Residents, team members, and WesleyLife leaders gathered Wednesday at Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living in West Des Moines, to celebrate 15 years of serving Central Iowa as one of the area's most comprehensive communities for people 55 and older.
Speakers that included WesleyLife President and CEO Rob Kretzinger, current and former executive directors Abby Harlacher and Janet Simpson — now WesleyLife's vice president of operations — and one of the community's first residents, Bill Brantley, addressed an overflow crowd of residents, team members, and friends in one of the community's large gathering centers to begin a daylong celebration.
Kretzinger told the story of Edgewater's beginnings — of driving "out west, past the mall that wasn't even there yet" — at the recommendation of the visionary philanthropist John Stoddard, who had advised the organization to buy land in the Dallas County portion of West Des Moines.
"A few people thought we were crazy, but it seems to have worked out," Kretzinger said, gazing at the packed Performing Arts Center, a recent addition to the community, one of WesleyLife's largest campuses and one known for its architecture and outdoor features. "We've been blessed with great residents, great team members, and great families, and we are grateful to all of you."
Brantley and his wife, Helen, were the first couple to move to Edgewater; Harlacher made the point that technically, the late Des Moines pediatrician Marion Alberts was the community's first resident, and shared with a laugh that "he never would have let me forget it if I'd gotten that wrong."
Brantley praised the community and WesleyLife for, among other things, the financial acumen that continues to benefit residents.
"Edgewater executives have been willing to report annually the financial conditions of Edgewater and WesleyLife, and I'm pleased to tell you that (new executive director) Abby plans to continue this practice to keep up this transparency," he said. He also praised Edgewater's team members, especially ones who have been with the community since it opened its doors, for their commitment to quality service.
"We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey," Brantley said of the past 15 years. "To our residents, thank you for your trust and for making this community your home. To our team members, thank you for your dedication and for going above and beyond every day.
"Here's to 15 years of cherished memories and to many more years of joy, laughter, and togetherness."
(Photos below, from top: Edgewater's pioneer residents; Kretzinger addresses the crowd; Harlacher speaks; Simpson adds remarks; Brantley addresses the group; Edgewater pioneer team members; culinary team members prepare for a special lunch; a commemorative dessert greets residents after an anniversary luncheon.)