Commun ty Matters Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
February 2016
Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception features senior and local artists Since the beginning of time, creative expression has brought joy to both its creators and those who experience their art. The Art is Ageless® program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity. Some have resumed art after putting it aside for a career, others have been creating beautiful pieces throughout their lives, and others never picked up a brush until after they retired, but all are now expressing themselves through art. In March, their works will be on display at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor. “It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Tara Clawson, marketing director. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and ART IS AGELESS, continued on page 3
The cross —
God’s enduring symbol for love By Wayne Rector, Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor resident
Across the land and perhaps around the world this month, expressions of love will be exchanged by valentines and gifts of love.
Wayne Rector
The world’s symbol for love is a red heart. We see it substituted for the word love in many expressions such as commercials and bumper stickers like, “I (red heart) Jesus” or “I (red heart) Kansas.”
God’s symbol for love is the cross. Roman’s 5:8 declares that, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus, in love, willingly endured the agony of cruel torture and shed His precious blood and died on the cross for us. God loved us, so states 1 John 4:10, and he sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. The cross shows God’s love for us, it is His way of saying, “I love you.”
How to travel alone and love it Happy Birthday! Carrie Elbrader Sylvia Hess Lucy Koch Larry Pike Ted Spillman Iris Magnus
Zora Weir Joan Cornett Robert Hale Ardith Harris Gene Snyder
Soaking in a mineral spring pool at a spa, I started talking with another pool denizen. The woman, in her late 60s, asked if I were traveling with family or friends. I said I was alone. She said, “I would be too afraid.” Timidity around this topic baffles me. For more than 30 years, I have traveled mostly on my own. I prefer solo travel, I told the woman, because I go where I want, see what I want and have the freedom to change my plans at any time. Do I get lonely? No, because I talk to strangers. Hear new stories
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Sarah Griggs, executive director Tara Clawson, marketing director Lori Peters, activities director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact tclawson@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-442-8700 Fax: 620-442-8224 Address: 1711 N. Fourth, Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org
Everyone has a story. Travel with a spouse, partner or friends, and most often you will speak only to them. Go it alone, and you will talk with people you’ve just met. Their stories may amuse you or even astound you. Some may broaden your worldview.
Community Matters February 2016
yourself.You may want to sign up for a guided tour. (Look for one that builds in plenty of free time for solo exploring.) Or you may want to book a cabin on a cruise ship, where you have the option of talking to hundreds of new people, all with stories you’ve never heard. When traveling, don’t say your room number aloud in a hotel lobby, never flash a lot of cash and don’t wear pricey jewelry. Before you leave your hotel room for dinner, turn on a light and the TV and put out the “Do Not Disturb” sign.
You can do this! You’ve spoken to strangers before when asked for your impression of an attraction you were visiting, a concert you were attending or a meal you were eating. On the road — whether far away or close to home — all you have to do is smile and start a conversation.
2. Don’t be ageist
Here are a couple of tips, along with stories about some of my experiences talking to strangers, for making the most of a solo adventure.
On a trip to the Galapagos Islands, I learned that a young man on the ship was an archaeologist who searched for mummies in Peru. Usually on a cruise or guided tour, I table hop, sitting with different people each night at dinner. Because I thought this fellow’s work was fascinating — and he enjoyed talking about it — we ate a number of meals together.
1. Do use common sense Plan a trip that matches your comfort level, whether you head out with a little help from a travel agent or with an itinerary you craft
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Courtesy of Patricia Corrigan
Of course another boomer likely will respond to your conversationopener, but it’s also OK to talk to young people.You may even end up with greater respect for a different generation.
© Twin Cities Public Television - 2016. All rights reserved.
The Art is Ageless program has been encouraging creativity in seniors share with the entire Arkansas City for more than 35 years, and is community.� sponsored by Presbyterian Manors The Art is Ageless exhibit will feature of Mid-America (PMMA), which Lawrence Presbyterian Manor is a nonprofit organization that works from local artists who are 65 Lawrence Presbyterian Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor Manor owns and operates 18 senior living and older, including a few Arkansas Lawrence Presbyterian Manor ON on and Kansas. on communities in Missouri City Presbyterian Manor residents. ON Each year the organization publishes The public is welcome to visit the an Art is Ageless calendar, featuring community to view the exhibit works by amateur senior artists. of acrylics, oils, photography and various other mediums, ranging from Proceeds from the sale of calendars are reinvested into new art programs amateur to professional levels. The and opportunities for PMMA exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. residents. March 14-17. ART IS AGELESS, continued from page 1
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In addition to the exhibit, Arkansas City will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 18.
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Community Matters February 2016
How have you answered the call to be a volunteer? How have volunteers helped you in a time of need? Why do you think volunteers are so important? How have you benefited from being a volunteer? If you’ve got a story to share about volunteering, contact Marketing Director Tara Clawson and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.