By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

Did you notice something during the height of the pandemic lockdown? When much of the man-made world was forced to hit the pause button, everything in the natural world began to clear up and turn green! Smog decreased, air quality increased, birds sang louder, trees laughed again, and the earth seemingly rejoiced. People stopped but nature did not. Spring still arrived.

Some may say, “What’s the big deal? That’s only nature,” but it means something greater. In our time of recluse, God, in His faithfulness, brought spring. And here we are on the precipice of another spring.

When Noah left the ark in Genesis 8 and 9, God made several promises. He said in 8:22, “While
the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (NASB) God promised that the seasons will continue and that the season of life will always return after winter. The coming of spring is a picture of God’s complete faithfulness.

God’s faithfulness transcends beyond nature. During the winters of life, His faithfulness remains with us through every trial. God carries us through every one of our hard times. It does not matter the size or depth of our situation; God remains with us. His faithfulness does not allow Him to abandon us.

God does not want us to feel alone or afraid. In Deuteronomy 31:6(c) He says, “…He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NASB) Just like year after year He brings spring, day-in-and-day-out, He stays faithfully with us. Nature keeps going because God upholds it and is faithful to His creation. If He is faithful to His creation, He is even more faithful to us.

No doubt we live in a strange and uncertain time. We do not know what lies ahead, but as you make your way through this strange and uncertain time, look out your window or go for a walk. When you see that everything is turning green, know that God is faithful.

Adapted from inspiration.org

This spring Trinity Woods will break ground on three brand new villas for independent living. After evaluating some of the current properties the decision was made to tear down an existing villa and duplex to make room for these new homes.

“We are excited about this addition to our community,” said Dennis Graham, COO. “As with any renovation or new construction project we undertake, these villas will be built with full attention to detail and master craftsmanship in mind.”

While each villa will have unique features and floor plans, the design will keep with the overall aesthetic of the community and other villas. Each villa will offer two bedrooms with large walk-in closets, an open concept living area with a gas fi replace for relaxing with a good book. Additionally the plan offers a private study, two full bathrooms and one-half bath as well as a spacious laundry room. The modern streamlined kitchen will have a large center island with a bar seating area perfect for entertaining. There will be a covered patio, full size two-car garage, and a fully landscaped yard with a sprinkler system.

“As part of this process we welcome the new owner to be part of the selection process. We want them to be able to select the designer colors, finishes, and fixtures, if they choose.” said Dennis. “We expect to be able to build each villa within 120 days and we are excited to work with the resident.”

If you would like more information on the new villas or other independent living options at Trinity Woods, contact us at 918.574.2590. We have several information sessions scheduled for this month!

By Bonnie Polak, VP of Philanthrophy and Community Engagement

What does it mean to leave a legacy? Simply put it means leaving your mark on the future and making a contribution to future generations. What a powerful thing to do something that will bring joy, peace or security to people you may never know.

At Trinity Woods individuals who leave a legacy gift are part of our Tin Man Society. Each member of the Society will be part of this community long after they are no longer living here. Imagine helping a future neighbor at Trinity Woods that you don’t even know and who has not even selected Trinity Woods for their home yet.

WAYS TO LEAVE A LEGACY:
• Will or Revocable Living Trust: Designate a specific or percentage amount to go to Trinity Woods a contingency bequest names Trinity Woods to receive the remainder and residue of your estate if other beneficiaries are deceased or cannot inherit.
• Current gifts that establish a permanent endowment.
• Charitable Gift Annuity: You donate your cash or appreciated property in exchange for a fixed income (with rates based on your age) for the rest of your life.
• A Charitable Remainder Trust pays you income for life. With a Unitrust there is the potential that your income could increase over time with growth in the trust. An annuity trust pays out a fixed amount each year based on the value of the property donated at the time it is gifted.
• Insurance Policy: You can give your life insurance policy to Trinity Woods and receive a charitable income tax deduction. Then make deductible contributions each year that we may use to pay the
premiums. You can also designate Trinity Woods as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
• Beneficiary designation on IRAs, CDs, commercial annuities, savings accounts, and savings bonds. Also, if you are 70½ or older, you can make a gift of up to $100,000 to Trinity Woods from your IRA to meet your annual distribution requirement. By making an IRA charitable rollover gift, you are able to avoid taxes on the IRA distribution while supporting our charitable mission.

By doing any of the above, one becomes a member of the Tin Man Society. I encourage you to think deeply about the areas of your life where you can leave a lasting legacy. Trinity Woods is a community of
kind, compassionate people and through your generosity, others will be able to experience it for years to come.

By Weldon Tisdale, Trinity Woods Chaplain

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

February marks Black History Month, a tribute to African American men and women who have made significant contributions to America and the rest of the world in the fields of science, politics, law, sports, the arts, entertainment, and many other fields.

No one has played a greater role in helping all Americans know the Black past than Carter G. Woodson, the individual who created Negro History Week in Washington, D.C., in February 1926. Woodson was the second Black American to receive a PhD from Harvard—following W.E.B. DuBois by a few years.

To Woodson, the Black experience was too important simply to be left to a small group of academics. Woodson believed that his role was to use Black history and culture as a weapon in the struggle for racial uplift. By 1916, Woodson had moved to DC and established the “Association for the Study of Negro Life and Culture,” an organization whose goal was to make Black history accessible to a wider audience.

Woodson was a driven man whose only passion was history, and he expected everyone to share his passion. This passion led Woodson to create Negro History Week in 1926, to ensure that school children be exposed to Black history. Woodson chose the second week of February in order to celebrate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Woodson had two goals: One was to use history to prove to white America that Blacks had played important roles in the creation of America and thereby deserve to be treated equally as citizens. In
essence, Woodson—by celebrating heroic Black figures—be they inventors, entertainers, or soldiers—”hoped to prove our worth, and by proving our worth”—he believed that equality would soon
follow. Ultimately Woodson believed Negro History Week—which became Black History Month in 1976—would be a vehicle for racial transformation forever which was his second goal.

Black history is American history.

If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious snack to watch the “big” game look no further! Trinity Woods VP of Wellness Jennifer Rawlings recommends this tasty treat!

Ingredients
• 4 Tbsp hot pepper sauce, divided use
• 2 Tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground paprika
• 1 dash ground cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
• 1 lb raw chicken breast tenders
• 1⁄4 cup reduced-fat (2%) plain yogurt
• 1 Tbsp crumbled blue cheese
• 4 medium celery stalks, cut into sticks

Instructions
Combine 1 Tbsp. hot sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne (if desired) in a small bowl; mix well. Add chicken; toss to coat. Marinate, covered, in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375° F. Place chicken in a baking dish. Discard any remaining marinade. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle. While chicken is baking, combine yogurt and cheese in a small bowl; mix
well. Set aside. Combine chicken and remaining 3 Tbsp. hot sauce in a large bowl; toss gently to blend.

Serve chicken with dip and celery.

Trinity Woods recently announced the restructuring of the Sales and Marketing Department. We have reassigned some responsibility and added a new sales representative. This reorganization will allow us to better promote the overall Trinity Woods community and offer a more personalized sales approach.

In the new structure Bonnie Polak will serve as the Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Engagement. In this role she will continue to be responsible for philanthropy but will extend her public relations role to include marketing the community and oversight of the two-person sales team.

“I am eager to be part of this team,” said Bonnie. “We are at an exciting time for Trinity Woods not just because of our new name and brand but all of the new amenities we have to offer. Trinity Woods is an amazing community of caring and kind people. I look forward to our team sharing that with others.”

Nadine Barnes and Kristi Hinesley are the Trinity Woods sales representatives and will work with prospective members to showcase the community. Both have extensive senior living sales experience and expertise to highlight the heart and neighborly feel of our community. Nadine has served the Trinity Woods community for the past 10 years and Kristi comes to us from another senior living community. The structure will be a true team approach allowing each of them to help prospects find their perfect home on the Trinity Woods campus.

This next year we look forward to introducing more families to this great community. We know our current members are our best reference so if you know of someone looking for their new home, please reach out to Nadine and Kristi. Remember there are incentives for referrals and rewards if your friends join our community!

We are excited to announce the Trinity Woods 2022 Member Council.

Front Row (left to right): Bill Moorer, Shirley Frizzell, Chuck Hanna, Phyllis Rhodes
Back Row (left to right): Glenna Hertzler, Rollie Rhodes, Sue Duncan, Paul Hockett, Jenneth Sheeler, Howard Rhodes, Charlotte Frazier, Fred Elder

Their role is to promote, organize and/or conduct events and activities of interest to the Members. The Council serves in an advisory role for the organization and may also represent the Member body in forums when necessary. This group is excited to serve their Trinity Woods neighbors.

By Phyllis Rhodes, Member Council President

Simply put it means kindness, gratitude, and thankfulness. As President of Member Council, I
often see and hear many stories of how community members help each other and show each other
gratitude. Honestly, it is one of my favorite parts of the job!

As we enter the month of thankfulness, I wanted to take time to express my sincere appreciation for our
community and all those who live and serve at Trinity Woods. It is with that in mind that I would like to
introduce the “Operation Gratitude Challenge.” Here is the challenge:

1. Ask someone to join you for lunch or dinner that you have never eaten with before. Whether you are new or have lived here for years, people always walk into Charter Oak or Cypress Grille and wonder where to sit. Wouldn’t it truly be an act of kindness if we invited them to be part of our table or group?
2. Write a note to a Trinity Woods employee. Nothing makes someone feel better than when they are appreciated. Being grateful for those who choose to work here is something I know many of you do all the time, but this month be intentional about seeking out an employee to show them how grateful you are that they work here.
3. Send a thank you note to a Trinity Woods neighbor or friend. Our neighbors help us in many ways – whether it’s a smile or saying good morning or even checking on us when we haven’t been feeling well. Aren’t you thankful you live in a community where people truly care about you and your well-being? Take a minute to let them know you are thankful for their thoughtfulness.

Whether you accept my challenge and do one or all three of these suggestions, I hope you take time to truly embrace a spirit of gratitude. The Wellness Team has agreed to help us in this endeavor. There will be thank you cards at the Wellness Reservation Boxes for you to fill out. You may place completed notes for employees or members in the
boxes for them to be delivered or you can deliver them yourself to that special person.

What exactly does that mean – neighbor helping neighbor? Neighbors play an important
role in our community and our lives. Throughout your life I am sure interactions with
neighbors has meant many things – borrowing a cup of sugar, babysitting, yard chores, or
sharing a meal. But when you live at Trinity Woods, it means so much more.

When we did the research for our new name, people used terms like “neighbor” and
“kindness” to describe the community. I remember thinking, “Isn’t that interesting but
not surprising.” We have always been a community where love of and kindness to others
defines our very essence. Like the traveling stranger in the parable of the Good Samaritan,
we have all been “beaten up” by the world around us. We have all been abandoned “on the
side of the road” of disillusionment, loneliness, or despair. All of us need others to show
us grace and mercy.

Since announcing our new name, I have been overwhelmed by seeing this “neighbor”
persona in action. Just last month, I heard story after story of neighbor assisting neighbor
when a storm knocked out the power in one of the buildings on campus. Neighbors going
door-to-door to check on each other, neighbors walking flights of stairs to bring others
meals.

I think of the group of widows who live on campus who share a deep friendship. In fact,
they describe each other as “a best friend.” When I asked about the length of their
friendship, they told me they had only met since living at Trinity Woods. Isn’t that amazing,
discovering your best friend in life here?

I could go on and on about our community members and their stories of friendship and
kindness – or as we call it “being neighborly”. That is what living at Trinity Woods is all
about – neighbors helping, welcoming, and extending grace to others. I think our ads
say it best “everyone being welcome just comes naturally…seems like the Christian and
neighborly, thing to do.”