also active in the Urban League of Kansas, Junior League of Wichita, Junior Achievement of Wichita and Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce in addition to serving on the Wichita State University board of trustees. A graduate of the University of Maryland, she has two grown sons.

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November 2023

November Briefs Can you spell fun? The Wichita Public Library will hold its first adult spelling been from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 at the Advanced Learning Library. Teams of one to four contestants will compete in single-error elimination rounds of increasing difficulty, with the top three teams earning prizes. Teams are encouraged to coordinate their outfits and pick a fun name. The event is free to attend but registration is required to compete. Call (316) 261-8500 or visit wichitalibrary.org/events to register. On-site registration will be available from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 3.

the active age Union Station lighting The 2nd annual Union Station lighting and toy drive to benefit the Wichita Children’s Home is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. The event also features carriage rides, photo ops with Santa, an interactive kids station, a live performance by Ballet Wichita, cocoa and cookies. Participants are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy. Handel’s Messiah The Wichita Choral Society will present its 78th holiday concert featuring Handel’s Messiah at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Tickets are $15. For more information, call (316) 686-5002.

Holiday market The Prairie Pilot Club of Wichita is holding a two-day holiday market featuring arts and crafts, Christmas décor, homemade cookies, breads and more. The market will be held from 9 am. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11, at Riverside Christian Church, 1001 N. Litchfield. Prairie Pilot is a service organization that benefits The Wichita Children’s Home and other nonprofits. Winterfest is coming DERBY — Woodlawn United Methodist church will host the 25th annual Winterfest from 9 a.m. to 3

Page 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. The holiday shopping event offers hand-crafted art, food, clothing, home décor and more. There’s also a bake sale, silent auction and lunch available. The church is located at 431 S. Woodlawn in Derby. Proceeds support local and international missions.

Correction A recipe for kolaches in last month’s issue left out the amount of flour needed. The recipe calls for 6½ cups of flour.

Lewis Ins ActAgefinal color.indd 1

8/16/23 9:16 AM

MY FOCUS IS ON... Property Tax. Relieving the burden of increased home valuations, therefore higher taxes. Public Safety. Fully funding first responders, police, and firefighters. Collaboration. Creating public/private partnerships to solve major issues like Wichita’s homelessness crisis.

VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Paid for by JVforWichita | Patrick Goebel Treasurer

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the active age

Parade, ceremony to honor veterans The Wichita Veterans Day parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Main and Central. The parade route will travel south to 1st Street, then west across the Arkansas River to McLean Boulevard, ending at Exploration

Place. Post-parade activities will take place on the west side of EP, including guest speakers and entertainment, food trucks, a car show and kids activities. EP is offering free admission to veterans and their families.

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November 2023

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Thank You Recent Donors! Ray Affleck Eugene Albert Claziena Alvarez Helen Anderson Marcine Andrews George Avila Ted Ayres Nancy Baalman Charles Bagshaw Joan Barrier Roswitha Barsby Thomas Beardslee Alvin Beat Marjean Bemis George Beran Carolyn Bird Donald Bowles Janice Brecht E. Holmes Brinton

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Honor Roll of Donors Brenda Absetz Cheryl Adkisson Bryson Allen Anna Anderson Terry Anderson Kathleen Ashford Paul Babich Roy Baker Raymond Barber PJ Barrett Roger Benefiel Helen Binford Alan Blough Richard Brandorff Joan Brayfield Nancy Brown Janis Brungardt

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Tom Mcginthy Jr John Montgomery Jackie Morgan Carolyn Morris Sandy Muse Ninh Van Nguyen Alberta Nichols Treva Nichols Rosemary Nicholson Michael Obryhim John Offerman Betty Parsons Richard Paxton Thomas Peters Mandy Pilla Carol Pitetti Carolyn Primm

These readers recently contributed $50 or more to the 2023 donation campaign.

Many thanks to go around at The Active Age

This time of year, the staff and board of The Active Age have plenty to be thankful for. We’re thankful for our readers and donors. Readers are, simply put, why we do what we do. Donors provide around 20 percent of our operating

From the Editor budget, so you can imagine how crucial that is. We’re thankful for our advertisers,

who believe in our ability to reach the largest print audience in Kansas. We’re thankful for our volunteers, who put in hours of unpaid service each month and enliven our office when they’re around. We’re thankful for our writers and copy editors, some

1841 N. Rock Rd. Ct., Suite 200 Wichita, KS 67206 Phone: (316) 708-8848 Office: (316) 684-4272 Fax: (316) 684-5212

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of whom also donate their services. We’re thankful for Valley Printing Logistics, which prints our paper each month, and the U.S. Post Office, which delivers it (even though our rates keep going up!). In this season of gratitude, it never hurts to say it once more: Thank you! — Joe Stumpe

125 S. West St., Ste 105 • Wichita, KS 67213 316-942-5385 • Fax 316-946-9180 www.theactiveage.com Published by Active Aging Publishing, Inc.

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Thrift

From Page 1 “We’re getting a little overwhelmed because of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans thrift shops) closing,” said Mona Hobson, the league’s director of publicity. “We never know what we’re going to get” when the doorbell rings, Hussey added. In addition to work tables, the back rooms hold a small kitchen and office, washing machine, steam press and numerous racks for women’s clothing, the store’s best-selling items. “We take great pride in how our items are sent to the floor,” said Carla Cantrell, who’s the store’s clothing manager. Up front, customers perused the clothes, housewares, purses, shoes, jewelry, furniture, linens, books, toys and other items that fill its aisles, all displayed in a fashion that would do a Bradley Fair boutique proud. “I buy or drop off something here every week,” said Nancy Schmidt, a recently retired teacher who says she shops for herself and several friends there. Hussey said customers “like our stuff because it’s clean. They like our prices, they like our variety, and they like our mission. Everything is going back into the community.” The league’s IRS tax form is available on its website and gives detailed information about its operations. Its mission is described simply: “To transform the lives of children and adults through community programs.” The league, part of national nonprofit, has no paid staff and all money raised stays in Wichita. According to the league’s most recent annual report, for 2021-22, it helped 6,691 students in USD 259

Susan Hussey displays a coat from the "glam" rack at the Assistance League of Wichita thrift store. through Operation School Bell, which allows students and their parents to shop for school clothes at the westside JC Penney at a reduced cost to the league. The program also provides hygiene, literacy and school supplies. More than 100,000 kids have been served since 1985. Its other efforts included providing 21 scholarships to students at WSU Tech and Butler Community College, 129 sexual assault survivor kits of clothing, footwear and other items, and 189 teddy bears to child victims of violence who’ve been brought to Ascension Via Christi or Wesley Medical Center. The shop provides the bulk of the league’s budget, with donations and fundraisers such as the annual Gingerbread Village at Exploration Place providing the rest. The shop opened in the 1980s and had one previous location, also on

Douglas. Philanthropist Velma Wallace helped the league buy its current location prior to her death. The store had been open Tuesday through Saturday prior to the pandemic. Hussey said that closing Wednesday and Friday hasn’t affected sales much. Each Monday, about 25 volunteers show up to restock the store. “It’s organized chaos,” Hussey said. The store’s display windows facing Douglas are regularly updated with eyecatching displays. There’s usually a line of customers waiting to get in Tuesday because “they know the new stuff is out,” Hussey said. Most of the store’s items are

November 2023 priced at $5 or $10, although children’s clothes go for $1. “We’re here to serve children,” Hussey said. There’s a “glam” rack for women’s clothing that carries higher prices. The store doesn’t accept mattresses and electronic devices, although a likenew electric keyboard was on the floor the day Hussey led a tour. Hussey said the store “always needs men’s clothes.” The store also carries many seasonal items that do well. Spotting an oversized jack-o-lantern pumpkin, Hussey said, “I’m going to put this in the window. So cute.” The league donates items it can’t use to His Helping Hands, a community ministry of Central Christian Church. The store posts “finds” and sales on Facebook and Instagram. EBay turned out to be more trouble than it was worth, but volunteers are now utilizing a trendy digital marketplace called Poshmark. “We’ve had success, but it has taken a lot of time and energy,” Hussey said. She uses google to help price items like a cut glass claret jug ($125) and a vintage Le Creuset pot ($225) that were donated recently. “We got donated a vase that sold for $2,000,” Hussey said. “It’s not all $5 and $10" items. The store’s workforce is largely female, although Hussey said some spouses are “part-timers.” This month, volunteers will gear up for the Christmas season, it’s busiest of the year. “We’ve all had professional lives,” Hussey said. “We’re retired and we want to give back to the community.”

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Assistance League of Wichita will present the 28th annual Gingerbread Village at Exploration Place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 and 5. Tickets are available at htps://exploration.org/event/gingerbread-village/. Each ticket includes a gingerbread house kit, time to build the structure and museum admission to visit the exhibits.

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November 2023

Homestead From Page 1

fixed-income homeowners to afford to stay in their homes as valuations rise. SVR is the third of the state’s Homestead programs, which apply to houses, manufactured homes and other dwellings occupied as a taxpayer’s residence. Tight limits Participation in the state’s two older Homestead programs — Homestead Refund and Selective Assistance For Effective Senior Relief (SAFESR) had declined in recent years. For tax year 2018, the combined total claims from those two Homestead programs was 70,422, with $23,185,082 in refunds across the state. For the tax year 2021, claims totaled 65,267 and refunds totaled $21,560,884. The Department of Revenue has not completed an analysis of the drop, but Holland noted that the income limit for participation in the two older Homestead programs had not risen enough in recent years. The household income eligibility ceiling for the new third option, SVR, is about twice as high as the income ceiling for the older Homestead programs. The SVR program pushed total Homestead refund claims back above 68,000 for the 2022 tax year. “My guess is we’re going to see much more explosive growth with the new third one (SVR) that came on line” as people learn about it, Holland said. Learning about Homestead No figures are available showing how many homeowners potentially qualify for one of the refunds. Homeowners often learn about the Homestead programs through a tax preparer. United Way of the Plains’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program files the simple income tax return for free for thousands of taxpayers. More than half of the filers were over age 65 in a recent filing year, said Sarah Crick Milligan, United Way’s VITA Program Manager. VITA’s newer clients often have never heard of Homestead property

the active age tax refunds, Milligan said. Repeat customers, on the other hand, are “pretty knowledgeable about the program or at least they know to ask,” she said. Theresa and Charles Harper and their adult son with disabilities live in a home in south Wichita, and they have qualified for a Homestead refund. They use AARP tax filing assistance. “I would think that would be the only way you would find out about it,” Theresa Harper said of filers learning about Homestead through the tax preparer. The state requires county treasurers to provide information about Homestead refunds when they mail property tax information to homeowners in the fall. Also, county clerk offices are to provide assistance for those with questions about Homestead or seeking to apply. Kathy Brier, office manager for the Sedgwick County Clerk office, said three employees help with Homestead filings and questions. The office has had over 400 people come in seeking help this year, and it receives many phone calls, too, Brier said. The Sedgwick County Clerk’s office office at 100 N Broadway, Ste 620. The phone number to reach help with Homestead refunds is (316) 6609222. The Butler County Clerk’s office can be reached at (316) 322-4239 and the Harvey County Clerk’s office at (316) 284-6840. Three choices Homeowners can choose only one of the three Homestead property tax options. United Way’s Milligan said it becomes apparent when filling out the boxes on the form which one fits or which is more advantageous for the homeowner. Sedgwick County had more Homestead refund filers than any county in Kansas in calendar year 2021, with over 11,340 people, or about 2 percent of the county population, filing for a refund. In Harvey County, 3 percent of its population filed for a refund that year, and in Butler County, 2 percent of its population did. “It’s always good to take advantage of what you can,” Milligan said. “These are here for us to take advantage of for a reason.”

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Page 7

Homestead refund requirements Kansas homeowners can file for one — but only one — of the state’s three Homestead property tax refund programs. Income caps and other guidelines for the 2023 tax year, which is the 2024 filing year, are: Homestead Refund • At least 55 years old all of 2023, or blind or totally and permanently disabled, or has a dependent child living in the home and under 18 the whole year; • Total household income is $40,500 or less, with 50 percent of Social Security and SSI benefits included in the income calculation; • The home is appraised at $350,000 or less; • A sliding scale determines the percentage of the refund, based on income. The maximum refund is $700. The statewide average refund under this program has been between $220 and $250 in recent years. SAFESR • At least 65 years old for all of 2023; • Total household income, including all Social Security and SSI benefits, is $23,700 or less; • The home is appraised at $350,000 or less; • The SAFESR property tax refund is up to 75 percent of taxes. The statewide average refund has been between $1,165 and $1,285 in

recent years. Fewer seniors qualify for this refund than for the Homestead Refund. Seniors or Disabled Veterans/SVR • At least 65 years old for all of 2023 or a disabled veteran; the surviving spouse of a claimant receiving this benefit at the time of the claimant’s death will be eligible to continue receiving this benefit until the surviving spouse remarries. • Total household income, including 50 percent of Social Security and SSI benefits, is $53,600 or less; • The house cannot be appraised higher than $350,000 in the base year, but the claimant remains eligible if the valuation rises; • This is the newest property tax refund option, enacted in 2022 to freeze property taxes at the base year. The base year is when the claimant becomes eligible for this refund. Those filing in the 2022 tax year used 2021 as the base year and subtracted the taxes paid in 2021 from taxes paid in 2022 to determine the refund. The claimant’s base year continues into future tax years. The homeowner with a 2021 base year would use that when filing 2023 taxes. If a claimant moves, his base year is reset. The average SVR refund is not known yet as claims for this year are still being processed.

Wichita to launch pilot refund in 2024 The city of Wichita will contribute toward complete coverage of the property tax bill for some older, low-income Wichita homeowners in 2024.In the one-year pilot program, the city will piggyback on the state’s Homestead property tax relief programs that cover a portion of lowincome homeowners’ property taxes. For example, a homeowner qualifying for a 75 percent property tax refund under Homestead’s SAFESR program could have the remaining 25 percent covered by the city. To qualify for the city program, a homeowner first must be eligible for one of the state’s Homestead programs. Homestead applications are completed during the income tax filing season from January to April 15, 2024. City Finance Director Mark Manning said staff used publicly available state data for Homestead programs to extrapolate that potentially 8,000 city residents could

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be affected and the cost could be in the neighborhood of $650,000 for a city program complementing Homestead. The city agreed to allocate $660,000 in general fund dollars for the pilot program. Those getting aid from that $660,000 pool will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to City Communications Manager Megan Lovely. “We will accept applications until funding is exhausted,” Lovely wrote in an email. The city will set a limit on how much it awards to a qualifying homeowner. “It will be 25 percent of their overall tax bill,” Lovely said. The city did not set a date for announcing the application process for its pilot program, but the city is expected to make public the process for obtaining a city refund before 2024. The city will evaluate the impact of the pilot program during the budget discussion next year, Lovely said.

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Veteran

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two brothers and two brothers-in-law who’d already joined the military. He went through bootcamp in Newport, R.I., then attended gunnery school and was sent to Solomons Island, Md., for amphibious training. A sister, Audrey, “would knit and send me socks,” he said. She was also one of the pin-up girls whose photographs were sent to soldiers. Hall was assigned to a new gunboat out of Norfolk along with 40 other soldiers, cooks and a pharmacist serving as ship’s doctor. Seaman Second Class Hall’s job was to clean and paint the ship — a “swabbie,” as another Y regular, John Todd, calls him. Part of a flotilla of 18 ships, the boat made it to Key West, through the Panama Canal, to San Diego and then Pearl Harbor. Hall’s ship was headed to Palau, an island country in the western Pacific that the United States had recaptured from the Japanese, for patrol duty. But the boat was delayed resupplying, then ran aground and partially sank in bad weather. Picked up by a destroyer, the crew

spent a couple months living in tents at Pearl Harbor. Eventually, Hall’s boat returned to duty and the crew made it to Palau for patrol duty. Japanese kamikazee pilots tried to dive bomb the ships. Hall was on Palau when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Japan, effectively ending the war. Some Japanese surrendered to the sailors on Palau. Hall returned to San Diego via the Philippines. The boat’s guns were removed and sent to the scrapyard. Hall was honorably discharged in April 1946. He’d corresponded with a girlfriend, but they broke up when he returned from the war. Hall went back to high school and worked afternoons helping a butcher. He wanted to become a hydraulic engineer, but the folks at Boston College quickly dissuaded him, pointing out that an eye condition meant he couldn’t draw a straight line. So he worked and studied parttime at a cooperative school, Boston Northeastern University, for several years before a brother living in Denver persuaded him to come west. He got accepted at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo. In the summer of 1952, he was working as a diamond driller in

By Beth Bower When I got married to an officer in the U.S. Air Force — I was enlisted personnel — I don’t know how many times I was asked, “Do you have to salute him in bed?” No. But if I met him anywhere on base, I did. You might think that’s funny, but for many dual-military couples it’s a way of life. More than 7 percent of activeduty members and about 2.6 percent of Guard and Reserve members are in “dual-military” marriages, according TheMilitaryWallet.com. I didn’t find any statistics on retired members of military marriages — our situation — but I’ve got to believe it’s growing. My husband, Guy, and I got married overseas when the idea of “dualies” was kind of new to the service. When I joined the Air Force, there were not a lot of women in the service, so being married wasn’t that prevalent. I never thought I would find the love of my life working in the squadron next to me. And that he would be an officer. The road to our eventual marriage was rocky: technically, we weren’t allowed to date. One or both halves of a couple, depending on whether they were different ranks, could be accused of fraternization. There were strict rules against that. In fact, it could end up

with one or both being court martialed. Once we were married it wasn’t “okay” with the military hierarchy, but it was mostly accepted. When it was time to move on to other assignments, we had to apply for joint spouse military moves. This could be hard for those who had different career paths. We were lucky. Since he was a pilot and I was an operations specialist, we could be assigned to the same places. When I got pregnant with our first child, the Air Force offered me a way out and I took it. For me, it was the right thing to do. I gave up my nineplus year career — including becoming the first woman helicopter mechanic in the Tactical Air Command and the second in the Air Force — and became a stay-at-home mother. This allowed me to go back to school with my G.I. bill, get my degree and eventually work as a writer, something I am definitely happier and better at doing. My sister, Janet Ebert, took another path. She was married to another service member and then wasn’t. Her career was flourishing, and when she got a divorce, she didn’t want to get out of the Marine Corps. She became a single parent who had to have a power-of-attorney in case something happened to her, and she also had to assign care of her daughter to a family member or friend if she had to work somewhere other

From Page 1

November 2023

Leadville, Colo., when he spotted a pretty girl at the town’s annual burro races. Dolores Bare worked on the presses at her father’s newspaper in Leadville and was also a nursing student. Hall went to the newspaper office a few days later to ask her out. They dated, married and had two children — Mary and Ralph, Jr. Hall took a job as a sales rep covering part of western Colorado, worked for John Hancock Insurance in Denver and then was transferred to San Francisco. About 1962, suffering from breathing problems, Hall saw a doctor who advised him to lose weight. He joined a YMCA and has been exercising ever since. Ralph and Dolores Hall divorced and went their separate ways in 1974. She moved to Wichita and married Don Granger, an editor at the Wichita Eagle. After a couple more job changes, Ralph eventually landed a job with AT&T that kept him in Alabama for 30 years. He continued going to the Y and got his small plane pilot’s license. About 10 years ago, Hall’s daughter, Mary, called him and “told me I was no longer going to live alone.” Hall called Dolores to ask about possible residential rentals in the

Wichita area. Dolores, whose husband had died, invited him to share her home. They continue to live together. From Model Ts to Teslas and kick presses to computers, Hall has seen his share of history but still greets each day with enthusiasm. Hall got COVID in 2020, then broke his hip in June 2022. But he returned to exercising as soon as he could. The after effects of COVID have made it difficult for him to swim, although he still occasionally takes part in water aerobics classes at the Y. He rides a stationary bike for an hour seven days a week, trying to maintain the same speed as when he biked in his neighborhood. Because many other older Y members are also recovering from a disease or illness, or returning to a fitness routine afer a hiatus, the sight of Hall using a walker to reach his stationary bike can't help but inspire them. Melanie Jenney is a water group exercise instructor at the Robert D. Love Downtown YMCA. She first met Ralph Hall, then 92, when he performed a cannonball to enter the pool one of her classes. She can be reached at mjenney@ gmail.com.

Military marriage presented challenges, opportunities

Courtesy photo

Beth and Guy Bower pictured during their duty in Turkey. than the base or post she was assigned to. This “temporary duty elsewhere” (TDY in the Air Force, TAD in the Marines) could be short, a couple of days, or it could be months or even a year. At one point, I was assigned care of her daughter, but it was never needed. She was a single parent for 16 years. Janet retired after 28 and a half years as a Chief Warrant Officer 5, the first Marine in her career field to

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achieve that rank. She later married another service member who was a CWO. One advantage of being dualmilitary was the references. We both knew the lingo (the military is loaded with it):1500 was 3 p.m. and “Taps” signaled the end of the day. Another was having two paychecks. Young enlisted people aren’t usually overpaid A big disadvantage is the possibility of having a job that didn’t match your spouse’s career field. According to Themilitarywallet. com, “If two servicemembers belong to different career fields, it might not always be possible for them to be assigned to the same location. While efforts are made, whenever feasible, to collocate families it is not a guarantee and is considered a 'good deal.'” As members of the military, we had the same goal — to defend and protect our country and its citizens — whether it was abroad or at home. Guy and I spent time in Europe and England, Janet in the Far East. Our shared experiences led to a love of food, the people of those countries and that life. But truly, it was always good to come home. Beth Bower is a freelance, writer, editor and oookbook author. Guy Bower has hosted The Good Life radio show for more than 30 years.

November 2023

the active age

Battle between mice and men eating at Ted

By Ted Blankenship I try not to disparage our animal friends, but just between you and me, I don’t care much for mice. We now live next to an open field of native grass in Bel Aire, and so far, we haven’t had serious problems with them. But when we lived north of Rose Hill, we had a fairly large house with lots of mouse-size entryways and 20 acres of grass for hiding. The resourceful varmints took advantage of both. They took advantage of me, too. We humans may have a size advantage, but we can’t match mouse guile. They don’t set traps for us, but if

they did, they’d catch us every time. By contrast, humans generally aren’t very good at trapping mice. The mice have learned how to get the cheese or peanut butter without getting caught. If mice laugh, they probably guffaw and slap their little knees when we set a trap and it snaps on our fingers, smearing our thumbs with peanut butter in the process. You probably wonder why mice spend so much time getting into our

houses when there is a mouse trap-free world outside. They do it to eat our food — all of it if they can get their paws on it. Although no bigger than a baked potato (which they would happily eat), the smallest mouse consumes a tremendous amount of food. The average house mouse weighs about 20 grams and eats three grams of food per day. He or she must eat about 20 times a day to get this done. They’re successful mostly because they are natural-born high jumpers. They can leap as high as 18 inches to get at your flour and sugar. There are 30 known

November quiz: Know your Thanksgiving trivia?

By Nancy Wheeler Challenge your Thanksgiving dinner guests with this quiz. The answers appear on page 18. 1. In what year did the Pilgrims depart England for America? a.) 1420 b.) 1620 c.) 1820 2. What was the name of the ship that the Pilgrims sailed on to America? a.) Mayflower b.) Santa Maria c.)Nina 3. What world-famous stone is said to mark the site of the Pilgrims’ landing? a.) Rosetta Stone b.) Puritan Point c.) Plymouth Rock

4. Who wrote the history of the Plymouth Colony? a.) William Bradford b.) John Rolfe c.) John Carver 5. In what state was the Plymouth Colony located? a.) Vermont b.) New York c.) Massachusetts 6. What notable Native American served as an interpreter for the Pilgrims? a.) Pocahantas b.) Squanto c.) Massasoit

November Theatre By Diana Morton Forum Theatre, at the Wilke Center, 1st United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway. Ain’t Misbehavin’. Tony Award-winning musical celebrates the music of legendary Fats Waller and other great artists of the Harlem Renaissance. 8 pm Thu-Sat, 2 pm Sun, Nov 2-19. Tickets $23-$25. Opening night ticket $18. 316-618-0444

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Roxy’s Downtown, 412 E. Douglas, cabaret-style theatre. The Golden Girls, a Parody. One of Roxy’s most popular productions features Wichita favs Tom Frye, Scott Noah, Kyle Vespestad, Monte Wheeler and Christine Tasheff in a send-up of the popular TV show. 8pm Thu-Sat, 2:30 pm matinee Sat, now-11/4. Tickets $40. 316-265-4400 Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain. The Hollow, by Agatha

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Page 9 species of mice, and they all eat 15 to 20 times per day. It’s no wonder they build their nests near their food supply. Once a female mouses becomes pregnant, she will deliver five or six babies in 18 to 21 days. Assuming half will be female and begin reproducing in six weeks, mice can multiply pretty quickly. However, the average mouse lives only five or six months in the wild. That’s why you never see one walking with a cane. There is an exception: On Nov. 18, Mickey Mouse will turn 95 years old. Happy Birthday, Mick. Contact Ted at tblankenship218@ gmail.com. 10. Who wanted the turkey to be the national bird instead of the Bald Eagle? a.) Ben Franklin b.) John Adams c.) Alexander Hamilton 11. Although pumpkin pie is synonymous with Thanksgiving, what type of pie is actually the favorite, according to the American Pie Council? a.) . Apple b.). Pecan c.) Raisin 12. What household danger triples on Thanksgiving? a.) Theft b.) Falls c.)Cooking fires

Christie. A game of romantic followthe-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Lucy Angkatell, arguably Christie’s finest comic grande dame. Performances are at 8 pm Thursday through Saturday with a 2 pm Sunday matinee, now – Nov 5. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for military/seniors/students. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for military/ seniors/students. Contact Diana Morton at dianamorton12@sbcglobal.net

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November 2023

Wichita Journalism launches joint coverage on housing issues We all desire a place to call home, but is attainable quality housing too far out of reach for many Wichitans? The Wichita Journalism Collaborative is setting out to answer that and other questios surrounding housing here. As a collaborative, we hope to elevate the conversation

on housing by informing citizens, encouraging civic engagement, and holding local government accountable for its role in addressing the problem. The collaborative partners include: The Active Age, The Community Voice, The Journal (Kansas Leadership

Center), KMUW, KSN-TV, The Sunflower, The Wichita Beacon, The Wichita Eagle, the Wichita Public Library, Planeta Venus and The Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University. WJC is funded by a gift from the News and Info Fund at the Wichita Foundation.

Stay in touch with WJC on our website (wichitajournalism. org), Facebook or X. Members of the collaborative are also available to connect with community members during News Connect every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Advanced Learning Library.

North Broadway shows results of deinstitutionalizing the mentally ill By Charles Frodsham A recent essay in The Wall Street Journal entitled “It’s Time to Bring Back Asylums” provides food for thought about the mentally who now roam about freely and in too many cases attack members of the public going about their everyday lives. The essay notes that a growing number of scholars believe that deinstitutionalizing the mentally ill — a national policy begun under President Kennedy — “has been a calamity for both the mentally ill and society at large.” The essay’s author, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Oshinsky, isn’t suggesting a return to the kind of horrific asylum portrayed in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Instead, he advocates modern, humane asylums that would “end the revolving

Opinion door of homeless-hospitalizationprison that passes for policy today.” Here’s my experience in Wichita. In the early 60s, while attending the University of Wichita (now Wichita State), I worked the evening shift for KFH Radio, located on the seventh floor of the KFH Building (later known as Sutton Place) in downtown Wichita. I don’t remember ever dealing in any way with — or even seeing — homeless people downtown. In walking, parking, or driving, I never felt unsafe downtown in those late hours. I parked on the street and my car was never vandalized. Now, let’s talk about North Broadway between midnight and

1 a.m. In those years, I would meet friends who had signed off at midnight at other radio stations for a midnight snack and conversation at a beautiful all-night Holiday InnMidtown restaurant located at 1000 N. Broadway. Again, there was no reason to feel unsafe in that neighborhood at that time of night. But I’m not sure any rational person concerned about personal safety would want to be anywhere near that stretch of North Broadway these days late at night. I also don’t recall the word

“homeless” being used to describe what were referred to as vagrants. Since one of my responsibilities at KFH was to monitor police radio scanners, I do remember occasionally hearing about someone being arrested for — would you believe — vagrancy. Between asylums for the mentally ill and vagrancy laws it seems like the streets were much safer for the public then than they are today in many cities. Charles Frodsham lives in Beloit, Kan. He can be contacted at ckfrodsham@ nckcn.com.

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‘A whole new world’

Filmmaker shares his culture through the AlterNative Film Festival The Active Age Rodrick Pocowatchit is known for his movie reviews in The Wichita Eagle and for making his own films locally, such as “The Dead Can’t Dance” and “The Incredible Brown NDN.” He wouldn’t mind, though, being known as the man who helps Wichitans learn more about Native American culture while also being entertained through his AlterNative Film Festival, the first of which happened in 2021 and the second of which is happening Nov. 10-12 at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum. “It opens up a whole new world,” Pocowatchit said of the festival. “Especially if people are interested in learning about Native culture.” Born and raised in Wichita, Pocowatchit is half Comanche – his father was full-blood Comanche – and Pawnee and Shawnee on his mother’s side. “I grew up dancing, literally since I could walk, at powwows,” Pocowatchit said. As he grew up, movies became important, too. “My mom would take me to the

theater and drop me off by myself. I just remember being enthralled by it. Active in theatre in high school and at K-State, Pocowatchit thought about going to film school but “it just didn’t seem plausible.” He put his graphic design degree to work at the Eagle. At the age of 30, he decided to study film on his own and then wrote some short screenplays. For his first film, “Dancing on the Moon,” a buddy/ road trip movie featuring Native American characters, he used friends as actors — a practice he’s continued through other films. He was accepted into the Sundance Film Festival’s screenwriting workshop for Native Americans, flown to Los Angeles and mentored by professionals in the business. In 2020, Pocowatchit quit his job at The Eagle to work more on films. He’s travelled to numerous Native American film festivals, which got him thinking. “Well, why don’t we have one here?” After taking 2022 off from the festival, Pocowatchit is again partnering with the Mid-America All-

Indian Museum. Pocowatchit said the festival is free “because I just kind of wanted to give a gift to the city and let people experience this.” The opening and closing night films are by Native female directors. Saturday night, there’s a screening of two episodes of the “Reservation Dogs” TV show – a show that has particularly resonated with Pocowatchit. There’s an opening reception at 6 p.m. on Nov. 10 with food and drinks, and there’s a reception before the “Reservation Dogs” show on Nov. 11 that the All-Indian Museum is sponsoring, which will include fried bread and wine. Pocowatchit pared down this year’s

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festival in an effort to improve it. “Already we’re making leaps ahead from the first one just in our programming and in our special guests, so I hope it keeps Rodrick growing.” Pocowatchit For more information and showtimes, check out www. alternativefilmfestival.org.

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November 2023

Mural festival enlivens Salina streetscape

Art lovers, and especially fans of murals, will find much to love 90 miles up I-135 after last month’s Boom! Salina festival added eight large-scale works to the city’s street art scene. Artists from Spain, Portugal, Los Angeles and Germany are among those works are featured. This is the second year for the festival, during which members of the public are invited to watch the artists work. Below are some of the many murals added to Salina in recent years.

Clockwise from upper right: Robins in Bloom, by Brady Scott (2023); Dionysus in Salina, by PichiAvo (2023); Love Salina, by Eric Montoy;The Answer, by Joe Lurato (2022).

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Page 13

Mid-America Fine Arts Celebrating 50 Years of selling American and Kansas art in Wichita

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November 2023

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Win tickets to Holiday Tables

The Active Age and Designing Women are giving away five pairs of tickets to the 56th annual Holiday Tables, in which local businesses and residents decorate tables. It will be held at the Mark Arts community art center, 1307 N. Rock Rd., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9-11 and from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 12. To enter our drawing for the

tickets, visit our website, theactiveage. com, and fill out the entry form on our home page. You can also mail or bring this article along with your name, address and telephone number to The Active Age, 125 S. West St., Suite 105, Wichita, KS, 67203. Entries must be received by Nov. 5. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by calling (316) 634-2787.

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November 2023

Janet Huck Ward

Receiving duplicate copies?

Is your home receiving more than one copy of The Active Age? If so, please let us know by calling (316) 942-5385 or emailing joe@theactiveage.com. Every duplicate copy that we can eliminate will save us on printing and postage costs.

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A free digital copy of The Active Age is now available. The digital copy can be “flipped through” like a regular newspaper and the type can be enlarged on your phone or computer. To have the digital version emailed to you each money, call (316) 942-5384 or email joe@theactiveage.com.

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Donate for chance to win Botanica family membership

Donate at least $50 to The Active Age, and you could win a family membership to Botanica. The Active Age will hold a drawing for a family membership each month for the next six months from among people on our “Honor Roll” list

of donors. This month's winner is Carol Flower. Donations may be made by calling 316-942-5385; through our website, theactiveage.com; by mail to The Active Age, 125 S. West St., Suite 105, Wichita, KS, 67213; or in person.

November 2023

Answers from November quiz: 1. b 2. a 3. c 4. a

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NOTE:The Active Age is printing regularly scheduled senior center activities as space permits. Please email Joe at joe@theactiveage.com to have your center’s activities listed.

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enters

MT HOPE 105 S Ohio, 667-8956

MULVANE 632 E Mulvane, 777-4813 NORTHEAST 212 1 E 21st, 269-4444 OAKLAWN 2937 Oaklawn Dr, 524-7545

LA FAMILIA 841 W 21st, 267-1700

ORCHARD PARK 4808 W 9th, 942-2293

LINWOOD 1901 S Kansas, 263-3703

PARK CITY 6100 N Hydraulic, 744-1199

MCADAMS GOLDEN AGE 1329 E 16th, 337-9222

VALLY CENTER COMMUNITY CENTER 314 E Clay, 755-7350

Butler County Senior Centers

ANDOVER 410 Lioba Dr, 733-4441 www.andoverks.com AUGUSTA 640 Osage, 775-1189 BENTON Lion’s Community Bldg, S Main St

CASSODAY Cassoday Senior Center 133 S. Washington, 620-735-4538 DOUGLASS 124 W 4th, 746-3227 EL DORADO 210 E 2nd, 321-0142

Senior Wednesdays November 4 10:30 am Wichita Art Museum 1400 W. Museum Blvd., $2 admission. Info unavailable. 1:30 pm Museum of World Treasures 835 E. 1st St. Info unavailable. November 8 10 am Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 Zoo Blvd. (316) 2668213, $4 Chinchilla Chatter 1:30 pm Advanced Learning Library, 711 W, 2nd, (316) 261-8500, Free. Wichita from the Air - The Aerial Photography of Edgar B. Smith November 15 10 am Ulrich Museum of Art, 1845 N. Fairmount. Vivian Zavataro: Curating chro•ma .

1:30 pm Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E 29th St N. Info unavailable. November 22 10 am Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main. Info unavailable. 1:30 pm Mid American All-Indian museum. 650 N Seneca (316) 3503340, $2 + tax admission; free for MAAIM members. Info unavailable. November 29 10am The Kansas African American Museum, 601 N Water. $3. Info unavailable. 1:30 pm Old Cowtown Museum. 1865 Museum Blvd $2 + tax; bers. Info unavailable.

Dances

Derby Sr Center, 611 Mulberry. 1st & 3rd Tuesday 7pm-9:30 pm. El Dorado Jam & Dance, Senior Center, 210 E. 2nd. Goldenrod Golden Age, 1340 S Pattie. Dances every Wednesday 7pm-9:30pm. Linwood Golden Age, 1901 S Kansas. Every Saturday 7pm-9:30pm. Call Jim 316-945-9451 Minisa Golden Age, 704 W 13th. Info 617-2560. Every Thursday 7pm9:30pm. Call Rita 316-364-1702 Mulvane, 101 E. Main (Pix Community Center Second Tuesday of every month at 7-9 pm. Oaklawn Activity Center, 4904 S. Clifton. Contra Dance1st Saturday of each month. 7pm-9pm. Call Amanda at 316-361-6863.

Orchard Park Golden Age, 4808 W 9th. Every Friday 7pm-9:30pm. Call Casey 316-706-7464 Park City Sr Center, 6100 N Hydraulic. 1st and 3rd Saturday 7-9:30 p.m. Info: 755-1060. Line Dance every Wednesday 2:30pm. Call Madison 316-744-1199. Square dance 2nd & 4th Sunday 6pm-8:30 pm. Prairie Wind Dancers: Plymouth Congregational Church, 202 N Clifton. Joyce, 683-1122. Village Steppers Square Dance, Oaklawn Activity Center, 4904 S Clifton. Westside Steppers Square Dance, 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, 6-8:30 p.m., West Heights United Methodist (entrance "D"), 745 N. Westlink Ave. Info: Sheldon Lawrence (316) 648-7590.

Friendship Meals Aging Projects serves a hot, nutritious meal weekdays for persons 60 and older in Sedgwick, Harvey and Butler counties. Reservations are necessary. For locations and reservations, call 316-686-0074. WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1 Wed: Tuna Noodle cass, peas & carrots, garlic cheddar biscuit. Thu:BBQ Chicken, combo salad, mixed fruit, wheat roll. Fri: Cheeseburger, potato salad, cinnamon apples. WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6 Mon: Shepherd's pie, mixed vehetables, pears, wheat roll. Tue: Chicken Tenders, mashed potatoes, cream gracy, corn, ambrosia fruit salad.. Wed: Goulash, green beans, pineapple, garlic breadstick. Thu: Ham Salad, on bun, potato soup, peaches, chef's choice birthday cake. Fri: CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY..

LEON 112 S Main, 745-9200 or 742-9905 ROSE HILL 207 E Silknitter, 776-0170 TOWANDA 317 Main, 776-8999 Open 10:30 am-5 pm Mon, Wed, Fri WHITEWATER Legion Hall, 108 E Topeka

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 13 Mon: White bean chicken chili, corn relish salad, apricots, crackers. Tue: Fish sticks, mac & cheese, cucumbr & tomato salad, craisins. Wed: Swiss steak, cream peas & potatoes, fruit cocktail, wheat roll. Thu: Roast turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, wheat roll . Fri: Southwest Chicken bake, mixed vegetables, pineapple, garlic breadstick.

BURRTON 124 N Burrton, 620-463-3225 HALSTEAD 523 Poplar, 835-2283 HESSTON Randall & Main, 620-327-5099 www.hesstonseniorcenter.com NEWTON AREA SENIOR CENTER 122 E 6th, Newton, 283-2222 www.grandcentralseniorcenter.com SEDGWICK 107 W. Fifth, 772-0393

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 20 Mon: Poor boy stew, three bean salad, peaches, cornbread muffin. Tue: Breaded chicken patty on bun, baked beans, tropical fruit. Wed: Cranberry meatballs, scalloped potatoes, fruit cocktail, wheat roll. Thu: CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY. Fri: CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY.

Harvey County

www.seniorwednesday.org

NOTE: AGING PROJECTS, INC. PLANNED TO MAKE FRIENDSHIP MEALS AVAILABLE THROUGH PICK UP AND DELIVERY IF NECESSARY. FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MEAL SITE OR CALL 316-686-0074

Transportation Sedgwick County

Sedgwick Co Transportation, 660-5150 or 1-800-367-7298. Information: 8 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri; closed most holidays. www. sedgwickcounty.org/aging.

Butler County Transit

Weekday transportation in El Dorado, Augusta and Andover. Rides to Wichita on Wed, Thu. Information: Augusta, 775-0500; El Dorado, 322-4321; toll free, 1-800-2793655. 48-hr notice required.

Harvey County

Transportation reservations or information: 316-284-6802 or 1-866-6806802. Round-trip: $8 Newton (wheelchair only), $12 Harvey County, $20 outside Harvey County. AVI to Newton: Tue, 12:304:30 pm from Burrton, Sedgwick, Halstead, Hesston, Walton.

www.theactiveage.com

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 27 Mon: Build-a-breakfast samdwich, hashbrowns, orange juice. Tue: Sloppy Joe on bun, coleslaw w/ carrots, pineapple. Wed: Chicken & Rice cass., greenbeans, apricots, breadstick. Thu: Pimento cheese spread on bun, cream of tomato soup, tropical fruit.. * Milk is served with all meals. Meals fall within the following ranges: Calories 650-750; protein 25 grams or higher; fat 20 to 30 percent of calories; calcium 400 mg or higher; sodium 1,000 grams or less; fiber 9 grams or higher. FUNDING MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT, KDADS AND CENTRAL PLAINS AREA AGENCY ON AGING

Page 20

the active age

November 2023

Classified Advertising

F CEMETERY PROPERTY FOR SALE F

F ESTATE SALES F

4 plots in Resthaven in Rose Garden. Section 62 lots C1,C2,C3 & C4. 1 marker, 2 vaults, 2x-opening/ closing. $19,900 for all or will sell separately. Transfer fee included. Call 316-992-1931.

IPK Enterprises Estate Sales. Know your options, you have many. Please call us for a free consultation. 316-806-3435.

2 burial spaces and 1 vault at Resthaven. One sealing vault, one opening and closing and one bronze makrer. Located in the Garden of Christus. Selling both spaces and the vault for $11,000 OBO. 240-338-9743. Garden of the Praying Hands, Resthaven, Lot 38D, Space 2, $4,000. 785-478-4015

F FOOT CARE F FOOT CARE IN YOUR HOME

Cheryl Rosine ~ The Foot Lady ICMT RN

• 316-312-2025 •

Benjamin Jones ~ CNAICR

• 316-932-8524•

Lakeview Cemetary - Everlasting Life DoubleDipped Lawn Crypt - C-11 Space 10. Retail $7,500, asking $4,000 OBO. Call Scott 213-798-8689

$40: In-home, Sedgwick & surrounding counties Diabetic, thick toe nails, ingrown & callous care

ESTATE SALE: White Chapel Memorial Gardens. 2 burial plots, side by side, valued at $1,899 each sell for $1,500 each. One 2-piece concrete vault. Valued at $1,348. Sell for $1,000 plus transfer fee. 541-840-0783

Foot Care in home. Home visit $40.00 Call Francine at 316-943-4360. Leave a message.

Lakeview Everlasting Life Lot 102 Spaces 3 and 4. Will sell both for $3800. Seller pays transfer fees. Cash, cashiers check or certified check only. Call 316-259-4446 Resthaven Cemetary Garden of Faith, Prime location. 2 lots on center isle. 40 A&B. $12,500. 316-617-8581 2 lots, nice location. Lakeview, Garden of Meditation. Retail $4,195 each. Sell both $3,000 plus transfer fee. Steve 316-305-9657, jazzyspoppop@gmail.com Resthaven Garden of Freedom.1 Plot Section 26 Lot 50D Space 4. Asking $3,000. Seller will pay transfer fee. 316-214-4737. Leave a message. Lakeview Gardens, Garden of Gethsemane II, two spaces valued at $3,195 each. Asking $3,500 total OBO. 719-649-4307.

2 plots at Resthaven cemetery. Sermon on the mount garden. Lot 95-C spaces 3&4. $4,500 each or $8,000 together. Transfer fee paid. 316-734-0660. Leave message. Two plots at Lakeview Cemetery, Veterans Lawn Crypt-Lot #C-10. Value -$7,800. Sell for $5,000. Seller pays transfer fee. Call 316-788-3983

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Lakeview Cemetery 2 plots 4-Sale Veterans Lawn Crypt Area Lot: C10 Space 9-A & 9-B $2,800 includes transfer fees Call 316-650-3455

F FOR SALEF 2022 Pride Zero turn electric scooter. New $4,000, sell for $2,450 OBO. Call 316-761-7145 Multi use patient lift and transfer chair for sale, New $450 obo, call (316) 200-3395 for more information.

F FURNITURE F Downsizing? Don't have an Auction, or Estate Sale. We Buy Entire Estates. Call Kelly 316-283-8536. Furniture Warehouse 200 Main Newton, KS

F HAIR STYLINGF Hair Solutions by Sherry Perms * Cuts * Colors Men, Woman & Children 1 person Salon Call for an appointment Sherry Brown 316-207-1760

F HAULING/JUNK REMOVALF Chilo s Hauling & Junk Removal WILL HAUL ANYTHING!! Mon-Fri- Before Noon Weekends- All Day Free Estimates 316-618-4037 HAULING HANDYMAN Brush, Junk/Trash Removal MISC. ODD JOBS, NO JOB TOO SMALL Honest & Reasonable. 316-807-4989.

F HOME CARE F

Place an ad: 942-5385

F HOME IMPROVEMENTS F

Dave’s Improvements General Contractor Lic #7904 Roofing, Siding, Doors, Gutters, Windows, Storm damage repair, Senior Discount. 316-312-2177 Handyman RX- We have a remedy for almost all of your “fix-it” jobs! Light carpentry including deck and fence repair, indoor misc. repairs and installations, lawn mowing “LG or SM”, Yard & Garage clean-up, mulching, hauling miscellaneous,hauling dirt, sand, and rock/ gravel upto 3.5 tons. What you need done I can probably handle. Call for HELP! Brian 316-217-0882. Free Estimates Cowboy Construction Remodeling, siding, decks, fences, windows, doors and more. 20 years locally owned. Free estimates. Senior discounts. Todd Wenzel 316-393-4488 Derby, Haysville, Mulvane, Rose Hill, Wichita. Exterior & Interior. House painting, siding, decks, fences. Build, repair and stain. (SEE REVIEWS)- KC KIMBALL DERBY KS ANGI Free Estimates. Be Blessed. Thank you. 316-250-2265 or 316-789-9639

F ELECTRICAL F Alpha Electric Dependable Electrical Service Call Greg at 316-312-1575 Insured, Lic. #1303

S & V Concrete

Steps, porches, patios, sidewalks, driveways & garage floors. Also 4-inch steps with 18-inch landings for seniors. Licensed, bonded, insured. Free estimates

Steve 992-6884

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Dirt Dr LLC Dirt Work • Landscaping Needs Junk Removal • Tree Trimming Dirt Dr specializes in all your landscaping needs, seasonal yard clean outs, and junk removal. Give us a call or text for a free estimate at: 316-351-8863

Scheduled maintenance, repair, sales on all garage doors. *Springs-Torsion & Extension *Garage Door Openers, Doors & More

LIFT-RITE GARAGE DOORS

Chris (316) 619-1196 or Linda (316) 841-5252

K & A Maintenance Experts We specialize in the following

Wheel Chair Ramps • Landscaping • Remodeling Decks • Safety Hand Rails

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All General Maintenance and Repairs Please call Jesse at 316-854-7642

CLEAN CUT FENCING Professional fence install and fence repair. Call or text 316-821-6341

Serving west Wichita, Goddard and Cheney

SENIOR HELPING SENIOR FORSHEE MASONRY- 50 Years Any Brick, Block, Stone Repair Sidewalk Leveling Senior Discount

RICK 316-945-8751

AGAPE CONSTRUCTION

Looking for Companion Care? Will do light housekeeping, meal prep, run errands. 316-652-5737

Total Concrete Services

Needing someone to clean home. Willing to pay $20/hr. 316-744-0288.

Locally Owned by Pastor Steven Blalock 10% off Senior/Military Discount

807-8650

F HELP WANTED F

www.agaperoofingandconstruction.com

Bruce Smith Roofing & Siding Protect your home from the elements of the weather!

35 Years Exp. Locally owned & operated

Place your ad today! Call 316-942-5385 Deadline for the Dec. paper is Nov 10

316.807-5180

Ins/Lic #5803 316-942-1967

Private Duty Aide with light house keeping. Availability evenings and weekends. References upon request. Cynthia CNA/HHA 316-992-6711

CNA will care for your loved one; experienced w/ Dementia+ALZ, companion care, transportation to and from medical, dental, salon or general appointments, light cleaning, pet/plant care. References available. Cristi 316-779-4269

PAINTING • SIDING • SEAMLESS GUTTERING • DECKS

MOBILE GLASS REPAIR Windows * Patio * Doors Windows won’t stay up, Crank Outs, Patio Rollers and Lock Latches, Morris Glass & Service, 316-946-0745

F COMPUTER SPECIALISTF Tech got you down? I can help with computers, Macs, smartphones, setting up Roku etc… abcd TECH cell 316.768.7832

F HOME IMPROVEMENTS CONT F

AGAPE ROOFING Three Generations of Local Roofers Quality Work – Fair Prices Residential & Commercial

FREE ESTIMATES

Siding - Guttering - Windows

316-640-3155 Licensed & Insured

Call for Free Roof Inspection Locally Owned by Pastor Steven Blalock Licensed & Insured

All types of roofing, siding, handyman work, hauling, clean-ups & other exterior projects

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316-807-8650

November 2023

the active age

Page 21

Classified Advertising

Place an ad: 942-5385

Art Busch

F HOME IMPROVEMENTS CONT F

F LAWN AND GARDEN CONTF

316.990.7039 artbuschwichita.com artbusch@plazare.com

F REAL ESTATEF

Senior Real Estate Specialist

Professional Handyman Services

Easch office is independently Owned and Operated

General Contractor

Home Improvement & Repair

Art Busch

316-518-8553

West Side Lawn Service FALL LEAF CLEANUP Hauling & odd jobs Free estimates. Perry 316-339-4117.

JS Guttering & Construction 5"-6" SEAMLESS GUTTER WHOLE HOUSE PAINTING SIDING & WINDOWS

Call Josh for an estimate

316-393-8921

Beard & Son Concrete Construction

Drive ways, sidewalks, patio and landscaping. Dirt work and more. Skid Loader/Mini Skid Loader Services Licensed * Bonded * Insured

I bid’em to get’em! Steve 316-259-0629 Dylan 316-734-6134

Ballard Plumbing ALL PLUMBING REPAIRS • •

FREE estimates Senior Discounts

Licensed & Insured Veteran Owned - Family Operated

Call Brad at 316-260-0136 www.BallardPHC.com

FALL IS UPON US! Please call Robert for leaf removal, raking, and garden bed clean up or any other gardening needs. No job too big or too small. Free estimates. 316-932-4225 HAULING HANDYMAN Brush, Junk/Trash Removal MISC. ODD JOBS, NO JOB TOO SMALL Honest & Reasonable. 316-807-4989.

LEAVES

Tree Trimming Junk Removal Stump Grinding

Brock Eastman 316.765.1677 Clean Cut Lawncare Single owner with over 9 years’ experience. Serving west Wichita, Goddard and Cheney FALL LEAF CLEANUP Gravel Spreading, Fill Dirt & Top Soil Fence building and repair

316-821-6341

Integrity Landscaping & Construction • Clean Ups/Haul Off • Fences • Power Washing

Jesus Landscaping Complete lawncare. Spring clean-up * Aeration * Over Seeding Gutter cleaning * Fencing * Landscape install/maintain * Shrub/tree trimming/removal Call for a free estimate! 316-737-3426 or 316-631-5984 WWW.JESUSLANDSCAPINGKS.COM Sharp Edges Lawn Care Service • Mowing • Trimming • Edging • Rake Leaves • And MORE Call/Text 316-640-6327

Preferred Ownedand and Operated Roofing Contractor Lic #7904 Owned

Easch office is independently **FREE ROOFING INSPECTIONS** Owned and Operated Storm Damage Repair

• Roofing • Siding • Doors

Exterior • Power Washing Henricks Lawn Care • Some Home Improvements Owner/operator 35 yrs. Free experience. Estimates

Lawn /landscaping/tree & shrub care. Spring & Fall cleanup, gutter cleaning & hauling. Servicing West Wichita, Goddard, Cheney, Colwich areas Toby Henricks 316-680-9183

• Gutters • Windows • And more

Senior Discount. 316-312-2177

'Let us Help you- Medical Loan Closet!' Call 316-779-8989 Downsizing / Moving / Fall Cleaning We buy everything from individual items to whole estates. House cleanout service also available. Give us a call to learn more about all the services we provide Bud Palmer Auction 316.838.4141 BudPalmerAuction.com

The

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F PAINTING F

Affordable Painting "We've Been Covering The Town For 30 Years!"

Spring Specials 10% off

Mary Halsig, CLTC, Veteran

www.halsiginsurance.com (316) 207-2377

F TREE SERVICE F Felipe Tree Service Evergreen trimming. Tree removal. Brush hauling. Splitting. Deadwooding. Free estimates. 12 years experience. Free316-807-4419 Estimates

• Residential and Commercial • Painting for Interior and Exterior • Power Washing • Some Home Improvements

Free Estimates * Senior Citizen Discounts www.affordablepaintingwichita.com

McCoy Painting 316-516-6443 Do you need any interior or exterior painting done? I’m your man. Free estimates, affordable rates. References available..

Bruce’s Tree Service PROMPT IMMEDIATE SERVICE Complete Tree Trimming & Removal Gutter Cleaning and Leaf Rake Trees * Shrubs* Hedgerows * Evergreens Senior Discounts. Insured. Over 30 years exp. ALL FARM & RURAL AREAS Firewood Call 316-207-8047

Place your ad today! Call 316-942-5385 Deadline for the Dec. paper is Nov 10 www.theactiveage.com

316-806-9592 Licensed & Insured

Alfred's Superior Tree Service 316-522-9458

www.alfredstreeservice.com pruning - tree removal - stump grinding - debris/ brush haul off - chemical sprays - emergency services - firewood - consultations - demolitions

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Kitchens, Bathrooms, Roofing & more

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F SERVICES F

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F SERVICES F

"We've Been Covering The Town For 30 Years!" 316-990-1958 Winterization/ Sprinkler Blow out 316-945-9473 $25 service call, $5 per zone Seniors Credit Senior Citizen Discounts Teachers Credit • Residential andReferral Commercial Credit • Painting forCALL Interior TOand SCHEDULE!

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Page 22

the active age

November 2023

Voices on the wind:

The uncomfortable history of Kansas and First Peoples of the plains By Max McCoy Kansas Reflector Often have I stood on the plains of western Kansas and heard the voices of the past come to me on the incessant wind, whispers of lives that were spent between the great bowl of the sky and the unforgiving earth. Nowhere have I had this sensation stronger than at Fort Larned National Historic Site, along the old Santa Fe Trail in Pawnee County. The fort is a fine national historic site with excellent interpretive material. On last month’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend, I couldn’t help but think of the role the fort played in the pageant of brutality that was the West. The national historic site, six miles west of the city of Larned, has nine restored sandstone buildings, including barracks and arsenal, and is among the best-preserved forts of the period. At its peak, Fort Larned housed about 500 troops and provided administrative and material support to the Medicine Lodge Treaty of October 1867. Stanley’s dispatches The fort’s link to the Medicine Lodge Treaty (which was actually three treaties) was made clear by a correspondent for the Missouri Democrat, a young reporter named Henry Morton Stanley, who would later be remembered for uttering, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” He was dispatched to the fort and points south along with the seven-member Indian Peace Commission. “The Indians of the present day hunt the buffalo and the antelope over this lone and level land, as freely as their ancestors, except where the white man has erected a fort,” he wrote in one dispatch. In 1864, the U.S. Army (over the objections and refusal of some officers and men to participate) had massacred 160 women and children at a Cheyenne and Arapaho encampment at Sand Creek in Colorado Territory. Before the slaughter, Chief Black Kettle had been flying an American flag from his tipi. “After Sand Creek the Indians

were at war everywhere, mostly on the Platte,” Stanley told his readers. On orders, George Armstrong Custer burned a Cheyenne-Lakota village west of Fort Larned. A series of fights followed, including one in which an entire detachment of cavalry was killed near present-day Goodland. By the end of the summer of 1867, a new plan came from Washington — diplomacy, because the fighting in the west was growing too expensive. The Medicine Lodge treaties that followed were held at a sacred spot for the Kiowa and Cheyenne, on the Medicine Lodge River near the mouth of Elm Creek, about 100 miles south of Larned. The fort supplied the provisions for the council, including food for all of the former combatants. It may have been one of the largest assemblies of First Peoples on the plains, with contemporary estimates ranging up to 15,000 individuals. The nations represented included the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Comanche and Apache. Probably the most famous — and most feared by the whites — among the native people was Satanta, a Kiowa chief known for both his fighting skills and his soaring oratory. The Indian Peace Commission was escorted to Medicine Lodge by 500 troops of the Seventh Cavalry. Satanta said he was ready for peace. Stanley had reported that the chief was done with fighting. “There are no longer any buffaloes around here,” Satanta said, “nor anything we can kill to live on; but I am striving for peace now.” From plains to reservations From Oct. 21 to 29, 1867, three separate treaties were signed at Medicine Lodge that collectively reduced the area set aside for the plains nations by 60,000 square miles. In exchange, the First Peoples nations were given reservations in the southwestern corner of Oklahoma and allowances for food, clothing and other provisions. Not long after the peace commission’s gifts of beads, buttons,

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Members of the Comanche nation travel to the Medicine Lodge Treaty site in October 1867, as depicted in an engraving in “Leslie’s Illustrated.” (Library of Congress) knives, cloth and pistols had been taken home, discontent was again brewing among the plains nations. Reservation life, restricted geographically and tied to government allotments of food and supplies, was an unsatisfactory substitute for the nomadic culture the plains nations had previously known. Brutal raids into the old hunting grounds of western Kansas resumed. By 1871, Satanta was attacking wagon trains in Texas, was eventually captured, and became among the first Native American leaders to be tried in a U.S. court. The peace commission was the U.S. government’s last attempt to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the First Peoples, according to the National Archives. In November 1868, Custer attacked a Southern Cheyenne camp on the banks of the Washita River in Oklahoma and killed 50. Fiftythree women and children were taken prisoner by the Seventh Cavalry. In 1874, Custer led an Army expedition to the Black Hills, in which gold was found. Custer and 267 of his command would be killed by the combined forces of thousands of Lakota, Dakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors.

But the plains nations could not withstand increased pressure from the U.S. military and white settlement. The decades-long conflict ended Dec. 29, 1890, at Wounded Knee, Dakota Territory, where 300 Lakota people were massacred by the U.S. Army in a campaign to suppress the Ghost Dance religion. “The young Plains culture of the Kiowas withered and died like grass that is burned in the prairie wind,” wrote N. Scott Momaday in his 1969 book, “The Way to Rainy Mountain.” It is time for Kansas to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a state holiday. About a dozen states have already done so, including Oklahoma. Both the cities of Wichita and Lawrence celebrate it. Considering our state’s pivotal role in the war against the plains nations, and the many contributions of Kansans of indigenous heritage, it would be a small but corrective move toward celebrating a culture we nearly destroyed. Max McCoy is a Kansas author and journalist. A longer version of this article can be found at kansasreflector.com.

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November 2023

the active age

Savvy Senior: Top TV remotes for elderly seniors

Most modern TV remotes that come with dozens of unnecessary buttons can be confusing for anyone to operate but can be especially challenging for elderly seniors. Fortunately, there are several universal TV remotes available that are specifically designed for older adults with vision, memory or confusion issues, as well as those that are technologically challenged. These

remotes have bigger buttons and pared-down options that make them much easier to see and use. Here are three top choices to consider. The two most-popular simplified TV remotes on the market today are the Flipper and the EasyMote. Both of these are infraredonly remotes intended for those who use traditional cable/satellite boxes or their TV’s internal tuner. They are not designed for people who use streaming media devices and will not work with devices that are controlled via Bluetooth or radio frequency. The Flipper, which is a top-rated

remote, works with all major TVs including cable, satellite and digital TV receiver boxes. Available for $40 at FlipperRemote.com, this lightweight remote has a tapered design that makes it easy to hold, and for simplicity, it has only six large color-coded tactile buttons that are exposed to control the power, mute, volume up/down, and channel up/down. The other popular senior-friendly remote that’s worth a look is the EasyMote (see EasyMote.us), which is available on Amazon.com for $18. This lightweight remote, which controls most TV and cable boxes, also comes with six large, easy-to-see buttons

By Dr. Liz Peterson As a physician, the last thing I want is for a patient to make decisions about their health and wellbeing based on the cost of care and medication rather than their actual care needs. Right now is a critical time for the over 500,000 individuals in Kansas who rely on Medicare for their health insurance. Evaluating your own health care needs can help you select a plan that will cover you when you need it the most and fit within your budget. While it’s impossible to foresee all health issues that may require treatment, there are several things to consider during the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period (AEP), happening Oct. 15 through Dec. 7: • Future Health Risks: In addition to making sure your plan

covers your current health needs, speak to your doctor about health risks that may require additional treatment. For instance, if you have prediabetes, consider the potential for future diabetes management. • Prescription Drug Benefits: Prescription drug coverage is included in many Medicare Advantage plans, unlike Original Medicare. If you prefer Original Medicare, you can opt for a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan through a private insurer. Prepare a list of your current medications to compare costs while choosing plans. • Doctors and Hospitals: If you have a favorite doctor, ensure they accept your plan to avoid any additional expenses for out-of-network providers. Also understand if the plan requires referrals for specialized care. • Other Benefits: Consider additional benefits that can positively

impact your health and well-being. Medicare Advantage plans may include dental, vision and hearing coverage; fitness programs; transportation to doctor visits; and even allowances that help eligible beneficiaries pay for healthy food and other essentials, like rent and utilities. • Costs: Different plans have different costs, so understand the full picture when comparing plans in your area. Look at monthly premiums, deductibles and co-pays for hospital stays and doctor visits. Also, pay attention to annual maximum out-ofpocket costs. If you reach the limit, you will pay nothing for covered services the rest of the year. • Quality: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reviews and rates all Medicare Advantage plans before the enrollment period each year to help consumers

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some simplified universal television remotes for seniors? My 88-year-old dad, who lives in a retirement community, has some dementia and gets confused with all the buttons on his remote. As a result, he keeps accidently reprograming his TV set.

-Searching Son

Page 23 (on/off, mute, channel up/down, and volume up/down buttons) that light up when pressed, which is a nice feature if you watch TV in the dark. It also comes with a handy wrist strap to prevent misplacing the remote but can be removed anytime. Get more Savvy Visit theactiveage.com for more help information from the Savvy Senior. Topics this month include: 1.Three Vaccines Seniors Should Consider Getting This Fall 2. Do You Need Life Insurance After You Retire? 3. Protecting Your Pets After You’re Gone 4. How to Find a Medical Escort After a Procedure

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make informed decisions. Plans are rated on a scale of one to five, with one indicating poor performance and five indicating excellence. Your health insurance carrier is a partner that helps you get the care you need. If you are eligible for Medicare, take time to research your options and ensure you select the plan that best meets your personal health and financial needs. The Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov can help compare plans and benefits and get an estimated cost for each plan. For more information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, seven days a week (TTY users should call 1-877-4862048). Liz Peterson is vice president of health services in Kansas for Humana, which is a Medicare Advantage plan provider.

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the active age

November 2023

Share the Season stepped up when cancer victim needed help. Will you?

This year will be the 23rd in which Share the Season serves families in our community. Funds raised through this program are used to fill the gaps left by other assistance programs. Since its start, Share the Season has raised over $4.4 million dollars and help more than 4,200 families thanks to the generosity and compassion of community members. Here’s a Share the Season from last year: Samantha (her name has been changed to protect her privacy) was

undergoing chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer when her Family and Medical Leave Act protection expired in December of 2022. Samantha received an email from her employer on Dec. 14 stating she was no longer an employee of the company due to her reduced work schedule and increased absences. This meant she would lose her medical insurance through her company at the end of December. Samantha was blindsided by her termination since she had worked fulltime throughout her chemotherapy

treatment, missing only a few days. Samantha reached out to the Wichita Cancer Foundation for help with insurance. In addition, she applied for Medicaid, but it would take some time before learning whether she was approved for it. Samantha also applied for unemployment to secure some short-term relief, but was told it would take 60 days for her application to be processed. Samantha was looking for another job when she learned about the Share the Season program. After being

contacted by Samantha, Share the Season was able to assist with a total of $1500 paid towards Samantha’s medical bills to help during this time of emotional, medical and financial hardship. Please consider sharing with your neighbors this season. Two giving options are available. Online donations may be made at ShareTheSeason. org or checks may be mailed to Share the Season, PO Box 485, Wichita, KS 67201-0485.

Stretch your pizza horizons with Tuscan Schiacciata

By Joe Stumpe Here’s a deliciously different take on an old favorite — pizza — that’s also a cinch to make. Called Schiacciata in Tuscany, the region of Italy where it originated, it’s technically a flatbread rather than a pizza. But many recipes call for starting with pizza dough. It’s pronounced “ske-chada.” What makes it different are the toppings: in its most basic form,

nothing but halved grapes, fresh rosemary, olive oil and a little salt. In Tuscany, the same grapes that go into the region’s famous wines are used on the dish. Here, I’ve found that smaller black and purple grapes work well. Roasting the grapes on top of the pizza concentrates their flavor and gives them a jammy texture. Rosemary and olive oil show up in many Tuscan dishes. Grated pecorino cheese, another

SCHIACCIATA (TUSCAN FLATBREAD) 12-16 oz. pizza dough, store bought or homemade Extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup grapes, halved 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1/3 to 1/2 cup grated pecorino or parmesan cheese Kosher or sea salt, to taste Optional: toasted pine nuts, truffle oil for drizzling Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Oil your hands good with olive oil and spread the dough out thinly (about ½ inch) in a rectangular shape on an oiled cookie sheet or other pan. With your fingers, make dimples in the dough. Brush about a tablespoon of olive oil over the dough, then spread the halved grapes, rosemary, cheese, salt to taste and pine nuts (if using) over the dough. Drizzle with olive oil or truffle oil, if desired. Bake about 10 minutes or until dough is cooked and browned in spots. Remove and serve.

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the other, they’re pinched together and baked. It can also be a dessert, with sugar sprinkled across the top before baking. The savory versions all make a great snack, appy, light lunch or dinner that can be ready in about 20 minutes or less. It keeps nicely overnight and can be reheated or eaten at room temperature.

November 2023

the active age

Page 25

Caregiving better when it’s a ‘team sport’

By Monica Cissell We’ve heard in recent months from the Surgeon General and others about the importance of connection and the devastating impact social isolation can have on people’s health and well-being. Caregivers often feel like they are alone in the caregiving journey but there are 69 million others — 29 percent of the population — who are providing support or care for an older adult or someone with a disability or chronic illness. In November, which is National Family Caregiver Month, take the

opportunity to connect with those in your life who are caregiving. But let’s not stop there. We can advocate better for ourselves, others and for policy change. Caregiving is a team sport; we do better when we do it together. The Butler County Department on Aging offers caregiver education (individual and group), respite and one-on-one assistance. The Harvey County Department on Aging offers one-on-one assistance, an educational newsletter and respite. The Central Plains Area Agency on Aging/ Sedgwick County Department on

Aging offers one-on-one assistance, monthly caregiver support groups, individual caregiver counseling, caregiver transportation (Sedgwick County only), in-home services and a caregiver group Facebook page. If you have questions about these or other community resources, call CPAAA at 855-200-2372.

CPAAA Caregiver Support Group When: 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Home Health and Hospice of Kansas, 7607 E. Harry, Wichita Monica Cissell is director of information and community services for CPAAA.

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Page 26

the active age

November 2023

Wichita Boys String Quintet launched careers, lifelong friendships

By Sue Roberts Nispel My older brother and I attended Fairmount elementary school in Wichita. The sixth-grade teacher was Miss Hackett, who also served as the music teacher. When my brother, Ron, was in her class, she talked to my mother about having him play violin and offered to sell an old one she owned. After some thought and discussion with my dad, the violin was purchased, probably in 1945 or ’46. Since Jay Decker and Alice Graber were also talented music students at Fairmount, Miss Hackett was thrilled to start a little string group. When it was time for intermediate school, Alice and Jay went to

Roosevelt, but my brother went to Horace Mann. The instrumental teacher at Horace Mann was Eldon Lipp. One of the other students was John Dalley, whose father, Orin Dalley, was the first conductor of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. John Dalley played violin. Soon, a student string quartet was

formed. John Dalley played first violin, Charles Johnson played second violin, my brother switched to viola and Jay Decker played cello. Since my parents had now bought a viola, I inherited the violin — much to my displeasure. I

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November 2023

the active age

clubs and civic groups. After school they went their separate ways, but they kept in touch with each other and played together when they all were home. Jay Decker founded the Springfield, Mo., Youth Symphony and Kansas City Civic Orchestra before returning as a music professor at Wichita State University and associate conductor of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Charles Johnson became an engineer with Boeing in Seattle, where he was a member of the Seattle symphony for many years. John Dalley was a violinist with the prestigious Guaneri String Quartet, traveling the world for their performances (there’s a Wikipedia page devoted to his career). My brother became a Presbyterian pastor, which had been his goal. John, Charles and Jay were lifelong, highlevel musicians. My brother wrote a

Page 27

Wichita State creates retirees association

number of hymns. One time when they were together, Ron told them he would promise not to play the viola with them if they would promise not to preach in his Ronald Roberts presence. Today, the original violin(see right) purchased from Miss Hackett sits in my living room beside the piano. I majored in music in college, but vocal music was my choice. I was a music teacher in Wichita public schools and have directed church choirs for over 50 years. The violin was made in Germany sometime in the 1700s. It’s silent now, but serves as a reminder of a special, formative time in Wichita’s musical past.

Wichita State University has announced the creation of the WSU Retirees Association (WSURA). According to a news release, anyone who is officially retired from WSU is automatically a member of the association. Retiree benefits include free campus parking, a discount on community education programs and free access to lifelong learning and regular academic classes, a free membership to Campus Recreation, continued access to Ablah Library, discounted dining and services and more. Members will receive a special retiree Shocker ID card that provides additional access to resources across campus and throughout the Wichita area.

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the active age

November 2023

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