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
1
Bravo of the Month:
-Art, continued from page 1
“I felt useful from the standpoint that a lot of times you could see things from the child’s eyes that the other organizations and family members can’t,” said Duane.
Paula Hoskinson
Bravos are given for all kinds of above and beyond reasons. This month’s bravo is to Paula Hoskinson, cook, for service to the residents in the main dining room. Susan Milton, who works with her, wrote, “Paula made sundaes and served them to all the residents for dessert. She provided all the delicious sundae toppings.” Way to go, Paula! Thank you for your creativity as you make the dining experience enjoyable for those who live at Presbyterian Manor. ◆
And it’s being able to provide input from that unique perspective that Duane feels can make a real difference in the life of a child. “You’d talk to doctors, school teachers, policemen … but you spend a lot of time with the child and the satisfaction comes when you see a child who has been severely abused put into a position where they find out there’s more to life than being afraid of your parents and discovery that somebody does love them.”
Paula Hoskinson and Marc Kessinger.
Volunteers needed!
The work presented in the show will feature a mix of cowboys, rodeos, clowns and at least one mountain man—the model for which is expected to be on-hand during the exhibition. The formal opening event will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on July 18, at the Carriage Factory Art Gallery, 128 E. Sixth Street in Newton. There will be entertainment and a brief talk with Duane. ◆
We would love some assistance with plant care in our sunny links and hallways. Call Melinda Ebersole at 316-283-5400 or email her at mebersole@pmma.org if you have time to help them stay beautiful. ◆ 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 | July 2019
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.
Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on Sept. 21 Newton Presbyterian Manor joined the Grand Champions Club in 2018 as one of the top 5 fundraising teams for the Wichita Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and we’re ready to do this again. Will you join us on this important day by walking with us? Together we can make a real difference in the fight against the nation’s sixth-
leading cause of death. Our page for registration is: bit.ly/AlzheimersWalkNewton and our team name is Newton Presbyterian Manor. If you’re unable to participate, please consider making a donation to the team. Every dollar advances the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association®. ◆
Chaplain’s Corner by Jerroll Martens: OUR HOPE
Jeremiah 17:17 “Thou art my hope in the day of evil.” The Bible mentions “hope” more than 130 times. It is usually used as a noun, rather than a verb. The Christian has a hope, rather that hoping something will happen. Ephesians speaks of those who have no hope—those without Christ. We remind ourselves that all of us were without hope until we received Christ into our lives by faith. Passages identify Christ as our
hope. To name some: “Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,” “Blessed hope.” God, our Father, is called “the God of hope.” Thus, hope is something that is as certain as God is. To have Christ is to have certainty. Romans 4 gives Abraham as an example of one who had no earthly hope of having a child with his wife Sarah because of their advanced age. Yet, he believed in the certainty of God’s promise of hope and they had the child Isaac. His faith in God’s promise was pleasing to God.
Abraham believed God and God counted him righteous. We, too, become righteous by believing as John 3:16 clearly states. This hope within us affects our present life in other ways. It has a purifying quality that leads and helps us to be more Christ-like. It helps us to keep an eye beyond this life where our hope is full reality. As our opening verse states, it provides a God of hope in the midst of earthly difficulty. Thank God for this hope! ◆
The months of May and June were all about our mothers and fathers, with celebrations for each group that welcomed family to join their moms and dads who live here. We also enjoy honoring the mothers and fathers of residents and employees by featuring their photos in a display in the dining room. ◆ Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
3
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.
-Stewart, continued from page 1
Tara started her career in nursing in a traumatic brain injury unit in a rehabilitation hospital in Great Barrington, Mass. “We look forward to Tara’s leadership as director of nursing as she brings a wealth of experience to this role, having worked in so many positions on our campus. We welcome her to the leadership team,” said Marc Kessinger, executive director. Tara replaces Betsy Geddes, who has accepted a position as a regional nurse with Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. ◆
4
COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2019
Mom’s Café in Whitewater was the lunch site for the latest cottage/ duplex quarterly gathering. Both buses were needed for lunch out to this favorite site.