Emporia Presbyterian Manor
FEBRUARY 2020
Residents Tom and Ruth Fowler with a few nativity sets from their 200plus collection.
Residents share their love for nativity sets Collecting nativity sets from around the world is more than just a passion for residents Tom and Ruth Fowler, it’s a lifetime of sharing memories together as they’ve traveled the world in search of the next addition to their collection.
Chrystal Chituck with her family.
Employee spotlight:
Chrystal Chituck, director of nursing Get to know Chrystal Chituck, the new director of nursing at Emporia Presbyterian Manor. Chrystal joined our team in November 2019 after working as the director of nursing for Parkside Homes in Hillsboro, Kansas. While she’s just been here a few months, Chrystal already feels at home. “I enjoy the family-like atmosphere. The team is outgoing and fun while maintaining professionalism. The mission statement isn’t just something said, it is the mission! We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Chrystal. CHITUCK - continued on page 2
“It started in 1958. Tom was a Spanish teacher and took students to Mexico one summer. I stayed home with our small child, so he brought a small nativity set with him back home. It kind of grew from that,” said Ruth. In the 62 years that have passed, the Fowlers now own close to 200 nativity sets and no two sets are alike. NATIVITY - continued on page 2
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
1
CHITUCK - continued from page 1
NATIVITY - continued from page 1
Chrystal is a team leader and brings with her ideas for creating supportive and successful teams.
“Some are made out of animal bone and several are wooden,” said Tom.
“I wouldn’t say that I am bringing changes to health care, but reminders and guidance of Presbyterian Manor’s expectations for quality senior services. I encourage our team to respect and support one another. Having a team that does this makes our jobs easier. Teams that are working towards the same goals accomplish those goals with success,” said Chrystal.
Ruth added, “A lot are ceramic and some hang on the wall. There are metal ones, and I have a Waterford crystal set. Some are similar but all are different.”
When she’s not at work, Chrystal enjoys spending time with family. “My husband, Michael, and I have been together for 16 years. He is an amazing father and husband. There isn’t a repair in our home that he can’t fix. We have three children. Our oldest, Wyatt, loves sports. He is our nephew by blood but our son by heart. He has been with us for eight years. Bradley is eight and full of energy. He loves watching YouTube and playing with his friends. Haley is two and is our little sour patch kid. She has a way of wrapping everyone around her little finger. Sour then sweet! My family is my rock,” said Chrystal. To learn more about health care at Emporia Presbyterian Manor, take a tour or schedule a time to meet Chrystal, contact Crystal Stock at 620-343-2613. ◆
Over the years, the sets have been souvenirs purchased on trips together. “We’ve traveled a lot—we’ve been to all 50 states and 36 foreign countries. We leave in the middle of February to travel the Panama Canal.” Ruth added, “While we’re there, I hope to find a nativity set from the South American countries.” The Fowlers also have their children to thank for their collection. “Our son travels a lot and he usually brings me one or two sets from different countries every year. That’s my birthday or Christmas present,” said Ruth. Sharing these nativity sets with our community was a Christmas present to all of us! “They scattered them all around Presbyterian Manor—in the main dining room, care center and arboretum. We enjoy sharing them,” said Ruth. “We are thankful the Fowlers
shared the things they love with us here at Emporia Presbyterian Manor, as their collection is truly magnificent,” said Crystal Stock, marketing director, Emporia Presbyterian Manor. When their nativity set collection isn’t on display, usually from mid-January to late October, the Fowlers leave a few of the nicer sets up all year in a curio cabinet in their villa. The rest are stored in tubs in their basement. “We’re fortunate to have a basement. My husband keeps telling me we have a full basement and an apartment,” said Ruth. While the Fowlers are somewhat new residents to Presbyterian Manor—they moved in during May 2019—they have a history with this community. Tom was on the Emporia Presbyterian Manor board for several years and both his parents lived here along with six of his mom’s relatives over the years. “Two of my aunts were some of the earliest residents at Presbyterian Manor. Maybe the second and third residents here,” said Tom. Ruth added, “We really enjoy it here. Presbyterian Manor provides a very comfortable setting and you can participate as little or as much as you want to.” ◆
Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
EMPORIA Presbyterian Manor 620-343-2613 ◆ Fax: 620-343-9195 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
2
COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2020
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) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: cstock@PMMA.org Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Crystal Stock, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Art reception February 27th
Join us for an art reception featuring the work of the Emporia State University ceramics department from 1 to 3 p.m. on February 27 in our Atrium gallery. The resident portraits that were painted by ESU students will be on display outside of the chapel. ◆
Recipes to try The next time you’re in the mood to satisfy your sweet tooth, try one of these tasty recipes shared by our residents.
No Crust Cranberry Pie Shared by Villa resident Karen Wiley Preheat oven to 325 degrees Melt and pour in pie pan: ¼ cup butter.
In the fall, ESU students visited our campus to take photos of some of our residents so they could go back and paint their portrait.
Mix in bowl and pour over butter: 2 cups cranberries, ¼ cup chopped pecans, ½ cup sugar. Beat 2 eggs well and gradually mix in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and ½ cup melted butter. Pour the egg mixture over the cranberry mixture. Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees. Peanut Butter Cups in a Pan
Shared by resident Ruth Fowler Students also sat down with participating residents to learn more about them, their career and family before starting the project.
RECIPES - continued on page 4
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
3
EMPORIA Presbyterian Manor
2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values
Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
RECIPES - continued from page 3
1 C butter
We respect the privacy of residents and ask that you respect their privacy, too.
1 ½ C peanut butter
Posting this?
4 C powdered sugar
2 ½ C graham cracker crumbs 1-12 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips Sift sugar, add butter and peanut butter. Beat until light and creamy (about 2 minutes). Stir in graham cracker crumbs. Pat in cookie sheet pan. Melt chocolate chips and pour over mixture. ◆
4
COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2020
Check the background. If your photograph, video or Snap includes residents who are not a relative, don’t post it to social media.