Lawrence Community Matters April 2015

Commun ty Matters Lawrence Presbyterian Manor

April 2015

PMMA observes its Founders Day

Employees of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor will observe the founding of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America this month as the company celebrates 66 years of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri.

Each Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus will have its own celebration with residents and employees during April, acknowledging the importance of making life “the way you want to live.”

“Many of our employees view what they do as a calling, not just a job,” said Bruce Shogren, president and CEO. “Our dedicated employees make it possible for us to sustain PMMA’s mission, which directly impacts the wonderful care our 2,400 residents receive every day.”

Lawrence Presbyterian Manor will observe Founders Day on April 16.

Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s roots go back to 1947.

Alice Kalb, a widow from central Kansas, appealed to a Presbyterian Church organization to establish a home for seniors. Her vision became the first Presbyterian Manor community in Newton, Kan., and inspired others to do even more.

FOUNDERS, continued on page 2

Rick Prosser’s needlepoint entry, “Universe in Motion,” won Best in Show at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless competition.

Blue Ribbon Rookie

Rick Prosser tops every category he enters After his stellar showing in this year’s Art is Ageless competition, Lawrence artist Rick Prosser said he’s re-energized to do more painting and drawing.

This was the first year Prosser had ever entered Art is Ageless. He took first place in three categories: fiber arts, painting (professional), and drawing (professional). His large needlepoint piece, “Universe in Motion,” also took Best in Show.

“I was quite astonished,” Prosser said. “I think they’re good. I’m very proud, but I was shocked.”

ROOKIE, continued on page 2

Celebrating Mardi Gras Resident Ken Blair celebrates Mardi Gras during our Annual Mardi Gras Breakfast.

FOUNDERS, continued from page 1

Today PMMA remains true to the spirit of Alice’s vision, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.

For more information about Founders Day at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, please contact Angela Fonseca, marketing director at afonseca@pmma.org.

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Rhonda Parks, executive director Angela Fonseca, marketing and administrative services director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact afonseca@ pmma.org.

Telephone: 785-841-4262 Fax: 785-841-0923 Address: 1429 Kasold Dr., Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

LawrencePresbyterianManor.org

ROOKIE, continued from page 1

Although he’s been creating art most of his adult life, Prosser said he had focused primarily on needlepoint in recent years. He picked up the craft a few years ago when he was ill and spending a lot of time in doctors’ waiting rooms.

“I got tired of reading books and magazines, so I started doing my own needlepoint designs,” he said. “I got really carried away with it. I have about 52 hanging in the closet.”

He has also stitched Christmas stockings and pillows for his seven grandchildren. His 5-year-old granddaughter watched with interest recently as he worked on a picture of Bambi, not realizing she would receive it for Christmas. Prosser had it framed.

“When she opened it, she looked at it and started hugging it up against her face,” he said. “But then she said, ‘Oh, I can’t feel it.’ I took it that week and had it made into pillow.”

The walls of Prosser’s home are covered with artwork, he said – many are his works, and the rest are either originals or numbered prints. He’s drawn to graphic patterns, especially spider webs, and modernistic scenes and cityscapes. But his other winning pieces in Art is Ageless were a pen-andink drawing called “Moon Over Life” and an acrylic painting of boats titled “Serenity.”

“My favorite was the moon drawing,” he said. “I want to do more like it. It gives me that feeling of movement.”

Prosser majored in both fine arts and biology at Missouri State University, then got a master’s in communications at KU. But he became an engineer for AT&T. That’s where he met his wife, Charlotte. They both took an early buyout from AT&T, and she went on to teach for 20 years in Lawrence schools. She’ll retire this spring.

Lucky for Prosser – he says he always paints better when she’s in the room.

2

Community Matters April 2015

Lawrence Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless winners Lawrence Presbyterian Manor recently hosted a reception for the winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Angela Fonseca, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”

Winners in the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were: Best of Show: Rick Prosser, needlepoint, Universe in Motion People’s Choice: Effie Simmons, mixed media/crafts, Greeting Cards Christmas (amateur): Mary Alice Barr, Christmas Socks Drawing (professional): Rick Prosser, Moon Over Life Mixed Media/Crafts (amateur): Tie Effie Simmons, Greeting Cards, and Charlie Tipton, Big Wheels Turning Needlework (amateur): Rick Prosser, Universe in Motion Painting (amateur): Jean Givens, Cottage on the Lake Painting (professional): Rick Prosser, Serenity

Photography (amateur): Dottie Daugherty Munching Monarch Quilting (amateur): Betty Jo Miller, Small Baby Quilt Local competition winners will join winners from 17 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the masterpiece level.

Winning entries at the masterpiece level may be selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.

Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years.

Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health.

Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Art is Ageless program encourages Lawrence Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.

For more information about Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, 1429 Kasold, Lawrence, contact Fonseca at 785841-4262 or afonseca@pmma.org.

ROCK CHALK! Residents pose for a picture before filming a KU Salutes commercial for a local television channel.

Lawrence Presbyterian Manor

3

Lawrence Presbyterian Manor 1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 Return Service Requested

Coming Up in Community Matters Community Matters will focus on gardening and outdoor life in an upcoming issue.

Are you an avid gardener, or were you when you were more physically able? What did you love about gardening? What did you grow?

Does your campus have a raised bed garden that you help with now? What do you enjoy about being outdoors?

If you have a story to tell, contact marketing and administrative services director Angela Fonseca to share your idea.Your story may be selected for the next issue of your community newsletter.

4

Community Matters March 2015

Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit

LawrencePresbyterianManor.org

and enter your email address in the blue box on the right.

It’s that easy!