The Glebe

The Glebe Journal -- comments by residents about life at The Glebe.
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December 2007

Wow! What an eventful year! It’s sort-of like (as if) …the Iraq War ends peaceably; Virginia Tech wins the nationals football championship against all odds; Israel tries peaceably turning the other cheek; the U.S. slowly rids itself of atomic weapons because North Korea agrees to do so. We have had a change!! It’s sort of like …

We feel we have won the retirement battle; we have thoroughly enjoyed a brand new home against all odds; we have peaceably taken on a whole slew of next-door neighbors; and we are in the slow process of ridding ourselves of our dearly beloved home. What a year!!

Last December, we decided we would, without delay, join a brand new retirement community, The Glebe, located two miles from our home (even though we had planned to do so years in the future). Our move date was in April, and we did it. The advantages are many. We can still enjoy the proximity of family and friends. We continue to have the same Post Office (although we changed phone number and street address). And we can continue to enjoy our past activities and work. We believe now that we have our earthly future securely covered, no matter what is in store for us. It was a good move at the right time.

Nancy continues part-time work at the Daleville Frame and Art Shop, still sings in the choir, still prepares Sunday noon meals for the family, still prepares family night meals at the church once monthly, and still does a lot of needlework. I continue as medical director of the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center, continue as director of the adult choir of our church, and have taken on the task of teaching our church children and youth how to sight-read music from a singer’s standpoint. Also, I am now volunteering twice a month at a free medical clinic in Roanoke. Thus, I am required to sustain my medical license and Continuing Medical Education hours. Activities have changed little.

Nancy and I still get a thrill out of travel, and our latest new destination was Bermuda, a lovely group of islands with fabulous golf courses. I played and Nancy enjoyed, by golf cart and hoof, the beautiful golf course scenery. We shared this experience with Mary Jo Stafford, R.N. (who continues to work with me at the Detention Center and the Free Clinic) and her golfing husband, Donald.

The photos on our Christmas card are of our apartment entrance (obvious) and of the view from our balcony (not quite so obvious). We look westward and have a glorious sunset vistas, as well as mountain views, particularly thrilling when fall colors appear.

We sincerely wish for you a wonderful Holiday Season, and hope the True Christmas Spirit, which signifies the birth of Jesus Christ, enter into each of your homes.

With much love,
Max and Nancy Bertholf

As I’ve said many times, I came kicking and screaming to The Glebe. I loved our life — full of friends, church, community activities, and a wonderful house. But — oh — what a relief to have all the sorting and cleaning out DONE! Our children realize what a marvelous gift we have given them — freedom from worry about their parents. And, now we have lovely new friends (but they feel more like family) and a very active church that needs the services we have to offer, so many enriching activities that are much closer to us now, and a beautiful new home (and sweet ladies to help clean it!). Meals are always a treat, and going to the dining room most every evening is the social event of the day!

We’ve seen some of our friends struggle with life — changing events that happen in the blink of an eye. We won’t have to struggle. We are safe!

Anne & Latane Brugh

I moved to The Glebe, sometime ago,
And here are a few things you might like to know.
Now let’s look at the food; it changes every day.
And I’ve gained more pounds than I want to say.
The young servers are great — a perfect delight.
And they try to please us every night.
Besides good living quarters and things to eat,
Don’t forget the staff and residents you’ll meet.
We smile and chat with each other every day,
And a loving friendship develops without delay.
The care we get, whether we’re sick or well,
Is another tender loving story we can tell.
So come to The Glebe.
Your life will be happy and pleasing.
As we praise God and love each other without ceasing.


Lillian A. McClung

Our decision to live at The Glebe was made in 2000, long before The Glebe opened in 2005. We began talking with marketing personnel in early 1999. We were given all the information about what life would be like at The Glebe. We were told how their Life Care Plan would work for their residents. Later, we had an opportunity to tour 2 of the other communities operated by Virginia Baptist Homes. We were very impressed by what we saw as to the operation of the community and how employees were caring for the residents. We were especially impressed with the love and care given to residents in the Health Care Centers.

The biggest reason for making the decision to come to The Glebe was the promise of health care for the rest of our lives when that time comes. It has given our children the peace of mind in knowing that our health care needs will be met. They say it is the greatest gift that we could ever give them. Since moving to The Glebe in 2005, we have found it to be all that was promised and more. Here, it is one big family that loves and cares for each other and extends a warm welcome to new residents.

We have eliminated the worry of property maintenance and repair. We can still get our hands dirty in the garden if we choose to. Individual small garden spaces are available as well as helping maintain the big flower garden at the front entrance.

We enjoy a lovely dining room and cafe’ that serve very tasty and healthy food. Many on site and off site activities are available for our pleasure and entertainment as well as educational opportunities. Transportation is provided to many off site events.

Al & Cathy Watson

We have been living at The Glebe since September 2005. And, like most people making a change, we were very apprehensive not knowing what to expect. We have been more than pleased. The staff and employees are always gracious and eager to help you and we feel secure knowing that in an emergency they are here to assist you. The residents are friendly (haven’t met an unpleasant one yet).

We like being in the country, the wide open spaces and the beautiful mountains. Our apartment has plenty of room (Elliston). The kitchen is small but has what we need.

The food and food service is excellent with many options and the young high school students who serve us are a bonus. They are so pleasant, attractive, and polite and so willing to respond to your requests and needs. We are very happy and feel very fortunate to be living at The Glebe.

Jim & Julia Gale

Moving to The Glebe -- making the decision was the toughest part. What a hassle it will be to market and sell our house. How in the world are we going to downsize from 2,300 square feet to 1,300 or 1,400. What is living in an apartment going to be like? Would we lose our privacy? Would we be able to get along with all those old people? Would we have to dress up for dinner every night? Our health is OK. We are still certainly able to continue to live independently at least for awhile. Can’t we just wait and make the decision later? We finally worked through all those apprehensions and more. We signed the contract June 2, 2002.

One of the big factors that helped us to finally make the decision was the realization that if we lived long enough most certainly there would come a time when we would be unable to live independently. When that time came we did not want our sons to have to make the decision for us. It just simply would not be fair to them. We also did not want them to have to be burdened with having to help take care of us. Making the decision and moving here on our own was in reality a gift to them. They do not have to be concerned in any way about our welfare or day to day living. They have the comfort of knowing that all our needs, whatever they may be, are automatically provided. The decision to move here to The Glebe is one of the best (maybe the very best) decision that Mary Jane and I ever made for our family.

We moved here August 2, 2005. From that time until now, June 7, 2007, the staff and all the employees have done everything in their power to make us comfortable and take care of our needs. We have never had a single complaint. The facility is first class. The food is great. Nestled here among the mountains, the view is fantastic. All things here at The Glebe far exceed our expectations.

Moving here has allowed us to make a host of new friends. In a very short time, these many new friends have become family. There is a camaraderie that I believe is unexcelled in any other similar community. We are truly a family.

There is no better way that Mary Jane and I could find to spend the twilight years of our lives. We are so very happy!

Carl S. Cross

At first, I did not really want to give up my home but my husband convinced me that we should think about moving to a life care community as we were getting older. What a great decision! It was really a gift to our 3 sons. They will not have to be concerned with their Mother and Dad should they have health problems. It didn’t take long to realize that it was a great place. It exceeded our expectations. Everyone here at The Glebe is like family. The staff is wonderful and they are always there to do everything to make you comfortable. The Glebe is a great place!!

Mary Jane Cross

In the late 1990s, I became interested in the “life time care” concept of retirement living. When I began to see ads of The Glebe, I began to gather all the information I could about The Glebe and other places in the Roanoke Valley.

I visited and collected the written materials about The Glebe (construction had not begun). In 2002, I met with Bonnie and she took me and others to see The Chesapeake in Newport News (another community operated by Virginia Baptist Homes). On October 20, 2002, I signed the papers to begin my life at The Glebe. I moved in October 21, 2005. It is one of the best decisions I ever made.

When I received a serious break to my wrist in March, I went directly to Assisted Living for a month where I got the help I needed in a comfortable apartment, great nursing care, therapy right down the hall. When I was able to take care of myself, I returned to my own comfortable apartment. The only extra cost was for 2 meals a day.

Betsey Mattox

We decided to move to The Glebe to rid us of the responsibilities of “taking care of” house repairs and the yard — leaving us more free time to do as we please.

Our children told us this was a gift we were giving to them — they would not have to worry about our care as we got older.

We left all our old friends — not knowing anyone here but have found many wonderful new ones here at The Glebe and at our new church home.

If anyone states they “have nothing to do” here, it’s because they don’t want to do anything. Time flies for us — we stay so busy all the time — all kinds of projects and wonderful parties thanks to the GREAT CARING STAFF HERE!

Don & Charlotte Yeatts

Although we were grateful for the many happy years enjoyed together, we shared a progressive awareness of our growing limitations, mentally and physically, and more or less, began to look for the opportunities available for continuing to enjoy our life together. We considered carefully the many facilities available near Roanoke, but we chose to apply to The Glebe for a number of reasons while we still felt competent to make that decision for ourselves. We were impressed with the beautiful view of surrounding mountains, particularly Tinker Mountain and its appendant ridge, and indeed, the beautiful acreage surrounding The Glebe itself. We were attracted to the apartment we chose because it was on the ground floor with a front porch and yard, and easy access to the parking area itself.

We are pleased with our apartment and the license we have to prepare and decorate it to our taste. We are enjoying it particularly because we no longer have to prepare so many meals each day. And we had an unanticipated bonus in learning that the meals served to us have not only a wide selection of menu choices, but extraordinary preparation as well.

We are favorably impressed with the quality of care in the assisted living and health services areas.

M. Caldwell Butler

I was one of those people who said they weren’t ready for such a place as The Glebe. However, one afternoon after nearly falling off my riding lawnmower, I began to give it some serious thought. The next day, I arrived at The Glebe and was approved that day.

A knock on my front door my first evening at The Glebe — it was my dinner being delivered. How super because I was dirty and tired.

The next night was to be dinner as usual in the dining room. So pleasant to be greeted by Fred, the maitre d’, and escorted to a table — an every day Glebe event. From then on it has been one great experience after another. In a matter of days, The Glebe became “home” and the other residents “my family.”

I can truthfully say that I think coming to The Glebe was one of the smartest things I have ever done. If my little dog, Skipper, could talk, I’m sure he would agree. He loves to sit in front of the glass doors and watch the people go by! When I was in the hospital for a few days, so many residents volunteered to walk him and look after him — just like family.

AND I probably wouldn’t be writing this long article except for the prompt response of The Glebe nursing staff when I had my heart attack in the middle of the night. Had I still been in my home, I doubt I would have had sense enough to call 911. I’m glad they did!

I just thank the Lord each day that I am here.

Betty Nichols (Ruth)

Life Care Communities, the choices are many.
Six were visited in several cities; our pick could be any.

A caring, professional, competent staff, a must
Among core values, ethics; accountability; our trust

Peace of mind for life care was prime
Our search focused on one at a time.

Size, location and services too,
The Glebe has served us true.

Unsigned

For twenty years after my husband’s death, I lived alone in a large home with a lot of lawn to care for. For half of those years, I continued to work full-time. Being of an independent nature and conservative of my limited resources, I continued to take care of housework, repairs, upkeep and lawn work myself. Gradually over the years, I found my energy level declining and my ability to work for hours decreasing.

After visiting a few retirement communities, I decided that The Glebe, which was still existing only on paper, seemed to be what I was looking for. When I moved in March of 2006, I immediately felt at home. Everyone is friendly, staff and residents alike, and feels more like family than strangers. I enjoy the luxury of walking in the halls and throughout the grounds with a deep feeling of security and peace.

Frances J. Smith

Why we came to The Glebe. Knowing that it was becoming more difficult to care for our home and property, and investigating other retirement communities, we found out about The Glebe. The “life care” feature was key to our decision.

We saw that we could continue doing the things we most enjoyed but be relieved of everyday problems.

We even did a budget study to see the financial benefit. The long term life care was a big plus.

Since being here, we have had all the benefits of our choice of activities provided by The Glebe, plus, continuing our favorite activities such as gardening, photography, and musical involvement.

New friends and a support system of health care providers, whom we now know, has also been a great mind reliever.

Don & Peggy Johnson

The representatives from The Glebe came to the XYZ meeting at First Baptist Church early in 1999 to tell us about The Glebe. Being a widow lady whose son lives in Roanoke and a daughter who lives in Newport News (each child had children) it sounded like what I needed. I am active and healthy for my age — but didn’t want to live with either child. My husband had died in 1992 — so living alone was good as long as I was in good health — but what would happen when I wasn’t able to drive, cook or care for my own needs? This was what I wanted. The children agreed! The Glebe is my home — my wonderful, happy home. Everyone is so nice. We have so many happy times together. My doctor told me yesterday, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but keep on doing it.” You are fine! Praise the Lord.

Martha Topping