On Feb. 4 Christine Purves moved into her new home at 103 Willow Ridge Drive, more affectionately known as Frieda House. Christine is one of 12 elders who are the first to call Willow Ridge “home.”  Willow Ridge is the newest community of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) and provides licensed nursing care for 20 elders in two Green House homes. 

Rhonda Wolpert, Green House Guide and Administrator for Mennonite Memorial Home, can hardly contain her excitement about this new opportunity. 

"The Green House homes at Willow Ridge transform nursing home care," she said. "There will be 24-hour care and Willow Ridge will accept Medicaid and Medicare payment.  But there is nothing institutional about living at Willow Ridge.”  Wolpert expects Christine to thrive in this new environment.

A friend of Christine’s, Phyllis Osborne, was one of the first two elders who moved to Frieda House on Nov. 23, 2012.  The Ohio Department of Health conducted a survey for licensure on Jan. 18 and MHCO was notified on Feb. 1 that the Nursing Home License was granted retroactively to Jan. 18, the day of the survey. With license in hand, Christine was able to join Phyllis and others at Willow Ridge.

One of the primary concepts behind the Green House model of care is that each house is designed to be home for no more than 10 elders. Each Green House home provides private bedrooms with private bathrooms and showers. A large kitchen opens to a beautiful hearth room complete with a fireplace and comfortable furniture. 

A large dining room table is set for all to join in a meal.  When asked why such a large table, Wolpert responds, “In a Green House home, everyone has a place at the table!”  An outside patio with walkways connects the two homes so elders living there can visit their neighbors next door. 

“Guests ring a door bell and are greeted by a member of the household just like in our own homes,” said Wolpert.

In 1998, Christine and her late husband, Jack, were part of another “first” as they were part of the first wave of folks to move into duplexes at Red Maple Court located across the road from Willow Ridge. 

Red Maple Court later became part of Maple Crest Senior Living Village which is another community of MHCO. For over 10 years Christine lived in her duplex before moving into an independent living apartment at Maple Crest in 2008. Later she moved to an Assisted Living apartment at Maple Crest.

When asked what she is looking forward to in her new home, Christine mentions several things. First, she likes the idea of being close to Maple Crest where many of her friends still live. She also likes the fact that each home is built on one level and it will be easy for her to get around. 

The name “Green House” also appeals to Christine as she likes the symbolism of the name.  She appreciates that, in a Green House home, elders continue to grow, thrive and live life to the fullest. As a lover of God’s creation and the environment, she also likes the symbolism of “green.” Christine is looking forward to the view she will have from her bedroom window.  “I have a great view and will be able to enjoy the open fields,” she says.  

While the location and the physical design of her new home is appealing, she also looks forward to the fellowship and friendships she will enjoy. One of her housemates, Vera Grimm, grew up with her in the small community of Berne, Ind. 

Another housemate, LaVera Neufeld, has been a long-time friend through their mutual involvement at Bluffton University.  And a third housemate who has the room right next to hers is Phyllis Osborne. Christine recalls that Phyllis’ step-sons, Tom and Mike, were in the same class as her daughter, Mary. 

“It was reported that my Mary was the only person in class who could tackle Tom and Mike during recess!” Christine recalls with a chuckle. Christine also knows some of the Shahbaz (caregivers) who will be working there. Christine looks forward to renewing these relationships and making new friends as well. 

These friends, old and new, will no doubt hear some of Christine’s many stories about her love for music, memories of life in Berne, Indiana, and her experiences of living in Bluffton for the past 25 years. 

And without a doubt, they will hear about the 10 years she and Jack spent in Botswana, “The best democracy in all of Africa,” she said. Another first — Christine was the first in her family to live outside of the United States.

Icon viewers are invited to stop by Willow Ridge, ring the doorbell of Frieda House and visit Christine and all her friends living at101 Willow Ridge Drive.  By the way, she also likes the name “Frieda House.”  “If you change the “a” to and “e” you get “friede” which means “Peace” in German. “I expect to be at peace living at Willow Ridge.”

To find out more about Willow Ridge or to schedule a tour, contact Brenda Reichenbach at 419-358-1015.  Wolpert says that a few rooms are still available.

Doug Luginbill is Director of Resource Development and Church Relations for Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio.