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
“They are always interested in whatever I’ve been doing,” said Karen’s official responsibilities at the Karen. “They like to hear about my community include serving coffee adventures and they like show and and tea while overseeing the gift tell.” shop, however, she sees her duties a Karen’s experiences with the little differently. residents of the community has “I’m just a friendly chatter right helped her identify something she now,” said Karen. “I like to talk, so it thinks is lacking in our modern works out really well.” culture—something that would help broaden the horizons of everyone While Karen may like to talk, she involved. also likes to listen, and she has found that listening to the stories “I think sometimes we get in groups of residents to be both highly we’re most comfortable with, but rewarding and enriching. sometimes you need to go out SCHORNO, continued from page 1
“They’re the most interesting people,” said Karen. “They’ve lived lots of places and are still enjoying life—which is a wonderful thing.” Apparently, that interest goes both ways.
and meet a few other people,” said Karen.
As far as getting out and meeting new people, Karen feels the residents she has gotten to know over the years have spoiled her. “They set the bar pretty high,” said Karen.
Residents enjoy warm drinks and friendly chatter at Rendezvous. Delma Jensen, volunteer and resident, serves Beth Brown a refreshing drink while working in the Redezvous.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Christie Patrick, executive director Curtis Jones, independent living marketing director Angela Fonseca, health care marketing director To submit or suggest articles, 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
2
Community Matters April 2019
“Onions II” by Jewell Willhite
Art is Ageless® winners announced 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,
health care 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.” ART, continued on page 3 Like us on Facebook
Presbyterian Manor system to celebrate 70 years On April 19, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA) will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Our first very first community opened in Newton, Kan., on April 19, 1949, nearly two years after ninety-yearold Alice Kalb of El Dorado, Kan., asked the United Presbyterian Synod if it would consider opening a home for the aged. A small exploratory committee formed to look at the idea and determined it had merit. To raise funds for the Newton effort, a dedicated offering throughout the synod took place on Mother’s Day in 1948. The practice of raising funds for Presbyterian Manors on Mother’s Day continues today. The first resident, Mrs. Frances Belle Townsend of Smith Center, Kan., moved into the first Presbyterian home for the aged on April 19. Alice Kalb moved in on April 21, and lived there until her death in 1951.
When it came time to name this new establishment, the committee did not choose to name it the Presbyterian Home for the Aged. Instead, based on the separate suggestions of two women—Mrs. Mary Page of Topeka and Grace Derby of Manhattan, it was named Newton Presbyterian Manor. Grace later lived at Presbyterian Manor in Newton until her death in 1966.
Alice’s dream has turned into a network of 17 senior living communities across Kansas and Missouri with more than 2,400 residents, and the mission of the organization remains true to its core: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. PMMA is extending its mission with the proposed development of Aberdeen Ridge in Colorado Springs, Colo.
ART, continued from page 2
Winners in the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were: Best of Show: Jewell Willhite, “Onions II” Christmas (amateur): Rick L. Prosser, “Thomas, Christmas Stocking” Drawing (professional): Cecil Mashburn, “749 Bull” Needlework (amateur): Rick L. Prosser, “Horses of a Different Color” Painting (professional): First Like us on Facebook
“Horses of a Different Color” by Rick L. Prosser
place—Jewell Willhite, “Onions II;” Second place—Jewell Willhite, “Peonies;” Third place—Cecil Mashburn, “Rutting”
entries at the masterpiece level are selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.
Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning
Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, ART, continued on page 4 Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
3
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor 1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 Return Service Requested
BIRD, continued from page 1
ART, continued from page 3
“It’s the perfect job for me because I can walk or ride my bike, and I can get away from the stress at home,” said Barb.
works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health.
Most of all, Barb just enjoys the work. Not only does she get to learn about the birds housed at the community and have the personal satisfaction that comes with keeping them healthy and happy, but she gets to experience it all alongside the community’s staff and residents. “I’m honored to have this job because PMMA has so many kind and caring people working here— and the residents are wonderful,” said Barb. “Together, we enjoy the sounds of the birds and the individual behaviors, personalities and beauty of each bird.”
4
Community Matters April 2019
Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’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. Above right: “749 Bull” by Cecil Mashburn Below Right: “Rutting” by Cecil Mashburn
Like us on Facebook