Parsons Presbyterian Manor
JUNE 2020
Resident remembers the Battle of the Bulge
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At the age of 19, Raymond Newby left his parents’ home on farmland near Parsons to join World War II’s Western Front.
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His six-month tour overseas included the Battle of the Bulge, which Winston Churchill called “the greatest American battle of the war.” The lengthy engagement took place over the course of 40 days during the winter of 1944-45. Raymond said the temperature was 10 to 15 degrees below zero during the day and even colder at night. Raymond was part of an Army 87th Infantry Division ammunition and pioneer platoon that distributed munitions to the troops on the front
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Many of Raymond Newby’s military mementos are preserved in a shadow box in his residence.
A young Raymond Newby stands next to one of the trucks used by his ammunition and pioneer platoon.
Parsons Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Parsons Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners Earlier this year, Parsons Presbyterian Manor announced the winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition. “We are honored to showcase artwork by seniors,” said Alex Peak, 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.”
Painting (amateur): Jane Parish, “French Corner Café”
Winners in the Parsons Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were: Christmas (amateur): Jane Parish, “Journey to Bethlehem”
Drawing (professional): Joan Allen, “Welcome to the Jungle” Drawing (amateur): Jane Parish, “Old Kentucky Home”
Drawing (amateur): Jane Parish, “Old Kentucky Home”
Mixed Media/Crafts (professional): Lois Kay Vail, “Forgotten” Painting (professional): Lois Kay Vail, “Robby and Spring” Painting (amateur): Jane Parish, “French Corner Café”
Mixed Media/Crafts (professional): Lois Kay Vail, “Forgotten”
Christmas (amateur): Jane Parish, “Journey to Bethlehem” Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America 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. The 2021 calendar marks the 40th
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PARSONS Presbyterian Manor
620-421-1450 u Fax: 620-421-1897 3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220 ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2020
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: apeak@PMMA.org Maegen Pegues, executive director Alexandria Peak, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Art is Ageless ®– continued anniversary of the Art is Ageless program. Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-
Drawing (professional): Joan Allen, “Welcome to the Jungle”
America’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Art is Ageless program encourages Parsons 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 Painting (professional): Lois Kay Vail, “Robby and Spring”
NEWBY – continued from page 1 lines. They drove a 2.5-ton truck loaded with 5 tons of ammunition, he recalled. They also had the task of carrying the dead back to headquarters. “I survived, but many of the boys did not,” Raymond said. “War is like hell on earth. I don’t have the words to explain it.” More than 20,000 American soldiers perished in the Battle of the Bulge alone. Raymond encountered more horrors at a concentration camp. He remembers seeing a former concentration camp prisoner who was half starved, having gone
without food for a week. After his time on the Western Front, Raymond served the rest of his time on active duty at Fort Bragg, N.C. He went on to have a small dairy business with his wife. Now 97 years old, Raymond has lived at Parsons Presbyterian Manor for five years. Both Raymond’s experience in World War II and his later travels with his family influenced how he feels about his own country. “One thing I would have to say is that America is wonderful,” Raymond said. “It’s much better than any other This map shows the route of the “Golden Acorn” division of the 87th country I’ve ever been in.” u Infantry. Parsons Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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PARSONS Presbyterian Manor 3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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Parsons Presbyterian Manor residents rate their home As part of Parsons Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing customer service initiative, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. Here’s just a sampling of what some shared: “I would highly recommend [Parsons Presbyterian Manor]. I would tell them that they take care of aging individuals very well. They are respectful. They accommodate each individual as they need. They are so accommodating to the family.” The graphic at the right highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between March 2019 and
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2020
February 2020, Parsons Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores in dining services, showing residents dignity and respect and cleanliness. In addition, residents and families also reported a high willingness to recommend the community to others.
We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u
Source: Pinnacle Quality Insight (12 month ave. Mar. 2019 - Feb. 2020)
5
5.00
4.83
5.00
Dining Services
Dignity & Respect
Cleanliness
INDEPENDENT LIVING
ASSISTED LIVING
4
4.77
3 2 1
PATH
Recommend to Others HEALTH CARE