Commun ty Matters Emporia Presbyterian Manor
December 2015
Colds and flu are back in season As we near the peak months for cold and flu season, it’s a good time to review tips for prevention and treatment.
Getting the flu vaccine is still one of the best things you can do for your health in wintertime. There is no truth to the myth that you can catch the illness from the vaccine. The injection contains only a killed version of the virus. People 65 years or older run a higher risk of complications from the flu, as do people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, emphysema, heart disease, and diabetes. It can, however, take up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect, so the earlier, the better. But they are usually available through February. Good hand-washing routines are another top defense against illness. Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds, or use alcohol-based sanitizer, whenever you have been out in public—especially in a community living environment. If you do get ill, follow these recommendations: COLDS, continued on page 3
Homer Clark and Harold Stevenson, standing, and Don Mader, seated.
Railroaders reunite at Presbyterian Manor Homer Clark remembers the day he looked across the dining room during lunch at Emporia Presbyterian Manor and saw a familiar face. “I said to my wife, ‘I know that fella,’ and she says, ‘You know everybody,’” Homer recalled. “I walked over to him, got halfway there, and it dawned on me who he was.” Homer had spotted Don Mader, his old superintendent from the AtchisonTopeka-Santa Fe railroad. They’re two of three veterans of the Emporia railroad crews who now live at Emporia Presbyterian Manor; the third is Harold Stevenson. All three men remember well their lifelong careers on the AT&SF, for which Emporia was a major hub in the 20th century. “There’s no other place I could have worked and enjoyed it that much,” Homer said. Homer went to work for a railroad contractor right after graduating from high school in 1941. He earned 40 cents a day, six days a week. A few months later the railroad hired him as a track layer. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II and returned to the railroad after the war. He went on to a 42-year career that took him from assistant foreman to chief clerk for the division engineer. RAILROADERS, continued on page 3
Donate your vehicle to help senior citizens The season of giving is here. Wouldn’t it be great to know that your vehicle donation helped seniors who have outlived their financial resources receive the care they need this year? Turn that unneeded vehicle into holiday cheer and receive a tax deduction! We accept many donations types including cars, RVs, boats, planes and more. Donating your vehicle will help seniors who have outlived their financial resources at a Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus in so many ways. Call us at 844-490-GIVE (4483) or visit EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org/Vehicle_Donations, fill out the form, and we’ll take care of the rest. Each year, Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica provides more than $4 million in charitable care. Our seniors need your support; a donated vehicle can help in so many ways Donate at EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
‘Tis the season, give for a reason.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Emporia Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Ken Hanson, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Ken Hanson, marketing director, khanson@pmma.org.
Telephone: 620-343-2613 Fax: 620-343-9195 Address: 2300 Industrial Rd., Emporia, KS 66801-6636 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters December 2015
Merry Christmas
COLDS, continued from page 1
RAILROADERS, continued from page 1
• Eat what you can. This will maintain Don Mader joined the railroad in 1950, also out of high school, and stayed for your energy to help your body fight the nearly 40 years. virus. “It wasn’t intentional,” Don said. “I had a summer job and decided not to go on • Drink a lot of fluids, but avoid to college. I just stayed on.” caffeinated drinks like coffee and colas; they can dehydrate you further. Don ascended through the ranks of management and worked as superintendent in Emporia from 1968 to 1972, when he supervised Homer. From there he was • Call the doctor if you have a fever promoted often, to positions in Texas and in California, eventually returning to that is not controlled by over-theTopeka as a general manager. counter fever reducers, if you have a severe cough, or if you cannot keep any “We moved 14 times,” Don said. fluids or food down. All of the men witnessed the conversion from steam to diesel engines. As an • Stay home rather than coming to engineer, Harold Stevenson experienced the change up close. Harold started in community meals and group activities. This will help contain the virus so you 1951, shoveling coal as a locomotive fireman, but diesel engines were already coming into use. don’t spread it to others. All residents can request to have meals delivered to “You had to put work in on a steam engine,” he said. “A diesel kind of runs them, even in apartments. itself.”
- Bravo of the Month Emporia Team: I want to thank you for the kindness I received today on my first visit to your community. More than that, I want to say THANK YOU to the TEAM there for the caring nature and respect you have for the people who you are serving. Your efforts are appreciated by the rest of the PMMA team and we are here to support you any way we can. Bill Taylor, chief operations officer, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
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Harold—whom everyone called Steve—became an engineer for both passenger and freight trains, and he loved having a job where he could be outdoors. For 38 years, he worked on the main lines to Arkansas City, Wellington and Newton, plus some of the local branches. Later, Harold was instrumental in helping to bring the red caboose to Fremont Park. Jan Stevenson said the railroad workers were a tight-knit group in those days. Emporia was home to about 500 railroad families until the terminal was closed in 1989. Jan said it’s nice to see old railroad friends every day at Presbyterian Manor. She and Harold have breakfast together most days with Homer Clark and his wife, Maxine. “They’re always making signals to each other, and Maxine and I don’t know what they’re talking about,” Jan said with a laugh.
Veterans Day breakfast Maria Lane, LMSW, and a Gold Star other speaks to the people at our Veterans Day breakfast. It was a privilege to thank our veterans for their service.
Emporia Presbyterian Manor
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Emporia Presbyterian Manor 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 Return Service Requested
Artist of the month reception John King is the featured Artist of the Month at Emporia Presbyterian Manor. There will be a reception for John from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9 in the Atrium Art Gallery at Emporia Presbyterian Manor. Refreshments will be served. Johns King’s work will be on display throughout the month of December. John is a painter. His painting “Reflections” will appear in the 2016 Art is Ageless® calendar.
What’s your secret artistic talent?
An upcoming edition of Community Matters will focus on Art is Ageless®. The Art is Ageless® program encourages residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through an annual art competition and exhibit, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions. What talent have you discovered? If you’ve got a story about what inspires you to create, contact Marketing Director Ken Hanson, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters December 2015
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