Joe Stumpe, the active age Journalist Profile

Articles

Couple banks on future of Wichita's North End, Hispanic youth

3 weeks ago | klcjournal.com | Joe Stumpe

Editor’s note: This story is being re-published with permission from The Active Age through the Wichita Journalism Collaborative. Ariel Rodriguez remembers the day in 2021 that Gene and Yolanda Camarena attended the auction for the former Nomar Theater building in Wichita’s North End. At the time, the Empower nonprofit organization was only a few weeks old, without a real home of its own. Rodriguez is its executive director, while the Camarenas both sit on its board.
After 55 years, this Wichita man will finally receive his college degree

1 month ago | kansas.com | Joe Stumpe

Arland Wallace’s first stint at Wichita State didn’t go well. He enrolled in 1970 and bailed after one semester. “I quickly realized I was in over my head,” he said. Fifty-five years later, he’s about to graduate. Wallace is finishing his degree despite undergoing surgery for a cancerous brain tumor last fall, and he plans to pursue a master’s degree even though his prognosis is terminal. “I just made the decision that cancer was not going to define me,” he said.
A WSU student finishes his degree 55 years after he started it

1 month ago | kmuw.org | Joe Stumpe

Arland Wallace’s first stint at Wichita State didn’t go well. He enrolled in 1970 and bailed after one semester. “I quickly realized I was in over my head,” he said. Fifty-five years later, he’s about to graduate. Wallace is finishing his degree despite undergoing surgery for a cancerous brain tumor last fall, and he plans to pursue a master’s degree even though his prognosis is terminal. “I just made the decision that cancer was not going to define me,” he said.
Victim of explosion was dedicated public servant

Mar 4, 2025 | texarkanagazette.com | Joe Stumpe

Feb. 3, 1987 -- Daryl Crouch -- successful businessman, civic leader and church-goer -- seemed like the last person who would be the victim of an apparent car-bombing, friends and associates said.
Performers come together for tributes, young musicians

Mar 1, 2025 | theactiveage.com | Joe Stumpe |Tammara Fogle

Some veteran Wichita performers are trying to make sure the music plays on for a younger generation. And they’re having a blast doing it. Since February 2024, they’ve come together for three sold-out shows — two tributes to The Beatles and one to the Rolling Stones. The first one was just for fun.
Aviation helped Berry Cos. soar

Mar 1, 2025 | theactiveage.com | Joe Stumpe |Tammara Fogle

The Air Capital turned out to be a perfect fit for Fred Berry, his family and business. Berry already had a pilot’s license and love of flying when he arrived in Wichita in 1957. He jumped into the city’s bustling aviation scene while building his construction and material handling dealerships into a national enterprise. “We would never have been doing what we’re doing without airplanes,” he said.
African Americana: One Collector’s Focus Ranges From Family To The Famous

Feb 21, 2025 | communityvoiceks.com | Joe Stumpe

The first history Gerald Norwood got interested in was his own family’s, and who could blame him? Norwood’s grandfather, Henry, spent his childhood enslaved on plantations in North Carolina and southwest Arkansas. Following the Civil War, Henry and his older brother made their way on foot about 130 miles north in Arkansas, settling near Fort Smith.
A couple of super bowls for the season

Jan 31, 2025 | theactiveage.com | Joe Stumpe |Tammara Fogle

As I write this, Wichita is flirting with its record for most consecutive days with snow on the ground. At least one local family has erected a working igloo. Soup weather, in other words. The accompanying soup recipe is hearty enough to serve as a meal and guaranteed to warm your insides. It’s similar to the many copycat recipes for the Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscano that are making the rounds.
African Americana: Collection ranges from family to the famous

Jan 29, 2025 | theactiveage.com | Joe Stumpe |Tammara Fogle

The first history Gerald Norwood got interested in was his own family’s, and who could blame him? Norwood’s grandfather, Henry, spent his childhood enslaved on plantations in North Carolina and southwest Arkansas. Following the Civil War, Henry and his older brother made their way on foot about 130 miles north in Arkansas, settling near Fort Smith.
In time of division, voting is one thing we can do together

Oct 30, 2024 | theactiveage.com | Joe Stumpe |Tammara Fogle

It’s the birthright of every American to complain about politics andpoliticians. After all, that’s pretty much how our country got started in the first place. But the griping rings a little hollow when it comes from someone who doesn’t participate in the political process by voting. It’s kind of like a sports team forfeiting a game, then complaining when it winds up in their loss column. Voters 50 years and older now make up the majority of registered voters in the United States.