Commun ty Matters Newton Presbyterian Manor
November 2015
Sending ‘Angels’ to the Good Samaritan Program
Artist at work
Special angels will soon be adorning Christmas trees and holiday displays at every Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica (PMMA) senior living community.
Ever since taking up watercolor painting at the age of 89, Mary Kessler has been a prolific artist. The walls of her apartment became her gallery, showcasing her vibrant landscapes, florals and more—many of which have been honored in the annual Art is Ageless® competition.
The “angels” are paper ornaments that will arrive throughout the holiday season along with gifts to the annual Christmas Angel Appeal, which raises funds for the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care. Donors who make gifts are asked to return paper Angel ornaments along with their gifts. The ornaments pay tribute to donors’ family members or friends and are displayed at PMMA communities designated by the donors. During the past two years, donors to the angel appeals have given more than $90,000 to the Good Samaritan Program. The program assists PMMA residents who have out-lived their financial resources through no fault of their own. Since PMMA began 66 years ago, no residents have been asked to leave because they exhausted their financial resources. If you would like to participate in the Angel Appeal, please email development@pmma.org or call 800-336-8511.
Resident’s art to benefit Presbyterian Manor scholarship fund
Now, you can take home one of Mary’s paintings and contribute to a good cause at the same time. On Nov. 13, more than 35 paintings will go on sale to benefit the Newton Presbyterian Manor Scholarship Fund Mary Kessler for employees. The sale, which will be from 2 to 7 p.m., also will include notecards with reprints of selected paintings. Requested donations are $40 for a matted and framed painting, $30 for an unframed piece, and $5 for a package of cards. When Mary moved from her two-bedroom apartment to her two-room suite, she lost a lot of gallery space. Her two children and their families claimed the paintings they liked, and many of the rest will be in the sale. Mary, a retired teacher, is pleased that her work can be used to help others to complete their education. Her daughter, Arlys Kessler Nilles, is helping her prepare for the sale. “I think she felt bad charging money for them, but she doesn’t if it’s going to a good cause,” Arlys said. The family hopes to raise at least $1,000 for scholarships. Mary, who will celebrate her 100th birthday next year, is a woman of many talents. She learned woodworking and quilting later in life, and her quilts also have won ribbons in Art is Ageless. She helped start the Manor Senior Players reader’s theater, and three of her stories were published in a 2001 compilation of creative writing by Presbyterian Manors residents. “I’ve always been interested in doing something new and different,” Mary said. ART, continued on page 2