Copeland Oaks Founder’s Day

The 54th annual Copeland Oaks Founder’s Day Tree of Life Celebration Service was held Friday, November 10th in Murphy Auditorium.

“Today is dedicated to sacrifice and service,” said David Mannion, CEO/CFO of Copeland Oaks, as he welcomed those in attendance while also delivering a heartfelt thank you to all veterans.

The Tree of Life is updated annually to accurately reflect and celebrate the ongoing support by friends of Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center. It is a recognition of the cumulative gifts by many for the betterment of our great community. The Tree of Life can be found inside Murphy Auditorium adorned with the names of all those who have provided financial support to Copeland Oaks over the past 54 years.

Mannion reflected on the history of Copeland Oaks stating the things Copeland cherishes today are the same things it was founded on all of those years ago. He thanked all who have contributed to Copeland Oaks over the years including donors, employees, and residents.

Next to the stage was Board Member, Bill Williams, to introduce the newest recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, Lisa Gentile.

Gentile, Administrator of The Oaks Foundation, Director of Development and Director of Resident Relations, is the 2017 recipient of the award. The award was established in 1975 to recognize exceptional service to Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center. The recipient is chosen by the board of directors and is the highest honor that can be presented for their dedication to the community.

“Along with other members of the board I have been trying for the last three to five years to get Lisa to accept this Distinguished Service Award, each time we approached the subject she would rather sternly decline, always saying that there are more deserving people for this award,” said Williams.

Williams described Gentile as, “driven and meeting head on every challenge and position that she’s been faced with and doing so with grace, composure and professionalism.”

Gentile accepted the award saying, “I am so honored to receive this award, I’m not sure I’m worthy of being in the same company of all those who have come before me to receive this very great recognition and honor. But thank you.”

Gentile went on to speak of Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center history saying, “We are very blessed here at Copeland Oaks and we are blessed because of all of you in this room and all of those who came before us who had a vision to create a place where our aging population can continue living their life to their fullest.”

Founder’s Day is all about celebrating Philanthropy and those who have selflessly given back to the Copeland Oaks and Crandall Communities. Before announcing the new and advancing members on the “Giving Tree of Life,” Lisa Gentile noted, “The Tree of Life is recognition of cumulative gifts by many for the betterment of our great community. Without each and every one of these gifts of love, Copeland would not be what it is today.”

2017 Honorees

Rand & Eleanor Becker, Estate

Frank & Kay England

Lisa & Bill Gentile

Anders & Donna Gustafsson

Huntington Insurance

Hal Kneen & Nancy Collins

Fred & Janice McPherson

Ron & Sally Petrucci

Gloria Rule

David & Roselyn Stephens

Ron & Corliss Vuksta

Richard & Jean Yoder

Copeland, Crandall, Costumes, and Candy!

The grandchildren of residents along with the grandchildren and children of employees visited campus on October 30^th, dressed in their best costumes for trick-or-treat! The second-floor hall of Beeghly was transformed with festive Halloween décor, complete with a scene from Charlie Brown Halloween. Over 300 children filled the halls eager for residents to fill their candy baskets.

Mount Union Alliance Chorale Visits Copeland Oaks

Residents filled the seats in Murphy Auditorium on Tuesday, November 14th as Mount Union Alliance Chorale presented, How Great Our Joy. Under the direction of Jane Page and collaborative artist, Nancy Howenstine, the Chorale put on a performance enjoyed by all. Songs such as “O Clap Your Hands,” “Sure on This Shining Night,” “Jingle Bells” and “How Great Our Joy!” were just some of the selections the Chorale performed. Founded in the early 1980s, the Chorale consists of UMU students, faculty and members of the Alliance community. Membership is open to anyone who shares a passion for singing.

Country Classic Recording Artist Jill Jordan Burke
Tuesday, November 28 |6:30 pm

Jill Jordan Burke will take the stage in Bennett at 6:30 p.m. Jill’s recording of “Unbreakable Hearts” was a #1 hit on the International Top 40 Country Chart in 2015. She will be performing some of her original songs, as well as classic Country and Gospel music made famous by such artists as Patsy Cline, Ray Price, and Anne Murray.

Welshfield Inn & Whitehouse Chocolate Day Trip
Thursday, November 30

Copeland Oaks Residents will be traveling to Burton, Ohio, the heart of Amish country, to enjoy fresh, local and seasonal foods at Welshfield Inn! Residents will also have the opportunity to shop at White House Chocolates, Purveyors of Fine Chocolates and Candies, End of Commons General Store and Monica Potter Home Store. Transportation to Welshfield Inn will leave from the main entrance at 9:00 a.m.

Christmas in Zoar Village Day Trip
Saturday, December 2

Christmas in Zoar Village showcases an old-fashioned Christmas with naturally decorated historic house museums and visits from the traditional German Belsnickle and Krist Kind. Snacks and meals are available throughout the village. Unique crafts, Christmas gifts, and décor fill the historic schoolhouse. Music is performed all day by local high school and amateur professional music groups. Transportation will depart from the main entrance at 11:00 a.m.

Kool Nights Band “Christmas Edition”
Thursday, December 14 | 7:00 pm

A fun evening is planned for 7:00 p.m. in Murphy Auditorium. Attendees can enjoy live holiday music, dancing and Christmas goodies! Come fill up on Christmas treats and cocoa while enjoying an evening of holiday entertainment and celebration.

Copeland Chorale Concert
Saturday, December 16 | 2:00 pm

The Copeland Oaks Chorale concert will take place in Murphy Auditorium – don’t be late!

A Message from Dave Mannion, CEO

Time, talent and treasure…these are the things for which we at Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center are thankful.

It is especially fitting that each year we gather together during November to celebrate Founder’s Day and recognize supporters on the “Giving Tree of Life.” It is also very timely that we are observing National Philanthropy Month and we are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with our loved ones.

Without the support and generosity of a myriad of folks throughout the last 50 years, Copeland Oaks Retirement Campus would not be the vibrant, dynamic and diversified community that it is today.

Benefactors like J. Ford Crandall and Leon Beeghly, Youngstown industrialists and entrepreneurs, provided much of the seed money from which Copeland Oaks grew into the campus that provides homes for over 600 residents and employment for about the name number of Sebring/Alliance/Salem area residents. Others like Donald R. James, for whom Copeland’s assisted living facility is named, have continued that generous spirit of giving.

Not only have benefactors shared treasure. Many have generously given of their time and talents.  Rusty Kiko of Kiko and Associates has freely dedicated his staff to organize and present the famous bi-annual Copeland Oaks auction that raises funds for the Oaks Foundation.

We are also thankful for the time and talents that our staff continuously dedicates to making the Copeland Oaks campus a special place for seniors to live. Each day so many give 110% to ensure that Copeland Oaks is comfortable, convenient and carefree for the folks who call the campus home. We are especially appreciative of the medical professionals who meet the special needs of residents of Crandall Medical Center.

And lastly, we are grateful to everyone who has allowed Copeland Oaks to care for your loved ones. We are humbled by the trust and confidence you have shown in us to give the special people in your relationships the highest quality of life possible.

As we look back with gratitude and appreciation for all the blessings that have been bestowed on Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center, our commitment to continue our mission is stronger than ever.

Meet The Greeter, Carol Topping

Carol has called Copeland Oaks home since moving here with her husband, John, in 2012. Carol is known around campus for her beautiful handmade greeting cards that can be found in the Copeland Oaks Gift Shop.

• Art Education Chair for the Art Committee
• Loves to learn and would go back to school in a minute
• When she’s not crafting she can be found reading
• Took first place at the Regional Art Show for one of her Zentangle designs

“We couldn’t find any place that beat Copeland. Copeland has it all and is a community of friends, it is just more loving and people really care about you here,” says Carol.

Carol’s love for art, drawing and creating started when she was a little girl. It blossomed when she studied art and psychology at Ohio Wesleyan University. Carol’s psychology degree led her to a position with the Bureau of Disability Determination in Columbus. Realizing that she was not passionate about her job with state government, Carol returned to Ohio Wesleyan and worked in academic admissions. It was there, as she counseled students, that she was called to the ministry and enrolled in the Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware, Ohio.

After being ordained, Carol was appointed assistant pastor at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church where she served until 2010. She continues to be a Spiritual Director. “I help people to see where God is working and help them to be aware of God in their everyday lives,” she explained.

Throughout her professional career, Carol’s love of art simmered. It was during a weekend ministry retreat that she found her niche for card crafting. The card crafting class during the retreat inspired her to buy a stamp and ink, and the rest is history.

“I enjoy creating handmade cards, and I never have to go out and buy a greeting card,” she joked.

Carol’s husband, John, gave her full use of the large space in their Copeland Oaks villa. “When John said he wasn’t going to use any of the basement in the villa, I jumped on that!” she laughed. Neatly organized with all of her crafting essentials, the basement focal point is a large work table where she creates her exquisite cards and other impressive craft items.

Carol is involved in a myriad of classes offered at the Copeland Oaks Creativity Center. One of her new ventures is intuitive painting, the practice of freeing your creative self using many layers of different colors.

Some of the Copeland Creativity Center Classes Carol enjoys include Photography, Watercolors, Ikebana, and Quilting. She has also introduced several new classes to the Creativity Center menu.

After visiting retirement communities in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and throughout the northeast, Carol and John choose Copeland Oaks.  “We couldn’t find any place that beat Copeland. Copeland has it all and is a community of friends.  It is just more loving and people really care about you here,” she said.

Get to Know Rob Blake, Assistant Director of Maintenance

Rob has been recognized as the November recipient of the monthly Oaks Award. Rob was nominated by his co-workers to receive the award because of his hard work and determination to make the Copeland Oaks community better each day. One thing in particular that made him stand out to his peers was his involvement in getting an energy savings grant through Ohio Edison to improve lighting around campus and save money for the company.

“I love our residents and I love making Copeland a better place for them to live,” said Rob.

Rob started his career at Copeland in 1992, he says, “…the recent energy-saving projects are what make me enjoy this job. I love our residents and I love making Copeland a better place for them to live.”

The lighting projects have been ongoing for the last five years. Many areas around campus have been upgraded with new fixtures and efficient bulbs, with the most recent project being the outside lighting.

Congratulations on your achievement, Rob! In addition to a plaque, Rob received a certificate of appreciation and a gift card.