Manor of the Plains Community Matters July 2019

Manor of the Plains

Music for the Christian Soul JULY 2019 Concert with Taco and Tostada Dinner fundraiser Resident doesn’t let adversity stop her for seniors

North of 50 performers.

Sandra Schartz, Mission Committee member, visits with Miss Kansas Hannah Klaassen at the recent volunteer and donor event.

Sandra Schartz and her husband Russell have been independent living residents at Manor of the Plains for almost three years this month. During this time, Sandra has struggled with macular degeneration and a hip fracture.

None of this seems to slow Sandra down.

When Marketing Director Kurt Lampe asked for volunteers for Manor of the Plains’ Mission Committee at a recent resident council meeting, Sandra didn’t hesitate to step up.

The Mission Committee is a group of volunteers who help promote Manor of the Plains and raise funds for the Good Samaritan Program, which allows residents to remain at Manor of the Plains should they outlive their resources through no fault of their own.

-Adversity, continued on page 2

Manor of the Plains’ annual Music for the Christian Soul Concert with Taco and Tostada Dinner will be July 28 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Social Center, 3231 N. 14th. The concert is a fundraiser for the senior living community’s Good Samaritan Program, and the concert is a part of the Dodge City Days festival.

A taco and tostada meal with Mexican wedding cake is from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at the cathedral social center. The meal is $8 per person, 2 for $15, or 3 for $20 prior to the performances at the cathedral social center. Manor of the Plains’ Good Samaritan Program assists campus residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own.

A Dodge City Days lapel pin is the admission for the 6:30 p.m. Music for the Soul Concert featuring musical group North of 50 from -Concert, continued on page 4

Manor of the Plains | A PMMA COMMUNITY

1

-Adversity, continued from page 1

Sandra came up to Kurt after the meeting and said that she can’t see very well, but she can sure use the phone and solicit donations from family members, business partners and others.

At the last Mission Committee Meeting, the members were each given 20 tickets to sell for the taco and tostada dinner held prior to the annual gospel concert fundraiser, and Sandra has already been back for more.

Kurt asked how she was so successful, and Sandra said, “I didn’t take any ‘no’s’, only a ‘yes!’”

Sandra is always trying to help out or give special attention to other residents who have been ill or lost a loved one. Her most recent was an idea she and Executive Director Mike Rajewski came up with to give the ladies something to do in the afternoons. She started a coffee club once a month on a Friday afternoon. She not only is the host, she recruits and reminds everyone to attend.

Sandra encourages anyone who needs something to do or who wants to feel like they’re making a difference to check out the Mission Committee.

Manor of the Plains is always looking for more Mission Committee members, so if you would like to join and make a difference at Manor of the Plains, let Sandra know or call Manor of the Plains at 620-225-1928. ◆

Staff pitch-in to recognize our donors and volunteers

Environmental Services Director Scott Stevens, not only wore a tie, but also helped pour water during our Volunteer and Donor Appreciation Banquet. Scott is always willing to lend a helping hand as well as keeping Manor of the Plains in tip-top shape. He was one of many employees who pitched in to honor our donors and volunteers.

MANOR PLAINS of the

A PMMA COMMUNITY

620-225-1928 ◆ Fax: 620-225-3982 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 ManorOfThePlains.org

2

COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2019

Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Manor of the Plains

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizaton.

To submit or suggest articles: klampe@PMMA.org Kurt Lampe, marketing director

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Love for cats connects mother and daughter

By Christine Schoenwald for Next Avenue

Why is it, no matter how old we are, where I’d missed the there’s a part of us which continues mark. to seek our parent’s approval?

She didn’t seem to understand that My mother never was the kind of parent who believed that everything my experience with my father was different from hers her child did was extraordinary or or that I was entitled to my own brilliant. A couple of years ago, I opinion. She used words like wrote a personal essay about my “terrible,” “poorly written” and late father and his fantastic sense “bad.” of humor. I thought my mother would enjoy reading it—they had Respect for my work been divorced several years at the Afterward, I made a promise that time of his death, but she always I would never put myself into such appreciated how funny he was. a vulnerable position with my However, not only did my mother mother again and that I’d avoid not like the piece, she felt she owed sharing my written work with her. it to me to point out all the places Since my mother has never owned

a computer, cell phone or any kind of electronic device and I write mostly for online publications, it wasn’t difficult to prevent her from finding and reading my writing.

The magic of Yoshi My mother is caring towards some mammals, though: her many pets.

My mother has made no secret of how she prefers animals to humans.

And it’s the care she takes of her - Cats, continued on page 4

In Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we have partnered with Pinnacle Quality Insight. This company will periodically contact the people we serve via telephone to conduct an interview regarding their impression of our service. We use this feedback as a tool to continually improve our quality of care and enhance our relationships.

When you are contacted to participate in the survey, they will always identify themselves specifically as being with Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service.

We greatly value your opinions and encourage you to be frank and honest when contacted.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Manor of the Plains | A PMMA COMMUNITY

3

MANOR PLAINS of the

A PMMA COMMUNITY

200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided

by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

- Cats, continued from page 3

pets that keeps her going. The love of cats is one of the few things we have in common. When an essay about my elderly cat, Yoshi was published, I debated sharing it with my mother. In the end, I relented and sent her a copy.

When I saw my mother’s name pop up on my phone, I was afraid -Concert, continued from page 1

Wichita, Kan. A free-will offering will be collected.

For more information, contact Marketing Director Kurt Lampe at 620-225-1928 or klampe@ pmma.org, visit our website at ManorofthePlains.org or find us on Facebook. ◆

4

COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2019

to answer it. In my waffling, I accidentally did and immediately heard: “The Yoshi article was wonderful! It’s smart and it gives good advice,” she said. “I’ve always told you that you should write about cats.”

Was this my mother?! She not only liked my essay; she loved it.

The Yoshi essay helped get me something that I’d been seeking

for most of my life: my mother’s respect and approval. She’s no longer my harshest critic, but my biggest fan—as long as I write about animals.

We’re closer now then we’ve been in a long time, and much of the credit for the improvement in our relationship goes to the cat who is trying to sleep on the computer keyboard as I write this: Yoshi. ◆

Angel in Motion

Jacquelyn Martinez was selected Manor of the Plains’ Angel in Motion for April.

Congratuations, Jacquelyn! ◆