Manor of the Plains
OCTOBER 2021
New body part, same PATH® to recovery for Pat Gerber So far, 2021 hasn’t necessarily been one for the books for many in our community—but that’s been especially true for Patricia “Pat” Gerber. “I decided to fall apart in 2021,” said Pat. “In February I had back surgery and three pins and a rod put in … then I had a knee replacement on the 17th of August.” For rehabilitation on her back, Pat turned to the Post-Acute to Home® (PATH) program at Manor of the Plains because of the experience her mom, Delores Donnelly, had with the program following her own surgery several
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Editor’s note: This month’s guest chaplain is Greg Schmidt, chaplain for Heart & Soul Hospice of Wichita and Newton Presbyterian Manor. In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we will be periodically sharing columns from our community chaplains in your Community Matters newsletter.
Chaplain’s Corner What birds can teach us about faith By Greg Schmidt, Chaplain I can hear a few birds talking to one another outside my office window. Grackles squawk and beg for peanut-flavored suet. Sparrows chirp about how greedy the grackles are any time any food is available. And the Baltimore Orioles are sharing that they discovered a well of Welch’s® grape jelly! How do I know what they’re saying? Because I sit for hours on my deck … and listen! (I’m secretly hoping the birds will come and sit on my shoulder or perch on my hand!) Trust me, birds live in a never-ending search for food! Interestingly, the Bible says God provides for the needs of the sparrow. But that doesn’t mean those little chirpers can just sit back and
Pat Gerber is wrapping up her second time in PATH this year with a new knee and a new lease on life.
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Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at ManorOfThePlains.org/covid-19.
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Chaplain – continued from page 1
My grandkids created a sign for me never-ending search. It’s here! and my wife that says, “Next time So, keep “chirping!” Let your needs you feel alone … don’t!” It’s their way be known! So many of our staff serve of saying back to Gram and Pops a God that has a never-ending supply By the way, it’s the same for you and what we always say to them; namely, of love. And lots of us are following I. Only our never-ending search is “We’re here! We want to share life Him as closely as we know how. for love! It’s there. Available. Jesus with you! We love you more than P.S. If you don’t provide your said, “For everyone who asks you will ever realize! Make the phone Baltimore Orioles with “Welch’s receives; the one who seeks finds; call! Write the text! Stop one or both grape jelly” … according to the and the one who knocks, the door of us and say, ‘I’m lonely or needy!’ husband of a past resident, they will will be opened.” (Matthew 7:8). In Remember, we’re not mind-readers, come peck on your kitchen window this case, love is there … but action but we’ll respond faster and love you and tell you, “Go back to Dillons® is necessary. We have to search for deeper than you could ever and get Welch’s, not Smucker’s®!” it! imagine!’” It’s love given. And love They’re grape jelly snobs. Just returned. No one has to enter into a So, I’m happy to report that the thought you should know! u longer I spend time with my Presbyterian Manor and Heart & PATH – continued from page 1 Soul Hospice workmates and years ago—an experience so good that Delores ultimately decided to move families, the more I understand and into the community permanently. appreciate how plentiful love is! It’s there for the searching! Then when it came to rehab for her knee, Pat’s decision was even easier. have it delivered! Sure, the food is there. Available. But they have to go in search of it!
Acts of Love. Compassion. The efforts to assist others in discovering peace of mind and spirit – for the patient and the employees – the energy given to providing a helping hand, a forgiving and encouraging spirit. Grace. Mercy. Patience for residents/patients … and their families. Generosity. Pay it forward attitudes and actions. A gentle touch. A shoulder to cry on. Someone to laugh with. Being a fellow burden-bearer and prayer warrior! I see them all the time! They’re here! At Presbyterian Manor!
“I knew I wanted to come back to Manor of the Plains because I worked so well with the therapist the last time I was here,” said Pat. And she wasn’t disappointed. “I couldn’t have asked for better treatment and the therapy was wonderful,” said Pat. “They don’t push you, but yet they do. If you say, ‘I can’t do that’ they try to talk you into it and then are a little sneaky, so you’re doing it before you know it. They’re very nice, and they obviously know what they’re doing.” With a rebuilt back and a new knee—along with a new hip she got in 2019—Pat is feeling rejuvenated and hopeful that she is done with surgery for a while. “I basically have a new body on the right side,” said Pat. While she is happy to almost have rehab behind her, Pat will miss the staff involved in the PATH® program and the opportunity it gave her to spend some special one-on-one time with her mom. u Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
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 | October 2021
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.
Signs of beauty at Manor of the Plains Outdoor beautification is underway at Manor of the Plains. Our landscaping team is making great improvements and we’re also excited about our new sign and the resurfacing of the parking lots. We are so excited to have these beautiful new PMMA® signs. We continue with our landscaping project and these signs add so much character to our community. u
The parking lot has been resurfaced and re-striped.
Landscaping has been a work in progress around the monument sign.
New plantings are going in around the building to freshen up the space.
The new signs light up nicely.
Manor of the Plains | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Tractor Memories Doll Yunker recently posed for some pictures with her son-in-law’s 1929 Case tractor. Being around the tractor reminded Doll of some wonderful memories of growing up on a farm just east of Ashland, Kansas and her adventures driving the tractor for her father. u
It’s been a few years since Doll Yunker lived on a farm just east of Ashland, but she still knows her way around a tractor.
Doll Yunker’s son-in-law owns this 1929 Case tractor.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | October 2021