In Active Aging you’ll read about 2 SPECIAL OLYMPICS VOLUNTEERS who have made a huge difference to the community through a group called Wichita Independents.  They’ve been involved over half their lives and even found each other at a Kansas Special Olympics sporting event.

For the February edition of Active Aging I had the pleasure of telling a story about a traveling quilt square.  The quilter made it in the 1930’s and it made it all across the country before coming back to the Troutman family.  The Dresden Plate design is framed and hangs in her son’s house for all to see and admire.

Marti and her husband Michael are historical re-enactors.  And Marti creates her own costumes from the undergarments up.  Believe it or not, there are advantages to wearing a corset.  She uses as many historic sewing techniques as possible and makes lovely garments.

Virginia Stauffer may be in a wheelchair, but she manages very nicely in her little apartment and makes the most glorious knitted sweaters for children all over the world. She participates in the “Sweater Project” and provides sweaters to orphans and handicapped children all over the world.

You’ll read about Virginia Stauffer in Active Aging in December.  This lovely lady makes beautifully knitted sweaters for children all over the world.  After reading in the Guideposts about the “sweater project” she decided to add her contributions to help orphan and handicapped children.  She may be wheelchair bound, but Virginia gets great pleasure out of being able to help others.

Active Aging: 104 year old Hazel taught herslef to play piano at the age of 5 and has played piano for 99 years. On her 103rd birthday Hazel decided it was time to ride a motorcycle.

Womens Focus: Ann McElhinney, teacher, journalist, film maker and activist.  She and her husband make a difference in the lives of children all over the world.  (Available at all advertiser locations, including Dillons Grocers)

In the October edition of Womens Focus I had the privelege of interviewing Besty Redler a 3-year cancer survivor who had a posse of friends that supported her during her battle.  She and her posse are an inspiration.  It’s the little things that matter, a card, a note, a flower, a meal – just letting someone who is ill know they are being thought of make all the difference.  And when a mother finds herself scolding her child for leaving a mess, well, you know she’s getting better and that’s a good thing.

Look for both publications October 1st.

In the September issue of Active Aging I had the pleasure of writing about an amazing program of service called Kansas to Kenya that’s sponsored by KSU and the Sedgwick County Extension Service.