Com mmunn ty ty Mattters Sterling Presbyterian Manor
February 2018
Love in the time of war By Donna Grizzle, MSCM, Activity Director
As an employee of Presbyterian Manor, I often only get to hear one-sided love stories. The majority of our residents are widowed women. I’ve heard stories of dancing and going to the picture show. Dancing and going on a picnic. Dancing and going on a drive. Admiring the neighbor teenagers when you were a little girl as they go on dates and longingly waiting for your time to be swept off your feet just as they are.
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Usually, these love stories do involve dancing, and what a romantic time that must have been—they certainly knew how to do it back then. One of the most heartwarming stories that sticks out from our current residents involves love during the war.
One resident, who for privacy purposes we will call “Presley,” recalls when she was young and she was in love with her best friend. He was going away to war, and she intended to wait on him, but he had other plans. One late night he picked her up and away they drove. He was taking her to elope. The plan seemed spontaneous and romantic, until a few hours later it was dark and they still hadn’t reached their destination. Feelings of worry about disappointing their family came over her. On their way, she asked that they stop at her grandparents for the night and continue on in the morning.
LOVE/WAR continued on page 2
LOVE/WAR continued from page 1
Maybe it was just because it had gotten dark. They woke her grandparents up and her all-knowing grandfather came to the door. “What is this we have? Do your parents know you are here? Come in, come in.” They told him of their plan. “I see” he said. “Well, nothing to do tonight but go to sleep.You, go upstairs to your grandmother.You, you are staying down here…with me.”
Presley went upstairs as directed. Grandfather sat with the young man the rest of the night. Grandfather talked him into doing right by Presley and not putting her through the worry of waiting on him as a newly married girl. What if something happened to
him? She would be widowed. Why not make a promise, come home, and have a proper wedding when her momma could be there? Those sensible words sank into the heart of the young, waiting soldier. In the morning, he drove Presley home to her momma. He went away to war. This was the time when one would go for very long periods of time without hearing from loved ones. Presley kept busy with school, doing things for her mother,
crocheting and cooking and learning from her soon-to-be mother-in-law. Time went on. When the war was over, he never came home. He was never found. He would be forever missing. And Presley would be forever faithful, still waiting on her best friend and love of her life to return to her, knowing that she may not have gotten to spend a lifetime with him here on earth, but that she will spend an eternity with him one day.
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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
Many soldiers never came home to their loved ones. 2 COMMUNITY MATTERS FEBRUARY 2018
Art is Ageless call for entries underway 速
Sterling Presbyterian Manor has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless juried exhibit to be held March 19-23. 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 2019 Art is Ageless calendar. 速
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Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January
Earn your wings ANGEL APPEAL DONORS
Here is a listing of individuals who gave generously to support seniors at our campus who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own during our annual Angel Appeal. Gifts are often made in memory or honor of a loved one who has lived at our campus. We appreciate your generosity.
If you would like to make a gift in support of our seniors, you can make a gift online at http://www.presbyterianmanors.org/give_now or by leaving a gift with the staff at the front desk.
2013). 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 16.
The Art is Ageless Program encourages Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year. 速
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. Boyd in memory of Allen and Opal Long Mrs. Margaret Calderwood in memory of Gladys Shoemaker Ms. Christy Cline Ms. Cheryl Davis Ms. Arlene S. Drach in memory of Alma Fair Ms. Sheryl L. Fulton in memory of Elda M. Wyatt Ms. Betsy Geddes Mrs. Betty Graebner in memory of Mabel Humphreys Ms. Donna Grizzle Mr. Duane A. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Al Kruse in memory of Lee and Opal Kruse Mr. and Mrs. Keith Lumpkins in memory of Mara Gillespie Mr. and Mrs. William H. Maxwell in memory of Christine & Art Maxwell Mrs. Jalene C. McFadden in memory of Gene and Gladys Hammons Mr. and Mrs. Ross Miller in memory of Otto and Lillian Hobble
Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the systemwide level.
Entry forms and information can be picked up at Sterling Presbyterian Manor, 204 W. Washington Ave., Sterling, Cindy Moore at 620-278-3651 or cmoore@pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online. Cindy and Cliff Moore Ms. Christi Norman Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ochs, III in memory of Danny and Debbie Ochs Ms. Linda Pflughoeft Ms. Jessica Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Mike Rajewski Mrs. Virginia Reed in memory of Maurie and Margaret Reed Mrs. Janiece Rowland in memory of Alma Fair Teresa Scoles in memory of Carol Macy & Linda Carol Macy Ms. Karen Smith Mrs. Karen Snyder in honor of Ron Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Tendero in memory of Kathryn McGlynn Ms. JoAnna Trezise Mrs. Michelle Z. West in memory of Patricia Laudermilk Mrs. Michelle Z. West in memory of Alta Heninger
STERLING PRESBYTERIAN MANOR 3
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Sterling Presbyterian Manor 204 W. Washington Sterling, KS 67579-1614
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Appreciation for Activity Professionals February is a special month set aside to honor and show appreciation to activity professionals, who provide so much more than “fun and games.” Resident quality of life is increased with a variety of interesting and stimulating activities, and we’re certainly blessed with a wonderful activity professional — Donna Grizzle. Independent living resident Mickey Wasinger said:
“We are blessed at Presbyterian Manor in Sterling to have Donna Grizzle as our director of activities, but Donna has gone well beyond her job description. In addition to planning events and activities that the residents eagerly await, Donna invites them to assist her in their implementation. Instead of shopping for items on her own, Donna
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invites the residents to accompany her and have a voice in the selection process as was evidenced with the pumpkins used for decorating for Halloween. Donna and Joan decorated every nook and cranny in preparing for Christmas, and love was truly in the air.
Donna’s value is displayed, not in the decorations nor in the activities, but in her efforts to make each individual feel needed and experience a feeling of accomplishment. Joan beams with pride and her eyes dance with joy as she relates how she and Donna decorated this tree or that shelf. In addition to keeping bodies and minds fit, Donna is nourishing our souls.