Southfield — The public is invited to view artworks created by residents of The Fountains at Franklin, 28301 Franklin Road.

The Fountains' annual Resident Art Show will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 26.

The juried exhibit will determine submissions to be considered for publication in Expressions 2012, a national award-winning calendar celebrating active aging and the arts. Works featured include oil painting, watercolors, ceramics, textiles and more.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served at the event. Outside attendance is limited for this special event.

"The Dancer" by Raymond Gregory Brown of The Fountains at Franklin earned a coveted spot in Expressions 2011, a national award-winning calendar celebrating active aging and the arts.

 

CLOSE

Southfield, MI  - Some of Southfield’s distinguished military Veterans are sharing life lessons they learned in service through a project spearheaded by Watermark Retirement Communities, one of the nation’s leading operators of senior living communities. Senior veterans living at The Fountains at Franklin are among dozens interviewed by Watermark.  Here’s what some of them said:

The Military is a good place for an inexperienced person to learn about life. - Benjamin Hardy, served three years in the Army during WWII in the South Pacific.

War will make you grow up fast. - Raymond Brown, decorated paratrooper, drafted and served for 2 ½ years in Viet Nam, U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Paratroopers. 

 Learn to be a true soldier.  Fight only if you believe. - Patrick Fix, served in the U.S. Army for ten years during WWII and Korea

When you’re in doubt, bail out. -  James Small, B-17 bomber pilot WWII, U.S. Air Force, five years.

Hard work helps you overcome any obstacles. - Bernard Coker, served three years U.S. Coast Guard during WWII.

Dozens more sage life lessons from veterans coast to coast are published for public viewing at www.watermarkcommunities.com/veteransday.  Stories and comments from other veterans are welcome there.

CLOSE

Love, respect and honest communication are gifts that keep on giving

Southfield, Mich. – A new tie or a new rake may top the list of gifts many kids will give their fathers on June 20th. However, experienced fathers at a Southfield retirement community are shifting the focus of the holiday to what lasting gifts fathers can pass on to future generations.

Staff of The Fountains at Franklin, 28301 Franklin Road, recently sat down with more than a dozen dads in residence to ask their opinions about fatherhood. The interviews were conducted as part of a nationwide project spearheaded by Watermark Retirement Communities. Following are a few examples of the advice these Michigan dads would give young fathers today.

James Moorer, 89, focused on the importance of honest communication. He said he used this phrase successfully while raising his four children in Detroit: “Anything you do that is too bad to tell me is too bad to do.”

Nathaniel Adams, 77, advised any young father to “be kind but be a great disciplinarian. Love them with respect and they will love and respect you.” He raised three children in Detroit.

James Small, 85, believes every child is an individual, and he should know; he raised 12 children on Long Island, New York. Small said, “It’s important to build the family unit but remember each has their own personality so deal with each one according to who they are.”

“Anybody can be a father,” said Charlie Brown, 82, who raised five children in Michigan. “But it takes a good man to be a good dad,” he adds.

Each of these fathers raised their families a half century ago. Such perspective lends both clarity and credibility to their advice.

By speaking out, these members of an experienced generation are offering young fathers today a most valuable Father’s Day gift.

CLOSE

Centenarians will be honored by the City of Detroit at a luncheon today, including three residents of The Fountains at Franklin, at 28301 Franklin Road.

Jack Krops has also been a resident of The Fountains at Franklin for five years. A native of Poland, he attended Wayne State University and was a practicing pharmacist for many years. He has two daughters, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Krops enjoyed playing tennis in his younger days. He is a music lover and enjoys attending all events where music is involved and is excited for his upcoming birthday on May 31. According to all at The Fountains at Franklin staff, Krops has a great sense of humor.

Rose Cohen became a member of the Centenarian club last year. She will be 101 Nov. 15. Cohen has been a resident of The Fountains at Franklin for two years and, according to associates there, “She has a smile that lights up her eyes.”

A native of Toronto, Ontario, Cohen has one daughter and one son. She has five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Cohen played piano and even worked as a switchboard operator at Wurlitzer Piano and Organ. Today, she is an avid reader.

Shelton Clore will celebrate his 100th birthday Oct. 4. He was born in Springfield, Mass. in 1910, attended Michigan State University and retired from his work as Postmaster with the U.S. Postal Service at 77. According to Fountains at Franklin spokesperson Cathy Lubanski, Clore is “always on the go” and rarely misses the opportunity to go out on shopping trips with his friends at The Fountains at Franklin, his home for the past five years. He enjoys music live entertainment.

CLOSE

Southfield, Mich. – Centenarians to be honored by the City of Detroit at a luncheon May 20th include three residents of The Fountains at Franklin, 28301 Franklin Road.

Shelton Clore will celebrate his 100th birthday this year on October 4th. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1910, attended Michigan State University and retired from his work as Postmaster with the United States Postal Service at the age of 77.  According to Fountains at Franklin spokesperson Cathy Lubanski, Mr. Clore is “always on the go” and very rarely misses the opportunity to go out on shopping trips with his friends at The Fountains at Franklin, his home for the past five years.  He enjoys music and doesn’t miss any activity that features live entertainment.

Jack Krops has also been a resident of The Fountains at Franklin for five years.  A native of Poland, he attended Wayne State University and was a practicing Pharmacist for many years.  He has two daughters, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Jack enjoyed playing tennis in his younger days.  He is music lover and enjoys attending all events where music is involved. Certainly his upcoming birthday on May 31 will be among them. According to all at The Fountains at Franklin, Jack has a great sense of humor.

Rose Cohen became a member of the Centenarian club last year. She will be 101 this coming fall, on November 15.  Rose has been a resident of The Fountains at Franklin for two years and, according to associates there, “she has a smile that lights up her eyes.” A native of Toronto, Ontario, Rose has one daughter and one son.  She has five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  Rose used to play piano and even worked as a switchboard operator at Wurlitzer Piano and Organ. Today, she is an avid reader.

The Fountains will be honoring its three centenarians at a Happy Hour celebration on June 18th from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.

CLOSE

Eight Senior Women at The Fountains at Franklin Offer Words of Wisdom

Southfield, Mich., April 21, 2010 – Eight local moms with years and years of experience are among 150+ mothers nationwide who are speaking out in time for Mother’s Day. Even though they raised their own children decades ago, the sage advice of these moms is just as meaningful today as it was some sixty years ago. In between managing today’s hectic family schedules, working, carpooling, cooking PLUS diaper changes, young moms in 2010 can use all the advice they can get.

 

The collective advice ranges from tips on raising kids to advice for the moms’ personal lives. For example, Southfield resident Lilease Brantley, who raised 15 children in Detroit, advises: “Take good care if your children, they are worth more than any job or any degree.  Don’t let anything take the place of your children.”

 

Other local mothers’ advice includes:

“Wait a while to have kids, don’t be in such a rush.” -Alice Middlebrooks, raised 4 children in Detroit.

 

“Make sure your kids get a good education.” -Mildred Becker, raised 2 children in Chicago

 

“Investigate who you are having children with…it has a lot to do with their development in life.” -Anita Patterson, raised 1 child in Chicago

 

“Mothers should enjoy their children.  Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”  -Jennie Amberg, raised 4 children in Detroit

 

“Love your children and hold them tight!” -Irene Warren, raised 5 children in Detroit

 

“When you are raising your children, don’t be their friend, be their mother. You can be friends when they are grown.” -Gladys Barr, raised 3 children in Detroit

 

“Bring your children up in the church.  Make sure they know God.”  - Geraldine Jenkins, raised 2 children in Detroit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

All eight of the local senior mom experts interviewed for this project reside at The Fountains at Franklin, the retirement community located at 28301 Franklin Road.

CLOSE

Southfield Seniors Raise Relief Funds Through HeART for Haiti

Southfield, Mich. – Residents and friends of The Fountains at Franklin raised $500 for a Haiti relief fund last week with proceeds from the sale of their artwork, reported Robin Whitney, director of community life.

A dozen residents of The Fountains took part in the event by creating colorful “tray art” depicting Haiti. Their work, which was produced in on-site art classes instructed by Judith Zailo, was exhibited in the community’s art gallery at an opening entitled HeART for Haiti. Many pieces sold during the opening, with some of the artists even purchasing their own work as a donation to the cause.

“Everyone who participated, artists and buyers alike, enjoyed this event thoroughly,” said Cathy Lubanski, executive director. “Residents were thrilled that they could use their creativity to pay homage to the people of Haiti, while raising money for relief efforts at the same time.”

“It is well known that when older adults engage in passionate pursuits like this, they are doing themselves a lot of good,” said Zailo. “We do everything we can here to support residents in their vitality.”

According to Zailo, future art classes at The Fountains at Franklin will focus on Spring greeting cards and more Tray Art with a floral theme. Resident-made arts and crafts such as paintings, cards and jewelry are available for viewing and purchase in the ArteShoppe located at The Fountains at Franklin, 28301 Franklin Road.

The Fountains at Franklin is proudly managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, a company dedicated to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive. Long respected as one of the nation’s leading seniors’ housing innovators, Watermark cultivates living and working environments in which everyone is encouraged to express their true selves. As a result, Watermark communities are full of spirit, character, compassion and adventure. Future art classes and workshops promoting brain and body fitness will be offered through Watermark University at The Fountains at Franklin starting May 1

CLOSE

Watermark Retirement Communities Reappointed as Manager for Fountains Portfolio

Watermark Retirement Communities, Inc., formerly Fountains Retirement Communities, has been reappointed as manager for 16 retirement communities previously managed by Sunrise Senior Living, announced David N. Barnes, President/CEO of Watermark Retirement Communities.

“Watermark was the obvious choice for managing the Fountains portfolio because we know the communities so well,” said Barnes.

After selling 18 properties within the Fountains brand to Sunrise in 2005, Fountains Retirement Communities was renamed Watermark Retirement Communities. Over the past four years, with his partner David Freshwater, former Fountains CEO, Barnes has grown Watermark’s management portfolio to 11 communities plus three home health agencies in six states. The addition of the Fountains portfolio brings Watermark’s total managed communities to 27 in 16 states.

“We very much look forward to the coming weeks and months as we personally welcome back so many former residents and associates into the family of Watermark communities. It feels like we’re putting the band back together,” stated Barnes.

Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated successful, innovative senior housing communities for more than 20 years. According to Barnes, Watermark is committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive and a culture where everyone is encouraged to express their creativity, passion and inner child – to express their true selves. As a result, Barnes says, Watermark communities are full of spirit, character, compassion and adventure.

CLOSE