Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
Take a few moments to honor the fallen on Memorial Day MAY 2020
For resident Vicki Halls, isolation isn’t new For Fort Scott Presbyterian Village resident Vicki Halls, self-isolation is nothing new. In the late 1960s through 1970, another virus migrated out of southeast Asia. Scientists called it the H3N2 virus, but it was dubbed the Hong Kong flu because of its origin in China. As troops returned home from the war in Vietnam, some feared that the virus would wreak havoc Vicki Halls remembers the Hong Kong flu throughout the world. pandemic.
Vicki’s husband was deployed with the Navy at the time. Along with many other military spouses, she lived on a military base in Trula Vista, Calif., when she contracted the virus. “I was so infected and contagious, they confined me and asked me not to leave my apartment,” Vicki recalled. “I had to have people bring me groceries and prescriptions. My friend, at risk to herself, helped me. I couldn’t have made it without her. The Navy probably would’ve made sure I was taken care of, but I was fortunate to have my best friend next door. By the grace of God, she didn’t get sick.” According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the Hong Kong flu began in 1968. Before the recent spread of the novel coronavirus, it was the third major pandemic in recent history. The first was the infamous Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, and the other was the 1957 flu pandemic. The Hong Kong flu resulted in an estimated 1-4 million deaths. Scientists believe the 1968 virus was a mutation of the virus that infected people in 1957. This meant that those exposed to the earlier virus retained some immunity from the later virus. Within two weeks of the emergence of the H3N2 virus, 500,000 cases were reported, and it spread rapidly across Southeast Asia. Within a few months, returning soldiers carried the virus to the United States. ISOLATION – continued on page 3
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village would like to say “thank you” to all of those who have served our country. Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May. It’s a holiday of quiet respect for service members who have fought and died for our country. While other holidays honor military service, such as Veteran’s Day and Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day differs in that it is specifically in memory of those who lost their lives in service to our country. It is a reminder to reflect on their sacrifices. It is traditional for flags to fly at half-staff from dawn until noon on Memorial Day, and it’s not uncommon to see neighborhoods filled with American flags. Some communities celebrate with parades, while others bring flowers to cemeteries as a sign of respect. On this very important day, we encourage everyone to take a few minutes to remember those who have given their all for our freedom. Paul Milks, “Sunrise at Fort Scott National Cemetery” won the professional photography category in the Art is Ageless® competition.
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village announces Art is Ageless® winners Fort Scott Presbyterian Village recently honored the winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition. “We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Becky Kellum, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”
Judges Choice (amateur) and Quilting (amateur): Earline Foster, “Clover Valley”
Winners in the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Art is Ageless juried competition were:
Best of Show (professional): John Bartlesmeyer, “Druzy & Diamonds” Best of Show (amateur): Thyra Babcok, “Round of Robins”
Christmas (amateur): Linda Thompson, “Thompson Farm”
Fiber Arts (amateur): Jean Strader, “Star of Bethlehem”
People’s Choice (professional) and Mixed Media/Crafts (professional): Tony Fornelli, “Wilderness Knife” People’s Choice (amateur): Carolyn Eastwood, “My Flower Garden”
Judges Choice (professional): Tony Fornelli, “His Word”
Mixed Media/Crafts (amateur): Barbara Gibson, “Joy in Motion”
Christmas (professional): Carolyn Crystal, “Christmas Stocking”
Needlework (professional): Carolyn Crystal, “Flower Bag”
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FORT SCOTT Presbyterian Village
A PMMA COMMUNITY
620-223-5550 ◆ Fax: 620-223-7800 2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701 FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 2020
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: rkellum@pmma.org Ginger Nance, executive director Becky Kellum, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Needlework (amateur): Charlotte Kite, “Floral Bouquet”
Photography (professional): Paul Milks, “Sunrise at Fort Scott National Cemetery” Quilting (professional): Carolyn Crystal, “American Flag”
Painting (professional): Carolyn Munsell, “Gossip”
Sculpture 3/D (professional): Bobbi Kemna, “Forever”
Sculpture 3/D (amateur): Gerald Elliott, “G.E. Lives Here!” Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Painting (amateur): Glenda Stevicks, Winning entries at the masterpiece “The Cottage” level are selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar
ISOLATION – continued on page 1 “I remember back then that many people were infected, and there were probably a lot of deaths,” Vicki said. “Today, we’re more proactive. Back then, we just didn’t have the experience.” Vicki said today’s news reminds her of her personal experience with a pandemic. “It was a very severe case,” she said. “They sent me home with all sorts of medication for it. I was flat on my back on the couch. It took six weeks before I was back on my feet again. I was so very, very sick. I don’t
remember being that sick before or after.” Vicki said she’s glad that health officials are taking steps to protect the public. “Here in Bourbon County, we have three active cases, and we have a small population,” she said. “I’m grateful they’ve locked us down.” She also said she’s happy with some of the measures that have been taken in the community to protect residents, such as quarantining incoming packages and limiting public access to the building. Despite the worldwide concern
and note cards. The 2021 calendar marks the 40th anniversary for the Art is Ageless program. Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s Art is Ageless program encourages Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year. For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, contact Becky Kellum at 620-223-5550, or rkellum@pmma.org. ◆
about COVID-19, Vicki said she doesn’t spend much time fretting about what could happen. “This definitely makes you look back,” she said. “When people are afraid, you just have to remind them what all they’ve overcome in their lifetimes. They’re still here, and everything will be OK. Worrying isn’t going to do anything except lessen my drive to survive. I try to stay positive and keep busy. It’s the only approach. But I’ve just always been like that. I don’t let things scare or frighten me until it’s right in my face. Then I take the steps necessary to deal with it.” ◆
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 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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Nurses make our community great May is national nurses’ month, and all of us at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village would like to take a moment to say “thank you” to our nurses. Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has a great nursing staff. We are incredibly thankful for those who care for the residents in our community, including all of our certified nursing assistants, certified medical assistants and home health aides. You help make our community a wonderful place, and we could not do it without you. ◆ Back row from left: Ellen Fairchild, RN, director of assisted living, and Michelle LeChevalier, RN. Front row from from left: Connie Weddle, RN, and Jordan Mitchell, LPN. Not pictured: Kasey Gibson, LPN and Wade Pellet, RN.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 2020