 | 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 currently serves as Executive Pastor and Director of Administration and Education at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 S. Topeka, Wichita. You may contact Faye by e-mail fmgraves@amenibc.org, or by phone at (316) 262-1452. |
Nostalgia
2010-12-01 10:56:00
Remember...
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.
