Emporia Presbyterian Manor
“Tis the Season”
DECEMBER 2022
Emporia Presbyterian Manor staff member shares holiday memories from Germany Growing up, Administrative Assistant Dorothee McWilliams’ holiday traditions were a little different than the ones most of us are used to. Born in Waldfischbach, Germany and spending most of her childhood in the Frankfurt area, Dorothee’s holiday memories revolve around traditional German celebrations.
Dorothee McWilliams as a child in Germany
“I loved the German Christmas traditions that I grew up with,” said Dorothee. “December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day. The day before, we would clean our boots and shoes and leave them outside our front door and, during the night, Saint Nicholas would come and leave candy, fruit and nuts in our boots—also some small gifts.” But Saint Nicholas wasn’t the only visitor Dorothee would anxiously await each year— Christmas Eve brought its own special guest. “On the evening of December 24, the Christmas Angel would arrive and leave gifts. I remember the anticipation and joy when my mom would ring the bell and let us into the room. My Mom would In Germany, St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 6. Children put their boots outside light the Christmas tree and all the gifts were under the tree. and wake up to find fruit, nuts and small gifts. This is one of my favorite
Christmas in Germany – continued on page 2
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” Giffin, chaplain at Topeka Presbyterian Manor®.
Christmas gifts, trees, décor, shopping, love, peace, joy, hope, family, friends, Santa, “White Christmas”, Robert Giffin “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Ernest Saves Christmas”, “Jingle Bells”, “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”, white chocolate covered pretzels, ham, eggnog, and a partridge in a pear tree! Wowser! Tis the season when our lives go from busy to busier. In the midst of our busy lives, let us be reminded that ‘tis the season of “Advent.” The term “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus which means “coming.” Advent is about the “coming” of Christ. Hundreds of years beforehand, the Prophet Isaiah foretold that he would: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6, NIV). CHRISTmas is Jesus! Jesus truly is the reason for the
Chaplain -continued on page 3
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
1
Angel Tree supports local seniors in need to leave one of our communities based on their inability to pay. To help provide peace of mind to seniors in need, please consider making a gift to Emporia Presbyterian Manor’s annual Angle Tree campaign. Every gift raised supports PMMA residents who can no longer afford care and services. You make it possible for
residents to remain in their home through the Good Samaritan Program. To make a contribution, please visit the front desk or go online to giving.presbyterianmanors.org/ angel-tree-campaign. In recognition of your generosity, we will hang an ornament in your honor on our community’s Angel Tree. u
Today, more than 345 PMMA residents depend on PMMA’s Good Samaritan Program. The program provides funding to assist residents who outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own, and we’re proud that no person has ever been asked
Christmas in Germany - continued from page 1 childhood memories,” said Dorothee. Now a long-time resident of the United States, Dorothee has left
behind some of her German customs and has established new ones “I have made new traditions during Christmas. I love to go to church and attend the candlelight service on
Christmas Eve. I also love to go for walks on Christmas Eve. It just seems like there is a special kind of feeling in the air. I just really enjoy the true meaning of Christmas more and more,” said Dorothee. u
Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Community Matters 620-343-2613 ◆ Fax: 620-343-9195 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6635 EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
2
is published monthly for residents and friends of Emporia Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: ataber@PMMA.org Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Andraya Taber, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2022
Mary Omo’s Fudge 3 C. Sugar 1 T. Cocoa Powder 1 C. Milk Boil to soft ball stage Add 1 t. Vanilla Add 1 stick of butter Beat until mixture loses luster Butter a pan and spread. u
Emporia Presbyterian Manor Salutes Our Heroes We honored those who served on Veterans Day by offering a complimentary breakfast for all veterans, spouse, and widows. The event has become an annual tradition at Emporia Presbyterian Manor, even if it was drive-thru style this year because of COVID19. To all veterans and their families, thank you for your service! u Chaplain - continued from page 1
• Call a friend you haven’t spoken with recently season of Christmas. On the • Visit a neighbor who lives alone Christian calendar, the four • Deliver a meal or a dessert to Sundays leading up to Christmas someone – make it a “May Day” Day mark the season of Advent. gift in December! They serve to remind us of the wonderful gifts of hope, peace, joy • Make a contribution of time, food, clothing or money to one of your and love we have received from local charities Jesus. And we, in turn, are to share • Say a prayer for a different person those gifts with others. The season each day of Advent is a sweet opportunity • Give a random act of kindness – a to treat others the way you’d like to sincere compliment, an be treated. Here’s some ways to do encouraging note… that which will cost you little, if Plan to do it. First, make yourself a anything, but will be of note, put an alert on your phone, do immeasurable value: whatever it takes to remind you to be
a blessing to someone else. Be spontaneous too. Look around for unplanned opportunities right in front of you to share hope, peace, joy and love with others. You’ll see them in the grocery line with the cashier who’s been on their feet all day; at the convenience store with the clerk who is perhaps working a second job to make ends meet; at a school where the custodian feels obscure; next door or across the hall – just look around and you’ll see many opportunities to share hope, peace, love, and joy. Second, do it. Tis the season! u
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
3
2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636
Emporia Presbyterian Manor shares customer service survey responses Emporia Presbyterian Manor continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys. Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. The graphic highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between August 2021 and September 2022, Emporia Presbyterian Manor residents and their families
4
COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2022
gave the community high scores for providing safety and security, an easy move-in and admission process, and for the dining services. “If I had not come here I would have to go from one facility to another which requires changing addresses and all that,” said one resident. “This is just the perfect fit. I’ve been pleased with all of them.” We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u