Manor of the Plains
SEPTEMBER 2020
Meet Environmental Services Director Dean Gemaehlich Born and raised in Dodge City, Dean Gemaehlich joined the Manor of the Plains staff in December 2019 as the new environmental services director. Prior to taking the position, Dean held management roles in both the energy and construction industries and is currently working toward an agricultural business degree at Dodge City Community College.
State of the community
By John Van Hook, executive director
Anytime people go through tough, demanding situations and have to rely upon others it creates a bond and strengthens the levels of understanding and trust between those people. I believe this is true of the COVID-19 situation.
To get to know more about Dean Gemaehlich Dean, and his responsibilities at Manor of the Plains, we recently got a chance to have him answer a few questions between projects. Why were you interested in coming to work at Manor of the Plains? It was a great fit based on my previous experience and background, plus I knew that Manor of the Plains was an outstanding environment. What are your responsibilities as environmental services director? I wear many different hats. I deal with information technology, accounting, maintenance, laundry services and some employee-related issues. What do you like most about your job? I enjoy doing something different every day. I never know what is around the corner and that keeps it interesting.
DEAN – continued on page 2
Each member of our management team has a great sense of teamwork and great problem-solving skills that helped each of us understand what had to be done and in a specific manner. This understanding made it easier for everyone to do their part. I believe this team’s response is related to our mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values and a caring thoughtful mindset.
STATE - continued on page 2
Manor of the Plains | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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DEAN– continued from page 1 Tell us about your family. I have an awesome wife (Kathy) of 32 years. We were high school sweethearts. Together, we have three grown children: Ashley, Tanner and Justin, who are all
STATE - continued from page 1 I believe the intentional efforts to increase communications between residents and families extends beyond our management team, it also includes every single team member making a special point to visit or communicate with the residents and family members who are actively participating in daily contact in some form or another. Many of our team have enjoyed the extra attention they have been encouraged to have with everyone. We all have learned many new things about the residents we care for and this also has led us
successful in their own lives. We also have two grandchildren— who are the light of our lives— and we’re anxiously awaiting the arrival of our third grandchild in September. My black Lab, Deuce, and her Teacup Yorkie, Bam Bam, are very special to us as well.
to care more deeply about them and become closer, almost like an extension of our own families. While we think about reopening, we know the process is very detailed with many variables we must manage. There is the potential for one single thing to go wrong and move us back to starting over. Believe me, we all feel the frustrations of our residents and families wanting and needing to resume visitations as things were pre-COVID-19. What’s important is that we help one another remember we have the overall health and well-being of our residents at heart, and we have
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? My wife and I enjoying riding our Fat Boy Harley Davidson and our Polaris Razor which we call “wind therapy.” I also like hunting, fishing and any kind of outdoor sport. ◆
guidance from experts to follow. We are using the PMMA developed re-opening plan as our Bible and refer to this when we are needing clarifications. Each department is touched by this in some way or another and we help one another develop new processes and ways we adjust to the new ways of providing quality services. As we move forward, it’s a good reminder that we all must be extra patient with one another and also remember there are many paths to the same end goal, and more than one correct way to serve everyone and enhance one another’s lives. ◆
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MANOR PLAINS of the
A PMMA COMMUNITY
620-225-1928 ◆ Fax: 620-225-3982 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 ManorOfThePlains.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2020
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) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: bgladbach@PMMA.org John Van Hook, executive director Brittany Gladbach, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Residents look forward to celebrating mass at new altar For years, whenever residents would gather together to hold mass, a makeshift altar would be set up on a table at the front of the room. It worked fine, but those in the congregation dreamed of the day they would have something just a little nicer and more permanent. The problem was that whenever they found something they liked; it came at a price they simply couldn’t afford. Enter Doug Schaapveld. As the community’s environmental services technician, Doug had a reputation for building things—and those in the congregation thought that maybe he could make an even nicer, completely custom altar for a fraction of the price. “I’ve always been working on something, so when they approached me about it, I thought sure, that’s nothing,” said Doug. Prior to joining the staff at the Manor of the Plains, Doug spent 25 years working in a cabinet shop and has been creating pieces in his free time ever since. “I’ve been in woodworking forever—I have sawdust in my blood,” said Doug. To get started, Doug met with Monsignor Brian Moore to determine what was needed and get some basic measurements. From there, he drew up the initial plans and determined what the materials would cost. Knowing that money was tight, Doug then approached the Knights of Columbus, where he’s a member, to see if they might be able to chip in and offset the cost. “I showed them the plans and said
Doug Schaapveld, environmental services tech, and Monsignor Brian Moore, independent living resident, with the altar built and finished by Doug.
Doug Schaapveld dedicated his work on the altar to the memory of his parents and former residents, Louis and Ann Schaapveld.
I wanted something nicer for the priest and they ended up donating more than I asked for. The Grand Knight even donated another hundred for the book they read out.” When it came time to actually get the altar built, the coronavirus lockdown turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Doug. “Because of COVID-19, I was able to get the altar done in just two to three months because I wasn’t going anywhere or doing anything,” said Doug. Now complete, Doug has dedicated his work on the altar to the memory of his parents, who were former Manor of the Plains residents and also sees the piece as a part of his own legacy at the community. “Knowing I only have a year and a half before I retire, I can look around here and see all kinds of stuff I’ve fixed and built and made, but it is nice knowing that this is
Past Grand Knight Jeremy Rabe presents a check to Doug Schaapveld and former Executive Director Michael Rajewski. something that will be here awhile,” said Doug. In addition to the $600 initial donation from the Knights of Columbus, Dan Boatright and his family donated $1,000 in memory of his mother Eleanor Boatright. And, beyond the cash donations, independent living resident Rolland Werner donated altar cloths and past residents Lawrence and Betty Herrmann donated a crucifix and candle holders. ◆
Manor of the Plains | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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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.
COVID-19 updates continue
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, ManorOfThePlains.org/covid-19. ◆
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | September 2020