Resident Stories
Harry M. is one of Stonehenge’s eldest residents who have been with us since
the opening of Stonehenge II for a total of 12 years! As Harry tells it, when he was
born, the family doctor breathed life into his lungs and here he is a hundred years
later. He is our community poet and contributor to the “Stonehenge Sentinel”
monthly newsletter.
We are
inspired
by his
quote,
“He who
worries
does not
trust, he
who
trusts
As a Veteran of WWII, Harry tells us fascinating stories of his experiences in
Germany where he ran a POW camp. On May 16th, 2009 Harry celebrated his 100th
birthday with family relatives from across the country.
The following is a letter that Harry wrote to all of his friends and family for
Christmas:
Christmas 1999
Seasons greetings to all my relatives and friends,
Joy to the world the Lord is come!
Let every heart prepare him room!
…These past three years have brought many changes in my life. When
my dear wife Evelyn left me to be with our Lord on May 20, 1977…I
came to Stonehenge, located here in Blairsville Ga, on January 2,
1998. We are in the North Eastern part of the state in Union County
about 3 miles from the North Carolina border.
Our summers are much cooler here than in Marietta, and the
mountains here remind me of the terrain back home in PA…We live in
a new residence that was completed in September of 1998.
Stonehenge has a good operations staff and they keep us quite busy
with the many activities here that are available to the residents. We
have a large outdoor swimming pool and bussing is provided for
sightseeing and individual shopping and appointments. We are free to
visit or travel as we please.
Each resident has a private room and shower, cable TV, and
telephone…and a beautiful deck for walking exercise that stretches all
the way around the building. We are also provided with trips to the
doctor and dental appointments (when needed).
My general health is good for my age but I do suffer with arthritis in
my knees, for which I take medication to relieve the pain. I am
enjoying the company of the many friends I have met since coming
here. Stonehenge is really a home away from home and living here is
most pleasant.
I want to wish all my relatives and friends a most joyous Christmas
and good health and happiness in the new Millennium year 2000!
Harry M.
Bob M.
Bob M. is our community scientist and contributes monthly to the Stonehenge Sentinel on
matters of the stars and heavens. Thanks to Bob’s awareness of the universe and his telescope, we
have gathered on the deck to watch an eclipse and meteor showers. We have enjoyed his collections
of all things that can fly or crawl.
Do you remember the year of the Cicadas? Just ask Bob and he will give you all the details.
He probably has one in a jar!
Excerpt from Stonehenge Sentinel
On one of the highest hilltops in Elbert County, Georgia, stands a huge
granite monument. On the four giant stones that support the common
capstone, are 10 guides or commandments engraved in eight different
languages. That monument is alternately referred to as The Georgia
Guide Stones, or the American Stonehenge!!!...Isn’t that interesting? As
you know that the renowned Stonehenge – other than the one in
Blairsville, (smile) is in the United Kingdom.
Bob McArthur
Bob M.
Bob enjoying clay modeling
Ernest S.
Shortly after Ernest moved into Stonehenge III he began to serve as Chaplain to our
community residents and pasturing a non-denominational Christian church service on Sundays that
serves our whole community.
He has recruited from our resident talent pool, piano players to accompany voices that can
sing praise and worship. Our residents have enjoyed communion services led by Brother Ernest on
Easter, Christmas Eve and other special occasions. He comes to us with a life of service to Christ
and brings his joyous enthusiasm to share with fellow residents and their friends and family.
Naturally Ernest is a source of inspiration to us by contributing to the “Stonehenge Sentinel”
with prayer and encouragement. He is at the moment writing his own memoirs. We look forward to
his completed work.
Ernest
Looking up, Glancing Back, Pressing Forward
This is a New Year’s sharing effort for a few special friends of Ernest.
First, the year 2009 is gonna be fine! I’m claiming it day by day to be
mine…
I am in Stonehenge Assisted Living. I do not make my bed, cook, do
my laundry, or drive anywhere. I have never heard more thank you’s
and you’re welcomes than our care givers and fellow residents
exchange in Building III. I lead Sunday Worship services with the help
of the residents…
The regularity of daily schedule is improving my health. Up at 6:30
am, shower, dress, breakfast, lunch, supper…My usual breakfast:
scrambled eggs, two bacon fried strips or sausage patties, toast with
jelly, oatmeal doctored with a spoon of molasses and soft raisins, cereal
and hot tea; lunch: nutritious meal with salad, vegetable, meat, small
milk, iced tea, bread and two glasses of water plus dessert; and supper:
light nutritious meal with milk and cookies brought to room
afterwards if desired. My health has improved.
We are over-entertained. I participate enough to stay sociable. I
relish this new time for reading, writing and reflection. What a
privilege of free time not available since my 1939 license to preach (70
years ago) that made me a Methodist minister…
Does opportunity for ministry end upon entry into Assisted Living!
Eloise, a new resident shared …”last year my husband died. Later I
lost our home. I am so thankful to be here in this new home! She daily
demonstrates her gratitude by friendly relations with other residents,
by vigorous walks around Building III using her can lightly fur safety.
She just passed by my window a second time with Wilma, a cane less
smiling companion. She did four laps around the building equaling
one half mile.
The Christmas Eve Communion service with good participation from
each of the other buildings in the Stonehenge Assisted Living Complex
demonstrated that better communication, planning and help can
result in more help for residents. Jackie Thompson, General Manager
went all out! Tara Brigham, the secretary assisted me in the serving of
the Lord’s Supper. Our care givers went the second mile in preparing
the elements and facilitating their distribution.
With so many entertaining opportunities there is no excuse for
becoming bored; scenic bus rides, bingo, crafts, sing alongs, healthy
daily walks around the building at 220 yards per circle in the safety of
a walker or inside during inclement weather, scenic train ride round
trip Blue Ridge to McCaysville, fishing jamboree – landing 81 trout for
a super supper and others…
Ernest S.
Letter to Minister of Music after Christmas Cantata
First Baptist Church
Dear Brother Terry,
What JOY, JOY, JOY, you brought to your church and our community.
Please express our gratitude to the CAST, your pastor, and couple dozen
behind the scene HELPERS who made this gift a reality to so many of us.
Jackie Thompson, our manager at Stonehenge, has promised me a
recording. We plan to use sections in our 9:30 – 10:15 Sunday morning
worship services. Mitch Thompson’s voice added much. It convinced
me that he can preach! Gratefully and earnestly yours, Ernest
Emery B.
Emery B. occupied his mind with the intricacies of electronics and music
media. He was fascinated with how everything worked and often caused them not to
work as he prodded every square inch of his CD player with a large screwdriver.
He loved going out on bi-weekly trips to Wal-Mart to look at all the new
inventions and gadgets, often trading in the ones weary of his screwdriver. Even in
his wheelchair he would wave his cane around pointing to the items he wanted to
bring home to play with from the Wal-Mart trips.
This exuberant man noticed that some of our resident population was getting
one-on-one visits from a particular CAN “angel” who worked in hospice care. This
particular angel by the name of “Mary” caught his attention. He would often say,
“some day I want to be on your team.” Not realizing what that really meant at the
time, he eventually did become part of Mary’s hospice team. This little man with a
huge personality left us a legacy of stories that remain in our hearts to this day.
Emery
with his
favorite
hat
Jerry B.
I remember Jerry B. would love to sweep the leaves and acorns as they fell all
around the portico of his building. He put his heart and soul into this daily labor of
love until the corn broom would shrink to only a two-inch bristle and then it was time
to give him a new one.
This man of a few words shared this intimate story…While in Pearl Harbor
during the bombing invasion, Jerry remembered being inside his ship under attack.
He watched his comrades falling all around him…
“But I was in the company of the Holy Mother who was holding me
in her arms. I know her very well and she knows me. She comes to talk
to me most every night, and I will see her again.”
Jerry
William F.
(From manager at Stonehenge 2 – Kathy Marlow)
When William moved into my building and told me he didn’t have a Mom anymore
and wanted to call me “Mom,” it touched my heart. There was a child in this man’s
heart that never really grew up…he had a nickname for everyone. If you had blonde
hair, your name was “Blondie.” He cried crocodile tears at the circus and for Santa
every Christmas. He loved to wear his Fez from his Shriner years and had a booming
voice that was not shy to ask for what he wanted; such as the regular trip to Captain
D’s with the fellas! We miss him dearly but the legacy lingers…I will always be the
“Mom.” Kathy Marlow