Women’s History Month Trivia at OAW

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions women have made around the world.  

To help celebrate legendary women, three residents from The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) put their knowledge of women’s history to the test in a fun and friendly trivia challenge! Watch this dynamic trio face off as they race to answer the most questions correctly for a grand prize.  

Do you think you know women’s history? Play along to see if you can beat the OAW contestants!  

By Sarah Macias

OAW Presents: The Gallery Event

The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) hosted a gallery-style afternoon featuring the work of local Plano artist, Kelly Steller Hrad. Her colorful, abstract oil paintings were displayed throughout The Hall as a pianist played familiar tunes and guests enjoyed savory snacks and drinks. The elevated setting invited attendees to walk through the exhibit, talk with the artist and take a closer look at the texture in her work.  

Kelly’s connection to the OAW community came through resident and arts patron, Bob Drotman, and Suzy Jones, Executive Director of the ArtCentre of Plano. Suzy is a familiar face around the campus as she also gives art lectures at OAW often on Sunday afternoons. Kelly’s artistic journey began at the ArtCentre of Plano, where she first exhibited her work, making this opportunity to share her paintings at the Plano senior living community especially significant. 

Kelly’s work is part of the Reflectionist movement, featuring textured, palette-knife oil paintings layered with color and movement.

Kelly’s art will remain on display at OAW throughout March, with several pieces available for purchase. The OAW Community Life team looks forward to hosting more gallery events showcasing local artists throughout the year.  

By Amee McGough

OAW Therapy Celebrates One Year of Service

On March 11, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) the Therapy Department celebrated its one-year anniversary. What began with blueprints and hard hats during the community’s construction has grown into a busy area where residents come to regain strength and improve mobility. OAW resident Sue Wentworth was the very first patient and since then, the therapy gym has become a space for rehabilitation as well as encouragement. Over the past year, the team’s commitment to serving residents and the community with care and professional expertise has remained central to their work.

The department’s strength comes from a team with years of service and experience across Forefront Living’s senior living communities:
 
·       Tracy Bardfield, Physical Therapy Assistant/ Rehab Manager – 9 years

·       Laura Benoy-Zuttre, Physical Therapist – 9 years

·       Lashae Benton, Administrative Assistant – 1 year

·       Estee Cahani, Director of Rehabilitation – 11 years

·       Sarah Chu, Speech-Language Pathologist – recently joined

·       Anna Ho, Occupational Therapist – 10 years

·       Donna Son, Physical Therapist Assistant – 5 years

With a full year behind them and more than 100 residents served, the OAW Therapy team looks forward to continuing to support residents so they can stay active, independent and thriving in daily life.

By Amee McGough

Residents Experience Mystère at Cosm Dallas

On a recent afternoon, a group of residents from The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) settled in for an unforgettable journey beneath the big top without ever leaving North Texas.

About 14 residents traveled approximately five miles from home to take in Cosm Dallas, an immersive entertainment venue that blends cutting-edge technology with storytelling. Cosm’s massive shared reality dome surrounds audiences with a wraparound screen and spatial audio, creating the feeling of being inside the performance rather than simply watching it.

That immersive setting made the afternoon’s feature, Mystère by Cirque du Soleil, even more magical.

Originally created for the Las Vegas stage, Mystère is one of Cirque du Soleil’s most celebrated productions, known for its acrobatics and characters who seamlessly blend athleticism and artistry. Performers soar through the air, tumble across the stage and weave moments of humor and wonder into a spectacle that celebrates the mystery of life.

Inside the dome at Cosm, residents watched the gravity-defying feats unfold all around them. Gasps and applause filled the space as the performers flipped, balanced and flew across the panoramic screen.

For many, it felt less like watching a show and more like being immersed in the circus’s magic. As residents returned OAW, they carried with them stories of an afternoon filled with awe and delight.

by Wendy Van Bemmel

Cristo Rey Partnership Extends to OAW

Forefront Living (FL) is proud to continue partnering with Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep and recently welcomed two students to The Outlook at Windhaven. Each week, 9th grade student, Jose Abrego, and 11th grade student, Miguel Mojica, join the OAW team on Monday and Wednesday as part of the Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program.

Miguel works in Human Resources (HR) every Monday, where he assists with auditing and organizing HR documents for compliance. He also helped set up OAW’s teammate celebration for National Pizza Day.

“I really look forward to spending Mondays with Miguel, as he is a real pleasure to work with,” shared Michael Anto, OAW’s HR Manager. “He has been great at following directions and asking thoughtful questions.”

Jose works at OAW on Wednesday and rotates between a few departments. He supports the Business Office and assists the Resident Services desk as well as Administrative Office. He organizes files and helps with day-to-day tasks. In the coming months, Jose will take on projects in Assisted Living.

“Jose picks up new processes fairly quickly and is willing to help wherever he’s needed,” said Julie Lebid, Business Office Manager. “His support makes it easier for us to stay organized and keep things running smoothly.”

This innovative, hands-on experience provides Cristo Rey students with valuable professional skills while serving seniors with excellence. It’s a beneficial, intergenerational partnership and OAW is excited to be part of the journey.

By Amee McGough

Mardi Gras at OAW

Laissez les bons temps rouler! Residents across The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) celebrated Mardi Gras by bringing New Orleans to the community. In Independent Living, everyone gathered in The Hall to enjoy a festive dinner featuring Cajun-inspired dishes and King Cake. The Night Town Band played classic, upbeat jazz favorites that kept residents dancing for a Big Easy-style evening with friends and neighbors. Residents even joined in for a lively second line! Over in Assisted Living, festive decor, jazzy tunes and delicious treats made for a celebration that felt just as lively. Everyone enjoyed good food and music and great company.


By Amee McGough

Love Resides at OAW

In honor of Valentine’s Day, love was felt all across The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) as residents in every part of the campus found a special way to celebrate the day of friendship, hearts and love. In Assisted Living, residents made handmade cards and gathered for a special Valentine’s social to share snacks and community. In Memory Support, residents decorated heart boxes during art, adding personal touches to make each one unique.

Independent Living residents marked the occasion with seasonal-themed crafts as well as an evening of festivities featuring dinner, dancing and live music. The season of celebration wasn’t just for residents, OAW teammates were surprised with goodie bags filled with chocolate, as a “sweet” reminder that they are loved. The week leading up to Valentine’s Day was a lovely reminder that love resides at OAW!

Assisted Living Card Making

Assisted Living Valentine Social

Memory Support Heart Boxes

Independent Living Dinner and Dancing

Independent Living Valentine Crafts

OAW Teammate Love

By Amee McGough

Teammate Spotlight on Tracy Bardfield

Job title and start date:
I have been a treating therapist with Forefront Living since December of 2017 and spent most of my time working with Independent and Assisted Living at Presbyterian Village North. In September of 2025, I moved communities to The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) and was recently promoted to Rehabilitation Manager! 

Brief description of your role:
I treat patients as a physical therapist assistant and manage OAW’s Rehab Department. 

Professionally, I am passionate about:
I’m passionate about keeping our senior adult population strong, safe and healthy so they can continue living independently with confidence. Preventing falls and helping residents age in place through movement, education and proactive care is incredibly meaningful to me. Supporting older adults in maintaining their quality of life is what drives my daily work.

What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities?
What sets OAW apart is the genuine sense of community and teamwork. Everyone here is committed to putting residents first and that shared mission creates an environment where individualized care, collaboration and excellence truly thrive.

I am most proud of:
I am most proud of my children and grandchildren.

As a recipient of the Curtis and Patricia Meadows Scholarship, what did that mean to you and what has it helped you accomplish?
Receiving the teammate scholarship helped remove financial barriers and opened doors for my professional growth. It played an important role in helping me continue pursuing my passion for serving seniors. 

On the weekend, you can find me:
On the weekend, you can find me doing plant stuff! I enjoy caring for my plants and watching them grow.

My favorite foods/restaurants are:
I love Mexican food and margaritas! My favorite restaurant is Pappasito’s Cantina where I always order beef fajitas.

In my free time, my hobbies include:
I am an avid gardener and plant-lover. When the weather is nice, I enjoy stand up paddleboarding.

Share about your family:
My husband and I were married two years ago and have a wonderfully blended family. I have three sons: Justin (34), Ian (22) and Aidan (19), and he has two children: Levi (22) and Hailey (25). We also have three grandchildren from my oldest son, Justin, and I proudly go by Mimi while my husband is G-Pa. We share our home with Kevin, our Scottish Fold Munchkin cat, and Daisy, our English Bulldog.

How would your friends describe you in three words?
My friends would say I’m caring, empathetic and kind.

What’s something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
People may be surprised to learn that I am an introvert and homebody.

By Amee McGough

Photos by Sarah Macias

Winter Weather, Superior Service

At The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), one of the team’s top priorities is creating an environment where residents can thrive with independence. However, the team is always ready to step in with extra support when needed and OAW teammates recently warmed residents’ hearts with their outstanding care during DFW’s winter storm. With icy conditions making travel in some areas unsafe, residents were grateful for the clear and consistent communication they received and how well-prepared each team was across the community.

The Culinary team received special praise for their service excellence, offering a variety of delicious meals that made resident dining easy and enjoyable despite the weather. Wellness teammates hosted “pop-up” fitness classes, including Drum Fit, a new fitness offering for Independent Living residents that proved to be a lot of fun.

Many residents stated they were especially thankful for the teammates who stayed on campus during the duration of the storm. As one resident shared, “It ended up being a fun weekend in spite of the snow and freezing temperatures.”

OAW Executive Director, Kristen Jordan, shared, “I am incredibly proud of OAW’s amazing team and their exceptional job of preparing for the winter storm! We had 30 teammates stay overnight to support the community, cover shifts and lend a hand wherever needed. To keep residents active, our team expanded wellness classes and other activities. The Culinary team impressed residents with popular buffets, and Building Services and Transportation teams kept walkways safe and accessible. Every department came together for our community.”

Nearly 40 Moment Maker Award nominations were submitted by residents to recognize teammates who went above and beyond, providing exceptional service throughout the storm!

By Amee McGough

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