A Retirement Resources Blog for Seniors and Retirees - HOME

At times it seems that life just goes by.  So to be reminded of what is permanent; that people can and do make a difference in one another’s lives, is a good thing.

Wesley Homes celebrated 65 years of service to the greater community with a special Homecoming Week that included a week-long series of celebrations culminating Friday evening, May 29, at a catered dinner, “A Night In The Garden”, presided over by CEO Kevin Anderson. 

Kicking off the week was a special program honoring 46 residents and staff of Wesley Homes who give freely of their time and energy to volunteer in both on and off campus activities and programs. View slide show to see a write up on each volunteer Changing Lives By Volunteering.

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Executive Chef Chuck Chalfant prepares an “omelet to order” for Marianne Woodward. “I like my onions caramelized,” said Woodward, “so the omelet bar is a real treat for me.”

A new menu rolled out by Wesley Homes Executive Chef, Chuck Chalfant, is a testimony to his commitment to serve fresh food and elegant meal choices to residents of Wesley Homes, Des Moines campus. “Because I come from a fine dining background I try to stretch their palate without straying too far from the familiar,” said Chalfant. Read the rest of this entry »

 

Shirley and Bill Humphries surrounded by family members Diane Kaszycki, Donna and Dale Krauter, Debby and Jeff Stegin; grandchildren Laura, Jenifer, Stacy, Scott, Alyssa, Lafe and his wife Jen Oney and great grandchild, one year old Trent Oney. 

Wesley Homes Lea Hill residents Shirley and Bill Humphries celebrated a multi-generational Mothers Day at the Auburn campus in honor of Shirley, the family matriarch. Read the rest of this entry »

Karen Baker assists Lindsey Muszkiewicz

LISTEN AS A PARENT SHARES how Wesley Homes is helping to improve the quality of childrens’ lives in our local community.

On Thursday mornings, approximately 15 kids from the Children’s Therapy Center in Kent enjoy the swim center at Wesley Homes Lea Hill Retirement Community. In the swimming pool the children experience the type of freedom in water that they cannot achieve on land.

“Wesley Homes allows us to use their pool for free. It is a wonderful offer,” said Occupational Therapy Assistant Ruth Doane, the person who started the aquatic therapy program at Children’s Therapy Center at Kent. Read the rest of this entry »

Enjoy our slide show of the 2009 annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Des Moines Campus Health Center. (You can click on any picture to enlarge it.)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

An Easter Egg Hunt at Wesley Homes is more than an activity; it’s a warm reunion of staff and their families interacting with the residents in a way that shows a high level of friendship in staff and resident relationships.

It was obvious that residents look forward to being a part of the activities. Geri Oas held resident bunny “Thumper” in her lap for the whole afternoon so that the kids could pet the live rabbit.

I met extended family of staff who come to all the holiday events at Wesley Homes, and wouldn’t miss them.  ”My daughter loves to work here”, said Bonnie Begeron, mother of Wesley Homes Occupational Therapist Danielle Begeron, “We all want to work here with her.”

It was cookies and drinks all around for all ages, and the hunt and the parade had all the kids engaged.  

The highlight was the drawing for the large stuffed animals that had all the residents and staff smiling as they watched the kids each receive a generous gift, thanks to Wesley Homes Foundation.

The “frosting on the cake” was having pictures taken with the “giant bunny” played by Brian Wilson, a medical equipment supplier who volunteered his time for the event.    A special thank you is owed to Wesley Homes Health Center Activities Director, Cindy Marcyes, who organized the event.

–Ilene Little for Wesley Homes 

April is National Gardening Month. Wesley Homes is proud to feature Wesley Homes Resident Ed Pawlowski, accredited judge for the American Rose Society.

Ed Pawlowski points to a painting in his apartment, of the roses in his garden.  Ed is continuing his life-long passion for growing exhibition roses at the Wesley Homes Lea Hill Campus.

Listen as Ed educates the interviewer on what roses to buy and where, and how to take care of rose plants.

Ed Pawlowski writes a column “Ed’s Corner (IMOES) for Rain Drops, the newsletter for the Rainy Rose Society of the Puget Sound, Washington area, an affiliate of The American Rose Society.

Ed’s bachelor pad is located on the 3rd floor of Eby Lodge nicknamed “Rose Alley”, because every Friday Ed hand delivers a rose to every lady on the floor. “I get lots home-baked cookies for that,” said Ed. Read the rest of this entry »

To Those Nearing Retirement,
 
There is a wonderful place to retire here at Wesley Homes in Des Moines, WA.  In the Sunday Seattle Times there was an article about 30 & 40 somethings looking for more in their lives than making mega bucks for corporations.  The article used the term “intentional communities” for the places they were seeking.
 
Wesley Homes is an “intentional community.”  There are caring, concerned, friendly, active, intelligent people looking at life with wide open and wondering eyes, minds and ideas.  There is so much to do here no one person could do it all.  Just a sample of the “stuff” to do:  golf, pool, arts, crafts, swimming, playing cards, exercise, writing class, an in-house TV station with several ways to be involved, knitting, programs, movies, special event dinners, good librariies — though the city library is just across the street and bus trips for fun as well as necessity.
 
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March is Women’s History Month. Wesley Homes is proud to feature resident Betty Beeman, in honor of her career as Administrative and Personal Secretary to Dan Evans, former Washington State Governor and President of Evergreen State College.

Paul & Betty Beeman

Listen to Betty’s interview

“The best seven years of my life” is how Betty Beeman fondly describes memories of her career as Administrative and Personal Secretary to Dan Evans, then President of Evergreen State College and former Washington State Governor in what many regard as one of the most interesting political periods in Washington State history. Read the rest of this entry »

March is Women’s History Month.  Wesley Homes is proud to feature resident Marjorie Anderson as a pioneer in women’s collegiate sports.  

Listen to Marjorie’s first-person account of changes in women’s sports in the 60’s and 70’s.  

Marjorie Anderson is 80 and has lived comfortably in her two bedroom apartment at Wesley Homes Lea Hill since June of 2007.  She and her late husband were among the first residents of Eby Lodge.  “My daughter found this place for us,” said Marjorie, “It’s a beautiful home; a beautiful community really.  We moved here from Cheney Washington, when my husband became ill with cancer.” 

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