Emporia Presbyterian Manor
NOVEMBER 2022
Resident Joan Butts is a master at getting things done “I grew up with the attitude that you get things when you’re doing your best. In other words, you worked at it and perfected it and then the label gets attached to you,” said Joan.
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®. Bob joined in March 2022 and has more than 20 years of experience as a pastor. He’s a U.S. Navy Veteran and retired from the Kansas Highway Patrol as a Major in 2001. He likes to study U.S. military history and enjoys evening walks with his wife.
November nuances Our calendars have turned to a new month: November. The word “November” Bob Giffin has its roots in the Latin word, “novem”, meaning “nine.” That is because in the Roman calendar there were only 10 months in the year, and November was the ninth month. For us, of course, November marks the 11th month of our calendar year.
In this case, the label she’s acquired is “Master Quilter,” something she’s earned since taking her first quilting class in 1985. She’s been quilting ever since, and especially enjoys hand piecing, hand applique and hand quilting. “It’s become a passion,” she shared.
When you think of November, what comes to mind?
That passion has been on Resident Joan Butts display for everyone to enjoy. She has competed – and won numerous blue ribbons – for her quilts at the state and county fairs, and she is a masterpiece level winner in PMMA’s Art is Ageless® competition. In fact, her quilt “Princess”, is featured in the 2023 AiA calendar. Joan also mastered her career as a librarian. She majored in home economics and elementary education from Emporia State University and went on to get
Master Quilter – continued on page 2
Prevalent for most of us in the month of November are the colors of autumn that will soon give way to winter. Related to that is a time change – Daylight Saving Time ends and we fall back one hour (an extra hour of sleep!). Veteran’s Day will be celebrated as we honor our men and women who serve, and have served, in our Armed Forces. Thanksgiving brings family and friends together to share a meal, watch football, take a nap, and make lasting memories. Before the turkey cools, Black Friday
Chaplain –continued on page 3
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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Master Quilter - continued from page 1 her teaching certificates in both elementary and secondary education. After completing her master’s in library science, she went to work for the Council Grove school district. “I developed a library program for their elementary schools – they had no library, so it was starting from scratch. After 16 years, I retired in 1996 and had everything all ready for them to send off for the bar codes and buy the computers. I feel it was a great accomplishment,” said Joan. Another accomplishment Joan should be proud of is the way she’s made adaptions so that she can quilt as her vision has declined. “I’ve adapted my sewing machine and cutting mats and I’m working on doing some hand applique. I have peripheral vision. I walk and I do my own cooking and I come up with ways to machine piece. I won’t be able to do hand piecing because I can’t see the lines drawn on it, but I can put masking tape down and quilt along the tape. The only thing I can’t do is thread a needle, but I have a wonderful neighbor who I ask to rethread my
Joan’s quilt “Princess”, is featured in the 2023 AiA calendar.
machine for me,” said Joan. “I’m a positive person. I keep coming up with ideas I think I can do, and I try them. I’m just thankful that I can see what I can see.” This month, Joan will celebrate her fifth anniversary living at Emporia
Presbyterian Manor. She enjoys playing cards with friends and staying busy. “I like living here, and I feel very safe and secure with my sight declining. This is a family, I feel like it’s a community,” said Joan. u
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Community Matters 620-343-2613 ◆ Fax: 620-343-9195 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6635 EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
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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 | November 2022
Honor someone you love with a luminaria at our community’s 5th annual Luminaria Lighting Ceremony. Luminarias are $25 each and are available for purchase through November 29. All proceeds benefit the PMMA® Good Samaritan program, which provides funding to assist residents who outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own. We will have a special lighting ceremony and drive-thru event with cookies and hot cocoa at 5:30 p.m. on December 3. Luminarias will be on display through January 13, 2023. u
Chaplain - continued from page 1 arrives with opportunities for deals, deals, and more deals. November, however, also has some nuances – subtle distinctions that may not receive much notoriety. For example, November is “Good Nutrition Month.” Maybe, more celery and less pumpkin pie? November is also National Peanut Butter Lovers Month – the jelly celebration comes later. And, November is American Indian Heritage Month. That certainly
seems fitting as we remember the origins of Thanksgiving. Prevalent or subtle, the days of November afford us multiple opportunities to celebrate, remember, and give thanks. Don’t miss any of those opportunities! In the Bible, King David wrote down some thoughts he had about God. Though I couldn’t know for sure, maybe, just maybe, he wrote this in November: I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It’s time to shout praises! If I’m sleepless at midnight,
Mason jar luminaries with solarpowered lights are hung from hooks placed along the sidewalks. Each has a tag with the name of the person for whom the luminary was purchased.
I spend the hours in grateful reflection. Because you’ve always stood up for me, I’ m free to run and play. I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post. - Psalm 63:5-8 (The Message) Whether it’s falling auburn leaves, extra sleep, thanking a Veteran, or shopping ‘till you drop; spend a little time this November in grateful reflection. u Sources used: • lintons360.com • Nationaltoday.com • Dictionary.com
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2022