Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor
February 2019
Wichita Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless® call for entries underway Wichita Presbyterian Manor has issued a call for entries for the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held March 15-29, 2019. 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 2020 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 2014). 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 14. 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 AIA, continued on page 2
Claudia and J Mann, still in love after their first kiss in 1944.
Love at first kiss In celebration of February, the month of love, we have a resident love story that has stood the test of time. Claudia and J Mann met as young students at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., in 1944. “We were having a Sadie Hawkins Day at the college where boys and girls run on the football field. The boys were going through a line and I was putting lipstick on them as they came by,” said Claudia. “J’s face was as red as fire. I said, ‘Don’t be embarrassed,’ and he reached over and smacked me on the cheek with a kiss and said, ‘Now who’s embarrassed?’” As events unfolded throughout the day, Claudia ended up asking J if she could take him to a show that night—as the girls were supposed to do as part of the event. “Then I didn’t see him anymore until Christmas and he was in the cantata. I was an angel and he was Joseph. That night he asked me if he could walk me home and I said, ‘sure.’ He walked me home, he said goodnight and he went running home. The next day this girl I had been friends with said KISS, continued on page 2
AIA, continued from page 1
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 Mid-America communities to be judged at the systemwide level. Entry forms and information are available at Wichita Presbyterian Manor, 4700 W. 13th Street, or by contacting Amy Watson at 316-9427456 or awatson@pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless.org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online.
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Courtney Wolfe, executive director Melody Dodge, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Amy Watson, life enrichment director, awatson@pmma.org. Telephone: 316-942-7456 Fax: 316-941-3806 Address: 4700 W. 13th St., Wichita, KS 67212-5575 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. WichitaPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters February 2019
In Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we have partnered with Pinnacle Quality Insight. This company will periodically contact the people we serve via telephone to conduct an interview regarding their impression of our service. We use this feedback as a tool to continually improve our quality of care and enhance our relationships. When you are contacted to participate in the survey, they will always identify themselves specifically as being with Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. We greatly value your opinions and encourage you to be frank and honest when contacted.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
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she had a date last night with the best-looking guy at the college. I asked her who was it and she said, ‘J Mann.’ He was two-timing me! But he always said as soon as he saw me and put the kiss on my cheek that I was the woman he would marry,” said Claudia.
been good at that. We disagree, state our position and then go on. It’s always worked. We never make any major decisions without sitting down and talking about it, too.”
For Claudia, it’s about friendship and laughs. “Marry your best friend. I wouldn’t change places with “She’s got it all right,” added J. “We anyone. We’re still in good health, were just kids, hardly 18. She’s older too. J has 2020 vision and still has than I am by three days and you his own teeth! We laugh a lot.” know the older woman always leads the man around. We just knew when Over the years, Claudia and J we first met that that’s it.” had three biological sons and raised two foster children. They The two got married on October have six grandkids and five great 20, 1945 and celebrated their 73rd grandchildren who they enjoy seeing anniversary this past fall. often. What’s their secret to a long, happy Happy Valentine’s Day to all our marriage? “Listen to the other person’s viewpoint,” said J. “We’ve residents and staff! Like us on Facebook
Susan Cross joins Presbyterian Manor team This past fall, Susan Cross joined our staff as the new health services director for our community. But it isn’t the first time she’s worked within these walls. “I did clinicals at Wichita Presbyterian Manor for my LPN licensure when I was just becoming a nurse. It was a very good experience, with the nurses being very helpful and patient with students allowing the opportunity for a great learning experience,” said Susan.
“I enjoy working with the team and overcoming obstacles. I am also impressed with the efforts of the Wichita Presbyterian Manor administration to show appreciation for staff, so it remains a great place to work.” In the few months she’s been here, she’s also found that the people she works with and for are a big perk of the job.
“I enjoy the residents and families. There are so many neat resident histories and supportive families In her new position, Susan is in the community. Seeing a smile responsible for ensuring quality care or offering comfort to resident for residents and finding ways to and families are probably the most lead the nursing team while allowing rewarding aspects of my role. I also their unique qualities to shine. It’s have found the nursing team very something she’s finding great joy in. cohesive and so willing to support
Susan Cross
one another,” said Susan. In her free time, Susan likes to relax and enjoys live music, gardening and watching KU basketball. She has twin step-daughters with her husband of 10 years, Rick. Welcome to the team, Susan!
A look at the future Soon-to-be residents of Wichita Presbyterian Manor attended the Future’s Club Christmas party on December 6. Everyone enjoyed holiday music, festive treats and a Christmas trivia quiz. All attendees received a holiday gift for playing. Like us on Facebook
Left: Seated, from left, Grace Sadiq, Jeanie Tade, Miles Tade and Dr. Suleman Sadiq. Marty Hartwell stands nearby. Above: Seated, from left, Wayne Walter, Donna Walter and Virgil Strong. Wichita Presbyterian Manor
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Resident receives ‘Life Master’ designation After 65 years of playing bridge, resident Art Bloomer recently achieved one of the game’s highest honors by earning the title of “Life Master.” Art reached the milestone during a tournament held on a cruise ship in December. “The pro that ran the tournament had a post-tournament celebration where they give out awards to people who achieved a new level, and I got a trophy,” said Art. The title of Life Master is reserved for those who play a specific form of the game called “duplicate bridge” in which everyone in a group plays the same hand—a version Art himself began playing in 2012. Going into the cruise, Art was only 6.1 points away from meeting the 500-point Life Master threshold. “It took me six years almost to receive Life Master,” said Art. “In addition to 500 points you also have to get silver and gold points and you only get those points playing in tournaments.” Art began playing bridge while in
college at Emporia State mainly because it just seemed like the thing to do at the time. “In those days, 1951-55, everybody played bridge. They played it in the student union before class and they might have even been playing it during class,” said Art. His education in the game continued after college playing alongside his wife’s uncles and grandfather, however, when it came to duplicate bridge, he found that he needed a little extra instruction. Art Bloomer receives his “Life Master” trophy from Barbara Seagram, a bridge “You can’t learn it overnight. writer, teacher and administrator. To learn it well, you should take lessons,” said Art. have to play my way.’ It hasn’t really Recently, bridge has once again become a family affair for Art when his wife, Sue, became his partner. “I had a partner that quit, and I had to find a new partner,” said Art. “She said she’d play through summer, and she continues to play today.” According to Sue, her ongoing partnership came with a stipulation. “When I said I would be his partner for the summer, I said, ‘but you
worked out that way,” said Sue. “I still do not agree with all of his reasoning even though they came out of a book.”
Despite the occasional disagreements, the Bloomers feel blessed to have bridge in common. “It’s something we can do together in our old age,” said Art. “Not everybody has something that both partners are interested in.”
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Community Matters February 2019
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