Luscious landscaping paired with cooperative efforts between the grounds crew and the residents create an environment that exceeds expectations.
“In 2008, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community was designated as a Wildlife Habitat. The community consists of 38 acres situated off Knox Abbott Drive in West Columbia. Fifteen of these acres are designated as a perpetual memorial forest, and it is a wonderful space treasured by residents and staff alike.
A walking trail, complete with exercise stations make it most inviting as a place to be outdoors…”
Article written by Hazel Fitzsimons, Resident of Still Hopes
Click here to read the entire article in the Columbia Star.
Still Hopes provides three really nice raised beds for resident use. They are high enough to avoid back pains when planting and picking vegetables. Each bed is set up with a timed drip irrigation system so watering is automatic. This has been especially helpful in the very warm summer days we have been having. All we have to do is plant the seed or plants, pull a few weeds, and harvest the crop. For me and several other residents this is a favorite activity. There is nothing like watching seed grow and produce a crop of tasty fresh vegetables. I enjoy sharing the fresh vegetables with other residents who are always so appreciative.
Levy Canova
To see all the great fruits and vegetables our gardens are producing, check out the Resident Gardens photo album on Facebook.
Last Thursday, June 10th, the Garden Room at Still Hopes was filled with residents to celebrate Summer with a beach themed party. Everyone’s toes were tapping to their favorite tunes supplied by volunteers Charles and Katherine Fritz in the DJ booth. Highlights of the evening included the Best Beachwear Contest, won by Madge Major and Blackie Meadows (pictured left to right), and the Still Hopes Line Dancers performing the Electric Slide and the Macarena. Check out the Facebook photo album to see more pictures from this event!
Every year at Still Hopes, the first weekend of May is set aside for the Family Day Picnic. On May 1st and 2nd, the Still Hopes campus hosted over 925 people, the largest crowd to date. Lunch was catered by Shealy’s barbeque and everyone pitched in by bringing their favorite dessert. This year the weekend focused on celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Guignard Mansion. The children enjoyed old fashioned activities like the May Pole dance, horse and buggy rides, sack races, and three-legged races. Members of the Guignard family were in attendance, and provided guided tours of the mansion. The Guignard Mansion Centennial Quilt, a group project created by residents, was unveiled and hung in the library for attendees to view for the first time.The New Century Salon Orchestra provided entertainment, playing songs from the 1910 time period. We were all thankful for the sunny weather, but most of all for this special time of fellowship between family, friends, and neighbors.
On April 22nd and 23rd residents from Still Hopes enjoyed exploring coastal Georgia. On the first day of our trip, we toured Savannah and put some “South in Our Mouths” at Paula Dean’s restaurant The Lady & Sons. Our accommodations were on St. Simon’s Island at the Four Star Oceanfront King & Prince Resort. The next day, we explored the island with a trolley tour that stopped at many historic points of interest including: Christ Church, Fort Frederica, and the Bloody Marsh battle site. Pictured are Mary Hope Rogers and Dale Pedrick aboard the St. Simon’s Trolley. Dale Pedrick was born in Waycross, Ga. and spent many summers on St. Simon’s Island where her grandparents had cottages. She especially enjoyed reminiscing about the wonderful times she had there. Before heading home, the group had time for lunch and shopping at Pier Village.
Last week, 18 residents boarded the Still Hopes bus and headed to Cheraw, SC. Pictured left to right: Sarah Spruill, our local tour guide, Nell Barr, Nell’s daughter Beverly, Jennie Guyton, her niece Beverly, and Pat Finlayson. Nell lived in Cheraw for five years, and Pat and Jennie were both born in Cheraw. Our day was filled with a driving tour of the town, visits to historic landmarks, and a lovely luncheon in a private home, catered by the Episcopal Church Women of St. David’s Episcopal Church. The azaleas and dogwoods lined every corner, and we all agreed that Cheraw lived up to its nickname, “The Prettiest Town in Dixie”.
This past Tuesday, 12 residents enjoyed a guided nature hike at the USC Belser Arboretum. The group was guided by retired USC professor Dr. Pat DeCoursey. We could not have asked for a better day; the weather was sunny and the trees had just begun leafing out. We followed the Arboretum Trail Loop which took us for a 3/5 mile hike around the perimeter of the nature preserve. Along the way, Dr. DeCoursey pointed out interesting plantings like the newest addition, an October Glory Red Maple. She also explained the long restoration process that began 4 years ago, and the future of this ongoing project. Everyone enjoyed being able to stretch their legs outdoors after the long winter, and plans were made to return to the Arboretum for a picnic in the near future.
Wow! Our winter/spring concert series has been awesome. More to come with Peter Kolkay, USC Asst. Professor, Bassoon on Monday night, March 29th at 7:30. The April event calendar is full of fun, with more great music, day and overnight trips, and Volunteer Appreciation Day!
The Luck of the Irish was with the three teams competing in the 2010 Winter Wii Bowling Tournament at Still Hopes!
This past Wednesday on St. Patrick’s Day, the final round of the tournament took place at Still Hopes. A great group of spectators were in attendance to cheer on their favorite players. The teams were: “Still on a Roll” with Ed and Junie Hickman, Richard Kennedy, and Anne Beazley, “The Rolling Pins” with Margia Peeples, Charles Culbertson, Eliza Horton, and Nevin Betts, and “The Silver Strikers” with Lottie McLain, Emma Byars, Bobby Sumwalt, and Bill Strohecker. “The Rolling Pins” had the highest total score over the four rounds, and Margia Peeples had the highest individual total score. The winning team was awarded the traveling bowling pin trophy and bragging rights until the next tournament. Everyone enjoyed the refreshments, bowling ball cookies, and green sherbet punch.
Click Here to find out more about all the exciting events taking place at Still Hopes.
Herb Guerry, a resident of Still Hopes, talks about his experience using the Brain Fitness program.
Mr. Guerry was filmed by a BGT student partner. Still Hopes was selected as one of three BGTime Centers in the Columbia area. Developed to bridge the gap between today’s digital media and seniors, the program gives participants “opportunity and voice” so that their stories can be heard across the internet.
Visit the BGTime.org website to learn more about Bridging Generations through Technology, Information, Media and Engagement.
