I had always heard Meadowlark Hills is for older adults, but when I moved in, I found out Meadowlark Hills keeps us young.
Philosophical Backpacking
March 20, 2025
Blog
Our 5th annual FOOD, FRIENDS and FUNdraising event to benefit the Good Samaritan Fund generated $24,765.64 in revenue! This number is a few thousand less than 2017’s total, but more
sponsors, higher Cox Bros. BBQ sales, a generous 50/50 Raffle winner and fewer expenses equal a larger net profit ($21,897.53) than 2017’s tally ($20,985.23).
Lots of people like the smorgasbord fashion of dining, at least occasionally. But another smorgasbord exists, and it’s all around us 24/7/365 & 1/4th. The menu varies with the season, but it occurs throughout our campus as well as our rural hills and valleys. Wild animals dine, without reservations, both night and day, and on an endless variety of goodies, depending upon the species—and time of year.
We soon will lose our summer umbrella of living shingles: the marvelous evolutionary development we call the green plant leaf. In addition to the leafs' essential process of photosynthesis, they offer shade to plants, animals, and soils in thousands of different ways.
But leaves, even on conifer trees, are temporary structures. For deciduous trees, we celebrate this ephemerality by looking forward to the change in leaf colors—our palette of fall--knowing full well that color change is related to leaf drop and death.
We’re just a few weeks into fall, but it’s not too early to think about spring. Meadowlark’s travel program began in the fall of 2004 with a trip to Branson, and for our 20th adventure, Monte Spiller and I are as giddy as Sesame Street characters thinking about the letter “A”. Again working with a Canadian travel agency, we’ve put together five days and four nights, primarily in Arkansas.
Kansas Room Pub-goers and Meadowlark’s Art Committee have long been united in their wishes to add art to the pub that reflects the vibrancy of the space. The landscape painting that previously hung on the west wall is lovely, for sure, but many thought it was too tranquil for the boisterous atmosphere of our Wednesday ice cream socials and our nightly cocktails and conversation.
Talented at helping people save and spend their money wisely, five local and area financial advisors are inviting us to join them in investing in the future of Meadowlark residents. These generous professionals are contestants in a HOG & Kisses Contest and are asking their friends, family, coworkers, colleagues and Meadowlark stakeholders to help them raise money for the Good Samaritan Fund. The contest is a feature of the 5th annual HOGTOBERFEST, set for Thursday, Oct. 25, at Cox Bros. BBQ.
Four paintings by current Meadowlark residents are on display this month on the wall opposite the Game Room. Elaine Manges, Apt. 213, and June Myers, 1220 Meadowlark Circle, answered the Art Committee’s call for artwork to be hung in this temporary exhibit space. All four pieces are watercolor paintings. The Art Committee’s plan is to use the temporary exhibit space to display new art, either purchased or donated for Meadowlark’s collection.
All four members of the Duggan family participated in the tenth annual Speedy Pd Race for Parkinson’s Disease on Saturday, Aug. 25, at Tuttle Creek State Park. Murphy Rose was delighted with her halfmile family fun run performance and celebrated with a delicious sno-kone at race headquarters. She looks forward to “her” race every year and I enjoy watching her determined face as she sprints toward the finish line.
The 10th Annual Speedy Pd Race for Parkinson’s was Saturday, Aug. 25, at Tuttle Creek State Park. The weather was nothing short of steamy, but it didn’t appear to rain on anyone’s enjoyment of the day and the activities. The party-like atmosphere in race headquarters was amazing! This year, more than any other year, it seemed as if people stayed longer and enjoyed their time with family and friends while recharging with Eastside & Westside Markets fresh fruit, Panera bagels, Cox Bros BBQ and Houlihan’s chips & dip.
Friends of Meadowlark have a fun and tasty opportunity to support the Meadowlark Foundation’s Good Samaritan Fund when the doors to Cox Bros. BBQ open at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25. Brothers Bud and Bobby Cox, sons of Meadowlark Hills resident Ellie Cox, pledge to donate 10% of that day’s proceeds to the Fund during our 5th annual HOGTOBERFEST. Food specials on Oct. 25 at Cox Bros. BBQ, 223 McCall Road, include a pulled pork and chicken slider buffet, available for $9.99 from 11 to 2 p.m., and a hog roast buffet beginning at 5 p.m. for $12.99.