Commun ty Matters Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
June 2018
In the spotlight: Maria Velasco In honor of National Nursing Assistants Week this month, we’re featuring Maria Velasco, a certified nursing aide (CNA) at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. Early in her career, Maria worked at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor for about a year before she left to pursue another job. Maria Velasco In 2013, she came back to our community and has been providing care to our residents on the overnight shift ever since. “I enjoy being around older people and taking care of the residents. And I like working those hours, that’s why I’ve stayed here for four years,” said Maria. Maria was inspired to become a CNA because she wanted to take care of people. In addition to taking care of residents at Presbyterian Manor, she’s busy raising her 16-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter with her husband of 18 years, Jose. Maria grew up in the Philippines where she enjoyed going to the beach and eating a lot of fresh seafood. She came to the United States in 2000.
Brothers Pete Anderson and Phil Anderson, left, enjoy time on the outdoor patio at Manorwoods Townhomes.
Celebrating Father’s Day The very first Father’s Day celebrated in our nation occurred on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. The day to honor our fathers didn’t become a national holiday in the U.S. until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official. As we remember and celebrate our fathers this year, we asked two Lawrence Presbyterian Manor residents to share their memories. Phil Anderson – Manorwoods Townhomes I don’t remember a specific Father’s Day memory. However, hearing “Father’s Day” often reminds me of our family trips from Lawrence to Minneapolis, Minn., in the 1950s. Dad had a Chevy in those days, and my older brother Pete (who also lives in Manorwoods Townhomes), and I would get in the back with mom and dad in the front. The closer we got to Minneapolis, the faster dad would drive—strange! I always looked forward to getting Grandma Anderson’s rice pudding! FATHER, continued on page 4