Topeka Community Matters – January 2023

Topeka Presbyterian Manor

Strike…

By Robert “Bob” Giffin, Chaplain JANUARY 2023

Topeka Presbyterian Manor’s issues call for entries in Art is Ageless competition Topeka Presbyterian Manor is seeking artists age 65 and older to enter the annual Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held April 11-14, 2023. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2024 Art is Ageless calendar.

Non-juried artists of all ages are welcome to exhibit. Senior artists also may choose to exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2018). There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Complete rules may be found online at ArtIsAgeless.org. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by April 6, 2023.

The Art is Ageless program encourages 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.

Art is Ageless – continued on page 2

Strike one! Ok, that’s just one. Two more chances. Strike two! Golly geezers. Ok, no panic here. One more chance. Strike…

As we start 2023, another new year with more new beginnings and more new starts, there will be Robert Giffin more opportunities for success. And yes, more opportunities to strike out. In fact, it seems we are better at striking out than succeeding! If that sounds like you, well, you’re in good company!

• Babe Ruth is most famous for hitting 714 home runs. But he struck out 1,330 times.

• Abraham Lincoln, whose face is famously enshrined on Mount Rushmore, struck out in all of his eight election bids before finally winning one and becoming the 16th President of the United States.

• Thomas Edison struck out 10,000 times to invent the light bulb. But he didn’t consider all those strike outs to be failures. “I have not failed 10,000 times,” Edison said, “I’ve successfully

Chaplain -continued on page 2 Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at TopekaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.

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Chaplain – continued from page 1 found 10,000 ways that will not work.”

Babe Ruth, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Edison share common ground: they never gave up. They kept taking swings at their goals.

I played a lot of whiffle ball in the back yard with my five kids. I could throw a wicked curve and a swift fastball! But, as my friend Glen used to say: “Here’s the deal.” The deal is that it was never strike three on them! No matter how many times they swung and missed at what could have been strike three, it never was “strike three”: they were never called out for swinging and missing. I wanted them to keep trying because sooner or later I knew they’d get a hit.

rate on resolutions is pretty high, but that does not have to include you! If you fall, get up. If you miss, swing again. Don’t give up on you in 2023!

Writing to a people and a church that was struggling to be successful, the Apostle Paul said: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9, NIV). u Resources: discoverhappyhabits.com/new-years-resolution-statistics throughtco.com/The Failed Inventions of Thomas Alva Edison Timesmojo.com/did-babe-ruth-strike-out-more-than-anyone history.answers.com

Millions of Americans have already made resolutions for this New Year. Resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more, lose weight, quit smoking, save money…all good and noble goals and yet, 88% fail in keeping their resolution. The strike out

Art is Ageless – continued from page 1 Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica®) communities to be judged at the systemwide level.

For entry forms, other information and to arrange dropping off artwork, contact Danica Loftin at 785272-6510 or dloftin@pmma.org. You can also access the information and entry forms online at ArtIsAgeless.org.u Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

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

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2023

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.

Find Epiphany in this traditional cake recipe In honor of Epiphany, here is a delicious recipe for a French cake, the Galette Des Rois. As part of French tradition, a bean or small china feve (favor) is hidden in the cake. The person who finds the feve in his or her slice becomes king or queen for the day u

Galette Des Rois

Servings: 16

■ ¼ cup almond paste ■ ¼ cup white sugar ■ 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened ■ 1 egg ■ ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract ■ ¼ teaspoon almond extract ■ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ■ 1 pinch salt ■ 1 (17.25 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed ■ 1 dry kidney bean ■ 1 egg, beaten ■ 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting Directions 1. Place the almond paste into a food processor or blender with about half of the sugar, and process until well blended. Add the butter and remaining sugar using and process until smooth, then blend in 1 egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, flour and salt. Set aside.

2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter a baking sheet or line with parchment paper, and set aside.

3. Roll out one sheet of the puff pastry into an 11inch square. Keep the pastry cool, do not knead or stretch. Use a large pie plate, cake pan or frying pan to trace an 11 inch circle onto the dough using the tip of a small knife. Place the circle of

pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the second sheet of pastry. Refrigerate both sheets.

4. Mound the almond filling onto the center of the pastry that is on the baking sheet. Leave about 1 1/2 inch margin at the edges. Press the bean or feve down into the filling. Place the second sheet of pastry on top, and press down the edges to seal. Beat the remaining egg with a fork, and lightly brush onto the top of the galette. Use a knife to make a crisscross pattern in the egg wash, and then prick several small slits in the top to vent steam while baking.

5. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Do not open the oven until the time is up, as the pastry will not fully puff. Remove from the oven, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Return to the oven, and cook for an additional 12 to 15 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

6. Lay a golden paper crown gently on top of the cake. This will be used to crown the person who finds the bean or feve. Serve warm or cold. Make sure to tell everyone about the bean or feve.

Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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

Did you know?

You may think making New Year’s Resolution is a modern tradition, but it actually goes back more than 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. According to history.com, the Babylonians are said to be the first people to make resolutions, mostly making promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrow.

For Christians, the beginning of the new year was an occasion to think about one’s mistakes and resolving to do better in the future.

Today, New Year’s resolutions are no longer a religious tradition.

About 45% of Americans make resolutions every year but the odds aren’t in their favor. Here’s why: • 22% of resolutions fail after about a week • 40% of resolutions fail after a month • Only 8% of people will achieve their resolution (according to a study by the University of Scranton in 2021) The most common resolutions are about self-improvement: • 23% to live healthier lives • 21% to get happy • 20% to lose weight • 11% to improve their relationships. u

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2023