Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
July 2017
Chaplain’s corner: Independence, but not from God By Jerroll Martens, chaplain, Newton Presbyterian Manor
As Americans we celebrate our independence and rightly so. However, when it comes to our relationship with God, we need to depend on Him. The very root of sin is that we have “turned everyone to his own way.” Adam and Eve went their own way. The rich farmer was condemned because he left God out, going his own way. The prodigal did not need God – he went his own way. We all want our own way, not always God’s ways. Dependence upon God always pleases Him. Even Jesus said, “I can of myself do nothing…” in John 5:19, 30. CHAPLAIN, continued on page 4
Ruth Vander Wilt, left, and Clara Koehn were two of the mothers honored at our Mothers Day gatherings. Family members joined many campus moms for a reception and a chance to make their own wire and bead bird nest necklaces. Recently, Ruth celebrated her 100th birthday!
Celebrating a century Ruth Vander Wilt has 100th birthday party Ruth Vander Wilt hasn’t been one to dwell on her age – but now that she’s turning 100, her family is making a pretty big deal about it. “I never thought much about my age and how old I was getting,” said Ruth, who has lived at Newton Presbyterian Manor for about 10 years. In June, Ruth’s family gathered for a big 100th birthday party in Newton, including a granddaughter and great-grandchildren who traveled all the way from New Zealand to celebrate with her. Her granddaughter Whitney Wallace estimated about 75 guests joined the fun. “I’m just thrilled that so many of my relatives and friends are remembering me with cards and visits,” Ruth said. CENTENARIAN, continued on page 3
Super start to summer! May is a month of celebrations, from Nurses Week and National Nursing Home Week to National Nursing Assistant’s Week. Weeks of daily celebrations included a nurses vs. others water balloon dodgeball game, Manor family feud, and lots of festive treats as we celebrated nurses and their “super powers.” Summer kicked off with our annual campus block party, grilling out in the warm summer sunshine.
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 July 2017
May flowers Drive by and see the flag garden grow! For years our front circle garden sported bright annuals planted by Phil Palmer. With his retirement from this volunteer labor of love, we’ve needed an alternative. Steve Seidl, director of environmental services, has planted boxwood, purple salvia and day lilies for a perennial garden for all to enjoy.
Flags We celebrate our country’s holiday with festive flags and bunting. Happy Independence Day! Like us on Facebook
CENTENARIAN, continued from page 1
Ruth Gertsma was born June 7, 1917, on her family’s 80-acre farm in Jasper County, Iowa. She had one younger brother. She didn’t have many farm chores because, she said, her parents were very self-sufficient. Sometimes Ruth would get up to milk the cows because she wanted to. As a high school student, she drove a horse and buggy to school with two neighbor girls. It wasn’t common for everyone to attend high school at that time, she said. Although Ruth wanted to be a nurse, she took her father’s advice and got a teaching degree, at Iowa State Teachers College. She taught in country schools until she married Orval Vander Wilt – on June 7, 1939, Ruth’s 22nd birthday. “It seemed like a good time to get married in the summertime,” she said. Ruth and Orval raised five
children, and she later went to work in school kitchens, baking cinnamon rolls, buns and homemade pizza. In 1980, the couple officially retired and moved to Pella, Iowa, to help take care of residents at a nursing home. Ruth said they enjoyed a strong shared faith and their church was at the center of their lives. Ruth and Orval lived in Iowa all of their married life – 51 years – until Orval died in 1990. Ruth moved to Hillsboro, Kan., in 1993. Ruth’s granddaughter, Whitney Wallace, said she has always been a letter writer and she enjoyed receiving so many cards for her milestone birthday. Even if her grandmother never considered whether she would live to be 100, Whitney said, “we grandchildren always knew she would. She’s a lively one.” Happy birthday and best wishes to Ruth!
Author speaks to ‘Just Ask’ audience Celia Koudele, author of “The Little Book for Alzheimer’s Caregivers” spoke to caregivers as part of our Just Ask education series, sharing tips and information about the realities of being a caregiver.
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Upcoming events for
July Wednesday, July 5, 2:30 p.m. Cooking Class: Breakfast Quiche and Yogurt Parfait, main dining room Wednesday, July 12, 2:30 p.m. Miniature Horses, main dining room Wednesday July 19, 2:30 p.m. Willie Penner shares his childhood in Poland during WWII. Monthly Birthday Celebration with Golden Notes performance, main dining room Thursday, July 20, 2:30 p.m. Concert by the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance, main dining room Tuesday, July 25, 3:15 p.m. Cooking Class: Breakfast Quiche and Yogurt Parfait, Bdwy Apts. community room Wednesday, July 26, 4:00 p.m. Chisholm Trail Theater Movie Day Thursday, July 27, 2:30 p.m. Healthy Learning Lecture: Healthy Exercise and Aging, library Newton Presbyterian Manor
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Newton Presbyterian Manor 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 Return Service Requested
Bravo of the Month Bravo of the Month goes to Michaela Burke, CMA of McFarland Center. Carrie Lemke writes, “Michaela is always on time and always willing to jump in and help answer call lights. She works hard and always has a can-do attitude, never too busy to take time for her residents. She is awesome to work with.” Thanks Michaela for your service to Newton Presbyterian Manor!
CHAPLAIN, continued from page 1
Jesus depended on his Heavenly Father. He taught his disciples that “without me, you can do nothing” in John 15:5. In the physical realm, the very air we breathe comes from Him. Every heartbeat is the gift of life. A Christian is one who has placed his total dependence upon the sacrificial work of Christ for salvation. The Christian life is lived in dependence on Him. Let’s depend on our wonderful God!
Post Acute to Home® profiles We will be featuring people who have received therapy through our Post Acute to Home (PATH) program in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story to tell about your experience in our PATH program or know someone who does, 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 Noelle Dickinson and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters July 2017
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