Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
January 2017
Chaplain’s corner: All things new By Jerroll Martens, Newton Presbyterian Manor chaplain
Some of the last words in the Bible promise that God will “make all things new.” Rev 21:5. The New Year always has something refreshing and hopeful about it. On a daily basis, our routine may be much the same. But especially for those who have had a difficult year, the New Year can bring new hope. It may not be the hope that all problems and sorrows will cease, but a trusting hope in the grace of God to continue on. God is the God of new things. Each new day is a gift bringing new opportunities to serve Him, new time for us to do better than the day before, time for God to change CHAPLAIN, continued on page 6
Bill Taylor, chief operating officer, left, and Bruce Shogren, president and chief executive officer, right, present Marc Kessinger, executive director, with an Emerald Award certificate for being a 5-star rated community by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Newton Presbyterian Manor honored for achievements Newton Presbyterian Manor received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America for reaching goals in fiscal year 2016, July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016. The recognition came through PMMA’s Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 17 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 community has to meet its goals in all 11 areas. Certificates of recognition were given out to communities that reached their goals in one or more category. Newton was recognized for achieving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. EMERALD continued on page 2
EMERALD continued from page 1
“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. Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica has been providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri for more than 65 years.
Art is Ageless® call for entries Entries for the 2017 Art is Ageless local exhibit and competition are due on Friday, March 3. The exhibit will open with a reception and awards announcement on Thursday, March 9 at 2:30 in the main dining room. The exhibit will be open for two weeks. Please tell your friends about the exhibit and contact Noelle Dickinson, director of marketing, at 316-283-5400, or visit ArtIsAgeless.org.
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
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Community Matters January 2017
Time for a feast Holiday meals are a much celebrated event at Newton Presbyterian Manor and what would these meals be without the pies! Gloria Embry, dining services assistant, is often the one to serve the main dining room on special occasions. Like us on Facebook
Scenes of the season A holiday light tour is only complete with a drive past Presbyterian Manor’s nearly life-sized nativity scene at the corner of Broadway and Sherman. Many thanks to the maintenance team for designing the stable and setting up, taking down and storing these characters each year.
Cosmosphere Standing in front of a TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) at the Kansas Cosmosphere, this group took advantage of a beautiful late fall day to understand more about extreme weather with the movie in the Cosmosphere’s digital dome theater. Lunch at Yoder’s Carriage Crossing was another highlight of the trip.
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Small windows of wellness seeking By Bob Wyman, Newton Presbyterian Manor Advisory Council member
There is a sign that hangs in our house which reads: Small blessings make life a joy. Joy, peace, wellness, worthiness are some of what gives living a sense of well-being. Our attitudes and habits cultivate wellbeing. Talking with one of the regular “wellness seekers” in the Presbyterian Manor’s Wellness Center, he said that what he personally benefits from exercising is freeing his mind from troubling thoughts. “When I am focused on my exercise, I cannot be thinking about what I am anxious about. It’s a few moments of freedom for joy. I concentrate on counting, breathing in and out to wake up the endorphins, and moving my body.” Presbyterian Manor’s weekly exercise groups provide
opportunities for awakening the limbs and muscles, as well as increasing blood flow throughout the body. You can feel how exercise stimulates the brain and appetite. Some people remark how these exercises loosen their chest muscles and help them breathe better. Conversation with group members also is stimulating. Another value in exercising all our joints and muscles is in oxidizing the whole system. We want to get blood flow to every part of our body, and nourish all the cells and muscles. Alex Ramos, wellness director, leads exercises that gets us moving. You may be a little tired when Alex is finished, but it does awaken the senses and attitudes when it is over. Exercise groups meet in the main building and Broadway apartments. Check your calendar. There is room and energy for you! Angel Tree Our angel tree took on a new look thanks to the generous donation of a tree that was created for the Harvey County Safe House’s holiday auction. The white tree in the lobby filled up with ornaments from donors far and wide.
Lifesize card A new Christmas card to the Newton community debuted this season in Military Park. The Spiritual Life Committee commissioned the artwork which was designed and painted by Jim Van Dyke.
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Community Matters January 2017
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Toymaker Verne Goering’s gifts have delighted thousands of children Verne Goering took woodworking classes all through school as a boy. He set the craft aside during most of his working years, but after retirement in 2001, he was back at the workbench.
and a grasshopper-style pull toy.
This year, his work also will be enjoyed by anyone with a 2017 Art is Ageless calendar. A frontend loader he built was Since then, Verne estimates he has made more than 5,600 wooden toys, chosen among winners across all Presbyterian and he’s given most of those away. Manors of Mid-America “I made toys for my grandsons, and communities to be featured in I saw how happy they were and how the calendar. Verne has entered they played with them,” Verne said. Art is Ageless twice at Newton “I thought kids who didn’t have toys Presbyterian Manor. Last spring, he of their own would enjoy them, earned the People’s Choice award, too.” which put him in the running for his first win at the masterpiece level.
Every year Verne donates loads of handmade toy trucks to Toys for Tots and the Union Rescue Mission in Wichita. His usual output includes little pickups, two-ton trucks, semis
Verne and his wife, Ruth, live in a retirement community in Moundridge (Ruth’s sister is Newton Presbyterian Manor resident Eleanore Myers). When they were looking for a place to retire, one big requirement was that it have space for Verne’s workshop. Now, in his basement, he has a table saw, bandsaw, joiner, drill press, sander, and many hand tools. He has expedited the toy-making process by using templates and cutting out several pieces at a time.
Because they’re going to small children, he finishes them with a non-toxic oil. Several years ago, when toys were being recalled frequently for harmful chemicals or faulty designs, Verne stamped the bottom of one of his grasshoppers with the phrase: “Not made in China. No recall required.” With every toy he gives, Verne also includes a Bible tract, so that the children who receive them may know the love of Jesus Christ. His generosity to those in need is a great example of that love as well. Entries are being accepted for the 2017 Art is Ageless competition through March 3. The exhibit will be March 9-24, with a reception on March 9. Contact Noelle Dickinson for information, 316-283-5400 or ndickinson@pmma.org.
Upcoming Events
Whew, the December calendar was full! Please check your monthly calendars or NewtonPresbyterianManor.org for a detailed daily record of upcoming events. Plans are in the works for our annual Kansas Day celebration and a wine and cheese party. Ideas are welcome. Share them with anyone on the activity team or put them in the suggestion box.
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Newton Presbyterian Manor 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 Return Service Requested
Bravo of the Month Jenny Driscoll was awarded the Bravo of the Month for receiving three bravos for teamwork, one from a coworker in her department, one from a resident and one from Tammy Hall, a coworker in the nursing department. Tammy says to Jenny, “Thank you for helping me get all the residents to the dining room on time. You always help out wherever you are needed. Thank you. I just wanted you to know you’re appreciated.” Jenny received a gift card for dinner and two movie tickets.
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us into the likeness of Christ and time for us to enjoy the presence of our Lord. His mercies and compassions “are new to us every morning.” Lam. 3:22,23. He has promised strength for each day. Aging may pinch wrinkles in our face and slow our steps but His promises are the same. The believer also has the certain hope that one day he and all creation will one day be made “new.”
Social workers help residents We will focus on how our campus social workers help residents live life to the fullest in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. How has your campus social worker been an advocate for you? How have you benefited from your campus social worker’s efforts to assist you and your family? 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 January 2017
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