Commun ty Matters Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
In memory
November 2018
Boone reflects on change, sense of community In her 18-plus years at the community, Cammy Boone has experienced a lot—a lot of change and a lot of close, personal bonds. As the director of nursing/health care services, some of the biggest changes she has been a part of have been the community’s switch to more and more electronic systems and processes and the overall evolution of its culture.
When you visit with long-standing members of the Presbyterian Church and reminisce on the history of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, the work of Dr. Frederick Maier, a retired Presbyterian minister from Arkansas City, will play a key role in the conversation. It was Dr. Maier who originally outlined the vision for the community and issued a challenge to the citizens of Arkansas City in a letter he sent to the Arkansas City Traveler in 1962. That letter concluded with the statement: “There are various ways this problem can be approached if a group of citizens have a mind to do so.” Neva Bahruth, a current resident of Presbyterian Manor and member of the First Presbyterian Church, remembers Dr. Maier fondly. COUPLE, continued on page 3
“Everything is so much more personcentered now instead of being scheduled,” said Cammy. “Everything is resident-based. Less institutional, more personal. Not everybody needs or wants the same thing and residents are now given what they need and want specifically.” Beyond the procedural and cultural changes, Cammy has also been on the job during several major construction projects. “They did a remodel several years back where they took out the nurse’s station and completely remodeled and updated the entire health care unit,” said Cammy. “That was one of the biggest physical changes I’ve been a part of.” Despite all of the changes, Cammy points out that the communal spirit of Ark City Presbyterian Manor has remained. “I have always loved the family like atmosphere and the way bonds are created between co-workers, staff and families, and staff and residents,” said Cammy. “It’s just one big community.” Adding to that family atmosphere is the fact that Cammy’s own grandparents are residents at the community. Away from work, Cammy enjoys fishing, reading and cooking—especially chocolate chip cookies and French dip sandwiches. She has been married to her husband, Justin, for 19 years and has two daughters and a soon-to-be one-year-old granddaughter.
November Birthdays Jack Baird Faye Doyle Marial Greenwood Barbara Just Barbara Orman Jackie Shafer
Art a lifelong pleasure for artist Virginia McConnell has enjoyed drawing since she was a child. Her sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Scott, encouraged her to pursue her artistic dreams. Through her school years, she took as many art classes as she could. She wanted to be a window dresser, but no jobs were found locally. She worked as an LPN at Wesley Medical Center for 42 years. Now that she has retired, she is painting much more and enjoying life. She paints every Monday at Southwestern College with her mentor Marsha Fitzgerald.
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.
ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org
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Poem: ‘It is not just a lake’ By Bill Bowles, resident chaplain Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
How green is our lake for the Honor of our Veterans today! Could this be nature’s sigh of hope? Vitality in the vast High fluffy filled limbs of Green-surrounding in the Eight-tenths of the lake? And the sky of the fluffy clouds Bounces the light on to the Steady rippling flow reflection Of the beautiful green trees Of many heights and shapes of limbs! The steady streaks of rippling Water tell of the northwest Winds act as if they are
Community Matters November 2018
Emptying the fully filled water. The lake is not Draining. The lake is displaying Its soft kind of southeast wind displays vitality and artistry. God Bless the moving hundreds Of evaporating rippling gifts Into our breathing winds Of life-giving hope! Let the rumbling, tumbling Sometimes bumbling world Try to control, console and Direct and divert our minds From whatever serious tasks Are before us! Anyways, thanks good friend and beautiful lake of life! Like us on Facebook
COUPLE, continued from page 1
“Dr. Maier was the driving force behind the planning and fundraising of the project. Even though he had moved from Ark City, he was very much a part of our community and concerned about our future.” At the time of Dr. Maier’s letter, he had been a resident of Newton Presbyterian Manor. Unfortunately, Dr. Maier was unable to travel to see the completion of the Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, passing shortly after in 1979. It was in memory of Dr. Maier and Mrs. Jessie Maier that Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor’s chapel was furnished. Many friends, family members and congregations provided pieces for the chapel—many of which are still present today. Amongst those is the chancel furniture provided by the Walnut Valley Presbyterian Church, which is no longer serving the area. In addition, several members of the Maier family provided the American and Christian Flags and Standards, which still stand proudly at the front of the chapel. One special piece, placed in a place of honor at the front of the chapel, is a carving created by Dan Spangler. “Christ in Gethsemane” was handcrafted in marble by Spangler in 1978 and is lit from behind to create a beautiful sight at any time of day. The creation of the piece was a personal project for Dan who was not only married by Dr. Maier, but considered him a close, personal friend. “A lot of love went into that particular piece,” said Jan Spangler, Like us on Facebook
Dan’s wife. “It was a way of saying thank you for being there for us.” Dan, who was a partner in the local monument company, purchased the marble used for the carving and sandblasted it into shape between jobs. “He had a picture of Christ in Gethsemane that a friend had taken in California and used that as his guide,” said Jan.
turn it clear off (but not completely) and you can still see his facial features and hands, or you can light it all up.” The piece was completed in time for the dedication of the chapel and Jan still remembers their reactions as it was installed.
“We were both so pleased because it showed a whole lot of love of Christ for us and his openness as he’s sitting Once completed, Dan lit the carving on the rock … he talks to you.” from behind and installed a rheostat Dan passed away in 2012, but to allow the light to be turned up or his love lives on in “Christ in dimmed based on the setting. Gethsemane” and numerous other pieces that adorn homes of friends “When you change the rheostat, and family throughout Ark City and it brings out different features of Christ,” said Jan. “You can almost other states. Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
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Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor 1711 N. Fourth Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 Return Service Requested
Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor’s Post-Acute To Home (PATH®) program isn’t just about getting you home—it’s about getting you back to your life. Call 620-442-8700 today to schedule your personal appointment and tour. ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org 4
Community Matters November 2018
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