Vol 38 • No. 10
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Some call it Witchcraft
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By Ken Stephens As I walked over the graves of the Thompsons, the Lowrys and others in Maple Grove Cemetery on 61st Street North recently, something was undeniably happening. Two L-shaped dowsing rods made of twisted copper wire moved from pointing parallel and straight ahead to pointing outward and away from each other. A few more steps and they moved parallel again. A few more steps, outward, then parallel again. A born skeptic, I have to admit that I can’t explain or understand what was happening. I had inched along with my forearms pressed to my sides, careful to ensure that my arms didn’t move from side to side or even up and down in any way that could affect the rods, which moved freely within plastic handles. What was happening didn’t appear
September 2017
Open Streets ICT will close Douglas for party Photo by Photo by Ken Stephens
Vince Marshall dowses for possible Indian burial ground. to be random. My instructor, Vince Marshall of the Valley Center Historical and Cultural Society, has a theory: Objects emit electromagnetic radiation, the eyes detect that radiation, the brain processes it and transmits energy through the hands, which causes the rods to move. Dowsing is centuries old, low-tech predecessor of metal detectors, magnetometers, ground penetrating radar and infrared sensors. It has been called a lot of things — divining, doodling, witching and See Dowsing, page 14
Mark Sunday, Sept. 24, on your calendar. That’s the day Open Streets ICT makes it debut in Wichita. It’s modeled after open-street events around the county. Four miles of Douglas Avenue from Clifton Square in College Hill to the Delano District will close from noon to 4 p.m. for this free event. Filling that empty avenue will be young and old, with all levels of fitness, to enjoy biking, walking, running, dancing, yoga, entertainment, food, art, music and more. Community partners, including Wichita Parks and Recreation, Wichita Festivals, ICT Health, Visual Fusion and Bike Walk Wichita, expect this new, free event to attract thousands of participants. “I think it is innovative and thrilling that Wichita is beginning what so many other cities have been having
so much fun with, celebrating physical activity and getting together in a main street,” said Jane Byrnes, an Open Streets committee member and a founding member of Bike Walk Wichita. “I hear other cities have found it a win-win, not only for friendly fun but it also benefits merchants and vendors.” Streets connect us to each other and the places where we live, learn, work and play across neighborhoods, cultures and economic status, she said. The ultimate goal is to foster an appreciation among community members, businesses and residents for streets to become multi-functional. To comment on this or other stories, email fran@theactiveage.com
Courtesy photo
‘Building for Boomers’ renovation started By Amy Geiszler-Jones Cracks crawling along the outside walls; jagged holes large enough to put a basketball through; crumbling wall plaster; brittle, sometimes broken glass in the walkway between buildings; bracing to shore up walls... The Downtown Senior Center and the administrative offices of Senior Services, both at 200 S. Walnut in historic Delano, are not aging well. Fortunately these problems are being addressed with a $6 million fundraising campaign. The plans will correct current problems, plus create a facility will be able to enhance and expand current programs and provide more amenities that future seniors will want, said Senior Services officials. An unsolicited gift of $3 million from the Dwane and
Questions about services?
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging or call your county Department on Aging: 1-855-200-2372
Velma Wallace Foundation laid the groundwork for this “Building for Boomers” campaign. It is now entering its public fundraising phase to collect the remaining $3 million. Although only halfway toward the goal, renovations have already started as part of a stipulation of the Wallace Foundation gift. Senior Services was created as a nonprofit charity in 1968. It continued to grow, moving into its fourth, and current, location in 1991. The charity purchased the former St. George Greek Orthodox Church and its elementary education center. They were built in the 1940s and ‘50s. See Center, page 19
Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800- 279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655