Wichita Presbyterian Manor
OCTOBER 2020
® “Golden Gate Heaven and Earth Design,” a needlework entry by Doris Korber
Memory care resident taught Kansas children Six local how to cook and sew artists
among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners
Virginia Payer-Olson’s quick wit was a useful tool during her career as a home economics teacher, and the Wichita Presbyterian Manor memory care resident got a lot of practice keeping a cool head during her years in the classroom.
Once, some boys in her cooking class at Peabody High School asked if she would cook a skunk if they brought one to school. She kidded with the boys, leading them on a bit before declining their unusual offer. “I remember she thought the boys made better pie than the girls because the girls thought they already had that skill perfected,” said Beth Humlicek, Virginia’s daughter. “The boys who had never made pies before listened to her instructions.”
Wichita Presbyterian Manor announces six winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2021 Art is Ageless calendar produced by PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America). The pieces were selected from more than 160 entries received for the masterpiece level competition. Virginia Payer-Olson studied home economics at Kansas State before a career teaching and raising her two children.
Beth said that Virginia taught the boys how to sew on buttons, patch holes and hem trousers. “I showed them how to turn a worn collar over so it looks like a new collar,” Virginia said. “They couldn’t believe it.” TEACH – continued on page 4
“6:30 Wichita,” a painting by Nancy Luttrell, was named Best of Show – Professional and will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall. In addition to that piece, “Pacific Coast Highway,” a painting by Rick Brandorff, “Secret Smile,” a drawing by Elizabeth Corbett, “Golden Gate Heaven and Earth AIA - continued on page 5
Wichita Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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50th anniversary memories Wichita Presbyterian Manor opened its doors in 1970. We’re looking back on community history all year as part of our 50th anniversary festivities.
Over the years, we’ve come together to celebrate holidays, mark special occasions and enjoy fellowship with each other. Those celebrations look a little different these days, and it may be a little while before we can invite the community in for a big party. In the meantime, we’re sharing a few of our favorite memories. And one thing is certain: We always enjoy costume opportunities, at Halloween or any other time of the year. ◆
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Community Matters 316-942-7456 ◆ Fax: 316-941-3806 4700 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67212-5575 WichitaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2020
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.
To submit or suggest articles: awatson@PMMA.org Amy Watson, life enrichment dir. Courtney Wolfe, executive director Stephanie Bergmann, marketing dir. Cherree Hudspeth, health care sales and marketing
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
‘Best of Show’ artist picked up paint brushes after mastering the violin On her usual route to symphony practice, Nancy Luttrell often took a photo of the northeast corner of Douglas and Main in downtown Wichita. She was drawn to the antique clock that hangs off of One Main Place and Georgia Gerber’s bronze sculpture of a man reading on the sidewalk nearby. “I just kept taking pictures of it from my car while I was driving, which is bad,” Nancy laughed. “One time, the picture I took especially excited me, because the light on that corner was unique in its brilliance.” The photos served as reference material for her painting “6:30 Wichita,” which was named Best of Show in the professional category in the 2020 Art is Ageless® masterpiece competition. In the painting, the street corner is bathed in golden light, though the gray-blue sky and purple shadows indicate dusk is near. “6:30 Wichita” will be featured in the 2021 Art is Ageless calendar, along with Nancy’s painting “Poinsettias,” also a masterpiece level winner. A trained classical violinist, Nancy began painting ten years ago in a watercolor class at Mark Arts. Since then, she has also explored acrylics, the medium of both her masterpiece level winners. “I’ve never had any time for it before,” Nancy said. “I never took any art in school or anything. There was just no time — what we did was all consuming.”
She began studying music at age 5, with piano lessons. Her teacher played viola with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, so Nancy added violin lessons at age 9. Eventually, she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Wichita State, where she later served as a professor of violin performance and a member of the Fairmount Quartet and the Wiedeman Trio. She traveled extensively to play throughout the United States and in Europe, and her solos, chamber music and orchestra performances have been broadcast on NPR. Nancy joined the Wichita
Symphony Orchestra 52 years ago and continues to play as a member of the first violin section. She stepped back from her role as associate concertmaster when she retired from WSU in 2012. Nancy didn’t know much about making art when she started taking lessons, and she says she wasn’t even sure it would be something she would enjoy. “I would encourage anybody to not be afraid to try,” she said. “Some people tell me, ‘I just couldn’t do that.’ Well, how would you know? I didn’t know I could do it either.” ◆
Wichita Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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TEACH – continued from page 1
One of Virginia’s teachers at Newton High School encouraged her to go to college, which inspired her to approach her parents about attending Kansas State University. Initially, her father said no, but her mother overruled him. Virginia enrolled in the home economics program at K-State. There, she was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority and served as president of her house one year. In addition to cooking and sewing,
Virginia taught family living, which included a unit on sex education. Once, a parent visited her classroom, upset that his daughter was learning about this topic. “Mom indicated to the parent that the information is helpful to know to hopefully prevent problems in the future,” Beth remembered. “The parent ended up agreeing with the teacher.” Virginia stayed at home with her children when they were in school, then returned to teaching home economics at Flint Hills High
School in Rosalia, Kansas. Virginia embraced the study of home economics in her life as well as in the classroom. Beth said that her family always ate delicious, well-balanced meals. Virginia was also handy with a needle and thread. “She loved to sew and tailored many of the suits she wore,” Beth said. “She was always well dressed and particular about her appearance.” ◆
Surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight
As part of Wichita Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing customer service initiative, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. The graphic above highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the
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lowest score. Between July 2019 and June 2020, Wichita Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores in offering safety and security, demonstrating dignity and respect, and cleanliness. In addition, residents and families also reported a high willingness to recommend the community to others.
COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2020
We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service.◆
AIA - continued from page 1
Design,” a needlework entry by Doris Korber, “Poinsettias,” a Christmas entry by Nancy Luttrell, and “Fresh Start,” a painting by Mark Ward, will also appear in the calendar when it is released this fall. “Kansas Meadowlark,” a mixed media/crafts entry by Pam Hayes, and “Love in Bloom,” a photography entry by Sue Vautravers, will appear on Art is Ageless greeting cards. Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 15 other PMMA communities. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar with pull-out postcards and greeting cards. “Every year, I’m impressed by the creativity and talent of our local artists,” said Amy Watson, life enrichment director for Wichita Presbyterian Manor. “I am excited
“Secret Smile,” a drawing entry by Elizabeth Corbett
to see their works in next year’s calendar.” Art is Ageless, open exclusively to people age 65 and older, is a copyrighted program of PMMA. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. PMMA’s 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.
“Fresh Start,” a painting entry by Mark Ward
Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Residents and friends of PMMA’s Art is Ageless program are proving that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition. For more information about Art is Ageless, visit ArtIsAgeless.org. ◆
“Pacific Coast Highway,” a painting entry by Rick Brandorff
“Poinsettias,” a Christmas entry by Nancy Luttrell Wichita Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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4700 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS 67212-5575 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
COVID-19 updates continue As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, WichitaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. If there is a COVID-19 outbreak (positive COVID-19 test) at your community, your leadership team will contact employees, residents and their designated family representatives via telephone, email or mail with information about the outbreak and the recommendations of the local health department. ◆
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2020