'Tour of the Trees' offers open house for Presbyterian Village

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- A local adult-care facility is kicking off a new holiday event for its tenants and the public.

The Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, will host a special event titled Tour of the Trees from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. During the event, which is open to the public, guests will be able to view a variety of decorated Christmas trees throughout the facility, enjoy refreshments and take guided tours of the center's independent and assisted living apartments and pathways.

Presbyterian Village Executive Director Ginger Dierksen said a group of tenants, who meet once a month to discuss new programs at the facility, originated the idea for the holiday event, which also serves as a way to promote the center.

"It was their suggestion that we have something during the holidays like an open house ... so people can see what things look like without feeling obligated to visit," she said.

Rita Peck, the center's activities director, added, "The tour is something the tenants requested that we do, so we can get the word out about our facility. We thought if we did trees, people would come look at the trees, take a tour, and find out more information about our facility."

Dierksen said the event will allow people to see and understand how the center operates and how it differs from other similar facilities.

"They can see how we're different," she said. "We're not a nursing home ... People may not need us now, but they may in the future and at least they'll know about it ... We just want them to come out and have fun."

The center will have multiple Christmas trees on display throughout the multi-level building. Each tree will be trimmed and decorated in a different theme. Presbyterian Village staff provided most of the trees, but a few local organizations provided and decorated trees that will be on display for the tour, Dierksen said.

Light appetizers and holiday beverages will be served on the lower level while visitors socialize and take part in the tours.

A nonprofit retirement community, Presbyterian Village is celebrating its 16th year of service to Bourbon County and the surrounding area. It is part of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America's system, serving 17 communities in Kansas and Missouri. PMMA is headquartered in Wichita.

For more information, visit www.presbyterianmanors.org.