Current News: News & Press Releases

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Covenant Woods Resident Artists on Display

Winnie and Billy Vial moved to Covenant Woods in 2001 and had many hobbies including square dancing and playing the piano but painting was certainly not one.  Fast forward 7 years and the Vial’s are presenting their first art show.

Curious about a watercolor class at Covenant Woods, taught by fellow resident, Libby Taylor, Winnie decided to try her hand at it.  “I was quickly surprised at what I was able to produce and really enjoyed the class.  Fours years later I am refining my style and having fun.” says Winnie.

Winnie was able to persuade Billy to join the group the following year and the couple was recently asked to do a show together.  The Vials’ 24 piece collection will be on display in Covenant Woods’ rotating gallery the month of May for residents, staff and guests to enjoy. 

You will find that some of their work may look familiar as they paint scenes of area landmarks and replicate the work of well-known artists to help fine tune perspective and shading techniques.  “No one is expected to create a master piece but many have come pretty close,” Taylor says as the Vials’ work is being hung for the show.

The watercolor class is one of the many activities offered to residents to continue past interests and explore new ones.  “We have about 400 programs and activities offered during any given month for our residents to participate in such as woodworking, educational classes and trips to places of interest in and around Richmond,” commented Meghan Horan, Director of Recreation.

Stepping back and looking at their work the Vials said, “We are both very grateful to Libby Taylor for her instructions and patience.  We’ve had such a great time and are really happy that we just gave it a try.”

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Covenant Woods Announces 2008 - 2009 Board of Directors

The Board of Directors’ membership for 2008-2009 has been elected for Covenant Woods Continuing Care Retirement Community.  The senior living community in Hanover County has named Joseph E. Marshburn as Chairman of the Board, Leslie A. Shimer as Vice Chairman, and Mary Vaughan Francis as Secretary.  Newly elected to the twenty-one member Board, for the three year term are Peggie L. Atkins, Jimmy T. Mills, Rev. Margie Turbyfill and Thelma Bland Watson. 

Mr. Marshburn is a graduate of Richmond Professional Institute with a B.S. Degree in Business, and retired as Chief of Purchasing for Plant and Construction for Reynolds Metals. He has 27 years experience in the procurement of engineering, maintenance and construction services, and the development and direction of policies and procedures related to procurement activities. Mr. Marshburn is a certified purchasing manager, past president of Old Dominion Purchasing Management Association and past director of National Affairs and National Association of Purchasing Managers. He is an active member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, and first became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 1999.

Mrs. Shimer is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a B.S. Degree in Psychology; a graduate from Boston College with a M.A. degree in counseling, and a J.D. degree. She has worked for Bank of America and its predecessors for sixteen years focusing on estate and trust administration. Mrs. Shimer has also worked for several years in private practice concentrating in estate and trust work. She is a member of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church and has served as a moderator of Board of Deacons; and served on the stewardship, endowment and Sunday school committees. She is also Secretary of Richmond Estate Planning Council and became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 2005.

Ms. Francis attended Virginia Commonwealth University and was with the Virginia Department of Health for forty-one years as a health planner, assistant director and director of Division of Licensing and Certification (now Center for Quality Health Services & Consumer Protection).  She wrote and implemented state licensing and federal certification laws and regulations pertaining to general, maternity and outpatient surgical hospitals; nursing homes, Medicare and Medicaid providers of hospital, hospice, laboratory and other health care provider services.  Ms. Francis was also instrumental in implementing a number of Federal training programs to improve rehabilitative nursing, dietary services in nursing homes and initiate patient care planning and assessments in medical and nursing facilities. Ms. Francis is on the Board of Directors of Bainbridge Community Ministry and Forest Oaks Homeowner Association.  She is an active member of Central United Methodist Church, Covenant Woods’ Guild and became a member of the Covenant Woods Board of Directors in 2005.

Peggie Atkins recently retired as Director of Foundation Relations at Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education. During her 25-year career at Union-PSCE, she served as Director of Donor Stewardship, Associate Director of Development, and Interim Director of Development. She is a Registered Parliamentarian and continues both professionally and as a volunteer, to teach, serve as by-laws consultant and parliamentarian for local and state organizations. She was active in the Virginia Federation of Women’s Club, serving in leadership positions at the local, district, and state levels. Mrs. Atkins is a long-time member of Welborne United Methodist Church and is currently the chairman of the worship committee.

Mr. Mills is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College and Virginia Commonwealth University.   He owns Infrastructure and Highway Solutions to provide services to Contractors, Consulting Engineering, Management and Government Agencies to address transportation and other infrastructure issues.  He has close to 40 years experience working for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Transportation.  Mr. Mills is a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church and is working to plant a new Methodist Church in Massaponax, Virginia.  

Rev. Turbyfill is the pre-ministerial supervisor of the L. Purnell Bailey Scholarship Program at Randolph-Macon College.  She has a B.A. from Duke University and a M.Div. from The Divinity School at Duke. 

Thelma Watson is the executive director of Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging.  Dr. Watson attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she received a Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration and a graduate degree in Gerontology.  She received an undergraduate degree in Sociology/Social Work from Virginia State University.  Dr. Watson has also served as executive director of Field Service for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and Commissioner of the Va. Department for the Aging.

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From steamboats to symphonies, Carolyn Huntley enjoys a life of activity and volunteering

“Ol’ Man River” brings back multiple memories for resident Carolyn Huntley. The classic American song from the musical “Show Boat” is one of the selections she performed recently in one of her regular volunteer piano recitals for Health Care residents. It’s also a nickname for the Mississippi, of which she has seen all but 100 miles in her 16 steamboat trips over the years.

Spending time with Carolyn, one quickly appreciates how rich and varied her life has been, and how much enjoyment she gets from actively participating in community events.

Her love of music was nurtured when she was a student at Oberlin College in northern Ohio, and she continues to draw joy from playing the piano. The twice-monthly performances she gives here had a serendipitous beginning.

When her late husband Joe was recovering from a cerebral hemorrhage some years ago, Carolyn was visiting one day and inspiration struck. “When he was at Sheltering Arms, they had a small upright piano and Joe loved music, so I took him in and put his wheelchair by the piano. Pretty soon, the door would open and someone would ask, “May I come in and hear the music?” So, when I moved here, I thought that was something I could do in his memory… to play for those in Health Care,” says Carolyn.

One morning when she was rehearsing, Paul Wagner, who works part-time for Covenant Woods, came into the room. Carolyn related, “He just came over to the piano and started singing along, and he had such a beautiful voice.” She asked if he would be willing to join her, and now the two of them perform together regularly, covering musical inspiration ranging from opera to ragtime. “We have a wonderful time,” she says, and all agree that their music adds much to the rich life of the community.

Her fascination with steamboats is also serendipitous. Carolyn grew up near Cincinnati, which is the home of the famous “Delta Queen.” She lived in the suburbs, and when the wind was just right, she could hear the steamboat’s calliope playing in the distance. Later, she had reservations to travel on the “Delta Queen,” but postponed the trip… and as a result, had the opportunity to meet and fall in love with her future husband. Much later, after their retirement, they shared an interest in this form of travel and made many trips together. “It’s very different on the rivers, because out country is so beautiful, and you never know what’s around the next bend,” says Carolyn.

Carolyn is very active on the Activities Committee for Covenant Woods, and several months ago was asked to be in charge of contacting speakers. She was instrumental in bringing Mark Russell Smith, conductor of the Richmond Symphony, to speak and perform… a special delight for her since she also ushers for the Symphony. For most people, a life this busy wouldn’t leave time for much else. But she’s also enthusiastic about the watercolor classes she’s taking, and enjoys playing bridge, “when I can.”

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Covenant Woods Celebrates Grand Opening of New Expansion

Covenant Woods residents, donors and distinguished guests gathered together on Friday, September 14 to celebrate the opening of the new 50 apartment addition. A large crowd was on hand to enjoy music and lovely hors d’urves while Tim Johnson, Covenant Woods CEO, Jim Lester, Covenant Woods Chairman of the Board and Jack Ward, Hanover County Supervisor spoke and offered a toast to the completion of the multi-million dollar expansion. Guest raised their glasses of champagne and later enjoyed a custom created 4 tier cake with the top tier modeled after the new building.

The expansion opened it’s doors to the first new resident on Wednesday, May 23, 2007. Throughout the summer months new residents were moving into their new homes. The expansion is now 99% full with only 2 apartments remaining. “The opening of this building has been long awaited. We were pleased to have so many wonderful friends to celebrate this wonderful occasion,” stated Tim Johnson.

For more information, contact the marketing office at 804.569.8000.

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Covenant Woods Supports Hanover School Supply Drive

For the fourth year in a row the residents, volunteers, friends, families and employees of Covenant Woods are helping Hanover County children to be prepared with new school supplies for the upcoming school year.

In support of the Hanover County schools, members of the Covenant Woods community have been buying and collecting hundreds of pencils, crayons, notebooks and book bags and adding them to Covenant Woods’ collection containers. “This year was our largest collection effort to date. Many of the residents and staff went above and beyond to help out this year,” commented Beth Richardson, Marketing and Development Director for Covenant Woods.

On August 14th Kara Dunleavy, Youth Services Specialist for the Hanover County Department of Community Resources stopped by Covenant Woods to pick up the school supplies. Mrs. Dunleavy said, “We’ve collected 5,000 supplies in the past for Hanover elementary students and we are hoping with your help we’ll exceed that amount this year.”

Once all the supplies are collected they will be dispersed to local Hanover schools for distribution to the children who don’t have the resources to buy these supplies themselves.