Newton Community Matters February 2020

Newton Presbyterian Manor

JANUARY 2020

Art is Ageless® call for entries now underway Edna and Silas Stucky celebrate 71 years of marriage in August 2019. “With a loving God and loving man, I just felt my cup was full; my joy was overflowing …”

Edna wrote in their family history.

Our love story

By Silas and Edna Stucky, residents

An excerpt from “Our Family Blessings” by Edna Stucky: “I met Silas for the first time at a Burns Church youth picnic in the pasture. It was a beautiful October evening in 1945. I knew some of the youth from that church, so they invited some of my brothers and me to join them in the fun and games and a basket dinner. I especially remember the game ‘Farmer in the Dell.’ It seemed Silas always chose me for his partner, and I was quite pleased. When I had to choose, I thought, ‘why not,’ so I chose him. It really turned out that we only had eyes for each other, but then I was only 16 and Silas was 17. When the party was over and he walked me to the car, we both agreed we had a good evening.

That was the beginning of a good friendship, courtship and marriage. The next three years were filled with going to ball games together, to church STORY - continued on page 2

Newton Presbyterian Manor has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held March 25 – April 10, 2020.

Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 40th anniversary Art is Ageless calendar in 2021.

Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2015). There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by March 20.

The Art is Ageless® program AIA - continued on page 2

Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

1

STORY - continued from page 1

Sunday evenings, to the county and state fairs, rodeos, and the Fourth of July celebration in Peabody. I knew from the very beginning of our friendship that this man held a deep place in my heart. Every time I saw him coming over the hill in his father’s blue ‘38 Chevy, my heart felt a great joy like never before, and I never wanted it to go away. I would pray to God, ‘Lord, if it be Thy will, let this love continue.’ And I thanked Him for this constant love. With a loving God and loving man, I just felt my cup was full; my joy was overflowing …

“On Sunday evening, June 16, 1948, Silas and I were invited to my brother’s house for supper. After a good meal and some games, we started for my house, but before we got there, he stopped the car, unlocked the glove compartment, which he had never done before, and brought out a little box and gave it to me. He said, ‘I have something for you.’ With a shaky hand and excitement in my voice I said, ‘You do?’ It didn’t take me long to snap the lid back and there

was the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen. I don’t remember if it fit me, but I knew it was mine, from the most wonderful man in the world. How I loved him …”

Residents Silas and Edna (Guhr) Stucky of Elbing celebrated 71 years of marriage on August 26, 2019. They were married in 1948 at the Emmaus Mennonite Church of rural Whitewater and enjoyed farming all of their lives trusting God as the Provider for all things.

In their early years of marriage, they farmed in the Burns and Peabody areas and attended the Burns Mennonite Church.

Edna Stucky wrote about she and her husband, Silas, and their family in “Our Family Blessings.”

and moved into Elbing for their retirement years. The Zion Mennonite Church and the Elbing In 1956, God provided a farm north community have friendships that run deep. of Elbing and this became their home for the next 53 years, where In 2018, they moved to an they raised four daughters, Elaine independent apartment at (Schmidt) of Elbing, Bonnie (Stan Presbyterian Manor. Life centers Graber) of rural Burns, Nadine around their friends and their family (Friesen) of British Columbia, of 64 and counting as they have 15 Canada, and Diane (Mark Veer) of grandchildren, their spouses, 37 rural Newton. Many hands made great-grandchildren, and one greatlight work and working together as great-grandchild. “Hitherto hath the a family brought many blessings.

Lord helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12) is When they retired in 2009, they passed on the farm to a grandson

their life verse as they depended on Him for wisdom and grace. ◆

AIA - continued from page 1

throughout the year.

encourages 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

Local competition winners will join winners from 15 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica) communities to be judged at the systemwide level.

can be picked up at Newton Presbyterian Manor, 1200 E. 7th, Newton, or by contacting Noelle Dickinson at 316-283-5400 or ndickinson@pmma.org.

Entry forms and information

Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online. ◆

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

NEWTON Presbyterian Manor

316-283-5400 ◆ Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org

2

COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2020

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor

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

To submit or suggest articles: ndickinson@PMMA.org Marc Kessinger, executive director Noelle Dickinson, marketing director

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

Preparing for the unexpected death of a spouse

By Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell for Next Avenue

When my husband, Dale, passed away at age 57 from a sudden, massive heart attack two days before Thanksgiving in 2018, the last thing on my mind was the finances. This quickly changed, however, when I realized that as a relatively young widow of 54, I had just lost our second income.

To exacerbate my situation, due to my age and not having dependent children at home, I was ineligible to draw even partial Social Security income until turning 60. Nor could I withdraw from our retirement funds without heavy penalties and taxes until age 59 ½. On top of all that, my sole income from my freelance writing business would be subject to the higher single-payer tax bracket the following year.

However, I had learned an important life lesson from my parents when I was just 17; it proved invaluable after Dale’s death and could help you if you’re married and under 60.

When I was 17, my father also died suddenly of a massive heart attack at 58, and my mother was thrown into a similar situation. So, when Dale and I got married, 32 years before he died, we bought term life insurance policies. And we always carried extra life insurance through his job.

Those decisions saved me financially.

An emotionally draining time According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average age of widowhood in the United States is a

surprisingly young 59. That means there are many women who fall into the “donut hole” of not being able to draw Social Security benefits and who may have lost an income that had been essential for paying the bills.

Women are more likely than men to lose their spouse. And due to income inequality, they’re also typically more apt to be in a worse financial position if their spouse dies before they’re eligible for retirement benefits.

“Losing a spouse is a horrific event and if it happens unexpectedly, there is absolutely no time to plan,” said Michelle Brownstein, a Certified Financial Planner and vice president of private client services with Personal Capital in San Francisco.

One of the key ways to plan for this tragic possibility is to ensure both spouses have life insurance.

“Life insurance can really be that income replacement,” said Brownstein. She recommends term life insurance. “The earlier you purchase it, the better term life policy you can get and this will allow your spouse to continue to pay the bills without changing lifestyle.”

Vet-to-Vet Volunteer Program One out of 4 hospice patients is a veteran, that’s why your presence is so needed.

Because of the common connection, veterans often find it easier to open up to a fellow veteran. The camaraderie created between veterans has proven to be supportive for everyone involved in the volunteer program.

Veterans can reminisce, share life stories and participate in ceremonies honoring veterans. Heart & Soul Hospice offers several exciting opportunities for you to help honor your fellow soldier, including our Veteran to Veteran Pinning Ceremony.

Contact Jamie Farrelly, LMSW, for information on how you can become a volunteer.

316-652-6212 jfarrelly@pmma.org

SPOUSE - continued on page 6 Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

3

‘Beauty’ shot graces cover of 2020 Art is Ageless® Calendar Artist Vada Galvan from Farmington has been competing in the Art is Ageless competition for around six years, but this is the first time her work has been featured on the cover.

“When I walked into the room for the 2020 calendar reveal party in December, that was a big thrill!

There were stacks of the calendar (and I hadn’t seen the cover yet) laying on the table and they looked gorgeous. It was an overwhelming day for this old gal,” said Vada.

“Beauty and the Fleece” is the featured cover art on the 2020 Art is Ageless calendar. While the painting was created during the summer of 2018, the idea for it was inspired by Vada’s childhood.

“When I was a little girl, we lived out in the country (in Wyoming) across the road from a couple that didn’t have any children. They mostly had a dairy farm, but they kept a small herd of sheep. They liked me. Most evenings, the woman who lived there, Irma, would tell me she was going to go gather the sheep and she asked me to go with her and help her herd them to a field closer to the house for the night. I’ve always loved sheep and I love the biblical idea of sheep. When I feel inspired to paint a sheep it usually comes from that little well that’s in all of us where the holy spirit resides,” said Vada.

While she’s painted some sheep in the past, she’s never painted anything like the sheep featured in “Beauty and the Sheep.”

“I have a book on sheep, but they’re so well-groomed in that book they were too nice looking. I wanted his wool to look dirty and yet nice,

4

too, like a Wyoming sheep,” said Vada.

Not only does Vada’s work grace the cover of this year’s calendar, “Beauty and the Fleece” also won the judge’s choice and people’s choice awards at Farmington and her Christmas (professional) submission, “Hey, Virginia, It’s Me!” took first place in the local competition and is featured on the 2020 Art is Ageless greeting cards. “‘Hey, Virginia, It’s Me!’ was really an afterthought. I thought I’d take a canvas and try and paint the center of a Santa face that I remember from my childhood. He didn’t take me that long. I painted him in January and hurried and got him framed and took him to the contest in February. I was shocked when he won because I did him so fast. Sometimes I work better fast than I do when I drag my heels as I usually do,” said Vada.

No matter her painting style, it seems Vada was simply born with creative talent.

“I think I was born with a box of Crayolas® in my hand. I was always very particular with my coloring books. I’ve been painting for a little bit over 40 years. One of the ladies I worked with started taking decorative painting classes and

COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2020

didn’t like going alone. She said, ‘Come and go with me.’ So that’s how I got started painting. Now I’ve branched out more into fine arts.

I love it! I’ve never had any formal training and didn’t go to school for it. This is my God gift,” said Vada.

And we’re so pleased she’s using the Art is Ageless competition to share her gift with all of us.

“The Art is Ageless program is wonderful. It gives those of us who are older something to look forward to. We all need hobbies and someone to share a love of something with. It keeps me going,” said Vada.

Vada has been married to her husband, Ben, for 37 years and has two grown children and four grandsons. She plans to one day live at Presbyterian Manor while teaching painting classes.

The 2020 Art is Ageless calendars are available at the front desk. A donation of $10 is suggested. ◆

Bravo to Valerie Robbins and Beccy Flottman The Newton Presbyterian Manor Bravo of the Month for December 2019 went to Valerie Robbins and Beccy Flottman for their aboveand-beyond service.

Noelle Dickinson writes, “When after 5 p.m. it was discovered that the guest apartment wasn’t ready for a last-minute reservation, Beccy and Valerie found Carrie in dining services who could direct them to their tools, and they dove right in to clean and polish the apartment for our guests. They could have left it for others or called someone in but went well beyond their call of duty to get the job done and serve customers well. Thank you both!” ◆

Valerie Robbins, left, and Beccy Flottman receive the Bravo of the Month for December 2019.

Newton Presbyterian Manor artists Deane Frey, Lois Hamilton and Arlys Schwabauer sign Art is Ageless® calendars during a release party in December 2019.

Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

5

NEWTON Presbyterian Manor

1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 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.

SPOUSE - continued from page 3

Understanding the household finances Another key component to being financially prepared in case a spouse dies: ensuring that each person in the relationship understands the couple’s finances and the way the household is run.

“After a marriage, one person typically takes the lead,” said Brownstein. “If that person passes, and the other doesn’t understand how the household functions day to day, it can make a very stressful time even more stressful.”

Rachel DeCarolis, wealth manager for Northstar Financial Planning in Windham, N.H., said it may be an uncomfortable topic. However, spouses still need to discuss how the finances would change if something unexpected happened to either of them.

It’s important to plan for the future.

“Talking about how the income would change and how expenses would change could mentally get you in a good place,” said DeCarolis. ◆

6

COMMUNITY MATTERS | February 2020

We respect the privacy of residents and ask that you respect their privacy, too.

Posting this?

Check the background.

If your photograph, video or Snap includes residents who are not a relative, don’t post it to social media.