Aberdeen Village
NOVEMBER 2019
Thanks for the gratitude Aberdeen Village team offers reasons for thanks
With the Thanksgiving season upon us, we asked our leadership team to share a few of the things that make them grateful. Tim Allin, executive director — “I’m grateful for two beautiful grandchildren that I get to play with all the time.” Heather Benney, director of nursing — “I am grateful for my health, happiness and friends in 2019.” Cory Gerner, director of environmental services - “I am grateful for my family and a roof over my head.” Kenneth Gitobu, human resources director — “I am grateful for working with a team of compassionate staff who takes pride in their job.” Diane Gunsolley, chaplain — “I am grateful for the God of new beginnings who gave my husband and I a cozy home within three blocks of our four grandchildren.” Linda Mwanzi, assisted living director — “I am grateful for the gift of life, family, health, friends and my job, too.” John Westmacott, accounting assistant — “I am grateful for a great place to work close to my grandchildren and the talented and nice people who work here.” Sandy Barnes, life enrichment director — “I am grateful for my family and my co-workers friendships.” Janelle Erickson, director of social services — “I am grateful that my kids are both happy, healthy and doing well.” Norma Kester, director of dining services — “I am grateful for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchild.” Stephanie Oehlert, director of marketing, assisted living and healthcare — “I am grateful for the good health and happiness of my family and GRATITUDE - continued on page 3
Thanksgiving food drive helps feed the hungry year-round Many people take time during the Thanksgiving season to pause and consider the bounty they’ve been fortunate to experience in their lives. But Rev. Kirk Perucca with Covenant Presbyterian Church thinks it’s important to remember that people are hungry beyond the holiday season. “People are hungry three times a day, every day,” Rev. Perucca said. “And people are really struggling out there. Jesus said, ‘Feed my people,’ and we take that really seriously.” The annual Thanksgiving food drive at Aberdeen Village helps meet that need by collecting nonperishable food items that help restock the church’s free pantry. “What Aberdeen does, extends the ability of people of faith to deliver food to people in need,” Rev. Perucca said. “We are blessed to be advocates for our neighbors.” FOOD - continued on page 3
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Aberdeen Village staff share Thanksgiving memories Norma Kester, director of dining services, shared this fond Thanksgiving memory and family favorite recipe. “When my daughter and son in-law were first married, we had always had our standard Thanksgiving dinner, which included green bean casserole. And he was not a fan of green beans. So, with his being new to the family, I decided to try adding a corn casserole to our Thanksgiving dinner, and it was such a hit we have included it each year. We decided he was a keeper and so was the corn casserole. They have now been married 25 years.” Scalloped Sweet Corn Casserole 4 tsp. cornstarch 2/3 cup water 1/4 cup cubed butter 3 cups fresh or frozen corn 1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk 3/4 tsp. plus 1 1/2tsp. sugar, divided 1/2 tsp. plus 3/4 tsp. salt, divided 3 eggs 3/4 cup 2% milk 1/4 tsp. pepper 3 cup cubed bread 1 small onion chopped 1 cup Rice Krispies, slightly crushed 3 Tbsp. butter melted
1. Preheat oven to 350º. In a bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. In a saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Stir in corn, evaporated milk, ¾ tsp. sugar and ½ tsp. salt; bring to a boil. Stir in cornstarch mixture; return to boil, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened; cool slightly. 2. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, pepper and the remaining sugar and salt until blended. Stir in bread, onion and corn mixture. Transfer to a greased 8 in.-square or 1 1/2 quart baking dish. 3. Bake, uncovered, 40 minutes. In a small bowl, toss Rice Krispies with melted butter; sprinkle over casserole Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until golden brown. Stephanie Oehlert, director of marketing for assisted living and healthcare shared her Thanksgiving memories and this popular dessert recipe with her family and friends. “We always loved Thanksgiving at my Grandma Ruthie’s house. She always had such wonderful food,
and no one ever went hungry. But I did learn pretty early on that she was actually not a fan of baking. She loved desserts, but she was very happy to order pies from Tippins. We would go to Tippins often for lunch, and we always made sure to make room for pie. The Dixie pie was our absolute favorite. I always told her I was going to try to figure out how to make that pie. I finally came pretty close. So, now every year, I make that pie and always think of my Grandma Ruthie.” “I do have to share another funny memory. When I was trying to figure out how to make Dixie pie, in one of the first years I tried making the Dixie pie recipe, I did not have the best result. It is a lot like pecan RECIPES - continued on page 3
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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 | November 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.
RECIPES - continued from page 2
pie, but with walnuts and chocolate instead of pecans. It cooks in the oven until set and then you take it out to cool. It had cooked for the amount of time it was supposed to, but it was still very soupy. There were several other things cooking in the oven, so I thought it just needed to cook longer. I cooked it for another 15 minutes, but it still wasn’t set. I tried another 20 minutes and it finally seemed to be setting. I let it cook another 10 min just to be sure. When it cooled it was solid as a rock! We could not even get a knife in it to cut it. A friend of mine was determined to eat it, and took the whole pie out of the plate and broke it off in chunks. He said it was like very thick walnut chocolate brittle! He did ask if I put quick-set grout in it. I realized later I had forgotten to put the eggs in it. So, I definitely advise remembering the eggs; they are an important ingredient!”
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Dixie Pie 3 beaten eggs 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup light corn syrup 1/4 cup melted butter 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 heaping cup of walnuts (halves) 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 unbaked pie crust whipped cream (optional) Preparation Combine the first five ingredients and mix well, spread chocolate chips on bottom of crust and pour filling over them. Bake at 350º for 45 minutes. ◆
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the opportunity to work with such wonderful people.”
He said the pantry provides food for more than 11,000 groups of people each year. Food drives, such as the one held each year at Aberdeen Village, ensure the congregation follow Jesus’ creed to “feed my people.”
Liz Miller, social worker — “I’m so grateful for my husband and son, the love of friends and family and the beautiful fall weather!” Heather Holbert, occupational therapist — “I am grateful for my family, especially for my new grandson and that my parents are still here to enjoy their new greatgrandson!” ◆
“We’ve had this relationship with Aberdeen for around 10 years,” Rev. Perucca said. “In fact, our church van was donated by a former resident. Our partnership with Aberdeen is very important.” ◆
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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.
Aberdeen Village residents raise money for hurricane relief On September 23, our independent living residents met with the Heartto-Heart International Relief group to present them with a check in the amount of $2,055. Our residents took it upon themselves to raise money for the hurricane victims who have lost everything recently. They had a great response from everyone here at Aberdeen Village with their donation request. Aberdeen residents don’t just sit back and visit about how horrible it is that others in our country are going through such devastation while they sit here in their apartment all dry and cozy. They actually think of ways to help others in time of need! We applaud the efforts of the few to help the needs of so many. ◆
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Independent living residents present a check to Heart-to-Heart International Relief. From left to right: Representative from Heart-to-Heart, Sam Malsbary, Ed Weger, Esther Minter, and Zoe Moore, and a representative from Heart-toHeart.
COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2019