Community Matters Aberdeen Village
March 2017
Popcorn and a movie was always a fun time By Chaplain Diane Gunsolley
Do you remember when driving down to the local movie theater, sharing some hot buttered popcorn, and escaping into the adventure unfolding on the big screen was a fairly regular occurrence? Perhaps you still frequent the movies; for me, it’s rare. Most of today’s films just aren’t worth plunking down the cash. When a movie sounds marginally good, I usually wait a few months, rent it at Redbox and watch it at home. Now that our TV sets are three, four or even five times the size they used to be, I feel like I’m at my own private movie theater. If the movie is disappointing, it’s not at all embarrassing to walk out, and if the movie is excellent, I enjoy watching the best parts a second time. There’s a new movie coming out titled “The Shack” that interests me so much I’m not willing to wait for POPCORN, continued on page 4 CEO, continued on page 4
Aberdeen Village resident Mary Johnson
Around the world and back to Kansas again Many of us can only dream about traveling the world, seeing different countries and meeting amazing people, but Mary Johnson got to experience that dream in real life. Throughout her 56 years of marriage to David Johnson Jr., Mary lived in nearly a dozen different places. Some right here in the United States, but several abroad, from Alaska to Germany and Guam. WORLD, continued on page 2
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Mary was usually always by David’s side, with the exception of when The adventure began at KU. Mary they were in Alaska. For an entire was a sophomore, and David was a year Mary saw her husband three senior. He served in World War II and had returned to KU to graduate. days a month. She admitted “it was like meeting a new person every They dated for a little while but Mary admits that she didn’t want to time David came home.” marry a minister. However, David’s Of course the traveling and three charm won out, and they married sons kept Mary and her family on June 7, 1952. busy throughout the years, but never too busy to volunteer and In 1954 David became a gain many awards for her efforts. Presbyterian USA minister and Mary won the Military Wife of the served at a couple of churches. It Year award and Vol Star of the year was 1961 when David became an for Johnson County Community Air Force chaplain. This began the College. Mary confesses that she is many wonderful travels to places like Taiwan, Hong Kong and tons of an avid meetings person. She loves other destinations around the world. a good meeting! “There is a feeling of accomplishment and a plan to move forward when you finish with a meeting.” WORLD, continued from page 1
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org.
In addition to her many awards and acknowledgments, she picked up a few precious pieces of fine memorabilia along her travels. Some of her nicest pieces came from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Alaska, but perhaps the most precious items in her collection are her KU trinkets. She loves her team and knew that
she and David would always come home to “roost” in Kansas. They settled in Overland Park. David retired as chaplain and a colonel. Mary and David enjoyed their church and family, volunteering and living life. David died in 2008. In December 2015, Mary started a new journey and made the move to Aberdeen Village. The move sure hasn’t slowed Mary down. “I knew Aberdeen was the place for me, no question about it,” she said. She is still quite busy with volunteering, enjoying old friends and making new ones here at Aberdeen. Let’s not forget about her Jayhawks — she is still cheering them on! “I just love how I still get to enjoy and show off all of my favorite memorabilia pieces in my beautiful apartment,” she said. Mary also gets to enjoy her eight grandchildren. There is much to be said for traveling the world, but there is nothing quite like being home!
Tim Allin, executive director Chrissie Ammann, director of sales and marketing To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Chrissie Ammann, director of sales and marketing, cammann@pmma.org. Telephone: 913-599-6100 Fax: 913-599-3810 Address: 17500 W. 119th St., Olathe, KS 66061-9524 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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Community Matters March 2017
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Art is Ageless® call for entries is underway Aberdeen Village has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held April 24May 26. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2018 Art is Ageless calendar.
The Art is Ageless® Program encourages Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.
Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2012). There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by April 12.
Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica communities to be judged at the systemwide level. Entry forms and information can be picked up at Aberdeen Village, 17500 W. 119th St, Olathe, or
by contacting Chrissie Ammann at 913-599-6100, ext. 2501 or cammann@pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online.
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儀甀愀氀椀琀礀 漀昀 匀攀爀瘀椀挀攀猀
刀䔀匀䤀䐀䔀一吀 匀唀刀嘀䔀夀 䴀愀爀挀栀 ㌀ ⴀ ㌀Ⰰ ㈀ 㜀
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POPCORN, continued from page 1
Redbox.The big question in my mind is whether the movie will do justice to the book. “The Shack,” written by WilliamYoung, has sold more than 20 million copies since it was published in 2007. It is one of those page-turners that kept me up reading well into the night. “The Shack” is a heartwarming work of fiction. It is the story of a man overwhelmed with deep emotional pain who finds inner healing through interactions with God.The story asks wonderful questions about God and how he makes himself known to us. I believe the book accomplishes its objective as stated by Wayne Jacobson, who collaborated on it: “Our hope was to help people see how the Loving Creator can penetrate our defenses and lead us to healing. Our prayer is that through this book people
will see the God of the Bible as Jesus presented him to be -- an endearing reality who wants to love us out of our sin and bondage and into his life.” As a chaplain, I love engaging people in conversations about God, and this book gets people talking. All find it surprising.To some it is endearing and to others disquieting. Is the story and style appealing to everyone? No, it is not. Some believe it promotes false ideas about God.Whatever your perspective, it leads to great questions about the Christian faith. On Tuesday, March 7, Independent Living residents have an opportunity to participate in an outing to view the movie.The next morning, I plan to lead a movie discussion during our regular Bible study time. I will introduce material gleaned from the book “Finding God in the Shack.”
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Author and theologian Randal Rauser writes: “Perhaps the most we can hope for is to obtain glimpses of the beauty, harmony and unconditional love at the heart of God. ‘The Shack’ provides some fascinating glimpses indeed.” I encourage you to join us at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, if you’ve seen the movie or if you are one of the 20 million who have read the book. Come too if you decided not to see the movie. Hear why some loved it and others rank it as inaccurate as the portrayal of God rendered by a cigarsmoking George Burns in the 1977 film “Oh, God.” Let “The Shack” be our catalyst to talk about who God is and how he makes himself known in the world. Join us for a great conversation.
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facebook Fitness routines
Everyone knows fitness is important. How have you taken steps to be fit? What’s your regular fitness routine? If you’ve started a fitness routine late in life, what advice would you have for others? How do you think you benefit from regular exercise?
If you’ve got a story to share, contact Director of Sales and Marketing Chrissie Ammann, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters March 2017
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