Manor of the Plains
APRIL 2022
Alice Kalb participated in the
Alverna Cantrell and her intensive care unit As the former owner of Humble Flowers for more than 35 years, Alverna Cantrell has a history with plants and flowers and her knack for bringing sick plants back to life has amazed residents and staff alike with her “doctoring” abilities.
PMMA celebrates history with Founder’s Day PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) employees will observe the founding of the senior living system this month as the company celebrates its 73-year history of serving seniors in Kansas and Missouri.
Surprisingly, Alverna only has one plant of her Resident Alverna Cantrell owned Humble Flowers for own (which more than 35 years. happens to be 19 and a half years old) but has many in her “intensive care unit.” When she worked in her floral shop, Alverna’s favorite thing to do was design arrangements with fresh flowers. Alverna also has quite a beautiful vinegar cruet collection. She started collecting in 1968 and she has cruets from all over the United States and overseas. “When we went on a trip my friends shopped for clothes, but not me, I found antique shops and shopped for cruets,” said Alverna. “I have dime store cruets, sentimental cruets, and valuable cruets.”
Plants – continued on page 2
PMMA’s roots go back to 1947. Alice Kalb, a widow from central Kansas, appealed to a Presbyterian Church organization to establish a home for seniors. Her vision laid the foundation for the first Presbyterian Manor community in Newton, Kan., and inspired others to do even more. Through the many decades, PMMA® remained true to the spirit of Alice’s vision, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values. Each Founder’s Day, staff members re-commit to live our mission by signing the “WE PROMISE” board that lists the pillars of the mission: respecting that seniors retain their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit
Founder’s Day – continued on page 2
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at ManorOfThePlains.org/covid-19.
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Plants – continued from page 1 One of Alverna’s friends gifted her with her first cruet which started her “cruet fever.” Now Alverna can answer everything you want to know them. She says that red cruets are the most valuable because they are fired with gold. Some of the brands she has are Westmoreland, Fenton, Hobnail and Burmese. Alverna stated that she had to downsize her collection in half and her daughter now has the other half.
Alverna with her “intensive care unit” of plants.
Alverna is proud of her collection and invites everyone to stop by and check out the wonderful world of cruets. If you do, plan on spending an hour as you will be amazed! u
Alverna’s cruet collection she started in 1968.
Founder’s Day – continued from page 1 of happiness; assisting residents with specific needs; providing compassionate service; serving as a trusted resource; and advocating for seniors. “Our nearly 2,000 employees view what they do as a calling,” said Bruce Shogren, president and CEO. “Our dedicated employees
make it possible for us to sustain PMMA’s mission, as well as its heritage. I believe Alice would be very proud.”
development in Colorado Springs. PMMA remains true to its core and mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Alice Kalb’s dream has turned into a network of 15 senior living communities and two hospices across Kansas and Missouri. A new senior living community is under
For more information about Manor of the Plains, contact Joy Wiggins, sales and marketing counselor, at 620-225-1928 or jwiggins@pmma.org.
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Community Matters 620-225-1928 ◆ Fax: 620-225-3982 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 ManorOfThePlains.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | April 2022
is published monthly for residents and friends of Manor of the Plains by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: jwiggins@pmma.org John Van Hook, executive director Joy Wiggins, marketing counselor
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
New faces at Manor of the Plains Jami Ekins, the new maintenance technician at Manor of the Plains, came to us from Indiana and said her career direction was something that came naturally. “My father was a mechanical engineer, and I got a firsthand education in fixing things,” said Jami. “I followed him around his shop soaking up everything I saw.” At the age of six, Jami removed the training wheels off her bicycle by herself which later led to rebuilding engines and working on tractors. One of her favorite tasks is working on plumbing. “That usually isn’t a favorite task for some, but for some reason I like doing it,” said Jamie. Jami loves cars and was initially on the path to become a racecar driver. That all changed, however, when her father passed away and Jami put her dreams aside in order to help care of her brother and mom.
Now, Jami enjoys traveling with her dog Juniper—although sometimes Juniper’s plane tickets cost more than her own! Jami is also a diehard Chicago White Sox fan. We are very excited to have Jami and knowledge of the environmental services, equipment and especially plumbing here at the community.
Maintenance Technician Jami Ekins
Occupational Therapist Alyssa Lewis
living in Indiana thanks to an opening with Aegis Therapies®.
Occupational Therapist Alyssa Lewis is also new to the community.
“It is a fantastic company to work for, so I made the move,” said Alyssa.
Alyssa grew up on the river in beautiful northern Michigan, where she obtained a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Alyssa’s mom was also an occupational therapist and helped her along the way with her education decisions.
Some of Alyssa’s hobbies include crafting, jigsaw puzzles, cooking, and baking “Five-star” cookies. She plans to continue her education in specialized therapies and hopes to one day return to her roots in Michigan and have a cabin on the river. u
Alyssa began her career in senior
Meet your new neighbor: Joyce Rumbaugh Joyce Rumbaugh may be from Nebraska, but she considers Kansas her home—having originally moved here in 1962. When Joyce and her husband retired, they initially moved to Arizona, but on their way back to Kansas to visit family, they decided to move to Dodge City to spend more time with family and be able to watch the grandkids’ sports and other activities. Joyce was a paraprofessional—
working with all ages in the school system—and is an active seamstress who is hoping to get some new projects started soon. Reading is another favorite pastime for Joyce, and she finds great pleasure in our community library. Joyce and her daughter are currently planning a birthday celebration for her mother who will be turning 99 years young.
making new friends. “I am so excited to get acquainted with the residents and attend activities.” u Welcome to the community, Joyce Rumbaugh!
She says she is enjoying her new home and is looking forward to Manor of the Plains | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Wanda Culver turns 99 Wanda Culver recently celebrated her 99th birthday with her independent living friends at Manor of the Plains. “My wonderful daughter-in-law, Jane Culver, bought me a beautiful birthday cake so I could share it at lunch with my friends,” said Wanda. “I did this last year and had so much fun I wanted to do it again—I hope to do it again next year when I turn 100!” During her youth, Wanda was an indemand employee and shared this story about a bidding war for her services. “I was born on February 6 in Howell, Kan. and have lived in Ford County all my life–I know just about everybody. After graduation from
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high school, I went to work in Dodge City at F.W. Woolworth’s. I made 15 cents an hour and worked 48 hours a week. I impressed the boss and he gave me a raise to 18 cents an hour and put me in charge of training the new girls and keeping the key to the cash register. If anyone had a $5 bill, I would have to call to get change as we were not allowed to have that much money in the cash register. Mr. Eckles from the department store offered me more money an hour, so I went to work for the Eckles. Before long, my boss at Woolworth’s offered me more money to come back, so I did. I just love people, and I guess they liked the way I worked. Soon, Fidelity State Bank offered me $10 a week to be a bookkeeper, and Woolworth’s and Eckles could not match my salary. I worked for the
Resident Wanda Culver celebrates her 99th birthday
bank until my husband came home from his tour of service with the Navy. We moved out to the farm and started our family.” Wanda is such a great ambassador here at Manor of the Plains. Often, she knows a new resident to the community and their family. She wears a big smile and is friendly with everyone she meets. u