Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
October 2016
A living soul By Jerroll Martens, chaplain
God gave to man “the breath of life and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7. Unlike plants, animals and all other kind of life, humans are special to God and should be to us as well. As God views all of His creation, He is concerned the most about humankind. His care and love are so great He was willing to give His only begotten son for our redemption. Human life is so special that it should never be compared in its worth to any animal or other form of life. Humans were created to have fellowship with our creator, God. We are the only living creatures to LIVING, continued on page 2
Our employees are “one in a melon!” Employee committee members Ashley Sassi, Alanis Bishop, Dannica Avendano and Jodi Huntley share some of the hand-decorated treats the committee created for an end-of-summer employee celebration. Ashley, Dannica and Jodi have all benefited from the Employee Education Assistance Fund when they were pursuing their nursing degrees.
Scholarships help employees advance education Three Newton Presbyterian Manor employees have received scholarships from the Employee Education Assistance Fund, continuing a long and strong tradition among our staff members of continuing education. Executive Director Marc Kessinger said Presbyterian Manor strongly urges employees to take their education further and to take advantage of the fund. “We feel it’s pretty important to encourage it, because we see a lot of scholarship recipients who work their way up through Newton Presbyterian Manor. Probably half of our nurses have been scholarship recipients who have stayed with us,” he added. “We feel like that’s a big key to our SCHOLARSHIP, continued on page 2
SCHOLARSHIP, continued from page 1
success. We’ve got that longevity and familiarity with our campus, and our residents, and each other.”
Phil Abongo, RN. Phil has started working toward a BSN degree at Wichita State University. He started as an LPN with us in 2010. In 2013, The awards supplement an Phil earned his RN certification employee’s own funds or school loans. with the help of a scholarship from This year’s recipients are: the Kansas State Nursing Board of Regents. Dannica (Woeppel) Avendano, LPN. This is Dannica’s third award Kelly McGee. Kelly used her from the employee education scholarship to take a summer course to become a certified medication program. She’s been part of our staff for more than five years. Dannica first assistant (CMA) through Hutchinson Community College. Kelly is also a earned her LPN certification from Hutchinson Community College. She certified nursing assistant. has earned her RN certification and is They are among 33 Presbyterian now pursuing a bachelor of science in Manors of Mid-America employees nursing degree, or BSN. who received education awards for the 2016-17 school year. Since it was created 38 years ago by the Charles Koehn family of Koehn Construction in Newton, the assistance fund has helped more than 700 PMMA employees achieve professional
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degrees and certifications, from skilled nursing to finance to advanced degrees such as Master of Healthcare Leadership. The scholarship program is a key reason employees stay with Presbyterian Manor, Kessinger said. A high retention rate means that upper level staff aren’t constantly training new people. The employees who advance their education and careers are good role models for less experienced staff. “They set good examples of what can be accomplished, because the other employees know they started from the same place,” he said. To learn how you can contribute to the PMMA employee education fund, contact Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America at 316-685-1100 or development@pmma.org.
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 October 2016
Alzheimer’s Walk Team raises funds, awareness With the help of T-shirt sales and individual walkers/fundraisers, over $1,465 was raised for the Alzheimer’s Walk by the Newton Presbyterian Manor team. Top fundraisers were Rich and Joey Giblin, and Marc and Lisa Fitzroy. Like us on Facebook
Upcoming events TBD, day trip to Lindsborg Alex Ramos is planning what to see and do in Lindsborg in October. Call him if you have ideas or want to sign up! 316283-5400, ext. 1051. Thursday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. Chili cook-off, all dining rooms. Employees cook, but we all get to eat! Friday, Oct. 28, 2:30 Fall Festival in Haury Courtyard. Winners of employee pumpkin decorating contest announced.
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Flu shots Flu shot clinic to be announced.
Friday, Nov. 11 4 to 7 p.m. Broadway Apartments Community Room
Shucking corn Haury Place neighbors make great use of their beautiful courtyard for three seasons a year. A group of ladies spent the morning shucking corn and preparing for a lunch barbecue.
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Apartments open this fall It’s hard to believe but winter weather is coming. Now is the perfect time to settle into a new maintenancefree residence before the snow flies. Currently available are a one-bedroom Broadway apartment and a lovely one-bedroom suite in assisted living. Call Noelle Dickinson at 316-283-5400 to take a look for yourself.
Second generation When you work for the same preschool for 19 years, it’s bound to happen. Preschool director Renee Hamm, below right, welcomed her first second-generation preschooler this fall when Riley Rodriguez’s daughter Madelyn started school. Riley is an activity assistant and one of several former preschoolers who eventually became employees!
School days Apple-a-Day preschoolers are back in the building and adding joy to many lives. Each class has adopted one neighborhood as their “grandparents,” spending time with them each week in an interactive, intergenerational activity. Anderson and Haury Place and Utz and Claassen House neighbors look forward to connecting with their preschoolers each week.
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Community Matters October 2016
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LIVING, continued from page 1
have that blessing. Unlike all other creation, man has a living soul which continues even when the body has given in to death. God is preparing a special and eternal place for those who know God through forgiveness. Let’s not ever forget the special and highest of all God’s creation, the human being. May we bow in worship, obedience and praise to God.
Friday
November 11 7 to 10 a.m.
! e k a c n a P
eat here! Newspapers needed Please let Denise Blake at the front desk know if your newspaper subscription changes. Staff assist in delivering the Newton Kansan, Wichita Eagle and Hutchinson News to neighbors in the main building, so Denise keeps the current subscriber lists. Thank you!
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Volunteer needed Know how to sew on a button or make small mending repairs? We have residents asking for help mending their clothing. Please contact Melinda Ebersole at 316-283-5400 if you have interest in this special opportunity. 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 John Burns, maintenance employee. Alex Ramos writes, “I hosted a KC Royals watch party in the library and it was a ton of work! From rearranging the room to preparing and cooking the food, it was quite the task. John was such a HUGE help that I’m not so sure I could’ve accomplished it all without him. Thank you, John! Our residents and myself greatly appreciate all that you do.”
Celebrations & traditions We will focus on celebrations and family traditions in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. What traditions are important to your holiday celebrations? What are your memories of Christmas? What recipes did you only make for these special holidays? 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 October 2016
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