Spring Layout 2005.qxd - Magnolia Manor

church Ray served, we had a rummage sale,”
commented Miss Juanita. “So, this was nothing
new for me.”
That same year, Miss Juanita, along with residents
Hazel Waller and Gladys Ellis, prepared
for Magnolia Manor’s first sale. Unpacking,
cleaning, polishing, organizing and pricing were
all part of the prep work. Since the first sale,
an array of items has been sold, which has led
to several aesthetic enhancements. The
Retirement Center’s front lobby, sectional sitting
rooms, infirmary rooms, bathrooms, and
hallways have all benefited from the Manor
Mall.
According to Miss Juanita, the Manor Mall
is not only a service to the residents and their
home, but it is also beneficial to individuals
who otherwise could not afford these items
brand new.
“I do this for the residents, but I’m certainly
glad to be of help to others,” said Miss Juanita.
“Many employees look forward to sale day and
enjoy shopping at the Manor Mall.”
In her six years of operating the in-house
shop, Mrs. Juanita has accepted any and every
thing. “I’ve never turned down an item,” Miss
Juanita said with a smile, though the majority of
the items we receive are in good condition and
have little wear on them.”
Thanks to Miss Juanita’s sales, Retirement
Center resident Ms. Emily Ruth Pound is able
to serve her neighbors at the Manor. At 78,
with macular degeneration, Ms. Emily sews
wheelchair and walker bags for Magnolia
Manor’s residents. The sewing machine on
which she sews her “totes of tenderness” was
purchased at the Manor Mall.
Though over 60 years has passed since she
made her first item, an apron that still hangs in
her closet today, Ms. Emily’s nimble fingers still
have the magic touch.
“I used to watch my mother sew clothes,”
commented Ms. Emily, “but I didn’t try my
hand at it until high school. I really haven’t
Ms. Emily Ruth Pound welcomes new residents with
beautifully handsewn bags.
picked up a needle since then… until now.”
Ms. Emily, like many of Magnolia Manor’s
residents, has never envisioned retirement as
sitting around and watching television. On a
typical day, she begins sewing after breakfast
and works throughout the day on her handmade
creations. At 5:00, the sewing for that
day is done. “I put it up at 5:00,” said Ms.
Emily. “I’m finished and am ready to wind
down.”
As she showed off a recent batch of colorful
bags, Ms. Emily pointed out that all the fabric
she uses to make the bags is donated.
“Residents and employees donate leftover
fabric from something they’ve had made,” she
said. “They’ve given me beautiful material to
work with.”
Not only is Ms. Emily doing something she
enjoys to pass the time, but she receives priceless
gratification by helping her neighbors and
friends. The fruits of her labor, which has
totaled to around 300 bags, are evident up and
down the hallways of Magnolia Manor’s facilities.
MM
10 Magnolia Manor