At The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), Independence Day carried extra festivity this year as residents marked the 250th birthday of The United States of America with celebrations across the community.
Independent Living kicked off the weekend with a feast that mirrored a delicious backyard cookout, but indoors. Residents enjoyed burgers, grilled chicken, chicken wings and all the classic fixings. The Hall was filled with tables and patriotic spirit as residents and teammates sang “God Bless America,” danced to live music and enjoyed the company of their friends and neighbors.
Assisted Living residents gathered for a special seated luncheon also featuring live music and great food. Several residents invited friends and family to join them for these festivities.
In Memory Support, the holiday was celebrated with red, white and blue refreshments and themed games. The activities were designed to be engaging, with teammates and residents spending time together in a familiar social setting.
Across all levels of living, the Fourth of July at OAW was filled with events across its campus as the community shared recognition of a milestone year for our country.
This month, a talk show-style series called “Get to Know Your Neighbor” made its debut at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW). Hosted by OAW resident Barbara Baird, the engaging program offered residents a chance to learn more about their neighbors.
The idea for “Get to Know Your Neighbor” was suggested by Katie Snezhkova, OAW Director of Resident Services, and Courtney Lammons, Community Life Coordinator, who thought resident interviews sharing memorable and personal stories would be a fun way to get to know community members. The Community Life team asked Barbara to serve as the official talk show host.
Barbara opened the inaugural program by describing how welcoming she found the OAW community to be, while noting that it can be easy to forget the names of residents. She then sat down for a conversation with the first featured resident guest, Tom Swisher. Barbara’s questions covered an array of topics including Tom’s childhood, his first job and other early experiences, to how he would describe himself, advice for those approaching retirement and what has surprised him most in life.
Nearly 50 residents attended the introductory interview, and the audience enjoyed being a part of the conversation. Laughter and comments from attendees and a question-and-answer session added a lot of personality to the program. One resident asked Tom what type of beer he would take if he were moving to Mars. Without hesitation, Tom chose a Belgian dark beer.
Judging by the turnout, “Get to Know Your Neighbor” is off to a strong start. OAW residents should to mark their calendars, as the program will continue on the third Friday, monthly, at 2 p.m. in The Hall.
When retired Baylor University Professor of Voice, Deborah Williamson, moved to The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) in December 2024, she wasn’t just looking for a new address. After years of maintaining a large home, she was ready for a lifestyle that would free her from home maintenance while providing lots of opportunities to stay active and enjoy retirement.
After teaching at Baylor for 26 years, along with previous faculty positions in Texas and Ohio, Deborah began planning her next chapter before her retirement officially arrived. Taking advantage of a retirement transition program at Baylor allowed her to make the move to OAW before retiring. A friend introduced her to the Plano senior living community, and she knew it was the right fit. The opportunity to move into a brand-new apartment, personalize many of the finishes and become one of community’s first residents made the timing especially appealing.
“Being established in my apartment and in the community made the transition into retirement easy,” Deborah shared.
She quickly built relationships with neighbors who were also settling into the new community. Those friendships helped make the transition from a busy academic career to retirement feel natural.
Today at OAW, Deborah enjoys personal training sessions, book club meetings, lectures in The Hall, games with neighbors and outings to restaurants and performances throughout the area. She says she feels healthier and happier than she has in years and appreciates being surrounded by active and interesting people.
Deborah has also welcomed visits from former colleagues and students, who have all been impressed by the beauty of the community and the variety of activities available to residents.
Having served as the primary caregiver for her mother’s journey through Assisted Living and Memory Support, Deborah personally understands the importance of planning ahead. That experience influenced her decision to move to OAW sooner rather than later.
For her, the move wasn’t about preparing for what might happen years down the road. It was about creating a lifestyle she could enjoy today while putting a plan in place for the future.
“I take great comfort in knowing I’ve already put the pieces in place for my future,” she said.
Residents at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) are finding lots of reasons to enjoy time outside across campus. From weekly putting contests to a recent cornhole championship, OAW’s outdoor spaces have become popular gathering spots for friendly competition.
One favorite activity is “Thirsty Thursday Golf,” a weekly putting contest where residents bring their favorite beverage and test their skills on OAW’s very own putting green.
Community competition expanded to cornhole as eight teams of two competed in OAW’s Cornhole Championship. The single-elimination tournament drew a crowd of spectators, with residents Paul S. and Phil B. taking home bragging rights and a trophy.
Whether lining up a precise putt or perfecting their toss, residents are making good use of OAW’s outdoor amenities and finding fun ways to spend time together in the great outdoors.
The Outlook at Windhaven makes headlines once again—and with exciting reason! Plano’s newest senior living community reaches 100% occupancy within 17 months! With such a great response and continued strong demand, The Outlook looks to the future.
Read more about it all by clicking the links below.
What started as a casual get-together to cure a little winter boredom quickly morphed into a planning session for a ladies-only getaway for a group of fun-loving residents from The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW).
After gathering and deciding they were ready for an adventure, these OAW neighbors: Karen Angle, Joyce Boese, Lynn Harris, Dawn Lovett, Veronica Mitchell and Marianne Sullivan, booked a cruise out of Galveston destined for Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan, in less than two hours. Aside from Karen and Marianne, who have known each other for years, most of these women first met during OAW’s Meet and Greet events before the community opened. Over time those initial introductions grew into close friendships.
For this friend group, living at OAW created a support system where they can count on each other no matter what the circumstance. That closeness was obvious throughout the cruise. In fact, their bond caught the attention of several fellow passengers.
“People on the cruise came up to us after observing us,” shared Lynn Harris. “They commented that we always appeared to be having a lot of fun and wanted to know if we were in a sorority.”
The trip created plenty of memories, with the ladies spending their days attending shows on the ship, enjoying meals together and participating in various activities. Three members of the group even went ziplining, two of the zipliners were 80+ years old!
When it came to hearing about the travel plans, their families were excited for them. “All in all, they were happy that we were going, having fun and enjoying life,” the group shared.
For these women, the relationships they have built at OAW are ones they believe will last for the rest of their lives. Their adventures are not slowing down anytime soon. The friends have already planned their next trip together, a visit to Nashville in September.
By night, James Hamilton keeps residents at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) safe in his role as an overnight security guard for the community. Since joining the team in August of 2024, he has become a dependable presence to many, conducting nightly property patrols, checking that gates and access doors are secure and making routine inspections throughout the main building. Beyond his professional role at OAW, James is a talented artist with an incredible gift for drawing portraits. He enjoys sharing his artwork with others and some may even recognize a few familiar OAW faces featured in his sketches. Read about this gifted teammate below.
What do you like best about working at OAW? The best part about working at OAW is the people. I always find myself smiling. Everyone I’ve encountered from residents to teammates and managers, has been more than nice to me.
When did you realize you had a talent for creating art? I was a young when I realized I had the ability to draw. As a child, I used to watch my father draw. I would take his drawing pad and try my best to mimic what he was drawing.
Do you have a favorite medium to work with (pencil, charcoal, paint)? My favorite medium to work with is pencil because I have the best control with them. Lately, I’ve used soft pastels along with pencils for my portraits.
How long have you been drawing portraits? I’ve been drawing portraits for about 20 years. Although it has taken a lot of time and practice to develop, I still feel I need about 20 more years of practice.
Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created? What made it meaningful to you? I drew a picture of my father about seven years ago. I struggled through the drawing because of the sadness I still feel from losing him. Since then, I’ve gotten much better at drawing portraits, and I tell myself all the time that I need to redraw my father’s portrait but it’s difficult for me. So, I hold on tightly to the one of him I was able to complete.
Has working with residents or teammates inspired your artwork? Yes, I see the residents walking their dogs every morning and since I wanted more practice drawing animals, I started sketching the animals I pet here daily. Plus, it’s heartwarming to see residents smile at my artwork.
What reactions do you usually get when teammates or residents see your work? I always receive a great reaction from them, even though I believe I can do much better.
If someone is interested in commissioning a portrait from you, is that something you offer? I provide commissioned work and have much of my artwork posted on social media including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Residents at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) gathered for a special screening of the 2022 documentary, Let Us Die, inspired by an astonishing true story uncovered by Forefront Living CEO, Tim Mallad. What began as a surprising discovery inside the hidden drawer of an antique desk revealed fragile and personal letters about survival and loss during World War II.
Following the film, Tim was joined by special guests Walter J. Levy, a 104-year-old Holocaust survivor, and WFAA Senior Reporter and film producer, Jason Whitely, for a Q&A discussion. Together, they shared how this extraordinary finding led to the creation of the documentary and reflected on the importance of preserving historical stories that might otherwise be lost.
Audience members listened intently as untold pieces of history came to life. Walter spoke candidly about the memories the film stirred up in him – some joyful and others painful. Through this journey, the three gentlemen reflected on meeting some wonderful people and the friendships that formed through researching and the making of this film, despite unimaginable circumstances.
In honor of Mother’s Day, residents from The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) in Plano found a way to bring smiles to fellow senior adults at sister senior living community, Presbyterian Village North (PVN) in Dallas, through a special outing featuring music, handmade flower arrangements and cards specifically created to brighten the day.
The OAW community was all in for the effort to spread joy! Assisted Living (AL) residents created 20 floral arrangements, while Memory Support (MS) residents helped create 20 handmade Mother’s Day cards to accompany each bouquet. The visit also included performances by the resident-led OAW Chorale, which shared a selection of spring songs, oldies and a hymn with PVN residents.
The collaboration of kindness grew out of a previous volunteer effort led by OAW Assisted Living Community Life Coordinator, Hannah McKnight.
“The idea started with a Valentine’s Day floral project, where OAW residents made and then delivered bouquets to a neighboring memory support community,” shared Hannah. “From there, we wanted to find a way to collaborate with PVN by having AL create the arrangements and MS make the cards. Bringing in the chorale was a great addition. It all came together as a team effort.”
More than anything, the visit was about making fellow seniors feel remembered and celebrated ahead of Mother’s Day.
If you know Katie Snezhkova, Director of Resident Services for The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), then you know about her love for dogs and you’ve likely met Yuki, her four-year-old Great Pyrenees and favorite furry companion. But you may not know the full story of how Yuki found his way into her life, his journey to becoming a therapy dog or the important role he plays at the OAW community and beyond. We sat down with Katie (and Yuki) to learn more about this dynamic therapy duo.
How did your story with Yuki begin?
Yuki originally came to me as a foster dog. When I came across his post at Dallas Animal Services (DAS) about him needing a temporary home, I knew I could help. Yuki left DAS on June 23, 2024, at two years old. He was just a frightened pup who had already experienced a lot of trauma in a short amount of time. I knew he would need patience, care and a lot of love to help him heal and eventually find his forever family. What I didn’t realize at the time was that Yuki had already found his home, with me.
How did your experience with fostering shape your journey with Yuki?
I took my first foster in 2017 while I was living in Houston. Hurricane Harvey had just devastated the city and there was a huge need for fosters due to so many pets being displaced. Since then, I’ve taken in 129 dogs! I continue because I know fostering animals saves their lives. It’s also incredibly rewarding to watch a scared and timid dog transform into the loving companion they were always meant to be.
How would you describe Yuki’s personality?
Yuki is a big, goofy personality wrapped in fur. He’s playful, curious and convinced that the world is his playground. At the same time, he’s affectionate, loyal and extremely sweet. He’s equal parts mischief and heart!
What inspired you to have Yuki become a certified therapy dog and how did he earn his certification?
Before Yuki, I had Missy, a certified therapy dog who retired after 10 years of service. After Missy’s retirement, I wanted to continue giving back to the community. Yuki, a fluffy bundle of love with the perfect balance of patience and playful quirkiness, quickly proved to be a natural fit for therapy training.
Becoming a certified therapy dog involves multiple steps. First, the dog must pass the Canine Good Citizen test. Yuki and I trained for about six months before he was ready to take the test. To earn his certification with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), we completed a multi-step process that included a background check, a temperament and handling assessment and three supervised visits. After successfully completing those, we were officially recommended for certification.
We’re also a part of Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs (HOTTD), a local group of ATD-certified handlers and dogs. While ATD is nationwide, HOTTD allows us to serve locally while still giving Yuki the opportunity to share his work across the country.
How have you seen Yuki make a difference at OAW?
Yuki has become a fixture at OAW, and Fridays are now known as “Yuki Friday.” People look forward to seeing him whether it’s for treats, cuddles or simply a puppy fix. He brings lots of energy and joy to the community and has even charmed prospective residents during marketing tours.
His presence encourages emotional well-being, promotes socialization and provides moments of comfort and happiness. In Assisted Living (AL), many residents light up when he enters the room and he helps ease anxiety. In Memory Support (MS), he sparks engagement. Those who are usually quiet may smile, talk to him or even sing or hum. One individual was even motivated to go on walks by holding Yuki’s leash. In Independent Living (IL), he encourages social interaction. A resident and her granddaughter make it a weekly tradition to stop by my office on Fridays just to spend time with him.
Yuki even participates in our teammate “Moments That Matter” morning meetings, happily making rounds for attention and cuddles. He’s truly become part of the team and sharing him with others is a pleasure!
What are some of Yuki’s talents?
Yuki has a variety of talents that delight residents during his visits. He enjoys doing tricks, his favorite one being “high five” or “give me ten.” He also has a natural ability to sense when someone needs extra comfort. He’ll gently nuzzle or sit close to someone who might be feeling lonely or anxious.
What types of visits does Yuki enjoy most and how does he handle his role?
Outside of OAW, Yuki visits the Allen Public Library, where children read to him each month. As a trained anxiety relief dog, he thrives in settings where he can help reduce stress, especially during school and college finals weeks. Because visits can be tiring, especially given his size and the level of interaction, we stick to one visit per day. This helps him stay happy, healthy and energetic.
What is a memory that stays with you?
When I first brought Yuki to Memory Support, a resident’s husband shared that his wife was very afraid of dogs. Yuki, being the big, fluffy dog that he is, can be intimidating to some at first, so I let her observe him from a distance. Over time, this resident touched his fur and eventually pet his head. Now, she eagerly reaches to pet him each visit! To me, that is the greatest reward, seeing a small but positive impact in someone’s life.
What keeps you motivated to volunteer with Yuki each week?
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone light up when Yuki enters the room. Each visit is a reminder of the difference a loving companion can make. The bond we share makes every visit special and that’s what keeps me coming back.
