 | 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
2005-04-01 09:21:00
April showers
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!
