Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
JUNE 2019
Meet our new Life Enrichment Director
Our resident: Bert remembers when Bertha “Bert” Nichols has some great memories she would like to share. The Nichols Brothers general store started in 1904 by the four Nichols brothers and two sisters. It was located in Southwest City, Mo., which is in the corner of three states: Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. On Saturdays, the streets of Southwest City were so full you could hardly get around because Saturday was trade day. Folks from all three states would come to buy and sell their goods. Bert said that when the store first opened, it carried just the necessities like dishes, groceries, hardware and machinery. In the 1930s, the store added toys, clothes and a gas pump. Bert started working in the store right after her high school graduation in 1943. One of the fondest memories was when the Native American children would come in with their families to purchase groceries. Some of the children could speak English and some of the children could only speak in their language. Some of the children’s parents would refuse to speak English because they did not want to conform to the English language.
Nichols Bros. General Store was a landmark in Southwest City, Mo. and was where Bert Nichols worked with her husband for many years.
The Nichols Brothers store had a program for the teachers of the country schools. Those teachers could bring students to the store to get new clothes, food or school supplies, just anything that student might need, but the Nichols Brothers store would give that student a – continued on page 2
Hi, my name is Judy Davis. I began working at Presbyterian Village in May 2018 on the floor as a wellness caregiver. When the opportunity arose and the life enrichment director position opened, I knew in my heart God was calling me to apply for that position. I have worked as an activity director in healthcare since 1995. I enjoy building relationships with the special people I get to help take care of. My job duties consist of planning and coordinating diverse activities while creating monthly activity calendars. The best thing about planning my activity calendar is hearing the tenants share the different things they want to do each month and putting them into action. – continued on page 2
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Nichols – continued from page 1 10 percent discount. The idea was to give the parents a chance to purchase the things they needed for that student. Bert said this was a time when a family would come to town in a wagon, and they would get supplies for a couple of weeks. Bert also remembers the day Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, came into the Nichols Brothers store and toured the building. Sam was a friend of Eugene Nichols. The two of them went to college together, and Eugene wanted Sam to see the store and all the neat things they had in store from the “Ready to Wear” in the men’s department, the ladies department, the lumber yard, etc.
Davis – continued from page 1
A new activity we recently started is being pen pals. A second-grade teacher from Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott recently inquired about the tenants being pen pals for the students in the class to help them with penmanship. We have 15 tenants writing to 19 of the students at Winfield Scott. I am very grateful to be a part of the family here at Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott! u
While Bert had known the Nichols family for all of her life, she never dreamed she would marry one. “I was working in the store when Bob came home from the Air Force as a pilot and saw me. Bob and I became friends then and eventually we started dating. Bob started working in the store, and he became my boss. He worked in the men’s wear and shoe department, and I worked in the ladies department. We started Bert Nichols shared some of her memories dating in 1946. We dated about Southwest City, Mo. for a year before we got married. Being in business, we did in them that hard works pays off. I not have time for a big wedding, so am proud of both of my sons.” we had a small church wedding on a Sunday morning,” said Bert. In 1976 there was an electrical fire in the clothing and men’s wear “Bob and I continued working department, which was in the together in the Nichols store. We basement. It was at that time Bob were able to share our ideas with decided to sell the Nichols each other. Even though he was my Brothers business to the younger boss, he was also my husband, so Nichols generation. together we were able to grow the Nichols business. I worked “I believe that it is a gift to be able alongside Bob for the next three to work with people. I don’t know years until our children were born: a stranger. I love people and love Randy and Neil. Our two boys getting to know new people. It worked along with us in our family takes skill to be able get to know business. Bob and I tried to instill new people.” u Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
FORT SCOTT Presbyterian Village
A PMMA COMMUNITY
620-223-5550 u Fax: 620-223-7800 2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701 FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2019
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) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: rkellum@PMMA.org Ginger Nance, executive director Becky Kellum, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Spring luncheon a success Presbyterian Village hosted a Ladies Spring Luncheon and Tea on April 16. The menu was homemade chicken salad on croissants with carrot sticks, fresh pepper slices and cheese slices along with a fruit kabob. There were three flavors of tea: peach, raspberry and unsweet tea. “The tea party was a blast!” said Minnie Lou Allen. Minnie Lou had four guests at the table, and they all chose to wear spring hats. It was a wonderful time. Janice Ramsey also invited a few of her friends to come. She moved here in February. “I love it here. My friends cannot believe how big my apartment is and the luncheon was so much fun,” said Janice when she was asked how she liked living at Presbyterian Village. Susan Dillow, a guest of Janice Ramsey, said she comes out to Presbyterian Village to visit her friends who live here often. “This is fun and a great place to be. When I am ready for independent living this is where I want to live,”
Lucky door prize winner Arla Hartman.
Clara Russell with her guests Laura Felt, Arla Hartman and Letha Bolling. This table was the lucky table—they won four of the six door prizes.
Susan said. Clarice Russell lived out in the country before moving to Presbyterian Village. She invited Barbara Stuart with her guests, Connie Banwart, Helen her friends, and Nuzum and Betty Ruddick. they were the lucky table because they won four out of six door prizes. The centerpieces, which doubled as door prizes, were potted annual spring flowers that made the room smell of spring. Sandy Hemphill played the violin while the ladies enjoyed their lunch. The ladies enjoyed their tea with a healthy amount of laughter and friendship.u
Sandy Hemphill along with her husband, who she calls “the page turner,” and their granddaughter.
Janice Ramsey with her guests Susan Dillow and Vera Scifers.
The hat table was hosted by Minnie Lou Allen and her guests Letha Johnson, Sandy Ward, Bonnie Milburn and Joyce Allen. Fort Scott Presbyterian Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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FORT SCOTT Presbyterian Village A PMMA COMMUNITY
2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701
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OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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Honor the people that make our community great. Make a gift to the Employee Scholarship Program today. Stop by the front desk today for more information.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2019
Presbyterian Manors Of Mid-America
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