Commun ty Matters Kansas City Presbyterian Manor
“Believe”
December 2014
Childhood Christmas Memories Put Family in Focus Norma Crum Fondly Recalls Time with Cousins during the Holidays
By President and CEO Bruce Shogren As I look forward to the holiday season, one word is key to this season: “believe.”
I truly believe in three key people: Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and the employees of the Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica system.
What could be more important than Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ? I grew up in a church in which every Sunday we would state our belief by reciting the Apostles’ Creed. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen. BELIEVE continued on page 2
While some remember Christmas as a time of frilly dresses, fancy treats and far more gifts than you’d ever need, Norma Crum’s Christmas memories are simpler, and perhaps sweeter. “We had such good Christmases all the way around. Our immediate family was small, just my sister Virginia and I, but we had a big family, because my mother was one of 12 siblings. We would all gather at one of the family homes in Emporia every year. We’d rotate houses,” said Norma. “In kindergarten, we moved to Kansas City, but it was still close enough to go back every year, no matter the weather.” For Norma, Christmastime meant family time. The gifts were just an added bonus. One year, she and her sister both received bicycles, a huge surprise. “Sure, we gave gifts and got them, but that’s not really what I remember. We didn’t have much, but we had each other. The houses we’d gather at were small, but we didn’t mind. The men would gather in one room and talk, the women in another, and the children would all run around together wherever we could. My dad was a jokester, so it was always a good time when he was around,” said Norma. After she grew up and had children of her own, Norma kept the focus of Christmas on family. “I had three boys, so there was always hullabaloo and fighting, but there was lots of laughter. I now have seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren,” said Norma. As with many family get-togethers, there was more than just laughter shared around the dinner table. “Anytime we were together there was a lot of food. I can’t remember any particular traditional dishes, just a lot of good things to eat and lots of desserts,” said Norma. There is one sweet, however, that stands out as Norma recalls her childhood Christmas. “We always made fudge every year.” We hope your Christmas memories are just as sweet as Norma’s, this year, and every year!
BELIEVE continued from page 1
This belief statement says it all for me and has been the guiding statement throughout my life. It has given me the ability to believe in the power of prayer, which has really been needed daily as my wife was healing in the hospital and at home. This Christmas season, I pray you reflect on that night long ago when Jesus was born and you continue to realize the impact his birth has had on all our lives.
My second key belief is in the spirit of Santa Claus. Santa has always been a big part of my family’s Christmas celebrations, dating back to when I was a little one. Santa has always come out of the fireplace in the house I grew up in in Lindsborg, ®
®
Kansas. It is quite the spectacle to see the Jolly Old Elf come out of PaPa Har’s (my dad’s) fireplace to deliver gifts to all the good girls and boys of the Shogren family after losing his pants once again. “Har, when are you going to fix your chimney,” Santa states every year to the delight of all in the room.You have to be there to really experience it and believe it.
But the actual thrill in believing in the spirit of Santa Claus is to be a “Santa Helper.” To see the joy in the eyes of a child when he or she sits on Santa’s lap, to experience a surprise appearance by Santa is unforgettable whether it is to children or adults, to give an unexpected and thoughtful gift which says “I know you” is pure happiness for the giver, the receiver and those watching, and the best is when someone will ask with a wink and whisper in Santa’s ear, “Who are you, really?” and Santa gets to tell them the truth:You are really Santa Claus. Priceless!
Finally, my third and final belief is in the employees of the PMMA system in providing the care and services to you. Being on the side of receiving care in the past year by a caring hospital nursing and health care staff, I appreciate even more the PMMA staff throughout our system that daily provide the health care, friendship, caring and a whole lot more to you, our residents. Please join me in thanking your community’s staff for their commitment to our mission, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.
As I close my letter, let me wish that you know the blessing of being a child of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, the joy of caring for others, and that you still hear the bell ring and truly believe.
Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear!
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 Gordon, executive director Charley Lewis, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Charley at clewis@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
2 COMMUNITY MATTERS DECEMBER 2014
Pictured left to right, Rosie Suell with daughter Louise Mays, Bob Parra, Jon Simma, son of Charlie Simma, and Charlie, activity staff member Gef Holmes, residents Claude Johnson, Linda Closser and Veone Gripp enjoy a lunch outing to the Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kan.
Leslie Gallaway entertains residents and guests at the October Fest.
Needs drive expansion plans
This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica celebrates 65 years of the art of life.
The desire for more independent living drove expansion for Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America in the late 1980s. Duplex or apartment projects were approved for the campuses in Sterling, Wichita, Topeka, Parsons, Arkansas City and Lawrence. Existing spaces were renovated in Sterling, Arkansas City, Kansas City and Newton, and a new health care center was constructed in Newton. Wichita received funds for and constructed a chapel. Community interest and persistence led to the development of a campus in Emporia. Ground was broken on May 22, 1984, and Emporia Presbyterian Manor campus opened in 1986. Construction started on a new campus in Dodge City in a joint venture with
Resident Esther Robbins enjoys decorating pumpkins for fall.
the CSJ Health System of Wichita, Kan. The new campus, adjacent to St. Mary of the Plains College, was named Manor of the Plains. In conjunction with the closing of St. Mary of the Plains campus in 1992, Presbyterian Manors Inc. acquired CSJ Health System’s joint venture interest in Manor of the Plains and became the sole owner. PMMA’s dream of providing services for severely physically handicapped adults became a reality when Hutchinson Heights opened in 1986. The 1980s also brought serious conversations about the relationship between Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica and the synods of the Presbyterian Church as well as increased competition in the senior care market. Board minutes from 1986
demonstrate PMMA’s desire to keep the ties with the Synod of MidAmerica and individual Presbyterian churches strong. In 1989, the original United Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas Inc. (Newton), and the other separate Kansas Manor corporations, (Arkansas City, Clay Center, Emporia, Kansas City, Lawrence, Manor of the Plains, Parsons, Salina, Sterling, Topeka and Wichita) and Presbyterian Manors of Missouri Inc. (Farmington, Fulton and Rolla) were merged to form Presbyterian Manors Inc. In 1990, an office building was constructed in northeast Wichita and the headquarters of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc. moved from Newton to Wichita.
Residents Ann Davis, Hope Reyes, Activity Staff members Sheilah Smith and Jan Hagan and resident Ethel Patterson enjoy the horses at the Mahaffie Stage Coach Stop in Olathe. KANSAS CITY PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3
Seeking ‘angels’ for Good Samaritan Program
Christmas angel ornaments – each representing a gift to the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care – are adding to the holiday decorations at Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s senior living communities. Donors responding to the annual Christmas Angel Appeal letter mailed in November include paper angel ornaments with their gifts. Each ornament will then be displayed at the PMMA community designated by the donor. During the past two years, angel donors have given more than $94,000 to the Good Samaritan Program, which assists PMMA residents who have run out of funds through no fault of their own.
®
®
Kansas City Presbyterian Manor 7850 Freeman Kansas City, KS 66112-2133 Return Service Requested
Tired of paper?
Sign up to get our newsletter by email. Visit KansasCityPresbyterianManor.org and enter your email address in the blue box on the right.
Please Join Us for Holiday Fun
Family Christmas Meal
Two Dates to Choose From: Dec. 15: 5-6 p.m. or Dec. 16 12-1 p.m. Menu: Prime Rib, Loaded Baked Potato, Vegetable Medley, Dinner Roll and Cheesecake $10.00 per guest. Limited seating. Entertainment provided. Please RSVP to front reception desk by Monday, December 8. 4 COMMUNITY MATTERS DECEMBER 2014
December Special Events
Dec. 3–Evening Christmas Light Tour Dec. 9–In the Evening, Holiday Grief Support Group with Grace Hospice Dec. 12–2:30 p.m. Resident Christmas Play “The Nativity” Dec. 22–2 p.m. Santa visits with Caroling & Presents Dec. 24–7 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service in the Chapel with Chaplain Diane Dec. 31–2 p.m. News Years Eve Party with Entertainment by David Jackson
Please see activity calendar for more December events.