Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor
August 2018
Mary’s Musings The secret life of worker bees By Mary Bridges, chaplain Salina Presbyterian Manor
About 25 years ago, I worked as a receptionist at a doctor’s office. One morning, I received a frantic call from our daughter, Lisa. Our granddaughter, Kaci, who was about five at the time, and her friend had gotten close to a bush and were attacked by a swarm of bees. The girls had too many bites to count. I suggested my daughter call their doctor. Receptionists really don’t know how to treat patients, even if they are someone’s grandmother. Last month, Presbyterian Manor’s Literary Ladies read the book, “The Secret Life of Bees,” written by Sue Monk Kidd. It tells the story of 14-year-old Lily Owens, whose mother died tragically, and Rosaleen, her black servant, who had run away together. The two end up living with three eccentric sisters called May, June and August who are beekeepers. Lily volunteers to help with beekeeping. The bees in this story symbolize hard work, renewal and healing. The third Saturday in August is National Honey Bee Day. National MUSINGS, continued on page 2
From left, residents Mabelle Mase, Betty Rassette, Ray Salmon and Maxine Strawn taught a combined 140 years in public schools.
Retired educators among us As students of all ages head back to school this month, we want to recognize the former teachers in our community for the years they spent in the classroom educating young minds. Maxine Strawn Retired after 35 years:Taught kindergarten (21 years) and first and second grades (14 years) Why did you become a teacher? “I was given two options—nursing or teaching. My first choice was to be a sports announcer, but I found that was a man’s world. I had been an English major and had developed my writing. I had always loved reading, and wanted to teach children to read.” What did you enjoy most about teaching? “My greatest joy was when I saw the ‘click’ of a child finally understanding the symbols on a EDUCATORS, continued on page 3
MUSINGS, continued from page 1
Honey month is celebrated each September. This led me to wonder, “What came first, the honey bee or the honeycomb?” After some research, I found that the honeycomb is the place where young bees develop and then hatch. Honey is what most bee larvae eat. Some larvae that are destined for the “throne” are fed royal jelly so they develop into a queen bee. Bees are dependent upon the honeycomb for reproduction. Bees are dependent upon the honeycomb for food.Yet, the honeycomb cannot exist without the bee constructing it from wax produced
by their specialized glands. Adding to the mystery, wax production is dependent upon a reliable source of stored honey. One pound of beeswax can store approximately 22 pounds of honey. Approximately 10,000 bees visit roughly 2 million flowers and fly almost 50,000 miles to produce one pound of honey. It is no wonder they are called “worker bees.” Did you know that almonds depend 100 percent on honeybee pollination? Apples, avocados, blueberries, cherries, cranberries and sunflowers are 90 percent dependent on honeybees, too. Honey tastes different based on the flowers the honeybees visit. Honey
from an avocado flower will taste different from orange blossom honey. What makes honey so popular? Most likely, because it is easy to consume. One can eat it directly, put it on bread like a jam, mix it in a drink instead of sugar, or mix it with warm water, lime juice, cinnamon and other herbs to make a medicine. Eating honey that has been gathered near where you live is thought to help with allergies. One of my favorite passages from “The Secret Life of Bees” is this: “Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved.” Good advice for everyone, don’t you think?
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Salina Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Desi Flerlage, executive director Jenni Jones, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Jenni Jones, jjones@pmma.org. Telephone: 785-825-1366 Fax: 785-825-6554 Address: 2601 E. Crawford, Salina, KS 67401-3898
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Community Matters August 2018
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EDUCATORS, continued from page 1
happy with the choice.”
page were words and those words meant something, and when they were combined together it created a story.”
What did you enjoy most about teaching? “I enjoyed the kids. I loved working with high school kids.”
Ray Salmon
Mabelle Mase
Retired after 38 years:Taught senior high English and driver’s education; worked as an elementary school principal, high school principal, superintendent and assistant superintendent.
Retired after 30 years (give or take): time to college. So, two years Taught third grade and special education was the limit. I got my teacher’s certificate to earn money.” Why did you become a teacher? “When I started college, What did you enjoy most about I intended to get a degree in home teaching? “I loved everything— economics. But finances became being with the children, helping harder then and my parents weren’t them with their problems. I loved able to send all four of us at one teaching them.”
Why did you become a teacher? “I enjoyed working with youth, and I thought maybe I could do some good. I had high aspirations for leaving the world better than I found it.” What did you enjoy most about teaching? “I enjoyed being with the kids in the classroom and the success of the students. One of my favorite classes was sixth grade—the kids would do anything for you and were ready to work.” Betty Rassette Retired after 35 ½ years:Taught home economics, child development, and foods and nutrition Why did you become a teacher? “My mother had always told me I wanted to be a nurse, and I didn’t know about that. When I was a senior in high school, I had a younger brother who was hospitalized after a horse accident. At that time, they wouldn’t let me go see him. No children were allowed back in the ’50s. That irritated me so much, I said I wouldn’t go into nursing for any money. I liked my home economics teacher in school, so I decided I’d go into that area, and I’ve been really Like us on Facebook
Employee of the Month Congratulations to Jim Campion, Employee of the Month for July. He has worked for the Manor in grounds and maintenance for five years.
Jim is married to Susan and they have four children: Cara (38), Kevin (35), Kylee (23), Garrett (20). Jim’s hobbies include golfing, watching New York Yankee baseball and University of Kansas basketball, and coaching basketball at Lakewood Middle School. When asked to share something that most people would not know, Jim said he has triplet grandchildren – Emery, Owen and Watson Payne, who are seven years old. They were born on his dad’s birthday. Jim grew up in New Jersey.
He graduated from Bethany College in 1975. Go, Swedes! He earned a master’s degree in school administration from Kansas State University and worked 38 years in education. Dalen Rathbun (fellow grounds and maintenance employee at Presbyterian Manor) was Jim’s roommate in college.
Salina Presbyterian Manor
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August 7 – Ladies breakfast
August 21 – Stiefel Theatre Tour
We will be playing “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” celebrating Klondike Day and playing Back-to-School Bingo. In addition, Crystal Creek will be performing Aug. 17 at 3 p.m.
August 7 – Summer Soul-Stice, “From Moving to Morsels,” Presbyterian Church
August 22 – Mattson & Weaver Singing Group
We’ll go to Braum’s on Aug. 8 and Olive Garden on Aug. 24.
August 1 – Blood drive August 2 – Thursday Night Cruisers
August 8 – Grief & Loss Support Group, chapel August 9 - Rex’s Antique Car Museum, Mentor, Kan. August 14 - Wine & Cheese birthday party August 15 - Men’s breakfast
August 15 – Great Plains Theatre, “Shrek – The Musical,” Abilene August 17 – Crystal Creek Band
August 23 – Travel & Taste – Tucson’s Steakhouse August 25 – Sunflower Stompers Clogging Team August 28 – Intergenerational Art Class August 29 – Meet & Greet for new Presbyterian Manor residents
August 21 National senior citizens day
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Community Matters August 2018
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