Emporia Community Matters October 2016

Commun ty Matters Emporia Presbyterian Manor

October 2016

‘What a wonderful world’ Louis Armstrong, with his oneof-a-kind gravely style, could get more out of a song than anyone.

“I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom for me and you And I think to myself what a wonderful world.”

That song was a slow stroll through the day. It encouraged pausing to take it all in. The gift of reflection brings to focus the wonder of everyday moments.

It highlights nature’s beauty. The trees are alive in fall colors.

It’s not too hot and not too cold.

I’m determined to take a scenic drive, soak in the beauty and say to myself, “What a wonderful world.”

WONDERFUL, continued on page 2

Maria Lane, a social worker at Emporia Presbyterian Manor, honors veterans.

Veterans Day Gold Star mother honors son In her role as a social worker at Emporia Presbyterian Manor, it’s part of Maria Lane’s job to make sure residents who are veterans get the benefits they deserve. Away from work, Maria serves veterans in many other ways as well – honoring the memory of her son as she does so.

Army Spc. David Lane was killed Sept. 4, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq. He was 20 years old. Since then, Maria has been active with the American Gold VETERANS, continued on page 3

Monthly luncheon brings retired teachers together The first Friday of every month, the Emporia Presbyterian Manor dining room fills with retired teachers for the monthly meeting and luncheon of the Emporia Association of Retired School Personnel (EARSP).

Presbyterian Manor began hosting the event a few years ago, said marketing director Crystal Holly, as a way to connect with local organizations. It’s also a good opportunity for our residents who were retired teachers to continue to attend once they chose to move here – residents like Jim Calvert. Now an active member in the organization,

Jim is a retired physics professor from Emporia State University.

Education is a family tradition: his wife was an elementary school teacher, their son is a high school teacher, and their daughter has her teaching certification.

Jim told us the group is a good social club, and it helps him stay current on legislative issues, which he likes to write about. “The food is good at Emporia Presbyterian Manor and the contacts are beneficial,” Jim said, adding that other retired teachers are “missing out, if they are not part of this program.”

WONDERFUL, continued from page 1

Community Matters 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. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Crystal Holly, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Crystal Holly, marketing director, cholly@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-343-2613 Fax: 620-343-9195 Address: 2300 Industrial Rd., Emporia, KS 66801-6636 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org

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Community Matters October 2016

I’m also convinced that Satchmo had it right when he said that even a “hello” among friends is an expression of love.

“The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky / Are also on the faces of people going by I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do / They’re really saying I love you.”

Human friendship is richer when we are intentionally present in the moment. A smile and a few kind words can make my day. If that is true in the natural, how much more is it true in our spiritual life?

Experiencing God has much to do with our deliberate purposeful acknowledgement that He is with us. It’s dialoguing with our Father throughout the day and scheduling

About 50 to 60 people usually attend the monthly meeting, which also features guest speakers to discuss current legislation and policies.

Our dining services staff prepares a delectable menu for each meeting.

Here’s what we’ll be serving this month at the luncheon on Oct. 7 at 11:30 a.m.

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Tomato Bisque

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Tossed Salad

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Bourbon chicken

TEACHERS, continued on page 4

time to unite with Him through Scripture reading and prayer. I’m discovering that connecting with God is far richer if I make time to regularly sit and be with Him. Stop and reflect for a few minutes, soak in His presence and enjoy connecting with our Father. May we, like King David of old, seek the one thing that really matters: “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” — Psalm 27:4 New InternationalVersion Gaze on His beauty and you may just find yourself humming, “And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”

Courtesy of Diane Gunsolley, chaplain at AberdeenVillage, a member of the Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Family.

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VETERANS, continued from page 1

Star Mothers organization. All members have lost a child in the service of their country. In next month’s Veterans Day parade, Maria will again have a float for David Lane’s Fallen Heroes, which displays all of the servicemen and women from Kansas who have died from Sept. 11, 2001, to present. She started the display in 2009.

“It’s a way to always make people aware of those who have died and sacrificed,” she said. “I’m always adding pictures to it, unfortunately.”

Maria is also involved in the Tablets of Honor campaign at the All Veterans Memorial, which offers individual engraved nameplates for all veterans, past and present. She volunteers at the local American Legion chapter and also works to support veterans returning home with injuries and PTSD. Maria will participate in Veterans Day activities here at Presbyterian Manor. Our annual breakfast, free to all veterans, will be at 7 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. We will have a special thank-you gift for all veterans and a special guest speaker. As the birthplace of Veterans Day, Emporia is a busy place every fall with observances and events commemorating the holiday.

Here are some of the activities leading up to and including Veterans Day. Oct. 3-Nov. 4: Quilts of Valor on display, Emporia Public Library Nov. 1-12: Veteran Artist Exhibit, Emporia Arts Center Nov. 6: Freedom Fest: run, walk, and bike events at the All Veterans Memorial Nov. 6: The Charlie Daniels Band in concert, Emporia Granada Theatre Nov. 9: Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, sponsored by the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Trusler Business Center (free to veterans and active duty) Nov. 10: Free Veterans Breakfast, Emporia Senior Center, 8 a.m.

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Veterans Day, Friday Nov. 11: Veterans Breakfast, Presbyterian Manor, 7 a.m.

Veterans Day Parade, downtown, 9:30 a.m.

Memorial service, All Veterans Memorial, 11 a.m.

Ham & Bean Feed, American Legion and VFW, noon

JOIN the

WELCOME

PROJECT Life is better when you’re surrounded by friends.

If you know of friends who are interested in the independent living or assisted living lifestyle you enjoy here, providing their names could lead to rewards—for both of you.

Pick up a referral form in the marketing office. *Certain restrictions apply.

For complete details, contact the Marketing Office.

Emporia Presbyterian Manor

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Emporia Presbyterian Manor 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 Return Service Requested

Walk to End Alzheimer’s The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s takes place in more than 600 communities nationwide. Our local event is scheduled for Oct. 2 at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for registration, followed at 2 p.m. by an inspirational Promise Garden in Motion Ceremony.

The two-mile walk starts at 2:15. But you don’t even have to take a step to participate. Anyone may simply attend and support the cause. It is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Register today at alzwalkemporia. org. For more information, contact Ruth Wheeler at 620-340-5511 or rw9804@gmail.com.

TEACHERS, continued from page 2

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Tomato Basil Baked Fish

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Egg Rolls

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Vegetable Lo Mein

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Sweet Potato Pie

EARSP is an affiliate of the Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel. (The group was called the Kansas Retired Teachers Association from 1951 to 2001.)

The Emporia chapter was the second unit to organize in Kansas in 1956 – no surprise for the hometown of what was then called

Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University).

According to EARSP president Irene Meyers, the group is open to all school personnel from the three districts in Lyon County, Emporia State University and local preschools. The association is also known for its volunteer work with local schools, churches, organizations and events.

To become a member, you can contact Presbyterian Manor for more information at 620-343-2613.

Celebrations & traditions We will focus on celebrations and family traditions in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. What traditions are important to your holiday celebrations? What are your memories of Christmas? What recipes did you only make for these special holidays?

If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Crystal Holly, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Community Matters October 2016

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