Aberdeen Village
JULY 2019
Collections for comfort
Aberdeen Village employee starts ‘Bedding for Fur-Babies’ to help animals in need who reside at local shelter As Terri Schoonover was gathering old linens to donate to the Olathe Animal Shelter for comfortable animal beds, it occurred to her that others could be seeking a good use for used bedding. It was then that Terri, administrative services assistant at Aberdeen Village, decided to start “Bedding for Fur-Babies.” “I put a note in our ‘Friday Flyer’ asking independent living residents for old sheets, blankets and towels they were going to discard during spring cleaning,” she said. “Aberdeen now donates worn linens that are trash-bound, too.”
Terri Schoonover with donated items.
As part of the initiative, Aberdeen Village residents and staff drop their old linens off to Terri at the front desk, and she takes the donations to the animal shelter every other Saturday on behalf of Aberdeen Village.
Within two months, Terri had already collected 10 large bags and three big boxes of linen donations. “That makes for a lot of cozy beds!” she said. “Bedding for Fur-Babies” is a great way to recycle old bedding, Terri said, and support an important community organization. “Olathe Animal Shelter is a no-kill facility that helps so many rescued and -Collections, continued on page 2
Rock legend Buddy Holly.
A night to remember Musical reminds Aberdeen resident of the last time she saw Buddy Holly It was February 3, 1959—the day the music died. It’s a day that is forever imprinted on Berniece Egger’s mind, and memories of it came flooding back recently during a show at the New Theater Restaurant in Overland Park. On that day, Eggers, now an 86-year-old Aberdeen Village resident, was attending a big dance in Clear Lake, Iowa, with her husband, her sister and her sister’s husband. The couples often traveled 90 miles from their homes in Story County to spend the night dancing and listening to music in -Remember, continued on page 5
Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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abandoned cats and dogs,” she said. “As with many shelters, funding is stretched. Linen donation is an easy, no-cost way for our Aberdeen Village family to help furry friends and keep trash-bound items from landing in Olathe’s landfill.” Aberdeen residents and staff are happy to help. “Aberdeen Village residents have big hearts,” Terri said, “and this is an easy way for anyone interested to help make a big difference.” It does make a big difference for the animals. “I am a passionate dog lover and think ‘fur-babies’ deserve a comfortable bed while awaiting adoption,” she said. In the future, Terri would like to create a self-sufficient tiny home community for veterans and first responders who could foster shelter dogs and train them to provide therapy for sick or disabled children and seniors. Until then, she will continue to help the Olathe Animal Shelter and gather more support. “Thanks to everyone who has contributed bedding to date,” she said. “Severe weather events and seasonal changes impact the shelter’s needs as displaced animals are cared for. I will continue to collect and deliver donations.” ◆
Animal instincts: Best of Show winner in Art is Ageless® competition finds inspiration in picture of leopards Already an accomplished artist, Shirley Dixon decided one day that she was going to start focusing on capturing the likeness of animals. It was a large picture of leopards hanging in her Aberdeen Village apartment that inspired her. She thought they could use some company. It started there and recently resulted in her winning Best of Show—Amateur in Aberdeen Village’s annual Art is Ageless competition. The 85-year-old took the top spot for her large colored pencil drawing of a male lion titled, “His Majesty, The King.” The piece was completed on suede board, which Shirley says results in a velvety soft finish. “He was pretty stately looking,” she said of her lion. “I really enjoyed working on him.” She enjoys drawing all other animals as well. Her first drawing, which was of a zebra, won first place in Art is Ageless. “It’s kind of ballooned from there,” Shirley said. “I’ve done one of almost everything animal-wise. I think I prefer doing the animals. I
Artist Shirley Dixon
just enjoy them so much.” Shirley’s foray into art began shortly after she moved into Aberdeen Village. Displays of other residents’ artwork in the hallway struck her. “I thought, ‘gee, that looks so interesting,’” she said. She soon joined in the art classes at Aberdeen Village and has been attending faithfully ever since. “I really look forward to it,” Shirley said. “It’s the highlight of my week. I’ve hardly missed any classes in -Instincts, continued on page 5
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ABERDEEN VILLAGE A PMMA COMMUNITY
913-599-6100 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 17500 W. 119th St. Olathe, KS 66061-9524 AberdeenVillage.com
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2019
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: sroark@PMMA.org Tim Allin, executive director Sean Roark, director of sales and marketing
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Environmental Services appreciation Thank you to all our staff! We at Aberdeen Village very much appreciate all the hard work environmental services staff put in everyday to keep the community safe and healthy for residents and other staff. They take their duties seriously and work together to make our community the best it can be. Thank you to all of the environmental services staff! Get to know some of our staff by learning more about them: Name: Scott Price Job/Position: Maintenance Tech Lead How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 3 years in August Have you done a similar job somewhere before? If so, where? Yes, Bass Pro Shops What do you enjoy most about your job and why? Plunging toilets, putting nursing supplies away
Why do you think environmental services is important? To take care of Aberdeen Village. Name: Cory Gerner Job/Position: EVS Director
Environmental Services employees.
How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 12 years
Why do you think environmental services is important? We keep the building clean and fix things for the residents.
What do you enjoy most about your job and why? Making the residents happy. What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? Everyone is very positive and happy, with a great sense of humor. Why do you think environmental services is important? Keeping the building clean and in great shape. Name: Meaza Gedamu
Name: Yitayish Bithanu Job/Position: EVS How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 9 years What do you enjoy most about your job and why? I like it. What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? They are like family. Why do you think environmental services is important? It’s important for the residents.
Job/Position: EVS How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 11 years What do you enjoy most about your job and why? Being with others.
What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? How well we get along.
What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? Love them like family.
Why do you think environmental services is important? It keeps the building in an upright condition.
Why do you think environmental services is important? We give the residents a good environment.
Name: Byron Maxwell
Name: Etaferhu Mamo
Job/Position: Maintenance
Job/Position: Housekeeping
How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? Shy of 2 years
How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 10 years
What do you enjoy most about your job and why? My boss and Scott, also Big Momma.
What do you enjoy most about your job and why? Aberdeen Village is a good place
What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? My job.
What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? I like them.
Name: Abebech Y. Wubea Job/Position: EVS How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 14 years What do you enjoy most about your job and why? I enjoy it. What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? They are like family. Why do you think environmental services is important? It’s all important for the residents. Name: Dinknesh Ayalew Job/Position: EVS How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 12 years What do you enjoy most about your -Appreciation, continued on page 6
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Living art
This year’s Best of Show winner in Art is Ageless® competition shares her passion Carol Rondinelli’s passion is art, and it shows in her life. The 74-year-old has been an artist for 40 years, teaches several classes, and won Best of Show in the professional division of Aberdeen Village’s recent Art is Ageless competition. Carol received the high honor for her colored pencil drawing on suede board titled, “Power, Spirit & Beauty.” She was inspired by Photographer Karen Brommelsick’s image of a cream-colored horse and chose to recreate the piece. Along with Best in Show, Carol took second place in the Drawing Professional division for her depiction of a barn door titled, “Afternoon Reflections.” This piece was completed with colored pencil on a matte board, which Carol said allowed her to create the texture of wood. Her journey with art started 40 years ago, when she began dabbling in acrylic. She then moved to experimenting with colored pencil and graphite. She’s also done some pieces with watercolor pencils. Besides holding art classes in her home and at church, Carol has been teaching at Aberdeen Village since 2012. She has entered the Art is Ageless competition every year since, collecting numerous award ribbons and even being featured in the annual Art is Ageless calendar several times. Carol said she is ecstatic every time she wins, and she’s also overjoyed
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Carol Rondinelli has been teaching art classes at Aberdeen Village, and also entering Art is Ageless, for several years. when her students—whom she doesn’t compete against—earn a ribbon. “It’s very, very exciting,” she said. “I
love it. And I’m very excited when my students win. It really gives us something to look forward to each spring.” ◆
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crashed into a cornfield.
Clear Lake, but that night was even more special.
“My husband and I just sat there trying to make sense of it all,” Berniece said, “telling ourselves it just isn’t so … if they had only waited. We called my sister, and we were just numb and couldn’t move for the longest time. Everyone couldn’t believe it and the radio just kept playing all of their songs all day long. It took a couple of days before it really sank in that they were gone too soon.”
Popular musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and “The Big Bopper” J. P. Richardson were the ones performing as part of their “Winter Dance Party” tour across the Midwest. The two couples enjoyed the performances and a night of dancing and considered staying nearby at a cabin they owned by a lake. But it wasn’t going to happen that night. “That night was going to be special, and we really wanted to go, but the weather was turning bad,” Berniece said. The group decided to drive home, and as they traveled along the highway, they watched a small plane depart from the local airport carrying Holly, Valens and “The Big Bopper.” Berniece said many of the dance attendees warned Holly and the other musicians about traveling by plane in the wintry weather, but they didn’t listen. As the group watched the plane depart, they shook their heads and thought, “Wished they had stayed instead of flying out in this storm.”
Sixty years later ... Aberdeen Village residents regularly attend shows at the New Theater Restaurant and were excited to see the musical “The Buddy Holly Story” there recently. The musical tells the story of Holly’s rise to fame and features his hit songs. Berniece loved the show, but it brought back a lot of memories— both happy and sad. “It was a great show,” Berniece said. “It made me remember that he was always doing good things for others and was funny. I am so glad I went to the show to see and hear all of the music that he did.” The musical also left Berniece feeling somewhat melancholy and nostalgic.
The next day they heard the news over the radio. All of the musicians were killed when the small plane
“He was taken from us much too soon,” she said “His memory will always be with me and seeing the
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three years.
Those leopards aren’t lonely anymore, but Shirley draws more than just animals.
“They always say, ‘Shirley must be really sick if she’s not here.’”
Her drawing of tomatoes titled “Tomayto, Tomahto” won for
Resident Berniece Egger says a recent musical sparked memories of Buddy Holly.
show felt like I was at that dance party once again. I loved it.” Sandra Barnes, life enrichment director, said the group listened intently while Berniece told them the story of that night—the day the music died. “We loved hearing her tell of that fateful night so many years ago about a great entertainer that was taken from us too soon,” Sandra said.
People’s Choice this year. An artwork that Shirley completed last year, called “Christmas Among the Birches,” was featured on one of the Art is Ageless holiday cards. ◆
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ABERDEEN VILLAGE A PMMA COMMUNITY
17500 W. 119th St. Olathe, KS 66061-9524 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
job and why? Giving services that make residents happy.
ones maintaining the machines, electricity and all other parts and properties of the building.
What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? They make work easier.
Name: Mary Ngugi Job/Position: Housekeeping Assistant
Why do you think environmental services is important? It keeps the Village clean and good health for all.
How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 4 months
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Name: Elena Villarampa Job/Position: Laundry Aide How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 2 years and 2 months What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? I enjoy it when we are helping each other. Why do you think environmental services is important? It is very important because EVS are the
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What do you enjoy most about your job and why? Giving services to residents. What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? They are very cooperative. Why do you think environmental services is important? It gives a clean and healthy atmosphere. Name: Bol Majok Job/Position: Housekeeping Laundry Supervisor
Environmental Services staff
How long have you worked for Aberdeen Village? 16 years What do you enjoy most about your job and why? People around me. What do you enjoy about working with other environmental services employees? Very well. Why do you think environmental services is important? We do our job very well. â—†