Wichita Community Matters - August 2022

Wichita Presbyterian Manor

Out and about in Wichita AUGUST 2022

Independent living residents and retired teachers shared special bonds with students Back-to-school season is here, and children are buying new clothes, stocking up on supplies, and savoring the last few precious days of summer.

Our residents loved their "cool" treats at Paleterias Tropicana

At Wichita Presbyterian Manor, we like to have a good time. And that sometimes means going on outings around town.

Teachers are also heading back into classrooms to prepare for another academic year, engaging in their own back-to-school rituals. Two Wichita Presbyterian Manor couples know this routine well. Independent living residents Mark and Gay Ritchey Marilyn and Warren Ramsey and Mark and Gay Ritchey spent most of their careers as teachers in the Wichita Public School system.

In fact, Mark and Gay met while they were both teaching at Mayberry Junior High School. They taught in different classrooms, of course, and they didn’t share a lunch period. They may not have become acquainted had they not received a push.

“We were set up by a couple of students,” Mark explained. “I think some of the kids realized that each of us was on their side, and they thought we might get along.”

It worked. The couple began dating in the fall of 1978 and married the following June. Their colleagues didn’t know they were an item, but all the kids were in on it, they said. Sometimes, their students would pass notes between them during the school day.

Gay was an art teacher who taught students a broad range of techniques, including ceramics. But she taught a lot of papier-mâché, the supplies for

Teachers – continued on page 2

To fight off the heat, we recently got a group of residents together and headed to Paleterias Tropicana in Wichita. It’s an authentic place that serves homemade Mexican ice cream, Michoacan style – among other things. Residents ordered fresh fruit smoothies, milkshakes, Tres Marias, and of course, the classic sundae.

We also visited Mexico Viejo Bar and Grill which offers delicious food and excellent service. They’re always so accommodating with our large groups.

Our newest Westerly resident, Cathy Landwehr ordered a strawberry margarita and loved every sip!

Earlier this summer, we ventured out for some authentic Mediterranean food, at Meddy’s. It’s popular for its hummus, shawarma, and kebabs. Their new building in West Wichita is beautiful, the staff were wonderful, and the food was delicious. As we were leaving, almost every single resident said they would come back again.

Out and about – continued on page 4

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

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Teachers – continued from page 1 which could be acquired for free, if and track. her budget necessitated it.

Warren was teased for being a late She originally majored in art bloomer when he was in school. As a education because the degree consequence, “He was always on a didn’t require a foreign language, mission to be sure all the children were but her vocation wound up being a treated equally.” Marilyn explained. good fit. She used art to reach her She taught English, and started her students, and she also loved the career at Truesdell. Later, she worked subject. at Wilbur and Northwest High School.

“It was my favorite thing ever — doing art and going to see art,” she said. “My class was also an elective, so kids were there because they chose to be. It was always entertaining. No two days were alike, so it was great fun.”

Prior to entering the classroom, Mark earned a master’s degree in history. However, he decided he would rather be a math teacher. His favorite teacher taught math, and math teachers we in short supply, then as now. Fortunately, he had enough credit hours in the subject to become certified.

At Truesdell, Marilyn had the opportunity to teach a combined English and world history class, which incorporated short stories and a Shakespearean play into the curriculum.

“Back when we rode the bus, I would always read to the kids,” Marilyn said.

“I always thought I would be a teacher.”

Her first year at Northwest was her youngest daughter’s senior year.

“I didn’t take that job until I was sure she had an identity of her own,” Marilyn said. “I waited until she wouldn’t just be Mrs. Ramsey’s Mark, who taught at Wilbur for five daughter.” years before accepting at job at All four retired educators enjoyed the Mayberry, also served as the relationships they formed with president of the Wichita Federation students. Decades after retirement, of Teachers. they are still in touch with many of Marilyn and Warren Ramsey them. worked at different schools “For me, it was about the kids,” throughout their respective careers.

Marilyn said. “I always enjoyed Warren taught several subjects at working with them.”

Pleasant Valley, including physical Warren joked that they liked education, history, business, and typing. He also coached basketball

Warren and Marilyn Ramsey

everything about their careers, “except the salary.”

Mark pointed out that many teachers work during the summer or have second jobs after school to make ends meet. Both couples are grateful for Kansas’ pension system, even if they have not received a cost-of-living adjustment in more than 15 years.

Both the Ramseys and the Ritcheys said that education has changed so much since they retired that they aren’t sure what it’s like to be a teacher now.

But one thing must be the same: It’s only a job for people who like children.

“It was such a lovely life,” Gay said.

“Dealing with people is always interesting, and in a classroom, you get to know people so well.”

And no matter how much things have changed, the need for education is a constant.

“I think teaching is important,” Marilyn said. “Having good teachers is important.” u

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Community Matters 316-942-7456 ◆ Fax: 316-941-3806 4700 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67212-5575 WichitaPresbyterianManor.org

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is published monthly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor

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

To submit or suggest articles: awatson@PMMA.org Amy Watson, life enrichment dir.

Courtney Wolfe, executive director Lisa Fetter, marketing director Cherree Hudspeth, health care sales and marketing

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

COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2022

Get ready for National “Tell a Joke” Day You may not know this, but August 16 is “Tell a Joke Day.” No-one can quite figure out where or how the day started (or why it’s not a national holiday yet) but the idea behind it is quite simple – tell a joke and share a laugh. It’s good for you!

Laughter is considered one of the greatest medicines – it can improve your heart health, release endorphins and reduce your stress, even work your abs.

So, we wanted to take the opportunity to share a few jokes – as presented by an anonymous resident at one of our communities who enjoys walking around, making people laugh. Some of his jokes are good, some bad, some corny: Q: What do you call a pallbearer in Oklahoma?

A: Karaoke (“carry-Okie”) Q: What resort’s grand opening received very little coverage?

A: The nudist colony’s Q: Who wore the first Arrow shirt?

A: General Custer Q: What do you call a cat that ate a lemon?

A: A sourpuss Q: Why couldn’t they play cards on Noah’s Ark? A: Because an elephant stood on the deck

The history of the joke While the origin (and creator) of National “Tell a Joke” Day are a mystery, many “experts” have tried to find the origin of the “joke.”

But as it turns out, that’s a difficult task as well.

Some suggest that the joke was created by the Greek hero Palamedes, who outsmarted Odysseus during the Trojan War but there’s no evidence to support that claim.

But there’s another claim for the Greeks.

In 350 BC, the original Friar’s Club met regularly in the Temple of Heracles in Athens to tell jokes but “none have been passed down.”

In the 1600s, Shakespeare included lots of humor in his plays, some funny one-liners, and many jokes that were actually insults such as “Thine face is not worth sunburning” from Henry V (Act 5, Scene 2).

A classic joke that endured the test of time was first published in 1847 in the monthly New York magazine Knickerbocker: “Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.”

In modern times, stand-up comedians brought humor to clubs and on the radio, TV and the internet. In 2002, an English professor held a contest for the world’s funniest joke. The winner was from comedian Spike Milligan: “Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, ‘My friend is dead! What can I do?’ The operator says, ‘Calm down. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.’ There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says, ‘OK, now what?’”

The above dates and information are from Stop Me If You’ve Heard This A History and Philosophy of Jokes

by Jim Holt. u

Wichita Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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4700 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67212-5575 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Out and about – continued from page 1 If you’re looking for a fun community to call home, join us at Wichita Presbyterian Manor. You’ll make friends and explore new places (not always about food, either).

Email Cherree at chudspeth@pmma.org. or Lisa at llfetter@pmma.org Our newest Westerly resident, Cathy Landwehr, loved every sip of her strawberry margarita at Mexico Viejo.

Can you believe that’s a medium margarita?

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2022

Our group of residents had lots of fun at Mexico Viejo.

Residents enjoying Mediterranean food at Meddy's.