Parsons Community Matters May 2017

Commun ty Matters Parsons Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

Summer memories

We will be featuring summertime, Independence Day, and vacation memories in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story to tell about any of these topics, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share your story.

May 2017

Parsons Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners

Parsons Presbyterian Manor recently hosted a reception for the winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless juried competition.

“What a delight it is to see so much great artwork right here in our community!” said Sharla Hopper, marketing director. “We have a proud tradition of encouraging the arts in and around Parsons, and Art is Ageless is a great way to showcase local talent.”

See our winners list on page 3.

If you’ve got a story to share, contact Sharla Hopper, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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The room was filled with wonderful artwork.

Retired surgeon continues to focus on community health

May 31 is National Senior Health and Fitness Day, but Parsons Presbyterian Manor board member Dr. Stephen Miller doesn’t need a special declaration to be active.

“I swim every day at the exercise pool at Labette Health, the Center of Rehabilitation Excellence.They have programs for seniors, and I spend at least two hours a day in the pool. I’m a bigger guy, and I love the freedom of the water,” said Dr. Miller.

“In Parsons we had a free clinic for 18 years, which closed two years ago. It was privately funded through donations.The money used was just for pharmaceuticals, and the nurses and doctors all volunteered. Labette Health even volunteered images and laboratory. For the last 10 years I was the medical director.

Dr. Josie was my partner, and Dr. Menning volunteered too. Dr. Josie and I had our own cardiac problems, so when Parsons received a satellite clinic for the federally funded Project Access through the Southeast Kansas Health Center, we felt we could retire.We felt there was a good place for patients.”

Swimming isn’t the only way this retired general and vascular surgeon and Vietnam Not only did Dr. Miller volunteer his time to veteran stays active, though. He’s a help the citizens of Parsons be more healthy, familiar face in the Parsons community he continues to volunteer his time to ensure and has been for many, many years. that the community itself is healthy—a vibrant, active place to call home. ®

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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of

501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Maegen Pegues, executive director Sharla Hopper, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact shopper@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-421-1450 Fax: 620-421-1897 Address: 3501 Dirr Ave., Parsons, KS 67357-2220 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org

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Dr. Miller’s four children continue his family’s legacy of service in their own ways, and Dr. Miller’s giving heart and love for the community have played a vital role in the health and Dr. Stephen Miller wellness of Parsons.

But as much as he gives of himself, he recognizes what he’s received in return.

“On my radio show, one thing I discuss is, as you get older, interaction with people can really be fun.You don’t have to do it specifically to earn a living, don’t have to be nice to people because you’re trying to sell them something.You get to learn about the “I’m a member of Kiwanis and have been person. Usually if you’ve lost your mate, or since 1979. I was also active in various are home alone, that can be depressing. If medical associations and positions. I’m on you come down to senior center and join in the advisory board for the Parsons Senior the many activities we have, you will be Center and I have a radio show the last energized by association with people.You Friday of the month where I talk about all can also be entertained by the antics of that goes on at the senior center. I’ve been people.We really stress the various active with the board of the MS Society, in honor of my wife, Sheila, who lived with MS activities that go on at Parsons Senior Center. Come down and participate!” for 30 years. She died from complications Parsons Presbyterian Manor appreciates the from that in 2010. I’ve been involved with time Dr. Miller has given in service to the the Labette Health Foundation and on the steering committee for Labette Community community and to our organization.

“I enjoy being involved with the manor.

College,” said Dr. Miller.

And it’s funny. A lot of the residents here I “Of course, being active in the community recognize from when they were patients at runs in the family. My father, Dr. Charles Miller, was not only a family doctor, but was my basic practice, or even from when I used to deliver their papers when I was a very active in the community, as was my boy! And Presbyterian Manor has its way of stepmother.When I was a little kid, they’d reaching out and being active in the volunteer me to do things for the church, and other organizations. I was a little worker community.They donate a prize once a month for the Bingo game, and Sharla bee. And I spent seven years doing internship and residency at the University of Hopper and her group come to the Senior Center on the first Friday of the month to Cincinnati, where my mentors and check blood pressure, blood sugars, have professors encouraged and modeled these coffee and talk.That’s the most important altruistic tendencies.They influenced me a part of staying healthy.To keep getting out lot, but at the beginning was my father.” and stay as active as possible.”

Art is Ageless® winners

Winners in the Art is Ageless juried competition were: Best of Show: Janice Miller, “It’s Just a Stone’s Throw” Judges Choice: Carolyn Kennett, “Sculptured Blue Vase” People’s Choice: Dorothy Jeffries, “Layered Glass Landscape” Christmas (professional): Joan Allen, “Merry Mary” Christmas (amateur): Nancy Korinek, “Rustic Christmas Tree” Drawing (amateur): Patricia Ringle, “Memories” Fiber Arts (professional): Joan Allen, “I Love Red” Fiber Arts (amateur): Ardis Novotny, “Baby Afghan” Mixed Media/Crafts (professional): Joan Allen, “Leaves of Color” Mixed Media/Crafts (amateur): Linda Nichols, “Sir Hop’s A’Lot” Needlework (amateur): Betty Olmsted, “Antique Buttons” Painting (professional): Lyn Kirk, “Snow Sliding” Painting (amateur): Janice Miller, “It’s Just a Stone’s Throw” Photography (professional): Max Good, “Conflict” Photography (amateur): Eweleen Good, “Fall of the Ginkgo” Quilting (amateur): June Taylor, “Postage Stamp” Sculpture/3-D (professional): Charlean Wilson, “Four Generations of Baby Fashions” Sculpture/3-D (amateur): Hugh Charles, “Claro Walnut Table”

Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level may be selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.

For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health.

The Art is Ageless program encourages Parsons Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.

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Courage

W. Wayne Mason, Chaplain, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice “The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment, but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy. A man does what he must — in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers, and pressures — and that is the basis of all human morality.” – JOHN F. KENNEDY

heights. I placed myself between a barking, growling dog and my wife and kids. I stood at the side of a sick child and wife and consoled them the best way I knew how. I acted with integrity even when I could have My courage has been shown more in the gotten away with cheating.

The Macmillan Dictionary defines common occurrences of life. I have climbed ladders to retrieve a child’s ball courage as “the ability to do something that you know is right or from the gutter – in spite of a fear of

I have never considered myself to be an especially courageous man. I have never been stationed on the front line of a battlefield. I have never rescued someone from a fire, or faced off with someone pointing a weapon at me.

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Courage

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good, even though it is dangerous, frightening, or very difficult.”

Every definition I have found suggests that courage is not something born into us, but it is something we choose to use. It is taking a stand even when you know it may cost you something. It is doing what is right and Godly and loving.

There are times that it means doing what others may think is stupid or too costly, but you know that given

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the choice you would do it again.

In “A Time for Moral Courage,” Billy Graham wrote: “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.”

Courage can inspire others to do what they may have run away from before.

God tells us to choose courage through his words in Joshua 1:9.

“Have I not commanded you? Be

strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Will you take a stand of courage for what is right, good and Godly?

Prayer: “LORD, give me the courage to stand up to my fears and choose what is Godly and right. Allow me the opportunity to inspire others by personal example and Godly integrity.

Amen.”