Aberdeen Village
AUGUST 2019
Creating life
Art teacher’s students learn to appreciate art—and each other
Ida Baldeh, LPN
An environment of support Aberdeen Village is committed to helping employees achieve their educational goals for the betterment of themselves and the community. PMMA’s Employee Education Assistance program gives staff members the chance to reach higher levels of education.
Ed Duman, Cheryl Reynolds and Shirley Dixon enjoy Carol Rondinelli’s classes.
Over the past seven years, students in Carol Rondinelli’s art class at Aberdeen Village have gained much more than painting and drawing skills. Through creating and competing together, they have gotten to know and respect each other, built strong friendships and discovered that they’re all artists at heart. It all started with Carol contacting Aberdeen Village in 2012 to ask for a job. She had spent nearly four decades honing her art skills and studying under accomplished artists, but besides doing some volunteer teaching, she had never pursued a paid position as an art instructor. One day, she got up the nerve and asked. “I’ve studied art for 40 years,” Carol said, “and always thought it would be fun to teach but didn’t pursue it. I decided to try to turn it into my job. I spoke to Aberdeen, and they hired me on the spot. I give God credit for that opportunity!” At the time, Carol knew what a life-enhancing activity the class would be for her students. She didn’t know how much it would enhance her life as well. Through the years, Carol said the class has focused on studying the “old -Life, continued on page 2
Staff members who meet requirements can have expenses for books, tuition and fees reimbursed. It’s a lifesaver for many employees who otherwise might not be able to afford going back to school. “I don’t know who started it, but I want to thank them for it,” said Ida Baldeh, an LPN at Aberdeen Village who is working to become an RN. “It gets tough sometimes. It’s not easy to be going to school and working, and you have bills to pay as well.” Ida is just one employee who has taken advantage of the education assistance program. Through the program, she was able to complete prerequisites to -Support, continued on page 2
Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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masters techniques,” starting with an initial line drawing and then rendering the art into a realism 3D appearance. Students have worked together to create pieces for local displays and to enter in Aberdeen Village’s annual Art is Ageless® contest. At times, the class has held sessions outside the Aberdeen Village community. “One time, I had them come out to my home art studio for the lesson,” Carol said. “We had individual art tables and lights, which they really enjoyed. They asked if they could do that once a year, and I told them ‘sure’.” Conversations between class members go beyond art discussions. Carol said students -Support, continued from page 1
enter an RN program, which she plans to start in August. Ida then plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing with help from the program. She said a higher level of education will help her help more people. “How I see it right now is my help is limited,” Ida said. “I would like to help people in different ways. As an RN, your scope of practice widens.” Felisha Reed, a CNA and CMA at Aberdeen Village, graduated as an LPN in May with help from the program and is currently working
have talked about their pasts, and she’s heard some rather remarkable stories. “One man has been on the team that designed and constructed the Marcia Schuler and Carolyn Habighorst enjoy the art very first Air Force classes taught by Carol Rondinelli. One,” Carol said. “When my husband passed, they “One man had all hopped on the bus and came driven General Patton throughout to the memorial, which warmed World War II in Europe. We had a my heart,” Carol said. “When I pastor and several school teachers, and they all have interesting stories returned to class a week later, they all gave me a standing ovation.” to share!” The class has allowed students to develop a passion for art—and an affinity for their instructor. That was apparent when Carol went through the heart-wrenching experience of losing her husband.
Carol has also developed an affinity for her students. “I really love these people,” she said. “I think their generation was and is the best ever. I love my friendships with the students.” ◆
on becoming an RN—again with assistance from Aberdeen Village and PMMA.
“This company not only has great benefits and great people, it also provides employees with the opportunity to further their education,” Felisha said. “To me, that is the greatest gift you could receive.”◆
The program rewards staff members for their dedication to furthering their education. “When I graduated high school, I decided to jump right into college and enrolled at my local community college, and began taking prerequisites for my nursing degree,” Felisha said. She said she’s thankful to be working at Aberdeen Village and the steps the community takes to support its staff members.
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 | August 2019
Felisha Reed, CNA, CMA
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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.
Taste of excellence Large group invited to sample Aberdeen Village’s top-notch menu
More than 50 guests were treated to a “Taste of Aberdeen” in late June, enjoying a dinner of Aberdeen Village’s finest culinary creations. The event was the final installment of Aberdeen Village’s threepart Senior Education Series in Aberdeen Village’s Just Ask lifelong learning program, which offers seminars on topics of interest to seniors, their loved ones, caregivers and others in the broader community as well as our residents. The entire series was well attended, but the “Taste of Aberdeen” event was the most popular.
Guests enjoyed the pesto penne.
The menu for A Taste of Aberdeen Village was set at each place setting.
“Aberdeen Village offers the area’s finest senior living dining program, so this installment was a showcase of our food, unique approach and philosophy that make our dining program so special,” said Sean Roark, marketing and sales director. Executive Chef Jose Diaz and his staff put together an elegant and delicious meal of Roman salad, pesto penne, seafood linguine, and a dessert trio featuring key lime pie, carrot cake and dark chocolate turtle cake. One goal of the Senior Education Series was to highlight Aberdeen Village’s assets as an outstanding senior care community to guests. Sean said staff members certainly accomplished that. “We were thrilled to host many guests for each installment of the series,” he said. “The repeat - Taste, continued on page 4 Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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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.
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attendance allowed us to get to know them, for them to get to know the many things Aberdeen Village does exceptionally well, and to also help them develop a sense of comfort within the community. The feedback was excellent, and our team did a wonderful job representing Aberdeen Village. We met a lot of great people that we hope will make great residents in the future.� ◆
Guests were served a dessert trio featuring key lime pie, carrot cake and dark chocolate turtle cake.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2019
Right: Victor, Veronica and Jose served the meal.
Executive Chef Jose Diaz prepares the seafood linguine for A Taste of Aberdeen.
Guests enjoyed seafood linguine topped with a crab cake.