Newton Presbyterian Manor
JANUARY 2022
Familiar face takes over as executive director of Newton Presbyterian Manor Following the retirement of Marc Kessinger, Emily Trask officially became the new executive director of Newton Presbyterian Manor on December 10. Prior to taking over the leadership position, Emily had served as the community’s human resource director since 2017. “We are fortunate to have Emily accept the executive director position because she is a familiar face to both residents and employees,” said Noelle Dickinson, marketing director for Newton Presbyterian Manor. “Her knowledge of the community, its residents, their families and the employees bodes well for a smooth transition.”
Emily Trask became the community’s new executive director on December 10.
Beyond her familiarity with the community, Emily brings extensive and wide-ranging experience to her new position. Prior to serving as director of human resources, Emily held positions in nursing and health care as a certified nursing aide and spent time in medical records, central supplies and social services.
“I believe that each role has helped me see a different perspective and gain an appreciation for those we serve and work alongside in each capacity,” said Emily. Those within the organization have also been impressed by Emily’s overarching values and her clear vision for Newton Presbyterian Manor going forward. “In addition to her experience, Emily greatly believes in our mission of providing quality senior services guided by Christian values. She strongly believes that the mission drives our purpose and can never be an afterthought
Executive director – continued on page 3
A farm visit and smells of coffee and cattle By Grace Klaassen, as published in Harvey County Now
Newton Presbyterian Manor is a retirement community with heart. Residents’ needs and happiness come first, even in times as hard as we’ve had this past year or so. Recently, Tina and Sarah, who plan interesting activities for the residents, decided it was time to get my farmer husband, Vernon, back out to our farm to see and smell the cattle and everything farm. They’re trying to get the visits done before the snow flies. This would be a rare opportunity for me to show hospitality! I was excited to serve snacks to the four residents and two helpers. I decided to pick up some of the delicious cinnamon rolls the Meridian Market makes, but since it was late the day before, I prayed that the Lord of the Universe would be willing to help me. I found the last two packages, raspberry and caramel nut rolls. Just as I got the rolls in sandwich bags, ready to put into fun cartoon bags, and took the carafe full of coffee to the dining table, the van arrived. Tina and Sarah knew just how to handle the treats. Our feedlot manager, Tye Engle, keeps the animals well and the alleys through the pens nice and passable with gravel. He said he could drive alongside the feed bunks and see the cattle close-up.
Feedlot – continued on page 4
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at NewtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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Newton Presbyterian Manor’s Art is Ageless® call for entries underway All artists aged 65 and older are invited to participate in the annual Art is Ageless® juried exhibit and competition at Newton Presbyterian Manor March 4 – 25. Artists compete in nine categories,
including painting, drawing, photography, quilting and sculpture and may be designated as amateur or professional. The complete rules and category listing are found online at www.ArtIsAgeless.org. Artists may choose to enter their works for exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2017). Entries of artistic works will be accepted beginning February 15, from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older to exhibit and/or compete for an opportunity to be featured in the Art is Ageless calendar in 2023. Works to be entered for judging need to be at Presbyterian Manor by 5 p.m. Friday, March 4. To arrange to drop off, contact Noelle Dickinson, at
316-283-5400 or email ndickinson@pmma.org. The Art is Ageless® program encourages 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. Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica®) communities to be judged at the systemwide level.
The 2022 Art is Ageless calendar.
Entry forms and information can be obtained by contacting Noelle Dickinson at 316-283-5400 or ndickinson@pmma.org, or accessed online at ArtIsAgeless.org. u
Bravo!
Bravo of the month goes to Hannah Redger, Director of Assisted Living/Home Health. Melinda Ebersole writes, “We had 3 admissions today. Hannah jumped in to help cover Health Care. She has shown true leadership in times of need. She is a huge piece that holds NPM together and always does what’s best for our residents.” Thank you, Hannah! u Hannah Redger Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Community Matters 316-283-5400 u Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2022
is published monthly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: ndickinson@PMMA.org Emily Trask, executive director Noelle Jost, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Executive director – continued from page 1 in our day-to-day service to our residents,” said Bill Taylor, chief operating officer of PMMA. To help achieve that mission, Emily looks forward to working with a collaborative and caring team to continue to create the kind of loving, compassionate environment
Newton Presbyterian Manor is known for. “Our staff treats every resident as they would their own family,” said Emily. “They also care deeply for one other, they know not just about you from a work perspective, but about your family, your hobbies etc., and they check on each other when times are hard and provide a great deal of support.”
While she is excited to take on her new role, Emily acknowledges that she has some big shoes to fill and says that she will miss Marc’s daily presence. “Marc has been a tremendous leader. He supported this campus through a very challenging last two years,” said Emily. “His positive attitude, his ‘hello’ to everyone in the hall he crossed paths with and his story telling style will be missed.” u
Feedlot – continued from page 1 Sarah was a farm girl growing up and undaunted by the challenge of backing up a vehicle. And who doesn’t love the big, brown eyes of cattle and the five breeds, including Black Angus and reddish Hereford? This NPM is a place that understands the needs of residents. Starting with Marc Kessinger, who retires this year as Executive Director, ten years after he left the banking business to help the elderly Who doesn’t love the big, brown eyes of cattle and the five breeds, including Black Angus and reddish Hereford? or others with care needs find a place to retire or rehab. He will be missed. The Manor is a place where drink. He tells us to drive by and see the huge piles of silage made of kindness and activities make a chopped forage sorghum. I sack up difference, and where chapel and singing have had an important place some to show our guests and let them smell the aroma. We see piles in my husband’s life. of chopped hay and supplement that As we’ve made the circuit of pens, the feed truck mixes in. we pull up to the shed, and Tye
Vernon Klaassen and Tye, the Klaassen feedlot manager.
comes aboard to greet us and visit my husband. As feedlot manager, he gets to make sure that 1,000 cattle are fed 60,000 pounds of feed a day and are kept well. He runs an efficient operation. He keeps the cattle in the pens and makes sure a thousand babies are tucked in at night will full bellies and water to
We’d taken many pictures and even videos. Those cattle haven’t got so much attention before, but it all passes them by without too much thought, I’m sure. Not so for us. It’s going to be a great memory, I hope, for all. It sure blessed me. u
Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2022