Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

• 2 • The Pinecone | December 2023 ON THE PINECONE COVER O.K….Turkey gobbled up - Check. Pumpkin Pie gone - Check. Christmas music on - Check. It’s Christmas time! My favorite time of the year! Always has been; always will be. As I’ve gotten a little bit older, and a bit wiser, the meaning of Christmas has changed, yet stayed the same. Let me take a moment to explain… I grew up in a great family. My four sisters and I were blessed with a very loving and hard-working mom and dad. Yes, you read that correctly; four younger sisters. And yes, Christmas meant presents and wish lists to Santa, but what really stands out to me are the trips to my grandparents’ house, decorating the tree, and smelling my mom’s fresh-baked cookies, candies, and treats! These were things that came alive at Christmastime, with the fam- ily coming together, our home filled with con- versation and laughter, as we watched the sky for snow, dreaming, of course, of course, for a white Christmas. Christmas Eve for our family meant going off to the evening church service together, the Brown family taking up an entire pew. Gath- ering afterwards, we always had great fun, conversation, and board games. Naturally, we got to open up one gift at this time: our present from Grandma. Back to present day, I woke up this morning thinking about Kirby Pines and the most-won- derful-time-of-the-year traditions held here. Our community feels like one huge extended family! Everywhere I look, I see folks engaged in meaningful conversation, and if you- or I- walk by, we will be asked to join in! It's Time for Christmas at Kirby Pines We're Simply The Best at Kirby Pines! BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. James Latimer, Chairman Mr. Rudy Herzke, President Mr. Berry Terry, Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Larry Braughton Mr. Jim Ethridge Ms. Linda Harrington Ms. Mary Ann Hodges Mr. Rusty Linkous Mr. Boyd Rhodes, Jr. RCA STAFF Charlie Trammell President, RCA Michélle Vincent Executive Vice President, RCA Tim Cox Senior Vice President of Finance, RCA Michael Kelly Vice President of Finance, RCA Stephanie Barrow Director of Sales & Marketing KIRBY PINES STAFF Michael Brown Executive Director, Kirby Pines Annette Marlar Director of Medical Services Mike Abutineh, M.D. Medical Director Anna Bradford Nursing Home/Assisted Living Administrator Trudy Schenkenberger Director of Human Resources Linda Strickland Director of Accounting Mark Simpson Director of Culinary Services Jada Mullins Director of Environmental Services Mike Rayder Director of Grounds & Landscaping Chuck Neeley Director of Maintenance Rhonda Nelson Director of Nursing Calvin Sims Director of Security This magazine is produced by RCA 6465 N. Quail Hollow Rd., Suite 400 Memphis, TN 38120, 901-794-2598 Electronic version of The Pinecone is available at www.kirbypines.com Hard to believe December is here! We've had quite a year with our Lobby Renovation, Staff Retirements and our 40th Anniversary Celebration, but don't worry, there is more to come! There is anArt Wall reception on the 1st and Shari Ray Brand will be back on the 7th to sign her latest book. The Estates Christmas Party is on the 12th, but some of our clubs also have parties, so check the calendar or ask other members, so you don't miss out! Opera Memphis will be caroling on the 19th and sign up for the Christmas Light Tour on the 20th. The theater group has a special program on the 22nd and be sure to ring in the New Year on the 31st. Our front cover features Lenora Smith, who has lived at Kirby Pines over 20 years and never been on our cover (not that she wasn't asked!). After winning Memphis Most for the 17th straight year, we decided the grand prize at our celebration party would be a spot on our cover. To her surprise, Lenora had the winning ticket! Despite being a little camera shy, she ended up having a great time and took a beautiful photo! Our back cover has photos from our event, and to see even more, check out our Facebook page and our YouTube video! Chef Mark and his team just demonstrat- ed what a homemade Thanksgiving din- ner is all about! The sights, sounds, and tastes were all so good; I just can’t decide which was better: Pumpkin or Pecan! Not to mention the decorations! I am still so amazed at how beautiful it looks. I keep going to the lobby and gazing at the beautiful, live Christmas tree. Stunning! Fun, family, food, and spirited fellowship in the air: I loved it all as a child, and I am so happy to have found it here at Kirby Pines Estates! Let us all join together to celebrate on Tuesday, December 12th. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we came together as a community family to pray, reflect, and re- member the TRUE meaning of Christmas in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! I hope you have a memorable and blessed holiday season with your loved ones and your friends and family right here at Kir- by Pines Estates! Lenora Smith at the Memphis Most Party. Michael Brown, Executive Director, Kirby Pines