Commun ty Matters Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
July 2018
All together now— as we sing our song By Bill Bowles, chaplain Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
Have you ever thought about the similiarties of the types and sizes of trees in our towns and state? Then recall your broader adventures across the great USA, and even in other nations. When you had the privilege to travel to other states or nations, did you see differences in the vegetation? In an inspirational book of W. Phillip Keller, “Still Waters,” he shares his adventures as an agronomist, and the joy of planting new landscapes, and renewing great forests and countries. Do you remember being on vacations with your family, visiting relatives and celebrating the striking beauty of new landscapes? Recall the unique features of landscapes— more open plains, mountains and deep valleys than we ever knew were there! Now consider your families and friends, your children and your relatives all together. What a lovely variety! We are still brightening, encouraging, challenging and inspiring those dear to us, and making new friends that we discover SONG, continued on page 2
Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor staff celebrating its 40-year history outside.
Looking back at history: the next step The original 1976 vision for Presbyterian Manor included not only the 93-unit apartment complex, but also an “immediate care center” or what we now refer to as the Healthcare center. The concept has always been to provide a continuum of care so that those individuals living in the apartments have a sense of security knowing that there is an attached healthcare center. Shortly after the apartment complex opening in the fall of 1978, Presbyterian Manor applied for certification through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for a 53-bed nursing community. One of the first hurdles was presenting to the Health Systems Agency of South East Kansas (HSASEK), where Rev. Thomas Wentz, then president of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, and one of the current residents, Mary Allee, spoke. In a March 8, 1979, article published by the Arkansas City Traveler, which covered the hearing, the article quoted Mary stating it was important to her to know that a nursing community would be available to her should she ever need it. She wanted to remain where her friends were. Their presentation hit home, and the HSASEK committee approved Presbyterian Manor’s request, which led to the official certification FORTY, continued on page 2
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in retirement. It’s a patchwork of relationships and experiences that creates the sountrack of life. Use the love, affection and compassion bound up within you to provide inspiration. Engage in diverse experiences and opinions. Enjoy the freedom to care and understand new viewpoints that add to your wisdom. May you continually be blessed and “surprised by joy,” as C. S. Lewis once reminded the world. We, too, always can be ready to be “surprised by joy.”
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 Sean Page, marketing director Lori Peters, activities director
To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact spage@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.
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Community Matters July 2018
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with KDHE. The groundbreaking ceremony was Sunday, June 3, 1979. Former Gov. Robert Docking was the featured speaker at the ceremony. In a June 4, 1979, article published by the Arkansas City Traveler, Docking said that day “commemorates a constructive idea that will bring positive, healthful and enjoyable benefits for many years to come.” He went on to say the residents of Arkansas City believed there was a need for alternative housing arrangements, which Presbyterian Manors has fulfilled. The addition of the healthcare center would give the “added benefit of long term care” when those individuals would need it. Originally, the healthcare center included 53 beds in three separate wings, with only three private rooms, a dining room, activity space, a therapy room and a beauty shop. The healthcare construction was completed in May 1980 and soon began admitting residents. In the late fall of 1984, the healthcare center was averaging 95 percent occupancy, however, it noted a need for additional private rooms. A campaign fund drive was established to not only add the west wing of healthcare with eight private rooms, but to expand the activities and dining space. In September 1985, S. Andrew Swoyer, chairman of Presbyterian Manor’s Advisory committee, and Otis Morrow, chairman of the expansion campaign, took turns breaking the ground for the healthcare addition. The construction included the addition
of eight private rooms and expanded the dining room to accommodate additional residents. Connie Bruner, housekeeper supervisor, recalls that census has always been high even when she started in January 1984 and at that time there was a long waiting list for private rooms. “The residents were extremely excited for more private rooms and that the new [private rooms] were bigger than the existing [private rooms],” Bruner said. The new private rooms were designed for two residents in case there was ever a need, however, Presbyterian Manor has never utilized them in that capacity. One of the existing private rooms was repurposed into a “quiet room” to meet regulatory requirements and to accommodate some additional office space. After construction was complete, Presbyterian Manor’s Healthcare center had a capacity of 60 beds, 10 of which are private rooms. The new FORTY, continued on page 3 Like us on Facebook
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wing was completed, and a ribbon cutting was held in June 1986. Then current resident Bill Bricker, who was nearly 101, had the honor of cutting the ribbon. Even with the increase in private rooms at the time, the demand for a private room is still high and Presbyterian Manor continues to manage a wait list for them.
A ground-breaking for the new west wing of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor in 1985.
A ribbon-cutting for the new west wing of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor in 1986.
Joyous July birthdays Virginia Burkett Doris Bazil Bill Bowles Jennabelle Crow Rose Foster Maxine Holman Perry Pearman Bud Riley Wilda Shay Berniece VanSchuyver
Former Kansas Governor Robert Docking speaking about the new additions to Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor in 1979. Like us on Facebook
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Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor 1711 N. Fourth Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607
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