Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
March 2019
God is for me By Jerroll Martens, chaplain Newton Presbyterian Manor
“When I cry…this I know. God is for me.” — Psalm 56:9 What an infinite truth to know that the God of the universe is for me! He was for me before time began, before my coming into this world. Yes, God has plans for us, he wants our best. He is not for us in the way we cheer for a certain sports team. Rather, he is for us in desiring his blessings to be ours. He was for us when he created planet earth for our present home. He was for us when he sent his beloved son to earth, when his son bore our sins on the cross. He was for us when the savior arose from the dead assuring us of the total price of sins are paid, assuring us that we too have a resurrection. Surely we can look back in our lives and see his direction, protection, care and special help during the hard times. He has assured us that his presence will never leave us alone and that he is preparing a wonderful home for those who love him. As we seek to walk in his ways in a sin-cursed world, he assures us that he is for us. GOD, continued on page 3
Betsy Geddes is the new director of nursing. Her four-legged assistant is Anahi, a certified therapy dog.
Betsy Geddes makes the move While she isn’t new to Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Betsy Geddes is new to our Newton campus. She joined us in January in her new role as the director of nursing. “We’re thrilled to keep Betsy within the PMMA family and have her bring to us her experience as director of nursing at our Sterling campus. She has a very warm personality that we all enjoy, and our residents and staff will benefit from having her experience on our team,” said Marc Kessinger, executive director of Newton Presbyterian Manor. Previously, Betsy was the director of nursing at Sterling Presbyterian Manor. A registered nurse since 1995, she began in the field as a certified nursing assistant at the Sterling campus in 1990. Since then, she has served as charge nurse and minimum data set coordinator, unit GEDDES, continued on page 4
Mark your calendars
Activity Professionals Month
Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m., Manor Chapel “Understanding and Responding to DementiaRelated Behavior,” a presentation by the Alzheimer’s Association. Guests are welcome.
We celebrated Activity Professionals Month with this special team. Alex Ramos, Riley Rodriguez, Anyssa Thompson, Gladys Conner, Melinda Ebersole and Tim Clark are the crew that make life meaningful and fun on our campus, planning countless special events, programs and classes. They also don their chauffeur hats and escort groups from all campus neighborhoods to dinners out and other day trip fun. We love our life enrichment team!
Kalb Villa Suites
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) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Marc Kessinger, executive director Noelle Dickinson, marketing director Melinda Ebersole, activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Noelle at ndickinson@pmma.org. Telephone: 316-283-5400 Fax: 316-284-5900 Address: 1200 E. Seventh, Newton, KS 67114-2862 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters March 2019
Kalb Villa suites offer a comfortable one-bedroom apartment with a supportive team to come alongside you if you need a little assistance. You will have three delicious meals a day, entertainment, fun and options for exercise. Suites are available now. Call Noelle Dickinson at 316-283-5400 to take a look for yourself. Like us on Facebook
GOD, continued from page 1
Our universe is full of the wonders of a gracious creator God. But of all his creation and wonders, we are the object of his care—he is for us. The Psalmist seemed to say that when he prayed he knew God heard, because he is for us. He welcomes our cry for salvation, for help in time of need, the assurance that he will always be for us!
Bravo of the Month: Dannica Avendano Bravo of the Month goes to Dannica Avendano, RN. Eleanore Myers writes, “As I walked into Haury Place one morning, Dannica was sitting in the TV area with two residents on either side of her and they were singing ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ to a tape. It was so beautiful to see the happy faces as they sang. Thank you, Dannica, for going the extra mile.”
As our management team presented the Bravo of the Month award to Dannica, she took it all in while continuing to gently rub the shoulders of a resident sitting in front of her, another example of her kindness and extra care. Thanks, Dannica!
Employee growth tree A growth tree has been installed in the employee breakroom, showing how staff members have grown while being employed at Newton Presbyterian Manor. Some have advanced from dining services to CNA, or CNA to LPN or RN, and some have become mentors. Presbyterian Manor supports its employees through these promotions and an educational scholarship fund.
‘It’s a Guy Thing!’ to feature Taste of Italy in March Newton Presbyterian Manor men and their friends are invited to “It’s a Guy Thing!” at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 21, in the Wellness Center. The theme is “Taste of Italy” and there will be an Italian feast for lunch. “It’s a Guy Thing!” is a monthly activity organized by Newton Presbyterian Manor with Heart & Soul Hospice. These events were created to have something unique for men that gives them the chance to talk about things relevant to them.
germane to men in general and then provide a creative devotional,” said Greg Schmidt, chaplain and bereavement coordinator with Heart & Soul Hospice.
“For me, it’s just a chance to be a chaplain with the guys, use food as a medium to get them to come to something, talk about things
Greg, with the help of other team members at Heart & Soul Hospice and local Presbyterian Manors, has been organizing these free events in
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Greg Schmidt, chaplain and bereavement coordinator at Heart & Soul Hospice, leads “It’s a Guy Thing!”
Newton, Wichita and Arkansas City over the past several months. “They are clearly designed for guys, but anyone is welcome,” added Greg. Be sure to RSVP no later than noon on Wednesday, March 20, to Melinda Ebersole at mebersole@ pmma.org or your neighborhood activity leader. Newton Presbyterian Manor
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Newton Presbyterian Manor 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2862 Return Service Requested
Wellness Center
GEDDES, continued from page 1
manager and director of nursing in other communities. At Sterling Presbyterian Manor, she was the nurse manager for Westwood until she was named director of nursing in early 2015. For Betsy, our Newton campus is making her feel right at home. “I enjoy serving others, whether that be staff or residents, and I really enjoy my working team,” said Betsy. You may have noticed Betsy has a four-legged assistant, too. “My therapy dog is Anahi, which means ‘beautiful.’ The residents and staff enjoy her visits. She has a therapeutic and calming effect,” said Betsy. Betsy lives in the country between Nickerson and Hutchinson and enjoys spending time with her husband of 20 years. They have 11 children, one grandchild, one dog, one cat and one bird.
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Community Matters March 2019
Did you know that access to the Presbyterian Manor wellness center, all equipment and a personal trainer is just $20/ month for those who don’t live on our campus?
Local artist Rita Patterson, left, and her daughter, Laurie Dove, at last year’s reception.
Invite your family and friends to join you by contacting Alex Ramos, wellness director, for more information, 316-283-5400, adramos@pmma.org.
Art is Ageless® Music, art and delicious food combined for a festive afternoon at last year’s Art is Ageless reception and exhibit opening. This year’s reception is 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21 in the main dining room. Join us! Like us on Facebook