Manor of the Plains
JUNE 2022
Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Dinah Dutta, chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor®.
Do it with Style Martha Gray comes home When she moved into Manor of the Plains earlier this year, Martha Gray’s life came full circle. Born and raised in Dodge City, Martha moved away to attend college and spent her adulthood living in various locations around the country. But when she returned to attend her 40th high school reunion she was reminded of what makes Dodge City so special. That’s when she made the decision that it was time to call it home once again. “It’s the attitude that I find so refreshing in my hometown,” said Martha. “I lived in so many places Welcome to the community, Martha Gray! during my life and this one just beats them out.” After visiting several retirement communities in the area, it was the people and the freedom she found at Manor of the Plains that ultimately sealed the deal. “Here, you can go and do what you can do and then you come home and
Home – continued on page 2
I will be completing two years doing ministry at PMMA-Lawrence. Oftentimes, many pastor colleagues ask me if I would Dinah Dutta go back to being a full-time parish clergy again. I tell them PMMALawrence has not only become my family but also my parish to serve God. When I was young, I used to write poetry. I used to read, memorize, and narrate poems. I still remember poems written by some of my favorite poets like William Wordsworth: “I wandered lonely as a cloud, that floats on high o'er vales and hills, when all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” Especially now when I see the daffodils blooming around us. Another favorite poetess is Christina Rosette and her poem, Remember me - “Remember me when I am gone away, gone far away into the silent land; when you can no more hold me by the hand.” Recently, I found a book of poems Style – continued on page 2
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Home – continued from page 1 they’ll take care of you, feed you and do nice things for you,” said Martha. Martha also found herself instantly surrounded by a vast network of friends. “The people living on my wing just kind of adopted me and I went along with it,” said Martha. It was similar to the experience Martha’s own mother had at the community when she herself lived here. “It was an exciting time for her. She always had something to do
or some place to go. She loved it here as well,” said Martha. “That was a big thing for me when trying to figure out where I was going to go.” The transition back to Dodge City hasn’t been without its frustrations though as Martha has found herself having to adapt to a town that looks a lot different than the one she left all those years ago.
In addition to her new friends at the community, Martha also has three siblings she is in constant contact with. “Family has always been my support system—I’ve always known that I have them to fall back on,” said Martha. Away from home, Martha is involved with various political and community organizations and takes pride in the fact that she is a woman of action.
“I have to adjust to the ‘new’ Dodge City and still be able to tie it to the old one,” said Martha. “Those are my memories and they’re very precious to me.” said Martha.
“I’ve always kept busy and have done my best to say, ‘that’s a wonderful idea, let’s not just talk about it—let’s do it,’” said Martha. u
“When you do something for the Lord, please give it all you got.
It is not too good to give Him some stuff you do not need.
So, He will know without a doubt that you love Him a lot.
God’s love is all around us, and He’d like for us to show, by words you say and things we do, that we love Him, you know.
Style – continued from page 1 that I used to read in our PMMA library, “So sing my heart” by Edna Abbot. Edna was a registered nurse. After she retired in 1983, she joined her husband Dearl (VA chaplain) to fulfill their dream to teach in Bible Colleges overseas in Kenya and Manila. Edna was also fond of writing poetry and selfpublished books since 1994. The poem “Do it with Style” spoke volumes to me. Here is an excerpt that Edna wrote titled, “Do it with Style.”
“I will sing to the Lord all my life” (Psalm 104: 33a).
Do something beautiful for God, and do it with a smile; it’s bound to please the Lord a lot, if you do it with style.” I hope to continue to serve the Lord with all of you. As Edna encouraged, I want to DO IT WITH STYLE. I pray you will too. u
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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 | June 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 Tammy Thompson, executive director Joy Wiggins, marketing counselor
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Wendi Barlow says goodbye After 25 years, Wendi Barlow has decided to take on a new role and get back to her roots as a high school nurse. During her time at the community, Wendi has held many titles including charge nurse, director of nursing, and human resources director and has made many lifelong friends. In addition to her new job, Wendi is also looking forward to spending more time with her family especially granddaughters, Haven and Presley. We wish Wendi the best in her new adventure. u
Thanks Wendi for your 25 years with us!
Manor of the Plains | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Manor of the Plains shares customer service survey responses Manor of the Plains continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys. Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. The graphic highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between March 2021 and February 2022, Manor of the Plains residents and their families gave the community high scores for demonstrating dignity and respect, for safety and security, and for cleanliness.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2022
“The staff is wonderful. They’re all so nice,” said one resident. “It is quiet and clean. I feel safe.” 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. u
Source: Pinnacle Quality Insight (12 month ave. Mar 2021 -Feb. 2022)
5 4
5.00
4.86
4.91
5.00
Cleanliness
Dignity & Respect
Safety & Security
Admission Process
INDEPENDENT LIVING
HEALTH CARE
PATH
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ASSISTED LIVING