These stories are like old friends.

Their lives radiate from the screen like prophets of the past.

They were teachers, but not in a classroom.

Instead, they taught about life to those around them who cared to listen.

And I was their student.

A KC 135 Air Force refueling tanker full of jet fuel plunges into a Wichita neighborhood.

The death and destruction are staggering.

Now, it happened way back on January 16th, 1965.

But for Sonya House, who lived through the horror of that day, there was no forgetting.

And she didn't want anybody else to forget either.

Right over there.

67 steps over there.

And I stepped this way.

And by the time I got right here, well, then I looked out and there went that fire past my window right there.

Sonya House lived through a nightmare.

Her house just a few yards from the crash site.

Flames burning way up there in the sky.

I saw the fire rolling down the street, just rolling.

And just burning high.

You know?

Seemed like it was.

Hey.

You know, I had never seen help before, and I didn't know how I would be.

But look like everything in the world was burning somebody.

It was so hot that burning up the paint on the fire truck.

It was really hot.

In Sonia's neighborhood, south of 21st and Piatt was Wichita's worst aviation disaster.

And if it had a splash this way.

I wouldn't be here today.

In that neighborhood, 14 adults died.

And my neighbor's burning up.

Eight children.

Died.

I never got to see them again.

Seven crewmen died.

That's a long time.

40 years and three months.

And an unborn child is counted as the 30th victim.

Still, there is no monument.

And that is the problem for Sonya and many others.

God left me here to tell about this.

They keep bringing it up.

They bring it up now.

And they bring it up, man.

And now let's go ahead and do something about this.

A park was built where houses once stood, but there's no memorial to the victims.

No way to remember the people.

And I care because they are all gone.

Oh, I care because it's something that should be done in the neighborhood so that children that play in that park can see that there is not only just a memorial park there.

But there.

Is something there.

To tell them.

What is it is a memorial about.

Community fair working in her church and interacting with others.

Sonya is one of many who hopes Wichita won't forget about those who perished.

But God saw it that it wasn't.

Who God saw fit, that it wasn't me.

So therefore you can go ahead on and help out with it, can't you?

As she's aged, Sonya felt it was time to speak out.

And now she has.

But the children that play, they can look at that and see all these people got killed.

I didn't know that.

They can see and remember it is a part of history, so they will know.

This actually took place right here in Wichita, Kansas.

That story is from 2005.

Now, two years later, this majestic granite memorial was unveiled right at the spot of the crash.

It's right there along Piatt Street, just south of 21st Street, not far from Wichita State.

Meanwhile, Sonya just recently passed away at the age of 85.

And she had the enthusiasm to make this happen.

And she convinced everybody, including the leaders of the city of Wichita, that this was important.

And people needed to remember.

I remember because I was there that day.

It's shooting and pictures.

And it was an unbelievable tragedy for Wichita.

The memory is seared into my mind.

It's got to be you were there shooting the video and now Sonya made it possible for everyone to remember that by that granite memorial.

Right.

And anybody who was there will never forget it.

She survived the unthinkable and then went on with her life, never forgetting and never forgiving.

Thanks for joining us, everybody.

It is considered the deadliest genocide in world history.

The Nazis murdered 6 million Jews in concentration camps during World War two.

Those who survived the camps had to somehow move on from the trauma and the loss of loved ones.

Many of them relocated to the United States.

Some even to Wichita.

By the time Larry did this story in 2004, nearly all had passed on.

With the exception of Esther Moses.

My father was here since 1928.

Esther Moses is Sam Suleman's daughter.

He ran this little clothing store for years.

Now all that's left is Esther.

She is a fixture along East Douglas.

She is one of those people we pass by.

Time is passing herbal life to.

By all accounts, she may be the last living Wichita memory of the Holocaust.

Her mother died in Auschwitz.

But Esther somehow survived.

And I think vibrant, valued by me.

On Liberation Day in 1945, the Americans opened the gates and Esther walked out of Auschwitz.

She was excited and talked too fast for one of the soldiers.

And he said, Say it slow.

So I said, Father America.

Oh, he says, Your father is in America.

I said, Yes, then.

Then he was the one who, via my father and I, half an hour later, my father knew I was liberated.

But so long ago, so many memories.

Oh, that's my husband.

In one of the liberation camps.

She met a man who would be her husband, Herbert Moses, also a concentration camp survivor.

He died in 91.

Now, in her eighties, she tends to the store daily, never selling much.

But that's not the point.

It's a place to go.

I have to look.

I don't play cards.

I don't go to meetings.

I don't go to lunches.

You know, like to have in the synagogues all the way.

And 24 three.

And I don't.

I just come down and I go home.

Keeps me busy.

In a life of great pain.

There has been great joy.

Her father, her husband, her children.

Today, she is in history's shadow, presiding over a business of yesterday.

No name one smaller yet.

And watching life go by.

I'm Audrey Hepburn.

Well, whatever.

I can still hear her say, well, whatever.

Now that she.

Has tears in his eyes, I know you can't see, but I don't blame you.

She was she was relatable.

You know, she was an incredible woman.

Well, Esther closed the store in 2006, two years after I shot that story.

Now, she passed away in 2011 at the age of 90.

The good thing about Esther was she forces you to remember and the one thing that she said that always will stick with me, she said, I will never forget and I will never forgive.

She said that.

She said that.

And it was it just hit you like a ton of work.

You can't blame her.

God bless her.

And she will always be remembered through your story, Larry.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

We begin with a powerful love story about a man, a woman and dreams that took a detour.

Pete and Mary ten Brink were soulmates, looking toward a bright future together.

And it seemed as though the world was their oyster.

Then dark clouds circled and life took a tragic turn.

It became clear that their marriage vows to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, really meant something.

Every day there's there's a pocket of joy.

And regardless how dark things can get sometimes.

Hey, look at me, Mary.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

All right.

Once I made a decision to spend my life with Mary, regardless what happens with the disease, I don't have any regrets at all.

I feel like I went to for rich life.

I know there was a point in my life where I was.

I came to a crossroads.

I had to make a decision whether I was going to pursue my career and my ambitions.

I struggled with that.

I was in college and I was doing well and I had a career and art.

I mean, I mean, things were falling in place for me and I was doing a lot of art work.

And I was and I had to say, no, you know, I'm going to stay with my wife and I'm going to take care of Mary.

You know, Mary is so sick now.

We've only got you know, we've only got a window of about three or 4 hours a day where she's really strong and things are and she's doing fairly well.

And we just try to we just try to see that day, I mean, that 4 hours and we try to fill it up with everything that we can in the quiet still moment of the day.

You know, there's there's such a peace there.

And there was such a joy and it's such a joy to wake up and to see my wife next to my side.

And and she looks at me and she just said, I loved you.

I mean, every day I get that every day.

And I and I and I wouldn't trade that for nothing, you know, this crazy.

Run.

Me say as far and.

Great Shelley.

I.

Think.

Me Oh I love you.

Mary O new plan.

I love what Mary passed away from multiple sclerosis about a year later in 2000 to Payton never remarried.

He says Mary was the love of his life and no one else could ever take her place.

But Pat went to work as an activity coordinator at the Timbers Living Community for people with disabilities, and that's where he and Mary had been living now.

He retired a few years ago, but he spends his time now doing his art and says he'll forever be thankful for Mary and the love they shared.

When I did that story, and as you could see by the stories, she was in a wheelchair.

I hardly talk and all of these things.

But when they were together, their love was so powerful that when I did the story, I brought tears to my eyes.

I bet it did.

These two incredible people who were just meant for each other and just to be around them, lifted me up to their.

Level.

Of existence.

And it was stunning.

And I. I just felt so close to those people when I did that story.

I like the way you put it to their level of existence.

They obviously have a higher level than many, many other people.

Absolutely.

And I just love doing that story.

Okay.

Now to the story of a character from Conway Springs who was a true Kansas original, a.

Really an original guy.

He enjoyed life and had his own take on things.

Here's what happened when I showed up at his house in 1979.

That's 70 year old Whitey Watson standing over there by his 50 year old pickup.

What he and his wife, Lucille, are Conway Springs natives and what his 50 year old truck is a common sight in the Conway area.

If you ask me about my old truck hits hit my wife RAYMO my two most valuable possessions.

Yeah.

She gets a little jealous in a truck once in a while.

Yeah, she says.

I think more of it.

And I knew her well, you know.

No, no, no.

I can.

I can get along without the truck.

The truck can't cook.

No, it can't cook.

But what's 1929 model?

Ford does turn many ahead when it goes down the street.

That thing.

That thing's a movie camera.

Yeah.

She runs like a sewing machine.

Facing you, having.

Visions.

Not half my life anymore.

Right.

Well, you will have to ask me why when you get to be 73.

The main thing, fishing and eating and sleeping.

Just about it.

The birds love what?

His house, because he always feeds them wheat and other grains.

And here's the reason why.

Well, I'm trying to make up for some of the meanness.

I don't want to either.

I wasn't what you'd call a Christian more.

You'd think I was a rich man.

But they give me this wheat.

Now, if you look closely, you'll see a fire burning.

And what is garage?

It's nothing to worry about.

But it is an unusual area to have a fireplace.

Well, it was more my fine little life's decision.

She didn't want her house smoked up.

I was going to put it in her room and she said No go.

She didn't want her wallpaper smoked up.

She called my next door neighbor said while they were she could get some new wallpaper.

What his life is, his truck, his wife and his birds.

And in this day of depressing headlines, spending a morning with worry is like a spring breeze.

It's refreshing.

You never know what's going to happen next.

Never a dull moment.

From Conway Springs, this is Larry Hatteberg.

You help me here.

You help me underneath here.

What?

He is a comedian to.

I was laughing through that whole story.

He is so cute and funny.

Oh, he's he's great, you know?

When you pull up in some in front of somebody's house, you never know what's going to happen.

And what was just perfect.

He was so interesting and he just likes to have a good time.

But only you, Larry, could make that story so interesting, funny, compelling, lean.

I mean, he was an interesting character, but you made him even more so.

Well, you're very sweet and very kind, as always.

That's what I appreciate about you, Larry.

Oh, my face is turning red.

We all want the best for our children.

So imagine the pride that Mariah Sheppard's dad had.

This young Andover woman had the deck stacked against her from the start, but that didn't stop her from pursuing her dream.

Chin down just a little bit.

Beautiful.

The camera loves Mariah Sheppard, particularly her eyes.

They are deep and powerful, but what the picture can't show you is that Mariah is legally blind and deaf.

I want to be the first deaf blind model.

When Mariah was born, everything was fine.

But then at about two years old, she began to lose her hearing.

Then her sight.

Then muscle weakness began.

It's called a mitochondrial disease.

That's Maria's father, James, playing with her younger sister, Tia.

Now, Tia also had the same disease, but as she grew older, it took on a more severe form.

Tia is currently on life support at the Sheppard Home.

My life revolves around my children and it's just it's something that, yeah, it's hard sometimes, but it's my life.

James's mother, Judy Sheppard, even moved from Iowa to help her son nowadays off.

That's that's our job is being able to care for Ryan Tia.

Divorced for nine years James found and married Stacy a year ago now Stacy also had three girls.

Now it's a full house with two of the girls needing 24 seven care.

I'm the type of person I need to be needed.

And I knew those girls needed me and I needed them.

And it just it makes me feel complete.

When I found Stacy, it was like a dream come true.

Dreams are now concentrated on Mariah.

Her dream to become the first blind deaf model continues.

Wichita photographer Randy Tobias gave his studio for a photo session, and Mariah didn't disappoint.

Lacey CHADD is Mariah's interpreter.

I want to show people, even if I'm deaf and blind, I can do it.

Knowing that she is not willing to to not give up anything her way.

I mean, she's.

Moving like I told you so.

Yeah, I can do it.

Can't stop.

Me.

She's moved mountains and has as prove people wrong.

And I just.

I love her for that.

I mean, I'm very open minded, this person.

And I do I would do anything to try to keep things positive.

And you have to set back the side of your own times, your own life to care for them.

But right now, it's more for fun.

But in the future, more work.

Oh, just proud.

Very proud.

I will never give up.

So beautiful on the inside and out.

Mariah is remembered fondly by all who knew her and respected her in every way.

Both she and her sister, though, passed away exactly a month apart back in 2015.

But it was so much fun when I was with them and we took her to a photographer and she had her portraits taken as a model would have their portraits taken, and that's what she wanted to be.

And it was a it was a great moment for us and obviously a wonderful moment for her.

Well, you gave her a great gift, the gift of what she always wanted to do before she passed.

That's right.

And she wanted to be a model so bad.

And she was a beautiful young girl.

And.

Just had that.

The deck was stacked against her.

Unfortunately.

And both of them are not with us, but they're together.

Exactly.

The couple in this next story created their own little backyard escape, a charming little retreat where their creativity thrive.

Yeah, this story is from 1993.

Behind this, nearly 100 year old home in Burton, Kansas.

Is a backyard.

Some might call it a backyard of love.

I call it a fantasy garden.

Wow.

I hope it's kind of a fantasy when people walk in.

She likes you know, she likes to get ideas.

And we did it kind of year.

The year we built like that was one year and that was one year and that was another year.

And that.

And then it's all in the same Harley.

Like it's been about six or seven year project.

Nita and beach owner Breton have created a wonderland in their backyard.

Together, they built a tiny church, a school, a log cabin, created rows of flowers, waterfalls and added statuary to create a scene that is more fantasy than real.

I've always liked to dig in the dirt with my brother when he was small with his garden.

We dig a little road.

No.

I like to.

I do.

I like to too.

I've always been an outdoor person, although I like sewing and things like this.

But I mean, I've always been a tomboy.

You know, when you started, I didn't realize it's going to be this big.

I keep saying, Lord, why am I doing this?

And I think that there will be an answer someday.

People come here and so just too much work is too much.

But I still maintain it is in it to get it all.

We do a lot and we do nearly all week.

And you don't got anything out here for Anita?

The Log Cabin is her favorite part of the garden.

I think I like old things and it's fun and I like to I like to do country would work and stuff and but I just I like the old times.

Du jour today I guess you say say she's kind of she get the.

Ideas.

He helps me all the way.

I mean, so we're in it together.

So it's a it's a, you know, the companionship of and, you know, he never complains.

They are both retired.

So this garden is their work and their life and sharing it with others is their joy.

If I open the gate, they're not expecting to see this.

It's fun to watch their expressions.

I really don't think it's all at all that night.

But other people can see it here, so it's all right now.

Much more than all right.

The backyard garden was a labor of love for Beecher and Juanita, and they put so much effort into making it a little paradise.

But sadly, time marches on.

Take a look at this one.

Nita passed away in 2009.

Beecher died in 2016, and that's when these photos were taken as their house was put up for sale.

A fantasy garden.

No more.

Unfortunately, time marches on.

And you know, when people have a dream and they work so hard to make that dream come true, the garden, the house, everything around there.

But when you're gone.

Time marches and.

Marches.

On and other people don't care.

So it's.

Horror.

I don't like that update.

Well, can we.

Change the.

I wish we could.

I wish we could.

But it's reality.

It's what happens in life.

It's, you know, so for each and every one of us, our days are numbered.

And the time is approaching when we'll leave this earth for wherever and whatever comes next.

Well, the man in our first story devoted his life to helping people make that transition and helping their loved ones let go and say goodbye.

Dr. Tom Walk has helped bring peace and comfort to so many Kansans who are facing the inevitable.

And I tell the people, get rid of that notion.

We are not about death.

We are about life, about living.

We are about life and living again to the very last moment.

For 25 years.

Dr. Tom.

Well, because walked the halls of hospice service.

He has become an expert on end of life issues.

I think once people get an opportunity to talk about what's on their mind and in their hearts, it gives them a lot of peace.

And so I don't consider it work.

I consider it more.

He talked about one of the senators, for lack of a better word.

My mission, my purpose, my reason to be what I most of the time come out with is a word of thanks for being able to enter into the life of this person.

And I really enter into that life where they are.

What I said earlier, so true, I don't enter where I am.

And the other thing I really do when I walk in, I look beyond the physical.

I always will look into their eyes.

That's where the beauty of the person is.

And then all of a sudden, boom versus with cancer.

And in many instances, I need to tell you, I will spend more time with family.

Many times the patient is farther along in acceptance than the family is.

Again, it's very important because many patients will hang on and hang on knowing that loved ones aren't ready.

I'm there to put the fun in the funeral, and I know that sounds irreverent.

I need to be careful as to who is asking the question and how I'm answering it.

But the one thing I say to them immediately is, yes, we can be sad about this person's death.

We miss them, but we want to celebrate their life.

Put the fun into their life again.

It is a life's work that can take an emotional toll.

Outside he tends a garden.

Inside trees are turned to art like clocks and rocking chairs.

There's no way if I said it over and over.

You can take care of anyone if you've not taken care of yourself.

When you're doing something like this.

You know, I'll just sit back sometimes and I'll take a look at that chair or these clocks and, you know, you just have a return for your efforts.

And again, I think that's very healthy.

That's that's therapy for me anyway.

Take advantage of today.

Take advantage of the moment.

Not worry too much about what tomorrow may hold because you can't do much about it anyway.

I feel that what I am doing makes a difference.

It has purpose.

And I think any time any human being has that sense of meaning and purpose, it's fulfilling.

Okay.

Such important work.

Very, very challenging, but very important work.

Yes.

And he's a very nice man.

Yeah.

And we all have to remember which we forget a lot that death is a part of life.

And it just is.

It's part of the human condition.

It is fun.

TOM Well, by the way, still serves as director of education and pastoral care at Harry Haynes Memorial.

Hospice and still doing all those other things as well and not slowing down a bit.

And in case you didn't know, he is indeed a cousin of the late, great bandleader, Lawrence Welk.

Isn't that.

Cool?

All the millennials out there have.

Who's Lawrence Welk?

What is what is a Lawrence Welk?

Well, for those of us who remember, we know what we're talking.

We know what we're talking about.

Now, here's the flip side of the old age dilemma.

He is Lauren Wade of Winfield.

Well, I just would like to keep busy.

I just need something to do.

I don't want to sit around.

Yep.

That's Lauren Wade over there, headed down the aisle in the Wal-Mart on the south edge of Winfield.

Now, in a few days, he'll be 100 and he's still on the job.

He's worked at this Wal Mart for 21 years.

He's my inspiration.

But don't put me on TV.

I'll think about that, ma'am.

Meanwhile, you'll find Lauren everywhere, unloading merchandise.

Sometimes he's on the floor for those hard to reach items.

Then it's the tearing down displays.

Wherever he's needed, he's there.

It's awesome.

He's an awesome man.

I've known Lauren for a long time.

And, you know, he's a hard worker and he does what he needs to do.

And the customers love our.

How are you doing, sir?

Good to see you this morning.

And he's just an all around great guy.

Growing up in Winfield, I knew Lauren.

He's been around this town most of his life.

Now his family pictures reflect that past.

A past that includes a war and the usual scars that everyday life brings.

But he had no idea that at 100 years old, he'd still be working.

But I never give a thought either.

I just kept working.

But now then I know I'm not going to last forever.

And the thing about Lauren, he always comes to you wanting something to do.

And, you know, if his main supervisor's not out there, you know, they have vacation or whatever to come track you down looking for something to do.

So it's great to have somebody that old working for you and taking the initiative to get stuff done.

I have loved him more.

Know how come he Joe Ergen if I don't retire early.

So like I say, I just like just like to be here.

I have something to do.

Last month, Lauren received an award by the Kansas Department of Commerce as the oldest working Kansan.

I'm not laying around the house, and I'm doing something and accomplishing something.

Now, Wal-Mart Corporate can't confirm if Lauren is the oldest employee of their 2.1 million employees worldwide.

But if it is, it is awfully close.

Being active has contributed to my still being around and meet people and.

Okay, let's go.

It's really fun.

Really.

Now, Lauren kept working at Wal-Mart for another four years, finally retiring in 2016.

Then he passed away five months later at age 104.

His family told him that first his wife died, then his dog died.

And then I think he was just tired.

He was just tired.

He was.

Just tired.

And what I learned from doing that story that I've really never told anybody is I found out that he was my dad's best friend in high school.

That's not true.

It is true.

I do.

Believe that.

How cool is that?

That's really cool.

Circle of life.

Yeah.

And he told me things about my dad I.

Didn't even know.

And what was neat about that story didn't go national.

Like he was the oldest wal greeter in the whole country.

He wasn't a greeter.

He was actually stocking the shelves.

Oh, that's for selling the story.

That's right.

And guess what?

It was a national story.

And I know on my website it gets thousands of hits.

It still to this day.

More Hattiesburg people from books to newspapers and a small town editor who had his own way of doing things and wasn't about to change.

And he was great.

His centricity is combined with his passion for journalism and small town life.

And it made Bob Grier one special guy.

It's just a good place to live.

I wish more people could go back to the rural areas.

I'm not interested in mowing the lawn.

I'm not interested in housing.

But I just interested in the flow of life.

That flow of life and protection.

Kansas is largely rural and is reflected in the pages of the protection press.

Now it's a lively publication laced by the wit and charm of the man who runs it.

I stumbled, tripped and fell into journalism as a little boy.

Before I could even read or write, I wanted to be a reporter.

Soon to be 85.

And, like all newspaper editors, has a specific way of doing things.

No computer for him.

He writes on one of five typewriters in his kitchen.

And I don't do it for show.

I do it because this is the way I've always done it.

I don't resist change.

But I'm lying.

I do.

His imperfect typing is corrected by a loyal staff, and his pile of newspapers and just plain other stuff is reflected both at home and at the office.

Theresa jellison has worked for him for years.

We don't know where anything is.

That's why we just leave it for him.

Thank you.

For the years of knowledge this man has about every subject there is that that that's really special.

We have had many, many discussions in this room about different.

And human rational.

Topics.

And I'm always wrong.

Over a Don's restaurant, the coffee klatch is gathering, and Bob knows there is someone there who might give him a story.

So while Don watches the grill, the town chatters sometimes about Bob.

He's important to this town, and he covers all the major events.

But I think it's very important for a small town to have the coverage because it unites the town.

Well, he's just something special.

His bopping along Broadway weekly column is full of folksy, personal chatter like this.

During the last 22 days, I walk two, three miles each day inside the apartment.

It was sizzling hot outside.

I was sure wasn't speedy, but I got it done.

I'm also down to my lowest weight in several years though I am still too hog.

Like another thing to.

I'm crazy about this.

I don't mind paying taxes.

That's unheard of.

But every time I drive down the road, see, this is my road.

This beloved editor, though not without his recent Tri-Cities at work.

This is Bob's napkin draw.

If Bob can't find a scrap piece of paper to write on, he will get a napkin that he's gotten from the local cafe or wherever.

And he writes stories on napkins.

Takes all kinds to to write on napkins.

I'll tell you that I don't know what I am, except I'm a reporter.

That's what I want to be.

Ever since I was a little boy.

And I'm so lucky that way.

I love that last shot of Bob.

He's just like walking away in the sun and the sun shining down on him.

And you can tell he's walking out on a main street.

That's right.

He was just simply looking over what he called his community.

Small time newspaper editor.

You don't find him like Bob anymore.

Unfortunate They don't exist.

They go for darn sure they don't.

And despite several health issues, though, Bob did keep running the protection press up until his death at 2014 at the age of 88.

Now, his widow still owns the newspaper.

And longtime employee Susan Edmondson is now editor.

And she says she's trying to maintain, of course, and it's hard to do those high standards that Bob's set for the paper, except one thing she types on a computer.

I bet she does.

I bet she doesn't want to go back to that old typewriter.

Exactly.

But God bless, Bob.

We're so happy.

That.

Guy.

I'm glad they're continuing the newspaper.

All right.

Now we go on to a musical artist who plays on the world stage when he's not getting his fingers dirty under the hood of a truck in Winfield.

His instrument.

You're going to love this.

Check it out.

Very pattern.

Is a diesel mechanic.

He owns a diesel service and truck repair trucks.

He repairs are large.

The work is dirt.

But while this is business, this is his passion.

Berry is a bone splitter.

That's the reason they call them bones.

Or they're made out of real cow ribs, the rib bone and the cow.

Meanwhile, Berry's garage looks pretty typical trucks worn with thousands of miles sitting like patients in a doctor's waiting room.

You have your instruments over here, and here's your patient.

But these titans of the road aren't the only ones with lots of miles on them.

In addition to his mechanical abilities, Berry is one of the best bones players ever.

Maybe these bones between his fingers make him all over the world from as far away as China.

He also plays and has made videos with the Byron Berlin Band.

But wherever he's at his bone are not far away.

It's just it's in your blood.

Don't ask me how I picked up the bone.

Doing what possessed me to play bone when you're 13 years old.

Other than people saying that, hey, keep keep playing and carry that tradition of bone playing because it's really a little lost art.

Most people probably enjoy and I. I really do because it makes me just make you feel real good that you're doing.

There you have it.

Wow.

How does he do that?

How does he move his hands that quickly or his fingers?

Because you'd have to move your fingers.

Well, after I did the story, he gave me some bones.

Yeah.

Oh, I couldn't make a meaningful link.

But, boy, you give them to him, and it's like magic.

You know, I had never heard of Bones.

I know most he uses, but.

Well, since that interview in 2006, Barry says his career as a bones player has now reached new heights.

He has performed on the TV show Deadwood Wood and the Griffin Theater in Hollywood at a tribute to comedian Steve Martin.

Imagine that.

Meanwhile, Barry is giving lessons to the next generation of Bones players while continuing to repair diesel trucks in Winfield.

An amazing guy repairing diesel trucks and traveling all over the world and doing those bones.

In his bones.

In his.

Bones, loving.

Well, there's certainly no monopoly on hamburgers around here.

Burger joints are everywhere.

But not all are created equal.

Here is a story about a burger joint unlike any other.

And what really made it special was the man who was doing the flipping.

He's back again.

He's back again.

O take home burger.

He's in again since Aki's been reelected, Take Home Burger has been corrected.

Now it's time to see you walking down them.

Come on in.

Iraq is back.

All right.

He's back.

Hi.

How are you?

Day for 40 years, Sparky, otherwise known as Earl Miguel has been in the hamburger business.

Oh, I have been tired of cooking.

Back at 13, our youth run 13 hour a day solid.

I'll have three with everything with ketchup and an order of fries.

But he fried for four generations.

Back in the late fifties.

My dad and I used to come in here.

Eight years ago.

He retired and sold the business but recently bought it back because the new owner had health problems.

That's why Aki's back.

He's back again.

He's back again to take home our keys.

And again he will laugh and tell a joke and he'll asked about your folks calls.

All take home our back.

And this one man burger stand is about the size of the average bedroom.

And sometimes people ask where they're supposed to sit.

I'd say, Well, anywhere out there on the grass that you can find grass by to be all right.

Yeah.

Yeah.

His business is simple.

Burgers, fries and a drink and no computer cash register.

Now, folks have told him to buy a new registered grill fire.

Aki says no way.

He wants to be like his uncle.

Yeah, I felt bad a few times every time I think about it.

I think about my uncle back in Arkansas that that is his cash register consisted of three chili bowl and a cigar box under the counter.

And he's doing better than I did.

So if you want a taste of the past, a joke or two, and a burger from the same man who probably fried one for your grandfather.

Well, folks, Aki's.

He's back again.

He's in again.

Oh, take home.

Ah, he's in again.

You think 40 years and change anything but Aki's burgers same same goals all take home.

Ah he's back in.

Unfortunately all good things come to an end 27 years later take home a burger is gone and so is Aki.

He passed away in 2008 at the age of 87.

As they say, good help can be so hard to find.

A small town hardware store.

Solve that problem with a loyal employee that never complained, never asked for a raise and never took a vacation.

Now, her name was Harley.

Who gets inducted for Rip.

Harley works in a hardware store.

Harley does a great job until the pesky media follow her that she does just what some politician should do.

She growls, she snarls.

She threatens.

And then she runs.

But then she sees.

She can't hide.

So she attacks our furry microphone.

But unlike some politicians, Harley always completes her job.

Scan the Air.

Kansas in Republic County, founded in 1868 by a group of Swedes.

It's a little town of 421, plus Harley, and this is where she works at Richard and Sony Rayney's hardware store in downtown Skandia.

Yeah, there she.

Harley has been greeting folks for four years at this little hardware store.

This £65, 22 inch tall yellow lab is an employee.

She even has her own executive chair.

Harley gave me the WD.

40, but it's how she works.

That's what people love to watch.

She gets more press and more notoriety than we ever get it, girl.

Once she started doing these tricks, our kids.

Have.

Got real tired of us talking about the Harley.

Get the shims.

They think we've kind of gone overboard a little bit.

Good girl.

She really does understand so much of of our lives and what we do.

Give me a pop.

People come in, you know, just to see her.

If she happens to not be in the store at the time.

Well, where's Harley?

Good girl.

What's really fun when somebody hasn't heard about her and wants duct tape or something?

Go get the duct tape.

Duct tape up.

And we've had a lot of comments on that, like.

Yeah, really?

No way can you hear the one guy scream?

She was coming back with this duct tape.

He said.

It'll all be darn good, girl.

Ever since we've had her, people just love her.

She's.

She's a lot of fun, and people come in just to see her.

What do you see out there?

Come here.

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

But a few years ago, after a good, long life, Harley was promoted to that big hardware store in the sky.

Then the grannies sold the store and moved away.

Now, it was a fun period in history that came and went in the sleepy little village of Skandia, Kansas.

Now people would come in from all over just to watch this dog take stuff off the counters and bring it so they could check out it.

An amazing dog.

Everybody loved the dog.

And.

And what.

Amazes.

Me, Larry, is that not only did you find Skanda, but you found this hardware store.

I've never even heard of scandium.

Well, see, that's the that's the fun thing about my job is going around and finding these little places that make a difference in your life.

I love it.

I love it.

Well, long before the moon landing, this next Kansan made a discovery of astronomical proportions.

His name was Clyde Tombaugh and he discovered the ninth planet in the solar system that would be Pluto.

And that made him one of the most famous astronomers of the 20th century and the most famous person to ever come out of Burdette, Kansas.

The skyline of Burdette, Kansas, rises out of the countryside towards the heavens, and it's the heavens.

But Burdette, on the map.

In 1930, this man, Clyde Tombaugh, a former resident, discovered the planet Pluto.

So the community decided to honor their favorites.

We had somebody march now.

But the residents of Burdette dedicated a highway marker honoring Tombaugh, who once lived on a farm northwest of the city.

Our roots, my roots and the broader community go very deep.

We've been here a long time.

And but that played quite an important role in the discovery of Pluto, whether you realize or not.

Tombaugh was 20 and an astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff when he discovered the ninth planet.

As the story from a 1930 edition of the larger newspaper says it was hailed as the greatest achievement in astronomical science in 100 years.

So when Tombaugh came back home, residents responded.

Autographs and pictures were popular.

In recent days.

And pictures.

Dr. Tom Bowman, his wife, will be stand by the sign for picture taking.

The 1925 graduate of Burdette High School said the planet Pluto might have been named Cronus if it wasn't for the ego of a fellow astronomer.

He was so egotistical.

He was absolutely repulsive astronomers and he had predicted plan.

He had suggested Curtis.

Well, we weren't about to make him pass up his name and call class.

So that was really, really Jack.

And on us.

You see a little politics involved.

This was a lot.

Burdette added that one lady in another city thought he was the author of the Pluto the PUP Comic Strip.

Well, can't win them all.

Larry Hatteberg, TV ten News.

Burdette, Kansas.

Tombaugh also discovered 15 asteroids in his career and has a crater named after him on Mars, among other things.

Now, he did die in 1997 at the age of 90, but boy, he put Burdette, Kansas, on the map and put Kansas on the map, really?

And discovered a planet and asteroids.

Mars to wrap your head around.

Not many people do that.

Not alive.

That's true.

All right.

When most people her age graduated from college, Herbert Hoover was president.

And talking pictures were a new thing.

But Nola Oakes decided to put off college for about 75 years.

Fortunately, though, it wasn't too late as she prepared to accept her sheepskin in 27.

Nola was going to become the oldest person in the world ever graduate from college.

And it would be with great pride and satisfaction that come May 12, the Lord willing, I'd walk across that floor and graduate before to enjoy college.

In the great halls of education at Fort Hays State University, students attend to realize their potential.

Most are in their youth, but not all.

Accomplishing a goal is meaningful.

Rewarding.

All this notoriety has just been a source of satisfaction to.

Me in Nola OSU's small dorm room on campus.

She is surrounded by computers and books.

I look back and see that going.

School has been a great pleasure to me all my life.

At Fort Hayes, she's just another kid on campus waiting for class.

But she brings with her life experiences that she's willing to share.

You won't get rich farming.

You're lucky to be able to go this far.

It's been a blessing, and I know it is a blessing.

At 95, this history major is about to make history herself, becoming the oldest person to graduate from college in the world.

And even her professors are impressed.

It's been a delight to have her.

She's contributed so much to the classroom and really an inspiration to all of us in here.

Her age is important, but personally she doesn't want to be reminded of it.

She believes that when you remind people they're old, then they act old and they stop living life.

Several years ago, I quit counting my age.

We celebrated my birthday, but my family knew that I'd.

I didn't want to be told how old I am when they reach a certain age now to decide they're going to sit down and rest while I take things easy.

It's better to stay active.

Her other joy on campus is another student, her granddaughter Alexandra.

That I'm definitely going to miss when she's gone.

It's kind of coming to terms that she's leaving.

And in a month, knowing that Alexandra was in town here, she gave me a comfort.

I didn't feel I really didn't feel alone.

So from the life of a rancher to college student at 95, this woman who is so in love with learning has even more dreams.

I would like to be a storyteller on a cruise ship going around the world.

What is not a dream, though, is the inspiration.

Nola has been not only to her granddaughter, but to the world as well.

It's a great blessing the Lord has bestowed upon me and I give him thanks for that.

In 27, Nola was named Kansas Woman of the Year and was a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Among other national shows she was on.

But that wasn't even the end of it.

Nola decided to go on to graduate school, and she earned her master's degree in 2010 when she was 98.

Well, she finally passed away in 2016 at age 105.

But, boy, perseverance, someone going after education, she knew how important education was she.

And that's why she.

Did that 75 years later, to have the determination at that age.

Incredible.

Her family was very proud.

Well, we're going to end the show with a real doozy.

It's about a young man named Brett Dellinger, whose talent is sure to amaze you.

There's always a challenge to yo yoing.

The thing I like about it, like there's always new tricks coming out.

There's always something new that you have to work.

Trying to master all the four types that you learn free hand offs during one hand and two.

In a home full of trophies and awards.

14 year old Salina native Brant Dellinger is setting the yo yo world on fire.

You have to have good eye hand coordination and work hard on it.

Known as the spin master, he recently took fifth place in the world as a yo yo champion.

You have to put a lot of time into it.

Surrounded by the tools of the trade, even sports.

His own line of professional yo yos.

This is my organic spin master.

It was hand-dyed by Erik Wolf.

And it has my picture on the side.

My it's it's pretty cool having your name on a yo yo and so all over the world and all the old stores.

Yes.

I usually spend about 4 hours a day on the school day and about 10 to 12 hours a day on a weekend.

But I've done so many shows now.

I never really get nervous when I perform.

Amazingly, he's only been involved in the art form for a couple of years, yet has a natural talent which.

I designed this yo yo.

It has rubber on the outside, so you can do all strange tricks with it when you bounce off the floor.

In the hands of a master.

These yo yos become art.

All right.

The last time I met Brett Dellinger here, he was 14 years old.

He's not anymore.

He's a little bit older, but he's a champion of the U.S. second in the world.

Correct.

All right.

He's national champion.

It's incredible what this guy can do with a yo yo.

Yes.

All right, Brett, go ahead.

I would say it's a little.

Less impressive what Susan can do, but she did it.

All right.

All so more trucks, don't you?

Oh, yeah.

We're going to love this show for.

Okay.

Go for it.

Okay.

This here, it's called single.

With one.

Yo, yo.

This is what I took second at Nationals twice and then first at Nationals the next year.

And kind of really what I'm known for, this is a yo yo called the spin master Brant Dellinger has my name on it, sold all over the world at all the yo yo stores.

There's also other types of yo yoing called Teen Ed Double AA, which is when you use two years at the same time, this is two handed.

Yeah.

Brant E. Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh, oh.

And this is called rotating staircase.

Are you kidding me?

Are you kidding?

Yeah.

That's incredible.

Yeah, mean.

That was incredible, Brant.

No wonder you're national champion.

Thanks for being here, Brant.

Thank you.

All right.

You were incredible.

Usual.

I knew I was right.

When you were 14 years old, you had a future.

Let's do one more story and really end this show on a high note.

See what you think of this on the wings of the.

Snow White.

Dad.

He saying these years he loved this song.

None of that on the wings of a dad.

Trouble behind song that wasn't forgotten.

He sang Danny glad he sang Danny's Man on the.

Wings of the.

In Hunter, Kansas.

At Vera's bar.

There are no strangers.

Yeah.

Liza that's my girl.

That's Ron.

And that's Gene and Walter.

Me.

And that's Ron.

And that's Linda.

People come here not because the beer is colder.

There it comes longer is.

Not because the food is better.

You right there.

But because of this one woman.

Hey, looky here.

72 year old Vera Lewis Lager.

Look at.

That.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Keep me in.

Keep me on this.

Give some.

You don't come to Vera's just to put your name on the ceiling or to buy a bag of chips.

Oh, no, no, no.

You come because Vera is not only the owner, but also the entertainment.

On the wings of this Snow White dad.

He sang these fiercely glad this time from of the The Wings of the Dead.

It is the only song she sings.

It is the only song she knows.

Sweet love.

This time round the bag on the wings of the when trouble surround is when evil will come.

The body grows weak body grows weak mysterious building then spirits feels numb, trouble behaves And that wasn't forgotten He sing Danny glad he sang Danny Red on the wings of a dark.

You can't create a place like this.

It just happens.

How it is when you work together.

Being happy.

In a place where the stools are worn, where each sale is recorded in a spiral notebook.

And do that.

Vera is not only happy, she is beloved.

This time around.

The bird on the wings.

The death on the wings of death on the wings of a dog.

I like it.

Oh, good girl.

That was wonderful.

My bass.

Nick, they're still working.

It's gonna be to rest now.

Okay.

What do you know?

What's special about Vera?

Hmm?

You see God through her.

You hear God through her.

She's a simple woman, but spreads so much joy, and you just love hearing her.

People went to Vera's bar for the experience.

They love Vera, and they'd come from Miles around just to hear her sing.

And it was just fun, you know?

It's not like a plastic restaurant somewhere.

It's unique.

It's one of a kind.

And Vera was also one of a kind.

Unfortunately, Vera is no longer with us, and that bar is now closed.

It's part of history.

But she had a great run there and created many fond memories, as Susan said, for the people in the tiny town of Hunter, Kansas.