Aberdeen Village Community Matters - December 2022

DECEMBER 2022

Cheers to everyone who made Octoberfest a success!

Aberdeen Village held a wonderful Octoberfest event for guests to visit our lovely campus and taste some of our delicious food.

Teamwork is the key ingredient in everything

We want to thank everyone for helping pull off such a fun event. The dining staff outdid themselves with delicious German fare. Thank you to Jeff and Becky and everyone in dining!

The whole maintenance team worked hard helping us get apartments and our campus ready to show.

Joe, Peggy and Greg Pollack and Margaret Laws

Thank you to Cory, Scott, Frank, Hailu and Gator.

Sandy decorated the Cappuccino room like a German pub and served drinks during the event.

Diane led some fun activities with German words and name that tune. Lauren helped out in so many ways from putting together takeaway gifts, to painting an Aberdeen Village pumpkin and helping take pictures. Janelle helped with the photo booth. Liz helped us give tours and greet people. Luke helped with tours also and cleaning Front: Lauren Keller, Back up after the event. Linda helped Sandy with drinks from left to right: Stephanie in the German pub. Tim helped greet people and Oehlert, David Meyer, Cheryl led tours for people to see apartments. Heather Larson and Diane Gunsolley. helped us take people on tours to apartments. Our resident ambassadors were a tremendous help. Thank you to Sandy Wohlford, Esther Minter, Ed Weger and Aileen Moise for welcoming our guests and spending time with them during the event.

A great time was had by all and we appreciate every one of you from the bottom of our hearts!

From the Aberdeen Village Marketing Team: Stephanie Oehlert, David Meyer and Cheryl Larson.u

Dining Services Assistant Ellen Markley (middle) celebrates seventh anniversary with Executive Director Tim Allin and Dining Services Assistant Director, Becky Travelute

Ahmed Kadoum and Kim Mapes

For dining services assistant Ellen Markley, there has been a lot of joy in being part of the Aberdeen Village team.

“Being a team member, I get to be part of meeting the high standards in my area,” Ellen said. “That’s one of the most rewarding parts of my work.”

Each work day, Ellen is part of the team that helps prepare and deliver meals to residents - as well as help with the clean up. Between meal times, she helps clean the kitchen and dining areas, and prep for the next meal.

“We all work together to make sure residents have three meals a day,” Ellen said. “And we help ensure the residents have the highest quality of life in their Aberdeen Home.”

The work is rewarding but not without challenges. Ellen said the toughest part is finishing all the tasks in time to get meals ready. But as it all comes together, she finds great joy in her interactions.

Teamwork – continued on page 4

Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at AberdeenVillage.com/covid-19.

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Favorite Holiday Treats/Recipes Kay Collins Our family has cookie day for making our favorite cookies. All who can make this wonderful event, attend with lots of laughter and pizza. We divide cookies and then have some for neighbors.

Cherry Chocolate Cookies Bake at 350° for 8 minutes ½ c. shortening 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate malted ¼ c. brown sugar 1 c. flour ½ tsp. salt 1 egg yolk Large egg white, beaten 1 c. chopped walnuts

1/3 c. cherry preserves

Cream first 6 ingredients then chill.

Make small balls of dough, then dip ball of dough in beaten egg whites then in the nuts. Make a thumbprint in the middle of the dough, add cherry preserves and bake for 8 minutes at 350°

Ann Havenor I’m a cookie monster for years and my kids and grands expect gramma’s cookies stocked in my freezer anytime they visit. So, here’s a couple of the hit parade – family approved.

Carly Swenson Hot Buttered Rum prepared by nephew who hosts Thanksgiving dinners, Pumpkin dip prepared by niece who hosts Thanksgiving dinners. Mom always prepared Classic Green Bean casserole and Cranberry Relish.

Hot Buttered Rum 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 ½ Tbsp room temp butter 4-5 oz hot water

Pinch nutmeg 2-3 oz dark rum Cinnamon stick (optional)

Cream brown sugar, nutmeg and butter and refrigerate until firm. Pour rum in a warmed mug and add the hot water. Add butter mixture and stir – with a cinnamon stick if you like – letting the butter melt into the drink. Serves one.

Pumpkin Dip 1 can pumpkin (or pumpkin pie filling) 1 small carton cool whip 1 3 oz. pkg vanilla pudding 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice (eliminate if using pumpkin pie filling) Mix all ingredients together and serve with fruit &/or vegetables

Cranberry Date Bars 12 oz bag of cranberries 1 pkg (8 0z) chopped dates 2 Tbsp water & 1 tsp vanilla

Classic Green Bean Casserole Cook time 30 minutes at 350°

Simmer over low heat. Stir occasionally until cranberries pop. Set aside.

2 c. flour 2 c. old fashioned oats 1 ½ c. brown sugar (packed) ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt In a large bowl combine each of these 5 ingredients. Stir in 1 cup melted butter and mix to blend. Pat ½ of crumbs into an ungreased 9” x 13” pan.

Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Spoon the cranberry/date mixture over crust.

Sprinkle remaining ½ of crumbs atop and pat gently. Bake at 350° for 25-30 min until lightly browned.

Make a glaze of: 2 cups powdered sugar 2-3 Tbsp orange juice ½ tsp vanilla Drizzle over bars. Let it all cool. Slice into squares or bars.

10 ¼ oz. cream of mushroom soup ¾ c. milk 2 cans French style green beans, drained 1 1/3 c. French fried onions In a 1 ½ qt casserole dish combine soup & milk. Stir in beans and 2/3 c.

French fried onions. Bake at 350° or until hot. Stir. Sprinkle with rest of onions. Bake 5 minutes or until onions are golden.

Makes 6 servings

Ann Hendrickson At Christmas time, Mother made divinity candy. It wouldn't have seemed like Christmas without the candy.

Quick Crunch Yummies Line a jellyroll pan with aluminum foil. Cover with soda crackers (NOT CRUMBLED) single layer. Melt 1 stick of butter with ¾ cup of sugar and gently pour over crackers. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes just to bubbly.

Sprinkle with 1 ½ cups chocolate chips and return to oven just to soften.

Spread the chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint (chopped nuts if you want.) Let this harden, may put in freezer for a few minutes. Turn pan over, pull off foil and break (or try to cut) into pieces. Pizza cutter might work for cutting.

Rebecca Ann Chaikin Boiled custard – my mother made it but she died on my 21st birthday and I have no idea how she made it. I still can taste it in my imagination!

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Community Matters 913-599-6100 u Fax: 913-599-3810 17500 W. 119th St. Olathe, KS 66061-9524 AberdeenVillage.com

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is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village

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

To submit or suggest articles: soehlert@pmma.org Tim Allin, executive director Stephanie Oehlert, director of sales and marketing

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

COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2022

Judy Otey I found this recipe in the KC Star in the 70s. I made it for Christmas morning to have after the gifts were opened. One daughter still makes it today for Christmas morning.

This makes a beautiful cake with the frosting dribbled down the sides and the pecan halves & cherries alternated around the top.

Angel Tree supports local seniors in need

Holiday Brunch Cake The night before, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a large bundt or angel food cake pan.

2 c. flour 2 c. sugar 4 eggs - at room temperature 3 c. peeled, cored and grated apples 1/2 c. raisins 1/2 c. nuts 1 tsp. vanilla 1 1/2 c. oil (I found this could be reduced to 1 cup) 2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp baking powder 2 tsp baking soda Mix all dry ingredients together (this includes the apples.) Add oil, eggs and vanilla and blend well. Pour batter into the pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Residents love our zinnia flowers so much, two of them wrote poems to their beauty.

Frosting 1 c. chopped pecans 1 box powdered sugar 1 8 oz. package cream cheese 1 stick butter or margarine 1 tsp. vanilla Cream the cheese and butter. Add sugar, vanilla and pecans. Blend well. Add milk if necessary to spread.

To achieve the dribble effect on the sides, before adding the pecans remove some of the mixture to a smaller bowl and thin it with milk to get the desired consistency. Decorate with maraschino cherries.

Note: The cake should set overnight so that the flavors can blend and the cake can mellow. Also, it doesn't need to be stored in the refrigerator since this tends to harden the icing. Just keep it covered in your kitchen.

Mary Ruth Jaggard & Family It was always a treat to eat Mary Ruth’s “sticky buns”. It was a part of Christmas breakfasts together. The tradition has been passed down to the next generation. We love our sticky buns.

Sticky Buns Makes 24 1 pkg Rhodes frozen rolls 1 stick oleo, melted ¾ c. brown sugar pudding (not instant)

1 c. chopped pecans 1 tsp cinnamon 1 pkg butterscotch

Combine oleo with brown sugar and simmer for one minute. Add cinnamon and nuts. Put frozen rolls in 9”x13” pan. Sprinkle pudding over rolls. Cover with foil. Let stand on counter overnight. Bake at 350 ° for 25 minutes. Invert pan on tray. Serve hot (Rolls will rise overnight)

Zinnias I saw the zinnias blooming on the patio today So many colors, what an array.

They have survived the summer heat To see the flowers daily has been a real treat.

I saw 3 butterflies on the zinnias today Filling their stomachs for their journey far away.

But now fall is here Soon the flowers will be gone, I fear.

Perhaps someone will save some zinnia seeds in a pail And plant them on the patio next year by the rail.

Pat Rulon October 2022

Zinnias Delphinium? NO! It is zinnias I adore!

In red of every shade and shape They bloom in garden and path Rose? Forget those!

All thorny and scratchy They make your nose run And finger bleed.

Violet? NOT! Too small by half And they won’t last!

So it is Zinnias we have In all the pretty colors Of red, yellow and blue Gold and orange too.

The most beautiful bloom this year Grew in a large pot.

Perfectly round and three inches across, With maturity it grew into a cylinder Adding layer after layer of petal and seeds.

Small butterflies stopped to rest and admire.

No bug or varmit came to defile.

We have harvested the beauty.

Sam Malsbary October 2022

Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Teamwork – continued from page 1 “It’s a joy to serve my residents, and their friendship means a lot to me,” Ellen said. “They are part of my family, my second home.”

Ellen’s husband Richard said the community likewise sees the special relationship between Aberdeen Village, its employees, residents, and the community.

“When we go out shopping, to the grocery store and things like that, they notice Ellen’s uniform is on, and they complement her about what a wonderful place it is,” Richard said.

Outside of work, Ellen said she enjoys country music, and singing at home and at church.

She also enjoys all the activities that bring residents happiness including holidays, birthdays, and especially dressing up for Halloween, where she was able to show off her costume.

“It’s been a blessing to work for PMMA for seven years,” Ellen said. “I’ve had a lot of compliments about AV, a great place to live for seniors.” u

Aberdeen Village shares customer service survey responses Aberdeen Village continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys. Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight.

The graphic highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between August 2021 and September 2022, Aberdeen Village residents and their families gave the community high scores in demonstrating dignity and respect, cleanliness, and attention to individual needs.

The community also received a high score from residents and family members who would recommend to other. “I would tell them that it’s like coming home, friendly, and there is always something new and fun to do” said one resident. Another said “I would tell them that the people are very friendly.”

We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u

17500 W. 119th St.

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | December 2022

Olathe, KS 66061-9524