Topeka Community Matters April 2022

Topeka Presbyterian Manor

PMMA celebrates the founding of APRIL 2022

its senior living communities

Senior transitions, downsizing focus of April 13 event

Every spring, PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica®) celebrates Founder’s Day, the anniversary of the opening of the organization’s first senior living community.

“This year is extra special for Topeka Presbyterian Manor, as construction began on our campus just over 60 years ago,” said Danica Lofting, marketing director.

Credit: PBS NewsHour

“Downsizing and Organizing for Senior Transitions,” free event sponsored by Topeka Presbyterian Manor Join us at Big Biscuit Wednesday, April 13, 2022 10:30 a.m.

2815 SW Wanamaker Road Topeka Register for this event online at

TopekaPresbyterianManor.org/ events-activities.

Making a move to downsize your home may make sense on paper, but it is still a difficult choice. Taking steps to let go of some possessions may be wise both before and even after a major life transition.

As we age, possessions tend to accumulate in our homes.

Sometimes, this accumulation can

Topeka was only the third community in the Presbyterian Manor system. Newton Presbyterian Manor holds the distinction of being the first. The impetus for its founding came from a woman from El Dorado, Kan., who asked the United Presbyterian Synod if it would consider opening a home for the aged. Alice Kalb’s inquiry sparked a two-year study and the eventual opening of the very first Presbyterian Manor on April 19, 1949.

After Alice’s question was brought forward, the synod

Founder’s – continued on page 3

Downsize – continued on page 2

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

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Downsize – continued from page 1 take over our space. Have you started to “right size” your possessions only to get derailed?

Have you worried that you have too much “stuff?”

Learn realistic solutions for making the best use of your spaces and determining what possessions are most important to you at “Downsizing and Organizing for Senior Transitions,” April 13 at 10:30 a.m., a free event sponsored by Topeka Presbyterian Manor at Big Biscuit, 2815 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka.

Naomi Frantzen, certified relocation and transition

specialist (CRTS™), will share solutions and offer ideas on how to downsize and organize your space to make your current home more manageable. Whether simply organizing, downsizing or preparing for a possible transition, she will offer solutions on how you can take back control of your space.

Naomi happened on her career because she had a neighbor who hired her to help her out a little. As the woman grew older, her needs changed.

“My experience with her led me to senior move management,” Naomi said. “We handle every single detail

involved in a transition.”

She sees the way she works as a partnership with each client.

“I try to emphasize that my goal is to give them options,” she said.

“Ultimately, they decide (what to keep).”

“Downsizing and Organizing for Senior Transitions” is the last in a three-part series of educational events and part of Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask lifelong learning program featuring speakers and topics of interest to seniors and their adult children.

Register for this event online at TopekaPresbyterianManor.org/ events-activities. u

Can you find the words in this Easter themed word search?

Find all these Easter words in the grid - they run in straight lines, in any direction. The leftover letters spell out an Australian Easter-time event. u

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2022

Founder’s – continued from page 1 voted to appoint a small exploratory committee to look at the idea and see if it had merit. Dr. George Nelson was appointed chairman of the committee at its first meeting in Topeka a month later.

Topeka was an infirmary, which included the rotunda portion of the building. It was funded with a major donation. The Tower apartments were also built on the Topeka campus in the 1960s.

Alice Kalb, a woman who had the courage to ask for the help she needed,” Danica said. “We’re also grateful for the wisdom of the church leaders who recognized the importance of her request.”

“Each April 19, we give thanks for

Happy Founder’s Day! u

The committee quickly determined that there was indeed a need for a home for the aged, and it sought approval from the synod to raise funds for the effort.

The request was approved at the synod meeting in Hutchinson in October 1947.

In December 1958, land was purchased to construct a Presbyterian Manor in Topeka — more than nine years after the Newton campus opened. Topeka Presbyterian Manor was incorporated in September 1961, and leadership broke ground just over 60 years ago on Feb. 4, 1962.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur D. Jellison of Junction City pledged $50,000 toward the construction of a chapel, which was completed in July 1963. The next project in

Alice Kalb participated in the groundbreaking for the first Presbyterian Manor.

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Community Matters 785-272-6510 ◆ Fax: 785-272-0496 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 TopekaPresbyterianManor.org

is published monthly for residents and friends of Topeka Presbyterian Manor

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

To submit or suggest articles: dloftin@pmma.org Christie Patrick, executive director Danica Loftin, marketing director

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

Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Happy Easter

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2022

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