Community Life at Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing | Bondurant, Iowa

Bill

Meet Bill. Bill was an engineer at Fisher Controls before retiring to Mesa, Arizona for some 20+ years. Bill and his wife Ellen moved back to Marshalltown in June of 2017 anticipating the opening of our new addition. After only a few months he lost his wife to a brain aneurysm. He is a very quiet man and during this time of grieving I would find him sitting on our front porch crying when I came into work.

So it became a daily thing with Bill and I talking and having a cup of coffee each morning. During those talks he told me about his life and I found out that he was on the 1944 championship team from Iowa State that played at the final four as a freshman!!!

The 1944 Iowa State NCAA final Four team is, without a doubt, one of the greatest units in the history of Cyclone basketball, and Bill, who is 93 years old, was a key player in their success.

Here’s the story…..

It was a tumultuous time in the United States in 1944, as war was ravaging in Europe and the Pacific. The majority of young males in the US were serving their country and it was no exception at Iowa State, where enrollment dropped significantly.

Because of the strong engineering programs, ISU was one of several schools that offered Naval Training programs. The Navel cadets could train under ISU’s V-5 and V-12 engineering curriculum and be eligible to participate in athletics for the Cyclones regardless of age or previous college graduation.

Bill was one of these cadets.

How the Cyclones made the NCAA Tournament in 1944 is a fascinating story. Because many members of the team were involved with Naval responsibilities it looked like Iowa State couldn’t participate because the cadets could be away from their base longer than 48 hours. The Cyclones eventually got permission to go, and was one of eight teams to make the NCAA Tournament.

Cyclones lost to Utah and Bill remembers it as their worst performance of the season. Something that could have played a part with their performance was they received word from the Navy, they couldn’t go to New York to play in the finals, the Naval people said we couldn’t be off the base for more than 48 hours, so we couldn’t play in the championship game even if we won!

So we contacted Iowa State and they rolled out the red carpet for him and his family. He was given, a bag full of goodies and met with the ISU staff, his daughter and granddaughter and families attended the TCU game (unfortunately ISU lost) and they enjoyed lunch and were to meet with the coach at the post game conference but by the time Bill and family we escorted down there it was over but the day was very special for Bill and see by that smile he won’t forget this night for a long time.

Thank you for the Dare to Dream Program!

Helen

Helen has always owned Boston Terriers, and has had to say goodbye to them as they crossed over the bridge to puppy Heaven. Sara, our new Memory Care Coordinator, was chatting with Helen one day and the conversation lead to Sara learning about Helen’s love for Boston’s and missing their companionship. Sara took it upon herself to make a call to Diamond in the Ruff, knowing it was a long shot that a Boston Terrier would be available for adoption.

Well, sure enough, there was a 6 year old Boston available at the Marshalltown Animal Rescue League. The next day, Helen went to meet the pup, and there was an immediate bond between the two. Glenwood Place assisted Helen in the application process and shopping for the new doggie accessories, toys and food. A week and a spay later, the dog now calls Glenwood Place home with his new mom, Helen. What a great act of kindness from Sara, and we are so glad we could assist in this Dream come True for Helen.

Now, the fun begins with finding a new name for her. Helen has asked the residents to submit ideas, her favorite will be chosen on July 26th.

Charming

Charming always wanted to take a ride on a helicopter. She had a brother in the Navy who flew them and Charming and her late husband had plans that fell through at one point. Charming mentioned her dream to Jessica one day at Glenwood Place Assisted Living and the wheels got in motion to make it happen. A ride was set up through Iowa Helicopter and Charming, her daughter Judy and son-in-law Mike took a 30 minute flight around Des Moines.

Charming said “I never thought I would be able to take one, I had given up on it” when discussing the ride. After the ride she said “I was surprised at how much water was on the ground” and “That is a day I will always remember”.

Glenwood Place has a Dare to Dream program which helps make dreams come true for its residents. Glenwood Place conducts two or Three Dare to Dream requests every year.