Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
Manor of the Plains fired up about large new grill and smoker Manor of the Plains residents and staff have been enjoying many meals cooked on our new Traeger grill, including four smoked turkeys for our Thanksgiving celebration. Delicious! The grill was something of a windfall. Marketing Director Kurt Lampe spotted the large pellet grill and smoker on sale for a significant discount at the local Ace Hardware. It had been a custom order, but when it arrived, the customer decided he couldn’t afford it. “We went and talked to the store, and they gave us a heck of a deal,” said GRILL, continued on page 2
January 2018
Employee Doug Schaapveld built this combination bird feeder/flower bed for our assisted living residents to enjoy year-round.
Handyman and hobby man Employee builds useful projects at Manor of the Plains There might be a project Doug Schaapveld can’t do, but we haven’t found it yet. Doug is the Manor of the Plains handyman. He’s worked on our environmental services team for 12 years. In that time, he has built and fixed countless items that our residents and staff use every day. However, Doug also helped construct our very own surroundings — he worked for 25 years in the woodworking shop that installed much of Manor of the Plains’ cabinets and trim. “I’ve always got my hand in something,” Doug said. “As a kid, I was always trying to build stuff. All the kids would be together over at our grandpa’s house, nailing boards together.” Our staff doesn’t think twice about asking Doug to make things. Earlier DOUG, continued on page 2
DOUG, continued from page 1
this year, assisted living nurse Lori Fortmayer came to him with an idea. She wanted to give residents something dynamic to look at and engage with outside. They decided to make a raised flower garden that doubles as a bird and squirrel feeder in winter. “I happened to have some old fence planks at home. I cut it out and threw it together,” Doug said. He has also remodeled his own home nearly top to bottom, and he’s got a keen eye for seeing new potential in an old object. Recently he saw walking sticks for sale in a store and, as usual, Doug thought, I could make that. “I went home and found an old skinny tree trunk in my
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Manor of the Plains by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Jerry Korbe, executive director Kurt Lampe, marketing director Lisa Montoya, activity director Jacque Soltero, health care activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Kurt at klampe@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-225-1928 Fax: 620-225-3982 Address: 200 Campus Dr., Dodge City, KS 67801-2760
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. ManorofthePlains.org
garage I had been saving, and I made it into a stick. It was from an old Christmas tree.” Lately, Doug has been repurposing some old ceiling tiles, burlap and broken frames from Hobby Lobby into new bulletin boards for Manor of the Plains, at virtually no cost. Four are completed, and there are more frames ready to be used. Kurt Lampe, marketing director, was especially impressed with the device Doug crafted to help residents turn the locks on their patio doors, which can be tight and difficult to grip. Doug cut out wooden knobs that fit over the lock to create more leverage and make it easier to turn. Scott Stevens, environmental services director, said he values all of his employees and the quality of their work. Scott said he’s grateful for Doug’s talents, his creativity and his willingness to help. “He’s my fabricator, that’s what I call him,” Scott said.
Doug Schaapveld fabricated our new bulletin boards from broken picture frames that Marketing Director Kurt Lampe found at Hobby Lobby, along with some leftover ceiling tiles.
GRILL, continued from page 1
Scott Stevens, director of environmental services. The new grill is one of the largest models available. At about 4 feet long, it can handle enough food to feed us all. Together with maintenance staff member Doug Schaapveld, Scott has cooked pizzas, hamburgers, hot dogs and a smoked beef brisket for our VIP dinner. “We used to have two rusted-out propane grills. I have tried for three years to get a Traeger,” Scott said. Thanks to Ace Hardware for helping us acquire the new grill, and to our environmental services team for keeping us all well-fed with it!
2
Community Matters January 2018
Like us on Facebook
Emerald Awards Program recognition
Manor of the Plains honored for achievements Manor of the Plains received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica for reaching goals in fiscal year 2017, covering the months of July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 17 locations and two hospices to achieve high levels of resident and employee satisfaction, meet financial goals, build philanthropic support for the organization’s mission and meet marketing goals. There are 11 areas measured for the Emerald Awards. To receive an emerald, a campus has to meet its goals in all 11 areas. Certificates of recognition were given out to campuses that reached their goals in one or more category.
Jerry Korbe, executive director of Manor of the Plains, with Bruce Shogren, left, president and CEO of PMMA, and Bill Taylor, right, COO of PMMA.
commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer for PMMA.
Manor of the Plains, located in Dodge City, Kan., was recognized for meeting financial performance and safety goals. “This recognition is Presbyterian Manors of Mida visible sign of Manor of the Plains’ America is celebrating 65 years of
Like us on Facebook
providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri. For more information about Manor of the Plains, contact Marketing Director Kurt Lampe at 620-2251928 or klampe@pmma.org.
Manor of the Plains
3
Manor of the Plains 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 Return Service Requested
Tell about your history We will feature women’s history in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. We want to know about the achievements of the women who live on our campuses. If you were among the first women in the workforce or elected office, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story. Contact Kurt Lampe, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
4
Community Matters January 2018
Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit
ManorOfThePlains.org
and enter your email address in the subscription box. It’s that easy! Like us on Facebook