Salina Community Matters December 2015

Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor

Mary’s Musings

The gift of presence Many things are associated with Christmas: lights, trees, presents, food, Santa Claus, family gatherings, and sometimes even the birth of Christ.

Through the years, the giving of Christmas presents has changed.

Growing up, we didn’t make Christmas lists. When presents started appearing under the tree I did my best to figure out what might be in them by shaking and squeezing them. The presents were a surprise when we opened them.

Our children’s generation grew up writing detailed letters to Santa, telling him what they expected to be in the presents appearing under the tree. Most of the time they got what was on their list and weren’t surprised at all.

One year I decided to change that.

I put Todd’s name on all of Lisa’s packages and Lisa’s name on all of Todd’s packages. They shook and rattled and squeezed and had no idea what was in their package. As we prepared to open their presents, I stopped them and said, there was some confusion and all of Lisa’s presents were really Todd’s and all of Todd’s were Lisa’s.

Fast forward to today’s children.

They not only make out a list, but it is very detailed, not just any old doll or game. They are very specific about getting just what they want.

MUSINGS, continued on page 6

December 2015

Holiday festivities abound Christmas banquet This year’s banquet is scheduled for Dec. 3. Seating begins at 5:45 p.m., and the meal starts at 6. Residents will enjoy a wonderful meal and special music by a local men’s quartet. Due to limited space we must limit guests to two per family. The cost for this meal is $10, except for those on the three-meal-a-day plan. Transportation will be provided for townhome residents and guests; please call the office to make arrangements.

Intergenerational fun Manor residents will have an opportunity to play with students at Cottonwood Preschool on Dec. 10 and 15. We will make gingerbread houses with them at their school at 215 S. Phillips. Please sign up for a wonderful opportunity to bring some joy of the season into their lives, and yours.

Ginormous Instruments return One of our favorite Christmas groups, the Ginormous Instrument Bass Club, will return to play for us at 11 a.m. Dec. 19 in the Ivory Keys Café. This group has been coming since 2009, entertaining residents with a one-of-a-kind performance exclusively by string bass players.

What a treat­­—you won’t want to miss it.

Annual Christmas lights tour Watch for sign-up sheets for our annual Christmas lights tour, which takes us through the town to see Salina’s fabulous home light displays. We can’t miss a trip to visit the Georgetown Santas, too, as they spoil us by coming onto the bus and giving us some extra Christmas love. Do you know which employee’s husband is a Georgetown Santa?

Donate your vehicle to help senior citizens The season of giving is here. Wouldn’t it be great to know that your vehicle donation helped seniors who have outlived their financial resources receive the care they need this year? Turn that unneeded vehicle into holiday cheer and receive a tax deduction!

We accept many donations types including cars, RVs, boats, planes and more. Donating your vehicle will help seniors who have outlived their financial resources at a Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America campus in so many ways. Call us at 844-490-GIVE (4483) or visit SalinaPresbyterianManor.org/Vehicle_Donations, fill out the form, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Donate at SalinaPresbyterianManor.org

Each year, Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica provides more than $4 million in charitable care. Our seniors need your support; a donated vehicle can help in so many ways ‘Tis the season, give for a reason.

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.

Bradley Radatz, executive director Kim Fair, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Kim Fair, kfair@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 December 2015

Merry Christmas

Cross-stitched Santas become a family tradition For more than 30 years, Kay Leckband has cross-stitched a Santa every year for each of her two daughters. That’s a lot of jolly old St. Nicks.

“I started making them for the one daughter, and the other said, ‘Mother, I want one of those too,” she said.

For the second year in a row, Kay’s festive, expert needlework has earned her honors in the systemwide Art is Ageless® competition. This year’s entry, “Away We Go!” will be featured in the 2016 Art is Ageless calendar, along with entries by more than 50 artists age 65 and older throughout Kansas and Missouri.

Kay said it takes her most of the year to complete both Santas. One daughter prefers full-length views in an Old World style, while the other likes whimsical images. This year’s winning entry depicts Santa astride a white horse raising its hoof.

Wrapped presents are stuffed all around Santa while snow appears to fall in the dark-blue background.

While her daughters were growing up, Kay made most of their clothes, just as her own mother had done for her.

“Whenever I have to start over, I can still hear her say, ‘Rip it out, it’s not right,” Kay said.

As the girls grew up and moved away, Kay turned to needlework instead, while her daughters carried on the sewing tradition for themselves. In fact, her daughter Susan Guest entered two machinequilted pieces in the 2015 Art is Ageless competition.

“Away We Go” by Kay Leckband, featured in the 2016 Art is Ageless® calendar.

Once the holiday season arrives, Kay says her daughters begin putting their cross-stitched Santas out on display. Kay said she’s got an angel motif she’d like to try next year,

but it’s hard to break with the Santa tradition. “I told them maybe this year was going to be the last,” Kay said, “but then I already found a couple more I’m going to do.”

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Wii bowling tournament awards ceremony Wii bowling teams from Aberdeen Village in Olathe and Newton Presbyterian Manor joined our local bowlers for an awards ceremony on Oct. 29. A lunch of Brookville chicken was served. Awards were presented to the winning teams. The group also bowled after the awards presentation.

First place went to Salina Team 1, represented by Mary Havel and Romaine and Elsie Swanson.

In second place was Salina Team 2, represented by Karen Larsen, Don Lloyd and Maxine Hays.

Third place went to Aberdeen Village, represented by Ginny Graham and John Evans. Congratulations to all!

The first place Salina Team1 was represented by Mary Havel, Romaine and Elsie Swanson.

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Community Matters December 2015

Above: Second place Salina Team 2, represented

by Maxine Hays, Karen Larsen and Don Lloyd Below: The third place Aberdeen Village team, represented by Ginny Graham and John Evans.

Sphinx moth found on campus The Sphingidae are a family of moths, commonly known as hawk moths, sphinx moths, and hornworms. It includes about 1,450 species. It is usually found in the tropics, but species are found in every region. This moth was dead when it was found by Pat Piper, an employee, probably due to the sudden decrease in the outdoor temperature.

Halloween party a great success Residents had a great time dispensing treats and eating and drinking treats of their own at the public Halloween Trick or Treat party.

We couldn’t keep up with counting the number of guests, but we estimate more than 80 little goblins and ghouls attended. We plan to do this again next year.

Employee of the Month Congratulations to Doria Cox, our Employee of the Month for November. Doria has been a cook with our dining services Doria Cox department for a little over one year. She has a 22-yearold daughter, Shaila, who recently graduated from college. Doria enjoys going to the lake and camping, taking walks, reading and spending time with family and friends. Doria attended Brown Mackie Salina in 1986-1987 for secretarial studies. She enjoys office work but her heart is really in dietary and caring for people. Doria moved to Salina just two years ago from her hometown of Beloit. Before moving, she worked in the dietary department at Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems for 11 years.

Health care happenings • The health care Christmas party is Dec. 4. Jean Kennedy will play her guitar and lead Christmas carols.

• Antique toys will be the focus of an educational program.

• A Dickens quiz is planned.

• Snowball soup for the holidays will be a cooking experience.

• The art project will be a method of stained glass painting.

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MUSINGS, continued from page 1

And many say, “I want money or gift cards.” When the present is opened, there is no surprise.

The tradition of Christmas presents is said to have come from those three wise men who presented to the baby Jesus their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Not only were these three gifts a surprise, the appearance of these wise men was also a surprise. I’ve often thought that these were weird gifts for a baby lying in a manger in the barn.

In addition to the honor and status implied by the value of the gifts of the magi, scholars think that these three were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and myrrh a spice used in anointing a body being prepared for burial. Frankincense was also

known for medicinal uses. And of course gold was something practical and useful for this new family who were far from their home and about to take a journey that would take them even farther away.

While these gifts brought to Jesus by the wise men might seem odd in our world, I believe the most important gift was not in a beautifully decorated box as often depicted in today’s Christmas pageants. It was simply the gift of their “presence.”

Over the years I have come to believe that the best gifts aren’t found in letters to Santa, or those Christmas lists. They aren’t the most advertised toy, tool or kitchen gadget. It is the gift of “presence” that we long for.

I encourage each and every one of you to give the gift of “presence” this Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and your families!

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Community Matters December 2015

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Can you tell us your secret artistic talent?

An upcoming edition of Community Matters will focus on Art is Ageless®.

The Art is Ageless® program encourages residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through an annual art competition and exhibit, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions. What talent have you discovered?

If you’ve got a story about what inspires you to create, contact Marketing Director Kim Fair, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.