Pecan Grove (www.pecan-grove.net) Pecan Orchard and Senior Residence

Kent and Linda Opel brought Tim Hamilton (New Zealand) to visit.  At that time we had 11 residents.  Clarence Rochelle was here temporarily.  Soon after this Dad (Jack Newman) had a bad fall and is still in  a rehab hospital.  We hope he’ll be coming home next week.  Here’s a picture of the residents (Alice is missing), with Kent, Linda and Tim.  The residents in the back row are Gilbert, Ronald, John, Clarence and Jack.  Those in the front row are Lois, Fern, Della and Marybelle.

John came home from the rehab hospital on oxygen.  He gradually improved and now doesn’t need the oxygen.  He seems to have fully recovered from his bout with pneumonia.  Marybelle sometimes has to use a wheelchair because of pain, and other times is able to walk fairly well.

Dominique and Mimi became American citizens!  We’re glad to have them in the US, but even more at PG!

Ron and Anna Furrow visited their son Brendan (married to our daughter Karla).  Here’s the furrows, Karin, Kathy and our 6 grandchildren.  Justin Bartz started working part-time at PG while he goes to college.  Here he’s with his family (wearing an apron).  Lois Rosas has also started working part-time while going to college… we don’t have a picture of him yet.  We’ve only had one man work in the senior residence in the past (Corey Stephens)… now we have 2 at the same time!

Eric and Tina Dean from Massachusetts were here for a visit.  Kathy and I spent the first 3 weeks of September in China.  There were a few days of business, but most of the time we were visiting… wonderful, encouraging visits.  When we returned we did a presentation to the residents and local friends.

In Hong Kong we “ran into” Lewis and Merle Stronge from New Zealand.  Lewis and his brother Nathan visited our apartment in Lanham Maryland October 27, 1979, for a crab feast!  It was amazing to run into each other after so many years.  Here’s 1 picture from Hong Kong and 3 from 1979.  If you’ve never had a mess of Maryland crabs… you’re missing a real mess!

Ken

July has been a busy month.  Alice and Ronald went with us to Happy.  Fern is at Milford and will be at Altamont.  Gilbert hasn’t been feeling well, but otherwise all 10 residents are doing their usual.

We had our July 4th on the evening of the 3rd. Here’s the group watching fireworks, and Joan Hinkley helping Marybell roast a marshmallow.

Kathy’s cousin Lori Morgan (59), who lived 50 miles from here, passed away a few months ago. A memorial service was held for her her at PG on July 6th.  Her brother, Troy and Linda Morgan and their children Amenah and Justice came from Maryland.  Several other cousins came from Arizona.  Most have eastern Montana roots.  Kathy’s sisters, Pat Johnson (Iowa), and Kim Schneider (MN) came.  The second picture is of the cousins and 2 aunts, Jane (Morsted) Jacobsen and Marjorie Williamson.  The third picture is of the cousins and their spouses. The fourth picture is of our family, 3 children with spouses and 6 grandchildren.

Joe and Jean Epps from Alabama came to visit Fern with Pearl Bailey.  Here they’re with Troy Morgan and family from Maryland.  Not long after their visit here, Joe Epps had a stroke and passed away suddenly.  The second picture is of Della with her niece Mary Holland from San Angelo.

We had 2 sings in July.  One after union meeting and one at Patty Maki’s last Sunday.  Elton played the piano at both.

Elton’s son David Cleveland from PA and David’s daughter Leah and Darron Griffin from GA were here to visit Elton.  Rick and Ann Overby were here to visit Wayne and Dawn, and the residents.

My sister Ronda came to spend some time with Dad, and Salena’s mother and aunt, Diane and Doris, came to see Salena.  The third picture includes our son Kenny (Salena’s husband).  Salena is the manager at PG.  The 4th picture is of Mimi Mille with the 5 residents she cuts hair for, John, Ronald, Elton, Gilbert and Jack.

Calvin and Nedda Penland visited from Missouri.  Samuel and Conchita Valdez came back for a visit with Samuel’s brother Noe and Magdalina Valdez.  Aaron and Laura McGee visited with children Decland and Norah.

Two final pictures… one of the young folks at Happy.  The second reminds us of the famous words… Houston, the eagle has landed!  This eagle was carved in the stump of a huge oak tree in May 2014.  The 3rd picture is from that time.  It rotted from the inside out… and finally crashed.

Ken

The 10 residents at PG are doing well.  Marybelle had a bad fall on the back patio, cutting her forehead and getting a big black eye.  She’s recovering well.  Our 2 new residents, Della Bolt and Ronald Elliott are fitting in very well… it’s good to have them here.

Cheryl Hutchinson came from Washington state to see her dad, Elton Cleveland.  Here they are together and then at lunch with Kathy and myself.

Chris Newman brought Alex and Leah for a visit.  We had a sing while they were here.  Della’s daughter Chris Gerstenberger visited with 2 granddaughters.

The Hawkins family visited from Fort Worth.  Chris and Jo Ellen Hertz visited from La Vernia, TX.  Susan Russell, Linda Boelter and Irene Simpson visited from Missouri.

There have been staff changes at the residence.  The first picture below shows Penny Clinton, Jaida Klor, Jennifer Maddoux, Salena Newman and Rylie Vybiral.  Jennifer is still dealing with the broken ankle mentioned last month.  She has changed her mind, and isn’t currently planning on leaving Pecan Grove.  She turned 39 this month.  Jaida took this semester off school to work, but is leaving.  Rylie was here on a temporary basis.  Ben Ennis (shown with Jennifer) is moving down from Hurst, TX, and starting full-time work.  Abigail Hoffman isn’t in these pictures, but is still working part-time.

Thanks,

Ken