(From L to R) Earl Koester, David Lange, Linda Lange, and Ellie Koester enjoying the Information Center’s Grand Opening Fiesta last summer.

The oldest of four children and the closest in proximity to her parents, Melinda has always expected to eventually acquire the role of ‘caretaker.’ However, Earl and Ellie have made other plans, ensuring more freedom and security for their future and Melinda’s. “My parents, my mother in particular, is extremely stubborn and insisted on finding an option that isn’t a burden to her children,” says Melinda. “They maintain that moving to The Pinnacle at EdenHill is a natural progression in their lives, and that it suits them perfectly.” Melinda finds comfort in knowing that should something happen, The Pinnacle will be there. “A CCRC offers a sense of security,” says Melinda. “Even aside from the healthcare aspect, I know my parents won’t ever be alone.”

The Koester family has a long-standing legacy at EdenHill Communities—Melinda currently serves on the board of directors, and Earl is also a past board member—which will make it easier for Melinda and her siblings to help her parents in their transition to The Pinnacle. “Both of our grandmothers moved into EdenHill Communities when they were 100 years old, and they loved it,” says Melinda. “Knowing how much my grandmothers enjoyed it has made the idea of the transition much easier for our parents.”

As the Koesters prepare to ‘downsize,’ a task that Ellie finds daunting, Melinda has made it her personal mission to help ease the process. “They’ve always lived in a house, so they have a ton of things, naturally,” says Melinda. “It’s my responsibility to really be there for my mom, to listen to her worries and help her figure out how to better prepare. My dad and I are doing the pushing to get it done, but it’s definitely at her pace.” Melinda added, “You have to be respectful and know that a house full of memories will take time to sift through. But mom is starting to understand and appreciate that it is the right thing to do.”

Beginning their transition to The Pinnacle has brought much excitement to Earl and Ellie, and they are looking forward to the big move-in day, but they aren’t the only ones. Melinda knows that their new lifestyle will be much more than either one of her parents has dreamed. “It’s almost going to be like a resort, except that they never have to leave,” says Melinda. “I’m excited because, my mother especially, has never taken the time to really treat herself and relax.” With the abundant amenities The Pinnacle boasts, Melinda is certain that her parents won’t be disappointed. “The Pinnacle will offer a whole new way of life that will be really satisfying,” she says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for a fresh start.”

The male-only outing (there was a separate women-only outing a few weeks ago) included 25 male future residents all venturing out to the Old Kingsbury Aerodome, part of the Pioneer Flight Museum in Kingsbury, TX, about 30 miles southeast of New Braunfels.

The Aerodome features some of the state’s oldest varieties of vehicles and aircraft, dating all the back to the early 1900’s. Each resident had the opportunity to inspect and touch the antiques and even had the chance to ride in some of the antique vehicles!

The outing was a great way to relax and enjoy the morning and early afternoon without the bustle of a big crowd. The Aerodome is a “pocket-sized” grass field, allowing for minimal visitors, therefore allowing the visitors who are there to enjoy the displays on their own terms.

“We chose Old Kingsbury Aerodome for a number of reasons, but we loved the fact that they actually restore and rebuild old aircraft on-site,” says Tom. “Many of our future residents are retired engineers, and we knew that they would find that particularly fascinating.”

All in all, with the exception of a minor delay to the start of the day because of traffic, and the mishap with the bottle opener, the future residents enjoyed themselves immensely. With the popular turnout and energy that these outings generate, it’s no wonder the Pinnacle team is already busy planning the next adventure for their future residents.

Reverend Ralph Ludwig and his wife Sandra pointing to their apartment at The Pinnacle.

Reverend Ralph Ludwig, EdenHill Communities’ personal Chaplin, sets out each morning with one personal goal: bring the community together.  Through weekly services and personal visits, he has been hard at work on his goal, and with the addition of The Pinnacle, shows no signs of slowing down. We recently spoke with Reverend Ludwig and he shared with us his excitement about joining The Pinnacle as a resident and his hopes for his role within EdenHill Communities.

For the past four years, Reverend Ludwig and his wife, Sandra, have been dedicating their time and energy to EdenHill. Sandra is one of EdenHill’s volunteer librarians, while Reverend Ludwig is the community Chaplin, overseeing the Spiritual Life Program of EdenHill and providing personal and communal spiritual care to all the current residents. “My wife and I are both ordained ministers through the Church of Christ and before joining EdenHill, I was a hospice Chaplin in Seguin,” says Ludwig. “For the last 12 years, I have been providing spiritual care and I’ve loved doing so.”

As EdenHill expands its community with the addition of The Pinnacle, one thing that won’t be changing is Reverend Ludwig’s personal mission, which happens to align nicely with EdenHill Communities’ own mission.  “Their mission is to be the leader in providing compassionate care and services to the residents, families, employees and the community in a way that promotes and respects the dignity and spirit of each individual so that the gift of life is valued and enhanced,” says Ludwig. “What I add to that is striving to be someone who can help bring that community together, help find the meaning in life, and help those in relationship struggles to overcome crises.”

Reverend Ludwig loves being a part of the EdenHill team and has his eyes set on being even more involved in the near future as a Resident of The Pinnacle. “I’m excited to be joining the community as a Resident in addition to being Community Chaplin,” says Ludwig. “The Pinnacle will simplify our life in a lot of ways and it just makes sense. No more commuting and no more vacuuming a huge house!”

As the Reverend prepares for his own personal move and expansion of his title to include Resident, he is also looking forward to how the new Residents of The Pinnacle will add to the spirituality within the EdenHill community. He says, “My goal is to add more chaplains so we can provide more face-to-face time, more personal interaction and more personal involvement.”

The Ludwig’s’ have already begun their personalization process and are anxiously awaiting construction to finish. In the meantime, Reverend Ludwig will continue providing spiritual care at EdenHill Communities, and is also looking for a way to cope with departing from his beloved lawn mower.

At The Pinnacle, we’ve done our research. In 2009, the AARP released a study[1] showing that one-third of people 75 and older live alone, while other studies[2] have found that residents who are socially engaged in retirement communities are more likely to live longer and healthier lives than those who lack social engagement. According to experts, the prescription for longevity in life is human companionship.[3]  In fact, some researchers have said that social relationships are just as important for a long and healthy life as not smoking.

While most of us have experienced a stressful relationship during our lifetime, companionship generally lowers tension because it can act as a buffer when it comes to the effects of stress. Leaning on one another for support, conversation, and sharing interests diminishes depression, illness and loneliness.[4] Being romantically involved provides a spark—a renewed zest for life—that can’t be found on one’s own.

It’s important to keep in mind that as we age, our longing for interaction doesn’t diminish, but the ability to fulfill the need might become more difficult. Finding a role within society that provides purpose and self-esteem can help relieve the fear of growing old alone. Social media platforms[5] like Facebook are one outlet that is providing us with the ability to connect with people and organizations without having to depend on other individuals to keep us company. Boredom is suddenly swept away and feelings of isolation are replaced by everyday interactions.

As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), we look forward to building relationships among our Future Residents. With monthly activities, a heated pool, walking trails and a roster full of amazing people, social engagement is something none of our Future Residents will be lacking. Just read some of our other blog posts under “Out and About,” visit our Facebook page, or subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on The Pinnacle’s “Social Scoop!” Next week, we’ll be taking a road trip to the Pioneer Museum, and we’ll let you know how that goes with an update and pictures.

The Gala started off with an art exhibit and auction, accompanied by a wine and cheese social hour.

The night started off with an artistic stroke, an art exhibit and auction displayed throughout the New Braunfels Convention Center, where the event was held. “This year was so different in that we started it off with a wine and cheese social before the actual gala started,” says Ann. “The social allowed mingling and the chance to bid on one of 37 amazing art collections—including a couple of paintings by the late Thomas Kinkade.”

Accompanied by the musical notes of The Sophisticates, a local band from nearby Austin, attendees could peruse the silent auction items and enjoy the vast variety of refreshments which included crab and vegetarian appetizers, stuffed and glazed quail with caramelized onions and apricots, and pork tenderloin on mushroom sauce. “The dessert [a chocolate chip and pistachio cannoli] was amazing and beautifully presented by Executive Chef, Eric Clark,” says Ann.

Local Austin band, The Sophisticates, kept the crowd dancing until the party wrapped up at 11pm.

All Occasions Catering and Executive Chef, Eric Clark, kept the guests well fed.

Earl and Ellie Koester, Future Residents of The Pinnacle at EdenHill

Community Co-Chairs, Robin and Nancy Rush

The gala, a popular outing among EdenHill community residents, supports a fantastic cause—The Benevolent Fund for Charitable Care of EdenHill, headed by this year’s community co-chairs, Robin and Nancy Rush.  Ann explains that the fund supports residents who live within the EdenHill community and who have a financial need, whether that is funds to pay to live at EdenHill, or even funds to help out with the purchase of medication. Historically, the gala has raised up to $60,000 and is expected to be even more successful next year with the addition of The Pinnacle. “The residents of The Pinnacle at EdenHill will add to the excitement and support of this great cause for the people of our community,” says Ann. “We are looking forward to switching things up a bit next year, and what better timing than with a new addition to our community?”

For more information on The Pinnacle or EdenHill, visit http://www.edenhill.org/contactus.

Pati Saulig, Moving Station

Moving Station, founded in 1995, blends their operational expertise and personalized customer service, bringing you an incomparable transitioning experience. Future Residents will have the opportunity to sign up for their Moving Made Easy program, an a la carte program that allows you to choose the options that best suit your needs. Moving Station offers services such as assistance with home-selling, professional organizers and even national van lines to help Future Residents move into the community come mid-2013. “We personally vet and research each project team member, making sure you can trust the people working for you, which takes a lot of added pressure off your shoulders during your transition,” said Pati. “Not having to worry about the small stuff makes a huge difference.”

As The Pinnacle began its search for a trusted moving team member, many different companies were researched, but it was the level of service Moving Station provides that made them our first choice. Each Future Resident will have the opportunity to have a personal interview with a Moving Station representative who will help determine what aspects of moving/transitioning intrigues or bothers them most and what Moving Station can do to help them prepare. “We are essentially their timeline, making sure things get done. We stay on top of our trusted team members, and make certain that people are receiving the type of assistance necessary to ensure a smooth transition,” said Pati.

As our conversation carried on, one thing became evident about Moving Station. There is no shortage of moving and relocation services, but finding one that is trusted, customer-oriented and dedicated to helping residents make well-informed decisions is no easy feat. “Moving Station has a clear advantage that makes us stand out. We are not just a moving service, but a ‘concierge’ service designed to lighten the weight of transitioning,” said Pati. “The level of service you can expect from us is something that corporations pay thousands of dollars for, and we are fortunate enough to be able to offer this very valuable gift to The Pinnacle community.”

About Pati Saulig

As Vice President of the Senior Division of Moving Station, Mrs. Saulig is responsible for the strategic direction of the division as well as interfacing with clients, developers and key distribution partners in the Senior Housing Industry.  Mrs. Saulig has more than eleven years experience in the field of relocation; eight of those years centered on relocation assistance for older adults.  Mrs. Saulig is a frequent industry speaker and has developed positive relationships with the myriad management and consulting firms who work with senior housing providers.  Mrs. Saulig received her BA and Master’s degrees from DePaul University.

For more information on the Moving Made Easy program or The Pinnacle at Eden Hill, visit www.edenhill.org/contactus.

Apartment Personalization Presentation Team:

(L-R) Brian Devlin-Greenbrier Development, Sharon Wild-The Pinnacle, Barry Johnson-

Greenbrier Development, Jerimiah Simon-Marchand-Studio Six-5, Jay Pfannstiel-The Pinnacle 

Nowadays, you can customize everything from greeting cards to cars, to even the computer screen upon which you are reading this. So, it’s no surprise that many of our Future Residents want to customize and personalize their future homes. The Pinnacle at EdenHill prides itself on being able to offer a range of personalization options. We had the opportunity to interview Barry Johnson, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Greenbrier Development (Greenbrier is the developer managing the redevelopment of EdenHill Communities), who gave us an overview of what’s in store for Future Residents.

 Barry Johnson explains the Moving Made Easy process to Future Residents.

For starters, you are in good hands. “The personalization process is one part of a well-orchestrated program that we have developed to make the move to The Pinnacle at EdenHill as simple as possible,” says Johnson. Future Residents will be pleased to know that The Pinnacle is making sure that each transition is carefully handled and each personalization process goes as smoothly as possible. “We have a new team member, Jay Pfannstiel, whose primary responsibility will be helping the Future Residents with the transition to The Pinnacle,” says Johnson. “We’re excited to work with people to create just the space they have envisioned for the future. It’s a truly fun time!”

The Pinnacle definitely doesn’t lack in options for Future Residents who will be customizing their homes. Johnson listed a plethora of apartment personalization options, which include cabinetry, flooring and countertops. “Our goal is to accommodate the requests and make the transition as smooth as possible for our Future Residents. If that means installing a flat-screen television in the middle of their bedroom wall, they’ll have the chance to specify that. Extra lighting? We’ve got that too,” says Johnson.

As Future Residents have begun to look for inspiration in magazines, TV programs and even from their own interior decorators, Johnson has noticed a common theme—neutral colors. “Most people choose neutral colors for just about everything—paint, cabinetry, flooring, countertops—because they can always spice up their living space with things that are far easier to change such as throw pillows, area rugs, window treatments and accessories,” says Johnson. “Using these accessories adds color and excitement.”

Sharon Wild answers questions about interior finish selections.

While so many options could seem daunting, Johnson and the personalization team at The Pinnacle have designed the process to be challenge-free. “People seem to readily fall into the creative mode fairly quickly, and the palette of selections is extensive enough to provide them with many, many different combinations, but not so extensive as to be overwhelming,” says Johnson. “We take a few months at the beginning of the construction period to gather preferences from Future Residents, communicate those to the contractor, who then fits all the pieces together to deliver the new community right on time, with every apartment specialized according to the wishes its future inhabitants.”

As Senior Vice President of Marketing for Greenbrier, Johnson has had the unique opportunity to see many developments arise and is looking forward to showcasing his team of experts to the Future Residents of The Pinnacle at EdenHill. “After having done this for literally thousands of people over the last 20 years, we’re starting to get pretty good at it. The most exciting thing for us will be welcoming each resident to their new home in which we have had the honor of collaborating in the creative process, and watching them transition to a lifestyle they never imagined possible,” says Johnson. “The Pinnacle at EdenHill will be a marvelous community full of wonderful people. It will add years to the lives of those who choose to live there and quality to those years as well.”

For more information on The Pinnacle at EdenHill, visit http://www.edenhill.org/contactus

Rusty Brockman

We had a chance to sit down with Rusty Brockman, Economic Development Director for the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce to hear his thoughts on The Pinnacle at EdenHill and what it means for the development of New Braunfels.

As Economic Development Director for a town boasting close to 60,000 residents, Brockman’s days are spent encouraging expansion and retention to help build a strong economic base, but his beliefs and roots reach far beyond a job description. As a local resident, Brockman believes in bringing the best companies to New Braunfels to further expand the legacy of New Braunfels, and The Pinnacle was no exception. “When you affect people’s lives in a positive way by bringing in things that matter, they tend to stay here longer, live happier lives, and enjoy the city,” said Brockman. “The Pinnacle will draw from outside of New Braunfels and outside of Texas, bringing in guests, new restaurants to feed those residents and guests, and a new atmosphere.”

One of Brockman’s main tasks in the early stages of The Pinnacle’s development was to address the concerns shared by some that, by bringing a community like The Pinnacle to New Braunfels, the town’s old world heritage and small town Texas charm would be depleted. Brockman insists that isn’t going anywhere. “We want to promote the area—our wonderful, charming downtown and Landa Park Golf Course—making sure residents know that they can still enjoy those things, but to also encourage new developments to help better our city,” said Brockman. “Our goal in encouraging developments such as The Pinnacle is to create the benefits offered by a larger city, but to maintain the small-town feel New Braunfels is famous for. In reality, people can drive just minutes to downtown or take an afternoon stroll to Landa Park.”

With construction underway, the redevelopment of the entire EdenHill campus and the new construction, which includes The Pinnacle, is projected to cost $75 million, and to create close to 50 new jobs for the area. For Rusty, though, it is a much bigger investment. “We can’t forget that construction alone brings close to 300 new people working on the project—spending money here, bringing their families to visit and see what New Braunfels is about,” Brockman said. “The growth doesn’t stop after the initial construction is done. Families will be visiting, The Pinnacle residents will be shopping, and the city of New Braunfels will continue to grow—all because of this wonderful investment.”

Like all of our future residents, Rusty is highly anticipating the future for The Pinnacle and New Braunfels. He is proud to call New Braunfels home and is anticipating even bigger things for the bright future of our residents. “We’ve got a lot in store for The Pinnacle and the city of New Braunfels. Healthcare is a big thing we started focusing on 18 months ago and will continue to focus on until all of our residents have the resources needed where they don’t have to travel to bigger cities, like Austin or San Antonio,” said Brockman. “In the meantime, folks can kick back, relax and smell the flowers, basking in the New Braunfels charm.” Now, that’s southern hospitality!

For more information on The Pinnacle at EdenHill, visit www.edenhill.org/contactus

New Braunfels Mayor, Gale Pospisil

February was a busy month for The Pinnacle at EdenHill. In addition to revamping our Facebook page and partnering with the delicious Huisache Grill in our first ever Facebook contest (which lasts until April 1^st), we celebrated our spectacular groundbreaking event, which was held on February 15, 2012.

A great crowd met us at the event including our very own Future Residents, CEO of EdenHill Communities, Larry Dahl, and even the folks at New Braunfels’ premier newspaper source, The Herald-Zeitung! We also had a few very special guests join us adding to our excitement and enthusiasm as we kicked off the event. EdenHill Communities Board of Directors President, John Oyer and Mayor Gale Pospisil stopped by and enlightened the crowd with insightful opening remarks.

Click here to watch the video of Mayor, Gale Pospisil.

Click here to watch the video of BOD President, John Oyer.

As we reflect on that day, we at The Pinnacle are anxiously awaiting 2013 and looking forward to creating a wonderful Continuing Care Retirement Community, bringing even more character to the rich city of New Braunfels. Here’s looking toward the future!

For more information visit www.edenhill.org/contactus.

The Pinnacle Sales Staff, Sandra Brodbeck, Tom Jones and Sharon Wild; 1st Priority Club Members, Nita and Dewey Peace; EdenHill Communities CEO, Larry Dahl; EdenHill Board of Directors President, John Oyer; and EdenHill Marketing Director, Ann Whitis

Not even the weather could rain on this parade! On the beautiful Wednesday morning of February 15^th, sunshine filled the heavens that had threatened to pour down, while Future Residents, board members, staff, and local dignitaries gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Pinnacle at EdenHill—the cornerstone of the only Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in New Braunfels and Comal County. The overwhelming turnout and general air of festivity was a testament to the integrity of the project and the long-awaited occasion marking its official beginning.

With the successful completion of the sale of approximately $52 million in tax exempt bonds and the securing of an $18 million construction loan from Broadway Bank, construction was able to begin during the week of February 6^th. The $70 million project encompasses a total remodel of the existing campus which has been in place since 1956, as well as new construction, including The Pinnacle at EdenHill, a four-story, 103-unit independent living apartment building.

Under the shade of a great white tent, guests listened to the eloquent speeches of many of the community’s advocates and partners. Among those providing opening remarks and sharing some of their insights were Larry Dahl, CEO of EdenHill Communities; John Oyer, President of the EdenHill Communities Board of Directors; Gale Pospisil, Mayor of New Braunfels; and Sharon Wild, Senior Living Director at The Pinnacle. Future Resident, Reverend Ralph Ludwig gave the benediction. 

Guests enjoy the opening remarks.	Larry Dahl, CEO of EdenHill Communities
John Oyer, President of the EdenHill Communities Board	Gale Pospisil, Mayor of New Braunfels
Sharon Wild, Senior Living Director at The Pinnacle	Future Resident, Reverend Ralph Ludwig
Senior Sales Director, Sharon Wild and Future Resident, Jack Ohlrich	General Contractor, JE Dunn Construction, breaking ground.

The Pinnacle’s Sharon Wild, Sandra Brodbeck; and Greenbrier Development’s Margaret Gebhart and Barry Johnson

Future Resident, Pat Stayton

Following the proceedings, many guests visited with one another while enjoying a catered, buffet lunch provided by Don Strange Catering, while others, Future Residents and members of the redevelopment project team alike, shared their perspectives.

Enjoy these interviews:

Cole Gray, Executive Vice President of Greenbrier Development

Rocky Berg, Principal at three Architecture

Stay tuned for a future blog post sharing video interviews of Future Residents who share their experiences and expectations of The Pinnacle at EdenHill.