Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

ON THE PINECONE COVER We have concluded the year 2024 and I pray your holiday season was very special. I want to highlight a few Kirby Traditions from 2024 which will show the strong future for 2025. Our Annual Coat Drive for 2024 showed, again, how generous everyone at Kirby Pines is. In 2023, we collected a total of 373 garments against a goal of 200! In 2024, we collected 374 garments! On Monday, December 16th, our residents celebrated their annual Employee Holiday Appreciation Event. This event is solely dedicated to our wage earners who make $24.00 or less. In 2024, our residents graciously raised over $45,000.00. This was the most raised in over 7 years. This amount was also accomplished with a lower census. This clearly demonstrates “resident satisfaction.” On Friday, December 20, 2024, we celebrated our annual Employee Longevity Awards Event. We celebrated 2 years (2022 & 2023.) We celebrated 38 recipients whose tenure ranged from 3 years to 40 years of service. We celebrate those who achieve 3 years of service then increments of 5 years. In 2024, we celebrated every increment from 5 – 25 years plus one individual who has over 40 years of service. To these very special individuals, we awarded a total of $40,389.82 in gifts. Ready for Another Great Year Celebrating the New Year at Kirby Pines! BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. James Latimer, Chairman Mr. Rudy Herzke, President 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 KIRBY PINES STAFF Michael Brown Executive Director, Kirby Pines Mike Abutineh, M.D. Medical Director Anna Bradford Healthcare Administrator Tammy Brimhall Director of Accounting Tania Fuqua Director of Caring In Place Harold Morris Director of Culinary Jada Mullins Director of Environmental Services Mike Rayder Director of Grounds & Landscaping Trudy Schenkenberger Director of Human Resources Chuck Neeley Director of Maintenance Rhonda Nelson Director of Nursing Kayla Holland Director of Resident Programs 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 it's a brand New Year again, but we are all in for 2025! I hope everyone has put up their new Photo Club Calendar from our talented group taking pictures year round for you to enjoy. Here are some upcoming dates to be sure to mark. January 7th, Lunch Bunch is dining at River Oaks and the 15th is another opportunity to see local performer Almost Elton John. Travelers are busy this month with a "Reinvention Party" on the 16th, the Civil Rights Museum on the 22nd, the Pompeii Exhibit on the 27th and a visit to the Amazon based on Janice Wall's recent trip on the 30th. There is a Resident Association meeting on the 9th and a Book Sale on the 16th and 17th. We wrap up the month with our Art Studio Presentation on the 31st. And make sure to check out some of the new programs and entertainers that have been added for the new year. Our front cover features fun-loving couple Bill and Katy Dorsey, who opened up their home to share some New Year cheer. These two are simply as delightful as they are adorable and we enjoyed every minute we spent with them. So, with these snapshots in our 2024 album, you can assume these things: 1) We demonstrate our faith-based mission drive tenets as illustrated by our coat drive. 2) There is a strong degree of customer satisfaction. Our residents would not have given with such passion if they were not satisfied. 3) We have a truly dedicated, professional core staff. This allows us to continue to deliver at a consistent level, which helps set us apart from the competition. Now, ask me what my New year’s Resolution is for Kirby Pines?????? To have a bigger, better, more successful and more joyful year for all of Kirby Pines! Michael J. Brown, Jr. Executive Director, Kirby Pines Having Fun with Bill & Katy at Kirby Pines Our back cover has become a tradition for the January Pinecone, taking a look back at some of the moments that make our community so special. Kirby Pines has the best parties, the best programs, the best clubs, the best employees, the best classes, the best grounds, the best food and more. But the thing that separates us from the rest, is our people - Simply the BEST! • 2 • The Pinecone | January 2025