 | 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
2011-06-01 12:22:00
Remember...
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.
