The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) rocked around the clock for the community’s 50s-themed day that featured a Sock Hop for Independent Living. Residents slipped into poodle skirts, saddle shoes and leather jackets. Even a few Pink Ladies were spotted joining in the fun to twist the night away. In Assisted Living (AL), the festivities continued with a spirited round of 50s Bingo. AL and Memory Support enjoyed community socials featuring live music from the decade.
By Amee McGough
The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) is home to three, resident-led Bible studies, one study especially for men led by John Moore, one ladies-only study led by Judy Richert and one co-ed study led by Mitzi Gaines. We sat down with OAW resident, Mitzi Gaines, to learn more about her story and the weekly Bible study she coordinates. Read more below about how residents are finding community through God’s Word.
What made you want to start a Bible study at OAW?
For most of my young and adult life, I have studied the Bible in some way. When my children were teenagers, I joined Bible Study Fellowship for their five-year study and really enjoyed digging deeper into God’s Word. In my 50s, I discovered Community Bible Study and have served in several leadership roles with them. I have loved my 30 years in organized Bible study and cannot convey how much it has meant to me. It has helped me through difficult and glorious times, and I have made precious friends along the way. Most of all, I have learned that no matter the season of life, God is always teaching us something we need to know.
When I moved into OAW, I thought it would be wonderful to have a Bible study at our community for convenience and to help residents get better acquainted with each other. I asked a few neighbors if they might be interested in joining and several were. Our Director of Resident Services, Katie Snezhkova, helped me sort out details and then asked who would lead the study. I answered, “I would,” and I am grateful for God’s prompting to help me say yes.
What do you enjoy most about meeting each week?
Leading this study has been a great way to meet neighbors. We did not know each other before we moved to OAW, but through our weekly discussions we learn about each other’s lives, hopes and thoughts. Almost every week, someone new attends our group and I love meeting everyone.
What would you tell a neighbor who’s thinking about attending for the first time?
To anyone considering joining us, I would say this is a lovely group of people who want to learn more about the Bible and want to get to know their neighbors and build friendships. We all experience hard times and good times, and it is important to remember that we have God who loves us and will help us along the way.
About 23 residents have joined the study at different times, with approximately 13 attending regularly. We are excited to see what God does next in our little group and I am praying that we will continue to grow together in our faith.
For those interested in participating in a resident Bible study, details are below.
The OAW Ladies Bible Fellowship, led by Judy Richert, meets every Monday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Lounge. Based on Max Lucado’s Book, Every Day Deserves a Chance, this study explores topics such as mercy, gratitude, forgiveness, peace, hope and faith to provide encouragement while navigating difficult days.
The Gentlemen’s Fellowship Bible Study, led by John Moore, meets every Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Lounge. John served as an adjunct professor in Biblical studies for 20 years at a school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and participated in a major archaeological excavation in Jordan for 16 years. This fellowship offers a welcoming space for discussion, reflection and spiritual growth. New and returning participants are always welcome.
The co-ed Connect Bible Study, led by Mitzi Gaines, meets every Thursday from 2:30-4:00 p.m. in the Lounge. January’s study focuses on the book of Colossians.
By Amee McGough
Photos by Sarah Macias
Joshua Rios serves as the Culinary Services Supervisor at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) and joined the community in November. In his role, Joshua oversees the daily kitchen and food services operations with a focus on quality and efficiency. His goal is to provide a positive dining experience for each of OAW’s residents and guests. We caught up with Joshua for a fun Q and A to get to know him better. Read more about him below.
What are you passionate about regarding your professional role?
Professionally, I am passionate about delivering a high-quality dining experience for our residents. Our team is focused on creating an environment that leaves them happy and satisfied.
What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities?
What sets OAW apart from other communities is the high level of resident involvement. Residents participate in everything from culinary committees and town halls to Mahjong and bingo nights. This strong engagement helps create a well-connected community.
What is something that makes you feel proud?
I am most proud of the personal growth I have achieved in life, beginning with my spiritual growth and relationship with God, as well as the positive impact I am able to make in the lives of others.
Share about your family.
I’m lucky to have family in Texas as well as abroad. Here, I’m have my dad, stepmom, brothers Josiah and Jude and my sister Juliana. My mom lives in Bahrain with my stepdad and my siblings Marya and Nadim. My girlfriend, Ariane (pronounced Ariana), and I have two furry family members too. Our dogs are Dobby, a Chihuahua mix, and Vader, a German Shepherd-Labrador mix, plus our cat named Ash.
On the weekend, you can find me:
On the weekend, I spend quality time at home or with my family, friends and girlfriend. That can include staying in together, going to the movies or enjoying other activities out and about. I also enjoy going to the gym and playing video games.
What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants?
My favorite cuisines include Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese and classic American foods. Some of my go-to restaurants are Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill, Pluckers and La Salsa Verde Taqueria. Some of my favorite dishes to order include spicy lemon pepper wings, carne asada tacos and chicken shawarma.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as thoughtful, open-minded and chill.
What’s something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
People might be surprised to learn that I’m a dedicated seeker of truth. I question everything from matters of faith to world news and even the wildest conspiracies. I enjoy thinking outside the box, but I always look for logical evidence and proof to back up my conclusions.
By Amee McGough
Professional Photos by Sarah Macias
For resident Jan Agin, starting a walking group at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) felt like a great way to stay active while providing an opportunity to get to know her neighbors. With a background in physical education, Jan has always enjoyed walking as a means of getting fresh air and enjoying her surroundings while moving her body. With support from OAW’s Community Life team, the idea for the “Happy Feet” resident walking club soon found a regular timeslot on the community activities calendar.
As OAW continues to welcome new residents, Jan thought a walking club would provide a natural way for neighbors to get to know one another. “While we walk, we have time to talk. And believe it or not, we are still coordinated enough to do both at the same time! We discovered many of our backgrounds and motivations in life are very similar. One question that is always interesting to delve into is sharing what inspired each of us to move to OAW,” shared Jan.
To join Happy Feet, residents are invited to stop by the OAW lobby on Tuesday or Thursday at 8:25 a.m. Walks begin with light warm-ups and then a group walk outdoors or indoors around the community, just depending on the weather. Walkers of all paces are welcome, making this walking club an easy way to stay active and a great way to meet new people.
By Amee McGough
Resident Faa-Ching (F.C.) Wang shares his passion for Tai Chi with fellow Outlook at Windhaven residents by leading a class every Friday afternoon at the community. Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, involves a series of slow and gentle movements as well as physical postures and controlled breathing. Drawn to Tai Chi for its focus on visualization and self-awareness, F.C.’s motivation for leading the class is to help others discover the meditative practice for themselves.
F.C. began practicing Tai Chi when he was 20 years old. He enjoys leading this class and witnessing “lightbulb moments” when participants begin to experiences the positive advantages of the practice. He highlights several key health benefits of Tai Chi, including reduced stress, increased relaxation, improved lower-body strength, better balance and enhanced fall prevention.
For anyone feeling unsure about trying Tai Chi, F.C. encourages others to just give it a try and learn more about your mind and body!
By Amee McGough
This season, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) residents helped local families in need by collecting gift cards as well as items for babies and teens through the Plano Police Department’s Annual Christmas Cops gift drive. The Christmas Cops program, sponsored by the Plano Police Association, is operated by Plano Police employees and volunteers. The program was created in 1984 by several Plano Police officers who recognized a growing need in the community during the Christmas season. Over the years, the program has helped thousands of families with gifts, toys and food, and the number of families requesting assistance increases each year.
OAW resident, Skip Robbins brought the program to the attention of the Community Life team who spread the word throughout the senior living community. Residents stepped up by donating more than 200 items to the cause including coats, diapers and bicycles. A representative for the Plano Police Department arrived on the OAW campus on the morning of December 10 to pick up the donations. There were so many items that a second truck was needed to transport the gifts. Katie Snezhkova, OAW’s Director of Resident Services, shared, “Our residents showed up in the biggest way with donations pouring in daily for the Christmas Cops. Their generosity is the true spirit of the season!”
By Amee McGough
Residents at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), are warming hearts and paws this holiday season. Every other Friday morning, a group of Assisted Living residents, along with a few OAW teammates, gather for “Cozy Creations,” a crafting session where they make no-sew fleece blankets for furry friends at the Plano Animal Shelter.
On average, the group creates three blankets each month. In addition, these crafty residents baked up a batch of homemade dog biscuits to share with the animals, sure to make tongues (and tails) wag! The “Cozy Creations” group made their first delivery to the shelter just in time for the holidays. The pet-friendly donation haul included 13 blankets and 50 treat bags. Shelter friends, Willie and Kenji, tested out a few of the blankets and gave them an enthusiastic bark of approval!
This ongoing community project supports local pets while providing residents with a hands-on creative outlet that celebrates the joy of giving.
By Amee McGough
During the holidays, many of us are spending time with loved ones we don’t often see throughout the year. For some families, these gatherings may bring a new awareness of relatives who are experiencing cognitive changes or showing early signs of dementia. As that awareness grows, so does the need for support. The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) is one of those local resources for support.
Every OAW teammate is trained in DementiaLive®, a unique program designed to recreate what it feels like to live with dementia. This experience provides insight into the challenges faced by individuals living with the disease and mimics dementia symptoms such as tunnel vision, slowed processing and altered touch. All Outlook at Windhaven teammates are required to complete this training as part of their commitment to compassionate and informed care.
In addition to highly trained teammates, the OAW community also hosts “The Outlook of Hope” monthly support group for caregivers, family members and anyone in DFW navigating dementia-related challenges. The group is facilitated by Yashica Washington, OAW’s Assisted Living Director, and Wendy Thomas, Assisted Living Advisor. The support group is a free resource, open to all ages, and offers a welcoming space for encouragement and education. As families step into a season filled with both joy and change, OAW hopes to raise awareness and remind those facing dementia-related challenges that they are not alone.
By Amee McGough
Dian Knight was recently promoted to Administrative Assistant at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW). She joined the OAW community in June, working as primary server and as a front desk specialist. As an administrative assistant, Dian supports the leadership team, manages meeting preparations and supports operations in the front office as well as behind the scenes. We caught up with Dian 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 serving others with kindness and spending quality time getting to know people on a personal level. I enjoy creating and maintaining organization, seeing projects through and supporting the community by thoughtfully meeting needs. I love learning from those around me and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and fulfilled.
What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities?
OAW maintains an exceptional standard of care that centers on the well-being of residents. Leadership makes time to listen and make thoughtful decisions with residents’ comfort and satisfaction in mind. This community is filled with kindness and compassion for both residents and teammates. It is a place where people truly care for one another, and that spirit of connection makes it very special.
What is something that makes you feel proud?
I’m incredibly proud of stepping into my new role as Administrative Assistant. When I first joined the community, I thought I would only be here temporarily before pursuing graduate school. However, the warmth and encouragement I experienced inspired me to grow here. Leadership saw my potential, supported my development and welcomed me into a role where I can contribute in meaningful ways for the long term. The residents’ support through this transition has truly touched my heart.
Share about your family:
I am grateful for my family. My parents have shown me the power of unconditional love and empathy through the way they care for our family. I have an Irish twin sister, meaning we’re only eleven months apart. She has been one of my greatest teachers through all of life’s twists and turns. We’ve always shared a close bond, and now she’s happily engaged to be married. My younger brother, who plays professional basketball in Japan, recently got married. Both siblings are preparing to start families, and I am thrilled to become an aunt. I also have an older brother who lives in Columbus, Ohio, my hometown. In addition, I have a beloved fur baby named Neo, a Rat Terrier-Mini Pinscher mix, who fills my days with joy.
Tell us about your hobbies:
I enjoy astrology, yoga, painting, dancing, singing and playing guitar.
On the weekend, you can find me:
Playing with my pup at the dog park, hiking, kayaking at a nearby lake with my mom, sharing tea with a friend or enjoying a musical or movie with my sister.
What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants?
My favorite dish to order if I am dining out is Pho, a hot and savory bowl of comfort, but my favorite restaurant is my kitchen. I love cooking and baking wholesome, delicious and flavorful food. With autumn in the air, I have been experimenting with pumpkin-inspired recipes and warm spices like coffee cake muffins, pumpkin spice cheesecake bars and chocolate swirl pumpkin fudge.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as wise, patient and thoughtful. They consider me an old soul in a 31-year-old body.
What’s something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a bit of a nutrition and wellness enthusiast, and I bring that same detail-loving energy from the office into my kitchen. I follow a ketogenic lifestyle and enjoy creating low-carb, high-fat versions of my favorite comfort foods. Whether I’m meal-prepping or trying a new recipe, I enjoy keeping things tasty and on track.
It was a crisp and windy morning at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) as residents and resident veterans gathered to honor those who have served our country for a Veterans Day salute. Special guests from Plano Senior High’s JROTC proudly and respectfully led a Veterans Day flag-folding ceremony. OAW residents, teammates and students stood solemnly while reflecting on the sacrifices made by those who served to protect our freedoms. After the ceremony, everyone warmed up while enjoying breakfast in Outriders, where students pulled up chairs with residents to hear stories and share some laughs. The day was a good reminder of the courage and commitment of our veterans and the importance of gathering to honor them.
By Amee McGough
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