The emerald anniversary celebration starts next week with a special kick off at Town Meeting Monday, June 1! It’s been 35 years since Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community was formerly dedicated on June 8, 1980. During the week-long celebration lasting through Friday, June 5, residents and staff will be seen wearing green “Celebrating 35 Years” shirts, and several are already drinking from green tumblers now available at Verna Belle’s Cafe for $5.   

“Emerald Editions” of regularly occurring events, such as Community Bingo, Coffee Corner and the weekly ice cream social are planned! Community Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, June 1. Monte Spiller, Resident Services Leader, will be the caller the cost is $1 per card to play! All proceeds will benefit the Good Samartian Fund at Meadowlark Hills. Coffee Corner will start at the regular time Tuesday, June 2, but will also feature an anniversary cake and punch, and a special Meadowlark Medley performance by Kinzie Jo Zimmerman, Sales Leader. Call Hall Ice Cream will be available at no charge Wednesday, June 3, and there will be four flavors to choose from!

Former CEO Steve Shields will serve as a guest bartender on Monday, June 1, at Kansas Room Pub, and a Bayer Pond dedication ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 3 at the pond, weather permitting. In addition, campus tours will be offered on a walk-in basis Monday through Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. starting at the Hospitality Desk.

The following presentations are scheduled for the anniversary week. Residents, employees, Passport members and the Manhattan Community are invited to attend one, a few or all of the informational sessions.

• Moving to Meadowlark Hills: presented by Kinzie Jo Zimmerman, Sales Leader

Learn about the living options at Meadowlark Hills from the expert! Kinzie Jo will share what it takes to make the move to our campus.

 Helping Your Family Member Make the Move: presented by Kinzie Jo Zimmerman, Sales Leader, and Kristen Martin, Social Services Leader

 Transitioning from your long-time home in the community can be a bit overwhelming at times! Learn how you can support your family member in making a move to Meadowlark Hills.

• Parkinson’s Program & Dementia Services: presented by Michelle Haub, Parkinson’s Program Leader, and Kristen Martin, Social Services Leader

Hear about the wildly successful and supportive Parkinson’s Program of Manhattan at Meadowlark Hills from Michelle Haub. Kristen Martin will share about the memory-support care options and resources at Meadowlark Hills.

• Healthy Living Panel Q&A: featuring Jeff Heidbreder, Fitness Leader; Kelly Miller, Home Health Leader; Mary Jo Eichman, Physician’s Practice Leader; and Lisa Schwarz, Dietitian

Learn about what Meadowlark Hills has to offer in regards to fitness, massage, dietary support, physician’s services and home health. Meet the leaders of these areas and find out how Meadowlark Hills can help support your healthy living.

• What You Need to Know About Planning Financially for Long-Term Care: presented by Rita Harsch, Financial Counselor

The world of insurance, Medicaid, attorneys, retirement, banking and benefits can weave one, giant tangled web. Rita’s level of expertise with the Medicaid and insurance process allows her the opportunity to advocate for residents and their families to ensure they are receiving the benefits that are available. Learn more about how you can prepare yourself financially for long-term care.

• The Meadowlark Hills Difference: presented by Lonnie Baker, CEO, and Annie Peace, Health Services Director

What makes Meadowlark Hills special? Learn from Lonnie Baker and Annie Peace about how Meadowlark Hills began and the organization’s journey through Culture Change.

If that’s not enough to get you in the emerald party mood, movies from the 1980s will be shown at Grosh Cinema from Sunday, May 31, through Saturday, June 6, and three green cocktails will be available at Kansas Room Pub. Try the 35 Special or Green Star any afternoon and events that week, and/or sip Emerald Party Punch during Summerfest.

Our annual block party, Summerfest, is scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 5. This yearly FREE event features a cook-out, live band, games for children and the young at heart as well as a beer garden. All residents, staff, families, Passport members and board members are welcome to attend. Summerfest is Meadowlark Hills’ annual kickoff to summer, so what better way to end a five-day anniversary extravaganza?

For more information, please see the invitation, the Opportunities Calendar in today’s edition of the Meadowlark Hills Messenger, or contact Sarah Duggan at (785) 323-3860. Happy 35^th Anniversary, Meadowlark Hills!