Kansas City Community Matters November 2015

Commun ty Matters Kansas City Presbyterian Manor

Sending ‘Angels’ to the Good Samaritan Program Special angels will soon be adorning Christmas trees and holiday displays at every Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica (PMMA) senior living community.

The “angels” are paper ornaments that will arrive throughout the holiday season along with gifts to the annual Christmas Angel Appeal, which raises funds for the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care. Donors who make gifts are asked to return paper Angel ornaments along with their gifts. The ornaments pay tribute to donors’ family members or friends and are displayed at PMMA communities designated by the donors.

November 2015

Gobbling up good memories at Thanksgiving Thanksgiving brings back wonderful memories for many, especially Anna Brian.

“It was an exciting day to spend time with family and we would drive to Illinois to my grandparents’ home. My grandmother would surprise the kids and dress in a homemade pilgrim outfit. She was trained in ‘high society’ cooking and made special dishes,” said Anna. “I helped peel potatoes and filled celery with cheese sauce. Everyone helped with the dishes afterwards.”

Anna was born in Kansas City, Kan., and has one brother named Leland.

Anna went to college at St. Theresa’s, then went to work at Greenlease Motor Distributor, a distributor for 57 dealers. She was a purchasing agent and bought parts for the company.

During the past two years, donors to the angel appeals have given more than $90,000 to the Good Samaritan Program. The program assists PMMA residents who have out-lived their financial resources through no fault of their own. Since PMMA began 66 years ago, no residents have been asked to leave because they exhausted their financial resources.

If you would like to participate in the Angel Appeal, please email Development@pmma.org or call 800-336-8511.

Anna fondly remembers her family Thanksgiving celebrations.

I’m drinking from my saucer because my cup has overflowed Chaplain Diane Gunsolley There’s an old poem written by John Paul Moore that contains the image of an overflowing cup representing abundant blessing. Back in the 1980s, my mom was so impacted by the phrase that she actually had it embroidered on a sweater along with a teacup and saucer.

The Bible gives us a similar image in the 23rd Psalm, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.”

My mom did not allow her battle with emphysema to overwhelm her. She

®

®

Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Kansas City Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org Peatric Gates, executive director Tina Ashford, activity director

taught me that even in the hard times, there is much to be thankful for. Our God tells us that even in “the presence of enemies” which for my mom was emphysema and cancer, He blesses us in abundance.

My mom taught me to acknowledge the hard stuff, look at it, understand it, grieve it, then deliberately look around and see how God is blessing me in this season. Once I focus on the blessings, it’s time to open my heart

and thank the giver. In November with Thanksgiving approaching, set your mind on heaven and give thanks to God!

Enjoy John Paul Moore’s inspirational poem: I’ve never made a fortune and it probably too late now.

But I don’t worry about that much I am happy anyhow.

And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better than I sowed.

I’m drinking from my saucer because my cup has overflowed.

I haven’t got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough But I’ve got loved ones around me, and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for His blessings, and the riches He’s bestowed I’m drinking from my saucer, because my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong, my faith wore somewhat thin, But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again.

So God, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I’ve hoed.

I’m drinking from my saucer, because my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage when the way grows steep and rough I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads; Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, because my cup has overflowed.

To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Tina at tashford@pmma.org.

Telephone: 913-334-3666 Fax: 913-334-2904 Address: 7850 Freeman, Kansas City, KS 66112-2133 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

KansasCityPresbyterianManor.org

2 COMMUNITY MATTERS NOVEMBER 2015

Residents enjoy a beautiful fall day on the patio with s'mores and apple cider.Yum!

Eyes on the sky: Celebrating unsung veterans While we all know Veterans Day is for celebrating all men and women who’ve served in the military, we often don’t stop and think about those “unsung” roles: those day-in and day-out jobs that may not seem glamorous or exciting, but are mission critical.Think about the weather. How often are plans made, and then cancelled, due to a shifting sky?

Now imagine trying to plan a strategic operation, air strike, or supply drop. It would be nearly impossible to do without knowing the weather conditions.

For Presbyterian Manor resident Harry Stevens, keeping an eye on the sky was his sole duty when he served in the Air Force in the 1950s.

“I was classified as a weather observer and served for four years. I trained in Illinois, and served all over, even one year in Saudi Arabia. I checked maps, the temperature, the barometer, etc. I remember once I made a guy stay on the ground in the Air Force because of the

weather. He was mad. He wanted to go home for Christmas.

But he waited a few hours, then flew out.

I kept him Harry displays this artwork, made by his safe so he granddaughter, with pride. could make it While Harry may have followed a calling home for Christmas in one piece,” into the military, he left his weather said Harry. watching days behind when he left,

Harry may have had an uncommon job in the military, but military service in his family was anything but uncommon.

“I’m from Kansas City and joined the military because it seemed like the right thing to do. I had three brothers, and they were all in the military. One was in the Marines, one in the Coast Guard and one was a Paratrooper.”

pursuing several others careers.

“I was offered a job in weather, but I didn't’ take it. I laugh when people say it’s hot here.They have no idea what hot is ’til they go to Saudi Arabia. It’s really hot there!” said Harry.

Nowadays, Harry spends little time with his eyes on the sky, and instead, enjoys time with his family, including many grandchildren.We thank Harry, and all veterans, for their service.

Goodbye is hard when pets are pals When we think of “retirement,” we think that time in our life when we’re finally able to give the 9-5 a rest and focus on enjoying the rest of our lives. As it turns out, even dogs need a break from their daily grind, especially service dogs.

Pal, the well-loved therapy dog who visited here at Presbyterian Manor, recently bid his farewell to residents.

We hosted a retirement party for Pal on Tuesday, October

6, and residents got the chance to say good bye and thank you to Pal and his caretaker, Donna, for their many visits throughout the years. It was a very emotional time, and Pal will be missed.

We treated Pal to a box of doggie treats and rawhide bones.

We are currently on the waiting list for a new Pets for Life caretaker and dog.

KANSAS CITY PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3

NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

Everyone has a story to tell

Friday, November 6 – 2 p.m., in the Chapel Monthly Birthday Party Entertainment with Nick Godbois

The January issue of Community Matters will focus on new beginnings.

Do you have a story about a time you decided to start anew? What happened?

How did that alter the course of your life? contact Tina Ashford, activity director, and your story may be selected to appear in an upcoming Community Matters.

Friday, November 20 – 2 p.m. in the Chapel “Elegant Tennis” exercise with James

Thursday, November 26 – Traditional Thanksgiving Meal

What changes have you made?

®

®

Kansas City Presbyterian Manor 7850 Freeman Kansas City, KS 66112-2133 Return Service Requested

SIGN UP NOW!

Receive our newsletter by email.

Visit and sign-up at KansasCityPresbyterianManor.org

Memories in the making

The Alzheimer’s Foundation’s National Memory Screening Week is Nov. 1-7. Here at Kansas City Presbyterian Manor, we’re pleased to offer a special Memory Care Neighborhood. We are involved in the “Memories in the Making” program from the Alzheimer’s Association as well as the Music & Memory program. We feature resident shadow boxes and a sensory memory garden area on our Memory Care Neighborhood. We encourage families to fill our Life Story booklets upon admission to help staff with the care of their loved ones.

LEAVE LEA VE US A C COMPLIMENT. OMPLIMENT..

OMPLIMENT GO ONLINE and SHARE YOUR GREAT GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH US

Go to rreputation.g5search.com/kansas-city-presbyterian-manor eputation.g5search.com/kansas-city-pr nsas-city-presb esbyterian-manor and choose one of our preferred online review sites to share your story story..

4 COMMUNITY MATTERS NOVEMBER 2015