Thank you, Memphis, for warm welcome during tournament
Many times over my 63 years I’ve heard the term “Southern hospitality.” I’ve traveled in the South and generally found folks to be pleasant, but it wasn’t until this past weekend that I experienced the true meaning of that saying.
My wife and I, and another couple, were in town for the AAC Men’s Basketball Tournament and stayed at a hotel within a few minutes walk of the Fedexforum. We spent a lot of time walking around, enjoying Beale Street and the surrounding area. We were all struck by the number of local people (many dressed in Memphis blue) who saw our Wichita State gear and engaged in conversation with us.
They would thank us for coming to Memphis, welcome us to their town, and sometimes offer tips on places to go or things to do. Some would tell us how excited they were to have us as new members in the AAC. The genuine welcoming feeling extended to the people we encountered in the various businesses we visited, and the arena personnel, as well. Our experiences were echoed by many others from Kansas.
Considering the proximity of hotels and the arena to this vibrant entertainment district, I’d vote to keep the tournament in Memphis forever, even considering the huge advantage the great local turnout would give the Memphis basketball team.
I know that isn’t happening, but I’ll always remember the outstanding experience in Memphis and hold it as the gold standard to which other hosting cities must aspire. If the tournament ever comes to Wichita, I hope we can return the favor. Thank you, Memphis! Ronald Keller, Derby, Kansas
Drop the meat – vegan diet better for people, planet
With crippling storms hitting our country in past months, we look forward to the first day of spring, balmy weather, and a superb second chance to actualize those New Year’s resolutions favoring more exercise and healthy eating.
The shift toward healthy foods is everywhere. Popular fast-food chains like Chipotle, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s all offer plant-based meal options. Food websites tout vegan recipes. Global Meat News reports that nearly half of consumers are reducing meat intake.
The financial community is betting on innovative plant food start-ups, like Beyond Meat, or Impossible Foods. According to Gallup, sales of plant foods grew 8.1 percent in 2017 and exceeded $3.1 billion last year. Britain’s prestigious The Economist declared 2019 the “Year of the Vegan.”
The reasons are ample. The World Health Organization has linked consumption of processed meats with elevated risk of cancer. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend reduced meat consumption. The media keep exposing factory farm atrocities. And animal agriculture is the chief culprit in climate change. Every one of us can celebrate spring by checking out the rich collection of plant-based food options in our supermarket’s frozen food, dairy, and produce sections. An internet search on vegan foods offers ample recipes.
Morris Furman, Memphis