Lewis Carroll caught the spirit of the day. The Jabberwock – better known at Kendal at Granville as the past two years of Phase II construction – has been overcome. The challenge has been met. It was time to celebrate the triumph.
And celebrate is what we did. The big event, held this morning, was formally titled the "Phase II Dedication & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony." But it was more than that. In attendance were not only the current residents and soon-to-be residents, but also representatives of some of the various groups and bodies that had helped us in various ways as we moved through the whole planning and construction process: our bankers, our architects, our designers, our friends in the Granville government and community, our friends in the media. The brand new Amelia Gathering Room, our meeting place, was on its inaugural voyage, and it was filled for the occasion! And (to continue the metaphor), as conversation after conversation testified, we were quite consciously embarking on a new era in the great adventure that is Kendal.
The ceremony was brisk, as four speakers provided brief opening remarks. Doug Helman, the executive director, greeted everyone with words of thanks to all the people who had contributed to the success of the project. Dr. Tom Mills, president of the board of Kendal at Granville, spoke of his pleasure to see the board's vision finally fulfilled. Ashley Wade, director of marketing, celebrated the diversity of interests that our residents, with their rich range of life experiences, were bringing to the community. (As a footnote, it may be added that she wept with joy – really, truly! – and in doing so caught the spirit of many in the audience.) Finally, John Diffey, president and CEO of Kendal corporation, in congratulating everyone, reminded the audience that the Kendal project was an affirmation of a set of humane values grounded in caring and generosity.
This series of short remarks was followed by a series of dedications, with attention given to the generosity of several anonymous donors. Future generations will see testimonies to these acts of generosity in the memorial plaques to be placed in the Amelia Gathering Room and the Florence Wellness Center respectively. Then David Skeen, president of the Kendal at Granville Residents Association, presented a check for $27,000 to Doug Helman as a gift from the association to help meet the costs of the A/V equipment that will enhance the usefulness of the Amelia Garthrering Room.
Finally came a ceremonial ribbon cutting. With David Skeen holding the scissors and residents from all areas of Kendal life holding the ribbon, the new facility was formally dedicated and opened. Applause filled the room.
The post-dedication activities that were on offer included tours of the new health center, tours of the new apartments, and a luncheon buffet. As the assembled guests moved into the hallways and lobbies, it was a time for chatting, for questions, for comments, and for congratulations. I suspect that many of the conversations turned in one way or another on the symbolism of day: for happy events portend happy futures. Kendal is entering a new era. Callooh! Callay!, indeed.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Reflections on Life at Kendal
This afternoon I want to share a personal reflection on how I feel about life at Kendal after moving here as a Founder with the first residents to settle in back in 2005 and an observation made by a resident who has only been here since early in 2012.
Last week our Resident Association Council changed the format of their monthly meeting into an open forum to which all residents were invited to come and share their concerns about life at Kendal. As the president opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. he asked those present to feel free to share whatever was on their mind about Kendal be it good or not so good. One of the very first comments came from a resident who moved here early in 2012. This person is someone whose experience here includes using an electric wheelchair and oxygen 24/7 so he has to deal with issues that many of us do not. This is what he had to say, "I'm concerned that we might not be able to get to dinner if we bring up all of what's good." Considering that our dinner hour is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.one would have to agree that this is a very positive reaction to life at Kendal.
To better appreicate my reflection on how I feel about my life now at Kendal I believe it will be helpful to share a little about my life before and after coming here eight years ago. I lived in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and made several trips a year driving alone to visit my son and a steoson and their families in Ohio. Having grown up in northwest Ohio and with family in Ohio I determined that I wanted to find a CCRC in Ohio. As a former teacher of geriatric nursing and living in Philadelphia I knew about Kendal so when I learned about a new Kendal being built in Granville I applied and the rest is history.
After my retirement as a director of a school of nursing I became an active hospital auxilian so naturally when I arrived here I looked for something worthwhile to fill my time. I joined a local church and got involved in several small groups there. Here at Kendal my activities include serving on the Pool Committee, the Gallery Committee, and the Diversity Committee. As a member of the Fiber Arts Group I have been responsible for three shows of Fiber Arts works in the Kendal Art Gallery. Recently I've begun taking part in our Genealogy Group.
Aong the way a number of things have resulted in changes to the way I live my life. I've had seven surgeries which have exposed me to three community hospitals as well as one brief stay in our assisted living unit and a one month stay in our skilled nursing unit. I have been the beneficiary of a variety of services from our physical therapy department.. I now walk with the assistance of a rollator and I no longer drive. Reluctantly I've had to drop out of my church activities since I no longer drive. As a result I now take advantage of the Sunday afternoon services held here in our Central Activities Room.
Last week as I was talking with a staff member who was helping me to arrange for one of my transportation needs and fulfill a maintenance request I commented to her about my life here at Kendal as follows, "With the housekeeping staff to keep my apartment clean, the maintenance staff to respond to my calls for help when something doesn't work, the dining staff to provide me with nourishing meals, and a set of drivers to take me to medical appointments and shopping living at Kendal is the nearest thing to heaven on earth that I can ask for." Looking back I realize that I overlooked mentioning the healthcare staff who have helped me recover when necessary and who help me keep well so that in spite of the problems I have to overcome I still feel positive about life and look forward to many more years here.
Last week our Resident Association Council changed the format of their monthly meeting into an open forum to which all residents were invited to come and share their concerns about life at Kendal. As the president opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. he asked those present to feel free to share whatever was on their mind about Kendal be it good or not so good. One of the very first comments came from a resident who moved here early in 2012. This person is someone whose experience here includes using an electric wheelchair and oxygen 24/7 so he has to deal with issues that many of us do not. This is what he had to say, "I'm concerned that we might not be able to get to dinner if we bring up all of what's good." Considering that our dinner hour is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.one would have to agree that this is a very positive reaction to life at Kendal.
To better appreicate my reflection on how I feel about my life now at Kendal I believe it will be helpful to share a little about my life before and after coming here eight years ago. I lived in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and made several trips a year driving alone to visit my son and a steoson and their families in Ohio. Having grown up in northwest Ohio and with family in Ohio I determined that I wanted to find a CCRC in Ohio. As a former teacher of geriatric nursing and living in Philadelphia I knew about Kendal so when I learned about a new Kendal being built in Granville I applied and the rest is history.
After my retirement as a director of a school of nursing I became an active hospital auxilian so naturally when I arrived here I looked for something worthwhile to fill my time. I joined a local church and got involved in several small groups there. Here at Kendal my activities include serving on the Pool Committee, the Gallery Committee, and the Diversity Committee. As a member of the Fiber Arts Group I have been responsible for three shows of Fiber Arts works in the Kendal Art Gallery. Recently I've begun taking part in our Genealogy Group.
Aong the way a number of things have resulted in changes to the way I live my life. I've had seven surgeries which have exposed me to three community hospitals as well as one brief stay in our assisted living unit and a one month stay in our skilled nursing unit. I have been the beneficiary of a variety of services from our physical therapy department.. I now walk with the assistance of a rollator and I no longer drive. Reluctantly I've had to drop out of my church activities since I no longer drive. As a result I now take advantage of the Sunday afternoon services held here in our Central Activities Room.
Last week as I was talking with a staff member who was helping me to arrange for one of my transportation needs and fulfill a maintenance request I commented to her about my life here at Kendal as follows, "With the housekeeping staff to keep my apartment clean, the maintenance staff to respond to my calls for help when something doesn't work, the dining staff to provide me with nourishing meals, and a set of drivers to take me to medical appointments and shopping living at Kendal is the nearest thing to heaven on earth that I can ask for." Looking back I realize that I overlooked mentioning the healthcare staff who have helped me recover when necessary and who help me keep well so that in spite of the problems I have to overcome I still feel positive about life and look forward to many more years here.
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