Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor
Mary’s musings By Mary Bridges, chaplain, Salina Presbyterian Manor
Christmas is a nostalgic time of year for me, when the smell of banana bread in the oven and Christmas decorations made by family and friends take me back to childhood. Back then I didn’t make a list of what I wanted for Christmas, and in fact, don’t even remember telling my parents what I wanted. This year, as I have been pondering past Christmases, I realize that I can only remember two of my Christmas gifts. When I was 10 or 11 I received a doll named Susie Walker. By holding on to her arm, she actually walked, in a doll sort of way. When I was 17, my gift was a full-length grey fake-fur coat. I have never figured out why my mom bought it for me. Actually I never really liked it. MUSINGS, continued on page 2
December 2017
John and Patty Landes are the original residents of their townhouse. They staked their claim on it before it was even built. They share it with their dog Zoe, the third dog they’ve had while living at Presbyterian Manor.
Just like a neighborhood
Longtime residents enjoy 20 years at Presbyterian Manor John and Patty Landes were so sure they wanted to move to Salina Presbyterian Manor that they signed up for their townhouse before it was even built. That was about 20 years ago, and the Landeses have felt at home here ever since. “It used to be that the people in all the courts would meet over at the gazebo,” Patty said. “Now we all get together up at the big building. It’s just like a neighborhood — everybody cares for everybody.” John and Patty aren’t what you would call homebodies, either. They had an RV from the time their three daughters were small and traveled all over North America. After the girls were grown, they added cruises to their itinerary, exploring places from Alaska to Mexico to Europe. They’ve crisscrossed Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. “You have a lot of good memories after you’ve done those trips — and a lot of good videos for everyone to watch,” Patty said. Traveling was a nice break from their work as business owners. John and Patty ran a group of gas stations with their firm, the Landes Company, and later got involved in vending, coffee and food service, and even owned an RESIDENTS, continued on page 2
MUSINGS, continued from page 1
I realize that what I remember most about past Christmas celebrations is not what I received, but who was there, including my five siblings and their families. The electric race car set my husband bought for our daughter’s first Christmas was enjoyed by the men. I treasure a picture of them in the basement setting up the racetrack. My prayer for you this Christmas season is that your memories will be sweet and as your memories of past Christmas’s will bring a smile to your face and the warmth of remembrances to your heart.
May you have a Christmas that lives every day in your heart and in your life. I invite you to ponder the words of these Christmas Beatitudes: Blessed are they who find Christmas in the age-old story of a babe born in Bethlehem.
They shall share the gladness and joy of the shepherds and wise men of old. Blessed are they who find Christmas in the fragrant greens, the cheerful holly and soft flicker of candles. To them shall come bright memories of love and happiness.
To them a little child will always mean hope and promise to a troubled world.
Blessed are they who find Christmas in the happy music of Christmas time.
Blessed are they who find Christmas in the Christmas star.
They shall have a song of joy ever singing in their hearts.
Their lives may ever reflect its beauty and Blessed are they who find Christmas in the message of the Prince of Peace. light. Blessed are they who find Christmas in the joy of giving lovingly to others.
They will ever strive to help him bring peace on earth, good will to men. (Author unknown)
RESIDENTS, continued from page 1
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 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. SalinaPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters December 2017
apartment building. The Landeses became snowbirds, going to California to escape the harsh winters on the plains. Eventually they bought a condo in Palm Desert, but when their home back in Kansas sold, they decided to return. They thought about buying a duplex in town, but Patty had her eye on Presbyterian Manor. It was a familiar place, after all — John had served on the advisory council in the 1980s and ‘90s. And his parents moved here in 1991. “They took good care of them here,” John said. “They had a hard time adjusting. They built their dream home and lived in it for 40 years. But they did adjust, and I think they enjoyed living here.”
John has even reprised his advisory role. He now serves as chairman of the resident council. Patty is active with the Stitch and Pray group, and she enjoys going on the casino trips. And with their daughters nearby, in Salina and Great Bend, they enjoy spending time with their family, especially as the holidays near. Patty said she’s glad they moved while they were still so active. It was a good place for John to recover when he had heart surgery — he bounced back well enough to do Bike Across Kansas the following year. “In my opinion, people should come a little earlier,” Patty said. “I think if you come too late it’s harder.” Like us on Facebook
Employee of the Month: Bailey Chermak Congratulations to Bailey Chermak, Employee of the Month for November. Bailey has worked at Presbyterian Manor for nine months as a CNA in health care.
a career began with her grandma, when she was on hospice, and also through helping her dad, who is paraplegic.
We are so glad Bailey joined our team! Please congratulate her when you see her!
When Bailey isn’t here she enjoys riding and training horses, and fishing. One thing most people don’t know about Bailey is that she taught her dad to get comfortable with Bailey Chermak, Employee of the horses again after his accident. Month. Bailey’s interest in health care as
Another year is coming to a close. My, how times flies, but what fun we have had this year. The holidays bring many joyous activities to the Manor. Several local choirs and groups will be entertaining during the month. We also have shopping and several Christmas parties planned. ‘Tis the season! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from the Manor Activities Department. - Cathy Boos, Activities Director Here is what we have planned for the month: Dec. 3: Salina Community Theater – “Annie” Dec. 4: Rojean Loucks Harp Concert Dec. 5: Great Plains Theater, Abilene – “Peter and the Starcatcher” Dec. 7: Annual Christmas Dinner Dec. 11: Christmas Shopping, The Market Shop, Salina Dec. 13: Cathy’s Christmas Extravaganza, Salina Country Club Dec. 14: Intergenerational Art Class Dec. 18: Ladies Lunch Club, Cathy’s House Dec. 19: Dorothy Carmichael Concert Dec. 21: Christmas Light Tour for Memory Care, Assisted Living and Independent Living Dec. 22: Christmas Light Tour for Health Care
Health care happenings:
Our theme will be Celebrating Holiday Traditions. We will learn about the true meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas and the Swedish Festival of Lights, and discuss the magic of Christmas. We will be making fudge and holiday cookies, and trying different things dipped in chocolate. We will play gift bingo where they get to open a gift and also a Punny Present game where if they guess the gift they get it. The Health Care Christmas party will be at 3 p.m. on Dec. 13. Like us on Facebook
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Tell about your activities We will feature our activity professionals in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you know an activity professional with a story to tell, or if you want to share how participating in activities at your campus keeps your mind sharp and your body well, 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.
Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit SalinaPresbyterianManor.org and enter your email address in the subscription box. It’s that easy!
Contact Jenni Jones, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
Don Vineyard greated by Cathy Boos at the Veterans Day celebration.
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Community Matters December 2017
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