A group of residents from The Outlook at Windhaven recently visited BarnHill Vineyards in Anna, Texas, for a fantastic evening to enjoy the timeless music of the Eagles. The sold out show featured Desperado, an Eagles tribute band, who brought all the classics to life during a memorable outdoor concert experience. Guests were invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets to settle in under the vineyard’s open sky. Residents enjoyed singing along to classic Eagles hits like “Take It Easy” and “Hotel California.” The beautiful outdoor setting was the perfect backdrop for the group to relax and enjoy the music. The group of new neighbors left with a “peaceful, easy feeling” and memories of a great night out.
In the autumn of their lives, Sharon Erikson and Dave Stokey found each other and discovered a new outlook. Although the two grew up a few miles apart in Northeast Dallas and South Garland, they never met despite sharing the same hangouts. As adults, Sharon and Dave both held lengthy careers within the insurance industry and in 2017, they each lost their spouses to cancer.
In 2019, their paths finally crossed when they met at the Widowed Persons Support Group of Dallas. They developed a friendship, connecting over their shared experiences and after some time they began dating each other, even though neither was looking for a new relationship. After several years of dating, they realized that perhaps this was a path meant for them all along.
Sharon and Dave recently celebrated their love with a simple and sweet wedding ceremony at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), Plano’s newest senior living community and their new home. Close friends and family witnessed the pair exchange vows deeply rooted in their shared Christian faith. The nuptials were held in OAW’s community hall, which included touches of fall décor, serving as a nod to the season as well as the time in the couple’s lives. The couple chose this location because they wanted their loved ones to witness the new chapter they are embracing at the heart of their new home.
Sharon hails from a large family and has three adult children and five grandchildren. Dave comes from a small family, including two nieces and a nephew he considers his own children. As they begin a new chapter together, Sharon and Dave are grateful for each other and the new life they are building within a welcoming community.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
Yashica Washington joined the Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) team as the Director of Assisted Living in July and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Assisted Living and Memory Support community. She is dedicated to delivering compassionate care to everyone we serve. “I am thrilled to embark on this journey of creating a vibrant community where every resident feels valued and empowered. I look forward to cultivating an environment of compassion and amazing care,” shared Yashica.
Yashica brings more than 26 years of healthcare experience to OAW, previously working as a nurse manager, wound care manager and Dallas County vaccine coordinator. Prior to joining the Forefront Living family, Yashica was the Executive Director/Director of Wellness for an assisted living and memory care community in Wylie, Texas.
Yashica is a passionate parent, avid traveler and dedicated volunteer who enjoys creative expression and deep connections. Whether it’s exploring new destinations or giving back to the community through volunteering at her children’s school or forming meaningful relationships with seniors, she is always looking for ways to grow, learn and make a positive impact. Yashica is blessed with two children, as well as a niece and nephew who she raised as her own. All four keep her life full of joy and adventure and she cherishes quality time spent with family. Outside of her family life, she enjoys a variety of hobbies, including singing and podcasting. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Yashica to The Outlook at Windhaven and Forefront Living family!
In the next six weeks, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) construction progress will include:
Nearing completion of Pool Area
Finishing Yoga Room
Continuing work in Therapy Gym
Nearing completion of Independent Living (IL) Building, 3rd floor
Construction of IL Building, 4th floor
Continuing finishes in IL residences and community areas
Continuing furniture installation for Commons areas including Wine Bar, Bistro, The Hall (Multi-Purpose Room), Private IL Dining Room
Continuing landscaping and hardscaping around Commons Building and IL Pool Courtyard
Assisted Living (AL)/Memory Support (MS) Common Area, 1st FloorAL/MS Common Area, 1st FloorAL Dining AreaThe Hall (Multi-Purpose Room)SalonYoga RoomSwimming PoolHot Tub
We are pleased to announce that Adam Thompson joined the Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) team as the Director of Culinary Services. Adam began his role in June, and is responsible for leading culinary innovation, menu development and kitchen operations. With extensive hospitality experience, he is dedicated to delivering an exceptional dining experience to our new community.
“My motivation comes from seeing the smile on a resident’s face when they walk out of the dining room, knowing they were impressed and enjoyed the time spent with us,” shared Adam.
Adam holds a Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University and brings more than 12 years of experience in restaurant and hospitality management to OAW. Prior to joining us, he served as General Manager for multiple venues at The Village Dallas. One of Adam’s favorite quotes, by Maya Angelou, resonates with his leadership approach: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget with you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This philosophy guides him as he leads the culinary team to create lasting impressions for OAW residents.
In his free time, Adam enjoys golfing, watching sports and playing with his four dogs. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Adam to The Outlook at Windhaven and Forefront Living family!
Recently, a group of residents from The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) took a fun trip to the ArtCentre of Plano, located in historic Downtown Plano. The event was made possible thanks to OAW resident Bob Drotman, a well-known and loved art enthusiast in the community. Bob and his late wife, Judy, volunteered at the ArtCentre for years, where a gallery is named in their honor.
The group enjoyed an exclusive tour led by local artist Monica Cowsert, whose solo exhibition, “Where Art Meets Happy,” was on display. Monica’s artwork is inspired by her life and each piece has a unique story behind it. Her collection is full of bold colors and creative scenes that celebrate nature and imagination.
The vibrant colors and Monica’s stories truly bring her paintings to life. Katie Snezhkova, OAW Director of Resident Services, couldn’t resist purchasing one of Monica’s prints called “Where’s My Momma?” As an animal lover, the piece resonated with her. “It just spoke to me,” Katie said. “It feels like it could be anyone’s pup, waiting for their mom to come home.”
It was a memorable outing filled with art and creativity for this growing community.
The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) Lobby and Boardroom was bustling with activity as new residents of the South Apartments arrived for their highly anticipated key pick-up day. The morning included warm introductions as future neighbors met for the first time or reunited with old friends. Family members were also in tow to celebrate the milestone and lend a hand to move.
After collecting their keys, many residents took the opportunity to visit the mailroom and explore the parking garage, testing their keys and familiarizing themselves with their new home. One resident even received the first piece of mail at her new address – a credit card bill!
It was a lively morning, marking the beginning of a new chapter for OAW and its residents. Move-in Coordinator, Rachel McGowan, shared her excitement about the special day, “We’ve spent months, weeks and days preparing for this moment, and I couldn’t be more thrilled for all of our new residents. It’s been an incredible journey and seeing it all come to life is wonderful!”
The Forefront Living Foundation (FLF) extends heartfelt gratitude to our benevolent community of donors for participating in North Texas Giving Day on September 19, 2024. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, each dollar was matched up to $25K! Because of your faithful support, $53,751 was raised to enhance the lives of senior adults and hospice patients facing life-limiting illnesses. By contributing to FLF, you’ve helped further the mission of Forefront Living’s (FL) entities, including Faith Presbyterian Hospice, the T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center and the FL family of senior living communities – Presbyterian Village North in Dallas, The Outlook at Windhaven in Plano and Bella Vida, coming soon to San Antonio. Your gift will also provide essential funding for specialized programs, integrated therapies and compassionate care for those most in need.
We are proud to be part of this remarkable day of giving, which raised more than $68 million for 3,000+ local nonprofits. Opportunities to give are still available, click here to make a gift to the Forefront Living Foundation. Together, we are making a lasting difference in the lives of many.
Just as residents of The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) are building a strong and caring community, OAW Executive Director Kristen Jordan also recognizes the importance of building community within the team who serves them. Recently, the hardworking OAW team made team-building a top priority by stepping away from the office for an afternoon of competitive fun at the Great Big Game Show. This immersive experience offers participants all the thrills of a televised game show complete with lights, music, tricky questions, buzzers, spinning wheels and the chance to become a contestant during a live-action game show. Teammates battled for bragging rights with “Team Red” leading the charge and showcasing their competitive spirit. Afterwards, the group enjoyed dinner together and everyone appreciated the camaraderie! We look forward to a community face-off between OAW and Presbyterian Village North in the future!
