Meet our Wonderful Residents of the Month
Ruby Glick
June 2023 Resident Rockstar of the Month
Ruby is another one of our amazing residents who tries to attend and be involved in all she can be. Ruby is always happy and will always make sure that you are too. She takes pictures at events and shares them online. Ruby has adopted all of us, just we have all adopted her. She’s been our Valentines Day Queen in 2022, she’s been on the welcome committee, and she truly cares about people. She often asks staff about their families and says prayers for anyone who needs it. Ruby is a positive influence and is genuinely happy for and takes interest in others. We’re so thankful Ruby chose ERR to be her home, and we’re beyond blessed to have her here. Congratulations, Ruby, on being our June Resident Rockstar!
Dave Bakthasekaran
May 2023 Resident Rockstar of the Month
A resident of ERR since February 2023, Dave is easy to recognize as he has one of the biggest smiles on his face every time you see him! He simply finds joy in living life, and it’s contagious to be in his presence. Being around Dave gives you the peace of knowing that we are meant to be nothing short of happy as we live our life. Dave always sees the silver linings; he is calm, quiet and nothing but positive. Dave has been a positive influence in our community and people are drawn to him. He’s not afraid to go and sit with someone who is sitting alone. That genuineness is a true inspiration to all of us. We’re so thankful Dave chose ERR to be his home. We’re beyond Blessed to have him here! Congratulations, Dave, on being our May Resident Rockstar!
Wanda Dunn
April 2023 Resident Rockstar of the Month
Wanda is one of our precious residents who is involved in and attends everything she can here at ERR. She makes it a point to know peoples’ names and is a member of our welcome committee. Wanda is often at the front door and is known for telling everyone who leaves the building to have a safe trip home. She was responsible for obtaining the donation of the shopping carts that our residents enjoy each and every day for transporting things to their rooms. Wanda always volunteers to help wherever she can. Her positive, helpful spirit is a blessing to all who know her. We’re so thankful Wanda chose ERR to be her home & are beyond blessed to have her here. Congratulations, Wanda, on being our April Resident Rockstar!
Carolyn Martin
March 2023 Resident Rockstar of the Month
Carolyn is one of the kindest and most level-headed people you will ever meet. A resident of ERR since October 2022, Carolyn is driven by faith and always seeks the best answer for things prior to making a decision. Carolyn warmed our hearts as she walked through the parking lot with her hands raised in the air praying for those in another building. She does the same in this building praying, for those who need it–even if they don’t yet know it. She always finds a way to encourage her fellow residents and staff, either by the spoken words or notes written. Carolyn has a calmness about her that is contagious. We’re so thankful Carolyn chose ERR to be her home. Congratulations, Carolyn, on being our March Resident Rockstar!
Bertha Carbaugh
February 2023 Resident Rockstar of the Month
Bert–as she prefers to be known–has been a resident of ERR since September of 2022. Bert moved here with her husband and has been a positive mover and shaker within our community ever since! Her zest for life and testimony is an inspiration to us all. Bert always has a smile on her face and thankfulness in her heart, always giving encouraging words and notes that touch your heart. She strives to make a difference in everyone’s life. Bert’s faithful spirit draws you in and makes you realize how special she truly is! Bert epitomizes our positivity pledge and we’re beyond grateful that she chose ERR to be her home! Congratulations, Bert, on being our February Resident Rockstar!
Verena Hekman
January 2023 Resident Rockstar of the Month
Verena, a resident at East Ridge Residence since January 2022, is a quiet presence…but a very impactful one. When she speaks, it’s always words of encouragement and love. Her words, both spoken and written, are always positive in nature and uplifting. Her faith guides her and inspires all of us. Verena makes it a point to see the positive in everything. She takes time to recognize jobs well done from staff and visitors alike. She will write personal notes letting you know that you did a good job or she appreciated this or that. We’re so thankful Verena chose ERR to be her home–we’re beyond blessed to have her here! Congratulations, Verena, on being our January Resident Rockstar!
Meet Pat
Resident of the Month
To kickoff the East Ridge Residence Resident of the Month Campaign, it was an instant and unanimous vote that our dear Pat had to be the first resident to receive this recognition.
Originally from Pine Bluff Arkansas, Pat moved to Flinstone Georgia with her husband, Wilbur Keith Almany, better known to all as “Slim” in 1964. They decided to make a life together in a home that had a mini-farm on it -which they ran and took care of each and every day. Being adopted herself, Pat and Slim adopted their Son, Leslie Lee, soon after moving to Chattanooga. This young married couple, with their new home, mini farm and baby, also had teaching careers at the Fairyland School on top of Lookout Mountain. Teaching elementary school where she helped each of her young student’s develop the tools, skills and smarts needed in life was one of Pat’s greatest joys and passions. Each day she took pride and love in each of her students that she taught during her 35-year teaching career.
In 2002 Slim received a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy. Knowing life was going to become more difficult each day, Slim and Pat decided to sell their home, mini-farm and move to a lovely Community they had found called East Ridge Residence. Having many of the day to day chores and stresses now removed from their lives now, Pat and Slim were able to enjoy the days they had left together making new and forever friends, reigning as the East Ridge Residence Valentine’s Day King and Queen…as well as Pat being able to take Slim to all the casino’s in Tunica and other nearby places that he had always wanted to go to until he passed away in 2004.
After Slim’s passing, Pat decided to move to a townhouse in Chickamauga, Georgia. She kept in touch with all her friends at East Ridge Residence and would come back to visit often. While at her town house alone one day in 2013, Pat had a bad fall causing her to break her shoulder and be confined to a sling for the next 17 weeks. It was at that very moment that Pat immediately told herself, it is time to get back to my familiar home and family at East Ridge Residence – where she has lived every day since. With her beautiful, contagious smile and a heart full of love for everyone that lives and works here, Pat never meets a stranger. During the week, Pat stays busy socializing with her friends, playing bingo, calling bingo, teaching us new ones how to call bingo; as well as creating a beautiful picture or card to give to someone. Come Friday evening thru the rest of each weekend, Pat’s heart and time are dedicated to her precious family. These weekend family visits begin each Friday evening when her Granddaughter, Madison, comes to see her. From Friday evening on she gets to enjoy precious moments with her son, Leslie, her Grandson, Dakota, and even her Great Grandson, Hudson.
Pat shared that she feels, “truly blessed to be at East Ridge Residence. I love it here with so many friends and caring staff all around me. It was meant for me to be here!” We love Pat and her being at East Ridge Residence as well! What a blessing she is to all of those who live and work at East Ridge Residence!
Meet John
Our Youngest Resident
We at East Ridge Residence and The Victory Lap, a Nashville organization, are teaming up to provide a new home for John, a young man in Partnership’s Independent Living Program. We are bringing generations together by housing older foster youth in retirement communities.
On July 1st, 2019, our seniors welcomed John, their newest resident, with special t-shirts, pom-poms and a cannonball into the pool, with swimming being one of John’s favorite pastimes.
