The happenings atFriendship Village &

Landmark Commons

Winter 2018

DiningDelightful

Lisa GatesPresident & CEO

Our residents and their desires are always at

heart of what we do and the dining venues we offer.

CEO’s Desk

My Retirement Living,the voice of FriendshipVillage and LandmarkCommons, is publishedtriannually. Subscriptionsare free upon requestonline or in print.To subscribeor unsubscribe call319-291-8544 or email dholm@fvrc.com.

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You will read the story of Denny and Natalie and their labor to shield one of their children from pain, yet through their example, he chose to live life to the fullest, just as they are at Friendship Village.

You will learn about our fantastic and talented group of chefs. You will read that three of them started as dishwashers/servers and developed a passion for creating the best dining experience possible for our residents. Another started at the “bottom,” and now is the Director of the Iowa Culinary Institute, attributing his passion for all things culinary to his career start in our dining room. Time and mentorship has always been evident in our effort to allow and encourage 1

One Thing More – FAMILY On the back cover of this magazine are the words “Fun, Food and Fellowship.” These words describe the theme of this edition of “My Life Retirement Living.” These words restate the mission statement of Friendship Village and Landmark Commons, ”Through faith we inspire, connect, and honor those on their retirement journey”. I would like to add one additional word – family.

employees to grow in their strengths and interests. Nowhere else is one able to participate in events and dining experiences created with such attention to detail and the goal of “making our residents proud to be living life at Friendship Village.”

Our residents and their desires are always at heart of what we do and the dining venues we offer. We have the Java House and Cold Creek Café because of their love of meeting with friends over a cup of coffee or a burger. We have fun. We go all out with dances, luaus, barbeques, chocolate extravaganzas, fashion shows, cultural events to celebrate our diversity, etc. and etc.!

Finally, our chaplain’s article ties it all together talking about faith and the Bread of Life.

It is my hope that you enjoy this edition and its celebration our Fun, Food, Fellowship and Family.

We go all out with dances, luaus, barbeques, chocolate extravaganzas, fashion shows, cultural events…

My name is Diane Derifield. I started working at Friendship Village on August 20th, 1984. The economy was doing poorly and I really needed a job. My roommate worked full time here at Village Place kitchen and mentioned they needed employees. I figured I could work there until I got a “real” job, but what I found was a lifelong career. I interviewed with Velda Phillips who was the Assistant Administrator at the time, and she hired me. I remember watching the Head Cook Lucille garnish the food so beautifully…… Everything was so fancy…… high class…… I realized that I could use my creativity with food and after that I was hooked.

I worked in the kitchen doing various part time jobs and then a full time position opened up at the Park Lane kitchen and I took it. I ended up working every job from dishwasher to cook, including assistant supervisor. When our supervisor left, I filled in while they looked for a replacement. I will never forget the day when Velda called me into her office in 1990, and said that she and the board wanted me to be the supervisor over the kitchens. I could not believe it! I tried to talk her out of it! I told her I didn’t have enough education! I didn’t have management background! But she wouldn’t take no for an answer and I’m so glad she didn’t.

Velda signed me up for culinary school. What a wonderful experience. The only background in cooking I had was from my mother; she loved to cook and was creative. She loved to feed people and feed them well so I understood what good food was. I have included some of my mom’s best recipes on our Friendship Village menus. One of the things I take pride in is that I create all of the menus and research the recipes I want to put in place. I think that originality really makes us unique from other retirement communities. Between the years 1994-2000 we saw an influx of Bosnian immigrants who needed to find employment and had many obstacles to overcome. We hired many of them to fill some of our cooking positions and they have been a wonderful addition. Being a part of their career development has been a highlight of my career. In 2014, I received the “Outstanding Mentor Award” from the Leading Age Association.

Diane Derfield Director of Dining Services

Since my first day as supervisor, Friendship Village has grown tremendously and has had many changes. We added 2 additional kitchens, and are currently planning our new Village Terrace building. The Dinning team employs 60 team members and serves approximately 650 meals a day. We have 2 onsite dining rooms at our main campus, a coffee shop called Java House, and the Cold Creek Café that serves delicious burgers, tenderloins, and the best homemade onion rings in town! After 34 years, I can truly say it never gets old. My driving force is that I want our Friendship Village residents to be proud of our Dining Department and the services we provide. I know that I am.

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Diane Derfield Director of Dining Services

I learned to love working with food and serving people at Friendship Village. I learned the value of hard work and the reward of making people happy, one meal at a time. I cherish my experiences with all of the fantastic people that I worked with and all of the wonderful residents at Friendship Village including my own grandparents. I work in education now as the Director of the Iowa Culinary Institute because I want to be able to share my love of food and hospitality with others, just the same as Friendship Village developed me in my own education beginning as a dishwasher twenty-some years ago. I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am today were it not for these experiences and all of the people who mentored me along the way.

Friendship Village is proud to have Chef Susan Elaine Bowers on the Dining Team. Susan graduated in 1987 from

My name is John Andres. My grandfather and grandmother lived in one of the cottages at FV while I was growing up, and they were among the first residents to move into the “Cove” addition at Village Place. I decided to begin my employment with Friendship Village in 1997, and started as a dishwasher/busboy and worked my way up through the ranks of server and kitchen prep helper. FV was my first job, and I loved it so much that I continued working during breaks from school while I was attending Drake in Des Moines. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Drake. Then in 2005, I graduated from The Culinary Institute of America.

Some of the reasons I ultimately chose a career in Culinary was because I wanted to create. Working in this industry affords opportunities to create food, menus, and amazing experiences and memories for people through the work that I do. My best memories come from all of the wonderful people that I worked with over the years and all of the friendships made with coworkers and residents. I remember Birthday Nights, holiday meals, Sunday lunches. I recall that for many of the residents, meal time was the highlight of the day, and it was always such a cool feeling to know that we helped to make every meal special for them.

John Andres Former Friendship Village Chef

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the Culinary Institute of America (C.I.A.) in Hyde Park N.Y. Susie moved back to Jesup in 1997, and was looking for a company in which she could share her desire and talent for cooking. She found Friendship Village! She has so many fond memories—especially one blizzard evening she stayed overnight on her step mom’s couch (June Hansen who was a resident at the time) and enjoyed the most spectacular view of the Friendship Village campus looking like a “Winter Wonderland.” She woke up the next morning and immediately went downstairs to the kitchen and had so much fun preparing the day’s meals for the residents by herself (most employees were snowed in at their homes). One thing that has meant so much over the years working for Friendship Village was having evenings off to spend with her children. Susie says, “The reason why so many of us work here is that we like to make people happy. The residents are the cream of the crop and deserve the best, because I believe they are the best.”

John Andres Former Friendship Village Chef

Chef Susan Elaine Bowers

Bosnian Cultural Celebration

Casual Dining Indoors and Outdoors at the Cold Creek Café

Friendship Village

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My name is Dane Anderson. I graduated from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts in 2012. I started working in kitchens part-time in high school and college. I enjoyed the fast-paced work, fun environment, and people. I also loved the food, of course! I came to Landmark Commons in 2008 to pursue a higher-paying part time cooking job while attending UNI. My director at the time, suggested pursuing a culinary degree and taking advantage of the company’s tuition reimbursement benefit. After not much thought, I decided to do it. Over the years, I have come to realize that it was a great move for me. I believe I have one of the best jobs in the area for the industry. The best part of working at LMC, is that I get to meet so many great people. I hear such interesting stories and backgrounds from my oldest resident down to the youngest server on my staff. I learn so much while spending every day with the residents and the employees, and best of all, I have a lot of fun! My favorite memories over the years have been being a part of the many special days: resident’s anniversaries, family holidays, and special events – even the wedding of two residents! I have also greatly enjoyed working with the other chefs throughout Friendship Village at the Annual Board of Directors Dinner.

Exquisite Cuisine at Landmark Commons

Kayla FunkLandmark Commons Director

Chef Dane Anderson

As a little boy growing up in Germany, Martin Vollmer always loved to cook. When he was old enough, he enrolled in a 4 year culinary program that included studies of Hotel Hospitality, Cooking, Baking, and Butchery. He also served as an apprentice under a master chef. While still living in Germany, he met an Iowa girl and decided to move to the United States in 1968. They started off in Chicago, but 2 years later they moved to Iowa and began to raise a family of 5 children. He eventually opened a German/American restaurant in Waverly called Martin’s Brandenburg from 1996-2008. He had many friends that lived at Landmark Commons who had frequented his Waverly restaurant, and they encouraged him to come to an open house to see the active retirement lifestyle they enjoyed. After visiting LMC in search for a retirement home, he noticed there was an opening for a Chef position – he just knew he wanted to apply. At 61 years of age, Martin joined the Landmark Commons dining team! Since joining LMC over 10 years ago, he is delighted to have a special “GERMAN NIGHT” each month and even invites the public to join in the dinner and festivities! Martin says working at Landmark Commons is the BEST job he has ever had!

Chef Martin Vollmer

Grace started working at Landmark Commons as a server while still attending Columbus High School. Her grandparents have been residents at LMC for over 10 years. Grace had a dream of being a chef in the Navy. Due to some health issues, she was not able to pursue that desire. So after graduating from the culinary program at Kirkwood in 2017, Graced returned to the Landmark Commons dining team as a chef. She had so many fond memories of her connection to the residents (3 of which are her former teachers from St Ed’s). Grace feels so excited when residents request her “baked from scratch” strawberry shortcake and rhubarb strawberry pound cake with orange glaze.

Chef Grace Walters

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“I wanted to play football!” That desire moved Denny from St. Ursula Academy, a parochial school, to York High School in York, Nebraska, in his sophomore year. More than football got his attention at York High – it was there he met Natalie Newcomer. Denny completed his senior year in one semester so he could join the Navy in March of ’44. Natalie finished high school, and then enrolled at the University of Nebraska. For 2 ½ years, they mailed letters – Natalie nearly daily, Denny when he could (“more like monthly” - Natalie). Denny trained as a radio operator, and was assigned to a 3-man torpedo bomber crew (pilot, gunner, and radio operator) in search of enemy ships and submarines.

The war ended; after discharge Denny entered the University of Nebraska, and the military-time letter writing returned to dating. They were united in marriage on Oct. 23, 1947, at St. Joseph’s Church in hometown York. Football, a few years, love, a lifetime! This year marks anniversary number 71! “Most important to us is our family and our faith in God.”

1948 blessed their marriage with the first of five children, a son named Michael. The second child, Dennis Jr., came the same year as college graduation – 1950. “Perhaps our greatest challenge as a young family was raising our second child, Dennis Jr., born dwarfed.” With the reality of no medical solution, the Meehan’s determined to give love, nurturance, and a healthy life to their son; “We wanted his life to be happy and fulfilling.” What seemed at first an overwhelming challenge became a rewarding blessing.

Life shifted into high gear for the Meehans after college graduation. Denny worked in the shoe store, a family business that his grandfather had opened two generations before. As the plan to take the shoe store to its third generation began to shift, Denny and Natalie, encouraged by a friend, moved to Iowa in 1952. Denny worked in the shoe and insurance businesses in the Clinton area, then to Oscar Mayer for

three years, followed by Lennox Corp. in Marshalltown and Urbandale. A friend shared an ad for an Industrial Engineer position at Waterloo Valve Spring & Compressor Company in Waterloo (later Waterloo Industries); Denny applied, WVS&C hired. This would be a permanent career move; the Meehan family moved to Waterloo in 1961. Since the move from Nebraska, three more children were born into the Meehan family: Kathy, Kevin, and Susan.

Natalie & Denny Meehan“And Now... ...The Rest of the Story”

Waterloo Industries acquired a California company (Lumidor Corp) which would become the backbone of the large Craftsman tool storage roller cabinets, and in 1970, relocated Denny to manage that company. The California years saw Michael and Kathy marry and Kevin and Susan finish Pasadena High School. Wanting to protect Dennis Jr. from possible public unkindness, Denny and Natalie had encouraged Dennis to pursue a radio broadcasting career. However, to their surprise and

Back: Kevin, Susan, Kathy, Mike Front: Dennis Jr, Denny, Natalie

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SUNDAY: 1:30pm Lakeview Lodge 3:30pm Vespers in the Chapel

MONDAY: 10:30am Pavilion Health Center3:00pm Rosewood Estate7:00pm Landmark Commons (Fall & Spring)

WEDNESDAY: 1:30pm Lakeview Lodge3:00pm Lakeview Landing Health Center6:15pm Chapel 7:00pm Cove Lounge

CATHOLIC SERVICES AT PARK LANE CHAPEL: Sunday, 10:15 a.m., LiturgyMonday, 6:00 p.m., Rosary

Bible StudyOpportunities

There are many things which help define Friendship Village. Certainly at the top of the list would be a “LifeCare” community. Other things which I would add to the list include:

• Faith-based• Friendships• Fitness• Fun• Freedom• Fulfillment

Did you notice I put food last on the list? Not because it is unimportant. To the contrary, good food is most important to our health and well-being. In my opinion, we have the best at Friendship Village. It is not only good, but it is nutritious and always plenty of it. It is also handled well by our dietary staff. Come and join us sometime and I truly believe you will agree with me about the wonderful meals that are served every day of the week.

Consider these interesting quotes on the subject of food: “The secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.”

– Mark Twain

“Laughter is brightest in the place where the food is.”

– Irish Proverb

“An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable invented to make people laugh.”

– Will Rogers

J. RonWeimer

Chaplain

Chaplain’s Chat“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of Bread.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

In a very interesting discourse found in John 6, Jesus identifies Himself as the bread of God who came down from Heaven to give life to the world. Food sustains life. Jesus, as the bread of God, provides eternal life. John 6:35, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.”

While our dietary staff provide our Village Family with good nutritious meals, they cannot provide them with eternal life. Only God can do that through faith in the one who identified Himself as “The Bread of Life.” John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Do you know The Bread of Life?

joy, Dennis completed college at Cal State LA and became an inspector for the County of Los Angeles in the Office of Affirmative Action. He succeeded in this until he entered eternity at age 51, in 2001. He often had said, “I’m only small on the outside, I’m big on the inside!”

In addition to caring for the family, Natalie worked in the famous Pasadena City Hall, in both the City Clerk office and Zoning Office. She purchased season tickets to the Dodgers (Denny went, too, though a loyal Cubs fan), including the All Star game and the Dodger-winning 1981 World Series. Many Rose Bowl Parades and games added to the California years.

The Meehan’s returned to Waterloo in 1982, retiring in 1986. Twenty years of wintering in California followed, busy with grandparenting and Bridge games. “In our lives, family has been the most important element; five children to rear to be good citizens, to love God, each other and the world. We have been happy

with the finished product which now includes 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.”

While in retirement, they placed their names on the Friendship Village list, and in 1997 made the move. “We value friendships that have made life better and more fun. That’s what we found when we moved to Friendship Village. The biggest plus to FV is having the health centers (LifeCare). Our distant children are sure that we are well cared for. We’ve picked a great locale for the rest of our story.”

• Family• Fellowsip• Friendly Staff• Fifty Years• Future• Food

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“The Friendship Fifteen” “What is that,” I innocently asked. Those familiar with Friendship Village know the answer . . . it shows up on the bathroom scale – the call for restraint when seated at delicious meals that are daily standard fare! But there is more, more than the good food. There is the friendly comradery of family, friends, and neighbors – people together, enjoying one another’s company, the shared stories, laughter, and even occasional tears – meals together that don’t end with dessert. The sharing of life’s journey with genuine friends at the table, in the lounges, coffee bistros, exercise groups, and events – sharing life with those whose friendships are cherished.

Our half-century history (as well as future forecast) has been and is: “No one has ever been asked, or will be asked, to leave due to financial need.” Amazing that a retirement community can make that statement, especially a community that has full continuum of care without escalating fees for the more costly services!

DavidHolmDirector ofDevelopment

Delightful & Friendly DiningA Tradition at Friendship Village

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The sharing of life’s journey with genuine friends at the table, in the lounges, coffee bistros, exercise groups, and events – sharing life with those whose friendships are cherished. I have had the opportunity to visit with Friendship Village members who receive financial assistance in order to maintain their life here. I have also met with some, now in retirement, who have given their lives in service to others, and thought, “What a joy it would be if the Foundation could supplement their retirement at Friendship Village.”

The founding generation of Friendship Village, and those who followed, have given sacrificially

that others would enjoy a secure retirement, surrounded by friends who have become like family. One anonymous donor gave to provide life-long care for her pastor. What a privilege to care for those who have given so much to us.

The Friendship Village Foundation board recently established The Founders & Sustainers Society, a select group of caring people who have chosen to extend provision for others well beyond their own lifetimes by naming Friendship Village in their wills. Would you consider remembering Friendship Village with a percentage designation in your estate plans? I would be glad to discuss this with you; call for an appointment.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

— Winston Churchill

Doris Butler Lois Marsch

Martin Harms Judy & Frank Spinler John Meany Lois Marsch Lee Platt Mary Kay & Dick Klingaman Craig Shirey Helga Becker Beverly Bisone Joan Brochar Kathleen & Robert Braun Jane & Sam Christensen Judy & Donald Cole Kathryn Dolan Mary & David Dutton Marian & David Greene Carolyn & James Hamrock Jerry Den Herder Laurie & David Holm Mary Kay & Dick Klingaman Sigrid Joanne & Roger Lane

Mary Lichty Lois Marsch James McClain Ellen & James McMahon Shirley Mikesh Mary & Eric Miller Teresa Nickell Sydney Niemann Darlene Peterson Kay & Dale Peterson Marilyn & David Plaehn Ann & David Richter Vera Rogers Lene & Kennon Schaefer Jana & Steven Schmitt, Sr. Marta Seibert Nancy Shirey Joan Siglin Deborah Staack Jeanne & Sydney Thomas and Allen, David, Lynthia, Andrew, Emily, John US Bank Margaret Winninger Carolyn Young Dorothy & Michael Young Virginia & James Young Phyllis Zager

Clark Swartz Mr. & Mrs. W. J. Irvine Tracy & Sigurd Finks Ruth Laughlin Jane Walden Catherine & Duglas Brace Mary Lou Carroll Covenant Foundation Jane & Sam Christensen Barbara Cross Ann & Jay Ginther Marian & David Greene Mary Kay Klingaman Alice Lichty Mary & Eric Miller Susan Paul Cecile Powers Thieleane Raecker Ann & David Richter Katy & David Rohle Kathy & Mark Schreiner Nancy Shirey Robert Sieglaff Jacqueline Sverdahl Helen Swisher Connie & Justin Tolan Waterloo Community Schools

Friendship VillageTribute GiftsFoundation GiftsIn Memory of:

Auxiliary GiftsIn Memory of:Jeanette Argotsinger Marilyn Argotsinger Brenda & Shawn Bartz Deborah & Carroll Brinsfield Marian R. Champ Donna & Jim Chapman Karen & Tom Farmer Neil Gibson Marian & David Greene P.D. & G.S. Greene Inger Jensen JoAnn & Jerry Kramer Julie A. Larson Marsha & Timothy Lind Maryann Locke Shirley M. Mikesh Lois & Philip Miller

Foundation Julie & Steph Weiland Phyllis Zager

Piano Project Gifts In honor of Don Benson’s Christ-mas programs, “In The Dark & Quiet,” given by four of the many persons who were inspired Other Gifts Thrivent Choice Dollars at the direction of Don & Judy Cole

Rita & Jim Miller Virginia Miller Beverly Narveson Jean M. Nelson Cecile Powers Thieleane Raecker Linda & Percy Slattenow Maxine Margaret Stone Eleanor Tjepkes Dorothy Zacharias

Doris Butler Iva Dailey George Deloff LaVonne Demuth Shirley Hileman Mary Kay Klingaman Lois Marsch

Natalie & Denny Meehan Carolyn Miller Mrs. Robert Morrison Carol Pierce Darlene Shirk Lee Stonewall Dorothy Teeter Pat Watson Eileen Wier Evelyn Ihlenfeldt Cecile Powers

Lucille Laing Catherine & Douglas Brace

John Meany Lee Stonewall

Wilma Raudabaugh Yvonne & Richard Bertram Denae & Larry Blair Lorraine & George Kohagen DiAnn Kohler Donna Lichty Cecile Powers James Raudabaugh Betty Ann & Cecil Sieglaff Dorothy Teeter

Craig Shirey Lee Stonewall

Jane Walden Lee Stonewall

General Contributions Katherine Ott

Legacy Leaders Fleming Sisters Fund Craig Shirey Robert & Jane Walden

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Fun • Food • Fellowship

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Magazine ContentsPage 1 CEO’s Desk

Page 2 Diane Derfield Director of Dining Services

Page 3 John Andres Former Chef Page 6 Exquisite Cuisine At Landmark Commons Page 7 Natalie & Denny Meehan Page 9 Delightful & Friendly Dining

Friendship Village