Newton Presbyterian Manor
JULY 2019
Resident uses art to help abused, at-risk kids Duane Graham has been an artist his entire life. From his early days as a “starving artist” in and around Kansas City to serving as a technical artist on NASA’s Saturn V booster project, Duane has been creating artwork that has impacted people all around the world for as long as he can remember. Later this month, Duane will bring the impact of his work a little closer to home through a special exhibition benefiting the Newton chapter of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) association.
Duane Graham
Although Duane has worked in a variety of mediums over the years including pen and pencil drawings and photography, the focus of this exhibition will be Duane’s work with acrylics—something he only recently picked up.
“When my wife passed away almost two years ago, I needed something to do, so I told my daughters I wanted paints and canvases for Christmas and they gave them to me, so I was committed,” said Duane. “I have been painting about one piece a month for over a year now, and I’ve been wondering what to do with all these canvases, so I decided to have a show and sell them and whatever profit I make would be a fund generator for CASA.” Duane’s selection of CASA as the beneficiary of his exhibition wasn’t by chance. Shortly after he retired, Duane began volunteering for the organization as a court-appointed advocate—work he says hasn’t always been fun but has been something he has found to be deeply rewarding. -Art, continued on page 2
Tara Stewart named director of nursing
Tara Stewart
Assistant Director of Nursing Tara Stewart has been named director of nursing effective July 1. Tara has been with Presbyterian Manor for more than six years, starting as a charge nurse, then working as quality assurance nurse and most recently as an MDS nurse while adding the assistant director of nursing role to her daily tasks. Tara earned her LPN from Hutchinson Community College and her RN from Pratt Community College while working at Presbyterian Manor. She received a scholarship through the PMMA Employee Scholarship Fund for that degree. -Stewart, continued on page 4
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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