Tag Archives: Atlanta area retirement community

2012 President’s Gala and Awards Dinner Held at Park Springs in Atlanta, Georgia

Nils Stein
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Every year the ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter hosts the President’s Gala and Awards Dinner where chapter members, vendors and community volunteers are recognized for their service to the chapter. This year’s event was held on February 6, 2012 at Park Springs Atlanta area retirement community in Stone Mountain Georgia. Executive Chef Derrick Henry and his staff, the entire management team, front of the house, housekeeping and student volunteers worked tirelessly to put together an outstanding event. Chef Henry’s buffet stations focused on flavors from around the world. Caribbean, German, Asian and a Tuscan Bar were among a few of the dishes that could be found encircling the banquet hall.

This year’s Gala was attended by more than 200 of Atlanta’s culinary leaders. Attendees ranged from chefs, cooks, pastry chefs and bakers, culinary instructors, culinary students and industry leaders from numerous food companies in Atlanta. The awards portion of the evening began by honoring organizations that continually supported the chefs, chapter and community throughout the year and concluded with the chapter awards. Recipients of these chapter awards were:

Chef of the Year – Keith Armstrong – 2011 ACF National Finalist

Pastry Chef of the Year – Kyongra “Alex” Hwang – 2011 ACF National Pastry Chef of the Year

Student Culinarian of the Year – Keith Schwock – 2011 ACF National Finalist

Humanitarian of the Year – John Szymanski

Vendor of the Year – Sysco

Presidential Award of the Year – Hermann Schatzer

The ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter would like to thank all the wonderful chapter members, vendors and purveyors who give their support and make this ACF chapter the best in the country. Without you, we could not create an organization where chefs can network and grow in the culinary industry and impact the communities of Atlanta as we do. Working together we can accomplish much and help make Atlanta one of the country’s top culinary leaders.

“A Push to Turn ‘For Sale’ Into ‘Sold’” as published in the Wall Street Journal

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Click to Read the Article

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article entitled “A Push to Turn ‘For Sale’ Into ‘Sold.’”  Since 2009 Park Springs Atlanta area retirement community has offered the Vintage Home Plan which assists Members in the sale of their current residence.

Members (residents of the community) are able to take advantage of the lifestyle Park Springs offers Atlanta active adults while deferring up to 75% of their entry fee until their home sells.  Park Springs will also assist Members with their move to the community as well as make minor repairs and stage their previous residence if necessary to insure a prompt sale.

Over the past couple years, Park Springs has had 42 Members take advantage of the Vintage Home Plan with 29 having sold their home on average within 10 months.  If you would like to learn more about Park Springs Vintage Home plan, please contact one of our Residency Counselors or visit our web site www.parksprings.com.

A musical at a retirement community!

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The statement needs to be read aloud with a hint of sarcasm.  That’s the response I have received as I speak with others (those outside the confines of our community of course) about how impressed I have been with the annual Park Springs’ musical which was performed this week for the fifth year in a row.  I paraphrased an old Oldsmobile ad campaign and said “this is not your father’s retirement community!”  Park Springs represents the new generation of retirement communities and our Members embody that spirit well, as evidenced by the musical and many more pursuits.

The musical entitled “Here We Go Again” is produced and directed by Marvin Himmel, a Member of Park Springs.   Except for those parts performed by the Vista Grove Dancers, who do a fantastic job, all cast and crew are Members of the Atlanta area retirement community.  In total, cast, and crew number more than 40, not including the Park Springs Art Department who created much of the scenery.  If you weren’t in the musical, than you were most certainly there to watch; this year’s performance sold out all four nights.  The auditorium in Park Springs Community Hall seats over 100.

The program this year includes Broadway hits such as “Annie Get Your Gun,” “My Fair Lady,” “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma,” and many more.  The photos I took with my own phone don’t do the show any justice, but I wanted to include some visual.  I look forward to posting some of the professional photography taken of the show, as well as airing a video on You Tube after the first of the year.

Thank you Marvin, cast and crew as well as all the Members of Park Springs who, as the program aptly states, “make Park Springs a very unique, valued retirement community.”

“Thank you so much for my supper front row ticket to the delightful production of Here We Go Again, by the Park Springs Players. It was truly spectacular, filled with an extraordinary level of energy! The players were clearly having great fun and that great sense of enjoyment was certainly experience by the audience throughout the performance. Thanks again for a very memorable evening of fun, great music and meeting new friends!!  Very best wishes to you and to your family for a very Merry Christmas and for all good things in the New Year!”

-Dick, Park Springs Member

March was a very Irish month for Cobblestone

Lisa Kiely
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The month of March was full of many different activities with an Irish theme.  We made green soap, greeting cards, and rice crispie treats.  The members learned so much about St.Patricks day with all the trivia, puzzles, songs and games.  Happy hour each week included something green from cupcakes to jello, we all had a great month celebrating the Irish heritage and customs.  It was a month enjoyed by everyone at Cobblestone and all over our Atlanta area retirement community.

The new month brings new fun things to learn and do.  I can’t wait.

Jennifer Roach

Exceptional Employees

Raymond Previto
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Raymond Previto, Environmental Services Director

 

 

It’s hard to believe that 2010 has passed and we are into the second month of 2011. When I looked back at the employees of the Environmental Services department, those that keep our Atlanta area retirement community, Park Springs, clean and organized, I noticed that during 2010 we had three “Employees of the Month” and one of those became the ”Employee of the Year”. These employees bring a caring attitude to everything they do. They are an intricate part of the lives of the Park Springs Members. Our Members rely on a calendar to keep up with their busy lives and on that calendar is always noted the day and time their Housekeeper will pay a visit. Members and the housekeeping staff understand the bond that forms when you invite someone into your home and enjoy and benefit from that relationship. Park Springs has kind and loyal employees in all departments and they make our community a wonderful place to live.

A New Year Brings a New Look

Nils Stein
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Jim Schneeberger; Food & Beverage Director

Our Atlanta retirement community food services Department has entered 2011 with all new menus in all Dining Venues.  We have taken the approach of assuring that Members see their favorite items more often in some cases daily and in other cases twice every five weeks.  This has created several new looks and changes for the Main Dining Room where we have increased the number of entree selections to 16.  We have also added chili to our starter items, changed out to more seasonal desserts and added a greater variety of vegetables and starter salads.  All these changes have created a more all inclusive menu in the Main Dining Room where a Member can have a lghter type salad entree or a heavier beefy type entree depending on the way they feel.  The Pub has seen a ”Munchie Menu” appear, where Members can order a smoked salmon or fried mozzarela sticks appetizer to go along with their favorite cocktail.  All changes have been introduced based on Members comments and input from interaction during meal time.  It is through the interaction of Members and staff that allows the Park Springs Food Services Department to make changes be successful.

Park Springs Guest Suites: Not Your Average Atlanta Senior Homes

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Raymond Previto Environmental Services Director

At Park Springs, an Atlanta area retirement community, we take pride in making our Members feel as if they are on a permanent vacation. From the abundance of activities going on everyday to our on-site fine dining services, we try to carry that feeling throughout all aspect of our community.

And we expect our Member’s guests to enjoy that same relaxed feeling when they come to visit.

We have seven Guest Suites on-site to accommodate our Members’ visiting friends and family. Three are located in one of our Villa buildings that are attached to our Clubhouse. Two of our other Villa buildings house the other four Guest Suites.

Each Guest Suite has a microwave and refrigerator in the foyer area, which also has a stocked wall and base cabinet counter with coffee pot, coffee, tea and condiment packs. We stock the restroom and tub/shower area with bath and hand towels, wash cloths, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and liquid soap.

The Guest Suites at Park Springs as unlike any other Atlanta senior homes. We prepare each Guest Suite like a stay in a fine hotel.

Each Guest Suite has a sitting area and bedroom. The bedrooms have an alarm clock radio, two bedside tables with a phone. Each room has an armoire with a flat screen TV.

Each Guest Suite has individual room controlled air and heat.

In the other four Guest Suites we have the same amenities but with a sink in the efficiency kitchen. All seven Guest Suites are wired for internet access.

The Environmental Services department reserves these suites and keeps them cleaned and organized for our members and their guests.

We want our Members guests to enjoy there visits in comfort and feel like they have taken a mini vacation during their time at Park Springs.

How to Prepare You Home for Atlanta’s Cold Winter Months

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With the winter season quickly approaching, Raymond Previto, environmental services director at Park Springs, an Atlanta area retirement community and Brian Thomas, director of operations management, sat down to answer questions about how those of you with Senior housing in Atlanta properly prepare your home for the cold Winter months ahead.

Q: What are some basic tips homeowners should know during cold winter months?

A: Set your thermostat to 65 degrees to prevent walls and pipes from freezing. It is also important when extremely cold to let a faucet drip to ensure pipes don’t freeze. Also be sure to disconnect any outside hoses on your property. If you haven’t had your furnace inspecting, now is a good time to do so.

Q: How do I ensure my gutters and roof are safe for the winter months?

A: Keep an eye on any obstructions in your gutters and downspouts. By removing leaves, branches and debris, ice dams and standing water are less likely to form, reducing the chance of water build-up and seepage into the house. Make sure the valleys of your roof lines are also clear. Valleys are the most common place where roofs leaks. It is also important to cap or screen your chimney to keep out birds and rodents.

Q: What should I have in an emergency kit in case of a winter storm and power outage?

A: It is important that you have canned goods, bottles of water and blankets handy. Be sure to keep batteries and LED flashlights in a familiar place. Many fires start during power outages because people forget that they lit candles. There is no excuse not to have a flashlight handy. You might also want to think about purchasing a walkie talkie in order to be able to communicate in times of power outages. Be sure to prepare an evacuation plan in event of an emergency.

Q: When inspecting the outside of my home, what should I look for?

A: Check your siding for damages including cracks and or separation. Be sure to seal any damages or contact a repairman to do so. Be sure to check your windows and doors to make sure they are sealed with weather-stripping to prevent heat loss.

Q: What are some key mistakes homeowners make in the winter?

A: Homeowners that use fireplaces, heating blankets, woodstoves etc… often forget to shut them off or fall asleep before doing so. It is important prior to using these items in the winter that you make sure they are in proper condition. While in use they need to be closely monitored.

Park Springs hosts ‘Merry Day of Fun’

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It’s not unusual to find those living at Park Springs getting ready for an activity or a social event. The Atlanta area retirement community is always planning fun filled activities for their residents and December 18 is no exception. On this day from 1:30 to 7 residents can take part in “A Merry Day of Fun.”

The day will be full of activities starting with a silent auction at 1:30 in the Community Hall and another live auction and festive holiday party starting at 5:30. The Atlanta active adult Members at Park Springs won’t want to miss out, because there will be fabulous items being auctioned off like stays at vacation homes, hotels, and bed and breakfasts, gift certificates, fine jewelry and art work just to name a few. The main attraction will take place from 2 to 6 when residents can enjoy a themed tour of twenty homes and villas throughout the community decked out in holiday splendor. This is a good time to get ideas to decorate your own home.

This will be a great way for Members and others in the community to enjoy all the excitement the holidays have to offer and are encouraged to invite friends and family to share the fun with. A large turnout is expected, so there will be a shuttle running to and from the Target on 2055 W Park Place Blvd. For those who wish to come, the shuttles will run every 20 minutes from 1:30 to 7:30.