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

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

July was HOT.  But otherwise a good month!  The 11 residents are about their usual.  Samuel and Conchita Valdez (who lived and worked here several years) came to visit with Samuel’s brother Noe and Malena.  Gary and Susan Peter have been helping Gilbert Reese get out to meeting most Sundays.  They brought him to union meeting at PG and stayed for lunch.  The second picture is of Gilbert talking to Alice before Mimi gave him a much needed haircut.  The third picture is of Mimi, Susan, Marie, Gilbert and Gary, after Gilbert’s haircut.

Marie’s birthday was July 3rd, but we celebrated it at lunch time on July 4th.  The group at the table includes Diane Thorburn (Salena’s mother) who has been here a few weeks in July helping Kenny and Salena get ready to move into the house Goldners vacated last month.

Supper on July 4th was on the porch.  Later from the porch we watched fire works and shot roman candles.

Marilynn  was picking vegetables from the garden, which is nearly finished now.  Kenny makes up sayings he thinks the residents may enjoy.  Joyce and Della enjoy a game together.  Esther made marmalade.

Don and Becky Schroeder visited Elsie and Louis.  Rich and Malachi returned after Happy.  Here Rich is visiting with Elton.  Carmen Schluter and her children Liam and Mela visited.

Ken and Kathy’s 6 grandchildren are here often in the summer.  Here’s Evren Furrow learning to drive, Karin, Katelyn and Dylan Kelleher with Kathy and Ken, and then all 6 ready to launch a rocket.

Rich and Malachi just had a gospel meeting at the residence… maybe 80 or so there.  One family we’re glad to have back in the US after 4 years in the far east is Jon and Gianine Peterson and their sons Julian and Jordan.

Thanks for your interest in Pecan Grove!

Ken, Kenny and Salena