Arkansas City Community Matters April 2019

Commun ty Matters Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor

April 2019

Jesus has risen

Retirement means family time for Pam Brown

By Bill Bowles, resident chaplain Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor

Having served residents for more than 32 years, Nutrition Assistant Pam Brown recently announced that she will be retiring on April 4—a move that has her filled with a variety of emotions.

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

— Luke 24:1-5 New International Version (NIV) Key ideas: The Dawning of Easter The empty tomb The word of life Action step: Celebrate new life given to the world through Jesus Christ whether it be Easter or not.

Prayer: Lord, I will live today by the inspiration of the mystery of CHAPLAIN, continued on page 4

“I don’t want to retire but I know I need to retire,” said Pam. “My dad is still alive, and I want to hang out with him and my uncle.”

Pam Brown

Pam made the decision to retire shortly after returning from a two-month visit to see her 88 year-old father and 90 year-old uncle in Iowa last fall.

“I went back in October to stay with my dad, and I just enjoyed it so much,” said Pam. “I thought, ‘they need me,’ and I knew I needed to go back.”

In addition to seeing her dad and uncle, Pam will also be using her retirement as a way to spend more time with her family in Arkansas City, which consists of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren— something that has become one of her favorite pastimes.

“My hobby is my family, said Pam.” “I just want to be with my family.

As much as Pam is looking forward to having some free time, she says she is really going to miss seeing her adopted family at the community.

“I’ll miss the residents,” said Pam. “This place has been my family. My granddaughter, my mother and my husband all passed away while I’ve been here, and the people at the community have gone through it all with me.”

Our community is going to miss her, too.

“Pam, as well as many of our longevity staff members, are such a huge part of our culture of Presbyterian Manor. Pam was one of the first staff members to welcome me to the team when I started in Human Resources in 2000. She has such a huge heart, passion and dedication for the care that we provide to our residents. Pam’s knowledge and experience will be greatly missed by everyone,” said Sarah Griggs, RETIREMENT, continued on page 2

RETIREMENT, continued from page 1

executive director.

Among all of the things Pam is going to miss about working at the community, she says it’s the social aspect of her job that she is going to miss most.

“I’ll need some counseling because I’ll have withdrawal,” said Pam. That said, before she walks out that door for the final time as an employee, Pam is planning on getting one last fix.

“I plan on having me a shin dig on April 5 at the Manor in the dining room,” said Pam. “Everybody is invited!”

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Sarah Griggs, executive director Sean Page, marketing director Lori Peters, activities director

To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact spage@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-442-8700 Fax: 620-442-8224 Address: 1711 N. Fourth, Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607

Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

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Community Matters April 2019

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. 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.

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 communities across Kansas and Missouri with more than 2,400 residents, and 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 into Colorado with the proposed development of Aberdeen Ridge in Colorado Springs.

April Birthdays Bill Flick

Dorothy Jackson

Doris Gilmore-Rogers

Sarah Lewis

Betty Harris

Grace Potter

Betty Hollister

Rita Stocksen

Esther Hutchinson

Lila Teufel Like us on Facebook

Our volunteers make all the difference Our community is blessed to have a number of volunteers dedicated to making life easier and more joyful for our residents and staff. As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week April 7-13, we’re putting the spotlight on two of them who make a difference in our community every day.

committee. My capacity is to be at the tournament as a figurehead, sign thousands of thank you letters for donations or ask for donations, be in charge of the sound system and set up the sponsor signs on the golf course. We also play in the tournament. And I can put on my radio DJ voice and do all the radio spots for it, too. It’s one of those things we’ve been doing for a long time,” said Jeff.

Jeff’s involvement with the community got more personal five years ago when his brother, Harley Wood, came to live here.You can occasionally find Jeff playing Bingo, and he used to be on the advocacy committee. The former professional musician has also shared his talents with residents when his band used to play here on occasion.

Dr. Jeff Wood has been sharing his love for golf and Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor for almost three decades.

Jeff Wood

“I like volunteering for the Presbyterian Manor because I’ve always enjoyed hanging out with older people. I think it’s the

Jeff Wood has been a chiropractor 29 years.

“I’m an avid golfer—not a good one, just an avid one.”

Jeff has been volunteering for Presbyterian Manor almost as long as he has been golfing. He’s been playing golf for 28 years, and about 25 years ago, Jeff was invited to be on the Good Samaritan Golf Tournament committee. About 10 years ago, he became co-chair with Jan Pringle.

“The hardest part is getting people to donate. That’s why we have the Like us on Facebook

Richard Leighton, pictured with his wife, Stephanie, has been sharing his love for scripture with our community for almost four years.

entertainer in me because I don’t get to entertain much anymore … whether they like being entertained or not is a whole different thing! I don’t think of it as volunteering. I’m just on a committee that I’ve done forever,” said Jeff.

Richard Leighton A minister at Bible Christian Church in Arkansas City, Richard Leighton has been volunteering at our community since 2015, providing Bible studies and chapel services with other pastors from the Ark City Ministerial Alliance.

“I teach the doctrines of the Bible and encourage the residents to continue educating themselves in their personal faith. In addition, I give them guidance, practically speaking, so they can be active in service and encouragement to their neighbors at the Presbyterian Manor,” said Richard.

Richard’s experience here has been more than just putting in the hours, he’s also making friendships for a lifetime.

“I have made some life-long friends through volunteering at ACPM and love the fellowship the residents share with me when they tell stories and give hope through their own life experiences. Many times, I am personally encouraged by the residents. I go in excited about being able to share but often times leave feeling like the people I am called to serve have just ministered to me. It is wonderful and inspiring to be a part of that exchange,” said Richard.

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Ark City Presbyterian Manor’s Art LIKE ® call for entries underway is Ageless

Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor

Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor onfor entries for the has issued a call Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 8-12. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2020 Art is Ageless calendar.

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Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, your life and love that you have works are to have been completed demonstrated to the world once and Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor Arkansas Cityfive Presbyterian Manor in the past years (since January for all in the resurrection of Jesus 2014).

There are nine categories, on on the Christ. as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be Editor’s note:This devotion is from a book of devotions written by Bill Bowles, entered for judging need to be at resident.

Presbyterian Manor by April 3.

CHAPLAIN, continued from page 1

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Community Matters April 2019

Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica communities to be judged at the systemwide level. In addition to the exhibit, Ark City Presbyterian Manor will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 12.

Entry forms and information can be picked up at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, 1711 N. Fourth, Arkansas City, or by contacting Sean Page at 620-4428700 or spage@pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online.

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