Sterling Community Matters February 2017

Commun ty Matters Sterling Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

February 2017

Love stories to warm your heart

It is the middle of winter and it is cold outside, but February is a month to celebrate love. So here are some love stories from the residents at Sterling Presbyterian Manor to warm your heart:

Gerald and Twila Proffitt shared a long and happy marriage of nearly 76 years.

Have you volunteered?

We will focus on volunteerism in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. Where have you volunteered your time? Why do you volunteer? What are the benefits for you?If you’ve got a story to share, contact Cindy Moore and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Gerald (far left) and Twila (far right) met when he was 5 and she was just 3.

Gerald and Twila Proffitt “I was 5 and she was 3 when we first met. We got separated going to high school; she went to Sterling and I went to Alden. Well, one day I went to her house and left her a note asking her on a date. She then responded with a note to tell me that she was going with another boy at the time that she was seeing on Sunday nights. She told me that I could come during the week though for a date. And so I did. It was a Wednesday, I believe, and the rest is history. We had four great kids, got nine grandkids and 19 great-grandkids, I think. Twila passed in 2013 just a few days before our 76th wedding anniversary.”

Gerald has a scrapbook in his room of all of the letters they wrote to each other throughout their marriage, including her very first reply. He invites anyone who is interested to come in, read them, and reminisce with him.

Gerald’s scrapbook of his and Twila’s correspondence over the years.

Betty and Phillip Wallace We all know that life takes twists and turns, and it’s often in hindsight that we see the bigger picture unfolding. When Betty Wallace lost her boyfriend Jack in a tragic accident in 1955, she probably couldn’t imagine that she’d end up dating his best friend, Phillip.

“Phillip was a fine man. He drove airplanes. We were on our way to a bar one night in El Paso, Texas, and he opened the glove compartment and threw a bag at me and said ‘try that on for size,’ and there was my engagement ring. We had a daughter, Gwen, and he adopted my daughter I already had, Ruby.We were married 60 years.”

Their daughter Gwen adds a minor detail to their love story, though.

Love stories continued on page 4

The greatest is love Pastor Ken Connor’s Corner

The Apostle Paul ends his famous chapter with this verse in 1 Corinthians 13:13: “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three, but the greatest of these is love.”

Why would he say that? It would appear to us that all three are of equal value and importance, so why say love is the greatest? I believe he calls it the greatest because it is the foundation of the other two.

Just try to have faith in someone you do not love. Try to hold on to hope if you do not have love. See, without love you cannot have faith in someone. Without love there is no hope at all.

And true love that will have undying faith and unshakable hope must be grounded in a deep abiding love of God. Because when we have that kind of love for and in him, we can have faith in others, and hope in any situation.

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

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

Mike Rajewski, executive director Cindy Moore, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact cmoore@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-278-3651 Fax: 620-278-3581 Address: 204 W. Washington, Sterling, KS 67579-1614 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

SterlingPresbyterianManor.org

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Sterling College student reflects on service

My name is Abby Reed, and I am a sophomore at Sterling College. I’m also an exercise science major and a member of the Sterling College cross-country and track team. I’m from Wichita, the “big city” in Kansas, so coming to the little town of Sterling was quite the change. But the great people here have made it feel like home, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

I started working here as a work study job in September, not exactly knowing what I was getting myself into, but I’m so glad I did. Each resident I get to know is a new friend whom I will cherish long after I’m done working here.

Donna is a wonderful lady to work with, showing me how to do manicures and giving me the confidence to call bingo, reassuring me that I am doing fine when I’m convinced I’m talking too loud or going too fast.

Wii bowling, bingo, dominoes, card games—these are some of the activities that I help out with. I used to think I was pretty good at Wii bowling. Boy, was I wrong! Bingo is always one of my favorite parts of the week, having everyone get together, have fun and, often, get seriously competitive.

All of the residents and staff have been so welcoming, showing me around and making sure I know what to do. This past semester I have learned a lot about life, myself and others through the conversations that I have with the residents each week. I hope to be able to continue working here throughout the remainder of the year, as it has been a blessing to be a part of this wonderful community.

February is pie month Pie: that is always a favorite dessert choice for our residents here at Sterling Presbyterian Manor. In a recent survey, responses made it clear that “pie” in any form, shape or filling was everyone’s favored “Good apple pies are vice, with the No. 1 a considerable part of our response being, domestic happiness.” “well, pie of course is - Jane Austen my favorite pie.”

The real favorite pie, when residents were asked to elaborate, was apple. What makes it so special? Residents said it was easy and enjoyable to make, and it was easy and enjoyable for everyone to eat! Although a few said it always tasted better when they buy one that someone else has made.

Other notable mentions were lemon, chocolate meringue, cherry, pecan, pumpkin and raisin creme. But apple is the one that left everyone with glazed-over eyes, warm hearts, and hungry “apple-tites.”

Lemon meringue pie is great, but apple pie is our clear favorite at Sterling Prebyterian Manor.

call for entries

Sterling Presbyterian Manor has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless juried exhibit to be held March 20-24. Entries of artistic works will be accepted from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the 2018 Art is Ageless calendar.

Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only.

For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2012).There are nine categories, as well as designations of amateur or professional.Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by March 17.

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

Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica communities to be judged at the systemwide level.

Entry forms and information can be picked up at Sterling Presbyterian Manor or by contacting Cindy Moore at cmoore@pmma.org or 620-278-3651. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online.

STERLING PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3

Love stories

continued from page 1

“She left out that part about their six weeks that they spent in Paris together when he was stationed over there. I was in school and stayed with my grandmother. I did not even recognize Mom when she got back because she had had such a good time going out every night.”

Now how’s that for a love story?

Dick and Susie Walker “We both graduated from high schools in northeast Oklahoma. Then we went to

the same junior college. I had heard about her, and then I saw a picture. She was on the drill team, and the photo was a promotional photo for the team, and she was in her uniform. Well, I asked her to the engineers dance. That must have been after Christmas. She had to ask around about me to lots of folks before she gave in. The dance was in March. We graduated and got engaged. And then we married in August and that’s it. Here we are 62 years later with two kids and two grandkids.”

Jean and Ralph Baker “I grew up in Saxmon. He grew up at the edge of town, one of 13 kids. I was the only child and always wanted a family. I knew him a long time, even though he didn’t get to go to school like me, and one day he wanted to go with me. It had been a few months and I told him point blank, ‘If you are going to go with me, then you’re gonna dance.’ He did not dance, and I loved dancing; my dad taught me when I was 3. So, he let

Ruth and Dean Hoffman “I was in the eighth grade, and he moved from Sterling to Alden and was a junior.

Oh the girls all loved him because he had this dark black, wavy hair.

Well, I said to myself ‘I’m going to marry him,’ and well, I did.

He graduated at 17 and joined the navy.

I finished school, and we wrote letters.

Oh, he wrote these neat, romantic letters! I always kidded him that he just copied his buddies’ letters because he was not a romantic man.

So when he came home we got married. We had 57 years of a wonderful marriage. Dean was a real good dad and husband. We had three kids, two girls and a boy. We have 10 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren and one great-great granddaughter who is 5.”

Love stories continued below

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Love stories

continued from above

me teach him, because he wanted to go with me. And I must’ve done a good job, too, because later when we were out, people would stand around watching us.

He was a good man with a good mind.

We were married 68 years, I think. Three kids, seven grandkids, and great ones too.

It’s not much of a love story I don’t think, but it’s my story.”

We think it’s a great love story!

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