Newton Community Matters - May 2022

Newton Presbyterian Manor

MAY 2022

Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Mary Bridges, chaplain at Salina Presbyterian Manor®

Mary’s Musings Newton Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners Newton Presbyterian Manor recently announced the 2022 winners of the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Noelle Jost, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists aged 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”

I must confess that Memorial Day was never my favorite holiday. Growing up, my family made our annual trek to the cemetery to deliver fresh peonies from my mom’s garden. That evening, we’d go back to pick them up.

As I grew older, I began to lose friends and family members — even our son. Visiting graves and offering remembrances still left me feeling sad and empty.

However, my view on Memorial Day has changed. To illustrate that, I want to tell you about my friend Mary Ellen from Menomonee Falls, Wis.

Winners in the Newton Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were: Christmas amateur: Rita K. Patterson, Valley Center, “Church in the Wildwood”

By Mary Bridges, Chaplain

“Pirate” by Jim VanDyke took the Sculpture/3-D category.

Christmas professional: Terry Linenberger, Park City, “Finding Santa’s Snack” Drawing professional: Betty Duffy Eller, Newton, “Full Moon” Fiber Arts amateur: Colin Bailey, Halstead, “More Spilt Paint” Mixed Media/Crafts amateur: Arlys Deckert, N. Newton, “Fallen Leaves” Mixed Media/Crafts professional: Betty Duffy Eller, Newton, “In the Mood” Painting amateur: Joey Giblin, Sedgwick, “Booker’s Oops”

Art is Ageless – continued on page 3

We became friends in 1999 while serving on a national women’s board.

More importantly, we became prayer partners. Each day when I awoke, I visualized Mary Ellen on her treadmill, praying with me. Through 20 years, we prayed with each other through our ordinary days, through illnesses and the loss of loved ones.

In the midst of the pandemic, Mary Ellen was diagnosed with cancer. Her final Christmas letter in 2019 ended with these words from scripture: “Be

Prayer – continued on page 4

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

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Art is Ageless – continued from page 1 Painting professional: Carol Zerger, McPherson, “Sunday at Grandma’s” Quilting amateur: Margo Schrag, N. Newton, “Covid Consternation” Sculpture/3-D professional: Jim VanDyke, Elbing, “Pirate” Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica®) senior living communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level are selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.

Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of PMMA®. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years.

Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health.

Margo Schrag’s hand-pieced quilt, “Covid Consternation” was the winner in the quilt category The display was up in the newly remodeled west link from the main building to the Garden apartments, and it was our first opportunity to use the new art display system installed in the space. Apple-a-Day preschoolers brightened the exhibit with their own spring creations.

PMMA’s Art is Ageless program encourages Newton Presbyterian Manor 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. 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 | May 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: ndickinson@PMMA.org Emily Trask, executive director Noelle Jost, marketing director

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

Corona Carolers come in from the cold For a little more than two years, Jacque Wedel and a group of fellow singers dubbed the “Corona Carolers” have been performing outside the windows of Newton Presbyterian Manor residents and in other outdoor spaces around the community. Recently, thanks to loosening COVID-19 safety restrictions, the group was finally able to bring its act indoors.

Jacque, who was a regular face around the community prior to the pandemic, helped organize the group as a way to give residents a connection to the outside world and break the monotony that came from “sheltering in place.”

“Everyone was quarantined to their rooms and couldn’t open their windows and were in desperate need of talking to somebody,” said Jacque.

“We would sing a couple of songs at each window and love on them as much as we could.”

Whether it was from behind a pane of glass or at a distance on the community’s patio, the effect Jacque and her fellow Corona Carolers were having on the morale of the Manor’s residents was without question.

“Their faces would just light up because they didn’t get to see a lot of people. When we were doing it underneath the patio, they would just beam and sing along with us,” said Jacque.

Even when the carolers had to take their performances online and were unable to be in close proximity with residents, Jacque believed the group was still able to make an impact.

“When we went to Zoom it got more difficult, we had to mute them so we didn’t get to interact as much, but

The Corona Carolers were finally able to bring their act indoors in March.

you could still tell it brings them incredible joy,” said Jacque.

lot better—especially with the piano accompanying,” said Delila.

Thankfully, as a result of declining local COVID-19 numbers, the Corona Carolers held their first indoor performance in late March much to the delight of many in the community.

For Jacque, the best part about finally being able to perform inside was that it offered her the chance to come together with others and be a part of something bigger than herself.

“It’s lovely to have them here,” said resident Clara Koehn. “They do a beautiful job, but it’s much nicer in person!”

“The thing I enjoy most is worshiping together,” said Jacque.

“We’re not just standing up there singing hymns. This is a throwback to old school worship where we have sopranos and altos and tenors and basses. It’s raising our voices as one and the parts are so beautiful. It blesses my heart.” u

Fellow resident Delila Wedel agrees and says that the group’s ability to include additional musicians is an added benefit.

“Having them here, in person, is a

Bravo Goes to Valerie Robbins Bravo of the Month goes to Valerie Robbins, accounting assistant. Executive Director Emily Trask writes, “Thank you for noticing we were missing the ‘Assignment of Amounts Due Resident’ forms on the majority of our residents. Thank you for taking the initiative to audit, send them the forms and then schedule your time on various days to be the notary for them. You really got this moving along. I appreciate your hard work on this project.” u Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Prayer – continued from page 3 strong and of good courage. Be not frightened or dismayed. For your God is with you wherever you go” from Joshua 1:9 and “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” from John 14:27. In April 2020, I received word that she had died.

That year, I felt that empty feeling on Memorial Day. I decided that I will always take my offering of remembrance to those who are no longer living, as I was raised to do.

But then I will celebrate the people I dearly miss by reaching out to their loved ones to share the impact they had on my life.

Last year, I sent a letter to Mary

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 2022

Ellen’s family telling them how blessed I was to have known her and how her memory continues to sustain me. I invite you to join me in memorializing your loved ones by

writing or phoning their family and friends and sharing how they affected your life. It has become my favorite way to celebrate Memorial Day. To God be the glory! u