Community Matters The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
April 2019
Alice Kalb breaks ground on the first Presbyterian Manor.
Presbyterian Manor system to celebrate 70 years On April 19, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA) will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Our first very first community opened in Newton, Kan., on April 19, 1949, nearly two years after 90-year-old Alice Kalb of El Dorado, Kan., asked the United Presbyterian Synod if it would consider opening a home for the aged. A small exploratory committee formed to look at the idea and determined it had merit. To raise funds for the Newton effort, a dedicated offering throughout the synod took place on Mother’s Day in 1948. The practice of raising funds for Presbyterian Manors on Mother’s Day continues today. The first resident, Mrs. Frances Belle Townsend of Smith Center, Kan., moved into the first Presbyterian home for the aged on April 19. ANNIVERSARY, continued on page 4
Marian Thomas, Marjorie Green, Bill Allan, Joan Murphy, Joan Beck, Eleanor Long, Dottie Mill, and Bill’s wife Mary Knickmeyer. Bill and resident Marjorie Green realized they had a connection. Bill was in the same local chapter of Battle of the Bulge Veterans as Marjorie’s late husband, Don Green. The two will stay in touch. It is not hard to make a connection here at Aberdeen!
Digging documentaries Documentaries are always popular in our community. Subjects are generally chosen by the time of year or season, and in some cases, subjects are chosen as they relate to our residents at Aberdeen Heights. In the month of February, residents watched films about Ronald Reagan, Thomas Edison and Johnny Cash, but none hit as close to home as the documentary we watched with resident Bill Allan called “Brick by Chance and Fortune, A St. Louis Story.” This hour-long documentary by local filmmaker Bill Streeter, showcases the many brick structures in St. Louis and chronicles the city’s rich history as both a producer and user of a building material. Once a leader in the U.S. brick-making industry, St. Louis is still an oasis of brick houses, bungalows, mansions and commercial buildings. The movie highlights the diversity and beauty of these beautiful and often historical buildings and shows a city of great architecture and character. DOCUMENTARIES, continued on page 2
A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
DOCUMENTARIES, continued from page 1
Resident Bill Allan, former president of Hydraulic Press Brick Co., was featured in this film and provided attendees great insight and trivia. Bill is a great story teller. No one could make bricks seem more intriguing or interesting.
ANNIVERSARY, continued from page 1
Family happy hour Resident Bill Allan stands in front of the opening of the documentary, “Brick by Chance and Fortune” a St. Louis story. Bill was featured in the documentary.
The morning started off with an early morning freeze and sleet, but by 3 p.m. assisted living was hopping! Our February Family Happy Hour was a success.
Several family members and community residents attended. Richard and Jean Kautzman arrived early to get front row seats. Daughter Paula DiCampo, driving in from Eureka, joined them.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. Bill Cumberland, executive director Lily Landy, health care administrator To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Bethany Holohan, life enrichment director, bholohan@pmma.org. Telephone: 314-909-6010 Address: 505 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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Chinese New Year celebration We celebrated Chinese New Year on Tuesday, February 5. It’s the year of the pig. We had special music by Lura Koch and her husband, William. Lura set up her Chinese Bowl Music, provided history and explanation to one of the oldest musical forms in the world. William read Chinese poetry and
Community Matters April 2019
proverbs after each song. The music and poetry were so restful and so pleasant. Residents snacked on spring rolls and Chinese pub mix. Earlier in the day residents also made Chinese paper lanterns out of rice paper. Thank you to the Kochs for volunteering their time and talents for us at Aberdeen Heights. Like us on Facebook
Sweet celebration of the Oscars The Oscars were celebrated at Aberdeen Heights. Residents made chocolate Oscar trophies and enjoyed them at an Oscar-themed day of events, which included Oscar trivia, music and a short film on
Oscar history. Although we did not have a red carpet, Stephanie Ameis, life enrichment employee, and several residents, made some beautiful red-carpet inspired jewelry!
Resident Barb Jordan mixes melted chocolate for these delicious and beautiful chocolate trophies.
Adding something special and unique to the Oscar party was the addition of some fun Oscar-themed centerpieces, compliments of independent living resident Midge Krueger. She and her husband Ronnie owned and operated Wehrenberg Theatres. Midge donated the Gone with the Wind plaque in the multipurpose room. Thanks, Midge.
Barb Jordan is at it again. From chocolate Oscars to red carpet bling, resident Barb Jordan has a style all her own.
Above: Barb Jordan and Betty Schmidt sort through the gems and jewels. Left: We think our marbled chocolate Oscar trophies are quite nice. In fact, we think if sold, they could fetch more than a real Oscar. After a 2015 court ruling mandated that any resale of a statuette first be offered to the Academy for $1, an Oscar is technically worth only that—$1. Maybe an idea for our next Small Business Day‌ Aberdeen Trophy Chocolates. Like us on Facebook
Mary Ellen Brucker chose to make a pretty blue pendant necklace. The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
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Dreaming about Valentine’s Day
A local Girl Scout Troop helped residents make rose bud vases to decorate the tables for Valentine’s Day. Above left, Joan Beck hasn’t lost her touch with school children. She was a teacher in the Kirkwood School District for more than 40 years. Ms. Jean Fogerty, above right, a lifelong gardener, still enjoys all things floral.
Nancy Lumpkin, assisted living resident, received beautiful flowers from her granddaughter in California. All admired this lovely bouquet.
Above: After a Valentine’s lunch, residents heard from entertainer Lamar Pilsing, known for his “Notes from Home Concerts” at The Sheldon. Some were serenaded and some sang along. Thanks to Alison Kelley for the beautiful balloon bouquets. Left: Assisted living resident Bob Sextro is just as sweet as the giant-sized Hershey’s Chocolate bar he is holding! Bob worked for the Hershey Company for more than 28 years. He gave this to us for all to enjoy. ANNIVERSARY, continued on page 8
Alice Kalb moved in on April 21, and lived there until her death in 1951. When it came time to name this new establishment, the committee did not choose to name it the Presbyterian Home for the Aged.
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Community Matters April 2019
Instead, based on the separate suggestions of two women—Mrs. Mary Page of Topeka and Grace Derby of Manhattan, it was named Newton Presbyterian Manor. Grace later lived at Presbyterian Manor in Newton until her death in 1966. Alice’s dream has turned into a network of 17 senior living
Above: Lamar Pilsing sings with resident Mary Ellen Brucker.
communities across Kansas and Missouri with more than 2,400 residents. The mission of the organization remains true to its core: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. PMMA has plans to extend its mission with the proposed development of Aberdeen Ridge in Colorado Springs. Like us on Facebook