Wichita Community Matters May 2015

Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor

May 2015

Take the ‘declutter challenge’ My 30-Day Declutter Challenge ended in a flurry as I scrambled to complete the last three days of clutter collection. The goal of the challenge was to collect one item on Day 1, two on Day 2 and so forth for 30 days. By the end, I had culled more than the requisite 465 items.

Readers share declutter tips We invited Next Avenue readers to share their best tips for paring down possessions. They had great advice: • “I keep a shopping bag and fill it with things to give away, and donate that full bag every week to a local thrift shop. Then I open a new shopping bag to fill.” – Pamela Koller, Queens, N.Y. • “I decide what has value for me today. What do I really need and want in my life today, and what is something from the past that no longer serves me?” – Kevin McGrath, Anaheim, Calif.

• “I try to think if anyone else will care about this item if I were dead.

The answer is most often, no. I still may have a hard time parting with it.

I don’t like to throw away anything useful, so it must be donated or put on the curb for someone to take.” – Pam Chapman, Dallas, Texas • “I organized and labeled boxes into categories: trash, sell, donate, file.” – Rich Crossett, Louisville, Ky. Copyright© 2014 Next Avenue, a division of Twin Cities Public Television Inc.

Betty Whitwell, a Westwinds resident at Wichita Presbyterian Manor, is a participant in the KeepInTouch program.

Wichita computer training update Betty Whitwell wasn’t sure she needed to take the new computer class offered at Wichita Presbyterian Manor. She owned a laptop but never used it.

Then her instructor, Samuel Ofei-Dodoo, showed her YouTube, a popular online video library. He emailed Whitwell a video of people dancing in Guinea, his homeland, where she also has friends serving as missionaries.

And all at once, Whitwell understood what’s so exciting about computers and the Internet.

“That really amazed me,” she said. “That’s when it gets fun.”

Whitwell is among the first handful of residents to take the KeepInTouch training in Wichita (it’s also offered at Newton Presbyterian Manor). They learn the basics on a touchscreen computer with an enlarged keyboard and a large trackball mouse, and also learn about email, the Internet, and social networking.

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Campus website gets a facelift We are proud to announce the release of our newly redesigned website at WichitaPresbyterianManor.org.

It has been crafted to reflect the wants and needs of our site visitors.

You will immediately notice the streamlined menus, simple navigation and access to the information you need, 24 hours a day.

Three things you’ll love about our new website now: • Homepage - at a glance, you’ll find contact information and direct access to information about our care

levels and living options.

• Floor plans - you can now view floor plans for independent and assisted living residences online.

• Resources - you’ll find a variety of resources to assist you with researching and deciding on a senior living community.You’ll even discover your next steps to becoming a Wichita Presbyterian Manor resident!

We will be continually expanding our online content to bring you updated and relevant information, so we encourage you to bookmark it and check back often.

Start exploring: • Learn about upcoming events and activities on campus.

• Discover tools to help you evaluate senior living communities.

• Read about our residents.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Wichita Presbyterian Manor.

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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.

Dawn Veh, executive director Amy Watson, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Mary Angela Page, activities director, mpage@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

Their instructors are graduate researchers from Wichita State University who are studying whether technology can ease feelings of isolation among seniors.

The first phase of the project began in January in Wichita, and that pilot study will wrap up in July, according to their professor, Dr. Louis Medvene.

For phase two, all residents of the Newton and Wichita campuses will receive KeepInTouch instruction led by Jessica Drum, another psychology doctoral student at WSU. Training will begin in Wichita in September.

KeepInTouch is designed for older adults and provides a social network similar to Facebook. But that network is limited to the campus and other family or friends residents choose to add. Whitwell said she thinks that’s actually a deterrent for some residents to take the class.

“I’ve discovered that’s their main complaint: Why would I want to

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Gerald Teague works with a student from WSU to learn KeepInTouch.

send a message to someone right down the hall?” she said.

Whitwell already used her iPhone to log onto Facebook, where she stays connected to friends from church and family members. The most exciting part of using the computer, Whitwell said, is reaching beyond the world she sees every day. She likes the Google Earth site that allows users to explore satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings. She’s discovered how to order prints of photos she receives via email and Facebook so she can put them in albums.

And, she said, she was able to put Ofei-Dodoo in touch with her friends in Guinea.

“The Internet is wonderful,”Whitwell said.

Art is Ageless winners announced The winners in the annual Art is Ageless juried competition were honored with a reception in March at Wichita Presbyterian Manor.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Amy Watson, marketing director for the Manor. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”

Both professional and amateur artists entered original work in 14 categories. Cole Marceau volunteers at the For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Art is Ageless reception.

Winners in the Wichita Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were: BEST OF SHOW – Professional Elizabeth Corbett – “Kansas High-Rise” BEST OF SHOW – Amateur Maris Simmons – “Iris A Glow” PAINTING – Professional 1st Hope Just – “My Clematis” 2nd Sue Vautravers – “Prairie Wind” 3rd Chuck Roach – “Big Red”

Residents enjoy refreshments during Art is Ageless.

PAINTING – Amateur 1st Mary Davis – “A Tranquil Winter Day” 2nd Bernie Maczka – “Peaches in Granny’s Bowl” 3rd Bernie Maczka – “Botanica Peony”

PHOTOGRAPHY – Professional 1st Paulette Mattingly – “Perfect Pair” 2nd Paulette Mattingly – “Swan Lake” 3rd Chester Bernat – “The Abundant Life”

DRAWING – Professional 1st Fredric Cowart – “The Bala Railway Bridge” 2nd Bonnie Tymeson – “Along a Trail in Colorado” 3rd Paulette Mattingly – “Graphic Apple”

PHOTOGRAPHY – Amateur 1st Gary Stahl – “Waiting for Lunch”

DRAWING – Amateur 1st Shirley Alexander – “Mountain Goat” 2nd Calvin De Beverly – “Way of the Woodduck” 3rd Mary Davis – “Welcome” SCULPTURE/3-D – Amateur 1st Leland Alexander – “Coffee Table” 2nd Evelyn Kato-Roger NEEDLEWORK – Professional 1st Maria Ctibor – “Christmas Bowl of Balls” (tatting) NEEDLEWORK – Amateur 1st Mary Tomlinson – “Little Miss Muffet’s Spider” FIBER ARTS – Professional 1st Carol Stibal – Rag Bag “Molly”

MIXED MEDIA/CRAFTS – Amateur 1st Brenda Robertson – “Chains & Gems” 2nd Jean Stahl – “25th Wedding Anniversary Card” 3rd Jean Stahl – “50th Wedding Anniversary Card” CHRISTMAS – Professional 1st Jo Harris – “Pretty in Red” 2nd Hope Just – “My Son, My Savior” 3rd Vera Davis – “Christmas Break” CHRISTMAS – Amateur 1st Carol Renshaw – “Heaven Came Down” 2nd Jean Stahl – “Merry Christmas Card” QUILTING – Amateur 1st Carol Stibal – “Crazy Quilt” 2nd Betty Marshall – “Stars and Stripes” 3rd Midori Melton – “Wonky Block of the Month” ART, continued on page 4 Wichita Presbyterian Manor

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Local competition winners will join winners from 17 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level may be selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards.

Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health.

Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s Art is Ageless program encourages Wichita Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition and other events throughout the year.

Beverly Anderson views artwork at the Art is Ageless exhibit.

Tulips help grow Good Samaritan Program Colorful paper tulips – each representing a gift to the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care – are adding to the spring decorations at PMMA’s senior living communities. Prior donors received a mailing in April, inviting a gift in honor or tribute to a special woman in their lives. A paper tulip was included.

The tulip may be returned with the gift to the PMMA campus of the donor’s choice. Tulips will be displayed through May. The Good Samaritan Program assists PMMA residents who have run out of funds through no fault of their own. To make a gift and hang a tulip, contact your local PMMA campus.

Coming Up in Community Matters In a future issue of Community Matters, we will be focusing on summer travel.

Were you a summer traveler? Do you have a great vacation story or travel story to tell?

Contact Marketing Director Amy Watson with your story, you may be selected to share in an upcoming Community Matters.

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