Welcome our new Sales and Marketing Counselor Brandy Riggs!
Since joining the Clay Center Presbyterian Manor team in December, Brandy Riggs has worked to make new residents feel comfortable from the very start.
By building relationships with current and prospective residents in the Clay Center area, Brandy works to be the go-to resource for those searching for a move to a community with a full continuum of care.
“I work with all departments at some level –from the administrator, business office, assisted living staff, healthcare staff, dining staff, housekeeping and laundry, transportation, activities, medical Records,” Brandy said. “We all collaborate to make moving into The Manor a smooth ride, and we together strive to provide quality senior care with Christian values.”
The effort has been rewarding, and has given Brandy the opportunity to build and strengthen her relationships with staff and residents.
“The residents have all been wonderful and welcoming since my start,” Brandy said. “I have participated in leading the Sit and Be Fit exercises in the morning with the activities director and meeting each new admission. I am greeting residents each morning and enjoy talking with all of them as we encounter each other throughout the day.”
Brandy prides herself on using her experience and knowledge to help create a comfortable environment for residents, smoothing the path as they make the move to Presbyterian Manor, and showcasing the PMMA values to others in the broader community.
“I am a long-time long-term care nurse who has the desire to make a
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EDITOR’S NOTE: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Robert “Bob” Griffin, chaplain at Topeka Presbyterian Manor®.
THINKING ABOUT…
Punxsutawney
Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day. For those who gauge the future by a groundhog, that was supposed to mean we were going to have six more weeks of winter. For some, that might be a welcomed forecast. For others, the winter has dragged on long enough!
So, as we turn the calendar to a new month in March, what are we to do? Glad you asked!
The Apostle Paul has wise advice for us:“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8, NIV). Sometime later, a man of much influence, Buddha, made this observation: “We are shaped by our thoughts, we become what we think.”
What we think and how we think matters. Our thoughts influence our emotional, physical, and spiritual health. You’ve probably heard of “the
Chaplain – continued on page 3
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difference in the lives of seniors in Clay County and the surrounding areas,” Brandy said. “I stepped away from nursing to care for my elderly mom after the recent passing of my dad in 2022. I’m
Chaplain – continued from page 1
winter blues.” The winter blues is a real thing!
In an article published on February 2nd “Verywellhealth.com” Nurse Carrie Madormo writes: “If you’ve ever found yourself feeling rather blah during the winter months, you have likely experienced the winter blues. This very common condition affects just about every one of us at some point when we notice a shift in our moods during the colder, darker days of winter. It’s normal to feel down, sluggish, or not quite yourself during this time.” The winter blues are real but we need not let them rob us of our joy and vitality in life.
One of the ways for us to cope with the winter blues, or a longer winter, is to control our thoughts. We can do that! We may not be able to control the temperature, snowfall, freezing rain, or groundhog, but we CAN control our thoughts.
Take your thoughts to a place, a person, or a thing that rings true of all that is good. Focus your
using my almost 20 years of experience to serve seniors.”
When she’s not helping the Presbyterian Manor community, Brandy enjoys living in the country and helping her community. She’s served as president of the Wakefield
City Council, president of the Wakefield PRIDE organization, as well as donating her time and talents to other civic-minded groups.
“I have tried to live my life without regrets and to live every day to the fullest,” Brandy said. u
thoughts on the pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy things of life. For me, it’s seeing a picture of my purely innocent twoyear-old grandson with a bowl of spaghetti turned upside down on his head. Or, the sight of a lovely bright red cardinal sitting on a tree limb (perhaps trying to be inconspicuous
but he’s too beautiful to go unnoticed!). Or a friend who sent me a note saying they were thinking of me – excellent! Whatever those things are for you, think about such things. You’ll smile more, enjoy life more, “… and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9, NIV).
Resource: www.verywellhealth.com/winter-blues u
Call for entries underway in annual art competition at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor
Clay Center Presbyterian Manor is seeking artists age 65 and older to compete in its annual Art is Ageless® juried exhibit and competition April 12 - 13, 2023, at the community.
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 2024 Art is Ageless calendar.
Clay Center Presbyterian Manor plans to have the exhibit open from 1 - 5 p.m. April 12 and 13 and honor artists with a reception from 3 to 6 p.m. April 13.
Artists may choose to enter works for exhibit only. For the competition, works must be completed after the artists is age 65 and must
Tied up in knots
be no more than 5 years old, completed since January 2018. There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging may be dropped off at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor, 924 Eighth Street, Clay Center, Kan. The entry deadline is 5 p.m. April 7.
A few of our residents recently learned how to turn knotted ropes into practical art by creating macramé art.
Macramé was very popular in the 1970s, but has gained popularity with older and younger crowds alike over the last few years. It is a technique of creating art or even functional pieces by tying knots together to create structure and form.
Common macramé creations include plant hangers, bags, and wall hangings.
With a few minutes of lessons, our knot-tiers were fast on their way to enjoying this unique art form. Of course, they had the best teacher, our business office manager Shelley Eisenman, who works on a little bit of everything to keep our community running great. u
Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) communities to be judged at the systemwide level.
Entry forms and information can be obtained by contacting Brandy Riggs at 785-632-5646 or briggs@pmma.org, or access online at ArtIsAgeless.org. u
