Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor
February 2016
Art is Ageless® call for entries is underway Wichita Presbyterian Manor has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held March 7 through 25, 2016. 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 2017 Art is Ageless calendar. The Art is Ageless® Program encourages Wichita 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. Having a creative outlet benefits the mind, body and spirit. “The exhibit and competition always draw a wide array of impressive artwork from talented seniors,” said Amy Watson, life enrichment director. “We’re expecting this to be another great year for creativity and variety of works on exhibit.” ART, continued on page 2
Health care residents debut RedBirds group Residents of The Willows health care neighborhood at Wichita Presbyterian Manor always appreciate the carolers who come to entertain them at Christmastime. This year, however, some of them had a new idea: why don’t we sing for each other? “Everybody comes in to do programs for us. So they got to talking one day about how they should put on a program for our people here,” said Helen Martinez, life enrichment assistant for health care. That’s how Helen’s Happy RedBirds were born. Martinez led the nineperson group in rehearsals every day for three weeks. They prepared four songs to perform on Christmas Eve for their friends in The Willows, accompanying themselves on maracas, tambourines and bells. Many of their family members came to listen, too. The residents decided on RedBirds for a name because cardinals are one of the only birds you hear singing in the winter. The group decorated matching red sweatshirts to wear, along with Santa hats and fingerless gloves. They even worked up some simple choreography to go with the music. “They really enjoyed doing it, and they were so excited because people REDBIRDS, continued on page 2