Aberdeen Village residents Bob and Carol McMillen reflect on many years of artistic endeavors
Bob McMillen says he discovered a love of watercolors through trial and error.
“I took a pencil drawing course in the 1970s and decided to try oil painting next,” he explained. “I didn’t like it, so I took a course in watercolors and the rest is history.”
Over the years his work has been featured in numerous galleries across Kansas and beyond.
“I enjoyed doing landscapes,” he shared. “I did some of the Flint Hills and several of places in Washington, Oregon
Whatever your heritage, have a blast this St. Patrick’s Day
Whether you have Irish heritage or not, St. Patrick's Day is a good time to learn a little more about history and enjoy some fun activities. Maybe it will bring you a little luck of the Irish!
1. Take a Virtual Tour of Ireland
The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. The Emerald Isle's first world heritage site.
https://youtu.be/bBARpgnYKvU
Blarney Castle
https://blarneycastle.ie/plan-yourvisit/map-and-virtual-tour/
The Cliffs of Moher virtual tour
https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/virtualtour-view/
The National History Museum of Ireland
You can find the above links on the blog pages of the Aberdeen Village website
2. Go to a St. Patrick's Day Parade
3. Watch an Irish movie
4. Listen to Irish music
5. Cook some traditional Irish food u
McMillen – continued on page 2
Bob’s wife, Carol McMillen, has also done her share of artistic works. Her craft, however, is quilting.
“I started when my grandchildren started showing up,” she recalled. “I did a lot of baby quilts and bed quilts.” Eventually, she began doing more artistic quilts, specifically wall-hanging quilts.
“They’re more artsy than a bed quilt,” she explained. She estimates she’s made hundreds of quilts over the years and is currently working on one that involves appliqué, embroidery and quilting.
“At times it seems like all I do is make quilts,” she explained. “It’s kept me busy for many years.”
Both Bob and Carol have had their work featured in Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Art is Ageless calendars. u
Aberdeen Village continues call for Art is Ageless® entries
Senior artists in the Kansas City metro area are invited to participate in Aberdeen Village’s annual Art is Ageless® exhibit and juried art competition March 24–April 28.
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 Art is Ageless calendar in 2024.
Artists compete in nine categories, including painting, drawing, photography, quilting and sculpture and may be designated as amateur or professional. The complete rules and category listing are online at www.ArtIsAgeless.org. Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA® communities to be judged at the systemwide level.
Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past
913-599-6100
913-599-3810 17500
five years (since January 2018). Works to be entered for judging need to be at Aberdeen Village by March 17.
The exhibit is scheduled to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 24 through April 28. A reception honoring the artists is scheduled for 3 p.m. May 2.
The Art is Ageless® program encourages Aberdeen Village residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year. Aberdeen Village is a PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) community. Entry forms and information can be obtained by contacting Stephanie Oehlert at 913-599-6100 or soehlert@pmma.org, or access them online at ArtIsAgeless.org. u
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New Residents: Bill and Carolyn Shomber
have nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
After their children grew up, Carolyn went back to college and got her master’s degree in special education. She didn’t teach very long, however, before she decided to baby sit her grandkids, which eventually led her to start a daycare.
“The love of my life was being able to take care of little ones. I’m still close with a lot of the families of the kids I babysat.”
The couple also enjoyed traveling over the years, including two trips to Spain, the British Isles and two riverboat cruises. u
New residents Bill and Carolyn Shomber moved to Aberdeen Village in July and are looking forward to continuing to get to know their friends and neighbors.
“Everything seems to be great, said Carolyn. “We are settling in and feel pretty comfortable here.”
She said the continuum of care and services offered at the community have already come in handy.
“Both of us have had to have therapy which has been really great to have them come in and do it right here in the apartment.”
Bill Shomber worked for the railroad and retired after many years as an over the road engineer. He and Carolyn raised one son and three daughters and now
