News - Page 11 of 121 - Westminster Communities of Florida

Westminster Suncoast Hosts “Groovy” Celebration To Mark 70 Years Of Serving Older Adults

Posted on September 6, 2024August 6, 2025 by Westminster

With a groovy ’70s-themed party with tie-dyed shirts and a special letter of celebration provided by St. Petersburg Commissioner Deborah Figgs-Sanders, on Thursday Westminster Suncoast and Westminster Communities of Florida celebrated the organization’s 70th anniversary of serving older adults with more than 200 attendees and guests.

The organization was first established as a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as Presbyterian Homes of the Synod of Florida. It began its service when the Life Plan Community today known as Westminster Manor opened in 1961. Today Westminster Communities of Florida has 23 communities spanning the state of Florida, serving more than 7,000 residents with 2,300 team members.

At the same time Westminster Suncoast is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding in 1964 as Suncoast Manor Retirement Community. The community, Westminster’s sixth Life Plan Community, serves more than 300 residents in St. Petersburg’s beautiful Pinellas Point, with a gated campus of manicured courtyards and villa homes.

The party featured a tie-dyed homage to the 1970s in celebration of the organization’s 70th anniversary, including live entertainment by the Bus Stop Band playing songs from the ’70s, guests dressed in tie-dye from head to toe, a history exhibit, bodacious food served in Crock-Pots and on portable griddles, and even a costume contest with lava lamps as prizes.

Tom Rockenbach, Executive Director, thanked the attendees with a word of welcome. “Westminster Suncoast is an amazing community. It’s rare to find such a diverse group of people living in such a harmonious and welcoming environment,” Rockenbach said. “We embody a family relationship engaging team members, residents and family members in the warmth of a true community.”

“While we are celebrating Westminster’s anniversary today, we are also celebrating another important milestone: That is your Westminster Suncoast 60th anniversary as well,” said Chief Operating Officer Garry Hennis. “Our organization and our communities have changed a lot over the last 70 years, but we have always remained committed to our mission of service to older adults.”

Hennis added, with a gesture to the many guests wearing custom-made T-shirts: “And boy, I haven’t seen tie-dye look so good since I was a kid!”

Commissioner Deborah Figg-Sanders represented the City of St. Petersburg and Mayor Kenneth Welch for the occasion, and brought a letter of congratulations. “I wish Westminster Suncoast and Westminster Communities of Florida a happy anniversary and wish you the best of success,” Sanders said, on behalf of Mayor Welch.

A highlight of the event was the costume contest, with four very thematically appropriate lava lamps awarded to the winners.

Guests enjoyed a toast to Westminster Suncoast’s 60th anniversary, and after the ceremonies, residents, future residents and team members enjoyed an afternoon of live music and dancing by the Bus Stop Band, and a variety of delicious treats provided by the Westminster Suncoast Dining Services team, from molded jelly to cocktail meatballs.

Generosity Lives On: Mary Jane Tenny’s Estate Gift Supports Her Community

Posted on August 21, 2024August 6, 2025 by Westminster

The Westminster Communities Foundation is honored to be the recipient of a generous estate gift from Mary Jane Tenny, an educator and long-time resident of Westminster Manor in Bradenton.

Tenny’s bequest to Westminster is worth $15,000 and will benefit the Manor Benevolent Assistance Fund to assist residents that outlive their resources. The Westminster Communities Foundation honors her generosity here at Westminster Manor in Bradenton, Florida.

Tenny moved to the Manor in 2013 and passed away in 2022. Originally from Michigan, she spent many years working in special education, a role which Manor Chaplain Holly Wildhack said remains a key to understanding Tenny’s deep care for those in need.

“When you teach in special education, you often develop a powerful devotion to those in need,” Wildhack said. “She spent her entire life thinking about those who needed compassion.”

Fellow Manor resident Sue Harden said she will always remember Mary Jane as a rare friend who, due to her experience teaching blind children, knew Braille.

Harden, who is blind, said it was a surprising connection to have with another resident. As to her place at the Manor, Harden said it was clear that Tenny, who had no immediate family, found an ideal home when she moved there.

“She thought of this place as her family and we were glad she came to be a part of us,” Harden said.

Though mostly quiet and reserved, Tenny is remembered for being intellectual and active in community life at the Manor, first as an independent resident and later in assisted living. She was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and was among the last attending when it merged with Palma Sola Presbyterian, also in Bradenton. Tenny loved to support her community through her local giving, often memorializing her friends at their passing. Many other charitable organizations benefitted from her generosity before and after her passing.

“I was fortunate enough to get to know Mary Jane and witness first-hand her deep interest in blessing her neighbors, whether here at the Manor, at church, or even elsewhere in the world,” said Mark Reimers, Director of Philanthropy for Westminster Communities in Bradenton. “Her giving in life and death has left in important legacy and testimony to her love and compassion.”

There are tax advantages to giving life insurance policies, estate gifts and charitable gift annuities. Contact Mark Reimers, Director of Philanthropy, at mreimers@wservices.org or call 941-782-3271 to find out how you can leave a legacy at Westminster Communities in Bradenton.

Wellbeing Tips from Westminster

Posted on August 16, 2024August 6, 2025 by Westminster

Hydration and Nutrition

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated. Aim for 64 ounces at a minimum. Add fruit slices for variety in flavor!
Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your meals.
Maintaining muscle mass is critical as we age for mobility and independence. Aim for 30 grams of protein at each meal to ensure adequate protein intake to support your muscle mass.
Protein is needed for muscle growth and repair, hormonal support, creating antibodies, and nutrient transport and storage.
Healthy fats are needed for cell growth and function, nutrient absorption, hormone production, protection of vital organs, maintaining body temperature, and supporting brain development and function.
Carbohydrates are the body and brain’s main source of energy.
Incorporating water-rich food like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges in your diet helps to keep the body hydrated.

Managing Stress

Speak up if you need support, assistance, or a listening ear. If needed, don’t hesitate to talk to a therapist or counselor.
Take time each day to reflect on things you are grateful for.
Incorporate short breaks into your day to rest and recharge.
Engage in mindfulness or meditation practices to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Even just two minutes of quiet breathing can be beneficial for a mental reset and even lowering blood pressure.
Breathe in slowly for a count of 4, hold that breath for a count of 4, and exhale slowly for a count of 4. Repeat four times.
Limit or avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption for overall enhanced health and well-being.
Get outdoors! Fresh air and sunshine can boost your mood and energy levels.
Keeping your living and working spaces tidy can reduce stress and increase productivity.
Find humor in everyday situations and enjoy a good laugh.
Identify what you enjoy doing in your free time. Is it reading, swimming, or trying a new restaurant with friends?

Movement and Exercise

Aim for 30 minutes of movement each day. Walking is a wonderful example of movement. You can walk with a friend or loved one and catch up. Added bonus, wear a weighted vest for spinal loading.
Aim for 30 minutes of movement each day. You may break this up into smaller bites of 5 – 10 minutes if you have time constraints. You can walk, dance, perform squats and pushups, you name it. Main thing – get moving!
Walking burns calories, strengthens the cardiovascular system, increases energy levels, supports muscle strength and bone density, and reduces the risk for chronic conditions like diabetes and certain cancers.
Without regular exercise, adults can lose approximately 3% to 5% of their muscle mass per decade starting around age 30. This loss can accelerate with age, especially after 60, leading to a significant decline in strength and mobility so important to incorporate strength training into our daily routines.
Take a 5-minute break. Stand up and sit back down ten times. Now take a deep breath in through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Reach overhead (best you can based on your shoulders’ range of motion) with both arms to stretch your torso and upper body and hold for a count of five. Repeat these exercises three times.
Sometimes walking is not viewed as exercise, however, it is the easiest form of exercise! It can be done anywhere, you do not need special equipment, works the body literally from head to toe, can be done alone or with others, boosts energy levels, and reduces anxiety and stress.

Relationships

Maintain strong relationships with family and friends for emotional support.
Ensuring celebrations and traditions include friends and families can offset some of the risks of overindulging in enjoying certain foods and drinks.
Knowing yourself well and setting boundaries that support you and your well-being is 100% acceptable. Learn to say no and prioritize your own needs.
Today spend time with family and friends or reach out to someone you care about.
Have a pet? Feel less stressed when seeing them or petting them? That’s because pets have been proven to help reduce blood pressure, anxiety,

Brain Health

Keep your brain engaged with activities like reading, puzzles, or learning new skills.
Focus on positive thoughts and maintain an optimistic outlook.
Visit a museum, historical monument, or art exhibit. You may learn something new and see the world through a different set of eyes.
Movement is critical for oxygen flow to the brain to release a chemical that builds new neurons.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts are particularly beneficial for brain health.

Sleep

Strive for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Take breaks from screens to reduce eye strain and improve overall well-being. Added bonus, no screens two hours before bedtime to reduce the blue light exposure to help fall asleep more easily.
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. I know, easier said than done, however, the consistency will support you in your quality of sleep.
Engaging in calming activities like reading or taking a warm bath before bed can help you to fall asleep more easily.
Keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet creates a sleep-friendly environment. Added bonus, consider using blackout curtains and a white noise machine to further enhance your sleep environment.