Newton Community Matters - July 2022

Newton Presbyterian Manor

Chaplain’s Corner

By Greg Schmidt JULY 2022

Member of first Apple-A-Day class returns to celebrate 30th anniversary When Danna Gordon’s family moved to Newton in 1992, there were a lot of things that were up in the air.

One of the most pressing issues facing Danna’s parents was finding a preschool for their young daughter.

With the school year already in progress, they were struggling to find a school that still had openings when someone mentioned that Newton Presbyterian Manor had a new preschool that had opened in January.

And, just like that, Danna become one of the first students at Apple-A-Day preschool.

July is here…and so is the heat! And what’s the best way to “beat the heat?”

Look for a vacation spot that offers a cooler climate, right?!

Greg Schmidt

When I was a kid—and into my young adulthood—my favorite getaway trip was to church camp in the Rockies. Over the years, I progressed from camper to camp counselor to camp director, and in the latter position, I introduced the Mennonite Brethren church camp world to Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Co.! That added a few “ice cold” stories to all the others!

Apple-A-Day student Braxtyn with his aunt Danna Gordon who was one of the first students at Apple-ADay preschool. The two attended the school’s 30th anniversary.

Preschool – continued on page 2

But what happens when you cannot “escape the heat” of life’s daily battles? How does one find ways to rest or relax in place? You may not like my answer. I believe every one of us desperately needs to allow our hearts and minds to find comfort by taking us away in our thoughts to a place where we’ve experienced the love, grace, forgiveness and peace from God and (Christian) friends that have always been there for us. It is never good to stay forever pinned down to our inevitable problems. We must be able to escape. Mental respite is a must!

Escape the heat – continued on page 3

Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at NewtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.

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Preschool – continued from page 1

Three decades later, Danna returned to celebrate the school’s 30th anniversary as a guest of her nephew, Braxtyn—a current Apple-A-Day student.

“It was neat when my nephew Camdyn went through Apple-ADay and now Braxtyn is there,” said Danna. “They both loved it!”

As for her own memories of the school, Danna said she is especially fond of the time she got to spend with her surrogate “grandma” at the community, which came as a result of the

preschool pairing up students with PMMA residents.

“We were always so excited to get to hang out with our person,” said Danna. “We did things like arts and crafts, reading and snack time. I didn't have grandparents that lived close, so this was special.”

Now, looking at the unique atmosphere created by the school, Danna sees that it is not only a benefit to the children, but to the residents as well.

“It's really neat to see the residents interact with the children,” said Danna. “It was important to me as a kid, but now that I'm an adult I see Preschooler receiving her diploma from Apple-A-Day preschool on the school’s 30th anniversary

how much the residents love the littles being around.”

After Apple-A-Day, Danna went on to attend Northridge Elementary and eventually graduated from Newton High School. From there, she attended McPherson College where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Education in School Counseling.

Preschoolers showing off their diplomas from Apple-A-Day preschool.

Danna is now back home in Newton—and back at Newton High School—where she works as a counselor. u

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Community Matters 316-283-5400 u Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2022

is published monthly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor

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

To submit or suggest articles: njost@PMMA.org Emily Trask, executive director Noelle Jost, marketing director

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

Chaplain – continued from page 1

I’m simply suggesting we ask God to let our minds take us to places we otherwise cannot go. I accomplish that by beginning where Jesus did—in prayer.

When we ask God to help us recall those places, people, and moments when we perceived life as less troubled, less complicated, less corrupted by pain or disease or situations that caused us fear or panic, we discover peace.

Our prayer should then shift to a state of productive meditation, staying in that personal place and allowing God to “heal” my body, spirit, and soul to the degree that my burden or worry is temporarily suspended. Just as our physical body needs at least four hours of deep sleep before it can even begin to be restored and re-energized, our hearts and souls need sustained rest as well.

A break from being bombarded by the challenges of everyday life, especially when those challenges include dealing with death and dying realities.

will take time. It doesn’t happen on the fly or instantaneously.

Why would he make that request?

Because life is pinning him down.

He’s needy. He’s stressed out.

Because the pursuit of those people and situations that set out to do harm or destroy him are bearing down on him. Because sustained rest is the only thing that will restore his life and vision. The image of a deer so at peace with her surroundings that she can stop and without fear, lower her head to the stream to take a long, needed drink, in complete peace, is inspirational to the Psalmist. So, he sets in place in a cave and meditates on what it would be like if he too, like the deer, could drink deep from the cool, refreshing resources of all that God has to offer.

We desperately need rest, especially when we’re facing “life and death.”

Why? So that we have the resources and strength to fight life’s battles.

Each of our Manors and communities, as well as our Heart & Soul Hospices are about finding rest for our patients and their families.

And we get that needed rest when we choose to live and enjoy every moment God gives us rather than giving in to the pain, frustration, and discouragement that disease and discomfort naturally bring.

So, right where you are, ask God to allow your heart and mind to travel to your vacation spot, your resting place. Not only do you need it, you also deserve it! And unlike making a booking with Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Co., it won’t cost you a thing! u

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God.” The Psalmist is figuratively describing an internal need—a “thirsting after”—the One he believes will replenish his innermost needs.

He doesn’t imagine a sip; he wants to drink deep. To do that Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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A game of ‘odds’

By Greg Schmidt

What are the odds?

The call was made. “O 71.” And not one…or two…but six Kalb Villa Bingo players all yelled in unison…

“Bingo!”

Maybe that sounds normal. But here’s the rest of the story.

There were only six players and they all had a different Bingo card.

The game being played was “Blackout” and “O 71” was the only call remaining. In other words, 74 calls had been made for six players with six different cards and Blackout went down to the very last call of the day.

Again, what are the odds?

I had a couple of mathematical sleuthers (sleuths that tell the truth) help me try to determine those odds.

After a half an hour of wrestling with multiple points of discussion, we determined that it was virtually impossible for it to have happen, like one in one septillion (a thousand raised to the eight power).

Was it a complete fluke? Here’s what we considered: There are 75 numbers that can be called at every game of Bingo and in our game, every participant had a different card (meaning, no two cards were exactly the same).

Because we were playing “Blackout,” all of the numbers under the “B”, “I”,

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2022

Six players, six unique cards... everyone’s a winner?

“N” and “G” had been eliminated (negating the fact that someone who was hard of hearing might have missed a call). The caller was using an app-based program on his phone to determine the next draw/call— therefore, the numbers that were called were both random and uncontrollable to the human touch or manipulation. The single “unknown” factor was how many variations of cards were printed by the company who manufactured them.

In the aftermath, two things happened.

First, everyone won a large candy bar

or their choice of six small bars.

Second, the caller emailed the mathematics departments of Harvard and Yale to see if they would weigh in on the “What are the odds?” discussion.

They haven’t—yet. Perhaps their whiz kids, brainiacs and computers cannot count that high?

If you live within driving distance of Newton Presbyterian Manor and are available at 2 p.m. on Fridays, drop in for a game. Maybe you’ll become an astronomical-odds Bingo player too! u

New club is nurturing beauty throughout the community

By Greg Schmidt

Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” and at Newton Presbyterian Manor, we “believe” thanks to a new Garden Club which meets every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The club’s goal is to utilize the gardening interests, knowledge and skills of Kalb Villa and Garden Apartment Residents to help beautify our community.

To get things started, Chaplain Greg and Ann Heidebrecht traveled in April to Hesston’s Stone Creek Nursery to pick out, and subsequently plant, more than 40 bright and beautiful plants in the eight planters on the new Assisted Living/Independent Living deck as well as the three bench planters in the courtyard. The following week they went to Newton’s Walmart where they found pre-potted

combinations of flowers for the Kalb Villa patio (three hanging and two at ground level). The chaplain and his wife also donated a double shepherd’s hook, an Orange Baltimore Oriole feeder (which uses only Welch’s Grape Jelly) and a hanging cedar platform feeder filled with safflower seed in an effort to attract orioles, cardinals, blue jays and other songbirds—but NOT squirrels!

As they have time and opportunity, the Garden Club will next focus on the Kalb Villa Patio and will be relocating canna flowers (from the West side of the Beauty Shop) as well as transplanting Mexican primrose (a ground cover), ornamental grass, creeping phlox, hostas and irises from the Chaplain’s personal flower gardens.

They are also working on plans to

introduce an Iris and a Rose Garden in the Assisted Living/Independent Living Courtyard.

Be watching throughout the summer for hidden gnomes and delicate fairies in addition to bird baths, houses and feeders. If you are interested in joining this outdoor adventure, or donating plants (especially roses bushes) or money to purchase garden supplies or plants, contact Anne or Chaplain Greg.

And, as you walk or drive around our campus, be especially sure to check out the luscious, fast-growing vegetable and flower gardens being raised by several of our independent residents just northeast of the Broadway Apartments.

Life is a garden, dig it! u

Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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Bravo Trina Deshazer!

Bravo of the Month goes to Trina Deshazer, life enrichment assistant, for two special projects that deserve recognition. Department co-worker Sarah Schmitt writes, “Thank you for helping me clean the popcorn machine today! It looks amazing!”

Director of Life Enrichment Melinda Ebersole shares, “Trina did an amazing job with hosting the

Mother’s Day Tea for the women of Utz, Claassen and Haury. She had to do it on her own due to the rest of the life enrichment team being on an outing with Utz House while the carpet was being replaced. Trina decorated and made it special for the ladies who attended. Thank you for your extra effort to making those who live here feel special.” u Bravo of the month goes to Trina Deshazer, life enrichment assistant

Preventing Prescription Opioid Misuse

By Melinda Hiebert, Mirror Inc.

Did you know … Kansans age 5574 experienced a 74% increase in the number of non-fatal opioid overdoses from 2016 – 2019?

It is important to know what you are taking and how long you should be taking it. Always disclose to your health care provider all of the medications you are taking to avoid negative drug interactions.

Prescription medications also need to be kept locked. Seventy percent of abused medications originate in the home medicine cabinet. Currently, only 4% of households lock up their medication.

Some options to use could be a locked

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kitchen cabinet, lockbox, or safe.

Another option is TimerCap medication tracker lids. To see these lids, go to timercap.com for more information.

This information was compiled through information from the K-Tracs brochures, the CDC, and KDHE websites. u

Preventing Prescription Opioid Misuse KNOW YOUR MED

COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2022

LOCK UP

DON'T SHARE

DOSE PROPERLY

TAKE 2 Intrigued

Funded in part by the CDC under Federal Award ID Number NU17CE924998.

DISCARD SAFELY

Improvements around the community

REMODELING - Installing sprinkler systems in ARTWORK - Beautiful new framed art pieces have nearly newly remodeled areas as well as the chapel will create some temporary plastic walls along the corridors, but we look forward to these lovely new spaces with increased fire safety measures.

completed Kalb Villa's north wing, as only apartment signage is yet to be installed. Kalb Villa Central's restroom and hallway remodeling projects have begun and neighbors in that wing are temporarily taking up residence in the east wing. u

Community Assembly meets

The Community Assembly of Newton Presbyterian Manor residents met in person for the first time since February of 2020 and it was so good for the group to gather, to hear reports and conduct business. They also relaxed with tunes by the Golden Notes Choir and feasted on beautiful appetizers. u

Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820

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Meet the “Apron Lady”

Celebrating our employees Employees celebrated National Nursing Home Week, Nurses Week and CNA Week all in the last two months. Barbecues, dress-up days, games and scavenger hunts and personalized gifts were all ways we celebrated our employees for their amazing service. u

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2022

Carolyn Stucky of Inman shared her apron collection with a large group of neighbors recently, and showed us how the culture and events of the era were reflected in apron design.

She started collecting over 30 years ago and all found at least one apron that felt “like home.” u