Commun ty Matters Fulton Presbyterian Manor
Fulton Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless® call for entries underway
Fulton Presbyterian Manor has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held February 16–18, 2019. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2019 Art is Ageless calendar.
Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2014). There are nine categories, as
January 2019
Fulton Presbyterian Manor honored for achievements
Fulton Presbyterian Manor received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America for reaching goals in fiscal year 2018, covering the months of July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018. The recognition came through PMMA’s Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 17 locations and 2 hospices to achieve high levels of resident and employee satisfaction, meet financial goals, build philanthropic support for the organization’s mission and meet marketing goals. There are 11 areas measured for the Emerald Awards. To receive an emerald, a community has to meet its goals in all 11 areas. Certificates of recognition were given out to communities that reached their goals in one or more category.
Fulton was recognized for reaching independent living resident satisfaction goals, and meeting occupancy and safety goals. “This recognition is a visible sign of Fulton Presbyterian Manor’s commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer for PMMA.
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Bruce Shogren, president and CEO for PMMA, left, and Bill Taylor, chief operating officer, right, present Dawn Smith, executive director, with a certificate for reaching goals in three of the 11 Emerald Award categories in fiscal year 2018.
The gift of making a video biography Videos of loved ones help preserve memories in a personal way
Knowing that her father was ill, the couple’s Seymour and Angel Newman light up as daughter, Raphaela they talk about their daughters, Stern of Skokie, Ill., Shoshana and Raphaela. “The best thing that ever happened to my life was those hired Susan Saunders, two girls,” Seymour said. Angel added, owner of Family Line Video in Chicago, to “They both have such good hearts. capture her parents’ They’re such good children.” story. This snippet is one of many touching “My father was at a moments in a 90-minute video great point physically, so biography, a visually captivating film featuring highlights from an interview I wanted to capture whatever we could,” with the couple, edited and woven said Stern. Seymour passed away about together with family photos, two months after the interview. memorabilia and music. Bringing history to life
Saunders began planning for her video biography business back in 2006, inspired by a graduate school experience.
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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 To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact dsmith2@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
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“I just fell in love with it, listening to their stories,” said Saunders. “They clearly enjoyed being asked those questions and the families loved getting the audio transcripts. I wanted them to have a visual experience and wanted it to be personal, including family photos that tell the stories to bring some of this history to life.”
After two years of learning how to film and edit, Saunders hung her shingle out in 2008, when the market crashed.
“It was a little slow start, but back then it was hard to find someone who did something similar,” she said. “My goal is for the family to feel like this person is talking directly to them, with their expressions and personalities. I describe it as a family documentary video.” Saunders offers four packages, ranging from $950 to $3,800. Tripping down memory lane
Saunders’ interviews are typically three hours, starting with questions about childhood memories and about parents/grandparents/great-grandparents. “A lot of clients say, ‘You won’t get
Photo credit: Adobe Stock
By Debbie Musser
anything out of him’ but that’s not the case; a flood of memories comes out,” she said. “I enjoy watching people come into the room a little nervous and watching them leave tripping down memory lane. ” In her own voice
Another client of Saunders, Barbara Rosin of Highland Park, Ill., decided to create a video biography for her family when she turned 70.
Rosin worked with Saunders to create a video full of selected photos, with her voice in narration and also in song, since she is a singer. “I tried to bring up a lot that my kids didn’t know, including vivid memories of my childhood,” said Rosin. “And I talked about the joy of their father and I having children.”
Rosin’s children hosted a 70th birthday celebration for her, and she asked them to come to her home for brunch the day after. “I invited them into the den to watch the video on the TV. I gave them each a copy. I think when they’ll enjoy it the most is when I’m not here. That will be a nice thing to remember me by.” A gift for future generations
Allen Bronstein, owner ofYour Life Matters Video in San Francisco, has created more than 60 video biographies
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Familiar face, new calling
Kellie Starling started at Fulton Presbyterian Manor in December 2014, though family needs took her away in 2015. She returned in 2016, and recently took a position as life enrichment coordinator. After everything she’s been through, she’s excited for the new opportunity and new way to serve residents.
“I had gotten custody of my grandkids in 2015 and didn’t have childcare, so I wasn’t able to continue working. Then my oldest grandson was diagnosed with AML in August of 2015 and he passed away Feb 3., 2016. I waited for a bit to come back to make sure I had daycare lined up, and my court stuff
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for hospice clients. A commercial videographer by trade, he was contacted to create a memorial video for a superior court judge who was also a musician and fisherman. “Putting that together for the judge’s widow was a wonderful experience for me, and the business started from there,” he said.
“The approach I take is to look for the meaningful events in their lives — the things they had to overcome to be where they are now,” said Bronstein. “What drives me is empathy. My interest is in telling someone’s story in the most truthful manner possible. Whether the person is a poet, housewife or entrepreneur, I’ve endeavored to show how heroic they are, and what they’ve overcome.” LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
for the kids was done,” said Kellie. “I’m looking forward to this position as a new beginning for me. I’ve been looking to do something different and I do believe this will be it. I am excited, but at the same time nervous that I will mess up.” Being nervous about a new position is natural, but we have faith in Kellie and her abilities. She’s been a CNA since 1985, and is very dedicated to her work, though her primary focus is at home. “When I’m at home or in free time, I like to spend time with family. I have always put family first, and it makes life so much better. I have a busy house,” said Kellie.
We’re glad Kellie has found her way back to Fulton Presbyterian Manor, and look forward to her fresh perspective as life enrichment coordinator!
Bronstein also sees the importance of video biographies being passed down from one generation to the next.
Another of Bronstein’s clients shared a memory of watching the Golden Gate Bridge being built in the 1930s. “I found photos of the bridge being constructed and a newspaper article and put that all together into a story that she narrated.”
“These are really ‘video heirlooms’ that allow future generations to see who you are, what you sounded like and the important things in your life,” he said. “And it’s fascinating to see a childhood photo compared to the image of a grandchild. Often you can see the repeat of the genetics in appearance and also in talents and skills. It’s a way of communicating these things and capturing them so they can be shared.” A life that mattered
One memorable client of Bronstein’s shared the story of her oldest son who was brain damaged. “In the video, she talks about how she helped her son learn how to swallow, walk and become educated; she’s an amazing woman,” he said.
Recalling significant life moments can be an especially meaningful experience. “With a lot of hospice patients, this is life affirming,” Bronstein said. “They’re at the end of their existence, possibly questioning if their life really mattered. I try not to discuss their medical conditions. I’m not there to offer sympathy. I’m there to try and capture who they are and to show them that yes, your life did matter, and here it is.”
There are many video biographers across the country; online research and word-of-mouth referrals are good ways to find someone to create a video biography for your family.
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well as designations of amateur or professional. The Art is Ageless® Program encourages Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current event discussions throughout the year. Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the systemwide level.
Entry forms and information can be picked up at Fulton Presbyterian Manor, 811 Center St., or by contacting Dawn Smith at 573-642-6646. Go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online.
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Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor
by February 18, 2019.