Newton Presbyterian Manor
OCTOBER 2019
In the spotlight: Duane Unruh Congratulations to Duane Unruh on his recent promotion to director of environmental services at Newton Presbyterian Duane Unruh Manor!
Our Presbyterian Manor Plastic Bag Ladies enjoyed a wonderful outing to Wichita on Friday, August 16. We visited the Open Door Ministries complex, a day shelter for homeless persons. Fred Irwin, an intake social worker, gave us an amazing tour, which left us all both sobered and inspired. After the 90-minute tour, we went to the nearby Doo Dah Diner. From left, Donna Willis, Fred Irwin, June Thomsen, JoAnn Johnson, Judy Dietrich (member of the women’s group in Wichita to whom we donate “plarn”), Reitha Klaassen, Carolyn Adams and Betty Harder.
Resident group turns plastic bags into yarn
When June Thomsen heard about a group of women in Chicago who were crocheting plastic bags into sleeping mats for the homeless, she thought the idea was brilliant. However, it wasn’t until she moved into the Presbyterian Manor community last fall that she discovered a way in
Duane has worked in our community for the past two years as a maintenance technician and has worked in the health care industry for 34 years, including 24 years at Prairie View, Inc. Duane graduated from Bethel College with degrees in Industrial Arts and Agriculture. He has served many years as trustee at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in Goessel and has volunteered for the Goessel Fire Department for 37 years. In his free time, Duane enjoys participating in music and sporting events with his family, singing in the church choir, watching sports and keeping the family’s vehicles, homes and equipment operational. He and his wife Karen have three sons, three daughters-in-law and two grandchildren. ◆
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which she and others could help the cause. “It all started with a conversation I was having with a friend here at Presbyterian Manor,” said June. “We both had extra plastic bags and thought it would be fun to invite others to join us to cut them up to make ‘plarn’ (plastic yarn).” Now, nearly a year later, up to eight women meet every Thursday between 9:30 and 11 a.m. in the community library to cut plastic bags into loops which are then joined together and wound into balls of plarn. Once completed, the balls are then handed over to a group of women at a Baptist church in Wichita who crochet the material into mats. An employee of the Salvation Army in Newton has also joined the group and is crocheting a sleeping mat. When asked what she enjoys most about the group, June has a difficult time settling on just one. “I really enjoy this group for several reasons,” said June. “One is that the task is easy enough for people of all ability levels to participate. Another is that the end product, a sleeping mat, will make a homeless person’s life a bit easier. And lastly, we are taking lots of plastic bags out of circulation and out of landfills, waterways and oceans. It takes between 500-600 plastic bags to make one sleeping mat.”
Heidi Thomsen, JoAnn Johnson and Betty Harder have mastered the art of making plarn balls and visiting at the same time.
But the women’s involvement in the group isn’t purely altruistic, there is a social aspect to the weekly meetings as well. “Oh yes, we also chat a lot and drink some coffee,” said June. “The fellowship is just plain fun!” And it’s that fellowship component that excites community staff members. “I love that this was started by a neighbor who has only lived here since November, and it’s bringing together old and new neighbors in a relaxed and comfortable way,” said Noelle Dickinson, marketing director. Participation in the group is purely on a come and go basis and varies from one week to the next. If you are interested in attending, you are welcome to stop by whenever
JoAnn Johnson, June Thomsen, Sharon Koehn, Carolyn Adams and Reitha Klaassen cut plastic strips to which will be tied together to make plarn.
you’re available. The Plastic Bag Ladies appreciate everyone’s involvement through donating plastic grocery bags in the box in the gardening room at the end of the Garden Apartments hallway. Your bags keep them in business! ◆
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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 | October 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.
Upcoming events:
Bravo of the Month:
Emily Trask Bravo of the Month goes to Emily Trask, director of human resources, for two special Bravos given this month. Alvin Savage said, “During the state fire marshall inspection, Emily stepped up to help me with the emergency preparedness part. She Emily Trask helped answer questions and show that Emily is passionate about policy of what our building does to employee growth and has invested keep our residents and employees significant time in assisting all safe.” employees in any department with resources needed, including A big project was the subject of offering personal mentoring and Niki Mullin’s Bravo to Emily: support so that they might achieve “Emily worked extensively for a success, growth and feel confident long period of time on a creative professionally. Emily’s dedication special project to encourage and to the employees at Presbyterian celebrate career development Manor earned recognition from the within Presbyterian Manor. She Kansas State University College of installed a large decorative tree Health & Human Services Center design on the break room wall, for the Aging for Best Practices adding pictures with descriptions Award in Career Development of the staff who have achieved of the Kansas Peak 2.0 Program. a move in position or gained Congratulations, and thank you for additional certifications or your dedication.” ◆ education while here. It is evident
Veterans Day Breakfast will be Monday, November 11, from 7-10 a.m. This is a casual breakfast for local veterans and their guests. No RSVP required for this comeand-go pancake breakfast.
FOCUS (Families or Caregivers Under Stress) is a support group for those who are caregivers of someone with Alzheimer’s or related diseases.
Our own resident storm tracker Bill Wilbur got to check out KSN’s newest StormTracker vehicle complete with all kinds of recording and weather-related gadgets. We can count on Bill to check our rain gauge and know what weather to expect for the day, so it was fun to be able to share this vehicle with him. Administrative Assistant Niki Mullin’s father is employed by KSN and brought the car up for Bill to see. ◆
Director of Social Services Laura Stewart facilitates the one-hour discussion group each month. With a new day and time, we are welcoming new members to join us on Thursday, November 7 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Manor Library. Lunch is optional if you RSVP to Noelle Dickinson at 316-2835400, ndickinson@pmma.org by Wednesday, Nov. 6. ◆
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Steve Seidl retires … kind of After 31 years with PMMA, 11 at Newton Presbyterian Manor, Steve Seidl will officially retire on Oct. 4. However, the environmental services director has no real intention of slowing down.
“I’ve already applied for a couple of jobs,” said Steve. “I’m not ready to quit working, I enjoy it.” Steve’s decision to retire from PMMA was not an easy one, it was prompted primarily by his daily 70-mile round-trip commute from Hutchinson. “I was on the road by 3 a.m. every morning,” said Steve. “I’m looking forward to sleeping in until 5:30 or 6.”
What he is going to miss about the job is the people. “I’ve got a great staff who I am going to miss, and of course I’m also going to really miss the residents,” said Steve. “You can’t help but fall in love with them. You look forward to seeing them, you care about them and want to see them happy and well-cared for. They’re an important part of my life.” In addition to work, Steve stays busy with activities at church and his seven children and 22 grandchildren. He hopes that his retirement will
allow him to spend more time with his wife, Jan, who retired two years ago from teaching. ◆
Wellness Center success story: Evelyn Gardner Thinking about trying the Wellness Center on for size? After experiencing remarkable progress in a short time, Garden apartment neighbor Evelyn Gardner highly recommends it.
Though she had already been walking two miles daily, at Evelyn’s last check-up she told her doctor that she was noticing her scoliosis, a long-time diagnosis, was getting worse. “My shoulders and hips were both uneven and less flexible, and even sitting in a chair was less comfortable,” she said. Evelyn’s doctor ran a bone density test and recommended vitamin D3, more calcium, and weight-bearing exercises for her legs and arms. Evelyn turned to Wellness Director Alex Ramos who showed her how to use two machines in the Wellness Center to strengthen her
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arms and legs. He gave her a very specific plan for using them that maximized her effort and time without overuse. She faithfully continued her daily walks, inserting the wellness center exercises into her after-breakfast routine three days a week for about 30 minutes. In just two short months, Evelyn says she realized that her shoulders were even again and she felt so much better. She’d even lost 4 lbs. “It’s unbelievable. At 90, I thought I was on a downward slope. I never thought it would actually change.” Her advice to neighbors and employees alike? “Stay active. Visit with Alex. He can help you find exercises that work for your specific needs.” Use of the Wellness Center and consultations with Alex are
COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2019
Resident Evelyn Gardner sees benefits from visiting the Wellness Center three times a week.
complimentary for all residents and employees of Newton Presbyterian Manor and are available for a small monthly fee for community members. For more information, contact Noelle Dickinson at 316283-5400 or ndickinson@pmma. org. ◆
Newton Presbyterian Manor receives 2019 customer experience award from Pinnacle Quality Insight Newton Presbyterian Manor is proud to announce that they are the recipient of Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2019 Customer Experience Award™. The Customer Experience Award is given to senior living communities that score in the top 15-percent of the nation in resident satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight for 12 consecutive months. Newton Presbyterian Manor received the award for independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing. Over the course of 2018, a sampling of Presbyterian Manor’s residents and their families participated in monthly telephone interviews that include open-ended questions, as well the opportunity to rate Presbyterian Manor in specific categories. “The Customer Experience Award affirms our staff ’s dedication to
our mission—to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Marc Kessinger, executive director. “This award reflects our residents’ satisfaction with our efforts to live out our mission.” Presbyterian Manor scored in the top 15-percent in the categories of cleanliness, dining service, overall customer experience, overall satisfaction, personal care, quality of food and variety of food and menu choices for assisted living surveys. The community also rated in the top 15-percent for activities, dining services, overall customer experience, overall satisfaction and quality of food for skilled nursing. Independent living residents rated Presbyterian Manor in the top 15-percent in communication, dignity and respect, dining service, move-in process, overall customer
experience, overall satisfaction, quality of food, willingness to recommend to others, response to problems and safety and security. Through Pinnacle Quality Insight’s monthly phone surveys, Newton Presbyterian Manor has gathered real-time survey results to gain a better understanding of the residents’ needs and make improvements when necessary, continuing a 70-year emphasis on ensuring the individual needs of every resident are met. ◆
Left: Doug and Jude Krehbiel, the husband/wife duo known as Road Less Traveled, shared their Summertime Variety Show for the community assembly gathering in August. Bluegrass, gospel, and original music and lyrics with tight harmonies were a delight. Their orginal song, “It’s Summer in Harvey County,” was a hit. “It’s HOT!” Right: It was a full house for Chaplain Jerroll Martens’ retirement celebration as we thanked him for 10 years of leadership and care for the Presbyterian Manor community. Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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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.
Celebrating dining services Every day our dining services team look for a way to “raise the bar,” and one recent morning, they did it again. They raised a waffle bar, that is! Fridays are usually reserved for yummy biscuits and gravy in all dining rooms, and all employees are invited to have a complimentary breakfast. After a request for waffles, the team rotated a waffle bar into the Friday menu. Fruit, syrups and a local favorite we call “white sauce” were a great compliment to the fresh waffles we made in house, plus sausage and scrambled eggs. ◆
A cook’s tour was part of the resident council meeting for Kalb Villa and Anderson Place. Marc Fitzroy, director of dining services, handed out hair nets and sent the crew around the kitchen. Plans are in the works for a kitchen remodel, so this gave the group the opportunity to see the “before” picture for themselves. ◆
Special anniversaries Left: Silas and Edna Stucky celebrated 72 years of marriage in August and just a few days later was Harold and Edith Johnson’s 77th anniversary! The Stucky family shared a special lunch and cupcakes with both couples just a few days before the Johnson family came to celebrate. ◆
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2019