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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2013-05-29 09:16:09

Q-Do you remember the price of gasoline and motor oil in the 40’s?

A-Yes I do. In fact, I can remember (pretty well) the different prices of gasoline all the way from then to present day. And every year since then, beginning with Memorial Day, many families begin their vacation traveling. June is a favorite vacation month as the weather is usually good, the students are out of school and the parents are ready to take a vacation from their workplace. Is it a shock or what when you pull into a filling station and see regular unleaded fuel listed at $3.65 per gallon? I remember back in 1947 when I went in and filled my ’37 Ford for $0.15 a gallon at the Killion service station. The attendant checked the oil and washed the windshield for free. These were my high school years and the station had a filtering barrel in the rear of the garage where they would pour used oil and filter it. At the time, you could buy it for a nickel a quart. I guess those days are gone forever. We do miss the “service” stations where you could also get a tire fixed along with the oil checked and windshield washed. If I remember correctly, in 1969, I could fill up at any Vickers’ station in town, pay 45 cents per gallon, get a set of 6 eight ounce tumblers, and 4 tickets to the NBC Tournament on Vickers’ night. Those days were special. June was the month years ago that we checked our motors for plenty of coolant in the radiator which was always in front of the engine. Our cooling device was an evaporative cooler attached to the window. We are thankful today for the air conditioners in our cars. In 1982, I was in Athens, Greece and I could not believe that gas there was selling for $3.00 a gallon. We thought how fortunate we were to not have to pay that much for gas back here at home. Today it’s over $10.00 per gallon in Greece. Now we must purchase economy cars that get at least 30 plus miles per gallon. Many cars have high powered engines that use premium gas. The goal is to get to one point from the other at a rate your budget will afford. We can always think back to the days of World War II when you could only buy the amount of gas that your ration stamps would permit. I imagine none of us would want to go back there. Happy traveling.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2013-04-29 13:20:34

Q-We always like to read about your memories. Got some for May?

A-I am always happy to provide them. Yes, I do. The month of May is a grand month in many of our memories. For me I always think of the end of school for those years. Packing up my books to go into a bag, not a pack like everyone wears now, and walking out of the building for the last time that school year. It was a grand feeling to be free for three great months. There is something about how things smelled when you are walking away from the last day of school. It was great. After the graduation exercises, the summer fun began with swimming, picnics with the family and friends, boating, cook-outs, working on the lawn and vacation trips. The leaves had all grown back on the trees and the flowers bloomed again and we enjoyed all the beautiful things that God provided. (Song of Solomon 2:11-12) “For, lo the winter is past, the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come.” Do you remember the start of the River Festival? May is the month for River Festival. This year it runs from May 31st to June 8th. I remember when this event started. This year will be the 42nd year that our citizens and visitors come together to enjoy this great event. It was fun to watch the bathtub races on the river and the bed races in the street. My family was young then and I took the kids to the banks of the river downtown which were crowded and lined with people to see what was happening on the river. As I am writing this article, the river is very dry but when the festival starts this year, maybe there can be some events on the river. One of our family’s favorites was the Sundown Parade which began the week of events. There were bands, the Wind Wagon with the Wagon Masters, political and television personalities we watched all of the time like John Froome, Jim O’Donnel, Major Astro, Deputy Dusty, our mayor, sometimes the governor and many floats. There were concerts during the week and concluding with a concert in the front of Century II featuring the Wichita Symphony Orchestra with canons firing and then the big fireworks show. Other events we enjoyed were the Wurlitzer organ concert accompanying silent movies and the short comic operas at the Mary Jane Teal theatre. Food vendors were set up in the street, a free ice cream night, and so many activities to enjoy. We all look forward to the beautiful month of May and all it brings.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2013-03-25 13:39:05

Q-As always, we like to hear about your past memories of Aprils in Wichita. Can you share some?

A-And as always, I am delighted to be asked. After all of the snow in late February and early March, it is now April. This is the month that is noted in all kinds of literature and music. As the song says “tho April showers may come your way.” I can remember living on North Lewellen when I was just a teenager. My friends and I would watch the Little River come out of its banks. First you would see little streams coming along the gutter areas. Then they would get deeper and finally go over the yards and rise until you could observe the whole neighborhood with water up to the side of the houses. To me as a youngster, it was interesting but scary to lay in my bed at night and hear the basement filling with water. A group of my friends had a small row boat and they would go around the neighborhood and find out what groceries were needed, go get them and deliver them. That was the way we helped, but as teenagers also how we made our spending money. After a few days or even weeks the water would subside and then everyone had to pump and clean out their property. I called the Wichita Historical division office and they helped me know that this had been going on for some time. Actually their records show that every year heavy rains had occurred and an area would become flooded. According to “Wichita, the Magic City,” “In the wake of the 1904 flood, a civil engineer, Frank Payne, proposed the idea of creating a diversion channel utilizing a natural feature called the Big Slough northwest of the city. In times of high water the Arkansas overflow could be directed to this ditch and the city saved from sandbagging and property damage.” The idea was the forming thought of what we now call the Big Ditch, and has saved our city millions in clean up and difficult times. Thanks to Jami at the Historical association for that information. In the days before the Big Ditch, the Little Arkansas River left its banks in April of 1944, flooding 2,000 homes in Wichita. In 1959, Wichita’s flood control project was completed west of Wichita. Notes from the Wichita Eagle, February, 1954, says, “The $19,000,000 Big Ditch flood control project work started in May, 1950 but was interrupted by the Korean War and was now about half completed.” Many more names were a part of forming this giant water collection and diversion system. April here in Wichita has always been the time for many thunderstorms to form; however this year, with the tremendous drought that we are experiencing, it is hard to imagine a time with so much water. I guess that as one meteorologist said last week, “Some of the grass is turning green and it is time to get your lawn mowers tuned.” I for one, along with you, hope we continue to have moisture come our way this year and stop the tremendous drought that has overtaken so much farmland and caused a great deal of thought to go into how we use our water. April has always been a rainy time. We hope it continues.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2013-03-01 10:23:19

Q-How about some of your old March memories?

A-The first thing that came into my mind when I considered the answer to your question was on things connected with the wind. We think of March as being the “windy” month. It is said that, “March comes in like a lion but goes out like a lamb.” However, this year, we have already had some high winds in February. How many of you remember when you went to a drug store and bought a wooden kite? I remember the Watts and Neil drug stores on Harry that carried many various items such as jewelry, small sundries, and they even had a fountain with the most refreshing ice cream and soda products. They also had toys, including wooden kites. We would buy a kite, take it home and then came the task of assembling it. We would take it outside and see who could fly their kite the highest. Then, if our kite didn’t go very high, we would take it inside and place a tail on it, usually make out of old neckties or rags. Then it would take to the sky in the strong March winds. Nearly every farm had a windmill that was used to pump water. Years ago I remember reading about some tourists driving through Kansas from one of the northeastern states and inquiring about the windmills. They asked, “What are the giant fans in the fields? Are they there to keep the cows cool?” Now, of course, there are wind farms to produce electricity and power that have many windmills standing together. Do you remember the old cars with the separate front seat windows that you could turn toward you to get more wind? The other thing I remember about the old cars were the running boards usually made of hard rubber and the headlights and tail lights all individually supported, and the small wind catcher that could be elevated from under the dash and raised to catch and blow the wind into your car. At that time, it seemed as though the windiest areas in downtown Wichita were on the corner of Broadway and Douglas and the bridge on West Douglas. Wind would come through with mighty force. An interesting thing about Kansas is the fact that we have more wind many times than a lot of areas. Cecil Carrier, the former weatherman on Channel 12, whom I worked with for many years, always said, “Be thankful for the wind, it blows the pollution out of this area.” Of course there’s the other old saying, “If you don’t like the weather we’re having, wait 5 minutes and it will change.” There are several states that use that saying, but between you and me…I always say it started in Kansas.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2013-02-01 09:42:09

Q-How about some of those wonderful and cold memories from Februaries past?

A-Good idea…February is usually a month of cold weather and deep snows. Do you remember that on February 21, 1971, Wichita had the worst blizzard in many years? I remember the date because it was on my daughter’s 3rd birthday and on a Sunday. We were snowed in for 3 days before the roads were cleared. Maybe February won’t be as bad this year due to the higher temperatures and drought. But if we have the usual February weather, we will be checking our cars to withstand the snow and ice. Remember how the cars used to freeze up before the invention of anti-freeze? Some of the older drivers drove into the filling stations with smoke coming out of their engines because of frozen radiators. Now the cars can set outside and still be operative because we check our anti-freeze for safety. Sometimes we have to use chains or snow tires to get us through drifts on un-cleared roads and driveways. February is the month that my Dad called the month of great men because of their birthdays in that month. This included George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and my Dad’s birthday. My family is blessed also with my daughter, a daughter-in-law and a grandson born in February. During the cold weather, it is nice to look forward to Valentine’s Day. There are many creative cards, toys, candy, jewelry and gifts to give to those special people in your life. The negative side is gas and electric bills will be higher due to the colder weather. It feels great to go into a warm building or car and get out of the cold and we appreciate having a place to go to in order to be warm. I hope you have a very comfortable and healthy February and winter.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2013-01-02 12:32:26

Q-We like to hear about your recollections of cold, snowy Januarys in the past. Somehow, they make us feel warmer.

A-I understand. I often feel the same way. I remember when I was very young and attending school in the 40’s. Nearly everyone wore either goulashes or boots because the snow was so deep. They seemed much deeper than they have been in my adult years. We also wore heavy clothing, mackinaws and top coats, excessive under clothes and ear muffs and caps or hooded coats because of the very cold winters. Everyone had to put chains on their tires or get mud and snow tires or get stuck a lot. I remember living in Omaha in the 70’s. It was very hilly and we were told laughingly that sometimes you had to find a way to get to work or home by finding a way to go downhill. As deep as the snow was in Wichita back in the 40’s, I am not sure going downhill would have helped much. You were fin y got stuck in the street and didn’t have snow tires. Wichita only had a few road graders back then. The side streets and the more untraveled roads were not cleared, so we had to plan our routes. If you didn’t have chains or snow tires and came to a road that had not been plowed, you had to look for ruts in the snow that some other car had made and stay in those ruts to get through the street. Many times, you would get stuck in the driveways going in or out. The water pipes would freeze which kept the plumbers busy. Some houses still heated with coal stoves and fireplaces. Following Christmas, the stores kept their heavy clothing on display. The filling stations kept a good stock of anti-freeze on hand. The attendants of gas stations would come out, fill your car with gas, check the oil, water and anti-freeze, clean the ice off the windows and check your chains or tire pressure. Every so often I watch the Andy Griffith shows where Goober and Gomer give that kind of service. Talk about a memory! Remember how the older cars all had heaters in the middle of the front dash. There were no defrosters or backseat heaters. For entertainment, we listened to the radio and enjoyed shows like Dragnet, Mr. and Mrs. North, The Falcon, The Lone Ranger and variety shows like Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Your Hit Parade. I remember when most stations started just music formats, jazz, pop, then rock, then hard rock and a mix and just news, no shows with dramas. January was a great month to get the sled out and find a good hill or just have friends pull you. Movies were a big deal. When the theaters changed titles, a huge line would form. There was no television in Wichita until the 50’s. January was the real start of cold weather and a little depressing because the holidays were over. We all had fun with those experiences. I wish you a great happy warm time this winter.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-11-19 09:41:38

Q- We always like to read about your memories of Christmases past. They make us think of some of the same things. Would you share some more?

A- I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of both your asking and the publisher allowing me to reminisce like I get to do. December is a happy time when we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our LORD. It is a Time for giving our love to everyone and special gifts to those who are close to us and giving to help those in need. One of my favorite Christmas memories was downtown Wichita at Christmas in the 40’s. What a place, all decorated with garlands across the streets, many store windows with amazing décor usually to attract the children so their parents would see what they wanted for this special day. I remember as a boy going to Hinkels department store and talking to Santa and sitting on his lap and telling him my thoughts of great toys for little guys my age. In the 50s, television had come to Kansas. I got a job with what was then KTVH, now KWCH, as a cameraman. The main studios were in Hutchinson and our remote studio in Wichita was in the basement of the Lassen Hotel. We were going to sell some cars using Christmas themes. We actually moved our camera to the sidewalk outside and had the cars drive up to the curb behind us. The rehearsal went fine, but when we went on the air there was someone yelling outside and the announcer forgot the name of the sponsor. The advertising agency let him go and they needed someone to replace him for that next night. I auditioned and got the job. But when the drivers of the cars thought the rehearsal was really on the air, they went back to the car lot and here I am with no cars, cannot use the script, and one minute in Cecil Carrier’s weather show that was broadcast from Hutchinson, I had to ad lib the commercial. The agency was very pleased with what I said and I got the job. I was on Channel 12 which, by the way, was the only station on locally in Wichita. Speaking of television, I remember the giant Christmas parade that went through the downtown area with television personalities like Greg Gamer, Major Astro who was Tom Leahy, John Froome, Elmer Childress, Deputy Dusty riding his horse Kazam and many politicians like the Mayor, City Commissioners, even movie stars who were appearing in some special event here, and of course the Shriners and high school bands. Can you also recall how everyone dressed up at that time to go downtown. My dad would even wear a suit and tie. There were office parties, family reunions, all kinds of get togethers and big dinners. My dad’s family had 12 children and they all had families by this time and even so many that I remember they had to rent a church to accommodate the family. But the great times of the season were getting together with your immediate family and friends and presenting and then watching the smile on their faces as they saw what you had found just for them. I think the outstanding gift of my young boyhood years was when my mother and father took me out to the garage and there it sat…a bright red pedal car with a horn, lights and everything a kid wanted. Of course the real special times were when we all got together at church and saw plays, musicals, and read the word of Scripture how our Lord Jesus came to the earth for all of us. Christmas, I think, is the very best holiday of the year because we celebrate what Jesus did for us. Enjoy Christmas this year with your family and friends and may everyone have a very Merry Christmas!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-11-01 14:37:24

Q- Do you have some memories you can share of some of your family reunions around the holidays?

A- What great memories they were for me…and I’m sure…for lots of folks. Probably the first thing I think about each year is how quickly summer turns into Thanksgiving. I guess this year it seemed to happen even more quickly because there has not been a frost, keeping most of the leaves green and the weather has been so beautiful. But, signs of Fall are all around us. The kids are back in school, the swimming pools are closed, you have to have a jacket and you have to begin thinking about your holiday schedules. So many of us travel to other parts of the county, and now, because we are even more global than we’ve ever been, even other countries when Thanksgiving rolls around. My fondest memories of Thanksgiving took place back in the 40s when we would head out to my grandparents farm in the Freeport, my graKS area. My mother would cook so many different dishes to take to the get-together. We would carry them out and pack them in my Dad’s ’40 Hudson. I remember it so well. It cost $700 brand new…and it was built like a tank. The whole family would get in the car and head for the farm. We drove south on old Highway 81 which did not have a speed limit at that time. Sometimes my Dad would show us how fast that Hudson would go. It seemed back then we were really moving. The highway at that time was just two very narrow lanes. After what could be called a very precarious journey to the farm, we would all unload and greet all of the relatives. My Dad had a large family. The older children had married and all of their children were always there. I remember at one family reunion, we had so many people we had to rent the city building to get everyone in. At the farmhouse…the smell of turkeys roasting, the pies baking and all of the good food everyone brought was something I still remember to this day. While the women were preparing the food, the men were outside showing off their cars. One would have overdrive. Another would have a rear seat speaker. All of them were different colors, but none of them had air conditioning or power steering back then. Then, one by one, the men got into each car to take a ride around the section (one mile square) to see how easy each car rode and how fast each car would go. That was what was known as the “inspection trip.” It’s funny that most of the brothers had bought the same model Chevrolet, but they all had to go for that ride. Finally, the great dinner was ready and lasted about two hours. My Dad prayed before the dinner, thanking our Lord for all of the blessings our family had received, and for this glorious feast. After the meal, everyone went outside to inspect the smoke house, the barn and how much water the creek had in it. The creek always reminded me of the poem, “Over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house we go.” Finally, came the horseshoe pitching. I remember how each brother warmed up, swinging his long arms back and forth until it seemed as though all of the kinks were out. One of the brothers was a champion horseshoe pitcher. He won most every match. After this the entire family would talk and talk and talk, until the sun went down, telling all kinds of stories and watching the grandkids perform on their musical instrument, or demonstrate a talent of some kind. Then we would head home, going north on old Highway 81. These are always great memories of Thanksgivings gone by. November begins the holiday season. I wish each of you the happiest and safest ever…Happy Thanksgiving!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-10-02 13:44:21

Q- We are into what my wife and I consider to be our favorite time of the year. I have heard many say it is theirs as well. You do so well in causing all of us to have memories of earlier years, do you have some Fall memories you would like to share?

A- Gosh, I know what you mean when you say the favorite time of the year. It is so beautiful, especially about 7 days after the first frost. They say that the Catskills and other places are beautiful in the Fall, but it has to be equally beautiful here. For me, the month of October was the beginning of the Fall season. It was the time of year that the city took on its beautiful colors from the varied and plentiful trees from the leaves turning colors to red, orange and yellow. Decorations were on display in the store windows and homes. The new cars with the next year’s date were previewed and sold by local car dealers. The Wichita Riverside Park Zoo moved their seasonal animals to the basement for the winter months. It always was quite a press day when the alligators were picked up and moved. This usually was a front page news event in the local newspapers. The alligator pit always looked very empty when you went to the zoo in the winter months. Of course, there were the houses of mystery connected with the Fall festivals of All Hallows Eve. Many places were made into scary walks. We visited the stores for costumes, but many times creative parents created their own make-up and costumes for the children to go out trick-or-treating. My wife said her friends would carry a bar of white soap and if no one answered the door, they simply made a white X on the door screen for the trick (now don’t go doing that today…it’s just something that was done years ago). I remember that my children would go around the neighborhood and come home to dump their candy on the floor to see all of the goodies they had collected. We had a youth group at our church. My wife and I would plan an unknown destination and take the youth blindfolded in cars to a friend’s suburban field where the headless horseman would ride across the field and throw a pumpkin at them. Or, we took them to the basement of an old building downtown where we had decorated the room and other church members were made up in costume. I still remember during my childhood years living in Chanute, Kansas and attending the Main Street or the Peoples Theaters and being afraid to walk home by myself after seeing October is also the month of my birthday. When I was younger, I had finally convinced my father that I wanted a Cushman motor scooter. I got my wish and my dad and mother warned me to drive it very carefully or I would have a wreck. The first day I rode it, at the corner of Douglas and Main, a lady turned her car into me. I fell…with the scooter…with her car on top of that…and me under the scooter. Fortunately the only injury to me was the damage to my motor scooter which was minor and my shirt was torn off when I fell. I had some exciting times going to school with my buddies on that little bike. I was also proud to know that my birthday was on the same day as television personality, Johnny Carson, who later became one of my favorite entertainers. I actually had the opportunity to meet him at a news conference held at the airport when I was news director at KFDI Radio. He was a great guy. Enjoy all of the beauties of this beautiful Fall season…and don’t eat too much of your kids’ candy (smile).

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-08-29 13:37:20

Q- Do you remember the earlier years at the Kansas State Fair?

A- Yes I do. This year, the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson begins on September 7th and goes on with lots of excitement through the 16th. I remember the older times at the fair when they had the Royal American Shows carnival. The carnival would arrive at the depot with a train load of fun with all the cars filled with rides and a whole bunch of equipment. Then they held a parade on Main Street to the fair grounds to show off their equipment and animals and personnel. Remember the barkers calling out like an auctioneer in stage fashion what was inside their tent that you needed to come in right now and See? There were all sorts of thrilling shows from motorcycles running around a steel circle, many dancing and singing events, oddities that only could be seen there , and of course the game booths where you could win all kinds of prizes. Then there were the many rides including the giant ferris wheel, roller coaster, thrills riding in the sky ride chairs across the fair, and the Old Mill boat ride through a dark tunnel with creatures jumping out to scare you. We always took the miniature train ride around the fairgrounds which was a good tour to see all of the displays and buildings. There were cables everywhere connecting to rides and tents and the food vendors. The stage shows all had national personalities for you to see at night. I remember one time, years ago, coming home to tell my wife that there was a new food introduced called tacos. You can guess how many years ago that was. Perhaps Dan and Robin Foley can give you a clue. During the ‘50’s, 60’s and ‘70’s, I worked in both television and radio and our stations always had a booth at the fair. The radio station booth that I worked for was located right next to Hugo’s Harley- Davidson booth. This was the year that Hugo booked in Evil Kneivel where he did one of his famous jumps. This time he was going to jump over a group of big trucks . The thing about his appearance that was super interesting to me was that I had the opportunity to interview him on the radio and then to sit personally with him and just visit. He told me about how he started in this daring business and I asked him why he continued. It was common knowledge that he had been injured many times and was in pain a lot of the time. I told him that I knew that the walking stick he carried was full of liquid pain killer. He smiled and said, “I do it for the money. Today as we sit here my wife is completing the sale on a new home for us.” He made the successful jump that day. I also was attending Immanuel Baptist Church in Wichita at that time and we were doing our weekly television show with John Click, the pastor, from the fairgrounds live on Saturday. I asked one of the Fair’s advertising men if he would ask Roy Rogers and Dale Evans if they would do an interview on our program on Saturday. When Saturday came, I asked the man if he had set up a time we could meet with them. He said he forgot and asked that I approach them at the press conference on Saturday where all the news media would be present. After the conference had dismissed, I went up to Roy Rogers and asked if they would appear and our program and give their testimony. Roy said they only did that on their show and would not be able to do it for us that day. Well, Dale Evans was walking about five feet in front of us and she said, “What does the man want, Roy?” He told her and she said to me,” I will do it.” So I picked her up at the Baker Hotel in Hutchinson before our broadcast and she did an excellent job of explaining that she and Roy were Christians. I had many exciting times working at the fair and met a lot of interesting people. My wife and I always had to spend our wedding anniversary at the fair as we were married on September 14th and I had to work in one of the TV or radio booths. It always gave us lots of memories. Don’t miss the fair this month. It is always great.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-08-02 09:22:53

Q- Do you have any memories of some of the older restaurant concepts of Wichita?

A- I wrote last month on some unique restaurants of the past. After the article came out, I received a call from the owner of the NuWay corporation. He reminded me of so many more of the unique fast food restaurants. His restaurants, the NuWays, have been around a long time. They have been one of my favorite sandwiches since the the40s when I discovered them. A lady that worked at a drug store, where my buddy Bill Nulik and I liked to play the pinball machine, asked us if we would get on our bicycles and ride over on W. Douglas and get them and us some NuWays. We did and they were great . The sandwich was crumbled beef with cheese and condiments. It started a new habit for us, and we have been eating NuWays ever since. The original store on W. Douglas, operated by the McEvoys until their retirement, is celebrating its 82ndyear. They have now expanded to various other locations in Wichita. We are fortunate to have so many hamburger and fast food stands that served such a big variety of foods. Remember TAKHOMA burgers? There were several at first but the one that lasted was the one west of Lawrence Stadium that was owned and run by Arkie. You see he was the cook but he was also a philosopher and a friend to many. Every day at noon there were so many folks there that they had to stand in a small grass area outside. Arkie always had a story to tell as he cooked the burgers, like the one that he told about his hamburger masher. He said the mashing part came from an old Dodge truck motor, but I want to tell you his slogan was true, “We didn’t invent the hamburger, we just perfected it”. Then there were several Ralph Baum burger houses, a really super burger. How about Calvin’s Hamburger Haven, located at Harry and Seneca? They are still in business in a shopping center on South Seneca. Henry Burger was on North West Street and Kings X is still in business but under other names . Then there were the White Castles who served hamburgers in a little box. Charlie’s is still going strong on West 13th. One of my favorite places was Ted Christian’s CONEY ISLAND in downtown Wichita located at Emporia and Williams streets. Also the DOG AND SHAKES are still going strong. Directly across the street from North High School is a super burger house where many present and past students go. It used to be Jack’s Burgers but then changed to North Hi Burgers which makes sense and presently still serving great burgers. I know there are many more but these are some of my memories. Also, back then you could get a real good bowl of chili at the Dallas Chili Parlor on E. Douglas or quick meals at the West Urn Grills. Then there was Bill’s Barbeque on East First Street and a unique place called MOO TO YOU that served a variety. I am sure you can think of many more. Those were the days we didn’t worry about carbs and calories. We would drink all the malts and shakes and eat all the hamburgers we wanted. It was sure great to have all of the unique concepts we did back then and so many which have still survived today.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-08-01 13:42:56

Q- Do you remember some of the old restaurants in Wichita and some of their unique ideas? I am remembering the old Golden Chance Steak House and Saloon, where they would cut off gentlemen’s ties and hang them on the rafters. Do you remember this?

A- I remember several…and yes…I remember the Golden Chance Steak House and Saloon located at 4205 South Seneca back in the ‘60’s. Their unique feature was if a gentleman entered with a tie, it was cut off and stapled or nailed to the rafters. We visited with a friend who lived in the area at the time and frequently went there. He remembered having his tie cut off. He said the walls were covered with ties. They think one of the menu items that they enjoyed was red beans. We don’t know what happened to the ties when the building was torn down. We appreciate the inquiry from Larry Bond and getting the exact location of the restaurant from the Wichita/Sedgwick Co. Historical Museum. He remembered the ceiling and crossbeams displayed hundreds of ties. This inquiry helped us think of other great and unique restaurants in Wichita over the years. Do you remember Elizabeth’s at Bluff and Kellogg? A unique item on their menu was called “Elizabeth’s Surprise.” You ordered it not knowing what you were going to get. Then we remember the Hickory houseowned by the Dry family. They actually had a French Chef and they had a wonderful hors d' oeuvres tray that they wheeled to your table while you were waiting for your order. On East Kellogg was a small restaurant called the Chateau Briand known for good steaks and another good steak house was Steak and Ale which featured a cold salad bar and a marinated steak that was out of this world called “The Kensington Club.” The Georgian Tea Room was on East Central and featured good chicken and dumplings. Another favorite restaurant of my family was the Fife and Drum on East Central in a small building with an A-frame roof. We also often enjoyed the Polar Bear known for fried chicken and frozen custard. Many good restaurants were located in hotels of the past such as the Broadview, Lassen, Allis and Eaton Hotels. There was also the Wichita Club. On the top of the old Holiday Hotel building which was the Garvey Center at Douglas and Waco was a fine restaurant with windows all around so that you could see the city in all directions. Also, downtown, was the Innes Tea Room in the Innes department store. In North Wichita was the Stockyards Hotel Restaurant which had good steaks. Wichita has been blessed with many unique restaurants but there was only one that had neckties hanging from the rafters.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-06-08 14:59:28

Q: Do you remember the fun of going to a drive-in theatre in the summer?

A: Yes I do. I was talking with a friend of mine, Rev. Terry Fox. He told me that his son had gone into business by buying into a company that owns a drive- in theatre. His son Tyler is in the service and overseas so Terry is assisting in the operation. He mentioned that this drive- in theatre was the 2nd oldest to open in Kansas. It was first lit back in 1949 with a capacity for 300 cars. The location is on Haverhill Road in El Dorado, Kansas and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 You should check it out. The thought of drive- in theatres brought back many pleasant memories of my youth. Kansas was noted for having been one of the most enthusiastic of drive-in states during the drive-in boom years in the 50’s. There were 125 outdoor theatres in Kansas. Since the peak years, 92% of them have been demolished or gone dark . Presently only nine remain in operation. Dodge City was the state’s oldest and was first lit in 1947. Wichita had a bunch. They were, the 81 at 6250 N. Broadway….the 54 at 7817 E. Kellogg…the 42 Sky Vue in the 4300 block of Southwest Blvd….the Airport at 3100 S. Oliver…the Terrace north of Wichita University at 2701 N.Hillside….and the Rainbow at Hydraulic and McArthur, which is the only one still open in Wichita, but renamed the Starlite Twin. It is one of the state’s largest with two screens and a capacity of 1300 cars. Then there was the Meadowlark Twin at 4445 E. Harry between Hillside and Oliver…the Pawnee drive in at 2400 S. Broadway…and the Westport at 401 S. West Street. I have so many wonderful memories of these…taking your date, getting dinner, the greatest chili dogs ever, and since they charged by the number of people, a lot of the kids would load up the trunk and get in free. Remember getting the speaker off the pole and placing it on your window? Then you would tune in the sound on your car radio. Drive- ins were a lot of fun and I would suggest you go sometime this summer and enjoy a great evening watching a movie outside in the car. I thought that some night soon it would be a real treat for my wife and me to go to either the Starlite on South Hydraulic, or to the one in El Dorado and have dinner with a chili dog, fries, and a drink, and watch a movie in the car. What a great evening it would be!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-04-19 09:26:34

Q: Do you remember the year Wichita began the River Festival?

A: Yes. I like to think back when the River Festival first started. Can you believe that this year will be the 41st year that our city and visitors from all around will enjoy this great event? Folks from all around the area have come and enjoyed all of the events that thrilled us, sometimes challenged us and we all enjoyed a relaxing time. One of our family’s favorites was the Sundown Parade which began the week of events. We enjoyed seeing the many personalities including our leading politicians like the mayor, many City Commissioners, Sedgwick Co. Commissioners, TV and Radio personalities, the live high school marching bands and the bands that were on floats. Of course there was the Wind Wagon with the Wagon Masters, many other floats, and sometimes large balloons. The parade usually was over an hour in passing, thrilling the watchers. Then the events started, including the bands, the shows with major personalities, races in the street and on the river. Another of our family’s favorite events was the bathtub races. One we particularly remember was an old car on top of the tub. It looked like the car was driving down the river. Other events we enjoyed were the Wurlitzer Organ Concert accompanying the silent movies at Century II and the short comic operas at the Mary Jane Teal Theatre. Food vendors from various restaurants in Wichita were set up around this great auditorium in the street. Many performers entertaining the people with outside shows and the Wichita Symphony finishing the week with the canons, a flyover and then thousands watched the greatest fireworks show of the season. There were so many different events in Riverside Park too. We just don’t have the space to mention them all. The festival was always in the month of May until last year and the board of directors thought the weather might be more cooperative in June, so they moved it to June last year and added a zip line which was fun to watch. This year it will be starting on June 1st. The month of May also includes Memorial Day or Decoration Day. I remember my mother and father taking flower arrangements to the various cemeteries. When I was just a child most of the cemeteries were in the east part of the city; now they are located in many areas. It is great to see them all with the brightly colored plants as memorials to friends and family. I always enjoyed watching my dad take his little hand shovel and make a small hole in which to place the vases of flowers. Out of town, we would go to the central information center and get the location of those we wanted to honor. I also enjoyed watching the pageants at some of the cemeteries that commemorated the various men who served our country in the many wars, some dressed in civil war uniforms, others honored World War II veterans, Korean War veterans and a bugler played taps. That always brought tears to the eyes of many who had paid the supreme sacrifice by giving their loved one to their country. May is the beginning of spring activities here in our city. We used to rent a boat, canoe or take a speedboat ride on the Arkansas River, or go out on North Broadway and rent a bicycle built for two or a bicycle; or maybe just take the family to Riverside, Linwood, Oak, Sims Parks or one of the parks for a picnic. May was always a fun month and still is. Enjoy it, the beautiful Spring, and your family.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-03-22 09:03:05

Q: There sure have been a lot of changes in downtown Wichita over the years. We figured you would remember them all.

A: Well, I remember many of them. Memories of them recently resurfaced for me with the considerable amount of debate going on regarding guest tax at the proposed new Ambassador Hotel. You may recall that this building was one of Wichita’s main banks for many years, located on the corner of Broadway and Douglas. The building was named for the Union National Bank. The building is being converted into a luxury hotel following years of being vacated. There were many large banks in downtown Wichita. There was Southwest National Bank on the corner of Topeka and Douglas, Fourth National Bank at Market and Douglas, and First National Bank on the corner of Main and Douglas. I remember how alive downtown seemed to be in the earlier days. Many of you will recall Dockums Drug Store being located on the corner of Douglas and Broadway. Pan American Restaurant was just south of the Union National Bank. Henry’s great department store was next south and across from Innes on Broadway. Some of the stores where we shopped were Hinkel’s, Kress, Woolworth’s, Grants, McClellands, Bucks, Montgomery Ward , Spines, Walkers and many, many others. Thursday nights were family shopping nights for us when the downtown stores were open. A lot of folks dressed up just to go downtown. Traffic was so heavy that policemen were directing at all the busy corners and there were very few parking spaces available so you usually had to pay to park in a parking lot. The Broadview Hotel has just been refurbished and now the old Union National Bank building will become a beautiful luxury hotel. Downtown Wichita is still a fun place to go. We hope there will be more stores in which to shop in the future. We are closing by extending our deepest sympathy and prayers to Charlie Traffas due to the loss of his wife.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-02-27 11:21:17

Q: I read your February column in The Q & A Times about the Forum. My Mom and Dad, Aunt and Uncle had a big double wedding there November 29, 1941. My Mom and Dad were members of the KFH Ark Valley Boys and also KANS Corky’s Chorale Gang. My Aunt Beulah Victory is the only one alive today. She was married to Bud Victory. My Mom, Dorothy, was married to my Dad, Oby Victory. I guess it was quite a scene. It was kept secret until the night of the wedding. I was curious if there are any photos of that event. My parents had a photo showing the crowd of about 2,500 plus but I don’t know what happened to it. My Mom passed away last March and it seems like us kids had no idea how special the times were to set and listen to the stories about the “Good Old Days.” If you run across any old photos of the things I’ve mentioned, please let me know.”

A: In my column for February, I wrote about the old Forum auditorium which was the main theatre venue and events for Wichita and the surrounding area. The many events that were held there were circuses, rodeos, concerts performed by major stars brought in by Hap Peebles, school graduations, revival meetings with nationwide evangelists, sporting events and the U.S. Army training in the garage area. I received the above question, comment, letter or whatever you might choose to call it, from Rex Victory who elaborated about his family and events at the Forum. His family were KFH radio personalities who played at numerous events all around the country. They had a radio show at noon that made them famous. There was no television in this area at that time. I remember as a teenager going to the KFH building and watching the famous Ark Valley Boys as they broadcast and performed. The Ark Valley Boys were a great group and were local celebrities. Corky is still around and still plays at various gatherings. His Chorale Gang was also a daily feature on Radio KANS. Those were great times and good times. Our thanks to Rex Victory for taking us back to those good days of the Ark Valley Boys.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2012-01-25 14:42:18

Q: What were all of the entertainment venues of the past?

A: We had two main venues in Wichita. The largest was the Wichita Forum located at the intersection of William and South Water Streets. It was the city’s main auditorium from 1911 until the construction of Century II in the 1960’s. According to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, Wichita’s main auditorium was the Toler Auditorium at First and St. Francis before the city erected the Forum. “The son of the owner was Sidney Toler who became famous as the actor who played the character of Charlie Chan.” The Forum was constructed of red brick and had three wrap around balconies and seated about 7,000. The entertainment area was the showplace for many national events. There were rodeos, the Sport, Boat and Travel Shows, the Home Show, school graduations, church functions with city wide revival meetings, the circus and other specialty display shows using the building. The Forum hosted nearly every major artist and movie star personality of those times. I remember one show that I attended that featured Count Basie and his orchestra, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald. That was a star studded evening. Hap Peebles was Wichita’s major promoter during this time and he helped Channel 12 and myself bring Johnny Cash and Bobby Lord to the Forum for our yearly Hi-Fi- Hop Dance Contest. Hap scheduled many country shows with all of the top recording stars. The Forum also housed the National Guard. During World War II, the guard was activated and used the Forum for barracks and began their drilling maneuvers inside and outside on the streets. The city had three extra-wide streets to channel traffic to downtown and to the Forum. For the smaller crowds, there was the Arcadia Theater located on the northeast corner of the building. Today, we have a new Forum theater that has been refurbished from an old church building on South Hillside and used for live performances. We now have many places for large attractions and all size theaters to accommodate all kinds of entertainment. It is interesting to think about Wichita’s history and how we have grown. It help one appreciate all the new and modern arenas we enjoy today.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-12-27 09:12:16

Q: How about some first of the year memories from the past?

A: I sure have them. It seems like January is always the coldest month of the year, but winters seem to be more mild than they used to be back in the 30’s and 40’s when I was a boy. Back then, the snow seemed to come down with heavy accumulation and stayed longer because of the cold temperatures. The pipes in houses, because of less insulation, would freeze quite often. I remember my Dad having to crawl under the house with a hand torch and unthaw them. This, of course, is not a safe thing to do and would easily cause a fire. I remember my parents leaving a faucet dripping to prevent pipes from freezing. The coal stove that was always located in the center of the house would be tended to all day and through the evening to keep the house warm. While we were sleeping, the fire would always die out. My Dad would always be the first one up to get it lit again and the whole process would start all over, thawing out our frozen house from being without heat much of the night. Wichita only had a few street plows and they were mounted on dirt movers. Only the very main streets were cleared of snow. Each time we would have a heavy snow, if you would turn off on a side road, you would be headed for trouble, getting stuck and probably would be there much of the day. Many of us used chains on our tires or had snow tires installed. The chains were always a nuisance because you had to take them off when the snow melted. When it would snow and then melt several times through the winter, it was more of a nuisance. I lived in Omaha, NE for a few years in the 70’s. There, the law required you to have snow tires on your car or receive a stiff fine if you got stuck and impeded traffic. We kids dressed in bundles of coats and sweaters and galoshes, or torturous rubber boots that slipped over our shoes. These were always hard to take off. At school, these were always placed in a coat room. Each of us had a hook with our name above it. Coats and caps for the guys (usually WWII aviator Caps with goggles and ear flaps) and sheepskin hoods for the girls were everywhere. At noon, most everyone went home for lunch. I remember there always being a mix up as few could find their wraps and headwear in such a small place. Sometimes the coat room was used by the teachers as a punishment for something you did that was not allowed. They would put you in there for a period of time. I remember being put in the coat closet a few times. One time, one of the persons that had been put in there, had switched the clothes to different hangars. You can imagine the traffic jam that created. One convenience we had back then were the times we would pull into what we called filling stations. We did not have to get out of the car as the attendant would pump the gas, check the oil, water and anti-freeze, while you waited to pay in your car. We didn’t call it full service back then, but that is certainly what it was. Today we get out and do it ourselves, no matter what the weather is, in most places. Lots of changes over the years have been good but that is one I miss from the “good old days.” Have a safe and Happy New Year.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-11-17 11:37:14

Q: It is already Christmas time. We always enjoy reading about your memories. Got another?

A: Yes I do and you are so right. This year has gone by fast and now we are looking at Christmas and a New Year, just a short time away. When I was a young boy, 10-years old, I was attending Harry Street Elementary school during this month and looking forward to the holidays. I lived in an area of middle class folks who were just coming out of the depression years. My father worked at two completely different jobs to keep up with the bills. He was employed on the paint crew for the Missouri Pacific railroad and also worked some nights for the Southwest Cracker Company. The kids down the street had a toy fire truck that we all drove and played fireman. The truck was equipped with pedals to make it go and a bell we could ring that as I look back, probably made the neighbors nerves to get tight . Well, I enjoyed playing with that vehicle so much that I talked to my dad about it a lot. The Christmas season approached. Downtown Wichita put up their strands of evergreen across Douglas, and they had lights that were turned on every night until the holidays were over. The larger department stores all made the season very exciting. Bucks, with their giant Santa…Hinkels with an intercom through which you could actually talk to Santa…Innes.(Later Macys) had all kinds toys and a line of dwarfs and special displays. Downtown was a big deal. There were no shopping centers. But the crowds were just as big. There was lots of traffic with many shoppers there getting ready for the big day. I continued to tell my folks every day about the firetruck I loved to drive and play with. Finally, the big morning! Christmas arrived. I rushed to get to the tree in our living room, and there sat a beautiful burgundy colored pedal car. It had a windshield, lights, horn and was gorgeous, just what a 10-year old ”ME” dreamed and talked about. My Dad and Mom sacrificed to buy me that pedal car. I will never forget it. Back then it was so important. Today…not all that much. I would be totally negligent if I didn’t close this article by saying that now I know what Christmas is really about…the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, Who came down from Heaven, suffered and sacrificed His Life for us, which makes this day…the day He was born…so tremendous and wonderful. Churches all over town have special Christmas services and presentations. I hope you can attend one of them, remembering that “Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas to everyone!”

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-10-24 13:53:02

Q: November memories?

A: I’m kind of like Charlie, the Publisher of this publication. All you have to do is ask me, “What’s new?” “How I am?” or “Do you have any memories?” and I’ll let it rip. I’m not sure who enjoys it more…Charlie or me…but I know we both enjoy it a lot. November is the month when we begin getting ready for the holiday seasons. This is, of course, the month for Thanksgiving, a time we count our blessings and the good things God has given us, although we need to be thankful every month of the year. I can remember so much about this time of year: the leaves falling, weather changing and dressing warmer. Back in the late 30’s and early 40’s, my Dad would light the old coal stove we had in our home, as he would say, “Let’s just take the chill off.” My parents would put on the extra blankets and quilts, which always felt so comforting. Thanksgivings of the past still stand out in my mind. We would go to the store and buy groceries and then my mother and grandmother would work in the kitchen and prepare all kinds of great food for us to take to family reunion. My father’s family consisted of 12 children and, of course, they married and had expanded into families of their own, so when we all got together, there were it seemed at least 150 of us trying to move in one house. To begin our trip for the family reunion, we would have to pack all of this pre-prepared food into the family car. We would lift the trunk lid up on our ’38 Buick which you may remember was actually longer than the car and square in design. We would place the pies very carefully on one side, then the casseroles and all the items for travel that the family would need for a one-day trip. Then, it was off to the farm…through Harper, Argonia, Danville and Freeport. The vision of the farmhouse was always inviting because I knew there would be waiting for us the glorious home cooked food. Someone would pray a Thanksgiving prayer, thinking back about what our heavenly Father had provided. The dishes were all placed cafeteria style and the ladies would be very watchful that their family would choose their dish and recipe. After dinner, horseshoes outside for the men, cleaning and washing dishes and straightening up for the ladies, and playing in the barn for the kids. This would go on until the sun began to set and then we would head the old Buick back home north on Highway 81. When I was older, a buddy and I made it a tradition to go hunting on Thanksgiving morning. We would get up early and go out to some of our friends’ fields where they had wooded and rough terrain. Maybe some of my memories have spawned some for you. I hope so. The Lord has blessed us all greatly and we give Him our thanks as we celebrate Thanksgiving.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-10-24 13:51:38

Q: Do you have any memories of some of the old restaurants of Wichita?

A: Great question…and do I ever. I doubt there is any activity that can be enjoyed more often than dining out. My wife and I do it whenever we can. Recently, when we were eating at one of Wichita’s oldest restaurants, I thought about some of the many good restaurants in Wichita in the 50’s and 60’s that we enjoyed. Do you remember Elizabeth’s located at Bluff and Kellogg, located in a building that originally was an auto repair garage? Elizabeth’s was noted for their home cooked meals, Chicken and Noodles and many more, including one called Elizabeth’s Surprise. You never knew what you would get. Their apple pie just could not be beat. Then we remembered and talked about the famous Hickory House, featuring their steaks and their wonderful appetizer cart. It was located on East Central. Perhaps Wichita’s oldest restaurant, and still in business, is Savutes. It started as Rosies on North Broadway in 1944. I used to bring some of the great recording artists and quartets to our great city. I loved to take them to Savutes. I remember one of the male singers told me that he had eaten at restaurants all over the world and he had the best steak he had ever eaten at this great restaurant. Then there was Pete’s Place at the corner of West St. and Douglas. Pete would close down a couple of months each year and go and collect several kinds of vegetables and more important…peppers…that he used to make his own hot mustard and catsup. I remember working at Channel 12 TV. When we would finish for the day after the ten o’clock news, we would go to Pete’s Place. His food was unique, so much so that when he would reopen after closing for a couple of months, the place would be standing room only for weeks. The news guys that I came with liked his huge hamburgers with cheese and that great HOT SEASONING. Topping this off was the “show” that Pete and Rosie would put on as they spoke loudly to each other across the restaurant. There were so many great steak houses here, and as I said some are gone. Mr. Steak was super. Scotch and Sirloin, still in business, is still one of the best ever, as are so many more. Remember the Georgian Tea Room located on E. Central. There were also fantastic restaurants in all of the major hotels. Because I worked at Channel 12, I remember The Trail Room in the Lassen when KTVH had their first remote studios there. I actually remember having lunch in that room with RED SKELTON. Was that a hoot. Those were great times!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-10-24 13:18:03

Q: We always like to hear about experiences from days gone by. Do you have some from Septembers past?

A: Oh yes…when I think of the month of September, I begin thinking of fall and the relief from the heat of summer. I think about the first day of school and the State Fair. When I was a boy, the first day of school always began in September, after Labor Day. That first day of school was entering a new classroom, having a new teacher or even starting at a new school and a lot of classrooms and teachers when we reached Junior High. The first day was always interesting as I got acquainted with the new rooms, met new friends, got comfortable in a new place to sit and listening to the new teacher spell and pronounce the names of the students. If you were in grade school (elementary), there was a new place in the coat closet to hang your coat and place your overshoes. I remember buying our new class study books usually from Goldsmiths or Orr’s book room downtown. I always looked forward to the Kansas State Fair which was a big event as it still is today. The Fair featured all kinds of animals, clothes, art works and for us younger ones, a giant carnival which for years was the Royal American Shows. They would come in on a train which was parked at the Hutchinson, Kansas depot all through the week of the fair. There would be a parade from the depot down Main Street of Hutchinson to the fair grounds. We would see the animals and displays and many of their personnel and equipment. There is a song that I think depicts a day at the fair called “The State Fair.” The closing line is “as we drove away that night and looked back and saw the dust and the lights of the carnival rides and saw the fair fading in the distance, we formed a picture in our minds that would last forever.” Many of you participated in the several events with your animals, arts, cooking and many other ways. We came, we saw, we enjoyed and now we remember those days at the Kansas State Fair. This year, the fair begins on September 9th and goes through the 18th. We hope for a cool time to enjoy it.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-10-24 13:03:40

Question: August memories?

Answer: Not sure I remember as many 100+ degree days in row as what we have had this year, as I submit this answer for the August issue, but I’m sure somewhere along the line there were. We have reached the hottest part of the summer. I know these hot days are tough…but not as tough as they were many years ago when we did not have air conditioning. Do you remember your clothes getting completely wet with sweat? Then the relief that came when you stood in front of a fan? In public places we did the fanning manually. Many funeral homes and businesses furnished the old hand fans with cardboard on top and a big wooden paddle at the bottom connected with a staple. It was held in your hand and powered by your wrist and arm, but it provided some immediate relief. Then the air inside your home or business was provided by an open window or door or an electric fan. Your car had all windows open and some of the cars even had windshields and rear windows that would open and offer some ventilation. Nights were very welcome because we would receive some dropping of temperature. Sitting on the porch or out in the yard visiting were some of the great times we all enjoyed, all while getting relief rom the hot sun. Many of us rode our bikes and believe it or not…we wore baseball caps and no helmets. Another “cooling off” thing was riding in our cars to get aired out. The children did not have car seats, and we didn’t have seat belts. Picnics were very popular down by the rivers or lakes and in the park by the swimming pools. When we were kids we even enjoyed riding in back of a pick up truck on a warm day. Some of us built carts out of old wagon wheels and orange crate parts. To get refreshed we drank water with ice provided from a truck from blocks of ice that was chipped up. Or we would drink water from a garden hose and not from a bottle. Iced tea was very good. Lemonade and Kool Aid were always special. Sometimes we would share one soft drink with four friends. It may not have been sanitary all drinking from one bottle, but none one of us died as a result of our sharing. We would leave home in the morning and play all day. As long as we were back home when the streetlights came on and we were OKAY. Now it’s air conditioning, video games, cable TV, cell phone, personal computers, play stations, chat rooms and more. No, I would not trade our comforts of today for the harder times back then, but it is sure good to remember and think back about the summers past. Keep cool and safe.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-07-01 13:56:00

Question: Those lazy days of summer are upon us. Do you have memories of them back when you were younger?

Answer: My first thought is always the month of July when you say, “Those lazy days of summer.” I think about the beginning of July, when we were all getting ready to celebrate the 4th. In my years as a boy growing up here, I remember we were able to shoot firecrackers on the days before the holiday actually arrived. Remember the ones called “bulldogs”? Wow, they were so powerful and made a loud noise. When they exploded they would blow a tin can way up in the air. Leading up to the 4th there was always a big baseball game and then fireworks show after the game at Lawrence Stadium, now known as Lawrence Dumont Stadium. Many times we went to Joyland to watch the fireworks. Also, many Fourth nights, neighbors and friends would come over and watch my father light the big night works in our front yard on South Water Street. He would let all of us younger kids have sparklers that were so bright and exciting. Since summer was here we would cool off in different ways. Some of us remember the good times going to the Municipal Swimming Pool located in Riverside Park. It was a big pool. You would check in at the locker house, change your clothes and walk through a door and step barefooted into a large vat full of chlorine to sterilize anything that you might be carrying on your feet. The pool was always full of people and the water felt so refreshing. Sometimes we would drive south to Sandy Beach and swim there and others would go to other park facilities and many smaller pools and lakes around the city. Sometimes we would put on our swimming suits and go out in the yard and dad would spray water from the garden hose on all of us kids. In my teen years, I remember going to the old “boat-house” and renting a boat. My buddies and I would row up and down the Arkansas river until our rental time had expired. They had canoes, row boats and motor boats that would take groups of people on short cruises. Another favorite thing to do was go on picnics. My mother would load up a picnic basket and we would go to one of the parks, mostly Riverside and Linwood. Think back about the Sunday concerts they would have on the parks stages. Some of the music was actually broadcast on our local radio stations. Things were so different back then. No air conditioning, not as much crime. We and nearly the whole neighborhood actually slept on the front porch of our home, anything to keep cooler. I think the 4th of July, declaring the independence of America, becomes more precious to us each year. I sincerely wish you all a great summer.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-06-01 12:22:00

Question: Like each month, we’re always anxious to hear of memories of days gone by. Got some for June?

Answer: June of course is the month for many weddings. I have personally officiated as a pastor in many, and my daughter Chelley is a professional violinist who provides music for many weddings throughout the year. June is also the month that all the trees and plants show their colors in full bloom, and the start of summer…when we can put the top down on our convertibles…if we have one. I remember my first convertible. It was a 1947 Mercury that I drove to WSU when I was a student. What a thrill to feel the summer breeze blowing on my face as I went down the street and dragged Douglas. The old ‘47 would really go when you dropped the clutch and pushed down the accelerator. That just brought on another thought…remembering all the stores and theaters in downtown Wichita as one would drag Douglas. Going from the bridge on West Douglas, there was the stately Broadview Hotel. On down the street there was the Missouri Pacific Depot, the Roxy theatre, Gentry Cafeteria, Crown Jewelers, First National Bank, Hinkel’s Department Store, the 5 and 10’s such as McClellands, Grants, Woolworths, Kress, Bucks, Union National Bank, the Wichita theatre, the Palace theatre across the street, Montgomery Wards, Southwest National Bank, the Novelty theater, theState theatre, the Victory theatre and the Old Mill Soda and Sandwich shop which is still there.Then the Union Station, where a lot of the trains picked up or delivered so many of our loved ones, family and friends, business contacts and also where we said good-bye many times. I know Douglas carries many more businesses and memories for each of you. I wonder if most people get as many memories as do I. They’re wonderful to have. June is also the first month of school being dismissed for the summer and all the students having a fun time. I always think about the drive-in theatres when I think of the beginning of summer. I really enjoyed the great moments I had growing up and living in Wichita most of my life. I hope you all have a fantastic summer.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-05-01 13:04:00

Question: Can you tell me the location of Horseshoe Lake? I used to attend a Girl Scout Camp there years ago. Also, there used to be a ballroom on West Douglas by the old Wichita Forum. Do you remember it? Do you have other memories of May?

Answer: Thank you for your questions. They bring back great memories. Horseshoe Lake is just off of 2lst St. north as you enter Sedgwick Co. Park. The ballroom? I had to do some research to answer this one. Many performers who played at the old Forum Auditorium and the Arcadia Theater located in the same building would also play for a dance there. I called Bill Boggs who played with the original Ark Valley Boys band on KFH radio many years ago. He told me the ballroom was the MOP Ballroom. It was located directly across from the old Missouri Pacific depot on West Douglas and thus the name “MOP.” As you drove by, you could look through the many windows upstairs and see the people dancing. My wife remembers sitting on a bench against the wall when see was a young girl, watching her parents dance there. Another ballroom on West across the bridge was called the CEC Playhouse. Also, do you remember others such as the Blue Moon, the Trig Ballroom and the present Cotillion on West Kellogg? The current TV show, “Dancing with the Stars” brings back many memories of dancing. I’ve also received a note all the way from California asking if I remembered where Wolf’s Cafeteria was located. Wolf’s was the first downtown cafeteria and was located right in the heart of the business area across from the Beacon building, one half block south of Douglas on Main St. Wolf’s was a very complete cafeteria. It had a varied menu. The tables were all adorned with white table cloths. Mr. Wolf was usually there dressed in his restaurant coat with his name on the front. Today, there is a parking lot for Century II that occupies part of the space where Wolf’s was located. Another cafeteria was Gentry’s Cafeteria, on the south side of Douglas and west of Main St. The other cafeteria in downtown Wichita was on South Market. It was named the Forum. The Forum was the newest of the three cafeterias and was located alongside of Jenkins Music and across the street from the Innes Department store which later became Macy’s. I also remember school letting out at the end of May. That meant time to do some part time chores…or have fun being with your friends. In later years…slicking up and fixing up your cars. Then driving them on Douglas for everyone to admire your new hubcaps… “Hollywood hub caps” as they were known, how you leaded your doors…or set your licence plate…or changed the muffler system to sound good. Yes Spring was always lots of fun. It’s still a very beautiful and exciting time of year…to get out of the house and enjoy the special holidays, graduations, weddings and all of the other events. I hope you have a great and safe spring.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-04-01 13:55:00

Question: You always share so many memories. How about some memories of Aprils gone by?

Answer: A well known song about the month of April is “April Showers.” “Those April showers bring the flowers that bloom in May.” The changing of the seasons when winter changes to Spring is the best. My wife carried a little poem by John Greenleaf Whittier for years that she liked. It goes, “Night is Mother of the Day and winter of the spring. And ever upon old decay, the greenest mosses cling.” Our city fathers did a wise thing back in the 40’s and 50’s when they sold redbud trees for a dime to the school kids. That’s the reason we enjoy so many redbuds all across town. Many contractors left the beautiful trees in place as new construction was developed. The very large oaks, cottonwoods and other trees show their strength and longevity. When you fly over Wichita, you can see how blessed our city is to have so much plant life. But, back in the 40’s, many of those April showers brought on a lot of problems. We had many storm sewer drainage problems and some still exist. Do you remember the floods on E. Third St.? It was a city street constructed like a drainage ditch, built with high slopes on each side so the water could drain down the center. Often, some poor soul would drive onto that street during a rainstorm and have to be rescued from their car. Many intersections in the city flooded. South Broadway and Boston Street, cynically dubbed the “Boston Lake,” made a lot of pocket money for teenagers as they would gather and push stalled cars out of the water. West Street had drainage problems, but much of the north end of Wichita would flood also. The Riverside area would flood. I lived a block from the river and would listen through the night on many occasions as our basement would fill with water. Today, we are thankful for the Big Ditch which has taken care of most of the flooding throughout the city. One well known day in April we don’t look forward to is the 15th when income taxes are due. But, this year, we also look forward to celebrating Easter in April, commemorating the resurrection of our Lord. April has always been a special month for me, looking forward to spring and nature’s beautiful display of flowers and plants and those warmer days. Enjoy!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-03-01 11:31:00

Question: Okay, let’s have your March memories.

Answer: March is a month that most of us remember with a smile because we knew warmer weather was on the way. March is known in Kansas as the windy month, “Comes in like lion and goes out like a lamb,” or most of the time it does. Believe it or not, it might be the best month to fly a kit. I remember going to the drug store where I could buy a kite for a nickel…one that you had to put together. Part of putting the kite together was attaching a tail for higher ascent and better control. Nearly everyone had at least one kite to take advantage of the wind in March. What a thrill when your dad or members of the family would go with you and help you launch it. Nearly all of the farms had windmills. Today, we have “windmill farms.” However, that was only one thought about the wind. Folks who had to work in it sometimes found it too windy to go outside and complete whatever task they had to undertake. There always was a debate as to what corner downtown was the windiest. I would always ask our weatherman what he thought. That brings to mind another memory. Wichita had a weather man that I worked with for many years on TV named Cecil Carrier. He was a great weatherman in this area and tremendous friend to all. He thought the West Douglas Bridge was the windiest place downtown, but he went on to say that one of the greatest advantages of the Kansas wind was that it blew the pollution out of here and that would give us cleaner air to breathe. Yes, there are still cold days to come, but we know spring is just ahead. The days always started warming up in March. The store windows in downtown Wichita would show spring and summer clothes. The car dealers would start advertising convertibles. Spring was the time to look for a new car. How many can remember the old windshields you could actually crank forward in order to get more air; and the Lincoln automobiles that had a back window that would lower. Think about how long and big and wide the passenger automobiles were in the 50’s. I had a 59 Lincoln that actually performed the things I just mentioned and today would not fit in many of the marked parking spaces. Length and luxury were what sold, not only in March but all year. The fuel bills were lower and as a result, folks were building bigger and more luxurious homes. Windows were staying up for cooler air inside. Have you ever seen anyone stray as much as me when you ask me about my memories? They’re sure nice to have…each and every month…and I enjoy getting them…and relating them. Let’s all have a wonderful and beautiful spring.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Question: Why did the cold weather, snow and ice always seem colder back in the old days, like in the 40’s, than they do today?

Answer: I’m sure it’s just our minds playing tricks on us. I would imagine that if we got a chemist or a scientist, they would be happy to prove a certain degree of cold or hot is the same regardless of whether or not it is years apart or not. But I do agree with you…it sure seemed colder back then. January was always a cold month. When I was a teenager, I loved Christmas and hated to see January come. Snow and cold weather made it hard to get around and tough to get to school. My dad bought me a Cushman motor scooter in the summer of 1947 after much coaxing and negotiating. He told me he would buy it but I had to use it for my transportation to high school. Well, everything was fine as long as the weather was good, but when snow and ice came, riding a motor scooter from the one hundred block on North Athenian to North High School was much less than desirable. My father said, “I told you this had to be your transportation.” So, I really learned to ride that scooter in the lesser storms and in very cold weather bundled up with Air Force high altitude coats and very big sheep lined gloves as well as one of those really good looking pilot helmets with the ear flaps. I made it to school on that scooter. At last, my dad took pity on me and bought me a windshield which was like riding in “hoggy heaven” compared to the ice cold wind blowing full force in my face. When it was really bad, Dad would take me to school in his ‘48 Pontiac. After a year of motor scooter transportation, he bought me a 1937 Ford coupe. However, there was a problem. It had rust holes in the floor that let in the cold air and exhaust fumes that were humongous. I had two girls that rode to school with me and covered some of my gas expense. One day they said “this car is junk.” I wanted to prove to them that is wasn’t so I took it out on Highway K-42 and put it up to 50 mph which resulted in the fumes coming through the floor mats in much greater proportion catching the car on fire. It was soon extinguished and so was my pride. Anyway, the car was still warmer than the scooter. I also remember putting chains around my tires to help me get through the snow. I didn’t have enough money to buy a complete set so I went to Oklahoma Tire & Supply on West Douglas and bought some of the individual chains that clipped on. Remember those? They worked as long as you didn’t get stuck too bad, and then they came loose. Those were not the “good old days.”

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2011-01-01 10:18:00

I always like to read your thoughts about your childhood. You bring up so many memories…landmarks…businesses that have been long gone…and ways of doing things. What can you remember about February’s past?

Answer: I always appreciate the questions. They may cause me to ramble a bit, but sometimes rambling is a neat way to remember things. February has undoubtedly been the coldest month of the year throughout my life. And in the 30’s and 40’s, they seemed even colder. I always remember those frigid walks to school in the snow and ice…having snowball fights, building snowmen and trying all kinds of ways to keep warm. One of the ways people kept their houses warm was by using wood burning fireplaces. I don’t think then…and today…there is anything as comforting as spending an evening in front of the fireplace. Back then, with the fire crackling, I can remember telling stories with family and friends, listening to 78 rpm recordings of some of the artists of the time, such as Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Steve Lawrence, Edie Gormet, the Andrew Sisters, the Chordettes, Joni James, Dinah Shore and so many others. I still sing with the radio when a local station plays Music to Remember and all the ones that played on the radio show called, “Your Hit Parade.” We would recall stories of haunted houses, or ones we thought were haunted, memories of our families in other years and things that happened. We talked about old Wichita with the streetcars, trains with both Pullman and passenger luxury cars, riding horses and driving wagons and carriages, tying our horse to a tie rod that still remains in front yards of some of the homes here, one-room school houses, various teachers, cars with headlamps instead of headlights, luxury places in the city to reside and stay overnight, many of the department stores and stores where we purchased out clothes. Many large homes you see now were built close to downtown because the business owners just drove carriages to work, and location made it quicker and easier. I remember the individual, single-owner grocers and the personal service they gave you. I remember when service stations actually pumped gas into their pumps and checked all the fluids in your car and aired your tires and washed every window in the car. The ice man and the milk man came in horse drawn carriages and later in trucks and you knew them by name. They always remembered your name and names of your family. Personal service in all areas was the main thing businesses featured. Those of you who lived in the years coming out of the depression were always looking for the best way you could save and put your savings away. February always seemed to have the deepest snow. I can remember times when I was small, watching my dad shovel snow. The city streets were not cleared because the city did not have equipment to undertake the giant job of clearing the streets. Today, we have an easier life. I think often of comparing now with then. Thanks for causing me to ramble. Stay warm.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2010-12-01 10:56:00

Question: You always feature articles that make us go back in time and remember things…the way they were. What do you remember about past Decembers in Wichita?

Answer: Well, you’ve asked about my most favorite time of the year. December is the month noted for the greatest celebration with garland, tinsel, lights and decorations of all kinds…but most of all, a celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Going back in our memories, many of us think of how downtown Wichita used to look at Christmas with cars, people, trimming and bells ringing everywhere. Downtown had three major hotels, the Allis (which is now gone), the Lassen and the Broadview, which was always decorated with strings of lights from the top to the bottom. Downtown was the place to go. Many families would even wear their dress up clothes just to go downtown. On East Douglas was the Eaton Hotel that is located by the railroad tracks. There is also the building that used to be the Union Station or depot with restaurants, magazine stores and shoe shines for those arriving and departing by train. In other words, all of these were a major center of activity for our city. During this season before air travel became so popular, the Union Station was a very busy place especially during holidays. Many folks traveled by train. West on Douglas was the hub of downtown Wichita, adorned with evergreen garland and lights over the street. Then there were the many large department stores, like Innes…which was later Macys, Hinkels at Main and Douglas, and Bucks formerly named Rorabaugh Bucks. Bucks…that store makes me think of a few years ago when Terry Burford and I were on KFDI one Saturday. I asked if anyone knew what had happened to the big Santa that was in Buck’s window that sat on his huge throne like chair and constantly laughed. A lady here in Wichita called and said “He is now sitting in my living room and he is still laughing.” Then there was also Sears, formerly called Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward, all competing with their show windows constructed and filled with Santas, dolls, electric trains, robots, tricycles and bicycles and many other items that brought joy to the season. Yes, those were great days with downtown packed with shoppers, bells ringing and music everywhere. Thousands came to see the Christmas parade with Santa and his sleigh. But, the greatest thing about this time is the gift of giving to all those you love, and helping those that are unable to help themselves or family. All of us need to realize beside all the glitter that the real gift of giving was shown to us by God the Father who gave His only Son, Jesus, whose birthday this season is all about. Christmas is indeed our greatest holiday. I hope you all have the best ever.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2010-11-01 13:31:00

Do you have some memories you can share of some of your family reunions around the holidays?

Answer: What great memories they were for me…and I’m sure…for lots of folks. Probably the first thing I think about each year is how quickly summer turns into Thanksgiving. I guess this year it seemed to happen even more quickly because there has not been a frost, keeping most of the leaves green and the weather has been so beautiful. But, signs of Fall are all around us. The kids are back in school, the swimming pools are closed, you have to have a jacket and you have to begin thinking about your holiday schedules. So many of us travel to other parts of the county, and now, because we are even more global than we’ve ever been, even other countries when Thanksgiving rolls around. My fondest memories of Thanksgiving took place back in the 40s when we would head out to my grandparents farm in the Freeport, KS area. My mother would cook so many different dishes to take to the get-together. We would carry them out and pack them in my Dad’s ’40 Hudson. I remember it so well. It cost $700 brand new…and it was built like a tank. The whole family would get in the car and head for the farm. We drove south on old Highway 81 which did not have a speed limit at that time. Sometimes my Dad would show us how fast that Hudson would go. It seemed back then we were really moving. The highway at that time was just two very narrow lanes. After what could be called a very precarious journey to the farm, we would all unload and greet all of the relatives. My Dad had a large family. The older children had married and all of their children were always there. I remember at one family reunion, we had so many people we had to rent the city building to get everyone in. At the farmhouse…the smell of turkeys roasting, the pies baking and all of the good food everyone brought was something I still remember to this day. While the women were preparing the food, the men were outside showing off their cars. One would have overdrive. Another would have a rear seat speaker. All of them were different colors, but none of them had air conditioning or power steering back then. Then, one by one, the men got into each car and take a ride around the section (one mile square) to see how easy each car rode and how fast each car would go. That was what was known as the “inspection trip.” It’s funny that most of the brothers had bought the same model Chevrolet, but they all had to go for that ride. Finally, the great dinner was ready and lasted about two hours. My Dad prayed before the dinner, thanking our Lord for all of the blessings our family had received, and for this glorious feast. After the meal, everyone went outside to inspect the smoke house, the barn and how much water the creek had in it. The creek always reminded me of the poem, “Over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house we go.” Finally, came the horseshoe pitching. I remember how each brother warmed up, swinging his long arms back and forth until it seemed as though all of the kinks were out. One of the brothers was a champion horseshoe pitcher. He won most every match. After this the entire family would talk and talk and talk, until the sun went down, telling all kinds of stories and watching the grandkids perform on their musical instrument, or demonstrate a talent of some kind. Then we would head home, going north on old Highway 81 These are always great memories of Thanksgivings gone by. November begins the holiday season. I wish each of you the happiest and safest ever…Happy Thanksgiving!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2010-09-01 13:38:00

Do you remember the hospitals and medical treatments of the past?

Answer: We’ve never had those questions before..and they’re some good ones. I almost have to think about both of your questions simultaneously. When I think about the flu season, allergies and colds that most all of us contend with at this time of the year, I remember the old County Hospital that used to be located on West Douglas, where the street jogs by St. Paul Street. Then I think about the Osteopathic Hospital, later called Riverside. It was located at the corner of Central and McLean Blvd. The old Wichita Hospital was located at the corner of Douglas and Seneca. My wife had her first job there, preparing food trays in the diet kitchen for the patients. The St. Francis (now Via Christi), St. Joseph (now Via Christi St. Joseph) and Wesley Hospitals are still in the same locations. The Veteran’s Hospital is also still in the same location on East Kellogg. More than anything, I remember the distinct smell that the old hospitals had when you walked through the door. It was the anesthetic used at that time called ether. The odor was immediate, but to me, it always made things smell clean. That, together with all of the nurses dressed in white and wearing the familiar nurses’ white hat, always made me feel like I might be sick or hurt, but I was going to get better soon. The doctors were mostly attired in suits, not the white coats you see today. Believe it or not, many of the old hospitals had the operating rooms on the roof to allow sunlight to aid the artificial light during surgeries and visiting hours were strictly enforced. It seemed like all of the hospitals were strategically located to provide service to all areas of Wichita. You have to remember, that was back in the days when getting all the way across town wasn’t done in 15 minutes like it is today. When you were sick, you didn’t go to an emergency room. Instead, you called your family doctor. Almost all of them made house calls. They carried so much stuff in their little black bags, they could make calls for days. They would carry a stethoscope, the old familiar tongue depressant, cotton and alcohol for sterilization before an injection, a scalpel, pills and lots of other stuff. If the situation called for hospitalization, you would be sent to the medical facility of the doctor’s choice. As with everything…times change, don’t they? We all certainly appreciate the new methods of treatment and medical care of today.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2010-09-01 10:47:00

Do you remember getting ready for a new school year when you lived in South Wichita in September?

Answer: Boy, those are some memories. When I was growing up, I did not look forward to going back to school after the Summer vacation. I don’t imagine I was much different than the rest of the kids. I remember my parents going with me to register. We traveled downtown to the bookstores to buy school equipment at Goldsmiths and Orrs bookstores. My folks always bought me two sets of winter clothes; 2 shirts, 2 pair of jeans and a pair of shoes. I remember on the first day meeting my new teacher and writing my name on the board next to my desk number so she would know me. Then I would get my assignment for my hook in the coat closet. I lived on South Water so I always walked to school whether it was snow, rain, sleet or any kind of weather. I attended Harry Street Grade Elementary. I can still drive by and see my old kindergarten room. No kidding…it’s still there after all of these years, on the far Northeast corner of the building. When I went to that school, they actually had a real, old building on the Northwest that was separated from the newer building farther East on the school ground. That building was demolished many years ago. I was more interested in what was across the street. There was a Watt’s drugstore, and just east were the offices of Dr. Edgerton. Further east in the same building was the dentist, Dr. Reester, who also led the neighborhood band that played once a week, in the summer at a park by the fire station, in the 1300 block of South Broadway. There was no TV at this time so the concerts were well attended by many of the neighbors and even folks from across town. This park was located in the next block North of Hamilton School and the Faith Baptist Church. Today it is Immanuel Baptist Church. On Harry Street, just east of the dentist’s office, was a great hamburger stand where you could actually buy hamburgers for 5 cents and soda pop for the same price. In the next block East, was Neil’s drugstore that had a great magazine rack where the kids would sit and read comic books and not buy them. Management always made us stop. School days bring back many memories like the Duncan YOYO champions that performed on the sidewalk outside the drug store and sold many YOYOs to the kids. If they learned the tricks enough to do them well, they were awarded a shiny Duncan jacket which they wore proudly, almost like a letter jacket in high school. The teachers back then were very strict. There was no goofing off in class that did not carry a penalty of writing the assignment on the black board or staying after school. September brings back lots of memories of those old school days in South Wichita.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2010-07-01 12:50:00

Answer: Only one of those folks that keep track of those kinds of things could answer for sure, but they sure seemed hotter back then. Even when I was a kid, the older folks always talked about August being the hottest and driest month of the year. As I think about those days, a lot of random thoughts come to mind. One of the first is the old water hand pump. I wonder how many remember them. We would pump and pump until we reached the coolest water. Many times we would have to prime the pump to get water to the top. Many homes had hand pumps over the sink in the kitchen. Do you remember the old cars going down the street with the radiator steaming because the water was low or the engine was bad and had overheated? Remember how hot the cap was on top of the radiator when you tried to take it off to fill the unit? Moms and Dads would give “group baths” with the water hose as the kids would run through the water while they watered the lawn or individual plants and bushes. The funeral homes received a lot of advertising by placing handheld fans that were mounted on an ice cream paddle with their name on it in large print. They placed them in public places like churches and auditoriums of all kinds. Didn’t it feel good to have your window up on summer nights and feel the night air blow on you as you slept…when there was some? I think it’s neat when one of our local weather forecasters, Dave Freeman, says, “It will be good sleeping weather tonight.” This statement originated years ago from the window being up, or sleeping out on the front porch. Do you remember the ice cold watermelons and how good they tasted at home or in restaurants, or in the watermelon gardens where they grew them? I remember one water melon garden on North Broadway and one on South Broadway. There were wooden tables. You could buy it buy the slice and eat them right there, outside on those wooden tables. Another thought I have is how we used to go the park with the family or a special friend, spread out a cloth or blanket on the ground, and have a picnic. You might remember going to Riverside Park, Linwood Park, Oak Park, Santa Fe Lake and Lake Afton. I remember those rides in the car. We would get the entire family in the car, roll down all the windows and feel that breeze flow past us as we rolled down the road. Do you remember the ’59 Lincoln? They even had an electric power window in the back that went up and down. It was a “must” to have the little air vent just under the windshield wide open, and in some cars…to have the windshield cranked wide open. Then, of course, going swimming at the Municipal pool or other city pools or maybe even in a river or a creek…was always special. The point was to dress cool, sometimes barefooted, and do anything to keep as cool as you made your way through August, the hottest month of the year. Be safe and stay cool. Faye Graves, a native Wichitan, who ‘attended school at Friends, Wichita State and concluding at Midwestern Theological Seminary. He has been active in media for many years with Channel 12, KIRL, KFDI, KOOO AM & FM (Omaha), KFRM & KICT 95, as an owner, manager, producer, director and announcer. He has served as President of the Haysville Board of Education. He has also served on several national boards of the Southern Baptist Convention. Faye has served as Executive Pastor and Director of Administration and Education at Immanuel Baptist Church of Wichita. You may contact Faye by e-mail fayegraves@sbcglobal.net or by phone at (316) 524-3906.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2010-06-01 10:14:00

What do you remember about Julys and when you could shoot off fireworks in the city?

 

Answer: Oh those fireworks…when I was a boy…back in the late 30’s and early 40’s, I remember when it was not illegal to shoot fireworks in the city before, during and after the 4th of July. It’s hard to believe today, but there were Julys when you could do that and not get ticketed or arrested. We used to buy the Roman candles and roll them down the ground on the driveway. It was exciting to go to the fireworks stands and buy our firecrackers. My friends and I would spend all day shooting as many firecrackers as we could. At night, we would go out on the front porch and have our own fireworks display and watch all the neighbors as they enjoyed the evening.

I will never forget the day during this period when my dad was driving our family and a guest to Branson, Missouri. Our guest in just simple conversation said "Son, I hope you enjoy shooting fireworks, because I am going to propose that they make shooting fireworks in the city limits illegal." We laughed then. Now most have now been deemed illegal. We had never considered or thought about this being a problem. Now whether or not he was the one who got it done, I don’t know, but the law was eventually put into effect. Now you can only set off your fireworks in certain areas and can only use the ones you bought in your town or where you live. If you really want to see the big ones explode, you must pay to go to a professional fireworks show as we used to do at Joyland or view the show put on by the city. July was also a good month to just sit on the porch and get acquainted with the neighbors. Before television, we had a close relationship with our neighbors. Today there are neighbors we don’t even know. Some talk about the "good ol’ days." Some were good and some were not. There was no air conditioning. You used a fan in your hand. To cool off more, you put on your swimming suit and your parents showered you with the water hose. Sometimes, the family would sleep on the front porch just to get some air. We had picnics more outside than we do now. Taking a car ride when gasoline was just 15 cents a gallon was something we did quite frequently as well. I still look forward to the 4th of July, but now, with our military stationed at many points in the world, and thinking about their sacrifice, I know more about what it really means. I think of the history of this special day when the Declaration of Independence was signed. This day celebrates our freedom and salutes our great United States. Have a cool, "booming" month of July. Faye Graves, a native Wichitan, attended school at Friends and Wichita State, concluding at Midwestern Theological Seminary. He has been active in media for many years with Channel 12, KIRL, KFDI, KOOO AM & FM (Omaha), KFRM & KICT 95, as an owner, manager, producer, director and announcer. He has served as President of the Haysville Board of Education. He has also served on several national boards of the Southern Baptist Convention. Faye has served as Executive Pastor and Director of Administration and Education at Immanuel Baptist Church of Wichita. You may contact Faye by e-mail fayegraves@sbcglobal.net or by phone at (316) 524-3906.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2010-05-01 14:25:00

Answer: Yes I do. My wife and I took our grandchildren to the wonderful zoo a few weeks ago. While there, we thought back to the old zoo in Riverside Park. When the River Festival came to Wichita recently, you could feel the excitement. The parade, the fireworks, the crowds and all of the events always make for a wonderful and most memorable event. These too help remind me of the weekend afternoons back in the 40’s when we visited the old zoo.

The whole family would get together and go to the Riverside Park area. The old zoo had lions, monkeys, and alligators in the pit outside, a bear, ducks, geese, peacocks and wildlife in the small water and caged area. Bob Saylor was the head zoo keeper in the old zoo building. He and his employees took care of all the animals. The River Festival reminded me of these times and of the old Boat House days. My wife and I still enjoy getting some burgers and pop and driving to the Riverside area and eating in our car and watching the activity around the Arkansas River. Recently we watched the people in kayaks practicing for the River Festival. When we had the old Boat House, you could rent row boats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats. On weekends there were tour boats that would hold as many as 20 people that you could take for a ride for the price of a ticket. Just a little further north on Broadway there was a big house that was used as the headquarters for bicycle rentals. You could rent single bikes and double bikes and many families would rent a bicycle and ride across town for recreation. There is discussion of moving the whole River Festival to the Riverside area for next year’s event. This has not been definitely decided, but this area has always been a fun area for families and fun. The River Festival is a great event for all of us at this time to forget our problems and just enjoy. Once again this year, it met all expectations and was a lot of fun. It was even more special to my wife and me this year for all the memories it brought back. Have a fun and safe summer.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2010-04-01 13:31:00

What do you remember about the month of May when you were young?

Answer: When I was growing up and in grade school, the month of May was always one of my favorite months of the year. Guess why? School was out at the end of the month. That meant Summer days were almost here. I can remember all the kids getting their books packed up and throwing away many of the graded papers they had kept during the year. Finally, the bell rang and school was out! Cheers were heard in the hall and happy faces were seen everywhere (real happy faces, not the little stickers) We all began our walk home as in those days parents usually did not drive you to school. You walked. The red bud and ornamental trees were in full bloom and the world was beautiful. Not just because it was, but the upcoming three months to play helped too. As the weather warmed, Dad would get the hose to water the lawn. We put on our swimming suits and he would spray us with the hose. We called those times "shower baths." On rare occasions, we would go to Sandy Beach, south of Wichita. This was an abandoned sand pit that the owners had developed into a swimming area and small boat area. There was a dining area where you could get snacks and cold drinks. Good times were had there by all. Then came the Municipal pool in Riverside Park, with clean treated water, that was patronized by kids, moms and dads across the city. Lawrence Stadium was always a fun place too, with the family, to see the baseball games. There were lots of parades downtown to attend. And the theatres, to see the cowboy shows, starring Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Lance Larue, Zorro and many others. It was always fun to walk around downtown and shop and see the people. At home, there were bicycles, tricycles, wagons, scooters. Some scooters were homemade by dismantling roller skates and orange crates. We played all kinds of games to amuse ourselves. We ate chips off the ice truck. Of course, the big rain and thunder storms allowed us to wade in water at the curbs. We had lots of activity to make Summer fun. Yes, May was a month that began it all. I thought you might enjoy a walk down memory lane through some of the Mays we all remember from the past as kids. Someone sent me this poem entitled "Spring and Little Boys" by Garnett Ann Schultz. It pretty well sums up how we felt. "There’s something very special about Spring and little boys, They find a kind of magic in Springtime’s many joys. They love to climb the hills afar and fish in creek and stream, Perhaps to lie on soft, warm grass to dream a happy dream. ‘Tis then the outdoors beckons them as nature fills their heart, They search for all the happiness that the May days impart, The buds that burst in beauty rare neath the skies of brightest blue, And every creature bids them share each miracle in view. The golden sun warms the day, the whole world comes alive, With little violets by the lane and bees within the hive, A touch of all that’s beautiful, a million wondrous joys, It seems God smiles from above on Spring and little boys."

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2010-02-01 08:42:00

Answer: What a refreshing thought it was to read your question. I would love to share some thoughts. My first is, how great it was to crawl up on the stool of one of the old marble or slick wood finish soda fountains; or to get the gang together around one or two of the little spiral tables after school; or after a date at the movies. A drug store wasn’t a drug store without a soda fountain. It was the place to “hang out.” Then, there was always the intrigue of watching what we then called a “soda jerk” as he or she made a creation that we could hardly wait to dive into. First, they would take out one of the large soda glasses…only the ones that had that certain shape. Next, out came the stainless steel, ice cream dipper. After pushing the lever for the flavor of syrup you desired, a small amount of carbonated water was added, along with just one dip of ice cream. These ingredients would be stirred together with a spoon. After this, more ice cream was dipped into the glass and more carbonated water until the glass was full. Whipped cream and a cherry on top completed the creation, hand-made right before our eyes. Everything, including the sundaes and Cokes, were all made by hand. First, the syrup, then the carbonated water and then ice. Your Coke was served in either of two sizes, the small Coke glass or the large one. Of course, there were the Green Rivers, a drink long forgotten, along with the phosphates, limeades, black cows, thick malts and shakes…all of the creations from the old soda fountain where you would sit on the circular stools and enjoy your favorite concoction. The drug store I remember best was Watts located on the corner of Harry and Main streets. Just two blocks east was Neal’s with the best comic book rack in town. Across town were the Dockum’s and Zonger’s and Holmes Drugs on W. 13th St., plus many more throughout the city. We miss the old drug stores with that special smell of perfumes, pharmaceuticals, ice cream and toys which all blended together to make a shopping and gathering place for the whole neighborhood. Today, there is still a place or two where you can get a soda, malt, milk shake or sundae hand-made and from scratch, but it is becoming a lost art. Nowadays the kids hang out in all kinds of places, but I don’t think any of them compare to the old drug stores. Of course that’s just me…ol’ long-in-the-tooth Faye. But they’re still a place where they can get together and talk…and that’s always good.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-12-01 10:17:00

Answer: I often think about the younger readers of this column and how things I write about, have to seem unbelievable to them. They grew up with forced air furnaces and air conditioning in the home, car and business…and back then…we had nothing like that. I would imagine it would be pretty hard for me to believe if I were them. I think back about the small town in eastern Kansas where I grew up. We used coal oil to light our lamps. We also used coal or chopped wood to heat the house. Then, schools and businesses and many homes went to the boiler type furnaces. Can some of you remember how it sounded when the pipes clacked? This was also the time of having to use only snow shovels at your homes and businesses. Smaller towns did not clear the streets. The larger cities would plow the main streets, many times with a horse drawn plow, but the neighborhoods were not touched by the plows many times even in the 40’s because the town or city did not have the equipment or manpower to do more than the major streets. Much clothing was, and still is, the best way to keep warm. Men all wore hats or stocking caps, scarves and topcoats, that were then called overcoats. They wore several layers of clothing using sweaters, vests, suit coats and long underwear. Then on came the wool socks and goulashes. Boys wore aviator caps with goggles and ear flaps (yes, no kidding). The ladies wore fur coats, if they could afford one. Nearly all ladies wore hats for both dress and casual and not slacks, but heavy dresses, sweaters, wool coats, scarves and their overshoes and boots. January to me as a school boy meant walking to school. Parents many times went to work early in the morning and were unable to take their children to school…so we walked…many times in deep snow. As I would walk to school, I have a vivid memory of hearing the old cars try to start and listening to the grinding of the starter. Just before all of this time, I can remember the actual crank starting the engine and continually having to change the choke position, like you have to do with some push lawnmowers today. There were the various shelters that people constructed to put their car under a roof. I also remember the various kinds of snow tires in later years, the permanent ones that you actually installed and the snap-on ones that just went on the outside of your tire. Downtown…each of the merchants cleaned their own sidewalks and windows in front of their store or business. January has always been cold and snowy here, but the snows seemed to me to be deeper back then. Maybe, because I was a child at the time I am writing about, and wasn’t as tall then as I am today. Piles of snow seemed huge back then. My advice is to dress warm, stay well, and look ahead to the great weather that will come to Wichita in the spring. Have a happy and safe New Year!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-12-01 08:17:00

Is Christmas downtown as bright and decorated today as it was in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s?

Answer: I don’t think so, but that’s just me. I’m a nostalgia buff you know. Christmas was always so special back then. Historically, the decorations went with the times. In the early thirties, candles were big, then in the forties came colored light bulbs, and then in the early fifties neon signs were everywhere. I personally remember Downtown Wichita in each of those periods. They used to hang green woven garland across the main streets of the city. It was beautiful with the small light bulbs, all Christmas colors of course, and the light poles all lighted with the glow of the season. I am referring to the pre-shopping center days when all of the activity was Downtown. Would you believe that folks would actually “dress up” to go Downtown, as they would say? Going Downtown was an occasion, not just another shopping trip. The big stores would all spend a great deal of time with their full-time window trimmer working on clever décor for their store. Bucks always had a giant Santa sitting on a huge throne-like chair surrounded by all kinds of toys. He was constantly laughing. I understand that one of the larger homes in the city bought the manikin and has Ol’ St. Nick on display in their living room each year. I remember Hinkles on Douglas had each window around the front of the store decorated with dolls, electric trains and villages. They actually had a speaker that was sort of a microphone set up so you could converse with their live Santa who was greeting children from down in the basement of the store. There was a model house as I recall with one window that showed Santa. Now remember, all of this was before television. I always thought they accomplished the Santa reflection with a series of mirrors, but I really never found the secret to how they made it happen. The other big store that always had clever displays was Innes, later Macys, which now houses the Kansas State Offices. They would have a complete children’s story like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs all on display, and Santa and dolls and toys in their other windows. Then, there was always the Santa parade in which most of the Downtown merchants participated. School bands, horses and many more floats excited the children and, of course, old Santa was always in his sleigh for the grand finale. The neon signs back then seemed to stand out more and seemed brighter than on our shopping trips now. Probably because I was a child and it was an exciting time of year to go Downtown. All of these great memories of lights and celebration however can never equal the greatest “light” of all… Jesus…whose birth it is we celebrate during this most wonderful time of year. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-10-01 15:50:00

Answer: Boy, I sure do…with the fondest of memories. My dad had just bought a ‘48 Hudson Commodore 8. It was Thanksgiving. Do you remember the song, “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go? This was all relevant except her house was located on a farm near Anthony. My dad had a huge family, and they all had huge families, and some of their families had families. It always turned out to be an enormous crowd for Thanksgiving dinner. My dad was raised on a farm with the rest of the family. He even owned his own 80 acres near a town in eastern Kansas called Savenberg. His brothers, for the most part, were wheat farmers and were still in the farming business back then. Before the massive Thanksgiving Day dinner, several events would occur. There would be the annual horse shoe game, participated in by all the brothers and some nephews. Then of course came the big “goings on “ in Grandma’s old kitchen, with all the aunts, many nieces and some older children participating in the putting together of all the many food items that everyone had prepared for the Thanksgiving feast. Outside one other event had to take place. During the year, most all the brothers had bought new cars. Even though many were the same make with the same equipment, they all had to take a ride in each one to get the “feel” and show off their new vehicle. Then came the feast. Everyone ate too much turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. Each topped off their meal with two or three servings of dessert. Then came the family time for visiting. Old stories about growing up, the one room school house, grandpa’s spanking the various boys, their times of dating and marriage…everyone was brought up to date on what had happened throughout the year on this special day. The kids would perform on their musical instruments, dancing and singing for the family, with everyone joining in. My Grandpa played his fiddle that he learned to play by ear. He played such songs as “Turkey in the Straw,” and other songs of the era. What a day it always was! Then, the time we all hated to see come, the trip back home to Wichita through dirt roads and the old two lane highway 81, sometimes covered with ice at this time of year. Oh yes…I remember these special days very well. They were really great times. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-10-01 09:07:00

Some of the best memories I ever had as a kid were at the different movie theatres. Do you remember them?

Answer: Do I ever. As a matter of fact, I met up with Ken Crockett the other day at a local cafeteria. Ken is in top management for Bill Warren, owner of the Warren Theatre chain. He asked me, “Why don’t you write more about the old history of Wichita theatres?” So, the first chance I got…I did. I remember the Crawford Theatre. It was part of the Sullivan theatre group and originally was a part of a vaudeville chain here in our city. The two major houses as they are called in the business were the Orpheum, another vaudeville house, and at the time, the Miller Theatre, which was Wichita’s most luxurious. The Miller Theatre had a five, manual, pipe organ and featured the talents of one of our city’s great musicians…Raymond Shelley. Ray did concerts and a daily radio show on KANS, now KLEO, plus some community sings that were shown in theatres across the country. Wichita had so many great theatres. On Douglas was the Palace and across the street was the Wichita. Just south was the Sandra and also south the Southern. Back downtown were smaller theaters such as the Novelty, later called the Coral, the State and the Victory. Up North was the Nomar. On East Douglas was the Uptown which is now a dinner theatre. The Civic was located on W. Douglas. Now Bill Warren has his chain of theatres….all state of the art and beautiful multi-complex houses. I started my working days as a teenager as a doorman at the Orpheum. Bill Warren started there too but later. I remember so many things about the Orpheum, but one of them that sticks in my mind were the long lines when the movie features changed back in the 40’s. The theatres always sold out on the first night. You see, there was no TV then. Movies have always been great….and what great places we have had here in Wichita to enjoy them…and still do! Maybe I will see you at one soon. In the meantime, enjoy this most beautiful time of year.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-08-01 13:52:00

Do you remember the highways in the 30’s & 40’s?

Answer: My memory flashes back to the old Highway 81 that led to my grandfather’s farm. It was located close to Freeport, Kansas. I remember that the highway did not have a speed limit posted at that time and the cars were not capable of the speeds they can now achieve. My father and family would go on this highway which was just two lanes and was very narrow. I remember that there were not very many signs along the road for you to read. Some were painted on the side of barns or on the roof of farm out-buildings, but the ones I want you to recall were placed in sequence so you read a sentence at a time and then the sponsor’s name was at the end. Most of you will remember well the Burma Shave signs. Here are a few of those memorable signs. I am placing them in the order of the signs as they appeared on the highway. Hardly a driver Is now alive Who passed On hills at 75. Drove too long Driver snoozing What happened next Is not amusing. Brother speeder Let’s rehearse All together Good morning, nurse. Around the curve Lickety split Beautiful car Wasn’t it? No matter the price How new The best safety device Is you. A guy who drives A car wide open Is not thinkin’ He’s just hopin’. At intersections Look each way A harp sounds nice But it’s hard to play. At the end of all of the signs was the Burma Shave sign. Most of these had safety messages. I’m sure you read each one…and after all these years…you still remember the little Burma Shave signs.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-07-01 12:05:00

Question: Some of the best memories I ever had as a kid were at the different movie theatres. Do you remember them?

Answer: Do I ever. It’s one of my most favorite memories. Let’s roll back the clock to the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s, the days before air conditioning. When I was a boy living on S. Water Street, we had many days that were over 100 degrees throughout the summer. Those days we would sleep on the front porch at night. Mosquitoes and bugs of all kinds, even noise didn’t bother us. It was just great to feel the cool night air blow across your army cot, and you, and give you some relief from the hot summer day you had just endured. The windows in houses were raised up to get as much air as possible. Fans were running full time at maximum power. We kids would chase the ice truck until it stopped so we could get the chips from the bed of the truck. The chips tasted so good and so cool. Then someone came up with evaporative coolers, a large metal cowling filled with straw. You could hook your garden hose up to it, moisten the straw, turn on the fan and get cooler air! It wasn’t really cold air but to us, it felt great. Then someone came up with the same concept for your car. The cooler hung on the door and had a water storage tank and a pump that you would press and cooler air came from it into the car. In the early ‘50s, I rode in a 1954 Oldsmobile that actually had air conditioning. It had a big unit in the trunk, two large vents coming up from the shelf by the rear window and cold air moving into your automobile. It was like “hoggy heaven.” Finally, homes and businesses had air conditioning. The businesses advertised with signs that had icicles and the words “It’s cool inside.” I don’t know now how we made it back then, but we did. When you think about it, short of walking into a freezer at a meat processing plant, there was no way to get as cool as you can today by just stepping inside nearly any home or business. I still can’t get that picture out of my mind of all those kids chasing that ice truck and seeing them enjoying those ice chips. Stay cool.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-06-01 10:29:00

Question: Do you remember the old municipal pool?

Answer: I sure do. July to me was always the hottest month although I suppose it actually was hotter more times than not in August. I especially remember living in the Riverside area of Wichita and enjoying swimming at the municipal swimming pool. It was located at the entrance to the area called Riverside Park. There were tennis courts. The swimming pool seemed like it was a giant and was used by nearly all of the kids in the area. First you had to check in. They gave you a device that looked like a large safety pin. It contained your clothes locker number and it indicated you had paid your fee. I remember the smell of chlorine and the sounds of kids splashing and laughing and the excitement I felt of getting in the water and having fun for myself, instead of just hearing it all. You would go in and change into your swimming suit and leave your street clothes in the locker. Then you would enter the pool. I remember the chlorine foot bath that you had to step in just before you entered or exited the swimming area. The lifeguards were sitting high up on umbrella-covered chairs. There were enough of them to cover all areas of the big pool. The areas were segregated by their depth and there were very strict rules for each area. Should you decide to break the rules by water fighting or diving off the bank in an acrobat manner or off one of the elevated diving boards, the lifeguard, in a loud voice which was magnified through a handheld megaphone, would shout for you to stop. If the jolt of him or her shouting wasn’t enough to get you to stop, the embarrassment you felt usually was. The pool always seemed so clean and sanitary, considering the number of swimmers they had each day. On the hottest days, as you might imagine, it was extremely crowded. Those of you who remember no air conditioning can understand why…the only way to cool off was to go swimming. We had electric fans in nearly every home…and later…homes were kept more bearable with the old water evaporative coolers, which were used in the early 40s. Then, years later came the REAL air conditioners. Remember how restaurants and businesses had signs that said “Cool Inside?” I get to thinking about all these things with each July, and here it is already upon us. Well, do your best to stay cool…and don’t forget…swimming is a wonderful way to do it too. Until next time…

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-05-01 11:45:00

Question: What do you know about the accordion?

Answer: I wondered about this after watching the Lawrence Welk show one evening. And then, thinking about this month’s article, I was reminded of the name of a very famous music school here in Wichita that had many students who played the accordion. This school also was responsible for training others to play a variety of instruments. I am speaking of the June Frisby Academy. I was a student there in the 40”s and 50’s. The June Frisby Academy actually started in the 300 block of North Broadway right next to the Carl Graham paint and wallpaper store. As I remember, the brick building was originally a mortuary, and the viewing rooms were turned into teaching studios for the accordion, electric guitars, piano, marimba, violin and other instruments. There were some amusing moments during the time they were in the old building . The kids knew it had been a “mortuary“ and they would all run out at closing time so they would not be last to get out of the building. In the 40’s, June Frisby moved to another building. Strangely enough, it was located one block west of the old academy at 323 North Market Street. This is the building where she formed her famous accordion band. She also ordered and sold many instruments during her time in business. She was a very good mentor and friend of mine while I was a student there. She booked many programs featuring all of her varied kind of instruments. The accordion band alone numbered over 50. It was quite a task to carry the marimbas, steel guitars and accordions and set them up for programs. I remember carrying my accordion for three blocks from where the bus let me off at Douglas and Market. I was only 12 at the time and that was quite a task because your parents did not take you there in the car at that time. June or Miss Frisby, as we called her, let me emcee the shows to get experience announcing and later helped me get a job in radio. Yes, the month of June cannot pass without me thinking back to June Frisby who is a “legend” in this city. She passed away many years ago, but so many of you have taken lessons at her school. I still have a Dallape accordion that doesn’t come out of the case much anymore. Famous accordionists of that time were Dick Contino, who was famous for the “bellow shake”, and was featured on the Horace Heidt Ameteur show on radio. Still seen on re-runs of the Lawrence Welk TV show is Myron Floren. These are monumental memories for me of a time gone by in Wichita. Have a great June!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-04-01 14:39:00

Question: Here’s a thought out of the old days…drugstores. Do you remember the drugstores of old?

Answer: I sure do. The drugstore was a staple in every neighborhood. Drugstores were the convenience stores of the time…one stop shopping…but they didn’t have gas pumps. The drugstore would deliver nearly all their products and provided friendly service. The owner generally was also the general manager and knew everyone in the neighborhood by name. Most drugstores featured a pharmacy with only one pharmacist. This person was usually the owner. During the early part of the 40’s, the neighborhood drugstore would not only fill your prescription but would also deliver it immediately, many times on a bicycle. Most drugstores carried what they called sundries such as cosmetics, watches, jewelry, toys, pocketknives, clocks and other items, much like today. They would even deliver ice cream, hand-dipped, no matter how small the order. Most drugstores had a soda fountain. The soda fountain was often a meeting place where friends could get together and visit or order something to eat. I guess the soda fountain is what I miss the most. It was a place in the store where you could order your favorite soft drink or ice cream delight and watch as it was put together for you. Half the enjoyment was watching the “soda jerk.” He was very proficient at making any type concoction with ice cream or syrup and fresh fruit. Some soda fountain jerks were so good that they would throw a dip of ice cream into the air and catch it in a dish or malt can. That would delight the customers. Several of the drugstores I remember growing up in the south part of the city were Watts at Harry & Main operated by Marion Watt, the Epperson managed by Claude Epperson, Neil’s at Broadway & Harry, Dockums with locations all over the city, Gesslers and Holmes. You can still experience the neighborhood drugstore in a few towns in Kansas. We always stop in Chetopa, Kansas when in the area. There’s a drugstore that’ll bring back the memories.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-03-01 14:14:00

Question: Can you tell me about your memories of Paul Harvey?

Answer: I sure can. We recently lost one of the greats. Paul Harvey was an important part of many of our lives. His unique way of delivering the news and timely effective pauses made him stand out from all the rest. Paul Harvey could make a commercial, for one that was sold in his broadcast, sound like it was news….then he would sell the product. This was not only my own observation, but one shared by another great news man that I had the privilege of sharing the microphone with on a couple of local stations, George Gow. George told us how he had worked with Paul Harvey in their younger years at a station in Milford, Kansas that was owned by Dr. Brinkley. They sold one of Brinkley’s discoveries on the air that was particularly of interest to older men. George said Paul was fun to be around and always had a smile. I never had the privilege of meeting him personally, but I was trying to book him for a broadcasters’ dinner and he called me one afternoon on the phone. He said in his very friendly way…like he had known me for years….HI, FAYE. I had answered on the news line and many of the local announcers would call me and joke with me in a different voice. I said, “Who is this?” He answered, “This is Paul.” I said, “Paul who?” He said, “Paul Harvey.” That was the way he was, like he had known me for years. I will relate one story that I heard him do on his afternoon newscast. He said that an incident had occurred at 2nd and Main streets in Wichita. The telephone company had an office on the southeast corner and across the street was the Northern Building. A man raised a window on the second floor of that building...and stepped out on the ledge. The employees across the street at the telephone company thought he was going to jump and called fire, police and ambulance to the location. As all of this emergency equipment started to pull up in the intersection, this man would lean over. Some of the fireman ran up, grabbed the man, pulled him back inside and threw him on the floor to save him. He told them, “I am a window washer and I was leaning over to see what all the excitement was.” And in Paul’s usual slow, calm voice, he said, “And now you know the rest of the story.” Well, he was one of the greats. We will miss him tremendously. And as he would close each segment, he would say, “Good day!” Good day to you Mr. Harvey.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2009-02-01 14:22:00

Question: What do you think about the changes of TV since the 50’s?

Answer: Wow! There have been many changes.We’re going through a big one right now. How many of you dashed out to respond to the many news announcements to get ready for the big TV change to digital? You were told your old analog sets would not work unless you had a converter box or if they were plugged into cable and we had to be ready by February 17th. So, a lot of us went to the stores, compared prices and bought a digital set. The government then moved the ready date to June. However, some TV stations announced they would change to digital in February anyway. All of this spawned memories of how it all began back in the 50’s when we first saw television in the Wichita area. My family and I lived on North Athenian, where I attended North High School. There was no television broadcasting here in Wichita. My friends and I would go across the street and look in a large, display window at the cleaning shop that was there at the time, and watch TV that was received from Oklahoma City. The picture was very snowy, but it didn’t make any difference to us. We all thought it was great, and I’m sure it laid a strong desire in my mind to get more involved with the media at some point. Do you remember the giant antennas with motors on them to change direction to get the television signals from out of town? These were considered to be one of the best inventions at the time. It was always great to see “snow,” then adjust the antenna to get a much clearer picture. Several years later, after serving in the Navy during the Korean War, I received my discharge pay. The policy at that time was that you received your separation pay when discharged. During this period, Wichita was able to get television even though it was broadcast from Hutchinson on Channel 12, KTVH. I took my separation pay and bought the family a Zenith TV. Boy did we think we really had something great! All broadcasts of course were in black and white. Before long came the other TV stations: KARD, KEDD, and KAKE. I went to work at Channel 12, KTVH, as a cameraman and then moved to an on air announcer and director position, at the Channel 12 remote studio that was located in the basement of the Lassen Hotel. I have to think watching that “snowy” signal from Oklahoma City as a youngster had something to do with it all. Today we have many channels available through all of the different medias. Through the years, TV sets have come in all different types and sizes, but now these analog sets will be useless unless changes are made with the converter box. Well, I’ve got my digital so I guess I’m ready, come what may. Have a happy beginning to Spring!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-12-31 10:43:00

Question: Do you remember the term “bundle up” that was used during cold weather?

Answer: Yes I do. February, the heart of winter, brings back a lot of memories like this term. When it was really cold outside, my mother, the weather forecaster and others would say “Boy, is it cold outside, be sure to bundle up.” The comment would make you a little afraid to go into the frigid outdoors. We still “bundle up.” Years ago, everyone wore galoshes or overshoes or boots. When my boys were going to school, they didn’t think it was cool to wear them. In the earlier days, most public places like restaurants, theatres, churches and schools furnished coat racks. Do you remember the coat closet or coat room (as it was also called) in your elementary school rooms? This was a room with a door at each end and coat hooks along both sides placed on both walls of this narrow room. The coat room had all of the hooks alphabetically lettered and all students had their own hook and spot for their overshoes and galoshes, directly under their coat along with scarf and gloves. The coat room was sometimes used as a punishment area for students who misbehaved. My uncle was one of those. He related the time that his teacher said, “John, I have told you many times not to pull that girl’s pig tails but you continue to disobey. You go to the coat room right now and remain until lunch time. You may also remember that during the earlier years, we actually walked home for lunch. As the old saying goes, “Idle hands get into mischief.” While sitting in that dark coat room, looking at the small garments and shoes all placed in order, John thought it might be interesting to change all the coats and overshoes’ locations. When time for lunch came, the teacher lined up her class alphabetically as she always did and started them through the coat room. My uncle, relating the story with a mischievous laugh, said, “You have never seen such a traffic jam with everyone looking for his or her coat and overshoes.” Today, we don’t have hooks for coats in the newer buildings. We have the pleasure of sitting on our coats throughout a movie, in church, at restaurants and getting them wrinkled. But we still must “bundle up” when we head outside. Stay warm!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-12-01 14:57:00

Question: No matter the cold winter weather we get today, it seems to pale in comparison to the cold winters in the ‘30s and ‘40s. Does it seem that way with you?

Answer: I have to agree. Maybe they weren’t all that much colder, but perhaps the things we had available to us to cope were more limited. Let me tell you a story. I was attending North High School in the late ‘40s. I had constantly annoyed my dad to help me get a Cushman motor scooter. He finally gave in and said, “Alright, but you have to ride it to school in good weather and bad.” So, I went to the Army- Navy store and bought some really thick aviator gloves (many of the planes did not have heat at that time, thus the origin of them) and one of the old aviator caps. You know, the one with the ear flaps and goggles. I have to admit, I would be a sight today. These got me by in most weather, but when the snow came, it was altogether different. First of all, I was unable to balance the bike in heavy snow for a couple of reasons. Number one, it, of course, was slick for a two wheeler. Two, we seemed to have a lot more accumulation in those days. So, during one such heavy snow, my father gave in and took me and my friend, who rode with me on the scooter from west Wichita on Athenian to North High, in his car. You see, dad always traded cars at the first of the year. He always got a new Pontiac. We never failed to go to the third block on South Main to Byron Stout Pontiac on the first day that the new models came out. So, that year, he had just purchased a new 1948 model that was powder blue with a cream top. He was very proud of it. Wichita didn’t have any snow plows then and many of the streets were not scraped. We had just turned onto 9th Street from the bridge going out of Riverside Park. That was one of the streets that had not been plowed. The snow was so deep that the cars tried to stay in the deep icy tracks that had been made by other cars. Well, my dad and another driver chose the same drivers’ side track with one car going east and the other going west. We crashed together. I will never forget my dad holding up the fender skirt from our new Pontiac to show the other driver some of the damage. We did not have any physical injuries, except for my dad’s pride and the new car. That wasn’t a good morning. Back to the motor scooter. I remember the day I finally got a windshield. If you have never ridden a two wheeler in the winter without a windshield, you will find a new definition to the word “cold.” With this windshield, my aviator gloves and cap…I was in hog heaven. Somehow we always got through those cold Januaries. We would load up the coal stove, huddle around it, and listen to Lux Radio Theatre, Inner Sanctum, The Lone Ranger and Tonto, and many others. There wasn’t any TV, but we got to know our families and friends really well…and our homes were warm. Have a safe and happy January!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-12-01 14:05:00

Question: What do you remember that was different in the 40s from the Christmases today?

Answer: Well, the best I can describe it is to say, “Remember, no TV…just radio and print. Back in those days, nearly everyone subscribed to the newspaper. I can’t tell youi that for sure but it sure seemed like it. Wichita had 2 newspapers at the time… The Wichita Eagle and The Wichita Beacon. The Eagle arrived in the morning and the Beacon in the afternoon. They, like now, were the carrier of Christmas’ announcements and specials at the stores. The big department stores always took out full page ads. Bucks, Innes, Montgomery Ward, Sears Roebuck, Hinkels and many others spent the lion’s share of the ad budget in newspapers…and lots of it in November and December. Do you remember what Christmas downtown looked like at Christmas? There were no shopping centers. Downtown was it. It was trimmed to the top and bustling all over. There were crowds of Christmas shoppers everywhere. We were just coming out ads. Bucks, Innes, Montgomery Ward, Sears Roebuck, Hinkels and all the other businesses spent the lions share of their advertising budget in the newspapers. Do you remember what downtown looked liked at Christmas? There were no shopping centers. Downtown was trimmed to the top and bustling all over. There were crowds of Christmas shoppers everywhere. We were just coming out of the Great Depression in those years. Spirits were high. The stores all had their windows trimmed in a most unique fashion. I immediately recall Bucks. They had a huge Santa sitting on his throne-like chair…and laughing. I remember that laugh still today. It roared through the loud speakers outside the window. I always thought he appeared to be having a heart attack because as he laughed his chest would rise and fall as if he was having a spasm. Santa was of course surrounded with all kinds of motorized toys, trains, little people and toy cars all around him. Innes had some large elves that were building toys. Hinkels had a mirror set up so you could actually see Santa talking to the kids in the store basement. You could talk to him through a speaker in the window while you were on the sidewalk outside. As I said, this was in the days before TV and all of this was done with mirrors. It was very clever and fascinating to children of which I was one. Every store was trimmed for the season as were the streets. I remember in particular the green spruce garland that was hung carefully with Christmas lights imbedded and intertwined in it hanging beautifully across the main area of Douglas downtown. The Salvation Army was always an integral sound and sight at Christmas with their bells and booths and sometimes one of their groups, with an entire band, holding a street service. The cars were allowed to park facing the curb back then. There were no meters and plenty of free parking everywhere. The sound of the police officers’ whistles as they directed traffic added to the enchantment. Music from stores could be heard as you shopped. Some of you might remember McClellands and other stores actually had pianists in their music department that would play the song you had selected on sheet music to see if that was the one you really wanted. Nothing (to me) has ever replaced this atmosphere, as you might guess as I write about it every year. The fun of eating in one of the stores at a counter right in the middle of the shopping area at your lunch hour or evening meal was always special. I also recall that the downtown did not have the bright street lights on the large poles at that time. One light hung in the center of intersections. The affect was darker streets but this made all the signs and lights from the stores appear brighter and the neon signs more beautiful. All of this added to the festivity of the season. The Christmas parade was always attended by huge crowds to see all of Wichita’s personalities, bands, and sometimes even national personalities that always kicked off the Christmas shopping season with the appearance of Santa Claus. I would advise you to rent a copy of the movie “A Christmas Story.” This movie really brings back the happy feelings of Christmas in the 40’s. Of course one’s church was always a major center of this special time, with the hymns, choirs singing, and all celebrating the birth of our Lord. Merry Christmas!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-10-01 15:56:00

Question: Most everyone loves a good hamburger. What are some of the best you can remember in Wichita?

Answer: Boy are you right on the money. I love hamburgers. In fact, the hamburger is my favorite food. Let’s go back to the ‘50’s. There was a real good chili burger at Ralph Baum’s burger stands. The chili was thick enough not to drip off when you were eating it, which is always a good measurement for me. I think back about George Steven’s Lazy R’s. They made a charcoal burger that was hard to beat and of course all the variations were superb. They also had an apple dumpling that was very good. 13th St. and Hydraulic was the location of a place named “The Best Burger.” It was great. Kings X always had a great hamburger. So did the White Castles. Calvin’s was at the corner of Harry and Seneca and two guys there put shredded onions on their burgers. Some of my relatives who live in Seattle still come to Calvin’s when in Wichita to get an onion burger from their new location in a strip mall on South Seneca. Jack’s Burgers across from North High School were always good and the place was always loaded. The Oasis Lounge was voted one of the 10 best burgers in the country by USA Today back in 1989. It’s still blue ribbon! There was Henry Burger’s Drive-In on West Street. Their burgers were very good and had a unique taste to other burgers. Nu Way burgers were super and they are still in business at several locations in town. They serve chopped beef, seasoned to perfection. Nu Way was started by Mr. & Mrs. McElvain. Dog ‘n Shake is still in business at several locations and has always had a good burger and of course their famous hot dogs on butter toasted buns. Another great hot dog restaurant was the Coney Island at the corner of Emporia and William, operated by Ted Christian. They served a great hot dog. There were, and still are, so many super good places serving burgers. One of my favorites of all time is now closed. It was Takhoma Burger, operated for years by Earl McGaugh, known as “Arkie”, who passed away recently. He and his grandson and family operated this stand for many years. Their slogan was “We didn’t invent the hamburger, we just perfected it.” They chopped their onions, used 100% pure beef, made their own patties on a meat masher and each burger was fantastic. These are only a few. We all have our favorites. All of these were locally owned. Wichita still has many great burgers. After writing this column, I think I’ll have one for lunch.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-10-01 08:48:00

Question: We read your column each month. You have so many stories, people and businesses in your articles that most of us don’t think about any more. The memories are refreshing. How about some November and Thanksgiving memories when you were a child?

Answer: What a nice compliment! Thank you for the question. I lived on Palisade. I remember walking home from Harry Street School past a huge white house that really stood out when the trees had lost their leaves. It was beautiful all year, but in November when the trees lost their leaves, the house really seemed to come alive. You could see the roof, the windows and the stately porticos on top. You could see the entire structure. The house was so striking to a 9 year old boy. I actually would stop and wonder what it would be like to live in a house that large. I don’t know who owned it. Perhaps by my description, one of you readers out there may know. If so, let me know. Other recollections I have are regarding the rapid change in temperature and the huge deep snows we would get back then. We got them in November. It doesn’t seem like it works like that any longer. We used to get much more snow accumulation than we do now. Maybe it seemed that way because at this time of my life, kids still walked to school and the snow was over the top of my rubber overshoes. Cars had to be equipped with chains. You don’t see those much anymore in Wichita. Some were the type that covered the whole wheel and many just had the smaller snap on chains. Even now if I think, I can hear the noise of the cars grinding to get out of their driveway, or just being stuck…even with chains. I suppose the fondest memory I have of November is going to my grandparents farm near Freeport. My dad had a large family and everyone would come. Most were farmers living in the area. We came from Wichita because my father was a paint contractor. Each family brought food for a M A J O R Thanksgiving family reunion. This would not usually occur right on Thanksgiving day because most of us would have our own family dinners that we would celebrate in our homes on Thanksgiving day. But in the next day or so we would come together as an entire family and see the preparation of the huge tables of all kinds of great creations those wonderful ladies had prepared. It was a feast that I have yet to see matched. Besides the turkey, there were other various meats that they had butchered themselves at their own farms. The potatoes were mashed, sweet, fried, shredded and cheezed. There were various dressings all passed down through the years, and an entourage of vegetable dishes. Then, topping off everything was a barrage of desserts that would make most dieters have nightmares through Christmas. All were made with whole milk, heavy farm cream, and lots of real sugar, whether brown, white or powdered. Frostings and toppings on cakes and pies. It just could not have been better. At the end of the day, following the kids performing badly with their various instruments and off key singing, would be the passing through the many stories of memories of the family that occurred through the years. At the end of the evening, we would load the food that was left and also place the added weight we all had gained through the day into our cars and drive home. The kids were all asleep in the back seat. Mom and Dad were always so happy that the entire family could get together at my grandparents’ farm home. hese are just a few of my memories of November as a nine year old boy. I am sure you all have many wonderful memories of your days during those early years too. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday season.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-08-01 09:35:00

Question: What do Septembers in the past cause you to remember most?

Answer: I recall the things that most people recall when they think of Septembers past. They, of course, would think of going back to school, summer coming to a close, a beautiful Autumn upcoming, football season starting…but I think most of all…we think of going to the Kansas State Fair. My father was a paint contractor, but he would always take off one day and take the family to the fair. We would see most every exhibit, attend several shows, and look at the new inventions for home and farm that were on display, and of course completely tour the carnival. In later years I worked at radio and television stations and actually became one of the folks who worked in an exhibit booth at the fair. KTVH, as Channel 12, was known for many years as always having a display at the main corner of the fair that was just across from the giant toffee booth. Their station exhibit is still there at this time. We actually did all of our news and feature shows directly from that booth at the fair. Various KTVH personalities were always there to greet you in person. I directed a program you might remember, called HI FI HOP. We produced it in the Midway all around the station’s booth. Teens from all over the state came and danced on our show at the fair. Bill Brooks was the host and many folks enjoyed watching it live and in person. Various news personalities were there to do what we called the news strip…. news anchors Olllie Thompson, J. K. Peterson and Wayne Harris, weather meteorologist, Cecil Carrier, sports anchor, Jack Munley, and many others. We would present political notables, national personalities who were appearing on the grandstand show, folks connected with 4H, and farm reports with Larry Steckline…who by the way is still appearing in person at the fair. During the time we had off…away from the booth …many of us would go see the various points of interest. At that time the Royal American Shows had many sideshows that were fun to attend. We really liked to watch the “pitch men” allure the people to come inside to the shows and sell all of their new items for your home. The excitement, the free music, bands from schools across the state marching down the Midway…all made up the thousands of folks gathering for Kansas’ largest party. In later years my broadcast career was extended to the early days of KFDI. Our booth was on the main Midway. I was news director at the time and remember visiting with many different personalities, one of particular interest was Evil Kneivel. I remember visiting with him at length off the air. These were all such great times…and the people made it even more special…Ol’ Mike and the Ranch Boys Band…Terry Burford…Lil’ Donny Do Dad…Deputy Dusty and all the others. Later I moved to KFRM and spent many years with Mack Sanders. Yes, there are many September memories, but none quite as exciting as The Kansas State Fair. I remember the old country song that says, “As a child, I looked back through the rear window of our car…and saw the bright multi-colored lights, heard the music and saw the dust coming up as we drove away from the state fair.” Boy, does that describe it like it was!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-07-01 15:11:00

Question: Do you remember what it was like to be a child, growing up in the 40’s?

Answer: Yes I do. They are fond memories. I am going to take you back to the time I remember as a boy living on South Water St. School was out for the summer and I had a world of things to explore. My friends would peddle over in their metal fire truck and I would follow them on the sidewalk in my metal pedal car. We would go see our next door neighbor, Mrs. Divens. It seemed like every time we showed up, she would immediately make us some bread with brown sugar on it and give us a cold glass of Kool Aid. We would then look for some junk wheels and get some old tires and roll them down the sidewalk. Of course, because it was summer, we were always barefooted and had to watch for the sandburs and broken glass. We would look for the ice truck. All ice was delivered to the homes as electric refrigerators hadn’t been invented yet. I guess some things will never change. To this day I still refer to the refrigerator as the ice box. The reason we wanted to find the ice truck was because the driver would always chip the ice with his pick and make it fit the various sizes that he needed to deliver. We were after the chips that were left on the truck. Absolutely nothing tasted better than that ice on a hot August day. The only thing better was when your mother would go to the little neighborhood store and , if there was enough money left after groceries, would buy you a big bottle of ice cold pop. She would go over to the tub that was loaded with ice and water, pull out the bottle, wipe it off, get an opener from the grocer and pull off the cap. You would hear that tempting “hiss” and then that first really cold drink of liquid would flow down your throat. That was very satisfying. When I think how we would go “Ahhh”, it would have made for some great commercials. In the afternoon, when it was really hot, Mom would get out the garden hose. We would dawn our bathing suits and she would squirt cool water on us as we would run through it. When my Dad got home from work, we would have supper and, occasionally, he would take my mother and me to the Old Mill, now known as the Old Mill Tasty Shop, for ice cream or a chocolate malt. I remember how the marble tables and fountain front made a sound when you placed your glass down. I still haven’t found a sound that replicates that one! It always seemed to make your ice cream or drink taste better. We then would do what many people did because there was very little money. We would park downtown and watch the people. I still like to “people-watch”at the malls. In the evening, we would go home and listen to our big console radio. We listened to Major Bowles Amateur Hour, Mr. and Mrs. North, Dr. Christian, Inner Sanctum with Raymond and The Squeaking Door. Then, out to the front porch to lay down on our army cots and enjoy the night breeze. There was no air conditioning. Yes, that was a typical August summer day for a nine year old boy in the 40’s. Thanks for asking. These are great memories.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-06-01 13:45:00

Question: What do you remember about the progression of the musical instrument, the organ?

Answer: This question came to me when my wife and I were invited by Norma Gamble to attend a tremendous organ concert at Century II, one which left us thoroughly entertained. I first remember playing on an organ at my uncle’s farm home near Chanute, Ks. He had one of the original pump organs you know the one that had two big pedals that you had to work up and down constantly to get music as you played the keys. We would gather around the living room and sing and have enjoyable evenings with the old pump organ. Many churches had this model also until the pipe organ came along. The great pipe organs were powered by huge pumps and became the sound behind the silent movies. That was the intrigue, the amount of stops and the acquisition of all kind of sound effects to go with the films. Train sounds, all the orchestra instruments, various kinds of drums, and so many varied shifts that could be preset. That made the films come alive. There are so many great and talented organists that still can sit at the console and actually outdo a complete orchestra with that great instrument. Wichita had such a man who had that ability and he shared his talent with not only Wichitans…but folks across the nation. His name was Raymond Shelley. I became acquainted with him during the 40’s when he was music director at KANS radio. He had a traffic time show that featured his pop and classical stylings on the big Hammond organ that was in studio A that featured a Leslie speaker. I will never forget his theme on that show…Hands Across The Table. He was also featured many times on community sings that were accompanied and directed by Raymond at the keyboard of the big Miller pipe organ. These community sings were featured on film in theatres across the country. I remember him maintaining that organ. He would climb through the attic to the pipes and clean them…many times unblocking the dirt and even pests that had crawled in them. What a talent! I was still in high school with aspirations of being a radio announcer. He was so talented and always took time to teach me about the radio business. After the pipe organs came the electric organs. Many of these were used at baseball games, auditoriums, ballrooms and roller rinks. Nearly all churches without the capacity for a pipe organ had one…and many homes had the smaller spinet size. Back to the organ concert I attended at Century II… My wife and I had two very talented organists and pianists as our guests to the concert and the city. They were Jim Riggs from Wichita and Jonas Norduall from Oregon. Michael Coup put the program together. There was a computer change to the program. The Steinway was also a player piano and it had been joined with the organ so they were synchronized in performance. What a sound! The big Paramount pipe organ and the Steinway united together electronically with the computer. Many bands, organizations and even churches have abandoned the organ for an electronic keyboard. It might obtain a similar sound but in my opinion, it cannot come close to duplicating the glamour and sound of a pipe organ and the fascination of the gigantic and powerful presentation of really fine music. What a great concert…and what wonderful memories.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-05-01 13:20:00

Question: How did we get from the old equipment made for audio and video to the new digital era?

Answer: Like most technology, it sure didn’t happen over night, did it? Do you remember the old crystal sets? These go way back when radio stations first began. Usually they were handmade, had a crystal…and a tuning whisker. By moving the whisker you could get different stations and listen the only way you could…through earphones. Then came the AM radios…first with a trumpet on them…then the big console radios…and then the table models. These radios were AM only. The family would gather around and listen to the news…hear the president speak and listen to music. Programming evolved to entertainment…featuring great singers…musicians…big bands…movie stars…dramas …sports….etc. Then came the marketing of the 78 rpm recordings…then albums…and 45 rpms. Later it was taped music....reel to reel first, of course FM radio came into its own with the marketing of stereo…at home and in your cars. Next came the eight track tapes and players…and smaller cassettes. And now…the digital age. The same with television…first black and white…all with live programming. Then lots of produced specials to compete with motion pictures. There were the old strip color screens that went on the front of your picture tube with blue for the sky, pink for the skin tones, and green for the grass. Then there was glorious color…all live….then taped with kinescopes…then the origination of video tape. I remember the first video tape machine to arrive in Wichita. It came to channel 12….a big monster that stood about 8 feet in the air. I was working there at the time…and we had a big party for all the folks involved in advertising. Then they started reducing the size of not only the video tape recorders but of all the equipment. Cameras, projectors, recorders, microphones, lights, monitors, and even transmitters. I can recall editing the video tape with a razor blade…cutting out the scene that wasn’t wanted and joining the tape together to make it look better or fit the time frame. Now it is all becoming digital…all editing by computer…a picture that is so clear you think you are there…recordings are CDs or DVDs and music is now played from small units like Ipods…cell phones, etc. It is going to be very interesting in 2009 when all TV signals go digital….what a universal, colossal change that will be. Did this all happen over night? No way. It has all happened in the last 60 years. It’s fun to live in the 21st century. Have a great summer.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-04-01 12:10:00

Question: Can you share some of your thoughts about Spring?

Answer: Spring in Wichita has always been the prettiest time of the year, with the blossoming of the pear trees, the red buds, flowers coming up and the robins’ return. This past winter has been an exceptionally hard one, with the ice storms destroying so much property and towns and last Spring’s tornados’ after effects. There have been up and down temperatures which have spurred on the flu bugs. But now, Spring has begun. We’ve had some wind and hail, but soon we hope to see the real beauty of this time of year and enjoy the warm air to come. That brings on another thought. Do you remember years ago what it was like to roll your car windows down with your hand? There were no automatic windows. You could open the outside vent in front of your windshield as there was no automobile air conditioning. Then, you could raise your home windows and sleep with the night air blowing across your bed. There was a peace and tranquility in the feeling of that night air. In public buildings, theaters, churches and at home, you would hear the noise of the fans as they were placed in strategic places to blow on you during the day and night. There was always the first time each year you put away the heavy wool clothing, dressed in something light, with short sleeves and bright colors. You would walk down the street with no coat or jacket and see folks working in their lawns, using the old push mowers and hand sickles to cut brush and weeds. Some would be washing their cars. Ladders would be propped against the house as painting was being done, roofs fixed, getting rid of all the signs of winter that had just passed. Those of us who are old enough remember the days before television, air conditioning and everything with power. After working outside, hand cranking a freezer of homemade ice cream was always something to look forward to. While waiting for the ice cream, we would drink a Coke, Grapette, R.C., Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Root Beer or Vess Cola that was real cold from a bucket of ice. We loved to hear the hiss as we popped off the lid and drank from that bottle. It was a tranquil time. Like then, it’s time once again to enjoy Spring in all its splendor. Be safe.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-04-01 10:35:00

Question: I have been reading about the 1930s and 40s, the Depression, World War II and all of the things folks had to put up with back then. The Depression and days following were such a hardship on everyone. What was it like for a child growing up in late 30’s and early 40’s?

Answer: As I remember the 40’s, I do not remember a really difficult time. My father was a paint contractor. We always had food on the table. It wasn’t the food we would choose today, but we didn’t know that back then. We always felt we were eating well. We weren’t hungry and the family was happy. We always knew of people that were worse off than us. We had cereal for breakfast and a sandwich for lunch...typical of today; but dinner would consist of food you might not want today such as brains with eggs, chicken livers and gizzards. We had liver and onions with lots of seasoned gravy. This is still a family favorite today. On weekends, my mother would always have a giant bowl of either some flavored pudding, rice pudding or jello in the refrigerator for us to serve ourselves as we wanted. I attended Harry Street grade school and I remember walking about 6 We lived on South Water Street. Usually my dad would take my mother and me out one evening a week for ice cream, sometimes to Watts Drug Store on the corner of Main and Harry or downtown to the Old Mill where Otto and his wife had marble tables. Boy they had great ice cream! Saturday, we would go to the Southern Theater with the other kids for a double western feature and usually a serial. They would pass out free gifts such as comic books. The downtown theaters had the Briar Fox Club that met on Saturday mornings. Admission for kids was a nickel. I can remember lots of things costing a nickel back then. We rode our tricycles on the sidewalk. We made scooters out of old roller skate wheels and orange crates. We were treated to a new pair of shoes every year. My dad painted a whole building in exchange for our family car. Evenings were usually filled with programming from the big console radio. The family gathered around to listen to Major Bowles and the Original Amateur Hour or the Lone Ranger, Inner Sanctum, Fibber McGee and Molly, the Lux Radio Theater, Hit Parade and numerous others. We didn’t miss TV because we never had seen one or knew what it was. I’ll never forget December 7, 1941, when the Principal of Harry Street School gathered us together in the auditorium to hear President Roosevelt on the radio as he declared war on Japan. Then came rationing of gas, food, nylon hose. There were savings bonds and savings stamps and much tragedy as our older men were drafted and many lost their lives. I had a very frugal childhood but I didn’t know it back then. The 40’s had many difficulties but as they do so often, they make us appreciate the things we have today. The Spring of the year is still the same as it was when I was a kid...often times there’s lots of wind. I might suggest you do as I was told to do when I was a kid and “Go fly a kite!” Until next month, be safe.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-03-01 09:38:00

Question: Do you remember the little, neighborhood, corner grocery stores?

Answer: Yes, I certainly do remember those little stores. One of the things I remember most is how well-acquainted you were with the owner and, many times, his family. There was a certain smell too...a pleasant one, and so identifiable in my mind. It was composed of the blending of spices, confections of all kinds, tobacco and the many different products. I can remember the candies, many in jars, some in cases, and some not even packaged. I remember the relaxing atmosphere of the way folks shopped, without shopping carts by the way, actually carrying their purchases and usually stacking them on a pile at the counter where the cash drawer was located. That was before cash registers. Do you remember the pop case? I didn’t say cooler because it had to be loaded with ice before it kept anything cold. Pepsi, Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, the several different Nehi flavors (Orange was my favorite), Grapette, Vess Colas and its flavors, Root Beer and so many others. In my mind they always tasted better than today. I think that is because they were kept ice cold, colder than now. Can you remember the sound when you popped off the cap? Remember that hisssss? Then you took that first refreshing swallow. It seemed like it was always bigger than the rest. If you were a kid, you would buy some peanuts to pour into your Coke or Pepsi. That was really living. And...you only paid a nickel for a big bottle of pop. If you were a housewife, the grocery store was the place to get your family’s food. Your trip to the butcher case might include a selection of meats by the cut. If you wanted, the butcher would trim off a little more fat. He would gladly accommodate anything you wanted. He knew you and your personality and how to please you. Little stores were everywhere. They were in houses, deserted buildings and abandoned filling stations, they were all integrated into the neighborhoods. They were the stopping places for the kids going and coming from school, as most of us either walked or rode bikes. We would get candy or gum most of the time, which didn’t make a lot of sense, for later, the teacher would usually end up with it in her desk drawer. Then, we would end up staying after school as punishment for eating or chewing it in class. Another great thing about the neighborhood stores was the fact that if you wanted, and you had more than a sack full, your purchases could be delivered right to your home and usually were. You could even order what you wanted by telephone. People were so trustworthy at that time and many times folks would just leave their house unlocked so the delivery boy could bring the groceries in while the residents were away at work. Can you believe that? These corner stores were definitely not the super markets of today, which I appreciate very much, but they were very personal, friendly and an integral part of your life back then. They’re nice to remember.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2008-02-01 09:49:00

Question: We love your column. Tell us what you remember about Februarys in Wichita?

Answer: As a child, all I can remember is playing in the snow. As I got older, I remember the movies, plays and concerts. Of course those thoughts cause me to think about the grand old theatres of the 40’s. This of course was before television came to our town. They used to say, “Movies…the only show in town.” That of course wasn’t totally correct because many of the great country stars, pop stars and plays were also playing in town, along with a myriad of other attractions. But I remember the theatres that entertained Wichitans by the thousands, every day. Downtown…in the heart of the city…two of the great ones…the Miller and the Orpheum…both Queens of the big film era, were located a block apart on 100 and 200 North Broadway. I actually had the privilege of taking tickets at the Orpheum (which of course is still there). When I achieved the ability to tear a ticket with one hand and give the customer back the stub…. I knew I was a professional. Another of my major assignments was to deliver a big tub of popcorn to the projectionist up in the third balcony at 8 PM sharp. The Miller was demolished and replaced with a bank-parking garage. Other theatres in the downtown area: the Wichita on East Douglas; across the street was the Palace; and further east was the Novelty (in the early days), later re-named the Corral. Across the street was the State. Further east was the Uptown, which is now the Crown Uptown where Ted and Karen Morris have created a wonderful dinner theatre. Then on further east the Crest. South on Topeka was the Crawford; west on William the Sandra; and across the bridge we came to west Wichita, which was home of the Civic. Way west was the Rainbow. In north Wichita you could find the Nomar, the Dunbar and the Tower. South was the Southern, the Sunset and the Planeview. The two main chains were owned by Fox and Sullivan. When the features would change there would be a huge crowd to see the new films. Theatres have certainly changed over the years, and more so lately. Bill Warren has and is making Wichita theatres state of the art, and among the finest and biggest in the world. Movies have always been a tremendous form of escape, entertainment and relaxation. They were in the past and still are in 2008. Stay warm.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-12-01 09:11:00

Can you give us a few Christmas memories from the 40’s? We lived them but we like to hear them.

Answer: Christmas in Wichita has always been great. Perhaps it’s because our town is more of a blend of a big town and small town…even though the population has risen to big city status in the last few decades. My Christmas memories in the 40’s of course began in the World War II years and everyone, along with the joy of the season, was also enduring rationing. Downtown Wichita was the hub of shopping for the major trade area. The city was all trimmed up with large evergreen garland with lights hanging over the streets in the downtown area. The stores were all trimmed out with seasonal regalia. I remember one of the high points of this time of year was the unveiling of the windows in the large department stores. The window decorators for these retail giants would hood the windows for days before the unveiling of their masterpieces designed for each display. I remember Bucks…at the corner of Broadway and Douglas…had a large Santa Claus in the center window…with elves surrounding his throne. Lots of toys everywhere and glorious bright seasonal colors throughout. The SANTA…was B I G and laughed constantly with his chest rising and falling with each laugh. When he would go, “HO HO HO,” it looked as if he was having a heart attack. Many years later I mentioned this particular Santa….while Terry Burford and I were on KFDI on Saturday morning. A lady called in and informed us and our audience that she had that exact Santa in her living room as part of her Christmas decorations. Bucks at Main and Douglas…had created a way through the use of mirrors. This was before television to show their Santa, which was in their toy department in the basement through a window in a model house. You could actually talk with him from the sidewalk and give him your list of things you wanted. It was pretty clever. Innes, later Macys, always had the entire corner windows decorated with toy trains and life size elves…set in a Santa’s workshop. Folks from all around came to Wichita to shop….and hear the ringing of the bells from the Salvation Army booths and street musicians singing. I remember one man who had lost his sight…playing his accordion. Then one could go to the various department stores, like McClellands, and have a live pianist play the Christmas song you were wanting to buy. Remember these? Kress Store, Sears and Roebuck, Grants, Woolworths and Montgomery Wards? The crowds downtown were huge. There was a police officer on every corner directing traffic. People with their presents all over the place, and of course all the churches having special services reminding us all of the real meaning of Christmas…the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have a Safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-11-01 08:42:00

How did folks used to get their milk before super markets?

I’m sure there were many who got it directly from the cow. But in the 30’s and 40’s, I remember most of our milk being delivered to the house by a horse drawn cart. This cart carried all the dairy products including regular milk, chocolate milk, buttermilk, cottage cheese and sometimes butter. These were all the dairy products of the day.

The difference in the cart or truck was that it was cooled by ice, not refrigerated air. It contained a heavily insulated compartment and was most sanitary, but no refrigeration as we know of today. The delivery unit was totally covered all the way around to protect it from any possible germs that might come from the engine in front (the horse). The dairy products were all packaged so neatly. Milk, in all flavors, was in glass bottles.

Cottage cheese and butter were packaged in smaller containers. The milk man, as they were called, would come to the porch previously designated and place the products in a cardboard container with a lid that would protect them until the customer took them inside. There was no shopping in stores, having to carry all of your dairy products in plastic or paper bags. It was personal service.

There were several major dairies in Wichita that supplied the area. There was Steffens, DeCoursey, Meadow Gold and later...Hyde Park.

There was absolutely nothing that has ever since tasted as good to me as did the real cream that rose to the top of each quart milk bottle. Pour that on your morning Wheaties and it was just a little bit of heaven. Then came homogenized milk where the cream was mixed with the skim milk and then you had to buy the cream in separate containers. I actually grew up in an area where we had our own cow and the milk was stored in a crock. We had a lot of real cream to make excellent home made ice cream and a lot of good tasting desserts.

A man who delivered milk back in the early days told me he could actually go into an apartment or house and put the milk in the ice box. One morning, he was hungry, and there were some eggs and bacon in sight, so he got the frying pan and prepared some breakfast for himself. The lady of the house came to the kitchen door and asked what he was doing. He simply answered, "Where’s the toaster?" He didn’t say for sure what happened after that.

Well, that pretty much covers the old days of delivering milk to homes. The practice was later continued...only using gasoline trucks. I guess we’re all spoiled now in the way we get our dairy products from the giant super markets.

As kids, if we would have used the current dairy ad, "Got Milk?", with the milkman, he would have said, "Well, of course!"

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-10-01 11:09:00

Do you remember the ‘grand ladies’ in downtown Wichita, buildings that graced the landscape for so many years?

You must be speaking of the great hotels.....the queens of the prairie. There were so many...and so many memories. My first thought is the Eaton Hotel...on East Douglas....a landmark in Carey Square. Have you ever looked up at the top of the Eaton Hotel? You will see grandeur in architecture...the windows...the shape of the building..the color blending...that you seldom see in newer structures. It was real ‘class’ to me as you entered the lobby in the old days....marble floors...elevators..(ran by a real person) a bar that Carey Nation destroyed with her hatchet, and many more shops and amenities. It’s still there, not as great insofar as patronization, but still beautiful to look at, behold and remember. Then there was the Allis.....and all its luxury housing KFH, standing for Kansas Finest Hotel. I can remember the uniformed bell boys, the taxis moving fast to accommodate all the patrons...noted business people..presidents of our great country...the rich of the nation...they all stayed there. It towered with such beauty...featuring the Copper Kettle restaurant where Mary Pickford held a meeting one day to tell the KIRL radio staff that she was selling the radio station that was owned by her and her bandleader husband Buddy Rogers. To some of the younger readers, that station is now KFDI. I had the privilege of being one of the staff to hear that message...and serving on that station as News Director. I remember when The Allis Hotel was gone in five minutes with an implosion and replaced with a parking lot. There was the Lassen...a Schimmel hotel..also very luxurious....built for the professionals and well-to-do travelers. This hotel also had many personalities...including president John F. Kennedy...stay there as well as many movie and recording stars. There was the Orpheum Theatre, right down the street, where many worldwide stars were presented live and in person. The Petroleum club was housed at the Lassen in the basement for a time, and after that was moved. Channel 12 came on the air in Hutchinson and built a remote studio in Wichita in the same area the Petroleum Club had occupied. I remember, there was one camera, an RCA equipped with a zoomar lens. This small area broadcast commercials for major businesses here in Wichita. All the commercials were live...no tape. We had large choirs, the Junior Auction of about 50 kids, and the ten o’clock news...with Joe McConkey, Cecil Carrier, and Jack Munley. I had the privilege of being the third on-camera announcer in that studio. I did about 15 on-air commercials each week, with no teleprompter. Upstairs was a complete restaurant...and the Trail Room on the corner. I remember when Red Skelton was here for an appearance. As he was leaving the hotel...we could see him outside through the window, sitting on the back of a convertible seat, up high with his hat fixed in the Senator Claghorn fashion that he was known for...waving goodbye to everyone. Then there was the Broadview Hotel. Still here...still grand...still being occupied by guests from conventions...tourists...and personalities. Many New Years Eves were spent on Douglas...watching the giant lighted ball go down the front side of the hotel. Many large events are still held in their gigantic convention area. Wichita....downtown...was and is still a great place to be. The years may have passed but the memories remain. Have a great fall...

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-09-01 09:59:00

Do you remember some of Wichita’s eating establishments?

Answer: Do I! I have always been a fan of great sandwiches and various eating places. You see fast food has been around for years, only we did not call it that back in the old days. Do you remember these great ‘fast food’ places? The first Nu Way sandwich I ever had I thought was fantastic. A lady at Treweeks Drug Store that was located at Franklin and Nims sent my buddy Bill Nulik and I on our bicycles to get Nu Ways for the staff and for us. They were and are very good. Ralph Baums’ Burgers...in my opinion...they had the best chili burger in town. Takhoma Burgers were located all over Wichita. Eventually they went to a legendary location on Maple just west of Lawrence Dumont Stadium. A good friend of mine, Arky, owned and operated Takhoma Burgers. Later his grandson, now located on West Street, ran it with the slogan, ‘We didn’t invent the hamburger...we perfected it’. Best Burgers at 13th and Hydraulic were good. So was and is Walt’s on West Street and all of their locations all over town. Ted Christian’s Coney Island located at the corner of Emporia and William featured the best tasting meal overall...again, in my opinion. As my old friend Glen Ledbetter says, “It’s the best meal you ever wrapped your lips around.” Of course who could ever forget George Stevens’ Lazy R Restaurants? I can still taste those charcoal burgers in my mind. And on North Broadway was Kenny’s Drive In and their famous foot long hot dogs. Jack’s North High Burgers kept many high schoolers and North High alumni happy for many years. So many good, good sandwiches. I know many of you will be writing and telling me about many more. Wichita has always had super food. I have talked about our fine sit down restaurants in past articles, but I have always been a big fan of fast food, whether they called it that back in those days or not. I guess that’s the old newsman in me...never taking enough time to sit down and enjoy a meal...always running to the next story. As I close, I am left with another fond memory...that of the State Fair and the cooler weather coming. Get yourself a good bowl of chili and a hamburger and it will set you free.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-08-01 15:08:00

Your column always triggers such interesting memories. Do you have any memories of the old Forum?

The Forum was located on Water Street, a block south of Douglas. It covered a two-block area...and it was Downtown. In fact, if you notice even today, Main, Water and Broadway are all much wider than other streets leading to Downtown Wichita, because they were direct routes to the Forum, the place where all of the large events were held. Much of the talk about the new Downtown Arena is about parking. There was no designated parking for the Forum. There were many pay parking lots surrounding the area, but people either found street parking or paid. Many times they walked. There were two venues for events...the smaller Arcadia Theatre, and the giant auditorium. The giant auditorium hosted events such as circuses, major basketball games, boxing, wrestling, the big music shows, big bands like Count Basie, Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, and many other big recording starts like Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine, Vaughn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and many others. There were also high school graduations and church revivals. I remember one time Jack Shuler had a city wide meeting where he brought in special guests like Stuart Hamlin who at that time had the song, “It Is No Secret” on top of the music charts. Jack filled the three-balcony auditorium with people standing around the perimeters that Sunday afternoon. Some of the other local preachers held meetings at the Forum, including Art Wilson, who was a great Bible expositor on prophecy. I remember when I directed a television program on then KTVH, called “HI FI HOP”, we had our yearly dance contest at the Forum. The Arcadia Theatre was home to many of local promoter Hap Peebles country shows. After these shows, he always held a big dance down the street at the Missouri Pacific Dance Hall. It was located across the street from the train depot by the same name. The Forum also hosted all kinds of presentations, plays, quartets, choirs and dramas. Another area that was sometimes used for car shows and expositions was in the center of the building. After World War II, the National Guard and the Reserves set up their headquarters in this location. The Forum was a great building for the era. Now, Century II and its parking sets on the same site. Hopefully the new Downtown Arena will provide just as many wonderful memories to patrons as did the old Forum.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-07-01 12:34:00

Do you ever go back and think about the prices you used to pay for things, and the advertising slogans for some of these items?

I sure do. I was reminded of it the other day when I was paying my bill at a Wichita restaurant. The cashier returned my change. It was two cents. A man who was waiting to pay his ticket reminded me that quite some time ago I could have bought some candy with that amount of money. I remarked, “Yes, a lot of things have changed. Everything now seems sky-high compared to the way it used to be.” I can remember when my Dad bought a brand new Hudson and drove it off the floor of the Mosbbacher Hudson dealership for a complete total price of 700 dollars. That was 1940. In 1952 he bought a brand new Hudson Commodore 8. The price was 4,000 dollars. Wow...that much increase in only 12 years. Now, the same quality of car would be 30,000 dollars plus. New cars and trucks aren’t alone. Remember the commercial for Pepsi? “Pepsi cola hits the spot...nickel a bottle, that’s a lot.” A package of gum was just a nickel. All bottles of pop were only a nickel. How about this slogan? Dr. Pepper at 10...2 and 4. Does anyone know why those times? If I knew then, I can’t remember now. Some products are totally gone: Rinso...called Rinso blue. Duz...”Duz does it” was their slogan. There was Hadacol, “The tonic that would make you feel good.” The old joke was why did they call it that? I guess they had to call it something. Have you tried to buy a pump fly sprayer? You know, one of the big ones that you filled. They are very scarce today. Many of the medicines for colds and other ailments have been changed or have disappeared off the shelf. How about nickel candy bars? Don’t see any of these today. Custom service in gas stations is almost totally gone. No windshield cleaning, checking the oil, air in the tires, pumping the gas. These words are not heard in most service stations anymore. If they are, you’re paying a pretty good premium over the already high price of gas. Have you been to a movie lately? Remember how an usher always used to seat you? You don’t see this anymore, nor do you see the 55 cent movie ticket. Before television, I remember on movie change night, folks lining up around the block to see the new flick. Movie stars were giants then. I can hardly remember the names of the ones today. Prices are way up almost everywhere on everything, but I guess so are wages. I’ve never figured out for myself whether or not it’s all the same, counting the inflation on all of these items and the higher wages. I guess it has to be. I do know I would not want to go back to the ‘primitive living’ we endured in those times. There was no air conditioning, inside plumbing or even electricity in the older homes. We had coal or wood heat and blocks of ice, delivered by trucks. The good old days were not always good, but sometimes it is fun to remember back when you still could buy something for two cents.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-06-01 16:32:00

The Greensburg tornado was such a catastrophe. It causes one to remember the Udall tornado. Do you remember it?

Answer: You are so correct. The devastation of the Greensburg tornado was the worst ever in Kansas. The loss of life and the property damage was unparalleled. There were so many lives that were changed in that short period of time. These past few weeks have been extraordinary insofar as the weather. It seems like there have been warnings of some kind somewhere in the state or the surrounding states daily. One always remembers the older folks talking about all the bad weather when they were kids...but I would have to say May of 2007 tops about anything they could have ever remembered. The Greensburg tornado was the most destructive...over the widest area...of any tornado ever. And yes, I do remember the Udall tornado. I remember working at Channel 12. Our studios were in the basement of the Lassen Hotel in the area where the Petroleum Club was located originally. We had just finished the evening news. I was an on-camera announcer and had done commercials this particular night on the Bob Cummings Show....and Liberace. Joe Mackonkey, who was then News Director and an on-air anchor for the 10 o’ clock news....had delivered the pre-reports of a tornado that had struck Udall, Kansas that evening. He asked me if I would like to accompany him and the other news reporters to Udall to view the damage. I was amazed to see not only the damage but the loss of life. There were 83 citizens of Udall that were killed in that storm. Outside the damage was horrible. The entire town, like Greensburg, was wiped out. Greensburg suffered the largest area of devastation that ever was reported from a tornado...and Udall suffered the greatest loss of life. Remembering the Udall tornado has caused me to remember all kinds of bad weather in the past. I remember the flooding that used to occur so often. When I was very young, I remember my Aunt coming to our house at 11th and Lewellen and hearing the news then reported only on radio (TV was not here yet in the 40’s), and she would have to leave and hurry to her home located in the 29th block of North Market because of the flooding that was occurring. I can remember laying awake many nights and listening to the flood water fill the basement. I would watch it start by running down through the gutters then over the yards and into the homes. Some of the kids in my neighborhood had a real small row boat and they would get groceries and supplies from the store and take them to folks who decided to stay in their homes. I can’t say enough good things about the engineers that designed, and the city leaders who had the foresight to install the ‘big ditch’. This project has saved the city and its citizenry untold millions of dollars and suffering from floods. There have been so many ‘big snows’ too, that have crippled the city. Imagine how devastating one of these big snows would be without the equipment we have today. I remember in 1948, my Dad had a brand new Pontiac that he bought at Byron Stout, on South Main. Dad was driving and a car was approaching us. The car jumped the ruts that he was trying to stay in and slid into our car taking off the fender. Kansans are tough people. It has been said by most everyone...celebrities, officials, witnesses and news reporters (both local and national)...that the spirit and resiliency of the folks who live in Greensburg are fantastic, indicating their strong desire to rebuild their town. I am sure with all of our prayers, they will do exactly that. Let’s hope June is more friendly.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-05-01 08:28:00

Question: Do you have any memories of the trains and depots of old Wichita?

Answer: Yes I do. In fact, I was driving on east Douglas the other day. I looked up at the tracks above the street and I thought how times have changed. There sits an old steam locomotive and a diesel engine, side by side. They are of course the property of the Train Museum that is located there. My mind raced back to the old Union Station that was the ‘hub’ of travel in Wichita for many years. As you walked in through one of the many front doors, you saw a giant shoeshine parlor. I remember the music playing. Isn’t it amazing how God made our minds to work? I can still hear that music. The shoe shiners would keep rhythm with their shine rags, always popping them at just the right time. You could sit and watch the travelers, carry everything from small attaché’ cases to giant trunks of things for long trips. There was a huge luncheon counter with people seated all around. The ticket booths were located on the east side of the huge lobby. Several railroad giants headquartered there. Dozens of passenger trains came and went, loaded with travelers bound for many points. The entry gates were on the west side of the building. You would go through those doors when your train was announced over the giant speaker system that reverberated throughout the building. I can recall boarding a train to Kansas City, when I went to the Navy. We stopped over in KC long enough to get on a troop train that picked up new Navy recruits all the way from Wichita to San Diego, CA. That train of course was totally equipped with dining cars and Pullman accommodations for sleeping. The trip to San Diego took five days and nights, because there were so many stops to load new recruits. I remember being so excited to see Las Vegas for the first time, with all the bright lights and people, as the train passed through late in the night. I remember learning in school that the Santa Fe, Union Pacific (east branch named the Kansas Pacific) and Missouri Pacific railroads all began in the two or three years following the Civil War. The government gave thousands of acres of land and vast sums of money to the railroads to aid in their construction. Depots were built at nearly every town the railroad would pass through. These depots were vital to the railroads. They served as communication centers, with their telegraph stations, and handled both passenger traffic and freight. The depot agent had responsibility for all of the many activities in the depot. At small stations he personally performed all of the duties. In a larger depot, like the Union Station and the Missouri Pacific Depot on west Douglas by the Broadview Hotel, he would have telegraphers, ticket sellers and others to assist him. When I was a News Director at Channel 12, I remember doing a documentary about the city of Newton, headquarters for Santa Fe Railroad. We met JP Spears, the superintendent for Santa Fe. He brought his private dining car to Wichita. JK Peterson (our news anchor) and I had dinner with Mr. Spears on the Douglas overpass, with his private server taking care of all the food and beverages. It was quite a thrill. Today trains are much more involved in the transportation of goods due to the high fuel prices. The trains are long with multiple engines. The Cabooses though have pretty much gone by the wayside. Lots of memories about days gone by...have a great month.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-04-01 16:32:00

What are your memories of the high schools in Wichita?

ANSWER: Ah, there are some nice memories! With the swelling of the population in Wichita over the past five decades, a lot of changes have occurred. Things like new roads, more cars, more restaurants, more shopping centers and particularly more schools. When I attended high school in the late 40’s there were only three high schools in Wichita: St. Mary’s (known as Cathedral), North and East. Due to size and different sporting conferences, North and East became major rivals. It seldom was a good deal to attend one and associate with those from the other. You usually had to have a pretty good explanation. The rivalry was never more pronounced than it was for the annual North/East football game. East had an Indian statue (the one on Douglas with the Frontiersman and the Indian). From time to time, some of the more aggressive North high students would paint that statue red. North was located on the river and has a very artistically designed bridge. There is much Indian memorabilia sculptured into it. Some of the more aggressive East high students would paint the bridge blue. Both properties were sandblasted about every year. I can even recall a time that some of the East high students came over to North and cut the beard off of the buffalo that hangs in the center hall. The vice principal was seen gluing it back on. The rivalry was so intense and competitive in the city that in the days ahead of the famous football game, special pep assemblies in both schools were held and there were many signs. Some of them were not too kind. They were posted not only across both schools, but also across the city. The event was so big that the city commission granted a parade permit. School was always dismissed to attend the North/East parade. Parade watchers from all across the city came and packed the side of Douglas, as the students-prepared floats commanded center attention. Most all punished the other school. There were bands, cheerleaders, coaches and of course the football players. The game always took place at what then Lawrence Stadium. If you wanted a seat, you had to get there early as it was always sold out. Back then KAKE Radio broadcasted the games. Bill Young was the sportscaster. Remember, there was no television in Wichita at the time. Talk about excitement…if you couldn’t attend in person, Bill would get you to feel as though you were. After the game the celebration continued, dragging Douglas, yelling from car to car, all keeping the police officers busy. Many rode Harley-Davidsons. The drive-ins were packed and just about everyone had lots of fun. I would like to thank my wife Ella who asked me to write about this special time for Wichita. From one who was privileged to experience it, all I can say is…Wow…what a great time!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2007-02-01 13:17:00

How about some old time cold weather food memories of Wichita?

ANSWER: WOW, that’s something I haven’t thought about in years, but what a nice set of memories you’ve spawned. As I begin to reminisce, lots of memories come from the old downtown area, as that was where lots of folks spent lots of time. Chili has always been a favorite in Wichita. Dallas Chili Parlor on East Douglas was one of Wichita’s best. It had the hot but not too hot seasoning. Another and one of the greats was Manning’s Chili. It was headquartered in the blond brick building across form East High. Phil Manning was the owner. He was also one of Wichita’s former mayors. Manning’s is still around the city in various places. I cannot recall the little restaurant across from the bus depot in the 50’s but their chili was fantastic. I know many places served chiliburgers and unlike some places today, they knew just how much chili to spread on so you could eat it in your hand. Sometimes today you find yourself grabbing for a fork with your sandwich or it will spill on your plate and in your lap. Another great burger was at a place located at the corner of 13th and Washington. The Ralph Baum had a good one. There were many good chiliburgers across the town to warm a cold day. Wasn’t the old Coney Island at the corner of Topeka and William? I thought it was the greatest Coney I ever tasted. It was especially good on cold days. Ted Christian operated it. The chilidogs were really good at Dog and Shake too, and they still are. Oh, and how could you ever beat a Nuway? They have always been and still are a Wichita favorite. Cold weather may be here but memories of good food places can take away a lot of the chill. Bundle up…keep warm…and have a good winter.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-12-01 15:48:00

What are some of your fondest memories of winter during your childhood?

ANSWER: In the classic country song called, "If we make it through December," the lyrics say December is the coldest time of the year. While that might be true in some parts of the country, it is not true in Kansas. Or, at least in my opinion it is not true. I remember living on South Water Street in the early 40's. When I think about all of the 'old time things' we did, I chuckle. First there was the old coal stove that set in the center of the house. It was responsible for the heating of the entire home. The coal was delivered by a truck and dumped into a coal shoot that was under the house. My dad would load up the stove at night and the coal would generally burn up through the night. The house would be freezing in the morning. Not only was it freezing, but the pipes were frozen too. Dad would get up first, load the stove with coal and in about two hours the house would warm up so the rest of the family could get up and be comfortable. My mother would fix breakfast and I would start getting ready for school. I attended Harry Street Elementary at the time and, as the majority of kids did, I walked. This required dressing as warm as I could. Because it was World War II years, most boys my age wore an aviator helmet. Thinking back, we all had to look really stupid, wearing a cap with ear flaps and totally flat, nearly glued to your head. Most of them still had goggles. Then of course came the heavy mackinaw coat and sheep-lined gloves. We all wore long underwear, and then overshoes, generally with four buckles. The movie "the Christmas Story" depicts this "look" very well. Upon our arrival at school we all hung our coats in the coat closet. Each student had a name over their coat hook. We would put our overshoes below and neatly against the wall. The coat closet was also the place many of us would spend time as punishment for talking in class, being late and the dreaded sin of chewing gum in school. Your time in the coat closet was spent being alone. I remember one boy who became creative while in there and switched the clothes around so they were not on the usual hooks. When the class lined up and went through for lunch there was on of the worst traffic jams you could imagine. Speaking of traffic, most of the cars had tire chains because we received a lot more snow then than we do now. Seeing many cars stuck was a usual part of the winter. These are a few memories of Januarys past. I still think of them as the good old days.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-11-01 15:34:00

What are some of your memories of old downtown Wichita?

ANSWER: The other night, my wife and I were driving through downtown Wichita. Have you noticed how dark the streets and sidewalks have become, compared to the way it used to be? Maybe it’s all the new decorations, trees, statues, cluster lighting and the abandonment of the big, bright streetlights, but it sure seems dark. I guess one big difference is the type of lighting on the signs that are in front of stores. The neon signs that used to advertise the businesses are virtually gone and have given way to digital messages that flash and change and video walls. We hadn’t driven very far before we began to reminisce about what used to be. I couldn’t help but recall how Douglas used to look going east from the bridge. The first building on the left was the Derby Oil Building…side by side with the Broadview Hotel that is still a grand landmark. As you crossed Waco you saw the Missouri Pacific depot and trains coming to the tracks end at the sidewalk of Douglas. Remember the West Urn Grill by the depot? Across the street was the Mo Pac Dance Hall, situated upstairs over a small hotel. The corner of Water and Douglas was Spines Clothing. Going east you would see The Roxy Theatre and Gentry Cafeteria, and on the other side… The First National Bank, now Intrust. The next block was Hinkels Dept. Store, Heads Shoe Store, McClellan’s Five and Ten, and Wolf Bros. Clothing. Bucks Dept. Store occupied the northeast corner of Broadway and Douglas…across from the Kress Company. The same block of east Douglas housed the Wichita Theater, the Palace Theater, A Shine Parlor, Roy Logan Shoe Store and Cinderella Ladies Store. Somehow…with the large crowds of shoppers and the neon signs…downtown Wichita seemed brighter than it does now. But you know what? That’s change, and there’s nothing wrong with change. We should thank the Lord each day for our great country and all of the freedoms we enjoy, even ones so small as being able to remember the way it used to be.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-11-01 11:31:00

What are some of your memories of Christmas in Wichita?

ANSWER: For me, December is the brightest month of the year. I’m not speaking of weather, but the beautiful decorations, pageants, parades and everything on display. Christmas of course is the birthday of our Lord, and that is what really makes it beautiful and bright. But along side of this is the beauty that appears everywhere. Although the traffic and shopping has moved to the shopping centers, my best recollections of Christmas shopping and decorating are of the old downtown area. There were always hundreds of shoppers, heavy traffic, Santas in the stores and on the street, and music everywhere. It seems as though Christmas carols were being sung all of the time; and Christmas carolers were in almost all of the neighborhoods. The creativity expressed by the window decorators was superb. Hinkels, Bucks, Innes (later Macy’s), Henry’s, Walkers and Spines were all ‘trimmed’ to the max. Families couldn’t wait for the trip downtown to see what each store had in its windows. Many had animated characters. Hinkels had a window, that even back in the 40’s before TV, enabled you to talk to Santa who was in the basement of the store. This was accomplished by mirrors and reflection and of course a two-way PA system. Remember the big Santa on his throne in Bucks who laughed all the time? Then there were the dwarfs that were building the model train and toys in Santa’s workshop in the Innes windows. Some would choose a Christian theme depicting the birth of Christ. Everyone was excited to see what was going on downtown. Remember the neighborhoods? There are not as many now that decorated as then, but some of the larger homes in College Hill and Eastborough were a sight to behold, all trimmed in beautiful lighting and garland. Remember the two trees in Riverside Park at the bend of the river with the star flickering in between? My, what memories Christmas and December bring with them. Merry Christmas to Everyone!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-10-01 10:27:00

QUESTION: How about some old Labor Day memories?

ANSWER: Hey, let me tell you. I had a great deal of living this past month over Labor Day. You see…my father’s family consisted of 15 children. They have all grown up and had children. Their children have had children. When the Graves family has a reunion, there are 100 plus folks in attendance. We used to have the reunion at my grandparent’s farm. Their wheat farm is located in the Danville-Freeport area of Kansas. When I was a boy it was a big thrill to get in my dad’s 1940 Hudson and load up all the food and presents that we would take to our get together. The family auto would head south on highway 81, which by the way was only two lanes at the time and actually had no speed limit! My dad always wanted to show the speed of his new car and would sometimes get up to 80 mph. He also enjoyed showing off the overdrive on the powerful car. We would go through Wellington and turn west on 160 and go to the farm. Once there I would see all my cousins, uncles, aunts, distant relatives…and my grandpa and grandma. The food was abundant as all of those farm ladies were fantastic cooks. They would bring their best recipes. My uncles would be pitching horseshoes outside, no matter the weather. Everyone would show off their new cars, and then all would take a ride around the section in the country. I remember going over a spring-fed creek that flowed under a broken cement bridge on the dirt road in front of the house. Well here it is 2006. My cousin Peggy had contacted a lot of family for another get together. We had a great day. She showed us my grandpa’s old rusty implements, now useless, but setting all around the exterior of the house. The one that I personally enjoyed seeing was his milk cart. He had a dairy, just like the man in the musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” It had a hitch that grandpa walked in…and pulled the cart manually with a big metal circle in the rear, where the container that held the milk would set. He actually would dip the portions out for each house on his route. The food was as good as it ever was and the visiting was tremendous. Relatives from all over were in attendance. Many memories came back and new ones formed… during Labor Day at grandpa’s house. Have a great fall!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-09-01 11:54:00

QUESTION: Do you remember the summer heat back when you were younger?

ANSWER: This has undoubtedly been the hottest summer that we in Kansas have experienced in many years. I can remember a summer (I think it was 1980) that we broke temperature records like we have this year. That year my family and I went to Colorado, in our 1972 Volkswagen van. If you remember, that year’s model was equipped with a Porsche engine. There was no radiator. The heat was intense. Plus the variance of altitude we experienced caused the oil to have bubbles. The air conditioning in that model was pretty poor. My wife and I and our three children suffered with the heat all the way home. As we came closer to Wichita, the heat became more intense. When we arrived home we found that a folding screen that had thick styrofoam for a sun and privacy blocker, was totally scorched. This was inside the house! It was that hot as it came through the window. I also recall when I was a teenager my father was a painter, and a year that I was working with him painting houses outside there were numerous days that the temperature soared above 100. We had one of the old thermos jugs that held about two gallons of water. I remember watching the crew of eight men fill it several times a day with ice and water. I couldn’t believe they could drink so much. I spent time in Omaha, Nebraska when I was in the radio business. I saw the temperature there vary from  forty below windchill during a blizzard... to a high of 115. Before air conditioning as we know it today, we fought the heat by opening all the windows in the house. That is why you see so many windows in older homes. We had fans all over the house, sometimes blowing over a pan of ice. Then the miraculous evaporative coolers, water blowing through moistened straw. First in houses and cars, then in churches and public gatherings. But perhaps nothing gave as much relief from the heat to so many as the familiar hand fan. They were usually provided by a mortuary. We called them cardboard on a stick. Remember the first signs on businesses that said air conditioned? Each one had painted icicles around the border. That part of the good ol’ days definitely wasn’t. I’ll take the air conditioning of today. Try to enjoy what's left of summer, keep cool, because soon we will be complaining about the cold and snow. A real old fashioned Fourth I will always remember…

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-08-01 12:01:00

What was summer like when you were in high school?

ANSWER:Summer makes me think of cruising days in Wichita.  When I was in high school at North High…very few of my fellow classmates had a new car.  In 1949, my dad bought me a ’41 Ford coupe.  This was a well used ’41.  It had been repainted probably with a brush because the paint was very rough…and one day on close examination my buddy and I found a number decal at the edge of the hood which indicated that it had either been a company car…a taxi…or a police car.  Nevertheless I was happy to have some decent transportation to school.  During the month of August in the heat of the summer…I worked for my dad who was a paint contractor.  I was painting the side of a house with another man…Estelle Gorsage…who later was in the car business in Wichita.  He said, “Why don’t you slick that car up?”  I said, “Like what?”  Well, he helped me with what I needed to do to make that old car look good.  First, we took it to a paint shop on North Main and had it painted bronze metallic.  Then, Estelle introduced me to a guy who was in the body and fender business and we removed some chrome and inset the rear license plate.  We then went on South Broadway just past the John Mack Bridge to a man who sold hub caps and all kinds of chrome accessories.  I bought some Hollywood hubcaps…for the front tires…and some fender skirts for the rear tires.  We then went to another of Estelle’s friends and I could not afford to have the car lowered in the rear by adjusting the springs so we just heated the rear spring with a welding torch and lowered the rear of the car so it was just a few inches from the pavement.  We then took the muffler away and replaced the rear exhaust with twin pipes just using steel wool and cans for a muffler.  We found a piece of brass pipe and took it to a friend of mine who was in auto mechanics class at North and had him cut it in two and put some clamps on the end to hold both extensions on and I had my tail pipes gleaming gold in the sunlight.  Then the car of course had to have some upholstery work…a leopard skin steering wheel cover and a spinner on the wheel.  That enabled you to turn the car with just one hand.  The finale was to place…a Packard bird…with wings that would light up at the end of your hood.  Wow a dream car.  One problem…I would drag Douglas and the other guys would want to race…the engine was junk I could not beat anyone…but I had the slickest looking car on the street.  No air conditioning in these times, but in order to be cool both front and back windows had to be rolled down.  That was August for me in ’49…what great times.  Have a wonderful summer.    

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-06-01 10:04:00

: Do you remember the old time Fourth of Julys?  

ANSWER: In 2006, folks try to duplicate them, but it really is impossible. My family lived on South Water in Wichita…and when I was a boy...100 degrees was the rule.The difference then… weather came in, rain and hail, lightning and thunder. No radio, no TV or weather alerts, just business as usual. We just thought that was the norm and really didn’t get too excited…as kids we welcomed the heavy rain because when it was through we could wade in the gutters with our bare feet and feel what we thought was very warm water…not true…the 100 degree temperature heated the pavement and then the cool water was warmed so it felt so good.Usually the rain came or it was a dry spell on the Fourth, but either way there was always a lot to do.  My father and all the other dads brought five dollars worth of fireworks.  Do you know how much we took home for just five dollars? Usually it was a big sack full.  Because I was a small boy at the time dad would buy me a super cap gun for me to shoot and make my own noise.  I remember one that was a beauty…it was called a pirate’s pistol.  It looked just like a real pirate’s gun. The only drawback was that it would only shoot one cap at a time…but oh, you should have heard the noise it made.  My gun was so much louder than the other kids.  But…you know…I had only shot it a few times when the hammer on the pistol broke…that was it because it was a pot metal and the explosion was too heavy.  I went to the drug store and told my story of woe to Mr. Watt and he gave me another pistol.  This one held.  The day went on with many events at the parks, but most folks stayed home…not my dad, he was a painter and he went to work and took me with him.  Like most kids I was bored…so dad…trying to appease my boredom…went out to the truck and found the biggest firecracker he could in the sack.  He lit it…it made a gigantic boom…and this was way back when the builders were still using dirt movers who had mule teams.  Guess what one was out there…those mules took off with the plow and literally…ran across several blocks until the landscaper could catch them and get them to settle down.  My dad apologized and took him to lunch.We still had our sack of fireworks spectacular at the house that night…and many of the older neighbors sat on the porch and watched as my dad lighted all of them.  Then it was time to close the day with homemade ice cream…and then the family went to bed on the front porch.A real old fashioned Fourth I will always remember…

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-05-01 16:01:00

: Whatever happened to the family doctor of days gone by?

ANSWER: Do you remember when you were really feeling bad…you didn’t automatically pack up your suitcase and run to the emergency room. Instead---you would call your family doctor. I really do not know who they kept up with their office calls but for severe cases if you were a patient…and you had called with something that needed immediate care…your own doctor would show up on your front porch with his little black bag in his hand. He would come into your room and you would immediately feel a little better just due to his personal presence and his interest in you…enough for him to make a house call. Nearly all doctors of this time…and in this era of the early days would make house calls. They carried so much in that black bag…there was a stethoscope, the old familiar tongue depressant, cotton and alcohol for sterilization before an injection—a scalpel, and numerous pills…just to get you by until your prescription arrived. Perhaps the situation called for hospitalization…then you would be taken to the medical facility of the doctor’s choice. When your family would arrive there was always…always…the pungent odors in the old hospitals of ether. That was the major anesthetic and it had an odor that stayed around and totally invaded the entire hospital facilities. Operating rooms were generally on the roof of the building…I don’t know whether this is exactly correct but I was told that in those days when light fixtures are not as intense as now…it provided more light. Surgery and procedures were more crude than now, but they saved many lives. The family doctor I remember was in a complex of buildings on east Harry…The corner was occupied by Watts Drug store…that had a pharmacy…sundries and a fountain, then the doctors office, Dr. Sol Edgerton, then the dentist office and I probably do not have the correct spelling but I think his name was Dr. Reester…He also directed the neighborhood band concert that happened weekly at Lincoln Park Bandstand. This was a great gathering for the neighborhood residents. The family doctor of the past is pretty much a historical event. There are still a few doctors who make house calls…but even the neighborhood medical complexes with doctors, dentists and a pharmacy are nearly gone. Time changes…But I would not want to rely on the medicines and the treatments of the past…would you?

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-04-01 10:49:00

I was very interested to see the feedback from last months article on early radio in Wichita. I thought it would be interesting this month to cover some of the features on one of Wichita’s AM stations, KFH.

ANSWER: KFH call letters stand for Kansas’ Finest Hotel. The years progressed and the station occupied it’s own building named of all things, “The KFH Building.” This station was scheduled with what is called block programming. That is varied type shows that usually are totally different, the daily format went from pop music to country, to sometimes classic, and agricultural programs. It started in the morning with a disc jockey…usually country…and Bruce Behymers farm reports. Morning programming would also feature one of Wichita’s first shows for women…the Ethel Jane King show. Noon was always exciting…because along with the daily news that was delivered by George Doyle for many years…there also was the Ark Valley Boys show. One of the things that set KFH aside from the other stations was the fact that they had a complete audience equipped theatre in one of their studios where the Ark Valley Boys originated. Folks would drive in for miles to see this live band and the vocalists…there was entertainers like Bud Victory who besides playing the guitar, was also a very good vocalist. There was entertainers like bud victory besides playing the guitar was also a very good vocalist and so was his brother Oby Victory. Then there was Cousin Snazzy who played the stand up bass fiddle and Clarence Brown offered the comedy to the program, and was later Popeye on KAKE TV. The sometimes announcer was Don Anderson. But this was a great live show with the band and all the special guests they would bring in. Then the evening started with a talk show called the party line…its host was George Wells who later became the captain of the detectives for the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Patrol. Late night was Bill and Doree Post, the married couple who sang and kept us entertained. KFH also was the station of note to carry the WSU games…Broadcast in early days by Rick Stanley and Later Gus Grebe. Les Campbell was the Chief Engineer and Jimmy Carpenter, the Station Music Director. Program Director back then was Tom Bashaw, who later became the Station General Manager, and did an excellent job.It seems to me that KFH was also the first FM station on the air in Wichita. Great memories…of a radio station that was kept us entertained through the years, and the call letters are still on the air, but switched from 1330 to 1240 AM…great memories.  

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-03-30 14:20:00

: Faye, what is one of your favorite months of the year?

ANSWER: May in Wichita is a beautiful month…we have all four seasons here and even though we have enjoyed a very mild winter, we can still enjoy spring. Have you ever imagined living in a climate where you only have one season — either always hot or cold? Just think of what Christmas would be like with an 80 degree day. Wouldn’t it take away the crispness of the season that you have with the winter snow and cold weather? Then possibly you could live in a climate where the winter comes and stays a long time. Think of cloudy days all the time. We are very fortunate to see all of the blossoms on the pear trees, redbud trees, mimosa’s and the many others. I still remember the city of Wichita using the schools to decorate the city. You say how could that happen? They sold seeds for redbud trees at a dime each. That is why we have so many in our town. Then did you ever think of how we live without pollution like other large cities? Cecil Carrier who is a friend of mine — we worked together for years at Channel 12 — he told me one time that we are so fortunate to have the wind blowing across the prairie…it is the best air purifier you could have. We can still see the stars, the moon and clear blue skies. True… many times we have severe storms, but all in all, Wichita is a very beautiful place to call home. The clean air also keeps our buildings clean. The flat countryside and prairies allow the wind to move freely. Granted, we have had many fires this year but that is an unusual tragedy for this area to endure. As we are enjoying the beauty of Spring, we might count some of the blessings of living here and enjoy all the colors of the season. Have a great Spring. 

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2006-03-01 10:28:00

Question: There are some great radio stations here in Wichita, and they all have great announcers. Do you remember what radio in Wichita used to be like?

Radio stations of the past in the city of Wichita all had their own personality. I received a real nice e-mail from John Heckman, who was a news announcer on KWBB in the early years. KWBB was started by John Levand, publisher of the Wichita Beacon newspaper. You may remember, the Wichita Eagle was distributed through the city in the mornings, and the Beacon in the early evening. I spoke with John Levand about his new radio station before it came on the air. KWBB was broadcast at 1410, and has since had many call letter changes, as well as format switches. John reminded me of many of the personalities who were on the air at the time of its gala opening…Lee Nichols occupied much of the daytime hours. Then there was John Campbell in the evening, and Dick Jones. The news department was probably the largest in town at that time, headed by news director Jim Setters and his many co-announcers. He was also accompanied by his mobile news men – John Heckman, John Wagner, George Brumley, Dick Schmidt, Ralph Carpenter and many more. This was the first station in Wichita to actually cover instant breaking news of any kind. This included any type of fire, accident involving cars, trains, planes, all homicides, court house activity, and many varied news items and interviews. Cliff Koch was the Chief Radio Engineer that kept the whole place on the air, and Harold Hale, Sales Manager, along with sales reps. Bob Genette and Bob McCune sold the commercial advertising, and Milt Hall was the General Manager who headed the whole operation. KWBB was number one in Wichita ratings for many, many years with this great staff. KWBB completed the five buttons on your AM radio dial. First was KFBI, second KAKE, third KFH, fourth KWBB, fifth KANS. Great radio days and wonderful entertainment.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-12-29 14:04:00

: Do you remember any of the past television and radio personalities?

ANSWER: I had a lady ask me the other day about some of the past television and radio personalities.  That is always interesting to think back about and remember.  Quite a few of the radio personalities of the past became television personalities as the TV media developed.  For example KAKE was the personality oriented station that used most of the on air announcers as another featured personality.  For example there was John Froome who was first heard here in Wichita on KANS……Then later on KAKE TV.  He was the creator of most of the special programs and he of course was an announcer..…then Henry Harvey started on KFBI and later was on KAKE as an announcer and also co- characters…..Freddy Fudd, and the popular Santa Claus…..on the show with KAKE Man muppet.  Tom Leahy of course was on KAKE radio with his popular Irwin's Dance Party show and one of their great announcers…..he then moved to TV where he was "The Host" and introduced the horror shows with his co host Rodney.  There was Bill Mclean who was on KAKE radio and actually did a weekly remote from the record shop in the 100 block of south Broadway that was live and in the front window of the store.  He later became the weather man that said it's a bee-utiful day in KAKELAND… He announced on channel 10 and was also Captain Bill with his own cartoon show. Clarence Brown was Cousin Clarence and performed with the KRH Ark Valley Boys and was seen on Channel 10 as "Popeye", and Ollie Henry…..a very tall man who announced on KAKE radio…..Deputy Dusty was on KAKE radio then intro'd the cowboy shows and had Dusty’s Jamboree and then was farm director at KFDI.  A lot of very pleasant history…..and there is so much more that we will cover at a later time.  By the way, yours truly was the third on camera announcer from KTVH Wichita Studio…..where I did 15 on camera commercials a week.  Lots of fun thinking back.  Keep warm.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-11-01 16:19:00

: With the new stadium coming into town, many old buildings will be torn down to make room.  Do you remember how amazing and alive downtown used to be? 

ANSWER: December in Wichita brings back so many beautiful memories of years past. The great thing about memories, God has given us, out of all His creations, the ability to go back and revisit these special moments.Do those of you who are adults, remember Christmastime in Downtown Wichita with many folks shopping, because there were no shopping centers yet? All were carrying packages and the Salvation Army booths had the bells ringing. There were two men who had lost their sight, one walked up Douglas playing the Accordion, the other sat in front of Hinkle's Department Store. Hinkle's always had great window displays for Christmas, and their Santa was located in the toy department in the basement. Just two doors east of Hinkle's, you could find McClelland's, where you could get the best frozen malt in town! On east, down Douglas, were Woolworth's, Grant's, and Kress (which we called Kreeses). Just across the street at Douglas and Broadway, there was the big Buck's Department Store with a Santa, his elves and electric trains all moving in the window. One block south was Innes, later Macy's, where every window was trimmed excitedly for Christmas. Wards, Sears, and all the rest were doing a booming business in the "really alive" downtown area. I want you to get your cameras and go downtown and photograph some of the existing buildings that will soon be going down with the building of the new Downtown Arena. Remember the Allis Hotel? It was gone in under five minutes. This will be the fate of many Wichita buildings, like the one at the corner of Emporia and William Streets. This building was the home of Flannigan's Mortuary for years, and later became Dancers. I encourage you to take pictures of the streets the way they are today. Then you can go back and remember not only what they looked like, but actually see (and share) them.I have a picture of the inside of the Miller Theatre hanging in my room; the big white console of the five manual pipe organ spotlighted by the stage on the left, where the flying fingers and feet of Raymond Shelly used to make that instrument come alive.The holidays are a great time to think back about all the precious thoughts of our city in the past, the streets and buildings as they were, and our many friends and associates. Take a lot of pictures…you'll be glad to have them in the future as you think about the past.And remember what Christmas is all about, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-10-01 14:59:00

:  Do you remember the old 1410 radio station and DJ Lee Nichols?

ANSWER: When the late 1950's came along, we were out of World War II. As the economy was gaining ground, music was making a large swing. Wichita, Kansas had four 'Block Programmed' stations, which meant they programmed 'Variety' at different times. Then came the arrival of a station called KWBB, which was owned by the Levand family and managed by Milt Hall. This station was a winner! They had some great talent on the air that really captured the interest of this city. Jim Setters was the News Director. He and his news team really moved across the city and would break in for all the news on the street with their mobile units. They covered the court house, City Hall, and all major business changes. Having 1410 tuned in on your radio was the next best thing to having a police scanner. Street reporters were John Wagner, John Heckman, George Langshaw, Ralph Carpenter and many others. Anything newsworthy: fires, homicides, plane crashes, and what we now call 'Breaking News', which was then a news bulletin, 'Worth Breaking in to Programming'. If this wasn't enough, they had the King of Disc Jockeys in 1951, Lee Nichols. He was in the mid-day slot, which was the premier place for him, and he built the ratings to a new high. Lee had a way of presenting a variety of music including his main feature, Country Music, but also some of the 50's Rock. The music was the same as the tunes that were being played on other stations, but it was Lee's presentation that made the difference. If you were having a bad day and tuned in, Lee would make you feel good; he always had a joke and would tease the other personalities on air with him. Lee Nichols was what I called the Pied Piper of Wichita. One of his major sponsors was the Mart stores. If Lee plugged a special at these stores, people would be lined up outside the store to take advantage of the prices. When you walked into stores across the city, Lee was on the radio. When you got into a car, there was Lee again. He was the only Country Music DJ on the air at that time of day, and his jokes and his personality are legendary. I had the privilege of working with Lee when he was on Mack Sanders' station, KFRM. This station touched eight states; the audience being mainly agriculture, farm homes, tractors and cars. Same thing…Lee dominated the market! He was always a gentleman, dressed western, and always had a laugh that so many remember. He knew all of the major country stars and had them on his program as well as introducing them at their concerts. Many great radio personalities have come and gone, but there will only be one Lee Nichols, who passed away on October 4, 2005. His memory lives on…

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-09-01 07:39:00

:  Do you remember early days at the State Fair?

ANSWER: Wichita is especially beautiful in autumn. I don't think that I have been in a city our size that has more trees and a wider variety. When the fall leaves turn, the town is gorgeous.I have lived in Wichita most of my life…but it has only been in the past decade that I have taken the time to notice how great the homes are, especially those close to downtown. You know, you tend to get so used to your surroundings that I would tend to just drive by the houses and see old homes, many in need of repair, bungalows built early in the 1900's. But more recently I started looking up to the rooflines and guess what? I started seeing many gigantic mansions. There were big, spacious two story homes, but many with three stories and some with the Cupolas sticking out above the roof. I began considering why were all of these houses built so close to downtown? Being the quick study that I am, it hit me! They were built during the horse and buggy era, convenient to downtown shopping. Those homes were where the merchants and the money people of Wichita lived to be close to their businesses. I think Park Place is a very interesting street. I know that I am not alone in my thinking; because some years back a movie company determined that North Park Place (between 13th and 17th Streets) was typical Mid-America because of the mansions and trees. They decided to shoot a feature film right there on Park Place. But, first they took out the street lights and anything that would date the area; they then put in the beautiful lamps that are still gracing that street today. The movie was called "Children of the Attic" and the good part is, the neighborhood is still just as they left it. The other thing that is interesting about these old neighborhoods is you can still see many of the horse ties, some cement, and some metal just like they were many, many years ago. So when you drive down the street, look up at the rooflines. You will be amazed in some of these older neighborhoods. And, do the same thing downtown. You will see the beauty of the old buildings: the Eaton Hotel, the Kress Building, Petroleum Building and many more. Wichita is a beautiful city, and especially in autumn…Enjoy!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-08-01 09:54:00

:  Do you remember early days at the State Fair?

ANSWER: September is here! The kids are back in school and it's already time for the Kansas State Fair. In my early broadcast days, I had the privilege of working at the Kansas State Fair throughout the entire Fair schedule. I was employed at KTVI, which is now KWCH. When we began broadcasting at the Fair, we took our whole News, Weather and Sports departments, including our kid shows, Hi-Fi Hop and Ladies program. This meant most of the staff spent the entire State Fair in Hutchinson. This was a HOOT! We had to negotiate with the local restaurants for meals for everyone on the staff, hotel rooms, and transportation of sets and all of the needs: AP wire, photography area, everything! We were located then, at the same corner that Channel 12 still occupies, right across from the taffy stand that has been there all these years. Our guests that appeared on the news programs were many of the politicians of that time; the Governor, Senators, State Representatives and many others. Plus, many celebrities that appeared on the night show. I had the rare opportunity to meet Roy Rogers and deliver Dale Evans to the fair grounds in my car. I got to spend an afternoon with Evil Knievel because Hugo's Harley Davidson brought him in one year for one of his daredevil jumps. Hugo's booth was located right next to ours. We had the current beauty queens along with many of the winning entries of livestock and the 4H exhibits. The Royal American Shows were at the Fair with their always new and exciting rides and the many side shows that made the Fairgoers come out 'wild eyed'. It was a lot of fun to watch them transport their carnival across town from the train tracks, where their train (which they owned) was parked. The free shows, the music, the bands, the mixed noise and smells and car races and all were so exciting. And, back then before shopping centers, the variety of items you could see demonstrated were very intriguing. By the way, there was always a rainstorm that came just about the end of the Fair that blew the tents down and dropped the temperature by about 20 degrees. This was the beginning of fall weather. It will all happen again this year between September 9th and 18th and it certainly is an event you don't want to miss.Don't miss the Kansas State Fair!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-07-01 12:17:00

:  Can you remember when stations did not play the same kind of music, or were labeled as Talk stations?

ANSWER:  Radio back in the 30s, 40s, and 50s was what was called Block Programming. KFH was probably the leader in programming with this format. Instead of following a single mode of music or talk, this programming was Variety at its best. Now remember there was no TV in Wichita until the mid-50s, so radio was really big. KFH would start in the mornings with a country music show, emceed by Mack Sanders, and then Bruce Behymer would come along with a program that was totally farm information and reports. Following until mid-morning was Pop Music, Big Bands, Artists of the Day and all kind of music. One of the best known disc jockeys for this programming was Johnny Merrill, known as the Morning Mayor. Mid-morning was a program just for the ladies, hosted by Ethel Jane. Noon featured Live in an Auditorium Studio, in which The Ark Valley Boys, a country band, performed to a live audience. KFH was also noted for its popular talk show, hosted by George Wells. Of course the CBS programs: serials, mysteries, and news were all intermixed into their local schedule. Bill and Doree Post had a late night show where they sang and had interesting conversation between husband and wife.Other major stations in the city were KANS, that later became KLEO. KNSS was the NBC station featuring Corky's Coral Gang, local record shows, George Gow with the News, Raymond Shelly at the console of the Miller Theatre Organ and the great NBC shows and news. KFBI was ABC in Wichita and proclaimed the most powerful daytime signal of 10,000 watts. They had Mack Sanders and the Ranch Boys show, followed by Lester Weatherwax and his farm news. Later, KAKE was added with disc jockeys, Tom Leahy and his famous Irwin's Dance Party, Bill Young who did sports, high school games, and disc jockey shows, and Graham Fletcher and the news. KWBB featuring Lee Nichols and his country music played all afternoon, and Jim Setters and his terrific On the Spot news with his whole news team.Then Formula Radio arrived. Todd Storz was one of the first to feature this format and at this time it was all Rock. Here in Wichita, KFBI was purchased by Mary Pickford and Buddy Rogers, two movie stars, and they changed the letters to KIRL. When their format failed, the Lynch family bought the station, but could not get the old KFBI call letters, so they called it KFDI. Today you are hard pressed to find a Block programmed station anywhere on the dial which makes it hard for some of us who like Big Band and Pop music. Wichita has a station that plays this format, KSGL at 9:00 A.M., so if you want to hear Sinatra, Martin, Joni James and all the rest… that's where you'll find it, but only part-time.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-07-01 10:35:00

: Do you remember before the big ditch was built and all of the flooding issues Wichita had?

ANSWER: I was watching it rain last month and thought to myself, "Is it ever going to stop?" I am sure many of you had the same thought. Each night there were severe thunderstorm warnings, many of them carrying tornados. At one point we decided to go to the play at the Crown Uptown and we had to take Oliver Street to get through the flooding. Well, that was not the end. When we arrived, Ted Morris announced that the front of the theatre was flooded due to the city installing a drainage sewer pipe that would not handle the water, and this was the fourth time this had happened. He jokingly said, "The lakeside seats are available at no extra cost". Stripes are good.  All of this brings back the memories of the 1940's when the whole north end of Wichita was flooded nearly every year. The Arkansas River would come out of its banks on a regular basis whenever the rains came. Then the genius of the planners that installed the Big Ditch came along. That one large expenditure way back in the 40's has saved the citizens of this city billions of dollars. I live in Haysville and there have been two times in 27 years that I thought the water was going to overflow the Big Ditch but it did not. The level would rise as far as the second embankment but would not overflow. I realize the Cowskin Creek and some of West Wichita still has problems with flooding at times, but the county and city are trying to correct them now.The memories are still very real of my family in that day and age; lying in my bed at night and listening to the flood water fill our basement at 11th and Lewellen Streets. It was not a good feeling. Some of the other teens and I had a little boat that we would use to get groceries and take them to people in the neighborhood, but it was a real drag to everyone who lived in the flood area of North Wichita. My great-aunt, who was in her eighties, had many major trauma spells trying to survive the flooding of her house in the 30th block of North Market Street. I wrote this article to praise the folks that had the foresight to install a major project like the Big Ditch, and found the dollars way back then to fund something so vast.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-06-01 09:50:00

: Do you remember Wolf's Cafeteria?

ANSWER: I received a note all the way from California asking if I remembered where Wolf's Cafeteria was located. The answer is absolutely! Wolf's was the first downtown cafeteria and was located right in the heart of the business area, across from the Beacon building, one half block south of Douglas on Main St. Crown Jewelers was on the corner of Main and Douglas and Hinkel's on the south east corner.Wolf's was a very complete cafeteria. It has a varied menu, and the tables were all adorned with white table cloths. Mr. Wolf was usually there dressed in his restaurant coat with his name on the front. There is a parking lot now for Century II that occupies part of the space where Wolf's was located and a printing firm is located on the rest of the lot.If you were to go west on Douglas from Main, to the center of the south side of Douglas, you would have found Gentry's Cafeteria. Right in the same area was the Roxy Theatre and the Holly Chinese Café. And on the corner of Water and Douglas, there was the Spine's Clothing Store.The other cafeteria in downtown Wichita was located on South Market. It was named the Forum. The Forum was the newest of the three cafeterias and was located alongside of Jenkins Music and across the street from the Innes Department Store, which later became Macy's. The Forum was a large cafeteria and very clean. Other downtown eating places included the Innes Tea Room, which was located in the store, and the 5 & 10 cent stores: Kress, McClelland's, Woolworth's and Grant's, which all had snack bars. These are only a few that I remember, but I especially wanted to answer the question regarding cafeterias. Thanks for your comments about last months expose of Downtown Wichita. Our town's past was really tremendous.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-04-01 10:50:00

: What memories can you share about spring in Wichita?

ANSWER: Winter is gone and May is here once again. The flowers are blooming, the temperature is climbing and people are coming out of their houses, cooking out, having picnics and looking forward to vacations and summer. This time of year always makes me think of my high school years and what occupied my mind back then when spring came… My car! Spring meant that it came out of the garage and was ready to shed the salt, grime and dirt of the winter storms. I could not afford a new car in 1948, but my Dad found a 41' Ford Sedan. This car was not only used, but in close investigation I noticed a decal right at the base of the hood with the number 48. The car had either been a company car or a police car. Nevertheless, it was mine and I was prepared to clean it up. I really did not like the color; kind of grey, almost white, so I decided to have it painted. I took it to a baked enamel shop on North Main, close to Rudy's Auction. How many of you remember Rudy's? This paint shop would completely paint your car with baked enamel for the whopping sum of $35. I gave it a face lift and renewed its glory by painting it Hawaiian Bronze. I then proceeded to take it to a welding shop and have the rear springs heated (and by the way ruined) but for the purpose of lowering the rear of the car to approximately six inches above the pavement. This look was really in. (During the 60's the cars were lowered in the front.) I then went to a shop on South Broadway just beyond the John Mack Bridge and purchased Hollywood hub caps. Remember, those were the ones with the propeller in the center. Then the car needed the next step of this great customizing job…LEAD.  We removed the chrome from the doors, the hood, and the trunk. Inset the license on the trunk, installed dual straight pipes and capped it all off by buying rubberized white paint at Oklahoma Tire & Supply, and painting each tire to make it (appear) a wide whitewall. This had to be repeated every few days. I needed some gold tail pipe extensions for my straight pipes. These were obtained by taking a piece of brass pipe to the auto mechanics shop at North High and having it formed into tail pipe extensions. The car also had to dawn a Packard Bird on the front of the hood with wings that lighted. Now that was a car! The straight pipes did not last long, after a motorcycle officer stopped me and said, "Son, I want this car as quiet as the day it came out of the factory." Well, it still looked great and took me through many great days of dragging Douglas and my high school years.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-04-01 09:21:00

: We love to hear about your media memories.  Got anymore?

ANSWER: The month of April has many songs written about it. One song in particular that you'll remember was by Al Jolson, "Tho April Showers May Come Your Way…They Bring the Flowers that Bloom in May". Well that song's lyrics hold true. You may also remember the Jolson Story movie that came out in the 40's featuring Larry Parks. April also makes me think of the Arkansas River and remember the days of its flooding nearly every year. I lived at 11th and Lewellen Streets, about two blocks from the river. When April rolled around, homeowners started thinking about sandbags. Our house had a cellar and following the heavy rains of April my family would stay awake through the night listening to the flood waters surround our home and fill the cellar. My friends and I had a very small, green rowboat. At the age of 12, we rowed the boat through the neighborhood and took grocery orders, then delivered them by boat as well. The water was not deep but it certainly was destructive. And then the Big Ditch came, despite being fought by some City Fathers. It has saved millions of dollars in damage throughout the whole north end of the city. We are still fighting the Cowskin Creek, but I am sure that too will come to an end as that situation is handled. The Arkansas River has also left some pleasant memories with me. There was a special place at the end of Jefferson St. and the river that my friend Bill Nulik and I loved to go on a hot summer afternoon and fish. We could look across the river and see a wigwam that an Indian tribe had created on an island. One day, while I was in my Biology class at North High being taught by Mr. Metcalf, all of our class was called to the Windown to watch that wigwam burn. Someone had set it on fire! Also during my years at North, before we had the city's River Festival, there was a very special event called "The River", which was sponsored and put together by students and teachers. We had canoe and boat races. The students made some pretty spectacular floats that were mounted on top of canoes and were placed in competition for the best float. All sailed to music that was played over a giant P.A system as the colorful units appeared. I believe North High is the only high school in Wichita that offers Canoeing as part of its Physical Education program.April, the Arkansas River, floods, beauty, fishing, and memories of high school days are all an important part of my life. I appreciate all the e-mails you send, keep them coming!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-02-01 11:24:00

: We love to hear about your media memories.  Got anymore?

ANSWER: I have been enjoying watching the TV clips celebrating KAKE-TV's 50th Anniversary. The video clips have shown the old personalities that were there throughout the years. I especially liked the clip they shared of John Froome who was 'The' personality that everyone associated with KAKE. I was in television during the time of the start up of KAKE-TV, only I was at Channel 12. I actually became acquainted with John when he was with KANS Radio. We were both doing sports in the press box at Lawrence Stadium. We had yet to meet, but one of the announcers told me that John had listened in on my play-by-play which was broadcast on KMUW, Wichita State's station. His comment on my play-by-play was, "that guy doesn't know anything about baseball but he sure has a gift of gab"!I was fortunate to have had a chance to work with several of the personalities who were originally at KAKE-TV. Henry Harvey, who later came to Channel 12 as Elmer Fudd (a kid's show), Ollie Henry brought The Little Rascals noon show, named Ollie's Alley, to Channel 12, Graham Fletcher came from KAKE-TV to 12 and did news on Channel 12 after he was manager of KAKE Radio, and Tom Leahy, who in years earlier than KAKE-TV, had been a disc jockey on KAKE Radio. Tom did a show called Irwin's Dance Party on KAKE-TV. He was the host, along with his partner Rodney, of A Late Night Horror Show, which he brought to Channel 12. He eventually moved to Channel 3 and became well known as Major Astro. Tom and I also worked in News at a radio station named KIRL, owned by uddy Rogers and Mary Pickford. Deputy Dusty (and his band), known for his afternoon cowboy shows, joined KFDI as Farm Director while I was working there, and we worked together until his death. I have written these comments as a salute to KAKE-TV for their 50 wonderful years here in Wichita and the many friends I still have at the station.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-02-01 09:22:00

: Would you share some of your cold weather memories?

ANSWER: Seeing all of the ice in the January ice storm is reminiscent of the storms of days gone by, many years ago. It seems that now days, we have less snow and more ice than we did in the 40's and 50's. I received many reader's comments about my column last month regarding times when coal was our main source of heat here in Wichita, I was reminded of the way that many of the two-story farm houses were heated. My father told me that when he was a boy, there was a metal vent pipe that went out through the second story roof of their house and he and his brothers received their heat as they slept from the warmth of only that pipe. (Really doesn't sound too comfortable.) He said it was pretty darn cold. Many heated with wood burning fireplaces and of course the house was lit with coal oil lamps. The lighting was much less bright at that time because the lamps caused dark spots in a large room. The kitchen stove was usually wood, coal oil, or kerosene, but you know we still ate well and had no trouble gaining weight. Cars had to be wrapped and shielded at night, but still froze up. There was no fuel injection and you had to prime the carburetor or use the choke. During that era outside cranks were used and even on cars that had starters. Winter was tough in those days. Do you remember the World War II years and the ration stamps that you had to produce to purchase your gasoline? You had to display a stamp on your windshield classifying your vehicle. And, do you remember that the filling station attendant would have to pump the gasoline manually, with the use of a large handle until it filled the upper portion of the tank? The hose was connected to your car and as the gasoline was released the gallons were measured with a painted line scale on the side of the pump tank, which indicated the amount of gallons that it required to fill your car. The attendant would hurriedly check all of your cars fluids, air in the tires, and clean the windshield in order to keep your business. It was called full service, and service was a necessity in all business back then.Folks it's a much easier life now and looking back, the Good Old Days seem kind of grim. Drive carefully in the ice and snow!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2005-01-01 08:42:00

: Would you share some of your cold weather memories?

ANSWER: Oh, "The Good Old Days". January always make me remember the freezing winters of the past. Wichita in the 40's was different. Do you remember what the house felt like when you woke on a cold morning? If not, let me remind those of you who lived through the 40's. It was ice cold, even freezing to the point that sometimes the pipes under the house would freeze and burst during the night. You see, we used coal to heat with then. That's right; a coal stove generally occupied a key place right in the center of your home. The coal, which was delivered by a large truck, was dumped into a coal chute that was usually under the house or in your basement. I can remember my dad getting up in the morning and literally running to get the coal to start a fire in the stove, then running back to bed and covering up with so many blankets that the weight was very heavy to sleep under. Eventually, the stove would do its thing and you could get up to a house that wasn't exactly warm, but at least the chill was knocked off! Then throughout the day, you had the privilege of attending the fire and adding coal as needed to keep the fire burning. There was another method that we used to help keep warm, and that was heating a brick over the fire, wrapping it with a piece of flannel, and placing it at your feet. You know thinking back; the house always seemed warm during the day. We had the radio to enjoy: farm news with Bruce Behymer, the Ark Valley Boys, and Bob Gadberry. On network we had Kate Smith, Aunt Jenny, Major Boles Amateur Hour, Inner Sanctum, Boston Blackie, and many more. Can you remember waking up to the sound of car motors running at top speed, tires spinning like crazy to get out of a snow drift, and the streets all jammed with snow? Getting in and out of a drive-way with a slope was always a challenge. You may remember that the snow crew in Wichita during that time consisted of just a few road graders (not snow plows) and too few men clearing away the snow. Thus, everyone had snow tires (which were not totally effective), or chains that snapped-on, only consisting of three areas of your tire being covered, or the full chains that went completely around the tire. Yes, it seemed colder back then, but those truly were "The Good Old Days".

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-12-01 08:52:00

: Would you share some of your cold weather memories?

ANSWER: December stirs a lot of memories of past good times in Wichita. I remember my school days at North High and my Dad taking me to school in his 1948 Pontiac with the sun shade over the windshield. Funny thing… we didn't need that shade very much in December back than. You see the snow would pile up in drifts to the point that everyone carried a set of chains or had snow tires just in order to get around Wichita. Hard to believe that now days we only average about 4 snows a year with enough accumulation to even think about getting stuck. The snow however made a beautiful background for the Christmas spirit. The lights seemed to burn brighter in downtown Wichita then because there were no bright street lights at that time. It made the neon signs really beautiful with their many colors of orange, blue, red, and green. Downtown of course was in full bloom, with the really spectacular store windows, mechanized Santas, elves, trains, animals, and much work that was evident in each department store windows. I wonder how many of you have seen the movie "A Christmas Story", where the Santa parade took place in front of the department store. Wichita always had that parade and still carries on the tradition. The many big stores downtown, Buck's, Hinkle's, Innes, Sears and the 5&10 Cent Stores, Kress, Woolworth's, Grant's, McClelland's, all made Christmas bright. The KG&E plant on East Central was always bordered with lights. The houses on North ParkPlace, where hitching posts still stand, are decorated to this day. The Salvation Army booths downtown, with the bell ringers, added to the festive spirit. So many memories we could recall, before the days of the malls and big shopping centers, when downtown was the place to be. But, Wichita is my hometown and I would still rather be here at Christmas than any other place. Today, in 2004, there are a lot of memories to be made for you right here in our hometown. Merry Christmas.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-10-01 15:07:00

: Would you share some of your Thanksgiving memories?

ANSWER: The air is cool and the leaves have turned. Fall is fading fast and winter is coming on. It's November, and that of course means Thanksgiving. Permit me to reminisce a moment… and travel with me back, "over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house…" Oh what precious memories! We lived here in Wichita, but my Father's family all came from the Argonia, Anthony, Danville, Freeport areas. His family was large; eleven children. During the time that I recall, all were married and had children of their own. This made for a large gathering. The family farm was not a big one, but very typical during the 40's. My family would pack up the brand new 1940 Hudson, load it with all kinds of goodies, and head for the country. How many of you remember Old Highway 81? I am not talking about the Old Highway 81 that exists now, but the old, Old Highway 81. Yes, it was a two lane road…but barely! We would fly down the road past Haysville, Waco Wego, Wellington, on through Anthony, and then to Argonia. We'd turn off the highway and on to a dirt road that was usually muddy (no gravel at this time) and sometimes would get stuck. We would eventually see the old farm house sitting by a running creek, and surrounded by cars belonging to my uncles and aunts. (Most of the cars were new, because at that time family farming was more lucrative than now.) Part of the day was spent with each uncle taking everyone for a ride to show off his new car.Then the horseshoes came out and the men would play and talk about crops, planting, butchering, hunting, and the weather. Meanwhile all the women would be fixing and putting together the giant meal that was probably the largest any of us would see all year. I can still smell the food cooking; the turkey and pies (with the promise of homemade ice cream on top) blending in with the odor of the wood stove that set in the center of the room. I am sure many of you are planning Thanksgiving celebrations, and many will be large like ours was. Isn't it fantastic that God has allowed us to live in a country where bounty exists; that we can have good food and great families and tremendous memories? Happy Thanksgiving!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-10-01 10:31:00

: New car showings for Fall used to be a bigger event than they are today.  Do you remember?

ANSWER: October really is our introduction to fall. I was thinking about the late 40's and early 50's when everyone would get excited in October to see the new cars and just exactly what the designers had changed. As a matter of fact the car dealers would keep the new cars under a canvas cover and make the unveiling a special event. We just couldn't wait to see them. Our trip would start on East Douglas at Butts Buick Cadillac, to Bulger on West St., to see the new Chevrolets and Dodges, then downtown to Price to see the new Fords, and in later years on West Douglas to see the Kaiser and Fraser cars, (which only lasted a short time). It was exciting to see the fins, fancy chrome the new accessories, especially when stereo radios were first introduced. The cars had wider body styles; were bigger, roomier, and gas mileage was not a concern. I remember my Dad bought a Hudson Terrplane, and then in 1940, bought a brand new Hudson for $700. In 1952 he bought a new Hudson Commodore Eight for $4,000 at the Mosbacher Agency. The Packard was always fun to drive and see, and the ultra modern Studebaker (that you really couldn't tell whether it was going forward or backwards) was way ahead of its time. In 1956 I purchased a Dodge, the first year that Chrysler introduced the push buttons on the dash to change gears. My very first night I was stopped by a Derby policeman. Now at that time it was the courteous, respectful thing to do to get out of your car and meet the officer. Now days they want you to stay put! Well I got out and did not get the push button in neutral and the car began backing into the police car. Fortunately I was able to get back in and stop in time. Soon came the VW Beetle, the Amphicar, the Edsel and all the rest. All of this happened in October and it still does. They do begin showing the new cars earlier now, but the big push is still in October. Go and see…and buy a new car this October, only now, with the lower gas mileage consumption and a whole lot less chrome. Have a great fall!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-08-01 11:28:00

: Do you remember county fairs?

ANSWER: Roger Miller recorded a song many years ago, The Tom Greene County Fair. The song brought back many memories of childhood: going to the fair, eating til you were sick, riding rides, seeing shows, displays, cattle, and riding in the bed of a pick-up truck with your cousins as we left the neon lights of town in the distance. Well, it's not a county fair; but coming up this month, is the granddaddy of them all; The Kansas State Fair. I had the privilege of working at the fair for 15 years and I must say I enjoyed my time there very much. Channel 12 was my first media experience. Being in broadcasting was great; going to the fair with old black and white cameras, we established our location on the corner that we called the Broadway and Douglas intersection of the fair. We began going there in the mid-fifties, taking our total news strip and broadcasting live. As a matter of fact, we broadcasted every live show that was on the station from the fair: news, weather, sports, children's shows, ladies features, Hi Fi Hop as well as coverage of the fair events. Think back with me…there was no air conditioning in the buildings, dusty, muddy midway paths, far fewer eating-places and many more things that I have probably forgotten. But, I do miss the side shows with the carnival, motorcycles running at fast speeds inside a steel globe, human oddity shows were very prevalent: a two headed cow, (stuffed of course), the Rubber Man, Alligator Woman, Popeye (a man who could extrude his eyes at will), the man with two mouths with which he could blow cigarette smoke from, Sword Swallower, and much more. Remember Frenchie the Auctioneer who was at the fair for years? He was the absolute best, a master at starting with junk and ending by selling very expensive jewelry. And don't forget all of the pitchmen demonstrating everything from sweepers to vibrating chairs. Who could forget the great cattle and livestock displays, 4-H exhibits and projects, and the auto races? I remember a time I spent all afternoon visiting with Evil Knievel, brought to the fair by Hugo's Harley Davidson of Wichita. He made a tremendous jump and I really enjoyed his philosophy of life. There were bands from schools everywhere, and the great name personalities who came for the night shows. It's coming up again this month, September 10-19th.  Everything is still there and I'll be going, so go to the State Fair and build some memories.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-08-01 08:22:00

: Do you remember the live music and local broadcasts in the 40's and 50's?

ANSWER: With no TV or stereo, entertainment in Wichita was basically confined to movies, some still in black and white, and the oncoming of wide screens and 3-D was just hitting. During this era Sports Center offered some carnival rides, we had traveling carnivals coming to town, the opening of Joyland, Miniature golf, and of course baseball at Lawrence Stadium, Rodeo's, picnics, and neighboring made the radio one of the prime sources of entertainment. You could enjoy live music right from the radio station's studio. Ted Morris called me the other day, with follow-up information on one of my previous Q&A articles. I had mentioned one of Wichita's great musicians and personalities, Raymond Shelley. Many of you remember him from his organ concerts between films on the 5 Manual Pipe Organ at the old Miller Theater. Ted enlightened me that he also had a live radio show from the studio of KANS, and that Ted Morris's mother was the vocalist on that show. She used the name Judy Jordan when she sang on KANS. Of course she sang and Raymond accompanied her on the electronic organ at the studio. Judy Jordan later moved to California and became an MCA recording artist and changed her name to "Babs" Jordan. She also had a coast-to-coast radio show on the BLUE Network and NBC. And get this; her accompanist on that show was none other than a man named Lee Liberace. Ms Jordan eventually moved back to Wichita, married, and lives here still. The popular entertainment group featuring the Ark Valley Boys could be found at the big KFH studio performing in front of a live audience daily. All of the Ark Valley boys had nicknames. Many were called "Cousin" like Cousin Clarence Brown who was the comedian of the group, Bill "Foggy" Boggs, the fiddle player, Cousin Snazzy the bass fiddle player, and all the rest. I recently received an email from Gloria McGinley, who furnished me with further information about this group. She said that Roy "Oby" Victory was her father. He was part of the Victory Trio who sang with the Ark Valley Boys. In fact, she went on to say, her parents were married along with her aunt and uncle at a secret double wedding ceremony that occurred at the old Forum after one of the KFH programs. The Victory Trio went on to sing with Corky's Coral Gang, which was another live radio show put together by Corky Edminster and performed live daily on KANS. Oby Victory went on to the television era and performed live on Dusty's Jamboree, which aired on KAKE TV, with Dusty Herring, an old buddy of mine known affectionately to Wichita as Deputy Dusty. Radio in those days was what TV is to us now. We still enjoy listening and/or watching our favorite shows, featuring all the movie stars and recording artists of the time. The 40' and 50' were great times, but life is also great now.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-07-01 10:05:00

:  Who were some of the local radio personalities in the 40's and 50's?

ANSWER:  I received many emails and responses on last month's column regarding Wichita's first radio station. Thank for you interest. I mentioned that we would look at some of the personalities that were dominant during the 40's and 50's when radio was King.First, lets go to 1330, KFH. Ethel Jane King was one of the first lady broadcasters. She, as with most of the folks back then, had a very unique voice and presented programs that were of interest to women. Also included in the line up was Don Anderson, who was Master of Ceremonies for the Ark Valley Boys and also a DJ, and of course the familiar voice of George Wells who hosted Party Line, a favorite late night show. There was Bill and Doreen Post who featured music by singing and offering interesting conversation, and in later years, the Morning Mayor, Johnny Merrill and his weatherman Cecil Carrier.Moving to KFBI, was Bob Gadburry, a voice familiar to Wichita, and Henry Harvey who later became a TV personality as Freddy Fudd, Mack Sanders and The Ranch Boys (always entertaining!), and at night, easy listening and the soft presentation of Jack Campbell.Moving to KWBB, the news voice of Jim Setters, who created Street News in Wichita, and Wichita's first (and at that time the highest rated) country DJ Lee Nichols. He had the ear of the country fans, as did John Campbell, another favorite.On KAKE radio, you could hear the voice of Bill Young in the afternoons, and one of Wichita's favorite personalities (even up to the present time) Tom Leahy, the man that had the only prime time record show, Irwin's Dance Party at 7 p.m. daily. He was also to become a favorite on TV, as he went on to become the personality and host of the Major Astro show. Then there was a standout news announcer who did the ten o'clock edition, Graham Fletcher, who was also the General Manager.At KANS, you could hear John Froome, a very creative announcer that later actually gave birth to many of the programs on KAKE TV, DJ's Bob Hicks and Stan Hagan, and their news personalities, and George Gow, a well known voice here in the city that was heard on several other stations.I know there were many other greats that we will bring to your attention in future publications. These names will bring back pleasant memories to many of you.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-06-01 09:38:00

:  What was Wichita media like in the 40’s?

ANSWER:  Radio was all there was in the 40's in Wichita. Television had its infancy in the major cities but Wichita was only into radio. First there was KFBI, which actually started in Abilene. (This information was given to me by one of KFBI's first employees, Paul Harvey.) The station then moved to Wichita and the call letters stood for the Kansas Farmers and Bankers Insurance Company. The station was located for many years in the building with the same name, located at First and Market Streets. Then came KFH, which was the abbreviation for Kansas' Finest Hotel, the Lassen. Next in line was KANS (Kansas), and then came KAKE located in the downtown Derby building by the bridge on West Douglas. Then the Levand family who owned the Wichita Beacon placed KWBB on the air. These of course, were all AM stations and completed all five buttons on your car radio. Most of the radio airtime was spent on network programming. The only local programming was mainly news and farm information. Some of the personalities were farm directors, Bruce Behymer of KFH, whose program started with the ringing of a cowbell and ended with "That's all from Bee for now". Lester Weatherwax at KFBI, and big news names were George Gow with KFH and Graham Fletcher of KAKE who also served as General Manager of that station. Music shows were programmed live and everyone attended as part of the studio audience at one time or another. The Ark Valley Boys at KFH, Corkys Coral Gang at KANS, KFBI Ranch Boys and Raymond Shelley at the Miller Theatre Organ on KANS. Stations had their own music directors; Vern Nydegger at KFBI, Jimmy Carpenter at KFH, and Raymond Shelley at KANS. There was nothing as good as the family gathered around the big tall console radio at night with popcorn, a cold soda enjoying The Lone Ranger, The Shadow, Inner Sanctum, Lum and Abner, Fibber McGee and Molley, Jack Benny, The Hit Parade and all the rest. I hope this brings back some great memories. Next month we will discuss some of the local personalities.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-04-01 09:19:00

Question:  Tell me about the neighborhood drugstores in the 40's and 50's.

ANSWER:  Ah, 'The Drugstore' was a staple in every neighborhood. They were one stop shopping delivered with friendly service.  Most featured a pharmacy, with one pharmacist who was usually the owner of the business. During the early part of the 40's decade, the neighborhood drugstore, would not only fill your prescription but would deliver it, often on a bicycle! They would also deliver to your home, just about every other product they sold. Most drugstores carried 'sundries' (a term you don't hear much anymore), various items such as watches, perfumes, cosmetics, toys, pocketknives, clocks and a myriad of other items. They would even deliver ice cream to your home. Most drugstores featured a fountain. Of all the services that the neighborhood drugstores offered, this is what I miss the most. A place in the store where you could order your favorite soft drink, or ice cream delight that was custom made to order right there in front of you. Half of the enjoyment was watching the preparation. The 'Soda Jerk', who was very proficient at making any type of concoction with ice cream and syrup, was often known to get a dip of ice cream, throw it up in the air and catch it in a malt can to the delight of the customers. Wasn't it great to watch them prepare, from scratch, a Cherry Coke?Several of the drugstores I remember were Watts', operated by Marion Watt at Main and Harry, Eppersons, managed by Claude Epperson at Central and Main, Neil's at Harry and Broadway, the Zongkers stores, all over town, as well as Dockums, another chain, and Gesslers, Holmes and many more. You talk about personal service. I miss those days and the unique blend of smells that struck you upon entering; chemicals, perfumes, cosmetics, and ice cream, all mixed together. The only place that I know of now days, that you can experience the pleasures of the neighborhood drugstore, is in Chetopa, Kansas.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-03-01 16:16:00

Question:  Tell me about the celebration of Easter in the 40's. How was it different than today?

ANSWER:  I remember Easter as a boy. We were products of the depression, and money was not plentiful in the 40's. Back then; the day of Easter was dedicated to the real meaning, the Resurrection of Christ, rather than the commercialism that has crept in today. During this era, the days leading up to Easter were geared toward worship, remembering that this was the pinnacle of the Christian faith, the Resurrection of our Lord. This tremendous event was celebrated in various ways by the different denominations. All Christian churches came together the week prior to Easter at the Orpheum Theatre for the showing of the black and white movie, "The King of Kings."  My family prepared to join the others by getting together our Easter clothes that we would wear to church. The women, it would seem, would try to outshine all others with the most colorful or the largest hat. I remember sitting for hours in a hat shop in the 100 block of East Douglas, while my mother tried to select just the right hat. My father always had to have a new suit; many time an all white one. White shoes were in, and the men all wore hats to church. The day before Easter involved boiling and dying eggs for the giant Easter egg hunts that would take place after Sunday dinner. Many families organized their own hunts, unlike citywide hunts that we see today. Sunday afternoons were different then. No TV, not many theatres, and a great deal more togetherness as a city. Seems like the 'in-thing' now is to dress down after church as quickly as we can by getting into our jeans and comfortable clothes. In the 40's, the Sunday morning church service was the main event. Families would stroll down Douglas and other streets displaying their Easter finery. Some would go to Riverside Park; maybe rent a boat at the boathouse then located at Murdock and Waco, or The Central Park, which had a zoo. They had a few lions, tigers, many monkeys, baboons, alligators, ducks in a duck pond, and a separate cage across the street housing some bears. There were concession stands. I still remember the smell of popcorn, the taste of an ice cream cone, and a cold bottle of pop cooled in ice. Those times seemed like endless sunny days with playgrounds, picnics and tremendous family fun!There are probably many additional things that you and your family did to celebrate the joyous event of Easter. I hope this jogs your memory to some of those good times. I sincerely hope that Easter 2004 begins with you and your family attending a worship service to celebrate the event that this day is all about, The Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-03-01 14:01:00

Faye Graves Question:  I can't believe that Channel 12, KWCH, is 50 years old. What was it like when it first began?

ANSWER:      (This is a continuation of our salute to Channel 12's 50th Anniversary, from The Q&A Times, Feb. 04')Following the broadcast era from the Lassen Hotel, Channel 12 moved to its' present location in the studios at 37th Street North and Hillside. These studios were previously occupied by Channel 16, KEDD, which had gone off the air. I served as chief director and production manager at this location.We originated numerous live shows during my time, which was before videotape came on the scene, from the 50 x 40 foot studio. Shows like Uncle Willabee and Sammy Scarecrow (both featuring Ernie Dade), Cowboy Frank, and HI FI Hop, which ran each day Monday through Friday at 5 pm. Also featured were the news, weather and sport shows with Bill Brooks, Junior Auction, and all commercials were live. Especially challenging were the commercials with ice cream that had to appear frozen under the hot studio lights, and bacon frying for the Cudahay commercials. For car commercials, the automobiles had to be driven in and out during a 60 second commercial. (You might remember the story I shared last month about the autos returning to their dealership thinking that the run-thru had been the commercial, causing havoc when no cars were available for the shoot!) Many times, even the news film was produced through a projector that was plugged into a camera in the studio, all while the news was airing. And what a day when videotape and color television came into being! It's amazing, all of the things we accomplished during these primitive days of television. I've enjoyed sharing with you, the memories of those years when the only television stations in Wichita were KTVH, KARD, KAKE, KPTS and KWCH. Happy Anniversary Channel 12!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-01-01 13:00:00

: I can't believe that Channel 12, KWCH, is 50 years old. What was it like when it first began?

Faye Graves Question: I can't believe that Channel 12, KWCH, is 50 years old. What was it like when it first began?Answer: Time flies doesn't it? I was reminded of this when a few weeks ago Channel 12 presented a documentary celebrating their 50th anniversary. The documentary presented Channel 12's later broadcasting history, but I remember 1953 when it first hit the airwaves. KTVH, as it was designated then, actually started in Hutchinson. The studio was located at 1800 North Plum and was a well-equipped facility for that time period, broadcasting in only black and white. In 1954, in Wichita, they started a remote studio in the basement of the Lassen Hotel in a room that previously had been a private club. That studio consisted of one black and white camera with a “Zoomar" lens. There was only one announcer from this location, Mel Hanes. Later, the studio hosted John Edmond, who started a show with his trick dog, Troubles. He also did commercials, which were inserted in the show airing live from Hutchinson.I became the third on-air announcer from that studio. My first commercial was taped just outside the hotel, on the sidewalk at First and Market. The client featured in the commercial was Ed White Motors, and required two cars pulling up at curbside. The spot was to air live on Cecil Carrier's weather show, which was being broadcast from the Hutch studio. The rehearsal for the commercial went great. But, the drivers of the cars thought that the run-through was actually the commercial, so when finished, they went back to the lot! I had to ad-lib my way through the spot by saying, "The cars are just selling so fast we couldn't get one here!" The station management later moved from that little room and placed the news program, featuring Joe McConkey with an easel placed on the front of his desk with still pictures and a zoom camera, Cecil's weather show, and all of the commercials in the night news strip. The fourth announcer at this facility was Gene McGehee. He was great. During his tenure, the station produced (with one camera live): Choir Show, the Kansas Mack Cowboy Show cut-ins, commercials for film shows; Liberace, the Bob Cummings Show, Walt's Work Shop, and the Saturday Game of the Week. They even did live shows like Junior Auction, where kids purchased items by saving Kitty Clover Potato Chip bags. This included a live audience of 50 kids, all in this one small room in the middle 50's, a remote studio that actually was micro waved to the main studio in Hutchinson. Next month more in our salute to Channel 12's 50th Anniversary, their move to a larger studio, the big power change for the station and the competing stations that arrived on the air.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2004-01-01 09:18:00

: We really enjoy the memories you inspire.  A couple of issues ago you wrote about the old Forum.  It was very well written.  Got any more memories to share of this old Wichita landmark?

ANSWER:  Wichita has many landmarks. Some of the more famous ones still exist only in our memories, such as the Wichita Forum. I mentioned the Forum a couple of months ago in the Q&A and received many comments about great days of quality entertainment enjoyed by Wichitans. Bill DeVore, a Q&A Times reader, was reminded of the time his mother came home from the Forum embarrassed to tears after seeing the great singer Nelson Eddy…distracted by the roar of lions next door at the Shrine Circus. He also remembers the appearance of Senator Barry Goldwater in 1964, and attending a Harlem Globetrotters basketball game. Many great celebrities appeared at the Forum. Bill remembers Agnes Moorhead, Constance Bennet, and Hal Holbrook in the 60's, as well as the comedy of funny woman Phyllis Diller.     Bill went on to share memories of after World War II. Collections were taken up for relief in Europe. Entire trainloads filled with everything from wheat to clothes, gathered at the Forum to ship on the "Mercy Trains." France reciprocated with a "Thank You Train" filled with objects of art, handcrafts, statues, etc. Displayed at the Forum, these created a powerful and beautiful exhibit.   I've enjoyed this trip down memory lane of the old red brick building aptly named the Forum. Thanks Bill.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2003-12-01 10:27:00

: Is it possible that Christmas is upon us already?

ANSWER: Think back to Christmases past…the movie "The Christmas Story" looks just like Wichita in the 40's & 50's.  Downtown Wichita was the shopping place; there were all of the major department stores with their windows decorated (each trying to "out do" the others).  Families couldn't wait to see what each store window contained.  There was Hinkels, which had a very ingenious first.  They had configured a small Santa palace to be on display in the window and by use of reflecting mirrors they were able to show and reduce the size of their live Santa in the basement to fit in one of the rooms. He could actually talk to the sidewalk shoppers, as they would give their Christmas wishes through the window speaker and then he would answer.  Then there was Bucks that had the big Santa on his throne, surrounded by elves.  He was laughing but his laughter almost resembled a heart attack.  We cannot forget Innes (before it became Macy's), a huge attraction.  They had an electric train that traveled through tunnels, mountains, and towns and at every crook of the track there were figures of children and townspeople talking, and singing.  Of course all of the various stores trimmed to the brim with exciting lights and decorations, Henry's, Spines, Walkers, S.G. Holmes, Lewins, Helzbergs, Wolf Bros., Bricks, Levitts and many more.  The Christmas lights and colors seemed brighter because the streetlights were darker and fewer more like Old Town now.  All of the traffic, the street vendors, and the stores were open 'til 9pm.  Bells ringing downtown were really alive at this time.  Merry Christmas Everyone!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2003-11-01 09:16:00

: Tell me about Mack Sanders.

ANSWER: It's 4 O'clock in the afternoon, (1954) only one television station on the air (Channel 12).  A tri-pacer airplane takes off, reaches it's destination and Kansas Mack steps out.  He had arrived for another Kansas Mack Show.  Mack Sanders introduced the western movies for many years and hosted The Ranch Boys Band Show (his country band) which by the way played for radio remotes and had their own radio show daily on KFBI.  These were the days when radio stations had their own bands, KFH/The Ark Valley Boys, KANS/Corkys Coral Gang...great entertainment!  Mack Sanders was a personality in country music here in Wichita, he started KSIR and then purchased KFRM, started KICT and then went on to purchase many radio stations in the U.S.  Back in the 50's he owned the restaurant and sports center then located on E Harry.  His days consisted of his own radio show at 5am, a television show in the afternoon, and he played dances all over the Midwest at night.  He was also a recording artist along with his band.  Mack brought nearly all of the country artists to Wichita along with booking agent Hap Peebles.  He knew personally all of the "then popular" country stars, and when they were here in Wichita a visit with Mack was a MUST!  Mack Sanders was still doing a 5am Disc Jockey show on his radio station in Hot Springs until his death on October 11th.  His name and his imprint will always remain on Wichita and Kansas.  I had the privilege of directing and producing his TV shows, and also was honored to office side-by-side with him in management and part owner of the Proud Country Radio Stations.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2003-10-01 11:56:00

: What were holidays like in Wichita?  Have the ways people celebrated changed?

ANSWER: Since this is October, and Halloween is upon us, I will recall my childhood and teenage years and my remembrances of this time of year.  I can recall going downtown to the 5 and 10 cent department stores - Kress, Woolworths, Grant’s, or McClellands.  My parents would shop with me for a halloween costume.  This was a fun time, deciding what I was going to be like when I dressed up.  Then, all of the kids in my class would wear their costumes to school the next day and the teacher would select which one was the best.  Usually, it was one that had been concocted in the home, not bought.   Trick or treat was always the high point of the day.  We would get together with some of the other neighborhood kids and go from house to house and collect our loot.  People were so friendly, and the doors were always open.  They would invite you in and make over your costume and give you something special.  When I was a boy, money was pretty tight and many times, our treat may have been homemade - possibly cookies, candy or maybe an apple or an orange.  Whatever, it was given in love and from the heart.     It was a great night. We didn’t have to worry about gangs, drive-by shootings, or child molesters.  Our parents didn’t even have to go with us on the outing, it was very safe.   The theaters would always help make the night a little more ‘scary’ by scheduling a Frankenstein, Mummy or Dracula movie... which by the way, I used to walk to the movies and those pictures made me run all the way home!  But, for us it was just fun, we did not attach all the evil to it that has been so evident in these later years.  Remember in the 40’s and 50’s there was no television, just radio as far as electronic media. We listened to scary stories  with our families in the dark.   Children and families had not been exposed to all the bad things that have come to the forefront today.  To us, halloween was just a fun night.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2003-09-01 10:08:00

: Where did people in Wichita go before Century II and the Kansas Coliseum were built?  

ANSWER:  You know, with all the talk about new arenas for Wichita, I was just remembering the one that served this city for many years, the old Forum.  The Forum was located at William and Water and was used for any kind of public exposition that came to Wichita.  Sport, Boat and Travel shows, the Home Show, school graduations, church functions and all kinds of specialty display shows used the entire building.  For the smaller crowds, there was the Arcadia Theater located on the northeast corner of the building.  There was also the major auditorium on the south side, and a huge garage, or as we called it, exposition area, in the center.  The city actually had three extra-wide streets to channel traffic to downtown and to the Forum.     The Forum was host to nearly every major artist and movie star personality of those glamorous times.  I remember one show that I attended that featured Count Basie and His Orchestra, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald... that was a star-studded evening!  Hap Peebles was Wichita’s major promoter during this time and he helped Channel 12 and me bring Johnny Cash and Bobby Lord to the Forum for our yearly Hi-Fi Hop Dance Contest... for just $1000.  Hap scheduled many country shows with all the top recording stars, and then took them two blocks to the Missouri Pacific Dance Hall on Douglas for a big evening.     The Forum also housed the National Guard, and during the mobilization time of World War II, the guard was activated and actually used the Forum for barracks and began their drilling maneuvers in downtown Wichita.  The Forum, of course, gave way for the construction of Century II.     There are so many remembrances we all have of shows and events we witnessed at the old Forum. Perhaps you have a special event you would like to mention.  Let us know, we’d love to hear from you!   From last month’s article about dragging Douglas, I received a call from Patrick Glynn, a former motorcycle officer and he informed me that in 1876, citizens were complaining about racing on Douglas... only then it was horses.  The sheriff at the time was issuing tickets.  A horse had three gates, walking, trotting or galloping.  If he was going faster than a walk, the rider received a ticket for speeding.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2003-08-01 11:28:00

:  Did teenagers always drag Douglas?  What were some other ‘hot spots’ they frequented while they were out ‘cruising’?  

ANSWER: I was wat-ching the movie American Graffiti the other day and it reminded me of Wichita back in the Cruisin' days. The straight pipes, Hollywood hubcaps, fender skirts, Pack-ard Birds with wings that lit up, a knob spinner on your steering wheel, chrome tail pipe extensions, and the bumper to bumper traffic each night on Douglas which was irritating to older motorists…but a whole lot of fun for all of us involved!  Again, I am taking you back to the late 40's, 50's and 60's. Remember the drive-ins that were a must stop each night? They were all over town.  The ones I am referring to are the ones with curb hops. There was Bauer's at Harry and George Washington, a circle building with parking all around. Also, Kenny's on North Broadway, The Town and Country on East Central, the OK Drive-in at Second and Seneca, and Kings X at Kellogg and Bluff. There were various ice cream malt shops, Moo-to-You on the East side, The Candy Kitchen on Broadway, Bill's BBQ on East First Street (and I am sure that you can think of many more). The two main intersections were, Sandy's at Grove and Douglas, and the Continental Grill on West Douglas just a block west of Seneca, both of these were where the traffic would circle to make the U-turn and head back the other way. Remember the police motorcycles back then? Some were three-wheelers and were an important part of this time. These hot spots are forever engraved in our memories, as the traffic has now moved to Seneca, and the drive-ins have been replaced by the many Sonic locations.    Thanks to those of you who reminded me of some of the specialty food places that I did not mention last month in our article. I am always glad to hear from you. Give me a call and remind me of your favorite hangout that we may not have covered.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2003-06-01 16:04:00

:  How many theatres did Wichita have in the 1950's? What were the names?

ANSWER: In the 1950's, the Pre-TV era, in downtown Wichita and throughout the city, our town stimulated the growth of the big movie houses and neighborhood theatres. Downtown Wichita hosted the two 'Queens' of the industry. The Orpheum Theatre, still located on North Broadway, opened in 1922 as part of a national vaudeville house circuit. Its stage hosted many entertainment legends such as Red Skelton, Ella Fitzgerald, Gypsy Rose Lee, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and Bing Crosby. The Orpheum is a work in progress today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Theatres. One can still enjoy the beauty of the Orpheum with a variety of events such as vintage and classic films, stage shows and musical productions. The Miller Theater, even larger in seating capacity with 2,000, was located on North Broadway. It featured a 5 manual pipe organ used for community sings with Raymond Shelley, which was broadcast and filmed for use in theatres across the country. Many theatres were located on Douglas Street such as the Wichita, Palace, State, Victory, Novelty, and later The Coral. Located on West Douglas were the Crest, Civic, and West Theatres. On East Douglas, The Crown Uptown in College Hill is still open today as a dinner theater and host to many school children's field trips featuring hot dog matinees. The Sandra Theater was downtown and the Boulevard Theater was at the corner of George Washington and Lincoln Streets in the Boulevard Plaza Shopping Center. The Airport Theater was located at the old Municipal  Airport and the Terrace was on North Hillside.   Neighborhood theatres were just walking distance from home. The Nomar on North Market, The Dunbar on North Cleveland, The Southern on East Harry, The Sunset on Lulu Avenue, The Tower on East Central, and in the neighborhood of Plainview, The Plainview Theatre. These names make me recall some great memories of the giant movie theatres that we enjoyed, not to mention all the drive-ins. There is only one drive-in left in Wichita now, The Starlight Drive-In in South Wichita. But, in those days we had the 81 Drive-In just north of the city limits on North Broadway, the Meadow Lark Drive-In on East Harry, and the Pawnee at Broadway and Pawnee, the Westport on South West St. the K-42 on Highway 42, and the 54 Drive-In on East Kellogg.    Today, Wichita has seen a renewed passion and growth in theatres with the vision of Bill Warren's Warren Theatre concepts. Again, we can look forward to the giant screen experience and the memories and decor that these theatres will project.   Maybe some of you can help me remember. What was the name of the theatre that was located on Douglas Street, two blocks west of West Street? It was in a Quonset hut. If you remember, please let me know!

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

2003-06-01 16:04:00

:  During the 1940's and 1950's, what were some of the new eats in Wichita?

ANSWER: Our city has always had a strong heritage of great specialty restaurants and eateries, but one of my favorite eats was the frozen malts that were served as you came in the front west door of the McClellands’ on Douglas.  The chocolate malts were served in giant glasses as soon as you walked in the door.  McClellands was just a small stand that had no chairs and served nothing else except for their famous chocolate malts.     Another favorite was the frozen custard from the Polar Bear Drive-Ins owned by Seth Wright.  People drove from all over town to buy this amazing custard any way they could get it.  They also had the best fried chicken and foot-long hot dogs.  I remember enjoying my first hot dog at Kenny's Drive-In by the tracks on North Broadway.     Another favorite of mine was the first Nu Way store on West Douglas owned by the McEvoy's.  Does anyone remember Calvins located at Harry and Seneca?  What about Takhomaburger?  There were so many great burger joints like Ralph Baums, Henryburger, Kings X, and White Castle.  Ted Christian’s "Coney Island" was another Wichitan favorite that was always packed, where you got more than just a hot dog.   I would also like to follow up from last month thanking all of you who informed me that the name of the theatre on West Douglas was called "The Rex."  One of the calls that we received was from Kenneth Rex Barton who informed me that the theatre was named after him.  If you have other specialty food places in Wichita during the 40's and 50's, please forward them on to me.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

1969-12-31 18:00:00

What do you remember about Valentine’s Day as a child?

Answer: Wow…that’s a throwback question. I haven’t thought about Valentine’s Day, as a child, for many years. As I remember… Quite often, we had deep snow in February…so a heavy coat, your scarf tied around your neck, and those goulashes that were hard to get on and off, were the norm. We generally walked to school because our families back then were one-car families, if even that, and that car was used for our parents to go to work. As I remember, I had my valentines in hand, all addressed and had carefully looked at the verses so there would be no wrong message of special endearment given to the one to whom it was addressed. I looked forward to the party and time out from the books. I attended Harry St. Elementary and remember walking through the big white double doors and entering a large hallway that had valentine hearts on display which we had made during art class. We would go into the coat closet, find the hook with our name on it, take off our heavy coat, scarf, gloves and cap…and hang them up. We placed our goulashes on the floor directly under them, then headed for the class valentine box. The teacher would pick some students to decorate the box. She or he also had hung valentine trimmings around the room. The box had a slot in the top for the kids to place their valentines addressed to their friends and that special girl friend (or boy friend). I always had a valentine for everyone in the class so no one would be left out. Later, I would watch as everyone counted to see if they had received as many valentines as others. It was sad when someone didn’t have as many. Otherwise, I remember it as being a very happy day. The mothers would always prepare the little party for the class. We usually had cookies and drinks, like Kool Aid or pop. Valentine’s Day was always a big day for adults, too. It was a day to give your sweetheart a special box of chocolates or flowers or a gift of some kind. Yes, the weather was usually very cold and sometimes snowy, and the sound of tires spinning as cars got stuck was always there, but getting that special valentine from someone you really liked made you feel all warm inside. Valentine’s Day was always one of the major happenings in the month of February. Today, perhaps it’s not as big as it was then. I hope that’s not the way it is with you. We should all have a great Valentine’s Day and a good month.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

1969-12-31 18:00:00

Has Wichita changed much over the years?

ANSWER: I heard someone say the other day as  they were talking to a fellow classmate “Wichita looks like the same town as it was when I was here.” What a gross misjudgment! This person left Wichita in the mid-’50s. Many new things are here… the Epic Center… which by the way was supposed to end up with another building just like it facing the present one, but was never built. How about the farm credit bank building on the river… the coliseum… the Garvey  Center?And what was then the Holiday Inn? Even Century Two was new! The beautiful Sedgwick County Zoo, the county courthouse and city hall…the Hyatt hotel, the Marriott and numerous other motels and hotels. New interstates going through the city. The new boathouse, and all the new buildings and hotels on the east side as well as New Market Square and many other shopping additions.What is gone? The Allis hotel. Downtown car dealers such as East Douglas, Spencer Dodge, Turner Ford and Quality Chevrolet. Butts Cadillac and Buick became Bulger, but it is now gone too. Downtown… all of the price dealerships… Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, West Douglas, Spraker Volkswagon, Kaizer Frazier, and others.Then, the stores that were big…not there… Hinkels, McClellands, Woolworths, Kress, Walkers, Henry’s Lewins, Heads, Robert Hall, Steins, Bucks, Innes, Macy’s, and Wolf Brothers. All of the downtown movie theaters that were once there are gone, except the Orpheum and the Crown Uptown.Previews of upcoming attractions are the Waterwalk, the Arena and the New Developments planned by the Minnesota Group that now own many of the old downtown buildings.No…Wichita is not the same old town. But it is still a great town and has many fantastic changes ahead. I’m glad to be a native of this city. Have a tremendous day.

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Nostalgia

Faye Graves

0000-00-00 00:00:00

Q: Do you have any memories of some of the old restaurants of Wichita?

A: Great question…and do I ever. I doubt there is any activity that can be enjoyed more often than dining out. My wife and I do it whenever we can. Recently, when we were eating at one of Wichita’s oldest restaurants, I thought about some of the many good restaurants in Wichita in the 50’s and 60’s that we enjoyed. Do you remember Elizabeth’s located at Bluff and Kellogg, located in a building that originally was an auto repair garage? Elizabeth’s was noted for their home cooked meals, Chicken and Noodles and many more, including one called Elizabeth’s Surprise. You never knew what you would get. Their apple pie just could not be beat. Then we remembered and talked about the famous Hickory House, featuring their steaks and their wonderful appetizer cart. It was located on East Central. Perhaps Wichita’s oldest restaurant, and still in business, is Savutes. It started as Rosies on North Broadway in 1944. I used to bring some of the great recording artists and quartets to our great city. I loved to take them to Savutes. I remember one of the male singers told me that he had eaten at restaurants all over the world and he had the best steak he had ever eaten at this great restaurant. Then there was Pete’s Place at the corner of West St. and Douglas. Pete would close down a couple of months each year and go and collect several kinds of vegetables and more important…peppers…that he used to make his own hot mustard and catsup. I remember working at Channel 12 TV. When we would finish for the day after the ten o’clock news, we would go to Pete’s Place. His food was unique, so much so that when he would reopen after closing for a couple of months, the place would be standing room only for weeks. The news guys that I came with liked his huge hamburgers with cheese and that great HOT SEASONING. Topping this off was the “show” that Pete and Rosie would put on as they spoke loudly to each other across the restaurant. There were so many great steak houses here, and as I said some are gone. Mr. Steak was super. Scotch and Sirloin, still in business, is still one of the best ever, as are so many more. Remember the Georgian Tea Room located on E. Central. There were also fantastic restaurants in all of the major hotels. Because I worked at Channel 12, I remember The Trail Room in the Lassen when KTVH had their first remote studios there. I actually remember having lunch in that room with RED SKELTON. Was that a hoot. Those were great times!