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

First, we would like to say that Jack Newman has passed. He died on the 8th of April, and his service and burial were on the 15th. All of the Newman family were able to attend, as well as many well-wishers who knew and loved Jack. We are forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support from those who knew him, and are happy that he has found peace.

We seldom get all of the Newman family together in one place, so we took the opportunity to take a few group photos!

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There were several birthdays this month, and visitors to match. First, Kenny turned 31. Here he is with his Panda cake. All 6 of the grandchildren wanted to be a part of the photos, and the gift opening. Anita had returned from her trip to Mexico with goat meat, so it was goat taco day. We had many hungry takers, how special!

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Next we had three birthdays all back-to-back. Shawn first, and then Ken and Alice on the same day! Alice’s nieces Carol Martin and Barbara Davies were here too early to celebrate with her on her birthday, so they celebrated with pie instead. Here she is enjoying her guests. Shortly afterward, another niece and frequent visitors, Marian and Roger Fryer, were here on her birthday which made it quite the week for Alice!

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We also appreciated a special visit from one of Ronald’s old companions, William Berger. He rode along with Dickie Beeman, who both wanted to come see Ronald and impart greetings. William works in Mexico, so it was very nice to hear some of his stories. Here they are together out front.

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Esther was warmly surprised to hear that her niece, Rachel Quiroga, would be visiting us from Florida. She came for several days and they had plenty of time to catch up and pal around. Rachel enjoys cooking and hiking, so she was very pleased to help out in the kitchen and explore the grounds.
Here they are with Anita before going shopping, and again before hiking.

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Louis and Elsie received a quick visit from their son and his wife, Don and Becky Schroeder. Don had just been hunting and brought us some wonderful meat to try: Oryx! He grilled it for the residents and it was a hit! Here they are on the porch enjoying the sunshine and Don grilling away.

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We also had a few day visitors; Lynden and Nadi.ne Laird came from North Carolina to see Fern. Here they are with Fern and again at Pecan Grove.

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We had a lunch visit from two different families. The Klors: Scott, Kim, Saige and Haydon. Here they are posing with Alice and Marilynn. They were going horse-back riding at Ty Nordic’s just down the road, and decided to stop by. Another day we were joined by the Uzzells: Jennifer, Jolee, Julia, and Saige, who enjoyed helping Elsie with the jigsaw puzzle.

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Spring has been bountiful! Karen had the bright idea to take some of the residents on a safari. They went to search for bluebonnets and had a blast. Here they are with their treasured flowers, as well as a few shots of the kids playing in the same flowers.

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Shawn and Anita have moved! Not very far, but it is a big move. The downstairs of the old wood barn has been converted into a barndominium. They could not be more excited about the extra space! Here they are happily cleaning their new place, and moving in.

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Thanks for your interest in PG!

Kenny & Ken

We started this month similar to the last, with two birthdays at once! Patty Maki and David Cleveland both had birthdays on the third. He had just flown back from treating himself to a Mexican get-away and decided to spend his birthday with his dad. Here they are enjoying their cake!

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David’s sister, Elton’s daughter, Karen Cleveland arrived from Colombia on Valentines Day. She’s been here visiting her dad, and leaves tomorrow (March 1) to be with Ruth Taplin in the south Houston field for a couple months before going to conventions on the west coast. Here are the 3 Clevelands.

The Houston special meetings were last week, and the workers’ meeting was here at PG so our worker residents could attend. We sent the picture before, but here it is again with red lettering instead of yellow. The yellow was difficult to read.

After the workers meeting, the workers came to the residence and the local friends helped with lunch. There were about 65 of us together. Wonderful fellowship! Our visitors the night before were Joe, Lyle, Ray and Emmy.

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February being the shortest month doesn’t seem to slow down our visitor rate! We have had several visits from old friends, as well as our special meeting rounds. We had a lengthy visit from a few New Yorkers here to see Fern. Two sisters, Pearline Smith and Angela Obuseli, along with their friend Eleanor Derrick. Here they are posing with Fern, then with Karin, Dylan, Katelyn and Marilynn. Fern and Gilbert Reese are in the same nursing home, Park Manor Conroe. Here’s a better picture of Fern with Kathy and Ken, and Gilbert with Elton.

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We also received a warm visit from a few of Elton’s East Coast friends, Jeff and Tracy Chenault. Jeff grew up around Ken and knew Jack from way back. Here they are together visiting Jack, with Elton, and at Milles’ with Milles and the 3 ladies from NY.

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Elton was the main character for a while. He had several visits from dear friends, all back-to-back! Here he is with George and Maureen Aliprandi from Connecticut, and Maureen’s mother Ernestine and her husband, John Richardson, from Louisiana. Also visits with Fern and Gilbert at the nursing home.

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Elton also had a great time with a quick visit from Gerry and Margaret Gunderson. Margaret brought Elton’s favorite: Fudge! Here he is displaying his prize.

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Eileen Weiss visited the Schroeders on her way from Colorado to special meetings in Mexico. Becky Hapner brought her mother, Joyce Thompson, for a visit. The Trobaugh family, Brandon, Alisha, Summer and Autumn, visited, shown here with Clarence. Kathy’s sister Kim and Scott Schneider visited from Minneapolis.

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Clarence Mounce went to be active in the work again after special meeting on Sunday! He’ll be in this field with Rich Raschke for a while. We enjoyed having Gwen Farmer, who spent a few weeks here at PG recovering from a fall. Here’s Clarence with Marie and Gwen with Joyce.

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Today is Mimi Mille’s birthday. We missed Dominique, who is in France visiting his mother. Kyle Overby is here visiting his grandparents, Wayne and Dawn, and was in the study with us this morning. Mimi helped the Schroeders on their very difficult jigsaw puzzle. Earlier in the month their son Don came to visit and helped them get going on the same puzzle.

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This is the last day of February… wildflowers already! We’re happy!

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The short month of February has been wonderful and busy! Thanks for your interest in us here.

Ken and Kenny

October is our busiest month here at Pecan Grove. We have four birthdays, visitors and conventions.  Marie and Ronald were at Georgetown Spanish.  Seven residents (including Clarence) were at Georgetown English.  Marilynn and Ronald were at Mountain Peak.  Marie and Clarence were at Effie.

First an update on everyone’s health. Louis had a run in with Alice’s cat, who scratched him on the hand. He was quick to seal it up with some glue before cleaning it, which caused a nasty infection. Here is a picture of his freshly bandaged hand before the massive swelling. Also, here are a few candid shots of the perpetrator and her pet frog, Alice’s well named cat…kitty kitty.

Della has had some tough nights here recently, and even tougher days when she gets no rest. We are thankful that Ronda, Ken’s sister, came down from Arkansas to be with her at Georgetown convention. There would have been no way for her to attend without Ronda’s close supervision. Also, Joyce decided she was up for convention knowing that someone would be there to keep an eye on her and Della. Here is a picture of the two of them enjoying a ride on the cart at Georgetown.  The cart is driven by Ronda with Alice riding beside her. Then a picture of Ronda and Della.

Fern has been in good spirits when we go to see her. Most often she is resting when we arrive. She is thankful for visitors, even if she misses most of the visit while sleeping! The staff have her mostly in bed, she has too much pain to want to walk or move anymore. Here is a photo of her in the dining room with Gilbert, early in the month.  Steve Peirson came for a visit with Fern, and stopped by PG.  Here is a picture of him with Elton.  Lastly, Fern enjoying a video phone conversation.

We had several special visits this month, some for the birthdays and some out of the blue. We always appreciate when some try and visit with all the residents, the added effort to get to know each one is touching. The first visitors were Brandon and Alisha Trobaugh with daughters Summer and Autumn.

Vernon Joyce who was laboring in the far east came to visit.  He came with Jon and Gianine Peterson and their two boys, Jordan and Gillian (who recently returned from the far east). Here is a picture of them all together with residents and staff.  The second picture is of the Newman family visiting with Jack.  He continues to decline, but is able to visit sometimes.

Jean Gravil from Canada came as a visiting worker for convention. He knows the Milles very well from his time spent with them in their home in New Caledonia. He was kind enough to give us his testimony in get together at the Mille home. Here he is with Elton, and pictures from the get together.

Ruth Henderson and Esther Wahlin came for a few days.

Amy Nordic gave us a special treat this year.  She works as a stewardess and was gifted some pheasant meat, which she gave to us.  Kenny and Shawn really enjoyed the challenge of preparing something new for the residents, we even invited everyone on the property to partake in the spoils! Here is Kenny and Shawn preparing and trying the bacon wrapped pheasant!

On to the celebration! This month is always so packed with cheer! Elton turned 105 on the 10th! His son David, grandson Matt Hutchison with wife Katy and their two kids Naomi and Bryce and also granddaughter Libby, where here to celebrate. Here are some photos of him posing with his cake and family.

Elton’s great grandson Bryce really enjoyed driving our trash buggy. Here are some picture so him and his sister Naomi taking turns driving, as well as hanging on their uncle David’s cool stories and pictures.

While David was here he offered to fix our aging porch steps, here he is with Slade Nordic doing great work supervised by his 105 year old father.

Elsie had her 94th birthday recently, and we were joined by their son and his wife, Don and Becky Schroeder. Here they are posing together in the Schroders room, as well as Elsie smiling with her puzzle cake!  Later their granddaughter Lana and her children visited.

A few of the staff also had birthdays in October. Abigail Hoffman, seen here with her cake and present, turned 24! In the middle we have Anita, who turned 55! On the end is Abigail just moments after letting go of her precious balloon!

Our Halloween visitor (today) was Dan Helenek from PA.  He was at Effie convention in LA.  He’ll visit Fern and Gilbert tomorrow before heading back to PA.

There’s a beautiful Chinese Persimon tree behind Kenny and Salena’s place.  The fruit won’t be ready to eat till it gets soft, probably in December.

Thanks for your care,

Kenny and Ken

Cindy Johnson made bibs for all our residents, and they were willing to model them!

Elton Cleveland, Louis Schroeder, future resident Clarence Mounce, Ronald Elliott

Alice Oetken, Marilynn Frye, Elsie Schroeder, Marie Mounce, Esther Duncan, Della Bolt, Joyce Naber

Following the Redbud Canyon email example, we’ll give a little update on each resident, in the order they came to PG.

Elton Cleveland came in March 2015.  He’ll be 105 October 10th, and does very well for his age!  He keeps up a large correspondence.  Focusing on and caring for others (and eating as much sugar as possible) may be the answer to a long life!   He plans on listening to conventions instead of attending in person this year. Here he is with his son,  David playing the piano for a sing this month, with Emma Perez, with his cup and again with David.

Alice Oetken came December 2015.  She’s 93, and has a cat, the only animal allowed in the residence, and only in her room.  She walks some for exercise, usually looking for or following the cat.  Here’s a picture of Alice visiting Fern in the nursing home.

Della Bolt came in April 2019 and is 89.  She is used to working hard and loves to help wherever she can.  Unfortunately,  her health and vision continue to deteriorate, making it difficult to do what she’s used to doing.  She does walk often for exercise.  Here’s Della with her daughter Chris and her husband,  Mike, and then again in a short hospital visit.

Ronald Elliott came May 2019 and is 94.  He is tottery when walking but gets around without bad falls.  He uses a golf cart some on the farm, and to haul other residents to meetings on the farm.  He enjoys reading, especially history, and feeding the fish in the lake.  Here’s Ronald with visitors Ed Lloyd and Frank Cook, as well as resident Louis Schroeder (with his arm on Ronald’s shoulder).  The second picture is of Ronald with his good friend Wendell Wilson and Wendell’s mother.  Jeff and Patricia Oliver visited Ronald and Marilynn.

Marilynn Frye came in October 2020 and is 78 (our youngest resident).  She has many health problems including ongoing bladder cancer, but she does well getting around and helping other residents as she can.  Here’s Marilynn modeling her bib, and with Bud and Mary Aldrich and their grandson,  Phoenix.

Esther Duncan came November 2020 and is 88.  She’s been in the US since she was 22, but is still Irish!  She attended 3 conventions recently in TN & KY, and had her gallbladder removed!  On her previous trip to TN last year she caught COVID.  But that doesn’t deter her… she’ll go again when the opportunity arises.  Esther is a big help to Della. and enjoys cooking sometimes.  She’s cooked many things including lamb and pavlova!  Here’s Esther with Brian and Kristi Garrett visiting (in her room which she likes to decorate) from Jackson, Mississippi.

Marie Mounce came August 2021 and is 89.  She has lots of health issues including a brain tumor, but still manages to keep active.  She also likes to cook sometimes.  Her years in the French and Spanish islands along with Cajun roots gives her a knowledge of all kinds of foods. Her latest creation was a “Pear Salad” she was very  happy about.

Louis and Elsie Schroeder came March 2022 and are 99 and 93 respectively.  Their family often visits.  This month was Louis’s 99th birthday and recently their 69th anniversary.  So Louis had us turn the 9 over on his cake, and showed their wedding picture.  Their daughter Carol Aarestad and her daughters Amelia and Sara from California came for the occasion.

Joyce Naber came May 2022 and is 79.  Joyce has a poor memory, but is also a help for Della and has a joyful and thankful spirit.  She has been here the shortest time but has settled in very well.  Joyce is in the group below with a blue top and dark skirt.

Clarence Mounce isn’t a resident yet.  But he visits and hopes to come on a permanent basis after conventions and some family time.  Here’s Clarence with his sister,  Marie.  Also with Malachi Klor and Talus Murphy who had 2 gospel meetings here in September.

Gilbert Reese came in January 2018 and is 98.  He was moved to the Park Manor nursing home in Conroe June 2021.  His memory is very poor and he needs a lot of personal care, but he stays about the same and is content.  Here’s a picture of Clarence and Marie Mounce visiting with Gilbert at Park Manor last week.

Fern Duncan came in April 2017 and is 92.  Last month she was moved to the Park Manor nursing home (see last months post below) and is now in a room across the hall from Gilbert.  She has gone down quickly in the nursing home and now we rarely see her out of bed.  When we can wake her, her mind is clear and she is content.  Here are pictures of Fern visiting with Marie.

Jack Newman came to live on the PG farm in 2010, and moved into the residence in March 2018.  He is 89.  He left PG in September 2019 after a bad fall.  He’s been on hospice for over 2 years in The Wellington at Conroe which is an assisted living center only a few blocks from Park Manor.  He has gone down significantly recently, even more since this picture was taken.  We hope his struggle will soon be over.

Patty Maki (who works part time at PG) brought fruit plates.  Her cousin, Wynesta and Steve Dale from California visited and it happened to be Steve’s 64th birthday.  Wynesta introduced Kathy to Ken in 1978!  Terry Hoffman smoked meat for us and nearby friends came.

Kenny’s was especially happy with this months message board, see for yourself!

Thanks for your interest in us here.

Ken and Kenny

Fern became weaker until she couldn’t get out of bed on her own.  She was taken to the hospital, then to the Park Manor nursing home where Gilbert Reese stays.  Soon after reaching the nursing home she had her 92nd birthday.  Salena made her a cake, and took Marie and Marilynn in with her to have a little party for Fern.  Gilbert was able to attend also. Fern is receiving some PT and OT, but with her arthritis pain she isn’t motivated to recover her ability to get around on her own.  Unfortunately it doesn’t look like she’ll be able to return to PG.

Dominique’s father took a turn for the worse in the south of France, so Dominique went to be with him.  He passed away not long after Dominique arrived.  Dominique stayed for the funeral and to take care of things there.  He was glad the French brothers, Dean Affleck and Deon Swanepoel came to be with him a few days.  While he was gone, Mimi’s nephew, Thomas and Melissa, from France visited Mimi, as well as Pierre and Elisa

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Jack Newman turned 89 in August.  Kenny and Salena took a birthday dessert in for him.  He continues to decline on hospice.

Ken and Kathy went to France for convention and then some vacation on the Rhine river and in Holland.  When they returned they made a presentation and Gouda cheese tasting for the residents, Overby’s and Basses.  Wayne and Dawn’s son Kory and family were visiting and so were included.

  

Candice Sandon visited her grandparents, Louis and Elsie, along with her 3 children, AJ, Miles and Brenna, and her mother in law, Julie.  The boys made mashed potatoes.  Miles made a sign for those who are familiar with Elsa in Frozen.  Sylvia McPherson and Pauline Waterreus from San Antonio visited and brought sour dough bread!

 

Slade Nordic has moved into our new apartment in the barn dominium we are creating from the old wooden barn.  He’s also working on the farm and helping with the barn dominium.  He brought his dog, Bear, who enjoys playing with our dog, Bella.  Here are pictures of the barn dominium, Bella and Bear swimming, and Slade mowing “snake island” which is on the lake in front of the residence.

Since Kenny and Salena moved here they’ve been taking pictures, showing how the recent rain made things grow and the sunsets.  We do have some pecans, but don’t expect a significant pecan harvest.  The black dots are “scab” which is a fungus that hinders the growth of the nuts.

 

Thanks for your interest in PG!

Ken and Kenny