Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor
January 2018
INSERT NEW PHOTO
Resident Katy Bevill
Shaping a passion Retirement gave Katy Bevill time to learn sculpting.
Brad Radatz, former interim executive director of Wichita Presbyterian Manor, center, with Bruce Shogren, president and CEO of PMMA, and Bill Taylor, COO of PMMA.
Visitors know they are near her apartment when they see her creations, sculpted in clay and handpainted, decorating the hallway.
Emerald Awards Program
Katy learned to sculpt after she retired from a 38-year teaching career. “It’s been a wonderful hobby for me,” she said. “I always wanted to do it, but I didn’t have the time.”
Wichita Presbyterian Manor received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America for reaching goals in fiscal year 2017, covering the months of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.
Through the 1990s, Katy took classes with well-known local artist Babs Mellor at the Arkansas Avenue Senior Center. She didn’t want to deal with marketing her artwork, so Katy decided to give away many of her tabletop sculptures. She is wellknown for creating likenesses KATY, continued on page 2
Wichita Presbyterian Manor honored for achievements
The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 17 locations 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 community has to meet its goals in all 11 areas. Certificates of recognition were given out to communities that reached their goals in one or more category. Wichita was recognized for achieving occupancy goals. AWARD, continued on page 2
AWARD, continued from page 1
KATY, continued from page 1
“This recognition is a visible sign of Wichita Presbyterian Manor’s commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer for PMMA.
of people’s grandchildren and their pets. “I made hundreds of grandchildren sculptures. I’ve got sculptures all over in somebody’s home,” Katy said.
Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica has been providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri for more than 65 years. For more information about Wichita Presbyterian Manor, contact Marketing Director Melody Dodge at 316-942-7456 or mdodge@ pmma.org.
One of her favorite projects was done for her neighbors with three children. The eldest daughter was depicted reading a book. She sculpted the middle child in his favorite cowboy boots, vest and hat. The youngest posed sitting on a big rock at Botanica. “That was one of my biggest and most fun,” Katy said. Later she made a sculpture of the youngest boy, which she kept. Katy included that
one in an exhibit of her work at the Wichita Center for the Arts (now known as Mark Arts). This holiday season, it was a treat to see Katy’s own nativity set and Christmas angel by her apartment door. The nativity includes intricate sculptures of Joseph, Mary holding baby Jesus and some sheep. She had a special stained-glass backdrop made to bring it all together. The Christmas angel was inspired by an article she had seen in Smithsonian Magazine. Be sure to look for Katy’s work in this year’s Art is Ageless® exhibit. She’s planning to enter two pieces.
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Cole T. McKinney, interim executive director Melody Dodge, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Amy Watson, life enrichment director, awatson@pmma.org.
Julia Tritsch: A hand-made hobby Julia has worked with clay for about 10 years, off an on, beginning as a high school freshman. She enjoys the fact that clay is so forgiving to work with. If there’s a mistake, someone
can start over. For her, working with clay is about process, not about the outcome. It has brought her happiness to see her growth as an artist over the years.
Telephone: 316-942-7456 Fax: 316-941-3806 Address: 4700 W. 13th St., Wichita, KS 67212-5575 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. WichitaPresbyterianManor.org
2
Community Matters January 2018
Like us on Facebook
Resident is a Wheaties Girl for life With the college basketball season starting, what better way to kick it off than with a Wichita State-themed happy hour party! The Westerly residents were treated to a festive get-together with a special guest: WuShock, the mascot of WSU. Resident Emily Rude, a WSU alum, remembers the time before WuShock was created. Emily was a member of the Wheaties, the Women’s Pep Club of Wichita University, as it was known then. Before they had a mascot to inspire the fans, the loudest cheers of the crowd came from the women Below: Emily Rude, member of the WSU Pep Club, pictured with her teammates.
dressed in black and gold. They cheered together at football and basketball games, named both the “Jack Armstrong” and “Wheaties’ Sweetie” during the basketball season, participated in the marching band’s halftime shows and helped with skits for pep assemblies. Emily recalls those days with the fondest of memories. In 1954, she was a Wheaties Girl. That fall, the basketball team was ranked third in the nation and included such players as Cleo Littleton and Jim McNerney. They were invited to play in the National Invitational Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Wheaties Girls, along with six male and six female cheerleaders and chaperones, were all able to attend. They took a train from Wichita to Chicago, then on to the Big Apple. Highlights of the trip included a stop at a chocolate factory in Chicago, a trip to Central Park and a guest spot on “Toast of the Town,” the forerunner of “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
Everyone needs a hobby Denise Blake, accounting assistant One of my favorite hobbies has always been sewing. My mother always made me such cute outfits; I carried on the tradition, sewing for my children and now my grandchildren. I love adding to or changing a pattern when possible. I made a sundress for my youngest granddaughter to wear to a
wedding this past summer. Melody Dodge, director of marketing and sales Two of my favorite hobbies are my three dogs and my yard. I enjoy playing with my dogs, taking them for walks, and teaching them fun tricks. They bring a smile to my face.
A resident poses with the current WuShock mascot.
Emily has stayed in touch with Dave Johnson, one of the cheerleaders from that time who created the original WuShock costume. After their trip to NYC, Dave felt that WSU needed a mascot. Inspired by the artwork of Wilbur Estes (who created the first images of WuShock for the yearbook in 1948), Dave sketched out a plan and recruited his mother to help him sew a costume. WuShock has been reimagined over the years, but it remains a symbol of pride for Wichita State. Emily was excited for the opportunity to get a photo with Wu at the party. She remains a huge WSU fan and will always be a Wheaties Girl at heart. I also enjoy landscaping and planting flowers — and seeing the changes as the landscaping grows and matures. I have to admit that the mowing and pruning is not my favorite part of the process, but I do appreciate how it all looks when the work is done. My two hobbies collide at times, since my yard attracts squirrels and my dogs enjoy spending hours barking at them. I may have to figure out a better way for the two to coexist. Wichita Presbyterian Manor
3
Wichita Presbyterian Manor’s Post-Acute To Home (PATH®) program isn’t just about getting you home—it’s about getting you back to your life. Call 316-942-7456 today to schedule your personal appointment and tour. WichitaPresbyterianManor.org
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 your senior living community, we want to share the story. Contact Amy Watson, life enrichment 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 WichitaPresbyterianManor.org and enter your email address in the subscription box. It’s that easy!
Like us on Facebook