Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
February 2016
Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception features senior and local artists 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.
Tree project
Some have resumed art after putting it aside for a career, others have been creating beautiful pieces throughout their lives, and others never picked up a brush until after they retired, but all are now expressing themselves through art. In March, their works will be on display at Newton Presbyterian Manor.
Resident creates guide to trees on Presbyterian Manor campus
“It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Noelle Dickinson, marketing director. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Newton community.”
“I retired about five months ago, and I thought, that’s something I would enjoy doing,” Steve said.
ART IS AGELESS continued on page 2
Ever wonder what kind of tree is outside your window? Steve Schmidt can tell you. Last fall, Steve completed a map and catalog of all 193 trees on the Newton Presbyterian Manor campus. Since Steve and his wife, Wanda, moved to Presbyterian Manor six years ago, he often found himself wondering about the varieties of trees he saw on his daily walks.
Identifying the trees tugged at his roots as a biology teacher, which Steve did for a few years before turning to ministry as a career. He was pastor at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church near Goessel, Kan., for the past six years. Before that, he pastored a church in La Junta, Colo., for eight years, and pastored in Newton for 28 years before that. TREE, continued on page 3
ART IS AGELESS continued from page 1
To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Noelle at ndickinson@pmma.org.
for more than 35 years, and is sponsored by Presbyterian Manors The Art is Ageless exhibit will of Mid-America (PMMA), which feature works from local artists is a nonprofit organization that who are 65 and older, including a owns and operates 18 senior living few Presbyterian Manor residents. communities in Missouri and Kansas. The public is welcome to visit the Each year the organization publishes community to view the exhibit an Art is Ageless calendar, featuring of acrylics, oils, photography and various other mediums, ranging from works by amateur senior artists. Proceeds from the sale of calendars amateur to professional levels. The exhibit is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., are reinvested into new art programs and opportunities for PMMA March 10 through 25. residents. In addition to the exhibit, Presbyterian Manor will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10.
Telephone: 316-283-5400 Fax: 316-284-5900 Address: 1200 E. Seventh, Newton, KS 67114-2862
The Art is Ageless program has been encouraging creativity in seniors
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
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters February 2016
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Presbyterian Manor announces employee milestone awards Presbyterian Manor presented 14 employees with milestone awards and recognition gifts at the annual employee Christmas party in December. “The heartfelt service these employees give and the care and compassion they show every single day is nothing less than extraordinary and so very deserving of our recognition and appreciation,” said Sally Bender, human resource director. “By celebrating the employee service anniversaries at the party, we are showing all of our staff that they really are the most important resource we have.” Employees who celebrated anniversaries are:
5 Years
Darla Entz, dining services Sherrie Kelly, CMA, assisted living assistant
Teresa Reynolds, activity assistant
Catherine Runyon, CNA, Dannica Woeppel, LPN, health services assisted living Not pictured: Phil Abongo, RN, health services
10 Years
Abby Harrison, LPN, medical records-health services
Clarice McCartney, health services transportation aide and supply clerk
15 Years
Renee Hamm, director of Apple-a-Day Preschool
Chad Loyles, CMA, health services
Susan Milton, dining services assistant
Karri Penner, preschool teacher
25 Years
30 Years
Gloria Emry, dining services assistant
Juanita Rosalez, CMA, assisted living
Newton Presbyterian Manor
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Holiday events at the Manor
Many special events happened around the holidays, including concerts by the Bergen Sisters, a flute choir, and Charles Nida and Sounds of the Heartland Chorus. (Top three photos and photo on left.) Above: Volunteers wrapped more than 140 gifts for employees to be given during the employee Christmas party.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, Jan. 28, 2:30 p.m., library: Healthy Learning Lecture: Parkinson’s Disease by Michele Janssens, speech therapist Wednesday, Feb 24: Shopping trip to Nifty Nut House with lunch at Jason’s Deli Thursday, Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m., library: Healthy
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Community Matters February 2016
Learning Lecture: Diabetes by Jeanne Rziha RN, Greenhaw Pharmacy, Hillsboro (certified diabetic shoe-fitter) Healthy Learning Lectures are free and open to the public, brought to you by Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask Educational Series.
Chaplain’s corner: Good trouble? By Jerroll Martens, Newton Presbyterian Manor chaplain
“It was good for me that I have been afflicted…” These words by the writer in Psalm 119:71 seem strange. This Psalm of 176 verses is the longest chapter in the Bible. Apparently some kind of affliction was a part of his experience for which he cried to be delivered. But there was also a positive side to this affliction. In this case it helped him draw near to God and learn the experience of God’s grace. In verse 67 he states, “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.” Affliction had helped him to be more pleasing to God, more Christ-like. Ease of life, prosperity and having our way often lead us away from God rather than to Him. It is easy for one to be wrapped up in self, pride, and independence rather than a dependence and trust in God. In our affliction may we remember God has been better to all of us than we deserve. God knows what is best. The story of the Prodigal Son reminds us of the good Father, who is the hero, as well as the son whose affliction brought him to his senses and back to his Father.
TREE, continued from page 1
To identify the trees, Steve tapped a number of resources, starting with his smartphone. He found an app that allowed him to upload a photo of a leaf, and then it would return a short list of possible matches based on the image. Other apps helped him identify trees by their bark, seeds and other features. He also turned to the Harvey County extension office for guidance and visited the Dyck Arboretum in Hesston. In the end, Steve made some interesting discoveries about the tree population on our campus: There are a total of 193 trees in 29 varieties. The most common variety is oak, with 28 trees in several subcategories, followed by elm, redbud and maple. Some trees were unique, with just one specimen found. These include a gingko, which is one of the oldest varieties on earth, and a smoke tree, which has flowers that make it look kind of fuzzy all over.
Dillons Rewards require annual renewal
Steve said he was surprised not to find more apple trees, because of Presbyterian Manor’s annual Apple Blossom Festival. He learned from the grounds crew that there used to be many more, but the trees became sick.
This is just a reminder to log into your Dillons account at www. dillons.com/communityrewards to select Newton Presbyterian Manor as your charity of choice to receive a portion of your spending. Your fuel points and other rewards are not affected by this gift. All proceeds go to Presbyterian Manor’s Good Samaritan Program.
When he finished the identification process, Steve collected his findings into a booklet with maps noting all of the tree locations. It won’t be long before we start seeing buds, so this spring, see how many different trees you can name—and ask Steve if you get, ahem, stumped.
We may not know why trouble comes, but let’s trust God, he is good, and it may have a positive side.
Newton Presbyterian Manor
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Newton Presbyterian Manor 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 Return Service Requested
Bravo of the Month
LEAVE US A COMPLIMENT.
This month’s Bravo goes to Gloria Embry of dining services. The Bravo reads:
GO ONLINE AND SHARE YOUR GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH US.
Gloria led the efforts of other dining service department members in collecting items for a Christmas basket auction that raised hundreds of dollars for a colleague’s medical expenses.
Go to
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and choose one of our preferred online review sites to share your story.
“Hats off to Gloria for organizing the gift basket raffle for Kyle and his family.”
This kind of above-and-beyond effort happens at Presbyterian Manor every day. The Bravo program seeks to highlight those special efforts, large and small. Bravos can be given by stopping at the Bravo boards in the McFarland Center lobby or in the hall near the front lobby. Employees, residents and families all have the option of giving someone a Bravo!
Time to celebrate volunteerism! How have you answered the call to be a volunteer? How have volunteers helped you in a time of need? Why do you think volunteers are so important? How have you benefited from being a volunteer? If you’ve got a story to share about volunteering, contact Marketing Director Noelle Dickinson and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters February 2016
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