Margaret Wheat, long-time community member and current Meadowlark Hills resident, received the Manhattan Legacy Award on Monday, May 14, at the Meadowlark Hills Legacy Banquet.

Senator Roger Reitz, a local physician, was the speaker for the evening. Reitz and Wheat served together as members of the Manhattan Retirement Foundation board in 1976. “Meadowlark Hills is one of the premier institutions of its kind in the United States. Steve Shields conceived of unique services suited for the retired and elderly,” Reitz said. “Margaret played a role in many of the ongoing decisions in the organization."

Wheat was presented with her award, a jade glass circle with a burgundy base, by Meadowlark Hills CEO and President, Willie Novotny, and Executive Director of the Meadowlark Hills Foundation, Matthew Cobb. “We thank Margaret for her contributions of invaluable knowledge in the planning, building and development of Meadowlark Hills,” Novotny said.

Wheat noted that during the development of Meadowlark Hills, many names were presented as possibilities. These included Konza Heights, Homestead Hill, Prairie View, North Star, and even Hobble Inn. “Agreement came when someone remembered all of the meadowlarks that flew up from the grasses when the board visited the building site for the first time, and thus the board arrived at our name, Meadowlark Hills,” Wheat said. She was joined by her entire family for the banquet.

The Legacy Society is a group of individuals who have included Meadowlark Hills as a recipient of charitable support through their estate planning efforts. In planning for their future with contributions, Meadowlark Hills is able to better plan for its future.

Previous Manhattan Legacy Award recipients include Arthur Loub, Dennis and Sally von Waaden, Joye Ansdell, Steve Shields, Phil Howe and Jack Goldstein.