Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor
April 2019
Mary’s Musings on holy humor By Mary Bridges, chaplain Salina Presbyterian Manor Generations of my family overcame untold adversity as they labored to make new homes in foreign countries. If asked, I would describe these Germans from Russia, who settled in Russell, as quiet, stoic and stern looking. Growing up I often thought I had been adopted because I felt like I didn’t really fit in. Laughter and humor have always been part of who I am, and my personality certainly didn’t match those mostly unsmiling, stern looking people I called family. My five siblings were much older than I was. At a very young age, I found that I could make them laugh at me – or with me – and a connection was made. Recently, I had the opportunity to reconnect with my Funk side of the family, when Doug came to work at Presbyterian Manor. I’m sure we are related. Doug reminded me of how much I liked my maternal grandmother’s side of the family because they were an exception to all the somber faces seen at family gatherings. They were the FUNk MUSINGS, continued on page 6
Taylor Copas shares his passion of creating in the kitchen with others as our community’s new executive chef.
Chef makes kitchen new home for culinary delights Earlier this year, Taylor Copas found himself in our kitchen as the new executive chef of the community. Our stomachs couldn’t be happier. “I have really enjoyed the freedom I’ve been given to create and showcase my skills. It has helped me get my passion and love for the kitchen back!” said Taylor. Previously, Taylor was the owner/chef for an American style breakfast and lunch diner in Salina called 9th Street Diner. But before returning to his home town of Salina in 2015 to open his own restaurant, he tried a number of jobs in the food industry until he found the perfect fit. “After high school, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. I worked as a server at Applebee’s and TGI Friday’s. I then moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, where I became front house manager of Bambooze Bar and CHEF, continued on page 5
April Activities
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Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Salina Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Desi Flerlage, executive director Jenni Jones, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Jenni Jones, jjones@pmma.org. Telephone: 785-825-1366 Fax: 785-825-6554 Address: 2601 E. Crawford, Salina, KS 67401-3898 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. SalinaPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters April 2019
April 2
Ladies Breakfast
April 2
Grief & Loss Support Group
April 4
Ladies Lunch Club – Olive Garden
April 6
Bill Burrows Band
April 7
Salina Community Theatre –
“Sunday in the Park with George”
April 9
Wine & Cheese Birthday Social
April 10
Memory Care Trip to Rib Crib
April 11
Trip to Walmart
April 11
Travel & Taste – Brookville Hotel
April 12
Healthcare – Trip to Red Lobster
April 13
Tamara Howe School of Dance
April 16
Annual Volunteer Dinner
April 17
Men’s Breakfast
April 17
IL Resident Council
April 17
Church Basement Ladies – McPherson Opera House
April 19
Easter Egg Hunt - HC
April 23
Cancer Support Group – 12:30 pm – Lower Level
April 23
Literary Ladies Large Print Club
April 24
Memory Care trip to IHOP
April 25
Bingo – Lower Level
April 25
Daisy/Brownies Girl Scouts Making Jewelry – Memory Care
April 26
Healthcare trip to Brookville Hotel
April 27
Don Wagner Music
April 30
Paint by Wine with Gina Lee
** Activities subject to change
Healthcare Happenings We will start the month off with an April’s Fool program. I will do a group on “Sorry Charlie” the famous tuna, we will try to identify trees on Earth day and have a program on Ellis Island where Pam will look up info on residents’ backgrounds to give to them. Some of the foods we will try are an Easter Stew, herb-cheese bread, and we will celebrate raisin day. We will also start having a jam day once a month where we will try different unusual jams.
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Our volunteers make a difference in our community every day. Thank you, volunteers!
Volunteers make a difference Our community is blessed to have a number of volunteers dedicated to making life easier and more joyful for our residents and staff. As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week April 7-13, we’re putting the spotlight on two individuals who go the extra mile for us.
for the First Presbyterian Church and a member of the Salina Breakfast Bandits. “I have time to help, and I’m happy to help,” said Bob.
Another volunteer with time on her hands and music in her heart is Nancy Thompson. Nancy has been playing Bob Salem has been a volunteer bus the piano for our community for 13 driver for us for almost two years. He years. (Pictured to the right.) takes residents to the grocery store a few times each month. He has driven “I go into memory care on Tuesdays adventure-seeking residents on a and Fridays at 11 and we sing number of field trips to museums and together for 30 minutes. When a café outside of town. He even has they go into the dining area to eat an upcoming trip planned to Prairie at 11:30, I’ll stay and play for them Band Casino. awhile. Sometimes the aides will come out and say, ‘they’re singing in “I enjoy being able to help people there along with you.’” and visit with the people there. I also enjoy driving, so it’s all fun for me,” Nancy brings song sheets from the said Bob. 1930s, 1940s and 1950s so residents can sing along. Patriotic songs and Bob got involved as a volunteer for old hymns are popular requests. But our community after he retired. there’s one song that tops them all. He also spends his time delivering Meals on Wheels. He’s president of “’You are my Sunshine’ is probably the board for the Salina Child Care our theme song. We always say, ‘it’s Association, the treasurer of the gloomy outside, but we can make it board for the Salina Community sunny in here.’ We always laugh,” said Theatre, a part-time check signer Nancy. Like us on Facebook
For Nancy, volunteering at our community is a way for her to give back to our residents but also herself. “The most fun is when we start playing and you can see it in their eyes and pretty soon they’re singing or humming along. Once in a while I’ll see dancing going on,” said Nancy. “I’m 82 years old and found volunteering keeps me going. I probably would’ve given up on playing so much if I didn’t have someone to play for.” Thank you also to Jean Hamilton, who has played music for Sunday afternoon chapel since 1994. Salina Presbyterian Manor
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Resident volunteers committed to our community She may be 100 years young, but that hasn’t stopped independent living resident Mabelle Mase from working as a volunteer around our community. Mabelle moved here in October 2011 and can be found volunteering as a greeter at the front desk, or any job that she is asked to do that she feels qualified for. “I think it’s important when people come into the lobby that there is a friendly face to greet them,” said Mabelle. Mabelle isn’t new to volunteering. Her most rewarding volunteer work was with the American Cancer Society where she visited 96 women who had had a mastectomy. She’s also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, YWCA, Rock City, the Presbyterian Manor Soup Supper and her church, First Presbyterian. What’s her secret? “I just do it! Volunteering provides an opportunity for involvement in community affairs without
Mabelle Mase may be 100, but that hasn’t slowed down her desire to help others through volunteerism. Resident Jean Hamilton with the President’s Volunteer Service Award she earned in 2013.
the responsibilities that go with management.” Another resident who’s no stranger to volunteering—and she has the awards to prove it—is Jean Hamilton. “I love volunteering because I like helping other people,” said Jean. Jean volunteers in several areas at
Salina Presbyterian Manor but one of her largest accomplishments was receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award for cleaning up and donating 4,141 dolls to the Food Bank in Salina—some of those dolls were hers and some were given to her. The Volunteer Connection agency, which is no longer established in Salina, recognized Jean for her work. It took 100 hours to receive a bronze award, 250 hours for the silver award and 500 hours for the gold. Jean received all three.
Employee of the Month: Margo Hyman Congratulations to Margo Hyman, Employee of the Month for March. Margo has worked for Salina Presbyterian Manor as an Assisted Living LPN for almost a year. She is married to Pat Kochanowski and has three adult children; DaNae, Brooke and KelDan. She has two step-children, Will and Savannah; and three grandchildren, Kaison, Karson, and Kendyl. Margo likes to spend time playing
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Community Matters April 2019
softball, camping and putting smiles on the faces of loved ones and friends. When asked what most people would not know about her, she said that her birth family is full of racecar drivers and mechanics on both sides. She says, “Thanks Mom and Dad!” Margo’s motto in life: Always listen to understand and learn, never just to reply. She has a goal to compliment at least five people a day. Like us on Facebook
Presbyterian Manor system to celebrate 70 years
On April 19, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA) will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Our first very first community opened in Newton, Kan., on April 19, 1949, nearly two years after 90-year-old Alice Kalb of El Dorado, Kan., asked the United Presbyterian Synod if it would consider opening a home for the aged. A small exploratory committee formed to look at the idea and determined it had merit. To raise funds for the Newton effort, a dedicated offering throughout the synod took place on Mother’s Day in 1948. The practice of raising CHEF, continued from page 1
Grill. I realized how much I loved the food business. I had always enjoyed cooking for fun ever since I was little, but I really wanted to get into the food industry as a career path. I moved back to Kansas City, Mo., and started culinary school at the Art Institute International of Kansas City in 2009. I graduated in 2011, and for several years I was able to get experience being in the Like us on Facebook
funds for Presbyterian Manors on Mother’s Day continues today. The first resident, Mrs. Frances Belle Townsend of Smith Center, Kan., moved into the first Presbyterian home for the aged on April 19. Alice Kalb moved in on April 21, and lived there until her death in 1951. When it came time to name this new establishment, the committee did not choose to name it the Presbyterian Home for the Aged. Instead, based on the separate suggestions of two women—Mrs. Mary Page of Topeka and Grace Derby of Manhattan, it was named Newton Presbyterian kitchen. I worked at the famous Savoy Grill, JJ’s on the Plaza, Sasha’s Bakery and Westside Local,” said Taylor. Taylor’s passion for cooking started when his great-grandmothers babysat him when he was very young. He continues to make family a priority, which includes entertaining for sporting events and holidays. “I really enjoy being able to cook for
Manor. Grace later lived at Presbyterian Manor in Newton until her death in 1966. Alice’s dream has turned into a network of 17 senior living communities across Kansas and Missouri with more than 2,400 residents, and the mission of the organization remains true to its core: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. PMMA has plans to extend its mission into Colorado with the proposed development of Aberdeen Ridge in Colorado Springs. family and friends,” said Taylor. Taylor and his wife, Kora, were married in October 2018 and are the proud owners of a cute but ornery Golden Retriever. The couple enjoy traveling and like to try local restaurants. When it comes to his favorite food, Taylor shared, “I am an absolute sucker for Italian food. I love to cook it and eat it. I may have a slight pizza addiction!” Salina Presbyterian Manor
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Executive director begins leadership class
Executive Director Desi Flerlage (fifth from left) with the 2019 Leading Age Kansas Center for Leadership class.
Congratulations to executive director Desi Flerlage on her acceptance into the Center for Leadership class with Leading Age Kansas. Sixteen individuals from across the state were chosen for the competitive program and will embark on a yearlong journey to improve their leadership acumen.
To apply, Desi had to complete an application process that included an application, essay and two letters of recommendation. The yearlong program includes four in-person classes and monthly conference calls focused on discovering authentic leadership, advocacy and community relationships.
MUSINGS, continued from page 1
in the book index. Since then, this organization has been at the forefront of a movement to recognize and celebrate “Holy Humor” Sunday on the first Sunday after Easter.
ones, always clowning around, making jokes or simply laughing at life. April is National Humor Month. Appropriately, it begins with April Fools’ Day. “The timing of this day of pranks seems to be related to the arrival of spring, when nature ‘fools’ mankind with fickle weather,” according to the Encyclopedia of Religion and the Encyclopedia Britannica. Some think it ties in with the Romans’ end-of-winter celebration, Hilaria and the end of Celtic new year festival. Did you realize that laughter also has roots in the church and Easter? In 1985, the editors of The Joyful Noiseletter visited a seminary library and could not find the word “humor”
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Community Matters April 2019
“The leadership class, so far, has consisted of a lot of self-reflection and self-development. We are learning so many great leadership skills and techniques but the personal growth and development has been the biggest thing I have gained,” said Desi.
December 6, 2017, wrote, “The fact is that laughter itself changes us physiologically. Like exercise or waving your arms around, it boosts the heart rate and increases blood flow, so we breathe faster and more For many years, I was part a clown oxygen is delivered to the body’s group called, “God’s Clods.” We tissues. Our facial muscles stretch wrote our own materials and in all and we actually burn calories when the research we did, I discovered that we’re laughing. In fact, the mere many, many studies have shown that act of smiling can alter your mood laughter actually improves our health. almost immediately.” Laughter causes the release of I encourage each of you to celebrate endorphins, which are built in National Humor Month. Laughter painkillers. When we are stressed, we is contagious so spread it to all you produce a hormone called cortisol. meet. Not only will it be a benefit Laughter significantly reduces these to your health, it will benefit those levels. A belly laugh also increases who laugh with you. As my clown the production of T-cells, immune ‘persona’ Sonny says, I believe that proteins and infection-fighting one of God’s greatest gifts is the gift antibodies. of laughter and that those who laugh A Huffington Post article on together love together. Like us on Facebook