Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
April 2017
Chaplain’s corner: After His kind By Jerroll Martens, Newton Presbyterian Manor chaplain
Springtime is planting time for gardeners and farmers. When planting the seed, they already know that it will produce more of its own kind. Our wonderful Creator-God set this in order on the third day of creation, noted in Genesis 1:11. Corn will always produce corn, and so it happens with every kind of seed. This is also true of the animal world. There may be many varieties within a family, but all remain in the family. This is clearly seen in the national dog show where there so many sizes and shapes of dogs. Our God is one of order and consistency. He also promised seasons for seedtime and harvest. In many ways our lives too have sowing and harvest. May God help us to sow the kind of seed that can produce blessing in our lives and in those around us. May we remember His promises are sure!
Dog days Canines enjoy ‘working’ at Presbyterian Manor Judy Rasmussen’s dogs know when it’s Thursday. They don’t eat breakfast, because they know they’re coming to Newton Presbyterian Manor, where they get stuffed with treats and love. Judy has been bringing Elly, a German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix, and beagle Harley to visit our residents for about three years. “I was taking one at a time every Thursday morning. Then for some reason I took both a couple times. Now I can’t get out of the house without both of them,” Judy said. “They’re sitting at the door on that day. When we get up that morning, I tell them we’re going to work and don’t run off.” As jobs go, these dogs have it made. They visit four different neighborhoods at Presbyterian Manor, getting petted and treated to their heart’s content. “There are a couple of residents who have treats themselves. Believe me, the dogs know exactly where they are,” Judy said. DOGS, continued on page 2
DOGS, continued from page 1
This month, Judy will be one of the many dozens of generous helpers we will honor at our annual volunteer reception. Judy was volunteering with Caring Hands Humane Society when she met another volunteer who brought her dog to a few senior communities in the area. When she stopped being able to go, Judy stepped in. Judy still volunteers once a week at the shelter, too. Volunteer work became Judy’s focus after she retired from a 50-year career as an executive secretary. She said she wanted to
work with kids, animals, and the elderly. When her own mother was in nursing care, she realized how much it made a difference to add something special to the residents’ daily routine. “Some of the activity leaders here have told me there are people who wouldn’t come out of their rooms or talk before we started coming, and now they do,” Judy said. One woman did not touch the dogs at first, but now Harley will climb into her lap. Some residents who can’t reach down will just rub the dogs with their feet. “The dogs enjoy it, and then they collapse in the car on the way home,” she said.
Elly and Harley were guests at last year’s volunteer banquet, too – but instead of cupcakes, they got special dog treats. Our thanks go out to all of our volunteers, two- and fourlegged!
Upcoming events for April 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
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Wednesday April 12, 2-3 p.m. – Founders Day celebration, main dining room Friday April 14, 2:45 p.m. – Easter egg hunt, Haury Place courtyard. Residents, families, and employees and their families are all welcome! Wednesday April 19, 2:30 p.m. – April birthday celebration with special guests, the Newton High School Railaires
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Friday April 21, 2:30 p.m. – Volunteer reception, main dining room. All Presbyterian Manor volunteers are encouraged to attend!
NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
Friday April 28, 5-8 p.m. – Apple Blossom Festival, Manor lawn (or Harvey County Fairgrounds if weather doesn’t allow)
Community Matters April 2017
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Newton Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners Newton Presbyterian Manor hosted a reception in March for the winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition. “We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Noelle Dickinson, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.” Winners in the Newton Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were: Sculpture/3D Judges Choice: Lois Hamilton, “Wire Tree”
“Flint Hills – Kansas Treasure” Christmas (amateur) Judges Choice: Rosie Goering, “One Fine Christmas Morning” Christmas (professional) Judges Choice: Virgil Penner, “Christmas at Grandma’s House” Fiber Arts
Second: Verne M. Goering, “Hummer”
Judges Choice: Colin Bailey, “Busy Fingers”
Honorable Mention: Hank Heidebrecht, “Flag Box,” and Dick Alumbaugh, “Covered Bridge”
Honorable Mention: Carol Schrag, “Never too old…to teach! (baby afghan)”
Drawing (amateur)
Quilting
Second: Rachel Poling, “Incident at the Hokkaido Power Plant” Third: Walter S. Friesen, “Kansas Skies over Old Santa Fe Trail”
Drawing (professional)
Honorable Mention: Mary Alice Davidson, “Autumn Night;” Judges Choice: L. Deane Frey, Rita Patterson, “Just a Memory;” “Flying South” and Marie Regehr, “Pink and White Mixed Media/Crafts (amateur) Blooms.”
Judges Choice: Dana F. Johnson, “Roadside Tree.”
Judges Choice: Carol M. Friesen, “Pressed Flower Note Cards:
Photography (amateur)
Honorable Mention: Irene Isaac, “Birthday Cards”
Judges Choice: Walter S. Friesen, “Sand Creek (Meade Co. KS)”
Judges Choice: Richard R. (Dick) McCall, “Prepare to Dance” Second: Roma Schmidt, “Bent’s Old Fort” Honorable Mention: Mary Lee, “Kansas Clouds” Photography (professional) Judges Choice: Max Voran, Like us on Facebook
Mixed Media/Crafts (professional) Judges Choice: Peggy Wambold, “Kansas Winter Sunset” Painting (amateur) Judges Choice: Hulda Schrag, “Mother’s Day Memories”
Painting (professional) Judges Choice: Constance Gehring, “Marigold Delight” Second: Velera Adams, “Reflections” Third: R. Allan Lister, “Golden Shroud” Honorable Mention: Gene Marsh, “Victim of Greed,” and Joe Flask, “Sunsets West” WINNERS, continued on page 4 Newton Presbyterian Manor
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WINNERS, continued from page 3
A People’s Choice Award will be named after the exhibit closes in late March. All who visit the exhibit may vote for their favorite piece in the exhibit. Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level may be selected for publication in PMMA’s annual
Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.
Volunteer with us!
Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. The Art is Ageless program encourages Newton Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.
Contact Director of Life Enrichment Melinda Ebersole at mebersole@ pmma.org or 316-283-5400 if you have interest in any of the following opportunities. We invite you to share your time and talents with us!
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Plant care: As you know, we have two lovely wings with large windows and many plants that need TLC. Volunteers care for these plants, and the more we have, the better the care! Chapel assistants: Neighbors in our health care households count on volunteers to get them to and from chapel services on Friday mornings and Sunday mornings and evenings. Volunteers can choose weekly or monthly, or be a substitute.
Don’t miss these performances! Don’t miss these great performances at Apple Blossom Festival April 28! 4:45 p.m. Shriner’s Jazz Band 5:40 p.m. High Street Dancers
Friday, April 28 5-8 p.m.
6:05 p.m. Apple-a-Day Preschool 6:20 p.m. Newton Community
Children’s Choir
6:45 p.m. St. Mary’s Children’s Choir 7:10 p.m. Great Plains Jazz
Orchestra
In case of inclement weather, the Festival will be moved to the Harvey County Fairgrounds.
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Community Matters April 2017
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Above left: A performance by Angel Feet dance studio filled the main dining room with music, dance and a grateful audience. Above right: A recent Health Learning Lecture featured the therapy services team who described the kinds of services available and the process for getting started with a therapy regimen. Blood pressures and private discussions with a campus nurse are also available at each of these monthly lectures. The public is welcome, so invite a friend! Left: Mardi Gras was celebrated with a special lunch menu, sparkly decorations and masks, and an evening concert by the Shriner’s Jazz Band.
Above: An unusually warm winter day made lunch at Stearman Field Bar and Grill the perfect stop. The group enjoyed great food and watching small planes take off and land on the runway nearby. Left: Presbyterian Manor invests in its employees by providing continual training on topics relevant to their work. Employees who interact with our memory care households recently worked with Everett Bradley from Prairie View on defusing emotionally charged situations. We talked about how best to approach neighbors who are angry or upset, and how to be a calming force as we serve each one.
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Newton Presbyterian Manor 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 Return Service Requested
Bravo of the Month Our Bravo of the Month goes to Dyllan Uplinger in dining services. Tammy Chastain says, “Dyllan is a great asset to our department. He will go above and beyond in his duties! Today I witnessed Dyllan scrubbing the grout lines in the dishroom floor without someone asking him to. He saw a need and he took charge!” Co-worker Lizet Franco says, “He was nice enough to cover an evening shift for me last week when I was sick, so that I could stay home and rest after working a morning shift. Thank you!” Dyllan was recognized at a surprise gathering of his peers and received gift cards for dinner and a movie. Congratulations, Dyllan!
Father’s Day We will be featuring summertime and Father’s Day in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story to tell about a memorable Father’s Day or how your father influenced you, we want to share it. If summertime is your favorite time of year and you’ve got great memories to share, let us know. If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Noelle Dickinson and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters April 2017
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