Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
JULY 2021
Reflections of June By Bernita Hill
We are “AHA” people in the Lord!
June, the midway point in the year already. Based on the cold, wet spring we have experienced, we each may hope for a sunnier July.
By Dinah Dutta, Chaplain
Many flowers are being planted by residents in flower beds or large flower pots like the ones on each side of the front door. A little bird told me Barbara Stuart has had a lot to do with the plantings. Megan has been involved with [Presbyterian] Village patios and visiting areas and has also taken residents to Tri Valley and other places to help them fill their baskets. And have you ever seen the spring-blooming trees more beautiful or the blossoms last so long?
Bernita Hill enjoys these bright flowers she planted in pots by her patio.
As a bird lover, I have been rewarded with two pairs of redbirds around my patio, plus robins, purple finches and other birds. I thought I could keep the redbirds around by putting up a feeder of sunflower seeds, but quickly learned the blackbirds, starlings and sparrows will empty a feeder out in two days or less. Hence, the feeder will remain empty until winter forces all birds to seek sustenance from the feeders.
Minnie Lou Allen enjoys the pretty flowers around Presbyterian Village.
Editor’s Note: This is a guest column from the chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we will be periodically sharing columns from our community chaplains in your Community Matters newsletter.
And birds are not the only wildlife around. A couple of weeks ago, I was waiting for a friend to pick me up to go to dinner and was startled when a rabbit went hopping by, heading for some JUNE – continued on page 4
I led a Bible study using the book “Joyfully Aging” by Richard Bimler. He gave himself the title, Ambassador of Health, Hope, and Aging or AH-HA(sic). He wrote, “All believers in Christ are AHA people,” because the resurrection of Christ is the biggest “aha” of all. We hear so much about how to care for our physical health, which is very important. Unfortunately, our society has convinced people that after a certain age, people lose their significance and purpose in life. However, when I think of spiritual or physical health these days, I think of my relationship not only with God but also the relationships we have with each other as a community of PMMA. Here at Presbyterian Manor, many of our residents have a long life. When I visit them, I learn that their faith in Christ is the key to their longevity. Recently, during a memorial service for one of our residents, Rev. Henry shared how strong
AHA – continued on page 3
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org/covid-19.
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Red, white and boom! Residents were booming with patriotism when they made these fantastic bandana wreaths with Activities Director Jennifer Wiggins and Chaplain Laura Agee. In less than an hour, you can easily make your own red, white and blue wreath. No glue or sewing required, only a few simple supplies.
Materials
Instructions
4 red paisley cotton bandanas 4 white paisley cotton bandanas 2 dark blue with stars cotton bandanas 12” wire wreath frame
Begin by cutting all of the bandanas in half, following the center crease line.
Tools A pair of scissors
Fold each piece lengthwise a couple of times, being sure to tuck the cut edges into the center. (You can make them as wide or narrow as you choose.) Now fold the long piece in half. Continue to fold each piece until you have them all done and stacked. Now you are ready to begin creating the wreath. Lay the folded in half bandana piece under the wreath with the open end on the inside of the wreath frame. Take one hand and open a loop on the folded end.
Nolene Whiteside poses with her finished wreath and Laura Agee.
Bernita Hill holds up her patriotic creation.
Now pull the other end over the top of the wreath and through the loop you created. Pull it snug. Continue until your wreath is full. You can go back and tighten each one and pull them closer together or further apart as you desire. u
Earline Foster works on her patriotic wreath. Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Community Matters 620-223-5550 u Fax: 620-223-7800 2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701 FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2021
is published monthly for residents and friends of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: mbrillhart@pmma.org Ginger Nance, executive director Megan Brillhart, marketing coordinator
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Resident places 3rd in poetry contest Ruth Bahr submitted an original poem in the third annual Hedgehog.INK poetry contest. The local bookstore’s contest takes place in April during National Poetry Month and has three age categories: under 12, 13-20, and 21+. Ruth was the third place winner in the adult category with Fulfilled Wishes. u
AHA – continued from page 1 roots are important for a plant to grow. He shared that being rooted in faith is as important as the roots of the plant for us to live and grow as well. His message stuck in my head. Yes, when we are rooted in Christ, trusting Him and His promises, our physical and spiritual health remains strong. My dear PMMA family, as we focus on our wellness without being anxious about growing old or aging, I want to invite you to join me to focus on these simple things Bilmer shared in his book and age JOYFULLY.
Fulfilled Wishes Eight pumpkins lined up in a row For Jack-o-Lantern time; They’d waited for this great event Since twisted off the vine. Expecting to be chosen by Uniqueness of design, They gave it serious thought and hoped The carver knew his line.
“1. Thank the Lord daily for life itself. Thank the Lord for the open roads as well as the detours.
They chose the face they wished to have. Their mission was to please. It wasn’t easy to decide If they should scare or tease.
“ 2. Remember our baptism. We are redeemed in Christ.
Excited they shared their thoughts, Revealed their last request. Each took a turn to speak a line. “I’ll look downright distressed.” “I want the look of good and wise.” “I’ll sport a prankish grin.” “I’d like the look of horrified.” “My face will look done in.” The largest pumpkin chose “surprised” Another one – “carefree” The small one whispered in soft tones, “My wish is to be—me.” The carver scanned the pumpkin line. His hands felt sure and skilled; And when he’d finished carving them, No wish was left unfilled.
“ 3. Spend time with people. Talk to them. Listen to them. Share your life experiences. Ruth Bahr
“4. Bring encouraging words to younger and older people every day. Be an encourager to all.” Dear ones, most importantly let us continue to stay alive in Christ! “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). Dinah Dutta is chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence, Kansas. u
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
JUNE – continued from page 1 corner bushes. The next morning, I took a broom out to shake the bushes to make certain it had not established residency and was hiding a nest of babies. I really did not want the “rascally rabbit” dining on my flowers, Minnie Lou’s or Georgia’s. However, it must have decided [Presbyterian] Village is too noisy and sought a better site in the open grass areas around the outside. Fred says visitors from the animal kingdom are not unusual. There have been deer, raccoons, squirrels and other animals coming to visit.
Barbara Stuart tends to the flowers and plantings around Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2021
Time really flies, doesn’t it? I’ve only been at [Presbyterian] Village a short amount of time, but in the words of a television spokesperson, “I like it!”u
The gardens by the pond offer lots of color.