September 13, 2024 • 28 mins
Greater Andover Days is the perfect family-friendly event for all ages! Set aside September 27 – September 29, 2024. Greater Andover Days (GAD) includes a parade, fireworks, KidFest, live entertainment, a fishing clinic, a business expo and craft fair, a carnival, a car show, and more. Andover Public Information Officer Megan Schapaugh and Parks and Rec Board Chairman Paul Wemmer invite us to this year's event. Get buttons and wristbands at area merchants and more details at andoverks.com
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Wichita Weekend, the weekly public affairs program from
iHeartRadio Wichita ninety seven, ninety ninety eight one O two
won the Bull Channel ninety six three and ALT one
O seven three.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
And our guests today on Wichita Weekend haven't been in
the studio for a while. I'm thinking it's been about
a year since we last caught up with our good
friends at the City of Andover, namely Megan Shapah. She's
the public Information officer for the City of Andover. May
I call you Officer Chapau?
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Sure, I love that. That makes you sound pretty important.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Okay, Officer Chapau is here, and also Officer Paul Wemmer
is here. Now Paul is not an officer, but he
is an Andover City council member. And you're also very
active on parks and rec right, that's correct, yes, sir, Okay,
So you've got how many hats are you wearing normally
on a given day, Well in.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Those two and then in my own personal life, you know,
work and coaching and things like that. But really, anything
I can do for the City of Andover, I'm relatively new.
I was just a let it last January or last
November started in January, so it's been it's been a lot,
but it's been a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Well, welcome aboard. You're with a good team over there,
and any team that has megan on the teams a okay,
no grade one number one. So, like I say, it's
been about a year. What's been happening in andover the
last year. I know you guys have been super busy.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
We have been super busy, but like Paul said, it's
been really good. A lot of good things happening. I
think since we last talked, we've opened our fire station
two Wow, which was really exciting, something that we've been
working on for a long time. That's a part of
our Family Future Sales Tax initiative. So with that came
a whole new fire station on the south side of Andover.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
So is that all done?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
It is done. We had our big grand opening in April,
I believe, so it's open. The public can go take
tours if they want to check it out. And then
we remodeled our fire station one, which was already in existence.
We just updated that to accommodate more staff the ems
T as well. So that's on the north side of town.
So Andover now has two fire stations.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Great. Yes, people in Andover feeling even safer than ever before.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Agreed, that's definitely a selling point living in Andover yep.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And of course, you know, since the tornado that we
don't like to talk about so much, but it's been
a huge undertaking, just all of the recovery efforts and
all the rebuilding efforts and everything that's been going on,
and that's still kind of in progress in certain parts
of town right.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
It is still in progress. I will say that most
of the residential those homes have been rebuilt. Families have
been back in those for a while now, So that
was our biggest thing, is getting our residents back to whole,
back to living their normal daily life. Now it's back
to focusing in Central Park. We lost our lodge, which
was our big rental facility that accommodated graduation parties, weddings, showers,
(02:49):
things like that. So we're in the design process of that,
I'm pretty sure, and hoping to get that bid and
start construction here pretty soon in the next couple of
months and then have that open again in twenty twenty
five five.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
That will be truly exciting. Yes, And you know, when
we are in Andover September twenty seventh through twenty ninth,
we can kind of check the progress and the things
that are going on there because so much is going
to be happening those dates during Greater Andover day.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Yes, yeah, Greater Andover days. We're excited for that. It's
our fifty seventh.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Year, so we'reth these seven years. I would like to
have imagined to end Over fifty seven years ago.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I wasn't here. I mean, Paul probably knows a little
bit more than I knew, but not. You're still a
new resident too, aren't you.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
We are.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Yeah, we actually moved from Wichita four years ago now,
but we had always been close to Endover. We'd come
over for Greater Handover days. We'd love to pill the
community and everybody coming together. And yeah, I think that
long ago, I think the population Andover was probably about
what four thousand people, and now we're north of sixteen thousand.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Just under sixteen thousand.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yeah, wow, wow, wow, lot of growth in those years.
And I to imagine those black and white polaroids from
the nineteen what well, it's nineteen sixty seven, nineteen fifty seven,
nineteen fifty seven.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
And we're actually you'd asked about the hat size wear.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
So I also sit on the Museum and Over Historical
Museum Group, and so we are going through a complete
renovation of the museum and we are looking for anybody
that has any history of Andover, any stories anything like that,
because we're really revamping what that historical museum is. So
as you're talking about nineteen fifty seventy, and it was
(04:35):
actually originally settled in eighteen sixty ish sixty in the
eighteen sixties was the first homestead that it was called
Cloud City.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
But anyway, yeah, there's a Cloud City. There's a lot there.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, I love the sound. Welcome to Cloud City, folks
and back then, Yeah, we get too comfortable. Well anyway,
Greater Andover Days Friday September twenty seven, Saturday September twenty eighth,
Sunday September twenty ninth. For those who don't know, Megan,
can you give us a thumbnail sketch of what's going on.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Yeah, So Greater Annover Days is our big festival. So
the three day festival from food, music, entertainment, kids activities,
just a big family friendly event where you can purchase
a button. They're only three dollars right now through September
twenty sixth, so not a whole lot to complain about.
Pretty affordable. You can't do much for a family of
(05:30):
five for under a twenty dollars, so you definitely can.
But yeah, you can just buy the button and get
into all the fun. Other than the food, trucks will
cost and a few little extra tournaments that we're doing
will cost extra. But yeah, the majority of it is
free and just a good time to enjoy the fall.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Weather hopefully, and mostly all centered around Central Park, right.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Yes, yeah, most of it is in Central Park. There's
a few things we do, like a pickleball tournament that's offsite.
We do a golf tournament that's offside at our municipal
golf course. But yeah, the majority of it is in
the Central Park, in the big hub of Andover.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
And for those who are not from Andover and have
never been to Central Park, you got to come check
it out. That thing is a jewel. It really truly is.
Having been to a few concerts there and you know,
really enjoyed it. It's a beautiful place to be and
I can imagine all the fun things that are going
to be happening. Paul, how many Greater Endover Days have
(06:23):
you been to in your storied career.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
Well, I would say probably about six or seven. Again,
before we lived in Andover, we still went to Greater
Endover Days. It's such a family of style, set of events, sure,
the parade and then everything going on at the park.
And I would say that, you know, connect with us
on Facebook Greater Andover Days.
Speaker 5 (06:46):
I'll tell you.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Sitting on city Council and talking with the staff, you know,
I have a list of everything that's going on and
I have to continually look at it. I've got it
here in front of me because there's so much.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
For everybody to get this so much, but trust us,
there's something for everybody in the family literally from the
kids on up, and a guaranteed good time for everybody
involved in for a three dollar button, I don't know
how you can beat it.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
I agree completely. And to just another positive of that
as we do donate a portion of the proceeds back
to the Foundation for Andover Schools. So every year we
pick a local nonprofit here and Hanover and some of
that money from the button sales do go back to
support that. So another win win in my opinion.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Wins all the way around. And let's see here. Friday night,
we've got bingo at the Senior Center and a carnival
going on in the pickleball tournament, and then Saturday is
the big day, oh Man, that kicks off with volleyball
and golf tournaments and the food court and of course
the kid fest and the art show and the car show.
(07:51):
You just got to go to andover ks dot com
or else look it up anywhere on social media, right.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah, yeah, andoverks dot com slash gad. That takes you
to the schedule that Paul has in front of him.
It takes you to all the things going on on Sunday,
which Sunday we're looking to refresh. So in the past
it's kind of been a more laid back in terms
of not a lot of people come out on Sunday.
They've come and they've came out on Friday Saturday, but
Sunday now we're adding in a ton more activities. Our
(08:18):
event coordinator has been working around the clock trying to
add in tons of activities, from a five k run
to goat yoga to lots of entertainment on stage, a
mad scientist, what am I missing?
Speaker 2 (08:29):
I know there's a.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Ton I meant, yeah, the Geo coaching, Zoomba service dog demos.
I mean, really, you guys, have you know, something going
on at the stage, and then you have things going
on all around the stage, so it's really there's never
a slow time.
Speaker 5 (08:42):
So if you go plan to be there for the
majority of the day.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Goat yoga, I'm just trying to get that through my
goat yoga. Do I need to bring my own goat?
Speaker 3 (08:53):
No?
Speaker 5 (08:53):
Which will be provided?
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Is that do we lift the goats in process of
doing the yoga?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
So from what I understand, the goats will just like
kind of be around. But I've also heard that sometimes
goats like get on your back. I don't know how
true that is or not, but I think they'll just
kind of be roaming around and they're just there real.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
It's a new thing. My sister in law, she has
a cafe up in can't say. They do cat yoga,
and it's kind of the same concept again with the
goat yoga. It's just you're doing your yoga and they're
just kind of hanging out around you.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
I guess it's peaceful. Yeah, I'll definitely be watching it.
I don't think I'll be partaking, but I want to
see it.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Okay, Well, that's that's interesting. I think gentle goat yoga,
it'll be great photos for absolutely. And that's not too
far from the Tanganika animal experience. So I don't know
if you're borrowing goats from Tanganika or how that's working,
but the goats are.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
From somewhere else. But she's getting she has a bunch
of animals from Tanganika coming, Penguin, sugar glide or snake
or some coming out where people can just check out all.
It's a lot of animals.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
So be petting zoo, right, Yes, that's another really unique
that we're going to have out there.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
So those will be the pediblem pedible animals man goat yoga, Okay,
I like that. What's be City Coalition?
Speaker 3 (10:10):
They're doing that bee petting zoo like Paul was bringing up,
which I don't actually know how that works either, but
that's what it's been called, the bee petting zoo. So
I don't know if there's some bees that like let you.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Stroke them gently with a little be come or something.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Yeah, maybe that's what it is. You don't actually use
your hands. You have some kind of a tool to
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Just a few of the many unique experiences and educational
opportunities waiting you and your family at Greater Andover days. Man,
it's just worth it right there, just to come and
get some some additional information on some of the fun
stuff that's going on. Gosh, you got to check it out.
Just go online. We could spend all day talking about
(10:52):
the big long list of things, but the main thing
is to put the dates on your calendar September twenty seventh,
twenty eighth, and twenty ninth, and come on out to
Andover even if you're not a resident. You don't have
to be a resident. And you can buy the buttons
at pretty much any Andover retailer.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Yes, we do have buttons, and then we also have wristbands,
those rubber wristbands. So I don't want the button, you
can buy a wristband.
Speaker 6 (11:16):
Both are three dollars.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Both do the exact same thing. But yes, they're available
at City Hall, the Library and Over, State Bank, Dylan's
and Andover, and then you can purchase them on site.
They will go up to five dollars starting on Fridays.
So we do encourage you to buy them earlier, but
we will have several more available the day of the event.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
A nice little monetary incentive for acting early, Yes, and
getting your buttons and wristbands ready to go and getting
out there with the whole family for Greater Andover Days.
Best wishes for outstanding weather.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
I know every year I've heard from people that it's
snowed before at the parade, it's been hot before. I
don't know what kind of experience weather you've experienced that
you're a Greater and Over Day's ball usually.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Pretty warm, I think when you're we It was rainy
for the majority of the weekend, but you know, it
never really slows down. The crowd's part hasn't been bad
enough to discourage anyone there. And yeah, we're hoping this year.
The way it looks now is that it's going to
be really nice.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
So we'll so far, so good, right, Yeah, Well, we'll
hold that positive thought and get ready for meteorological good fortune.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
I know it's been a while since we've had a
really nice seventy degree weather, so it's our turn.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
We're due.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
We do.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Our guests are Megan Sapa, the public information officer from
the City of Andover and also Paul Wemmer's with us
from the Andover City Council and Parks and rec Department.
We've been talking about Greater Andover Days. We're going to
take a quick break, kind of regroup a little bit
and get our thoughts together, and we'll come back. We'll
talk more about Greater and Over Days and the community
(12:50):
of Andover in general general. But it's easy for me
to say this is Whatchita we can.
Speaker 7 (13:00):
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and here in Wichita,
Catholic Charities Harbor House provides a full range of services
for domestic violence survivors. Learn all about Harbor House online
at Catholic Charitieswichita dot org slash harbor Hyphenhouse and if
something about your relationship scares you, or if you believe
you and your kids are not safe, call the Harbor
House hotline at three one six two six three six thousand.
(13:24):
It's available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
That's three one six two six three six thousand.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
The City of Andover invites you to bring your family
to Greater and Over Days September twenty seventh through twenty ninth.
This festival includes a food court, kidfest, parade, phishing clinic,
car show, business expo, craft fair, carnival, live entertainment, and
a fireworks show in Central Park. Greater Andover Days buttons
and bracelets are on sale now at sponsor locations all
over town. Get more information and the full schedule of
(13:52):
events online now at andoverks dot com and join us
September twenty seventh through twenty ninth for Greater and Over Days.
Speaker 8 (14:02):
Have you just been diagnosed with cancer or do you
know someone who's recently been diagnosed. Keep this in mind
and pass it along. The American Cancer Society offers a
nationwide cancer information line. It's available twenty four hours a day,
seven days a week, whether it's two BM or two am.
We're there for you to answer questions, connect you to
(14:23):
the resources you need, or to just listen. As the
most credible source of information, we can answer your questions
about prevention, diagnosis, treatment options, and clinical trials. We can
also help you with everyday needs like emotional support and
lodging during treatment. To learn more, visit cancer dot org
or call your American Cancer Society toll free at one
(14:44):
eight hundred two two seven two three four five anytime,
day or night. That's one eight hundred two two seven,
twenty three forty five.
Speaker 7 (14:54):
Victory in the Valley's annual autumn get together has a
new name and a new look for twenty twenty four.
Today September twenty eighth at Riverfront Stadium. It's the first
ever East and West United for Victory Walk and Survivor Celebration.
Join us for the fun and fellowship. Register as an
individual or former team. Sign up at Victoryinthevalley dot org.
Help Victory in the Valley support those dealing with cancer
(15:17):
they'll miss the East and West United for Victory Walk
and Survivor Celebration September twenty eighth of public service from
iHeart Communities.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Hey, Shocker Fans Volleyball season is back at Charles Cocharina.
Catch your Wichita State squad in the Shaker Volleyball Classic
September nineteenth through the twenty first. Take advantage of special
ticket offers and giveaways happening all weekend long. Group discounts
are also available at every Shocker Volleyball match all season long.
For tickets, call three one, six, nine seven eight fans
(15:49):
or visit goshokers dot com. Slash tickets. Welcome back to
Wichita Weekend. It is the weekly public affairs program from
iHeart Radio right here in witch Dak, Kansas, and we're
pleased to have as our guests in the studio Paul
Wemmer and Megan Shapa from the City of Andover. We've
been talking about Greater and Over days, and Paul, I'm
(16:12):
going to direct this question to you because you know,
in addition to all the really cool things we've got
going for the whole family, got some special music for
folks on Friday night, right kicking it all off.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
We do absolutely, we're really excited. There at the Capitol
Federal Amphitheater, we have the Josh Abbott Band, Stony LaRue
and the Wilder Blue And I will admit that when
I heard I hadn't heard of him. I'm not a
country listener as much as I used to be, but
I got on Spotify real quick and started listening to
(16:44):
their music, and I am really excited. We're going to
My family and I are going to the concert looking
forward to it. It's kind of that red dirt music
it's described, so yeah, we're really excited. It's kind of
an unofficial official tie in with Greater randoverdees. It's an
additional cost check any concert, but you know it's right
there at the cap fed Amphitheater and then right next
(17:05):
to that is the carnival, So you know, go out,
go to the carnival for a little bit and go
over and catch the concert, or maybe while you're at
the carnival you can hear the music from the concert.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
I think there's a way we can make several different
options happen, and it's going to be a winner any
way you choose. So by all means, if you're a
big josh Abbot fan, do you want to check into
getting those josh Abbot tickets and do we do that
also from andover ks dot com or what's the best
way to get those tickets?
Speaker 3 (17:30):
You can go to select a seat and type it
in and it'll be on there. But we do also
have the information on our Greater Andover Day's website. There's
a little tab on there that says Friday night concert
and all the information is there, all your FAQs, anything
you need to know about the concert, where to park,
where to go, what time, All of that information is
online far out.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
It's going to be exciting now I can just imagine
that first night's going to be huge, really going to
be big. And then Saturday, perhaps one of the biggest
straws for family is the parade. Absolutely, yeah, love a parade,
you know.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
It's it's that very traditional, you know kids and the
candy coming from from everybody and the you know, fire
police department, all the different organizations around the community, the bands,
the high school and middle school and sports teams and
all that, and you know, it goes from starts at
basically and over high school is that still working and
(18:27):
then goes all the way down to Central and andover
Road and every year has been well attended. That's that's
what got us originally going When we lived in wichital
we heard about that through some friends and we made
it a thing every single year.
Speaker 5 (18:39):
Because the kids loved it so much.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
It's just good, clean, family fun and that's what we're
all about.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
So you' all set for parade entries?
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Now?
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Are you still accepting some?
Speaker 3 (18:48):
We are actually still accepting some, So we have a
few spots left if you want to sign up. The
deadline is today. But she did say that there's probably
I shouldn't say that because this is not going out today.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Well, let's just say we've we've possibly passed the deadline.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Okay, all right, praise that we've possibly passed the deadline.
But you can still probably get an entries our event coordinator.
You can find all that information online and email her
and see if you can get in a last minute.
I'm sure we'll have spaces available be.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Picking up the rear end of the parade and.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
There we go, right with the camels and all the animals.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Yeah, that is so cool though. Well, you know, this
is such a gigantic weekend of family fun and entertainment
and stuff. And I know you guys have lots of
sponsors to think and lots of volunteers to think, because
anybody popp to mind right at the top of your mind.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Oh my goodness, we have so much support for Greater
and Over Days. We're really lucky. The community really buys
into this event. So we have our twenty five hundred
dollars sponsors who I would love to give a shout
out if I can. Sure and over Rental Center, Capital,
Federal Kansas Gas Service and over State Bank, Crossland in
Construction and Donahattan are all at that top tier level.
(20:03):
So we are so thankful for their support, but also
have plenty of others who have given money, their time, donations.
And we are still looking for volunteers, so you can
sign up at Greater Andover Days that website andover ks
dot com, slash gad. Information about volunteering is online and
we'd love to get you plugged into the community to
come out and enjoy the event.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
They'd love your help, and you'd love to come out
because when you see all the smiling faces everywhere and
all the families that are having so much fun, and well,
like I say, even if you're not an Andover resident,
you're going to really find a lot to love about
Greater and Over Days.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
Yeah, you might want to move to Andover and we're
happy to.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
Have you, That's right.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
I wonder if that, ever, you know, factors in seriously.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
So, I have heard something that I don't know if
I read it on a survey or something, but somebody
saw the Greater Andover Day's parade and that's why they
moved to Andover.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
I read that somewhere, well, you know, like like Paul saying,
it's it's it's a slice of small town Kansas. That
what's what's the saying nostalgia ain't what it used to be,
and so you know, but it's it's like that small
town feeling and that family feel that people are missing
so much these days that you could still find an
(21:17):
Andover you can.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
And that's, like I said, that's really why we moved
to Andover. We lived on the northeast side of whichital
I grew up on the west side of which tall,
so which tall my whole life. And as we started
to you know, have kids and have a family, we
were going to Andover. We were always aware of the
great schools that Andover had and the community in general.
But then yeah, and I wouldn't say that, you know, hey,
(21:39):
it was the Greater Endover Days parade that that completely
brought us, But it was all the little things that
we would run to and Over for, and it was
the feel of the community. You know, you're so close
to pretty much anything you need, right, but you still
have that small town in that family feel. We were
talking about tornado recovery and I will tell you my
neighborhood and my ho was hit by the tornado and
(22:01):
it was just about a year after we lived in Andover.
And you hear all the stuff going on in the
press and all the craziness in the world, right, and
it was really hot and heavy then. And I remember
walking out that morning in the entire neighborhood. We had
hundreds of volunteers that eight am that morning, and it
I get goosebumps, I tear up because that's what Endover is.
(22:24):
It is a community. We all pitching to help each other.
We're all tied together, and that's really what we celebrate
too when we have things like Greater and Over Days,
and that's what makes that community really so unique. So yeah, absolutely,
I think that the more people that come over they
see that, they realize that and it's something that you
just can't you can't shake, and it's something that you
want to go toward.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
All right. Put it on your calendar Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,
September twenty seventh, twenty eighth, and twenty ninth. If you've
never been, you're in for a great treat. If you've
been before, I know you'll be glad to be back
at Greater end Over Days. All right, and it's time
for another quick break. When we return, we'll conclude our
conversation with the City of Andover. We've been talking about
(23:08):
Greater Andover Days with Megan Schapau, the Public Information Officer,
and also Paul Wemmer. He is a member of the
City Council and chairman of the Board of the Parks
and rec Advisory Board of Andover. Thanks for listening. This
is Wichita weekend. Hey, Shoker Fans. Volleyball season is back
(23:29):
at Charles Cocharina. Catch your Wichita State squad in the
Shaker Volleyball Classic September nineteenth through the twenty first. Take
advantage of special ticket offers and giveaways happening all weekend long.
Group discounts are also available at every Shocker Volleyball match
all season long. For tickets, call three one, six, nine
seven eight fans or visit goshokers dot com slash tickets.
(23:51):
The City of Andover invites you to bring your family
to Greater and Over Days September twenty seventh through twenty ninth.
This festival includes a food court, infest, parade, phishing clinic,
car show, business expo, craft fair, carnival, live entertainment, and
a fireworks show in Central Park. Greater Andover Days buttons
and bracelets are on sale now at sponsor locations all
over town. Get more information and the full schedule of
(24:14):
events online now at andoverks dot com and join us
September twenty seventh through twenty ninth for Greater and Over days.
Speaker 7 (24:21):
Victory in the Valley's annual autumn get together has a
new name and a new look for twenty twenty four
Saturday September twenty eighth at Riverfront Stadium. It's the first
ever East and West United for Victory Walk and Survivor Celebration.
Join us for the fun and fellowship. Register as an
individual or former team. Sign up at Victoryinthevalley dot org.
Help Victory in the Valley support those dealing with cancer.
(24:44):
They'll miss the East and West United for Victory Walk
and Survivor Celebration September twenty eighth of public service from Iheartcommunities.
Speaker 2 (24:51):
What do we do with the Independent Living Resource Center.
We teach computer skills and vocational skills to help people
find jobs. We offer cooking, home management, and money ma
management classes to help people with disabilities live on their own.
We have a free medical equipment recycling program, and we
provide services to people who need a personal assistant to
help with daily life. That's what we do. So why
(25:11):
do we do it? Because when people with disabilities can
lead independent lives, everyone benefits. To learn more, call the
Independent Living Resource Center nine four two sixty three hundred.
Speaker 6 (25:22):
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's, The Alzheimer's Association is here
for you. There in person caregiver training is now available
on video conference. See the training schedule online at alz
dot org slash c w Kansas from Iheartcommunities.
Speaker 7 (25:37):
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and here in Wichita,
Catholic Charities Harbor House provides a full range of services
for domestic violence survivors. Learn all about Harbor House online
at Catholic Charitieswichita dot org slash Harbor Hyphenhouse and if
something about your relationship scares you, or if you believe
you and your kids are not safe, call the Harbor
House Hotline at three one six two six six thousand.
(26:01):
It's available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
That's three one six two six three six thousand.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Really been fun visiting with our guests today. Megan Shapah,
the Public Information Officer Officer CHAPA from the City of Andover,
and Paul Wemmer he is the chairman of the board.
I guess we'd say for parks and Rex you, sir,
so all the wonderful things that we see happening at
Central Park, and that is a huge ongoing project. We
(26:31):
have you and your committee to thank for all that's
going on over there.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
You know.
Speaker 5 (26:35):
They it's a great group.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
And I, you know, again, I'm relatively new, so I
can't really take much of the credit. They've done it
all before me and then I get to step into it.
So it's worked out really well.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
Yeah, but I.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Will say, and we really didn't address it, but the
thirteenth Street Sports Park that was a complete remodel and
additions that we added there with a splash pad and
playground and pickleball courts and beach volleyball and basketball and.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
Baseball on softball field.
Speaker 4 (27:01):
So there's a lot going on there as well. And
there are some events through Greater ran Over Days that
are happening over there too, so people will be able
to see that.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
Well, you know, Wichta has several wonderful suburbs or bedroom communities.
I guess that's maybe not the best term, but I
gotta think Andover's got to be one of the fastest growing,
you know, among them.
Speaker 3 (27:24):
Last I knew it was the fastest growing in Butler County.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Okay, all right, wow.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Don't quote me, but I think that's still lastly your
largest city.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
In Butler County. And then I think it was the
fastest growing in the state, is it.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
Yeah, I believe so, Okay.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
But regardless, it is one of the fastest growing, if
not the fastest growing city. And again I think it's
because people recognize what it is.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Yeah, come on out and check it out. If you're
not very familiar with Andover, you're going to find it's
a great place to spend some time and bring the family.
Everybody's going to have fun. So Megan Shapaw, Paul Wemer,
thank you so much for being with us on Witchta Weekend.
We're going to see you out at greater Endover Day
September twenty seventh through twenty ninth. Just go to Central
(28:05):
Park and Over and fun is going to fall right
on top.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Of Yes, right that easy.
Speaker 2 (28:10):
It's going to be that easy. Thanks so much for
being with us on Wichita Weekend.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
Thank you, thank you for listening to Wichita Weekend, a
service of iHeartRadio stations one O two won the Bowl.
Channel nine sixty three ALT one oh seven three and
ninety seven nine B ninety eight. Listen every Sunday for
Wichita Weekend
Welcome to Wichita Weekend, the weekly public affairs program from
iHeartRadio Wichita ninety seven, ninety ninety eight one O two
won the Bull Channel ninety six three and ALT one
O seven three.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
And our guests today on Wichita Weekend haven't been in
the studio for a while. I'm thinking it's been about
a year since we last caught up with our good
friends at the City of Andover, namely Megan Shapah. She's
the public Information officer for the City of Andover. May
I call you Officer Chapau?
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Sure, I love that. That makes you sound pretty important.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Okay, Officer Chapau is here, and also Officer Paul Wemmer
is here. Now Paul is not an officer, but he
is an Andover City council member. And you're also very
active on parks and rec right, that's correct, yes, sir, Okay,
So you've got how many hats are you wearing normally
on a given day, Well in.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Those two and then in my own personal life, you know,
work and coaching and things like that. But really, anything
I can do for the City of Andover, I'm relatively new.
I was just a let it last January or last
November started in January, so it's been it's been a lot,
but it's been a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Well, welcome aboard. You're with a good team over there,
and any team that has megan on the teams a okay,
no grade one number one. So, like I say, it's
been about a year. What's been happening in andover the
last year. I know you guys have been super busy.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
We have been super busy, but like Paul said, it's
been really good. A lot of good things happening. I
think since we last talked, we've opened our fire station
two Wow, which was really exciting, something that we've been
working on for a long time. That's a part of
our Family Future Sales Tax initiative. So with that came
a whole new fire station on the south side of Andover.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
So is that all done?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
It is done. We had our big grand opening in April,
I believe, so it's open. The public can go take
tours if they want to check it out. And then
we remodeled our fire station one, which was already in existence.
We just updated that to accommodate more staff the ems
T as well. So that's on the north side of town.
So Andover now has two fire stations.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Great. Yes, people in Andover feeling even safer than ever before.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Agreed, that's definitely a selling point living in Andover yep.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And of course, you know, since the tornado that we
don't like to talk about so much, but it's been
a huge undertaking, just all of the recovery efforts and
all the rebuilding efforts and everything that's been going on,
and that's still kind of in progress in certain parts
of town right.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
It is still in progress. I will say that most
of the residential those homes have been rebuilt. Families have
been back in those for a while now, So that
was our biggest thing, is getting our residents back to whole,
back to living their normal daily life. Now it's back
to focusing in Central Park. We lost our lodge, which
was our big rental facility that accommodated graduation parties, weddings, showers,
(02:49):
things like that. So we're in the design process of that,
I'm pretty sure, and hoping to get that bid and
start construction here pretty soon in the next couple of
months and then have that open again in twenty twenty
five five.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
That will be truly exciting. Yes, And you know, when
we are in Andover September twenty seventh through twenty ninth,
we can kind of check the progress and the things
that are going on there because so much is going
to be happening those dates during Greater Andover day.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Yes, yeah, Greater Andover days. We're excited for that. It's
our fifty seventh.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Year, so we'reth these seven years. I would like to
have imagined to end Over fifty seven years ago.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I wasn't here. I mean, Paul probably knows a little
bit more than I knew, but not. You're still a
new resident too, aren't you.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
We are.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Yeah, we actually moved from Wichita four years ago now,
but we had always been close to Endover. We'd come
over for Greater Handover days. We'd love to pill the
community and everybody coming together. And yeah, I think that
long ago, I think the population Andover was probably about
what four thousand people, and now we're north of sixteen thousand.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Just under sixteen thousand.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yeah, wow, wow, wow, lot of growth in those years.
And I to imagine those black and white polaroids from
the nineteen what well, it's nineteen sixty seven, nineteen fifty seven,
nineteen fifty seven.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
And we're actually you'd asked about the hat size wear.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
So I also sit on the Museum and Over Historical
Museum Group, and so we are going through a complete
renovation of the museum and we are looking for anybody
that has any history of Andover, any stories anything like that,
because we're really revamping what that historical museum is. So
as you're talking about nineteen fifty seventy, and it was
(04:35):
actually originally settled in eighteen sixty ish sixty in the
eighteen sixties was the first homestead that it was called
Cloud City.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
But anyway, yeah, there's a Cloud City. There's a lot there.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, I love the sound. Welcome to Cloud City, folks
and back then, Yeah, we get too comfortable. Well anyway,
Greater Andover Days Friday September twenty seven, Saturday September twenty eighth,
Sunday September twenty ninth. For those who don't know, Megan,
can you give us a thumbnail sketch of what's going on.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Yeah, So Greater Annover Days is our big festival. So
the three day festival from food, music, entertainment, kids activities,
just a big family friendly event where you can purchase
a button. They're only three dollars right now through September
twenty sixth, so not a whole lot to complain about.
Pretty affordable. You can't do much for a family of
(05:30):
five for under a twenty dollars, so you definitely can.
But yeah, you can just buy the button and get
into all the fun. Other than the food, trucks will
cost and a few little extra tournaments that we're doing
will cost extra. But yeah, the majority of it is
free and just a good time to enjoy the fall.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Weather hopefully, and mostly all centered around Central Park, right.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Yes, yeah, most of it is in Central Park. There's
a few things we do, like a pickleball tournament that's offsite.
We do a golf tournament that's offside at our municipal
golf course. But yeah, the majority of it is in
the Central Park, in the big hub of Andover.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
And for those who are not from Andover and have
never been to Central Park, you got to come check
it out. That thing is a jewel. It really truly is.
Having been to a few concerts there and you know,
really enjoyed it. It's a beautiful place to be and
I can imagine all the fun things that are going
to be happening. Paul, how many Greater Endover Days have
(06:23):
you been to in your storied career.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
Well, I would say probably about six or seven. Again,
before we lived in Andover, we still went to Greater
Endover Days. It's such a family of style, set of events, sure,
the parade and then everything going on at the park.
And I would say that, you know, connect with us
on Facebook Greater Andover Days.
Speaker 5 (06:46):
I'll tell you.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Sitting on city Council and talking with the staff, you know,
I have a list of everything that's going on and
I have to continually look at it. I've got it
here in front of me because there's so much.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
For everybody to get this so much, but trust us,
there's something for everybody in the family literally from the
kids on up, and a guaranteed good time for everybody
involved in for a three dollar button, I don't know
how you can beat it.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
I agree completely. And to just another positive of that
as we do donate a portion of the proceeds back
to the Foundation for Andover Schools. So every year we
pick a local nonprofit here and Hanover and some of
that money from the button sales do go back to
support that. So another win win in my opinion.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Wins all the way around. And let's see here. Friday night,
we've got bingo at the Senior Center and a carnival
going on in the pickleball tournament, and then Saturday is
the big day, oh Man, that kicks off with volleyball
and golf tournaments and the food court and of course
the kid fest and the art show and the car show.
(07:51):
You just got to go to andover ks dot com
or else look it up anywhere on social media, right.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah, yeah, andoverks dot com slash gad. That takes you
to the schedule that Paul has in front of him.
It takes you to all the things going on on Sunday,
which Sunday we're looking to refresh. So in the past
it's kind of been a more laid back in terms
of not a lot of people come out on Sunday.
They've come and they've came out on Friday Saturday, but
Sunday now we're adding in a ton more activities. Our
(08:18):
event coordinator has been working around the clock trying to
add in tons of activities, from a five k run
to goat yoga to lots of entertainment on stage, a
mad scientist, what am I missing?
Speaker 2 (08:29):
I know there's a.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Ton I meant, yeah, the Geo coaching, Zoomba service dog demos.
I mean, really, you guys, have you know, something going
on at the stage, and then you have things going
on all around the stage, so it's really there's never
a slow time.
Speaker 5 (08:42):
So if you go plan to be there for the
majority of the day.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Goat yoga, I'm just trying to get that through my
goat yoga. Do I need to bring my own goat?
Speaker 3 (08:53):
No?
Speaker 5 (08:53):
Which will be provided?
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Is that do we lift the goats in process of
doing the yoga?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
So from what I understand, the goats will just like
kind of be around. But I've also heard that sometimes
goats like get on your back. I don't know how
true that is or not, but I think they'll just
kind of be roaming around and they're just there real.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
It's a new thing. My sister in law, she has
a cafe up in can't say. They do cat yoga,
and it's kind of the same concept again with the
goat yoga. It's just you're doing your yoga and they're
just kind of hanging out around you.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
I guess it's peaceful. Yeah, I'll definitely be watching it.
I don't think I'll be partaking, but I want to
see it.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Okay, Well, that's that's interesting. I think gentle goat yoga,
it'll be great photos for absolutely. And that's not too
far from the Tanganika animal experience. So I don't know
if you're borrowing goats from Tanganika or how that's working,
but the goats are.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
From somewhere else. But she's getting she has a bunch
of animals from Tanganika coming, Penguin, sugar glide or snake
or some coming out where people can just check out all.
It's a lot of animals.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
So be petting zoo, right, Yes, that's another really unique
that we're going to have out there.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
So those will be the pediblem pedible animals man goat yoga, Okay,
I like that. What's be City Coalition?
Speaker 3 (10:10):
They're doing that bee petting zoo like Paul was bringing up,
which I don't actually know how that works either, but
that's what it's been called, the bee petting zoo. So
I don't know if there's some bees that like let you.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Stroke them gently with a little be come or something.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Yeah, maybe that's what it is. You don't actually use
your hands. You have some kind of a tool to
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Just a few of the many unique experiences and educational
opportunities waiting you and your family at Greater Andover days. Man,
it's just worth it right there, just to come and
get some some additional information on some of the fun
stuff that's going on. Gosh, you got to check it out.
Just go online. We could spend all day talking about
(10:52):
the big long list of things, but the main thing
is to put the dates on your calendar September twenty seventh,
twenty eighth, and twenty ninth, and come on out to
Andover even if you're not a resident. You don't have
to be a resident. And you can buy the buttons
at pretty much any Andover retailer.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Yes, we do have buttons, and then we also have wristbands,
those rubber wristbands. So I don't want the button, you
can buy a wristband.
Speaker 6 (11:16):
Both are three dollars.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Both do the exact same thing. But yes, they're available
at City Hall, the Library and Over, State Bank, Dylan's
and Andover, and then you can purchase them on site.
They will go up to five dollars starting on Fridays.
So we do encourage you to buy them earlier, but
we will have several more available the day of the event.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
A nice little monetary incentive for acting early, Yes, and
getting your buttons and wristbands ready to go and getting
out there with the whole family for Greater Andover Days.
Best wishes for outstanding weather.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
I know every year I've heard from people that it's
snowed before at the parade, it's been hot before. I
don't know what kind of experience weather you've experienced that
you're a Greater and Over Day's ball usually.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Pretty warm, I think when you're we It was rainy
for the majority of the weekend, but you know, it
never really slows down. The crowd's part hasn't been bad
enough to discourage anyone there. And yeah, we're hoping this year.
The way it looks now is that it's going to
be really nice.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
So we'll so far, so good, right, Yeah, Well, we'll
hold that positive thought and get ready for meteorological good fortune.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
I know it's been a while since we've had a
really nice seventy degree weather, so it's our turn.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
We're due.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
We do.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Our guests are Megan Sapa, the public information officer from
the City of Andover and also Paul Wemmer's with us
from the Andover City Council and Parks and rec Department.
We've been talking about Greater Andover Days. We're going to
take a quick break, kind of regroup a little bit
and get our thoughts together, and we'll come back. We'll
talk more about Greater and Over Days and the community
(12:50):
of Andover in general general. But it's easy for me
to say this is Whatchita we can.
Speaker 7 (13:00):
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and here in Wichita,
Catholic Charities Harbor House provides a full range of services
for domestic violence survivors. Learn all about Harbor House online
at Catholic Charitieswichita dot org slash harbor Hyphenhouse and if
something about your relationship scares you, or if you believe
you and your kids are not safe, call the Harbor
House hotline at three one six two six three six thousand.
(13:24):
It's available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
That's three one six two six three six thousand.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
The City of Andover invites you to bring your family
to Greater and Over Days September twenty seventh through twenty ninth.
This festival includes a food court, kidfest, parade, phishing clinic,
car show, business expo, craft fair, carnival, live entertainment, and
a fireworks show in Central Park. Greater Andover Days buttons
and bracelets are on sale now at sponsor locations all
over town. Get more information and the full schedule of
(13:52):
events online now at andoverks dot com and join us
September twenty seventh through twenty ninth for Greater and Over Days.
Speaker 8 (14:02):
Have you just been diagnosed with cancer or do you
know someone who's recently been diagnosed. Keep this in mind
and pass it along. The American Cancer Society offers a
nationwide cancer information line. It's available twenty four hours a day,
seven days a week, whether it's two BM or two am.
We're there for you to answer questions, connect you to
(14:23):
the resources you need, or to just listen. As the
most credible source of information, we can answer your questions
about prevention, diagnosis, treatment options, and clinical trials. We can
also help you with everyday needs like emotional support and
lodging during treatment. To learn more, visit cancer dot org
or call your American Cancer Society toll free at one
(14:44):
eight hundred two two seven two three four five anytime,
day or night. That's one eight hundred two two seven,
twenty three forty five.
Speaker 7 (14:54):
Victory in the Valley's annual autumn get together has a
new name and a new look for twenty twenty four.
Today September twenty eighth at Riverfront Stadium. It's the first
ever East and West United for Victory Walk and Survivor Celebration.
Join us for the fun and fellowship. Register as an
individual or former team. Sign up at Victoryinthevalley dot org.
Help Victory in the Valley support those dealing with cancer
(15:17):
they'll miss the East and West United for Victory Walk
and Survivor Celebration September twenty eighth of public service from
iHeart Communities.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Hey, Shocker Fans Volleyball season is back at Charles Cocharina.
Catch your Wichita State squad in the Shaker Volleyball Classic
September nineteenth through the twenty first. Take advantage of special
ticket offers and giveaways happening all weekend long. Group discounts
are also available at every Shocker Volleyball match all season long.
For tickets, call three one, six, nine seven eight fans
(15:49):
or visit goshokers dot com. Slash tickets. Welcome back to
Wichita Weekend. It is the weekly public affairs program from
iHeart Radio right here in witch Dak, Kansas, and we're
pleased to have as our guests in the studio Paul
Wemmer and Megan Shapa from the City of Andover. We've
been talking about Greater and Over days, and Paul, I'm
(16:12):
going to direct this question to you because you know,
in addition to all the really cool things we've got
going for the whole family, got some special music for
folks on Friday night, right kicking it all off.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
We do absolutely, we're really excited. There at the Capitol
Federal Amphitheater, we have the Josh Abbott Band, Stony LaRue
and the Wilder Blue And I will admit that when
I heard I hadn't heard of him. I'm not a
country listener as much as I used to be, but
I got on Spotify real quick and started listening to
(16:44):
their music, and I am really excited. We're going to
My family and I are going to the concert looking
forward to it. It's kind of that red dirt music
it's described, so yeah, we're really excited. It's kind of
an unofficial official tie in with Greater randoverdees. It's an
additional cost check any concert, but you know it's right
there at the cap fed Amphitheater and then right next
(17:05):
to that is the carnival, So you know, go out,
go to the carnival for a little bit and go
over and catch the concert, or maybe while you're at
the carnival you can hear the music from the concert.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
I think there's a way we can make several different
options happen, and it's going to be a winner any
way you choose. So by all means, if you're a
big josh Abbot fan, do you want to check into
getting those josh Abbot tickets and do we do that
also from andover ks dot com or what's the best
way to get those tickets?
Speaker 3 (17:30):
You can go to select a seat and type it
in and it'll be on there. But we do also
have the information on our Greater Andover Day's website. There's
a little tab on there that says Friday night concert
and all the information is there, all your FAQs, anything
you need to know about the concert, where to park,
where to go, what time, All of that information is
online far out.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
It's going to be exciting now I can just imagine
that first night's going to be huge, really going to
be big. And then Saturday, perhaps one of the biggest
straws for family is the parade. Absolutely, yeah, love a parade,
you know.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
It's it's that very traditional, you know kids and the
candy coming from from everybody and the you know, fire
police department, all the different organizations around the community, the bands,
the high school and middle school and sports teams and
all that, and you know, it goes from starts at
basically and over high school is that still working and
(18:27):
then goes all the way down to Central and andover
Road and every year has been well attended. That's that's
what got us originally going When we lived in wichital
we heard about that through some friends and we made
it a thing every single year.
Speaker 5 (18:39):
Because the kids loved it so much.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
It's just good, clean, family fun and that's what we're
all about.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
So you' all set for parade entries?
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Now?
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Are you still accepting some?
Speaker 3 (18:48):
We are actually still accepting some, So we have a
few spots left if you want to sign up. The
deadline is today. But she did say that there's probably
I shouldn't say that because this is not going out today.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Well, let's just say we've we've possibly passed the deadline.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Okay, all right, praise that we've possibly passed the deadline.
But you can still probably get an entries our event coordinator.
You can find all that information online and email her
and see if you can get in a last minute.
I'm sure we'll have spaces available be.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Picking up the rear end of the parade and.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
There we go, right with the camels and all the animals.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Yeah, that is so cool though. Well, you know, this
is such a gigantic weekend of family fun and entertainment
and stuff. And I know you guys have lots of
sponsors to think and lots of volunteers to think, because
anybody popp to mind right at the top of your mind.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Oh my goodness, we have so much support for Greater
and Over Days. We're really lucky. The community really buys
into this event. So we have our twenty five hundred
dollars sponsors who I would love to give a shout
out if I can. Sure and over Rental Center, Capital,
Federal Kansas Gas Service and over State Bank, Crossland in
Construction and Donahattan are all at that top tier level.
(20:03):
So we are so thankful for their support, but also
have plenty of others who have given money, their time, donations.
And we are still looking for volunteers, so you can
sign up at Greater Andover Days that website andover ks
dot com, slash gad. Information about volunteering is online and
we'd love to get you plugged into the community to
come out and enjoy the event.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
They'd love your help, and you'd love to come out
because when you see all the smiling faces everywhere and
all the families that are having so much fun, and well,
like I say, even if you're not an Andover resident,
you're going to really find a lot to love about
Greater and Over Days.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
Yeah, you might want to move to Andover and we're
happy to.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
Have you, That's right.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
I wonder if that, ever, you know, factors in seriously.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
So, I have heard something that I don't know if
I read it on a survey or something, but somebody
saw the Greater Andover Day's parade and that's why they
moved to Andover.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
I read that somewhere, well, you know, like like Paul saying,
it's it's it's a slice of small town Kansas. That
what's what's the saying nostalgia ain't what it used to be,
and so you know, but it's it's like that small
town feeling and that family feel that people are missing
so much these days that you could still find an
(21:17):
Andover you can.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
And that's, like I said, that's really why we moved
to Andover. We lived on the northeast side of whichital
I grew up on the west side of which tall,
so which tall my whole life. And as we started
to you know, have kids and have a family, we
were going to Andover. We were always aware of the
great schools that Andover had and the community in general.
But then yeah, and I wouldn't say that, you know, hey,
(21:39):
it was the Greater Endover Days parade that that completely
brought us, But it was all the little things that
we would run to and Over for, and it was
the feel of the community. You know, you're so close
to pretty much anything you need, right, but you still
have that small town in that family feel. We were
talking about tornado recovery and I will tell you my
neighborhood and my ho was hit by the tornado and
(22:01):
it was just about a year after we lived in Andover.
And you hear all the stuff going on in the
press and all the craziness in the world, right, and
it was really hot and heavy then. And I remember
walking out that morning in the entire neighborhood. We had
hundreds of volunteers that eight am that morning, and it
I get goosebumps, I tear up because that's what Endover is.
(22:24):
It is a community. We all pitching to help each other.
We're all tied together, and that's really what we celebrate
too when we have things like Greater and Over Days,
and that's what makes that community really so unique. So yeah, absolutely,
I think that the more people that come over they
see that, they realize that and it's something that you
just can't you can't shake, and it's something that you
want to go toward.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
All right. Put it on your calendar Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,
September twenty seventh, twenty eighth, and twenty ninth. If you've
never been, you're in for a great treat. If you've
been before, I know you'll be glad to be back
at Greater end Over Days. All right, and it's time
for another quick break. When we return, we'll conclude our
conversation with the City of Andover. We've been talking about
(23:08):
Greater Andover Days with Megan Schapau, the Public Information Officer,
and also Paul Wemmer. He is a member of the
City Council and chairman of the Board of the Parks
and rec Advisory Board of Andover. Thanks for listening. This
is Wichita weekend. Hey, Shoker Fans. Volleyball season is back
(23:29):
at Charles Cocharina. Catch your Wichita State squad in the
Shaker Volleyball Classic September nineteenth through the twenty first. Take
advantage of special ticket offers and giveaways happening all weekend long.
Group discounts are also available at every Shocker Volleyball match
all season long. For tickets, call three one, six, nine
seven eight fans or visit goshokers dot com slash tickets.
(23:51):
The City of Andover invites you to bring your family
to Greater and Over Days September twenty seventh through twenty ninth.
This festival includes a food court, infest, parade, phishing clinic,
car show, business expo, craft fair, carnival, live entertainment, and
a fireworks show in Central Park. Greater Andover Days buttons
and bracelets are on sale now at sponsor locations all
over town. Get more information and the full schedule of
(24:14):
events online now at andoverks dot com and join us
September twenty seventh through twenty ninth for Greater and Over days.
Speaker 7 (24:21):
Victory in the Valley's annual autumn get together has a
new name and a new look for twenty twenty four
Saturday September twenty eighth at Riverfront Stadium. It's the first
ever East and West United for Victory Walk and Survivor Celebration.
Join us for the fun and fellowship. Register as an
individual or former team. Sign up at Victoryinthevalley dot org.
Help Victory in the Valley support those dealing with cancer.
(24:44):
They'll miss the East and West United for Victory Walk
and Survivor Celebration September twenty eighth of public service from Iheartcommunities.
Speaker 2 (24:51):
What do we do with the Independent Living Resource Center.
We teach computer skills and vocational skills to help people
find jobs. We offer cooking, home management, and money ma
management classes to help people with disabilities live on their own.
We have a free medical equipment recycling program, and we
provide services to people who need a personal assistant to
help with daily life. That's what we do. So why
(25:11):
do we do it? Because when people with disabilities can
lead independent lives, everyone benefits. To learn more, call the
Independent Living Resource Center nine four two sixty three hundred.
Speaker 6 (25:22):
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's, The Alzheimer's Association is here
for you. There in person caregiver training is now available
on video conference. See the training schedule online at alz
dot org slash c w Kansas from Iheartcommunities.
Speaker 7 (25:37):
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and here in Wichita,
Catholic Charities Harbor House provides a full range of services
for domestic violence survivors. Learn all about Harbor House online
at Catholic Charitieswichita dot org slash Harbor Hyphenhouse and if
something about your relationship scares you, or if you believe
you and your kids are not safe, call the Harbor
House Hotline at three one six two six six thousand.
(26:01):
It's available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
That's three one six two six three six thousand.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Really been fun visiting with our guests today. Megan Shapah,
the Public Information Officer Officer CHAPA from the City of Andover,
and Paul Wemmer he is the chairman of the board.
I guess we'd say for parks and Rex you, sir,
so all the wonderful things that we see happening at
Central Park, and that is a huge ongoing project. We
(26:31):
have you and your committee to thank for all that's
going on over there.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
You know.
Speaker 5 (26:35):
They it's a great group.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
And I, you know, again, I'm relatively new, so I
can't really take much of the credit. They've done it
all before me and then I get to step into it.
So it's worked out really well.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
Yeah, but I.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Will say, and we really didn't address it, but the
thirteenth Street Sports Park that was a complete remodel and
additions that we added there with a splash pad and
playground and pickleball courts and beach volleyball and basketball and.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
Baseball on softball field.
Speaker 4 (27:01):
So there's a lot going on there as well. And
there are some events through Greater ran Over Days that
are happening over there too, so people will be able
to see that.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
Well, you know, Wichta has several wonderful suburbs or bedroom communities.
I guess that's maybe not the best term, but I
gotta think Andover's got to be one of the fastest growing,
you know, among them.
Speaker 3 (27:24):
Last I knew it was the fastest growing in Butler County.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Okay, all right, wow.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Don't quote me, but I think that's still lastly your
largest city.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
In Butler County. And then I think it was the
fastest growing in the state, is it.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
Yeah, I believe so, Okay.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
But regardless, it is one of the fastest growing, if
not the fastest growing city. And again I think it's
because people recognize what it is.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Yeah, come on out and check it out. If you're
not very familiar with Andover, you're going to find it's
a great place to spend some time and bring the family.
Everybody's going to have fun. So Megan Shapaw, Paul Wemer,
thank you so much for being with us on Witchta Weekend.
We're going to see you out at greater Endover Day
September twenty seventh through twenty ninth. Just go to Central
(28:05):
Park and Over and fun is going to fall right
on top.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Of Yes, right that easy.
Speaker 2 (28:10):
It's going to be that easy. Thanks so much for
being with us on Wichita Weekend.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
Thank you, thank you for listening to Wichita Weekend, a
service of iHeartRadio stations one O two won the Bowl.
Channel nine sixty three ALT one oh seven three and
ninety seven nine B ninety eight. Listen every Sunday for
Wichita Weekend
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