Welcome to the final issue of The Outlook Charter. Now that The Outlook is open, it is time to say goodbye to our newsletter exclusively for VIPs. We’re not really saying “goodbye,” we’re simply saying “hello” to Cubigo, an easy-to-use online platform that connects residents (that’s you now—or will be soon!) to community events and other information. To get started, you’ll need to sign up for Cubigo if you haven’t already—contact us at info@nullTheOutlookatWindhaven.org or (214) 355-3800 and we will re-send you the registration link.
If you love living here and have a friend who would be a great fit for The Outlook, invite them over for lunch! Contact our marketing office by calling (972) 996-3887 or emailing us at Info@nullTheOutlookAtWindhaven.org between now and December 31, 2024, to get a certificate for you and your potential new neighbor to have lunch at The Outlook on us!
Meet Your Future Neighbor
Deborah Williamson
Though Deborah Williamson was born in Lubbock, she moved to Garland at age two and has always considered the Dallas area to be home. She is a longtime and esteemed professor of voice at Baylor University who will retire in 2026. When she returns home via her move to The Outlook later this year, she looks forward to spending time with old friends as well as to forging new relationships in a new locale!
Deborah did her undergraduate work at Baylor University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. She went on to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she earned two degrees: a Master of Music in Voice and The Artist Diploma in Opera. Deborah then sang professionally for a while. She lived and worked in New York and also toured in Europe. One of the highlights of this period of time was playing the role of Christine from Phantom of the Opera in Germany and Switzerland. This was a wonderful experience but also very challenging—though the songs were in the original English, the dialogue was in German and was very difficult to memorize. In addition, Deborah only had one day off in a six-month stretch of performances. While it was fun and rewarding, ultimately this era of touring answered the question of whether or not she wanted a career built around performance. Deborah decided she was more interested in a life of stability like the one she grew up with.
Deborah changed approach and got a job teaching at Texas A&M Commerce (formerly East Texas State University), commuting from her home in Rowlett. She enjoyed teaching and learning and eventually went back to school and got her doctorate from the University of North Texas. While she was pursuing this degree, she received a recruitment call from Baylor University. She accepted a one-year appointment, which she did at the same time as she completed her doctoral work. In the end, Deborah was hired by Baylor as a full-time Professor of Voice.
Deborah comes from a family of teachers. “I just think that was really my true calling,” she says. She still loves performing and could not have gotten the positions she has without the performing experience. She realizes it has truly informed her teaching. Deborah has now been with Baylor for 24 years and plans to retire in May of 2026.
For Deborah, the best part about teaching is the students. Baylor voice students are “sweet and talented and smart,” she says. As a voice teacher, Deborah often has students for all four years of their college careers. The relationships built are very personal. “There is a different kind of vulnerability in being a singer. The trust that develops between a voice teacher and their student is a very, very special thing,” she says. As a result, Deborah remains close with many of her former students. There are fun perks to this! Recently a former student sang a lead role with the Fort Worth Opera—he got her a ticket and spent the day with her while he was in town. These sorts of special encounters are a lovely regularity for her.
During her time at Baylor, Deborah founded the student organization Music & Memory at Baylor University. Music & Memory is a non-profit organization dedicated to curating personalized music playlists for those with debilitating cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Deborah’s mother, with whom she was very close, developed Alzheimer’s and lived in a wonderful memory care community near Deborah. This was the inspiration behind Deborah’s founding the student chapter of Music & Memory at Baylor. In addition to helping with playlists, Deborah’s chapter provided live monthly performances at her mother’s community. The response was amazing; residents who had been completely withdrawn would come to life. One resident, who had not spoken in two years, said, “You need to come back again and play that music for us every time.” The work was very rewarding, and the organization continues to this day.
With retirement looming, Deborah began thinking she would like to settle back in the Dallas area where she has family and lifelong friends. She has enjoyed her time in Waco, but as she says, “I’m looking forward to going back home when I’m fully retired.” One of her dear friends alerted Deborah about The Outlook at Windhaven after seeing an advertisement. She met up with The Outlook staff and signed on that very day. Deborah looks forward to having a built-in community and participating in the social engagements, outings, and exercise classes that The Outlook will offer. “I’ve enjoyed all the VIP events that I was able to attend and really loved meeting the people,” she says. After the pandemic and Texas’s 2021 “snowmageddon,” Deborah also will be grateful for the safety and shelter that The Outlook can provide. Finally, she likes knowing that when she travels, she can simply lock her door and leave, knowing her home will be secure.
In her spare time, Deborah is a voracious reader and loves to travel. She would like to visit all 50 states and has nine left to go. She also really enjoys European travel, especially in France. Scotland is on her must-visit list upon retirement, as well as revisiting locales she has known and loved.
Selling During the Holiday Season
By Bruce Walpole, REALTOR®
Walpole Realty Group
Keller Williams Realty
Selling a house in North Dallas over the holidays presents a unique set of challenges. While it’s certainly possible to make a sale, there are factors that may complicate the process, but there are ways to overcome some of the challenges. By understanding these challenges and taking proactive steps to address them, you can still sell your home successfully during the holiday season. Click here to read more.
Move-In Planning with Dear Rachel
Dear Rachel,
I’ve misplaced the contact information for Frontier and Spectrum to set up my internet and TV services. Can you help? I’ve also tried calling you at the Information Center, but it seems like you’re never there!
Sincerely,
Future New Resident
Hello Future New Resident,
Thank you for reaching out! I recommend scheduling your internet service to be installed shortly after your closing date. Both Frontier and Spectrum typically require one to two weeks to schedule appointments, so it’s best to call them once you have a firm closing date.
We’re fortunate to have two fantastic contacts who specialize in working with The Outlook community. They are much more responsive and efficient than the standard 800 numbers:
- Frontier: Nicole North — (469) 262-0757
- Spectrum: Terrece Dotson — (469) 263-5984
As for reaching me, I’ve been quite mobile lately, assisting all the new residents moving into the community, which means I’m not often at the Information Center. The best way to contact me is via my cell phone at (945) 225-3302. I’m always happy to help!
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Rachel
Fun Photos!
Halloween Sip and Swirl Happy Hour
The Outlook at Windhaven’s Halloween Sip and Swirl Happy Hour for residents and VIPs was a spook-tacular success! Click here for more fun photos.
(Click photos to enlarge)
(Click photos to enlarge)
Cocktails in the Courtyard
Recently, The Outlook at Windhaven welcomed prospective residents to a successful Cocktails in the Courtyard event! With 78 prospects and more than 30 current residents in attendance, guests had the opportunity to tour the beautiful community, enjoy signature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and hear firsthand from residents about life at The Outlook. The live music and neighborly conversations made it a wonderful way to showcase all that The Outlook at Windhaven has to offer.
Fitness Class at The Outlook
These Outlook at Windhaven residents are crushing it in fitness class—proving that staying active keeps you young at heart!
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Questions?
Do you have questions about how things will work when you move into the community? Here is your go-to email: TheOutlookatYourService@nullForefrontLiving.org
On the Forefront
Want to know more about Forefront Living and how we actively serve seniors across all our nonprofits? Click here to view the November 2024 On the Forefront newsletter.
Welcome Select New Outlook VIPs
Bob & Marilyn Colombe
Tim and Linda Philhower
Gary and Donna Rahn
