Interview with Nita Reed, Wichita resident

posted at 2007-10-26 16:18:28

for 30 years, originally from Manila, Philippines.

Her father’s employment in the aircraft industry brought her to Wichita as a child.

Wichita is a cool place because … “It’s a small town with 600,000 people. You see people you know everywhere. It has that real small-town feel. We bring in a lot of events. We see concerts and such.”

What is the craziest or most unusual thing that you’ve done in Wichita?
“I’m not like this anymore, but a girlfriend and I, as a high-school prank, dumped some Tide (laundry soap) into the fountains downtown. It was awful, but I loved it. I think the statute of limitations has run out.
“When I was in junior high school, my fondest memories were hanging around downtown in the area with all of the sculptures because that’s where all of the buses brought you there. We’d get together and hang out there. Those are some of my best memories.”

Has there been anything that you recently found out that you could do in Wichita that surprised you?
“I didn’t know I could walk on a Chihuly (at the Wichita Art Museum). A friend of mine turned me onto him forever ago, and I just remember the name. I never thought I’d be up close and personal in a town like this. I saw (his work) in Vegas, but I didn’t think I’d see it here. And there it is. How cool is that? And I can walk on it.”

If you knew somebody who was going to be in Wichita for four hours, what is the one thing they have to see?
“Come take a nice walk with me through Riverside Park. I kind of grew up in that area and I hung out with my friends. Lots of good memories down there.”

Is there anything you’d like to add?
“Oh heavens no. I’ve gone way too far already.”