Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
March 2018
Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception this month 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 Manor of the Plains. “It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Kurt Lampe, marketing director for Manor of the Plains. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Dodge City community.” The Art is Ageless exhibit will feature works from local artists who are 65 and older, including a few Manor of the Plains 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. ART, continued on page 2
Jean Lasater Honnold looks back on her time as a broadcaster for 1370 KGNO radio in Dodge City.
A broadcast icon
Jean Lasater Honnold was a favorite host on the Dodge City airwaves March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women who blazed their own trail. This month, we’re sharing the story of a Manor of the Plains resident who told the stories of Dodge City on the radio for more than 20 years. Over three decades, Jean Lasater became a household name throughout southwestern Kansas, thanks to the warm, personal interviews she did for years on local radio and TV programs. From 1987 to 2000, “The Jean Lasater Show” was a favorite on 1370 KGNO radio. “Every time we go somewhere, someone remembers Jean and wants to catch up on old times,” said her husband, Jack Honnold. ICON, continued on page 2
ICON, continued from page 1
Today, Jean and Jack are enjoying life at Manor of the Plains. The couple, who married in 1998, volunteer three days a week delivering mail to residents in assisted living and health care. Even before moving to Manor of the Plains, Jean knew she had touched generations of people in the Dodge City area. She met people who said she had interviewed their grandmothers. Her former station general manager, Mike Kinnan, called Jean “a broadcast icon” in a Dodge City Globe story about her retirement in 2000. Jean didn’t set out to be an icon.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Manor of the Plains by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Jerry Korbe, executive director Kurt Lampe, marketing director Lisa Montoya, activity director Jacque Soltero, health care activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Kurt at klampe@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-225-1928 Fax: 620-225-3982 Address: 200 Campus Dr., Dodge City, KS 67801-2760
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. ManorofthePlains.org
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Community Matters March 2018
Newspaper article from Jean Lasater Honnold’s retirement.
She had a degree in sociology and was working at the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce in 1969 when she was asked to host a local TV program. The station manager came into their offices to find a host, and he singled out Jean because she was working there only part time. From then on, Jean worked off and on at local radio and TV stations, sticking to part-time hours when her children were at home. She hit her stride with her interview program in 1987. In the Globe story about her retirement, Jean talked about her approach to interviewing
people and getting them to talk to her. “I want my guests to look good, I want them to feel positive,” she said then. “I’ve tried to let my guests do most of the talking.” Looking back today, Jean said she had the best job in town, and sometimes wishes she hadn’t retired after all. “I loved being around all the people and interacting with them,” she said. “I really miss those days, but I also enjoy life at Manor of the Plains. It gives me a chance to be around people.”
ART, continued from page 1
The exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 8 to 14. In addition to the exhibit, Manor of the Plains will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 15. Like us on Facebook
How to be supportive to friends experiencing loss A ‘support’ crash course to guide you through difficult times By Ken Druck for Next Avenue
Loss is an inescapable part of life. Whether we’ve lost someone to death, or are going through a living loss such as divorce, retirement, a life-threatening illness, a debilitating injury or a life-altering condition like dementia or addiction, support can make all the difference in helping us summon the strength, faith and courage to fight our way back into life. Let this list of “dos and don’ts” guide you to say and do the kinds of things that have proven genuinely helpful to those who are grieving the loss of a family member, friend or colleague: Do • Express your condolences. A simple, sincere “I’m so sorry for your loss,” a soft hand on a shoulder or a caring hug are usually perfect. • Be present. Stay in touch even when others begin to disappear. • Show you genuinely care through kind words and actions. It’s OK to also show that you care with your tears of sorrow. • Be a safe harbor for others to express their feelings. Allow them to grieve without fear of being judged, analyzed, fixed, cured, saved or healed. • Use your listening skills. Listen patiently, and ask open-ended questions to see how they’re doing, what they need and/or how you can be helpful. Like us on Facebook
• Give them multiple options for what you could do to help. By doing so, they’ll know you’re serious. Listen intently, and do what they ask. • Ask their preferences. Ask them how they would like your support on special dates such as birthdays, “angel-versaries” (days of their passing) or holidays. • Show genuine concern, kindness, understanding, patience, empathy and compassion. This is a time to put your ego on the shelf and be of service to others. • Stay humble, flexible, relaxed and at ease when you’re with those who are grieving. And now, don’t • Don’t assume you know how they feel or what they want. • Don’t put a psychological, religious or spiritual spin on their losses. • Refrain from anything that might be interpreted as a “Hurry up.” • Don’t compare your loss to theirs.
• Don’t suggest a quick fix to take away the pain. • Don’t take it personally if they’re not responding to you in the way you’d hoped. Remember, it’s not about you! • Don’t be insensitive. Don’t allow your own feelings of helplessness, impatience or intolerance of their continuing sorrow to cause you to say something insensitive. • Don’t avoid, gloss over, act cute, change the subject or pretend that nothing has happened — or if you do, that nothing was said. • Don’t ignore your own triggers. Don’t hide, deny, repress, avoid, displace, dumb down or “medicate” the feelings of sorrow, anger, or guilt that may have been triggered by their losses. • Don’t make executive decisions about what they need without consulting them. To find out more about Dr. Ken Druck’s Compassionate Workplace programs, family council meetings, articles on grief and bereavement coaching, visit KenDruck.com. Manor of the Plains
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Manor of the Plains 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 Return Service Requested
Tell us your story We will be celebrating Older American’s Month and National Nursing Home Week in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. The Older Americans Month theme is “Engage at Every Age.” If you have ways that you are intentionally staying engaged in activities you’ve always loved, using technology or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story. Contact Kurt Lampe, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters March 2018
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