Salina Community Matters January 2016

Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor

January 2016

Mary’s Musings “Happy New Year” is heard a lot this time of year. In 2016, I invite you to adopt my new saying, “Happy New Day,” from the following poem. I first read this poem on the day I received my diagnosis of breast cancer. Amid tests, long days of waiting for results and endless treatments, life can become overwhelming. By focusing on only one day and intentionally looking for the positive things in that day, I made it through my treatments. I am cancer-free and looking forward to each “new” day for the rest of my life.

This poem is inspired by Talmudic teachings and Hasidic philosophy. It was written as a school assignment

by Chanie Gorkin, who was just 17 years old at the time. She originally titled her poem, “Worst Day Ever?”

You are to start with the first line and read it all the way down. To understand the power in this prayer: First read this starting at the top, then read it starting at the bottom.

MUSINGS, continued on page 6

Brad Radatz, 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. Salina Presbyterian Manor was recognized for achieving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and meeting financial and marketing goals.

Emerald Awards Salina Presbyterian Manor honored for achievements Salina 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.

EMERALD, continued on page 2

EMERALD, continued from page 1

Salina was recognized for achieving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and meeting financial and marketing goals.

“This recognition is a visible sign of Salina 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. Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica has been providing quality senior services guided by Christian values in Kansas and Missouri for more than 65 years.

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.

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Community Matters January 2016

Artist Julia Stanley Julia Stanley hadn’t held a paintbrush in 25 years when her mother asked Julia to paint a picture for her. So, when her mother went out of town, she sat down once again with her oil paints and created an autumn scene of geese taking to the sky over a river. She named it “Morning Flight.”

Her mother loved it. But she wanted something more. She had seen Minnesota art school that placed the calls for entries in competitions, ad came to visit Julia at her family’s including Art is Ageless® at Salina farm to encourage her to attend, but Presbyterian Manor. her family couldn’t afford it.

“She said, you need to enter that She didn’t regret not being able painting,” Julia said. “I said, ‘Oh, to go, however. Julia took up oil mom, a lot of other people paint painting in the 1970s and painted better than I do.’” steadily for about 10 years with a That was in 2012. Julia’s mother small group. Her favorite subjects passed away two years later. Shortly are nature and landscapes. after, Julia’s friend and fellow painter, Dixie Lee Haddock, also “Once you start painting, you notice urged her to enter the painting in things you previously didn’t pay Art is Ageless. This time she agreed. that much attention to,” Julia said. “I “Morning Flight” went on to win think you’re just more aware of the at the systemwide level for Art is clouds, trees, and shapes.”

Ageless last fall and will appear Julia said her Art is Ageless win has on this year’s Presbyterian Manor encouraged her to keep painting notecards. (Haddock also had two winning entries that are being made regularly. And she thinks her mother would approve. into cards.)

Julia learned oil painting in the 1970s, but said she had always enjoyed drawing. She once responded to a drawing test in a magazine. A representative of the

“I was thrilled when I won,” Julia said. “My mother would have been so happy. If she’s looking down, she’d probably say ‘I tried to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen.’”

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Upcoming events at Salina Presbyterian Manor Winter Wonderland Masquerade fundraiser Great Plains Theatre in Abilene is holding a Masquerade fundraiser— complete with evening wear, ball gowns, and Venetian masks. This event is at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 30. Contact Karen Larsen if you are interested.

This is an opportunity for a very special evening that doesn’t come very often. Karen will even provide the masks!

Bean bag baseball playoffs Salina’s red team will play the Eaglecrest 1 team for the championship title of our bean bag competition. The red team is tied with Eaglecrest 1 with five wins each. Our purple team (formerly yellow), the orange team, and green teams are tied in a three-way fight with four wins each. The blue team is next with three wins, followed by the Eaglecrest 2 team with two wins and the pink team with one. We will have a playoff game for first and third place. Watch SAMN for the dates and times of this big sporting event!

Wii Bowling returns After a few months off, we’re ready to pick up the controllers and start a new season of Wii Bowling. Please join us in the Ivory Keys Café coffee bar at 1 p.m. on Jan. 7 for an informational meeting and to give Wii bowling a try. Last year Salina took the two top spots against other Presbyterian Manor teams, and we are hoping to hold onto our titles.

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Special events and a look ahead The holidays were full of special concerts and other events that kept us busy. For January’s Travel & Taste, check SAMN. January 5 is National Bird Day Stop by the lobby to make a little “tweet” for our feathered friends. We hope to have a speaker from the local birding club, and we’ll be showing the movie “The Big Year” at 7 p.m. on channel 1960. In birding, it’s considered a “big year” when you see or hear as many different species of birds as possible in a calendar year.

Three men pursue the Birder of the Year title in this comedy starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson, about some real bird nuts. Watch SAMN for specifics.

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Health care happenings • Rolling Hills Zoo will visit with avian friends for National Bird Day • Pam will present a program on the music boxes of our lives • Stephen Hawking’s remarkable life will be explored • Celebrate “Weird Food Day” • Take a virtual trip to Australia • Learn to make your own music playing a kazoo

Library stop

Be sure to take advantage of the wonderful library stop service Salina Public Library provides. You can return, check out, renew, pay fines, open an account and do nearly everything else you can do at the library building. Lori Berezovsky will even select books, books on CD, and DVDs especially to fit your taste. Visit with her to find out more when she comes at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month in our main lobby.

Art is Ageless 2016

The 2016 Art is Ageless juried exhibit will be March 8 to 10.

Artwork entered for judging must have been completed after the age of 65 and within the past five years.

Other pieces that don’t fit within these guidelines may be submitted for exhibit only. Entries are to be delivered by 4 p.m. on March 3 or 4 to the business office at Salina Presbyterian Manor. The exhibit will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, and Wednesday, March 9. The final exhibit, artists’ reception and announcement of awards will be 6-7:30 p.m. on March 10.

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Community Matters January 2016

Chefs’ special Not everyone can say they have a French chef cooking for them every day. Or a Mexican chef who loves to cook Italian. Residents at Salina Presbyterian Manor are lucky enough to have both.

Chris Liotet came to Presbyterian Manor about two years ago when Kanza Yansa Deli closed downtown.

Antonio Castro joined the kitchen staff last summer after working at Blue Skye Brewery for a couple of years. Already they have formed a good rapport that seems to Antonio Castro, left, and Chris Liotet. translate well from kitchen to Presbyterian Manor, Chris said he table. uses French techniques in nearly “I like food from all over the everything—especially the soups. world,” Chris said. “I have a He made all of them for last fall’s curiosity, an interest for food.”

Soup Supper.

For Antonio, it’s a pleasure to Antonio came from Mexico to experiment with flavors and try California, where his uncle lived, new things. and later moved to Kansas to be near his brother. He worked in “I love cooking now,” he said. construction and in foundries until “When I was growing up, I never cooked for myself. All of the family both of his arms were crushed in depended on my mom.” an industrial accident. After several months of recovery, he regained Chris said the same was true in his most of the use of his hands. But he home—and the chefs’ similarities needed a new way to make a living. don’t end there. Both came to the United States about 16 years ago.

Neither went to culinary school —they are both self-taught cooks.

Both are fathers, and both came to Salina to be near family.

In the late 1990s, Chris came to the U.S. to play basketball for a community college in Boston.

“Being an athlete, I had to eat healthy,” Chris said. “Some people don’t think you can make healthy food taste good, but I was able to manage this.”

Although he hasn’t served any classically French dishes at

Antonio went to work in the kitchen at Olive Garden, but soon he wanted more freedom to experiment with cooking. Blue Skye gave him that opportunity.

Now, he appreciates hearing when residents like his creations— especially the Italian soup he likes to make.

The accident opened another door for Antonio as well. In the rehab center, he met a nurse’s assistant named Kathleen. They are now married with three children.

CHEFS, continued on page 6

‘Tis the season December is a whirlwind month with Thanksgiving just completed and Christmas fast on its way.

Decorating was completed before the December 3, 2015, Christmas banquet.

Special thanks to Beverly Olson for her help in decorating the lobby tree, which becomes the angel tree and is decorated in logo colors of purple, blue, gold and silver.

The annual Christmas banquet took place Thursday, Dec. 3 with approximately 120 in attendance. The meal was superb. Dessert was a rum bread pudding—a great way to top off the meal.

Clockwise from top left: Front and back views of mother-daughter coats made by resident Jane Ghan. Lobby Christmas tree, also the angel tree, decorated in logo colors of purple, blue, silver and gold. A men’s gospel quartet entertained us with gospel and Christmas music. Guest Fr. Hake, resident Jovita Christensen, guest Kenny Welborn, and residents Helen and John Smutz.

Christmas lights tour

Residents complete massive KU puzzle Our puzzle group completed a 1,000-piece puzzle of the KU basketball arena in two and a half weeks.

The puzzle was 39 by 13 inches, and the pieces were tiny. Colors throughout, except for the court floor, were very much alike—a lot of red and blue.

Now they’re working on a 2,000-piece puzzle. Luckily, the pieces are a little larger.

A very special addition to our holiday was receipt of the new handicap accessible bus. All residents interested were able to participate in the Christmas lights tour. As expected, the Georgetown Santas spoiled us by coming onto the bus and giving us some extra Christmas love. The answer to last month’s question, “Do you know which employee’s husband is a Georgetown Santa?” is Becky Augustine’s husband, Mel.

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MUSINGS, continued from page 1

Today was the absolute worst day ever And don’t try to convince me that There’s something good in every day Because, when you take a closer look, This world is a pretty evil place.

Even if Some goodness does shine through once in a while Satisfaction and happiness don’t last.

And it’s not true that It’s all in the mind and heart Because True happiness can be attained Only if one’s surroundings are good It’s not true that good exists I’m sure you can agree that The reality Creates My attitude It’s all beyond my control And you’ll never in a million years hear me say Today was a very good day.

CHEFS, continued from page 4

Marketing Director Kim Fair said she’s heard from many residents who have taken notice of Chris and Antonio’s work. “They have added some wonderful twists to the tried

and true recipes,” Fair said. “Dining services director Laine Norris and supervisor Keith Brown encourage creativity and have given our cooks the leeway and support to try new recipes and make their own favorites for a crowd of 80 or more.”

Employee of the Month Congratulations to Connie Colony, our Employee of the Month for December. Connie is another one of our devoted long-term employees.

She has worked in housekeeping for more than 22 years. Connie has three children: Ben (deceased), John and Tina. When she has time, Connie likes to crochet, read Stephen King books and listen to music. She also loves pro football and is an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan. She has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Family means the world to her.

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 Kim Fair, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Community Matters January 2016

Connie Colony

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