Newton Presbyterian Manor
MARCH 2020
Thousands of miles from home, Elen Nesser has found family in Newton
Elen Nesser with her mother, Ning Ning. For the past 14 years, Elen Nesser has been a familiar and well-loved face to all of those who have lived and worked at Newton Presbyterian Manor—and it’s safe to say that the feelings are mutual. “My family is the Presbyterian Manor,” said Elen. “I love the residents; I love my co-workers. I love everybody.” Originally from the Philippines, Elen came to the United States in June 2005 and began working at the community just a few months later. Today she serves as both a full-time housekeeper and part-time member of the kitchen staff. While Newton is a lot different from where she grew up in the Philippines, she says she now feels right at home. FAMILY - continued on page 2
Newton Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception features senior artists Local senior artists will be celebrated March 25 through April 10 at Newton Presbyterian Manor as the community hosts its annual Art is Ageless® exhibit and observes the 40th anniversary of the Art is Ageless® program. Art is Ageless is a trademarked program of PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America). The program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity. “It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Noelle Dickinson, marketing director. “The joy it brings to AIA - continued on page 2
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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“Newton is very quiet and the people are good,” said Elen. “It’s a small town, but it’s big enough for me, and I have lots of friends.” But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some things she still misses about the Philippines. “I do miss the food,” said Elen. “It
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them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire Newton community.” The first Art is Ageless calendar was published in 1981, featuring art from Presbyterian Manor community residents. Since then, the program has expanded to
just tastes different there.” Recently Elen got the chance to satisfy her taste buds when she was able to travel to the Philippines to visit her mom for the first time in five years. And even though her mom was sick during her visit, she was still able to enjoy her stay. “I’m so glad I went back to see her,” said Elen. “We didn’t really go
include a juried art competition open to all seniors age 65 and older. The Art is Ageless exhibit will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 25 through April 10 and feature works from local artists. The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit of acrylics, oils, photography and various other mediums, ranging from amateur to professional levels. Winning
anywhere, we just stayed home and ate, laughed and joked.” When the time came to leave her mom, Elen was sad yet excited to get back to her new home in the United States, where she is now a proud citizen. “I just love this country so much,” said Elen. ◆
pieces at the community level move on to a masterpiece level judging to determine which pieces are featured in the annual calendar and note cards. In addition to the exhibit, Newton Presbyterian Manor will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 2:30 p.m. March 25. ◆
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NEWTON Presbyterian Manor
316-283-5400 ◆ Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | March 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.
Bravo of the Month: Matt Archer Our Bravo of the Month goes to Matt Archer, groundskeeper.
leaves. Thank you for taking the lead in this.”
Noelle Dickinson wrote, “Keeping up with ice, snow, and leaves on campus is a maintenance team effort, but I want Matt to know that we appreciate his extra effort to keep lawns and entrances neat and attractive, even in the tight corners that tend to collect the sycamore
Past Bravo winners and managers vote anonymously each month to determine the Bravo for the month. All of us can write bravos anytime we see above and beyond service. Stop by the front desk to learn more. ◆
We appreciate our Life Enrichment team
Every department took turns showing appreciation and celebrating our Life Enrichment team for Activity Professionals Week! We love how each one of them brings such great joy and individuality to our residents. We love our Life Enrichment team! ◆ Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Fitzroys shed their stuff for life on the road When Marc and Lisa Fitzroy told their family, friends and coworkers that they were selling their home and moving into an RV in 2018, there were more than a few dropping jaws. The Newton couple had spent the last 13 years turning a dilapidated old 900-square-foot rental into a beautiful 2,800-square-foot home with a great view of Sand Creek. They had started a small side business, CaNewton, renting kayaks and canoes. They both had great jobs, Lisa at Adrian & Pankratz law firm, and Marc as the dining services director at Newton Presbyterian Manor. There were so many questions: Why sell their lovely home? What would they do for work? What would they do with all their stuff, as they were trading a 2,800-square-foot home for a 300-square-foot motorhome. Why would anyone give up all of that for a “homeless” experience, living as modern-day gypsies? “We sort of stumbled upon this by accident,” said Marc, who is 54. “We were sitting around one Sunday, talking about all of the changes we would have to make to the home we had been remodeling for 13 years to be able to not age out of the house. We realized, aside from the work needed to adapt our twostory home for older bodies, the amount of cleaning, lawn work and general maintenance alone would be staggering.” Marc’s wife, Lisa, said, “When Marc brought up the idea of selling the house and living full-time in an RV or tiny house, I jumped at the idea. Some of my fondest memories were
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Motorhome, sweet, motorhome: “Herbie” the 2003 Class A motorhome. of camping with my grandparents when I was young. I love to travel, and the thought of spending my life traveling and working was very appealing to me!” Lisa started packing up things to sell that very night. The Fitzroys’ original plan was to wait seven years until the house was paid off, then purchase an RV and start traveling, but the more they thought about it, the more they realized they would merely be throwing good money after bad by continuing to pay insurance, taxes and interest on a house they would not be keeping. The plan changed to two years, to allow time to sell most of their possessions and get the house sold. They purchased a 2003 Class A motorhome and started the monumental task of deciding what stayed and what went. “It was surprisingly satisfying to start selling all of the stuff we had accumulated after 20 years of marriage” says Marc. “We didn’t realize how much money we wasted over the years buying ‘stuff!’ We
Lisa and Marc Fitzroy downsized their belongings to live in an RV. realized we had space, so we bought stuff, until we needed more room for our stuff, so we added on. Just the amount of tools and equipment and materials we had to keep just to maintain our stuff was amazing!” Lisa started selling anything not absolutely necessary. She had four booths at area flea markets, ran five garage sales, but surprisingly the most lucrative way to get rid of the more valuable items was to place them on Facebook. “We found that we were selling really nice items at garage sales for FITZROYS - continued on page 5
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pennies on the dollar. Those we put on Facebook sold very quickly, and we almost always got full price for them. It’s amazing how freeing it is to let loose of our possessions and live more simply,” Lisa said. By the end, the Fitzroys were using cardboard boxes for furniture until they moved permanently into their RV, which they are still renovating. “We are leaving for our first big trip throughout the eastern US on July 5, and we still have a lot of work to do to the rig,” says Marc. “We want to have the ability to spend a lot of time outside of RV parks ‘boondocking’ at National Parks and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) spots out west, so
we are installing solar batteries and a large battery system to allow us to live ‘off grid’ for long periods of time.” Additional modifications were made to allow their two dogs, Buster and Kibbles, to join them on this trip, including kennels inside and a portable fence system. “We are both going to miss our co-workers and friends, but we are excited for the adventures ahead of us,” said Lisa. “After our first big trip, we will be settling back to working in October, through a variety of jobs that will allow us to continue to travel and experience this country.” The Fitzroys will continue to work at campgrounds and national and
state parks. In addition, Marc will be working as an interim dietary manager for a company that specializes in supplying temporary foodservice professionals nationwide, and Lisa has started making jewelry that she will sell on Etsy and at craft shows. “People are always asking if we will miss all of our stuff. Amazingly, we ended up with only two boxes of cherished possessions that we will store with my sister while we travel,” said Marc. “We thought that parting with our ‘stuff ’ was going to be hard, but it is amazingly liberating. We feel like we have shed our cocoon, spread our wings and are ready for the freedom of a new, exciting life!” ◆
Proof that not all superheroes wear capes Jenni Jones, regional director of marketing from our corporate office, brightened a rainy winter day with the delivery of a barely-used and lovingly donated power chair for a resident of ours to use. When she heard that we had someone moving in who needed one, she posted the need on her personal Facebook page. After seeing the post, a friend of hers agreed to donate their power chair they no longer needed. Not only did Jenni orchestrate the donation, but she loaded in her family truck and drove it down to Newton for us. What a gift—from the family and also from Jenni! ◆
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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.
Change to compliance hotline PMMA’s corporate compliance program provides a mechanism for the organization to guard against misconduct by employees, service partners, volunteers and others who are regularly in PMMA’s communities in compliance with federal and state laws governing providers of health care services. It is everyone’s responsibility to report suspected misconduct without fear of retaliation or retribution. PMMA uses a third party provider to manage the compliance hotline to ensure anonymity of those who report suspected misconduct. This company recently made upgrades to its system, which have changed the way people can report suspected misconduct, offering both telephone and online options. The new toll free number is 1-844-973-0049. A new web portal offers the ability to make a report via the internet at www.pmma.ethicspoint.com. ◆
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YOU MATTER A Special Insert Highlighting the Efforts of PMMA Donors and Volunteers
BOWEN’S PMMA CONNECTION AN ENDURING ONE Christena Bowen first heard about Presbyterian Manor before there was one. She recalled Dr. George Nelson’s early visits to her Kill Creek Church and to other Presbyterian churches in the area. “He talked about his idea for a health care facility for older people,” she once explained. Little did she realize, the community Dr. Nelson envisioned would one day become not only her employer, but ultimately her home. Her initial connection came in 1967, when she began working for Dr. Nelson, the first administrator. Christena’s call to Newton sparked not only an enduring association with Presbyterian Manors, but personal friendships that were to last a lifetime. Following
her retirement in 1982, Christena moved into one of the Newton Manor’s cottages. When once asked why she so generously supported Newton Presbyterian Manor, Christena explained, “I gave because I had a big interest. You do what you can.” Prior to her passing in 2014, Christena did just that by establishing a planned gift to benefit Newton Presbyterian Manor. Thanks to this generous estate gift, and an investment from PMMA, we are excited to watch a major remodeling project unfold in the coming months. Today, and every day, we honor Christena, and treasure her lifelong friendship as we too look to our future and dream of what could be.
NEWTON FUNDRAISING DASHBOARD Specified Purpose, 25% $5,000
Gifts received in 2019 were restricted in the following program areas. Every gift will be used here in your community.
Special Events, 10% $2,045
Good Samaritan Program, 61% $12,179
Employee Scholarship Fund, 4% $700
Not graphed Life Enrichment, $8
MARCH 2020
THE FAQS ON THE SECURE ACT The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was enacted Jan. 1, 2020. With it came many questions for those who are planning for retirement, retired or who are retiring in the near future. Passed as part of a spending bill, the SECURE Act brought with it the most significant changes to retirement plans since 2006. While some changes impact you, others will impact the people you name as a beneficiary. Changes to Know
1. You can contribute to your IRA longer. Previously, you could not contribute to your IRA after reaching the age of 70½. However, more and more people are working past that age. The SECURE Act repeals this age limitation, allowing you more time to save. 2. The required minimum distribution (RMD) age changed. The SECURE Act changed the age at which you must start taking RMDs from your retirement account from 70½ to 72 for those who were born July 1, 1949, or later. This change allows you additional time to grow the funds in your account before you have to start withdrawing from it. 3. IRA beneficiary rules have changed. Prior to the SECURE Act, beneficiaries could take distributions throughout their lives. This offered tax savings for the beneficiary. The SECURE Act preserved this option for beneficiaries who are spouses, but repeals it for non-spousal IRA beneficiaries. They will now have 10 years to withdraw the entire amount. What Stayed the Same
If you’re 70½ or older, you can still make a tax-free gift to a qualified charitable organization. You can transfer any amount up to $100,000 per year directly to a qualified charitable organization without paying income tax on the distribution. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions. Your gift will also be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference you’re making. Please contact Sarah Oenning at soenning@pmma.org to discuss your benefits. Review Your Plans If you have questions about the impact of the SECURE Act on your retirement plans, be sure to make an appointment with your financial advisor. They can review the plans you have in place (including your beneficiary designations) and help make sure you are still on the right track.
Learn all the ways friends and family make PMMA
better by visiting giving.
presbyterianmanors.org. Want to talk one on one? Call us at 316.685.1100.
Sarah Oenning Vice President, Department of Giving soenning@pmma.org Patti Christen Regional Director of Giving pchristen@pmma.org Regina Barger Stewardship Manager rbarger@pmma.org Fran Pack Donor Information Specialist fpack@pmma.org