OCTOBER 2022
PMMA supports employees with scholarships Here at PMMA, we’re proud of our employees and we want to invest in their future. That’s why we’re excited to congratulate a group of employees at Aberdeen Village who will be able to reach their educational goals through the PMMA Employee Scholarship Program. Thanks to our generous donors, the scholarships can help offset the cost of tuition, books and fees for Danielle Makara, Esther Njugana, and Jane Waichigo.
Kay Collins staying on track at Aberdeen Village For nearly 40 years, Kay and her husband Frank helped keep the trains on the right track with their work at BNSF railroad. Kay Collins
Tim Allen presents Jane Waichigo with her scholarship.
The Employee Scholarship Program was established in 1978 with an endowed gift from C.E. Koehn. Today, continued support from donors including payroll deduction elections from employees help maintain the scholarship program.
She worked as a clerk, making sure the trains heading out on the east and west lines knew where to go. Frank, working as a switchman, would take the instructions from the clerks and place the trains on the right path. “He had 44 years and I had 33 years,” Kay said. “It was a pretty good career, and a great retirement. I thank God for it every day.”
For the 2022-23 school year, PMMA awarded almost $56,000 Danielle Makara received a scholarship through in employee scholarships to 18 the Employee Scholarship Program. outstanding employees across nine communities. These employees will be able to work on gaining their certifications, licenses, or degrees and apply their knowledge and expertise in our communities. Congratulations on your scholarships. We’re excited to watch you grow and reach your professional dreams! u Esther Njugana is the proud recipient of one of the scholarships.
At the end of March, both Frank and Kay relocated to Aberdeen Village. They had previously lived on the Lake of Ozarks and in nearby Mission, Kansas for the past six years. Frank’s health recently worsened, forcing another move for him. But despite the challenges, Kay has found many reasons to feel blessed in our community. “I’ve had so many blessings,” she said. “The women here have been marvelous. The people here are so caring. Diane, the chaplain and Janelle, the social worker have really
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Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at AberdeenVillage.com/covid-19.
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Summer winds down with a Big Splash There’s no reason to let the summer heat get you down - especially when it’s a great opportunity to throw a big party. “I was thinking in June what could we do this summer to really get the residents and staff outside to have some fun, and I saw that there were a lot of communities having outside events that were including water,” said Life Enrichment Director Sandy Barnes. “So, I asked my executive director Tim Allin if I could do a Water Park Fun Day? He said it sounded like a lot of fun.” After working with clinical staff to ensure the event would be safe and fun, the celebration planning moved ahead full steam! Toward the end of July, everything was in place: water guns, blow-up flamingos, bubbles, squeeze squirt bottles, rubber duckies and of course, water balloons. The Calypso Bluz band came to play summer
hits, and the Kona Ice Truck served snow cones to keep everyone cool. Staff came up with a variety of fun games, including tossing a ping pong ball inside a cup atop a floating flamingo, shooting towers of cups with a water gun, and spinning targets with a water stick. The games were a big hit, and we enjoyed watching residents celebrate summer. “There were multiple beach balls and water balloons being tossed around all afternoon while everyone was enjoying their Kona Ice or the sliced watermelon that was also being served,” Sandy said. “There was so much happening with winning prizes while playing the games nobody wanted to leave when it was time to shut down. We had a perfect day for it and will remember the day that we were let outside to be kids once again.” u
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Community Matters 913-599-6100 u Fax: 913-599-3810 17500 W. 119th St. Olathe, KS 66061-9524 AberdeenVillage.com
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2022
is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: soehlert@pmma.org Tim Allin, executive director Stephanie Oehlert, director of sales and marketing
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Nine local artists among Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners
Aberdeen Village, contact Stephanie Oehlert, marketing director, at 913599-6100 or soehlert@pmma.org. u
Nine winning artists in the Aberdeen Village annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2023 Art is Ageless calendar produced by PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®).
Galaxy,” a Quilting entry by Carol McMillen, and “Counting Her Prayers,” a Photography entry by Dara Russell, will be featured on the pullout postcards included in the 2023 calendar.
“Fuzzy Cape,” a Needlework entry by Mary Davis, “Flint Hills” and “Allison ‘Cliff House,’” Painting entries by Robert McMillen, and “Gathering Basket,” a Mixed Media/Crafts entry by Kay Ruen, will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall.
“Self Portrait #2,” a Painting entry by Edward Duman, “Impossible Dreamscape,” a Needlework entry by “Black and White Galaxy,” by Carol Jo Henderson, and “Inside Out,” a McMillen Christmas entry by Esther Minter, will be included in the calendar’s honorable mention gallery.
Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 14 other PMMA® communities. More than 170 entries were received for this year’s masterpiece competition. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar with pull-out postcards and greeting cards. “Black and White
“Pretty in Pink,” a Drawing entry by Shirley Dixon, will be featured on Art is Ageless greeting cards. “We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Stephanie Oehlert, “Counting Her Prayers,” by Dara Russell marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of senior artists. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless “Pretty in ambition.” Pink,” by Shirley Dixon
For more information about
“Inside Out,”by Esther Minter “Fuzzy Cape,” by Mary Davis
“Self Portrait #2,” by Edward Duman
“Impossible Dreamscape,” by Jo Henderson
“Gathering Basket,” by Kay Ruen
“Flint Hills” and “Allison ‘Cliff House,’” Painting entries by Robert McMillen Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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Collins – continued from page 1 and reminds her of their home at offered me support and prayer. I Lake of Ozarks, where they lived for just love them both. It’s nice to have 15 years. someone to lean on.” “It’s beautiful,” she said. “They keep She’s also thankful to have much of the grounds so nice. It’s relaxing to her family nearby, and to be able to sit on the deck.” enjoy weekly dinners with them. When they lived on the lake, Frank “I have four granddaughters,” Kay used to renovate old cars, including a said. “We get together every 1950 Plymouth that won a number Wednesday. We choose a different of top awards at area car shows. restaurant and have dinner “Then he had a Mercury that he together, once a week. That’s really renovated, and made a few dollars on nice. We’re a close-knit family.” that,” Kay said. “Most of the time you She also enjoys the view from her don’t make money, you just have apartment, which faces the lake fun. Sept. 2nd was our 61st wedding
17500 W. 119th St.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2022
Olathe, KS 66061-9524
anniversary. It’s amazing. Oftentimes I would tell him he’d better get out in that garage and save our marriage.” Now in her spare time, Kay reads a number of “nonsense romance” books, and plays word games on her Kindle Fire and computer. Luckily, if she encounters an issue, she can call on Nate, who works in the life enrichment department, to help her out. “At his leisure time,” Kay said. “When he doesn’t have to drive somebody around or lead a game.” u