Summer Newsletter 2005.qxd - Magnolia Manor

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“Volunteers” Continued shirts, shorts, pants, ponchos, baby blankets and backpacks. All handmade and hand delivered to needy children. From Costa Rica to Mexico to Nicaragua to Uganda, the Agape Stitchers’ clothes have traveled thousands of miles to make many less-fortunate children proud. “In our first shipment, we made teddy bears to accompany the new clothes,” explained Audrey. “Every child needs a cute stuffed animal. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that we can make these children happy by simply providing new clothes.” One year later, in September 2004, Rose heard about the philanthropic activity from a relative of hers in Chicago. Around the same time, she discovered that one of her neighbors was involved in the volunteer effort. “I found out Audrey was already involved in it, so I talked to her to get more information about her sewing group,” Rose explained. “My first job at Macy’s was in alterations and having worked in apparel for so many years, I knew this was something I would like to be a part of.” After her conversation with Audrey, Rose was interested in starting a sewing group at her church, The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Faithfully, every Wednesday for three hours, Rose and three other church members, better 4 Magnolia Manor known as the Crafty Ladies, meet to sew. From red polkadot sundresses to blue and white plaid shorts, the Crafty Ladies have made over 300 clothing items. “I don’t know of anything better than doing for others,” commented Rose. “I absolutely love it. We can’t wait until Wednesday to meet and to show one another our progress.” Alongside the tag team of Audrey and Rose is Clara Bryant, another Magnolia Manor of Macon resident who also knew where she’d retire and who is avidly missionminded as well. Though her ministry serves children much closer to home, just an hour away, Clara’s efforts also help to brighten others’ lives. For the past year, she and a life-long best friend, Ann Sullivan, have teamed up to make pillowcases for children at Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. Although sewing is not a love of Clara’s, caring for children is. It’s what she’s done her entire life. Prior to retiring, she owned a day-care center in Macon. Most notably, Kindercare was the first in Macon to offer 24- hour day care. “Our [Kindercare] goal was to accommodate working parents who were nurses, doctors or others’ professions that required night shifts,” said Clara. “I’ve always taken care of children. They are my love, which made daycare a perfect profession for me.” Since moving to Magnolia Manor of Macon 10 years ago, Clara has been involved in numerous local volunteer activities. Much of her time has been spent feeding the hungry at the city’s Food Bank and serving as a hostess at Wesleyan College’s special events. Through the years, she has been an active community advocate in the city she’s grown up in and loves. However, when she read a letter in an issue of The Macon Telegraph requesting new, purchased or handmade pillowcases for hospitalized children, volunteering for Clara would take on a whole new meaning. “My younger son Buddy was born with a cleft palette and had surgery at Egleston,” explained Clara, “so this article hit home with me.” Instead of flipping the page, she clipped the article Continued on Page 8 With the help of a close friend, Clara Bryant sends handsewn pillowcases to children at Egleston Hospital. She selects fun-patterned fabrics and her friend sews them into pillowcases.
New Faces New Phase of Life and a After 12 years of faithful service, Magnolia Manor’s Chaplain Rev. John Brodess retired from full-time status on June 14. Brodess, who has served the past 33 years in the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, is starting a new phase of life as a retiree. He will, however, remain a part of the Magnolia Manor family as a part-time chaplain. A celebration dinner in honor of Rev. Brodess was held on May 31 on the Americus campus. Over 115 Rev. Brodess visits with residents Evelyn Large residents along with many staff and Margaret Bolton before the celebration dinner. members convened in the Magnolia and Camellia Rooms to enjoy dinner and to thank him for his pastoral support, friendship and sense of humor. Following dinner, Vice President for Church Relations Rev. Robert Beckum thanked Rev. Brodess for his ministry to Magnolia Manor’s older adults and presented him with a certificate of appreciation and a gift of gratitude. President & CEO Mark R. Todd presented two monetary gifts to the Retirement and Nursing Centers in honor of Rev. Brodess and commended him for his loving service and commitment to Magnolia Manor. “Thank you, John for being a friend, an encourager, a listener and a spiritual leader for the residents as well as for the employees. You are passionate about older adults and this ministry and I’m happy you’ll remain with us part-time.” Taking the reins to lead the Spiritual Care Program as Assistant Vice President of Spiritual Care is Rev. Dennis Stalvey. In addition to the Americus campus, Stalvey is responsible for providing pastoral support at the Manor’s Buena Vista, Ideal, Macon and Moultrie facilities. A native of Hahira, Georgia, Stalvey received his B.S. in Secondary Education and Social Science from Valdosta State University. In 1983, he graduat- Dennis Stalvey ed from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a Master’s of Divinity degree. Prior to coming to Magnolia Manor, Stalvey served as pastor of Fort Valley UMC. Other churches he has served include Midway UMC, Albany First UMC, St. Johns UMC and Bloomfield UMC. He and his wife Jerita have three sons. Joining Reverends Brodess and Stalvey in the Spiritual Care Program is Rev. Whit Byram. Byram, who previously served as associate pastor of Wesley Monumental UMC, is the director of Spiritual Care for Magnolia Manor’s three coastal communities located in Richmond Hill, St. Simons and St. Marys. A graduate of the University of Whit Byram Georgia with a Bachelor’s of Business in Accounting, Byram received his Master’s of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. In addition to his most recent position, Byram served as chaplain of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lexington while in seminary. He and his wife Katy have a daughter. Another new face at Magnolia Manor is Americus native Jane House, who joins the staff as administrator of the Americus Retirement Center and the independent living areas. Hill Fort, who most recently served as administrator of the Americus Nursing Center, will expand his leadership responsibilities as campus administrator. House, who holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgia Southwestern University, previously served as the financial services manager for the The Tog Shop, Inc. In addition to being an advocate for the American Heart Association, House supports the Historic Rylander Theater in Americus Jane House and is past president of the Sumter Clean & Beautification Commission. MM Summer 2005 5
Page 1 and 2: Summer 2005 Inside This Issue: Che
Page 3: Cheerful Volumes Smiles that speak
Page 7 and 8: “Viewpoints” Continued favor of
Page 9 and 10: Every Gift Touches a Life The Leagu
Page 11 and 12: Mr. & Mrs. James Walton Clyde Calla
Page 13 and 14: Ms. Mary Urda Mr. Alan Weil Ellen H
Page 15 and 16: Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Starr Jr. Rev. & M
Page 17 and 18: Mr. & Mrs. Elmo Wright Bud Wyatt Mr
Page 19 and 20: If you had a million dollars in you

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