Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
February 2015
Emerald Awards Program honors Presbyterian Manor Newton Presbyterian Manor received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica for reaching goals in fiscal year 2014, July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014. The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 18 locations 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 campus has to meet its goals in all 11 areas. Certificates of recognition were given out to campuses that reached their goals in one or more category. Newton Presbyterian Manor was recognized for achieving a fivestar rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. “This recognition is a visible sign of Newton 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. HONOR, continued on page 2
Living history
Memories of Ike at Presbyterian Manor Halfway between Kansas Day and President’s Day, we learned two fascinating ties between Newton Presbyterian Manor and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the only president to hail from the Sunflower State. When Eisenhower was in office, the Lamer Hotel in Abilene, Kan., was known as the “Little White House” because the nation’s 34th president set up camp there whenever he visited his hometown. Newton Presbyterian Manor resident Dorothy Legge met the president at least five times while she worked at the hotel, which also was known as the Sunflower. She worked evenings as a transcriptionist, much like being an accountant. “One evening, unbeknownst to his staff, he came down and visited with me without the permission of the Secret Service,” Legge said. “It was just like visiting with my dad. I really enjoyed him. He was very pleasant.” Legge, then in her 20s, saw Gen. Eisenhower while he was campaigning for the presidency and again after his election. He and his entourage IKE, continued on page 2
After Arellano escorted the former this man?” she said. “And after we started, it was like talking to my best president to his friend’s room, she would take over the building’s eighth friend.” offered coffee to the Secret Service floor, at the top. She remembers and other members of the group, people packing into the streets for Eisenhower had such strong ties including Sen. George McGovern. two blocks in each direction when to his actual childhood friends that Eisenhower gave a speech inside he once dropped in to visit one at “They filled up that whole circle Presbyterian Manor. the hotel to listen via loudspeakers drive there in front,” Arellano said. posted outside. “And Mrs. R.L. Price visited with Rosella Arellano, the evening Dwight Eisenhower, and it was nursing supervisor in the 1960s, But it was nothing like having her just like visiting with a next-door remembers getting a call from own private audience with a sitting Executive Director Lucille Anderson neighbor. It was a very beautiful president — the first one to get thing.” Legge’s vote. She said he asked about to tell her Mrs. R.L. Price would have a late visitor one night. her family and their farm. Eisenhower passed away soon after Arellano was to let him in. “I said, in 1969. His presidential legacy is He was especially interested in her who is it?” Arellano recalls. “And she preserved at the museum and library father, who was friends with former said, ‘President Eisenhower.’ And I dedicated to him in Abilene. And he president Herbert Hoover. said, ‘No problem.’” left a warm personal impression on “At first I was kind of scared, you Mrs. Price had grown up next door all who met this native Kansas son to the Eisenhowers in Abilene. face to face. know — how am I going to talk to
IKE, continued from page 1
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Marc Kessinger, executive director Noelle Dickinson, marketing director Melinda Ebersole, activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Noelle at ndickinson@pmma.org. Telephone: 316-283-5400 Fax: 316-284-5900 Address: 1200 E. Seventh, Newton, KS 67114-2862 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
From left, PMMA CEO Bruce Shogren, Newton Presbyterian Manor Executive Director Marc Kessinger and PMMA COO Doug Yoder. HONOR, continued from page 1
Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America is celebrating 65 years of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri. For information about Newton Presbyterian Manor, contact Marketing Director Noelle Dickinson at 316-283-5400 or ndickinson@pmma.org.
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Bravo of the Month Our Bravo of the Month goes to Victor Karanja, a certified nurse aide in Utz House. Eldon Fike says, “Victor always sees that my care is done properly. He is precise in instructing coworkers as to my care. He compliments his coworkers on care well done. He enjoys keeping me up to date on sports I’m interested in. We discuss incidents in some games, having a very jovial time.”
Employee milestones recognized Fourteen employees were presented with milestone awards and recognition gifts at the Employee Christmas Party.
Janice Good was recognized for 30 years of service. She began her work for the corporate office when it was in Newton and has been with Newton Presbyterian Manor in accounting for nearly 20 years. Helen Brown, director of social services, celebrated her 20th anniversary, and Paula Hoskinson, dining services, was recognized for 10 years of service. Five year awards were presented to health services employees Mary Abbas, Jane Downs, Jodi Huntley, Ganiyu Kuye, Deb Lazaro, Michele McGee, Julie Stewart and Tami Temple. Others receiving five year awards were Harvey Friesen, transportation; Linda Loyles, assisted living; and Mari Sailors, preschool.
Marc Kessinger, executive director, and Janice Good, accounting employee.
Marc Kessinger, executive director, and Helen Brown, director of social services.
Thank you, Victor, for your kind, compassionate care. You demonstrate dignity, respect, leadership, service and teamwork. Victor will take home gift cards for dinner and a movie for two as a small token for his extra effort.
Opening in February A two-bedroom, two-bath cottage and a two-bedroom, one-bath duplex will be available this month. Call Noelle Dickinson at 316-283-5400 if you have questions about these maintenance-free homes. 3
Chaplain’s Corner: Unable to enjoy By Jerroll Martens, chaplain, Newton Presbyterian Manor
The writer in Ecclesiastes 6 speaks of a man to whom the providence of God has allowed great riches and honor, but he is not able to enjoy them. Rather, often, a stranger is the beneficiary. Indeed to enjoy the blessings of life is a gift. How can one miss the gift? Let’s look at some reasons. Man is made to have fellowship with God, and when that is missing, material things cannot fill the void. Some die an unexpected early death. A covetous heart never has enough to be happy. A selfish heart thinks only of self and cannot enjoy the blessings of the Lord. Sometimes health issues prevent the enjoyment of riches. Broken relationships may cloud life so much that wealth can never compensate for it. There is short satisfaction in having everything one wants but still lacking the peace of God. Sometimes providence, and other times our own choices and attitudes, may withhold the gift of enjoying material blessings. Riches themselves are not the problem, but leaving God out is the issue. He is more than all, the giver of all, the one who should be first in our lives. He not only gives gifts but also the ability to enjoy them. We will enjoy his gifts when we let God be God in our lives.
A season of giving
Above: The employees thank our Presbyterian Manor family for the generous gifts of appreciation at Christmas.
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Left: Elves from the Broadway apartments stuffed cloth gift bags for Apple-A-Day preschoolers at Christmas. The gifts included handmade items for each student. Hank Heidebrecht made 48 wood cars, which neighbors then painted with cheerful colors. Burna Stephens crocheted red stockings filled with miniature candy canes. Others bought candy and clementines. Organized by Broadway representatives Marge Graham and Ann Heidebrecht, the group also wrapped more than 100 gifts for the employee Christmas party, and they’ve been creating fleece tied blankets for residents.
New community arises from growing senior needs This month, we continue to look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan. This month, we continue our look back at 65 years of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America with the birth of Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kan.
the project. Dr. Robert Meneilly steered a committee of local and church leaders in the “Building for Our Future” campaign for Aberdeen Village.
In 1996, Presbyterians in Johnson County were convinced there was a need for a new Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus in the Greater Kansas City area, and specifically in Johnson County. At the time, there were no Christian-based nonprofit senior living communities offering the full continuum of care in Johnson County.
The project included a threestory building for 90 independent living apartments, 44 assisted living suites in a twostory building, and a 60-bed health care center with 15 spaces reserved for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
A 37-acre tract of land just east of West 119th Street and Ridgeview Road in Olathe was donated for
Construction began in 1999. Aberdeen Village opened its doors in May 2001 as the 17th campus for Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica.
“Be of Good Cheer” committee members honoring the work of Dr. Bob Meneilly.
Construction is underway on Aberdeen Village.
Coming Up in Community Matters Community Matters will be looking forward to the change in seasons to spring and preparing to celebrate Easter. We’re looking for residents with a story to tell. What’s your favorite March Madness memory? Who’s your favorite baseball team? Why? What’s your favorite baseball memory? What does spring mean to you? What do you remember about spring as a child or adult? What’s your favorite Easter memory? If you have a story to tell, contact Marketing Director Noelle Dickinson to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.
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Newton Presbyterian Manor 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 Return Service Requested
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