Author: Amee McGough

Sabrina Gonzalez is the Culinary Services Supervisor at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW). She joined the OAW community last August as a server, then advanced to lead server and was recently promoted to her current role. As Culinary Services Supervisor, she oversees the daily operations of food preparation as well as service in the kitchen and dining rooms. We caught up with Sabrina for a fun Q and A to get to know her better. Read more about this hard-working teammate below.

What are you passionate about regarding your professional role?
Professionally, I am passionate about creating delicious and unique dishes that bring joy to our residents. It’s rewarding to know that they enjoy the food we prepare.

Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at OAW:
One of my favorite memories took place a week before Halloween at our Sip and Swirl event. It was the first community party where everyone dressed up in costumes and even the teammates also got into the spirit of things. It was so fun to see everyone enjoy themselves, smiling and laughing.
 
What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities?
This is my first experience working in a senior living community but what sets OAW apart from other places I’ve worked at is the shared compassion among residents and teammates. Everyone is welcoming, helpful and caring. No matter where you go at OAW, it feels like home.

What is something that makes you feel proud?
It’s something simple, but I am still proud of buying my first car. Usually, parents help with that when you’re young, but at the time, I moved away from my parents and relocated to Texas. I had to get a car on my own and it was tough, but I knew if I could handle that experience, I could handle anything that came my way.

On the weekend, you can find me:
During my days off, I am very much a homebody. I love staying home and watching movies or playing video games with my boyfriend, Tristan.  
 
Share about your family:
I am the youngest of my siblings and have two older brothers. Joshua (41) is a cardiovascular invasive tech and lives in Celina. My other brother Octavio (37) is a foreman for Huntington Ingalls and lives in Mississippi. My parents Gerardo and Teresa live in California. Occasionally, I’m able to visit them but they usually drive to Texas for the holidays. My boyfriend Tristin and I have been together for four years and we live Little Elm with our ferret named Nadix. Nadix sleeps most of the time, but when he’s awake he is very curious and makes a mess of our room. He is the sweetest, funniest little guy and we’re so happy that he’s part of our family.

What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants?
I love ramen and sushi. Marufuku Ramen in Frisco is a favorite spot. Once in a while, Tristan makes homemade ramen and it tastes way better than anything prepared at a restaurant. 

Tell us about your hobbies:
My hobbies include playing videos games, binge watching movies and tv shows or just relaxing at home with our ferret or reading.
 
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as dependable and as someone who isn’t afraid to tell the truth when no one else will. They would also say I’m a good listener and that I give pretty good advice when it’s needed.

The Forefront Living Foundation (FLF) hosted a “Churros, Coffee and Conversation” presentation for residents of The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW). The session offered an opportunity to “Meet the Team” and shared FLF’s mission to “provide the extraordinary,” through caring funds, special programs and capital improvements across Forefront Living communities. Since 1984, FLF has grown alongside the organization and now provides support to each entity, including OAW.

At OAW, FLF provides direct financial support to residents facing unexpected challenges, along with funding for spiritual care and benevolent programs on campus. This essential support is made possible through major gifts, planned giving, endowments, grants and special fundraising events.

“The FLF team is delighted to partner with our newest senior living community, OAW. We are grateful to already have friends and supporters of FLF who live at OAW, which is so special. We look forward to building new relationships, serving the community and creating the extraordinary for residents who call OAW home,” shared Diane Fullingim, FLF Executive Director.

FLF looks forward to serving and supporting OAW residents through personal care and a commitment to good stewardship. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please contact Rose Donahue, FLF Philanthropy Officer, at (214) 784-3282.

In March, Memory Support (MS) at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) opened to officially welcome its first resident, Thomas Cullar. Mr. Cullar, who enjoys reading and soaking up the sunshine, brought warmth to OAW from his first day. Yashica Washington, OAW Director of Assisted Living, shared how special it was to witness Mr. Cullar light up when he saw his wife and was greeted by smiling teammates on move-in day. Since then, the neighborhood has grown to six residents and these neighbors enjoy playing games, participating in music therapy and yoga.

The MS neighborhood offers a spacious layout with vibrant colors and compassionate caregivers, features that set it apart from other senior living communities. With its personalized care, OAW’s MS community continues to grow and is a place where residents like Mr. Cullar can feel right at home.

What started as a fun fitness class has morphed into one of the most popular weekly resident activities at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW). A group of 20 residents, now known as The Outlook Dancing Outlaws, meets twice a week to learn popular line dances and classic wedding favorites. Led by OAW Director of Resident Services Katie Snezhkova, with help from Community Life Coordinator Courtney Lammons, the group gathers on Monday afternoons for the community-wide class and again on Wednesday mornings to fine tune the moves with a step-by-step breakdown.

“I danced for most of my early years and then through high school. I have always loved dancing but never taught it. This is a new experience for me, leading a group and being the teacher,” said Katie.

The Outlaws made their debut performance at OAW’s Grand Launch event, wearing matching blue bandanas and showing off popular country line dances like the Two Step, Cotton Eye Joe, Boot Scootin’ Boogie and Elvira. The group split into two shifts, with one group performing from 1 to 2 p.m., and the other from 2 to 3 p.m. A few residents were so enthusiastic they danced for the full two hours!

“When we all got to dance to some really great music, we decided we wanted to really learn how to dance,” shared OAW resident and Outlaw dancer Cathy Davis. “So, Katie and Courtney were kind enough to start our community dance party and we are having a blast. We love it!”

The Outlaws recently added a new routine called the Cowboy Hustle and are working on perfecting the classic Footloose dance. Katie shared, “I love watching the residents enjoying themselves and having a great time. It makes me feel good knowing I’m helping them stay healthy and have fun doing it.” A future performance may be on the horizon, but for now the group is just having fun while staying fit in the process.

By Amee McGough

The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) officially marked its place in the Plano community with a Grand Launch celebration on April 16. OAW residents and teammates, civic leaders and project partners gathered to recognize the vision and effort that helped bring the senior living community to life.

The Texas-themed event began with a welcome from Executive Director Kristen Jordan, followed by remarks and a Certificate of Commendation from City of Plano Councilmember Shelby Williams. Rutledge Haggard, owner of Haggard Property Group, shared the rich history of the land the community now sits on and its connection to his family. The special program concluded with a festive bang as Forefront Living CEO Tim Mallad and teammates released confetti cannons adding sparkle and even more excitement to the celebratory event.

Guests enjoyed brunch-style fare and explored the campus through a “Trail of Texas,” guiding participants through a tour of the beautiful community while collecting stamps and Texas-themed favors along the way. Trail highlights included the Fitness Center and Courtyard, a model home, the Assisted Living Commons, Blue Lacy Bistro and a final stop to visit with Forefront Living Foundation team in the Lobby. Live country music, a banjo player and the Sassafras dancers were featured entertainment at several trail stops.

Built on a foundation of luxury and a full continuum of care, it’s not too late to become part of this growing community! OAW offers seniors the opportunity to thrive in a beautiful environment with access to the best Plano has to offer – call the OAW Sales and Marketing team at (972) 996-3887 to learn how you can giddy up and join the fun.

The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) hosted its inaugural First Responders Appreciation Breakfast, welcoming special guests from the Plano Police Department and Fire Stations 7, 8 and 13. The morning was filled with gratitude and plenty of good food as nearly 20 of the city’s first responders and a group of 20 OAW residents enjoyed a breakfast buffet of bacon, eggs, sausage, waffles and a made-to-order omelet station.

OAW teammate Courtney Lammons shared, “We were thrilled to kick off OAW’s very first appreciation breakfast for our first responders. It was our way of saying thank you and getting to know to the incredible men and women of the Plano Police and Fire-Rescue.”

These types of appreciation events are sure to become a favorite community tradition – currently scheduled to take place each quarter. Thank you, Plano Police and Fire-Rescue!

After Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) teammates Courtney Lammons, Community Life Coordinator, and Katie Snezhkova, Director of Resident Services, danced nonstop at the community’s Valentine’s Day Gala, several residents asked if the dynamic duo would teach them some moves too. What started as a small dance demonstration is now a weekly dance class that takes place every Monday. About 20 residents attend the class regularly and the popular class often has a waitlist.

During the weekly “Dance Party with Katie and Courtney,” residents learn a variety of line dances including Cotton Eye Joe, Boot Scootin’ Boogie, the Two Step and Elvira.

“We love Mondays! We dust off our boots and stomp, shuffle and grapevine. It’s fun to see everyone come together and have a great time,” shared Katie.

This weekly class is a toe-tapping good time for everyone involved and proof that you’re never too old to learn a few new dance moves. There is so much buzz surrounding this class that a community showcase is in the works to show off the fancy footwork residents have learned!

Courtney Lammons serves as Independent Living Community Life Coordinator at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), joining the OAW community in September of 2024. In her role, she creates, organizes and facilitates engaging events and activities to bring residents together and make their OAW experience fun and fulfilling. We caught up with Courtney for a Q and A to get to know her better. Read more about her below.

What are you passionate about regarding your professional role?
Professionally, I am passionate about bringing our residents joy and making their days a little brighter. It means so much to me to support others, especially during their later years of life, and help create special moments for them daily.

Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at OAW:
One of the most meaningful moments I experienced was during our Friday crafting group when resident Emily Martin shared, “Do you know how much I look forward to this every week?” Her statement truly made my entire year! I put so much thought and effort into planning weekly crafts because it’s something I love, and hearing that it brings joy to others means the world to me. Another favorite memory is when Katie Snezhkova and I danced our hearts out on Valentine’s Day. The residents had so much fun dancing with us that they asked to teach a dance class. Now, every Monday at 4 p.m., you’ll find me in the Yoga Studio dancing with residents. I may not be the best dancer, but we laugh, move our bodies and have a blast together!

What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities?
Along with our amazing location, I’d say it’s the people who set OAW apart. Our residents are at the heart of everything we do, but where would we be without our warm and welcoming front desk concierges or the hardworking teammates behind the scenes? Our dishwashers, line cooks and servers – who remember exactly how you like your drink or your salad – bring such a personal touch to daily life. It’s that sense of care that makes OAW feel like home.

What is something that makes you feel proud?
I am most proud of how far I’ve come in my career. In 2019, I started working at another senior living community as a server in the main dining room. One day, an activities manager noticed how I interacted with the residents and saw potential in me. She offered me a chance to work in programming and from there I was able to grow and pursue my passion, which landed me at OAW!

Share about your family:
I am the middle daughter of three sisters. My older sister, Gabrielle (28), is a veterinarian in New York City, and my younger sister, Scarlet (15), volunteers at a local Plano reptarium, a pet store specializing in reptiles. Scarlet is also the proud owner of a bearded dragon named Agave! My parents, Elizabeth and Hugh, live in Plano. My mom is a recruiter for DaVita, and my dad works in housing development, overseeing new home builds in Dallas. My partner Jonah and I have been together for three years and he’s my best friend. We met at my previous job and awkwardly waved at each other for six months before I finally asked for his number. One date later and the rest is history! Jonah and I have two seven-year-old cats named Fefe and Potato.

Tell us about your hobbies:
My hobbies include caring for my beloved cats, Fefe and Potato. I adopted both of them during a tough period in my life and they’ve been my loyal companions ever since. Maybe they genuinely care about me, or maybe they just know who feeds them – either way, they’ve been by my side every step of the way.

On the weekend, you can find me:
On the weekend, you can find me doing a little bit of everything! One of my favorite activities is spending Sunday mornings with Jonah shopping at the Dallas Farmers Market.

What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants?
I’m a big fan of Chipotle bowls and I love making homemade yellow curry from scratch! My favorite item to order is the Honeymoon Roll from Sushi Yokohama in Dallas.

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as empathetic and a great listener. They would say that I always want everyone around me to have a good time and that my upbeat energy helps lift the mood wherever I go!

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) residents got into the Irish spirit with festive Shamrock Shakes – made even better with a boozy twist!

The McLane School of Irish Dance wowed The Outlook at Windhaven residents with their incredible talent and a touch of Irish luck!

The Shandon-O’Regan Irish Dance Academy brought the spirit of Ireland to The Outlook at Windhaven with dazzling Irish dance steps!

The first group of residents from Presbyterian Village North (PVN) had their chance to explore the new Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) community, and they were impressed by everything OAW has to offer. The tour covered dining spaces, wellness areas and living options, initiating plenty of questions about pricing, amenities and events. Jennifer Campbell, OAW Director of Sales and Marketing, led an informative tour and made sure every question was answered.

Resident Happy Hour was a highlight of the outing and PVN residents enjoyed the guest saxophone player and the welcoming OAW crew who greeted them. Lucky Luckadoo, WWII Veteran and PVN resident, was even recognized by a few fans who had seen him on TV featured in various interviews and documentaries. They were eager to meet him and thank him for his service.

As the event wound down, some of the PVN visitors were having such a great time they wanted to stay for dinner, but all left with a smile on their face and eager to visit their sister-community again!

Julie Lebid has worked as an Executive Assistant at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) since May of 2024. In this role, she supports the administrative team, managing schedules and meetings as well as assisting with special projects and event planning. We caught up with Julie for a fun Q and A to get to know her better. Read more about her below.

What are you passionate about regarding your professional role?
I am passionate about helping people! Whether it’s supporting my teammates or assisting residents, I find great fulfillment in making a positive impact. Helping others brings me a sense of purpose.

Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at OAW:
My favorite moments are meeting new residents, sometimes with their furry friends. I enjoy learning their stories and seeing the special bonds they share with their pets, which adds to the warmth of our community.

What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities?
The daily dedication of OAW teammates and residents to make the community a wonderful place to work and live makes us stand out. That dedication creates a strong sense of family.

What is something that makes you feel proud?
I am most proud of how I’ve mastered working in a fast-paced environment while staying organized and focused. Solving problems on the spot has become one of my strengths, and it’s rewarding to see the immediate results of my actions. The positive feedback I receive from residents and teammates reassures me that I’m on the right track and inspires me to keep improving.

Share about your family:
My fiancé, Austin, and I have been together for five years, and we have three beautiful kids, Dazy, Teddy and Clyde. Well, we call them kids, but other people might just call them dogs! We’re convinced they think they are humans!

Tell us about your hobbies:
I love to travel, explore new places and experience different cultures. I also enjoy playing the piano – it helps me to relax and unwind. I like to read, and occasionally, I try my hand at painting.

On the weekend, you can find me:
On the weekend, I usually spend time with my family.

What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants?
I love Ukrainian cuisine. It’s my comfort food and brings back warm memories of my family and childhood.

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as supportive and trustworthy. I’m always there to listen when they need to talk, and they know they can count on me for help or advice, no matter the situation. I value loyalty and always try to be a dependable friend.