Commun ty Matters Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:
Art. How does it affect you? We will focus on art and how it’s used on our campuses to enrich life in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. How do the arts help you stay sharp? How do you exercise creativity? How does your campus support your exploration of the arts? If you’ve got a story to share, contact David Sorrick and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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December 2016
Former P.E. professor finds path to healing, new home While everyone who calls Presbyterian Village home may have similar things they enjoy about living here, everyone has a unique story about how they came to live here — like Donna Needham, a former physical education professor who utilized the respite program after an injury. She lived on campus while receiving therapy from the local hospital. “Before I fell, I hadn’t considered living here. I was doing fine in a duplex on my own and enjoying an active lifestyle. On Labor Day, I fell and broke my hip. The only good thing was that the surgeon said if I had to break it, I broke it in the right place,” said Donna Needham enjoys her new Donna home. For someone who’d spent her whole life being active and teaching others how to be active, this was a frustrating development for Donna. She’d spent 35 years teaching and coaching the swim team at Cottey College and had spent another eight years before that at Hutchinson Community College. She lives to move, and as it turned out, making the move to Presbyterian Village is helping her live in a whole new way. “I came here to recover after my surgery. I was in the rehabilitation program. But I liked it so much I decided to stay. Everyone is really nice, very kind. It takes a bit to get acquainted with how things work here, but I quickly felt like family.” Donna goes to Health for Life for physical therapy at Mercy Health Center several times a week, and she is regaining her mobility and strength. “I don’t want to be homebound. I enjoy the ability to go there and use the equipment to exercise. My whole life I’ve been active. I used to own a ski boat, even. I haven’t participated in any activities here at Presbyterian Village
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Joy finds peace and love at Presbyterian Village Is she named after the emotion, or is the emotion named after her? When you meet Joy Ngatia for the first time, you’d probably say both. She’s effervescent, with a happiness bubbling forth that can’t help but touch the lives of those around her. Of course, anyone would be this happy after winning the lottery. Joy’s jackpot, however, didn’t come in the form of a large check, but rather, admission to the United States. “I’m originally from Kenya, and I applied for the lottery to be able to get a green card and go to the United States with my family and work. I was among the lucky people who got to come to the U.S. I came with my husband and two daughters. That was
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six years ago,” said Joy. “My husband got a job as a machine operator at Wardcraft. Back in Kenya, he hadn’t been paid at his job for a very, very long time. We have two daughters, ages 21 and 14. They were so excited to come here. The young one prayed about it; she said she prayed to come to America.” An answered prayer is certainly what it was for Joy’s family, and their gratitude and exuberance hasn’t faded in all these years. So how did they end up in Kansas? “My brother-in-law Steven Muhota was a preacher here at Diamond Community Church in Fort Scott. He really loved this town and told us it would be a great place for us, and it is! We love it here. Everyone is so friendly. We’re from Mombasa, the second most populous city in Kenya. We love living in a small town now.” Joy’s experience in Kenya included work for the port authority, but she chose a different career path once in the U.S. “When I started, I went to college to be a CNA, but when I got the job in dietary, I knew it’s where God wanted me to be. I don’t want to do any other job here,” said Joy. “Interacting with tenants is my favorite thing. I feel connected with them. The hardest thing is sometimes not having enough time with them. I just want to sit and
Telephone: 620-223-5550 Fax: 620-223-7800 Address: 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village by Presbyterian Manors of 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Ginger Nance, executive director
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org
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yet, as I have too many doctor appointments right now. But pretty soon, the orthopedic surgeon will turn me loose, and I’ll have more time to explore options here. I’d like to participate more, soon.” Donna, with her warm personality
Joy Ngatia lives up to her name!
listen to their stories, but I have to balance work too. “I take time to give them encouragement, though.Whenever they are down, I go see them. God gave me that gift.” Of course, with moving from one country to another, Joy’s family had many new things to adjust to, including how people simply called each other by their first name, which seemed so informal to her. “I’ve had many things to learn here at Presbyterian Village. I hadn’t worked with seniors before; it’s all new. But my boss was so welcoming! The staff and the administrative department welcomed me, and I knew I belonged in this place,” said Joy. “And my oldest daughter has even worked here, too, and is now in school to be an RN.We’re meant to be here. I don’t even feel homesick. People here are so lovely.”
and zest for life, is a welcome addition to Presbyterian Village. She’s already made some new friends and has gotten reacquainted with some old ones. “It’s lovely here. I am so pleased with my apartment. I’ve been overwhelmed by kindness.
Need holiday gift ideas for your aging mom, dad & loved ones?
Drop off your canned goods for families in need
Let our elves help!
This year, we will once again serve as a drop off location for canned goods for the annual food drive for needy families during the holidays. Our tenants will load up to deliver the food we collect to the local church on Dec. 9 to assist those families in need. Remember to watch for expired foods and don’t deliver anything that you wouldn’t eat.
We can be your elves at the Presbyterian Village this Christmas! Consider purchasing a gift certificate for a package that you design ranging from a one-time gift of service in their own home or one that extends as much as weekly for the entire year. The possibilities are endless! Contact the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village for more details, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, KS 620-223-5550 or email gnance@pmma.org.
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Merry Christmas!
December 2016 Calendar of Events 1 Thursday
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Needy Family Food Drive Begins in mail room Christmas Tree Decorating 10:00a.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. BBQ beef on bun Friday Nationall Faux Fur Day-Wear yours! Exercise 10:45a.m. Hep to address cards for family & friends 1:30p.m. Saturday Bingo 2:00p.m. Game night 6:00p.m. Sunday Church 3:00p.m. Joy Ngatia Monday Exercise 10:45a.m. Coffee filter angels 1:30p.m. Christmas decorating with CLC Kids 3:20p.m. Tuesday Donuts & coffee 8:30a.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. Chicken soup Christmas Parade downtown 5:30p.m. Wednesday Exercise 10:45a.m. Bible study 1:30p.m. Christmas shopping at Pittsburg Mall & Mall Deli lunch 11:00a.m.
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8 Thursday
TENANT & FAMILY Holiday Dinner with special music 5:30p.m. (sign up in business office in advance the # in your group coming) 9 Friday Exercise 10:45a.m. Deliver Needy Family Food items to the church 2:00p.m. 10 Saturday Bingo 2:00p.m. Game night 6:00p.m. 11 Sunday Uniontown Community Choir in main dining room 2:00p.m. Cornerstone Bible Church message & Christmas carols 5:00p.m. 12 Monday Exercise 10:45a.m. Christmas music by CLC kids 3:20p.m. 13 Tuesday Donuts & Coffee 8:30 a.m. Debbie Rhynerson loom demo class 2:00p.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. “The Baum” chef salad 14 Wednesday Exercise 10:45a.m. Bible Study 1:30p.m. Travel to BUTCHER BLOCK new business in Ft. Scott 3:00p.m. 15 Thursday Scrabble 10:00a.m. Hot chocolate & Christmas music 3:00p.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. Grilled ham & cheese
16 Friday
National Ugly Xmas Sweater DayWear Yours! Exercise 10:45a.m. Help tenants wrap Christmas gifts 1:00p.m. 17 Saturday Eugene Ware Vocal Ensemble during lunch 12:00noon Bingo 2:00p.m. Game Night 6:00p.m. 18 Sunday Church 3:00p.m. Church of Christ, Margrave 19 Monday Exercise 10:45a.m. Make red and green popcorn balls with CLC kids 3:20 p.m. 20 Tuesday Donuts & Coffee 8:30a.m. Dr. Wilde, podiatrist 1:00p.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. Sloppy Joes Christmas lights driving tour with Fred 5:30p.m. 21 Wednesday 1st day of winter Exercise 10:45a.m. Bible Study 1:30p.m. Tenants birthday party 3:00p.m. 22 Thursday National re-gifting day. Bring something you want to get rid of to exchange 2:00p.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. Ham & beans 23 Friday Exercise 10:45a.m.
Calendar items may be subject to change. Matinee: The Night Before Christmas 2nd floor w/popcorn & eggnog 1:30p.m. 24 Saturday Christmas eve communion 11:00a.m. Bingo 2:00p.m. Game night 6:00p.m. 25 Sunday Merry Christmas 26 Monday National thank you note day write yours! Exercise 10:45a.m. Wal-mart shopping 1:00 p.m. 27 Tuesday Donuts & Coffee 8:30a.m. Hot cider happy hour 2:00p.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. Pizza & Salad 28 Wednesday Exercise 10:45a.m. Bible study 1:30p.m. Flavored coffee sampling with pound cake 3:00p.m. 29 Thursday Holiday challenge puzzle BISTRO 4:15p.m. Loaded baked potato soup & sandwich 30 Friday Exercise 10:45a.m. Early New Year’s Eve Party 2:00p.m. 31 Saturday Bingo 2:00p.m. Game night 6:00p.m.