 | 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
2003-12-01 10:27:00
Are the holidays here already?
: 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!
