Garden Project Provides Active Living and Healthy Meals
Emporia Presbyterian Manor recently received almost $12,000 from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as part of the community’s Pathway to a Healthy Kansas grant. The money is to be spent on raised garden beds and supplies necessary to provide access to healthy eating and active living options.
“One of our residents in independent living had a small garden in the past with a few tomato and pepper plants and it was a topic of conversation at meals and during the season. We extended this area and tilled up the ground so others could plant their favorite crops, tomatoes being number one, cucumbers, lettuce, green beans, onions radishes, and strawberries; along with many others,” said Courtney Waldner, wellness activities director. “We plan to have the raised garden beds be an ongoing project for many years to come.
Another project in the works is a native grass pollinator/butterfly garden between the bridge area and the Villas. Local horticulturalists and native grass experts are donating their time to assist with making this space as beautiful as it can be for members of the community, staff and residents.
All residents are invited to get involved.
“Residents have a purpose now when they go outside to grow their own foods and be more independent. One resident made half of his apartment a green house itself and grew seedlings and has been monitoring and updating us weekly. Herbs and flowers were planted as an activity in memory care. Other residents are teaming up and offering assistance to those who are not as mobile. It has been a great addition to our activity planning and major benefit for our residents. We try to involve all populations with this grant we were fortunate enough to receive,” said Courtney. u
Yes, there really is such a thing as a ‘free lunch’
Lucky members of the local community have recently begun finding a surprise in their mailbox—a voucher for a free meal in the Emporia Presbyterian Manor dining room.
Andraya Taber, senior living sales director, says the idea is a way to give those outside of the community a chance to get to know it—and the people who call it home—firsthand.
“It’s a great way for people to be introduced to the community and spend time with our residents. This way they get to meet some new people and possibly reconnect with old friends. Plus, they get to try the food which has been getting rave reviews,” said Andraya. u
Emporia Presbyterian Manor JUNE 2024
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Emporia Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners
Emporia Presbyterian Manor is excited to announce the winners of its recent Art is Ageless® juried competition and exhibit.
“We’re honored that local seniors allowed us to exhibit and judge their wonderful works,” said Andraya Taber, senior living sales director. “Art is Ageless is unique because it only features the works of artists who are 65 and over.” Our artists prove it’s never too late to create art, in any form.
Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica®) senior living communities to be judged at the masterpiece level Winning entries at the masterpiece level are selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.
Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of PMMA®. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social, and spiritual health. The program encourages Emporia Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition. u
620-343-2613 ◆ Fax: 620-343-9195 2300 Industrial Rd.
Emporia, KS 66801-6635 EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
“Patchwork Pitcher” “Flint Hills Reverie”
Emporia Presbyterian Manor hosted a reception for the winning artists listed here:
Best of Show amateur: Karen Wiley, “Patchwork Pitcher”
Best of Show professional: Nancy Pontius, “Flint Hills Reverie”
People’s Choice amateur: Joan Butts, “Evening Star”
People’s Choice professional: John King, “Content Lions”
Judge’s Choice amateur: Paul Johnston, “Trumpet Flowers”
Judge’s Choice professional: David Mai, “Landplate Crazy Quilt”
Christmas amateur: Larry Matson, “Warm Drinks”
Drawing professional: Nancy Pontius, “Flint Hills Reverie”
Fiber Arts amateur: Lorraine Morton, “Martha’s Sweater”
Mixed Media/Crafts amateur: Larry Matson, “Lidded Jar for Cowboy Cookies”
Mixed Media/Crafts professional: David Mai, “Chronicles of Big Chief Tablet”
Needlework amateur: Joan Butts, “Garden Flowers”
Painting amateur: Paul Johnston, “Trumpet Flowers”
Painting professional: Steve Barnard, “Granny’s Grocery Getter”
Quilting: machine stitched amateur: Joan Butts, “Evening Star”
Quilting: hand-stitched amateur: Carolyn Perry, “Heart Baby Quilt”
Sculpture/3-D amateur: Larry Matson, “Nightblooms”
Sculpture/3-D professional: David Mai, “Landplate Crazy Quilt”
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Community Matters
is published quarterly 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
Andraya Taber, senior living sales director OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
2 COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2024
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY 3
“Granny’s Grocery Getter”
“Nightblooms”
“Evening Star”
“Content Lions”
“Trumpet Flowers”
“Landplate Crazy Quilt”
“Warm Drinks”
“Martha’s Sweater”
“Lidded Jar for Cowboy Cookies”
“Chronicles of Big Chief Tablet” “Garden Flowers”
2300 Industrial Rd.
Emporia, KS 66801-6636
4 COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2024
