Commun ty Matters Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
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February 2017
Learning to swim at 80
By Louise Jackson for Next Avenue Every Thursday night, I drive to the gym, wriggle into a swimsuit that does nothing to hide my bulging belly or my wrinkled, sagging underarms, put on swim goggles that Getty Images photo make me look a bit like someone from outer space, grab my. cane to help keep my balance while walking from the dressing room into the pool area and slowly ease down the steps into water smelling of chlorine. I’m 80 years old and taking a swim class for the first time in my life.
How do you go eight decades without learning to swim?
You’d think, given the description of my general appearance in one of today’s swimsuits, I’d be embarrassed to be seen at the pool. And I did think about that beforehand, but I looked around the women’s dressing room one day and realized I was in good company. People’s bodies come in all sizes and shapes and using my appearance as an excuse for opting out of an activity I really wanted to try seemed self-defeating. So, in spite of my misgivings, I paid the class fee. If you grew up near a lake or a town with a swimming pool, or your parents swam, it may surprise you to learn I’ve never taken swimming lessons. But I grew up on a small ranch in Central Texas during an extreme, extended drought and all the swimming holes became wading pools. Further, the cause of polio was yet unknown. We looked with fear at Life magazine photos showing long rows of children in iron lungs, unable to breathe on their own. The media warned parents about exposing their children to large groups in strange situations. Driving 20 miles each way, just so a child could learn to swim, was never even considered.
Swimming
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Presbyterian Village offers realtor referral program
You might say Becki Roberts has a knack for helping people find the ideal home. After all, she’s a successful local realtor and is well connected in the Fort Scott area. But Becki’s talents extend beyond helping people find a home to buy. She considers all of a person’s needs, and several times, she’s recommended they consider Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.
“My aunt lived there years ago. It’s always been a great place. I’ve never heard one bad thing. One thing I always tell people is to consider how cost effective it might be. That’s pretty eyeopening. Internet, phone, cable, groceries, etc.You’d be amazed,� said Ž
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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 'DYLG 6RUULFN PDUNHWLQJ GLUHFWRU To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact GVRUULFN@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-223-5550 Fax: 620-223-7800 Address: 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, KS 66701 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org
2 COMMUNITY MATTERS FEBRUARY 2017
Ginger Nance, executive director at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, shown with Becki Roberts, who is a realtor who heartily recommends living here and participates in the realtor referral program.
Becki. “And you can’t underestimate the importance of social stimulation. We need to be around people. The Village makes that easy.You don’t even have to get out in bad weather. Just walk down to the Bistro, and you’ll find friends.�
caretaker. The one in need of care gets extra attention, and the caretaker is able to resume some regular activities. It’s really a winwin for all,� said Becki.
“It’s a really great place for those who want to maintain or expand their independence. There’s no maintenance or upkeep to worry about, and there’s built-in socialization. I think it’s great for couples, too, especially if one is a
Becki.
Even though Becki would recommend Presbyterian Village regardless, there’s an extra Becki’s insight has helped several residents make the decision to choose incentive for realtors when they make a referral. Fort Scott Presbyterian Village as their new home, including her in“The realtor referral program is a laws, Kale and Thorene Roberts, and nice gesture. I do enjoy helping her dear friend Donna Needham. people find their ideal home!� said If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about the realtor referral program, contact Ginger Nance, executive director, at 620-223-5550 or gnance@pmma.org.
Round of applause for local Ruritan
Congratulations are in order for Raymond “Skeet” George, who was recently elected as the Ruritan District Governor. He will lead the Middle America District for 2017. He is a member of the Redfield and Uniontown Ruritan Club. Raymond lives at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village with his wife, Carol, and while he may be known for his work writing policies for Bankers Life, he has been a very active Ruritan member for many, many years. About Ruritan (from ruritan.org): Ruritan National has nearly 30,000 members throughout the United States who work to improve more than 1,100 local communities. Since the organization’s beginning in 1928, Ruritan Clubs have
served America with Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service. Ruritan is a civic service organization made up of local clubs in urban areas, small towns, and rural communities. Ruritan’s purpose is to create a better understanding among people and through volunteer community service, make America’s communities better places in which to live and work.The slogan of Ruritan is “Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service.” Club membership represents a crosssection of the community in which the club serves, and is not restrictive with regard to occupation, social position, or any other specific criteria. Unlike most civic service organizations, Ruritan rarely has national programs. Rather, each club surveys its own community
Better late than never
experience for each of us. I’ve made friends with all sorts of people — young men who grew up in deserts, moms who want to swim with their children and a few younger seniors who, like me, hope to stay healthy as long as possible. One young woman even told me, “I want to be like you when I grow up!” (I think several bulges may have shrunk a bit on hearing those words!)
Swimming
continued from page 1
After I became an adult, I watched with envy as others swam. I eventually taught myself to float and even to swim, after a fashion, but always wanted to do more, to be better. Finally, when my gym decided to offer adult swim lessons, I reminded myself of the old adage, “Better late than never,” and have just completed half the eight-week course. To my surprise, even though I’m the oldest person in the class, I haven’t felt the least bit awkward and I’m doing pretty well in spite of some breathlessness due to A-fib. Everyone else has to struggle, too. We’re there because we want to learn to swim or swim more skillfully. It’s a new and demanding LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
Feeling sore — but it’s worth it
One caveat if you’re thinking of following my lead:You may feel stiff and sore after the first several classes. That could be true even if, like me, you’re no stranger to gentle exercising like walking or Tai chi. Swimming demands the use of muscles in totally different ways. Still, take heart. The aches don’t last
as to the needs of that community and then works to meet some of those needs. Nearly all clubs work locally “Skeet” George with FFA, 4-H and other organizations serving youth. Nearly one in every three Ruritan clubs sponsors a Boy or Girl Scout unit. We offer Raymond a big round of applause for his leadership role in such an important organization, and we thank Ruritan members everywhere for their dedication to their communities!
and each session feels less demanding, as you build endurance. For me, the water is no longer an awkward environment. My balance, slightly impaired by a small stroke, isn’t a problem in the pool. I look forward to learning new skills and getting better at the ones I’ve already learned.
Last week, we began the breast stroke. It used my leg muscles in different ways than the freestyle, and I’m stiff again. But that’s OK. It feels good to think I’m getting stronger and more supple with each new activity.
I figure, if you’re lucky, you get older. But aging doesn’t mean you should stop learning and staying in shape. Swimming is fun! FORT SCOTT PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE
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February 2017 Calendar of Events
1 Wednesday Exercise 10:45a.m. Bible study 1:30p.m. Vote for Valentines King & Queen – Lobby 2 Thursday Groundhog Day Valentine Puzzle 11:00 a.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. Chicken Cordon Bleu & veggies 3 Friday Exercise 10:45a.m. Dollar General 1:00p.m. Vote for Valentines King & Queen – Lobby 4 Saturday Bingo 2:00p.m. Game night 6:00p.m. 5 Sunday Music Ministries Rev. Virgil Peck 1:30p.m. 6 Monday Exercise 10:45a.m. Menu Committee 2:00p.m. Meeting Meat Presentation “The Butcher Block” 2:00p.m. Bible Trivia 3:20p.m. CLC Kids 7 Tuesday Donuts & Coffee 8:30 a.m. Groceries delivered BISTRO 4:15p.m.
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Vegetable Soup 8 Wednesday Exercise Bible Study Pie & Coffee Social 9 Thursday Paul Milks - Images of the Heartland Art is Ageless Italian Valentines Dinner with music 10 Friday Exercise Valentines Trivia Puzzle 11 Saturday Bingo Game night 12 Sunday Lincoln’s Birthday Music Ministries 13 Monday Exercise Make Valentines cards with CLC kids 14 Tuesday Valentine’s Day RED SHIRT DAY Donuts & Coffee Groceries delivered BISTRO Hamburger & chips
10:45a.m. 1:30p.m. 3:15p.m. 3:00p.m. 4:30p.m.
10:45a.m. 2:00p.m. 2:00p.m. 6:00p.m. 10:45a.m. 3:20 p.m.
8:30a.m.
4:15p.m.
15 Wednesday Exercise 10:45a.m. Bible Study 2:00p.m. John Wayne 3:00p.m. “Operation Pacific” Matinee with popcorn 2nd floor 16 Thursday Classical Music Hour 2:00p.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. Fish & Cole Slaw 17 Friday Exercise 10:45a.m. Love Your Pet Day 1:00p.m. 18 Saturday Bingo 2:00p.m. Game night 6:00p.m. 19 Sunday Church 3:00p.m. Rev. Jason Shackleford 20 Monday Presidents Day & Washington’s Birthday Exercise 10:45a.m. Teach Tenants Modern 3:20p.m. Technology CLC Kids 21 Tuesday Donuts & Coffee 8:30a.m. Groceries delivered BISTRO 4:15p.m. Sausage, Sauerkraut & Mac Salad 22 Wednesday Exercise 10:45a.m. Bible study 1:30p.m. Tenant Birthday Party 3:00p.m.
Calendar items may be subject to change. 23 Thursday 24 Friday 25 Saturday 26 Sunday 27 Monday 28 Tuesday
Bumper Bowling 2:00p.m. BISTRO 4:15p.m. Meatballs sandwich Exercise 10:45a.m. Travel to Walmart 1:00p.m. Bingo 2:00p.m. Game night 6:00p.m. Church 1:30p.m. Rev. Joan Koller Exercise 10:45a.m. Travel to 2:30p.m. Chancy’s Grill - Moran, KS Donuts & Coffee 8:30a.m. Groceries delivered BISTRO 4:15p.m. Fried Chicken & Potato salad