Emporia Presbyterian Manor
FEBRUARY 2021
Annual Art is Ageless® call for entries underway at Emporia Presbyterian Manor
“Vintage Valentine,” a quilt by resident artist Joan Butts.
On exhibit: ‘All Things Heart’
For the month of February, our resident artist Joan Butts will share her collection of valentines and hearts she’s made and collected over the years. The exhibit, which she calls “All Things Heart,” includes a large quilt called “Vintage Valentine,” smaller wall hangings, a miniature or two and a pillow featuring 12 different patches that you button on each month. February features a heart.
“My oldest child was born on Valentine’s Day, so I’m partial to that date,” said Joan. Ever since she took her first quilting class in 1984, Joan has been hooked. “It’s very addictive. Some people call it an obsession, but it’s my passion.” Joan loves doing things by hand—she likes to hand piece, hand applique and hand quilt. Residents and staff are encouraged to stop by the Atrium and enjoy this month’s art exhibit. Please turn to page 2 for additional artwork. ◆
Emporia Presbyterian Manor is calling all artists age 65 and older to enter or exhibit in the annual Art is Ageless® juried exhibit and competition at the campus, 2300 Industrial Road, Emporia, Kan. The exhibit is scheduled for April 16, 2021. 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 2022 Art is Ageless calendar. The exhibit will continue the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America) program, celebrated with the 2021 Art is Ageless calendar. Due to the uncertainty created by COVID-19, Emporia Presbyterian AiA - continued on page 5
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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‘All Things Heart’ exhibit now on display
Joan Butts has often participated in Art is Ageless. Her “Basket of Flowers” entry is just one of her many works.
A hand-pieced quilt by Joan Butts.
Joan Butts’ Rose Wreath was featured in the Honorable Mention Gallery in the 2019 Art is Ageless Calendar.
COVID-19 updates continue Get the latest updates on visitation status, ongoing safety measures and PMMA’s response to COVID-19 on your community website or send an Art is Ageless® greeting to a resident or staff member by visiting EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. Visitation status is updated weekly on Mondays and as needed as our COVID status changes. Vaccine distribution has begun in our community. Every person who receives the vaccine will strengthen the protection for all residents, staff and the community at-large. PMMA strongly encourages our families, employees and residents to carefully consider obtaining a vaccine for themselves as well as their loved ones. ◆
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Community Matters 620-343-2613 ◆ Fax: 620-343-9195 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6635 EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
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is published monthly for residents and friends of Emporia Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: cstock@PMMA.org Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Crystal Stock, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Employee spotlight: Xavier Ard, Kennedy Dragonas and Lori Maxson At Emporia Presbyterian Manor, we depend a lot on the hard work, care and dedication of our talented team of administrative assistants. We recently spoke with Xavier Ard, Kennedy Dragonas and Lori Maxson to learn a little bit more about them and uncover their plans for life after COVID-19. Xavier Ard How long have you worked at Emporia Presbyterian Manor? I started on November 9, 2020. What do you like most about working at the community? Watching and interacting with the residents … they are pretty great. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
From left, Xavier Ard, Lori Maxson and Kennedy Dragonas are our dedicated team of administrative assistants. Kennedy Dragonas
I like to read and sleep and occasionally do some eating.
How long have you worked at Emporia Presbyterian Manor?
Tell us a bit about your family.
Six months. I started in August.
I have a nice 130-pound German Shepherd named Xorrie who doesn’t know how to listen.
What do you like most about working at the community?
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know? I was a vet tech for six years. What’s the first thing you plan to do once COVID-19 is behind us? I’m going to be doing pretty much the same thing as now—attending class—but they’ll be back in person. I’m studying to become a nurse anesthetist at the Emporia School of Nursing and, ideally, I will be done in 2022.
others has led me to also want to help people. What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
The residents. I love when packages get dropped off, and I can run it to their door and chit chat with them for just a little bit.
If it wasn’t for my granny, I wouldn’t be at Emporia Presbyterian Manor. If it wasn’t for this community, my coworkers and my family, I don’t think I would be as confident or prepared for what my future holds.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
What’s the first thing you plan to do once COVID-19 is behind us?
Spending time with my family and my dog.
At work, I would love to go over to the health care side and meet those residents. I have heard so much about them and I’d love to actually meet them and talk to them. Outside of work, I’d just like to be able to go to a concert.
Tell us a bit about your family. I have a black lab named Koda who is really big and likes to lay on top of you. My mom is a counselor, my dad is a police officer and my sister is a teacher. Watching them help
HEART - continued on page 4
Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Valentine’s Day Celebrations Valentine’s Day is approaching, and we’re cooking up some fun plans for celebrating the occasion! Every resident will receive one of Chef Jess’s famous cake pops. We’ll also play Valentine’s Mad Libs—either independently (and then share with others), one-on-one or in a distanced group, depending on our COVID status that week. And residents, get ready to play Cupid using the air soft gun! This will be a fun way to blow off some steam and “shoot” staff members in the name of love. ◆ HEART - continued from page 3
Lori Maxson How long have you worked at Emporia Presbyterian Manor? One year and five months. September 10th is my anniversary date! What do you like most about working at the community? There are so many different things, but I love the interaction I get to have with the residents and staff. Our residents have incredible stories, and I love just learning all they’ve lived through and witnessed. They’re each so precious and it is truly an honor and privilege to assist in their care. And the people I work with are the absolute best in our fields. From maintenance and housekeeping to nursing, dining and management, each person contributes to the success of this campus and are so vital to its function. What do you enjoy doing in your
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free time? I crochet; read; binge Netflix; attend church and Bible studies; spend time with my son, Matthew (18 years old), visit with my friends and family, hang out at the lake in the summer, volunteer when I can, workout, teach water aerobics at the rec center and continue to work on my education. I am currently enrolled to get my lifeguard and swim instruction certifications. In 2021, I will be working to obtain my legal and medical transcription certification, my group fitness certification and will return to Flint Hills Technical College to complete my associate’s degree in business technology. After that, I will be begin working on my bachelor’s degree in Business with an emphasis in marketing and human resources. Tell us a bit about your family. My son, Matthew, is a freshman at Coffeyville Community College majoring in physical therapy. I also have a gray cat named Sassy, who
COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2021
is definitely every bit of sass as her name implies! My father and stepmother live in Eureka and he and I are very close. He’s actually the reason I applied for this position. He would come here to visit my grandmother and volunteer to serve coffee and refill water glasses at lunches and dinners. What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know? Since my cataract removal and lens replacement a few years ago, my eyes have reflected light like a deer or cat. Some people may find that a little creepy, but I find it pretty cool! What’s the first thing you plan to do once COVID-19 is behind us? Take off these masks! Give a huge hug, a kiss on the cheek and a warm, friendly smile to everyone I know and maybe even some I don’t! God did not mean for us to be without human interaction and touch, it is vital to our happiness and mental health as human beings! ◆
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Manor plans to hold its event virtually for friends of the program on the community’s Facebook page, and to announce winners during a Facebook live event. Works will be on exhibit at the community for residents only. Artists may choose to enter works for exhibit only. For the competition, the artist must have been 65 at the time of creation and have completed the work in the past five years (since January 2016). There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by April 6. To arrange drop-off of artwork, contact Crystal Stock at 620-343-2613 or cstock@pmma. org. 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. Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America) communities to be judged at the systemwide level. Entry forms and information can be obtained by contacting Crystal Stock at 620-343-2613 or cstock@pmma.org, or accessed online at ArtIsAgeless.org. ◆
Above: Assisted living apartments feature spacious living spaces at Emporia Presbyterian Manor. Left: Assisted living apartments at Emporia Presbyterian Manor feature a kitchen with range, microwave and refrigerator.
Discover assisted living at Emporia Presbyterian Manor Assisted living at Emporia Presbyterian Manor is all about finding the ideal balance of freedom and support. Our community is dedicated to offering the right balance of programs and activities, with the extra help seniors may need with daily living tasks so they can enjoy the way they want to live. It’s the balance of having the peace of mind that there is nursing staff available 24 hours a day just a click of a button away, but still having independence to come and go as you please. Learn how assisted living at Emporia Presbyterian Manor can be the right choice for you or a loved one. Schedule a virtual appointment or home visit to see the apartments that are currently available. Call Marketing Director Crystal Stock at 620-343-2613. Emporia Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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From all of us at PMMA