AmbSpring09:AmbSpring09 5/8/09 3:36 PM Page 1 SPRING 2009 EDITION Our Home is Topped with Love! On December 3 the Trustees Chairs for their leadership in successfully Our Building with the Tree on the Top of the Saint Simeon’s raising the funds needed for the project. written by Chris Gruszeczki Episcopal Home and Saint The Dotsons thanked the Campaign Simeon’s Foundation, Cabinet and the Trustees, family members, Here is an excerpt from her song. supporters and friends of funding foundations, generous (To the tune of “Surrey with the Fringe on Top”) the Home along with individuals, private companies We have all been waiting for so long Orepresentatives from Flintco, and staff members whose Praying so that nothing could go wrong the project contractor, and MATRIX generous support have Waiting for a chance to see our brand new building Architects, Engineers, Planners, Inc., the made this expansion And this great occasion rates a song. project design team gathered for the project possible. formal Topping Out Will Farrior, Our old building has grown oh so weary Cinder blocks are lookin’ quite dreary Ceremony for Saint Chairman of the Home Now we’ve got one that will be so cheery Simeon’s new Board, noted the work of With a tree on top! Assisted Living and the Building It looks out on a south panorama Wellness Centers Committee Chair, You can almost see Alabama expansion project. George Dotson, in Or up north where the plains of blue grama A “topping out” is a overseeing the progress of Are a golden crop! signal that the uppermost steel beam of the the project for the Home. We’ll have a pool where the water’s warm building is going into place, and that the The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny, And you can sit where it bubbles building has reached its height. It is Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of And feel your aching muscles sooth And soak away your troubles! customary for the beam to be painted Oklahoma and Home Board Honorary white and signed by the ironworker crew Go little tree, we are all so proud of ya and other well-wishers before it is hoisted There’s nothin’ grander or standin’ above ya We will salute and all say that we love ya into position. When you land kerplop! In addition, Saint Simeon’s Residents On our brand new building with the tree on and Staff wrote well-wishes that were tied the top! with ribbons to an evergreen tree that was attached before the beam ascended. This physical symbol was an appropriate way to At the joint meeting of the Trustees of give thanks to all who have “lifted up” the Home Board and the Foundation Board, Saint Simeon’s with their generosity. Home Board Chairman, Will Farrior, Mary Ann Hille (l), Maggie Hille Yar, & Shirley declared December 3, 2009, as Martin (r)(Hille Foundation) are joined by Lindsay Fick (President/CEO) and Phyllis & George Dotson James Harvey Day at Saint Simeon’s. (Campaign Co-Chairs). Mr. Harvey was a Board member, Capital Campaign Cabinet member and Chair, gave the blessing for the topping before his death on November 19, 2008, out. As a crane raised the beam into place, a Resident at the Home. Chris Gruszeczki, Saint Simeon’s Life PROCLAMATION Enrichment Director, sang the special tree topping lyrics -“Our Building with the Tree Whereas, James Harvey served on the on Top” - she wrote to the tune of “The Saint Simeon’s Board of Trustees Surrey with the Fringe on Top.” for seventeen years; and, At the conclusion of the Topping Out (L-R) Judy Kishner (The Anne and Whereas, James Harvey, his mother, Henry Zarrow Foundation) with Lindsay Fick Ceremony guests and Residents of the Edythe Harvey and his wife, Inadoll Harvey, and Phyllis & George Dotson. Home were treated to a wonderful were Residents of Saint Simeon’s; and reception. Lively musical entertainment The topping out tradition according provided by the Charles Emerson Trio was Whereas, James Harvey served on the Board’s CQI Committee for ten years; and, to folklore dates back hundreds of years. In underwritten by Robin Ballenger. more recent times this custom is traced to Whereas, James Harvey was a donor of the time when high-rise construction record to Saint Simeon’s since 1977; and, started in major cities. The iron worker crews were mostly Native Americans and Whereas, James Harvey and his wife, Inadoll, are members of the Society of they believed that no structure should be Saint Simeon’s; and, taller than the tallest tree; therefore a tree rode to the top on the tallest steel beam. Whereas, James Harvey showed his love Lindsay Hurley Fick, President/CEO for Saint Simeon’s by giving so generously of his time, talent and treasure; of Saint Simeon’s, welcomed the 75 or more guests assembled on the construction Now, therefore, I, William E. Farrior, site. Robin Ballenger, Trustee of Saint (L-R) Glenda Love (Home Board member), Chairman of Saint Simeon’s Board Simeon’s, Foundation Board and Chairman Walter H. Helmerich, III (The Helmerich Foundation) of Trustees, do hereby proclaim and Will Farrior (Home Board Chairman). of Flintco, spoke about the meaning and December 3, 2008 as importance of a Topping Out Ceremony. Special guests in attendance included “James Harvey Day” Robert Millspaugh, President of the lead donors Mary Ann Hille, Maggie Hille at Saint Simeon’s Episcopal Home Foundation Board recognized George and Yar and Shirley Martin of the Hille Phyllis Dotson, Capital Campaign Co- continued on page 2 Spring 2009 Ambiance 1 AmbSpring09:AmbSpring09 5/8/09 3:36 PM Page 2 continued from page 1 Foundation, William Smith of the William S. Smith Charitable Trust and the Sherman E. Smith Family Charitable Foundation, Judy Kishner of The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, Konnie Boulter with The Oxley Foundation, Joan Flint and Robin Ballenger of the Charles W. and Pauline K. Flint Foundation, Walt Helmerich, III of The Helmerich Foundation, and Maggie Whitt. The $22,100,000 Our Next The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny (L-R) Bob Millspaugh (Foundation Board President), Mary Lou Havener (Auxiliary Chapter: Building with Love! capital (Bishop, Episcopal Diocese member) and George Harrington (Auxiliary President) sign the final beam. expansion project will replace the of Oklahoma & Honorary Chairman, original Assisted Living apartments Home Board of Trustees) gave the blessing for the topping out. The final Beam opened in 1960, expand the number with the evergreen of Assisted Living apartments by 20, add a Wellness Center with a tree attached is put warm water activity pool and feature incredible panoramic views of into place. Tulsa from the top of Saint Simeon’s hill. The number of Residents served will increase from 175 to 200. The project is scheduled for completion July 2009. For further information contact Stephen Mason, Executive Director of Saint Simeon’s Foundation, at 918.794.1937 or [email protected]. Special Tours of the New Assisted Living & Wellness Centers will be available after June 1. Contact Karen Garren at 918.794.1945 Our Next Chapter is Nearing Completion Excitement is building as the opening of the new Assisted Living • Security cameras encompassing the campus; and Wellness Centers nears. The opening is on schedule for July! The • Security monitors in the Security Office allowing security view of our soon-to-be Home from the new Gilcrease Extension, as personnel to visually survey and inspect the campus and to well as from the L.L. Tisdale Parkway is very impressive. Upon monitor service deliveries and emergency traffic through our completion of our new 72,000 sq ft expansion our Home will be able new limited access east entry; to serve 200 Residents. In addition to receiving loving, quality care • Computer hardware and software to provide needed from our nurses, nurse aides and support staff, Residents in all living communication; and, areas of the Home will enjoy the new warm water activity pool, • Extensive conduit, cabling and a wireless router to link all of the exercise equipment, Bistro and other new active living spaces. systems. Preparations for the move to the new Assisted Living Center The projected cost for the integrated security system is are already well underway. The Home’s Assisted Living $444,000. The existing building project budget includes $117,000 Committee is working hard to make the transition to the new to help fund a portion of the security system, so the net cost for Center as seamless as possible. Residents have been making their the expanded scope is $327,000. We are actively seeking donations apartment choices and will be assisted in moving to the new to help fund this additional project. Center by Saint Simeon’s staff. A special Preview and Reception is planned for Wednesday, Members of the Auxiliary Landscape Committee, May 13, 2009 in the Hille Family Entrance and Foyer of the new representatives from the Board, the construction manager and the Assisted Living and Wellness Centers. At that time Residents, Home’s Environmental Services Department have been meeting to Board members, and the Auxiliary leadership will gather to hear plan the green spaces, trees and landscaping that will compliment Tom and Meredith Brokaw. The Brokaws will be the special guest the new outdoor spaces. speakers at the Donor Recognition dinner which is planned for We are very grateful for the leadership of George and Phyllis the evening of May 13th. Meredith is the niece of James Harvey, Dotson who served as Campaign Co-Chairs for this very who was a member of the Saint Simeon’s Board of Trustees, a aggressive, challenging and successful campaign.