By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — Fifty years ago Jess Willard and some of his friends came up with a plan that would become what many seniors know and love today as Meadow Lakes.
Visionaries ahead of their time, they set the standard for retirement living in the region, according to Meadow Lakes Executive Director Jay Whiteman.
The events of the past five decades have been woven into the fabric of the lives of thousands of people who have called Meadow Lakes their home, he said.
“Many of them have played a prominent role in these events,” he said. “Some were leaders in business, industry, or government. Some were teachers, professors, or scholars. Some were busy raising a family. Regardless of their background, they all made positive contributions to society and chose to further those contributions as residents of this community.”
Around 275 residents and guests attended the “50 Years Vibrant Grand Gala” celebration at the retirement community on June 11, which included an afternoon of festivities starting with a special presentation including a time capsule opening followed by a cocktail party, dinner and concert by members of the Garden State Philharmonic.
Since 1965 Meadow Lakes has evolved but the community has always been one to reach out and help others, according to Mr. Whiteman.
“From the early days to present, Meadow Lakes has always been concerned for others,” he said. “The residents of Meadow Lakes have always distinguished themselves as a group to do right for one another and those around them.”
There are approximately 360 people who call Meadow Lakes their home today, Mr. Whiteman said.
“We are a family, many generations strong,” he said. “Meadow Lakers show love for one another and those in the surrounding area. They challenge one another to try something new or to improve at something they already know. Most importantly Meadow Lakers support one another through good times and bad.”
Those are all attributes of a family, he said.
“Meadow Lakes is truly a family,” he said. “A family that is 50 years vibrant and will still be going strong 50 years from now.”
Standing beneath the yellow and gold origami cranes hanging from the ceiling in a display created by resident Rima Phillips, Meadow Lakes Chaplain Rev. Robin Bacon-Hoffman said, “(The cranes) were made very lovingly by many residents and staff members. I’m sure most of you know that 1,000 folded cranes are said to bring good fortune, a wish fulfilled, healing and peace.”
She said gold represents love and loyalty and yellow stands for freedom and joy and is used to celebrate new beginnings or the completion of a successful project.
“How appropriate for today,” she said. “A celebration of who we are and how we got here and a wish for good things still to come in our community.”
Mr. Willard took a few minutes to reflect on what it meant for him to be invited to the gala.
“This is somewhat overpowering after 50 years to walk on the stage and see what you created 50 years ago but how it has improved,” said Mr. Willard. “It’s just wonderful.”
The initial planning for Meadow Lakes started in 1962.
“No one had residential and healthcare combined as we had planned to do it here,” he said. “We had to do a lot of experimenting and a lot of continuous thinking.”
He said that he wanted to create a “sense of family” in the retirement community.
“For me, the sense of family was a combination of residents and management, staff, and employees,” he said. “To me that’s what makes a family for a continuing care retirement community and I see that here oh so much and that touched me so much all through this facility.”
He added, “You folks have a wonderful home and it excites me that it has continued.”
Mr. Willard reflected on some of the greatest moments he has had at Meadow Lakes including the time he sat around the fireplace in the dining room on Jan. 19, 1965 when the first meal was served to 50 people.
“We probably had a full house at Meadow Lakes probably within less than a year after we opened,” he said. “It was all that we could have ever wanted.”
He said he will always be proud of Meadow Lakes.
“The thing that makes me proud and so happy is the faces that are happy because you come to continue living,” Mr. Willard said. “For some it is a very difficult transition and for others it is an easy transition.”
East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov said “today really is a pinnacle event.”
“To reach a 50th anniversary is really something special and is an extensive sign of what a vital facility Meadow Lakes has been and how successful it has been in serving residents throughout the many years,” said Mayor Mironov.
She said she has had the pleasure to attend many special events and growth milestones at Meadow Lakes. She was there for the 40th celebration when the community planted a time capsule.
“The other part that really is stunning is not only was Meadow Lakes a pioneer in such a visionary and special manner to formulate the concept of independent living and healthcare in a single site but in a model that has been followed in so many places throughout the state and throughout our nation,” she said.
She said that one of the things she has always loved is that the environment has always been foremost in the mind of the sponsors as well as the residents.
“It’s been an uplifting philosophy to observe,” she said.
The mayor presented Mr. Whitehead with proclamation before residents Jane Brewer, Stewart Hunter, Doris Kaplan, and Byron Shafer opened the time capsule that was filled during the 40th anniversary.
The items in the time capsule included a CD entitled “The King and I: A Meadow Lakes Sing Along;” a copy of a presentation called “A Brief History of Meadow Lakes;” a CD of resident Don Smith in concert recorded on July 27, 2005; a copy of “Black Holes and Beyond” by Stephen Hawking featuring Meadow Lakes resident Dr. John A. Wheeler; pictures of the 40th celebration; a list of the residents favorite songs of the past century; a lengthy list of Meadow Lakes resident committees; a copy of the September 2005 issue of the resident published newsletter called “The Meadow Lark;” the June 2005 Resident Directory; and the program for the 40th anniversary celebration held on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005.
Mr. Whiteman said his favorite part of the 50th gala event was “watching our residents, guests, and staff associates mingling together, enjoying one another’s company, and celebrating as a family.”
He called it a “magical celebration.”
“It truly was a great day,” he said. “From the 1,000 cranes hanging from a gold tree branch suspended from the ceiling, to the surf and turf for dinner, to the amazing concert that ended the evening, we were able to provide our residents with a day they will always remember. We truly captured 50 years vibrant.”
