East Wichita News August 2017

August 2017 - 2

I INSIDE

Volume 34 • Issue 8 August 2017

ON THE COVER Then and now: The Hillcrest is Wichita’s Grand Dame | 4

In September, the Hillcrest Apartments – a Wichita landmark – will turn 90 years old.

Travis Mounts/East Wichita News

Features Dateline................................................ 6

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From the Publisher’s Files.............. 7 Wichita Homes................................10

Geology drew Kapaun student to 4-H | 8

People & Places...............................11 Focus On Business..........................12

Wichita State’s Fairmount Towers to close | 23

East Wichita News

Performing Arts Calendar............28 Jim Erickson’s movie reviews will return next month.

Editorial

Publisher Paul Rhodes Managing Editor Travis Mounts Production Abbygail Brown Reporters/Contributors Sam Jack, Tessa Castor, Philip Holmes

Sales & Billing

Sales Valorie Castor, Shelby Riedel Billing/Circulation Briana Bade A Division of Times-Sentinel Newspapers 125 N. Main • P.O. Box 544 Cheney, KS 67025 Phone: (316) 540-0500 Fax: (316) 540-3283 © 2017 Times-Sentinel Newspapers LLC

Now in our 34th year!

The East Wichita News is a monthly newspaper focused on the people and places on Wichita’s East Side. It is delivered free to most homes within our coverage area, although distribution is not guaranteed. Single copies are available in a variety of Eastside locations. One copy per person, please. Visit our website for more - www.eastwichitanews. com.

Email story ideas and photographs to news@tsnews.com. Visit us on Facebook.

Traveling back in time with teens My son, Aaron, and I decided to have a last-minute holiday party last month.

With most parties for the Fourth of July weekend already planned and peoples’ schedules set, we decided to have a July 1 party and celebrate Canada Day. This led to both of us being asked multiple times, “Are you Canadian?”

Nope, although I visited a couple times as a youth. The closest my son has been to Canada is Mount Rushmore.

However, we do love hockey, and there are several Canadian adult beverages I have a fondness for. Oh, and one of my brothers once met Michael J. Fox. That seemed to be reason enough to throw a party.

(And before anybody accuses me of being a socialist or a traitor, I celebrated the Fourth of July the rest of the weekend, and have celebrated for four-plus decades. I offer that defense mostly in jest, but the last year or so has taught me there could be one or two folks who need to be reassured I still love the country of my birth).

And a good party it was.

The adults lasted until nearly 11 p.m. and then left me alone with about a half-dozen teenagers.

And they were a blast.

Not long after the median age of the crowd dropped into the teens, my son asked for a blanket.

The kids were setting up a movie screen on the patio. One of them owns a 16-mm projector and a number of old films purchased off eBay. We watched an old movie of Paul McCartney being filmed by his late wife, Linda McCartney. Another was silent black-and-white game film from the Wichita State Shockers’ 1969 football season.

Then there were several educational films that predated even my schooling.

And those films were bad.

The kids commented how cheesy they were. Most of them weren’t very

Travis Mounts | Managing Editor

educational, although they would have done a good job of eating up class time and keeping kids relatively entertained.

As bad as they were, they weren’t that much worse than the good entertainment at the time.

It was enlightening to hear the kids’ takes on the movies, and the current version of me agreed with them. I’m sure the young version of me would have agreed, too.

I was impressed with their criticism that the educational films were not educational enough. I loved that they embraced simple fun together. And I was tickled with their love of “old” technology.

In addition, I tried my hand at making poutine.

If you’re not familiar with this northof-the-border dish, it’s primarily found in French-speaking Canada and some parts of the northern United States.

Basically, it’s just French fries with cheese curds and brown gravy.

Some friends from Maize said one of their sons fell in love with the dish in college at Oklahoma State. I didn’t know Stillwater was such a bastion for Quebecois cuisine.

Next year, we may change it to a NAFTA party, or a Canada Day/preFourth-of-July/belated Cinco de Mayo Party. That way we can expand the beer selection, and add tacos and Philly cheesesteaks to the menu.

And we’ll celebrate all three nations with some good, old fashioned, Chinese fireworks.

WICHway, the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) on Wichita’s highways, offers a new feature sending subscribers texts and/or emails that share special traffic alerts created by operators at the WICHway Traffic Management Center. The alerts are created when a traffic problem such as a major crash, a highway closure or a similar event causes a significant disruption on a Wichita highway.

The alerts are an extension of the WICHway website (www.WICHway. org), an informational resource the public can consult before traveling on Wichita’s highways. The website adjusts to the type of device being used – a computer, a tablet or a smartphone – and can be bookmarked on a smart-

phone so that it performs similarly to an app. A short video showing how to bookmark any page from the site can be viewed at KDOT’s YouTube page at www.bit.ly/WwBookmark.

WICHway shares information that is gathered from 55 roadside cameras and 63 traffic sensors. Messages are displayed on 25 electronic message signs, shared on the website and can now be sent to subscribers so that travelers, commuters, freight operators and others using Wichita’s highways can make informed decisions about their route.

To subscribe to WICHway alerts, create an account at My Kansas 511 (www. safetravelusa.com/ks/cp511) and select Wichita WICHway Alerts.

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WICHway traffic alerts available by text or email

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Wichita’s Grand Dame

The Hillcrest celebrates 90-year history Story by Sam Jack P h o t o s b y Tr av i s M o u n t s

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T

he Hillcrest Apartments building is a Wichita landmark. The building’s 10 imposing stories loom over the College Hill neighborhood, and its half-timbered, Tudor Revival-style top floor and roofline make it a visual reference point from many parts of the city west of Hillside.

Just as Wichita has a great view of the Hillcrest, the Hillcrest and its residents have had a great view of Wichita’s growth and evolution in the years since it opened in 1927, the first high-rise cooperative apartment building west of the Mississippi.

To help mark the Hillcrest’s 90th anniversary, East Wichita News met with a group of residents who shared their stories about the building, the community, and what both have meant to them.

800,000 bricks

See HILLCREST, Page 24

ABOVE: The Hillcrest opened in 1927, just before the stock market crash of 1929. It was constructed during an era that saw the building of many other Wichita landmarks, such as the Crown Uptown, the Orpheum Theatre, the Commodore Hotel and Wichita East High School.

The lobby of The Hillcrest maintains an elegance first envisioned more than 90 years ago.

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The architectural firm Schmidt, Boucher, and Overend’s original vision for the Hillcrest was an English garden-style building, with three or four stories wrapped around a courtyard. When developer Herman Hoffman got involved in the project, his ambitions grew steadily grander.

Hoffman hit on the idea of making the apartment building a cooperative, with residents owning shares in the building, after reading about cooperative buildings on the East Coast in a 1925 edition of the Saturday Evening Post, according to historian and longtime Hillcrest resident Dudley Toevs.

“He thought, ‘If back east, why not here?’ There was a surge of development at the time, prior to the start of the Depression,” Toevs said. “So he contacted his friend, Lorenz Schmidt.”

Schmidt had, a few years earlier, designed and overseen construction of Wichita East High School, then known as Wichita High School. The school’s Collegiate Gothic style was celebrated as an expression of Wichita’s growing pride and prosperity.

“They got their heads together and began sketching,” Toevs said. Herman asked for a rooftop garden, a 10thfloor ballroom, and a full-service garage, complete with valets and a mechanic. “It took almost a year to do the paperwork, and then the building began.”

According to an index of Wichita Beacon and Wichita Eagle stories on the Hillcrest, created by Edward Tihen and housed at Wichita State University, excavation at the Hillcrest’s Rutan and Douglas site started the week of July 12, 1926, and was completed a month later. In September 1926, boilers were lowered into the basement, and footings and basement walls were poured.

By February 1927, the framing of the Hillcrest was nearly complete, and masonry work was well underway.

The apartment builders purchased 800,000 Wichita-made bricks from Noll Brick and Tile, representing nearly a month’s worth of the plant’s production in 1926. The material for the brick came from a shale deposit located

August 2017 - 6

Aug. 5 – Emerald City Chorus will hold a barbershop bingo at Southwest Presbyterian Church, 1511 W. 27th St. S. Session 1 is 12-3 p.m., doors open at 11:30 a.m. Session 2 is 5-8 pm., doors open at 4:30 p.m. Suggested donation of $30 includes bingo cards, a sloppy Joe meal, and a chance to win prizes, including $250 cash for blackout. The event is open to adults and children age 12 or older. Tickets must be obtained from chorus members prior to event. Proceeds will benefit the Emerald City Chorus Music Education Fund. For more information, call

Dateline

Upcoming events in and around Wichita

316-773-9300 or visit online at www. emeraldcitychorus.org.

Aug. 8 – Wichita Rose Society annual ice cream social, 7 p.m. Social meet and greet at 6:30 p.m. The event will be in the Lotus Room at Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, 701 N. Amidon. Guests are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring roses from their gardens to share.

Admission is free.

Aug. 9, 16, 23 – Living with Alzheimer’s: For People with Alzheimer’s, an interactive three-part program for people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Kansas chapter at the Alzheimer’s Association Building, 1820 E. Douglas. Times will be 1-3 p.m. each session. RSVP by call the 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900 or email cwkshelpline@alz.org.

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Aug. 15 – Sixth annual Empowering Women Haircut-a-thon, 6:30-9 p.m., Eric Fisher Salon West, in New Market Square. This event supports the Wichita Family Crisis Center (formerly Wichita YWCA), a non-profit organization that works to eliminate domestic violence in our community by supporting survivors through shelter, education, and advocacy.

All service proceeds from this event will go directly to the Wichita Family Crisis Center. Eric Fisher Salon stylists will be providing dry haircuts for only $10, brow sculpts for only $5, and lip waxes for only $5. All services will be performed on a first come, first served basis and the event is open to the public. No appointment will be necessary. Only cash or check will be accepted, no credit cards. Attendees are also encouraged to donate regularly-needed items for domestic violence victims. A list of these items can be found in the Empowering Women Haircut-athon Facebook event, located on the Eric Fisher Salon Facebook page. Donations of any kind will earn guests 20 percent off their retail purchase. For further information, call Eric Fisher Salon West at 316-729-0777. To learn more about the Wichita Family Crisis Center, please visit wichitafamilycrisiscenter.org.

Aug. 28 – 17th annual SIDS Scramble, presented by KU Wichita Pediatrics, BOB FM and Hank FM. Hosted by the KIDS Network at Crestview Country Club. Go to kidsks.org for more information about Haley’s SIDS Scramble.

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At East Wichita News, we’re already working on feature stories for upcoming editions. If you know of someone whose face (and story) should appear on these pages, please let us know! ewn@eastwichitanews.com 316-540-0500 www.facebook.com/ EastWichitaNews

Saturday & Sunday August 12-13 400+ Garage Sales!

The country’s first community-wide garage sale

Maps available at the Haysville Community Library, 210 S. Hays Sponsored by the Haysville Friends of the Library.

From the Publisher’s Files

NMLS# 525759

Paul Rhodes | Publisher

green light, Bruce and I are back out playing again.

My level of seriousness was punctuated a few weeks ago when I asked Bruce to tag along with me for an afternoon as I shopped for new golf clubs. Yep… Mister Tightwad was actually going to spring for something nice for himself.

For the last three decades, I’ve been playing with a set of Tremor golf clubs that were actually decent…30 years ago.

They were much better than sticks with rocks strapped to them, and a far cry from today’s well-engineered golf clubs.

While I was shopping for new clubs, a salesman at a sporting goods store noted with interest that my old clubs aren’t even made anymore.

Imagine that.

With some help from my buddy Bruce, and multiple salesmen at multiple stores, I ended up with a set of new Top Flite golf clubs that will serve me well for years to come. Bruce and I have been visiting driving ranges around the area for the last few weeks, and last week we even got out and played a round of golf.

No, my golf score hasn’t improved yet…but it will. Aspects of my game that were previously in the toilet are showing signs of improvement, and that will hopefully lead to fewer strokes as time goes on.

And even if my score doesn’t improve that much, the new golf clubs have renewed my interest in the game, and getting out to spend some time with my friend Bruce and other golf companions.

And that, alone, is a score worth recording.

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I’ve been itching to get back out and play some golf this year.

Up until recently, I’d been under doctor’s orders to not do a lot of extra physical activity until my recent round of cardiac stuff got figured out. Now that all of that’s been cleared up and I’ve been given a green light to work out at the gym, do yard work and climb Mount Everest, I’ve also decided to get back to playing a little golf again.

Okay…so the Mount Everest climb is still off the table, but I have resumed other activities and I feel great.

The only bad thing about getting back to playing golf is…well…my golf game. Years ago (like more than 40 years ago) when I was in high school and college, I actually played a decent round of golf. I was on the golf team in high school, and continued to play frequently while in college.

After that, as is the case for so many golfers, my game got put on a back burner as I worked on marriage and starting a family. There barely was time for family activities period, let alone time for myself to go golfing once in a while.

That changed a bit when my son Bill showed an early interest in golf, and I had a simple set of junior golf clubs made for him out of a garage sale find.

He proved to be pretty good at golf, and even got his picture in the paper when he hit a hole-in-one at a Topeka golf course when he was about 9 years old.

I’m 60, and I’ve never hit a hole-inone. I’m not even putting that one out there for consideration…I feel like I’ve “holed out” if I can get a tee shot on the green on a par 3.

Anyways, after Bill lost interest in golf over the years, I did again, too. A couple of years ago, I decided to come out of retirement, and started playing again.

Last year, I became more earnest about that interest when my friend Bruce Chapman and I started playing more. We found a couple of other duffers to make a foursome on some occasions.

And this was going to be our year to get serious.

Then, of course, I ran into some medical roadblocks. Finally, with that

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Will a new set of clubs improve my golf game?

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On his first fossil-hunting trip in 2008, Brendan Burnett shows off his first-ever find: a fossilized fish vertebra, millions of years old. Contributed photo

Fossil hunter

Geology drew Kapaun student to 4-H Compared to other states that boast craggy mountains, dramatic coastlines, geysers and active volcanoes, Kansas might seem pretty dull, geologically speaking – it’s our big, pancake-flat “Home on the Range,” with all the potentially interesting stuff buried under meters of topsoil.

But that version of Kansas is “a major misconception,” according to Achievers 4-H Club member Brendan Burnett, a 10-year member of Sedgwick County’s 4-H geology group.

With help from geologist and volunteer project leader Alan DeGood, Burnett has come to understand Kansas as a living landscape that has been shaped by geological – and biological – forces over hundreds of millions of years.

The evidence is all over the place, if you just learn

Story

by

Sam Jack

how to look, according to Burnett.

“What a lot of people don’t know is that all of Kansas, and several of the states surrounding us, was part of a humongous ocean,” Burnett said. “It was home to tons of sea life, which is what you find a lot of in Kansas. You can find everything from seashells to mosasaurs that were 40 or 50 feet long.

“It wasn’t a very deep sea, which is part of the reason why a lot of it was coral reef. It supported a lot of life, and fossils are very prevalent,” he added.

Burnett, a rising senior at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, found his first fossil on his very first 4-H state geology trip, to western Kansas in 2008. It was a fossilized fish vertebra. He started finding fossil-

ized shark’s teeth soon after that initial discovery.

“When you think of fossil hunting, you think, ‘Get a pickax and dig in the ground.’ But most of it is just walking across open fields to find stuff sitting on the surface that’s been weathered out or exposed through rain,” Burnett said.

With years of experience as a fossil hunter, subtle or partially hidden fossils start jumping out at you, according to Burnett. His coolest find so far is a twopiece crab fossil he found at Lake Kanopolis.

“When I talked to a K-State professor about IDing it, he came back and said it was possibly a new species,” Burnett said. “It takes a lot of time to prove that it’s a new species, but even if it isn’t, it’s still very rare.”

Lake and river shores are good sites for fossil and rock hunting in Kansas, and quarries are also pretty

LEFT: Rock hammer in hand, Burnett hunts for fossils and rock specimens during a recent expedition.

ABOVE: Burnett talks rocks with Evan Snell during a Sedgwick County geology project meeting.

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interesting, both in terms of paleontology and geology.

In addition to fossils, Burnett collects mineral and rock specimens from across Kansas, identifies them and displays them at the county and state fairs. He earned purple ribbons at both fairs last summer.

“When you start out (in the project), you get a box, and you have to put 15 specimens in it for your first year,” he said. “Every year after that, you have to add five, until you get to 60. When you get to 60, you have to pull out five and put in five new ones every year.”

It’s more difficult than it sounds. If finding the specimens and fossils isn’t hard enough, you also have to identify them. There are thousands and thousands of fossil species to be found in Kansas.

“Some of the minerals get difficult, too. I’m involve in mineralogy, where you have to write down the chemical formulas and classifications,” Burnett said.

Burnett is grateful to Alan DeGood, who sparked a passion for science in him and many 4-Hers. Now he is passing DeGood’s generosity forward, serving as assistant leader for the county geology project. The project has grown a lot since he joined in 2008.

“We just had the state dig in northeastern Kansas, and I think we had an official head count of 300 people, including adults. It’s a project that’s still rapidly growing,” he said.

Everything exhibited at the Fair has to have been found in Kansas, but Burnett has also gone on geology and fossil-hunting trips in surrounding states, and his interests are wide-ranging. He wrote an article for the McPherson Gem and Mineral Club about the Creede Caldera, a well-known fossil area in Colorado; it was named best junior article by the American Federation of Gem and Mineralogical Societies.

“Even if I don’t pursue a career in this field, it’ll always be something that’s special to me,” Burnett said. “Everywhere that I travel, it’s really cool to appreciate the geology of the area.”

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August 2017 - 10

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Shopping for home furnishings: Why bigger isn’t always better The big box store has everything you need to build a house. Why not furnish your home there, too?

The prices at the big boxes seem to be good. And the selection is OK, although limited to “builder’s quality” for the most part. For some items, that may be fine.

I personally enjoy strolling through a big box store and looking at all of the merchandise. But, there can be a huge difference between shopping at a big box and shopping at a specialty store when it comes to the finer details of home furnishings. Specifically, there can be major contrasts with respect to quality, price-value, and customer service.

Quality assortment While the big boxes are directed toward mass appeal, you would expect to find a wider and deeper range of products at specialty stores. The big box stores may carry a couple of name brands and their own house brand, which differ very little in terms of price and features.

Choices at a specialty store may be more complex, with many options available. A knowledgeable salesperson will be able to help the customer sort out quality issues. Again, big box assortments are probably just fine for drills and light bulbs, but not especially for the finer details of your home decor.

Price-value Because the offerings are geared toward lower price, consumers may feel that they can get “virtually the same thing” at a big box as a specialty store.

The perception may be that prices are higher at a specialty store, which may or may not be true.

It’s probably more accurate to say that there will be a broader range of products at various price points at a specialty store. There also is the issue of the price-value relationship, the question being “What kind of quality am I really getting at this price?”

Customer service In general, the big box store’s service staff is charged with having a broad

Wichita Homes

Philip Holmes | Interior Designer

knowledge of either the entire department or perhaps even the entire store.

In that business model, there is little opportunity for specialization. The person you would expect to find at a specialty store will likely be an owner or someone else who is very familiar with the line of products.

There will be a lot of questions asked in order to direct you to the specific model or item that will best suit your needs. As mentioned above, with a larger assortment and almost unlimited options, a knowledgeable salesperson is important in helping you negotiate through the overwhelming choices.

In some cases, the service includes inhome consultations. This can help save customers a lot of time, trouble and expense in avoiding a costly mistake.

In my own experience, I once ordered some blinds from a big box. The selection looked good enough, and the price seemed OK, too. The person there took the order from my own ‘precise’ measurements. When the blinds came in, they were wrong, of course, because I did not take into account a certain architectural characteristic of my window. The next time around, I made contact with a specialty store. The person came, measured and installed for just a little more money than I wasted on the first set.

Warranty If you have an issue with the product, the big box stores will refer you to the manufacturer. You know the drill: Dial the 800 number and try to figure out the right prompts...and, never once See HOMES, Page 31

The Rotary Club of East Wichita has announced its officers and directors for 2017-18. They are: President Scott Holder, Neighborhood Senior Living, Inc.; vice president/president-elect Burke Jones, Alloy Architecture; secretary Donna Kennedy, Intrust Bank; treasurer Steve Peterson, CrossFirst Bank; past president Fred Heismeyer, Career Dimensions; director Dave Clothier, McCoy Petroleum Corporation; director Todd Bailey, Transworld Business Advisors; director Denise Hearson, Carson Bank; director Kevin Rathert, State Farm Insurance; director Drew Rooks, Kirkpatrick, Sprecker & Co., LLP; director Tammie Rhea, Westar Energy; and director Richard Samaniego, Gillilsnd & Hayes LLC. East Wichita Rotary Foundation officers and directors are: Acting president Kevin Rathert, State Farm Insurance; secretary John Alefs, Lusco Brick & Stone; treasurer Schoen Fitzgerald, CPA, PA; director Joyce Heismeyer, Kansas Heart Hospital; director John Vetter, Stinson Leonard Street LLP; and director Susan Addington, Koch Industries, Inc. Founded in 1984, Rotary Club of East Wichita is part of Rotary International. The club has 115 members and supports its own foundation to award scholarships to Sedgwick County high school students attending Kansas colleges. More more information, visit www.eastwichitarotary.org.

A team of Kansas State University animal sciences and industry students won Reserve National Champion honors at the 2017 National Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon July 8-12 in Baltimore, Maryland. Taylor Ochsner, a senior from Andover, was part of the team. The team previously won the Midwest regional competition in March.

Gabe Schlickau, Meritrust Credit Union, has been named chairman of the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) in Local Area IV. Schlickau transitioned to the position on July 1 taking the role from Kathy Jewett of XLT Ovens. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) establishes local workforce boards which connect employers and job seekers together to strengthen the local economy. The LWDB’s role is to develop regional strategic plans that set funding priorities for their area. The LWDB for the South Central Kansas region covers Butler, Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Sedgwick and Sumner Counties. Members of the Board include business leaders, economic development officials, education and training providers and community based organizations.

The board of directors for Wichita Women’s Initiative Network has named

four new members to three-year terms.

They are Janelle Conway of Equity Bank, Stephanie Gaskill-Jakub of J.P. Weigand, Nicole Howerton of Howerton+White Integrated Marketing Agency, and Todd Tedesco Foulston Siefkin.

Wichita Women’s Initiative Network is a non-profit collaborative endeavor that provides women survivors of domestic abuse with educational and employment opportunities that foster healing and self-sufficiency. Since its founding in 1997, it has helped nearly 400 women and their children to emotional and financial independence.

Heartspring has added two new board members to its board of trustees, Kristen Aberle of Westar Energy and Jay Voncannon of Koch Industries.

Aberle has been a business manager at Westar Energy since the spring of 2015. She has given her time as a board member with the Red Cross and as a volunteer with Girl Scouts of America and Junior Achievement of Kansas.

Voncannon is the managing director at Koch Industries. He’s held that position for the past six years and has been an employee of Koch Industries for more than eight years.

Wesley Healthcare has named Jamie Logan its new director of critical care services. Logan, who began her career as a nurse tech in Wesley’s critical care unit in 2006, will focus on quality and patient safety initiatives as well as on recruitment and retention efforts in the intensive care units. Logan received her associates in applied science nursing degree from Butler Community College and transitioned to a registered nurse.

She was promoted to assistant nurse manager in 2012 and then to unit manager in 2013 before being named director of Wesley’s critical care services. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Tabor College in 2011 and plans to attend Friends University next spring for her master’s degree in healthcare management.

Sedgwick County District Judge Michael Hoelscher was appointed to serve as the Kansas representative to an inter-

national court of law that deals with parental child abduction. Hoelscher, who was designated by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court, presides over the family law department of the 18th Judicial District in Wichita.

The International Hague Network of Judges was created to help link U.S. judges with counterparts overseas in parental child abduction cases. Additionally, the group works to train state and federal judges about the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. That treaty provides the means to return a child who is taken across international borders. Hoelscher, who was elected to the bench in 2014, worked six years in the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office and six years in the Wichita City Attorney’s Office following his graduation from the Washburn University School of Law. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Newman University.

Skyward Credit Union celebrated the opening of third free-standing branch in Wichita on Thursday, July 27, at with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at 275 S. Greenwich. Kevin Wilmoth, CEO, presided over the ceremony. Skyward Credit Union has locations in Wichita and Independence.

Membership is comprised of current and former employees of Textron Aviation Companies (Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker) and their families.

Wesley Medical Center’s Ortho/Spine Unit will get a $10 million renovation and expansion this fall. The project includes a completely updated physical therapy space, brand new equipment, new monitors and an expansion from 31 beds to 34. Additional planned components, such as pre-op education classes and a spine nurse navigator, serve to move Wesley toward a Center of Excellence designation for spine and other orthopedic surgery services.

Christopher M. Keener has been selected for promotion to the rank of master sergeant in the U.S. Army.

See PEOPLE, Page 29

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KMUW news director Aileen LeBlanc and assistant news director Carla Eckels have been awarded a prestigious national Edward R. Murrow Award for their news feature looking at the return of anti-abortion demonstrations to Wichita. The award recognizes excellence in hard news reporting in the small-market radio category. The story also won the regional award.

LeBlanc and Eckels reported on how 25 years after the original Summer of Mercy, protesters with Operation Save America came back to Wichita to pray, demonstrate and try to stop abortions.

Organizers called it the “Summer of Justice.”

LeBlanc previously produced a documentary and call-in show for the

fifth anniversary of the murder of Dr. George Tiller, one of just a few physicians in the U.S. who performed lateterm abortions.

Eckels reported from the site of some of the week-long demonstrations at the clinic and spoke with some of the participants. Other voices included in the piece were former Wichita mayor Bob Knight, who was in office during initial protests in 1991; Trust Women founder and CEO Julie Burkhart, who worked with Tiller and now runs the South Wind Women’s Center; and Rusty Thomas, director of Operation Save America.

The Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding works of digital and broadcast news since 1971.

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East Wichita News People and Places

August 2017 - 12

Featured this month Kitchen Tune-Up........................... Page 12 Paramount Market Place....................Page 13 Larksfield Place..................................Page 14 Wichita Grand Opera....................Page 16-17 Gross Tile............................................Page 19

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FOCUS ON BUSINESS

Wichita Autumn & Art...................... Page 20

Focus On Business is a monthly feature offered to area advertisers. If you would like your business featured here, please contact our sales office at (316) 540-0500.

Komen Wichicta Race for the Cure...Page 21 Struble Golf Tournament.................. Page 22 River City Realty................................ Page 22

Cool off in a cool white kitchen!

If you’re ready to transform your kitchen in done quickly. That’s where the One-Day Restoration less time and for less cost than you ever imagined, services, as well as the cabinet refacing projects, can it’s time to call Kitchen Tune-Up! produce big smiles on a smaller budget.

Through their amazing cabinet refacing proOn this project, Kitchen Tune-Up produced cess, the professionals at Kitchen Tune-Up can the desired smiles by introducing a classic crisp transform your kitchen into the space you’ve white raised-panel door style into the equation. dreamed about.

From there, additional design elements includThe Kitchen Tune-Up team recently transed sparkling white and gray quartz countertops formed a very traditional kitchen space into a with a coordinating handmade ceramic and glass beautiful, modern statement of form and funcbacksplash. tion. And, the new kitchen provides a cool white New updated lighting under the cabinets and look that is inviting year-round – and especially in beaded glass pendants over the peninsula comthe summer. pleted the new look.

“We were excited to tackle this project be“The homeowners wanted us to retain the feel cause it didn’t involve coming in and gutting or and function of their old kitchen, but they also completely renovating the kitchen,” said Rachel gave us the freedom to bring in a totally fresh, Phillips, who owns and operates the local Kitchnew and modern feel to the kitchen,” said Rachel. en Tune-Up franchise with her husband Adam.

The refacing work involved existing cabinets Kitchen Tune-Up gave this kitchen a brand new look while “This was an expanded refacing project that with new doors, drawers, panels and moldings. In retaining the feel and functionality of the original design. produced big results.” the end, the Kitchen Tune-Up team was able to Kitchen Tune-Up has remodeled hundreds of kitchens since the local franchise create the look of a fabulous new kitchen at a fraction of the price. was launched in 2005. The company’s services range from One-Day Restoration or For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call Kitchen Tune-Up “Tune-Up” of cabinets or any interior wood surfaces, to cabinet refacing projects at 316-558-8888. to complete custom kitchens and bathrooms.

Check out the company’s extensive BEFORE/AFTER portfolio on Facebook!

That range of services has made Kitchen Tune-Up a remodeling leader in the Wich- When you visit the local Kitchen Tune-Up Facebook page, be sure to ‘LIKE’ ita area. For some clients, the goal is to keep costs down and get the transformation Kitchen Tune-Up, Wichita.

Paramount Marketplace offers mix from old to new

Customers receive assistance from a staff member at Paramount Marketplace. The new location at 13th and Woodlawn opened in December of last year.

Two other locations can be found east and west of Wichita.

those have grown over the years.

And, the concept was so successful, a third monthly flea market is now held at Paramount Marketplace.

Friends of theirs purchased the shopping center at 13th and Woodlawn, and immediately asked them to be the anchor in the former Dillons space. It seemed like another great opportunity.

“We have a real mix here, from antiques to new items,” said Hudspeth. And, the mix of vendors runs from individual “pickers” with small booths to established antique dealers with other locations. Several vendors have booths at all three Paramount locations.

You never know what you’re going to find here,” said Hudspeth, who encourages customers to check out booths regularly for new items. “There’s a constant turnover of inventory.”

Hours at Paramount Marketplace, 6297 E. 13th St., are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.paramountantiquemall.com/paramount-marketplace, or call 316-260-6316

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A variety of new items can be found at Paramount Marketplace including the ones pictured left, along with a mixture of antique, vintage and industrial items.

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For anyone who has frequented a Paramount Antique Mall location on either the east side or west side of Wichita, they know the phrase to live by: It’s all about the hunt.

“The hunt is wonderful,” Sandy Hudspeth said with a laugh. Hudspeth launched the Paramount locations with her partner Cynthia Branch, and now, Hudspeth and Branch have teamed up again to bring Wichita their newest adventure – Paramount Marketplace.

While the antique malls that anchor the east and west sides of the city focus on thousands of square feet of antiques, Paramount Marketplace came to life from a slightly different vision. The Marketplace, which opened in December of last year in a former Dillons location at 13th and Woodlawn, is a mix of antique, vintage, industrial and new items.

Because of that mix, Paramount Marketplace appeals to an even wider range of customers, said Hudspeth. And that’s exciting for the two partners, who’ve been in business for nearly 30 years.

“We want people to know we’re here, and to share in this excitement,” said Hudspeth as she surveyed the 35,000 square feet of booth spaces at Paramount Marketplace. The building filled up faster than either of the owners imagined, and is bursting at the seams with merchandise.

Hudspeth and Branch got started together as property managers for apartments, and then started buying apartment communities. Their parent company, Paramount Management Corp., manages everything.

When the two partners first eyed the property that is now Paramount Antique Mall in west Wichita, it “already was another antique mall,” said Hudspeth. “We purchased it for the land, but decided to keep it as an antique mall.”

That decision, involving their mothers as additional partners, proved to be a wise one.

“We have the most fantastic vendors and staff,” said Hudspeth. “Because of our prices, we have buyers from all over the country.”

Ten years later, the two launched Paramount East Antique Mall near Augusta. It, too, was a quick success. At both locations, monthly flea markets were added, and

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Third Paramount location adds to popular antique malls

August 2017 - 14 FOCUS ON BUSINESS www.eastwichitanews.com

Larksfield Place awarded Home Care Accreditation from Joint Commission Larksfield Place Retirement Communities, Inc. recently announced it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Home Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care. As of today, Larskfield Place Home Health is the only Home Health Agency in Wichita to achieve Joint Commission accreditation for Home Care.

Larksfield Place underwent a rigorous onsite survey on July 6, 2017.

During the survey, compliance with home care standards reflecting key organization areas was evaluated, including the provision of care, treatment and services, emergency management, human resources, individual rights and responsibilities, and leadership.

The accreditation process also provided Larksfield Place with education and guidance to help staff continue

to improve its home care program’s performance.

Established in 1988, The Joint Commission’s Home Care Accreditation Program supports the efforts of its accredited organizations to help deliver safe, high quality care and services.

More than 6,000 home care programs currently maintain accreditation, awarded for a three-year period, from The Joint Commission.

“When individuals engage a home care provider they want to be sure that provider is capable of providing safe, quality care,” said Margherita Labson, RN, MS, executive director, Home Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “As the home care setting becomes increasingly popular, it is important that home care providers are able to demonstrate that they are capable of providing safe, high quality care.

Accreditation by The Joint Commission serves as an indication that the organization has demonstrated compliance to these recognized standards of safe and quality care.”

“Larksfield Place is pleased to receive accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Ed Cornejo, VP Home Health Services for Larksfield Place. “Staff from across our organization continue to work together to strengthen the continuum of care and to deliver and maintain optimal home care services for those in our community. In the true manner of consistent excellence in health care services that Larksfield is known for nationally, the Home Health accreditation through The Joint Commission was a natural progression. No other organization in Wichita has such a highly rated and accredited, integrated continuum of inpatient, outpatient and now, home health care services.”

The Joint Commission’s home care standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, home care providers and researchers, as well as industry experts, purchasers and consumers. The standards are conver-

sant by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

Larksfield Place is Wichita’s premier non-profit continuing care retirement community. Designed for independent adults, Larksfield offers a maintenance-free lifestyle with the promise of additional health care services, should the need arise at any stage. Health care services include: assisted living; transitional care; Medicare certified, 5-Star, rehabilitation and long term care; as well as Medicare certified accredited home health care.

August 2017 - 16 FOCUS ON BUSINESS www.eastwichitanews.com

Wichita Grand Opera announces 2017-18 season Wichita Grand Opera’s Artistic Director, Parvan Bakardiev, recently announced the 2017-18 season.

The main subscription series includes two fully-staged operas that rank among the most beloved, most requested, and most often performed; a classic fairy tale brought to life with the true grace and beauty of Russian ballet; and an exclusive Christmas gala by one of Wichita’s national treasures – all on the Century II stage.

Three other special events around Wichita add to that lineup, including a return to the Lake at Bradley Fair and the WGO debut at the state-of-the-art new MarkARTS facility, making Wichita Grand Opera’s 16th season one of the biggest in its history.

Rossini’s Stabat Mater Special Pre-Season Event 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, Holy Cross Lutheran Church Following capacity crowds for Noah’s Flood and its July 2nd Patriotic Concert, Wichita Grand Opera continues to help Holy Cross Lutheran Church celebrate its 75th anniversary with a performance of Rossini’s masterwork, Stabat Mater.

“I am delighted to produce Stabat Mater for the second time, following my production of this masterwork in San Antonio,” said Parvan Bakardiev, WGO Artistic Director. “Holy Cross is probably the finest venue in Wichita for concert performances, due to the ambience and acoustics.”

A sacred mass, Stabat Mater features four soloists, chorus and orchestra. Alan Held, world-renowned bass-baritone and Wichita State professor, returns to WGO following his debut in the 10th Anniversary Gala Concert. Three stars of the WGO stage return to join him: soprano Yunnie Park, mezzo-soprano Suzanne Hendrix and tenor Kirk Dougherty.

General admission tickets are $35 and are available by calling the WGO Box Office at 316-262-8054, or at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church office at 316-684-5201.

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly A New WGO Production 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, Century II When Wichita Grand Opera asked its audience what operas they would like to see this season, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly was an overwhelming favorite.

Set in turn-of-the-century Japan, it is the tale of an innocent girl who falls in love with an American sailor, with tragic consequences.

Korean soprano Yunnie Park and American tenor Kirk Dougherty star as Butterfly and Lt. Pinkerton.

Following a triumphant tour in Spain, Russia, Slovakia and Germany, WGO Principal Guest Conductor Martin Mazik conducts Puccini’s ravishing score.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: This year’s season will feature Madama Butterfly, La Traviata, Cinderella, and a Christmas performance by Chris Mann.

Chris Mann: Home for Christmas A Gala Christmas Concert 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, Century II Wichita native Chris Mann – who rose to fame as Christina Aguilera’s finalist on NBC’s The Voice and just completed a 700-performance national tour in the title role of The Phantom of the Opera – returns home for an exclusive gala Christmas concert, featuring the WGO Chorus, Children’s Chorus and Orchestra.

This gala will follow in the footsteps of WGO’s second inaugural event, the Placido Domingo Christmas Gala, featuring beloved Christmas classics, some sensational pop, and even a little splash of the iconic role that has made him a household name.

Maestro Steven Mercurio, artistic partner to such performers as The Three Tenors and Andrea Bocelli, will make his fourth conducting appearance with the WGO.

Verdi’s La Traviata A New WGO Production 7 p.m. Saturday, April 7, Century II When a promising young man falls for a woman with a shady past, his family is outraged. She decides to sacrifice her happiness for his sake. He returns to her side for a bittersweet reunion, in one of Verdi’s most popular – and heartbreaking – operas.

After his success with last season’s La Bohème, stage director Robert Stivanello returns to direct La Traviata. He brings with him visually stunning “soft drop” sets from Milan, Italy’s famed Sormani Studios.

Prokofiev’s Cinderella Performed by the Russian National Ballet Theatre 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29, Century II Fairy godmothers, ugly stepsisters and the iconic glass slippers come to life on stage in Prokofiev’s magi-

New leaders, new roles at WGO

The Opera Ball WGO’s Premier Social Event For the first time, WGO’s Opera Ball will be held in MarkARTS’ gleaming new facility at 13th and Rock. Spend an evening with Wichita’s movers and shakers, Roarin’ 20s style. Music, cocktails, dancing, and luxury live and silent auction items will be among the attractions.

Reservations for this lavish evening are $200 per person, or a group of ten for $1,500; a portion is tax deductible.

Subscribe Now Call 316-262-8054 to choose your favorite seats for Wichita Grand Opera’s Century II mainstage season, starting Aug. 1.

Those who subscribe to all four events save 20 percent compared to regular-priced tickets; full-season subscriptions are priced at $118, $186 and $272, depending on desired seats. Those who subscribe to three or two productions can save 15 or 10 percent off the single ticket prices.

Single tickets will be available starting Aug. 21, ranging in price from $85 to $37, with senior, student, group, and corporate discounts available; call the WGO Box Office at 316-262-8054 for personalized service.

TOP: Margaret Ann Pent and Parvan Bakardiev are stepping back a bit and taking new roles at Wichita Grand Opera. Pent will be WGO’s Founding Advisor, and Bakardiev will now serve as Artistic Director.

Edward Lada, above left, is taking over as President and CEO. Tony Applegate, above right, is taking over as General Director and COO.

skills and leadership abilities, according to Bakardiev.

“During WGO’s early ‘start-up’ years, Margaret and I each had to do several jobs by default – marketing, artistic direction, production, development. With Edward and Tony on board, our organization’s expertise and capacity in each of those areas has dramatically expanded,” Bakardiev said. “That gives us the opportunity to look to the future and continue to plan great projects and performances that thrill and surprise our audience.”

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This year’s Opera on the Lake performance in May will feature an evening of pop and operatic favorites.

The 2017-18 season marks the first major shifts in WGO’s executive leadership since the company’s founding.

Margaret Ann Pent, WGO co-founder and longtime artistic director, transitions to the role of Founding Advisor. Parvan Bakardiev, WGO co-founder and previous President and CEO, takes over as artistic director.

Longtime WGO employees Edward Lada and Tony Applegate transition to the roles of President and CEO, and General Director and COO, respectively.

Bakardiev is using this moment of transition to reflect on what WGO, with the support of the Wichita community, has accomplished over the years.

“Margaret was courageous to push it, and I jumped on the bandwagon,” he said. “I’m very proud of what we achieved. Opera is never easy to create, because so many different disciplines need to come together on one stage. With lots of help from donors and audience members, WGO took Kansas from a state with no full-scale professional company to a state with one of the strongest.”

Lada and Applegate have been with the company for most of its history, and they have grown in their

FOCUS ON BUSINESS

POPera: Simply Irresistible Opera on the Lake 7 p.m. Thursday, May 31, Bradley Fair Bradley Fair once again hosts WGO’s annual gift to the community, Opera on the Lake. Bring a chair or blanket to see stars in the sky, while the stars on stage perform a night of pop and operatic favorites, in the tradition of WGO’s previous concert performances with Celtic Woman, Josh Groban, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and the 10th Anniversary Gala Concert.

“POPera” is free to the public. A limited number of reserved seating tickets are available for $35 each, including a provided chair. VIP dinner and performance packages, including a three-course meal on the patio of Newport Grill, are available for $150 per person or a table of eight for $1,000; a portion is tax deductible.

17 - August 2017

cal interpretation of the classic fairytale. Russian National Ballet Theatre’s company of 50 world-class dancers, renowned globally, will come to Wichita direct from Moscow.

One of the most beloved ballets of all time, paired with the grace and beauty that only true Russian ballet can deliver, make this a perfect night out for the whole family.

w w w . e a s t w i c h i t a n e w s . c o m

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AFTER

Artwork showcases Gross Tile’s new location ABOVE: The completed mural at Gross Tile and Custom Remodeling is a colorful and striking addition to the historic Delano District, where Gross tile is now located. LEFT: Artist Lynette Lee begins work on the mural. Lee has done several murals in the downtown area.

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In many ways, Mark Gross has been completing works of art for the past three decades.

Mark has been at the helm of Gross Tile and Custom Remodeling of Wichita, and takes tremendous pride in the quality craftsmanship he and his crews bring to every bathroom, kitchen and remodeling project they tackle. And, he’s always looking for something of a “wow” factor that sets Gross Tile apart from the competition.

So when Mark and his wife Cathy Gross recently finished moving their flooring and remodeling company to its new location in the Delano District of downtown Wichita, it wasn’t surprising that they wanted that same “wow” factor for their new BEFORE building.

Enter local artist Lynette Lee, who is well-known across Wichita for her murals and other art installations. Through her company, Fresh Paint, Lynette Lee has AFTER completed several other murals in the downtown area. tion option along with the sale of the WestSide location.

And now, she has completed a beautiful new mural for Gross Tile.

This transition will bring a new level of customer service for clients in the mid“We are so happy with our new location,” said Mark. “And this new mural has town and eastern areas of the city, while still serving clients in the western half of gotten us a lot of compliments already. People see it when they drive by, and they Wichita. stop and talk to us about it.”

“We are so excited about this location,” said Cathy Gross as she talked about the The mural features Wichita’s iconic Keeper of the Plains, rolling plains and some work that has been done to convert the historic brick building on the northeast wheat, and a radiating sun pattern. Centered in the mural is the Gross Tile logo. corner of Douglas and Fern streets. There’s a high volume of traffic in the renaisBeing a part of the Delano District means a lot Mark and Cathy Gross, who had one of their first showrooms right across the street from their new location at 1528 sance business neighborhood, and it is easily accessible from all across the city of Wichita.”

W. Douglas. With the growth of the Delano District and it’s focus on public art, “This is perfect for where we are headed with theBEFORE business,” said Mark. “Our Mark and Cathy wanted to be an immediate – and vibrant – part of that push. focus for the next several years will be on all kinds of remodeling work, but espeNext, Lynette and Mark will collaborate on a mosaic tile representation of the cially custom jobs that are a little more ‘out of the box.’ We know this is the perfect Wichita flag on the west side of their building. The flag will be made entirely out niche for us…like our unique one-of-a-kind countertops, and our zero entry of iridescent glass tiles, and will measure 4 feet by 8 feet. custom showers.”

The Gross Tile move has been in the works for some time, as owners Mark and For more information about everything Gross Tile has to offer, call 316-773Cathy Gross worked to sell their former showroom near Maple Street and Maize 1600, or visit the company’s website, www.grosstileremodeling.com. You can also Road in West Wichita, where they were located for more than a dozen years. That find Gross Tile on Facebook. sale has been finalized, and the company’s relocation has been completed.

And for a look at the city’s newest mural by Wichita artist Lynette Lee, stop by Mark and Cathy both wanted to reinvest in a showroom option for Gross Tile the new Gross Tile and Custom Remodeling showroom at 1528 W. Douglas and that was more centrally located in the heart of Wichita. They first considered the wish Mark and Cathy Gross success in their new location!

Delano showroom as a second location, and then settled on the complete reloca-

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Move to Delano District now complete

August 2017 - 20 FOCUS ON BUSINESS www.eastwichitanews.com

Fall is coming and so is Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair Delight in fine art, food and fun this fall at Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair 2017!

Shop for artwork and enjoy art-inspired activities lakeside on beautiful Bradley Fair Parkway, just east and south of Bradley Fair at Rock Road and 21st Street. The event takes place 6-9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17. This alfresco fine-art fair, presented by Fidelity Bank, will feature 98 artists from 22 states, including 31 Kansas artists.

Original works will be available in 14 artistic media: jewelry, painting, glass, fiber, ceramics, photography, woodwork and more. Artists were invited to sell their work at the show after evaluation by a panel of expert jurors, and they compete for cash awards totaling $7,500.

Art-themed family fun on Saturday and Sunday includes a variety of free, handson art activities at Artie’s Art Studio, courtesy of Mark Arts. Artie’s Masterpiece Games give youngsters a chance to learn about classic artworks and get silly at the same time. On Sunday, Artie’s Clubhouse, a kids’-only gallery, will offer artwork for a kid’s budget. Paddle boats will be available for those who wish to take a people-powered spin around Bradley Fair Lake.

Autumn & Art is free for the public, thanks to generous sponsors and patrons who support the event by purchasing a $120 Patron pass. Patrons enjoy a lavish opening-night party with gourmet food; specialty wine, beer and spirits; a silent auction and wine pull; Patron gifts and live entertainment. The Patron pass also includes reserved parking and complimentary beverages throughout the weekend.

Patron passes are available now at AutumnandArt.com or call (316) 267-2817 to make reservations.

The Culinary Pavilion will offer a selection of delicious food for purchase from Bradley Fair restaurants. Wine, beer and soft drinks will be available to enjoy as you stroll the parkway and shop for the latest addition to your art

collection.

“The Art of Bloody Marys” will give attendees the chance to create a savory masterpiece at a build-your-own bar from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday.

Entertainment, including live music, dance, theater, and art demonstrations, will be presented throughout the weekend. “Inuksuit,” a modern music work described as “the ultimate environmental piece” by the New York Times will be performed at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The 40-minute work is scored for 9 to 99 percussionists and was written to be played outdoors. Organizers are well on their way to recruiting 99 college and high school music students and faculty to perform this unique symphony for the first time in Kansas.

Learn more about Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair at AutumnandArt.com.

Visitors shop for art at last year’s Autumn & Art event at Bradley Fair.

This year’s Autumn & Art will be held September 15-17.

Annual fundraiser set for September be balance. It is about helping people get diagnosed, have access to treatment, and get the support they need. Susan G. Komen has that balance. And what about that determination and focus Scott wakes up with each day?

“Life. . .you get out of it what you put into it. I get up each day with the plan to fill it with joy and positivity.”

Stepanie Scott has been named as this years honorary race chair for the 2017 Wichita Race for the Cure. Scott became involved with Komen Kansas after her first cancer diagnosis. She wants to be a young voice for women struggling with cancer.

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Susan G. Komen Kansas Affiliate is proud to announce Stephanie Scott as this year’s Honorary Chair for the 2017 Wichita Race for the Cure.

Stephanie Scott wakes up each morning determined.

She says she likes to stay focused. Her job as Regional Sales Manager for Bombardier Aerospace in Aircraft Maintenance Sales – Southeast USA is one of those focuses. In her spare time she turns that focus on activities like wakeboarding, fly fishing, and especially travel. And a big focus for Scott is her diagnosis of Stage 4 breast cancer.

“There’s the few seconds when you wake up in the morning that you don’t remember.” Scott said. “Then it comes rushing back. But I know it’s the minute you take the first step that determines the rest of the day.”

Scott first faced breast cancer in 2009, when she was diagnosed with Stage 2B. During this time she first reached out to Komen Kansas. Scott said she didn’t know anything about breast cancer and she felt welcomed by the Komen organization. She underwent surgery and treatment and when it was finished, Scott went to Africa for two weeks.

“I got in a mindset that maybe I should do the things that were important to me now, not wait until I retire because we don’t always know what the future might bring.” said Scott.

She continued her check-ups and began to have symptoms of back pain. At first there were many diagnoses that did not have anything to do with breast cancer. But she had a feeling, so kept pushing. When her tumor markers began to rise, in February, 2017 Scott was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She is currently in treatment with Ibranz, a new drug with limited side effects.

“I have a great support system.” said Scott. “My mom had 6 sisters, so I like to joke I grew up with 7 moms.”

Scott also credits her strength to being raised here in the Midwest with good values. She finds strength in nature, being connected to the earth, so enjoys being outdoors. Fly fishing is a new focus. And has she caught a big trout? Scott laughed about a picture of her baby trout, but then showed her determination, talking about patience and practice to get better.

Scott became involved with Komen Kansas after her first diagnosis because she wanted to be a young voice for women struggling, she doesn’t want anyone to be afraid. But it was a big step for her to accept the position of Honorary Chair for Race this year.

“I have been more private about my second diagnosis,” Scott said “but I really believe in this organization. I hope to be able to help others.”

Scott believes that Susan G. Komen has every interest in finding a cure for her, and others struggling with metastatic breast cancer. She also believes there needs to

21 - August 2017

Susan G. Komen announces honorary race chair

August 2017 - 22 FOCUS ON BUSINESS www.eastwichitanews.com

Struble Memorial Golf Tourney coming Sept. 8 Wichita Festivals, Inc. is gearing up for the 12th Annual Bob Struble Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017.

This annual tournament will be held on the beautiful North Course at Crestview Country Club. Each player who participates in the tournament will receive lunch, beverages on the course, a 10-ounce copper tumbler and pizza following the tournament.

Bob Struble was active with Riverfest, serving as a Wagonmaster, Festival volunteer and past Board President of WFI before passing away from cancer in 2005. The Bob Struble Memorial Golf Tournament was established the following year by Bob’s friends. Each year a portion of the proceeds are donated to a cancer organization in Bob’s memory. This year Hope Funds for Cancer Research and Wichita Cancer Foundation will be the recipient organizations.

There is still time to register for this fun tournament, but slots are filling up quickly! You can register online by visiting BobStrubleGolf.com or by calling Wichita Festivals at (316) 267-2817. Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a shot gun start at 12:30 p.m.

The tournament is flighted, so there are lots of opportunities for teams to win great prizes, including rounds for four to some of the area’s best golf courses – Flint Hills National, Crestview Country Club, Wichita Country Club and more. Grab some buddies and join us for a beautiful afternoon of golf on Friday, Sept. 8!

Carefree living? Call Jack Silvers today about Parklane Towers If you’re looking for carefree living in a beautiful apartment cooperative, it’s time to call Jack Silvers.

Currently, Silvers has eight apartments available for purchase in the Parklane Towers Cooperative. Apartments range in size from a one-bedroom unit at 800 square feet to a dream come true unit with more than 2,200 square feet. Prices – unbelievably – range from just $39,000 to $85,900.

“There are no steps in the entire building, other than stairways for convenience and escape,” said Silvers, who launched River City Realty 25 years ago and has run his own successful real estate company ever since. Standard conveniences and amenities at Parklane Towers include elevators, balconies with a view, indoor mail, on-site laundry facilities, a craft room, an exercise room, door person and on-site manager, guest apartment for rent, and HOA-covered bills.

“The quiet here is really comforting,” said Silvers. “Just come look and you’ll be convinced.”

While there are many options for a

small cost, like valet parking and cable TV, the only required bill is a small electric bill for personal items.

Parklane Towers is located near Lincoln and Oliver, and has been meticulously maintained over the years. The apartments for sale have been remodeled and are move-in ready. The larger units feature guest bedrooms and large living spaces.

Over the years, Jack Silvers has been able to work directly with clients selling houses, and has made time for his volunteer efforts in Wichita. Silvers was active with the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and a number of its committees, and continues to be an active volunteer with the Wichita Arts Council.

“I love Wichita,” said Silvers. “This is a fantastic city, and I like giving back whenever I can.”

Right now Silvers believes he is selling nothing short of wonderful opportunities at Parklane Towers with spectacular views of the city.

Want more information or would like to set up a showing? Just call Jack Silvers at 316-993-4040.

Parklane Towers Cooperatives 5051 E. Lincoln, Wichita

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Residents will be upgraded to new apartment complex Wichita State University will close Fairmount Towers residence hall in mid-August, in line with housing consultants’ recommendations and the university’s fiveyear capital budget plan.

About 300 students who had reserved space in Fairmount Towers for the 201718 academic year will be housed in a brand-new apartment complex, The Flats at WSU, at no additional cost to those students.

“Fairmount Towers, constructed 53 years ago as a private dormitory, has reached the end of its useful life. The building will be taken out of service and eventually demolished. Its site near the northwest corner of 21st and Hillside will be available for other university uses,” said Eric King, associate vice president for facilities.

King noted that a 2015 report from Brailsford & Dunlavey on the student housing market concluded Fairmount Towers should be phased out based on four main factors: Operational inefficiencies, limited student demand, isolated location outside the core of campus, and facility condition concerns Tony Vizzini, provost and senior vice president of WSU, said the university has been working for five years to decommission outdated housing and create a more residential, 24-hour campus.

“Replacing Wheatshocker and Brennan Halls with Shocker Hall was the first step in the plan, and it worked beautifully,” Vizzini said.

“The next step has always been to close Fairmount, but there hasn’t been a way

to do that without incurring long-term debt,” Vizzini said. “The Flats gives us an opportunity to do that. It is a bonus that students will be able to move into and experience this beautiful new housing complex.”

Apartment configurations in The Flats, ranging from one to four bedrooms, all include one bathroom per bedroom, plus shared kitchen, washer-dryer and living rooms for each of the 112 apartments. All apartments come fully furnished.

The Flats is located near the corner of Mike Oatman Drive and Innovation Boulevard, just south of Eck Stadium. It will open in early August.

Students who were to live in Fairmount Towers this school year instead will move into The Flats, a new apartment complext at Wichita State University.

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Wichita State’s Fairmount Towers to close

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Hillcrest Continued from Page 5

six miles north of Wichita.

By the end of April, brick and stone work on the Hillcrest was “practically completed,” according to the Eagle, and attention shifted to the interior.

“When you see the pictures (of the construction process), the number of workers was unbelievable,” said Stephen Gleissner, an art and antiques appraiser who lives and works in the Hillcrest.

Wichita’s men were eager for the work, according to Toevs.

“A son told me a story about his father who worked on the Hillcrest,” Toevs said. “They lived exactly five miles west of here, past Delano, and every morning, his father would take his tools in one hand and his lunch box in the other, walk the five miles out to work, and walk the five miles back at night. The cost of riding the trolley, which would’ve been more convenient, was the price of one loaf of bread – and he had a large family he was trying to support.”

Some changes to the building’s design were made even as construction was half finished.

“We still have the (original) plans, and you can see the various changes,” said Skip Brasted, an interior designer and Hillcrest resident. “They added quite a few larger apartments, then realized they didn’t have enough small apartments, so the north side of the building was all changed.”

On Sept. 11, a special section in the Eagle announced the formal opening of the Hillcrest, and on Sept. 15, 1927, the public flooded in to have a look at the building.

Herman Hoffman, the Hillcrest’s visionary, died in the building on Feb. 28, 1928, at the age of 54. According to his obituary in the Beacon, he “was carried through its stately foyer to an awaiting ambulance late Monday afternoon, borne to Wichita hospital and within a few hours had passed away.”

A photo of Herman, his wife Lottie, and his son Arthur, occupies a place of honor in the Hillcrest foyer.

The Great Depression “Black Tuesday,” Oct. 29, 1929, marked the start of the Great Depression. The building was finished by then, Toevs said, but the financial crash caused the value of the apartments to crater, hindered sales of units and threatened the viability of the luxury building.

Lottie Hoffman worked hard to keep the Hillcrest going even as many co-op members faced financial ruin.

“Apartments were repossessed by financiers,” Gleissner said. “When (the financiers) couldn’t sell the apartments, they started renting them. A lot of apartments were rented, right through (World War II).”

Sometime after the crash, two men jumped from the Hillcrest’s rooftop garden – now the enclosed Sky Room – to their deaths, according to Toevs.

Sixteen months after the crash, businessman J.H. “Jack”

Turner died of a gunshot wound in his Hillcrest apartment.

The papers described the death as a suice, but in a 2011 book about allegedly supernatural spots in Wichita, author Beth Cooper writes that some considered his death suspicious.

Turner had not been ruined in the crash; he still had a considerable fortune at the time of his death, Cooper wrote. And a few days after his death, newspapers reported that a detective found threatening letters, including “letters demanding $5,000 or threatening him with death.”

Turner’s wife ended up convincing herself that the death was accidental, and no one ever found proof of foul play.

The ghosts of those difficult Depression years continue to haunt the Hillcrest – whether they haunt it figuratively or literally is a question of belief.

“I have the best view of the city, in a beautiful old building. Maybe the ghosts think so, too,” Toevs told Cooper.

Post-war changes During its post-war history, the Hillcrest’s owners worked to keep the building up to date.

One major change was the addition of air conditioning. The building never got central air. Instead, owners of each unit were responsible for installing their own systems.

Leah Dean Ross was the first to do it.

“She had an A and a B together, the biggest apartment in the building,” Gleissner said. “In the early 1950s, without asking anybody, she just air-conditioned her two apartments.”

Ross was used to cool temperatures: Before she moved to the Hillcrest, she lived in Alaska with her first husband.

There, according to Toevs, she hosted two famous Oklahomans: Will Rogers, the humorist, and Wiley Post, the first pilot to fly solo around the world. On Aug. 15, 1935, Rogers and Post were killed together in a plane crash at Point Barrow, Alaska.

Gleissner knew Ross, who lived to a ripe old age and spent decades at the Hillcrest.

“She was unbelievable, and just a person that a novel should be written about,” he said. “If you read (Beryl Markham’s memoir) ‘West With the Night,’ Mrs. Ross was like that: an unbelievable spirit.”

It quickly became apparent that all the apartments in the Hillcrest would need to be air-conditioned.

The co-op board agreed to install metal balconies on the west side of the building, and today those balconies are filled with condenser units, one for each apartment.

The building’s original, high-ceilinged hallways were lowered to something more like the post-war standard to make room for air conditioning ducts.

At some point, the ballroom on the 10th floor was converted to apartment units, in another concession to modern social patterns. The rooftop garden, enclosed, replaced it as the building’s primary party space.

This photograph from July 1955 shows the east side of the Hillcrest.

The front of the landmark building looks essentially the same today, other than the vehicles parked out front.

The skyroom at The Hillcrest provies stunning views to the north, west and south. Residents frequently visit the skyroom for sunsets over downtown and to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July or after Wichita Wingnuts baseball games.

helps out, keeping the building and its services running smoothly, and residents had nothing but praise for them.

Lidgett, a social butterfly, is working with other residents on a party to mark the Hillcrest’s 90th anniversary, to be held in the building’s elegant, wood-paneled lobby.

“We’ll move out the furniture and turn this room into a dining room, have

dinner and chamber music and dancing outside on the patio,” Lidgett said. “The DJ will play music from the 1920s, and we’re planning to print some brochures with lyrics.”

Such efforts are all part of the community-minded way of living that the Hillcrest has cultivated now for nearly a century.

“An important word to describe the

Hillcrest is ‘co-op,’” Toevs said. “We’re cooperating with each other for the general good of all.”

See more photos on Page 27 Story continued on Page 32

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If you’re interested in moving to the Hillcrest, how do you do it? You almost certainly have to buy rather than rent, for one thing – and there are a few extra steps.

“The process of getting in here is very dynamic, in that you make an application, and you’re not buying a unit, you’re buying a stock in the corporation,” Toevs said. “After you put your application in, there’s a fee for that application to be sent to a national clearinghouse, where they investigate you.”

If you pass that test, the clearinghouse company will call you for a phone interview. If that goes well, Toevs said, a group of residents will meet you in the lobby for more discussion.

“You see whether you’re gelling, and the board will decide if they feel like you would fit or not,” Toevs said.

All this is standard for many cooperative apartments on the East Coast and in larger cities, but it still comes as a surprise to some in Wichita, where the process, and the idea behind it, is less familiar.

“It’s not a place for everybody, and there are people who move in and realize, this was a mistake,” Gleissner said.

“They don’t want so many neighbors, don’t want people to know what they’re doing. It’s just not a fit for everybody.”

The building’s “no pets” policy (except for a few cats that somehow became exceptions to the rule) is enough to rule out the Hillcrest for many. But those that are the “right fit” are likely to stay for a long time. That includes elderly people, who find they can stay in their homes longer because of the lack of maintenance; the lack of stairs; and the younger people who surround them, providing social outlets as well as a safety net.

Hornberger, who is elderly, said she is grateful for a group of ladies called Vespers that meets regularly for drinks and chit-chat. Karen Lidgett, one of the other members, was present for the discussion with East Wichita News.

“When Karen’s family moved here, she said, ‘When I retire, I want to help people so they don’t have to leave the Hillcrest,’” Hornberger said. “She has certainly helped me a lot.”

The Hillcrest staff, including 14 part-time and full-time workers, also

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A cohesive community

August 2017 - 26

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East Wichita News Church Directory

Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church -

3700 E. Mt. Vernon; (316) 734-4447; We offer a biblically grounded worship service at 10:30 am each Sunday. Serving the southeast area of Wichita for over 60 years. A Food Pantry is open on the 3rd Monday of each month from 9-10am. Kid’s and Youth Club, Wed. evening during the school year. Facebook: Mt. Vernon Church.

Progressive Missionary Baptist Church - 2727 E. 25th St. N. - Wichita, KS

67219; (316) 685-1328, (316)681-0081:fax; www.pmbaptist.net; Pastor, Roosevelt K. DeShazer, Sr.; Sunday School: 9:30am; Morning Worship: 11am; Wednesday Night P.B.I (Progressive Bible Institute): 6:30pm; Facebook: @ pmbcpastor; “A People Following Jesus Christ, the Waymaker”

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 7404 East Killarney Place, Wichita, KS 67206; (316) 634-2513; The Rev. Dr. Mary J. Korte, Rector; www.ststephensec.org; Facebook at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wichita, KS; Sunday Services: 8:30 am, Traditional Service (No Music); 10:30 am, Contemporary Service

(Music & Choir) followed by “Coffee, Tea and Thee” Fellowship; Nursery provided for both services; 10:15 am Children’s Sunday School, 3 yrs - 5th grade. Resuming in September - 10:15 am St. Stephen’s Sensational Youth Group (5th – 12th grades); 5:30 pm Wednesday “WE” Wholehearted Eucharist, the first Wednesday of each month an IONA Service followed with a potluck dinner. We are a Christ-centered caring community, living out the Gospel for all people.

Contact Shelby at the East Wichita News for more information on how to have a Church Directory listing.

316-540-0500

Worship at the Church of Your Choice

NBC Hall of Famers announced The National Baseball Congress has announced its Hall of Fame inductions for the class of 2017: Al “Rusty” Gerhardt, Loren Packard, Doug Stokke, Jack O’Donnell, and Wayne Elliott.

Al “Rusty” Gerhardt shined on the mound in two NBC World Series appearances, nabbing the MVP in 1970 for the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Sullivans, a team that featured nine future Major League players. Gerhardt was similarly impressive in 1971 for the Fairbanks (Alaska) Goldpanners and earned his second consecutive All-American Award as a pitcher. Over both of his NBC appearances, Gerhardt compiled an impressive 6-1 record while allowing just a single earned run. Gerhardt went on to a professional baseball career following the NBC. A 12th round selection of the San Diego Padres in 1972, Gerhardt made his major league debut at the ripe age of 23. Altogether, he spent nine seasons in the Padres’ organization before coaching in the Padres and Texas Rangers farm systems. He has been a scouting supervisor in the MLB Scouting Bureau since the mid-1990s. Rusty Gerhardt was the first member of the Hall of Fame class inducted on July 22.

Loren “Big Pack” Packard was an intimidating presence in his NBC World Series appearances for the NBC World Champion Boeing Bombers (Wichita) in 1954 and 1955. Packard began his professional baseball career after serving in the Navy during World War II. He won the KOM league batting title in 1948 for the Miami (Okla.) Owls by posting a .367 average, which earned him a promotion to Topeka the following year. He finished the season third in the Western Association in 1949 with a .330 batting average. “Big Pack” soon left his pursuit of the Major Leagues in order to provide for his family by working for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita.

Boeing’s championship teams during his seasons saw Packard post impressive numbers during the NBC World Series.

For two years with the Bombers, Pack-

ard hit an astounding .425 with 5 home runs and 27 RBI. Packard passed away in 1993. Loren Packard will be inducted posthumously on Aug. 5.

Doug Stokke was an elite defensive infielder and earned All-American status three times for the Fairbanks (Alaska) Goldpanners from 1975-1977.

Stokke was a primary cog in the Goldpanners success that ended with a NBC World Series Championship in 1976 and two second-place finishes in 1975 and 1977. Stokke took his success back to the University of Southern California in 1978, winning a national title and all-tournament selection at shortstop.

The success garnered Stokke a fifthround selection by the Houston Astros in 1978. He concluded his professional career in the Astros farm system after his best offensive season in 1980, hitting .289. Stokke is currently the vice president of Duke Health Marketing and Communications.

Jack O’Donnell had consistent success throughout the 1960s in the NBC World Series. O’Donnell burst onto the scene in 1960, earning the first of three NBC All-American selections.

He played in 10 World Series between 1959 and 1969, managing the Rapid Transit Dreamliners (Wichita) to two World Series championships in 19621963. O’Donnell holds the professional record for winning four games in four consecutive days, pitching for the Atlanta Crackers. Jack O’Donnell passed away in 1991. O’Donnell was inducted posthumously on July 29.

Wayne Elliott began his path to NBC affiliation with the Zaragoza League in 1989 as the official statistician. A year later, with the backing of a local business, he assembled the Thoppers to compete in the Southwest Regional Tournament. While the Thoppers failed to place, Elliott moved on to found a new team in 1991, the Austin Gold Sox, while also becoming commissioner of the Zaragoza League. The Gold Sox See NBC, Page 31

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Look inside the Hillcrest

ABOVE: The Hillcrest’s seal is tucked away in a window inside the lobby, just to the north of the main doors.

LEFT: The Hillcrest’s main lobby elevator still has a human elevator operator, who runs it manually with this control. It’s one of the many features at the Hillcrest that make it a unique building, not just in Wichita, but in the entire Midwest.

The living room in a fourth-floor apartment, top, and the dining room in a third-floor unit, above, reflect the tastes of their respective residents. Cooperative members are allowed great freedom in altering the interiors of their homes.

www.eastwichitanews.com

LEFT: There are businesses located inside the Hillcrest, in the building’s northside along Douglas Ave. CENTER: Residents have covered drives into the back area of the Hillcrest.

They enjoy a valet service, delivery of their groceries from their cars to their homes, and a three-story parking garage. RIGHT: Intricate adornments give the Hillcrest a classic courtyard that serves as a grand entrance to the surrounding neighborhood.

August 2017 - 28

Through Sept. 2 – “School House Don’t Rock, or Brownback vs. the Bored of Education,” Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley Street. Written by Tom Frye.

Tickets $20 for show only; $30 for dinner and show, $26 for seniors/children. Call 316-263-0222 for reservations.

Performing Arts Calendar

August 2017

Aug. 11-20 – “Disney’s Newsies,” Music Theatre Wichita. Performances at Century II, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.

Sunday. Weekend matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets $32-$68. Tickets available online at www.mtwichita.org or call 316-265-3107.

Aug. 18-27 – “Sylvia,” Roxy’s Downtown. Written by A.R. Gurney. The New York Times said “Dramatic literature is stuffed with memorable love scenes, but none is as immediately delicious and dizzy as the one that begins the redeeming affair in A.R. Gurney’s new comedy.” Shows at 8 p.m. Seating $20-$30. Call 316-265-4400 for tickets.

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Aug. 25 – “Silver Gelation,” an exhibit of black and white photographic prints by Dale Strattman, will be held as part of Final Friday at Visual Fusion Gallery, 623 W. Douglas. Hours are 6-10 p.m. It is a benefit for the Kansas Food Bank’s Food for Kids backpack program.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 6.

Tiny pests causing big headaches While the extremely hot weather may be giving your garden plants a case of the “blahs,” they may also be fighting a nearly invisible pet problem.

Spider mites are tiny dark-colored creatures that live on the undersides of plant leaves. Neither insects nor arachnids, these arthropods get the “spider” in their name from the protective webbing they create when they start feeding on the leaves.

“An early symptom associated with spider mite damage is referred to a ‘stippling’ and/or ‘speckling’,” said Raymond Cloyd, K-State Research and Extension specialist in horticultural entomology, “because spider mites feed on the chlorophyll of plants, thus removing the green content.”

As the infestation progresses, the plant will begin to look droopy — its leaves will be limp, hanging, with a wilted appearance. Larger stems might even be leaning to one side.

The easiest way to test for spider mites is to use a blank, white piece of printer paper. Hold the paper under a leaf, and then tap the stem of the leaf with your

finger. Don’t shake the leaf — just tap it.

If small black specks fall onto the paper, watch for movement; if they move, you have spider mites.

Cloyd’s first suggestion is to try to dislodge the mites with a forceful spray of water. Because the mites hang out on the undersides of the leaves, you’ll have to bend the leaves back, or use a garden hose attachment that allows you to invert the nozzle. The water pressure should be strong, but not so hard that it tears the leaves.

Chemical controls are effective on spider mites — you can choose organic or synthetic formulas. Persistence is the key to payoff, Cloyd said.

“On the organic side, insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils will work,” said Cloyd. “However, you have to have thorough coverage of all plant parts — especially leaf undersides. Repeat applications will be required.”

“Commercially available miticides are also effective, but the same rules apply: cover all plant parts, and make several applications for an effective treatment.”

Continued from Page 11

Keener is currently serving as senior human resources with Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Ky. He has served in the military for 20 years. He is the son of Ralph O. Keener of East Wichita and Wilma J. Wates of Winfield.

Jose Nickel of East Wichita was named to the Cloud County Community College spring 2017 honor roll. To be named to the honor roll, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6-3.899.

Colin Bourland of East Wichita was awarded a bachelor of science degree in commerce and business administration from The University of Alabama during ceremonies May 5-7.

Ten University of Kansas School of Law students contributed nearly 600 hours of free legal services during the past year, earning a spot on KU Law’s inaugural Pro Bono Honor Roll. Wichitan Patrick Sullivan was among the students honored. Students prepared tax returns for low-income residents, interviewed and advised asylum seekers at a family detention center, and served as court advocates for victims of domestic violence seeking protection orders.

Jorden Kaufman of Andover, general studies major, received a bachelor of general studies at Youngstown State University’s spring commencement.

McKenzie Needham of Andover was part of the cast and crew presenting “Don’t Hug Me” at Emporia State University. Needham, a freshman communication major, worked in the scene shop. The show ran June 28 through July 1. Needham worked in the scene shop for “The Top Job!” presented July 14-15.

Kansas Wesleyan University has announced the Academic All-KCAC honorees for the 2016-17 academic and athletic year. Eastsider Mary-Katherine Swanson was named Academic AllKCAC in softball.

University of Alabama student Aaron A Miller of Bel Aire was named to the president’s list for spring 2017. A total of 11,101 students enrolled during the 2017 spring semester at The University of Alabama were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the president’s list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s).

Elise Alexander and Paul Amstutz, both of East Wichita, were named to the Wheaton College dean’s list for the spring 2017 semester. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 for inclusion.

Kayla Hicks from Wichita recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in athletic training from Buena Vista University.

More than 600 students were named to Emporia State University’s honor roll. Students on the honor roll include Wichitans Elia Brown, Mary Claus, Emma Dixon, Daniel Falk, Jessica Jackson, Torrie Rupe, and Amy Ruschen; Bailey Cradduck and Jaden Strobel of Andover; and Abigail Gray of Bel Aire.

More than 5,250 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring 2017 semester. Following are the Eastside students who earned honors.

Andover: Miranda Anaya, Timothy Barcklay Jr., Madison Berberet, Lacey Bolen, Lyndsey Broughard, Claire Capps, Deborah Choi, Kaylin Ervay, Thomas Gartman, Nicola Gentry, Jack Hesse, Madisen Huscher, Grant Huslig, Casey Jaimes, Kirsten King, Sarah King, See PLACES, Page 30

www.eastwichitanews.com

Natalie Lenoch of Wichita has earned semester honors for the spring 2017 semester at Edgewood College.

Full-time students who achieve a 3.5 GPA for the semester are eligible for this honor.

More than 4,400 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students have been named to the deans’ list for the spring semester of the 2016-17 academic year.

East Wichita students on the dean’s list were Artem Shukaev, Jack Nibert and Kayla West.

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People

August 2017 - 30 w w w . e a s t w i c h i t a n e w s . c o m

Places Continued from Page 29

Katie Kretchmar, Amy Laflin, Madeline Level, Alexis Lyman, Margaret Mace, Austin Minihan, Delaney Owen, Ashley Payne, Brooke Pedersen, Britta Petersen, Michael Raehpour, Andrew Scholfield, Kaleigh Smith, Kali Stearns, Kailin Stinson, Dylan Stump, Jacob Thompson, Christian Treat.

Bel Aire: Sofia de la O, Stacy Diao, Peter Ercolani, Kayla Gravel, Courtney Kempf, Daniel Ozor, Noah Schneegurt, Leanne Tang and Farrah Zonoozi.

Eastborough: Jack Hane, Ross Isern and Rachael Jordan.

Kechi: Brandon Mitchell.

East Wichita: Philip Aaby, Jazil Ahmed, Levi Aldag, Gabby Ale-Ebrahim, Geoffrey Amend, Halsten Amend, Natalie Babich, Grace Binter, Tiffany Bouddhara, Abigail Bradshaw, Collin Bruey, Cora Burgoyne, Claire Byers, Danela Calderon-Cordoba, Jacob Camenzind, Mark Camenzind, Grant Campbell, Tyler Cargill, Elizabeth Carroll, Joseph Casella, Cameron Christian, Jessie Clinton, Hannah Clough, Michael Cory, Cara Davis, Christian Dell, Will DeVries, Dylan Driver, Michaela Edwards, Cody Fiola, Tyler Flores, Elizabeth Frank, Johnie Frank, Simon George, Grace Hagan, Taylor Hall, Andrew Hammar, Colleen Hand, Holly Harpel, Joseph Hayes, Grant Heiman, Connor Hernandez, Jordan Hernandez, Jenae Hesse, Emily Hewitt, Cody Hope, Anna Hu, Braden Hullings, Patrick Hullings, Naba Husain, Lauren Hutchinson, Derek Huynh, Anna Jenney, Zora Jenney, Sally Jiang, Griffin Jobe, Caleb Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Andrew Johnston, Daniel Kamen, Sydney Kaufman, Samantha King, Audrey Klenda, Joseph Knorp, Ryan Kuchinskas, Zoe Lai, Evan Lay, Anh Le, Brandon Le, William Lecompte, Asia Leeks, Jared Lenz, Ally Lowden, Kara Maloney, Patrick Maloney, Kylie Mank, Kevin Mattar, Elizabeth, Mcgettrick, Schyler Merrills, Riley Messina, Rylan Minar, William Mitchell, Samantha Mitra, Andrew

Monroe, Julia Moore, Allegra Morton, Vishnu Nagireddy, Kristina Nguyen, Alexis O’Malley, Ali Oatsdean, Eleanor Oberg, Kikelomo Ojo, John Olson, Chad Onianwa, Brynley Orndorff, Marcette Perales, Danielle Peterson, Marina Phomakay, Rech, Sandra Rech, Lindsay Redden, Maddie Reid-Tedesco, Calvin Rhinesmith, Kali Richardson, Andrew Riedmiller, Sabine Rishell, Trevor Scheopner, Chadwick Sevart, Dylan Severson, Zachary Shaw, Mitchell Sheets, Caleb Shuey, Luke Singer, Cierra Smallwood, Tara Smart, Jordann Smith, Sydney Staehr, Miles Starks, Reagan Strange, Brantley Straub, Abby Streit, Benjamin Streit, Sarah Stuhlsatz, Eric Syverson, Kyle Ta, Matthew Taylor, Ashley Teinert, Kara Toney, Noah Torgerson, Sneha Verma, Julie Vo, Haris Vrahliotis, David Vu, Abigail Wagle, Christine Waisner, JaShawn Walker, Amanda Whitbeck, Sydney White, Hannah Wilson, Erin Woods, Leah Zarich, Kelton Zenishek, Kevin Zhong.

Benedictine College has recognized students who were on the dean’s list for the spring semester, which ended in May. They are Wichitans Michaela Dreiling, Gabriella Ferraro, Natalie Finn, Cecilia Knapp, Logan McCully, Grace Vanderpool and Kathleen Wells, and Monica Davied and Kristine Pfeifer of Bel Aire.

Erin Rodgers of Wichita, who is studying business administration-accounting, made the dean’s list for the 2017 spring semester at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Andover resident and Azusa Pacific University student Elise Larson made the academic dean’s list at APU. A nursing major, Larson was honored for a spring semester 2017 academic standing of a 3.5 or better grade-point average.

With the conclusion of the 20162017 academic year, Wheaton student-athletes were honored by the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) for their work in the classroom. Local honorees included East Wichita residents Paul Amstutz and Elise Alexander.

On Saturday, Aug. 12, girls ages 8 to 18 are invited to a “Dream Big: Girls Day Out” at the Cosmosphere. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will offer girls several engineering-themed activities and presentations.

Participants will have the opportunity to see and sit in a Perlan 2 stratospheric glider cockpit, meet members of its flight team, and Skype with the team’s female chief meteorologist. Attendees

will see the engineering documentary “Dream Big,” eat lunch and mingle with female engineers, and hear a number of educational presentations about engineering, student science and life in the stratosphere.

Girls and their guest can register for the event by calling 620-665-9304. The cost to participate is $10 per person and does include lunch. Participation is limited.

NBC

ary coach Augie Garrido was present for his NBC Hall of Fame induction on July 31. Garrido is a member of the 2016 class but will be on hand at the 83rd NBC World Series to be recognized for his contributions to the National Baseball Congress.

The 83rd NBC World Series is being played through Aug. 6, with all games being played at historical Lawrence Dumont Stadium.

The NBC World Series is the oldest continuous sporting event in the United States. A non-profit 501c(3) foundation, it operates under the supervision of a 16-member volunteer board of directors. To learn more, visit www.nbcbaseball.com.

Continued from Page 26

first won their league in 1996 and made it to Wichita in 18 of the next 19 years for the NBC World Series.

Elliott remained as the commissioner of the Zaragoza League until 2010.

During that time, Elliott battled cancer and endured surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, but never missed a Gold Sox game or a trip to Wichita for the NBC World Series. He was inducted on July 23.

In addition to the 2017 class, legend-

Continued from Page 10

talking to a real live human being. Being referred directly to the manufacturer also means that you are responsible for the return shipping.

Specialty stores are more likely to stand behind their product. They will usually deal with the manufacturer and

www.eastwichitanews.com

Homes

save you the hassle of getting a replacement, if need be.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most specialty home furnishing stores are locally owned. These businesses are more likely to support and contribute to the community and local economy than a big box chain. In addition, specialty stores are more likely to bend over backwards to take care of a client.

They personally value the support and know the importance of word-ofmouth advertising.

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Girls day out at the Cosmosphere

August 2017 - 32 w w w . e a s t w i c h i t a n e w s . c o m

Childhood memories There’s a rumor out there that the Hillcrest doesn’t allow children. That’s not true, residents said, and several young people currently live in the building.

“It’s a great place for them, because they have lots of built-in grandmothers,” Gleissner said.

Other residents have vivid memories of the Hillcrest from their own childhoods.

Resident Nan Morgan Porter grew up a block away and was friends with a girl that lived at the Hillcrest in the 1940s, a granddaughter of Coleman Company founder W.C. Coleman.

“We would come visit, and when I didn’t spend the night, we would go up to the 10th floor and sneak down the fire escape,” Porter recalled. “It was a wonderful spiral slide, and when you got to the bottom, you would kick the door open.

“What we couldn’t figure out was

that we always got caught. There was always the guy from the garage, and we would jump out and run to my house while he yelled at us.”

Then, one night when Porter did sleep over, she heard some other kid using the slide.

“It was the loudest racket,” she said.

“Every floor, you could hear this body bumping down the slide. That’s how we got caught!”

The slide was eventually deemed unsafe and sealed off.

“When I think about us now, that slide would have been really uncomfortable,” Porter said. “But as little kids, we just racketed down really fast.”

Resident Helen Hornberger said that when her son was in high school, he shot pigeons off the Hillcrest’s roof with a BB gun, a practice that probably wasn’t exactly condoned, and he also enjoyed the emergency slide during his childhood.

Ann, left, and Kathy Reed pose for an early-1960s photo in the Hillcrest courtyard.

Their grandparents, Elmer and Margaret Reed, moved to the Hillcrest in 1952 and stayed the rest of their lives. Ann now lives in the apartment she inherited from them.