Springmoor Welcomes New Meredith College President

Springmoor residents with ties to Meredith College, either as alumnae or retired staff, and their invited guests recently welcomed the college's new president, Dr. Jo Allen.  A crowd of almost 100 flowed into the Springmoor lobby, greeting current friends, getting reacquainted with those of years past, and, of course, registering for door prizes. 

The crowd trickled upstairs to the Springmoor Auditorium, piling their plates high with fruit, pastries, mini quiches, and the most popular, ham biscuits, along the way.  Springmoor's food service staff even provided fruit smoothies with a burgundy tint, honoring one of Meredith College's official and most recognizable colors.  Long tables, where guests were seated, were peppered with the seal of the college and arrangements of the school's flower, the purple iris.

The guest of honor, Dr. Allen, then took to the podium, giving the crowd some background on her life, including how she got where she is today, as head of the Southeast's largest private women's college.

After a few words from members of the Springmoor community, the door prize winners were chosen, and a lucky few were presented with the beautiful purple iris table arrangements.  After brunch, everyone continued to catch up with one another, and took the time to individually greet Dr. Allen before contuining on with their days.  Guests left truly energized and inspired by Dr. Allen's love of the school, and her visions for its future. 

Armed Forces Appreciation

The most patriotic holiday of the year is fresh on everyone's minds, especially here at Springmoor.  Just recently our community gathered together to honor veterans, residents and staff, with a great daylong celebration.  

The day began with a scrumptious feast, prepared by our very own food service department and served by the administrative staff, with everyone decked out in their finest red, white, and blue.  The festivities then spilled out past the planted eagle sculpture

and under the shelter of an enormous tent in the front parking lot.  

Grateful for the tent, everyone was seated underneath, just as the torrential rain began.  Milbrook High School ROTC posted the colors

and our crowd joined together in the singing of the National Anthem.  Resident Lou Mallia recounted his very special and emotional visit to Washington, D.C. earlier in the year as part of the Triangle Flight of Honor,

no doubt echoing the sentiments of our other residents that were fortunate enough to make the trip as well.

Bagpipe music ushered in a patriotic medley, followed by a roll call of hundreds of resident and staff veterans.  Those present were recognized, in addition to those no longer with us.  Lieutenant General Charles Bagnal, USA Ret., and Chaplain Colonel Bill Bagnal, USA Ret., wrapped up the ceremony, followed by a moment of silence and singing of God Bless America.  

The rains didn't put a damper on anyone's spirits, as everyone headed under the shelter of the main entrance to enjoy ice cream and the music of Razzama Jazz.

3,332 years

That's the total number of years Springmoor staff has dedicated to our close knit community.  If that number sounds high to you, you're absolutely correct.  Turnover in the retirement industry is typically around 67%, whereas here at Springmoor, it's only 34%...half of the industry average. 

This kind of dedication deserves special recognition, and on Friday, February 4th Springmoor staff gathered in the Auditorium to honor 96 employees with three, five, ten, fifteen, twenty, and twenty five years of service & even the few that have been a part of our community from the very beginning, twenty six years ago. 



Jim Cox-25 years, Elnora Hall-20 years, Sam Massenburg-25 years, Milagros Rodillas-20 years, Lonnie Walk-25 years

 “The Springmoor Community is a great place to live and to work, as evidenced by the large percentage of associates with ten plus years of service in caring for and providing services to our residents. Springmoor associates are well trained and know their jobs. Experience does matter in service delivery and Springmoor associates do make a difference. We are so fortunate to have such caring people on our staff. “  Fred Conner, Executive Director



The Holidays at Springmoor, In Pictures

This holiday season, waiting list members & other special guests were invited to an afternoon of great company, food & entertainment to get a little taste of what the holidays are like here at Springmoor.

Beautiful decorations greeted our guests...

...including the breathtaking poinsettia tree.

Several holidays were celebrated simultaneously...

...while a woodwind trio played along...

... and everyone enjoyed the holiday feast!

Medicare Part D: Decoded

Do you have questions about Medicare Part D?  

Let Springmoor and CCRX pharmacists answer them for you before the end of open plan enrollment!

In the Spirit of Giving

As part of Springmoor's 25th Anniversary celebrations last year, resident gardeners began donating portions of their harvests to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle's Plant a Row for the Hungry program.  That began over a year ago, and hasn't lost any steam.

(This certificate is for just one week of donations!)

In fact, last year's contributions were just topped!  103 more pounds of produce were collected, bringing this year's total to 638 pounds, the equivalent of 536 meals!

Springmoor Residents Take Flight of Honor

This past Thursday was a very special day for two of the many war veterans at Springmoor. Lou Mallia and Fred Wagoner were two of the hundred local World War II veterans on the Triangle Flight of Honor.

Lou was sure the trip would be special, just as his time in the service was special. He said, “Everything about the war was memorable because plans were changing so quickly, and we were so young.” He was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and a Good Conduct Medal, but says he wasn’t a war hero like others at Springmoor. He was also quick to say, “I am taking this trip for myself, as well as others at Springmoor who can’t make the trip, for one reason or another.” One of his Springmoor friends, that was to be on the same flight, can’t go.

The Triangle Flight of Honor is a program that flies veterans to Washington, D.C. to tour the WWII memorials constructed in honor of their service. The flight, tour and meals are provided at no cost to the veteran by local sponsors.

Springmoor Activities Director, Leah Willis, said, "We have others that have been accepted to go, or that are considering it.” She has made applications easily accessible in the library.

Leah and the community are planning to honor all World War II veterans at Springmoor. “We will have a special celebration in our auditorium the Friday before Memorial Day 2011, after all the local flights are complete.”

Executive Director, Fred Conner, said, “We all hope this flight will be memorable, but much smoother than Lou’s trip home from service many years ago. His 13 day sea voyage from France had to survive an almost tidal wave; several crew members were injured.”

Rainy and cold weather did move into the D.C. area for the day of the trip, but Fred Wagoner said that didn’t ruin the experience for him. The veterans were sent off with a water canon salute, provided by the RDU Fire Department. After landing at Reagan National Airport, they still managed to visit the WWII Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, as well as other national monuments, see The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and then duck out of the weather for a bit at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Twelve hours later, they landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport and were greeted with a true hero’s welcome. “They treated us royally,” remarked Fred Wagoner. Bagpipes lead in the steady stream of veterans, as several thousand people with flags, signs, and banners welcomed them home once again.