Commun ty Matters Fulton Presbyterian Manor
Downsizing doesn’t need to be a sad process
By Patricia Corrigan for Next Avenue
Five years ago, when I sold my 1,700square-foot condo to move to a small apartment, I knew I had to get rid of at least two-thirds of my stuff. That required touching every single thing I owned. I pared down my Christmas decorations from five boxes to one. I found good homes for 46 boxes of books. I got rid of my collections of paper bags, plastic bags and boxes.
I brought my grandmother’s golden oak rocking chair, her dresser and her cedar chest. My mother’s living room lamps and her black sequin beanie. My father’s jewelry box and his Navy duffel bag. My son’s grade school art projects. And my Mickey Mouse Club membership certificate. DOWNSIZING continued on page 4
April 2015
Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Founders Day celebrates service to seniors Employees of Fulton Presbyterian Manor will observe the founding of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America this month as the company celebrates 66 years of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri.
Fulton Each Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica campus will have their own celebration with residents and employees during April acknowledging the importance each play in making life at Fulton the way you want to live.
“Many of our employees view what they do as a calling, not just a job,” said Bruce Shogren, president and CEO. “Our dedicated employees make it possible for us to sustain PMMA’s mission, which directly impacts the wonderful care our 2,400 residents receive every day.” Watch for details about Fulton Presbyterian Manor’s Founders Day celebration activities.
Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s roots go back to 1947. Alice Kalb, a widow from central Kansas, appealed to a Presbyterian Church organization to establish a home for seniors. Her vision became the first Presbyterian Manor community in Newton, Kan., and inspired others to do even more. Today PMMA remains true to the spirit of Alice’s vision, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values. For more information about Fulton Presbyterian Manor, contact Keri Edwards at kedwards2@pmma.org.
Surround yourself with the things you truly cherish.
®
®
Honoring Elder Artists Dozens of people turned out for the Art is Ageless reception held on February 27 to celebrate and recognize the winners of our annual juried art contest.
Honors in the amateur division went to: “Waiting” a painting by Richard McKinney, “Bird’s Nest” a fiber collage by Vivian White and “Grandma’s Flower Garden” a quilt by Opal Forman.
Black Beaded Alpaca Stole and thirdplace in painting went to Verna Shryock for “Pink Flower.” People’s Choice award went to Richard McKinney for his painting “Waiting” and top honors Best of Show went to “Summertime” by Rosemary Zbinden.
In the professional division for painting was first-place winner Rosemary Zbinden for her watercolor “Summertime,” second-place in Fiber Arts went to Micki Currie for her
®
®
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Fulton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Dawn Smith, executive director Keri Edwards, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact kedwards 2@pmma.org. Telephone: 573-642-6646 Fax: 573-642-2202 Address: 811 Center St., Fulton, MO 65251-1922
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. FultonPresbyterianManor.org
Summertime, a painting by Rosemary Zbinden took Best of Show honors at Fulton Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless exhibit and competition Feb. 27. 2 COMMUNITY MATTERS APRIL 2015
Once a King or Queen, always a King or Queen at Fulton Presbyterian Manor
Famed central Florida radio personalities Judy “Sunflower” Morts and her husband, Harvey Gene, performed during our Valentine’s Day celebration. The couple entertained us with an array of good old-fashioned country ballads that took us back to yesteryear.
Winners were selected by popular vote and the Activity Department kept the results a tightly guarded
secret until the big reveal during the party. Congratulations one and all.
The party’s highlight was the crowning of the Valentine Royal Court. This year’s Assisted Living King and Queen were Floyd Masek and Abbie Akers and the King and Queen from Healthcare were Carol Woolridge and Chris Binggeli.
Fulton Royalty
Morts Family Singers
2015 Valentine’s Royal Court COMMUNITY MATTERS APRIL 2015 3
DOWNSIZING continued from page 1 A fresh start does not require erasing who you are and always have been, so do hold on to “touchstones,” those items that hold special meaning for you. On the other hand, don’t mistake any item for the person who gave it to you. 1. Don’t leave your past behind
Donate everything in the closet that is too big or that should have fit by now but still doesn’t. Nobody needs 12 pairs of black pants or 23 sweatshirts or six pairs of Mary Jane shoes. Tap into this same philosophy when you approach your jewelry box. 2. Keep only the clothes you wear
3. Assess how much furniture and dishes you really need
But I decided to pay to move the couch where I love to slouch, the bed with the storage headboard and my favorite purple chair. What about dishes? I brought some. But I brutally eliminated much of my vast collection of party platters and pottery bowls.
What better opportunity to start fresh? Donate old towels to local animal shelters or veterinarians’ offices. 4. Splurge on new linens
5. Embrace that less is more
®
Fulton Presbyterian Manor 811 Center St. Fulton, MO 65251-1922
®
Return Service Requested
SIGN UP NOW!
Receive our newsletter by email. Look for the newsletter sign-up on our homepage at FultonPresbyterianManor.org It’s that easy!
Coming up in Community Matters:
Community Matters will focus on gardening and outdoor life in an upcoming issue. Are you an avid gardener, or were you when you were more physically able? What did you love about gardening? What did you grow?
Does your campus have a raised bed garden that you are able to help with now? What do you enjoy about being outdoors? If you have a story to tell, contact Keri Edwards to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.
4 COMMUNITY MATTERS APRIL 2015