Rolla Community Matters January 2016

Commun ty Matters Rolla Presbyterian Manor

January 2016

Remembering the great ice storm of ‘07 Nine years ago this month, Missouri was slammed with one of the worst ice storms on record.

A powerful winter storm that stretched from Texas to New England coated much of the country in sleet and ice—up to 4 inches in parts of Missouri.

Gov. Matt Blunt declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard. More than 110,000 residents lost electricity in east Missouri and central Illinois. Sadly, 14 people in Missouri lost their lives.

Our staff and residents recently reminisced about the the storm, which hit Rolla in two rounds: one on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, and the next on Sunday, Jan. 14. Here’s what they recalled.

Jean McFarland, a lifelong resident of Rolla, believes it was the worst ice storm ever to hit the area. “It ruined everything.”

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Here comes the snow

By Allen Teal, Rolla Presbyterian Manor chaplain

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater.” (Isaiah 55:10, NIV) Snow is a gentle way to water the ground.

As the ground is blanketed with snow, the focus is often on its beauty or its problems. To the farmer, a heavy snow that leaves slowly is a tremendous boon to the spring planting. The snow means that the water will penetrate deeply into the soil. It will save on irrigation costs and create a better environment nourish young plants. Snow is God’s way to make sure that the water that falls on a region is able to remain as a benefit to those who live there.

Snow can be hazard due to cold and sliding.

The same snow that waters the ground can bring danger. Snow’s enticing beauty can cause people to not take proper precautions. Driving is more risky. Even being outside in deep snow can lead to hyperthermia and other cold-related issues. The world lays many things before an individual that can be tempting yet dangerous. It is important to listen to the leading of God to know the difference between an opportunity for a blessing or an enticing carrot bringing disaster.

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ICE, continued from page 1

Betty Swenty remembers trees and shrubs broken everywhere.

“I thought it was a beautiful sight, though. Everything was quiet.”

Joy Parker, activity assistant, remembers how unseasonable warm it was as the storm moved in. “It was warm enough you could sit in a lawn chair inside my mother’s garage with the door open. We saw the ice coming down and saw transformer after transformer being blown.”

Activity Director Kathe Hooton said when branches laden with ice fell from the trees, “It was so loud, it sounded like big gunshots.” Later, she recalled how it looked like “a war zone” when she drove I-44 from Rolla to Springfield. The tops of

many of the trees were gone, and they didn’t recover for several years.

David Snodgrass, an LPN, lived in Virginia in 2007. But David remembers hearing about local mission organizations going to help with storm cleanup here.

Resident Peggy Blue said it reminded her of the ice storm of 1950, right after she had gotten married. She and her husband lived in a house on a hill, but it was too slick to drive up.

He eventually walked up the hill to add oil to the heater so their pipes wouldn’t freeze. Then they stayed at Peggy’s parents’ house for a week.

Meanwhile, they had to turn away customers at their grocery store because the delivery trucks couldn’t get through to them.

Chili cook-off Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Rolla Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org Ann Caudill, executive director Joelle Freeland, marketing director

Our annual chili/soup cook-off is coming this month! Rolla Presbyterian Manor employees provide the delicious entries, and residents select the winners. Watch for an announcement soon of the exact date and time for this year’s cook-off.

To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Joelle Freeland at lfreeland@pmma.org.

Telephone: 573-364-7336 Fax: 573-364-7336 Address: 1200 Homelife Plaza, Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

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Community Matters January 2016

Rolla Presbyterian Manor honored for achievements Ann Caudill, executive director, center, accepts an Emerald Certificate from Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer, left, and Bill Taylor, chief operations officer, right, of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. Rolla Presbyterian Manor was recognized for achieving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and meeting financial performance and marketing goals.

Rolla Presbyterian Manor received a certificate of recognition from Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America for reaching goals in fiscal year 2015, July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015.

The recognition came through PMMA’s new Emerald Awards Program, designed to encourage its 18 locations to achieve high levels of resident and employee satisfaction, meet financial goals, build philanthropic support for the

organization’s mission and meet marketing goals. There are 11 areas measured for the Emerald Awards.

To receive an emerald, a community has to meet its goals in all 11 areas.

Certificates of recognition were given out to communities that reached their goals in one or more category.

Rolla was recognized for achieving a

five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and meeting financial performance and marketing goals.

“This recognition is a visible sign of Rolla Presbyterian Manor’s commitment to the mission of PMMA of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values,” said Bruce Shogren, chief executive officer for PMMA.

New sewing group debuts Both novice and veteran seamstresses are invited to join the new Senior Sit and Sew group, which starts this month. Our volunteer will teach us a new sewing technique that’s easy to learn and to do.

Join us at 2 p.m. Jan. 20 in the activity room.

LEAVE US A COMPLIMENT. GO ONLINE and SHARE YOUR GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH US.

Go to reputation.g5search.com/rolla-presbyterian-manor and choose one of our preferred online review sites to share your story.

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Rolla Presbyterian Manor 1200 Homelife Plaza Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Return Service Requested

SNOW, continued from page 1

to lift us up during difficult times.

Snow provides great winter scenery.

The fragile beauty of a snowflake.

Even for those who do not really like snow, the vistas that a snowfall can produce may be stunning.

During the bleak time of winter, a new blanket of snow can turn desolation into a wonderland. It is God’s way of providing a morale boost during a down time of the year. He always seems to find a way

Those who study snowflakes say that no two are alike. God is at His best when making one-of-a-kind creations. Whether snowflakes or people, each one is unique. Like the snowflake, many things in life are gone before we take time to truly appreciate them. Choose today to know and understand the people

and experiences that come in life before they are no longer available.

A medium for art and play.

Everyone likes a snowman. Forts, igloos, and sculptures have been fashioned from snow. Like most good things in life, snow must be enjoyed for benefits, fun and beauty, but respected for its danger. So, as the song says, “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”

Share your election experience!

You can hardly turn on the television without being reminded that we are in a presidential election year. We’re looking for residents with a story to tell about a memorable election or voting experience. What motivates you to go to the polls? Did you ever hold public office? What was that like? Did you work on a famous politician’s campaign or meet a famous politician? Tell us your story. If you’ve got a story to share about living out your civic responsibility, contact Marketing Director Joelle Freeland, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Community Matters January 2016

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