Newsletter March 2021
Shenandoah Place March 2021
Newsletter September-October 2019
Shenandoah Place December 2018 Newsletter
New Market News
Winter in the Shenandoah Valley truly is what you make of it. If you crave quiet time indoors during the colder months, our region’s cozy restaurants, shops, and more have you covered. If, on the other hand, outdoor adventure is more your speed, you can find that here, too! As we prepare for the holidays at Shenandoah Place, we’d like to share with you a few of our recommendations for wintering in and around New Market.
Our historic downtown is just minutes away from our facility. There, duck into the Jon Henry General Store for quality goods and treats, or have breakfast at the famous Southern Kitchen. Looking to venture a bit further? Another lovely and historic downtown is just up the road in Mount Jackson, Virginia. Its main street is always decorated for the holiday season, and features a coffee shop café, boutiques, and even an art gallery.
Shenandoah National Park remains open for hiking, backcountry camping, and sightseeing during the winter. In fact, if you’re hoping to spot animals like deer, turkeys and foxes, it can be one of the best times to visit. Stay up to date on park closures and advisories by visiting www.nps.gov/shen. Alternatively, you could plan a trip to Massanutten Resort, another favorite for outdoor recreation. Their sprawling facility just down I-81 offers skiing, snow tubing, walking trails, and other fun indoor and outdoor activities. In March, they also hold a Snow Moon Fest with fireworks, a torchlight parade, and more!
No matter where you spend it, we wish you a warm holiday season and start to 2019. Thanks for being part of our Shenandoah Place community!
Christmas Salutations
We would like to express our sincerest appreciation for the trust you have placed in us.
Best wishes for the holidays!
Volunteer Opportunity: Join Us at Shenandoah Place
We are eager to add volunteers to our community. If you have a special skill or talent you could share with our residents, or even if you’d just like to call Bingo, please give Melissa a call. You can reach her at 740-4300.
A warm welcome to our newest resident, Jean Link!
This month, we’re shining a spotlight on the newest member of our Shenandoah Place community. Jean Link joined us in November after moving from her home in nearby Forestville. We spoke with Jean in her new room, where she sat with a beautiful, crocheted blanket that her daughter-in-law gave her.
Jean grew up in Forestville and never lived far from her childhood home. When she married her first husband – named Gene! – they took up residence at his family’s farm, a mere 3 miles from her own parents’ house. Jean’s life on the farm was busy. Though she didn’t work with the crops or the dairy cows they later acquired, she “did everything” as a housewife.
Jean and Gene had two children within a two-year period. Their daughter, Ramona, was followed by a son, Gerald. When Ramona was 3 years old, Jean’s mother-in-law passed away. In addition to caring for her children and household, Jean took on the responsibility of cooking supper for her husband’s father and brother. Sadly, Jean’s mother had a stroke just a few years later. She also assisted with her care.
Jean worked hard over the years, raising her children and caring for other family members. When she was 47 years old, though, she experienced a tragedy. Gene died suddenly of a heart attack at age 50. His death changed Jean’s life in many ways. Her brother-in-law took over the operation of the family farm. Since her children were grown, she spent several years on her own. But, she says with a smile: “Then, I married a friend.”
Jean had known John Link, who became her second husband, for most of her life. He was 7 years older, but also lived in Forestville and had attended her church. John had never married. He invited Jean to a high school reunion and, as she says, “that was that!” After their marriage, she moved to his home.
John owned a small farm, but his main occupation was the management of a small grocery store in Forestville. He opened it in the 1950’s, and it remains in business today! Jean wasn’t much interested in working at the store, but did pitch in when farm tasks like hay-making required John’s attention. She liked to crochet and sew.
Together, Jean and John enjoyed going to auctions for fun. During their free time and after John’s retirement, they visited the local favorites Green Valley, Old School, and more. John collected Depression glass and tools, while Jean liked to buy baskets, music boxes, and figurines. They even picked up some antique furnishings; Jean recalls bringing home a couple of antique Victrola record players. She had fun with her auction bounty, but laughs now when she says “I bought a lot of junk that now needs to be sold.”
Sadly, John passed away after an aneurysm in 1998. He and Jean were married for 14 happy years. She says that he was “a good man,” and misses him still. But, Jean smiles when she talks about the family she helped create. Both of her children live in the Valley, and she now counts 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren among her descendants.
Jean continued to live at the farm until her move to Shenandoah Place in November, which she finds “very nice” so far. As she adjusts to her new home, she’s considering whether to bring more items from her house on the farm, which is being rented for now, to her room here. One of Jean’s first weeks at Shenandoah Place was Thanksgiving week. She told us about sharing the holiday meal in the dining room, and how she liked all the Thanksgiving classics – turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
In January, Jean will celebrate her 84th birthday. If you see her around Shenandoah Place, please help welcome her to our community. We’re glad to have her here!
Festive Days at Shenandoah Place
It’s been a season of celebration already at Shenandoah Place. On October 22nd, resident Rosalie Sellers turned 100 years old! She marked the occasion with cake and friends. Next up is our annual Family Christmas Dinner on Sunday, December 9th at 5:30 PM. We’re including some pictures of last year’s wonderful feast, along with one of Rose on her big day. Please enjoy!
Activity Spotlight: Celebrating Chocolate Day with New Century Hospice
Did you know that there is a National Chocolate Day? This year, we celebrated the occasion with help from our friends at New Century Hospice. It was a big hit! With a great resident turnout, we sampled chocolate in several of its different forms. From chocolate milk and chocolate frosted doughnuts to Hershey kisses and candy bars, everyone enjoyed sharing yummy treats. Take a look at these photos of our celebration, but be warned: they may make you hungry!
You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of Longtime Shenandoah Place resident
Dottie Edmonson
Shenandoah Place September 2018 Newsletter
New Market News
When Fall arrives in the Shenandoah Valley, it brings along a full slate of fun outdoor events. In September, for instance, you can check out the 13th annual Fall Fling at the New Market Fire and Rescue Department, or take your pooch swimming at the Summer’s End Pup Pool Party. The Town of New Market’s website has helpful information about those events and others on the schedule for the rest of 2018.
Since we’ve covered some of those September events in the past, we’d like to catch you up on what goes on here in October. First up in the Fairway 5K, which takes place at the Shenvalee Golf Resort on Saturday, October 20th . The race is in its 3rd year, and is open to walkers and runners alike. Whether you’re feeling competitive or seeking a casual stroll, the resort will be a beautiful place to spend a Fall morning.
Later in October, the Town of New Market and its Merchants Committee will host a Trick or Treat on Congress Street. Held on the 31st , the community event runs from 5-7 PM. According to the town, businesses with their lights on will welcome “all dressed up trick or treaters” to come in for special treats. Many businesses will also be open for shopping during the Halloween fun. We hope you enjoy the Fall holidays, whenever and however you choose to celebrate.
Book Donations and Free Pickup
Our residents enjoy reading books from our collection at Shenandoah Place. To make this resource even better, we are trying to replace many of the regular-print books with large-print books. These books are much easier for our residents and volunteers to read! We appreciate any large-print books you may be able to donate to our residents. You could also help with this project by taking some regular-print books off our hands. Please take them for yourself, or donate them to a good organization or home. Thanks, as always, for your consideration.
Welcoming New Administrator Tammy Legg
In July, Shenandoah Place welcomed Tammy Legg to our staff as an administrator. Tammy is new to her role, but not new to our community. For the past four years, she worked as a hospice nurse who sometimes assisted Shenandoah Place residents. That familiarity has helped to make her transition to an administrative role here a smooth one.
Tammy began her nursing career as a hospital nurse after working for a time in the book manufacturing industry. She treated a wide range of patients, helping them recover from broken bones and other injuries. It was there that Tammy realized how much she enjoyed working with the geriatric population. She appreciates their polite manners, interesting stories, and the gratitude they show their caregivers.
Tammy grew up in Port Republic and still lives there today. But, her work as a hospice nurse has taken her up and down the Shenandoah Valley, where she has helped patients from Front Royal down to Staunton. She was committed to carrying some of the burden of families in crisis, and considers reassurance one of the most important parts of a hospice nurse’s work.
Leaving hospice was a difficult choice. Tammy formed bonds with patients and families, and it was hard to tell many of them goodbye. But, she’s excited to be at Shenandoah Place. She calls her new position her a real blessing, “or maybe even an answer to a prayer.” Some of her favorite things here are hearing the stories our residents tell and working with Andra, Melissa, and the rest of our amazing staff.
While she pursued her nursing degree, Tammy was raising her own family with her husband. She attended college as an older student, and would do homework alongside her children. Now, her son is 27 and serving in the U.S. Army. He’s stationed in South Korea, but video chats daily with his wife and two children in Georgia. Her daughter, 23, works in customer service at a nearby hotel. Tammy says she’s always knowledgeable about local events because of her job, and is also a talented artist.
If you see Tammy around Shenandoah Place, please say hello and help welcome her to our community! We’re thrilled that she has joined us.
Activity Spotlight: Bingo
In our community, Bingo remains one of our most popular activities. We had a big turnout for the game on a recent Thursday in July. Take a look inside the action, and contact Melissa if you’d like to call numbers sometime!
A Chance to Contribute to Our Community
Do you or someone you know have time to spend with our residents? We are looking for volunteers! Whether you can teach a skill, share a talent, or call Bingo on a Thursday afternoon, we’d love to have you visit. Please call Melissa at 540-740-4300 if you are able to contribute.
You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of Longtime Shenandoah Place residents
Anna Coffman and Annie Snell
Shenandoah Place May 2018 Newsletter
New Market News
One of the best things about New Market is our thriving small business community. We’re grateful for the mix of long-established shops and new additions that help keep our town energized. If you’re in the neighborhood, you can browse The Home Store or Simple Times, or go for lunch at Jalisco Mexican Restaurant.
Starting this spring, you can also stop by a brand new business, The Jon Henry General Store. The store is right on North Congress St., so it’s convenient to other downtown mainstays. If you’re familiar with New Market, you may recognize its location as the stately old BB&T bank building.
On its website – jonhenrygeneralstore.com – the shop says it “features an eclectic mix of local, American, and Fair Trade goods, snacks, provisions, toys, and gifts.” We’ve seen everything from Melissa and Doug puzzles to vintage sodas and honey straight from Singer’s Glen on their page. They even sell old-fashioned candies.
If you have a favorite New Market restaurant, shop, or event, mention it to us when you stop by Shenandoah Place. We hope to share some of your favorite recommendations in a future newsletter.
Activity Spotlight: Licorice Day
Did you know that there’s a National Licorice Day? It’s on April 12th, and this year we celebrated it at Shenandoah Place! To mark the occasion, we had a short discussion of why and how the holiday came to be observed. Our residents were able to taste black licorice – which many of them remembered from their own grandmother’s houses – as well as other flavors. We talked about the candy’s health benefits and history, too.
Since our residents love activities involving food and drink, we hold lots of celebrations like this one. One recent success was a jelly bean tasting for Jelly Bean Month. Many of the residents got to try flavors they’d never encountered. Buttered popcorn, for instance, was a big surprise, and a big hit!
In the coming weeks, we plan to celebrate Pretzel Day, Hoagie Day, Grape Popsicle Day, and Macaroon Day. Though these activities are educational, the best thing about them is the opportunity to gather our residents and let them enjoy refreshments together.
Resident Spotlight: Fran Minnich
Ever since she was a girl, Fran Minnich has thrived on good company. Growing up as an only child in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she mostly stayed with her great-grandmother, Sarah. That was partly because she was “the best great-grandmother in the whole wide world!” but also because there were more kids to play with near her house. Fran thought of her parents’ home as “in the country,” though she laughs now because it really wasn’t far from town.
Fran was born in 1935. Her mother stayed home and her father was a printer for the Sentinel newspaper. He began working there when he was just 16 years old. Fran sometimes liked to visit her father at work and see the next day’s paper all laid out on printing plates. She also recalls practicing reading with him by using the Dick and Jane books. She didn’t like that quite as much, and has never been a big reader.
For first and second grade, Fran attended the one-room school near her parents’ home. There were eight grades together with one teacher. She remembers the potbellied stove that warmed the room, and that her teacher was a nice man. Still, Fran was glad to move to the school in town as a third grader. She could play jacks, softball, and other games with friends, and spend time with Sarah. Fran’s grandmother, Florence, also lived in the town house, though she was often busy working at the shoe factory across the street.
When she was in 6th grade, Fran began to care for younger children. She babysat for neighbors that year, and by 7th grade she was taking jobs at the nearby Carslile Barracks (part of the local military base). Fran would stay overnight with the families she worked for and leave for school in the morning. Around this time, she also experienced two life-changing events. Fran lost her great-grandmother when Sarah died. But, she also met the man she would marry, Robert Monroe Minnich.
“Monie,” as they called him, was the son of friends of Fran’s parents. The grownups would go dancing together in Hershey on Saturday nights. When Monie and Fran met, she was in 7th grade and they, too, were just friends. She went on dates with a couple of other boys. But, one evening he walked her home, and it took off from there. They dated until Fran was in 11th grade, when they briefly broke up at the insistence of Monie’s mother, who thought they were too young to be serious. Fran thinks of the Nat King Cole song “Too Young” when retelling this part of her story.
Just before her high school graduation, Fran let Monie walk her home from the restaurant where she was working. She had been dating a little bit and attending dances with some of the college students who came to the restaurant, but when Monie asked her to be his girlfriend again she was thrilled. There was just one issue: Fran was already planning to attend the graduation dance with a friend and didn’t want to upset him! Once the festivities were finished, she reunited with Monie and they were engaged soon after.
Early in their marriage, Monie joined the Marine reserves. He eventually became a fully enlisted Marine, and attended training in South Carolina. After a stint in North Carolina, he moved to Arlington, Virgina, where Fran joined him. They had four children – Randy, Rick, Rusty, and Anita – whom Fran raised. She also continued to babysit and sewed. Monie became a police officer in Arlington after he left the Marines.
When her youngest, Anita, was in 7th grade, Fran took a job outside of the home. Her friend had opened a Carvel shop, and asked her to come make ice cream, decorate cakes, and more. After discussing the idea with Monie, Fran decided to take the job. She worked there for 14 years and had a blast! They worked hard, but had fun, too. In the meantime, her children grew up. Rick, Randy, and Anita now live in Virginia, while Rusty is in Colorado Springs. Fran also has 7 grandchildren, with 4 born in a 5-year span.
In 2014, Fran suddenly lost her sight. She’d never worn prescription glasses, but one morning she woke up and could not see out of one eye. Her daughter came to help her visit the doctor’s, where it was determined that she’d had a stroke of the optic nerve. Unfortunately, she lost vision in her other eye soon, too. Fran is still adjusting. She has learned to get around well by feeling her way, but misses seeing her kids’ faces.
Fran misses Monie, whom she calls “tall and thin with curly hair and the answers to everything.” She also has recently lost dear friends, Ingrid Middleton and “Rich” Proctor, much loved residents of Shenandoah Place. But, she enjoys being around people here and compares her friendships to a sisterhood. When she’s not sure about the color of her shirt, for instance, she just pops out into the hallway: “Hey girls, what color is this?” We’re glad this social butterfly found her way to our community!
Volunteer Opportunity: Join Us at Shenandoah Place
We are eager to add volunteers to our community. If you have a special skill or talent you could share with our residents, or even if you’d just like to call Bingo, please give Melissa a call. You can reach her at 740-4300.
Please welcome our newest employee, Ashland Fulk.
She’s a DCA, which means she specializes in Direct Care for adults. We’re glad she’s joined us!
You may be gone from my sight,
but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of
Longtime Shenandoah Place resident Ingrid Middleton
February 2018 Newsletter
New Market News
All year ‘round, we’re glad to count the Virginia Museum of the Civil War as a neighbor here in New Market. But, we especially appreciate some of the events they put on in the spring. This year, for instance, they’ll be hosting Family History Day on Saturday, March 24.
The event runs from 10 AM to 4 PM and only costs $3 with pre-registration. Some of its highlights include 19th-century games and crafts, Virginia Reel dancing, and guided battlefield tours. Door prizes and souvenirs will also be available. As the museum says on its website, the event is always “a day of fun, exploration, and learning.”
We think History Day is a perfect way to kick off spring in the Valley. For more information, or to register, visit vmi.edu/vmcw. It’s easy to sign up on the website or via a printed form. Though you may also see the event called “Homeschool Day” online, don’t worry – it’s open to all!
Activity Spotlight: Meet Zoey the Therapy Dog
In late January, Shenandoah Place had an extra special visitor. Zoey the therapy dog stopped by in her cheerful red bandana to spend some time with our residents. Zoey has been trained to provide affection and comfort to just about anyone she encounters, and our residents loved having her visit along with her owner.
Zoey has a close connection to our community. Before she became a therapy dog, she was the pet of our very own resident, Gerry! Zoey moved in with a friend when Gerry moved to Shenandoah Place, and began her training soon after. She learned to be comfortable around many types of people and objects, and to react calmly to noises and other stimuli.
Pet therapy sessions have been a big hit here, and we hope to continue them. Though this type of therapy is a relatively new tool, even the Mayo Clinic has noted its positive resuilts. Pet therapy can “significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue,” and is a low-risk option in most settings. If you have questions or want to learn more about Zoey and her visits, please get in touch.
Resident Spotlight: Maxine Wine
We interviewed this month’s featured resident, Maxine, in late January of this year. But, we weren’t the first audience to hear a piece of her life story. About eight years ago, Maxine wrote and submitted recollections of her early years for a published collection. You can find her piece, “One Pair of Shoes a Year,” in the book A Living History of Northwestern Virginia: Paper Dolls and Homemade Comforts. It’s available for sale on Amazon and made us eager to know more about her life.
Maxine was born in 1933 in Page County, and was the youngest of twelve children in the Alger family. She lived with her parents, four sisters, and seven brothers in a five-room house her father had built near Battle Creek. Though it was technically part of Stanley, Virginia, Maxine remembers that their home was really “out there in the boonies!” There was no electricity at the home until Maxine was sixteen, and it was never updated with running water. Maxine and her sisters would use the lack of light to play pranks on their brothers. One that she remembers involved moving the boys’ furniture around in their room so they’d be disoriented when they came in for bed in the dark!
Because she was born during the Great Depression, Maxine’s family was very poor. Her father did not have a job, but was talented and worked hard to make a living from the land. Mr. Alger bought some mountain acres and harvested timber and firewood from them. He’d haul it down with horses and a wagon, and then process it in the sawmill he set up. Maxine thinks firewood sold for about $5/load. The horses also plowed the family’s garden, where they grew green beans, corn, and other crops for food.
Looking back, Maxine marvels at how plentiful their meals always were. Her brothers fished in the nearby river, hunted squirrel and wild rabbit, and helped raise the family’s hogs. Her mother was also a hard worker, serving three big meals a day on the family’s enormous dining table. She baked bread three times a week, and taught Maxine how to do that once she began having pain in her hands. Mrs. Alger was also a great baker of pies. The family gathered walnuts, apples, plums, and cherries from trees on their land, and usually dried the fruit to preserve it. Maxine was especially fond of her mother’s Apple Snit pie. “You have never eaten a good apple pie,” she says, “until you’ve had a dried snit pie!”
In general, Maxine thinks she got off a little easy because she was the “baby” of the family. She’d help skin the hogs or bake bread, but believes her siblings carried a larger share of the workload. When they grew older and got jobs, they would bring her small store-bought treats, which were a rarity in the Alger household. Maxine was used to the feed sack dresses and curtains her mother made. Even at age fifteen, Maxine recalls, her siblings would take her to town and say “this is our baby.” Once they had moved out – most stayed nearby – they returned home for Sunday dinners, taking turns around the table.
When she was a teenager, Maxine lied about her age to get a job working in a New Market coffee shop. She’d stay overnight in town with a married sister to get to work. She met her first husband, William, at the shop, and married him when she was seventeen. He was “a good man,” and “could do most anything,” but the couple divorced after thirteen years because of his alcoholism. To support the five children they’d had, Maxine began working as a waitress after their divorce. “I was shy,” she says, but “the hustle and bustle” helped her learn to enjoy being more sociable. She came to love the work, and eventually became a line cook at New Market’s Southern Kitchen.
For six years after her divorce, Maxine was a single parent. But then, a figure from her girlhood came back into her life. Truman “Marky” Wine was Maxine’s first boyfriend, back when she was only twelve years old. She’d met him while visiting a sister “on the other side of the mountain” from the Alger home. Marky was her brother in law’s nephew. They went to the movies together and liked one another a lot, but were very young; they lost touch while he served in the army and she married William.
Once Marky was back in Maxine’s life, though, they quickly realized that they wanted to marry. The couple wed after five months of dating and remained together for 35 years until Marky died from colon cancer in 2006. Though they had no children of their own, he was a caring stepfather to Maxine’s five children. They also adopted Jeff, a boy in need whom they loved as their own. Sadly, Jeff and his own child, a son, were recently killed in a fire. They often visited Maxine for breakfast, and she misses them very much.
As her own children grew older, Maxine developed a real passion for caring for others. With Marky often on the road as a long-haul truck driver, she decided to open a daycare in her home. Maxine ran the daycare for twenty-two years! She calls it the best job she ever had, despite charging parents as little as $1/day. The kids “were so much fun!” she says. Since she knew what it was like to grow up without much money, Maxine loved treating her relatively poor charges to books and treats she found at yard sales. She took great joy in cleaning the babies and dressing them up in adorable outfits with even the shoelaces freshly washed. “They were always good,” she says. “Of course, I kept the babies dry and fed with nothing to cry about!” With the help of her daughter, Maxine sometimes watched as many as fourteen children.
When she and Marky had the chance to travel, her daughter and daughter-in-law would run the daycare. The couple had a timeshare in Florida that they visited every July. They also made trips to the Smokey Mountains, and liked Grandfather Mountain, too. Maxine still owns the timeshare and her house in New Market, which her children take good care of for her. They tend the lawn and the furnace, and visit Shenandoah Place when they can. In fact, her oldest daughter stops by every morning to make Maxine’s bed!
Maxine misses many of her family members. She is the last of her siblings, and lost her parents years ago after they’d both lived long lives. Her son Gerald is deceased, but her youngest daughter has recovered remarkably after Maxine helped her recuperate from a stroke she had at age 37. Still, she takes joy in visits from her children, from her niece in Timberville, and from little things like a cheerful Christmas tree and colorful clothing. She thinks Zoey the therapy dog is cute, too! We’re glad to have Maxine at Shenandoah Place, and hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about her interesting life!
We would like to welcome Irma barnes to Shenandoah Place.
You may be gone from my sight,
but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of
Cornelia “Rich” Proctor
November 2017 Newsletter
New Market News
Whether you live in the Shenandoah Valley or visit one of our residents here, we hope you’ve been able to enjoy some of our beautiful autumn scenery. We’ll miss the leaves when they fall, but look forward to some great winter happenings around the area. The local ski slopes will be open soon, and New Market’s annual ‘Tis the Season Celebration is coming up on December 2nd.
Since we’ve previewed ‘Tis the Season in past newsletters – available under the “Newsletters” tab on ShenandoahPlace.com – we thought we’d switch things up this year and give you a rundown of local options for your holiday shopping in New Market. There are too many good choices to list! What follows are a few of our favorites, but you can find a larger selection on NewMarketVirginia.com, the town’s excellent and informative website.
To get in a festive spirit, start with a visit to The Christmas Gallery. Located right on Congress Street, this shop offers ornaments, décor, and unique gift ideas. Chickadees Studio and Artist Gallery is just down the road. This pottery shop sells goods made right on site, as well as work from local artisans. Quilts, blown glass, and soy candles are a few of their offerings.
If you’ve worked up an appetite after browsing, head for Jackson’s Corner Café, which is also on Congress St. You’ll find coffee and tea, as well as local pastries, soups, and sandwiches. Short Stop Market and Wine Shop over on Old Cross Rd. is another good choice for refreshments and shopping. In addition to sandwiches and beverages, they have a selection of fantastic gifts in the wine and gourmet foods section.
Volunteering at Shenandoah Place
While winter is a picturesque season in the Valley, we like to offer plenty of indoor activities for our residents during the colder months. If you have a talent or skill to share at Shenandoah Place, we would welcome you as a volunteer now, or any time of the year.
Volunteering with seniors is so rewarding, and does not take a large time commitment. Even one hour a month is enough to bring some fun into our community. And, we don’t need anything fancy. Activities can be informal and simple.
If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Melissa at 540-740-4300. She can work with you to set up individual volunteering, or to organize something up for a group that has time and kindness to share! Volunteering at Shenandoah Place would be a great opportunity for your church or community group to make a positive impact.
We look forward to expanding our volunteer network, and are grateful to the people and organizations that already enhance the lives of our residents! Janice and Zoey, Marvel, Suzanne and Christal (New Century Hospice), and Robert Reedy and the Ol’ Tyme Pickers do a wonderful job with their monthly volunteering. A big thanks to you all!
Resident Spotlight: Jean Gay
When we spoke with Jean Gay for this profile, she was sitting on her bed in her lovely room with a box of photographs and mementos beside her. It made for a wonderful conversation. As Jean sifted through the box and chose photos to show us, she reminisced about the 92 years she has lived so far.
Jean was born Jean Dilley in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. She lived on her father’s farm with her brother and her twin sister, Jane. The girls looked just alike and were often confused for one another. Jean recalls feeling sheltered by her strict father, who discouraged her and her sister from helping with farm chores such as milking cows. She laughs when she recalls their shared decision to leave home just after high school: “two country girls going to the big city!” As you can see in our photograph, they were beautiful.
With her sister, Jean moved to Baltimore. A representative of the Social Security Administration had come to her high school to recruit students to work in the city. “We learned a lot, believe me!” Jean says. The twins stayed for three years, until the second World War was finished. As Jean remembers, men returned from serving in the war and wanted their jobs back. “So, we had to go!”
After a short time back home on the farm, Jean and Jane left again, this time for Fairmont, West Virginia. They worked in a Westinghouse factory there, but only stayed a year. The summer heat was so intense in the factory that the twins decided to quit. They were slender to begin with, but Jean is sure they both lost weight in the sweltering environment.
During another two years back home, Jean dated Dale Gay, who was known around the community for attending college on a football scholarship. Shortly before Jane married a beau of her own, Jean and Dale married and moved to Timberville, Virginia, where Dale had a job as a herdsman. Jane and her husband remained in another West Virginia town.
Dale and Jean’s first child, a son, was born two years after their 1949 marriage. His delivery was difficult, so Jean waited five years before welcoming her second child, a girl. She now has grandchildren – “they’re my angels,” she says – and a beloved niece who is Jane’s daughter. As they built their life together, Dale asked Jean if she wanted to work, and she told him that she did not. Instead, she enjoyed raising their children.
Dale was a hard worker and was “very dedicated” to his cows. Jean marvels, looking back, at how he passed up other careers to do the work that he loved. He was qualified in many fields by his college degree, but truly enjoyed the life of a herdsman. “He would get up at 3:30 in the morning to go tend to those cows!” she says. Dale worked for CC Turner, a well-known Valley cattleowner.
Despite Dale’s demanding job, the couple did enjoy traveling together. Jean especially enjoyed a trip out West. The Gays went with their neice, “and we did have the time of our life!” That niece still visits her today. “She brings me parfaits” Jean says, and tells Jean how much she loves her.
Jean suspects that her niece is so loving in part because of Jane’s passing over a decade ago at age 81. Jean was present when her sister passed, and is obviously moved thinking about her much-loved twin. “Twins are like that,” she says, holding up two entwined fingers. They never fought and were close as could be. “I miss her,” she says, discussing the loneliness that comes from being a twin without her sister.
We loved talking to Jean and sharing a piece of her life story. She’s lively and an engaging conversationalist so say hello if you see her around Shenandoah Place!
Important Reminders for Flu Season
As flu season approaches, we ask that you take some simple precautions, especially when visiting. Thanks for your cooperation and help in keeping our community as healthy as possible. Our requests are:
1. If you have or have recently had a fever, cough, running nose, or any other flu-like symptoms, please reschedule your Shenandoah Place visit.
2. Please practice good hand washing at all times. Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout our facility.
3. Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
In the event that an outbreak of the flu occurs, the facility could be quarantined at the discretion of Dr. Lovelace, VDH, and our nursing staff. We will notify families and post signs at the front of the facility if this happens. Please respect our request to avoid visiting during quarantine.
Above all, we ask that you err on the side of caution when it comes to the flu. Even if you feel fine and are symptom free, you may still carry the germs. Let’s work together for the healthiest winter possible.
Activity Spotlight: October Jack O’Lanterns
Before we say farewell to Fall at Shenandoah Place, we wanted to share a recent craft project with you. Our residents got together in October for a festive pumpkin activity. They enjoyed painting rows of popsicle sticks orange and decorating them with “cutout” stickers to create jack o’lanterns. This was a simple activity, but it brought a bit of Halloween fun into our community!
Personal Histories with Teresa Townsend
This month, Shenandoah Place residents will be treated to a one-of-a-kind workshop with Teresa Townsend. Teresa is a personal historian who specializes in helping people organize and tell the stories of their lives. Using clients’ photographs, interviews, writing, and other resources, she guides them through the process of preserving their own histories.
Teresa turned her interest in stories and photographs into a career about three and a half years ago. Through her small business, Tapestry, she offers digital recording, life story workshops and coaching, and photo organizing sessions. “Everyone has a story,” she writes on her website, “and I believe in the power of sharing….It is a priceless treasure and legacy that connects generations.”
Though Teresa’s workshop next month will be her first at Shenandoah Place, she’s already part of our community. Teresa’s mother, Treva, was a resident here before her passing earlier this year. We are grateful to Teresa for offering this unique opportunity to our residents, and look forward to seeing what they discover together! The workshop will take place on November 13th at 2:30 PM.
We would like to welcome Doris S. to Shenandoah Place.
Our sincere condolences go out to our resident Tommy and his family for the loss of his wife, Erma.
September 2017 Newsletter
New Market News
Summer may be drawing to a close in New Market, but the town’s event calendar is just heating up. In September alone, a parade, a pool party, and two festivals will take place nearby.
First up is the VMI “Rat Parade,” an annual tradition of the Virginia Military Institute. The parade is held on Saturday, September 3 and is part of an orientation for VMI’s freshman class. Nicknamed “rats,” the freshmen visit New Market Battlefield State Historical Park to learn about the 1864 battle and the role VMI cadets played in it.
On Sunday, September 17, New Market will host a very different sort of gathering at the Summer’s End Pup Pool Party. Attendees can bring their canine friends for a rare swim in the local pool! To register, ask questions, or to volunteer at this fun event, contact a.dennison@newmarketvirginia.com.
Finally, September 23rd will bring two chances to celebrate in New Market. The New Market Fire and Rescue Department’s Fall Fling, which is now in its 12th year, is known for its amazing raffles: over $100,000 in prizes will be given out between 11 AM and 5 PM. The annual New Market Chamber of Commerce Heritage Days festival will also take place on the 23rd. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy local food, music, and shopping. Whichever event you choose to attend, we imagine you’ll have a great time welcoming Fall to the Valley.
Resident Spotlight: Maxine Burkholder
For this month’s spotlight interview, we had the pleasure of talking with Maxine Burkholder and her son, Steven. Maxine has lived at Shenandoah Place for about four years. She moved in after her husband, Bob, passed. We are glad to have her as a part of our community, and excited to share some of her story with you.
Of all the lovely residents who have lived at Shenandoah Place, Maxine probably traveled the shortest distance to move here. In fact, she can see her family’s land just outsider her window! Burkholder Lane, where our facility is located, used to be Maxine’s private driveway. As it saw more traffic and began to need more upkeep, she turned it over to the state, which made maintenance much easier.
The land where Maxine and Bob lived and raised their three children originally belonged to Bob’s father. The couple first lived in an apartment there, and later moved into a house they built. Bob and Maxine raised chickens and hogs on their property, and also purchased the Broadway Supermarket. Bob bought the store, which is just across from the old Broadway High School, in the early 1960’s. When he was ready to retire, Steven, Maxine’s middle son, purchased the store. He continues to run it today. The grocery business is a true family legacy for the Burkholders: Bob’s father also once had a store in New Market!
Before she came to New Market, Maxine lived in Edinburg, Virginia. Her family was very involved in the church there. They founded Wakemans Grove Church of the Brethren, and built much of their social lives around its community. Maxine learned about beekeeping from her father, who was a “jack of all trades.” In addition to raising bees and attending church, he worked as a plumber, farmer, and in other areas. Maxine helped with it all.
She met Bob, who grew up in New Market, as a young woman. They soon married and began a family. Maxine stayed busy with chores in the house and on the farm, but she also worked as a bookkeeper and an RN. Her nursing work often kept her out at night. Steven remembers her father coming in the door as she went out to care for patients. She also cared for her own widowed mother for at least a decade. As Maxine herself puts it: “Let’s just say we all knew how to work!”
Some of Maxine and Bob’s work ethic might come from their family’s experiences with the Great Depression. Steven recalls a grandfather who saved aluminum foil and distrusted banks. He stored silver dollars in buckets in the basement until things turned around. Maxine took a great interest in history, joining the historical society and saving newspaper clippings. Steven is learning about the local past as he goes through the papers his mother saved.
Fortunately, Maxine and Bob were able to enjoy some of the fruits of their hard work. They took their children to Florida, New England, and on camping trips. Later, the couple traveled extensively, visiting China, Russia, and most – perhaps all – of the 50 United States. They spent about two months in Alaska, and saw how differently people live around the world. Closer to home, Bob and Maxine stayed involved in their New Market church and enjoyed the fellowship they had there.
Though Maxine is in relatively good health, Bob passed away four years ago at the age of 87. Steven calls his father a real “cat with nine lives.” He battled liver cancer, colon cancer, had seven heart attacks, and seven stents, along with mini-strokes and other health complications. Still, the couple was able to enjoy over 60 years of marriage. Their three grown children live in Virginia. Steven runs the store in Broadway, his brother is retired from Virginia Power and lives in Timberville, and their sister, a retired teacher, calls Grottoes home.
We like seeing Maxine around Shenandoah Place, and hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into her life.
Activity Spotlight: You Be the Judge
You may have heard that we have a new administrator at Shenandoah Place. We’re excited to welcome Mr. Ray Boggs, and hope you have the chance to meet him soon if you haven’t already! One way that our residents and Mr. Boggs have been getting to know one another is through activities like “You Be the Judge.”
In late July, Mr. Boggs led a great group of residents through a round of the game. Here’s how it works: after reading aloud a short summery of a real legal case, Mr. Boggs presents our participants with a list of facts about that case. Once they have that information, the real fun begins!
As a group, everyone discusses the case. We often use real life examples and comparisons to help decide what the verdict ought to have been. The discussion can be lively throughout, but it really picks up when the actual verdict is revealed! The decisions of the courts often do not match the ones our residents would have handed down.
You may be gone from my sight,
but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of
Treva Flory
May 2017 Newsletter
Local News: Spring Events
Spring in New Market means that warm weather events are on their way! May sees the opening of the New Market Farmer’s Market, which operates every Friday from 2-6 P.M. This year’s season starts on May 19th, and will last until the weather cools off in October. You can find local produce, baked goods, meat, and more at 277 Old Cross Rd., which is behind the old Wine Cellar building and near 7-11.
The New Market Rebels also begin their baseball season in May. On May 30th, they’ll host a “Meet the Rebels” picnic at 6 P.M. The picnic is held at the Rebel Park Picnic Shelter, and will give fans a chance to interact with players and team staff. The Rebels offer many themed nights and special events throughout the baseball season, so be sure to cheer for our home team.
The Town of New Market’s website has great information about the Farmer’s Market, the Rebels, and more! Visit their page to learn about the New Market Community Pool, the Cross Roads Music Fest, and more spring and summer happenings! You’ll find them at www.newmarketvirginia.com. We hope you enjoy a slice of summer in our town.
Shenandoah Place News
Spring is off to a great start at Shenandoah Place. Though winter was mild here in New Market, there are still certain seasonal pleasures our residents have been looking forward to. They’re excited to get back on the patios and enjoy our outdoor spaces. They’re also looking forward to new plantings and harvests from our garden. When the vegetables reach their peak, we’ll bring them in for residents to taste.
We hope to see many of you this spring, too. Thanks for your continued support of our community. Read on for suggestions about things to do while you’re in New Market, a peek into our recent tea party, and a profile of resident Liz Twombly.
Resident Announcement
Since our last newsletter, we’ve been privileged to welcome four new residents. Please say a warm “Hello” to Hope, Maxine, Liz, and Roxie.
Resident Spotlight: Liz Twombly
In the years before she joined us at Shenandoah Place, Liz Twombly lived in cities near and far. She was born in Fairfax, Virginia, but spent time in Florida, in California, and even just outside Paris, France. Liz traveled alongside her husband, Donald, who was in the US Air Force.
Donald and Liz both grew up in Fairfax, where their families’ lives entwined. She knew his younger brother, while her sisters were familiar with his older brothers. Though Liz was “scared to death” that Donald’s mother wouldn’t like her, she felt “right at home” with his “wonderful” parents. The pair became high school sweethearts, dating for four years before they married.
Liz recalls that Donald was “fun to be with.” He could ease her worries and make her smile. She particularly remembers their wedding day, when she was trembling from nerves. Walking down the aisle with her father helped, but Liz didn’t stop shaking until Donald touched her hand at the alter. “He always had that capability,” she says. “If I was nervous or something – shook up, upset – he could just touch me.”
Soon after their marriage, Donald and Liz moved to France with their first child, who was only six months old. The couple lived 45 miles outside of Paris in a government-owned apartment building that was off-base. Liz met people from many different nationalities and experienced colorful European customs during their three years abroad. She once attended a bullfight (“I cheered for the bull,” she says), and Donald took culinary classes.
After France, the Twomblys moved to California and welcomed their second child. But, their time out West was short-lived. Donald took a position at the Pentagon after six months in California, so the family returned to the Washington, D.C. area. While Donald worked for the Air Force, Liz found work as an executive secretary for Mitre. Though she occasionally switched departments, she remained with the company for more than 20 years. Her work also took her to Florida for 9 years. Donald was retired at that point and able to accompany her.
In Manassas, Liz and Donald had a third child. Their family was complete with two boys and a girl. Donald retired from the Air Force around age 40 and began working for the capitol police. He frequently accompanied congressmen both in the U.S. and abroad. Liz vividly recalls some of his more harrowing adventures. For instance, Donald and his fellow travelers were once put under three-day “house arrest” in a foreign hotel while authorities investigated an unrelated plane crash. He had to scrounge for food, and said that they searched all of his belongings from his suitcase to his toothpaste tube. Back home, Liz read about the incident in the paper without realizing her husband was involved. She remembers being glad she hadn’t known!
Liz likes seeing Donald’s qualities in her children, who all live in Virginia. Steven, who is in nearby Mount Jackson, comes to visit often and is a calming influence in the same way that his father was. Liz also has three grandchildren. One is a lawyer in Florida, one is a photographer in California, and the other resides in Boston. We are glad to have Liz here in New Market and hope you’ll say hello if you see her around Shenandoah Place.
Activity Spotlight: A Classic Tea Party
From the Starbucks drive-thru to electric kettles and Keurig brewers, there are plenty of ways to get a good cup of tea these days. But, in our opinion, it’s hard to beat the ritual of an old-fashioned tea party. Shenandoah Place residents recently enjoyed an afternoon of conversation, snacks, and tea with our Activities Director, the fabulous Melissa Hedrick.
Melissa wore her finest bonnet and read aloud about the etiquette of tea service. Residents chose their favorite variety of tea to sip, and steeped it in water poured from our beautiful teakettle. A plate of tea cookies was the perfect accompaniment.
We had a great turnout for the party. Residents shared lively conversations and plenty of smiles around tables filled with teacups and flowers. While tea parties are lovely in any weather, ours was a beautiful way to welcome spring.
You may be gone from my sight,
but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of
Richard Steventon
February 2017 Newsletter
Local News: Winter in the Valley
One of the great things about New Market is that it’s truly a four seasons town. From fall foliage and long summer evenings to spring blossoms and the occasional winter snowfall, our residents experience natural beauty all year long.
The town events calendar slows down a bit at this time of year, as businesses and residents regroup after busy holidays and avoid the coldest days. But, there’s still plenty of activity around the Valley! If you’re visiting Shenandoah Place this month, we recommend exploring nearby resorts for fun in the snow. The white stuff is often man-made, but still beautiful and fluffy.
Skiing and snowboarding are available at Bryce Resort in Basye and Massanutten Resort in Elkton. Don’t feel like hitting the slopes? Both resorts also offer scenic dining options and other wintry activities. At Massanutten, you can even go for a swim. Their indoor water park is great for a splash of summer.
If you prefer to stay out of the cold, there are also plenty of interesting museums, caverns, and shops to visit. Do you have a favorite Valley winter spot? Please share it with us and our residents, if so. Many enjoy trips around our area, and those who don’t go out still like to hear about local happenings.
An Important Request for Flu Season
We prioritize resident health and safety at Shenandoah Place. Preventing the spread of illnesses is especially important this month, with flu season in full swing. You can help us with this responsibility by visiting our facility only when you are well.
If you are ill, or recently have been ill, please do not visit Shenandoah Place. Adults over the age of 65 are more susceptible to complications from the flu; these complications can include life-threatening respiratory issues.
Thank you for considering our residents and respecting this request. We wish you good health, and hope to see you soon.
Resident announcement
Since our last newsletter, we’ve been privileged to welcome two new residents. Please say a warm “hello” to Bob and Dot!
Resident Spotlight: Alice Mason
If you’ve been to Shenandoah Place much in the last decade, we imagine you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Alice Mason. Alice has been a resident for over eight years now. Quick with a joke and kind as they come, she spoke with us alongside her daughter Becky.
Alice was born in Florence, Alabama, the fourth child of a minister and his wife. One sibling passed away before her birth, and her mother died when she was just three months old. As her father traveled to preach, Alice accompanied him along with her brother and sister. She estimates that he was minister of at least four of five churches during her early childhood. By the time she began elementary school, Alice had already lived in Alabama, Texas, and Washington, D.C..
Alice gratefully recalls how local women stepped in to help her father balance his work at church with the care of his children. In D.C., her North Carolina-based grandmother joined the family to lend a hand. Though Alice says she doesn’t especially enjoy travel, she did meet many people as a result of traveling to new churches and revival meetings. One of them was her husband, Aubrey Mason.
When Alice was 17, her father preached at a revival in Loudoun County, Virginia. She and her family were invited to a local farmhouse for dinner after her father’s sermon. There, she met the Masons, a hard-working husband and wife with five sons and a daughter. With a gleam in her eye, Alice told us: “Of course I thought I picked the best one!” She and Aubrey, who was in his early 20’s, were married soon after.
Looking back, Alice was “too young” to get married, but it worked out for her and Aubrey anyway. They lived on the farm with his family for a few years after their wedding. Alice remembers picking “sticky but beautiful” cotton there, from “daylight till dark.” Eventually, Aubrey began work as a contractor specializing in wallpaper and paint. “I don’t remember what he did before, besides give me a hard time!” Alice says with a good-natured laugh. “And I gave him a hard time, so it was even.”
Aubrey was supportive during Alice’s preventative surgery for breast cancer, which she had at a relatively young age. The procedure was done out of caution, because cancer may have been the cause of Alice’s mother’s death. “It was rampant on my mother’s side,” she says. Fortunately, neither Alice nor her daughter has had the disease.
Becky, her daughter, is “a good girl” who is involved with her church, loves to travel, and is talented at photography and scrapbooking. Alice loved raising Becky and being a homemaker. She cooked and cleaned, and Aubrey drove her to the grocery store. “I only drove once,” she told us, “and it was straight into a woodpile!” Becky, who now lives in Rixeyville, Virginia, comes to visit every week or so. As Alice jokingly tells it: “She comes to see if I’m behaving or not.”
After spending his early life on the farm, Aubrey loved to travel. He and Alice explored the United States in their RV, traveling across the country and back. At home, he planted and tended a garden; Alice harvested and canned the produce. Her favorite food is sweet potatoes, which she thinks they probably grew. “If it had four legs or was in the garden,” Becky says, “they ate it.”
Alice and Aubrey moved to the Valley in 1989, when he retired from contracting. They were very involved in the Timberville Church of the Nazarene. He enjoyed antiques, and refinished them as a hobby. Alice laughs about his interest: “He got an antique when he got me!” She is also playful when asked about the most fun she had with her husband. “Fussing!” Jokes aside, Alice is sure to mention that Aubrey was a great husband, and that they didn’t actually fuss or fight.
After Aubrey’s passing, Alice lived for 3 more years in their home, continuing to attend church. After a stint at Heritage Green, she moved to Shenandoah Place, which she really likes. Here, she enjoys doing word searches and reading the Bible. Though she spent some time in the hospital last year, she is doing well and still goes out to church when she is able. In addition to Becky, Alice’s family includes two grandsons (one in Virginia, and the other in Maryland) and an 18-year old great-granddaughter. The family has a great tradition of getting a portrait taken every Christmas.
When we spoke with her in January, Alice was 92, but her birthday is this month. So, if you see our special resident around in February, please wish her a happy 93rd birthday.
Alice and her daughter, Becky
Thoughtful Care from our Friends at New Century Hospice
Christal Yowell from New Century Hospice
We’re fond of saying that Shenandoah Place feels like home for its residents. In part, that’s because of our compassionate staff, our comfortable rooms, and our community-building activities. But, we also benefit from the help of New Century Hospice, a great organization that is often on site. Their approach to care is built on five principles that we appreciate: comfort, dignity, compassion, integrity, and hope.
To improve the lives of our residents, the New Century Hospice staff treats them just as they would in-home hospice patients. Residents receive services such as spiritual counseling, medical social services, and speech and other therapies, as appropriate. Loved ones of our residents are also eligible for New Century’s assistance. They can work with hospice on everything from dietary concerns and medical equipment to support groups and counseling.
The company’s goal is to help residents and their loved ones “embrace each of life’s moments to their fullest.” Staff member Christal Yowell, who spoke with us for this newsletter, plans fun monthly activities that residents always enjoy. Another staffer, Suzanne, is known for her thought provoking conversations. New Century offers chaplain services, too. Our residents look forward to their cleric’s visits, which happen two Wednesdays each month.
The cost of most of New Century’s services is covered by the Medicare Hospice benefit. Private insurers may also cover some of their services. For more information about this important part of our community, please visit www.newcenturyhospice.com. We’re grateful for their compassionate presence.
Share your Talent with Shenandoah Place
When we talk with our amazing residents, we often hear stories about talented family members and friends. Do you have a special talent? If so, we’d love for you to come share it at Shenandoah Place.
Our residents enjoy entertainment of all kinds, and they’re a welcoming audience. Whether you can sing and dance, tell a good joke, or even strum a ukulele, we could use you here! Performances needn’t be formal or fancy.
Thanks for considering this “casting call,” We hope to hear your ideas soon, and are happy to offer suggestions and help you plan your visit.
You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of
Charles Lingg and Bernice Baker
November 2016
It's Move In Time at Shenandoah Terrace!
We’ve enjoyed updating you about the progress of our sister facility, Shenandoah Terrace. The Terrace is an innovative memory care community designed to optimize the comfort and safety of its residents. With amenities like a resident-adapted kitchen and a therapeutic sensory room, it offers state-of-the-art memory care right here in New Market.
After lots of hard work, we’re happy to announce that Shenandoah Terrace is now open. As you can see from these photos, the facility is complete and looking great! It has been a real pleasure to welcome residents, the most important part of our new community.
We thank you all for your support as we made our plan for Shenandoah Terrace a reality. For more information about the facility, visit www.shenterrace.com, or contact us directly. We’re excited to spread the word about all the Terrace has to offer.
Resident Spotlight: Tommy May
Tommy May is one of our newest Shenandoah Place residents, but his ties to the Valley Run deep. He was born in 1930 in Mount Crawford, and over the years, has lived in Pleasant Valley and Broadway. Around Harrisonburg, he is probably best known as the long-time owner of T&E Meat Market, which he ran for 35 years alongside his wife, Erma. Though Tommy and Erma sold the business in 2007, it remains a fixture in the local community.
Tommy’s involvement with agriculture began long before he opened T&E. As a young man, he worked on a farm just south of Harrisonburg in Pleasant Valley. He lived in an almshouse just across from the farm. Tommy laughs when he thinks back on that time, recalling how he was “an ugly boy”: a horse had broken some of his teeth by kicking him! Still, he met Erma, his wife of a remarkable 65 years, during his time in Pleasant Valley.
Erma lived and worked in the almshouse and initially resisted Tommy’s requests for a date.
“She said, “That’s the last man I would ever go with,’” he remembers! But, she eventually let him take her out in his 1936 Chevrolet. Not long after – “first thing I know,” Tommy says – the pair were married in Melrose Church, which is still active in Harrisonburg.
After the poorhouse closed, Tommy found work in a grocery store by the Harrisonburg courthouse earning $3.00 each week. He acknowledges that times were tough, but also remembers feeling rich with $2.00 or $3.00 in his pocket. Erma worked in a poultry plant. He saved every penny he could, and eventually was able to open his business.
In addition to their work, which included the Meat Market as well as Harrisonburg Wholesale Meats, Tommy and Erma kept busy raising a family. They are parents to three children, two boys and one girl. His daughter frequently visits, and a grandson works in a cabinetry shop in Broadway. Tommy and Erma also are members of the Linville Creek Church of the Brethren.
We enjoyed our talk with Tommy, and hope you’ll tell him hello if you see him at Shenandoah Place. If you’d like to know more about the business he and Erma founded, check out www.TEMeats.com. Their website includes an interesting description of the company’s history, as well as information about their current projects.
New Market News
The town of New Market does a great job of coordinating seasonal festivities. Just last month, local businesses welcomed costumed kids for Trick or Treat on Congress St. November saw the Fairway 5k Walk/Run, a new fundraiser for fitness trail equipment in the New Market Community Park. And, coming up in December, we’ll see the return of the ‘Tis the Season Holiday Celebration.
This year’s event will be held on December 3, and will offer a full day of fun! Beginning at 9 AM, Congress St. shops will host open houses. Many will have holiday deals, and some will feature special appearances by local artists. Other diversions include a farm celebration at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War and a book sale held by the New Market Library.
Evening fun kicks off at 5PM with the town parade. Head over to City Hall afterward for the annual tree lighting, where visitors can enjoy a choir performance and treats from hot chocolate to homemade cookies. Keep the kids busy with face-painting and a Santa visit. The Celebration concludes with a 7PM performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Rouss Center for the Arts.
We’re already looking forward to this excellent event. For more information about the day, visit
www.newmarketvirginia.com. Hope to see you there!
From the Market Place to Our Place - Fresh Local Produce
If you’ve visited New Market recently, you may have noticed that we have a new neighbor. In July, local farmer Bill Champion opened The Market Place just down the road from both Shenandoah Place and Shenandoah Terrace. We already enjoyed visiting Bill’s pick-your-own strawberry and pumpkin fields, and are excited to visit The Market Place to shop for local produce, much of which he grows himself. The store also sells jams, honey, crafts, and more.
Once a week, Bill packs up some of his goods for a special delivery to Shenandoah Place. Our residents place orders on Fridays, and by the following Tuesday, they have local food delivered to their doorsteps. As you can see below, string beans recently were a big hit!
Bill wasn’t always a farmer. In fact, he was a diesel mechanic for 25 years before he quit to open a mowing business and, eventually, his pick-your-own farm. While we’re sure he did good automotive work, we can’t say we’re sorry he switched careers! We’re grateful to our new neighbor and hope you’ll stop by The Market Place.
You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of
Glenn Skaggs, Martha Holsinger, and Barbara Keever
May 2016 Newsletter
Local New Market News
In terms of its population, New Market is undeniably a small town. Google estimates the number of local residents at 2,183, a figure that hasn’t changed much with time (about 1,500 people lived here in 1990). What New Market may lack in sheer population, though, it more than makes up for in community! We’ve told you before about the local summer concert series, our fantastic holiday celebrations, and the area’s wealth of historical sites. This month, we’d like to tell you about one more New Market institution that adds to the town’s character: The Schultz Theatre and School of Performing Arts.
Founded in 2010, the Schultz offers performances and instruction, training students in disciplines from playwriting to musical theater. This summer, the staff is offering summer camps and putting on several shows. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike begins its run in May, while Elvis has left the Building premieres in June. A musical adaptation of the Little Mermaid is on tap for July.
The Schultz is the perfect spot to take a break from the heat in New Market this summer. Even if you’re not a performance enthusiast, the building itself is worth a look. Begun in 1901 as a combination town hall and opera house, it was funded by Charles Broadway Rouss, a New Market native with a love of the arts. A 2006 restoration sought to return the building to its 1901 splendor.
For performance schedules and more information, check out www.SchultzTheatre.com. We hope to see you at show, soon!
Shenandoah Place News/Announcements
Our new memory care community, Shenandoah Terrace, is nearly complete! It is shaping up to be a beautiful facility, with lovely architecture, interior design, and landscaping. We look forward to welcoming residents to the Terrace in early June.
For more details about Shenandoah Terrace, or to access a residency application, please visit www.ShenTerrace.com or contact us directly.
We are happy to introduce two new Shenandoah Place residents: Phyllis and Geraldine (“Gerry”).
Resident Spotlight: Cornelia “Rich” Proctor
When “Rich” Proctor, one of our newest residents, speaks, you can hear the smile in every word she says. It doesn’t matter if the story she’s telling is uplifting or sad as can be; Rich delivers it graciously, and often with a gentle laugh. Though she claims to be “boring,” we respectfully disagree!
Rich was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and raised with her sister in the nearby small town of Louisburg. Her father was an attorney and judge, and her mother, a court reporter. She loved growing up near farms and having the freedom to roam and play as a child. Rich fondly remembers her “lovely” family and friends, and laughs when she describes the first school she attended. Mills High School was a consolidated school that educated elementary students downstairs and high school students upstairs. Her friends are surprised when she tells them that she began school at a high school!
Rich’s early interest in art led her to the Richmond Professional Institute, which is now Virginia Commonwealth University. She met her future husband, Sidney Fletcher Proctor, during her very first week on campus. “Fletcher,” as he was called, grew up in Durham, a mere 40 miles from Louisburg. He was the son of a civil engineer and a wonderful mother. He had served in the military and was attending RPI on the GI Bill. Although they had not previously met, their lives already had overlapped: Fletcher once visited Rich’s hometown church, and even sketched a picture of the choir she joined.
Rich and Fletcher quickly discovered that they “enjoyed all the same things,” from sketching to their college courses. Engaged during a Thanksgiving holiday, the couple caused her mother to “stand on her head” by planning a wedding for muddy, wintry February. But, as Rich recalls with a smile, it turned out to be a “beautiful day.” The Proctors honeymooned in Delmarva before settling in Arlington, VA.
Like Fletcher, Rich began working as a teacher. She left the job to stay home with the couple’s newborn daughter, and, later, their son. Occupied with childcare, the PTA and occasional substitute teaching, Rich also made lifelong friends in Arlington. The family lived there for over 25 years, exploring the shore and the mountains in their spare time. They fell in love with Harrisonburg during a garden tour of the Belmont neighborhood.
When Fletcher retired from teaching in 1986, he and Rich decided to move to Harrisonburg. They were disappointed when their first-choice home was purchased by someone else, but quickly found an even better option: a Belmont builder worked with Fletcher and Rich to design a custom home of their own. When he showed them prospective lots, the builder teased the couple about being from “Sin City,” since they locked their car doors at each stop!
The Proctors loved their new home in Harrisonburg, where they lived together until Fletcher’s passing in 2015. Their daughter, Carolyn, lives nearby and works at JMU, while their son, “Fletch,” has retired to the Philippines. A grandson is also there, and has a wife and children of his own in the country. Altogether, Rich is grandmother to four and great-grandmother to eight, with a ninth on the way! Many of her family members have lived and traveled abroad, including Fletcher’s brother, Harris, who was once introduced to Ghandi in India. She uses Skype to keep in touch with some of her family members.
Rich and Fletcher loved to travel, too. She calls their trips a big part of their “happy, happy life.” One especially memorable trip was a 40th anniversary gift from their daughter and her husband, who brought them for a visit to Alaska! They spent time in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and even took a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier, where they had a picnic lunch. Rich also recalls seeing the top of Denali, as well as moose eating in the sunlit August night. She finally saw the moon again on the flight home via Seattle.
Though their travels were usually smooth, Rich also remembers babysitting her granddaughters in California when the Northridge earthquake struck in 1994. The water jumped out of the family’s pool, but the house and family emerged unscathed. Other members of her family have also had harrowing adventures; a cousin and his pregnant wife were working in China when WWII began, and were held as prisoners of war for a year and a half! With their child, they finally were returned to the US in a prisoner exchange.
Rich feels fortunate as she looks back on her 86 years of life, though the recent passing of siblings and of Fletcher, after 63 years of marriage, has been difficult. She acknowledges her sadness, but is grateful for the support of her family and friends, who came from all over to honor Fletcher, and of neighbors who organized a beautiful family meal. The admiration in her voice is unmistakable: “I just can’t believe all they did.” Her experiences have given Rich poignant advice to share: Though “you just want things to stay…things don’t go forever. I tell everybody, enjoy every day. Make your happy memories.”
Activity Spotlight: Gardening with the FFA
The Valley is in bloom right now, and Shenandoah Place is no exception! Our sunroom is filled with light, and our porches are warm and inviting. This year, we have even more greenery than usual, thanks to the Broadway High School FFA.
The FFA, or Future Farmers of America, recently sent club members to Shenandoah Place. Their mission? To help our residents get their hands dirty in a new outdoor garden! With the assistance of several residents, the high school students built a new raised bed for growing vegetable plants. They also brought along a resident-adapted cart, which allows gardeners to sit or stand comfortably while working.
The FFA afternoon was a lot of fun for everyone. Residents enjoyed talking with the students, and reminiscing about some of their previous experiences with gardening. The best part, though, is that the project isn’t finished! As the plants grow and produce, residents can participate in the harvest and eat the “fruits” of their labor. We love our new addition to Shenandoah Place, and thank the Broadway High students for their kindness.
You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of
Mary “Kitty” Hayes
February 2016 Newsletter
Local New Market News
With the chill of February in our mountain air, this month is a perfect time to explore New Market’s great indoors. History buffs, especially, will find plenty of unique and interesting sites to visit in town. Many sites are tied to the Civil War, as the 1864 Battle of New Market occurred right here in the Shenandoah Valley.
One of the oldest and best historic sites is the Strayer House, built over two centuries ago in 1808. Located in the heart of New Market, it hosted Stonewall Jackson and other famous figures during the Civil War. The House features an Orientation Center with exhibits, activities, and helpful information. Friendly staff members are happy to direct visitors to other nearby historic sites, so it’s a great place to start exploring local history. The building also has a bookstore and souvenir area, and even an in-house café, Jackson’s Corner Café and Coffee House.
For a double-dose of history, head from the Strayer House to The Virginia Museum of the Civil War, also in New Market. The museum is a National Historic Landmark, and is filled with artifacts and dioramas. Its main focus is on the Battle of New Market, and the role of Virginia Military Institute cadets in that conflict. An included general store sells books and and unique regional products, and a screening area shows a short film.
For more information on both historic sites, as well as other options for indoor fun, check the town of New Market’s website, www.newmarketvirginia.com. Happy exploring!
Shenandoah Place News/Announcements
We are happy to welcome three new residents to Shenandoah Place: Charlie, Carol, and Cornelia “Rich.”
We also are pleased to share an update on the excellent progress of our new memory care community, Shenandoah Terrace. The building has really taken shape. Our roof is on, our windows are in, and construction is entering its final phases! Our anticipated opening date will be in late spring.
With the Terrace so close to completion, we are now accepting applications for residency. For more information or to submit an application, please visit our website, www.ShenTerrace.com.
Resident Spotlight: Ingrid Middleton
Ingrid Middleton, the subject of this issue’s “Resident Spotlight,” began her life far from New Market. Ingrid was born to a family of salesmen and shipping industry workers in Bremerhaven, Germany, a town on the North Sea coast. Though her father was an talented salesman – “he could have sold the Brooklyn Bridge,” Ingrid says – he eventually decided to try his hand at retail management, a decision that had a huge impact on Ingrid’s life. When she was 3 ½ years old, the family moved to New York City for her father to manage a Cushman’s Bakery Store.
Ingrid left Germany on December 26th, 1926 aboard a ship that took 10 days to reach the United States. Though she doesn’t remember the journey, her mother always recalled being proud of her excellent behavior onboard. Ingrid’s mother was seasick and kept to her cabin, so a ship steward escorted Ingrid to all of her meals. Her good table manners and independence – the steward needed only to cut her meat – made her mother grateful, especially because Ingrid’s father was already in New York.
For close to 80 years after her January 6, 1927 arrival, Ingrid called New York City home. Her only sibling, a sister, was born on Long Island a few years after the family’s immigration. She attended high school there, and learned English alongside her parents. As Ingrid recalls, students speaking English as their second language was common at the time, and she felt embraced by her school community. In fact, Ingrid met her first husband on her way to school; John Crist was driving the bus that took her there! She graduated and studied book keeping while they courted, working briefly for a builder who was uneducated and liked dictating to her so that he didn’t have to write.
When they met during the Depression, John was an “electronics man” and driver who loved to take photographs. He was 14 years Ingrid’s senior, but she loved his sense of humor and he liked to tease her about her somewhat short stature. Ingrid remembers one playful occasion when he complimented her multicolored skirt by saying, “I like that color,” and she asked him, “Which one?” The couple was engaged on Christmas in 1941 and married the
next summer, on June 14th at a Lutheran church in New Jersey.
During the early years of their marriage, Ingrid and John had children in quick succession. Their three girls were born over a two-year span, from Sept. 1943 to Nov. 1945. Their son, Rick, was a surprise, born over ten years later in 1956. Rick was still living at home when John unexpectedly died from a heart attack, his second, in 1971. At that time, John had just retired and the family was happily preparing to move from Hicksville – which was “far from it!” – a section of Long Island, to a house they purchased in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The night before they planned to leave, and just hours after a going-away party thrown by their neighbors, John passed away.
Though Ingrid has experienced loss in her life – a daughter passed away at 65, also from heart trouble, which took John and John’s sister, too – her story takes a funny turn after 1971. After John’s death, she married a man named Ralph Middleton, whom she met, as she likes to say, through their mutual mother-in-law! Ralph had been married to John’s late sister. Throughout their marriage, Ingrid always got a kick out of saying they “shared a mother-in-law” because of the surprised, confused reactions she received to it.
Ingrid shared these and other stories with us at Shenandoah Place, where she moved about 10 years ago. Her son and his family were in New Market, and, at 83, she felt it was time “to have a little assistance.” We’re happy to have Ingrid here, and hope you enjoyed her story.
Activity Spotlight: Card-Making with Marvel and Friends
We love having visitors at Shenandoah Place, whether they’re residents’ families, our SVA student workers, or community volunteers. Recently, we had a member of that last (though not at all least!) group stop in, when our friend Ms. Marvel volunteered to hold a greeting card workshop with interested residents. Along with her sister and a friend, Marvel – whose last name is pronounced like the comics, but is fondly called “Mar-velle” here – brought card-making supplies and a big smile to Shenandoah Place.
Marvel comes once a month to help residents make a seasonally-themed card. In January, she had four resident participants in her workshop, but the number varies. Marvel brings a sample card to show, then assists residents in making their own versions of it. We all got a laugh out of this month’s creation, which featured Frosty the Snowman’s “baby picture” – a snowflake! – on the front. Inside, it conveyed wishes for a great “freezin’ season” beneath a sweet snowman picture. The ladies talked and laughed as they made their cards.
The good spirits Marvel and her friends bring are contagious. We hope the pictures of this event bring a smile to your face, too!
SVA Student Work Program
One of the unique benefits of living at Shenandoah Place is interacting with kind, enthusiastic young people. Through our SVA Student Work Program, high school students from the nearby Shenandoah Valley Academy spend time each week assisting at our facility and enjoying time with residents. This year, 3 students are working at Shenandoah Place. Darnell Devadass and Lelani Staszak each work about 4 hours per week in their first year with the program, while Jedson Watson works about an hour per week in his third year.
By working at Shenandoah Place, each student offsets the cost of his or her attendance at SVA. However, all three students agree that the program’s benefits are not just financial. They like hearing the stories residents tell, receiving residents’ advice, and learning from the experiences of their elders. Jedson especially enjoys listening to residents’ stories. The same goes for Lelani, who recently spent time with Annie Snell, the focus of November’s “Resident Spotlight.”
Annie shared her life story and reminisced about her “American Hero” husband.
In addition to helping with cleaning tasks, the students assist with and participate in everything from Bingo to manicures. Darnell’s favorite Shenandoah Place activity is “Batter-Up,” a “hysterical” game in which residents use pool noodles to try and keep a beach ball aloft. We’re proud to offer this collaboration between young and old at Shenandoah Place, and grateful for the grant, administered by Seventh Day Adventist University, that funds it.
You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of
Sophie Miller, Berkley Rau, Louise Gochenour
November 2015 Newsletter
Local New Market News
Though it seems like we were just telling you about the New Market summer concert series – think lawn chairs, grilling, and warm evenings – the seasons certainly have changed here in town! With Fall underway and Winter just around the corner, we’re now looking forward to celebrating the holidays in New Market.
One of the highlights of Christmastime here is the annual Tis the Season Holiday Celebration. Held on December 5, 2015, the event is great for visitors, families, and anyone looking for some festive cheer! In previous years, the Holiday Celebration has included great sales at local shops, a fun parade, and a tree-lighting ceremony at Town Hall.
For updates on this year’s plans as they’re announced, you can check www.newmarketvirginia.com, or follow the Town of New Market on Facebook. We hope you can make it out for what promises to be a wonderful community celebration.
Shenandoah Place News/Announcements
We are happy to welcome three new residents to Shenandoah Place: Jean, Mary, and Berkley.
Our owners and staff also are excited to witness the progress at our sister facility, Shenandoah Terrace, which is also located in New Market. As a specialized memory care community, our new facility will include a state-of-the-art multisensory-stimulation area for residents, as well as a patient-adapted kitchen. For more information or status updates, please visit www.shenterrace.com.
When you visit elderly loved ones this Thanksgiving, consider asking them to share stories about their generation. The website StoryCorps has great suggestions for starting the conversation, and even accepts recordings as part of their “Great Thanksgiving Listen!”
As Christmas and New Years approach, we wish you a blessed holiday. We hope your heart and home will be filled with all the joys of the season.
Resident Spotlight: Annie Snell
In our last newsletter, we introduced you to the wonderful
Anna Hildreth, who was born just five miles from New Market. At her suggestion, we’re featuring a resident from much further away, this time: Annie Snell was born and raised in Warrington, England, in the Northwestern county of Lancashire. With her Irish mother and Scottish father, she also spent a lot of time in Dublin, Ireland, where she especially enjoyed the historic
St. Stephen’s Green, a popular city park.
As a young woman in England, Annie found herself in an unusual situation: she simultaneously was engaged to two men, both of whom were named Jack! Juggling her fiancés was challenging, and became particularly difficult when she was hospitalized with appendicitis. During visiting hours, helpful nurses let her know whether blonde Jack or brunette Jack was on his way
so that she could put on the appropriate engagement ring. In another twist, Annie did not marry either of the Jacks. Instead, she fell head over heels for Stanley “Red” Snell, a red-haired American soldier stationed in Warrington.
Annie and Stanley met at a pub in town. He asked to walk her home that evening, and asked to marry her soon after; they wed within a couple of months of meeting. Her father approved of the match, as Stanley would bring donuts and firewood to the family home. Annie calls Stanley, who passed away at age 50, her “American Sweetheart” and “American Hero,” and fondly describes how they were “sweethearts until the day he died” of a hereditary lung issue.
After the war, Annie and Stanley sailed for the United States, where they settled in Fort Myers, Florida. Though she was sad to leave her family behind – the last time Annie saw her father was from the ship’s deck, where she waved goodbye to the sound of Auld Lang Syne – and surprised by Florida’s heat, Annie loved sharing her new life with Stanley. Her kind sister-in-law took her shopping for shorts, clothing so unfamiliar to Annie that she didn’t know whether to put on underwear with, or not (for the record: she wore them just in case)!
Local women were also friendly, and considered Annie something of a celebrity. As the first “war bride” in Fort Myers, she was the recipient of plenty of parties and wedding showers. The word “shower” led to some confusion for Annie, though, who was left in tears once after other women offered to give her one. Fortunately, Stanley was able to explain that they wanted to celebrate her, not bathe a “dirty” foreigner!
Annie enjoyed caring for her home, gardening, and playing bridge while Stanley worked as a district manager for Borden’s Dairy. She suffered two miscarriages, but went on to raise two sons. Annie was also able to spend some time with her mother, who considered moving to the United States after her own husband’s passing. Annie and her sister had both married American soldiers and settled in the country, but their mother ultimately decided that she was too old to relocate. When Stanley became sick, Annie cared for him in their home with the help of Hope Hospice, whose services she greatly appreciated. They helped her through a difficult period in her life.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Annie’s interesting life! We love having her here at
Shenandoah Place, and are glad we could share her story.
Activity Spotlight: Book Club
If you happen to pass the Shenandoah Place sunroom on a Monday morning, chances are good that you’ll hear lots of laughter. At 10 o’clock we hold our weekly book club meetings, a favorite of many residents. Our wonderful Melissa reads aloud for an hour, covering 6 or 7 chapters of crowd-pleasing novels.
The club kicked things off with The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion, by Fannie Flagg. Like Flagg’s popular Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, the novel is a comic mystery with fun, interesting characters. It follows its main character, Sookie, from modern-day Alabama on a journey back through time to the 1940’s.
Our first Flagg novel was such a hit that we used another of her books for our second club pick! In Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven, we’re reading about Elner Shimfissle and her adventures discovering “What is life all about, anyway?” Can’t Wait is full of southern humor, which our listeners have enjoyed. Between the sunlight and the laughter, our book club really brightens Monday mornings in New Market!
Our House Physician: Dr. Nance Lovelace
At Shenandoah Place, we work as a team to provide excellent care for our residents. This month, we’d like to help you get to know an important member of our team: Dr. Nance Lovelace, our house physician. Dr. Lovelace came to New Market by way of southwestern Virginia, where she previously had a medical practice. She was drawn to our community, she recalls, while “looking for a place that felt comfortable and inviting, where I could practice for the rest of my professional career.” Dr. Lovelace’s favorite thing about the Valley is its “warm and friendly” people, who “welcome you as if you were family who moved away and now came back.”
For the past two years, Dr. Lovelace has made monthly visits to Shenandoah Place, where she loves working with the residents. She enjoys “seeing their smiles,” and knowing that she “can contribute a small part in keeping them healthy, happy, and as independent as their health allows.” When she’s not working, Dr. Lovelace enjoys working in and around her home, which she shares with her mother. She also likes small woodworking projects, decorating her home and office for the holidays, and the company of herthree little dogs. We’re lucky to have such a caring and professional woman on our Shenandoah Place team.
You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart.
In Memory of Bill Swing and Corinne Slack
August Newsletter
Local New Market News
From a community park to a museum and farmer’s market, New Market boasts plenty of exciting places to check out in the summer months. This year, though, the town is beginning a brand new tradition. The Summer Music Series: Cross Roads Fest, wh ich runs from June through to September, will bring four live music acts to New Market! With one performance each month, the new fesitval will be a great way to spend a summer evening in town.
Each Cross Roads performance is held at Rebel Park, home to the local New Market Rebels baseball team. Admission is free, and local food and drink vendors will be on site during the concerts. The festival organizers suggest bringing a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the music, food, and drink.
At the June concert, just a few weeks ago, Wild Oatz BBQ served up hand-pulled BBQ and cucumber salad, while the New Market Rotary offered bratwurst and hot dogs with grilled peppers and onions.As if that doesn’t sound tempting enough, the event also featured a wine and beer garden.
Maryland-based bluegrass band Martin Brothers & Aspen Run played the June show, and the rest of the summer lineup is just as promising. For the full calendar and list of musicians,
visit www.NewMarketVirginia.com. You can also look them up on Facebook. Here’s to summer in our beautiful town!
Summer is off to a great start at Shenandoah Place...
We’re pleased to announce that our new sister facility, Shenandoah Terrace, officially is under construction. Also in New Market, Shenandoah Terrace
is a specialized memory care community.
It will emphasize the psychosocial and physical well-being of residents in a safe environment that feels like home. With innovative features such as a sensory room and patient-adapted kitchen,
Shenandoah Terrace has been designed with comfort and safety in mind. For more information on the new community, as well as construction updates, please check out www.shenterrace.com.
Resident Spotlight: Anna Hildreth
When Anna Moore Hildreth decided to move to Shenandoah Place two years ago, she didn’t have far to go. In 1923, Anna was born just five miles south of New Market, and, except for two years in Washington, D.C., she has lived nearby ever since. But her family’s history in the community goes back even farther than that: for years, Anna lived with her late husband, Arthur Hildreth, in a New Market home her family built in 1876! Anna and Arthur met at the local Lutheran Church, and made a life together in town. They were married for 42 years, until he passed away. Arthur was the vice president of Valley Virginia Milk Producers until it was sold to Shenandoah’s Pride in the early 1980’s, and he also served terms on the town council and as Vice Mayor of New Market. For her part, Anna cared for their daughter, Cathy, and worked as a substitute teacher of typing and short hand. She also maintained a beautiful rose garden, and enjoyed playing bridge with friends. Some of her favorite times were when she traveled far and wide with Arthur, who frequently attended conferences. Together, the couple visited Europe twice, Mexico, Canada, and Hawaii, among other places. She’s seen the world, but Anna cares deeply for New Market: recently, she gave back to the community by donating land for the wonderful, volunteer-run New Market library. She is proud of the how the land is being used.
Anna got to know Shenandoah Place by visiting Cathy, who has lived here for five years. When a room opened up across the hall from her daughter, she decided to become a resident, too. Anna likes being close to Cathy, and has enjoyed making new friends as well as spending time with some of her high school classmates who also have lived here. She thinks Shenandoah Place is a “really nice place to get old,” largely because of its “compassionate staff.” She also likes the popular Bingo games here, and thinks Melissa, our activities director, is “the best thing since sliced bread.” Anna has a good time out and about, too; she recently renewed her driver’s license through her 98th birthday. Though she doesn’t drive often anymore, Anna does visit the same hairdresser she has used for 50 years, and also takes herself and Cathy to occasional doctor’s appointments.
As a long-time resident of New Market, Anna has seen many changes to the town. She recalls when local students attended a grade school and high school in town instead of county schools, and says New Market’s population has become much more diverse. One constant has been the Shenandoah Valley Academy, here since 1908. Despite her exciting life, Anna has remained humble about her experiences: during our interview, she told me stories of other residents whom she thought would be more interesting to talk to. We very much enjoyed our conversation with Anna, and look forward to taking one of her suggestions when we feature another resident in our next newsletter.
Activity Spotlight: Bingo
Bingo may be a well known game, but you don’t truly know Bingo until you’ve played at Shenandoah Place! We take our square-filling seriously here, and the games are easily one of our most popular community events. Bingo is scheduled every Thursday afternoon for 2:30 on the dot. We play for an hour, and fit in as many games as possible during that time. Since our residents are so enthusiastic and focused, we usually can play quite a few! No one wants to waste time and miss their chances to win. Players can win multiple times in the same afternoon.For every “Bingo!” the winner gets a chip to trade in for fun prizes. On a table filled to the brim with choices, we offer candy, toiletries, and all kinds of goodies in between.
Below, you’ll notice a few pictures of a recent Thursday afternoon game. Our dedicated activities director, Melissa, spun the cage of Bingo balls and called the letters and numbers. Residents carefully followed along to fill out their boards, and many of them were pleased to win a game or two. We conducted this month’s resident spotlight interview during Bingo, and doing so provided a great example of how seriously the game is taken at Shenandoah Place. Our conversation with Anna Hildreth led to some good-natured “shushing” and requests to quiet our chatter. We did our best to comply with the residents’ wishes: if you saw all the fun our players have, you wouldn’t want to get in the way of it, either!
