Life at - Northaven

L
ife at
Spring 2010
“He is, Mr. Northaven”
If Northaven had a Hall of
Fame, its first inductee would
likely be resident Milburn Hart,
better known as Mil.
Awhile back, Mil’s legendary
character became known far beyond
Northaven’s community. Ninety-six
years young and inspired by George
Bush, Sr.’s skydive at 82, Mil said
wryly, “If he can do it, I ought to be
able to do it at my age.”
Mil goes solo
And Mil did. Two tandem jumps in
2004, and then, on Feb. 18, 2005,
Mil broke the record (which he
holds today) for the world’s oldest
solo sky diver.
Tracked and filmed from KING-5
News SkyKING helicopter, Mil’s
solo dive was a white-knuckle event.
On exiting the plane, he injured his
left arm while opening his chute. A
torn rotator cuff, dislocated shoulder
and fracture sent his dive off-course.
Mil Hart, center, with Northaven maintenance team, top L-R: Chris LaMoreaux, Alem Hale, Sam
Pendergrass, bottom L-R: Victor Quiroz-Jimenez and Juan Osario. (Not pictured, maintenance team
member Wilson Olalia).
He was rushed to the hospital for
treatment and released in less than
24 hours.
Hollywood and the Big Apple
Mil recalls thinking, “I’m in a hell
One month later, Mil, sharp as ever,
of a fix now.” He guided the chute
was on the Tonight Show telling
with one arm, circling round and
Jay Leno and the world
round over power
. . . inspired by
his story with his usual
lines and trees until
George Bush, Sr.’s
wit and humor. Then it
he spotted a hillside
was on to the Today show
skydive at 82, Mil
covered with brush.
and an interview by host
“That looked awfully said wryly, “If he
Matt Lauer.
good,” says Mil. He
pulled the line and says can do it, I ought
Mil flew his way into the
to be able to do it
the chute zoomed in
record books, and last
like a homing pigeon. at my age.”
December he reached a
milestone 101 years old. But among
Northaven residents and staff, those
accomplishments are simply “by the
ways.” It’s Mil’s everyday life that
draws their admiration.
The real story
More than 20 years ago, Mil moved
to Northaven Retirement with his
dear wife, Margaret. During their
first eight years here, Margaret
suffered from effects of a brain
tumor and strokes. Mil cared for her
at home with notable devotion, even
when she came to rely on a feeding
tube. They had been married for 66
years when Margaret died in 2000.
(continued on page 3)
A message from Keith Russell, President,
Northaven Foundation Board of Directors
“In everything give thanks . . .”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Dear Friends,
The Northaven campus is a unique,
loving and caring senior community
that continues to reflect the vision
founder Pastor Bob Mays shared with
his congregation some 40 years ago. At
Keith Russell, President, Northaven Foundation
Northaven we are blessed by so much …
Board of Directors.
caring residents within … dedicated staff who
serve … faithful volunteers … dedicated trustees and directors, and of course … by you
who know the value of Northaven in our Seattle community and support us in many
ways. God, we give You thanks.
As you know, our economy continues to struggle. In spite of this, last year the
Northaven Foundation was able to provide necessary subsidies to support our
residents. Particularly those who because of depleted financial resources rely on
government programs, which do not cover the full cost of their care. We are grateful to
our residents who gave generously, to their families, and to friends of Northaven whose
gifts we rely on. We welcome and hope for your continued support as we face a year
of even greater need. God, we give You thanks.
This last year, the Northaven Foundation succeeded in securing new support. The
Boeing Employee Community Fund gave us a grant to purchase a new mini-van to
provide transportation for residents to medical appointments and equipped for people
with access challenges. Other private foundations and local businesses provided
substantial gifts and grants. We expect continued success in our fund-raising efforts for
2010. God, we give You thanks.
Today, Northaven faces a steep challenge. There is a significant increase of need
among seniors in our greater community. With seniors living longer, more have
depleted their financial resources. The challenge to accommodate all who need our
care is great. Our mission, to provide affordable housing and compassionate care
for seniors, does not regard ability to pay to determine resident eligibility. We trust,
with your support and care, that Northaven will meet the challenge, and our mission,
completely. God, we give You thanks.
Thank you for your support.
Northaven Board
of Trustees
Roger Edmark, President
Keith Russell, Vice President
Fred Utter, Secretary
George DeBon, Treasurer
Kent Gregory
Dorsey Harris
Jeanne Hayden
Sandra Keuss
Hal Lauridsen
JoAnne Shoemaker
Northaven Foundation
Board of Directors
Keith Russell, President
George DeBon, Vice President
Terry Johnson
Greg Olson
Marilyn Pollack
David Tingstad
Olive White
Northaven’s Wish List
Volunteer Opportunities:
Musicians (we have appreciative
audiences!), and gardeners
willing to lend a hand.
Items to Donate:
Easy word game and number
puzzle books
Video camera
Electric fireplace
Legal size fireproof locking file cabinet
Art supplies
Small game prizes like:
knick-knacks
costume jewelry
scarves
hankies
Gift certificates to:
local nurseries and frame shops,
Target, Walgreens, Fred Meyer
Piano - upright or small grand
Keith D. Russell
President, Northaven Foundation
To donate or volunteer, please
contact, Maribeth Martin at
206/362-8011 or mbmartin@
northavenfdn.org. Thank you!
2
NORTHAVEN
(continued from page 1)
staff work so hard and I’m affected by
their good. It was a good life at the
retirement building, and this (assisted
living) is even a step above.”
Northaven employee Chris
LaMoreaux says about Mil. “I admire
him so much. It had to have been so
hard for him to take care of Margaret.
He must have been tired, but you
never heard him complain. And he
never lost his sense of humor.”
Over the years, Mil became what Sam
Pendergrass, Northaven’s maintenance
manager, refers to as the “Fifth Man” –
his go-to volunteer. Mil loves to build
and fix things, and around Northaven
there’s never a want for projects. Mil
installed 194 new toilet seats in every
apartment as well as new locks on all
apartment doors.
“And that’s just the tip of the iceberg,”
says Sam. “I look around here,
inside and out, Mil’s handiwork is
everywhere. He was up and doing
every day. And he made our work
fun. Mil finds humor in everything. If
only I could share the poems he wrote
about the toilet seat project … but I
can’t here,” says Sam with a smile.
Mil Hart on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
A step above
In January, Mil moved to Northaven
Assisted Living. In addition to the
care our assisted living staff provides,
he receives devoted care from his
dear friend and companion Evelyn
Cardinal and his daughter Diane
Hart-Hamilton who both live at
Northaven Retirement, and his granddaughter, Kim Heuss.
Mil also has frequent visitors, staff
and residents, because as Chris says,
“Mil is the kind of person you just
love to be around.”
When told how folks at Nothaven
admire him, Mil says dryly, “That’s
nice of them – I appreciate it. The
Mil came to Seattle in 1942 to work for
Boeing. The last 28 years of his career were
with Washington Natural Gas where he
retired as a night shift supervisor.
Mil always looked out for others, and today
we can help look out for him. Mil relies on
Medicaid-COPES, a state-funded subsidy
that covers a portion of the actual cost of
assisted living care for people who exhaust
their financial resources.
Many facilities no longer accept residents
on Medicaid-COPES – it’s too expensive.
At Northaven, nearly 60 percent of our
assisted living residents depend on
Medicaid-COPES, which is made possible by
our faithful Northaven Foundation donors,
and Mil’s been a faithful one.
This year we must raise $65,000 to care
for our current residents, and if possible,
accept others who need our services.
Please help – send your gift to
Northaven Foundation today.
Thank you!
Northaven Happenings
Stories and Songs Shared with Students
to sing their favorites. including a lively
song, “Tutti-ta-ta,” which they taught
to residents with gusto, motions and
all. Then they attentively listened to
Northaven Whizbangers, our residents’
musical group.
It was a flurry of activity when Lady of the Lake School’s pre-kindergarten students came for a visit.
Visits by pre-kindergarten and eighth
grade students of Seattle’s Our Lady of
the Lake School brought smiles all around.
The eighth graders visited on Jan. 27.
Resident Pam Abas writes, “They filed in,
bright, curious, notebooks at the ready,
and quickly took seats at the tables. The
two boys assigned to me explained right
away that one of them would interview me
and the other would take notes. I felt right
at ease.” Time flew by as residents shared
their life stories with interested students.
The next day, “our cup runneth over,”
writes Pam. Pre-kindergarteners arrived
Residents, students and teachers alike
agree – let’s do this again!
Thank you Lady of the
Lake School students
and teachers, and thank
you residents for your
participation!
(Northaven Happennings continued on page 4)
SPRING
3
(continued from page 3)
Northaven Happenings
Mardi Gras Dinner and Dance
Mardi Gras merriment took over
Northaven’s dining room for an
evening last month. Residents
enjoyed fine dining, live music,
dancing and even a mask contest,
which residents could enter as long as
they made their masks.
Visit Northaven’s
New Web Site
Mask contest winners, Maria Orallo (left) and
Marta Petty (right) with Ann Robello, Northaven’s
Food Service manager.
Northaven’s home page at www.northaven.com.
L-R: Ethel Garrison, Louise Gray and Barbara
Popovich enjoy the festivities.
Northaven residents Norma and Gordon Wonder
take to the floor.
Writer/Editor
Annette Adler, Editor
Maribeth Martin, Writer
Photographers
Bernie Koenig
Maribeth Martin
Administration
Darlene Storti, Administrator
Mary Quarterman, Manager,
Assisted Living
Maribeth Martin, Director of
Development, Northaven Foundation
Everything you need to know
about Northaven’s Retirement,
Assisted Living, and our Northaven
Foundation, plus resources for seniors,
can be found at www.northaven.com.
Contact Us Northaven:
Retirement: 206/365-3020
Assisted Living: 206/362-8077
Foundation: 206/362-8077
Northaven, a non-profit resident community, founded on Christian principles, provides affordable housing and
compassionate care to improve the quality of life for seniors.
Our Mission
11045 8th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98125
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