Wendy Thomas is the Assisted Living Advisor for The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), a role she began in May. In her position, Wendy works with prospective residents and their families educating them on the care services, amenities and activities that will be available in the community’s Assisted Living and Memory Support residences. We sat down with this compassionate teammate to learn more about her through a fun question and answer session. Read about Wendy below.
What are you passionate about regarding your professional role? I am passionate about people! I enjoy serving others as they begin the journey into their “Golden Years.” I love seeing seniors excited about living in a community that gives them a purpose, keeps them socially active and meets their care needs with excellence.
What are you looking forward to most once the OAW community officially opens? I look forward to seeing our residents thrive as they enjoy their new home and I look forward to witnessing many smiles and hearing lots of laughter.
Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at OAW: One highlight for me was taking a hard hat tour of the beautiful community during my first day on the job.
What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities? I think our wonderful location, beautiful property, attention to detail and the kindness and professionalism displayed by all our teammates set us apart. The longevity of Forefront Living and the leadership team are truly an inspiration in the senior living industry.
What is something that makes you feel proud? I am proud of being a single mom and raising my one and only son. Now, he is almost 30! During that time, I also owned a photography business. We shared some very challenging experiences, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! Share about your family: I have a wonderful son and daughter-in-law, Chase and Katie, who just celebrated six years of marriage. They are the joy of my life! We take many trips with Katie’s family around the Fourth of July. During each trip, Chase records videos and we enjoy watching and reliving those memories. My mom and dad are in heaven, but you will often hear me talk about them because they are still my firm foundation. I miss them dearly, but they are always in my heart! I have one brother and a sister-in-law. They have two adult children who are married and three grandchildren. We love to gather at our family’s East Texas ranch at least twice a year around our parents’ birthdays. Our July gathering is a big one and we call it the “High Hootenanny!” (High is my maiden name.) My mom named the gathering right before she passed away. As you can tell, I LOVE my family!!
Tell us about your hobbies: In my free time, I love to travel! The Frio River is my favorite place in Texas to visit and my family and I are big fans of Disney. Baking and decorating cookies and cupcakes is a new hobby for me that I started about two years ago and I still enjoy photography.
On the weekend, you can find me: On the weekend, you can find me spending time with family and friends, dining out, taking small weekend trips, relaxing at home, snuggling with my sweet dog, Piper, or baking and decorating cookies or cupcakes.
What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants? I love anything Tex-Mex! It doesn’t matter if it’s from a hole in the wall or a five-star restaurant. How would your friends describe you? My friends would describe me as genuine, sweet and fun! I love my friends and would do anything for them. If they are going through a hard time, I’m always there to lend a listening ear, pray for them, give advice if they ask for it or just laugh until we can’t stop!
At the end of June, more than 35 cars joined The Outlook at Windhaven’s (OAW) VIP drive-thru donation and shredding event to declutter in advance of moving into their new home at the OAW community. VIPs were invited to donate gently used tennis shoes, clothing, accessories, small electronics and small furniture, all for a good cause. Additionally, professional shredding services were available for old paperwork and sensitive files, helping VIPs make room for new beginnings. This event encouraged everyone to embrace a fresh outlook – out with the old and in with OAW!
The Longest Day, also known as the summer solstice, is the day with the most light. It is the day the Alzheimer’s Association calls on everyone to fight against Alzheimer’s disease by raising awareness and funds for care, support and research. On Thursday, June 20, Presbyterian Village North (PVN) and The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) participated in The Longest Day with different events, including a special vendor and bake sale, a walk and a fundraising happy hour.
More than 75 PVN residents and teammates joined the “Longest Day Walk” around the PVN campus. The event kicked off at 9 a.m. with a warmup led by the PVN Wellness Team and the day also featured a festive wheelchair parade for residents and patients in Healthcare and the Transitional Rehab Center (TRC).
OAW VIPs and residents joined in by gathering at The Brass Tap in Plano for a social event, with 5% of sales going towards the cause. Our friends at The Brass Tap also made a generous donation towards fighting Alzheimer’s. Together, we’ll shine bright and beat the darkness of Alzheimer’s!
Justin High is the Wellness Coordinator for The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), a role he was excited to begin in April. As part of this role, Justin manages OAW fitness activities and classes, both land and water-based. He also ensures that fitness equipment is well-maintained and that program participants stay safe. We sat down with this dedicated teammate to learn more about him through a fun question and answer session. Read about Justin below.
What are you passionate about regarding your professional role? I am passionate about changing lives and reminding our residents that they still have control over their body, mind and spirit. I am also enthusiastic about encouraging residents to join our amazing wellness program.
What are you looking forward to most once the OAW community officially opens? I look forward to the community pool opening!
Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at OAW: My birthday was earlier this month, and it was great to feel the love from my teammates and our residents.
What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities? I believe our dedication to excellence and prioritizing the needs of our residents sets us apart. We are privileged to lead the way in the senior living industry, and I try to embrace this opportunity every single day.
What is something that makes you feel proud? I have hosted four men’s retreats throughout my career and I’m really proud of creating spaces where people can let go of their past trauma and become their best selves, mentally and spiritually. These retreats have been some of my most rewarding experiences thus far.
Share about your family: My fiancée, Dawn, and I are expecting a daughter, who we plan to name Charlie-Rose, in late July! I also have an eight-year-old daughter, Jayla.
Tell us about your hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, reading (especially comics and non-fiction), playing video games, working out and spending time with friends.
On the weekend, you can find me: When I’m not at work, you can find me with my family – Dawn, Jayla and our pets. We have a dog named Zatanna and a cat named Palo. If we aren’t out and about around town, we love to travel.
What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants? While I am mostly a steak and potatoes kind of guy, I love to visit local pizza shops like The Crazy Tomato in Allen and Heritage Pizza and Taproom in The Colony. Some of my favorite foods to enjoy are pizza, pad Thai, stir fry, chicken shawarma and birria tacos.
How would your friends describe you? My friends would say I’m dedicated, a voice of reason and the “glue” guy – I’m usually the one making plans and bringing everyone together. They would also say I’m interesting because I am open to all kinds of experiences!
In the next six weeks, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) construction progress will include:
Nearing completion of the following spaces in Commons building: living room, administrative and dining areas, commercial kitchen and back of house spaces
Continue finishes in residences and common spaces of Assisted Living/Memory Support (AL/MS) building
Continue finishes on first and second sets of Independent Living (IL) apartments
Continue finishes on Fitness Center
Finish framing and mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) rough-in of pool enclosure
Nearing completion of landscaping and hardscaping of Community Courtyard, located between Commons and AL/MS buildings
Continue landscape and hardscape around Commons building and IL Pool Courtyard
Multi-Purpose RoomIL ApartmentCommunity CourtyardFitness CenterView of Pool CourtyardPool View from Fitness CorridorCommons Living Room
Trevor Perkins, the newly appointed Executive Chef for The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), began his role on April 1. Chef Trevor oversees OAW’s Culinary Operations and looks forward to creating healthy, nutritious and flavorful meals that cater to residents’ dietary needs.
We sat down with this talented teammate to learn more about him through a fun question and answer session. Read about Trevor below.
What are you passionate about regarding your professional role? I am passionate about bringing joy to our residents by cooking flavorful and eye-pleasing dishes.
What are you looking forward to most once the OAW community officially opens? I look forward to building a strong culinary team that operates at a high level in the kitchen.
Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at OAW: My favorite memory is personally delivering an OAW charcuterie board to a new resident family as their welcome gift. They were beyond grateful and this is one reason I love senior living – our residents always seem to care a bit more about the work and thought you put into pleasing them.
What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities? I believe what sets us apart are the people and the thoughtful culture that has been put into OAW. This attention to detail is amazing to see, especially from behind the scenes. Our high-quality dining and customer service will be another element that separates us from others.
What is something that makes you feel proud? I am most proud of balancing being a caring and present father to my children, while still focusing my attention towards growing professionally as a chef.
Share about your family: I have four children (one daughter and three sons) and they are my reasons for everything I do in life! I would not be the man I am today without them. My daughter, Jessenia, turns 15 at the end of May. She plays softball and I really love watching her play. My little boys are Xavier, age 5, Donovan, age 4 and Isaiah, age 3.
Tell us about your hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy fishing – there is something about being on the lake that puts my mind at ease. I am really into watching sports, especially football, and I am a huge Green Bay Packers fan! Other than that, I enjoy spending time with my kids, going to parks and exploring the world.
On the weekend, you can find me: When I’m not at work, you can find me with my kids at my sister’s house, letting them run around with their cousins, while my sister and I prepare a meal for our family. I also make time to bass fish with my Uncle Mike. We fish at Lake Fork a good amount and enjoy participating in fishing tournaments.
What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants? Almost every cuisine is my favorite kind of food to eat! I enjoy comfort foods, Southern cooking and anything that has FLAVOR! I also love Italian as well as Mediterranean food. My kids and I enjoy a good pizza spot and they love eating at Texas Roadhouse. My favorite dishes include Chicken Marsala, Veal Picatta or a classic pepperoni pizza (or as my 4-year-old, Donovan, calls it: a spicy and cheese pizza)!
How would your friends describe you? I think what makes me a good friend is my companionship is available whenever needed. I listen to my friends when they need an ear and try to offer helpful advice. In addition, I am a protector and people seem to feel safe around me. I like to think that my friends consider me a fun, outgoing person and someone they love to be around!
To kick off National Prime Rib Day, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) community celebrated a day in advance on April 26, with an inaugural dinner! Sixteen residents and VIPs indulged in a delicious meal, highlighted by perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth prime rib, prepared by the talented OAW Culinary team. It was a fantastic way to cap off the first week in their new home.
In the next six weeks, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) construction progress will include:
Finish ceiling system and continue finish out in Commons building
Continue finish out of first set of Independent Living (IL) apartments
Begin finish out of second set of IL Apartments
Begin finish out of the Assisted Living/Memory Support (AL/MS) units and common spaces
Continue exterior façade work on IL building
Continue landscape and hardscape of Community Courtyard, located between Commons and AL/MS buildings
Continuing landscape and hardscape around Commons building and IL Pool Courtyard
Commons BuildingMain Entrance Living RoomFitness RoomIL Dining and Private Dining RoomsCommunity Courtyard and AL Dining PorchTerraceIL ApartmentPool Courtyard
