Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

ON THE PINECONE COVER Oh, put your bathing suits and sunscreen away. September has arrived! The grandkids (and greats) are back in school. There is coolness to our morning air, and there is FOOTBALL! September means something else to us here at Kirby Pines. This year, we have completed 43 years of being HOME to some of the nicest, friendliest, most accomplished and Godly residents known. We honor our residents, past and present, in a very special way. During this first week of September, we have several traditional events culminating into our Lighting of the Lake Ceremony. I have had a few residents and staff mention that they may not attend this year because of the sadness that is stirred in our hearts when we think of those who have left us and gone on to find their new HOME in heaven. I have a different take on this that I would like to share. Kirby Pines is currently HOME to over 400 seniors today. Everyone calls it home. The architecture is not what makes it home, the people do. It did not just start. It started 43 years ago, and it simply continues by the Residents that we attract and serve. It’s the employees who don’t just come to work; they come to serve! I Everyone Calls It Home Celebrating 42 Years of Kirby Pines Living 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 Ann Marie Bishop Director of Accounting Tania Fuqua Director of Caring In Place Harold Morris Director of Culinary Frank Hunter 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 look back to those who have passed this year. There were great smiles and laughter on that list. I happened to share moments with a few on that list. I do not remember any sadness in their voice. There was peace, happiness, and gratefulness. Kirby Pines is HOME! With great traditions and great people. Lighting of the Lake is not a sad event. It is a celebration of life at Kirby. I hope you join me throughout this week as we remember our neighbors, friends and family who made Kirby Pines what it is today………. HOME! See you around campus! Michael J. Brown, Jr. Executive Director, Kirby Pines at Kirby Pines September is always special at Kirby Pines. It is the month we celebrate our anniversary as a community. We come together to remember those before us during our annual Lighting of the Lake ceremony and we enjoy the changing of the weather and our beautiful campus. With the cooler weather, you may choose to venture off campus a bit more and we have loads to offer. Lunch Bunch heads to Ciao Bella on the 2nd and the Travelers are dining at the Calvary Rescue Mission on the 9th. Trips include the Woodruff-Fontaine House on the 12th, the Hummingbird Festival on the 13th, the Blues Hall of Fame the 19th, Old Dominick Distillery on the 23rd and the Nostalgic Tea Room the 27th. We have a Resident Association Meeting on the 11th, which is also Patriot Day. Resident activities include an Art Opening on the 12th, a Line Dancers Welcome on the 18th and the Entertainers are back on the 26th. Diane Mullins has a special presentation on the 15th, and don't miss Peter Jones' travel series on the 25th. So check your calendars - and your email - to not miss out! Our front cover features garden home residents, John and Elora Elli. They moved to Kirby in • 2 • The Pinecone | September 2025 Paula Cwikiel and Lee Todd having iced tea and snacks in The Bistro. 2021 with their dog, Kiera, looking for the perfect place to call home and we are so glad they chose to live here. Our back cover, taken in The Bistro, has Charlie and Kate Foster, enjoying a glass of wine together to announce our new Happy Hour every Friday from 4-6. For college football fans, games will be broadcast and specials will be served every Saturday. The Bistro is open Monday-Saturday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday 7:00 am to 10:00 am.