Commun ty Matters
May 2016
Kansas City Presbyterian Manor
COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:
Everyone has a story to tell
Independence Day marks the middle of summer and holds many fond and patriotic memories. Do you have a memorable Fourth of July story to tell? For seniors, maintaining independence is important to quality of life. How do you maintain your independence while living on a senior living campus? What did you gain by moving to the campus? What surprised you about campus life? If you’ve got a story to share about independence, contact Tina Ashford, activity director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters. SIGN UP to receive our newsletter by email.
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One magnificent Mother
Every May, we celebrate Mother’s Day, and honor the women who helped lovingly mold the people we are today. While many mothers deserve recognition and honor, as Vera Hartman’s sons would tell you, “She’s the world’s best mom.”
“Smother your children with love, and pray for them daily.”
Her sons, Richard and Larry, were born 22 months apart, and were more than enough to keep Vera busy while her husband worked as an electrician. They lived on a small farm outside of Kansas City, and raised quail, chickens, sheep and other farm animals, which kept the boys active in 4-H.
Both boys were active in sports, and often “practiced” their wrestling technique on each other, which led to Richard becoming a champion wrestler. They were also involved in football and tennis, and Larry played in the band. Vera didn’t drive while the boys were being raised, so if they missed the bus,
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they weren’t able to attend school that day. They recall the humorous way Vera woke them each morning. “She’d pound on our beds with fly swatters until we got up!”
Vera’s husband passed away in 1974, and she chose to never remarry. Both of her sons served in the military. Richard was in the Air Force and became a pilot when he retired. Larry was in the Navy Reserves, and later became a pediatric dentist. She’s very proud of her sons, her five grandchildren, and seven greatgrandchildren. Larry lives in Portland, Ore., and Richard in Seattle, Wash., but they take turns
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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Kansas City Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org Peatric Gates, executive director Tina Ashford, activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Tina at tashford@pmma.org. Telephone: 913-334-3666 Fax: 913-334-2904 Address: 7850 Freeman, Kansas City, KS 66112-2133 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. KansasCityPresbyterianManor.org
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flying to visit Vera every month.
She’s a very strong person, and lived on her own until the age of 94. Always limber and healthy, she fascinated her many grandchildren by being able to touch the floor with the palms of her hands up until the age of 88. She was an active volunteer at Stoney Point Church, and did a lot of
volunteering, even serving here at Presbyterian Manor sewing name patches into resident clothing.
We’re honored to share a residence with this special mother, and offer her words of advice to new mothers just starting out. “Smother your children with love, and pray for them daily.”
2016 Exhibit for Art is Ageless® opens May 9 The Art is Ageless® exhibit will be open 2:30 to 4 p.m. May 9 - 13 and feature works from local artists who are 65 and older, including a few Presbyterian Manor residents. The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit of acrylics, oils, photography and various other mediums, ranging from amateur to professional levels. In addition to the exhibit, Presbyterian Manor will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13.
The Art is Ageless® program has been encouraging creativity in seniors for more than 35 years, and is sponsored by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA), which is a nonprofit organization that owns and operates 18 senior living communities in Missouri and Kansas. Each year the organization publishes an Art is Ageless calendar, featuring works by amateur senior artists. Proceeds from the sale of calendars are reinvested into new art programs and opportunities for PMMA residents.
The exhibit is open 2:30 to 4 p.m. May 9 - 13. Reception honoring senior artists 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 13
Resident artist recalls creative endeavors Donna Ashley is a woman of many talents. She’s been involved in making a variety of arts and crafts for nearly as long as she can remember. Recently, she’s submitted some of her stained glass work to Kansas City Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless® display and juried art competition.
“I did Art is Ageless® last year, and it was very enjoyable, so when Tina asked me to do it again, of course I said yes!” said Donna.
Tina Ashford, activity director, is thrilled that Donna, and many other resident and community artists participate in the annual event.
“Last year, Donna entered a quilt hanging, which was stitched all by hand. This year, it’s stained glass, so that shows the range of her interests,” said Tina. Quilting and stained glass are just two of many areas Donna has explored, including painting and even “kitchen witch” making.
“Way back when, everyone had these little ‘kitchen witches’ hanging in their homes. They were just silly things that were supposed to ward off evil spirits. When I was first married, we didn’t have enough money to buy everyone gifts, so I made those. I gave them to my mom and sisters. I’ve been doing some kind of artwork all night,” said Donna. Donna grew up and has remained in the Kansas City area. She met her husband Gene, whose parents emigrated from Lithuania, and they were involved in a Lithuanian dance group that met on Sundays to practice at a local church.
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Donna Ashley created this stained glass and the kitchen witch that she is holding.
Gene (who also resides at Presbyterian Manor) and Donna had two sons and a daughter and have seven children and seven great grandchildren. Donna continued her passion for art as an outlet while her children were young. Her children, influenced by their mother’s artistic talent their father’s musical abilities, have all enjoyed and participated in the arts. “Our oldest boy was career Coast Guard and played in their band. My daughter had three years of college then got married, and her husband is in a ukulele band. Our youngest graduated from the conservatory of music, then became an attorney, but still plays in a band,” said Donna. Donna fondly recalls the first time she and her family learned to create stained glass, which they all enjoyed making. “At the church where we practiced our
dancing, the lady told us about a grant they’d received from the government to teach stained glass making. Well, nobody had signed up, so we did! My youngest son was especially fond of it, and has made some lovely things,” said Donna.
In addition to art and music, Donna’s family enjoyed traveling.
“My daughter’s husband was involved in repairing large cooling towers all over the world. They’ve lived all over, and we traveled to see them. We’ve been to Australia and China and Hawaii. And of course our oldest son was in the Coast Guard and was stationed different places, so we traveled then, too,” said Donna.
We’re glad to have Donna and Gene here at Presbyterian Manor to share their many wonderful experiences, memories and talents with us.
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OUTINGS
Please see Activity Bulletin Board for more details on monthly outings.
Mobile Library – May 12 & 26 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. KCKPL—Kansas City Kansas Public Library Mobile Library will be here in the Parking Lot. Residents and the community are welcome to visit the mobile library.
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Kansas City Presbyterian Manor 7850 Freeman Kansas City, KS 66112-2133 Return Service Requested
Thursday, May 5—2p.m. Cinco De Mayo Party
Friday, May 6—2 p.m. Musical Bingo with Hospice Partners Friday, May 20—2 p.m. Elegant Tennis Activity
Thursday, May 26— 2:30 Western Wyandotte Library Branch Craft Session
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MAY ACTIVITIES & EVENTS Help us Enjoy “Celebrating the Arts”
National Nursing Home Week May 8 through May 14 Monday, May 9 – “Fine Arts” at 10 a.m. “Memories in the Making” Oil Painting & Sculpture Display at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 – “Visual Arts” at 9:30 a.m. Music Therapy Programs & Dance Off at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11 – “Decorative Arts” at 10 a.m. with Arts & Crafts Project
Thursday, May 12 – “Applied Arts” at 10 a.m. with Art Presentation Speaker Interior Design PEAK Session at 2 p.m. “Decorate your Bedroom” Friday, May 13th – “Art is Ageless Reception” at 2:30 p.m. Celebrate our Residents' Artwork with a Wine & Cheese reception and Harpist