Together With
Good morning, Wichita!
As we get closer to my friend Wichita by EB’s A Rose For Mę event, we wanted to partner up and give away a $1000 scholarship to a WSU student. If you or someone you know should apply, fill out the application here.
Let's get to it!
- Landon Huslig
🎙️ On the Podcast: Kayven’s Helping Hands
A month or so back, we sat down with Kacey & Steven Hopper, the Wichita couple behind Kayven’s Helping Hands. They share the story of their son Kayven, how they’re keeping his spirit alive through their foundation, and what every family should know about epilepsy.
It’s an honest, moving conversation and one you’ll want to pass along.
🎧 Listen now: Kayven’s Helping Hands episode, or search “Wichita Life Podcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Hit follow so new episodes land automatically.
Learn more or support their work at kayvenshelpinghands.org.
Together with Advanced Orthopaedic Associates
Injuries don’t always happen on a convenient schedule, and now AOA NOW Immediate Care is making it even easier to get the orthopaedic care you need.
With new Immediate Care hours, you can get expert care for sprains, strains, fractures and other unexpected injuries without waiting for a traditional appointment.
New times. Same trusted AOA care. Get back to doing what you love, faster.
Moments in Wichita
I was sitting in a meeting downtown a few weeks back and a few moments came up including Harry Houdini and Elvis visiting Wichita and many more.
And then President Trump came to town which no matter which side of the political fence you're on, having the President of the United States come to town is a pretty big deal. It's not something that happens every day.
And when I recently learned that the Olympic torch actually passed through Wichita on its way to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, it got me thinking.
What other big moments have happened right here in Wichita that most of us have forgotten about or never knew happened in the first place?
Turns out, quite a few.
Let's take a trip down memory lane.
1. When Presidents Came to Wichita
Wichita might not be Washington, D.C., but over the years, several presidents and future presidents have made their way through the Air Capital.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1936)
In October 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Wichita while campaigning for reelection. His visit reportedly attracted tens of thousands of people, and he even stopped for a steak at the Allis Hotel (demolished in 1996).
John F. Kennedy (1960)
Wichita airport
Before becoming the 35th president, John F. Kennedy made a campaign stop in Wichita in October 1960, speaking at Lawrence Dumont Stadium just weeks before defeating Richard Nixon.
Lyndon B. Johnson (1967)
On November 22, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson visited McConnell Air Force Base and participated in a parade through Wichita.
Interestingly, his visit came exactly four years after the assassination of President Kennedy.
Other presidential visitors have included Gerald Ford, who spoke at Century II in 1974
2. The Olympic Torch Came Through Wichita (2002)
Here's one I had no idea about.
In January 2002, Wichita became part of the journey to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
The Olympic flame traveled across the country in a massive relay involving thousands of torchbearers before eventually reaching Utah.
On January 11, 2002, the relay came through Wichita.
Tere's another fun connection. The Coleman Company, headquartered in Wichita, helped manufacture the torches used in the relay.
So Wichita wasn't just a stop along the route. A local company also helped make the equipment carrying the Olympic flame across the country.
3. Elvis Presley Rocked Wichita (1956)
Before he became the undisputed King of Rock and Roll, a 21-year-old Elvis Presley made a stop in Wichita.
On May 18, 1956, Elvis performed at The Forum in downtown Wichita and apparently, one show wasn't enough.
His original 7 p.m. concert was joined by a second performance at 9:30 p.m., giving local fans two chances to see one of music's fastest-rising stars.
Elvis performed hits including Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, and Blue Suede Shoes.
The best part is that Elvis reportedly gave a pair of his own worn blue suede shoes to Marilyn Shirkey, president of the local Elvis fan club. He also reportedly spent the night at the Lassen Hotel downtown.
Imagine telling someone today that you saw Elvis perform in downtown Wichita and walked away with his shoes!
It turns out, he actually performed 3 times at Henry Levitt Arena (now Charles Koch Arena).
4. Harry Houdini at the Orpheum (1923)
Long before modern television magic specials with David Blaine, Chris Angel (MIND FREAK) and others, there was Harry Houdini.
And yes, he performed right here in Wichita over a hundred years ago.
In 1923, the world-famous magician and escape artist took the stage at the Orpheum Theatre, which had opened just one year earlier.
Houdini was famous for escaping handcuffs, locked containers, and seemingly impossible situations, but he wasn't the only household name to perform at the Orpheum.
The theater's history includes appearances by the Marx Brothers, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, and George Burns and Gracie Allen.
Next time you walk into the Orpheum, think about the legendary performers who stood on that stage more than a century ago.
5. Charlie Parker's Early Recording in Wichita (1940)
This might be one of the coolest Wichita music connections you've never heard.
Before Charlie Parker became one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time, he was a young saxophonist performing with Jay McShann's orchestra.
On December 2, 1940, the group was in Wichita for a performance at the Trocadero Ballroom.
While in town, Parker and the band participated in a recording session at Wichita radio station KFBI.
The recording, known as Wichita Blues, is considered the earliest known recording of Charlie Parker playing with a group.
One of the pioneers of bebop jazz, whose influence helped transform modern music, had an important early recording made right here in Wichita.
Not New York. Not Chicago. Wichita, Kansas.
I’ll be full transparent. I’m not well educated in the jazz world (although i’m open to it if anyone has a good curriculum). That being said, Whiplash (2024) film is one of my favorite movies and they talk a lot about Charlie Parker:
6. Jazz Royalty at the Orpheum
Charlie Parker wasn't the only jazz legend to make an appearance in Wichita.
In 1942, Ella Fitzgerald performed at the Orpheum Theatre.
The following year, the Orpheum welcomed two more giants of jazz.
Count Basie and his orchestra performed in 1943, and Louis Armstrong took the stage that December.
Imagine seeing Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, or Louis Armstrong in downtown Wichita.
Those would be some pretty incredible memories to have.
7. The Dockum Sit-In Helped Change American History (1958)
Not every big Wichita moment involved a celebrity or famous visitor. Some were created by ordinary Wichitans doing extraordinary things.
In July 1958, a group of Black students began peacefully protesting segregation at the Dockum Drug Store lunch counter in downtown Wichita.
At the time, Black customers could purchase food but were not allowed to sit at the counter and eat.
Led in part by local NAACP youth leader Ron Walters and Carol Parks, the students repeatedly sat at the counter, demanding equal treatment.
On August 11, 1958, their efforts succeeded.
The lunch counter was desegregated, marking one of the first successful student-led sit-ins of the Civil Rights Movement nearly two years before the more widely known Greensboro sit-ins.
Today, the Ambassador Hotel stands on the former Dockum Drug Store site.
It's a powerful reminder that some of the most significant moments in American history happened right here in Wichita.
What Other Moments Are We Missing?
These are just a handful of the remarkable moments that have taken place in Wichita over the years.
Some made national history. Others gave local residents memories they'd never forget and chances are, we've barely scratched the surface.
Do you remember a major event, famous visitor, or once-in-a-lifetime moment that happened in Wichita?
Reply to this email and tell us about it. We might feature your story in the next edition of Moments in Wichita.
Did you learn something today? |
What do you want to see us go deep on in a future deep dive?
Together with the Ninth Floor Club
Ever wanted to enjoy a cocktail and a cigar while overlooking the Wichita skyline?
Well, now you can without a full Ninth Floor Club membership!
Cloud 9, Wichita's only skyline cigar lounge, just launched its new Cloud 9 Social Membership for just $50/month.
Your membership includes unlimited lounge access for you AND your spouse, premium cigars, cocktails, and some of the best views in Wichita.
Whether you're catching up with friends or unwinding after a long week, Cloud 9 takes your evening to another level.
You all are amazing. We’ve been hosting dinner clubs for a year already. If you are new to Wichita or just want to make some friends, sign up today!
Here’s how it works:
🍽️ Take a quick quiz about your personality, interests, and food preferences.
✨ Get matched with five other Wichitans who fit your style (think food preferences, budget, life stage).
📍Your table of six meets for dinner on Tuesday, November 10th at 6:30PM - the exact restaurant is revealed that morning.
🥂 After dinner, all groups are invited to a casual after-meetup to keep the conversation going.
Want to go with someone specific (signifcant other, good friend, etc.)?
Fill out the form, then forward the link to that person. At the end of the quiz, you’ll have the option to invite a friend — they’ll get an email and need to book within 12 hours so the platform can seat you together.
The logistics:
Booking: Just 16 bucks per seat (supports Wichita Life)
Your meal: You pay for what you order at the restaurant
What we do: Orchestrate everything. Book the restaurant, send reminders, sort every detail. You just show up.
If you’ve been wanting to meet new people in town, this might be the easiest (and most fun) way to do it.
That's it for today!
If you enjoyed today, share this email with someone who should move back to Wichita.
Thanks!
- Landon
