News Archives

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From steamboats to symphonies, Carolyn Huntley enjoys a life of activity and volunteering

“Ol’ Man River” brings back multiple memories for resident Carolyn Huntley. The classic American song from the musical “Show Boat” is one of the selections she performed recently in one of her regular volunteer piano recitals for Health Care residents. It’s also a nickname for the Mississippi, of which she has seen all but 100 miles in her 16 steamboat trips over the years.

Spending time with Carolyn, one quickly appreciates how rich and varied her life has been, and how much enjoyment she gets from actively participating in community events.

Her love of music was nurtured when she was a student at Oberlin College in northern Ohio, and she continues to draw joy from playing the piano. The twice-monthly performances she gives here had a serendipitous beginning.

When her late husband Joe was recovering from a cerebral hemorrhage some years ago, Carolyn was visiting one day and inspiration struck. “When he was at Sheltering Arms, they had a small upright piano and Joe loved music, so I took him in and put his wheelchair by the piano. Pretty soon, the door would open and someone would ask, “May I come in and hear the music?” So, when I moved here, I thought that was something I could do in his memory… to play for those in Health Care,” says Carolyn.

One morning when she was rehearsing, Paul Wagner, who works part-time for Covenant Woods, came into the room. Carolyn related, “He just came over to the piano and started singing along, and he had such a beautiful voice.” She asked if he would be willing to join her, and now the two of them perform together regularly, covering musical inspiration ranging from opera to ragtime. “We have a wonderful time,” she says, and all agree that their music adds much to the rich life of the community.

Her fascination with steamboats is also serendipitous. Carolyn grew up near Cincinnati, which is the home of the famous “Delta Queen.” She lived in the suburbs, and when the wind was just right, she could hear the steamboat’s calliope playing in the distance. Later, she had reservations to travel on the “Delta Queen,” but postponed the trip… and as a result, had the opportunity to meet and fall in love with her future husband. Much later, after their retirement, they shared an interest in this form of travel and made many trips together. “It’s very different on the rivers, because out country is so beautiful, and you never know what’s around the next bend,” says Carolyn.

Carolyn is very active on the Activities Committee for Covenant Woods, and several months ago was asked to be in charge of contacting speakers. She was instrumental in bringing Mark Russell Smith, conductor of the Richmond Symphony, to speak and perform… a special delight for her since she also ushers for the Symphony. For most people, a life this busy wouldn’t leave time for much else. But she’s also enthusiastic about the watercolor classes she’s taking, and enjoys playing bridge, “when I can.”

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Covenant Woods Celebrates Grand Opening of New Expansion

Covenant Woods residents, donors and distinguished guests gathered together on Friday, September 14 to celebrate the opening of the new 50 apartment addition. A large crowd was on hand to enjoy music and lovely hors d’urves while Tim Johnson, Covenant Woods CEO, Jim Lester, Covenant Woods Chairman of the Board and Jack Ward, Hanover County Supervisor spoke and offered a toast to the completion of the multi-million dollar expansion. Guest raised their glasses of champagne and later enjoyed a custom created 4 tier cake with the top tier modeled after the new building.

The expansion opened it’s doors to the first new resident on Wednesday, May 23, 2007. Throughout the summer months new residents were moving into their new homes. The expansion is now 99% full with only 2 apartments remaining. “The opening of this building has been long awaited. We were pleased to have so many wonderful friends to celebrate this wonderful occasion,” stated Tim Johnson.

For more information, contact the marketing office at 804.569.8000.

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Covenant Woods Supports Hanover School Supply Drive

For the fourth year in a row the residents, volunteers, friends, families and employees of Covenant Woods are helping Hanover County children to be prepared with new school supplies for the upcoming school year.

In support of the Hanover County schools, members of the Covenant Woods community have been buying and collecting hundreds of pencils, crayons, notebooks and book bags and adding them to Covenant Woods’ collection containers. “This year was our largest collection effort to date. Many of the residents and staff went above and beyond to help out this year,” commented Beth Richardson, Marketing and Development Director for Covenant Woods.

On August 14th Kara Dunleavy, Youth Services Specialist for the Hanover County Department of Community Resources stopped by Covenant Woods to pick up the school supplies. Mrs. Dunleavy said, “We’ve collected 5,000 supplies in the past for Hanover elementary students and we are hoping with your help we’ll exceed that amount this year.”

Once all the supplies are collected they will be dispersed to local Hanover schools for distribution to the children who don’t have the resources to buy these supplies themselves.

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Covenant Woods Announces 2007–2008 Board of Directors

The Board of Directors’ membership for 2007–2008 has been elected for Covenant Woods. The senior living community in Hanover County has named James C. Lester as Chairman of the Board, Joseph E. Marshburn as Vice Chairman, and Leslie A. Shimer as Secretary. Newly elected to the twenty-one member Board, for three year terms, are Patrick J. Brady, Natalie Kent and James D. Elliott.

Mr. Lester, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS Degree in Marketing, formed James C. Lester, Chartered Financial Consultant, Inc. in 2002. He received an advanced education in the Financial Sciences at the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and was awarded a designation of Chartered Life Underwriter in 1968 and a designation of Chartered Financial Consultant in 1974. Mr. Lester is a Life and Qualifying member of the Million Dollar Roundtable and served as vice president in 1983. He is currently on the boards of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business; Salvation Army-Adult Rehab Center; and, since 2002, Covenant Woods. He is an active member of Beulah United Methodist Church; has been active in the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees; the Kiwanis; Big Brother; and has served on the ARC Board of the Salvation Army since 1992.

Mr. Marshburn, a graduate of Richmond Professional Institute with a BS Degree in Business, is retired, after many years of service to Reynolds Metals, as Chief of Purchasing for Plant and Construction. He has 27 years experience in the procurement of engineering, maintenance and construction services, process and operations equipment, raw materials and administrative supplies for both domestic and foreign facilities. Duties also included the development and direction of policies and procedures related to procurement activities. Mr. Marshburn is a certified purchasing manager, past president of Old Dominion Purchasing Management Association and past director of National Affairs, National Association of Purchasing Managers. He is an active member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, and became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 1999.

Mrs. Shimer is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a BS Degree in Psychology; a graduate from Boston College with a MA Degree in counseling, and a JD degree. She has worked for Bank of America and its predecessors for sixteen years in the private bank focusing on estate and trust administration. Mrs. Shimer has also worked for several years in private practice concentrating in estate and trust work. She is a member of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church and has served as a moderator of Board of Deacons, and served on the stewardship committee, the endowment committee and on the Sunday school committee. She is also Secretary of Richmond Estate Planning Council and became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 2005.

Mr. Brady, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic institute with a BS in Civil Engineering; has spent 5 years as an officer in the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps; then 10 years as the Director of Public Utilities in Portsmouth, Virginia; and 23 years as Director of Public Utilities in Henrico County, retiring in December 1999. Mr. Brady is currently working for Construction Dynamics Group, Inc, an ARCADIS company. He is a member of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church and became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 2007.

Ms. Kent a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS Degree in Education, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic institute with an MS Degree in Adaptive Education, and a graduate of Medical College of Virginia with an MS Degree in Health Care Management. She is the president of Ginter Hall Communities in Richmond, Virginia. Ms. Kent is also a member of Westhampton UMC and presently serves as Chairwoman of Church Council and Missions Committee.

Mr. Elliott is a graduate of Virginia Military institute and has been an active participant in the Keydet Club. He began a career in the financial services industry with the Bank of Virginia in 1986, and is currently a bond specialist with BB&T Capital Markets in Richmond. Mr. Elliott is a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he has been a member since childhood. He has served on many key committees of the church, including those responsible for stewardship, worship and a capital funds campaign. He has also served on the church’s foundation board and became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 2007.

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Veterans Day at Covenant Woods

Veterans Day is the American name for the international day called Armistice Day or Remembrance Day. Veterans Day falls November 11th, the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Germans signed the Armistice which would end all major hostilities of World War I.

Armistice Day was first commemorated in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, but congress didn’t make it a legal holiday until 1938. On June 1st, 1954, Armistice Day was officially renamed to Veterans Day.

Covenant Woods celebrated Veterans Day by honoring all veterans who work, live or are simply friends of the facility. Covenant Woods was proud to display the pictures and stories of the men and women who have fought to keep the United States a free Country.

Many items were kept on display during a special program on Friday, November 10. Members of the Covenant Woods community displayed pictures and personal items from their time with the Military. Mrs. Mary Lancaster a resident of Covenant Woods encouraged visitors to look through her scrapbook from her teaching days at Hunter College. Mary was a Recruit Divisional Commander and taught the Blue Jackets Manual for many women who came through the basic training. Mrs. Lancaster took much pride in being able to serve her country. Many other residents displayed flags and photographs that reminded them of their travels and time in the Military.

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The Book of Ruth Comes to Life at Covenant Woods

On Saturday, November 4th, Covenant Woods Residents and Staff performed “The Book of Ruth” from the Bible, for fellow residents and guests. The performance was a huge success, producing a standing room only crowd. The cast members’ ages ranged from 25 to 95. All of the actors memorized their lines and didn’t miss a beat. The play was directed by Ernie Moseley, a resident of Covenant Woods. After the play, refreshments, made by Ernie’s wife Jean, were enjoyed by all.

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Covenant Woods Announces 2006–2007 Board of Director Elections

The Board of Director membership for 2006–2007 has been elected by Covenant Woods continuing care retirement community. The senior living community in Hanover County has named Robert L. Sommerville as Chairman of the Board, James C. Lester as Vice Chairman, and Virginia Walker Jarvis as Secretary. Newly elected to the twenty-one member Board, for three year terms, are William F. LaVecchia and Joseph E. Marshburn.

Robert L. Sommerville is a principal in the Business Assurance & Advisory Services practice of Keiter, Stephens, Hurst, Gary and Shreaves, P.C., a Richmond, Virginia, based accounting, tax and consulting firm. Sommerville is a Director and past Chairman of the Greater Richmond Technology Council, and is a member of the advisory boards of the Central Virginia Entrepreneurship Center and the Virginia Community Development Loan Fund. He is a member of the Virginia Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. He joined the Covenant Woods Board in 2001.

James C. Lester formed James C. Lester, Chartered Financial Consultant, Inc., in 2002. He is a Life and Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table and served as vice president in 1983. He is a founding member of the Five Million Dollar Forum and recipient of the National Quality Award and National Sales Achievement Award. He has been active in the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees, the Kiwanis, the Big Brothers, and has served on the ARC Board of the Salvation Army since 1992. Lester was elected to the Covenant Woods’ Board in 2002.

Virginia Walker Jarvis has served as a volunteer, teacher, and partner in the ministry with her husband in United Methodist churches across Virginia for nearly 40 years. In addition, she has provided leadership to groups within the church and clerical auxiliary organizations. She has been a member of the Covenant Woods Board since 2001.

Newly named to the Covenant Woods Board, William F. LaVecchia was County Manager for Henrico County from 1984 to 1992, and was formerly Deputy County Manager for Planning and Inspections, and Director of Planning for Henrico County. He is a member of the Virginia Annual Conference UMC Investigative Committee; the Henrico County Police Memorial Foundation; the Virginia Local Government Management Association; the Virginia Citizens Planning Association; the Sandston Rotary Club, and the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Rejoining the Board, Joseph E. Marshburn is the retired Chief of Purchasing for Plant and Construction for Reynolds Metals. Marshburn is a certified purchasing manager, past president of Old Dominion Purchasing Management Association and past director of National Affairs, National Association of Purchasing Managers. Marshburn is a twenty- year member of Rotary International with the last fourteen years as a member of the South Richmond Rotary Club. This will be the second term of service for Marshburn on the Covenant Woods Board.

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Covenant Woods Employee Celebrates 25 Years of Service

Ms. Debra Beach, a Certified Nursing Assistant at Covenant Woods in Mechanicsville, is celebrating her 25th year of service. Having experienced the transition from a ladies retirement home in the city of Richmond, to a state-of-the-art continuing care retirement community in Mechanicsville, Ms. Beach shared her thoughts on the past 25 years of change.

Ms. Beach began her career in 1976 at the Richmond Home for Ladies, located on the corner of Stuart Avenue and Mulberry Street in Richmond’s Fan District. After a year, Debbie left The Richmond Home for Ladies for another position. She remembers that while away, she missed the ladies she had grown close to, so in 1981 Debbie decided to go back to the ‘home’ as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Debbie loved working at the Richmond Home for Ladies; she noted “the atmosphere was like it was my own home and each one of the ladies was like a mother and friend to me.”

In 2001, The Richmond Home for Ladies moved to Mechanicsville, changed its name to Covenant Woods, and expanded its mission to serve women, men and couples as a continuing care retirement community. Debbie noted that this move brought big changes, but that the changes were welcomed by staff and residents. Located on 70 acres as opposed to on a city block, the new facility welcomed independent living as well as assisted living and health care residents. The nearly 200,000 square foot, brand new, state-of-the-art facility replaced the 100 year old building, and the 36 Richmond Home for Ladies residents moved in to join 115 new independent living residents.

Debbie has enjoyed seeing the changes within the retirement community. She said that she “could not imagine working anywhere else; I love working with the health care residents everyday. I have been fortunate to meet some very lovely people, many of whom have touched my life forever”. In closing Debbie said that she has “really enjoyed the last 25 years with The Richmond Home for Ladies and now Covenant Woods, and would love to be working at Covenant Woods for another 25 years.”

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Covenant Woods Celebrates Grand Opening of Expanded Dining Room

On Monday, March 27 Covenant Woods residents, staff, future residents and guests gathered together to witness the grand opening complete with a ribbon cutting for the newly expanded dining room. The celebration was a huge success with an assortment of lovely treats and delicious refreshments. The ribbon cutting was performed by Covenant Woods, President and CEO Mr. Tim Johnson and Mrs. Gwyn Keil a current resident and former board member. Chaplin, Steve Scott honored the dining room with a prayer before the festivities began.

Each guest was handed a glass of sparkling cider for the toast given by Mr. Gary Rittereiser, the Director of Dining Services. The new dining room has almost doubled in size and is now 4,200 square feet and can seat over 160 guests at one time.

The Dining Room grand opening also marked the opening of the brand new fitness facility complete with a therapeutic pool and the additional expanded physical therapy area.

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Oldest Covenant Woods Resident Turns 102

Birdie Day Williams will be the center of attention on February 16th as several friends and family members gather together at Covenant Woods for a special Birthday celebration. Birdie was born February 16, 1904 in Washington, North Carolina. Birdie married in 1941 and moved to Richmond Virginia in 1944 towards the end of World War II. After moving to Richmond, Birdie worked at the downtown Thalhimers Department store until the day she retired! After retirement Mrs. Williams became a world class volunteer. Birdie logged more than 8,000 hours of volunteer work while in her 80s and 90s.

Birdie Williams loves life at Covenant Woods. She enjoys the friendships she has made with both staff and residents. Birdie is still in good health despite a minor fall she had last month.

Mrs. Williams has one son Eugene Jr. who is 80 years old, one grandchild and two great-grandchildren. Most, if not all of her family members plan to attend her big day on February 16th.

Birdie loves the birthday attention and on her big day she wants nothing more than for all of her close friends and family to surround her and celebrate a long fulfilling life.