A Life of Literature, Arts and Plenty of Fun

Nancy came to Harvest Hill in 2024, promoted by her desire to live where she could have some assistance if she needed it.

Nancy grew up in Elkhart, Indiana, where she attended a German Lutheran school. She attributes that part of her education to a life-long dislike of being told what to do.

Nancy received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University where she studied Drama. She says there were several famous people in her department, including Kevin Kline—who at the time was still deciding whether to be an opera singer or an actor. She enjoyed acting classes, and acting has been a life-long passion.  She was a founding member of the Parish Players in Vermont, a time for which she has many happy memories.  She confessed, “I loved the feeling of losing myself in a character, not to mention the thrill of the applause.”

Nancy pursued a second degree later in life when she realized that it was a challenge to make a living in theatre. So, she went back to school for a degree in Library Science, pursuing another of her passions, books and reading.

Nancy found great joy working in a library. “I loved talking with people, hearing about their interests and helping them find the perfect book. I also loved reading to the children and then talking about what we’d read,” she said. When she was in a knitting group, she would read the “Yarn Harlot” books to them.  “We laughed so hard sometimes that I couldn’t finish reading.”

She has so many favorite books, it’s too long a list; but when asked to name a few, she shared the following; The One and Future King, The Wind in the Willows, The Bee Keepers Apprentice and The Fellowship of the Ring. She could go on.

Nancy has traveled some, and one of her most cherished travel memories is being in Paris with her friend Lila, “So much fun.”  Fun is a word Nancy uses a lot, and it may be a hint to her sense of life overall, she enjoys each day.

When asked what she appreciates about living at Harvest Hill she says it’s the way everyone supports and helps each other out.  Nancy said that when she came to HH she looked around to see what she could do to be more engaged within the community. “I decided the best thing I could do was to keep people laughing.”  Something which many people would say, she has done.

To learn more about Harvest Hill, contact our Director of Sales & Marketing today at 603-308-0024 to schedule a tour.

Resident Louise K.’s life has always been rooted in nature. Following her marriage to John K., a Cornell botany professor with an interest in marine plants, and expert in poisonous plants, her life turned to professional support for his career because they shared scientific interests and the desire to share those interests through teaching.

A former zoologist, snorkeler and occasional scientific illustrator, she now calls Harvest Hill Assisted Living in Lebanon, N.H. home, where her love for wildlife and peaceful landscapes continues to thrive.

Originally from Staten Island and later Arlington, Va., Louise earned her degree in vertebrate zoology from Cornell University. Her passion for science defined her career and lifestyle. After Jack retired, they led educational tours for Cornell alumni interested in zoology.

In the early 60s, with her late husband and other marine scientists, she helped found the Sholas Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island in Maine. Today, the island’s Kingsbury House honors their legacy.

“I’ve been in academia my whole life, and science has been the focus of it.” Louise said. “People often say I think like a scientist.”

She shared her love for science and nature in the tropics, where she taught adults how to snorkel and led guided trips to coral reefs in places like the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Great Barrier Reef. Her favorite marine creature is the tiny redlip blenny (Ophioblennius atlanticus), but her love for animals doesn’t stop underwater. On land, her favorite vertebrate is the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), a species she once kept as a pet.

Science and art are intertwined in Louise’s life. Her late husband, John K., wrote books, and Louise occasionally provided illustrations. Some of which were published in the Encyclopedia Britannica, Junior Edition.

Today, Louise enjoys spending her days socializing with neighbors and caring for her cat, Simba. She appreciates the daily activity of walking the community’s paths while enjoying the beautifully landscaped grounds as well as the nearby woods and its flora and fauna.

Harvest Hill’s natural setting was one of the first things that drew her in. After Jack’s death, Louise’s caregiver helped her find the community after a move back to Ithaca, near Cornell, fell through. With a reputation for friendliness and surrounded by native wildlife, Harvest Hill quickly became home. “I had been plotting for a long time to have Louise move here,” said her caregiver, Lori. “I had another person under my care at Harvest Hill, and I always thought Louise would be a good fit when I would visit the community.”

“The scenery here is beautiful,” Louise said. “There’s a lot of wildlife, and it’s important for me to see nature.” Being deaf, visual surroundings are especially important to her. From her window, she often spots birds and can name every bird she sees.

Louise said she feels welcomed and pleased by the level of assisted living at Harvest Hill. The staff is friendly and welcoming. When asked what she would tell someone considering a move to the community, she said, “I have been very happy here, and I recommend it for the friendliness and the comfort it provides.”

To learn more about Harvest Hill, contact our Director of Sales & Marketing today at 603-308-0024 to schedule a tour.

When Ray and his wife Vi decided to move to Harvest Hill in May 2018, they knew it was the right move. After living in North Texas for 30 years, the couple wanted to be closer to family. Their daughter lives near Harvest Hill, making the location ideal. Their son, an airline pilot based in Virginia, often travels so being near their daughter and her family perfectly aligned with their goal of moving closer to family.

For many Harvest Hill residents, the transition to assisted living is prompted by a desire to be closer to family and to make things easier as they age. But for Ray, it turned into something more. As his daughter pointed out, assisted living offers support from other residents during life-changing events. Unfortunately, that moment came all too soon when Vi passed away.

While the grief of losing his wife of 60 years was overwhelming, Ray found solace in the compassion and kindness of his new community. Holly, their daughter, was right and support from the community at Harvest Hill helped during this hard time. Ray was deeply touched by the outreach of others and began to reciprocate kindness and support to other residents facing life-altering challenges.

Another thing Ray truly appreciates at Harvest Hill is its remarkable library collection of over 4,000 books. After Vi’s passing, Ray was invited to join the Library Committee. With no previous library work experience, Ray was an active patron of local libraries, and contributing to something so integral to the community appealed to him.

When he stepped into the librarian role, Ray quickly discovered the library’s potential. The basic “lending library” system lacked a meaningful way to manage its inventory. And then Ray’s daughter and son-in-law offered to help. They donated a computer and printer to set up a more efficient, automated system, turning the lending system into a well-managed and accessible resource for all residents.

While the “Library Project” is a work in progress, Ray and the Library Committee have made significant strides. One challenge is deciding whether to accept donated books or re-donate them elsewhere after careful consideration of whether the book duplicates something in the collection. The team also works closely with local public libraries for support, ensuring that the collection remains diverse and relevant to residents.

In addition to maintaining the library, Ray and fellow Committee members contribute to Hillwinds, an internal bi-monthly publication at Harvest Hill. Hillwinds has a Library Column with book reviews written by Committee members and residents. These reviews help readers discover titles and authors and promote sharing of favorite books, bolstering a connection among residents.

Staffing the Library Committee is an ongoing challenge, especially with the new computer system in place. To address this, Ray, the Committee, and Ray’s family created a “Library Handbook,” basically an operational guide for the library. The purpose is to ensure that, even if a Committee member is absent, there is a documentation protocol to keep things running smoothly.

For Ray, the library is more than just a collection of books, it’s a vital part of the Harvest Hill community. It’s a place where residents come together, share stories and find comfort. Ray’s story is a testament to the strength of community, the power of kindness, and the importance of purpose, especially in difficult times.

Ray’s journey at Harvest Hill proves that while life brings challenges, it also offers opportunities for new meaning, building connections, and contributing to something larger than oneself. And for Ray, this library is an example of how he’s helping to shape the legacy of a community that supported him through one of the hardest times of his life.

“What’s at stake?  Intelligent operation of a wonderful Harvest Hill asset, our Library.” – Ray

Donald and Donna’s story is like many who have made the decision to move to a senior living community. After spending 54 years in their Glendale, West Virginia, home, they knew it was time for a change—to live somewhere with access to assistance if they needed it and closer to their son and his family. And as for most people, it wasn’t easy to leave their long-time home. They visited several communities before deciding to live at Harvest Hill for this time of their lives together.

Donald was an engineer who worked for Colombia Gas out of Wheeling, West Virginia. He is also a Navy veteran who served on a Destroyer in the South Pacific during the Korean War. He appreciates having the White River Junction VA nearby. Donna was a nurse at the Glendale Hospital and worked in Intensive Care and Critical Care for most of her career.

They have been married for 71 years and have a son, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Their son, Kevin, is a doctor in Vermont. Donna shared that when her son was in medical school, he joined a group providing service work in other countries, and she had the opportunity to accompany him on one of his trips. During that month-long mission in 1989, she volunteered alongside Mother Teresa, who also gave them communion during their stay. Donna says it was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Since moving to Harvest Hill in late summer of 2024, Donald and Donna have grown to really appreciate their new home. They brought furniture from their previous home, helping to make their new space familiar and comfortable. When their nieces came to visit and help them settle in and decorate, they loved it and said they’ll be back in the spring to help with the flowers in the yard.

Donald and Donna were surprised by how genuinely friendly everyone is, from the staff to the other residents. Donna enjoys playing games and listening to piano players that share their talents, and they both can’t say enough good things about the baked goods from the kitchen. Their apartment overlooks the putting green, and as former golfers, that’s a treat on a sunny afternoon. Overall, they say it has been very easy to get adjusted to their new life.

Jon and Barbara are New Yorkers at heart. Born and raised in New York, their lives intertwined early—they met when they were 12 years old. 42 years ago, their journey took them to West Lebanon, New Hampshire, where they made the move with their two children, just 3 and 6 years old at the time.

Careers that Built a Legacy

Jon and Barbara spent their professional lives building relationships and serving their communities. Jon worked at Dartmouth Savings Bank before transitioning to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, where he managed the Customer Service and Call Center for 25 years. His leadership led to a high-retention team recognized for its dedication. Barbara was a dental hygienist who served her patients with care and precision.

Life in the Great North Woods

Jon and Barbara were always drawn to the peaceful allure of New Hampshire’s Great North Woods. For years, they’ve enjoyed getaways to Pittsburg, renting a cabin near the water. Jon would fish from the dock or take to the water in his Boston Whaler. These days, their escapes are quieter, spent reading and soaking in the tranquility.

A New Chapter at Harvest Hill

Health challenges prompted Jon and Barbara to consider a move from their raised ranch home, where two flights of stairs had become increasingly difficult. Encouraged by their daughter, they toured Harvest Hill, a community they had seen being built decades earlier. The presence of on-site medical care, even though they don’t currently need it, was a reassuring factor. Their transition was smooth, thanks to the welcoming team at Harvest Hill.

A Vibrant Community Life

Jon and Barbara have quickly embraced life at Harvest Hill. Jon, an advocate for his peers, serves as chairman of the Resident Council, while Barbara participates in arts and crafts activities. They enjoy attending piano performances, and their daughter has even performed at the community as part of a local quintet.

When asked about their favorite aspect of community life, Jon and Barbara praised the staff’s warmth and attentiveness. “In the five months we’ve been here, I can’t say enough good things,” Jon said. “Living here we’ve felt integrity, respect, and care from the entire staff.”

Delicious Dining

Three meals a day at Harvest Hill offer variety and quality. From salmon to a filet, and ever-changing dessert menus of fresh fruit and baked treats, Jon and Barbara appreciate the thoughtful preparation. An alternative menu ensures everyone finds something they enjoy.

Advice for Future Residents

Jon never expected he and his wife would end up at Harvest Hill, but when health issues arose, their plans changed. “If someone else finds themselves in our situation, I would recommend Harvest Hill,” Jon shared. “We needed to be here when we got here.”

Looking Ahead

Still driving and active, Jon and Barbara are making the most of their new chapter at Harvest Hill. With the support of a lively community, compassionate staff, and each other, they’re proving that transitions, while challenging, can open the door to a fulfilling new phase of life.