Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village announces Art is Ageless® winners!
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 Rev. Richard Russell, chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor®.
God’s Nearness
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village recently announced the winners of the annual 2023 Art is Ageless® juried competition.
“We never cease to be inspired by our senior artists,” said Ginger Nance, executive director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only artists 65 and older!”
Here’s a list of this year’s winners!
Best of Show
1. Professional – Tony Fornelli for Largemouth in Sculpture/3D
2. Amateur – Sharon Wyckoff for Hummel Quilt in Quilting
Judges Choice
1. Professional – Tony Fornelli for Largemouth in Sculpture/3D
2. Amateur – Helen Nuzum for Hen Party in Quilting
Art is Ageless – continued on page 3
As I write this article, I am sitting by my wife’s bed in the local hospice house. She is nearing the end of her battle with cancer. She and I have spoken a lot recently about how God is very near to us. This made me think of a familiar old hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee.” In the first stanza, it says “Nearer my God to thee, nearer to thee, even though it be a cross, that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God thee.” We have certainly had a difficult cross to bear throughout these months. But God’s nearness has been the thing to help us through. He says in His word, as you draw nearer to me, I draw nearer to you.
In the second stanza, it says, “If like the wanderer, the sun goes down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone, yet in my dreams I’d be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” In our dark days that we have journeyed through, it has been the tenderness of God’s
Chaplain –continued on page 4
Memorial Day
– More than just the unofficial start of summer
For many of us, Memorial Day means a fun three-day weekend to celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer. But at heart, Memorial Day is a somber day to honor and remember those who died fighting for their country.
Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day – it was established in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil
War, with the purpose of having people place flowers on the graves of family members and friends who died during the war. Decoration Day gradually became Memorial Day. At first, it only recognized fallen solders of the Civil War until World War I when the holiday evolved to honor Americans who died in all wars, now including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Originally observed on May 30th, it wasn’t until 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, establishing Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, giving federal employees a three-day weekend.
Nowadays, cities and towns across America hold Memorial Day parades and the tradition to decorate cemeteries with flowers and wreaths
John A. Logan - Major John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic declared May 30, 1868 as Decoration Day which eventually became Memorial Day. The first national celebration took place at Arlington National Cemetery where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried.
continues. Because of the long weekend, it’s also become a more fun day with road trips, barbecues, and other celebrations for the summer ahead.
Sources: www.history.com
The Library of Congress u
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Community Matters
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: gnance@pmma.org
Ginger Nance, executive director
Taylor Bailey, director of marketing and human resources
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Art is Ageless – continued from page 1
Charlotte
mixed media/crafts
People’s Choice
1. Sharon Wyckoff for Beauty in the Forest in Painting
Christmas
1. Charlotte Kite (Amateur) Christmas Snow Globe
2. Sharon Wyckoff (Amateur) Ribbon Santa Claus Sweatshirt
Mixed Media/Crafts
1. Ruth Bahr (Amateur) Tatted, Matted Doily
2. Nancy Lindell (Amateur) Faith Filled Race
3. (1st place) Tony Fornelli (Professional) Ducks
Painting
1. Sharon Wyckoff (Amateur) Beauty in the Forest
2. Jane Gaines (Amateur) Happy Beach Boy!
3. Linda Thompson (Amateur) Old Wind Mill
4. (Honorable Mention) Kathy Powell (Amateur) Sunny Day on the Water
5. Linda Thompson (Amateur) Bunny Hop
6. (1st place) Tony Fornelli (Professional) Freedom
Photography
1. Ronda Bailey (Amateur) Peace in the Valley
2. Roger Bailey (Amateur) New to the Ranch
3. Roger Bailey (Amateur) Beauty During Draught
4. (Honorable Mention) Ronda Bailey (Amateur) Last Frolic in the Snow
Quilting
1. Helen Nuzum (Amateur) Star Bright
2. Sharon Wyckoff (Amateur) Hummel Quilt
3. Mary Fagg (Amateur) Stars and Flowers
4. (Honorable Mention) Earline Foster (Amateur) Strip Stacks
5. Helen Nuzum (Amateur) Hen Party Sculpture/3D
1. (1st place) Tony Fornelli (Professional) Largemouth
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. u
Mixed Media/Crafts Ruth
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Chaplain – continued from page 1
care and love that has been our support. The psalmist said, “He loves you with everlasting love, and underneath are His everlasting arms.” We truly have sensed Him holding us in His love.
The third stanza says, “There let the way appear, steps unto heaven, all that thou sendeth me, in mercy giveth, angels to beckon me, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” We know because of faith and God’s promises that He has gone to prepare a place for us. And we can look forward to the wonderous things that will bring. In the last stanza, the old hymn says, “Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky, sun moon and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” My wife looks forward to hearing those words from Jesus Himself, “well done my good and faithful servant, enter into all that I have prepared for you.” We know that will bring perfect healing, perfect joy, and perfect peace. So, our hope for you dear reader is that you too would draw nearer to the Lord, and find His loving grace to be sufficient for your every need. u
2401 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
