Community Matters Aberdeen Village
October 2016
‘What a wonderful world’ By Diane Gunsolley, chaplain
Louis Armstrong, with his oneof-a-kind gravely style, could get more out of a song than anyone.
Brooke Raymond, a waitress at the Village Green.
“I see trees of green, red roses too
Brooke Raymond
I see them bloom for me and you
From dining services to dream career
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.” That song was a slow stroll through the day. It encouraged pausing to take it all in. The gift of reflection brings to focus the wonder of everyday moments. It highlights nature’s beauty. The trees are alive in fall colors. It’s not too hot and not too cold. I’m determined to take a scenic drive, soak in the beauty and say to myself, “What a wonderful world.”
Many high school students find part-time jobs as waiters or waitresses, but Brooke Raymond’s waitressing position is unique in the foodservice industry. So unique and fulfilling has her position been, that she’s decided to pursue a full-time career in the foodservice industry now that she recently graduated. “I’ve been working here at Aberdeen Village as a waitress for two years now. I have other friends who are servers at normal restaurants, and they can’t believe how nice it is here. They said it’s cleaner, and they’re impressed with the quality of the food. It’s a unique place to work and I love it,” said Brooke. So how did Brooke find out about Aberdeen Village? A family connection.
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A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
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“My grandmother, Shirley Raymond, lives here, and she told me about the position. My grandfather wanted me to work here, too, so I could be around them. Unfortunately, he passed away on September 20, 2014, right before I started. But I was already familiar with the people here. I ate with my grandparents here on Sundays. I love chatting with all the residents. They feel like family,” said Brooke. Brooke has always had a passion for baking, spending hours in the kitchen with her mother growing up. Her experience at Aberdeen
Village has only added to her desire to spend time in the kitchen. “I recently made a wedding cake for a friend, and I’ve even gotten to do some cooking here at Aberdeen Village. I made a molten lava cake for one of the wine parties. That was fun!” said Brooke. Brooke has so much fun in the kitchen that she decided to apply for a four-year food services program in New York City, which she’ll begin soon. While we’ll miss her here, we’re thrilled for her to have this opportunity. She’ll still be here from time to time, though. “I plan on staying on part-time to help out over holiday breaks when
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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. Tim Allin, executive director Chrissie Ammann, marketing and sales director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Chrissie Ammann, marketing and sales director, 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 October 2016
I’m also convinced that Satchmo had it right when he said that even a “hello” among friends is an expression of love. “The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky / Are also on the faces of people going by I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do / They’re really saying I love you.” Human friendship is richer when we are intentionally present in the moment. A smile and a few kind words can make my day. If that is true in the natural, how much more is it true in our spiritual life? Experiencing God has much to do with our deliberate purposeful acknowledgement that He is with us. It’s dialoguing with our Father throughout the day and scheduling
Brooke Raymond and Jose Diaz, assistant director of dining services.
I’m back in town,” said Brooke. “I would miss it too much if I wasn’t able to come back occasionally!” Best of luck, Brooke, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll cook up next! time to unite with Him through Scripture reading and prayer. I’m discovering that connecting with God is far richer if I make time to regularly sit and be with Him. Our Brandt chapel is open for prayer and reflection on Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. Stop by for a few minutes, soak in His presence and enjoy connecting with our Father. May we, like King David of old, seek the one thing that really matters: “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” — Psalm 27:4 New InternationalVersion Gaze on His beauty and you may just find yourself humming, “And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”
It’s on the menu: High quality food for a high-quality life New Aberdeen Village Marketing and Sales Director Chrissie Ammann has nearly two decades of experience working in the senior living industry, but there’s something she’s found here she wasn’t expecting. “Just in the short time I have been at Aberdeen Village, I felt an immediate connection to Chef Jose Diaz. He is so passionate about what he does and the department he runs. He has created a menu that is by far one of the most stellar menus I have seen in my 18 years working in the industry. He makes sure that every resident, regardless what level of living they may be in, has the same dining experience and options. Our independent living residents get to enjoy filet mignon as an everyday option, but so do
our health care residents. That is certainly not typical in other communities,” said Chrissie. Another thing that isn’t typical is our new LEAP program (Lifestyle Enrichment for Alzheimer’s Prevention). This is a holistic approach to Alzheimer’s prevention, developed by the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center. “Dining services will have a major part in this program by offering/ highlighting menu items that are known to be brain healthy meal options. Marketing and Sales Director Chrissie Residents can simply Ammann and Assistant Director of look for little LEAPing Dining Services Jose Diaz. figures next to foods that can help in the vegetables now and more are preventing Alzheimer’s choosing the fish specials.” as well as leading to We’re honored to provide not only an overall healthier lifestyle,” said Chrissie. “So far residents are really high-quality food, but a high-quality enjoying it. People get more of life here at Aberdeen Village.
JOIN the
WELCOME
PROJECT Life is better when you’re surrounded by friends. If you know of friends who are interested in the independent living or assisted living lifestyle you enjoy here, providing their names could lead to rewards—for both of you. Pick up a referral form in the marketing office. *Certain restrictions apply. For complete details, contact the Marketing Office.
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Aberdeen Village’s Post-Acute To Home (PATH®) program isn’t just about getting you home— it’s about getting you back to your life. Call 913-599-6100 today to schedule your personal appointment and tour. AberdeenVillage.com
Celebrations & traditions We will focus on celebrations and family traditions in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. What traditions are important to your holiday celebrations? What are your memories of Christmas? What recipes did you only make for these special holidays? If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing and Sales Director Chrissie Ammann, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters October 2016
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