Topeka Community Matters August 2017

Commun ty Matters Topeka Presbyterian Manor

August 2017

“Zentangle Elephant,” a drawing

by Charles Moore.

Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners Four winning artists in Topeka Presbyterian Manor’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2018 Art is Ageless Calendar produced by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America.

“Reflection,” a mixed media piece by Carrie Magill; “The Seamstress,” a painting by P. Reinecke; “Zentangle Elephant,” a drawing by Charles Moore; and “12-inch Tall ‘Basil’ Vase,” a sculpture/3D work by Deena Rood, will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall.

In addition, “Nantucket Bay,” a painting by Jack W. Renander, will WINNERS, continued on page 3

Evelyn Anderson cradles her new quilt with friend Travis Luney.

True beauty is helping others Beautician Lesa Whiteley thoroughly enjoys her position at Topeka Presbyterian Manor’s Assisted Living Beauty Shop. But to be honest, she doesn’t really see it as a job.

“I have all the grandparents I could wish for. I’m a grandparent junkie,” said Lesa. “It’s not a job; it’s my therapy. I don’t have any grandparents left, and it makes me feel good to help others.”

This altruistic nature runs in Lesa’s family, as evidenced through her aunt, Mary Luney. Mary lives in Gypsum, more than a hundred miles from Topeka. But that doesn’t stop her from feeling connected to her niece Lesa and all the residents Lesa loves to care for.

“My aunt’s been making wheelchair quilts and donating them to residents.

She’s also getting ready to make some walker bags. She just does it out of the love of her heart. I also work at Aldersgate, and she sends them there, too. Ever since my uncle passed away, she has a lot of time on her hands, and this is what she enjoys doing ­— helping others.”

BEAUTY, continued on page 2

BEAUTY, continued from page 1

Mary’s quilts are made from old scrub tops, perhaps a nod to the caring nature of nurses.

“She’s always made things for other people. She comes up with new ideas for things all the time.

She’s had two types of cancer she’s survived. If someone she knows, or even someone she doesn’t know, is diagnosed with cancer, she makes a notebook cover, and gives it to them with a notebook and matching pen. She tells them that every time they think of a question, they should write it down and take it to their doctor.”

Mary hasn’t had the opportunity

to meet any of the residents who are enjoying her quilts, but her son Travis has.

only care for residents’ beauty needs, but for their hearts and emotional needs as well.

“Mary’s son Travis was here, and he really hit it off with resident Evelyn Anderson. He called his mom and said, ‘I need a quilt for my new buddy, one with a Nebraska theme.’

A month later she had it made, and he gave it to Evelyn. Evelyn and Travis were automatically best buddies.”

“My aunt Mary is an angel herself.

She’s the sweetest person and very giving. I’m just here to help her give to everyone else. She’s probably made way more than 200 quilts, and she made every niece and nephew a quilt when they got married,” said Lesa. “I’m a quilter myself, and my mom always said I should have been Mary’s daughter, we were so much alike!”

We’re so grateful to have Lesa not

Join us for

Paint Therapy Uncorked Topeka Presbyterian Manor will host Paint Therapy Uncorked in the Multipurpose Room from 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 24. Come have a drink or two on us and enjoy an artistic atmosphere while the ladies from Paint Therapy Uncorked lead you through creating a painting of your very own. Space is limited, so RSVP by Aug. 18 to Chelsea Watgen at cwatgen@pmma.org or 785-272-6510 to ensure you have a spot.

Heather Pilkington, executive director ChelseaWatgen, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Chelsea Watgen, marketing director, at cwatgen@pmma.org.

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Community Matters August 2017

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WINNERS, continued from page 1

be featured on one of the Art is Ageless greeting cards.

Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 16 other PMMA communities. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar and notecards.

“What a thrill to have four artists from Topeka Presbyterian Manor featured in the Art is Ageless calendar, and one on a greeting card!

We’re so pleased with the quality of art we see every year, and we encourage anyone who’s interested “Nantucket Bay,” a painting by Jack W. Renander. to participate,” said Chelsea Watgen, The Art is Ageless program director of sales and marketing. encourages Topeka Presbyterian Art is Ageless, open exclusively Manor residents and other area to people age 65 and older, seniors to express their creativity is a copyrighted program of through its annual competition, Presbyterian Manors of Midas well as art classes, musical America. For the competition, and dramatic events, educational works must have been completed in opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year. the past five years.

Far left: “Reflection,” a mixed media piece by Carrie Magill.

Left: “The Seamstress,” a painting

by P. Reinecke.

Above: “12-inch Tall ‘Basil’ Vase,” a sculpture/3D work by Deena Rood.

Topeka Presbyterian Manor

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How can I help employees?

Resident Satisfaction Survey Resident Satisfaction Survey results will be available by Aug. 15 at your campus. Watch your resident mailbox, or ask for a copy at the reception desk.

To recognize a special caregiver or staff member, make a gift in an employee’s honor to the Education Assistance Fund. Every gift helps employees reach their education goals.

Make a tax deductible gift at: PresbyterianManors.org/Give_Now Or make a gift at your PMMA community.

Topeka Presbyterian Manor 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 Return Service Requested

Dining services featured We will be featuring our Dining Services in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you know a dining services team member whose story should be told, or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story.

If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Chelsea Watgen and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Community Matters August 2017

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