Commun ty Matters Emporia Presbyterian Manor
November 2018
Staff, residents’ words of gratitude
Veterans are honored at Memorial Day 2018 in a special ceremony at Emporia Presbyterian Manor
Veterans Day salute In honor of Veterans Day, we are pleased to recognize the following service members and the spouses of service members for the countless sacrifices they have made for the safety and security of our country, and countries around the world. Current residents: Arlo Bell, Air Force John Bock, Army Jim Calvert, Air Force Don Clawson, Army Jim Dillman, Army, Good conduct medal recipient who tested missiles in the White Sands Proving Grounds. Fred Freerksen Jim Lowther, Navy VETERANS, continued on page 2
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we asked residents and members of the community’s staff to share what they appreciate most about Emporia Presbyterian Manor. “CNAs, nurses and residents make [Presbyterian Manor] such a special place. I love coming to work and seeing the way the nurses come together to help one another.” — Ashley McIlvain, activity assistant “I feel we develop a close family feeling among the residents and look after and help each other. The staff are helpful and friendly. They do all they can to add to our comfort and security. Activities are fun and a laugh a day. The activities help us enjoy the city we live in with special trips. Volunteer opportunities are fun and give us a chance to pay back and they get us better acquainted with residents and staff. Presbyterian Manor at Emporia is a great place to live.” — Nina Gragg, resident “I love the friendly staff working with me to take care of the residents. It takes a village to be the best care providers for our residents. The residents are always welcoming and come with different personalities you just can’t help but love.” — Pierre “PJ” Larry, dining services supervisor “The best reason for working at Emporia Presbyterian Manor is the residents. They can turn a really down day into a good one just with a smile. I couldn’t work here without them.” — Paula Hedberg, RN, MDS coordinator “I enjoy the environment. It doesn’t feel like ‘work’ some days, it feels like home because the residents treat you as family. They are so appreciative of the staff’s work. I also enjoy the flexibility. Being a mom and working full time is hard but [Presbyterian Manor] works very well with my work schedule. I am thankful to work with the people I do.” — Ashley Burright, home health and assisted living CNA GRATITUDE, continued on page 3
VETERANS, continued from page 1
Leon Pimple, Navy
Geneva Ferrara, wife of Mel Ferrara, Air Force
Barbara Freerksen, wife of Fred Wayne VanGundy, Air Force, Recipient Freerksen of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three clusters and Asiatic Nina Gragg, widow of Forrest Pacific Theatre, flew 35 missions over W. Gragg, Korean War veteran Japan as a navigator on a B-29. Ann Hall, widow of Rex Hall, George Walters, Navy Army, who served under General George Patton and saw Spouses: action during the Battle of the Bulge. Lee and Joyce Stolfus Doris Brawner, widow of Nathan Eugene “Mike� Kolbo, Army, WWII Laura McAntee, widow of Ed and Korean War veteran; and Donald McAntee and volunteer for warEugene Brawner, Sr.; Navy and WWII related events veteran. Dee Perkins, widow of Robert Maxine Clark, widow of Homer E. Perkins Clark, Merchant Marines Merle Peterson, widow of John Roberta Crawford, widow E. Peterson, Navy and WWII veteran
Maxine Clark, widow of Homer Clark, Merchant Marines
Olga Romano, widow of John V. Romano, Army and Harold Lewis, Navy
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Emporia Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Crystal Stock, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Crystal Stock, marketing director, cstock@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
Joyce Stolfus, widow of Lee Stolfus, Navy and Army veteran who was a recipient of the U.S. Army Legion of Merit for distinguished and outstanding service. Staff or family members: Jody Brand, veteran Luis Salinas, veteran, on active duty Claude Williamson, DESveteran Maria Lane, LSW, whose son, David Lane, was a veteran
Now available 2019 Art is Ageless calendars
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Community Matters November 2018
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GRATITUDE, continued from page 1
“I appreciate the commitment and comfort of [Presbyterian Manor] staff, they are very accommodating.” —Arlo Bell, resident “It is a privilege to work with our community’s residents. The smiles, laughs and stories they share make me want to come back every day.” — Leigh Ayers, health services director “I just started working here, but I really appreciate the fact that everyone has been pleasant and patient. The staff is knowledgeable and willing to teach.” — Misty Davis, LPN “Presbyterian Manor is very special
to me. I have enjoyed helping our residents to maintain their strength, mobility and independence. I have just been touched by so many of our residents. Each one has taught me a little something about life and its challenges. It’s so wonderful to see the love and care through the years I have worked here. It’s honestly like home away from home for me. I really enjoy what I do! I hope God allows me to have several more years to be a part of the Presbyterian Manor family.” — Dianne Smith, restorative nursing assistant “It’s a joy to meet folks, become their friends and give help when needed. I
find it safe and comfortable to live at Presbyterian Manor and it is a very friendly place to live.” — Jean Elliott, resident “I can honestly say this place cares about its employees. If you are having a bad day, there is always someone to cheer you up. When I come to work, I know that everyone has my back, especially my boss and upper management. We work as a team here. I am proud to tell people where I work. I thank God that I can feel like I am at home at my job, and it is because of residents and staff that I love so much.” — Kathy Sprecker, housekeeping services assistant.
Sponsor a luminary to honor a life, provide support From now until Tuesday, Nov. 27, members of the community are invited to sponsor luminaries that will be featured in EPM’s upcoming holiday display. Each luminary is $25 and all proceeds will go to PMMA’s Good Samaritan program, which assists residents who, by no fault of their own, have outlived their financial resources. Luminaries can be sponsored by both individuals and organizations, and
everyone in the community is invited to attend a special lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 2. In addition to the lighting of the community’s luminaries, trees and outdoor lights, those in attendance also will be treated to cookies, hot cocoa and the chance to reminisce about those they have honored. To sponsor a luminary, contact Crystal Stock at 620-343-2613 or stop by the front desk today.Your support will go
to a very worthy cause—one that has allowed PMMA to proudly say it has never asked a resident to leave based on their inability to pay.
Visit us, take home pie
During November, when you schedule a personal appointment with one of our senior living specialists to learn the latest about Emporia Presbyterian Manor, we’ll send you home with a fresh holiday pie to enjoy with family or friends. Plus, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card—a chance to spread more holiday cheer to those you love. That’s a sweet deal, no matter how you slice it. Schedule your appointment by calling 620-343-2613.
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Emporia Presbyterian Manor
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Emporia Presbyterian Manor 2300 Industrial Rd. Emporia, KS 66801-6636 Return Service Requested
Community goes greener with compostable products If you attended the Fall Festival in late September, you may have noticed that something was missing: Styrofoam. For the first time, the community ditched traditional Styrofoam plates and bowls in lieu of more environmentally conscious, compostable products. And that was just the beginning. In its longstanding efforts to go green, the community will soon be making a permanent switch to compostable cups and take-out containers (a first among Presbyterian Manors). The change was initiated by a resident who saw an opportunity for the community to both lessen its environmental footprint and serve as a positive example for others in Emporia and beyond.
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Community Matters November 2018
“We’re leading the way in the process,” said Crystal Stock, marketing director. “We hope that the change will start here, and eventually other Presbyterian Manors will adopt similar policies.” Unfortunately, moving completely away from Styrofoam is simply too cost prohibitive at this time, but
as Rhonda Parks, regional director of operations, points out, any step the community can make toward sustainability is a step in the right direction. “All efforts, regardless of their size or scope, help to contribute in saving our planet for generations to come,” said Rhonda. Like us on Facebook