A little song, some cards and a few laughs: Donna Haffner is loving life at Salina Presbyterian Manor
Ask Donna Haffner about her family and she’ll immediately smile. A mother of seven, the Salina Presbyterian Manor resident is proud of each one of her now grown children. It was one of those children who helped her settle on moving to Salina from Gove County, Kansas in 2017.
“I lost my husband 12 years ago and it was time to make the move,” Donna recalled. “I love everyone here at The Manor, especially (Director of Sales and Marketing) Cathy Boos. We’re quite a pair.”
As Haffner tells it she “didn’t know a soul” when she moved in, but that changed quickly.
“I love to sing, I love to play cards and I love to joke around,” she said. “I’ll do anything that gets me out of my room.”
Having made fast friends with so many fellow residents, Boos describes Haffner as the “life of the community.” Haffner doesn’t argue with that fact.
“I’ve always been social,” she said. “I was on the school board for 11 years and ran my own business for 10.”
Chasing the Son
By Dave ParkerAs you read this, I would like you to consider it in the larger context of John 13:1-20 and the lessons Jesus taught His disciples about the value of servant leadership. So please take a moment; open your bibles and read the entire passage yourself. For now though, having just washed each of His disciples’ feet in preparation for His final Passover meal with them, Jesus said to them in verses 12-16, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”
The timing of this lesson is what sets it apart. It took place just before they shared the Last Supper. It was Jesus’s final lesson to His followers before He suffered those fatal moments of betrayal that led to His crucifixion. Everything in Jesus’ life was planned by His Father, so we can assume that this event wasn’t a random act that Jesus pulled off the top of his head at the last minute.
We can also assume that because it was His final action before He would be given up by Judas, it was an imprint He intended to make on everyone in the room that would stick. How He wanted to be most remembered by His Haffner – continued on page 2
Chaplain – continued on page 3
OUR TEAM
Interim Executive Director
Renae Kersenbrock rkersenbrock@pmma.org
Director of Sales & Marketing
Cathy Boos cboos@pmma.org
Director of Nursing
Amanda Dean adean@pmma.org
Assisted Living Director
Lacey Hasker lhasker@pmma.org
Life Enrichment Director
Jeni Blair jblair@pmma.org
Business Office Director Afton Luetters-Buhrle abuhrle@pmma.org
Human Resources Director
Tammy Lockhart tlockhart@pmma.org
Environmental Services Director
Anthony DeLaurentis adelaurentis@pmma.org
Director of Dining Services
Charles Singleton charles.singleton@curahospitality.com
Haffner – continued from page 1
Donna’s Noodles (the name of that business) sold to customers as far west as Denver, Haffner said proudly. She stepped away from being an entrepreneur when her husband became sick.
Her children remember what a fun mom Donna was when they were young.
“She played with us, bought us a swimming tank for the summer, took us on hikes in the pasture and picnics,” said daughter Kathy Schmidtberger. “She sometimes made comments that she wasn't a good mother because we didn't have a structured routine, but we didn't mind. All of our cousins always wanted to hang out at our house because there were always homemade cookies and lots to do!”
Now Donna is a fun resident resident at Salina Presbyterian Manor, living her best life.
“I’m having a ball,” she said.
Please join us in celebrating Donna Haffner as this month’s resident feature! u
George and Donna Haffner family from 1982.
Clockwise: Ryan - 8 mo., Julie - 7, Mary Lynn - 12, Kathy - 16, Chuck 18, Jerry - 15 and Eugene - 14
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Chaplain – continued from page 1
followers / ALL of us. Serving His apostles in the humblest of fashions by washing their feet. But His words tell us it was even more than that. It was how He expected them and us to live if we are to be His followers.
So much of what we think we know about our faith tends to be wrapped up in our works and our actions. Whether it’s going to church or doing good things for other, the focus somehow shifts to what “I’ve” done, or what “I” am doing, or what “I” plan to do in the future. And all too often it’s about making sure somebody knows exactly what “I’ve” done.
All the good things we do can be gracious acts of service to others. But when “I” gets in the way, generosity suddenly expects acknowledgment. What’s really wrong with that picture? We are called to serve, absolutely. But I’m afraid sometimes we tend to get things flipped. Service and works aren’t the source of salvation. Salvation through Christ alone, becomes the source of our desire to serve. And through the attitude of Christ, we will serve others in humility.
Jesus teaches that if our works are done with the intent of being a better person or trying to gain favor with God, then we’re turning the glory away from God and toward our self. Jesus tells us to look outside ourselves to find the strength to live a life of true service to others. Jesus says, look to Me. I will give you the strength. I will show you how to live a life of selfless service to others. Here’s my example. The only way to follow Me is to serve others humbly.
Jesus teaches us here that no one is above serving others. He doesn’t deny His character by serving these men. His actions reflect His true character. If Jesus can bow to wash the feet of His followers, who can deny that act of service themselves. True followers have to be all in, looking for those moment God gives us to serve His kingdom. He also teaches no one is below being served.
In this chapter alone, we are constantly reminded of Jesus’ impending death and His upcoming betrayal by Judas. He knew what was ahead. Yet Jesus washed the feet of every man in that room. He didn’t line them up in order of what He thought of them. How close He was to one or the other. Nothing about loyalty or any other criteria. He just began to wash their feet. And He didn’t skip over Judas when it came his turn in line. He bent to wash the caked dirt and grime off of Judas’s feet, just like He did all the others. In this very
moment, He walked His talk. He lived out His own words, “You have heard it said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
Humility doesn’t discriminate. It sees everyone as children of God. Joint heirs with Christ to the kingdom. No good or bad. No black or white. No bias or prejudice. Not hatred or animosity. We are not here to judge. I know it can be hard. We all do it to one extreme or the other. Usually in a vain attempt to build our own self up. But if Christ didn’t condemn Judas in this moment then who are we to behave differently. Being human is a rotten excuse.
As His followers, Jesus calls us to go / serve others in my name. Then God will be glorified. He doesn’t call us to a life of leisure, but one of labor. The path He calls us to walk isn’t a yellow brick road lined with lollipops. The cost of discipleship is high, but the reward of His blessing is worth it. Of all the lessons Jesus could have left us with, He chose to pick up a towel and teach us to get our hands dirty serving His kingdom. u
Call forArt 2023
Entry Deadline February 17, 2023
Exhibit Date/Time* 11 a.m.–5 p.m., March 7–8, 2023
11 a.m.–1 p.m., March 9, 2023
Homewood Suites by Hilton, Salina Downtown
115 E. Mulberry, Salina, Kan. (Crossroads Ballroom)
Reception 1–3 p.m., March 9, 2023 (artists only)
Homewood Suites by Hilton, Salina Downtown, 115 E. Mulberry, Salina, Kan. (Courtyard) For
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Reserve your Villa now
The Villas are still under construction, but they're going quickly. These premium independent living homes feature nine-foot ceilings, covered patios, and the chance to upgrade the features and finishes. Contact Cathy Boos now at 785-825-1366 or cboos@pmma.org to reserve yours. u
February Birthdays
Happy Birthday to our residents: Peg Schroth Feb. 5
Gladys Reid Feb. 9
Fred Schroth Feb. 10
Curtis Rose Feb. 13
Employee of the month: Alexander Eurit
Alexander is a Dining Service Assistant. He is originally from Marion, Kansas
The residents have had the pleasure of listening to Alexander play the piano in Ivory Keys as well as back in healthcare.
Fun facts about Alexander; he can twist his thumbs backwards, he speaks some Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, and is currently learning Portuguese.
We are beyond proud to have Alexander on the SPM team! Please congratulate Alexander when you see him. u
2601 E. Crawford Salina, KS 67401-3898