East Wichita News June 2017

June 2017 - 2

I INSIDE

Volume 34 • Issue 6 June 2017

ON THE COVER Service at the heart of this year’s Admiral | 6

East Wichita resident Wendy Johnson is Wichita Riverfest’s 44th Admiral Windwagon Smith.

EWN’s Summer Activity Guide | 13-20 Special pull-out section

Contributed photo

Features Movie Review..................................... 4

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From the Publisher’s Files.............. 5

Win free tickets to Tanganyika Wildlife Park!

See Pages 22-23

Dateline................................................ 7 Focus On Business............................ 8 Performing Arts Calendar............18 Wichita Homes................................21 Cook’s Library..................................27

East Wichita News

People & Places...............................29

Editorial

Publisher Paul Rhodes Managing Editor Travis Mounts Production Abbygail Brown Reporters/Contributors Sam Jack, Tessa Castor, Patsy Terrell, Jim Erickson

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.

A little reflection while looking ahead The media business is often a transient one. During the first part of my career, I was changing jobs less than every two years.

That’s not uncommon among media types, whether you’re in print or broadcasting. Originally, I was a radio and TV type, and changing jobs in that field was not only common, it was often expected.

That changed for me more than a decade ago when I came to work for this newspaper company.

It wasn’t my first time working for our publisher, Paul Rhodes. I was on board with The Times-Sentinel weekly newspaper twice in the mid- to late1990s, first working as a graphic designer and then in sales.

My nomadic ways continued – sometimes on my own volition, other times at the decision of others, such as when a software company I worked for laid off its entire staff. All of our jobs were being moved to Ireland, but none of us were asked to go.

After a couple of stints working for Paul, I was again pulled into the sphere of the newspaper, which by then had grown to include the WestSide Story. It was part-time work at first, but I came on board full-time again in 2005.

This time, I had found a home.

My job title then was news reporter.

Over time, I took on more responsibility and gained valuable job experience.

I learned a great deal about community journalism. My understanding of the newspaper business grew, too.

Much of what I learned came from Paul. There were direct and indirect lessons, and the chance to learn simply by doing.

As time passed, I realized I had gained a mentor.

More time passed. We added the East Wichita News and two more weekly papers.

I became further integrated into the business. I took on management duties,

Travis Mounts | Managing Editor

and gained an ownership role. That opportunity came about because Paul had faith in my abilities to help this newspaper operation thrive and grow.

I had gained a business partner.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, I was one of many people at a party in honor of Paul’s 60th birthday. In attendance were Paul’s children and grandchildren, other family members, longtime friends and new ones, and of course, most of the newspaper staff.

It was an amazing collection of people who have been part of Paul’s life.

It was an honor to be in that circle.

Leaving the party, I began thinking about the various people who have been and continue to be part of my life.

This weekend also gave me a chance to reflect on the journey Paul and I have taken together over the past two decades.

What I realized is that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, and I’m doing it where I should be doing it.

Most importantly, I’m working with the people I’m supposed to be working with. That includes my boss and business partner.

So, I’d like to close with a personal message to Paul: Thank you.

Thanks for the opportunity, and for the guidance and mentoring. Thank you for the journey that we’ve had so far, and for what’s to come.

Oh, and one last thing – happy birthday!

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Erickson’s thoughts on ‘Alien: Covenant’ and more Alien: Covenant Despite assurances that “Alien: Covenant” stands alone and you don’t need to have seen the prior “Alien” movies, I suspect that you do need to have seen “Prometheus.” I saw the first two “Alien” movies, but not “Prometheus” – so here’s the best I can do with “Covenant.”

A spaceship is brought down for repairs on the unknown planet that was home to the half-scorpion, half-dragon monster that invaded Sigourney Weaver’s ship in “Alien” and “Aliens.” The crew (no Weaver this time) is pursued by truly ghastly creatures like wingless wasps.

But there is a survivor from a previous spaceship crash who has had a long time to study these horrors, and he offers ambiguous help.

There seems to be a cloning plot here, with Michael Fassbender playing both the ship captain and the mysterious survivor who later suffers what may be a vampire bite that settles his ultimate loyalties near the end.

The bulk of the movie is a series of encounters with the creatures, who are apparently able to impregnate human beings and give gruesome birth to more of their own kind.

That’s about all I’m even marginally confident of about “Covenant,” and I suspect that the woman in the theatre who laughed at my efforts to link everything together, saying, “It’s a monster movie,” had the best attitude toward it.

Because if you spare yourself the effort to link the movies together into one sensible narrative, “Covenant” has a good deal to offer. Pacing and structure of individual sequences seems to be intended to involve the audience in each individual situation; we are supposed to feel this movie, not just watch or analyze it.

Sets are consistently fascinating, even to people as uninterested in technology as me, and there are plenty of kinds of action.

There is little concern for character development, but who expects that in a monster movie? I got tired of all the computer screens, but current audienc-

Movie Review

Jim Erickson

es never seem to, probably because they have some idea what is going on. There are, I grant, hints of an evolutionary theme that may make some sense in terms of the franchise as a whole.

In other words, most people will probably like “Convenant” more than I did. And even I can’t complain of being bored. Just frustrated.

The Case for Christ Lee Strobel’s book “The Case for Christ” is subtitled “One Man’s Journey from Skepticism to Faith,” and the movie by Jon Gunn should have been, too.

Because the movie, which inevitably has to leave out a lot of the argumentation and evidence that make up the bulk of the book, may be satisfactory as the story of a single individual who regards religious faith as a matter of intellectual decision based on fact and reason, with little involvement of emotion or the concept of sin; but it doesn’t make anything like the case the book does.

Strobel accepts the accuracy of the Bible in a way a lot of skeptics don’t, and he pays little attention to the edits and amendments that make some people suspect that the New Testament includes a lot of apocryphal material intended to match the biography of Christ to Old Testament prophecies.

The arguments of skeptics tend to be condensed and presented without nuance. The refutations are treated a little more generously, but are also made too simple.

Still, the movie inspired me to read the book, and I recommend that others do the same (the paperback is supposedly revised and updated).

As a record of one man’s experience, the movie has some things going for it, and it adds some biographical detail about Strobel that the book doesn’t include.

Lee Strobel was a reporter who covered crime scenes, and he draws some highly interesting, if not entirely convincing, parallels between his religious investigation and a rather spectacular crime case he was involved in.

Both book and movie consist very largely of a series of interviews with experts who take on one skeptical argument after another, knocking them down like nine-pins. In each case, Strobel ends up satisfied that he can forget about THAT particular approach to the problem.

This is a logical, even admirable structure for a book of argumentation, but it offers little structure to a narrative, and the repetition of form becomes less than exciting. If you are interested in the argumentation, fine, but one might be better off consulting the book’s footnotes and bibliographies for more detailed coverage of various subtopics.

What story there is of troubles within the Strobel family is ably presented. I found myself more sympathetic than I expected to be, especially because neither book nor movie was preaching to me, instead sticking to Strobel’s personal experience.

The Lost City of Z “The Lost City of Z” is an old-fashioned travel-adventure story, roughly along the lines of “Trader Horn” (1931, 1973), “King Solomon’s Mines” (1937, 1950), and, more recently, “Kong: Skull Island.”

These movies consist largely of journeys through exotic lands, especially jungles, with naked savages and quests for legendary this-and-that.

In “Lost City,” there are sporadic efforts to bring in themes of the spread of civilization and the destiny of man, but mostly the genuinely heroic efforts of Percy Fawcett back in the early 1900s are presented as the results of personal ambition and the Victorian

ideals of manhood.

Fictionalization may be just as well: The Week magazine claims that the real Fawcett’s real motives and activities were a good deal less sympathetic than modern audiences might care for, despite the indubitable courage and endurance of this old-fashioned hero.

With three exploratory trips to South America and an episode of the Battle of the Somme to cover, there is more story than the movie needs, not to mention a wisp of domestic story involving Sienna Miller, the only actor you’re likely to recognize, and her and Fawcett’s two sons.

We pretty much have a modern succession of episodes, without much concern for deepening characterizations or themes, and there is too much redundancy in action and points made.

Settings are realistic instead of glamorized, and persistence and physical courage are emphasized more than moral issues or physical skills.

We no longer empathize with wars and empires, and it’s a little hard to care about heroics with no desirable purpose in mind. But there’s something to be said for being reminded what the old ideals were and what people were capable of doing for reasons we no longer share. Enough of “The Lost City of Z” is certifiably accurate to give us some important things to think about.

The Circle “The Circle” is the only movie within my leaky memory that left me thinking about more than I was comfortable with.

What would it be like if, by the quite imaginable extensions of techniques that are even now causing worries in the international system, there were no secrets and no hideaways left, if everything and everybody was electronically observed, preserved, and controlled?

If nothing could be forgotten? If every peccadillo was out there in the cloud to be retrieved by hackers?

Even Tom Hanks is worried, at the end, by what Emma Watson has done See MOVIES, Page 26

www.eastwichitanews.com

My grandson, Felix, is coming to visit me later this month, and I’m chomping at the bit to see what he thinks about a statue I’ve added to the courtyard at my house.

It’s a depiction of the famous statue of David…only this one isn’t completely nude. Michelangelo’s David, with his sling over his shoulder as his only garb, is completely nude. My statue of David, in contrast, has a fig leaf anchored in a strategic spot on his body.

But I still think my grandson is going to suggest he needs a pair of pants.

I’m guessing this because of how Felix has reacted to a few pieces of art in my home during recent visits. I’ve got a reproduction of the Three Graces, and he has suggested they need some clothes. A couple of other nude paintings also have made his cheeks a little rosy.

I haven’t had any serious discussions with Felix about art, and depictions of the human body, just because I’ve thought the process might be a waste of time for my young grandson.

But with my new-to-me statue of David, it might be time for Felix and I to share a little lesson in classic works of art and how the human body has always been a treasure trove of inspiration for artists through the ages.

That, or it’s just naked stuff.

Either way, my new-to-me statue of David, which stands about four feet tall, has made a perfect addition to one of the flowerbeds in my courtyard. With his shouldered sling, he’s standing guard against any Goliaths that might try to storm my home.

Kim and I found the David statue several months ago at an antique store in Oxford, Kan. We considered purchasing the statue on the spot, but decided against it because of the repair work it needed. We were just too overloaded with other projects then, and took a pass.

This past weekend, we discovered that the statue was still there, and the price had been reduced because of the damage – and as an added incentive for me to just do the deal and take David home.

So we did.

It took a lot of muscle to get this concrete statue into the back seat of my car, and we were worried how we were possibly going to move it from the car to the courtyard once we got home. Luckily, we figured out how to “duck walk” the statue into place, and immediately set about repairing the damaged spots in the concrete.

Concrete repair products available today are pretty amazing, and David is healing nicely. He still needs most of an ankle and heel on one foot, but we’ll work on that when we have time this summer.

In the meantime, our statue of David is proudly surveying my front yard in all of his near-nakedness.

A replica of the statue of David, a bit battered And a pair of pants is totally out from years out in the weather, has found a of the question. new home with publisher Paul Rhodes.

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No, I’m not putting pants on this guy

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Service at the heart of this year’s Admiral Story

by

T e ss a C a s t o r

“Service is a part of who I am,” said Wendy Johnson, Wichita Riverfest’s 44th Admiral Windwagon Smith.

When Johnson thought she was joining a friend for lunch earlier this year and was instead met with past admirals, she knew what it meant: She had been selected for the highest honor in the Riverfest community.

The position of Admiral Windwagon Smith was created in 1974 to be a visible representative for Wichita Riverfest. Nominated from a long list of festival volunteers, the Admiral serves as the official ambassador of Riverfest, holding responsibilities ranging from introducing concerts to judging a funnel cake eating contest.

The Admiral reigns over the festival in early June, and serves throughout the year. His or her focus is interacting with the public at various festival and non-festival events.

Joining the Admiral are the Prairie Schooner Mates, high school juniors representing their high schools on visits and Civic Days. Johnson and her “Schoonies” have already visited Starkey, TOPS Learning Centers, and Boys and Girls Club, among others.

The Schooner Mates will perform more than 250 hours of service work during their short time with the festival.

“I have people coming up to me and telling me, ‘I was a Schooner Mate,’” said Johnson. “I will spend a lot of time with the Schooner Mates, and that’s probably one of the best parts as Admiral.”

A graduate of Wichita East High School and WSU, Johnson’s roots are in Wichita. She remembers attending Riverfest as a child, and she wants parents to make those same memories with their children.

“I encourage families to come out to Riverfest,” said Johnson. “Come see what it’s all about.”

Johnson is an advocate for the arts, the community, and education, but she is most passionate about service and volunteerism.

See ADMIRAL, Page 24

LEFT: As Admiral Windwagon Smith, Wendy Johnson wears a red coat to serve as the ambassador of Riverfest.

ABOVE: WuShock: WuShock, left, took part in the Admiral’s reveal in March.

Contributed photos

eases that changed our families: Was it an epidemic or a pandemic?”. Before vaccinations, diseases were widespread and common. A list of outbreaks will be discussed – maybe some of your family were lost during one of these outbreaks.

Learn if there was an outbreak that affected the area where your ancestors were living. For more information, visit www.wichitagensoc.org.

June 4 – “Take Flight,” Botanica The Wichita Gardens. Celebrate the opening of the butterfly house. The first 100 children in attendance will get to release a butterfly in the butterfly house. Tickets available online at www.botanica.org or at the door.

June 24 – Taco Fest 2017, Union Station, 701 E. Douglas, 12-7 p.m. A new one-day event to provide a platform to help local businesses, restaurants, bars and food trucks. Admission $5 (plus $1.27 fee). For more information, visit www.wichitatacofest.com.

June 17 – Wichita Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. at the Lionel Alford Library, 3447 S. Meridian. The program will be “Dis-

Do you have an item for the July Dateline? Email it by June 20 to ewn@ eastwichitanews.com.

Dateline

Sam Koehn Mortgage Loan Officer 316-945-9600 NMLS# 525759

Upcoming events in and around Wichita

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Through Sept. 16 – The traveling Smithsonian Exhibit, “Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces” at the Mid-America All-Indian Center. The museum is one of four organizations to host the exhibit this year, which displays the contributions of the American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans who served in the United States military. Native Americans have served in every major U.S. military encounter from the Revolutionary War to today’s conflicts in the Middle East in higher numbers per capita than any other ethnic group. “Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces” reveals the remarkable history of Native American veterans through art, photography and essay. The 16-panel exhibition documents 250 years of Native peoples’ contributions in U.S. military history.

Senior Nominees Sought for Wichita “First Pitch” Honor www.eastwichitanews.com

Area Agencies on Aging in Kansas are teaming up with Wichita’s National Baseball Congress to honor older Kansans’ contributions to their hometowns and communities.

The group is seeking nominees over age 70 from all parts of Kansas to be honored as part of the 2017 National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series. Those selected for this honor will throw the “Keeping Seniors in the Game!” first pitch at featured games of the annual National Baseball Congress tournament. The event takes place in Wichita’s Lawrence-Dumont Stadium from Saturday, July 22 through Sunday, Aug. 6.

Names and contact information of nominees should be submitted to your local Area Agency on Aging by Thursday, June 15. To connect with your local Area Agency on Aging call toll-free 1-866-457-2364.

Nominations are also accepted by the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging in Manhattan. Call toll-free 800-432-2703 or e-mail stefaniem@ncfhaa.com.

The NBC World Series was founded by baseball innovator Hap Dumont in 1934. For NBC World Series information and ticket prices go to www.nbcbaseball. com or call 316-977-9400.

June 2017 - 8 www.eastwichitanews.com

FOCUS ON BUSINESS

Featured this month Kitchen Tune-Up............................. Page 8

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.

Wichita Grand Opera....................... Page 9 Gross Tile & Custom Remodeling....Page 11

Cabinet refacing project provides simple, dramatic results Sometimes, less really is more.

That’s what the experts at Kitchen Tune-Up were able to prove recently for homeowners who wanted to get away from a dated golden oak look in their kitchen.

Kitchen Tune-Up owners Adam and Rachel Phillips were brought in to help complete a renovation effort that already had taken care of some updates in the client’s kitchen. New granite countertops and other elements had helped a lot, but something still needed to be done with the kitchen’s cabinets.

“This was a pretty simple and straight forward refacing project,” said Rachel Phillips. “We went with Shaker mission-style cabinet fronts, and grey island cabinets, and it really finished off the whole look.”

The homeowners, Ed and Linda, couldn’t agree more.

“I knew that I wanted more with this kitchen, but I just didn’t know how to get there,” Linda said. “Rachel took one look and knew what was needed, and her team did a beautiful job. They were very professional.”

One of the exciting parts of the project was how quickly it came together. Kitchen Tune-Up

was able to complete the project from start to finish in just one week.

“We can tackle every level of kitchen project,” said Rachel. “And sometimes, the simple projects can produce some of the most dramatic results.”

The experts with Wichita’s Kitchen TuneUp team can provide customers with finished projects ranging from easy and inexpensive to breathtaking and cutting edge.

Kitchen Tune-Up has remodeled hundreds of kitchens since the local franchise was launched in 2005 by Adam’s parents. The company’s services range from One-Day Restoration or “Tune-Up” of cabinets or any interior wood surfaces, to cabinet refacing projects to complete custom kitchens.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call Kitchen Tune-Up at 316-5588888. You also can find more information at www.kitchentuneup.com.

Be sure to check out the company’s extensive BEFORE/AFTER portfolio on Facebook!

When you visit the local Kitchen Tune-Up Facebook page, be sure to ‘LIKE’ Kitchen Tune-Up, Wichita.

AFTER

BEFORE

Refaced cabinets

by Kitchen Tune-Up helped finish this Wichita renovation.

Kitchen Tune-up completed the project from start to finish in just one week.

Wichita Grand Opera presents ‘Noah’s Flood’ June 9 wife that the right thing to do is to get on the ark and save all the animals.”

The climax of the opera comes after the people and animals have all boarded the ark, when Britten’s music depicts the 40 days and 40 nights of the flood.

“He releases the raven and the dove, and in each one of those instances, he has to Intended to be performed in a church sanctuary using a mix of professional and have faith that the animals will tell him whether it’s safe to leave the ark,” Nansel amateur singers, musicians and dancers, Benjamin Britten’s “church opera,” “Noah’s said.

“Ultimately, God speaks back to him and tells him of the covenant between Flood,” was and is a unique creation.

God, Noah and Noah’s descendants. It’s the tale of this man taking each next step On Friday, June 9, when Wichita Grand Opera mounts its new production of in the faith that he is doing the right thing.”

“Noah’s Flood,” (or “Noye’s Fludde,” as Britten stylized it), more than 50 members Childhood, and childhood’s legacy of the Wichita musical communiin people’s lives, was a touchstone ty will join Wichita Grand Opera’s theme throughout Britten’s musical professional artists at Holy Cross career.

Lutheran Church. The production “This is a children’s opera, but it’s will be repeated at 6 p.m. on June really written from the perspective of 11 at McPherson Opera House. The an adult looking back at his childWGO is particularly excited to work hood,” Nansel said. “So it has the laywith Holy Cross, which is celebrating er of being something that children its 75th anniversary this year. will delight in and enjoy, but I think “The piece requires church inthere are different, deeper meanings struments like handbells and organ, to it when adults actually watch the and Holy Cross has one of the best child performers.” organs in the region. Plus, the story Mezzo-soprano Suzanne Hendrix lends itself to being told in a church,” will co-star as Mrs. Noah. Hendrix, Wichita Grand Opera president a former member of WGO’s Young and CEO Parvan Bakardiev said. “I Artists Program, enjoys a successful have produced ‘Noah’s Flood’ several career in opera houses all over the times during my career, and I tell you world, including the Vienna State there’s nothing that compares with Opera, Frankfurt Opera and San the feeling when the congregation Francisco Opera.

Her previous apjoins together with the chorus and pearances with Wichita Grand Opera performers on stage to sing hymns.” include Hedwig in “William Tell” “Noah’s Flood” can be not just an and Azucena in “Il Trovatore.” opera performance, but a transformaTom Frye is stage director for the tive community event, according to production, with sets designed by JorBakardiev. dan Slusher and costumes designed “It’s miraculous that one of the Wichita Grand Opera will present Britten’s “Noah’s Flood” at 8 p.m. Friday, June 9, at by Gina Kohn. WGO general direcbest operas of the 20th century is also Holy Cross Lutheran Church. A second performance follows on Sunday, June 11, at tor Edward Lada leads the musical one where parents and children can the McPherson Opera House. Suzanne Hendriz, top right, will co-star as Mrs. Noah forces. “Noah’s Flood” is a challenge make music together,” he said. “The and Michael Nansel, bottom right, will star as Noah. for any conductor, since the church’s productions I’ve produced are all ones layout means musicians will be playI cherish. It’s a great way to introduce opera to people who have never been to the ing in every corner of the hall, and the score incorporates unusual instruments such opera before.” as pipe organ, handbells, bugles, baroque recorders, and even the audience itself Though “Noah’s Flood” is performed in a church and draws inspiration from the with a traditional orchestra. sacred setting, audience members won’t mistake it for a standard church service.

“Noah’s Flood” will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, June 9, at Holy Cross The opera will be fully staged, and will include fantastical costumes for the memLutheran Church, 600 N. Greenwich. General admission tickets are $35 per bers of the children’s chorus, who depict the animals on Noah’s ark. person.

WGO is also offering VIP dinner packages, including a 5:30 p.m.

Baritone Michael Nansel, a Wichita Grand Opera favorite, recently debuted the dinner at the Wichita Country Club, plus a reserved seating section at the title role in Verdi’s “Falstaff” with New York City’s Bronx Opera. His performance performance that night.

VIP dinner packages are available for $150 per person, of Noah will likewise be a career debut. or $1,000 for a table of eight.

A portion of the VIP dinner package is tax-de“Noah himself is really a man of very deep faith, and that, I think, is the gist of ductible. the entire piece,” Nansel said. “He’s building his ark based on his belief that he is For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.wichitagrandopera.org, call being spoken to by a creator. Along the way, he has to convince his sons, his sons in the WGO Box Office at 316-262-8054, or visit SelectASeat.com. turn have to convince their wives, and ultimately, they all have to convince Noah’s

9 - June 2017

A transformative community opera Story by Sam Jack

FOCUS ON BUSINESS www.eastwichitanews.com

June 2017 - 10

AG & HOME SHOW July 14, 2017

Downtown Wellington, Kansas Memorial Auditorium 10 am - 3 pm - Hosted by Agribusiness Reporter Larry Steckline - Special Guests, Prairie Rose Rangers - FREE Lunch for Vendors & Attendees

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(Must have ticket: available at KWLS Sponsors.)

- Latest Ag Equipment on Display in Downtown Wellington, KS - Shop All Kinds of Booths & Displays - Tune In to 107.9 KWLS for Sponsoring Locations & More Information

FASTEST GROWING STATION IN KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA

Visit the new showroom and plan your custom remodeling job

sidered the Delano showroom as a second location, and then settled on the complete relocation option along with the sale of the WestSide location.

This transition will bring a new level of customer service for clients in the midtown and eastern areas of the city, while still serving clients in the western half of Wichita.

“We are so excited about this location,” said Cathy Gross as she talked about the work that has been done to convert the historic brick building on the northeast corner of Douglas and Fern streets. There’s a high volume of traffic in the renaissance business neighborhood, and it is easily accessible from all across the city of Wichita.”

“This is perfect for where we are headed with the business,” said Mark. “Our focus for the next several years will be on all kinds of remodeling work, but especially custom jobs that are a little more out of the box. We know this is the perfect niche for us…like our unique one-of-a-kind countertops, and our zero entry custom showers.”

Mark Gross grew up in Wichita, and after attending North High School he started working on his business degree at Wichita State University. While in college, he started working in the flooring business.

Mark loved the work, and stayed in the industry after earning his business degree from WSU. He opened a floor-covering store with a partner in the early 1980s, and later did installation work as a private contractor before he and his wife Cathy – also a Wichita native who graduated from West High and Newman University – opened their Gross Tile location at Fern and Douglas. Now, all these years later, they’re back.

“There’s such a good energy in this area, and a lot of locally owned and operated businesses,” Cathy said. “We think this will be a great location for us and our clients.”

Mark noted that they’ve hired local artist Lynette Lee to create a custom mural for the exterior of their new showroom, and there’ll be other specialty touches that will make Gross Tile’s new location an attraction for clients and visitors to the historic business district.

For more information about everything Gross Tile has to offer, call 316-773-1600, or visit the company’s website, www.grosstileremodeling.com. You can also find Gross Tile on Facebook.

And most importantly, stop by the new Gross Tile and Custom Remodeling showroom at 1528 W. Douglas and wish Mark and Cathy Gross success in their new location!

www.eastwichitanews.com

ABOVE: Gross Tile and Custom Remodeling owners Mark and Cathy Gross stand in front of their new location in Wichita’s Delano District.

BELOW: The business most recently was located at 10680 W. Maple

Mark and Cathy Gross are settling in to their new showroom, located at 1528 W. Douglass in the historic Delano District. Mark and Cathy say the new location will help them better serve the entire metro area.

FOCUS ON BUSINESS

Gross Tile and Custom Remodeling of Wichita has completed its move to the company’s new showroom at 1528 W. Douglas in the historic Delano District of downtown Wichita.

This move has been in the works for some time, as owners Mark and Cathy Gross worked to sell their former showroom near Maple Street and Maize Road in West Wichita, where they were located for more than a dozen years. That sale has been finalized, and the company’s relocation has been completed.

In many ways, Mark Gross feels like he’s come full circle with this move. He’s entering the last leg of his career in custom flooring, tile and remodeling work, and that career got its start just across the street from the new showroom.

“See the Wichita Fish Company?” Mark asks as he points to the landmark business location that’s just across the street from his new showroom. “Their restaurant space was one of my first showrooms.”

Gross Tile was located there beginning in 1997.

From there, the company moved to Tyler and Maple for a few years before building the Gross Tile showroom at 10680 W. Maple.

Mark and his wife Cathy both wanted to reinvest in a showroom option for Gross Tile that was more centrally located in the heart of Wichita. They first con-

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Gross Tile’s move to Delano District now complete

June 2017 - 12

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316-685-3000 thefarriswheel.com

Hours: Sunday & Monday 11am - 9:30pm Tuesday & Wednesday 11am - 10:30pm | Thursday - Saturday 11am - 1am

316-977-7107 9747 E. 21st Street

Don’t forget your pie for Father’s Day! Now open for dinner Tuesday - Saturday!

Monday 6 am - 2 pm Tuesday - Friday 6 am - 8 pm Saturday 7 am - 2 pm Breakfast (served all day), salads, burgers, sandwiches and more!

9747 E. 21st St., Wichita, KS 67206 | 316.686.0488

Summer Activity Guide Special pull-out section

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East Wichita News

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June 2017 - 14

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June 2017 - 16

First Time Clients Only One Coupon Per Family, 3+ Nights

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Offering Boarding, Grooming and Daycare!

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Have a great summer!

8-Week summer session runs from June 12-August 3.

Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary/Lyrical and Hip Hop

Summer Specialty Classes:

Ballet Variations, Turns and Leaps, Tot’s Bop, Improv, Acrobats and Ballet Barre

6615 E. Central, Wichita 684-2848 www.kdadance.com

www.eastwichitanews.com

Classes offered in:

June 2-24 – “An Act of God,” Roxy’s Downtown, 412-1/2 E. Douglas. Starring Kyle Vespestad with David Stone and Monte Wheeler. The One with the first and last word on everything has finally arrived to set the record straight.

After many millennia, and in just 90 minutes, God (assisted by His devoted angels) answers some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind since Creation. Shows at 8 p.m., tickets $20-$30. Call 316-265-4400.

June 7-18 – “Smell of the Kill,” Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain. A wild comedy by Michelle Lowe, directed by John Dalton-White.

“Smell of the Kill” refers to the animals hunted by one of the women’s husband and stored in a new meat locker in the basement of their home.

It turns out that the three wives feel as trapped in their marriages as any deer hanging on the hook of that freezer. Performances Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with one

FARMERS MARKET

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June 1 – Summer concerts at Bradley Fair begin. Concerts are every Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wine, cocktails and soft drinks will be available at each show. For more information, visit www. bradleyfair.com. Following are the concert dates and acts.

• June 1: Joseph Vincelli, smooth jazz saxophonist.

• June 8: Dotsero, jazz group with style, energy, charisma, humor and spontaneity.

• June 15: Chris Standring, innovative guitarist with a passion for groove and music.

• June 22: The JT Project, bold music with saxophone and keyboard.

• June 29: Vincent Ingala, saxophonist.

Fireworks will follow the show.

Performing Arts Calendar

June 2017

Sunday evening performance and one Sunday matinee. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for military/seniors/ students. For reservations, call 316686-1282.

June 9, 11 – Britten’s “Noah’s Flood,” Wichita Grand Opera. Show at 8 p.m.

June 9 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church; 6 p.m. June 11 at McPherson Opera House.

Britten called for a core of professional singers and musicians to lead a large cast of student, community, and youth singers, actors, and musicians. Delightful and innovative touches abound, including striking mugs with wooden spoons to represent the sound of raindrops, and a colorful pageant of children in costume as the animals, parading two-by-two onto the ark. General admission tickets $35; www.wichitagrandopera.org or call 316262-8054.

June 14-18 – “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” Music Theatre Wichita. The 1920s roar back to life with the tale of Kansan Millie Dillmount, who takes New York City by storm. Shows at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and 7 p.m.

Sunday. Matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets $32-$68 ($30-$62 for matinees). Tickets at www.mtwichita. org or call 316-265-3107.

Kansas Grown ! Farmers Market Every Tues. 3 pm - 6 pm 8140 E. 21st St.

Green Acres East- Brittany Square Kansas Produced Products Produce, Beef, Pork, Chicken, Lamb, Bison, Eggs, Jam/Jelly, Baked Goods, Yard Art, Jewelry, Crafts.

June 17 – Andover Summer Concert in the Park, 7 p.m., Andover Central Park. Featuring Clint Black and John Michael Montgomery. General admission tickets are $10, available only online at http://tickethookups.com/andover2017.

Gates open at 6 p.m., Fireworks will follow the show. Sponsored by the Andover Convention and Visitors Bureau.

June 28-July 2 – June 14-18 – “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” Music Theatre Wichita. The lively stage version of the classic Hollywood musical. Shows at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and 7 p.m.

Sunday. Matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets $32-$68 ($30-$62 for matinees). Tickets at www.mtwichita. org or call 316-265-3107.

Through July 15 – “High School Melodrama,” Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley Street. Written and directed by J.R. Hurst, followed by the musical comedy revue “Rockin’ Through the Decades.” Tickets $20 for show only; $30 for dinner and show, $26 for seniors/children. Call 316-2630222 for reservations.

Emporia Avenue Church of Christ VBS 2017 “Light The Fire” “I am the way, the truth, and the life” John 14:6

June 12-16 • 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Ages 2 through 6th Grade (for 2017-18 school year)

Enjoy an evening of Bible Stories, crafts, activities, snacks, and singing with puppets!

Friday June 16th is our Family Night featuring “New Reign” (singing group from Oklahoma Christian University). Parents and families are invited to join us with a cookout following the special presentation.

Emporia Ave Church of Christ 1144 S. Emporia St

(corner of Lincoln & Emporia)

316.262.8045

Wichita Festivals, Inc. has put out a call for donations to the Celebrations for a Cause program, which provides buttons to citizens who might not otherwise be able to attend Wichita’s annual community celebration.

An additional 350 buttons are needed to close the gap between donated Riverfest buttons and the number of buttons requested.

Reintroduced in 2013, Celebrations for a Cause is part of an effort to ensure Riverfest is an inclusive community event. Businesses and individuals can purchase $5 Riverfest buttons to be donated to local nonprofits for distribution to those they serve.

“Our generous donors have provided more than 2,000 buttons this year to worthy citizens through local service organizations,” said Teri Mott, director of marketing and communication for WFI. “But we want to be able to meet as many requests for buttons as possible, so we hope donors will continue to give so all can be included.”

Donors may give online at wichitariverfest. com or wichitafestivals.com or by calling

Wichita Festivals at 267-2817. The price for Celebrations for a Cause buttons is $5, and Wichita Festivals will give the charitable organizations the mix of adult and child buttons that they need.

Celebrations for a Cause donors for Riverfest 2017 are Belden Mills, Charles Eby, Lusco Brick & Stone Co., Errol & Suzanne Luginbill, Ron & Renae Ryan, Greg & Sally Shelton, Paul Stephenson, Helene Longhofer, Janice Van Sickle, Carrie Hendrickson, Ron & Lisa McEwen, Bob & Betty Munhall, Safelite AutoGlass, Doris Unruh, Murdock Cos., Inc., Hoidale Co., Inc., Rigby Carey, McCurdy Auction, DJ Fulton, Conco Construction, Phillips Southern Electric, Mechanical Systems, Inc. and Eric & Debra Larson.

So far this year, these organizations have requested buttons for distribution: Laughing Feet Performers, Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita, Rise Up for Youth, Inc., Carpenter Place, Survivor Outreach Services – Families of Our Military Fallen, Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters,

Greater Wichita YMCA, United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas, Wichita Children’s Home, Catholic Charities, The International Rescue Committee in Wichita, Senior Services, Inc., Wichita’s Littlest Heroes, Gerard House, Wichita Women’s Initiative Network, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, Breakthrough Club, Inter-Faith Ministries, The Arc of Sedgwick County, Agape Center of Hope LLC, Making A Difference Shelter, Starkey, McConnell and KS DUI Impact Center.

The nine-day festival takes place June 2-10 in downtown Wichita. Celebrating its 46th year, the festival offers a wide range of entertainment for all ages, including concerts, sports activities, fireworks, contests, the Cox Kids’ Corner and much more. Riverfest admission buttons are available now at area QuikTrip and Dillons locations, INTRUST Bank Arena box office and Wichita Festivals’ office at 444 E. William. Buttons are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.

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Donors sought to help bring all citizens to Riverfest

www.eastwichitanews.com

Welcome to the 21st Season

Chamber Music

Hot Summer Treats!

Wednesday, July 5, 3:00 pm Afternoon Delight Thursday, July 6 Friday July 7, 8:00 pm • Interlude for Oboe and Strings, Op. 21, Gerald Finzi • Fantaisie Brillante sur des airs de Carmen Bizet arranged by Francois Borne • Trio for Oboe, Flute and Piano, Madeleine Dring • Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Op. 44, Robert Schumann

Carmen Lemoine, flute Andrea Banke, oboe Amy Glidden and Evgeny Zvonnikov, violins Catherine Consiglio, viola Leonid Shukaev, cello James Knight, piano

Classic Nobility and Russian Melancholy The Orfeo Trio with Catherine Consiglio Wednesday, July 12, 3:00 pm Afternoon Delight Thursday, July 13 and Friday, July 14, 8:00 pm Sunday, July 16, 3:00 pm Birger Sandzén Memorial Art Gallery, Lindsborg, KS Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, K493, W.A. Mozart Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50, Pyotr Tchaikovsky

at

The Barn

Quartet San Francisco Wednesday, July 19, 3:00 pm Afternoon Delight Thursday, July 20 and Friday, July 21, 8:00 pm

Touting an International Tango Competition win and three Grammy nominations, QSF has a spectacular reputation as crossover specialists.

They excel in multiple styles — from jazz to tango, pop to funk, blues to bluegrass, gypsy swing to big band and beyond.

Jeremy Cohen, violin Matthew Szemela, violin Chad Kaltinger, viola Andrés Vera, cello

The NEW Harrington String Quartet!

Wednesday, July 26, 3:00 pm Afternoon Delight Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28, 8:00 pm Langsamer Satz in E Flat Major for String Quartet, Anton Webern String Quartet No. 1, Samuel Jones String Octet in E Flat Major, Op. 20, Felix Mendelssohn HSQ-Rossitza Goza and Evgeny Zvonnikov, violin Vesselin Todorov, viola Emmanuel Lopez, cello Gregory Lee and John Harrison, violin Catherine Consiglio, viola Leonid Shukaev, cello

Julie Bees, piano; Evgeny Zvonnikov, violin Leonid Shukaev, cello; Catherine Consiglio, viola

AFTERNOON DELIGHT 3:00 pm These concerts will feature the same repertoire as the evening concerts in a one hour concert format without intermission. There will be an informative introduction of the music by the performers in a relaxed atmosphere at The Barn. Come early and enjoy a walk in the beautiful gardens at Prairie Pines. Concerts are Wednesdays at 3:00 pm.

For Tickets Call 316-721-7666 or purchase online at www.cmatb.org Questions? Please call us at 316-721-7666 or email us at chambermusic@cmatb.org.

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right direction. And if you are looking for inspiration, there is no shortage of great design idea on sites such as Pinterest and Houzz.

There are even cost calculators online that give you an idea of what you can expect to spend. The calculators take into account the extent of your remodel as well as the various components.

I worked with one that seemed to be very accurate. The caveat is to make sure that you have included everything.

And, with most remodels, there may be some hidden surprises once the demolition begins. It’s always good to have contingency funds available as part of your plan.

As far as fixtures and amenities are concerned, there is really no end to the possibilities. As they say,”You are only limited by your budget.” Bathroom fixtures are not an area where one should skimp. The lower quality fixtures and faucets are not made to last, and you will spend more money replacing them in the near future. It’s better to invest in the quality now.

Some of the more popular ideas feature more modern looks with clean lines, although there are fixture styles available for a wide range of styles and tastes. In the luxury segment, master baths are approaching a spa experience: Large soaking tubs, steam, and sometimes even a coffee bar.

“Open” is also a theme in today’s See HOMES, Page 26

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Faces wanted.

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

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Remodeling a bathroom can be one of the most expensive and inconvenient projects a homeowner can do. It can also be one of the most rewarding.

The return on investment can be good too. Experts say you can get anywhere from 50 to 100 percent of your cost back at resell. Some say you can even double your investment. And even if you don’t plan to sell anytime soon, it can be a great investment in your quality of life.

The bathroom can be one of the home’s most costly projects per square foot. Some people have a hard time justifying the cost for a relatively small area of the home. The average is somewhere around $10,000 to $15,000. On the other hand, it is probably one of the most important functional areas in your home. If you consider how much quality time one spends in there, and the fact that bathrooms use the majority of the home’s water supply, then the remodel investment makes sense.

Planning is key to a successful bathroom remodeling project. The better you plan, the more money you can save and the less down time you will experience. If possible, try to work with what you have, if the basic floor plan is good. One thing that will save money to begin with is to leave the plumbing and electricity where they are currently located.

Some estimate that 60 percent of the remodel cost is labor, with 40 percent being for the materials. This will vary quite a bit if you are a do-it-yourselfer.

If not, you should get an itemized breakdown of the costs from your contractor prior to signing off on the work.

Many home stores now include free online 3D design services that allow you to get a great visual on how your completed project will look. You can point and click to see a variety of fixtures and finishes. While it is may be no substitute for using a professional designer, it can get you started in the

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Kansas Surgical Arts 10096 E. 13th St. N. Ste. 140 Wichita

Tues. - Sat. 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

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June 2017 - 24

Admiral Continued from Page 6

Johnson reads a book to a child at TOPS Early Childhood Center. The Admiral and her Schooner Mates participate in civic days, in which they visit community agencies that serve the Wichita community.

Johnson and her Schooner Mates had the opportunity to meet 1976’s Admiral, Fred Menefee. Menefee is the oldest living Admiral, and remains engaged four decades after he wore the red coat.

“I think one of the things that makes Wichita special is that people want to get involved,” she said. “They see a need, step up and serve. I get energy from those who want to make Wichita a better place. I love this place.”

Those selected as Admiral Windwagon Smith have years of service to Riverfest under their belts, and Johnson is no exception. For 30 years, Johnson has contributed to Riverfest, helping with event sponsorship, contacting and ticket sales. For 16 years, Johnson served on Riverfest’s operations committee, nicknamed the Red Shirts.

“The Red Shirts are my family by choice,” said Johnson.

Johnson is the second woman selected as the Admiral; the first was Jimmy’s Diner owner Linda Davidson, during the 1999 festival. It’s an honor Johnson is aware of when she interacts with the women of Wichita.

“As I’m in the community, I see it means a lot,” said Johnson. “But I like to think I was selected for being a volunteer for 30 years, working really hard and being passionate.”

Jill Massey, director of volunteers for Wichita Festivals, Inc., said that Riverfest would not be possible without the help of more than 7,000 volunteers. From selling buttons to helping with paddle boats, Riverfest volunteers donate time year-round in order to ensure a smooth, enjoyable festival.

“I cannot think of a better representation of what a volunteer is than Wendy,” said Massey. “Wendy contains all components of what a volunteer director dreams of in a volunteer. She is compassionate, flexible, kind, outgoing, a hard worker, a leader, a team player and a true advocate for Riverfest.”

Currently the division director of marketing and communications for Wichita Public Schools, Johnson is behind Celebrations for a Cause, an organization that invites businesses and individuals to donate Riverfest buttons to social service organizations such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters; the Wichita Children’s Home; and the Boys and Girls Club.

Over the course of nine days, the Admiral is expected to make an appearance at nearly all of Riverfest’s activities; Johnson’s goal is to attend all 120 events. She said she knows her days will be full, but she is excited for her interaction with the public.

“I’m most excited for the people and relationships,” Johnson said. “For someone who gets this position, it’s a rush.

I’m looking forward to riding in the parade, interacting with kids and putting smiles on their faces. Kids have even asked me if I was a pirate.”

Johnson said she regularly asks herself how she can make Wichita a great place. She said that a lot of great folks have served as Admiral, and the position is not one she takes lightly.

“The Admiral is somebody who embodies the spirit of Riverfest and Wichita,” said Johnson. “We (Admirals) take the opportunity we have seriously.”

Riverfest will run June 2 through June 10 in downtown Wichita. Johnson and her Schooner Mates can be found interacting with the Wichita public during the festival’s events.

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CURRENT ADDRESS:

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Homes

Movies

Continued from Page 21

Continued from Page 4

bath remodels. Spacious showers with all of the gadgets are commonplace. Increased attention to ventilation ensures furnishings and finishes will not be damaged by lingering humidity. Finally, today’s bathrooms beg for plenty of light, whether natural or from fixtures.

Try to think ahead as you plan your bathroom remodel. There are many more ways to conserve energy than there were several years ago. Consider products such as on-demand water heaters and other energy savers and determine if they are right for you. And, while you are planning ahead, fast forward into the future a few years. While wheelchair access and grab bars may not seem that interesting now, they may help determine how long you can comfortably and safely live in your home.

Whether you are doing an extensive remodel or a quick face lift, the main idea is to add value to your home. In the process, you will be able to create a little sanctuary out of the “necessary room.”

with his invention, and no movie short of a hundred-episode miniseries could cover the multitude of problems one thinks of.

What would happen to the study of history if no selectivity was possible? What would happen to democracy if every possible point of view had to be considered all the time? What would happen to the concept of law?

“The Circle” at least suggests all these questions, and never resolves any of them. And it has a lot of problems with detail.

To start with, it begins with Hanks’ and Watson’s system fully set up from the start, leaving us with an unimaginable number of cameras and microphones enabling everything to be shot from a selection of camera angles, like a motion picture, and it doesn’t have time to illustrate what such a total lack of privacy would involve; it’s almost a case of all background setup and no story.

Physical casting is impressive, but psychological developments are impossible without severe pruning of the central theme. The moviemakers are not willing to do that, but they pay a high price for their honesty.

“The Circle” is a feast of suggestions of ideas, but I can’t credit it with much more.

Rotary derby benefits charities Members of the Rotary Club of East Wichita hosted a Kentucky Derby fundraising event May 6 to benefit three local charities who serve those in the community with special needs – Emberhope, Heartspring and Starkey, Inc. Representatives from each organization received a check for $3,500 presented by Kim Goodnight, Kentucky Derby event chair, and Fred Heismeyer, president, at the May 17 club meeting.

“East Wichita Rotarians and guests from the community embraced this opportunity to celebrate this year’s Kentucky Derby race while raising money to benefit those served by these local charities,” said Goodnight. “This was a new event that turned out to be a lot of fun, too.”

The first rule of improvisational comedy is to say “yes.” The second rule is to add “and.” So, no matter what your partner says, you say “yes – and,” so you agree and add to the story. This is what moves the story along. Without adding to it, there’s nothing happening.

If your partner says, “Sit down right here in this barber chair…” and you say, “that’s not a barber chair” then the story has ground to a halt. But if instead you say, “Yes, thank you. And I can see from here that the church across the street still hasn’t repaired the brick where that car crashed into it.” Now we have a story going. The partner might respond, “Yes, and it was so wonderful that the priest was out that day judging the grilled cheese contest at the harvest festival or someone waiting for confession might have been hurt.”

You get the point – the story can go in any direction as long as everyone is agreeing and moving on to the next thing. One of the mistakes people make before they get the hang of it is to limit the options.

I’ve been thinking about how this applies to life in a broader context. I am a “yes” person. My gut reaction is always “yes.” I also know people for whom the gut reaction is “no.” You probably know some of both kinds of people, too.

This instinctive “yes” is how I ended

Cook’s Library

Patsy Terrell

up at an Egyptian wedding and at the chalk pyramids as the sun broke over the horizon. “Yes” is why you are changed by the conversation you have when you stay up all night talking with someone you don’t expect to ever see again.

I’m a big believer in the power of yes.

It’s how we add to the story – our story.

It’s how we gain experiences, friends and new recipes.

I urge you to make this a summer of being open to the possibilities offered by “yes.” You never know where that might lead. In the meantime, whip up a batch of these cookies to enjoy – you don’t even have to turn the oven on.

2 7 - J u n e 2 0 1 7

Saying ‘yes’ is worth a laugh and more

Cook’s Library with Patsy is about food and food for thought. Find Cook’s Library with Patsy on Facebook. Sign up for a free monthly newsletter at cookslibrarywithpatsy.com.

2 cups white sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup margarine 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter 3 cups quick cooking oats Directions In a saucepan, mix the sugar, cocoa, milk and margarine. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Stir in the peanut butter until it melts, then stir in oats until fully mixed.

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper.

www.eastwichitanews.com

No Bake Cookies

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

June 2017 - 28

Thousands of youth to enroll in library’s summer reading program

Get Ready for

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The Wichita Public Library announces that the 2017 Summer Reading Program began May 18. This annual program for area youth regularly enrolls more than 10,000 children and teens who commit to reading throughout the summer months.

The Summer Reading Program was designed to fight the “summer brain drain” that causes children to suffer a measurable learning loss over their summer break from school. Research shows that students who don’t engage in learning over the summer get lower test scores.

The program has three tiers to address different age ranges of participants.

Youth entering grades 6 through 12 may enroll in the Teens Read portion of the program, and children ages 3 through the 5th grade may participate in the Kids Read portion. The kids and teens in these programs track how many days they read for at least 20 minutes. Parents with babies and toddlers ages two and under may enroll in the Baby Bookworm program, which provides learning activi-

ties that promote early literacy skills.

Children can be enrolled into the program at any of the eight libraries across Wichita, or online at wichitalibrary.org/ summerreading.

Printed reading logs are available at the libraries, and a downloadable form is available online. Parents and children may also choose to track their progress through the online component through the library’s website. Prizes for kids and teens are given out after every ten days of reading and will be available to be picked up at library locations.

The Summer Reading Program continues through July 28. More than 100 events for children are scheduled to coincide with this program at libraries across the City. All of these programs are free, with many including special performers such as the Wichita Griots, Mad Science of Greater Kansas City, and an Australian performance troupe.

The full list of events can be found at the events page on the library’s website, www.wichitalibrary.org.

Club offers water garden tour Mankind’s fascination with water is almost as old as civilization itself. Current headlines only cover the extremes – droughts or flooding – but there are more intrinsic, positive values associated with water, those that bring a sense of peace to chaos in our modern lives.

This is exactly what the Kansas Pond Society hopes to demonstrate with its 2017 Water Garden Tour on Fathers Day weekend, June 17 and 18. For $10 a carload, the Kansas Pond Society has plotted an adventurous route of water features, all designed to inspire and to teach casual area gardeners the rudimentary basics in creating a water sanctuary in their own back yards.

Featured on the tour are distinct sites, from water gardens with gorgeous hardscaping and gardens with hidden secrets, to the studio of a one-of-a-kind inspirational “steampunk” artist who proves that adults can indeed have fun in their own yards.

Another motivation for the Water Garden Tour is helping to fight childhood cancer by hosting Alex’s Lemonade Stands at two tour-sites.

Alexandra “Alex” Flynn Scott was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer, two days before her first birthday. In spite of her own failing health, she decided to open a lemonade stand to raise money to help children with cancer. She died at the age of eight, but her legacy continues with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The charity has raised more than $100 million toward her dream of finding a cure.

Tickets and maps for the Water Garden Tour can be purchased at Hong’s Nursery, both Johnson’s Garden Centers, Scenic Landscapes, and Tails and Scales Pet Shop in Derby. The garden sites on the tour are open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 17 and 18.

Patrick B. Hughes, a Wichita attorney, has been named to a five-year term on the Kansas Board of Law Examiners by the Kansas Supreme Court. He will succeed Kevin F. Mitchelson, whose term expires June 30. Hughes will serve July 1 through June 30, 2022. He is an attorney with Adams Jones Law Firm PA of Wichita. He earned a law degree in 1994 from Washburn University in Topeka. Hughes was a research attorney for then-Judge Edward Larson of the Kansas Court of Appeals and then for Justice Larson after he was appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court, from 1994 to 1996. He was a law clerk for Judge Mary Beck-Briscoe of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals from 1996 to 1997. He joined Adams Jones in 1997.

Gabri Samia has joined the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce as the manager of community advancement.

In her new position Samia will plan and execute several of the Chamber’s unique leadership development programs, including: Leadership Wichita, City-to-City Leadership visits and Wichita Insight. Samia’s role involves interacting with numerous community leaders and assisting with the Chamber’s inclusion and diversity program-

David Xu, associate professor of management information systems (MIS) at Wichita State University, has been selected to receive the H. Russell Bomhoff Endowed Professorship in Business. The appointment, which will begin in fall 2017, was announced by Anand Desai, dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business. Endowed professorships are awarded to faculty who have a proven track record of excellence in multiple areas of responsibility. It provides a salary supplement and funds to support research and teaching activities, as well as a graduate assistant. Xu is ranked the sixth most productive MIS scholar worldwide for publishing in the top eight MIS journals from 2011-16, an achievement that establishes him as a prolific researcher.

KMUW News was recently honored with prestigious national and regional awards for excellence in journalism produced in 2016. Reporter Deborah Shaar received the Sigma Delta Chi award from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) for Radio Investigative Reporting. Her stories exposed the Federal Aviation Administration’s plan to eliminate the weather observation program at Eisenhower Airport without local input about potential safety issues. She reported on the story for six months until the eventual resolution in Congress that mandated the FAA to do a thorough safety review before making any changes. The news department also received two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association. News director Aileen LeBlanc and assistant See PEOPLE, Page 30

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East Wichitan Ayron Lewallen is a recipient of the 2017 Chevrolet Discover the Unexpected (DTU) Journalism Fellowship. Lewallen is a junior at Morehouse College, and is with The Carolinian, a National Newspaper Publishing Association (NNPA) member newspaper. With a solid background in journalism and leadership, he has been a newsroom intern, volunteers in the community and is currently the news and copy editor of the Maroon Tiger campus newspaper. He was selected to be a travel reporter for the Morehouse College journalism and sports program, which took him to places such as Haiti, Cuba and the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

ming. A graduate of Wichita State University, Samia earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and minored in English. Her first day with the Chamber was May 9.

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East Wichita News People and Places

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

People

Legal Assistants (KALA). The Liberty Bell Award was present by the Young Lawyers’ Section to Ed Trusty.

Continued from Page 29

Heartspring’s 10th annual Autism CARE Walk raised more than $121,500 for Heartspring’s Autism Services program. The event was canceled due to the weather, but supporters were still able to raise more money than ever before. Proceeds from the walk benefit Heartspring’s autism services program.

The program provides services and resources for individuals and families affected by a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. A diagnosis can create major changes for a family or individual with autism, behavioral services and therapies costing up to $136,000 a year. The CDC estimates one in 68 children is impacted by autism, meaning there are more than 2,000 children living in Sedgwick County impacted by autism.

news director Carla Eckels were recognized in the Hard News category for “Ten and Now: The Summer of Justice.” Nadya Faulx and Beth Golay were recognized in the Excellence in Social Media category for “Primary Primer.”

KMUW 89.1 FM, a public radio station located in Wichita is an NPR affiliate licensed by Wichita State University.

Dr. Kneeland Brown has been named president of Trinity Academy in Wichita. Brown will provide executive-level leadership for all of Trinity and work to expand the K-8 school.

He will also develop a business innovation center on Trinity property that will house for-profit businesses and create a consistent revenue stream for the school. He will begin his duties mid-July 2017. Brown is currently the dean of the DeVoe School of Business at Indiana Wesleyan University. Previously, he worked in various capacities at Azusa Pacific University and Focus on the Family. He has a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California; he has a master’s degree in Christian education and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Azusa Pacific University. Brown and his wife, Tearrah, have four children: Savannah (9), Charles II (6), Matthew (4), and Kneeland II (2).

The Wichita Bar Association recently presented key awards to several members. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Warner Eisenbise.

The Howard C. Kline Distinguished Service Award was presented to Kari S Schmidt, Conlee, Schmidt & Emerson, LLP. The Chester I. Lewis Diversity Achievement Award was presented to Gloria Farha Flentje.

The President’s Award was presented to the following individuals: Kellie E. Hogan, Kansas Legal Services; Karin M. Kirk, Wichita Bar Association; Richard A. Samaniego, Gilliland & Hayes, LLC; and Honorable William S. Woolley, 18th Judicial District. The Jonalou Pinnell Distinguished Service Award was presented to Kansas Association of

Kathy Downes has been named the new dean of University Libraries at Wichita State University, according to Tony Vizzini, provost and senior vice president. Her appointment is retroactive to Feb. 12, 2017. Downes has served as interim dean of University Libraries since January 2016.

Kansas School for Effective Learning (KANSEL), a non-profit organization in adult education, has named Thomas M. Montiel as executive director. He fills the role previously held by Linda Eaves, who has moved out of state with her family. Prior to joining KANSEL, Montiel served the Quivira Council, Boy Scouts of America as a district executive and Friends University as an adjunct professor in the master of business administration program. He also worked for the state of Kansas Department of Commerce as a workforce professional. He holds a master of applied science in organizational development and a bachelor of business administration in human resource management, both from Friends University. Montiel, 33, is active in Young Professionals of Wichita, serving on the community engagement committee. He mentors high school students and coaches youth soccer.

Twenty-two new members of the Kansas State University College of

Engineering Steel Ring Honor Society were recently inducted for the upcoming academic year. Steel Ring is an honorary comprised of seniors in the College of Engineering. Membership is based on leadership, scholarship and engagement. New members are selected by current members of Steel Ring following a written application and personal interview process. One of the group’s primary tasks each year is planning and organizing the College of Engineering Open House in the spring semester. During the recent 2017 open house, the inductees shadowed current members to learn the roles and responsibilities of the organization for the annual event. Local students include Megan Kohman of Andover, Shane Maloney of Andover, Rebecca Andrus of Wichita, and Olivia Baalmann of Wichita.

Three outstanding high school teachers were recognized with 2017 Wolfe Family Teaching Awards during the University of Kansas Commencement weekend. Clair Pennycuff, a teacher at Kapaun-Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, was among the teachers honored. Nominations are submitted by KU seniors. Students from any major can nominate their former teachers, and the winners can be high school teachers from anywhere in the world. Pennycuff was nominated by Henry Moore, a senior in accounting. Moore completed English classes with Pennycuff in high school.

Anna Raab, a junior English major of Wichita, was among approximately 500 Bob Jones University students named to the spring 2017 president’s list. The president’s list recognizes students who earn a 3.75 or higher grade point average for the semester.

Daniel A. Stephens from Wichita received a bachelor of science from Concordia University, Nebraska, on Saturday, May 6.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln granted 3,107 degrees during commencement exercises May 5-6.

Local graduates include Katelyn Dawn Rochat of Andover, and from Wichita, Ruth Katherine Ross, Kayla Rose West and Tyler William Withrow.

Hannah Lienhard of Wichita was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Lienhard was initiated at Oklahoma State University.

Wheaton College student Elise Alexander of Wichita is a member of the women’s track and field team that recently won the 2017 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Outdoor Track and Field Championship. This conference title marked Wheaton’s second conference championship, joining the 2006 Thunder women’s track and field team that won the program’s first CCIW Championship. The Thunder women won the conference championship in women’s cross country, women’s indoor track and field and women’s outdoor track and field in the 2016-17 school year, marking just the fourth time in conference history that a program has won all three titles in the same year and the first time Wheaton recorded the accomplishment.

Five people were recently inducted into the Wichita Biddy Basketball Hall of Fame. Founded in 1980, the Wichita Biddy Basketball Hall of Fame includes past inductees such as, Barry Sanders, Antoine Carr, Darnell Valentine, Jamie Thompson, Greg Dreiling, Aubrey Sherrod, Maurice Evans, Karema Williams, Mark Standiford, Lafayette Norwood, Joanna McFarland, Cleo Littleton, Darren and Todd Dreifort, and many other outstanding athletes, coaches and pillars of the Wichita community. Induction into the Wichita Biddy Basketball Hall of Fame is a result, of both, an individual’s Biddy Basketball career and their accomplishments in sports and life after Biddy Basketball. Following are this year’s inductees: Harrison Hill – He was an All-Biddy basketball player in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and was teammates with Korleone Young. He played football and basketball at Wichita Collegiate and football at the University of Kansas.

While at KU, he caught 108 passes for 1,535 yards.

Randy Jackson – Over his coaching career, Randy interacted and worked with many Biddy Basketball players and coaches as the head basketball coach

Jayden Dennis and Elijah Smith of East Wichita are among 106 Kansas

U.S. Air Force Airman Kayla N. Branson and U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Aijalon Edwards graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. The airmen completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Branson is the daughter of Tiffany and Matthew Branson of Andover. She is a 2016 graduate of Andover High School.

Edwards is the son of Rondell and Connie Edwards of Wichita, and former ward of Brian and Bee Hatridge of Andover, and husband of Agatha Edwards of Wichita. He is a graduate of Wichita East High School. He earned an associate degree in 2016 from Butler Community College.

The honor roll lists for Graceland University’s 2017 spring term have been announced, and Brandon Banks of East Wichita has been named to the dean’s list. Graceland University students with a GPA between 3.25 and 3.64 are named to the dean’s list.

Katherine Nelson of Wichita and Veronica Ostroski of Eastborough have been named to the dean’s list at Belmont University for the spring 2017 semester. Students must earn a GPA of at least 3.5.

Zach Baker of Andover has been named to the spring 2017 chancellor’s list at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. To be named to the chancellor’s list must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.9.

Faces

wanted.

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

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Several East Wichita students graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University on May 6. That day, 197 students received their diplomas. Local students graduating were Tyler Clark, Jayden Dennis, Darius Jiggetts, Marquil Jones-Walker and Sequente Marks.

Wesleyan University students who have been named to the president’s honor roll for the spring 2017 semester.

Students must be enrolled full-time and earn a GPA of at least 3.75. Three more students were among 169 to be named to the dean’s honor roll, earning a GPA of 3.25 to 3.74. They are Tyler Clark, Christopher Stadler and Mary-Katherine Swanson.

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at Robinson Middle School. As an athlete, Jackson played football at Wichita State and in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. A knee injury ended his football career, and he started teaching and coaching basketball and track at Robinson Junior High School in 1977.

Randy retired in 2008 and at the time of his retirement, he was the second all-time winningest middle school basketball coach in Greater Wichita Athletic League history. Jackson is in the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame. He died in 2010.

Joe Mitchell – Mitchell played Biddy Basketball in the early 2000s earning numerous Biddy honors. His team, the Subway Shockers, included other great area players like Jawanza Poland and Clarence Anderson. Mitchell went on a notable career at Hutchinson Community College and was N.A.I.A. national player of the year at Friends University.

Ryan Schmidt – He was a Biddy AllStar in the mid 1980s. After basketball, baseball became Schmidt’s primary sport. He attended Valley Center High School, Barton Community College and Kansas University. After college, Schmidt coached baseball at Barton Community College, Fort Hays State and Pratt Community College. As of this induction, he is the head baseball coach at Hutchinson Community College.

Brett “Bubba” Soft – Soft played Biddy Basketball in the early 2000s for the Cyclones, along with his teammates, Erik Harbutz and professional baseball player Garrett Gould. Football became Soft’s game. He played football at Butler Community College and University of Central Arkansas.

Soft has become the one the best receivers in the nation, playing professional indoor football. As of this induction, “Bubba” is a member of the Wichita Force professional indoor football team.

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