Resident Stories

Donations That Make a Difference

The materials for a beautiful gazebo at Hickory Creek at Winamac were donated in memory of Shirley Hemza, a five-year resident of the home. Shirley’s family wanted her to be remembered in a positive light for years to come. Construction of the gazebo was done by a team of staff and family members of Hickory Creek in honor of their loved ones who had both worked and lived in the home.

Hickory Creek at Winamac has a patio donated by Zinny Jones on behalf of his mother, Fannie Jones, who was a resident at the home. The patio allows our residents to get out in the fresh air, enjoy the beautiful flower gardens planted by family members, and sunbathe if they choose. The patio is completely enclosed to ensure resident safety while allowing them freedom to venture out. The patio area was recently enhanced by another resident’s family member when Paul Bonnell, son of Annabelle, made flower boxes to cover the length of the porch so his mother could plant and maintain flowers, just as she did at home.

Hickory Creek at New Castle has a new 24 x 14 foot deck on the front of the nursing home, thanks to donations from the Moose Family Center, VFW Post 1282, Elks Lodge, 84 Lumber, Mike Blackburn and Maurice Cook. This has been a great addition for our residents.

Hickory Creek at Rochester received a grant from the Fulton County Community Foundation to purchase an aviary for the front lobby. It has brought countless hours of joy and entertainment to our residents, staff, families and visitors. The birds must be happy too as they have produced seven new baby birds.

Resident Winifred Fuqua, through her daughter Gayle Landis and family, donated the time and materials to build a deck on the front of Hickory Creek at Rochester. This has added a whole new dimension to the quality of life for our residents. They dine outside when weather permits; the home holds cookouts and parties; and the residents enjoy sunbathing, fireworks, and so much more. More recently, the home received donations to purchase a laptop computer and software, allowing a resident with Lou Gehrig’s Disease to communicate with her family via the Internet.

Making Dreams Come True

Excerpt from the News Examiner on May 6, 2006:
“Ask and ye shall receive. So it was with soon-to-be 95-year old Zella Warren. Warren, who turns 95 Sunday, always wanted to take a ride in a police car – without being arrested of course – and she fulfilled her wish Friday. To help celebrate her birthday, Connersville City Police Officer Heidi Davidson took Warren for a ride through town. Warren said she and Davidson cruised down Western Avenue and Central Avenue and wrapped up the ride on Park Road. She said Davidson was a great chauffeur. “She knows what she’s doing,” Warren said. Warren, who has resided in Connersville for about 50 years, has been a resident of Hickory Creek for two years. She was head teller at the former Fayette County Bank. Warren was granted her wish with the help of Paula Shook, dietary manager at Hickory Creek at Connersville, 2600 N. Grand Ave. “That is all she wanted for her birthday,” Shook said. “Last year, she requested a ride in a fire truck and was granted her wish.”

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