October 28, 2011

Annual Benefit Day Proceeds Up
      The community gathered on Saturday, October 8, for the Annual Benefit Day. The mild fall morning, punctuated by rain showers by mid-morning, seemed to energize the bidders. Proceeds of the day from all venues totaled over $46,000. This represents a $3,500 increase over last year’s take for the Continuing Care Endowment Fund.

August 29, 2011

Mennonite Manor Voted #1 in Retirement Communities
    Mennonite Manor staff celebrated the day – Monday, August 29 – after the Hutchinson News Readers’ Choice tab on Sunday carried the announcement that Mennonite Manor was voted the #1 Retirement Community. Board member Anita Wagler brought a huge bouquet of celebratory balloons and six large sheet cakes in a variety of flavors in recognition of the event. Mennonite Manor thanks their many vendors and business partners in the community for serving us as we care for the aging members of our community.

The following partners were also recognized as Readers’ Choice FIRST PLACE awardees:
  -  Absolutely Flowers
  -  Cox
  -  Décor
  -  Dillon’sv
  -  Health E-Quip
  -  Hobby Lobby
  -  Hutchinson Clinic
  -  KHUT 102.9 Radio
  -  KWBW 1450 Radio
  -  Linda Conkling
  -  Star Lumber
  -  Verizon
  -  Westlake Ace Hardware
  -  Wray and Sons Roofing

Community Worship Service
      On the evening of Sunday June 5th, Mennonite Friendship Manor held its Second Annual Community Worship Service. We were blessed by a warm, sunny evening that became very comfortable and pleasant as we worshipped together and joined for ice cream during the fellowship time following the service.
     The Mennonite Manor Quartet, a quartet made up of three residents and one staff member provided the special music for the service. Tim Elsner, pastor at the Sterling Evangelical Bible Church, offered the meditation, with Lowell Peachey providing an update regarding the state of Mennonite Manor. During the service, past board members were also recognized, including the service of our former board chairman, Joe Yoder.
     In Mr. Peachey’s report, many highlights were noted over the past year, most notably the numerous positive new initiatives of the past year, including the opening of our Rehabilitation Houses, and the first Liverwurst and Mush fundraising meal. Mr. Peachey reported the state of the Manor is very strong as we look ahead to the future.
      Over 200 people attended the service and over $1600.00 was raised for our Continuing Care Endowment Fund. Those in attendance included residents, family members, those from our sponsoring churches and our surrounding community.
     Pastor Elsner in his meditation encouraged all those in attendance to illustrate Christ’s love through our connection with the residents. Mennonite Manor is blessed by connecting with many residents and staff through our daily interactions and we are invited to care for one another in tangible ways including visits and prayer.
      We look forward to our next community interactions with our Annual Benefit Sale in October.

Mennonite Manor Receives Rural Development Grant
     Mennonite Friendship Manor, Inc. has received a Rural Development Grant through the US Department of Agriculture toward the purchase of a van for use in providing transportation for residents. Van features include an automatic ramp, wider entrance, more head room, flexible seating space and a secure tie-down system for wheel chairs. Residents who experience limited mobility find these features a great benefit as they travel around town for appointments and day trips. Maintaining reliable transportation services is a key support service for Mennonite Manor’s health care and short-term therapy and rehabilitation programs. The grant provided $10,000 toward the cost of the van. Mennonite Manor serves those who require long term care, living with assistance or rehabilitation services.

Mennonite Manor Receives Grant to Support Wellness Program
A grant awarded by the Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) program is providing funding for wellness initiatives developed by Mennonite Manor. Begun in January, 2011, the Manor’s wellness program, called Healthy Active Bodies in Training (H.A.B.I.T.), is designed to encourage staff members to take ownership of personal lifestyle choices that will lead to better health. The $900 grant, made available through the Hutchinson Community Foundation, will be used to purchase pedometers for employees and to install signs along walking routes on campus. Employees are encouraged to spend part of their break time or off-duty hours in health and fitness activities. Snak & Yak sessions, held monthly, provide information on subjects such as reading food labels, smoking cessation, benefits of massage, and stretching and exercise. In the long-term, the goal is that healthier employees with have better work attendance and fewer work comp injuries, thereby reducing Mennonite Manor’s insurance and work comp rates.

Guest Need is Matched with Resident Craftsmanship
    Three residents of the Mennonite Manor retirement community recently put their skills to work to meet a need on another part of the campus. The need was this – guests staying in the Rehabilitation Houses need footstools. They need a way to elevate their feet and
legs for comfort, but their rehabilitation protocol urges them not to use the recliners and lift chairs that may deter progress toward their recovery. Typically guests spend a few weeks on our campus, gaining strength and mobility while they prepare to return to their own homes.
    To meet that need, Paul Unruh drafted the sturdy design and engaged the skills of Phil Headings and Walt Ediger to help him craft the eight footstools in the resident Woodwork Shop. Yoder Upholstery constructed the cushioned tops. Income generated in the To-Gather Shoppe funded the project. The footstools are now in place in the Rehabilitation Houses. The voluntary contributions of many made the project a huge success!

Liverwurst and Fried Mush Dinner on February 25 . . .
. . . and the people came!
     The late afternoon light was dimming as cars and vans pulled into the parking lot on the Journey @ Yoder campus. By dusk a row of horses and buggies had formed on the yard west of the Activity Center. Judging by the parking lot, one could only imagine a festival of grand proportion taking place inside.
And it was a grand festival!
People came from near and far – 760 people came . . .
. . . to remember,
. . . and to celebrate,
. . . and to enjoy the flavors of golden brown fried mush and liverwurst.
    Diners had a choice of savory tomato gravy or smooth cream gravy to complement the crispy slices of hot mush, and each received a scoop of liverwurst – a delicacy generously prepared by members of the Yoder Amish community. Served alongside were whole-hog sausage, orange juice and coffee.
    And with great generosity, the people gave. They gave over $11,400 for the Continuing Care Endowment Fund.

Kristal Bells Bring Music to our Ears
Mennonite Manor residents are enjoying their music! Arriving just in time for residents to prepare music for the Christmas season, the Kristal Bells ring a lively tune with fully orchestrated CD accompaniment. Residents easily learn the ringing technique under the direction of Kathy Hendershot, a regular volunteer at Mennonite Manor. Color-coded by pitch, the bells are rung as they match the color-coded cue cards Kathy uses.

The ringing of the bells has inspired residents and guests alike. The pleasure of the residents – both bell ringers and listeners – has inspired a generous gift, providing funds to purchase additional CDs and cue cards for more great songs.

Thank you, Kathy, for bringing this wonderful gift of music to our campus and for leading our bell concerts. These generous gifts of time and money are bringing us much joy!