Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
September 2017
‘Mr. and Mrs. Clean’ In honor of International Housekeepers Week, celebrated every September, we highlight two new members of our environmental services team who exemplify the reason for this observance: “The true heroes of any building operation, cleaning employees have one of the toughest jobs in a building, but also one of the most important.” Suzanne Blea loves a clean house. It doesn’t matter if it’s hers or not. So when she went looking for a career change earlier this year, she decided to give housekeeping a try for the first time. A few weeks later, her husband followed suit. Now, Clarence and Suzanne are already well-known around Manor of the Plains for their cheerful personalities and their dedication to a job well done. “I love it; it’s fun. I enjoy the people I work with,” Suzanne said. Marketing Director Kurt Lampe took notice of Suzanne when she started work in the spring because CLEAN, continued on page 4
“Girl Reading a Book” by Phill Gonzales.
Artist Phill Gonzales honored as Best in Show Phill Gonzales made his first drawing when a girlfriend tore up a photo from his wallet, and he decided to reproduce it from memory. From then on, he kept making art — not with any formal training, but by making connections with artists he met throughout his life. His mentors included a court artist for the Dutch royal family and abstract painter and printmaker Bill Bomar. Although he still considers himself a hobbyist, Phill’s artwork continues to gain recognition. He received the Best in Show award, amateur GONZALES, continued on page 2
Shoebox gift prep begins for Operation Christmas Child Volunteer Doris Moldenhauer, far left, works with resident Shirley Richardson to turn old T-shirts into jump ropes. The toys will be included in the “shoebox gifts” they will pack later this fall for Operation Christmas Child. Doris and other volunteers work with our residents on a variety of items to put in the shoeboxes, which are sent to children in need around the world. The gifts are collected at designated drop-off sites every year during the third week of November.
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division, in the Art is Ageless® masterpiece level competition for his painting “Girl Reading a Book.”
Phill’s art also incorporates the motifs of Native American and Mexican art into much of his work. He lived in New Mexico off and “It’s an honor because it was on while he was young, served in going up against some pretty the Army, and eventually moved to doggone good pieces. That’s pretty Dodge City after he graduated from impressive. It surprised me,” he said. college there.
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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At the 2017 Art is Ageless exhibit at Manor of the Plains in Dodge City, Phill took home three amateur division prizes: first place in painting and drawing, and second in mixed media/crafts. He has tried his hand at most art forms, Phill said, and he lets inspiration be his guide. “There’s a little voice inside you that tells you what to look for and how to do it. I guess every person who does art has that voice in there,” he said.
Some of his favorite Southwestern and Mexican artists include R.C. Gorman, Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia, Diego Rivera, and Frida Kahlo. Last summer, a highlight of his trip to New York City was going to the Museum of Modern Art, where he studied classics by Picasso and Matisse up close.
“Girl Reading a Book” is a copy of a classic painting that Phill liked, but he altered the child’s face to resemble his own granddaughter.
A prolific artist, Phill said he can have up to seven or eight works in progress at a time. But that has led to a storage problem: “I’ve got so many pieces. I’ve got them under the bed, in the closet, in the attic, in the storeroom.”
“I am mostly influenced by Baroque and Renaissance art; those are my two favorite periods. I’ve done lots of work trying to imitate the great masters,” he said.
So he’s thinking of taking a bit of a break, and possibly getting more of his pieces into exhibits. Some have already been displayed at a gallery in Tucumcari, N.M. Like us on Facebook
Events and activities at Manor of the Plains run the gamut, from gospel to trike races
The Armouraires performing for the fifth year during the Night of Praise Concert. This our 19th year providing the concert for Dodge City Days.
New Case Manager Alicia Stude competing in the Wacky Tricycle race during Dodge City Days. Below, Beki Jo Vieux tends the entrance table to the concert.
Guest performance by Sacred Harmony from Johnson City, Tenn.
Manor of the Plains’ turtle races during Dodge City Days. There are six pet turtles in the assisted living outdoor space, and our turtle races were a big hit. Like us on Facebook
Manor of the Plains
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of her energetic approach. “She came in on a mission; she was power washing everything,” Kurt said. Then, when Clarence came on staff about six weeks later, Kurt couldn’t resist nicknaming the couple “Mr. and Mrs. Clean.” Although, as Kurt points out, Clarence is anything but bald like the advertising icon. Clarence had been working in a lumber yard when Suzanne started her new job. However, they met working at Jimmy John’s sandwich shop, where Suzanne was Clarence’s
manager. They married two years ago. Suzanne seemed so happy at Manor of the Plains, and the housekeeping staff still had vacancies. They were used to working together, Clarence said, so he applied, too. “I love being around her,” he said. “I knew she was pretty happy with this job. I’m a pretty social person. I like talking to the elderly and helping people.” Before long, the accolades began rolling in, said Scott Stevens, director of environmental services.
He said it’s not often that members of his staff receive so much good feedback from the start, including several Bravo submissions. “The rapport they have makes the residents comfortable, so that they don’t feel they’re being intruded on,” Scott said. “They learn what the residents like and what their needs are.” We appreciate the hard work of our entire environmental services team to keep our surroundings clean, tidy and running smoothly!
Manor of the Plains 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 Return Service Requested
Show your gratitude... We will feature gratitude in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story about how gratitude has shaped you, 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. If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Kurt Lampe and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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