Press Room
30 seconds of fame
December 8th, 2011
Country Meadow Village residents star in hospital TV ads
Published in Sedro-Woolley Courier-Times
SEDRO-WOOLLEY-The entertainment world was abuzz several weeks ago, when Country Meadow Village hosted a world premiere screen event. Four of the actors attended.
Two new television commercials for United General Hospital, airing locally on cable TV and in some movie theaters, were shown Oct. 25 at the retirement community. The four actors were Country Meadow residents Maria Wood, Pinky Holcomb, Bob Benham and Al Schleef.
The actors posed as patients in different hospital settings and received applause and a special thank-you from the hospital, United General spokeswoman Val Stafford said in an email.
Forty friends and family members gathered to honor the celebrities, watch the commercials and enjoy refreshments, Stafford said.
The spots are playing at the Cascade Mall theaters in Burlington and the Concrete Theatre. The 30-second ads can be viewed on the hospital’s website, www.unitedgeneral.org.
Pictured: United General Hospital CEO Greg Reed, left, poses with four Country Meadow Village residents who had parts in two television commercials for the hospital. The residents are, from left, Maria Wood, Pinky Holcomb, Bob Benham and AL Schleef.
Seniors help environment at national park
October 26th, 2011
Sedro-Woolley Courier Times
Courier-Times staff
National parks are important to residents at Country Meadow Village, a retirement community in Sedro-Woolley.
A group of them recently traveled to the ranger station post of the North Cascades National Park in Marblemount to plant seeds and wetland grasses that will aid erosion control in the park. This is the third year the group has traveled to volunteer their time and energy at the park.
Park Volunteer Coordinator Cheryl Cunningham appreciates their annual visit.
“The contribution they make in our attempt to handle erosion control is significant,” Cunningham said. “I tell the interns that if they think they are going to have an easy day with this group, then think again because the crew from Country Meadow Village is one of our most productive sets of volunteers.”
Cunningham said in two years the seedlings from the seeds the residents planted will be transplanted into the area where they were gathered. The wetland grasses will be transplanted next spring.
David Bricka, program director at Country Meadow Village, said the long-term partnership between the residents and the park has been mutualluy beneficial and is in keeping with the company’s “Bring Retirement to Life” philosophy.
“It is a way for us to make a difference in sustaining our world locally by volunteering,” Bricka said.
“It’s a great opportunity to see firsthand one of the most beautiful places on Earth.”
Pictured: Seniors from Country Meadow Village pose for a photo during their visit to the North Cascades National Park ranger station in Marblemount. Back row, from left: Bob Benham, Nate Vandenberg, Jim Hicks and David Sexton. Front row: Sadie Linn, Program Director David Bricka, Juanita Hinson, Janet Monk and park intern David (no last name given).
Country Meadow Village commits to Food for Kids in S-W
October 12th, 2011
Summer lemonade stand contributes to cause
Sedro-Woolley Courier Times
Courier-Times staff
SEDRO-WOOLLEY – Who said lemonade stands were just for kids?
The retirement community Country Meadow Village, 1501 Collins Road, set up a lemonade stand in late August to raise money for the Food for Kids program run by the Sedro-Woolley School District.
“Residents and staff at Country Meadow Village thought it would be a good idea to have a lemonade stand on a hot summer day to help raise funds for the Food for Kids program,” Country Meadow Program Director David Bricka said. “We had balloons set up along the road, along with great lemonade and homemade cookies for passers-by. We got the word out using social media, and raised almost $60 for the cause.”
While $60 may not sound like a lot, Country Meadow has raised more than $1,000 since it started working with Food for Kids in July.
Food for Kids is a pilot program started in the spring at Evergreen Elementary School. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches can bring home a backpack full of food on Fridays, “with the hopes that the students will come back to school on Monday ready to learn,” social worker and Sedro-Woolley School District counselor Melissa Arnone said.
Country Meadow focuses on one charity at a time, sometimes choosing an international organization, other times working locally. Executive Director Tracy Willis said residents have participated in the current fundraising effort with enthusiasm.
“Our residents are so thrilled with it and happy that we were able to make a local connection,” she said. “They love that it’s Sedro-Woolley, and it’s directly benefiting kids.”
Pictured: Scott Sutton enjoys lemonade in late August with Country Meadow Village Executive Director Tracy Willis at the retirement community’s fundraising lemonade stand.
100 attend first senior picnic
October 4th, 2011
For grandparents’ appreciation
By Lynne Lynch
Columbia Basin Herald
MOSES LAKE-Moses Lake retirement communities and the Moses Lake Senior Center joined together to host possibly the first senior picnic to honor grandparents here.
The event attracted more than 100 people to Moses Lake’s McCosh Park Friday, said Jeanne O’Brien, of Pioneer Village, a Moses Lake independent living facility.
The goal of the event was to celebrate grandparents, she explained.
“We all pulled it together,” O’Brien said. “It was a wonderful event.”
She previously met with some employees from The Monroe House, Moses Lake Senior Center, Hearthstone and Summerwood about celebrating grandparents with the picnic.
Pepsi, Carver Family Funeral Home, Pioneer Village, Moses Lake Rental, and the Moses Lake Senior Center either assisted with the event or donated items.
Activities included raffles, a water balloon fight, croquet and music. Gift baskets were also offered.
Attendees included seniors, their children and caregivers.
“We plan on continuing this for seniors in Moses Lake,” O’Brien said. “It’s a start for a wonderful event.”
Photo courtesy of Jeanne O’Brien
Park View Villas voted “Best Assisted Living” four years in a row!
September 8th, 2011
A big congratulations to Park View Villas for winning Best Assisted Living in the “Best of the Peninsula” contest for the fourth year in a row; what a great honor!
Pictured: Park View Villas staff photographed for Peninsula Daily News
Retirement village residents help pet adoption service
August 8th, 2011
S.P.O.T. volunteer Robyn Miller (from left) and Country Meadow Village residents Sadie Linn, Melvin Federlein, Dave Sexton, Bob Benham and Roger Lafleur spent a Saturday morning earlier this summer compiling adoption packets for Saving Pets One at a Time, an all-volunteer pet adoption service. Miller's recently adopted dog, Frank, snuggles in her pouch.
Skagit Valley Herald staff
goskagit.com
Volunteers are the backbone of the local Saving Pets One at a Time, a pet adoption service that provides an alternative method of caring for adoptable companion animals.
A group of volunteers, residents and family members from Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Woolley, spent a Saturday morning earlier this summer helping long-time S.P.O.T. volunteer Robyn Miller compile adoption packets for the group.
Miller brought Frank, a S.P.O.T. dog rescued from the puppy mill discovered in Big Lake a couple years ago.
Miller said volunteers are essential for the organization to continue its work and the group from Country Meadow Village helped a great deal.
“The type of administrative work they did is so time consuming and cuts into actual time with the animals,” she said, after the task was completed. “We really appreciate the hard work.”
S.P.O.T. does not have a central care facility for its animals and relies on private foster homes to provide safe haven for pets until a proper home is found, according to information at its website, SavingPetsOneataTime.org. Each pet receives daily one-on-one care and attention to training and socialization skills while in foster care.
Regular S.P.O.T. adoption and outreach are offered on weekends at pet stores in Mount Vernon and Burlington. And volunteer activities like the work party at Country Meadow Village provide S.P.O.T. supporters a chance to show off their adopted pets. Village program director David Bricka brought his S.P.O.T. dog, Buddy, a rat terrier who loves to burrow or sleep all day, to inspire volunteers.
Village resident and volunteer David Sexton was convinced.
“I like Buddy, and I hope (Bricka) brings him back again soon for a visit,” he said. “S.P.O.T. does a great job for the Skagit Valley.”
For more information about S.P.O.T., call (360) 336-5388.
Channel Point Village offers transportation for Port of Grays Harbor tours
August 1st, 2011Port of Grays Harbor celebrates 100 years
By Marisa Chatt
The Vidette
The Port of Grays Harbor is celebrating 100 years, and recently hosted tours of its three Aberdeen terminals. The tours were led by Betsy Seidel, a retired Hoquiam teacher of 31 years, Thursday, July 14, with transportation provided by Channel Point Village.
In addition to its centennial, the port is highlighting its success, as well as future plans for expansion and improvement.
The port was first established by Frank Lamb in 1911, who lobbied legislature to create the port act for public access. While Seattle was the first port created in the state, the Port of Grays Harbor was second. Lamb went on to be the longest-running commissioner for 41 years. Years later, his granddaughter would become the port’s first female commissioner in 1998.
The channel to the port is dredged 45 feet down each year by the Army Corp of Engineers, to allow the passage of deep-water ships. The dredged material is then used to fill in the former site of the port, located just off of the main channel.
The port currently has four terminals — Terminal 3 is located in Hoquiam. Additionally, the port also owns Commerce Park (which houses businesses such as Home Depot), Westport Marina, two viewing towers and Bowerman Basin.
Today, there are 74 ports in Washington State — the state with the most ports in the country. And while the port was once the leading export port for U.S. grown timber, it is now the leading export of American-grown soybean meal, and the number one seafood landing point in Washington state, the Port’s website states. Port officials also say that the Port of Grays Harbor is Washington’s only deep water port on the Pacific Coast.
Ag Processing Inc., located at Terminal 2, is the world’s largest cooperative soybean processing company in the world. It is comprised of 250,000 Midwest farmers. Seidel says plans are in the works to build two additional 280-foot silos (the current ones are 140 feet tall), tripling the amount of soybean output.
Other businesses that are housed at the port’s Aberdeen terminals include Longbeach Shavings, which packages wood shavings used for horse racing stalls and pet cages.
PanelTech is a “green” company that makes counter tops and siding from sawdust and resin. Additionally, they make a bulletproof board used in the bottom of military vehicles currently being used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Imperium Grays Harbor, a biodiesel plant, has nine large tanks which hold 2 million gallons each, and imports methanol,while exporting biodiesel. The company uses both rail and ship transportation.
Dahlstrom exports logs to China and Korea, some of it de-barked, and Willis Enterprises sends a barge of chips a week out of the Harbor. Additionally, Decorum sends debarked logs to China.
Pasha Group, one of the port’s newest tenants, exports vehicles (sent in from Detroit) to post-tsunami Japan. It also imports rental cars from Enterprise in Hawaii that have been retired after 30,000 miles to ship by rail to other states for sale.
The port was recently used by Cosmo Specialty Fiber to export its first shipment of pulp. The ship Gearbulk left itsport for China just as the first tour of the day was making its rounds around the terminals.
The port is adding 36,000 feet of rail to accommodate the growing need for more access to rail cars used by multiple rail companies.
Last year the port announced exports had increased 85 percent, posting record year of dry bulk and automobile exports that brought in more than 100 vessels. Just five years prior, the port saw a total of only 19 vessels for the year, officials said. “As we begin celebrating our 100th year as a port district, increasing export cargo handling and creating local jobs are priorities we will continue to focus on,” Port Commission President Jack Thompson said. “As our partners continue to invest in our facilities, we will focus our investments on public infrastructure that strengthens their competitive global position, therefore strengthening our community and country.”
For those who missed the tour, there’s another opportunity Tuesday, Aug. 23. Four separate tour times of 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30p.m. require reservations. Space is limited, call the port at (360) 533-9528 for more information or to reserve a seat.
High Point Village proud Bronze Sponsor of 2011 Duck Drop Fundraiser
April 27th, 2011
Every year thousands of rubber ducks are released into the Green River at Flaming Geyser State Park for the annual Duck Race, co-sponsored by the Enumclaw Regional Healthcare Foundation and the Enumclaw Rotary. This year, at the 21st Annual Duck Drop, the ducks will be dropped from a hot air balloon to hit a target located behind the Enumclaw Library during the finale of the Enumclaw Street Fair on Saturday, July 23.
Hey! They’re not messing around
April 17th, 2011
Program director David Bricka referees a game of flyswatter volleyball at Country Meadow Village. Aiming for the balloon is Bob Benham.
Flyswatter volleyball is not merely a recreational activity at the Country Meadow Village retirement home in Sedro-Woolley. Far from it.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Story by Vince Richardson, Photos by Frank Varga
Skagit Valley Herald
SEDRO-WOOLLEY-It was a game with plenty at stake-bragging rights for a pair of competitive avians, the Falcons and the Meadowlarks.
Bragging rights are big at Country Meadow Village. When the two squads took to the carpeted court inside the retirement community and sat down for the first of three high-stakes games of flyswatter volleyball, all bets were off.
How serious is this series? Well, the Falcons, coached by Janet Monk, donned black headbands and instituted a “take-no-prisoners” style of play. The Meadowlarks, under the direction of Carl “Bob” Faulconer, chose a more laid-back approach in an apparent attempt to lull the Falcons into a false sense of security.
“These types of activities keep things interesting,” Faulconer said.
The rules were read. Bright, yellow flyswatters were handed out. Then a balloon was served by way of said flyswatter, up and over the net.
Game on.
“That’s the tool of the trade,” Country Meadow Village Program Director David Bricka said of the plastic flyswatters. “And of course, we have a water station complete with premium H2O. This group is going to work up a thirst.”
Once the balloon went up, the trash-talking came to a stop momentarily as members of both squads narrowed their eyes to focus on the floating object. Both teams were rallied on by a boisterous, sitting-room-only crowd.
Pinky Holcomb was supposed to be suited up for the Falcons. Instead, following doctor’s orders, she was on the sidelines, though cheering through a small megaphone.
“My doctor just put me on some antibiotic and said I couldn’t play,” she said. “Well, I can certainly cheer. I hope to be able to play in the next game.
“It’s amazing. There’s still life in those old bones. This is so much fun. It all comes down to attitude at this age. That is so important.”
This was the second time the two teams had clashed on the carpeted confines.
“They played an exhibition game earlier,” said Bricka, who served as a referee. “Now it’s time to get down to business. They have really been looking forward to it.”
Bricka explained the history of this rather unique sport.
“They have been doing this here for about 10 years. It went on hiatus for several years. Then Janet, coach of the Falcons, she brought it back and gave it a real shot in the arm. It was reborn a couple of years ago and has been going strong every since.”
Jolane Stave returns the balloon during a game of flyswatter volleyball. Stave's team, the Falcons, wore black headbands and had a take-no-prisoners approach to the game.
Each team has more than six players on its roster, since the injured reserve as well as the disabled and unable-to-perform lists can get a bit lengthy. The average age of the players is about 85 years old.
The rules are much like those in regular volleyball except players must remain seated.
The net stands 5 feet off the floor. Players rotate serve among two rows of three players.
The serving team scores a point if the balloon hits the opponent’s floor. Games are to 11 or one hour, whichever comes first.
“There was actually some controversy in the exhibition game,” Bricka said. “We looked seriously at instituting instant replay.”
Game strategy, including subs and where players sit, is left to team captains. Both are flyswatter volleyball veterans.
“We held practices, and that made a big difference,” Monk said. “Honestly, this gives you quite a workout.”
Getting a workout is what really matters, for those on a team and in the crowd.
“This is all about having fun and staying active,” said Tracy Willis, Country Meadow Village executive director. “This is really a very active group. They do a lot.”
Added Bricka, “We want people to keep moving and of course have fun. That’s what this is all about. Our mantra is ‘bringing retirement to life.’ And this group certainly does that.”
And what did Monk think about the opposition’s coach?
“Carl is a big man,” she said. “When he sits down, he’s even with the net. It’s sort of like David and Goliath.”
The first rally showed just how fierce the competition can be. A Falcon made a play for the balloon, stretched a bit too far and nearly fell out of his motorized wheelchair. He managed to make a frantic play for the balloon but came up empty. That bit of excitement didn’t hinder the Falcon’s efforts, as they stormed out to a 6-0 lead.
“It’s a tricky game,” Monk said. “You have to play the downdrafts and the wind currents. This game isn’t for rookies.”
Flyswatter volleyball has enjoyed a resurgence at the Country Meadow Village retirement community. The rules are similar to those of regular volleyball, except that players must remain seated.
Indeed, the ventilation did make the balloon dance.
The Meadowlarks, however, were unfazed as they battled air currents and a game Falcon squad. They flew back to tie the score, 8-8. Faulconer made the Falcons pay for hitting the balloon his way.
“Now it’s war!” proclaimed Monk. “Keep it away from Bob, for goodness sakes!”
With Monk serving, the Meadowlarks’ comeback bid was squashed. The Falcons posted an 11-8 victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.
“What a great game. I definitely think we can win the whole thing,” Holcomb said, already gearing up for the second game.
Faulconer had a different take.
“Our team just frittered away,” he said. “Next time, we’ll have a different strategy.”
He didn’t expect the loss to fade from memory any time soon.
“Monk and I sit at the same table. I’m sure I am going to hear about this for awhile,” Faulconer said. “Hey, we won it last year. Next time, it’s going to be payback.”
Ah, you are never too old for bragging rights.
Museum dedicates new branch at Country Meadow Village
March 31st, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Courier-Times Staff
SEDRO-WOOLLEY-Community members, elected officials and chamber of commerce executives joined residents and staff March 16 at Country Meadow Village to open a new satellite branch of the Sedro-Woolley Museum at the retirement community.
Postponed from an earlier date due to weather, the event included a brief program, an official ribbon cutting, a dessert buffet and a concert by John Denver tribute artist Ted Vigil.
After a ceremonial ribbon was cut in the lobby with the help of the chamber leaders, Country Meadow Village residents Bernadine Salsman and Jessie Miller, honorary museum docents, took the shears to the bright blue balloon-festooned ribbon in front of the museum door. They became the first official residents to enter the new space.
Miller and her late husband Marlin volunteered for many years at the museum in town.
“We loved spending time there,” a beaming Miller said after the doors opened. “There are so many amazing pieces of history that are now on display here at the satellite branch.”
One of those pieces is an original painting by Miller of her father-in-law’s horse-drawn milk wagon. The Museum Board thought the painting, titled “Nellie” after the horse, would be appropriate for the new museum location.
Museum Executive Director Carolyn Freeman is excited about the partnership between the museum and Country Meadow Village.
“It is a wonderful way for people to get a taste of what we have to offer at the main branch in town,” she said. “We hope people take the opportunity to come and check it out.”
The satellite museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Country Meadow Village, 1501 Collins Road. For more information call 360-856-0404. The main branch is at 725 Murdock St.