Arkansas City Community Matters - October 2022

Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor

Live life on your Terms OCTOBER 2022

Local artist wins first in Arkansas City's Art is Ageless® professional painting category In July, PMMA announced that Peggy Thomas had been awarded first place in the professional painting category of the Arkansas City division of its Art is Ageless® juried art competition. In addition to a certificate—and bragging rights—Peggy’s painting, “Garden Perch,” will be featured on a spread in the 2023 PMMA Art is Ageless calendar.

Although she had participated in the competition prior to this year, this was the first time Peggy was awarded first place, which she says took her by surprise.

“I was amazed and so thankful,” said Peggy.

Peggy has been involved in art for most of her life and has experimented with a variety of materials before settling on acrylics as her medium of choice.

“My mom got me painting lessons at 15,” said Peggy. “I’ve done all different types of media, watercolor, oils … but acrylics are convenient for me—and they don’t have the odor.”

“Garden Perch,” Peggy Thomas’ first place entry in the professional painting category that will be featured in the 2023 Art is Ageless calendar.

Assisted Living at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor is all about having the freedom to live life on your own terms. Our team of caring professionals is here to give you the help you need and the freedom to enjoy your independence.

Backed by PMMA’s more than 70 years of experience in senior living, Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor offers services to help you chart your own course.

What does it mean to shape your own journey? At Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, it means surrounding yourself with neighbors who are like family. It means sipping coffee drinks by our cappuccino bar or hanging out in our club room. And it means considering all aspects of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Learn more about the advantages of living on our campus. Contact Whitley Stokes, director of sales & marketing, at 620-506-0130 and wstokes@pmma.org. u

And Peggy shared that acrylics offer another very useful feature.

“With acrylic paint, it’s forgiving because you can dry and paint over it with another layer,” said Peggy.

Over the years, Peggy has developed a specific process for creating her art—one that she’s mastered through countless hours of work.

Peggy Thomas– continued on page 2 Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.

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Sweet sweet summertime!

The summer of 2022 was a busy one for Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor!

We’ve had lots of activities and parties to celebrate the season with our residents and staff. Want to join in on the next party? Reach out to Whitley Stokes, director of sales & marketing, at 620-506-0130 and wstokes@pmma.org. u

Peggy Thomas – continued from page 1 “I usually use reference photos, whether they’re from photos I’ve taken or from calendars or magazines—I can copy pretty good,” said Peggy.

In fact, Peggy has gotten so good at her process that she even does

commissioned work.

“If people have a good picture that they want me to reproduce, I can,” said Peggy.

As for others who may be on the fence about trying their hand at art and maybe even entering Art is

Ageless at some point down the line, she has a simple piece of advice.

“Express yourself and enjoy what you’re doing,” said Peggy. “Try it out—it’s a neat little gathering of artists.” u

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Community Matters 620-442-8700 ◆ Fax: 620-442-8224 1711 N. Fourth St. Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2022

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.

To submit or suggest articles: wstokes@pmma.org.

Sarah Griggs, executive director Whitley Stokes, marketing director

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

Basket of Babies: Family bassinet still in use after nearly a century

By John Shelman, Reporter, reporter@ctnewsonline.com As featured in the Courier Traveler on August 6, 2022

A small wicker basket purchased 90 years ago has cradled five generations of babies for the family of Nancy Robinson.

A resident of Presbyterian Manor in Arkansas City, Robinson said that her mother Jennie Frederick purchased the basket from a neighbor for $1 in 1932 when she was expecting her first child.

“She used it for all six of her children, and for the nieces and nephews that visited,” Robinson said.

Her brother and sisters all used it for their children and grandchildren.

Robinson counts 50 babies who have slept in the bassinet. Each child would use it as a crib until they outgrew it, usually until three or four months of age. It was then passed along to the next baby who came along, weaving a fabric of connection among the generations and branches of the family tree.

The special carrier traveled all over the country. In 1970, her mother took it to California for a new grandchild. In 1972, Robinson brought it back to Kansas in the trunk of her car.

“There was an overlapping of generations, so the basket traveled quite a bit,” she said. “It went to New York in 2006 for a great, great grandchild, and then back to Kansas where it is today.”

She said that her 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren have all

Resident Nancy Robinson with the wicker basket that has cradled five generations of babies in the family. used the bassinet as a crib. Today, her great, great grandson Malichi Lee Jaymes Johnston Jr., of Ark City, is getting his turn in the family heirloom. He is three months old.

Next stop: the child of greatgrandson Brandon Spellins and his girlfriend, also in Ark City.

Robinson said the 90-year-old basket is a family heirloom, and using it as a crib has become a treasured family tradition, one that she expects will continue for years to come.

Her granddaughter, Angela Wilson

Bowman, who also slept in the basket, agrees.

“I love it,” she said. “My kids think it’s funny when I tell them that they were sleeping in that basket and that their kids are going to sleep in it.”

In spite of its age, all of its travels, and the many occupants, the basket remains in excellent condition.

Robinson said that she did repaint it before it was sent to New York.

“We all believe that mother got her money’s worth out of it,” she said with a laugh. u

Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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1711 N. Fourth St. Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Five local artists among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners Five winning artists in Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2023 Art is Ageless calendar produced

by PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®).

“Country Santa,” a Christmas entry by Robert Armstrong, “Tom,” a Painting entry by Eldon Eastman, and “Garden Perch,” a Painting entry by Peggy Thomas, will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall.

Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 14 other PMMA® communities. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar with pull-out postcards and greeting cards.

“Ribbon of Peace,” a Mixed Media/Crafts entry by Violet Elliott-Beyer, and “Deck the Halls,” a Christmas entry by Donna Thompson, will be

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2022

included in the calendar’s honorable mention gallery.

“Country Santa,” a Christmas entry by Robert Armstrong, will be featured on Art is Ageless greeting cards.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Whitley Stokes, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of senior artists.”

For more on Art is Ageless, visit ArtIsAgeless.org. u