Wichita Community Matters October 2021

Wichita Presbyterian Manor

OCTOBER 2021

PMMA Employee Scholarship Program benefits three at Wichita Presbyterian Manor

New resident brings a bit of ‘glitz’ to the Westerly Alene Oneale LaFever has loved clothes since her girlhood.

“I grew up right after the depression and during World War II, and my parents were not wealthy,” said the newest resident of the Westerly. “In fact, my grandmother and mother made me dresses out of feed sacks.”

PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica®) has awarded scholarships to three Wichita Presbyterian Manor staff members: Bailey Gruver, Angela Page and Amy Watson.

The patterned fabric was a popular, thrifty choice for fabric in those days. Alene was used to having one coat that she wore until she had thoroughly outgrown it — sometimes not for four or five years.

Each woman is pursuing further education in a field related to their work at Presbyterian Manor.

“As I grew older, I wanted beautiful clothes of my own,” she said. “I’d

Glitz – continued on page 3

Amy, our life enrichment director, is working toward her master’s in aging studies from Wichita State. She said the program’s curriculum reflects the latest understanding of how to best provide care for senior populations. What she’s learning will have a direct impact on her day-to-day approach to her job.

Because financial aid opportunities for graduate students are limited, Amy says the tuition assistance will be helpful. She also appreciates the fact that Presbyterian Manor supports her professional goals.

“It’s not just the financial benefit,” she said.

“I want to show my other coworkers the amazing opportunities that PMMA® offers. You’re not just an employee; you can better yourself within the company.”

Amy’s career is an excellent example of these opportunities. She started as a dining

Scholarships – continued on page 4

Courtney Wolfe presents PMMA scholarship notification winners to three deserving Presbyterian Manor employees: from top, Bailey Gruver, Angela Page and Amy Watson.

One of Alene Oneale LaFever’s beautiful canes.

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

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Celebrating Kansas by Car – Assaria

By Stephanie Bergmann, independent living sales and marketing director The tiny town of Assaria is serving up a tasty lesson in gourmet cooking! The Renaissance Café operates out of an old school building that closed in the 1970s.

The owners renovated it and now serve northern Italian cuisine that draws foodies from around the state.

Right now, the menu includes New Zealand king salmon with kalamata olive tapenade; lamb sausage Bolognese; and seared diver scallops with charred berry salsa, edamame and garlic puree. No school cafeteria fare here! Diners are seated on the upper floor of the old school, with the gymnasium in the center surrounded by nostalgic decor.

The evolution of the Renaissance Café is a story in itself. In 1979, the owners first used the vacant school building for an agricultural implements business called Great Plains Manufacturing. They started serving lunch to employees on-site as an added benefit. The meals were so good that word spread, and the workplace luncheon eventually morphed into a high-class restaurant. Since 1998, the Renaissance Café has dished up elegant meals, yet many Kansans still have never heard of it!

My girlfriends and I celebrated a

special birthday dinner there and sampled several eclectic dishes featuring Kansas lamb, beef and bison, plus fresh local produce. The general manager, Adrienne Lynn, tells me they change the menu often and even fly in fresh, exotic seafood. Pretty Stephanie Bergmann and several impressive for a landlocked town of friends celebrated a special birthday at about 400 people! the Renaissance Café, an Italian fine-

If you love trying new foods and dining establishment located in a former school building in Assaria, seeing new places, Assaria is an easy drive from Wichita, just 80 miles to the Kan. north in Saline County and right off I135. The Renaissance Café is only open Thursday through Saturday, so reservations are a must (785–6675535). For customers concerned about COVID, the manager says she can set up a table away from others if she’s given advance notice. Plan to discover this hidden gem for yourself and enjoy a meal and a setting that are one of a kind! u

Diners may choose from a several tasty entrees, including pan-seared duck breast with black cherry balsamic reduction and parsnips, seared ahi tuna and citrus salad (pictured), and panseared diver scallops with shrimp.

All desserts are homemade at the Renaissance Café, including this slice of cheesecake with raspberry drizzle, plus raspberry and blackberry garnish.

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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 Stephanie Bergmann, marketing dir.

Cherree Hudspeth, health care sales and marketing

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

COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2021

Glitz – continued from page 1

“My late husband used to call me his glitz girl,” she said.

save my money and buy myself something pretty.”

She earned money babysitting when she was young and got her first job at Woolworth’s when she was 14. Alene’s father was upset when she spent all the money she earned the summer before college on clothes from a nice dress shop in Junction City. But she was glad to have nice things to wear when she arrived in Wichita to study music education at Wichita State.

There she performed in student productions, including as the lead in a few university operas.

She met her first husband at WSU and they married in 1955. He served in the Air Force, then went into the insurance business. Alene taught elementary school music in the Wichita school district and also substituted for Goddard and East High Schools.

An only child herself, Alene had three children, eight grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. She has been widowed twice.

Her life changed at the age of 40, when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and savior.

Through everything, Alene indulged her love of fashion. In addition to teaching and raising children, she had a career modeling for businesses such as Ann’s Fashions.

Alene also performed in a couple of different vocal groups that played shows around town. Once, she and her group Two Plus

Alene moved into the Westerly in July and set about organizing her closets first thing. Although she purged quite a few items before her move, Alene jokes that she still needed a two-bedroom apartment to accommodate her collection.

Now that she’s settled in, she looks forward to contributing to the community.

Alene Oneale LaFever’s love of fashion extends to her formidable collection of canes, which she matches to her outfits. Fortunately, there’s room for all of Alene’s favorite clothing and accessories in her new two-bedroom Westerly apartment.

“I hope that in my new home here, I can be someone who gives courage,” said Alene, who turns 87 this month.

“As we age, we all need affirmation and friendship.” u

Three performed for an audience that included former Senator Bob Dole and his wife, Elizabeth.

“I’m not artistic — I got all my talent in my throat,” Alene said.

“Fashion is a form of expression for me, of incorporating brilliance and color into my life. I like to feel put together, I guess.”

Alene’s cane collection

As she aged and underwent many surgeries, including on her back and shoulder, she came to rely on a cane for mobility.

“They became a necessity for me,” she said. “I said, ‘If I have to carry these stupid things, I’m going to at least match my outfit.’”

True to form, Alene now has a collection of spectacular canes with which to accessorize. One is encrusted with crystals.

Carved wooden cane

Glass cane with flowers inside

Wichita Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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

Scholarships – continued from page 1 services assistant at Parsons Presbyterian Manor before transferring to Wichita in 2001. She completed a certified nursing assistant program and went onto be certified as an activities director and social services designee. Amy has also held the position of marketing director for our community.

Bailey has worked at Presbyterian Manor for six years and currently serves as the head of housekeeping.

She received her associate’s degree in business from WSU Tech this past spring. Now she is at Wichita State working toward a bachelor’s

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degree in education. Eventually, she plans to teach elementary physical education.

“I appreciate that we have this opportunity to get assistance with our education,” Bailey said. “I’ll be sad to leave when that time comes.”

Angela Page started at Wichita Presbyterian Manor as a certified nursing assistant in 2003 before transferring to the Life Enrichment Department. Her scholarship helped defray the cost of her certified medical assistant program. She is now working as a CMA in the assisted living neighborhood.

The PMMA Scholarship Program reflects the organization’s mission of attracting and retaining a well-

COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2021

qualified workforce. Private donations fund the scholarships, which are facilitated through PMMA’s Department of Giving.

Employees who support the program may elect to have a small amount deducted from their paycheck each pay period.

Last year, the PMMA Education Committee awarded scholarships to 15 recipients totaling nearly $32,000 for the 2020-21 academic year.

Learn more about how to support the PMMA scholarship program by visiting Giving.PresbyterianManors.org/ Education-Scholarships/.

The scholarship application process occurs in the spring for the next academic year. u