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GLENDALE, Ariz. – In celebration of Mother’s Day on May 9, several senior ladies from Thunderbird Retirement Resort in Glendale contemplated what words of wisdom they would share with today’s young mothers. The seasoned moms reminisced about their decades old, child-raising tips that are as pertinent for today’s young mothers as it was in their youth.

Hertha Aguirre, a mother of two children, offers young mothers this advice, “Communication! Communication! Listen. Let your children know there is nothing they can’t talk to you about. Try to be at home (if possible) when children arrive home from school. Tell them often you love them.”

Lydia Balkenbush, a mother of one son and three daughters agreed, “Talk to your children about anything they are interested in. Listen to each of them. A meaningful hug goes a long way in gaining trust and affection. Laugh together as young ones learn to appreciate life’s ups and downs.”

Forsia Watkins, a mother of seven children advised, “If you can’t do anything else, give them a sense of humor.”

Irene Peterson, a mother of three children suggested, “Give them lots of love. Be firm about rules! Let them know what your expectations are. Encourage them to participate in sports, music, drama, debate, school, politics, volunteering, poetry and art. To live life fully with kindness and love.”

Dorothy Weisenberger, a mother of three children noted, “Relax, enjoy your children. Remember your own childhood and what made you happy. Don’t let new trends take over. Don’t over schedule your children’s time. Teach children it’s important to make choices.”

Betty Myers, a mother of two sons said, “Set good examples for them to follow.”

Lillian Stevens, a mother of three children said, “Start when they are young and teach children to respect other people, obey you, but be sure your request is worth following through with.  Don’t tell them ‘No’ and then let them do what they want, if you do they will not trust what you say.”

Selma Payne, a mother of four children advised, “Keep lines of communication open regardless of the age of your children (even when they are adults).”

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GLENDALE, Ariz. – In response to the devastating Haiti earthquake, Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s residents and associates contributed funds to a weeklong Haiti Relief Fundraiser in February.

The Glendale retirement community’s residents and associates raised $2,217 that was donated to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The financial contributions help to deliver humanitarian relief, such as food, water and medical supplies, to the people of Haiti struck by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s Watermark University director, Linda Wiley, spearheaded the Haiti Relief Fundraiser. “We raised $1,965 the first evening,” Wiley said. “At the request of associates, we continued the fundraiser through payday. Thanks to the generous spirit of residents and staff, Thunderbird raised $2,217 for Haiti Relief.”

“The Haiti fundraiser received overwhelming support,” Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s executive director Kristi Roberts said. “I think it is pretty incredible to see the generosity right here in our community.”

Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities, acknowledged that all of its Watermark communities across the country are raising funds for Haiti.

Watermark Retirement Communities is matching up to $5,000 in donations made by the senior living communities’ residents and associates to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Watermark communities have already met and exceeded their goal of collecting $5,000 in contributions to the relief efforts in Haiti.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. – Thunderbird Retirement Resort in Glendale, in partnership with their Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities, brings the expertise of SafeNet Home Health in-house.

Arizona-based SafeNet Home Health, A Watermark Agency, provides state licensed registered nursing and rehabilitation services, as well as certified social workers and registered dieticians, to residents residing at Thunderbird Retirement Resort.

“Our commitment is to support the resident in whatever care they may need so that they may continue to live a full, productive independent life,” said Patty Kuzia, executive director of SafeNet Home Health. “We provide quarterly educational meetings, plus an on-sight registered nurse is available 40 hours per week to answer questions.”

“A lot of residents find it assuring to have a nurse in the building,” said Kristi Roberts, executive director of Thunderbird Retirement Resort. “SafeNet’s services help residents to be proactive in maintaining an independent lifestyle. A weekly wellness clinic encourages residents to stay on the safe side by receiving nursing advice regarding medication questions and possible drug interactions, as well as monitoring vital signs.”

February is American Heart Month and SafeNet has heartily been encouraging residents to take preventive measures against heart attack and stroke by visiting the in-house office for regular blood pressure checks.

Individualized care planning, regular assessments and specialized dietary service encourage maximum independence when SafeNet’s Home Health Care is needed. Assessments are done by appointment to evaluate if a residents’ changing needs require stand-by assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming or monitoring medications.

Licensed nursing staff and certified nursing assistants, along with a team of occupational, physical, and speech therapists, provide Home Health Care in the privacy of a resident’s apartment. The patient’s medical expenses are often paid by Medicare or accepted by private insurance coverage.

SafeNet Home Health’s award-winning services received Ranking Arizona’s “Best of Arizona Businesses” 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and the HomeCare Elite Award of Excellence. According to Kuzia, “Our success has been recognized nationally and we’re in the top 25-percent of home care agencies across the United States.”

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GLENDALE, Ariz. – Thunderbird Retirement Resort in Glendale, in partnership with their Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities, find that more and more seniors are getting in the swing of the Spring 2010 Watermark University brain and body fitness classes. The retirement community’s residents and local seniors are enrolling in a variety of free, thought-provoking and body-strengthening classes available in the Watermark University Spring 2010 Course Catalog.

“Stimulating the mind and strengthening the body has enormous benefits at any age,” Watermark University director Linda Wiley said. “Besides being good for you, keeping the brain and the body active and engaged doesn’t just improve your life – it’s a whole lot of fun!”

“I love life,” Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s resident Hertha Aguirre declared as she expressed the joy she finds from being enrolled in the Thunderbird Kitchen Band, which utilizes kitchen utensils as instruments. She added, “In addition to rejoining the Kitchen Band, I’m going to try the Art of Acrylics again, the teacher is very talented.”

Food and beverage director Joe Aiello has students pouring into his Wine Tasting demonstrations that he hosts on the fourth Friday of the month. “Learning how to taste wines is a straightforward adventure that will deepen your appreciation for both wines and winemakers,” Aiello said. “Starting with your basic senses – look, smell, taste – and expanding from there to learn how to taste wines like the pros.”

Watermark University offers a variety of brain and body fitness classes designed to lift the spirit and tone the body – from chair yoga, water aerobics and healthful walking, to hands-on crafts, acrylic painting and gardening.

Watermark University courses are an ongoing program at Thunderbird Retirement Resort located at 5401 W. Dailey St., one block north of Thunderbird Road at 53rd Avenue in Glendale. Call 602-588-1496 to request the Watermark University Spring 2010 Course Catalog featuring numerous free, mind-expanding and body-strengthening classes scheduled through April 2010.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. – Lester Potts, a 95-year-old resident of Thunderbird Retirement Resort in Glendale, leapt at a chance to fulfill his lifelong dream of skydiving in a tandem jump at Phoenix Area Skydiving on Oct. 7.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort, in partnership with their Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities, granted his wish to skydive as a true expression of the company’s “express your Self” philosophy.

“Watermark Retirement Communities create an atmosphere where residents and staff are encouraged to pursue their dreams,” said Kristi Roberts, executive director at Thunderbird Retirement Resort. “It was a pure joy watching Lester Potts soaring across the sky. His inspiring adventure shows us that dreams have no age limit.”

“It’s exciting to know that somebody at 95 years old can still accomplish something they’ve dreamed about their entire lives,” agreed Debi Elder, resident services director at Thunderbird Retirement Resort. “It’s what our entire Watermark culture is all about – there’s no box or limit to what residents are capable of accomplishing.”

“I believe at his age and the condition that he’s in, which is remarkable, he should have every opportunity in the world to do what he wants to do,” said Lester’s grandson Gary Potts, a manager of the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport shops. “He’s that energetic and wants to do everything.”

Lester’s son Jerry Potts and daughter-in-law Ann Covington, residents of Phoenix, also gave thumbs up to the adventure-seeking senior’s tandem jump at Phoenix Area Skydiving in Casa Grande.

The supportive crew watched with great anticipation as Mark Sunman, manager and instructor at Phoenix Area Skydiving, secured Lester’s harness and reviewed the equipment with the first-time jumper.

Master jumper Sunman, a resident of Tempe, has done 6,000 skydives since he began parachuting 10 years ago. At age 95, Lester was a first for Sunman, who had never tandem jumped with someone in their 90s. He assured concerned onlookers, “It’s twice as fun and half as scary as you think it would be.”

The single-engine plane piloted by Ben Pegram, a resident of Tempe, took off from the Casa Grande Municipal Airport Terminal at 11:25 a.m. Bird’s-eye views of a 1,000-feet-deep copper mine near Casa Grande and the Phoenix skyline could be seen from the scenic flight.

At an altitude of 12,000 feet, the tandem jumpers’ 7,000-feet freefall flew by for less than one minute at 120 mph. The parachute opened at 5,000 feet and the pair soared through the air for five minutes before touching down in the landing zone at 11:45 a.m.

“Unbelievable,” exclaimed Lester soon after his feet touched the ground. “When we were on top of the clouds they looked like cotton, as if you could walk on them.

“My favorite part of the jump was when we started to slow down and I knew the chute was out,” he said. “I felt like a butterfly gliding on air. I could pull the chord to spin us around. I was having fun up there. It was peaceful, quiet up there, no noise, no wind – what a feeling.”

Soaring with enthusiasm, Lester added, “I’m ready to go again. My 96th birthday is Dec. 19, and would like to go again on my 100th birthday.”

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Thunderbird Retirement Resort in Glendale had a public open house to kick off enrollment in the brain and body fitness classes offered by Watermark University.

Residents and local seniors received a sneak peek at the free classes available in the Watermark University Fall 2009 Course Catalog.

Watermark University Director Linda Wiley registered visitors for the cultural class, As U Wish, at a booth featuring places around the world.

"The As U Wish class travels off to unique parts of the world," she said. "Students learn about various cultures, animal life and foods."

"I signed up for Fall Treats," said Thunderbird resident Hertha Aguirre, as she treated herself to a cream puff prepared by food and beverage director Joe Aiello. "I rejoined the Kitchen Band. I’m going to try the Art of Acrylics again. The teacher is very talented."
Also on Aguirre’s fall calendar is her leading role in the retirement community’s Drama Club production, "Hello, Dolly!"

"Bookends is a book club-style class," said book discussion group leader Debbie Einstman, who serves as housekeeping supervisor and administrative assistant for maintenance. "We read ‘The Shack’ (a novel by William P. Young) last month, which brought out lots of discussion. Next, the readers have chosen to talk about the book, ‘My Sister’s Keeper,’ by Jodi Picoult."

Thunderbird resident Lita Schwartz, signed up for the Bookends, The Art of Acrylics, Ball Class, 4 the Love of Hot Rodz and Beading Made Easy.
Marketing director Stephanie Schmidt’s beadwork display included bracelets, necklaces, lanyards and earrings.

"From the wonderful samples here, I want to learn beading," said Colette Ellsworth, community liaison for Hospice Inspiris in Phoenix.
Watermark University courses will be featured ongoing at Thunderbird Retirement Resort. The Watermark University Fall 2009 Course Catalog offers classes through December.

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July 30, 2009 12:52 PM
Staff report
Thunderbird Retirement Resort in Glendale, in partnership with their Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities, kickoff public enrollment to Watermark University with course demonstrations from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 7.

"Thunderbird Retirement Resort invites the public to enroll in Watermark University courses that stimulate the mind and strengthen the body," said Kristi Roberts, executive director of Thunderbird Retirement Resort. "Local seniors are encouraged to come to the open house-style event and discover the wide variety of brain and body fitness classes being offered by Watermark University. It’s an excellent learning opportunity and a great way to socialize with other fun-loving seniors."

To sample the free, thought-provoking and body-strengthening classes available in the Watermark University Fall 2009 Course Catalog, visit the kickoff celebration Aug. 7 at Thunderbird Retirement Resort, 5401 W. Dailey St., one block north of Thunderbird Road at 53rd Avenue in Glendale. For reservations or enrollment information, call Thunderbird Retirement Resort at 602-588-1496 by Aug. 6.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort launched Watermark University with a resident orientation for its summer 2009 Course Catalog June 4. The ongoing Watermark University will continue with the fall 2009 Course Catalog, which includes a book club-style class called "Bookends," classic car enthusiasts can enroll in "4 the Love of Hot Rodz," as well as "Coffee Tasting" and "Easy to Make Fall Treats" courses and more.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort will continue to offer an ongoing course schedule of mind-expanding and body-toning classes available through Watermark University. Those with a passion for teaching can join the Watermark University faculty by contacting Linda Wiley at 602-588-1496 with course suggestions.

Thunderbird Retirement Resort features spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with courtyard views of the sparkling ponds, fountains and heated swimming pool.

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Thunderbird Retirement Resort became the toast of the town on Jan. 30 as a myriad of guests poured in to get a look at the newly remodeled Glendale community. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies by both the Peoria and Glendale Chamber of Commerce members marked the unveiling of Thunderbird Retirement Resort’s recently completed renovations. “Thunderbird Retirement Resort is a valuable partner of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce,” acknowledged Diana Bedient, executive director / CEO of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce. “Marjorie van der Wagen (director of marketing) attends many chamber activities, thus increasing awareness of the many amenities Thunderbird has to offer.”

Among the highlights of the independent living and assisted living community’s enticing amenities are the new Bistro 5401 and freshly redecorated, restaurant-style dining room, the Dailey Street Grill. Excitement continued to build around every corner as visitors toured the Starlight Theater, and the Books & Bytes library and computer center.

It was a super kickoff to Super Bowl weekend with scores of chamber members and seniors huddling around the champagne fountain and waterfall of chocolate with sweet talk about the kick off of the newly renovated community. The Thunderbird Retirement Resort fans toasted everything from the community’s winning renovations, to its teaming with Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities, and of course, the anticipated Arizona Cardinals’ Super Bowl game.

About Thunderbird Retirement Resort: Thunderbird Retirement Resort is located at 5401 W. Dailey St., one block north of Thunderbird Road at 53rd Avenue in Glendale. The community features spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with courtyard views of the sparkling ponds, fountains and heated swimming pool. To learn more about Thunderbird Retirement Resort, visit http://www.watermarkcommunities.com or call 602-904-7895 to schedule a tour.

About Watermark Retirement Communities: Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated innovative, senior living communities for 20 years, and is committed to creating a culture where everyone is encouraged to express their true selves, where people connect with each other and real communities are formed. Watermark communities are located in Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Watermark Retirement Communities is headquartered at 2020 West Rudasill Road in Tucson, Ariz.

PHOTO: PEORIA CHAMBER Photo by Marla Levine The Peoria Chamber of Commerce officiated a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the renovations at Thunderbird Retirement Resort in Glendale. Call 602-588-1487 to schedule a tour of the retirement community’s new Bistro 5401 and freshly redecorated, restaurant-style dining room, the Dailey Street Grill.

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Thunderbird Retirement Resort has twice as much to celebrate when “New Year, Take II – Ring in the Renovations!” uncorks from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30. Excitement will be bubbling over with champagne toasts to the freshly renovated Glendale community and its teaming with Tucson-based management company, Watermark Retirement Communities.

Oysters Rockefeller, salmon canapés, antipasto hors d’oeuvres and sweet chocolate fountain treats will whet the appetite for a tour of the tasteful amenities. A new Bistro 5401 and redecorated restaurant-style dining room, the Dailey Street Grill, are spicing up life at the independent living and assisted living community. For a double-feature presentation, visitors will also be reeling with delight about the Starlight Theater, and Books & Bytes library and computer center.

“At Watermark, we’re committed to creating extraordinary communities where seniors can fully experience and celebrate their lives,” said David Barnes, president of Watermark Retirement Communities. “We’re excited to partner with Thunderbird Retirement Resort and to build upon the existing strength of this outstanding community.”

Come indulge in a taste of the “New Year, Take II – Ring in the Renovations!” celebration at the Thunderbird Retirement Resort located at 5401 W. Dailey St., one block north of Thunderbird Road at 53rd Avenue in Glendale. Space is limited. For reservations call Thunderbird Retirement Resort at 602-588-1487 by Jan. 28th.

About Thunderbird Retirement Resort: Thunderbird Retirement Resort features spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with lush courtyard views of the sparkling ponds, fountains and heated swimming pool. Visit http://www.watermarkcommunities.com to learn more.

About Watermark Retirement Communities: Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated innovative, senior living communities for 20 years, and is committed to creating a culture where everyone is encouraged to express their true selves, where people connect with each other and real communities are formed. Watermark communities are located in Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Watermark Retirement Communities is headquartered at 2020 West Rudasill Road in Tucson, Ariz. Visit http://www.watermarkcommunities.com for details.

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