Newton Community Matters – May 2023

Newton Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners

Favorite Mother’s Day Memories

Newton Presbyterian Manor recently announced the 2023 winners of the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition.

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

Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) 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.

Three children, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren

For Clara, her most memorable Mother’s Day was a surprise trip to the Lake of the Ozarks—one of the many celebrations her children have planned for her over the years.

Five children, 12 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren

Leona recalls a very special Mother’s Day toward the end of her career when her husband sent her a dozen roses and each of her children sent separate bouquets—which barely fit on her desk. The arrangement from her kids were extra special because each grandchild was represented by a different color of rose. u

Best of Show professional: Connie Rhodes, “Ready to Go…”

Newton Presbyterian Manor

Clara Dehaven, IL resident

Leona Rogers, IL resident

Best of Show amateur: Joey Giblin, “Pigtail”

Judge’s Choice amateur: Joey Giblin, “The Matchmaker”

A tribute to a good friend

By Steve Schmidt, IL Resident

Tiger is an exceptionally cute Bischon Frise. He has been a resident of Newton Presbyterian Manor for a long time. He joined the Manor in 2007 and lived in a duplex on Fields Court for many years. He would perch on the back of the couch, just the right height to see out the picture window and observe the goings on of the campus—keeping watch for hours. And when the mail carrier appeared he would become beyond excited. He later moved to the Garden Apartments, enjoying life there. Later still, he moved to the Broadway Apartments where he brightened the lives of apartment dwellers. Finally, he moved to Kalb Villa where he currently lives. Everyone knows him, it seems, both staff and residents. He greets everyone he meets in the same enthusiastic manner, whether in the hall or out on the sidewalk. He is, in fact, a greeter extraordinaire. His warm welcome extends to both two-legged creatures and four legged ones. Even when a little neighbor dog, Snickers, didn't want to be greeted—and was not friendly in return—that didn't faze Tiger. In his famously nonjudgmental way, he persisted in trying to warmly greet Snickers each time he saw him. He wanted him as a friend.

Tiger has made a significant contribution to life at Presbyterian Manor, just by being Tiger. His joy, his cheerfulness, his enthusiasm for life has helped create a culture of positivity and warmth across the campus.

Tiger is naturally cute, but when he has a sweater or coat on, he brings smiles to even casual observers. This is especially so when people see him taking Maria Hernandez, his faithful

companion of 16 years for a walk, or when showing Elaine Booker – a great neighbor and special friend – around campus.

Thank you, Maria, for so freely sharing Tiger with us, even when he gets more attention than you do. Little did you know that when you brought that little bundle of white fur home as an 80th birthday gift to your husband, Robert, that he would be a gift to so many others as well.

As with all of us, the years and ailments have overtaken Tiger. He is currently struggling with leg cancer. Oh, how we wish that weren't so. Yet finiteness seems to be the plan. Perhaps a final gift of Tiger's is to help us accept the things we cannot change. Thank you, God, for adding such a loving creature to our days. Until we meet again, three cheers to you dear Tiger. u

Bravo of the Month: Tanya Roland

For this month’s Bravo, Denise Abdallah would like to recognize Tanya Roland for her hard work and willingness to always go above and beyond to provide great care for our residents. According to Denise, Tanya has also done a great job getting health care charts scanned and is close to having the community paper free. In addition, Tanya keeps the community running as efficiently as possible by creating the staff schedules and coordinating doctors’ orders to keep the community running as efficiently as possible. Thanks, Tanya, for everything that you do!

Community Matters

Art is Ageless– continued from page 1

GeneEshleman,“The Crucifixion–attheCross”

Judge’s Choice professional: Velera Adams, “Second Floor Bedroom”

Winners in the Newton Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were:

Best of Show professional: Connie Rhodes, “Ready to Go…”

Best of Show amateur: Joey Giblin, “Pigtail”

People’s Choice: Barbara Gabel, “Weathered Windmill”

Judge’s Choice amateur: Joey Giblin, “The Matchmaker”

People’s Choice: Barbara Gabel, “Weathered Windmill”

Christmas professional: Terry Linenberger, “Spotting Santa”

Mixed Media/Crafts professional: Betty Duffy Eller, “Along the Fence”

Judge’s Choice professional: Velera Adams, “Second Floor Bedroom”

Christmas amateur: Rita K. Patterson, “Away in a Manger”

Christmas professional: Terry Linenberger, “Spotting Santa”

Drawing professional: Betty Duffy Eller, “Sunflowers and Clouds”

Mixed Media/Crafts professional: Betty Duffy Eller, “Along the Fence”

Painting amateur: Rita Patterson, “Boat on the Lakeshore”

Painting amateur: Rita Patterson, “Boat on the Lakeshore”

Drawing professional: Betty Duffy Eller, “Sunflowers and Clouds”

Christmas amateur: Rita K. Patterson, “Away in a Manger”

Painting professional: Barbara Gabel, “Weathered Windmill”

Sculpture/3-D amateur: Gene Eshleman, “The Crucifixion –at the Cross” u

Anonymous Survey Responses:

What is the most surprising thing to you about aging? Answers provided by IL and AL Residents

1. Health issues

2. Maybe I haven’t gotten old enough to know yet

3. When things are changed without our input or our input is ignored

4. Aches, pains, and always being cold … that starts at 80

5. The joy of being with people who are a little more seasoned than I, listening to their stories

6. I keep getting older and older

7. Overall aches and pains, but more than I expected

8. Not getting any younger

9. Nothing surprising, I have prepared for it all my life

10. People assuming I am hard of hearing and I am not, too much shouting

11. Not being able to remember things as well as I used to

12. Having to leave my home

13. Slowing down, not getting to go all the places I used to like vacations

14. Get up and go, so I got up and went. Freedom of being able to do whatever I want.

15. How kind everyone is, the workers are so good to us. They love and care about us! u

1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820

Jennie Johnson returns ‘home’ to become new director of nursing

On February 13th, Jennie Johnson became Newton Presbyterian Manor’s new director of nursing in health care. A 20-plus-year veteran of PMMA®, Jennie was a member of the Newton staff up until 2015 when she became director of nursing at Wichita Presbyterian Manor. Following that, Jennie was named administrator of Heart & Soul Hospice in 2018.

As for why she decided to return to Newton, Jennie said it was part professional and part personal.

“They needed a director of nursing and I wanted to be challenged more in my career. I enjoy being on the go and as the administrator of hospice there was more desk time than I was

used to,” said Jennie. “But my children and grandchildren also live in the Newton and Hesston area, so I was eager to be close to them again. I raised my kids in Newton, so it was all about ‘coming home.’”

According to Jennie, the things she has enjoyed the most about being back at Newton Presbyterian Manor has been the opportunity to build relationships with families and residents and being surrounded by a staff that she can grow alongside. Beyond that, she is grateful to PMMA for allowing her to develop professionally within an organization that shares her personal mission in life.

“I feel so blessed to be part of a

faith-based organization where I have had the opportunity to grow!” said Jennie. u

Jennie Johnson, director of nursing

PHILANTHROPY UPDATE

PMMA Department of Giving

Donor Spotlight - Dan Harris, Board of Trustees

Dan Harris’ connection with PMMA goes back many years. Having dedicated more than 30 years of service to Manor of the Plains (Dodge City, KS) in various roles, he currently serves on the PMMA Board of Trustees.

Dan’s parents, Phil and Opal Harris, were both residents. “I really appreciate the outstanding care they received. [There is] no better place in this community. I look forward to continuing to serve on the Board in a spirit that keeps residents as our primary focus," said Dan.

A Legacy of Education

Charles and Susan Koehn

At PMMA, we value our employees and we know you do too. Many years ago, in an effort to celebrate and retain the best talent in our communities, the late Charles and Susan Koehn

established an endowment to assist employees seeking to gain certification, licensure or a degree from an accredited educational program. Today, 17 years later, more than 700 PMMA employees have received scholarships to help them achieve their education goals and dreams.

You too can show your appreciation and support to staff with a gift to the Employee Scholarship Program. To learn more, and make a gift, visit the front desk today.

2022 by the #s:

Total Raised: $55,655

Total Donors: 72

Total Volunteers: 166

Total Raised in All PMMA Communities: $274,872

346 lives changed

Esther Njuguna, center, a 2022 scholarship recipient with Aberdeen Village leadership

Dan Harris

PMMA at a Glance

Aberdeen Ridge - Colorado Springs, CO

We’re excited to bring a new retirement community choice to Colorado Springs. With construction scheduled to be completed in 2023, Aberdeen Ridge offers amenity-rich independent living and assisted living, and a warm and comfortable neighborhood supported by memory care.

KDOT Grant Update

Eligible PMMA communities participate in the Section 5310 Specialized Transportation program through KDOT.

Grants are awarded annually for transit vehicles and equipment such as wheelchair lifts, ramps, operating expenses, and maintenance. In 2022, nine communities received grants totaling $53,000. These communities were Arkansas City, Topeka, Emporia, Clay Center, Newton, Salina, Parsons, Lawrence, and Manor of the Plains.

Board of Trustees Spotlight - Mrs. Pat Cook

"I'm new to the board this year. I am a registered nurse, now retired, but I spent a number of years working in the field of gerontology. Working in this field can be a very rewarding experience. Thank you for all you do for the residents. I wish you well, and I look forward to meeting you." ~ Pat

Cook

PMMA Board of Trustees

Robert S. Bonney, Kansas City, MO

Gary D. Brennecke, Parsons, KS

Pat Cook, Wildwood, MO

"Changing Dementia Care, One Mind At A Time."

As dementia and Alzheimer's continues to impact more senior baby boomers, PMMA is pleased to announce that we will be implementing the Positive Approach to Care (PAC) method to assist our residents with dementia. The PAC program focuses on building awareness, knowledge and skill with our staff and resident family members on how to communicate with residents with dementia.

The PAC program also referred to as the Teepa Snow method is a common sense approach in care for residents with dementia. For more information, visit their website at www.teepasnow.com.

PMMA will be providing staff training at all of our communities over the next few months. In addition, PMMA will also be providing classes on the PAC program for interested family members. Watch for available dates and times in your community.

Nancy Duling, Wichita, KS

Dan Harris, Dodge City, KS

Aaron Morrison, Salina, KS