Let’s Celebrate! 100 Years of Service: 1923-2023!
"This is the day the LORD has made: We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
That's exactly what it was on Sunday, June 24th, at The Bethany Community Commons Building. The weather didn't disappoint, sunny 89 degrees with a breeze and overhead fans that made it comfortable, while we all listened and watched attentively to the presentations and honors being bestowed by the distinct speakers.
The Bethany Community Redefined is "faith based and called to serve others." The Bethany Family knows that "relocating from one’s home can be difficult, therefore options are varied and intentionally structured to allow for a variety of unique needs and desires."
Allow me to share a brief history of The Lodge at Bethany and The Cottages at Bethany. Nestled among the oak trees dating back to the early 1900s, The Bethany Community is a Retirement and Assisted Living Facility offering outstanding services and amenities.
It traces its beginning back to July 4, 1923, when it started as Faith Cottage in Vidalia, GA. It was a mission to serve widowed women who did not have family and means of support. The mission gave them a home and eventually evolved to serving seniors to help provide them with the best quality of life and care.
Bethany currently exists today as the larger Bethany Assisted Living and the Cottages of Bethany Independent Living, both located in Statesboro. Elder Emerson Proctor's presentation at the celebration elaborated on two verses from Mathew 25 and shared Bethany's early beginnings and how the Bible references widows 123 times. This was a high point for me!
The ‘Bethany Community Redefined’ celebrates not only its years of service but its testimonials. Bethany is a BLESSING to many families and has provided an assurance that their loved ones are both SAFE and ENGAGED.
Residents of The Lodge at Bethany engage in various activities like birthday celebrations, talent shows, live entertainment, traditional activities like bingo and board games, as well as monthly theme parties, pop-up sales onsite, and of course not to leave out MY FAVORITE, Sunday afternoon ice cream socials.Their objective is to have FUN and they DO!!
That’s what it is ALL about, Seniors!
NOW TIME for the CELEBRATION!!!
The Celebration began with several presentations:
- Welcoming and Introduction of Special Guests Steven Rigdon, Vice-Chair, Trustee
- Invocation Wade McElveen, Trustee
- Message of Faithfulness & Dedication Elder Emerson Proctor
- Expression of Gratitude Becky D. Livingston, Esq., CEO
- Proclamation & Presentation The Honorable Senator, Billy Hickman
- Ribbon Cutting & Invitation for the Open House William (Billy) Trapnell & Edwin E, Akins, Trustees
After the ribbon cutting for Phase 2 of the newly constructed independent cottages and the celebration of the 100 year centennial party, the Bethany family was prepared to honor their guests. Approximately 180-200 happy and engaging individuals were in attendance.
The doors opened to an array of AMAZING (nah - Phenomenal) displays of desserts. There were four piers of cake and pastry stations from Key Lime, Coconut, Carrot, Strawberry, German Chocolate, Caramel, Chocolate, traditional Pound cake (10 different cakes in all - only mentioning the ones I sampled), brownies, lemon squares, cheese straws, pralines and a wonderful assortment of Fruit & Cheese trays. And it was ALL homemade by Donna Hendrix owner of Donna’s Cakes. Truly a Heavenly experience (if I may use that terminology).
Refreshments of ice cold drinks were in abundance, there were captured memories with a commemorative photo, and the Centennial Video Production played through the venue. Guided tours were available for both the Lodge and Cottages -- and an abundance of golf carts to take you to and from your destinations..LOVE THAT!!!
On this very unique and milestone occasion, I must compliment, with a HATS OFF and STANDING OVATION, the planners, organizers, the many staff, and volunteers that contributed to the FINEST anniversary celebration I have ever attended.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! Bethany, what an absolute honor and privilege to be part of the Bethany family and celebrate this historical event. Friends, family, prospective families, seniors, and juniors of all ages were in attendance to acknowledge this event and CELEBRATE!!
This Centennial truly exemplified the vision of Bethany being a leader in senior healthcare in Georgia.The Board has and will continue to "invite others to engage in faithful and joyous Community Care."
The Bethany Family closed their program with a quote from Every Moment Holy, Volume 1:
“Give us grace of God that we might be generous with our kindness.”
And that’s exactly what this event was about….May we always have PRECIOUS MEMORIES and JOY FILLED times for our next Senior Moment!
