Resident/Volunteer Spotlight Don Chaloupka

Embers
Spring 2015
Embers is a news and events
publication for residents and friends
of Warm Hearth Village.
Resident/Volunteer Spotlight
Don Chaloupka
really need.” Don went from building
houses to rebuilding and co-owning a
hotel in Montauk, NY. Like his boat,
he named the hotel Born Free.
In 1987, Don retired but that didn’t
slow him down. He moved around
quite a bit before finally settling in at
Warm Hearth Village in 2011.
Inside This Issue
2
3
6
7
14
15
Employee News
Village News
Board Member Recognition WoodsEdge Update
Showalter Center Remodel
Development
Donor Spotlight
Out & About
Huckleberry Trail Expansion
whv
Warm Hearth Village
2387 Warm Hearth Dr.
Blacksburg, VA 24060
retire.org • (540) 552-9176
A native New Yorker, Don attended
Brooklyn Technical High School and
studied Industrial Design discovering
his love for building things. At age
20, he was drafted by the Army and
worked as a radio operator during the
Korean War.
After the war, Don spent two years in
Huntsville, AL working with missile
systems before returning to New
York to work for Brookhaven National
Laboratory. There he worked in
Cryogenics Technical Systems finding
peaceful uses for atomic energy.
Don saw the movie Born Free, and
it changed his life. Don bought a
boat, named it Born Free, and began
his own charter business. Along
with his charter boat business, Don
also returned to his love of building
things. With his friend Charlie, Don
began building houses. His business,
he says, was built on trust. People
trusted him to do a good job and he
always delivered. He says, “If you
are honest with people, that’s all you
What we know and love about Don at
Warm Hearth Village is his generous
spirit and exceptional talent for
playing piano. He has been playing
since he was seven years old and
though he can read music, he says
when he hears a song he can see the
notes dancing before his eyes. He is
the pianist for our resident Kitchen
Kettle Band, and he is always happy
to volunteer his time and talents
to play at other events around the
Village.
Don also spends his time as a
volunteer for the Treasure Trove,
a thrift store located on the Warm
Hearth campus. Along with his
volunteer work, Don is quite the
social butterfly. He says his favorite
part about living at Warm Hearth,
aside from the fact that there are a lot
of pianos, is the people.
Ask Don to sum up his life in one
phrase and he will tell you, “I did
what I wanted to do. I did it my way.”
Warm Hearth Village • Spring 2015 • Embers 1
Employee News
A Note From The President
Welcome to our Spring issue of
Embers! In this issue, you will find
many examples of our ongoing efforts
to enrich the lives of those we serve.
Whether through expanding our
wellness and fitness programming,
continuing to grow our home
care service offerings, remodeling
Showalter Center both inside and out
Ferne Moschella
– Warm Hearth Village is constantly
innovating to meet the changing needs of seniors.
And when it comes to meeting the needs of our most
frail residents, I could not be more proud of the
dedicated team of professionals on the Cove, our
skilled rehabilitation and long-term nursing unit at
Kroontje Center, for their perfect licensure survey and
for maintaining their 5-Star Overall Quality Rating on
Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare website. Results
like these don’t happen by accident. They are the result
of outstanding leadership, teamwork, competence,
attention to detail, and an over arching focus on doing
the right thing in the right way. Ghandi said, “The true
measure of any society can be found in how it treats its
most vulnerable members.” The dedicated individuals
who care for our most vulnerable members here at Warm
Hearth Village, are an inspiration and a shining example
to us all.
New Employees and Titles
Tina Bland is the Director of
Nursing at Warm Hearth at Home.
Tina is a Registered Nurse with a
Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s
Degree in Nursing from Radford
University. She has 18 years of
experience as an RN which includes
12 years of public health experience.
Tina has a passion for caring for
people of all ages, but especially enjoys
working with seniors.
Tina Bland
Amanda Lamb has been named the
Activities Director for the Kroontje
Health Care Center (KHCC.) She
completed her field study in Human
Development at Warm Hearth Village
in 2009 when she was a student at
Virginia Tech. Returning to Warm
Hearth in 2012 as Activities Assistant
and then Activities Coordinator for
Amanda Lamb
the Willows and Arbor at KHCC,
Amanda says, “The residents and staff are all wonderful.
I am excited to be in this position to help unify the
activity and events department to bring the residents a
better overall experience.”
2 Embers • Spring 2015 • Warm Hearth Village
Congratulations to Tiffany Brown
who has been promoted to the
Huckleberry Café/Village Gourmet
Catering and Retail Manager.
Tiffany’s smiling face is not new to
the Village Center. Before accepting
the management position, she
worked as Café Attendant and
Catering Server. Tiffany is excited
Tiffany Brown
to be working directly with residents
and community members on a variety of catering
functions at the Village Center.
Jocy Graham has joined Warm
Hearth Village as Fitness Director.
She is a Blacksburg native and has
worked in the fitness industry for
fifteen years. Jocy is a Certified
Exercise Physiologist by the
American College of Sports Medicine
and a Certified Aquatics Personal
Trainer with the Aquatic Exercise
Jocy Graham
Association of America. She
strongly believes that exercise is
medicine, body awareness is the key to the success of
any exercise program and fitness is FUN!
Village News
Farewell To A Board Member
Shannon Jarrott
The Board of Directors of Warm
Hearth, Inc. would like to bid a fond
farewell to Dr. Shannon Jarrott.
Shannon, Associate Professor of
Human Development at Virginia Tech,
has been a board member with Warm
Hearth, Inc. since 2008. She also
served on the Research, Teaching and
Outreach Committee and chaired the
Human Resources Committee.
Along with her Board activities and leadership, Shannon has
actively supported Warm Hearth’s mission in the academic
community through inviting staff to routinely guest lecture
in her classes. She has also created numerous Virginia
Tech service learning student volunteer experiences and
spearheaded aging services research projects involving Warm
Hearth residents and staff.
It has been a privilege and an honor to have Shannon as part
of the Warm Hearth Family. She will be missed and we wish
her the best of luck in the future.
Warm Hearth Village is proud to support farmers
throughout the state of Virginia by accessing the Local
Food Hub to purchase farm fresh produce for use in our
dining services program. The Local Food Hub is a nonprofit
organization working to connect farmers, food, and
community. Local Food Hub’s partner farms are generally
less than 100 acres, family owned and use sustainable
practices.
Warm Hearth Village boasts six dining venues throughout
the campus for residents, family and guests. Our culinary
team takes pride in the diverse menus inspired by farm
fresh produce in all of our dining venues. The Huckleberry
Café and Fireside Grill are open daily to guests, so stop
by any time for breakfast or lunch!
Doug and Kathie Sewall
WoodsEdge Update
“We are native New Englanders who lived in
Maine for 35 years. We moved to WoodsEdge
in the Fall of 2014. The decision process was
surprisingly easy: near family, vibrant college
town, low-maintenance living, milder winters and
health care options on campus for the future. We
feel we have been blessed with good fortune to be
part of this special place. Aristotle was right, “The
whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” All
the residents and staff have made WoodsEdge an
outstanding community and we thank you all for
giving WoodsEdge such a great heart. “
-Doug and Kathie Sewall
Thinking about making a move? Now is the time!
As home and yard maintenance beckon this
Spring, many active adults who are approaching
retirement or recently retired start thinking
about moving. From walkways and driveways to
streets and sidewalks, WoodsEdge’s professional
maintenance team will ensure that snow is
plowed and shoveled, leaves are raked, lawns
and gardens are maintained so you can relax
and enjoy living in this wonderful active adult
community.
No matter how you slice it, WoodsEdge is the
perfect balance of a healthy, active, fun and a
low-maintenance lifestyle. There are only EIGHT
available lots on which to build. Don’t miss your
opportunity to become part of this active adult
neighborhood.
To learn more about opportunities at WoodsEdge,
please call Ellen Rorrer at (540) 443-3465.
Warm Hearth Village • Spring 2015 • Embers 3
Village News
SMOKE-FREE
Class Schedule
Senior
wellness
University
May 26: The Web & Your
Health at 4:00 pm
Health websites you can
trust and which ones to
avoid.
June 30: Leg & Foot Pain
Keeping your legs and feet
healthy.
Carilion Clinic and Warm Hearth Village are
partnering to provide a series of relevant
educational programs for seniors from
throughout the New River Valley.
The last Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. at
the Village Center at Warm Hearth Village
July 28: An Apple A Day
Learn how to eat for energy
and to reduce your risk of
cancer.
August 25: Know your
Numbers
The importance of regular
preventative screenings.
2387 Warm Hearth Dr., Blacksburg, VA
Registration is required by Friday prior to each event as space
is limited. For registration or information, call Carilion Clinic at
540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482.
CAM US
To promote good
health, and to create a
healthier environment
for all, Warm Hearth
Village became a
Tobacco-Free Campus
and Workplace on
January 1, 2014. The
use of cigarettes, pipes,
cigars, chew, snuff,
clove cigarettes, and
electronic smoking
devices are strictly
forbidden on Warm
Hearth property.
FitBit Fitness Tracker Research Study
exercise and healthier living. The
study is made possible through
a grant provided by Lutheran
Services in America, in cooperation
with Brandon Oaks Retirement
Community in Roanoke, Virginia.
Residents from throughout
Independent Living at Warm Hearth
Village are participating in a FitBit
Fitness Tracker Research Study to
examine the device’s effectiveness
on daily decisions related to
4 Embers • Spring 2015 • Warm Hearth Village
The goal of the study is to discover
whether technology can be a
motivating factor for those 65 and
older. It places emphasis on options
that encourage independence and
keeping seniors independent longer.
Warm Hearth Village has 26 residents
participating in the three-month
study. Each participant is asked to
complete a questionnaire describing
habits such as energy level, quality of
sleep, and interest in daily exercise
throughout and upon completion
of the study. Team leaders will work
closely with participants to download
data. The study will look at the
commitment to wearing the FitBit
and any patterns of increasing or
decreasing exercise as well as the
overall benefit to participants.
Lou Talbutt is a study participant
who says, “When I see a big number
on my FitBit, I know I have walked a
lot of steps that day. It motivates me
to want to walk even more the next
day.”
Village News
New Fitness
Classes
Jocy Graham, our new
Director of Fitness,
has put the Fun in
FUNctional when it
comes to fitness. Jocy
would like to change
our perception of fitness
by creating different
activities that inspire
people to find what works
best for them. She states, “Fitness isn’t just
about working out. It’s about creating awareness
in our bodies. It should be simple and fun but
consistent.”
By adding classes such as “Healthy Back and
Body” and “Aquatic Joint and Memory Care” at
the Village Center and “Simple and FUNctional
Movement” at the Karr Activity Center, Jocy hopes
to help residents increase balance, flexibility and
strength. All of these are important elements
in the prevention of slips and falls and help to
improve cognitive processes.
If a class setting is not your style, the Fitness
Center is open for individuals to enjoy the Cardio
and Strength Training Studio and the warm saltwater pool. A 15-minute orientation will get you
acquainted with the facilities and a personal
trainer is on hand to assist if you require more
personalized attention.
Warm Hearth’s fitness facilities and programs
are not just for residents only. Members of the
public age 55+ may purchase Fitness Center
memberships. Rates vary from $10 for a day pass
to $75 for the month. A couple can join for $105.
There is no contract to sign. Jocy’s message to
all is “Health and Wellness begins within”. For
additional information, please call the Warm
Hearth Village Center at
(540)-443-3800.
Entertainment For All
At The Village Center
Evening dining and entertainment is now being offered
at the Village Center. Residents and the public are
welcome to come enjoy art, music, food and friends.
Guests can relax with a beer or glass of wine from the bar
and order dinner from the Huckleberry Café before the
entertainment begins.
Ongoing events include Friday Socials every month with
the festivities beginning at 5 p.m. or Meal and a Movie on
the third Sunday of the month (meal served at noon and
the movie starts at 1 p.m.)
Mark your calendar for these special events!
Saturday April 25
Paws and Claws 5K Run and All-Day Festival Curiosity Cat, a play by Chris Grabenstein presented by
New River Stage. For more information on these events,
visit www.newriverstage.com
Saturday May 30
Classical Concert with David Jones and Leon Kok
Saturday June 29
Double Play flute and tuba concert with Amy Ridings and
Patrick Sciannella
www.doubleplayfluteandtuba.com
Coming in July
Forbidden Broadway presented by Summer Musical
Enterprise Community Theatre
For additional information on these events, please
contact Mardy Baker at (540)443-3434 or
Tiffany Brown at (540)443-3457.
Warm Hearth Village • Spring 2015 • Embers 5
Showalter Center is a recognized
leader in our community and known
for providing impeccable care in
a close-knit, family environment.
Staff have dedicated their careers
to serving seniors and many have
years of service with Warm Hearth
Village spanning more than a
decade, even two! This dedication
manifests itself in many ways
that help set this residential and
assisted living residence apart from
our counterparts in the area. From
consistently outstanding survey
scores from the Department of Social
Services to high levels of resident
satisfaction with all aspects of care
and service to a feeling of belonging
for new residents, Showalter Center
is a shining example of the nonprofit
difference at work at Warm Hearth
Village.
Last year, staff began the process
of updating the appearance of this
building, originally constructed in
1984. This solid, well-constructed
residence of 77 full-sized apartments
was ahead of its time. Our founder,
Dr. Wybe Kroontje anticipated well
the future needs of seniors building
all private apartments which are
still in high demand today. In 2014,
BEFORE
AFTER
6 Embers • Spring 2015 • Warm Hearth Village
Warm Hearth made the decision
to invest more than $1 million in a
major renovation of the building to
ensure that its appearance matches
stride for stride the expectations of
its current and future residents. A
comprehensive remodel plan was
unveiled in late 2014 and the work
outlined in that plan will soon be
complete.
“Our goal was to create more open
and inviting areas for resident
socialization and enjoyment while
modernizing the overall appearance
inside and out,” says William Lester
Administrator. The exterior façade
was brightened with a new color
scheme and a stone knee wall was
added to create more outdoor space
for resident enjoyment. Rich solid
cherry accents and more lighting
were added throughout the hallways
and lobby areas to further enhance
the home-like feeling of the building.
These accents were also incorporated
into the warm Elderberry nook on
the third floor where residents can
sit and enjoy a good book from
the expansive library. The Tea Tree
Salon also underwent a makeover.
The space was expanded, a new
beautician was hired and a full menu
of salon services is now available
to residents, employees and the
community. Just off the main lobby,
Elmwood Studio will feature a multipurpose area with full-size kitchen
for a variety of activities and classes.
The Maple Lounge on the second
floor will feature a pub and relaxing
social setting. The dining room
and Fireside Grill will receive some
finishing touches and all renovations
should be complete in early summer.
A capital campaign with a
goal of $100,000 has aided in
funding a portion of the costs for
the renovation. At this time we have
raised 78% of our goal and would
like to thank the following donors for
their support of this project.
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Backer
Mr. & Mrs. James and Jeanie Baker
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph J. Blum
Mr. & Mrs. Ed and Jo Bunce
Mr. Carl E. Burke
Carilion Clinic
Mr. Vincent Cilimberg
Mr. & Mrs. Rick and Susan DiSalvo
Dr. Paul A. Distler, Dr. Peg Driscoll
G&H Appliance
Mrs. Ann Graham
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy W. Haasken
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Harris
Mr. & Mrs. James F. Johnson
Dr. Michael Kosztarab
Ms. Eva Kosztarab
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Lawhorn
Dr. Hing-Har Lo
Mrs. Lynn Martin
Ms. Bridget McMahon
Mr. & Mrs. John C. Miller, Jr.
Ms. Patricia Miller
Mr. & Mrs. John and Ferne Moschella
Ms. Ginny Payne
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Pearson
Dr. Tom Pierce
Mr. Jason Pospichal
Ms. Marie Principe
Drs. Jewell and Elizabeth Ritchey
Mr. and Mrs. David Scesney
Dr. Ray Smoot
Dr. Edward F.D. Spencer
Mr. & Mrs. Brian and Christine Smith
Mr. Joe Thompson
Dr. & Mrs. James Wolfe
Residents and their families are
enjoying all the wonderful new
opportunities this project will bring.
A grand opening will be announced
in the coming months and we hope
you will be able to come out and see
the new and improved Showalter
Center.
Development
Celebrating Generosity
The Warm Hearth Foundation would like to thank the many donors who have given generously this year. The support of faithful donors and volunteers is vital to continuing the mission inspired by our founders, Wybe and Marietje
Kroontje. Thank you for joining us in this rewarding work. The following list is for contributions made from July 1,
2014 – December 31, 2014.
Neighbors in Need Fund
Mrs. Nancy Howell Agee
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Albimino
Anonymous
Ms. Jane Astin
Mr. & Mrs. James Baker
Ms. Mardy Baker
Dr. & Mrs. William B. Baker
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Ball
Ms. Jo Anne Barton
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Benoit
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Bircher
Mr. & Mrs. Loring Bixler
Ms. Kristi Blake
Mr. Marvin Blecher
Mr. & Mrs. F. Donald Bloss
Ms. Linda Bongard
Mr. & Mrs. L. Allan Bowman
Mr. Neal Boyd
Mr. & Mrs. Steven M. Boyle
Ms. Ann Bracken
Ms. Sallie Branscom
Mrs. Katie Browne
Mr. & Mrs. Greg and Marilyn Buhyoff
Mr. & Mrs. George Edwin Bunce
Mr. Carl E. Burke
Mr. & Mrs. Roland Byrd
Mrs. Dorothy Cabell
Mr. & Mrs. James Cabler
Ms. Jocelyn Camden
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Carrera
Ms. Krisha Chachra
Mr. & Mrs. William Claussen, Jr.
Ms. Gloria K. Cobb
Ms. Norma C. Cole
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen R. Cole
Mr. & Mrs. Eldridge Collins, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Collins
Mrs. Melissa Compton
Ms. Connie Conley
Ms. Evelyn M. Corbin
Mr. Mirto Corte
Mr. & Mrs. David Creed
Ms. Iris Crump
Ms. Juliet Dadras
Ms. Mary Dal-Pra
Mr. & Mrs. Lee Daniels
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Darby
Mrs. Lyn Day
Mr. William M. Deemer, CLU
Mr. F. Brad Denardo
Mr. James Deskin
Mr. Mark DiFilippo
Dr. & Mrs. Frank Dickinson
Ms. Lisa Marie Diluigi
Dr. Paul A. Distler
Mr. Otto Drengwitz
Dr. Delwyn A. Dyer
Ms. Doris Eaton
Mr. & Mrs. Dale J. Echols
Bennie and Ralph Edwards
Ms. Reba Edwards
Mrs. Jesslyn Etgen
Mr. & Mrs. E.P. Felch, III
Mr. & Mrs. William Fitch, Jr.
Mr. Carter Forbes
Ms. Kate Garland
Mr. & Mrs. Jason and Heather
Gearhart
Ms. Fagelia Gerard
Mr. & Mrs. Trevor Gray
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Greider
Dr. & Mrs. Walter B. Gross
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy W. Haasken
Mr. J. Shannon Hammons
Mrs. Joan Hansler
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Harris
Ms. Rebecca Harris
Mr. & Mrs. Dick Hasselman
Mr. & Mrs. Davis Heatwole
Ms. Jane Hendrick
Mr. & Mrs. James Herndon
Ms. Margaret Herring
Mr. J. Robbie Hickerson
Mr. & Mrs. John H. Hillison
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hodge
Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Hoover
Ms. Susan Hord
Estate of Mrs. Ruth C. Horton
Mrs. Tracy Howell
Dr. Christopher Huff
Ms. Jane Hungate
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Jannuzi
Ms. Dora Janov
Mrs. Lucinda Jennings
Mr. Charles A. Johnson
Mrs. Frances “Cookie” Jones
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Journell
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Jubb
Mr. Rodney Justus
Mrs. Loretta Kandies
Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kappas
Mrs. Laurel Kassoff
Mrs. Mary Keffer
Mrs. Marian Kelso
Mr. & Mrs. Howard King
Mr. & Mrs. George Knouff
Mr. & Mrs. Werner Kohler
Ms. Maryann Krayer and Ms. Susan
Messina
Mr. & Mrs. Wes Kreis
Ms. Mary Ann Larkin
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Lawhorn
Ms. Anna Leche
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Lewis
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony M. Linares
Mrs. Janice Litschert
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Littlefield
Dr. Hing-Har Lo
Ms. Patti L. Mabry
Mr. Stephen Maclachlan
Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Madigan
Mr. & Mrs. Lee E. Martin
Mrs. Shirleigh M. Marvin
Ms. Sara McCarter
Ms. Betty J. McCarthy
Dr. & Mrs. Robert A. McCoy
Dr. & Mrs. Peter McDonald
Mrs. Martha Jane McDowell
Mrs. Myra McGregor
Mr. & Mrs. Charles McPherson
Mr. Kevin Meredith
Mrs. Tambra D. Meredith
Mr. Fred Mignone
Mrs. Helen J. Miles
Mr. & Mrs. John J. Miles
Ms. Patricia Miller
Mrs. Beatrice Mills
Ms. Amy Mock
Mrs. Constance Moehring
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Monroe
Dr. Lillian H. “Peg” Moore
Ms. Sharon Moye
Ms. Lee S. Musgrave
Warm Hearth Village • Spring 2015 • Embers 7
Development
3rd
Annual
Calling all Parrot Heads! Join us for a tropical night of fun,
featuring the Key West Band, a gourmet cheeseburger throw
down and a silent auction to benefit seniors in need of housing
and health care at Warm Hearth Village.
Friday • September 25, 2015 • 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Warm Hearth Village Center
2387 Warm Hearth Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060
For more information or to purchase tickets contact
Karen Nelson at 540-443-3406.
Ms. Kathy F. Myers
Ms. Ruth Myers
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Naff
Mr. & Mrs. Kenny and Karen Nelson
Mrs. Susan Nesbit
Mr. & Mrs. Dewey Newman
Ms. Gertrude Nicosia
Mrs. Maria Nikoleyczik
Ms. Elizabeth Nixon
Mr. & Mrs. Charles G. O’Brien
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Ogliaruso
Mr. & Mrs. James D. Oliver
Ms. Catherine Padis
Mr. William Payne, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Peterson
Mr. & Mrs. William M. Pettus, V
8 Embers • Spring 2015 • Warm Hearth Village
Mr. & Mrs. Terry Pletcher
Ms. Penny Poehlmann
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Poehner
Dr. Henry Porter
Mr. & Mrs. Reggie Powell
Mr. William H. Price
Ms. Marie Principe
Mr. Frank E. Rarick
Mrs. Margaret Ray
Ms. Jacqueline P. Read
Mr. Dain Rebuck
Mrs. Lois Reynolds
Drs. Jewell & Elizabeth Ritchey
Mr. & Mrs. Bill and Ellen Rorrer
Mr. & Mrs. Buddy Russell
Ms. Kevin Sands
Mr. & Mrs. Edward and Diane Schaffer
Ms. Janice Schaffhauser
Mr. & Mrs. Eckart Schutz
Ms. Cheryl Schwarz
Mrs. Jean Scott
Dr. Sharon Scott and Mr. John Tuttle
Mr. Daniel Shawhan
Ms. Phyllis Shuford
Ms. Edith Sloop
Mr. & Mrs. Brian and Christine Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Snoke
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Sporakowski
Mr. & Mrs. Donald R. Sunshine
Dr. George W. Swift
Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Talbutt
Ms. Bev Thomas
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Thompson
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Tieleman
Mr. Thomas Triplett
Dr. & Mrs. S. Richard Turner
Mrs. Jo Ann Underwood
Ms. Margaret Vaught
Ms. Lorraine Wachsman
Ms. Margaret D. Walker
Mrs. Richard Walker
Ms. Regina Webb
Mrs. Dee Ann West
Mr. & Mrs. James Wheeler
Mrs. Dorothy Whitaker
Mr. James Wightman
Mr. Bart Williams
Dr. & Mrs. James Wolfe
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Wolfe
Ms. Janice E. Woodard
Mrs. Ute Ursal Wooldridge
Dr. & Mrs. Wayne Worner
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Youngs
In honor of…
Greg Abell
Mrs. Thelma Shelor
Marie Beers
Dr. & Mrs. James Bohland
Pastor Joe Carson
Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Coale
Margaret Dawson
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Brown, Jr.
Ralph Edwards
Warm Hearth Village Bridge Club
Barbara Hanson
Development
Mr. & Mrs. Ted Faulkner
Mr. Scott B. Hanson
Maryel G. Herman
Ms. Sharon Zagursky
Virginia Moeser
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Moeser
Ferne Moschella
Dr. Robert Gibson
Our Family
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Wolfe
Rena Rabin
Mrs. Alane Homer
Anne Robertson
Warm Hearth Village Bridge Club
Jack Sacco
Mrs. Regina New
Thelma Shelor
Ms. Leah Tate
Rebecca E. Snyder
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Lawrence
Arthur Tuthill
Ms. Gloria Tuthill
In memory…
Louise Adams
Mr. Jack Gill
Jane Aiken
Mr. William Aiken
Ruth Ellis Allen
Mrs. Avery Allen Cox
Steve and Nan Andrews
Ms. Nancy C. Andrews
Ruth N. Bailey
Dr. Edward F. D. Spencer
Beatrice Bean
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Schuetz
Lee B. Brown
Dr. & Mrs. Charles Bostain
Mr. & Mrs. Ezra A. Brown
Mr. & Mrs. John L. Brown
Ms. Karen Callahan
Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Comparin
Mrs. Beverly Fleming
Mr. & Mrs. Karl H. Kroemer
Mr. & Mrs. Randy Leslie
LewisGale Hospital - Montgomery
Mrs. Janice Litschert
Mitchell Law Firm
Drs. Jewell & Elizabeth Ritchey
Mr. Curtis W. Roane
Rotary Club of Blacksburg
Mrs. Wendy Wallbrunn
Helen Bryant
Mrs. Dorothy Cabell
Thomas and Silvia Caceci
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Caceci, Jr.
Hilma Camden
Ms. Jocelyn Camden
Elizabeth Chisholm
Mrs. Margaret Owen
Richard J. Combs
Ms. Audrey J. Combs
James and Irene Cromer
Ms. Sandra Johnston
Ruth Darken
Dr. & Mrs. James Bohland
Linda Davis
Mrs. Joyce Ackermann
Mr. Thomas J. Davis, Jr.
Walter M. Davis
Mrs. Kandy Davis
Rita Mae DeChants
Mr. & Mrs. Walter Lane
Dick and Nickie DiSalvo
Mr. & Mrs. Rick DiSalvo
Nickie DiSalvo
Dr. Thomas Pierce
Ralph Disney
Bennie and Ralph Edwards
Margaret J. Driscoll
Dr. Peg Driscoll
The Driscolls
Dr. Peg Driscoll
Bob Feyder
Ms. Patricia Feyder
George E. Foresman
Ms. Ernestine J. Foresman
Wilbur Freitag
Mr. & Mrs. Eckart Schutz
Nell G. Gagnon
Mrs. Cecile Zalopany
Ruth Hart Gray
Mr. Robert E. Gray
James H. Hain
Mrs. Phyllis Hain
Alice Hale
Mr. Edward B. Hale
Sara Y. Hall
Mr. Donald Hall
Clyde and Margaret Henry
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Murphy
Sidney S. Herman
Mrs. Maryel Herman
Ms. Sharon Zagursky
Tom Herrman
Ms. Janet E. Spahr
Elizabeth Powers Hill
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Reisinger
Elizabeth Hoffman
Dr. & Mrs. Richard E. Schmidt
Robert E. Irving
Ms. Pauline Irving
Eric Johnson
Ms. Doris Denby
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Lewis
Mrs. Helen J. Miles
Alvie & Hazel Jones
Ms. Maggie A. Jones
Mrs. Thelma Shelor
Barbara Jones
Ms. Maggie A. Jones
Mrs. Thelma Shelor
Lucy Jones
Bennie and Ralph Edwards
Ruth Jones
Mrs. Thelma Shelor
Arthur Kassoff
Mrs. Laurel Kassoff
John H. Kelso
Mrs. Marian Kelso
Ilse Kennedy
Mrs. Maria Nikoleyczik
Fran Koster
Mrs. Marilyn “Mimi” Bryant
Matilda Kosztarab
Mr. Michael Kosztarab
Marietje Kroontje
Construction Systems Group, Inc.
Mrs. Joyce Coupey
Mr. Michael Kosztarab
Normandy Real Estate Partners
Drs. Jewell and Elizabeth Ritchey
Mr. Curtis W. Roane
Alene Larner
Mr. & Mrs. William Hallauer, Jr.
Stanley Larsen
Ms. Margaret Larsen
Loved Ones
Ms. Margaret Larsen
Lois Mahaffey
Warm Hearth Village • Spring 2015 • Embers 9
Development
Ms. Juliet Dadras
Tommy McCoy
Ms. Sandra Johnston
Joan G. McCubbin
Ms. Michele Pierce
Nancy Mitchell
Mrs. Laurel Kassoff
Mr. Sidney Mitchell
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Sanders
Mother, Father, and Sister
Mrs. Evelyn Long
My Family
Ms. Rebecca Nemia
Our Parents
Mr. & Mrs. Gene Haugh
Agnes T. Payne
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Lightner
Spencer B. Powers, Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Reisinger
Marguerite Ratcliffe
Ms. Patricia R. Stone
Tom Ray
Mr. Michael Eggleston
Mrs. Margaret Ray
Bill Ribbens
Mrs. Clarice Ribbens
Janet Roland
Ms. Ernestine J. Foresman
Dr. & Mrs. Laird L. Rush
Ms. Deborah Paige Rush
John Steven Rush
Ms. Deborah Paige Rush
Richard Rusk
Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Taylor
Charlie Rutherford
Ms. Elaine Rutherford
Florence Scesney
Mr. & Mrs. David Scesney
Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Schauer
Dr. Karma Castleberry
Dolores S. Schiffert
Dr. Charles W. Schiffert
Frank A. Scott
Mrs. Jean Scott
Melanie Combs Seus
Ms. Audrey J. Combs
Kelly Shelor
Mrs. Thelma Shelor
Brian H. Smith
Mr. Don Conrad
Rebecca Snyder
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Lawrence
Norrine Bailey Spencer
10 Embers • Spring 2015 • Warm Hearth Village
Dr. Edward F. D. Spencer
Leland G. Spencer
Dr. Edward F. D. Spencer
Jim Stanley
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Young
Gordon Staples
Mrs. Donna Staples
Warren Strother
Mrs. Shirley F. Strother
Emily Stuart
Mrs. Beverly Fleming
Wanna H. Thomas
Mrs. Nancy T. Jarrell
Nancy Thompson
Mr. Gary Thompson
Nancy Thorp
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Darby
Vivian Timmerman
Mrs. Charlotte Johnson
Cecile Tucker
Ms. Jocelyn Camden
Richard C. Underwood
Mrs. Jo Ann Underwood
Mr. & Mrs. C.B. Wampler
Ms. Kathleen Wampler
George and Octavia Waters
Dr. Marie Waters
Mack Whitaker
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Beckner
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Darby
Bennie and Ralph Edwards
Mr. & Mrs. Lewis B. Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Sanders
Bud Wyatt
Mr. & Mrs. Charles G. O’Brien
Brian H. Smith
Benevolence Endowment
Mr. Eric Ackermann
Mr. James Baker
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Bircher
Mr. & Mrs. Trent Bowen
Mr. J.B. Brown
Mr. Carl E. Burke
Mrs. Margaret G. Cain
Mr. & Mrs. William Daley
Dr. Robert Denton, Jr. and Mrs. Rachel
Holloway
Dr. Paul A. Distler
Mr. & Mrs. James R. Ellison
Mrs. Jesslyn Etgen
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Greider
Dr. & Mrs. Donald J. Heindel
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hodge
Mr. & Mrs. Pascal L. Hovis
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne H. Howell
Ms. Ethel Kessinger
Mr. & Mrs. Howard King
Mr. Bertram Kinzey, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. George Knouff
Ms. Maryann Krayer and Ms. Susan
Messina
Mr. & Mrs. Wes Kreis
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Lewis
Mrs. Janice Litschert
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Littlefield
Mr. Jeffrey Martens
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Mitchell
Mrs. Constance Moehring
Mr. & Mrs. John and Ferne Moschella
Mr. & Mrs. Kenny and Karen Nelson
Mr. & Mrs. Dewey Newman
Mrs. Maria Nikolezczik
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Ogliaruso
Ms. Miriam Pitt
Mr. Curtis W. Roane
Mr. & Mrs. Brian and Christine Smith
Mr. Easley S. Smith
Mrs. Peggy Smith
Dr. George W. Swift
Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Talbutt
Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Taylor
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel H. Tollison
Ms. Loreta Walker
Mrs. Richard Walker
Mr. & Mrs. James Wheeler
In honor of…
Marie Beers
Mr. & Mrs. Dave Judd
Sara McCarter
Dr. Robert Gibson
Mr. & Mrs. Dewey Newman
Ms. Nancy Newman
To the Residents We Have Served
Medi Home Health and Hospice
In memory of…
Louise Adams
Mr. Jack Gill
Sally B. Arnold
Mr. Richard Arnold
Ruth N. Bailey
Dr. Edward F.D. Spencer
Helen and A.P. Collins
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Collins
Development
Audrey Cooper
Mr. Richard Dunford
Sonny Dillon
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Alcorn, Sr.
Edward Disney
Dr. Ralph Disney
Lois Disney
Dr. Ralph Disney
Thomas Edward Gilmer, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Gilmer
James H. Hain
Mrs. Phyllis Hain
John H. Kelso
Mrs. Marian Kelso
Marietje Kroontje
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Gilmer
Mr. & Mrs. David and Karen Skeens
Jack P. Mullinax
Anonymous
Emma E. Nealon
Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Peterson
Miriam Pitt
Anonymous
Dr. & Mrs. Joseph C. Pitt
Myrtle Price
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Schauer
Dr. Karma Caslteberry
Frank A. Scott
Mrs. Jean Scott
Marguerite H. Smiley
Doug, Jody, Tim and Dixon Smiley
Brian H. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Haney
Mr. & Mrs. Verne E. Reinemann
Mr. Dale Schutt
Mr. & Mrs. David and Karen Skeens
Mr. & Mrs. A.R. and Phyllis Slayton
Helen M. Smith
Mr. Easley S. Smith
Leland G. Spencer
Dr. Edward F.D. Spencer
Norrine Bailey Spencer
Dr. Edward F.D. Spencer
Osie Tozzi
Mr. & Mrs. John Lee Tozzi
George and Octavia Waters
Mrs. Margaret Waters Moore
Employee Appreciation Fund
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. James Baker
Dr. & Mrs. William B. Baker
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Beniot
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Bircher
Mr. & Mrs. Loring Bixler
Mr. & Mrs. Trent Bowen
Ms. Norma K. Bunnell
Mr. & Mrs. Roland Byrd
Mrs. Dorothy Cabell
Ms. Pamela Cadmus
Mrs. Margaret G. Cain
Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Comparin
Ms. Margaret Dawson
Ms. Doris Denby
Bennie and Ralph Edwards
Mrs. Dawn Elvinger
Mrs. Dorothy Fuller
Ms. Kate Garland
Mrs. Mary R. Green
Mrs. Phyllis Hain
Mrs. Joan Hansler
Mr. & Mrs. Dick Hasselman
Mr. & Mrs. Davis Heatwole
Ms. Lorraine Heindel
Mrs. Maryel Herman
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hodge
Ms. Susan Hord
Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Howe
Ms. Muriel P. Jacobson
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Jannuzi
Mrs. Anne Johnson
Mrs. Frances “Cookie” Jones
Mrs. Laurel Kassoff
Ms. Carolyn Keyser
Mr. & Mrs. Howard King
Mr. & Mrs. Loke Kok
Mr. Michael Kosztarab
Mrs. Virginia Kraige
Ms. Margaret Larsen
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Lawton
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Lewis
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony M. Linares
Mr. & Mrs. Ira Manross
Dr. & Mrs. David Martens
Mrs. Lynn Martin
Ms. Irene McCoy
Mrs. Martha Jane McDowell
Mrs. Myra McGregor
Ms. Ruth Mercier
Mrs. Helen J. Miles
Ms. Patricia Miller
Mr. Sidney Mitchell
Mrs. Constance Moehring
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Moeser
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Monroe
Ms. Lee S. Musgrave
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Naff
Mr. & Mrs. Dewey Newman
Mrs. Gloria Noll
Mr. & Mrs. Charles G. O’Brien
Mr. William Payne, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Pitt
Mr. & Mrs. Terry Pletcher
Ms. Sallie Plummer
Ms. Penny Poehlmann
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Poehner
Mrs. Christine Posey
Mrs. Mary R. Powe
Mr. & Mrs. Reggie Powell
Mr. Perry Power, III
Ms. Diane Pryor
Mrs. Margaret Ray
Mrs. Doris E. Roberts
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rosenthal
Mr. & Mrs. Paul H. Russell
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Sanders
Mr. Daniel Shawhan
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Shepherd
Ms. Laura Simpson
Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Talbutt
Mrs. Jo Ann Underwood
Ms. Regina Webb
Mr. & Mrs. James Wheeler
Mr. & Mrs. K. Williamson
Mr. Carl Witherspoon
Dr. & Mrs. James Wolfe
In honor of…
Warm Hearth Village Employees
Mrs. Maria Nikoleyczik
In memory of…
Dorothy Corte
Mr. Mirto Corte
Maynard Hale
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Young
Bill McCarty
Mrs. Nova McCarty
Frank A. Scott
Mrs. Jean Scott
Sue S. Whiton
Dr. Robert Whiton
Village Center Capital Campaign
Ms. Eliot T. Armistead
Warm Hearth Village • Spring 2015 • Embers 11
Development
Dr. Rosemary Blieszner and
Mr. Stephen Gerus
Dr. Nancy Brossoie
Mr. & Mrs. George Edwin Bunce
Mr. Carl E. Burke
Dr. Paul A. Distler
Mr. J. Robbie Hickerson
Estate of Mrs. Ruth C. Horton
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne H. Howell
Dr. Shannon Jarrott
Mr. & Mrs. George Knouff
Dr. Hing-Har Lo
Mr. & Mrs. Ira Manross
Ms. Sara McCarter
Mrs. Bridget McMahon
Mr. & Mrs. Bill McWhorter
Mrs. Tambra Meredith
Mr. & Mrs. Wally Nelson
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Ogliaruso
Mr. & Mrs. Jason Pospichal
Mr. William H. Price
Ms. Felice Proctor
Mr. & Mrs. David E. Reemsnyder
Dr. & Mrs. James Shuler
Mr. & Mrs. Palmer Talbutt
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Thompson
Dr. Paul E. Torgersen
Mr. & Mrs. Robert van Luyn
Ms. Lorraine Wachsman
Mr. & Mrs. Chip Warren
Showalter Center Capital Campaign
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph J. Blum
Dr. Nancy Brossoie
Mr. Carl E. Burke
Carilion Clinic
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy W. Haasken
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Harris
Mr. & Mrs. James F. Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Lawhorn
Dr. Hing-Har Lo
Mrs. Lynn Martin
Ms. Bridget McMahon
Mr. & Mrs. John C. Miller, Jr.
Ms. Patricia Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Pearson
Ms. Marie Principe
Drs. Jewell and Elizabeth Ritchey
Mr. & Mrs. Brian and Christine Smith
Dr. & Mrs. James Wolfe
In memory of…
Alice Distler
12 Embers • Spring 2015 • Warm Hearth Village
Dr. Paul A. Distler
Bernard Mecklowitz
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Backer
Mr. & Mrs. John and Ferne Moschella
Virle Payne
Mrs. Ann Graham
Ms. Ginny Payne
Special Gifts
Mr. & Mrs. James Baker
Mr. & Mrs. Loring BiIxler
Ms. Susan Brickhouse
Mrs. Avery Allen Cox
Mr. & Mrs. E.P. Felch, III
Ms. Nancy Gundry
Mr. & Mrs. Davis Heatwole
Mrs. Maryel Herman
Mr. & Mrs. Wes Kreis
Mrs. Tambra Meredith
Ms. Lee S. Musgrave
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Myers
Mr. Josiah Poff
Mrs. Margaret Ray
Mrs. Frances Sterrett
Mr. & Mrs. Robert van Luyn
Ms. M. L. Williamson
Dr. & Mrs. James Wolfe
In memory of…
Ruth Ellis Allen
Mrs. Avery Allen Cox
Corporate and Foundation Gifts
American Express Members Give
American HealthCare, LLC
Attimo Winery, LLC
Audiotronics, Inc.
Automasters
BB&T
Bed, Bath and Beyond
Blacksburg Country Club
Blacksburg Farmers Market
Bonomo’s
C.E. Richardson Foundation
CVS Pharmacy
Campus Automotive
Carilion Clinic - Giles
Comfort Inn – Blacksburg
Courtyard By Marriott
Dodson Pest Control
Dynamic Mobile Imaging
East Coasters Bikes
Eats
Edward Jones
Edward Via College of Osteopathic
Medicine
El Gran Rodeo
Eucalyptus
ExxonMobile Foundation
Foxridge Apartments
Freedom First
G&H Appliance
GE Foundation
Graham David Real Estate
Henebry’s Jewelers
Hilton Garden Inn
Hokie House
Kent Jewelers
Insurance Auto Auctions
Kroger
Kroger Community Rewards
Main Street Inn
Medi Home Health and Hospice
Medline Industries, Inc.
Mid-Atlantic ElderCare, PLLC
Mill Mountain Coffee
National Bank
Omnicare, Inc.
PaceButler Corporation
Select Rehabilitation, Inc.
Sharkey’s
Signspot
Souvlaki
Sports Clips
Sweet Frog
Sycamore Deli
Tech Bookstore
The Community Foundation of the
New River Valley
The Lyric
Total Skin Care & Laser Center
Trolinger Trust
United Way of Montgomery, Floyd, &
Radford
Upscale Attic
Virginia Business Systems
Virginia Tech Alumni Association
Virginia Tech Center for the Arts
Virginia Tech Foundation
Volume Two Bookstore
Waffle House
Wal-Mart
Wireless Zone – Verizon Wireless
Development
Wybe and Marietje Kroontje Heritage Society
the Warm Hearth Foundation for
several grants with the Million
Dollar Round Table Foundation.
His dedication to the Foundation
was unsurpassed and he will be
missed. We are fortunate that
Lee’s legacy will live on at Warm
Hearth thanks to his generous gift
of $25,000 to the Brian H. Smith
Benevolence Endowment.
Lee Brown and Karen Nelson receiving
the Million Dollar Round Table Grant
The Warm Hearth Foundation
recently received gifts from
the estates of two long-term
Foundation supporters. We would
like to extend our appreciation to
each of these individuals and their
families.
Lee B. Brown was a long-term
supporter of the Warm Hearth
Foundation. Lee and his wife
Annette relocated to Warm
Hearth Village from their home in
New Orleans following Hurricane
Katrina in 2005. Lee became
actively involved with the Warm
Hearth Foundation. He was one
of the original members of the
Wybe and Marietje Kroontje
Heritage Society, formed in
2005. When the Warm Hearth
Foundation began its Charitable
Gift Annuity program in 2010,
Lee was the first supporter to
take advantage of this new giving
opportunity. Lee was always
there to support the efforts of
the Foundation. He sponsored
In addition, we recently received
a gift in the amount of $200,000
from the Estate of Ruth C.
Horton. Ruth moved to Warm
Hearth Village in 2003. She
was a long-time resident of
the New River Valley and was
known for her generosity in the
local community. Ruth and her
husband Miles were long time
supporters of the Warm Hearth
Foundation. Upon moving to the
Village, Ruth made the decision
that she would leave a legacy at
Warm Hearth Village by donating
the life lease refund from her
townhome in Hawthorne Ridge
to the Warm Hearth Foundation.
Ruth will be remembered for her
generosity and her impact in our
community.
Lee and Ruth are two examples
of the generosity exhibited
by members of the Wybe and
Marietje Kroontje Heritage
Society Members. The Warm
Hearth Foundation is forever
grateful to this wonderful group
of individuals for their love and
dedication to Warm Hearth
Village.
The following individuals have
made a commitment to the future
of our residents by including
us in their estate planning and
becoming members of the Wybe
and Marietje Kroontje Heritage
Society.
Anonymous
Bill & Susan Baker
Lee B. Brown
Virginia “Jane” Styne Brown
James & Lucille Calhoun
Ralph & Betty Carlson
Beatrice Cox
Ira H. Erickson
Howard Feiertag
Ann Gardner Gray
B.C. Horne, Jr.
Ruth Horton
Gorman & Jane Howell
J.B. Jones
Norman & Doris Marriott
Bruce Myers
Ken Murdock
Elizabeth Richardson
Eugene T. Robinson
Palmer & Lou Talbutt
J.T. Williams, Jr.
If you would like more information
on wills, charitable gift annuities,
or estate planning please call
Karen Nelson at 540-443-3406 or
Shannon Hammons at 540-4433413.
Warm Hearth Village • Spring 2015 • Embers 13
Development
Donor Spotlight: G&H Appliance
loved the customer base and wanted
to keep the name as G&H. During
this time, Ron was a student at
Virginia Tech and with the decline
of his dad’s health, stepped in to
lead the store into the future. He
consolidated stores and moved
to one location on North Franklin
Street in Christiansburg.
Ron Graham, owner of G&H
Appliance, is a huge believer in
supporting his community. When
asked why he gives, Ron stated that
he wants to contribute where he
lives and better the area through
his financial support. As a major
contributor to Warm Hearth Village,
Ron has contributed over $10,000
to benefit residents on our campus
through event sponsorships, capital
campaigns and our Neighbors in
Need fund.
equip their residences. Business for
G&H grew.
Started back in 1969 as a
partnership between two family
members, Richard Graham and
Frank Hubbard, G&H began with
simple roots as a downtown
Christiansburg appliance store.
As new homes sprouted across
the New River Valley, homeowners
sought out the latest in furnishings
for their homes. Kitchens became
the heart of that living space and
buyers wanted the latest styles to
“I want to contribute
where I live and better the
area from my financial
support.”
As G&H moved into the next
decade, their business expanded
and stores were added in downtown
Blacksburg and Radford. Ron
Graham, present owner and son of
Richard, states that G&H wanted to
be in the heart of every town they
served. It was a family operation
and customers became part of that
14 Embers • Spring 2015 • Warm Hearth Village
family. However, following a decline
in his dad’s health, the partnership
of Graham and Hubbard dissolved
in the 80’s. Both relatives deeply
Back in 2007, Stone’s Cafeteria, a
local landmark and family owned
restaurant in the valley, closed.
Ron, aligning with a family business
model saw great potential in Stone’s
Cafeteria and bought the building
for the new G&H. He’s glad he
did. Ron admits that he has seen
downturns in the economy and has
weathered some storms, but he
persevered and stayed true to the
company’s motto, “Nobody Does It
Better”. Ron knew to concentrate
on one thing and that was being
the best and most knowledgeable
when it came to appliances. That
same year, David Zier, an appliance
rep for many of the major appliance
manufacturers, joined the team.
Today, G&H employs eight staff
with a combined experience of 150
years! Ron is proud of his staff and
admits that they are what carry the
torch for G&H. Ron contributes
to many youth programs, his local
fire department and public school
athletics all over the county. Ron’s
generosity has helped Warm Hearth
grow and flourish. Thank you Ron for
your generosity! And thank you for
being a fellow local business deeply
rooted in our community with
hometown values for 46 years!
Out & About
The Huckleberry Trail Expansion
One of the many perks of living
at Warm Hearth Village is our
extensive paved and unpaved
woodland walking trail system.
For those who want to venture
beyond our campus and explore the
area, we are also adjacent to The
Huckleberry Trail. The Huckleberry
Trail is one of the most scenic
places you can walk, jog or bike in
the New River Valley.
Currently, the trail starts at
the Blacksburg Branch of the
Montgomery County Regional
Library and continues through
Christiansburg to the New River
Valley Mall. From the library, it
moves toward Airport Road, crosses
Tech Center Drive and continues to
Route 460, where it turns south to
Christiansburg. A new extension is
in progress at the Route 460 tunnel,
where another spur has been added.
In the past, trail goers could only
turn left under the tunnel, but
now, they are able to turn right.
The right side is adjacent to Route
460 moving toward the Hethwood
community, crosses Prices Fork
Road toward Glade Road and
extends to the Heritage Community
Park and Natural Area. From
Heritage Park, the trail will
lead to the Jefferson National
Forest, which consists of
about 100,000 acres of land
and 30 miles of additional
trails. This phase of the
expansion will be complete
by June 2016. Construction
of the Renva Knowles
bridge across Route 114 in
Christiansburg, extended
the trail from the New River
Valley Mall to the Christiansburg
Recreation Center.
The Huckleberry Trail has deep
roots and a long history in providing
transportation between Blacksburg
and Christiansburg. It began as
the Virginia Anthracite Coal and
Rail Company in 1902 to transport
coal from the Merrimac Mine (now
the location of the Coal Miners’
Heritage Park) to the Cambria Depot
in Christiansburg.
On September 21, 1904, the first
round of cadets made their way into
Blacksburg on the train. It was soon
nicknamed “Huckleberry Crossing”
because when the train would stall,
passengers could step off the train
and pass time picking the
abundance of huckleberries
(wild blueberries) along the
route. The name stuck, and
“Huckleberry Crossing” was
soon painted in large letters
on the depot. From 1912 to
1922, the Huckleberry was
Blacksburg’s main link to
surrounding areas, but by the
early 1930’s, fewer students
were riding the train because
of the long wait. With the use
of automobiles increasing, the
Huckleberry’s passenger service was
cut to twice a day in the 1940’s and
then once a day in the 1950’s.
On July 25, 1958, the Huckleberry
made its last steam run in the valley.
Thanks to the vision of J.C. Garrett
of the horticulture department
at Virginia Tech, the Huckleberry
would not be lost. In 1966, he and
others worked to transform the train
path into a nature trail and walking
path for about one mile between
the Blacksburg Library and Airport
Road, the start of what would later
become known as the Huckleberry
Trail.
We are so grateful for this historic
trail and all that it brings to the
community. We hope you take
advantage of the new expansion
and explore the new sites on foot or
bike. Stay on the lookout for events
celebrating the new expansion
opening. A 5K walk/run race, to be
called the Huckleberry Hustle, is
planned for the Fall.
Warm Hearth Village • Spring 2015 • Embers 15
CONGRATULATIONS!
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
2387 Warm Hearth Drive,
Blacksburg VA 24060
540-552-9176 • www.retire.org
whv
Warm Hearth Village
PERMIT NO. 60
BLACKSBURG, VA
We are proud to congratulate the staff serving the Cove at the Kroontje Health Care Center for
a PERFECT LICENSURE SURVEY on February 12, 2015. Achieving zero deficiencies is a major
accomplishment and is just one indicator of our staff’s commitment to quality and to our residents.
The Cove is also currently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) as the only
long-term nursing facility in the New River Valley to achieve and maintain a Five-Star Rating, the
highest rating available.
2603 Warm Hearth Drive,
Blacksburg VA 24060
540-552-9176 • www.retire.org
BLACKSBURG, VA
PERMIT NO. 60
PAID
US POSTAGE
NONPROFIT ORG