Clay Center Community Matters December 2019

Clay Center Presbyterian Manor

DECEMBER 2019

Sledding into Christmas brings back memories Christmas is a special time, filled with memories, traditions and recipes that have been passed down through the generations. As the season fast approaches, we asked a few residents to share some of their favorite stories, to help deliver some Christmas cheer to everyone at Clay Center Presbyterian Village.

Bill Wieland’s favorite Christmas memory was from 1952. He was only nine years old and received a sled he had asked for at Christmastime. Not only did the sled work great – it was equipped with harness straps so it could be easily pulled back up the hill.

Donna Girton shared that she always made popcorn balls with cream instead of syrup so they would be less sticky. Her grandmother always had a milk bucket full of popcorn balls around on the holidays. Donna said the recipe – which she graciously shared – makes the best popcorn balls. They aren’t as brittle, and don’t leave your fingers so sticky.

Cream popcorn balls Melt together 1 cup white syrup, 1 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup of cream. Add to popped corn. The cream is in addition to and not in place of the syrup. She got the recipe from her sister who got it from her mother-in-law.

They lived on a farm and had real cream.

Betty Jones always made Christmas Pudding, which was her husband’s favorite dish. She would make it with a lot of spices and dried fruit and said that one could add nuts if desired. Betty added that Christmas was always a beautiful time with their family. On Christmas morning her children would wait lined up on the steps for Mom and Dad to wake up and walk down to the tree and presents. The children would make a trip or two up to their parents’ bedroom, sure to make a little noise along the way, in hopes of waking them up. Betty also said her mother always made cut cookies that she and her

MEMORIES – continued on page 3

Your guide to the best Christmas movies of all time Ask 100 people to list their top 10 favorite Christmas movies, and you’re likely to get an endless variation of answers. Christmas movies run the gamut – from timeless classics like White Christmas or Miracle on 34th Street, to comedies like Elf and Home Alone. Even some action movies – like Die Hard – make an appearance on lists of the best Christmas movies of all time.

To help decide the matter, the folks at USA Today put together a list of top 20 Christmas movies of all time, while the website ranker.com asked readers to vote on their favorite movies for the holiday season. It’s little surprise that the results aren’t identical. To help you sort out your holiday season movie watching, here’s a compilation of some of the highest rated Christmas movies of all time, from USA Today, Parade and Ranker.

A Christmas Story (1983) The movie that gave us the line “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid” has endured as a timeless classic. The story of a 9year-old boy obsessed with getting a Red Ryder BB gun takes viewers into the minds of children, parents, even a shopping mall Santa. This movie has stood the test of time with its witty writing, great acting, and heartwarming story of family and community.

MOVIES – continued on page 3

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My how times change – a look at the top Christmas presents through the years 1960s

Remember the excitement and anticipation that came every year when the Sears and Roebuck Christmas Wish Book landed in the mailbox? Thanks to the internet, that catalog is a limitless number of online pages, filled with toy and gift options that strain the imagination.

Still, every Christmas season there are a few children’s gifts that rise above the rest, the must-have gift of a generation, or some toy that retains a place as a timeless classic. Though the popular toys change throughout the years, the central idea behind those gifts remains steady – to spread happiness and joy to children. Here are just a few of the most-loved Christmas toys throughout the years. u

Etch-A-Sketch Easy-Bake Oven Barrel of Monkeys

1920s Radio Flyer Wagon Yo-Yo Joy Buzzer

1970s Star Wars Action Figures Shrinky Dinks Nerf Ball

1980s Cabbage Patch Kids My Little Pony Transformers

1930s Red Ryder BB gun Sock Monkey Stuffed Mickey Mouse

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1990s

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Beanie Baby Buzz Lightyear Tickle Me Elmo

1940s Slinky Legos Magic 8 ball

1950s Silly Putty Barbie Tonka Truck

2000s Bratz dolls Razor Scooters XBOX 360

trending for 2019 Ryan’s World Giant Mystery Egg L.O.L. Surprise fashion doll Little Genius starter kit for iPad

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CLAY CENTER Presbyterian Manor

785-632-5646 u Fax: 785-632-5874 924 Eighth St. Clay Center, KS 67432-2620 ClayCenterPresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2019

Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Clay Center Presbyterian Manor

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizaton.

To submit or suggest articles: clrice@PMMA.org Christian Gilbert, executive director Christi Rice, marketing director

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

MEMORIES – continued from page 1

small, but they always loved what they got.

sisters would decorate while singing Christmas songs. After a large roaster pan was filled with the cookies, her mother would hide them so the girls couldn’t have any until Christmas.

Leota Fowles grew up in a family with five children. When asked about her favorite Christmas memory she said that every Christmas was memorable, and that it was a time she and her three sisters and one brother always

Presents and pajamas are part of Christmas memories. looked forward to with anticipation.

She remembers that the gifts were

Karen Gilbert has a special and favorite memory from when she was 10 or 11. Along with her sister, the duo decided they were old enough to get dressed before going downstairs to open gifts on Christmas morning. Her mother disagreed and did not think this was a good idea. She made the girls go back up and put their pajamas on before coming back down to open their gifts. u

MOVIES – continued from page 1 A Christmas Carol or alternatively, Scrooged (1951,1988) Based on the classic book by Charles Dickens, both movies follow the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a man with inexhaustible wealth who fails to exercise even modest charity. Despite his efforts to spend the holiday alone, visitors from the past, present and future attempt to show him the error of his ways.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) The Griswald family has big plans for Christmas, but things seldom run smoothly for this crew. Despite Clark’s best efforts, his string of bad luck persists – and is made worse by the arrival of a number of obnoxious family members and guests. Despite repeated difficulties, the family manages to salvage a Christmas that is both memorable and laugh-out-loud funny.

Die Hard (1988) NYPD officer’s visit to California turns awry when his wife’s Christmas Party is hijacked by a group of terrorists who hold the building, and everyone in it, hostage. What ensues is an actionpacked Christmas thriller that leaves officer McClain no choice but to take

matters into his own hands.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Do you believe in Santa Claus? A man who steps in to replace a drunken department store Santa goes by the name Kris Kringle and claims to be the real Santa Claus. Despite a number of hearty skeptics, there are some who can’t help but admit there’s something special about the man – and find themselves believing in the magic of Christmas.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) George Bailey spent his life giving of himself to his community of Bedford Falls. But when George’s uncle misplaces $8,000 it spells the end of the generous Bailey name – opening the door for Mr. Potter to take over the town. While Bailey wonders if all those he loves might have been better off without him, an angel named Clarence helps George see the truth.

Elf (2003) This zany comedy revolves around an oversized elf who doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere. After growing up in the North Pole, Buddy the Elf learns that he is a human who stowed away in Santa’s bag as a baby. He sets out to New York

City to live with his father but adjusting to a “normal” life presents a number of challenges – and laughs.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Charlie Brown, saddened by the consumerism he sees surrounding the Christmas season, sets out to find some deeper meaning. Lucy tells Charlie Brown to direct the school Christmas pageant – a task that is a struggle, but made better with help from Charlie Brown’s friends.

Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) Narrated by the voice of Burl Ives, viewers watch a misfit reindeer find his way. From being a social outcast, to the island of misfit toys, to eventually leading Santa’s sleigh through a fog that might have ruined Christmas – without the aid of Rudolf’s nose. .

White Christmas (1954) Fresh out of battle in WWII, two soldiers form a top song-and-dance act.

When they encounter a pair of sisters with stunning beauty and greater talent, a series of romantic mix ups unfold. White Christmas was the top grossing movie of 1954, and features some of the best-known music and dance routines in cinematic history. u

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CLAY CENTER Presbyterian Manor 924 Eighth St. Clay Center, KS 67432-2620 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided

by Christian values.

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Every gift to Presbyterian Manor makes a difference.

As we enter this holiday season, we recognize the gifts of our many donors across the PMMA system. Below are the names of donors who have given $50 or more to Clay Center Presbyterian Manor between July 1 and September 30, 2019.

This holiday season, be an angel to a senior in need.

Make a donation to our Good Samaritan Program, which assists PMMA residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own.

Mr. Craig Easterberg Ms. Kay Taylor You, too, can leave a mark on Clay Center Presbyterian Manor with your gift during this holiday season. Stop by the front desk or make a gift online, www.giving.presbyterianmanors.org. u To earn your wings, stop by our front desk or visit giving.presbyterianmanors.org. A bell will be added to our Christmas tree in your honor.

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2019