Commun ty Matters Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
July 2018
All together now— as we sing our song By Bill Bowles, chaplain Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
Have you ever thought about the similiarties of the types and sizes of trees in our towns and state? Then recall your broader adventures across the great USA, and even in other nations. When you had the privilege to travel to other states or nations, did you see differences in the vegetation? In an inspirational book of W. Phillip Keller, “Still Waters,” he shares his adventures as an agronomist, and the joy of planting new landscapes, and renewing great forests and countries. Do you remember being on vacations with your family, visiting relatives and celebrating the striking beauty of new landscapes? Recall the unique features of landscapes— more open plains, mountains and deep valleys than we ever knew were there! Now consider your families and friends, your children and your relatives all together. What a lovely variety! We are still brightening, encouraging, challenging and inspiring those dear to us, and making new friends that we discover SONG, continued on page 2
Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor staff celebrating its 40-year history outside.
Looking back at history: the next step The original 1976 vision for Presbyterian Manor included not only the 93-unit apartment complex, but also an “immediate care center” or what we now refer to as the Healthcare center. The concept has always been to provide a continuum of care so that those individuals living in the apartments have a sense of security knowing that there is an attached healthcare center. Shortly after the apartment complex opening in the fall of 1978, Presbyterian Manor applied for certification through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for a 53-bed nursing community. One of the first hurdles was presenting to the Health Systems Agency of South East Kansas (HSASEK), where Rev. Thomas Wentz, then president of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, and one of the current residents, Mary Allee, spoke. In a March 8, 1979, article published by the Arkansas City Traveler, which covered the hearing, the article quoted Mary stating it was important to her to know that a nursing community would be available to her should she ever need it. She wanted to remain where her friends were. Their presentation hit home, and the HSASEK committee approved Presbyterian Manor’s request, which led to the official certification FORTY, continued on page 2