Commun ty Matters December 2016
Parsons Presbyterian Manor
Memories of Christmas past
COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:
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Residents offer reflections on the season Violet Loffer
Piles of presents aren’t what Violet Loffer remembers about Christmases as a child. In fact, presents were more of an afterthought rather than the main attraction. After all, growing up in the Depression was vastly different from what most children experience today.
“We didn’t get many presents, no. But I remember one year, I got a doll. It wasn’t more than 8 inches tall. It cost a whole quarter. And we got some hard candies, and an orange. Dad even taught us to stick one of the round, hollow hard candies into the orange and suck juice from it,” said Violet. “It kind of hurt a little bit not getting very much, but we knew that’s just how it was. That was a treat. We lived in the country on the farm, and had chickens and cows and such. But those were lean years.” Violet also remembers another time when sacrifice was necessary. That was during the early 1940s when gas was rationed.
“My favorite part of the holidays was family getting together, but there were times when that was hard. When gas was rationed, you had to walk.We liked walking, but there were times when we didn’t see family because it was simply too far. I grew up near Caney, and had three brothers and one sister. We walked everywhere.” This emphasis on family gatherings carried on when Violet had her own children, all of whom have passed on. She never worried much about giving them too many gifts, because she knew just getting together with family was the most important thing. Now, she enjoys Christmas with all of her
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The candy cane
W. Wayne Mason, Chaplain, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
Each year I get excited as the Christmas decorations and candy begin to appear in our local stores. I think it was September this year when I first spotted some. I am always on the lookout for candy canes, because I love the meaning behind those tasty morsels. I have had the joy of telling the candy cane story to many people over the years, and I thought I’d share a few of the special features today. On the traditional red and white candy canes, you can tell the whole Christmas salvation story.
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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of
501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Maegen Pegues, executive director Sharla Hopper, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact shopper@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-421-1450 Fax: 620-421-1897 Address: 3501 Dirr Ave., Parsons, KS 67357-2220 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org
2 COMMUNITY MATTERS DECEMBER 2016
Wide Red Stripe – God’s love
has traveled from Heaven to Earth through the blood of Jesus shed upon the cross.
3 Thin Red Stripes – The
Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
White – The pure, cleansed
condition of our souls after Jesus has entered in
Peppermint – From the hyssop family; used as a medicine in ancient times. It symbolizes God’s healing touch upon our sinful lives.
Cane – It symbolizes the shepherd’s staff of our Good Shepherd, and the letter “J” for Jesus. It also reminds us that some of the first visitors to come meet Jesus
were the shepherds from the nearby hills. God wanted all people to find Jesus – rich, poor, powerful, weak, male, female, and every race.
The full Christmas story is found in the baby, Jesus, being born in a stable, and being the Savior on the cross. See the true meaning of Christmas in all you do this season.
If you want to read the Christmas story, you will find it in Luke 1:52:20. Prayer:“Lord, we are thankful for the promise of life delivered through the birth of Jesus and his willing sacrifice on the cross. Help us to see you in everything we do this season. Give us the opportunity to remind people of the love of God given to us through Jesus. Amen.”
Bravo for a job well done
We appreciate the Parsons Presbyterian Manor staff and all the ways in which they help our residents feel right at home. It’s important to give credit to employees who go above and beyond, which is exactly what Trish Smith, quality assurance nurse, did when she recommended the following employees for the Bravo Award.
Alyssa Higgins: “She showed how much she cares for the residents by coming in on her day off to spend one-on-one time with several residents. This was such a heartfelt moment I witnessed and I’m sure the residents enjoyed the visit.”
Mey Barlow: “During the water leak Mey once again showed her compassion and caring ways. Mey went into the residents’ rooms and removed the family pictures so they would not be destroyed by water damage. We are very lucky to have Mey on our team!”
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grandchildren, of whom she says there are too many to count. One enduring lesson she passes on to them:
“The thing we were taught was to share. If you want a piece of candy, and you don’t want to share it, don’t eat it while they’re here.”
We appreciate Violet sharing her Christmas memories with us.
Vera Hubbard
Like Violet, Vera also remembers Christmas as a time when family would gather together, and the emphasis was on togetherness, not gifts.
“I think of my grandparents, of course, and all the families that would get together. Different ones would make homemade candies and foods, and they made a big day of it. Each one got a toy of some kind, but we did a lot of cooking,” said Vera. “I had a brother and
a sister and several cousins to play with. We grew up in Concordia, near the Nebraska line.”
Although Vera’s family didn’t go all out on toys, she does remember a time when a large gift made great memories.
“One year, we got a train set.We put it on a big sheet of wood, and all day the next day the whole family played with it! Probably what I miss the
Memories continued below
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Presbyterian Manor 3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220
Christmas memories include special times spent with families.
Memories continued from above
most about Christmases growing up, though, is seeing family we didn’t get to see often. Oh, and the treats. We made all sorts of things. Peanut brittle and fudge, all sorts of things.”
Vera is known for her treat making and now enjoys sharing them with her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. She even offered to share the recipe for her famous peanut brittle and peanut clusters with us. Enjoy! 4 COMMUNITY MATTERS DECEMBER 2016
Peanut Brittle
1 cup white sugar 1 cup white syrup 1 cup Spanish peanuts 1/4 tsp. salt
Cook in cast iron skillet until mixture turns tan and smells like roasted peanuts. Add 1 tsp. soda and stir until mixed. Turn onto greased cookie sheet to cool.
Peanut Clusters
1 12 oz. package chocolate chips 1 6 oz. package butterscotch chips 2 Tbsp peanut butter 3 cups Spanish peanuts 1 oz. paraffin
Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips and paraffin in double boiler. Pour in peanuts and stir until well coated. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper.