Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor
February 2017
Mary’s musings I married into a family of painters — my husband, my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and daughter, to name a few. I always felt that I wasn’t creative, and the sewing, counted-cross stitch, Christmas stockings and ornaments that I made weren’t nearly as creative as their paintings. Through the years, I discovered the importance of creativity in our lives. It isn’t just about creating stuff and things, it is an important component of who we are. Mary Daly says, “It is the creative potential itself in human beings that is the image of God.” Last year, I started doing a few crafts again. I had so much fun recycling old jewelry. I made a necklace as my first piece, and then I was so intrigued with all the possibilities that I began making wall crosses out of old jewelry. Last fall at Salina Presbyterian Manor we began offering an art class. I have always wanted to learn to paint, so I volunteered to assist MUSINGS, continued on page 4
2016 Art is Ageless first place winner Pauline Gilmore with her creation, a rag rug.
Art is Ageless® Exhibit It is only one month until Art is Ageless! All entry forms are due on March 1. This is the 37th year for Art is Ageless. Last year’s event attracted 84 entries, and we expect a larger number this year. The exhibit is scheduled for March 7-9. Artwork is due by 4 p.m. on March 2 or 3. All artists 65 and older are invited to participate. Artworks submitted must have been created in the last five years, after the age of 65 in order to be judged. If you wish to exhibit only you may do that with artworks of any age. For further information, questions or entry forms, contact Jenni Jones at 785-825-1366, extension 1112, or visit ArtIsAgeless.org. See photos on page 2.
Left: Gerald Kearnes holds his picture, “Fall Flight.” Right: Sue Vince holds her painting titled Kick Back and Relax, which won the 2016 Art is Ageless People’s Choice Award.
Health care happenings 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. Bradley Radatz, executive director Jenni Jones, marketing director
The theme for this month is Flipping for February. We will be having pretzels again, Flapjack Friday, Gum Drop bread and homemade soup, and we will cook with our sweet potatoes again. We’ll have a program on Groundhog Day, learn about the Snow Moon, see if we know our presidents, and beat the winter blues.
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 February 2017
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Gina’s Art Class Gina’s Art Class will continue throughout 2017. We have painted on canvas and tiles, and we are looking forward to what else Gina might have in store for us this year. If you would like to find the artist in you, please sign up at the podium for Gina’s Art Class. We have had as many as 20 in a class, but we have room for that many more. If you have not stopped by our resident art gallery across from the library, please do. You, too, can produce lovely artwork. We hope that some of our residents will enter art from their classes in Art is Ageless®.
New Year’s
ACTIVITIES By Cathy Boos, life enrichment director
The activities department is off to a great start with the New Year! We have added several new activities to entice our residents to reach new heights of enjoyment. In addition to our monthly art class, we have added a class for health care and memory care residents, which seems to work great with their schedules.
Notes from the Heart Chaplain Mary’s Stitch and Pray group has been writing notes from the heart for the tote bags provided to cancer patients at Tammy Walker Cancer Center. Over the last two months the group decided to personalize the notes. Note cards were designed using Art is Ageless artwork by one of our residents Mary Johnson’s painting “Tulips,” a 2014 winner in the amateur division. A reception honoring Mary and the kickoff for Notes From The Heart will be announced.
Music & Memory is also beginning for memory care residents. This will include songs of the past that they will enjoy listening to on their very own iPods. A Valentine’s Dinner is also planned in our Ivory Keys Dining Room with entertainment to please all. Here are more upcoming events. Feb. 1 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Feb. 15 Feb. 16 Feb. 20 Feb. 21 Feb. 22 Feb. 28 Feb. 28
ROMEO Breakfast Club Salina Community Theater Hays House Restaurant, Council Grove Manor Monologue: Preventing Financial Exploitation, with Kelsey Pfannenstiel, Northcentral Flint Hills Agency on Aging. Valentine’s Dinner Martinelli’s & Movie Night Gina’s Art Class Prairie Band Casino, Topeka Trip to Starbucks Mardi Gras Pot Luck
The Hays House Restaurant in Council Grove Like us on Facebook
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MUSINGS, continued from page 1
with the class, hoping to learn something about painting. Gina Applegate Lee, an art teacher at Salina South Middle School, was our instructor. I was nervous, but I found out I can paint — admittedly, not the same pictures that the rest of the class did, but I am quite satisfied with what I have created. Recently, I read an article, “Why Creativity is so Important,” by Ally D. on a website called Street Articles. “Consider some of the reasons we express ourselves creatively. Simply put, it’s fun! Doing things that we consider fun is a great stress reliever. Being able to create something … builds a self-confidence that strengthens our positive outlook. Being creative helps us feel challenged. It makes us more interesting people and in turn attracts others to us.”
Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Saluda Geist, employee of the month for January. She has worked for Salina Presbyterian Manor as an LPN for 10 years and is IV certified. She has two children: Rodney Jr., age 23; and Dayton, age 15. Her hobbies include reading, motorcycle riding with her husband, collecting crazy knee socks and driving her boys crazy! One thing we might not have known about her is that she has been a licensed open-water scuba diver since she was 16 years old and she is scared of worms.
Important to note, too, is the effect creativity can have on our relationships with others. When we exercise the creative part of our brains, we build our ability to manage conflict, communicate with others, and understand moods. Along with stimulating our brains, creativity can have a positive effect as we grow older. Studies show that creativity sharpens the brain, possibly slowing of dementia in old age. As we continue to use our brains, we keep it in top shape, just as exercise keeps our bodies fit. Being creative benefits our health. It stimulates us mentally, emotionally and physically. We carry the benefits with us for a lifetime.
Volunteerism and you
We will focus on volunteerism in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. Where have you volunteered your time? Why do you volunteer? What are the benefits for you? If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Jenni Jones and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters February 2017
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