Pioneers to be Honored at 20th Anniversary of Westminster

Westminster at Lake Ridge (WLR) reaches an important milestone when it celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 5, 1:00pm-3:00pm.

Over 500 people are expected to circle around the community flagpole for the outdoor ceremony. During the event, a new Executive Director, Libby Bush, and new chaplain, Dawn Hager, will be introduced.

Currently, the lobby is being renovated and other recent changes such as new leadership, community- wide wireless, Gold’s Gym personal trainers in the fitness center, and resident led multi-media and landscaping projects are keeping the community moving forward.

The original Executive Director, Glenn West, will recognize the 17 pioneers who have lived in the community since the beginning. Local politicians will be there for the occasion, Occoquan District Supervisor, Mike May; Delegate Richard Anderson; State Senator George Barker; and U.S. Congressman Gerry Connelly.

Pioneer resident and founding board member, Larry Kreider, will close the festivities with a few remarks. “We gained plenty of social contacts, through committees, clubs. We know most everyone here by name. It's just wonderful to live here, you always have friends, to be with, to fall back on, to celebrate with," explains Larry’s wife, Glea.

After the ceremony, guests will move inside for a lavish reception. Videos and slideshows about the community prepared by WLR resident, Bill Spengler will be shown in the Potomac room. Exhibits by the Westminster Foundation, Resident Artists, and a new Family Advocacy program will be set up in the lobby.

Garnet McCune is a centenarian who is among the pioneers who will sign a commemorative plaque that will be hung in the community after the event.

The community is experiencing an influx of younger retirees in recent years. Westminster works to stay current with the times, and through its Life in Bloom program, provides wonderful cultural and social opportunities for its members. New resident, Mary Ellen Saville says, ‘We were happy to find a cottage that had been newly-renovated and Westminster staff are working with us to make it our 'home for life.’ We’ve met wonderful neighbors and feel at home already after less than two months here."

Westminster at Lake Ridge is a Continuing Care Retirement Community located at 12185 Clipper Drive, Lake Ridge, Virginia, next to the historic, riverside Town of Occoquan, just across the river from Fairfax County and 30 minutes from Washington, D.C. Residents enjoy wellness and lifelong learning opportunities, the choice of maintenance-free cottage or apartment living, housekeeping, dining, parking, transportation and on-site amenities all in a beautiful, wooded campus environment featuring two ponds, gardens and trails to the Occoquan River.

Kimberly Hartke of AllHealth PR is a publicist for Westminster at Lake Ridge.