Fort Scott Community Matters – September 2023

Local artists among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners

Local winning artists in the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2024 Art is Ageless calendar produced by PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®).

“Peace in the Valley,” a Photography entry by Ronda Bailey, will appear in the calendar.

Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 14 other PMMA® communities. More than 190 entries were received for this year’s masterpiece competition. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar with pull-out postcards and greeting cards.

“Tatted, Matted Doily,” a Mixed Media/Crafts entry by Ruth Bahr, will be included in the calendar’s honorable mention gallery.

“Ducks,” a Mixed Media/Crafts entry by Tony Fornelli, and , will be featured on Art is Ageless greeting cards.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Taylor Bailey, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of senior artists. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”

A copyrighted program of PMMA, Art is Ageless is open exclusively to people aged 65 and older. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years.

PMMA’s Art is Ageless program encourages Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents and

Resident’s gift points her in the right direction

No matter the stage of life, we all carry dreams in our hearts - and at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village we do what we can to make those dreams come true.

For resident Ruth Bahr, the dream was to have her own compass to help guide her around the grounds, or at least to help her see where “north” could be found.

“I wanted one, but I didn’t think they’d buy one for me,” Ruth said. “I hoped they’d let me use one for a few days. I wanted to know what way north was, and these aisles and rooms are not straight with the world.”

Ruth, who has lived at the Village for about four years, had asked her daughter to grab one from her home, but she didn’t have one.

“I never thought about it again until they came up with it,” Ruth said. “I could find my way around okay, but I’d turn a corner and know which direction it was. I used one before. My house wasn’t straight with the world - the corner was north and the other was south.”

The compass, which is set in a snowflake designed case, now resides in her apartment - where it changes location from time to time.

“I was completely surprised,” Ruth said. “It was a nice surprise.” u Art is Ageless – continued on page 2

Ruth Bahr

“Peace in the Valley,” by Ronda Bailey

“Tatted, Matted Doily,” by Ruth Bahr

“Ducks,” by Tony Fornelli

HR director finds homecoming amidst tragedy

His father’s passing brought Michael Whittington back home to his family’s farma small piece of ground just across the state line in Nevada, Missouri.

“We inherited the farm, which is 10 acres with a pond,” Michael said. “We built a little house on the property, and about three years later my spouse passed away. Then, at the end of March my younger brother had an illness and passed away.”

The string of events caused Michael to reflect on his life, and where he wanted to spend his time and effort.

“I didn’t want to keep doing what I was doing,” he said. “I wanted to get back into Human Resources these last seven years, but I wasn’t interested in driving an hour away.”

Shortly after his brother’s death, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village posted the Human Resources Director position opening.

“I love the way the Village presented itself,” Michael said. “I thought this was the fit. I am much happier with the work/life balance. I’m doing something I want to do and the people at

the Village have been welcoming and kind.”

The work is a way for him to contribute to a community of people - as well as the larger Fort Scott community.

“We’re a really small community, so you get to know people very quickly. You know the things they like and the things they don’t like,” Michael said. “And I get to be part of helping them - the residents and the team members - and see how I can contribute.”

With excitement, he can recall moments where his work at the Village has been helpful both in retaining outstanding staff members for the

Art is Ageless – continued from page 1

other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, educational opportunities, and current events discussions throughout the year.

Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social, and spiritual health.

To learn more about Art is Ageless, visit ArtIsAgeless.org. u

Village and in helping employees realize their professional dreams.

“I look forward to going to work. It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I get to go work and I get to be a part of this great team. That piece of the puzzle fits me perfectly. And I feel like my life is back to normal. The position at the Village has helped me work through those other things. This job is where I fit, and I can make that a great part of my life.”

When Michael isn’t working, he’s sharing the farm with his niece and the seven dogs they share between their two houses.

“I’m a very devoted dog dad and uncle,” he said. u

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Community Matters

To

Ginger

“Hen Party,” by Helen Nuzum

Michael Whittington

Family reunion a dream come true for our resident

Mary Fagg moved to the Presbyterian Village from Garnett, KS to have the security of knowing help is only steps away. Although she loves her large deluxe apartment and the new friends she has made, she still felt something was missing. Miles, time, and the pandemic seemed to separate Mary and her family. She had already lost one daughter, who she had not seen for more than 40 years, and she was determined that she was not going to allow her family to be separated any longer! Mary wanted to be sure her grandkids and great grandkids would know her and have memories of her to last a lifetime.

After Mary was asked by the Presbyterian Village if she had a dream that we could help fulfill, she was quick to

know exactly what she wanted. She wanted a reunion with her family, including the grandchildren, great grandchildren she had been separated from for so many years. The day came when it seemed God moved a mountain and the date was set by the family to meet in Topeka, where they would share a meal and make new lasting memories. What a glorious day that was for Mary! As you can see from the pictures, she was proud to show love to her family as the four generations of family members reconnected for the day. Mary won’t soon forget the wonderful moment they could share together. Congratulations to Mary and her family!

If you have a dream please contact Angela Carpenter our Life Enrichment Director. Whether it’s something big or simple, we want to hear about it because you matter to us! u

Income Income for Life... for Life...

Gifts that Pay. There are many creative ways for you to include PMMA® in your long-term plans and feel confident that you have dependable income in your retirement years. With a charitable gift annuity, you make a gift to our community and we, in return, agree to pay you a fixed interest amount each year for the rest of your life. This type of donation can provide you with regular income for life, and the balance is used to support the PMMA mission.

Ways to Fund a Donation

Qualify for a number of immediate tax benefits depending on how you fund your gift.

Payout Rate

Payments based on the age of the annuitant(s). Rates set by the American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA).

Taxation of Payments

A portion of each payment may be tax free.

Timing

Annuity payments can begin immediately or deferred for one year. Make a difference today.

To discuss how your gift can help further the PMMA mission, contact the PMMA Department of Giving at 800-336-8511 or by email at development@pmma.org.

Mary Fagg’s reunion with her children

Mary Fagg’s reunion with her grand children and great grandchildren.

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village shares customer service survey responses

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village 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 recent survey results. All scores are given on a 5point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score.

Between July 2022 and June 2023, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

presidents and their families gave the community high scores for demonstrating dignity and respect, safety and security, and their overall satisfaction.

Many would also recommend our community to others. “I would tell them that it's a wonderful place,” said one resident.

“It's a friendly place, and they take good care of us,” said another resident.

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