Commun ty Matters Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
April 2019
Meet Barb:
‘Bird Lady’ of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
The Rendezvouse Room is a lively place to catch up with friends, make new ones and hear fun stories. Pictured from left are Faye Young, Ken Lohentz, Marge Smith, Effie Simmons and Delma Jensen.
Karen Schorno: The cookie lady
If you don’t know Karen Schorno’s name, chances are, you know her cookies. Karen, who has been volunteering at Rendezvous for 12 years, has become one of the community’s most popular volunteers thanks to the love she shares with residents over sports, quilting and Trader Joe’s cookies. “If they don’t remember my name, I’m the one who brings the butter almond thins,” said Karen. Karen’s connection to the community came through a chance meeting with the gift shop’s former manager at a Bible study group, but her job at Rendezvous wasn’t exactly handed to her. “I had to try out first,” said Karen. “I had an audition as a substitute, and then they decided I could do it.” SCHORNO, continued on page 2
Like the famous character portrayed on the big screen by Burt Lancaster, Barb has devoted a significant portion of her life to the care and understanding of birds. In fact, Barb’s nearly 13 years of volunteer work in the community’s aviary has affectionately earned her the title of “The Bird Lady of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.” However, despite the nickname, Barb hasn’t always been a “bird lady.” Ironically, she’s actually more of a cat person.
None of the birds living in our aviary are from North America. They’re from Australia, China, Africa, South America and parts of Asia.
“I’ve always had cats—never birds,” said Barb. “But as a child, if we found little injured or orphaned birds or bunny rabbits my mom would take care of them. So, I learned to take care of wildlife back then.” Barb’s responsibilities at the community include cleaning the aviary’s water and food dishes, changing out the floor bedding and checking nests for old eggs. It’s a job that has her at the community at least three times a week and at all times of the day and night. “I’ve been there at 8:30 in the morning and 9:30 at night, it just depends on when the birds needed something,” said Barb. But those frequent trips to the community don’t bother Barb, the close proximity to home provides a great opportunity to get some exercise and relieve some stress. BIRD, continued on page 4