Commun ty Matters Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
Appreciation for Angel Appeal
Thank you for all of the generous hearts who donated to our Angel Appeal campaign, which benefits our Good Samaritan Program.This program helps ensure that residents who have run out of resources through no fault of their own can continue calling this “home.” Mr. and Mrs. Jim Allen Mrs. and Mr. Minnie Allen Mrs. Marjory K. Bailey Mr. and Mrs. James Banwart Ann A. Detwiler Mr. David Faulhaber Fort Scott DQ Grill & Chill Dr. Edward C. Gordon Rev. and Mrs. W. Reed Hartford Mr. Richard Hedges Mr. Roger Irvin Mr. and Mrs. Dale Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Alan King Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Masters Mrs. JoAnn Mayhugh Mr. and Mrs. Craig McKenney Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Nuss Ms. Debby Rhynerson Ms. Janice Seaver Ms. Barbara A. Stuart Mr. and Mrs. Otis Thomas Mr. and Mrs. R. Allen Warren
March 2019
Aggie proves art is ageless
Most seniors choose to live closer to family during their later years, but Aggie Keesling isn’t most seniors. Instead, Aggie moved away, or as she calls it, “home.” “After my husband passed away, I had to re-evaluate my life. I am from St. John but felt called to return to the cabin my parents owned at Farlington Lake, now called Crawford State Lake,” said Aggie. “It felt like home. My kids didn’t understand it, but it’s what I wanted to do.” But Aggie didn’t return to Aggie Keesling lives an active life and participates in Art is the lake cabin to live a Ageless®. sedentary lifestyle. Rather, she’s been very active, contributing her time and talents to local conservation and improvement projects, like a museum and storm shelter. “Several years ago, I asked about the old water tower, and what their plans were with it. I’d found some old artifacts from the men who’d built the lake in the 1930s and wanted to make a little museum. So that’s what I did.” Aggie and several other lake residents also worked to raise funds for the lake’s new storm shelter, to be installed this summer. “I have a Kawasaki MULE and me and some other ladies loaded up the back with coolers full of ice cream and other frozen treats.We went around the campgrounds selling them, and we donated the profits to the storm shelter project,” said Aggie. “When you get a bunch of old ladies together, we get it done!” Indeed, Aggie knows how to get things done, and enjoys doing so. It was this
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desire to stay active that spurred in Aggie a desire to take up painting several years ago. “I’m 90 years old, so some might think it’s too late to take up new hobbies. It’s never too late, I say!” During the winter months at the cabin, without many other things to do, Aggie decided to buy some painting supplies. “I have this sunroom, and I just started painting out there during the winter. It’s very peaceful. I can just sit in there and paint my heart away.” As it turns out, Aggie not only enjoyed painting, but she found she was quite good at it.
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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 Becky Kellum, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact rkellum@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
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“I had never planned on entering the Art is Ageless® contest at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, but Ginger Nance found out I was painting, and said I should enter some pieces. And if you know Ginger, you know it’s hard to refuse her!” Aggie entered several works of art and came to the Art is Ageless reception by herself, certain she wouldn’t win a thing. “Jokingly, I told a friend my paintings would only win in the ‘cartoon’ category, if there was one. I would have been thrilled with an honorable mention. So, imagine my surprise when they called my name for second place! In shock, I went up there to receive my recognition, and before I could sit down, they called my name
again for first place! I never thought I’d ever win anything on my art, and I didn’t even know anyone there to hug when I won! I was so surprised and happy, it brought me to tears, to be honest with you.” Aggie proves that art is truly ageless, and that’s it’s never too late to try a new hobby. “I know now that you don’t really have to be talented. If you enjoy it, it’s going to be good. If you just do what you like doing, then you’ve already won! I would advise anybody if you like any kind of a craft at all, just try it, and you may be surprised.” If you’d like to learn more about Art is Ageless, stop by the exhibit from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. March 26–April 10, 2019.
Sponsors, donors sought for annual dinner, auction Fort Scott Presbyterian Village is now seeking sponsorships for the annual Good Samaritan fundraising auction and dinner event coming in May.
Individuals, businesses, and groups can sponsor at several different levels. The sponsorship could be in memory or in honor of a loved one. Those who sponsor at certain levels are mentioned during radio interviews and placed on advertising opportunities for the event.
Please contact Ginger Nance, executive director, at gnance@pmma.org or by calling 620-223-5550 for more information about becoming a sponsor. Presbyterian Village also has started accepting donations of new or very nice items for the auction as well. From furniture to farm equipment and everything in between, all items are appreciated.
Every dollar raised is used to assist seniors in need. All proceeds raised at the event are kept local in our community to assist seniors who may have outlived their resources, through no fault of their own, to help pay for their care. Donations are tax deductible contributions. Fort Scott Presbyterian Village is a Christian mission, not-for-profit, senior living community, dedicated to improving the lives of seniors from the Fort Scott and surrounding communities.
A new perspective Janet Braun is a very familiar face around Fort Scott Presbyterian Village. First, when her parents lived here as two of the first tenants. Then, as an advisory council member and volunteer who dedicated countless hours to improve quality of life. Now, while she’s a mission comittee member, she’s also a tenant herself!
“I always knew this is where I’d want to take the next step in my journey. I knew I would call this ‘home’ someday,” said Janet. “But it came a little sooner than I thought. I was willing, but not as ready as I thought I’d be.” Even though Janet had long planned on moving to Fort Scott Presbyterian Village when she was no longer comfortable living on her own, it was a hospital stay that brought the move to fruition. “I have asthma, and during a bad bout of it, I had to be hospitalized. My son, who’s an attorney, sat me down and
said, ‘Mom, it’s time.’ It was hard to hear, but in my heart, I knew it was right,” said Janet. “And it wasn’t just about me. It made my children feel very good, because I was living alone before. They like it better that another pair of eyes will see me, and if I need anything, it’s right here.” Janet has been living with us since October and is very happy with her decision. “I knew this place so well before, but my perspective has really changed since moving in—in a good way. The staff is wonderful, and there are a lot of activities if you choose to participate. I like to go to bingo, and I go to exercise class three times a week. I especially like the educational seminars, like the one they’re having where they’re teaching us all the features on our cell phones,” said Janet. In addition to her Presbyterian Village activities, Janet is still able to get out and about to participate in her many community activities.
Janet Braun has been a part of our community for many years; first as a daughter of residents, then as an advisory council member and now as a resident and mission committee member.
“I’m still on the local school board, the Good Ol’ Days committee, Rotary, and more. Living at Presbyterian Village hasn’t put a damper on my community involvement, and I’m perfectly happy here. I moved in and made the transition really quickly. I have the same amount of room in my apartment that I actually used in my house.” We’re happy Janet has made her move “home” to Presbyterian Village!
Fort Scott PresbyterianVillage Art is Ageless ® exhibit and reception features senior artists Since the beginning of time, creative expression has brought joy to both its creators and those who experience their art. The Art is Ageless® program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity.
This month, their works are on display at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.
“It’s inspiring to see the beautiful LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
pieces these seniors have created,” said Ginger Nance, executive director. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Fort Scott community.” The Art is Ageless exhibit will feature works from local artists who are 65 and older, including a few Presbyterian Village residents. The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit.
The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. March 26 – April 10.
In addition to the exhibit, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 3:30 p.m. on April 5.
FORT SCOTT PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE
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Presbyterian Village 2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Bringing joy to new opportunities
March is National Nutrition Month and what better time to shine a spotlight on our dining services director, Joy Ngatia. Joy has been dedicated to giving Fort Scott Presbyterian Village tenants a wonderful dining experience for eight years, but with recent changes in how food is prepared, her duties have changed dramatically.
“With the hospital closing, we now prepare all of our food in house,” said Joy. “We used to have a contract with the hospital, and they would deliver their prepared food here, but that’s all changed.” Even though Joy faces some new challenges, she faces them as she’s always done, with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. “My goal for the future is to see that my [dining] department is in compliance with the mission statement of PMMA, but to also ensure that the tenants are given great care with the highest standards from the [dining] department. Mostly though, I want to show our tenants how much they are loved with a hug and smile.”
We appreciate the efforts of Joy and our entire dining department!
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Joy Ngatia, our dining services director.