Meadowlark is alive. That was obvious from the moment we walked in the door.
Outdoor Encounters
February 6, 2025
Local not-for-profit focused on supporting people in living their best lives
Q: What are the responsibilities of the new role created in the households?
A: The new role in the households is being called “Enrichment Specialist.”
The role is designed to increase and exceed our standards for care, especially focused in the areas of cleaning and life enhancement. Our goal is to hire trained caregivers that are Certified Nursing Assistants so while working in this new role they are also an equal participant in the team. With the addition of the roles the Household teams have written new standards for both cleaning and housekeeping.
Article submitted by Don Rasmussen for the Bayer Pond Area Restoration Team
Q: Who makes up the Meadowlark Hills Board of Trustees?
A: The Manhattan Retirement Foundation Board of Trustees is comprised of members who represent each of its founding churches, residents, and community members recruited by the Nominating and By-laws committee.
The full Board meets bi-monthly in the months of January, March, May, July, September and November. Additionally, the Board has six working committees that closely monitor how the mission of the organization is effectively carried out.
Meadowlark Hills has named Lonnie Baker the Chief Executive Officer.
As the CEO, Baker is responsible for providing visionary, strategic leadership for the organization by working with the Board of Trustees and senior leaders to establish and achieve the short-term and long-range goals.
Meadowlark Hills resident, Charlie Hall, was honored by Iowa State University. On Friday, April 12, a ceremony was held to name the new horticulture greenhouses the “Charles V. Hall Greenhouses.” Charlie served as chair of the Department of Horticulture at ISU from 1979 to 1990.
The new greenhouses will be used for teaching and for researching opportunities. They opened in 2011 and replaced the 98-year-old greenhouses that once stood on the ISU campus.
A day trip on May 16 to see the Grassroots Arts Center and Garden of Eden in Lucas has gotten great response. All 17 seats have been taken. However, a waiting list has been added to the Blue Book registration page. If you'd like to go, please sign the waiting list. If there are cancellations, persons on the waiting list will be given the opportunity to take those seats on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Q: Who handles the recycling service near the kitchen entrance? It is a great service and they deserve a big ‘thank-you.’ I think more people should recycle.
April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. The Parkinson’s Program of Manhattan at Meadowlark Hills has been extremely busy planning fundraisers and educational workshops to raise awareness about Parkinson’s Disease.
Q: Will residents and staff be able to cast a 'final vote' for the CEO candidate?
A: We have concluded our interviews with the three finalists. The candidates are Lonnie Baker, Matt Loyd and Valerie McGhee.
Between 2007 and 2010, the Kansas Sampler Foundation sponsored contests to determine the top 8 Wonders of Kansas. More than 100,000 people voted to determine winners and finalists in the categories of Architecture, Art, Commerce, Cuisine, Customs, Geography, History, People, and overall.
Residents and Passport members are invited to join Amanda Rall and Becky Fitzgerald for a trip to Lucas, Kan., for tours of the 4th Wonder in the Art category: the Garden of Eden and the Grassroots Art Center. This artsy adventure is set for Thursday, May 16.
Meadowlark is alive. That was obvious from the moment we walked in the door.
2121 Meadowlark Road
Manhattan, KS 66502
Directions & Map
Call: 785.537.4610
Email: info@meadowlark.org
February 6, 2025
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February 12, 2025
February 12, 2025