The Orchard opens third building

Published 9:00 am Sunday, September 16, 2018

HAHIRA — “I lived by myself for awhile after my husband passed away but I was lonely and I wanted somebody to talk to,” Mona Colson said as she glanced around her suite at The Orchard at Stone Creek. “Here, I always have lots of company and things to do.”

Her friend, Margo Henson, laughed and nodded her head in agreement as they sat together in her suite, which is just down the hallway.

They said The Orchard is ideal for folks wanting a combination of comfort and fun as they grow older.

Colson and Henson are two of almost 30 seniors who occupy suites at the assisted-living community which opened last year, according to Orchard representatives.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held last August during the grand opening of two of a planned six residential buildings, each one housing 16 residents.

A ribbon-cutting for the third residential building was held Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Owners Fred and Martha McGill said construction is already underway on the fourth residential building. All six buildings should be complete and ready for occupancy in 2019 and will house a total of 96-150 seniors.

“We enjoy lots of different activities and sometimes we will go out to see a play in Valdosta or go over to Barney to pick peaches,” Henson said. “And we love attending worship service every Sunday here in the chapel in the Community Center.”

David Tuggle of Valdosta said he first looked into assisted living for his wife, Mary, last year when she began to show signs of advancing dementia and Alzheimer’s.

“We heard about The Orchard at Stone Creek from our daughter, Beth, who is a pharmacist in Hahira,” Tuggle said. “We were invited to come out and tour their community by Fred and Martha and we fell in love with the place.”

Among the first residents to move into The Orchard at Stone Creek, Tuggle said they are impressed with the beautiful and spacious residential suites and by the efficiency of the employees.

“Everyone here does such a great job,” Tuggle said.

Frances Allen of Nashville retired after working with the Citizens Bank in Nashville for many years. She is a part of the community at The Orchard at Stone Creek.

She said she loved being able to bring all of her favorite furnishings from home. Surrounded by family photos and crocheted doilies and her old quilted bedspread, she said all that is missing is one of her favorite paintings, an original oil created by a renowned artist, which hung on the wall at her home in Nashville.

“My niece is going to bring it to hang over my bed here,” she said, “and then my bedroom will be complete.”

“The Orchard at Stone Creek is perfect for active seniors who want to live independently but need some assistance in their daily lives,” Orchard representatives said. “Each private suite features nine-foot ceilings, walk-in closets, walk-in showers, abundant natural light and window views of the beautiful orchard. Wireless internet expands connectivity to family and friends.”

Nature is the backdrop for life here.

Green space preserves natural beauty across the community, and gardens adorn the grounds with hydrangeas, gardenias, roses, bottle brush, camellias and crepe myrtle. Residents often pick flowers to brighten their day and their private suites, representatives said.

“Staying young at heart involves fun, friendship and learning,” Tuggle said. “With a short walk to the Community Center, residents stay active in the creative programs, events and outings.”

“We built a community, not a facility; a home, not a hallway,” Martha McGill said.

With more than 30 years of experience as a registered nurse and health-care executive, she brings “an unrivaled level of health-care knowledge to the Valdosta area,” according to representatives.

Having served as chief operating officer for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston at Emory University, chief operating officer of Miami Children’s Hospital, and chief of network operations of the Alfred I. Dupont Foundation, Nemous Children’s Hospital throughout the state of Florida, Martha McGill “has a depth of understanding of the complexities of today’s health care for which only national experts in the health-care industry possess,” representatives said.

The Orchard at Stone Creek is licensed by the state Department of Community Health, representatives said.

Located adjacent to the Stone Creek golf community on Tillman Crossing Road, the community rests on a 72-acre pecan orchard with amenities including walking trails and sidewalks, an outdoor fitness center, activity areas, an eight-acre fishing pond with dock, a fun barn with a farm animal petting zoo, a gazebo with benches, creeks and canals, wooded riding trails, a large pond with a bridge and waterfall, etc.

The Orchard at Stone Creek offers an active approach to wellness and care, representatives said. An independent lifestyle is encouraged but supported by some assistance and supervision. A range of services are provided for residents with various levels of personal assistance tailored to meet each resident’s needs.

The community also offers memory care with a commitment to compassion in a comfortable home-like environment, representatives said.

Residents are served fresh, “from garden to table” meals, provided by Fanny Ford and her team. She said she listens to the residents and tries to serve menu items the residents suggest.

Several of the residents at The Orchard at Stone Creek moved here from other states and they all have a variety of favorite foods.

“I like grits OK but I’m a Yankee from up north and once in awhile, I’d like some corn beef hash and cabbage,” said Joe Freno, one of the residents who takes early morning walks around the gated community.

As his request reached Ford’s ears, she said, “Well, I sure know how to cook corn beef hash and cabbage, so I’ve already put it on the menu for next week.”

Richard Barr, former long-time mayor of Adel, spends his retirement years at The Orchard at Stone Creek. He said after working for years in his stress-filled political role in Cook County, he enjoys the relaxed atmosphere at the community.

“Sometimes I miss being mayor but it’s really not a big deal to me anymore,” he said.

Barr’s wife, Sylvia, is memorialized by her namesake, The Sylvia Barr Center in Adel.

“My wife and I led very fulfilling lives and I have great memories of our time together, such as when she was named the 2010 Daylily Queen,” he said. “And now, I have the time to relive our memories in such a comfortable environment.”

Barr paused a moment then laughed a little.

“I’ve lived all my life asking the Lord to give me peace,” he said, “and I used to demand that He give it to me right then. I didn’t know that He was saving my peace for me until I came home to The Orchard at Stone Creek!”

Construction at the Orchard at Stone Creek has been an economic boon for Hahira and Lowndes County, said Fred McGill, as workers come and go and construction material is hauled in on trucks from area retail stores.

Dozens of employees stay busy working, cleaning, planting, mowing and more as they improve, expand and maintain the facility.

Everyone is welcome to call or come by The Orchard at Stone Creek. More information: Call (229) 251-2201.