Commun ty Matters June 2015
Fulton Presbyterian Manor
How We Spent Our Summers
Fulton Presbyterian Manor residents share memories of summertime.
Fulton Presbyterian Manor resident Helen Epple was born to grow flowers. Master Flower Gardener: Helen Epple
“My mother and my grandma were gardeners. I always said to them, ‘Will you show me?’ and they did. When I got married, I got a book and found out how and where to put them. I put all kinds of flowers in my yard. My husband always brought them in for me. He said, ‘I never go to the store for flowers for you, I just get them in your garden.’ I said that was just fine with me.”
Those good old days of nostalgic summer when the days seemed to never end, there was always a cool breeze in the evening and childhood innocence reigned supreme. Even if we had to help out and work hard, we always found time for a little fun in the sun.
Morris said: “I worked with my dad at the coal mine. He worked in the mine, I did things outside. We raised a garden and worked.”
Evelyn said: “We played in the rocks. We milked the cows in the morning and the evening.”
Chester said: “We played with rocks, sticks and whatever.”
Janette said: “We made covers out of chicken feed mash for our pets when they died. We chased rabbits for farmers. We played in the dirt.”
Woodrow said: “We played in the dirt with the dog hunting for moles. We played in the creek. I got stuck in quicksand once and mama had to come get me out.”
Helen’s tall phlox.
Helen and her husband Vernon were married for 66 years and had six children. She moved into Presbyterian Manor after Vernon passed away four years ago.
“I milked five goats a day before I came here,” said Helen. “I made cheese all the time from my goat milk. I also used to cook everything – cakes, pies and enough noodles for the winter.” But when she wasn’t in the kitchen or caring for their farm animals (including peacocks and chickens), Helen was tending to her flower garden. “I had hibiscus, roses, violets, lilies … all kinds of things,” said Helen. “I had crepe myrtle. And then I had all kinds of annual flowers.” What were her secrets as a master flower gardener?
Born to grow flowers continued on page 4
Fundraising dinner success A barbecue dinner and silent auction April 18 raised approximately $7,478.36 for Fulton Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Program. The retirement community’s Good Samaritan Program benefits residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own. “This was our first fundraising dinner,” said Executive Director Dawn Smith. “Our thanks to everyone who helped make this event so successful and investing in the lives of seniors in our retirement community.” The Good Samaritan Pork Dinner
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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Fulton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Dawn Smith, executive director Keri Edwards, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact kedwards 2@pmma.org. Telephone: 573-642-6646 Fax: 573-642-2202 Address: 811 Center St., Fulton, MO 65251-1922
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. FultonPresbyterianManor.org
2 COMMUNITY MATTERS JUNE 2015
and Silent Auction was held at the First Presbyterian Church. About 130 people of all ages attended. The Banastre Tarleton band performed, and Presbyterian Manor managers and Advisory Council members worked the event. Nona Brown prepared the food. “We had many compliments about the food,” Smith said, “Our cooks are amazing.
Sponsors for the event included:
Bank Star One Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Glendale Family Glove Con International Eye Center Maupin Funeral Home Mainline Fire Protection Ovid Bell Press Professional Medical Promuffler Hornbuckle Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
Now is a great time to flex your moving muscles! Thanks to a housing market that’s heating up this spring, more and more buyers are looking for homes. It’s prime time to look at your living choices — including a move to Fulton Presbyterian Manor. Here, you’ll enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle coupled with a variety of amenities so you can enjoy a more carefree future.
Right now and for a very limited time, you could enjoy significant savings on your residency plan options AND receive an allowance for moving expenses! This offer expires June 30, so call 573-416-2916 today to learn about all our Spring Savings.* *Specials applicable to independent living and only assisted living private-pay prospects.
Fulton
811 Center Street | Fulton, MO 65251 | FultonPresbyterianManor.org
Coming up in Community Matters:
We’ll be talking about education in an upcoming edition of Community Matters. Were you a teacher or a school administrator? Do you have fond memories of what school was like when you were young? Are you amazed at the changes in schools now that your grandchildren and great-grandchildren are attending?
If you’d like to share your thoughts or memories,contact Keri Edwards to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.
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Born to grow flowers continued from page 1
“I usually trimmed off the dead blossoms because they bloom better,” said Helen. “And I gave them all manure. The manure doesn’t have any bugs. And I put it all around and then sometimes you could put leaves around them to keep the manure there.You can use mulch, but not too overly heavy or you’ll smother the flowers and they’ll die. The roots have to have air. And if you want roses, well, they are very particular.You have to cut all the dead buds off for them to bloom. I could never get mine as pretty as my mom or grandmother.”
Now that Helen no longer has her farm and large garden to maintain, she has been helping with the flowers at Presbyterian Manor by making centerpieces. She also likes to crochet, paint and play games with the residents. 4 COMMUNITY MATTERS JUNE 2015
Helen Epple’s hardy amaryllis lilies.