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Faye Graves
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
2011-04-01 13:55:00
Remember...
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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