 | 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
2011-03-01 11:31:00
Remember...
Answer: March is a month that most of us remember with a smile because we knew warmer weather was on the way. March is known in Kansas as the windy month, “Comes in like lion and goes out like a lamb,” or most of the time it does. Believe it or not, it might be the best month to fly a kit. I remember going to the drug store where I could buy a kite for a nickel…one that you had to put together. Part of putting the kite together was attaching a tail for higher ascent and better control. Nearly everyone had at least one kite to take advantage of the wind in March. What a thrill when your dad or members of the family would go with you and help you launch it.
Nearly all of the farms had windmills. Today, we have “windmill farms.” However, that was only one thought about the wind. Folks who had to work in it sometimes found it too windy to go outside and complete whatever task they had to undertake. There always was a debate as to what corner downtown was the windiest. I would always ask our weatherman what he thought. That brings to mind another memory.
Wichita had a weather man that I worked with for many years on TV named Cecil Carrier. He was a great weatherman in this area and tremendous friend to all. He thought the West Douglas Bridge was the windiest place downtown, but he went on to say that one of the greatest advantages of the Kansas wind was that it blew the pollution out of here and that would give us cleaner air to breathe.
Yes, there are still cold days to come, but we know spring is just ahead.
The days always started warming up in March. The store windows in downtown Wichita would show spring and summer clothes. The car dealers would start advertising convertibles. Spring was the time to look for a new car. How many can remember the old windshields you could actually crank forward in order to get more air; and the Lincoln automobiles that had a back window that would lower. Think about how long and big and wide the passenger automobiles were in the 50’s. I had a 59 Lincoln that actually performed the things I just mentioned and today would not fit in many of the marked parking spaces. Length and luxury were what sold, not only in March but all year.
The fuel bills were lower and as a result, folks were building bigger and more luxurious homes. Windows were staying up for cooler air inside.
Have you ever seen anyone stray as much as me when you ask me about my memories? They’re sure nice to have…each and every month…and I enjoy getting them…and relating them. Let’s all have a wonderful and beautiful spring.
