Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor
June 2017
Dwight Freeman and Benita Goss hold the grand opening ribbon for Barbara Dravis to cut.
Mini Marketplace at your service The new Mini Marketplace of Wichita Presbyterian Manor is open! Several residents came to celebrate this much anticipated milestone at our grand opening April 17. Open to residents and staff, this is a go-to shop for life’s little emergencies, perhaps when a resident runs out of eggs, milk or toilet paper. It’s a convenient place to grab a quick drink or snack. The shop carries items such as greeting cards, gum, sweet and savory snacks, soda, juice, tissue and toiletries, for those times when you just can’t get to the grocery store. The Mini Marketplace is staffed by 14 resident volunteers who work two to three times a month with a MARKETPLACE, continued on page 2
Traveling the world Traveling the world introduces us to amazing sights, smells and tastes. For Dwight Freeman, though, the best part of traveling is the people you meet. Dwight moved to the Westerly Residences last fall. Over the years, he has logged thousands of miles throughout the United States as well as overseas. The benefits of getting away from home, he said, are many: “It’s the things you would learn: the cultures and languages, as well as education you could hardly get in school.” In fact, Dwight and his late wife, Myrna, would take their children along to destinations throughout North America, expanding their understanding of the world. “The teachers would let us take them out; we usually had no problem with that. They would say they’d get more of an education than in school.” FREEMAN, continued on page 2
MARKETPLACE, continued from page 1
buddy. We are excited to see how the Presbyterian Manor community uses this amenity. Hours are noon-2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays; the shop is closed on holidays. All purchases are cash only (small bills and loose change preferred). Be sure to stop by and support the store with your purchase! Interested in volunteering? Please see a member of Life Enrichment team to be added to the list. Barbara Dravis, Pat Wiebe and Marilyn Lytle celebrate the opening of the Mini Marketplace. FREEMAN, continued from page 1
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Dawn Veh, executive director Melody Dodge, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Amy Watson, life enrichment director, awatson@pmma.org. Telephone: 316-942-7456 Fax: 316-941-3806 Address: 4700 W. 13th St., Wichita, KS 67212-5575 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. WichitaPresbyterianManor.org
Later, Dwight and Myrna began exploring the world. Some of his favorite trips were to Egypt, Russia and Greece. “The Greece tour was probably one of the biggest highlights. It’s a special place to go,” Dwight said, fondly recalling historical sites such as a monastery on a cliff. Sometimes they had celebrity encounters, like meeting President Lyndon Johnson at the White House or comedian Marty Allen on the Panama Canal. Fortunately, they encountered few problems along the way. But there were a few tense moments once in the Czech Republic. “We were almost arrested because we didn’t have the right amount of money to get on the trolley, and we didn’t know that.” Dwight grew up in Wichita, but the Freeman family saw a lot of the U.S. by living in several states
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over the years. Soon after they married, Dwight and Myrna moved to Denver, where he continued his banking career. Myrna worked in lab where she became allergic to one of their products, and her doctor recommended she move to a higher altitude. That took the family to Cimarron, N.M. Dwight became the manager at a lodge in the resort town of Angel Fire, and Myrna became the first female registrar for Philmont Scout Ranch, a camp that draws Boy Scouts from all over the world. They also owned an antique and gift shop in Cimarron. Later, they lived in Rhode Island and Louisiana. Dwight still had close ties to friends here in Wichita, so this is where he wanted to be after his wife died. He’ll always remember his travels with her and the people whose warm welcome, culture and companionship enriched their journeys. Like us on Facebook
Art partners: Art is Ageless winning couples Four married couples were among the winners in this year’s Art is Ageless® competition at Wichita Presbyterian Manor. Find out a little more about these talented partners. Nancy and Henry ‘Skip’ Kreibach
painting was chosen as the cover image for the 2017 calendar. The Kreibachs also enjoy participating in the Kansas State Fair, where Skip won the Grand Champion Award in the professional painting division last year.
painting at her wedding in May. Jack and Mary Davis
Jean and Gary Stahl
Jack and Mary Davis
Nancy and Henry Kreibach
Nancy has been quilting for at least 30 years and sewing most of her life, but Skip didn’t pick up a paintbrush until 2004, when he took an oil painting class at the college where he taught. Now, their basement is a shared art studio and sewing room. “Our interest keeps us working in close proximity without getting in each other’s way,” she said. “Quilting and painting helps keep us young and engaged in a common activity.” This year, Skip took first place in the painting category (professional) for “Red Pear.” Nancy earned the People’s Choice award (amateur) for her quilt “Ebb and Flow” and took first in the quilting category (amateur) for “Evening Star – Feathered Star.” In addition to making quilts for family, Nancy also makes “Quilts of Valor” for wounded service members. Nancy’s winning quilt from the 2016 competition appeared on Art is Ageless note cards, and Skip’s Like us on Facebook
Gary and Jean Stahl with their winning pieces of art.
Gary has been entering drawings, paintings and photos for more than a decade; Jean began competing in 2011 with needlework, crafts, jewelry and photography. Last year, Gary’s painting of the new entrance to Wichita Presbyterian Manor earned him Best in Show honors. He later donated the piece to us. This year, he took first in photography (amateur) with “Route 66.” Jean won the Christmas category (amateur) with “The Nativity.” “I appreciate Gary’s artistic ability,” Jean said. “As we age, we both feel it is important to continue being creative.” The Stahls enjoy giving their art as gifts as much as they enjoy making it. One of Gary’s latest paintings depicts a university campus location where their granddaughter got engaged. Jean and Gary gave her the
About 11 years ago, Jack started learning silversmithing and jewelrymaking at City Arts. Mary followed with oil painting classes three years ago. For Jack, the more he progressed, the more interesting and rewarding his artwork became. He starts with a flat sheet of sterling silver to create rings, pendants, pins or bracelets, but “as I became more experienced, I started using other metals along with the sterling,” he said. He won first place in the mixed media/crafts category (amateur) for a sterling silver ring set with a tiger’s eye stone. Mary learned early on that oil is a versatile medium. “I like that it remains workable for so long. I also appreciate that I can change my painting as I go along,” she said. Although Mary’s award-winning painting, “Castle on the Hill,” is mysterious, she finds beauty in the darkness. “I absolutely love the beauty God has given to us in the skies. Even when filled with ARTS continued on page 4 Wichita Presbyterian Manor
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Appreciating our donors Our donors mean so much at Wichita Presbyterian Manor. It’s because of their support that we’re able to offer signature amenities and assistance to our residents, and help our staff members to grow. In May we invited donors to a celebration in our new Wellness Center. Both residents and employees offered heartfelt testimonials and thanks for the benefits they have received. Executive Director Dawn Veh introduced and welcomed each guest. Standing poolside, resident Dick LAST NAME shared how valuable of an asset the Wellness Center is for residents. “I just want to say thank you. This is a wonderful facility and one that a lot of people use.” Veh acknowledged the support donors provide to the Good Samaritan program, which offers financial assistance to residents who have outlived their resources. Celia Saiz-Mendoza, RN, in health care, received scholarship money ARTS, continued from page 1
dark, stormy clouds, the sky is magnificent!” Shirley and Leland Alexander Leland learned woodworking from his grandfather, who learned it from his father, long ago in Tennessee. “I love working with my hands to turn out natural wood furniture,” Leland wrote in his Art is Ageless entry for a handmade Lodge Pole
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through the Employee Education Assistance Program to advance her education. She said the training she received vastly improved her understanding of the care options available to residents, from medication to therapies. “I was so thankful to be able to receive this benefit for school because it’s extremely expensive, especially when you’re an adult continuing your education,” Celia said. “What it’s meant to me is beyond words. It’s being able to help my coworkers and actually go further in what I do here at Presbyterian Manor.” Lyman Ott, vice chairman of the board of trustees for Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, also remarked on the tremendous value of volunteers in the day-to-day lives of our residents and operation of our communities. From all of us at Wichita Presbyterian Manor, we’re grateful every day for our donors and volunteers. Thank you to all! Pine wood stool, which won first place in the sculpture/3-D category. Shirley took home a blue ribbon in the drawing category for her whimsical “Turtles Sun Bathing.” She had wanted to make a picture of turtles for a long time, and finally found a photo that did her vision justice. “I’ve been blessed since a young girl, getting to see turtles while out fishing.”
Leland and Shirley Alexander Like us on Facebook