Palm Village Vice-President of Advancement
Originally published in a 2010 issue of the Palm Villager
There is a story we tell in Reedley, each year at this time. It is the story of spring. It’s truly a “Living Legacy”. Pollinated blossom trails give way to leaves on trees and fruit buds maturing into actual pieces of potential harvest.
Soon there are thinning crews in orchards of all kinds, and the ground is littered with fruit that will give way to the potential larger and more profitable yields, and more edible, sweet peaches, plums, nectarines, and much more that makes this valley come alive with the good tastes of harvest.
Yet, alongside that story, we watch the storm clouds grow and wonder if it will hail as the fruit begins to take shape on the trees. As dark clouds sometimes gather, and rain turns to hail, we hear the “boom, boom, boom” of hail cannons trying to minimize the potential damage. By around mid-May, this season of spring and uncertainty yields to our summer, and the fruit begins to be packaged and shipped around the world.
These cycles have been going on around Reedley and surrounding areas for the better part of 100 years. It is an incredible time of risk, growth and change that also usually coincides with Easter. Dormancy, gives way to life. It’s an old story, repeated and experienced over and over again. We gladly keep showing up for it!
At Palm Village, we also enjoy our own seasons and cycles that coincide with those we live around. Our facility takes on the new life of the colors of spring. Our residents are seen outside more frequently taking walks, enjoying the sunshine and soaking in another year’s season of new life.
The beauty of working with those in their senior years is the realization that no one ever gets tired of spring, regardless of how long one lives. I have yet to meet anyone who says, “…I sure wish spring would hurry along so that we could have the heat of summer…”!
Alongside these beautiful days are some of our own storm clouds and hail cannons. State government threatens cuts, delivery systems for senior care undergoes constant change, the budget debate in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento drags on like snails in our gardens looking for bright flowers to devour. Yet, our residents continue their healthy lives at their home called Palm Village and expect us to deliver on our promises and provide a harvest for their retired years. And we do.
Your help at this time of the year is much appreciated. We honor this time of spring and harvest with a feast called the guest chef dinner. This year it took place on April 7th at the new Kitchen/Dining facility of the Reedley, MB Church. Over 225 people (which is a record for us!) were present for a meal prepared by David Vartanian, of the Vintage Press of Visalia. David helped us celebrate the Living Legacy of Palm Village with a bountiful menu of incredible hors d’oeuvre of dates, almonds and local vegetables, white bean soup, pear and pecan salad, pork tenderloin with potatoes au gratin, carrots and asparagus, nine-grain rolls and a delicious dessert of almond Tuille filled with ice cream and fresh fruit! It was a bountiful harvest indeed and was a complete Spring Spectacular of Food.
Thanks to those of you who helped us raise nearly $30,000 for our Living Legacy fund that evening.
Palm Village Retirement Community is a smart choice for seniors searching for California retirement homes or California nursing homes. If you are seeking information on California Retirement Homes, you'll enjoy reading about Palm Village's Independent Living Patio Homes and Assisted Living Suites. If you are looking for information on California Nursing Homes and related services, Palm Village offers Skilled Nursing, Memory Care and Rehabilitation Therapies including Stroke Rehabilitation. COA 170 Lic. #100404809 - Admissions, room assignments and services are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, disability or age.
